Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar

If you’ve ever worried that ADHD—or any difference—might hurt your credibility, this episode is for you. I’ve learned that the traits that make me different are the very ones that make my brand magnetic.Yes, there are days when it feels like I have 15 tabs open in my brain and someone keeps hitting refresh. But over time, I’ve realized that while ADHD can sometimes show up as scattered, distracted, or inconsistent, it also comes with incredible strengths. Creativity, energy, hyper-focus, and the ability to connect dots others don’t always see are all part of my personal brand. ADHD isn’t something I suffer from—it’s part of who I am.In this episode of Branding Room Only, I share how I reframed ADHD as a superpower, built the systems I needed, and turned it into a core part of my personal brand. I’ll walk you through the strategies and tools I rely on—from support networks to checklists and workflows—and introduce my ADHD framework: Awareness, Discipline, Honesty, and Distinction. It’s a practical guide to using difference as a source of strength.Whether you live with ADHD, love someone who does, or simply want to better understand how neurodiversity can shape a personal brand, you’ll leave this episode with strategies to reframe challenges, amplify what sets you apart, and own your brand authentically.1:07 – Reframing ADHD as a unique brand aspect, not a liability1:57 – How I navigate my ADHD with strategy and support3:30 – How ADHD impacts your personal brand intentionally or unintentionally4:05 – My ADHD framework to protect and enhance your brand6:30 – Final takeaways if you or someone you know is neurodiverseMentioned In How I've Turned My ADHD Into a Personal Branding SuperpowerPersonal Branding Strategy SessionsSubscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTubeCall to ActionFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops.Sponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.Annual reviews are your chance to shape your career, but too many people leave them to chance, but not this year. This year, I'm going to help you. October 10th at 12pm ET, I'm hosting a free webinar, Own Your Wins: Preparing for Annual Reviews with Confidence.Register today at paulaedgar.com/events

Every time you minimize your accomplishments, you’re not just being humble—you’re making your personal brand smaller. And when you do that, you leave opportunities on the table.In this episode of Branding Room Only, I break down why showcasing your wins isn’t bragging—it’s leadership. I share stories of clients who downplayed major achievements and what shifted when they finally spoke up. I also share practical strategies to help you move from deflecting to owning your success, including how to frame your stories with clarity and confidence and how to integrate your achievements into your everyday visibility strategy.Whether you’re gearing up for an annual review, polishing your LinkedIn, or simply building comfort in telling your story, this episode will give you the tools to put your wins front and center—and strengthen your personal brand in the process.1:03 – Why so many people hide their wins and how it hurts your personal brand2:14 – What happens when you treat self-promotion as a strategy, not an afterthought3:07 – The real difference between bragging and sharing your value4:04 – Tool #1: building a wins file to track your accomplishments4:39 – Tool #2: telling your story with situation, action, result5:24 – Where and when to weave your wins into the conversation6:52 – Why staying quiet about your wins also impacts the people around you7:38 – The one simple step you can take this week to put a win in the spotlightMentioned In How Sharing Your Wins Strengthens Your Personal BrandJoin Paula October 10th for Own Your Wins: Preparing for Annual Reviews with ConfidencePersonal Branding Strategy SessionsSubscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTubeCall to ActionFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops.Sponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.Annual reviews are your chance to shape your career, but too many people leave them to chance, but not this year. This year, I'm going to help you. October 10th at 12pm ET, I'm hosting a free webinar, Own Your Wins: Preparing for Annual Reviews with Confidence.Register today at paulaedgar.com/events

