

Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar
Paula T. Edgar
This is the Branding Room Only podcast with Paula T. Edgar where we share career stories, strategies, and lessons learned on how industry leaders and influencers have built their personal brands.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 25, 2025 • 12min
Self-Gratitude: The Personal Brand Strategy That Starts With You
As the year winds down, most of us focus on thanking the people around us—mentors, colleagues, friends, and communities. What often gets left out is acknowledging ourselves. And when it comes to personal branding, that omission matters.In this episode of Branding Room Only, I break down why recognizing your own growth, resilience, and impact is one of the most strategic things you can do for your brand. I share the milestones and challenges that defined my year, the quieter wins that never make social media, and the mindset shifts that helped me stay grounded while building momentum.You’ll also get the reflection questions I use with myself and my clients, plus a reminder about a simple tool that captures the evidence of your evolution so you can quiet your inner critic and step into the next year with clarity.Self-gratitude isn’t ego. It’s truth. It’s how you honor the fact that you kept going, even when things were hard, and how you understand the story your brand is actually telling. Take a moment, pause, breathe, and give yourself credit for the work you’ve done and the progress you’ve earned.1:15 – How self-gratitude strengthens your personal brand2:19 – Reflection on my year and the quieter wins that shaped my growth and resilience4:59 – Questions to uncover your overlooked moments of pride and progress5:56 – Reminder of a practical tool to gather the evidence of your evolution8:00 – Gratitude as a strategic foundation for clarity in goal-setting for the year aheadMentioned In Self-Gratitude: The Personal Brand Strategy That Starts With YouPaula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle™ – Conference EditionKeeping It 100: How 100 Episodes Expanded My Personal Brand, My Reach, and My VoiceHow Sharing Your Wins Strengthens Your Personal BrandCurated Resources from PaulaPGE December Free Webinar - Gratitude Starts Within: Celebrating Your Personal Brand MilestonesPGE January Free Webinar - 2026 Annual Intention and Goal Setting WebinarPersonal Branding Strategy SessionsCall 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.Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My new Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today.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 workYou know I love conferences. They're where credibility, connections, and opportunities collide, but showing up isn't enough. That's why I created Paula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle - Conference Edition.Check it out at paulaedgar.com/digital-products and get ready to stop blending and start branding at conferences.

Nov 18, 2025 • 47min
Talk to Me Nice: How Trust Shapes Your Personal Brand with Minda Harts
Trust is the backbone of every personal brand, whether you name it or not. It shows up in how you communicate, how consistently you follow through, how you handle hybrid work, and how you show sensitivity—or don’t—when people need it most. In a workplace culture filled with mixed signals, missed expectations, and performative “niceness,” trust has become the true measure of credibility. It determines whether people feel grounded with you or guarded around you, whether they choose to follow your lead or quietly disengage. And as Paula and Minda explore, trust isn’t a luxury; it’s the signal that shapes your reputation long before you enter the room.In this episode Paula sits down with bestselling author and workplace equity leader Minda Harts to unpack how trust shapes personal brands, leadership, and the everyday interactions that define your credibility. They break down how trust erodes in the quiet moments, what the Seven Trust Languages® reveal about what people actually need from you, and how to repair credibility once it’s been damaged. Together, they explore how trust influences hybrid communication, cross-generational dynamics, allyship, and the values-based behaviors that make a leader believable. If you care about how you’re perceived, how you lead, and how your brand lives in the minds of others, this conversation gives you the framework to strengthen every relationship you touch.1:15 – Three words to describe Minda right now, current hype songs, the self-quote on her mind these days, and the repeat track of her trust brand playlist3:34 – Why Minda’s latest book, Talk to Me Nice, matters in this moment4:44 – How Minda’s personal brand has evolved (but not pivoted) to leading conversations about trust6:50 – The communication crisis in the workplace and its impact on trust within organizations8:41 – Quick rundown of Minda’s Seven Trust Languages® framework 9:50 – Examples of why security is one of the most important trust languages today13:43 – Examples of trust violations that can damage your relationships and reputation17:32 – How managers in the workplace can begin to repair broken trust20:20 – The first step you can take to demonstrate trust and credibility23:16 – Follow-through as the key to building trustworthiness in a hybrid work situation (i.e., when you’re not in the same room)27:22 – Why it’s more important than ever to intentionally build trust31:55 – The difference between being performative and being demonstrative in allyship36:36 – Who’s on Minda’s personal trust squad and celebrities whose brands scream trustworthiness40:20 – What celebrity trust violations can teach others about values and brand alignment42:27 – Workplace best friends in the heads of Paula and MindaMentioned In Talk to Me Nice: How Trust Shapes Your Personal Brand with Minda HartsMindy HartsUsing Branding to Empower Women of Color for Success in the Workplace with Minda HartsHow to Assemble and Leverage Your Personal Board of DirectorsSponsor for this episodePGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and You know I love conferences. They're where credibility, connections, and opportunities collide, but showing up isn't enough. That's why I created Paula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle - Conference Edition.Check it out at paulaedgar.com/digital-products and get ready to stop blending and start branding at conferences.

