Shameless Leadership

Elena Joy Thurston is an inspirational LGBTQ+ speaker, trainer, and founder of the nonprofit Pride and Joy Foundation. A Mormon mom of four who lost her marriage, her church, and her community when she came out as a lesbian, Elena’s viral TEDx talk on surviving conversion therapy has been viewed 40,000+ times and landed her media and speaking opportunities with ABC, CBS, Logitech, Penn State, and Michael’s. Elena Joy recently launched Pride and Joy Publishing, the only publisher of solely LGBTQ+ empowerment and business books.I recently met Elena through a coaching program we are both in and I immediately knew I wanted to ask her to come on the show. She has an incredible story that she shares so generously. And her message is of the utmost importance.  Listen in to hear Elena Joy share: Her journey through marriage in the Mormon church, to growing a family of 4 children, to realizing she had a built a life that was not true to who she was Her experience of coming out as a lesbian as a Mormon mom of 4 How Mormonism encouraged her to disconnect from her body How she was able to give up control over her body and actually step into her body How finding opportunities to be embodied led her to realizing her sexuality The fear of losing her children for eternity when coming out Her experience of going to conversion therapy to “fix” her attraction to women The intense gaslighting and traumatization of conversion therapy that her to suicidal thoughts How she was able to finally own her sexuality and move out of her home and marriage and into a new life as a gay woman Her advice and guidance to women who might be stuck in the closet Links mentioned: Join my free business training on November 18th Parents of LGBTQ+ Suicide Risk Awareness ALP Workshop on November 9th PrideandJoyFoundation AllyQuiz Linkedin: Elena Joy Thurston Instagram: Pride Joy Foundation Instagram: Elena Joy Speaks Facebook: PrideJoyFound Twitter: PrideJoyFound Queer Business Book Thank you to our sponsor: Thrive: Start thriving and help women in need today by going to Thrivecausemetics.com/shameless for 15% off your first purchase! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’ve been watching the ones who say yes over the past couple years. The ones who say yes when others won’t. The ones who say yes even when they aren’t certain they’ll be successful. The ones who say yes because they see possibility and potential. Sometimes the ones who say yes are my mentors. Sometimes they are my clients. Sometimes they are my friends. I’m always in awe. When you say yes, it inspires me to say yes. And I know you inspire many others to say yes too.I recently got to go to my first in person conference since the pandemic - because two women I admire tremendously, Jess Kupferman and Elsie Esocobar, said yes. They said yes to hosting hundreds of women for the first time in 2 years and it was 3 days of magic that will stick with me for a very long time.This episode is dedicated to the ones who say yes. Are you walking among them? If you are, KEEP GOING. If you’re not, it’s ok. Listen in and you might find yourself totally inspired in new ways. Warning: you might become one of the ones who say yes.Link mentioned:Join my free business training on November 18th: shamelessmom.com/business Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hitha Palepu is a woman of multitudes, which is what I loved most about her the first time she came on the show. She is a feminist, a lifelong politics enthusiast, a daughter of immigrants, and a mother raising feminist sons. These multitudes spill into her multi-hyphenated career as an entrepreneur, investor, writer, and speaker.Hitha’s passion for the news and politics is captured in #5SmartReads, a Webby-honored social series that shares 5 must-read articles every day to keep her community informed without being overwhelmed. I follow Hitha’s #5SmartReads on Instagram as one of my primary sources for diverse, culturally significant, and reliable news resources. Hitha's also has a highly visible longtime blog, Hitha On The Go, which established her as an authority on lifestyle topics and gave way to her book, How To Pack, and collaborations with leading brands such as Headspace, Google, and Northwestern Mutual.In her “day job”, Hitha is the CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals, where she oversees financing, partnerships, and strategy for the company. She is also an investor in innovative companies primarily founded by women and focused on women. She is a sought-after speaker on politics & the news, investing, entrepreneurship, work-life juggle, and motherhood.Listen in to hear Hitha share: The challenges of of balancing an amazing year of professional opportunities while struggling with showing up as a mom, wife, friend, daughter Why she decided to write an entire book, We’re Speaking, about Kamala Harris Why she wrote We’re Speaking as a play book on how to own your story, be a leader and tell your truth to the world The most surprising thing she learned about Kamala - that had absolutely nothing to do with her political journey The importance of Kamala’s own mother’s advice about being underestimated: “Don’t let anyone tell you who you are - YOU tell them who you are.” The significance of showing up with your own unique sense of style in spite of other people’s opinions - in order to feel powerful and exude confidence The truth about being at the top of her career - and owning that it’s not what she thought it would be Her advice for moms who want to start to use their voice more often and/or more loudly but don’t know where to start Links mentioned: Join my free business training in November Get the book: We’re Speaking by Hitha Palepu Hitha on Instagram Hitha on Twitter Thank you to our sponsors: Bean Box: Order today at beanbox.com/SHAMELESS and get your first Tasting Box for just $5 with promo code SHAMELESS. MamaZen: Go to your app store or Google Play and download MamaZen today. Use PROMO CODE shameless for a FREE TRIAL so you can try MamaZen for yourself. Talkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to