

Shameless Leadership
Sara Dean
Welcome to Shameless Leadership! This show is for women, transgender people, non-binary folks, and allies who are committed to advancing their leadership and the leadership of those around them. In this space, we believe everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. Our mission is to help you foster these feelings within your own circles of influence to build trust, psychological safety, and a culture of belonging.In each episode, we dive into essential topics impacting women in leadership - everything from shutting down your inner critic and imposter syndrome to overcoming perfectionism to using your voice in new ways to advocate for yourself, your ideas, and other folks carrying marginalized identities. You'll hear practical tips, effective strategies, and inspiring stories that will not only enhance your leadership skills but also broaden your perspective to become a more confident, thoughtful, and empathetic leader.Our stories come from people carrying identities who are often underrepresented, underestimated, and excluded. By sharing their experiences, we aim to provide you with invaluable lessons that will transform your leadership journey. We are thrilled to have you join this community of Shameless Leaders who are actively creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can intentionally lead through a more curious, compassionate, and inclusive lens.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 1, 2018 • 58min
254: Christine McAlister: Building A Life With Passion
Christine McAlister is an entrepreneur, business coach and the author of The Income Replacement Formula: Seven Simple Steps To Doing What You Love And Making Six Figures From Anywhere.An expert on turning tragedy into triumph, she founded her company, Life With Passion, after the full-term stillbirth of her first daughter, Maeve.She's been featured in Inc., Business Insider, The Huffington Post, and the Entrepreneurs On Fire podcast. Christine helps high-achievers all over the world to quit and stay out of their 9-5s, by building businesses out of their passions.Christine and her husband and 2-year old "rainbow baby" Fiora live with their 2 rescue dogs, near their Arabian horses, in Louisville, Kentucky.I wanted to have Christine on the show to talk about her traumatic story of loss and how she found herself a completely new person a few years later. We talk about how motherhood changes us forever, especially in the face of loss and trauma.Christine’s passion and energy are infectious. It is so clear that she has built the life that is best for her passions and she’s obviously very talented when it comes to helping others do the same!Listen in to hear Christine share:
How she endured the loss of her daughter, Mauve, and the lessons learned from her trauma
Why she left a successful business to build something new
Why she believes, “when the mindset is strong, the strategy is simple.”
How to identify your passions and determine if you should (or shouldn’t!) build a business around them
The 7 steps of a freedom based lifestyle
Links Mentioned:
Get a free chapter of Christine’s book: Life With Passion
Get Christine’s book: The Income Replacement Formula
Join Christine’s private Facebook group
Christine on Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 30, 2018 • 40min
253: 6 Tiny Tweaks To Improve Productivity
I’m going to be a little controversial here and tell you that if you feel you don’t have enough time in your day, it’s your own fault. I don’t say this because I doubt you are super busy. I know you have a lot of balls in the air. I totally get it. But I also know that the constant overwhelm of busyness is usually due to two things:
Taking on too many things and not being clear on what you need to say no to
Poor planning/use of the precious time you have
I don’t say any of this to point fingers or place blame, as I don’t think I’ve ever met a mom who didn’t struggle with this. So, I promise, we are all in this together.How about we get serious about owning out time and feeling in control of our days, shall we?Listen in as I give you 6 proven tiny tweaks to help you better manage your day and increase your productivity. Warning: the implementation of any one of these tweaks will ease your overwhelm tremendously. Be prepared to feel lighter and more free almost immediately.Links Mentioned:
Shameless Mom Momentum Mamas Wait List
Podcast: Online Marketing Made Easy With Amy Porterfield
Product Recommendation: Panda Planner
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 25, 2018 • 53min
252: Beryl Young: Finding Your Creative Self After Motherhood
Beryl Young is a Shameless Mom to her 8-year-old daughter, as well as the founder of Recapture Self and creator of Momtography® photography classes. Inspired by Beryl’s traumatic entrance into motherhood, Momtography® began in 2011 in the DC Metro Area as a creative business experiment. Over the past 7 years, Momtography® has expanded to include an online learning experience and local classes across the US taught by licensed teachers in 12 cities. Beryl calls herself a creative coach who grants women permission to seek an identity beyond motherhood using creativity as a tool for living a bigger, bolder, more meaningful life.Beryl is a highly inspired and creative woman who will motivate you to seek new creative pathways for sure. I had so much fun chatting with her and I’m pretty sure she will spark something in you as well.It can be very challenging to find creative outlets when you are managing the overwhelm and necessary nitty-gritty of motherhood. Beryl is going to teach you how to start digging into creative spaces in simple and fun ways. Listen in to hear Beryl share:
The value of living in integrity personally and professionally
How family planning and trauma changed her professional direction
How to use The 100 Steps Project to initiate creativity
How you can communicate with your partner to get more time to pursue your interest
Life hacks to get creative and stop over thinking everything
How to stay wildly creative and also be successful as an entrepreneur
How getting tattooed and dying her hair helped her thrive with anxiety
Links Mentioned:
Connect with Beryl: Recapture Self
SMA Ep 234: Megan Flatt: How to Own Your Mama Advantage
SMA Ep 200: Gretchen Rubin: The Four Tendencies
Beryl’s Free Photo Challenge
Beryl on Instagram
Beryl on Facebook
Thank you to our sponsors:PlanetBox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 23, 2018 • 40min
251: Managing Deceit
Last month, we found ourselves in the middle of a string of traumatic lies at the hands of someone we trusted on the most vulnerable level. Managing that kind of deceit was overwhelming. It took some time to figure out how to move forward.When someone breaks your trust in a big way, it’s easy for your mind to go to dark places. It’s easy to give into fear. It’s easy to make up stories in your head that do not serve you.In this episode, I’ll share how someone deceived my family and our community. I’ll also share how I managed this situation. As someone who can’t even handle being told a white lie, this was a tough situation for me. But I learned how to not make it about me and how to move on, even feeling some compassion for the person who caused so much harm.I’m sharing this episode in hopes it will help others who have been deceived on any level and might be struggling to process the deceit and move forward.Links Mentioned:Join the Momentum Mamas Wait List: Shameless Mom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 18, 2018 • 1h 6min
250: Lauren Golden: The Free Mama Movement
Lauren Golden is a Shameless Mom to 3 kids and loves helping mamas free themselves from the 9-5 grind. She launched The Free Mama Movement to show working moms that they don’t have to choose between family and financial stability. Hundreds of families today are happier and more fulfilled thanks to Lauren and her online programs. Whether you’re a single mom, a military mom, or a mom in a two-parent family who doesn’t want to sacrifice your time with your babies in order to provide for them, Lauren wants you to know that you don’t have to.Today, as the fearless leader of The Free Mama Movement and a thriving community of over 3,500 women, Lauren is passionate about showing other moms how to start and run a successful freelancing business from home. In her upcoming book, she shares her own story — along with plenty of practical advice for anyone looking to leave the 9-5 behind and make a real living from home. Lauren has amazing energy and I knew within moments of starting this interview that we would have some magical synergy. I am so excited to introduce you to Lauren, her story and her work!Listen in to hear Lauren share:
How a traumatic loss changed her life and made her quickly quit her job
How she went about “crafting” the life she really wanted
Her belief in the “have-it-all” lifestyle
The negative impact of business building on a marriage
Why “busy” is a dirty word
How to cut your responsibilities in half
Links Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren: The Free Mama Movement
Lauren on Facebook
Lauren’s free Free Mama Movement Facebook group
Lauren on Instagram
Thank you to our sponsors:
Canidae: We talk about families, and your pet is an important part of your family and they deserve the best. Go to Canidae to try CANIDAE for free by requesting a free sample and get other special offers!
care of: For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit Take Care of and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 16, 2018 • 47min
249: Sara Dean: Kick Your Imposter Syndrome To The Curb
Everyone struggles with Imposter Syndrome. EVERYONE.Over the last year or so I have been noticing how prevalent Imposter Syndrome is among some of the most successful people I know. It has become abundantly clear that we all struggle with feeling worthy. So, now that I’ve confirmed that this is a problem for you, lol, I’m going to talk to you about how to manage it.Listen in to hear me share:
What Imposter Syndrome is and how it might be impacting your life
The time I saw Macklemore struggle with Imposter Syndrome
How I see the women over apologizing, minimizing, and giving away their self-worth
The negative feedback loop that keeps you stuck in Imposter Syndrome mindset
3 ways you can stop shrinking
6 ways to improve your confidence in less than 10 minutes a day
5 ongoing practices that will help you overcome Imposter Syndrome
Links Mentioned:SMA Episode 149: Stop Saying SorryThank you to our sponsors:
Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, text SHAMELESS to 484848.
Daily Harvest: To get 3 FREE cups/smoothies in your first order, go to Daily Harvest and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 11, 2018 • 55min
248: Danny J: Saved By The Daughter She Placed For Adoption (Part 2)
Please Note: This is Part 2 of Danny-J’s story. If you didn’t listen to Episode 246 last week, go back and listen to that first!Danny-J is an award-winning entrepreneur, coach, podcast host, and storyteller. As the former founder of The Sweaty Betties, an online fitness community, Danny-J discovered the most effective method for capturing attention and increasing revenue—sharing personal and brand stories. Danny-J's work can be heard in her weekly podcast, The Best Life Podcast and can be followed in real time on all the social media platforms.As a real-life example of "Truth is Stranger than Fiction" she uses her real "Jerry Springer Life" stories to engage with her audience, teaches life lessons and inspires others to rewrite their stories. Danny-J now teaches innovative brands and influencers to close more sales, become better leaders and blow up their brands with the irresistible power of sharing. She also helps tens of thousands of families become debt-free by sharing her real life getting out of debt story and challenge #FindTheMoneyProject.I have been following Danny on social media for a while now. When I learned she gave up a baby for adoption as a teen mom, I asked her to come on the show to be interviewed as a Shameless Mom. Danny’s story is filled with trauma and heartache, but it ends in triumph and so much love and joy that she could never have anticipated as a young desperate and clinically depressed young woman. In this interview, we dive deep into Danny’s childhood, which was deeply impacted by her family’s religion, sexual abuse at the hands of her cousin, learning her biological father was a sperm donor, a serious eating disorder, depression with ongoing suicidal ideation, and a pregnancy at age 15 that ultimately saved her life. Listen in to hear Danny share:
How having a baby at 16 saved her from her eating disorder, depression and suicidal thoughts
How giving up her baby actually gave her life purpose again
How her grown daughter coached her on meeting her sperm donor bio dad last year
How opening all the doors in her biological family relationships has improved all her relationships with her parents
Why she is a Shameless Mom even though she didn’t raise her daughter
Links Mentioned:
Connect with Danny: Danny J
Danny’s podcast with Jill Coleman: The Best Life Podcast(Episodes 18 and 19 are her adoption story and her interview with her daughter)
The Best Life Podcast on Instagram
Danny J on Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 9, 2018 • 39min
247: 7 Steps To Find Your Passions
One of the most common questions I get is, “How do I find my passions?” Author Kristin Hannah says, “Finding your passion isn't just about careers and money. It's about finding your authentic self. The one you've buried beneath other people's needs.”I couldn’t agree more.It is easy for moms to lose themselves in motherhood. It is very common to wake up one day, years into motherhood, and wonder:
What am I passionate about?
What are my hobbies?
What would I do with myself if I had free time?
What makes me happy outside of my family?
How would I fill my time if I didn’t have kids to take care of?
What is my favorite food?
Do I even have a favorite color?
The path to finding your passions and bringing TONS more joy and magic into your life is pretty simple, but not necessarily easy. It takes some time, but it’s well worth it – and the discovery can be really fun. Listen in to this episode as I share 7 steps to find your passions in life (beyond motherhood and family life.) I think you’ll be excited about starting a new journey of exploration after you take this in!Thank you to our sponsors:
Fitfabfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to FabFitFun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Canidae: We talk about families, and your pet is an important part of your family and they deserve the best. Go to Canidae to try CANIDAE for free by requesting a free sample and get other special offers!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 4, 2018 • 47min
246: Danny-J: Saved By The Daughter She Placed For Adoption (part 1)
Danny-J is an award-winning entrepreneur, coach, podcast host, and storyteller. As the former founder of The Sweaty Betties, an online fitness community, Danny-J discovered the most effective method for capturing attention and increasing revenue—sharing personal and brand stories. Danny-J's work can be heard in her weekly podcast, The Best Life Podcast and can be followed in real time on all the social media platforms.As a real-life example of "Truth is Stranger than Fiction" she uses her real "Jerry Springer Life" stories to engage with her audience, teaches life lessons and inspires others to rewrite their stories. Danny-J now teaches innovative brands and influencers to close more sales, become better leaders and blow up their brands with the irresistible power of sharing. She also helps tens of thousands of families become debt-free by sharing her real life getting out of debt story and challenge #FindTheMoneyProject.I have been following Danny on social media for a while now. When I learned she gave up a baby for adoption as a teen mom, I asked her to come on the show to be interviewed as a Shameless Mom. Danny’s story is filled with trauma and heartache, but it ends in triumph and so much love and joy that she could never have anticipated as a young desperate and clinically depressed young woman. In this interview, we dive deep into Danny’s childhood, which was deeply impacted by her family’s religion, sexual abuse at the hands of her cousin, learning her biological father was a sperm donor, a serious eating disorder, depression with ongoing suicidal ideation, and a pregnancy at age 15 that ultimately saved her life. Listen in to hear Danny share:
How having a baby at 16 saved her from her eating disorder, depression and suicidal thoughts
How giving up her baby actually gave her life purpose again
How her grown daughter coached her on meeting her sperm donor bio dad last year
How opening all the doors in her biological family relationships has improved all her relationships with her parents
Why she is a Shameless Mom even though she didn’t raise her daughter
PLEASE NOTE: this episode has been divided into Part 1 and Part 2. Make sure to come back next week to enjoy Part 2.Links Mentioned:
Connect with Danny: dannyj.com
Danny’s podcast with Jill Coleman: The Best Life Podcast(Episodes 18 and 19 are her adoption story and her interview with her daughter)
The Best Life Podcast on Instagram
Danny J on Instagram
Thank you to our sponsors:
Wing Alpha: Get $25 off your first cell phone bill when you go to Wing Alpha, click Join Wing and enter the code SHAMELESS.
Simple Contacts: Get $20 off your contact lenses at Simple Contacts and enter the code SHAMELESS20 at checkout.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 2, 2018 • 42min
245: 5 Ways To Love The Skin Your You're In
Body image has been a hot topic for me my whole life because it has been a struggle for me my whole life.Working in the fitness industry for 16 years made me hyper-aware of how every woman battles her own body at some point in her life – sometimes for her entire life.Having worked with thousands of women, I can tell you that a woman who weighs 125 pounds often has then same insecurities as a woman who weighs 225 pounds. Our insecurities are universal because they are programmed into us from a ridiculously young age. Today I’m going to talk you through 5 ways to start deprogramming the lies you tell yourself about your body so you can start healing the relationship you have with the body that has served you well your whole life. I’m going to give you a lot of information and a lot of resources, so take notes! Then go follow these Badass Body Positivity Babes on Instagram:
Sonya Renee Taylor: @sonyareneetaylor (author of This Body Is Not An Apology)
Chrissy Metz: @chrissymetz (Kate from This Is Us)
Mirna Valerio: @themirnavator (runner, writer, speaker)
Jessamyn Stanley: @mynameisjessamyn (athlete)
Danielle Brooks: @daniebb3 (Tasty from Orange is the New Black)
Alizabeth Swaim: @curvyhipsandtintedlips
Ashley Graham: @ashleygraham (model)
Corissa Enneking: @fatgirlflow
Mary Lambert: @marylambertsing (singer/songwriter with Macklemore)
Keala Settle: @kealasettle (the bearded lady in The Greatest Showman)
Jes Baker: @themilitantbaker (author, speaker, blogger)
Erin Brown: @iamerinbrown (author, speaker, activist)
Additional Links Mentioned:SMA Episode 19: No, I didn’t lose my baby weight
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