Nov 11, 2025 • 10min
Don’t Just Join. Lead: How Bar and Civic Leadership Grow Your Personal Brand
Bar associations and professional organizations aren’t just networking groups or résumé boosters. Leadership in these spaces is a strategic brand decision. These roles have shaped my visibility, credibility, and relationships in the legal profession, and so many of my opportunities came directly from these spaces.In this episode of Branding Room Only, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my civic journey—from volunteer to officer, from member to president—and showing how these roles became the foundation of my personal brand.Bar and civic leadership stretch your skills in ways your day job often can’t. They teach you how to lead teams, manage conflict, build consensus, raise resources, and work across differences. They pull you off the sidelines and into spaces where relationships deepen, community forms, and real impact happens.1:04 – Why professional and civic organizations are strategic brand platforms1:39 – A breakdown of how I currently serve my community2:39 – How leadership roles have helped me and can benefit you6:08 – The importance of intentional engagement and how to start7:18 – What leadership is and isn’t aboutMentioned In Don’t Just Join. Lead: How Bar and Civic Leadership Grow Your Personal BrandNew York City Bar AssociationAmerican Bar Association Commission on Women | American Bar Association Criminal Justice SectionMetropolitan Black Bar AssociationNational Association of Women LawyersPersonal 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.You know I love conferences. They're where credibility, connections, and opportunities collide, but showing up isn't enough. That's why I created Paula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle - Conference Edition.Check it out at paulaedgar.com/digital-products and get ready to stop blending and start branding at conferences.

Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 3min
Legacy in Real Time: Inclusive Leadership, Sponsorship, and Mentorship with Brian Ellis
Brian Ellis learned what leadership looks like long before he had a title. His father modeled it first, and it shaped how he moved through every room. As the former Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Danaher Corporation, he built his career on integrity, accountability, and a deep sense of responsibility to those coming behind him. Power, to Brian, is something you use to make space and create access.In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula and Brian break down inclusive leadership in practice: showing up for people, offering time and wisdom, and sponsoring talent that deserves a chance. Brian shares how setbacks built resilience, how mentors opened doors, and why he is “a fierce defender of my people.”At its core, this conversation is about legacy in real time—how every conversation, decision, and act of advocacy shapes the stories others will tell about you. Brian reflects on the influence of his father’s example, the responsibility of leadership, and what it means to measure success not by titles, but by the people you’ve lifted along the way. His story is rooted in character, community, and a legacy built person by person—and still growing.1:11 – How Brian defines personal brand, how he describes himself, and his favorite Maya Angelou quote and hype music4:26 – How family and the gritty, segregated Chicagoan environment shaped Brian6:23 – How a coach ruined Brian’s athletic career and changed the course of his trajectory15:33 – The foundation of Brian’s career success and how he developed his leadership style22:39 – Impact and importance of mentorship and taking constructive criticism28:28 – Why Brian uses his platform to champion and lift others up36:49 – Code-switching as a survival tactic while navigating professional identities44:12 – The formation and development of Brian’s legacy now and moving forward48:44 – What’s fun for Brian and his personal brand non-negotiable53:48 – The magic of Brian’s brand and his candid reflections on work-life balanceMentioned In Legacy in Real Time: Inclusive Leadership, Sponsorship, and Mentorship with Brian EllisBrian Ellis on LinkedInDanaher CorporationEqual Justice Works FoundationCurated Resources from PaulaSign up for Paula’s Upcoming WebinarsLearn 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 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 workplYou know I love conferences. They're where credibility, connections, and opportunities collide, but showing up isn't enough. That's why I created Paula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle - Conference Edition.Check it out at paulaedgar.com/digital-products and get ready to stop blending and start branding at conferences.

