The EA Campus Podcast

In this insightful discussion, Andrew Chesnutt, CEO of The Authority Forge and a serial entrepreneur, reveals the secrets to a successful Executive Assistant (EA) partnership. He emphasizes the difference between EAs as order-takers versus strategic partners who anticipate needs. Andrew shares how awareness of neurodiversity enhances communication and the importance of creating organized workflows from founders' chaotic ideas. He also highlights the immense value EAs bring by reducing friction and building trust, ultimately helping entrepreneurs focus on their vision.

In The EA Campus EP82, Nicky Christmas dives into one of the most talked-about phrases in the Assistant world - Strategic Business Partner. Is it a genuine evolution of the role, or just a buzzword that’s been stretched too far? In The EA Campus EP82, Nicky unpacks what it really means to be “strategic” as an Executive Assistant, why it’s a mindset rather than a job title, and how to turn that mindset into everyday action.You’ll hear honest reflections on the disconnect between expectation and recognition, practical advice for working strategically without waiting for permission, and a step-by-step Weekly Operating System to help you align priorities, protect focus, and build influence in your role.If you’re ready to stop reacting and start leading with purpose, The EA Campus EP82 will help you bridge the gap between support and strategy - and show that being a Strategic Business Partner isn’t about status, it’s about how you show up every week. The EA Campus

In Ep81 of The EA Campus Podcast, host Nicky Christmas explores how Executive Assistants can take control of their personal brand and rebrand themselves for the next stage of their career.If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or ready for more responsibility but unsure how to communicate that growth, this episode is for you. Nicky breaks down a practical process to diagnose your current brand, define the three words you’re known for now, and choose the three words you want next.This isn’t about buzzwords or personal logos — it’s about building evidence, understanding perception, and showing up intentionally every day.Listen to Ep81: The EA Campus Podcast to learn how to realign your reputation with your ambitions and start shaping the next chapter of your EA career with clarity and confidence.Read the full article here 👉 Rebranding Matters for EAs Who Want More📝 Show NotesIn Ep81: The EA Campus Podcast, Nicky dives into the art of rebranding yourself as an Executive Assistant. You’ll learn how to build a clear picture of how you’re currently seen, identify the gap between where you are and where you want to be, and take practical steps to shift your professional reputation.In this episode:Why rebranding matters for Executive Assistants who want moreHow to diagnose your current brand with real evidenceThe “three words” exercise to define how others see you todayChoosing your three future brand words that align with your Executive’s prioritiesHow to start living your new brand through small, visible actionsEA Tip of the Week: Treat your personal brand like a living document💡 Read more: Rebranding Matters for EAs Who Want More🎧 Listen now to Ep81: The EA Campus Podcast and start defining your next career chapter with purpose and intention. The EA Campus

Julia Schmidt, an Executive Assistant with over 20 years of experience and Executive Vice Chair of IMA, shares her transformative journey from Brazil to Norway. She emphasizes the power of community, revealing how joining IMA shifted her perspective on the profession. Julia discusses the vital role of business education and change management in developing strategic influence. She advocates for aligning personal goals with organizational priorities, leveraging AI to enhance efficiency, and embracing feedback as a catalyst for professional growth. A must-listen for EAs aspiring to elevate their careers!

In today’s episode, I’m joined by William Thomson—our go-to events guru at The EA Campus and a renowned events management expert with 20+ years’ experience. William has delivered multiple masterclasses for our community, and he’s partnering with me to bring The EA Campus Conference to London next April.We get practical about office socials and team-building: how to turn a vague brief into a clear plan, set the right expectations, budget smartly (without cutting corners that matter), and design inclusive food and drink that keeps everyone happy. William also shares creative, low-cost ideas to spark real connection, the run-sheet details that make or break an event, and how to gather feedback that actually improves the next one.If you’re an EA juggling events alongside everything else, this conversation will save you time, money, and stress - while helping you deliver socials people genuinely enjoy. The EA Campus

As Assistants, we’re often told to be the “magic behind the scenes”, quietly making everything happen while others take the credit. However, the truth is that building autonomy around your work and confidently sharing your achievements is essential if you want to grow in your role and be recognized for the value you bring.In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we’ll explore how to:Create more independence in your role, even when responsibilities aren’t clearly definedSet clear goals and objectives that align with your Executive and organisationCommunicate your achievements without feeling like you’re braggingAdvocate for yourself with confidence and authenticityYou’ll leave with practical tips to take ownership of your work, gain recognition, and feel proud of the impact you make every single day. The EA Campus

Discover how to thrive when your executive is away. Learn to set clear communication and decision-making guidelines, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. Master an efficient inbox management system and keep team momentum strong. Find out how to establish effective communication across time zones with concise updates. Finally, hear tips for a smooth re-entry for your executive, including a focused debrief and handling trip admin. These practical strategies will keep you ahead while your executive travels!

Courtney Sallis, a dynamic Executive Assistant thriving in a fast-paced tech startup, shares her journey from corporate predictability to startup vibrancy. She reveals how embracing chaos can fuel personal growth and emphasizes the importance of adaptability in her role. Courtney discusses building confidence to challenge decisions and incorporating AI tools to enhance productivity. She stresses the need for strategic thinking while managing day-to-day tasks and the value of self-advocacy and strong workplace relationships in achieving career satisfaction.

In this episode, I’m joined by Microsoft Office maestro Shelley Fishel, founder of Tomorrow’s VA. Shelley has spent decades training assistants to get brilliant results with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and now, of course, Microsoft Copilot. We dig into what’s genuinely useful right now, what’s coming next, and how EAs can lead the conversation on AI without losing sight of the fundamentals.Shelley shares how she uses Copilot daily (from redrafting tricky emails to prioritising the inbox and summarising meetings), why core skills like slide masters and brand-safe templates still matter, and how to make the most of lesser-known gems across Microsoft 365. We also talk mindset—staying curious, learning out loud, and saying “yes” then figuring it out—plus the big question: Will AI replace EAs? (Short answer: no. Nuance, judgment, and calendar strategy still need a human.)What you’ll learn:Practical ways EAs can use Copilot today in Outlook, Teams, Word and beyondWhy knowing the basics (formatting, slide masters, rules/quick steps) saves hours every weekHow to make a case for Copilot licences—and the security benefits of using it inside your tenantMindset shifts to keep pace with fast-moving tech (without chasing every shiny thing)Where Microsoft 365 is quietly evolving—and the features most assistants overlookTools, features & terms mentioned:Microsoft Copilot across Outlook, Word, Teams (meeting summaries), and forthcoming Excel capabilities (including =COPILOT)Outlook: Quick Steps, Rules, prioritising the inboxPowerPoint: Slide Master, custom layouts, brand-safe decksMicrosoft Loop (pages & live components), Copilot PagesMicrosoft Sway (lightweight, web-style internal newsletters)Microsoft Forms, Microsoft Lists, Microsoft BookingsSecurity/Tenant awareness (enterprise data protection vs. pasting data into public AI tools)Other AI tools touched on: ChatGPT, Claude, PerplexityPerfect for: Executive Assistants who want clear, real-world ways to work smarter with Microsoft 365 and lead on AI - without the hype.🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or on The EA Campus website. The EA Campus

Managing an Executive's inbox goes beyond just clearing emails; it’s about enhancing productivity and reducing stress. The discussion highlights crucial conversations for setting expectations on responses and frequency of checks. Understanding email stress points and prioritizing senders can transform the workflow. It emphasizes the importance of strategic value and trust in building a successful partnership. If you want to streamline communication, this conversation could be your game-changer!