Too often, the role of a panel moderator is perceived as logistics—keeping time and reading questions from a list. But the best moderators know it’s much more than that. Great moderating is strategy. It’s a chance to showcase presence, leadership, and personal brand. Done well, moderation shapes the audience’s experience, amplifies the panelists, and demonstrates your leadership in real time.With conference season underway, it’s the perfect time to talk about how to elevate when you moderate. My guest, Nicole Lester Arrindell—an accomplished attorney, community leader, and frequent moderator—knows how to turn preparation, presence, and pace into a brand-building advantage.In this episode of Branding Room Only, Nicole and I break down how moderation itself can become a personal branding tool. We share practical tips for prep calls, audience engagement, and managing Q&A, and introduce the PACE framework—being Prepared, Agile, Conscientious, and Engaged—so you can approach your next panel with confidence and leave a lasting impression.2:19 — Nicole on personal branding, three words that describe her, her favorite Paulo Coelho quote, and the Nas track that fuels her7:37 — How Nicole’s career transitions connect and build on each other13:11 — The role fellowships and leadership programs play in professional growth15:58 — Why a moderator’s approach shapes the success of a panel24:48 — Strategies to prepare as a moderator and create a better experience for panelists and the audience34:42 — How moderation highlights your skills and elevates your personal brand41:35 — Keys to running an effective and balanced panel Q&A47:10 — Ways to close a panel with strength and make it memorable49:55 — Nicole’s non-negotiable branding value and her “standing room only” magicMentioned In How Panel Moderation Helps You Build Visibility and Influence with Nicole Lester ArrindellNicole Lester Arrindell | LinkedIn“Everyday People Can Be Everyday Leaders” | Nicole Lester Arrindell | TEDxUStreetWomenCurated Resources from PaulaHow to Prepare for a Conference to Maximize Your Personal Brand ImpactPersonal Branding Boosters and Bruisers: Attending ConferencesPersonal Branding Bruisers: Paula’s Professional Pet PeevesLearn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session OfferCall to ActionFollow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review.Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops.Sponsor for this episodePGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategiAnnual reviews are your chance to shape your career, but too many people leave them to chance, but not this year. This year, I'm going to help you. October 10th at 12pm ET, I'm hosting a free webinar, Own Your Wins: Preparing for Annual Reviews with Confidence.Register today at paulaedgar.com/events

When people talk about you in the rooms you’re not in, are they saying what you want them to say? You can be excellent, meet every deadline, and deliver results—but if others don’t know how to describe you, or your name isn’t the one raised when opportunities come up, you’re leaving opportunities on the table.That’s exactly why I’m doing something different with this episode. I want to take you behind the curtain and show you what happens inside my Personal Branding Strategy Sessions. The same sessions that help professionals close those visibility gaps and take control of how they’re seen.In this episode of Branding Room Only, I’m breaking down why I created my Personal Branding Strategy Sessions, who they’re for, and the process I use to help clients move from invisible or inconsistent to intentional and impactful. You’ll also hear real client examples of how small but strategic shifts made a big difference in their visibility and influence.1:25 – Why you may be leaving opportunities on the table2:29 – Who these Personal Branding Strategy Sessions are designed for4:03 – The real goal of these sessions (and why they’re more than a LinkedIn review)5:33 – How the process works, with examples of client results8:45 – Three things you’ll walk away with and client feedback10:10 – How to get started, my challenge to you, and key takeawaysMentioned In Shifting from Invisible to Impactful with Your Personal BrandSummer Sabbaticals and “Sorta” Sabbaticals for Personal Brand GrowthPersonal Branding Strategy SessionsSubscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTubeCall to ActionFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops.Sponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.Annual reviews are your chance to shape your career, but too many people leave them to chance, but not this year. This year, I'm going to help you. October 10th at 12pm ET, I'm hosting a free webinar, Own Your Wins: Preparing for Annual Reviews with Confidence.Register today at paulaedgar.com/events

September 11, 2001, is a date that lives in infamy. But the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center that day were an intensely personal experience for my family. For my father, Peter Griffith, the loss of his wife and my mother, Joan Donna Griffith, in that tragedy had an immediate and long-lasting effect that has reshaped our lives.In the second half of our conversation on the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll hear our candid discussion about the events of that day, the overwhelming grief that followed, and how we got through our darkest days as a family. Through our recollections, we uncover the crucial role of support systems, from legal and financial planning to the unwavering support of family and friends, and reveal how my mother’s legacy of love, resiliency, and the enduring bonds of family lives on.1:10 - How we learned about the attacks and our initial shock and disbelief10:53 - How we began to process our grief in the immediate aftermath17:04 - Reflections on the time we got to spend with Joan right before 9/11 and the “last piece of love” she gave me that August25:32 - The memorialization of Joan and the day we went to retrieve her waterlogged purse from Lower Manhattan30:22 - The challenge of navigating grief in the public eye and managing personal pain amidst widespread sympathy40:18 - How Joan’s values and love are influencing and shaping future generations in the family and the lasting impact of 9/11Mentioned In The Life & Legacy of Joan Donna Griffith: A Conversation with Peter Griffith“A Tribute to My Mother Joan Donna Griffith”Angela Titus on LinkedInSage SoftwareSubscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTubeCall to ActionFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe HereSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.Annual reviews are your chance to shape your career, but too many people leave them to chance, but not this year. This year, I'm going to help you. October 10th at 12pm ET, I'm hosting a free webinar, Own Your Wins: Preparing for Annual Reviews with Confidence.Register today at paulaedgar.com/events

We’re molded by those who support us along the way. These people come in the form of mentors, teachers, friends, and family. And for many of us, no figures are more essential than our parents.My father, Peter Griffith, was born in Barbados and immigrated to Brooklyn, NY at 14 years old. For 20 years, he was married to Joan Donna Griffith (a.k.a. Mommy) and raised two kids. Then, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, took her life…but not her legacy.In the first half of our conversation on the Branding Room Only podcast, we look back and celebrate a woman who was a foundational part of our lives and helped develop me as a person and motivated professional. You’ll learn about how my parents met and started a family, and take a deep dive into my mother’s legacy and who she was as a person.1:47 - Challenging experiences and transformations that Peter underwent in junior high and high school after immigrating to the U.S.10:01 - Peter’s early career struggles and his reflections on the socio-economic and racial barriers he encountered16:04 - How Peter met Joan and the challenges and triumphs of blending families24:39 - Anecdotes about Peter and Joan’s early life together and their loving and resilient partnership despite life’s hurdles30:46 - Joan’s love of reading Harlequin romance novels and the family dynamic shift that came with the arrival of my younger sister37:18 - The 1993 World Trade Center bombing and how Joan was a lifeline to what was happening while I went to boarding school41:07 - Joan’s multitasking prowess while maintaining a polished appearance and high standards44:43 - How music from the 60s and home videos captured everyday family moments and contributed to a rich tapestry of cherished memories50:02 - Joan’s dreams and aspirations and how she earned respect and loyalty in her careerMentioned In The Life & Legacy of Joan Donna Griffith: A Conversation with Peter Griffith“A Tribute to My Mother Joan Donna Griffith”Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTubeCall to ActionFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe HereSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula EdgarAnnual reviews are your chance to shape your career, but too many people leave them to chance, but not this year. This year, I'm going to help you. October 10th at 12pm ET, I'm hosting a free webinar, Own Your Wins: Preparing for Annual Reviews with Confidence.Register today at paulaedgar.com/events

Conferences offer incredible opportunities to network, learn, and strengthen your personal brand—but only if you’re prepared to make the most of them. With the right approach, you can expand your mindset, build valuable connections, and uncover new insights. To help you get there, I’ve put together a step-by-step guide using one of my favorite tools: an acronym!In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll discover how to maximize your personal brand impact at conferences. We’ll cover crafting an effective elevator pitch, setting clear goals, networking with purpose, and following up to create lasting connections that truly matter.2:00 - Crafting your elevator pitch: what to include, the value of adding fun facts, and the importance of how you sound as you introduce yourself8:21 - Organizing your goals for conferences: suggestions, recommendations, and the benefit of flexibility10:56 - Networking with intent: how to prepare beforehand and the importance of quality over quantity13:13 - Following up effectively: how to make connections, use streamlining tools, and approach your follow-up messages16:50 - Engaging before and after the conference: how to use social media and prepare for and continue conversations online19:07 - Researching the event: how to use the past to maximize your opportunities20:32 - Elevating your online presence: what you can do before you attend any conference23:20 - Navigating the conference agenda: tools to plan your schedule and how to add value and leave time for decompression and self-care26:45 - Creating branded materials: suggestions for easy connection and communicating key information28:35 - Engaging authentically: how to appear in conversations and what to avoid while conversing with other peopleMentioned In How to Prepare for a Conference to Maximize Your Personal Brand ImpactCorporate Counsel Women of Color Conference Branding Room Only Interview With Laurie Robinson Haden: Shining Brightly - Part 1Branding Room Only Interview With Laurie Robinson Haden: Shining Brightly - Part 2Personal Branding Boosters and Bruisers: Attending ConferencesMaximize Your Event Attendance: 12 Strategies to Amplify Your Personal BrandPersonal Branding Strategy SessionsFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Sponsor for this episodePGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance profeAnnual reviews are your chance to shape your career, but too many people leave them to chance, but not this year. This year, I'm going to help you. October 10th at 12pm ET, I'm hosting a free webinar, Own Your Wins: Preparing for Annual Reviews with Confidence.Register today at paulaedgar.com/events