Oct 28, 2025 • 54min
Beyond Good or Bad: The Feedback Framework Every Professional Needs with Rachael Bosch
Feedback is often labeled “good” or “bad,” but that binary misses the point. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula Edgar sits down with Rachael Bosch — founder of Fringe Professional Development and creator of Candorly — to explore why delivery matters as much as content and how consistent feedback can fuel and strengthen your personal brand.Rachael also shares her journey from Miami and the stage to law firm talent management and entrepreneurship, bringing humor, honesty, and practical insights along the way. Together, Paula and Rachael dig into authenticity as a scale (not a switch), the importance of agency in choosing environments that align with your values, and how leaders can treat feedback as data to close the gap between self-perception and how others experience them.1:25 – Rachael’s view on branding, three self-descriptive words, favorite Dolly Parton quote, and musical motivation (from Whitesnake to Beyoncé)5:41 – How the melting pot of Miami and her theater background influenced Rachael’s upbringing9:28 – Rachael’s shift from the arts into law and professional development15:30 – Why Rachael pursued entrepreneurship and launched Fringe Professional Development19:13 – The importance (and scale) of personal branding authenticity in professional settings25:29 – The importance of agency in choosing aligned working environments31:46 – How you can demonstrate to others that you receive feedback well35:18 – Feedback as a data set that should be analyzed (especially for the historically underrepresented)37:59 – Why good and bad feedback is about the delivery, not the content40:40 – How Fringe’s feedback tool Candorly works for individuals and organizations48:43 – The role of pop culture in Rachael’s professional trajectory and the uncompromisable component of her brandMentioned In Beyond Good or Bad: The Feedback Framework Every Professional Needs with Rachael BoschFollow Rachael on LinkedInFringe Professional DevelopmentCandorlySign up for Paula’s Upcoming WebinarsLearn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session OfferFollow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review.Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe HereConferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My new Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today.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 practicYou know I love conferences. They're where credibility, connections, and opportunities collide, but showing up isn't enough. That's why I created Paula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle - Conference Edition.Check it out at paulaedgar.com/digital-products and get ready to stop blending and start branding at conferences.

Oct 21, 2025 • 10min
Keeping It 100: How 100 Episodes Expanded My Personal Brand, My Reach, and My Voice
One hundred episodes. That’s a lot of strategy, stories, laughter, pet peeves—and a whole lot of love.When I started Branding Room Only, I wanted a platform to share personal branding strategies and amplify voices. What I didn’t expect was how much this show would give back: opening doors, deepening relationships, and connecting me with people far beyond my usual circles.In this milestone episode, I reflect on how this podcast grew from a place to share frameworks into a community built on storytelling, authenticity, and impact. You’ll hear about the moments that surprised me, the episodes that stretched me, and why this podcast is truly a love letter to you—my listeners.0:54 – How this podcast has given back to me2:28 – Highlights of previous standout episodes4:02 – Why this podcast is a weekly love letter to you4:48 – The difficulty and joy of getting to 100 episodes5:32 – How this milestone reflects on my community6:16 – A heartfelt thank you and looking forward to the futureMentioned In Keeping It 100: How 100 Episodes Expanded My Personal Brand, My Reach, and My VoicePearls of Power: How to Use Authenticity, Boldness, and Intentionality with Carla HarrisHow to Prepare for a Conference to Maximize Your Personal Brand ImpactPicture Perfect: Paula’s Rules for Capturing Your Personal Brand with the Right PhotosHow I’ve Turned My ADHD Into a Personal Branding SuperpowerThe Life & Legacy of Joan Donna Griffith: A Conversation with Griffith (Part 1)The Life & Legacy of Joan Donna Griffith: A Conversation with Griffith (Part 2)Personal Branding Strategy SessionsCall 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.Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My new Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today.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 eYou know I love conferences. They're where credibility, connections, and opportunities collide, but showing up isn't enough. That's why I created Paula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle - Conference Edition.Check it out at paulaedgar.com/digital-products and get ready to stop blending and start branding at conferences.

Oct 14, 2025 • 46min
Keeping It Lit: Purposeful and Authentic Leadership with Daisy Auger-Domínguez
Real leadership isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters with consistency and care. Staying grounded in your purpose, your values, and your humanity is what separates longevity from burnout. The best leaders aren’t performing strength. They are practicing steadiness, empathy, and self-awareness.That’s what drives Daisy Auger-Domínguez. As President of Auger-Domínguez Ventures and author of Inclusion Revolution and Burnt Out to Lit Up, she has spent her career helping organizations like Google, Disney, and Vice prove that people and performance can thrive together. Her Dominican, Puerto Rican, and New York roots shape a leadership style that blends resilience, joy, and unshakable values.In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula Edgar and Daisy explore how to lead with purpose while staying true to who you are. They share real-world insight on navigating burnout, building inclusive workplaces, and treating thought leadership as service rather than self-promotion. You will walk away with perspective and practical steps to build a career and a brand that sustain you.1:13 – Daisy’s definition of personal brand, three words to describe herself, and her favorite Buddha quote and hype song4:11 – The brand impact of growing up in the Dominican Republic and uptown New York6:50 – How Daisy’s identity, personal brand, and leadership were shaped out of necessity9:42 – How to manage and help leaders build a brand during challenging times13:21 – How Daisy serves as a fractional Chief People Officer (CPO) while maintaining her core brand values16:47 – The relationship between inclusion and personal branding and how burnout impacts leadership22:27 – Key strategy for dealing with empathy and energy drain so you don’t take on other people’s stuff24:22 – A view on pursuing recognition and visibility in a way that aligns with your personal values27:27 – Branding advice for leaders of the next generation28:33 – How to think about authentically building your brand as a thought leader33:44 – A practice you can start immediately to better align your brand with the kind of leader you want to be38:57 – What it means to build a career you don’t have to recover from and how personal branding helps create it40:54 – Daisy’s joy space, why she values dignity in her personal brand, and the magic she brings to a roomMentioned In Keeping It Lit: Purposeful and Authentic Leadership with Daisy Auger-DomínguezDaisy Auger-DominguezInclusion Revolution and Burnt Out to Lit Up by Daisy-Auger-DominguezLearn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session OfferReflective QuestionsWhere did I learn? Where did I make myself proud? Where did I fall short this week? What energized me and what drained me? How can I redirect my energy?/What are the things that I can do differently?/What are the best ways to redirect my energy so that I can show up as the best version of myself?How will I continue to protect what I uncovered?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 proYou know I love conferences. They're where credibility, connections, and opportunities collide, but showing up isn't enough. That's why I created Paula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle - Conference Edition.Check it out at paulaedgar.com/digital-products and get ready to stop blending and start branding at conferences.

Oct 7, 2025 • 10min
How I've Turned My ADHD Into a Personal Branding Superpower
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.You know I love conferences. They're where credibility, connections, and opportunities collide, but showing up isn't enough. That's why I created Paula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle - Conference Edition.Check it out at paulaedgar.com/digital-products and get ready to stop blending and start branding at conferences.

Sep 30, 2025 • 10min
How Sharing Your Wins Strengthens Your Personal Brand
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.You know I love conferences. They're where credibility, connections, and opportunities collide, but showing up isn't enough. That's why I created Paula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle - Conference Edition.Check it out at paulaedgar.com/digital-products and get ready to stop blending and start branding at conferences.

Sep 23, 2025 • 56min
The Moderator Advantage: Visibility, Influence, and Personal Branding with Nicole Lester Arrindell
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 strategYou know I love conferences. They're where credibility, connections, and opportunities collide, but showing up isn't enough. That's why I created Paula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle - Conference Edition.Check it out at paulaedgar.com/digital-products and get ready to stop blending and start branding at conferences.


