LEAVE YOUR MARK: Freshly Brewed Career Advice with Aliza Licht

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Aliza Freud, founder and CEO of SheSpeaks, to discuss the evolution of influencer marketing and the nuances of understanding women's consumer behavior. We explore Aliza's experiences from her time at American Express, the concept of the female reality gap, and the importance of authentic influencer collaborations. The conversation highlights how She Speaks uses data and qualitative research to help brands target their audience effectively, as well as the ongoing challenges and successes in the influencer industry, particularly for women. We also explore how the industry has shifted towards content that is native to social platforms and the continuing battle for pay equity among female influencers. This insightful discussion provides actionable career advice and underscores the importance of diversification, authenticity, and understanding consumer benefits over product features.

In this episode of 'Leave Your Mark,' I sit down with my friend, Amy Shoenthal, a seasoned journalist, marketing consultant, and author of The Setback Cycle: How Defining Moments Can Move Us Forward, a USA Today bestseller. We all know what failure feels like, but what if we are sleepwalking into a setback? What does that feel like? How do we proactively protect ourselves against it, or is it a defining movement that will ultimately move us forward? Amy and I discuss the pervasive nature of setbacks, especially in the context of societal and professional challenges. Amy shares insights from her book, which includes stories of leaders who have overcome significant obstacles to create impactful ventures. We explore the concept of setbacks through a four-phase framework: Establish, Embrace, Explore, and Emerge. The conversation also delves into the importance of resilience, combating self-doubt with an 'inner hype person,' and the role of continuous learning and personal branding in navigating and rebounding from setbacks.

Sex & the City meets Six Feet Under was how Alix Strauss' novel, The Joy of Funerals, was described by the LA Times 20 years ago. Inspired by a 1988 piece for the Lives section of the New York Times Magazine, this trend, culture, and lifestyle journalist and award-winning and four-time published author discussed her obsession with funerals. As an only child, Alix's personal experiences and unique perspective on life are deeply intertwined with her work. She felt the greatest connections to others at family funerals, the only occasions when she would see most of her relatives. The Joy of Funerals is a collection of humorous short stories that will both captivate and disturb you. But this trend journalist and author was way ahead of her time. In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Alix to discuss her decision to give her groundbreaking and controversial book a second chance by rereleasing it for its 20th anniversary at a time when grief and a loneliness epidemic are even more prevalent in today's society. Alix shares her personal experiences, and the profound narratives explored in her work, shedding light on the human desire for connection amidst life's extremes. The discussion also touches upon the broader implications of social media, pandemic influences, and the changing landscape of storytelling.Host's note: This episode was recorded prior to October 7th.

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Kim Shapira, celebrity dietitian, nutritional therapist, and author of "This is What You're Really Hungry For: Six Simple Rules to Transform Your Relationship with Food to Become Your Healthiest Self." Kim breaks down the fundamentals of transforming one's relationship with food, and we relate all of this to work. Whether it's stress eating or feeling like you "deserve it" after a hard day, our relationship with food and our careers are intertwined. Drawing on her 25+ years of experience, Kim breaks down her 'Kim Shapira Method,' which includes six simple rules to help people eat healthier and manage their weight. She delves into the influence of emotional triggers and the importance of sleeping well, staying hydrated, and getting enough physical activity. Kim also shares personal anecdotes from her journey and insights on the controversial diet drug Ozempic. The episode provides actionable advice for anyone looking to change their eating habits and overall well-being. 

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with my friend Karen Robinovitz, a multi-faceted entrepreneur and visionary. Karen shares her diverse career journey, from a journalist contributing to major publications and authoring a book to pioneering the digital influencer management industry with Digital Brand Architects (DBA) and co-founding Sloomoo Institute, an interactive experience focused on joy and play through slime. Karen discusses her unique ability to foresee trends, from the rise of digital media to the influencer movement and the therapeutic role of tactile play in her personal grief recovery. The episode also explores Karen's contribution to addressing mental health, inclusion, and neurodiversity through Sloomoo. While discussing her career, Karen and I discussed the rise of antisemitism and the importance of speaking up against hatred. It's worth noting that this episode was filmed before October 7th. Karen's story is a testament to the power of resilience, healing through passion projects, and the impact of reinventing oneself and one's career.

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Shelmina Babai Abji, Founder and CEO, ShowYourWorth.ai, a distinguished speaker, bestselling author, and former high-ranking executive at IBM. Shelmina discusses her journey from humble beginnings in Tanzania to becoming a key female figure in the tech industry and her mission to advance gender equality in leadership roles. She shares insights from her book, 'Show Your Worth: 8 Intentional Practices for Women to Emerge as Leaders at Work,' offering strategies for women to maximize their leadership potential and create unique value in their careers. She highlights the importance of overcoming fear, building a personal brand, and demonstrating value for advancement. Shelmina's story is a testament to resilience, empowerment, and the critical role of intentionality in achieving professional success.

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I welcome Madison Ciccone, a former Hollywood executive assistant turned top SoulCycle instructor and confidence coach. We discuss Madison's career transformation, from her early days in Hollywood to finding her true calling in fitness and coaching with SoulCycle. Madison shares insights into the fast-paced Hollywood lifestyle and her transition into fitness, emphasizing the importance of aligning success with purpose and fun. She also talks about creating her brand, Wicked Fearless, aimed at motivating women through virtual coaching sessions initiated during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Today, it embodies her mission to help women identify their purpose, harness bravery, and take bold action in their lives. Madison's approach is unique and intertwined with her journey and struggles, making her teachings all the more powerful and relatable. At the heart of Madison's story is the theme of fearlessness — not the absence of fear, but the courage to confront and dance with it. She highlights the importance of spirituality, self-reflection, and letting go of past baggage to uncover one's true message. By embracing the highs and lows of her journey, Madison advocates for authenticity, resilience, and the continual pursuit of self-discovery. Our conversation covers a range of topics, including the power of vulnerability, the role of spirituality in achieving success, and strategies for overcoming the comparison trap and building confidence.As Madison emphasizes, leaving a mark on the world isn't just about achieving personal success; it's about amplifying the greatness already within others and making every interaction a chance to impact someone's life positively. Her story is a powerful reminder that finding and following one's joy and purpose can lead to unimaginable fulfillment and inspire others to do the same.

As the first woman to serve as Secretary to former Governor Cuomo, the highest unelected position in state government, Melissa DeRosa knows how to thrive under pressure. In her riveting memoir, "What's Left Unsaid: My Life at the Center of Power, Politics & Crisis," she candidly shares her journey through politics, government, and becoming an author. From the frontlines of the COVID crisis to the real events behind Governor Andrew Cuomo's meteoric rise and unfathomable fall, Melissa, one of the most powerful women in New York State government, has been on the frontlines every step of the way. She opens up about personal sacrifices, navigating crises, and the support and controversy surrounding Governor Cuomo. Reflecting on her sudden thrust into the public eye, Melissa touches on the complex dynamics of personal branding, calling into question the narratives we construct around public figures and advocating for a more nuanced understanding beyond superficial judgments.In this episode of Leave Your Mark, Melissa shares her career journey from her early days in fashion PR to her rapid rise in New York State's political arena, with an unprecedented view into the behind-the-scenes crisis management of the COVID-19 pandemic. On this show and in her book, she shares the personal challenges she faced with raw honesty and vulnerability—a failing marriage, infertility, death threats, misogyny—all while navigating unprecedented professional landmines along the way.

In beauty, few names resonate as vibrantly as Marisa Meltzer. Renowned for her thought-provoking journalism and bestselling books, Meltzer has become a beacon of insightful commentary on the personal and professional narratives that shape our cultural landscape. Her latest book, Glossy: The Inside Story of Emily Weiss's Glossier, not only cements her status as a leading voice but also offers an unparalleled glimpse into the potent mix of ambition, innovation, and struggle that defines the beauty industry today.In this episode of Leave Your Mark, Marisa discusses her career, the beauty industry, and the making of Glossy, the bombshell exposé that reveals—for the first time—exactly what happened at Glossier, one of America's hottest and most consequential startups, and dives deep into Emily Weiss, the enigmatic, visionary woman responsible for it all.We explore social media's pivotal role in its success and Marisa's take on the 'girl boss' era. She also touches upon the standards of beauty and body image in the current era, the intricate process of her reporting, and her next book project on Jane Birkin. The episode dives deep into the intersection of personal branding, industry dynamics, and the evolution of beauty standards.

In a world brimming with stories of success and determination, few are as captivating, hilarious, and inspiring as that of Jen Lancaster. Best known for her candid memoirs and inventive novels, Jen's journey from corporate vice president to bestselling author embodies resilience, wit, and an unmatched knack for storytelling. She is the New York Times bestselling author of nine memoirs, five adult novels, and one YA book.  Jen has sold well over a million books. After a corporate layoff in 2001, down on her luck, and stuck selling off cars, jewelry, and designer purses [which she says sucked, FYI] Jen launched a website to air her frustrations about unemployment. She began detailing her descent from designer clothing and spa visits to the unemployment line on her blog jennsylvania.com.  Her acerbic wit quickly won the blog a massive following. Jen’s first memoir, Bitter is the New Black, was published in 2006. Since then, she has published [at least] one book a year, and her memoir The Tao of Martha was optioned for a sitcom by FOX. In this episode, she shares insights into her creative process, advice for aspiring writers, character development and the shift from non-fiction to fiction, her experiences with traditional and Amazon publishing, and the importance of personal branding and marketing in an author's career. Additionally, she discusses her recent projects, including her latest book 'House Moms', her work as a ghostwriter, editor, and her lessons learned along the way. Fun fact: Jen edited my latest book, On Brand!