talkspace.com, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $100 off your first month and show your support for the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you catch yourself ruminating on why things are so hard, or spiraling into endless descents of negative self talk, or taking on a constant attitude of, “of course this isn’t going to work out the way I wanted it to”? I’m wondering if, over the course of your journey through motherhood, and layering in the last 20 months of a pandemic, you’ve fallen into a pattern of letting doubt become your default?You have every reason to own the relentlessness of this season. But if it’s compromising your mindset as you navigate your everyday life, it might be time to check in on your defaults. You might be stuck in a pattern of seeing the glass half empty. You might find yourself constantly comparing your life to someone else’s and feeling nagging jealousy. You might be overcome with the shoulds - “I should be…”If doubt has become your default, I’m inviting you to take another look at how you manage your thoughts. There is another way - a better way, I would suggest. A way that allows you to own hard truths while also seeing true and authentic possibility and potential in any moment.Listen in to hear how to reset your default thinking so doubt stops being your default.Link mentioned:Join my free business training in November Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jasmine Bradshaw is a researcher, anti-racist educator, and podcaster who truly believes that creating a more loving, inclusive, and just society starts within the sacred walls of our homes. Her podcast, First Name Basis, exists to give parents and caregivers the tools they need to raise anti-racist families. Each week we wrestle with hard questions and use the answers to create the world we want. A world where every single one of our children can be exactly who they are and reach their full potential. She hopes her community makes parents feel empowered and gives them the confidence they need to create lasting change in their sphere of influence.I asked Jasmine to return to the show when I learned that she has a new online course opening up for enrollment, Ally Elementary. I know how invested you all are in raising anti racist children, so I asked Jasmine to come back to talk about how we can talk to our kids about race in an ongoing conversation - because anti racism work is work that has no final destination. While this is a heavy topic, Jasmine and I still manage to bring you a few good laughs. I hope you’ll learn a few things in this conversation and be inspired to keep the conversation going in Jasmine’s Ally Elementary course.Listen in to hear Jasmine share: Why anti-racist parenting is so critical for our children Why anti racist education is controversial and why not talking about it perpetuates racism Exact steps to take when your child (inevitably) says something racist The 5 B’s of upholding anti racism in your family How to have curious conversations around race and bias with other people Why it’s the role of white people, not Black people, to call out discrimation, bias and harm when it happens The importance of calling out systems of oppression as the problem around race - not skin color Links mentioned: First Name Basis podcast episode: Critical Race Theory First Name Basis podcast episode: Oh No! My Child Said Something Racist Free Race Talk Road Map: First Name Basis Get on the WaitList for Ally Elementary Connect with Jasmine First Name Basis on IG First Name Basis on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’ve been sitting on this episode for awhile because it feels like a big responsibility to open up this conversation. The longer I sat on this topic, the more content I came up with - to the point that it seemed there might be no end to my list of “Reasons Why Moms Make Better Leaders At Work.” I am releasing this list today while fully acknowledging that this is probably just the beginning of this conversation. It’s a damn good start.Motherhood makes you a better leader. Full stop. AND…Motherhood makes you a better leader than others in the workplace. Full stop.Whether it’s your ability to be endlessly patient with other people, ruthlessly diligent with your time, or relentlessly adaptable, innovative, and nimble - motherhood trains you to show up and show out in leadership in ways you never knew you were capable of. From productivity to creativity to advocacy to future thinking, motherhood trains you to lead like no other.This episode is for those of you who haven’t quite realized your full potential in leadership in your work because you haven’t quite fully embraced the superpowers you harness as a women who has been trained by a top notch army of generals: your children - and an entire society that positions (forces) women to work their asses off without any recognition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Traci Baxley is a mother of five, consultant, educator and coach dedicated to supporting families, organizations and corporations in developing diversity & inclusion practices that lead to meaningful relationships, genuine belonging and high productivity. She is also the creator of Social Justice Parenting®, a philosophy that moves families from fear-based parenting to creating spaces of belonging through compassion, radical love and social justice engagement. Her book, Social Justice Parenting, comes out next week on October 19th. This is a book you definitely want in your home library. As part of Traci’s book launch, I will be joining her for her virtual book launch party on October, 20th. This will be a one hour conversation with Traci and me, as well as audience members, as Traci shares stories from the book and talks through some of the most critical things we need to face if we want to parent our children through the lens of social justice values. Sign up to join Traci and me live for this virtual conversation at shamelessmom.com/justice.Listen in to hear Traci share: Why we must go beyond becoming allies and activists