Rest isn't a bonus. It's a necessity for clarity, creativity, and longevity. In a world that praises busyness and normalizes burnout, stepping back is often the most powerful way to propel yourself forward. And it doesn’t mean you have to disappear completely, either. During my recent break, I intentionally balanced meaningful, soul-filling engagements with genuine rest and joy.So in this episode of Branding Room Only, I reflect on my summer sabbatical and offer a refreshing take on what it truly means to step away and embrace joy. I discuss how taking a break is a strategic move that recalibrates me and allows me to come back with renewed energy and purpose, while encouraging you to embrace it as a core part of your personal brand growth and strategy.0:55 – How I showed up intentionally and selectively during my summer sabbatical3:11 – How I engaged in joy and maintained visibility without constant activity5:04 – How resting fueled my creativity and strategic thinking during my sabbatical6:47 – Your takeaway and permission to prioritize rest and joyMentioned In Sabbatical Reflections: How Rest & Joy Recharge and Redefine Your Personal BrandSummer Sabbaticals and “Sorta” Sabbaticals for Personal Brand GrowthPersonal Branding Strategy SessionsSubscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTubeNational Bar AssociationProfessional Development ConsortiumAmerican Bar Association | Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement AwardsNew York City Bar AssociationCall to ActionFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Want more personal branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe HereSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.Annual reviews are your chance to shape your career, but too many people leave them to chance, but not this year. This year, I'm going to help you. October 10th at 12pm ET, I'm hosting a free webinar, Own Your Wins: Preparing for Annual Reviews with Confidence.Register today at paulaedgar.com/events

Too many professionals—especially in the legal field—spend so much time focused on delivering excellent work that they forget to build a personal brand that reflects it. That oversight becomes clearer with each career transition, leadership aspiration, or missed opportunity to stand out.That’s why I had to bring this episode back.Sonya Olds Som is an experienced executive recruiter, former practicing attorney, and someone who has worked at the highest levels of legal talent strategy and search. She’s also a connector, a trailblazer, and a dear friend.In honor of her birthday on August 14, I’m celebrating her brilliance, her advocacy, and her impact with this special re-release of one of my earliest and most powerful Branding Room Only conversations.In this episode of Branding Room Only, Sonya and I talk about what it really takes to build a visible, credible, and strategic personal brand—especially in industries like law where branding often takes a backseat. 2:24 – Sonya’s elevator pitch and how she defines personal branding5:32 – The phrase Sonya uses to describe herself and how it ties into her favorite quote7:30 – How connection can bridge what seems like insurmountable gaps11:29 – How Sonya built and evolved her personal brand throughout her career17:33 – Why people often get the concept of authenticity wrong 18:32 – The impact of COVID on deeper authenticity, connection, and accessibility23:32 – The two biggest mistakes people make with networking and brand building31:12 – Specific mistakes in-house attorneys make in the business development department36:54 – Sonya’s advice to begin building your brand40:08 – Pushback against the thought of branding as “braggy” and too self-promotional42:40 – A common courtesy that can be a brand killer if you fail to follow it48:52 – Sonya’s uncompromisable brand aspect and the special experience she brings to the roomMentioned In The Strategic Power of Intentional Connection with Sonya Olds SomDiversified Search GroupSonya Olds Som on LinkedInSonya’s Branding Room Only Hype Song Playlist American Writers Museum OnWord2025 Gala on September 8 Girls Inc. of Chicago Strong Smart Bold Awards Gala on October 9“If You Stay Ready, You Don’t Have to Get Ready” by Sonya Olds SomDressed in JoyHarriet’s BookshopGallery GuichardPassionEats CateringLearn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session OfferPGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and peAnnual reviews are your chance to shape your career, but too many people leave them to chance, but not this year. This year, I'm going to help you. October 10th at 12pm ET, I'm hosting a free webinar, Own Your Wins: Preparing for Annual Reviews with Confidence.Register today at paulaedgar.com/events

Discover the essentials of personal branding, starting with self-reflection and shaping your narrative. Learn how to identify your guiding brand words and craft impactful brand statements. Auditing your digital presence is crucial—are you aligning it with your aspirations? Dive into the power of specificity to resonate with your audience and build genuine connections. Plus, consistency is key in showing up and cultivating trust. Take control of your brand journey and become the wind, not just the leaf!