ourselves, and also raise our children to become activists Her identity as a mother of 5 who has biracial children, neurodiverse children, and children with mental health struggles The pushback she gets being in an interracial marriage What fear based parenting looks like - especially in comparison to social justice parenting How to start shifting gears into social justice parenting How to talk to your kids about race in small ways that have big impact Why you can’t always be the fixer for your kids - and the importance of listening for clarity & empathy not just to solve problems as a parent How parents in mostly white communities can raise conscientious children who are invested in racial equity and social justice The importance of learning about and talking about Black joy with your kids Links mentioned: Join Traci and me for Traci’s virtual book launch on October 20th Buy the Book: Social Justice Parenting by Dr. Traci Baxley Connect with Traci: Social Justice Parenting Traci on IG Traci on FB Traci on LinkedIn Traci on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyday you have the chance to show up for yourself, your family and your community in a myriad of ways. On hard days, showing up feels nearly impossible. Heck, some days it is impossible.  As we endure the most relentless of seasons, there are a number of ways you can show up, one small step at a time - to keep up your drive, your sense of self, and a bit of momentum. Showing up in small ways over a long period of time makes a really big difference in the entire trajectory of your life. How do I know this??Because I’m the poster child for showing up in small ways one million times over again. It’s what I do. It’s how I built an award winning fitness business. It’s how I built this podcast (that’s nearing 600 episodes), it’s how I kept going when infertility felt like it would win over and over again.Showing up doesn’t have to be a big production. It can be small, simple steps that keep you moving forward just a bit at a time - enough to help you see that you are actually moving forward. In this episode, I share 7 simple ways you can show up for your life. Practicing any one of these will have great impact over time. Let’s keep showing up, my friends.Link mentioned:Join Traci and me for Traci’s virtual book launch on October 20th: Social Justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Khalilah Lyons is the founder of Answer the Moment, LLC, as well as a keynote speaker, mentor, advisory council member, thought leader. She is also a diversity, equity and inclusion leader devoted to the advocacy of the underrepresented and untapped talent in others. Through her practical approach, she integrates passion and purpose to disrupt narratives and create cultures of inclusion where people can connect as humans, live human excellence.Khalilah is also the managing director and co-founder of Candidly Connecting, where she ignites bold and essential conversations with children and their parents. Through this online platform and upcoming podcast, parents are equipped with tools, resources, and role models to begin having real dialogue and understand the diverse resilience that enables communities to thrive. With digestible coaching and a dynamic, online community, parents and children can create diversity and inclusion naturally in their daily lives through the power of storytelling.Listen in to hear Khalilah share: How hard experiences in 2019 fertilized her current foundation The importance of “believe, breathe, be” as we navigate hard times and non-linear growth and healing What inspired her to start having candid conversations around talking to kids about diversity and inclusion the same way we talk about eating healthy and other given conversations we have with our kids How Candidly Connecting is creating the space for ongoing integration of stories of diversity How to interpret stories with our heads, hearts, hands The opportunity we have as parents to leave a legacy of changing communities How to redefine privilege in order to leverage your power for change The importance of acknowledging your lived experiences as achievements Links Mentioned: Candidly Connecting Khalilah on LInkedIn Khalilah on Instagram Linkedin: Veronica Appleton Veronica Appleton Thank you to our sponsors: MamaZen: Go to your app store or Google Play and download MamaZen today. Use PROMO CODE: shameless for a FREE TRIAL so you can try MamaZen for yourself. Thrive: Start thriving and help women in need today by going to ThriveCausemetics.com/shameless for 15% off your first purchase! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I recently made a big, bold move that resulted in a pretty awesome win. I couldn’t decide if I should share this win publicly. It felt a little braggy and privileged to share a big win when so many people are struggling right now. As I kept this win to myself over the course of a few weeks, I started to think about the consequences of not sharing. When we don’t share our wins, we don’t get to fully experience the power of that feeling of “I made that happen!” We don’t help others see what is possible. We don’t get to fully own the things we build, the ways we show up, the ways we are growing, the full capacity we have to do great things. When we don’t share our wins, we don’t let our legacies live out loud. I decided I was not ok with keeping this win to myself. So, I’m sharing it with you on today’s episode. This is a win 18 years in the making. It’s the result of me slowly, systematically building something - one tiny step at a time - in order to land in a certain place to meet a specific “vision board goal” My hope is that this episode will give you permission to share your wins - loud and proud. We need to see women winning right now. We need to see moms winning right now. We need to see the power and potential of taking one tiny step at a time. Can we agree to own our wins in order to live our legacies out loud moving forward? Links Mentioned:Download my free Shameless Motivation Coloring Book   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices