Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar

With the right communication skills, you can bring who you truly are with you wherever you go. But if you’re not a natural conversationalist (or even if you are), you need the appropriate tools and strategies to help you feel seen, heard, and valued by those around you.That’s where Dr. Amber L. Wright comes in. She’s a communications expert, a speaker, and an executive life coach. Amber’s also a great model herself for demonstrating wonderful communication skills for relationship building. She’s joined me for a dynamic and insightful conversation on how words well said can lead to deeper relationships and self-awareness.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll get a masterclass on communicating effectively and authentically in interpersonal communication. We’ll also dive into the importance of inclusivity in your communication, dialing down the ego when collaborating on a team, and so much more!2:18 - Amber’s personal brand definition, superpowers, favorite Nelson Mandela and Bible quotes, and hype songs8:03 - Why communication has been the throughline for Amber from a young age11:56 - The key to deepening your relationships and improving your communication16:02 - How Amber’s concept of interpersonal communications applies to her personal brand and how she shows up when communicating22:48 - How Amber’s conversation cards focus on helping individuals become better communicators28:37 - How to foster understanding and connection with people who aren’t like you through communication33:45 - Why apology as a communication tool can be challenging and the need to manage the ego when you’re part of a team40:12 - Amber’s current focus on fun and finding things she wants to do43:36 - How Amber is making sure that entrepreneurship doesn’t cause a loss of herself and how she displays an abundant mindset in her work47:58 - What makes people want to gather around Amber for a Branding Room Only experienceMentioned In How to Be a More Effective, Authentic, and Inclusive Communicator with Dr. Amber L. Wright Words Well SaidInstagram | LinkedIn“Leadership Lessons from The Greatest Night in Pop” by Dr. Amber L. WrightAsk Better Questions to Build Better Connections | Amber L. Wright | TEDxCSULBSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.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.

Get in line. Stay in your lane. Don’t color outside the lines.My guest Olga Mack developed an aversion to lines that has shaped not just her as a person but her career journey as a tech lawyer as well. She’s joined me on the podcast to talk about how her determination to find other entry points away from standard lines has helped her level up and move through life.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll hear about how living outside the lines of other’s expectations can put you in a better, more powerful position to be successful (and have fun). We’ll also discuss how Olga’s vision of the future of law lives outside the lines that exist right now, why lawyers need to innovate by improving their visual literacy and legal communication with the average person, and so much more!1:00 - Olga’s definition of personal brand and of herself and why she thinks there are no boring places (or people)5:41 - How Olga’s aversion to lines helped shape her personality through her career and why she sees Lady Justice as a snob13:31 - Why Olga doesn’t see herself as a brand and doesn’t see it as her goal to build one15:49 - Olga’s TEDx talks, what it was like to prepare for her first one, and an effective strategy for delivering an idea21:41 - Why Olga wanted to write about visual literacy for lawyers and her vision of the future of law28:56 - What Olga wants legal professionals to know as they innovate, build their brand, and think about the future of law31:49 - The lack of separation between fun and work in Olga’s world and things she does for fun besides her work36:00 - How Olga’s uncompromising aspect goes beyond displaying it authentically40:36 - The #1 question people ask Olga as part of the Branding Room Only experience that only she can give othersMentioned In Staying Outside the Lines as a Winning Strategy for Life and the Future of Law with Olga MackLinkedInDJ Charles BThe Universal Language of Law | Olga Mack | TEDxUCSBLaw as a Service for All | Olga Mack | TEDxCherryCreekHow Smart Contracts Will Change the World | Olga Mack | TEDxSanFranciscoSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.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 deserve the opportunities you want, and others can provide the keys to get you there. But if you don’t talk about yourself and your successes, how will they know to open the door and let you in?Too many people have a hangup about self-promotion. For some, it feels like boasting, which gives off an “icky” feeling. So they tend to shy away when someone, like my guest Lisa Bragg, advocates for bragging about our work. Lisa is a speaker and professional mentor who coaches, advises, and consults with high achievers so they can be seen and heard. She has also written a book on how to properly talk about your success when promoting yourself.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn why it’s important for you to self-promote, what it means to properly brag, and how to get away from that uncomfortable feeling when talking about yourself. She’ll also discuss one of the myths a lot of us grow up with that contributes to our view on bragging, as well as teach you how to bring the right “bragitude” in your self-promotion.1:12 - How Lisa overthought and then adapted her idea of personal branding, three words to describe her, four of her favorite quotes, and her #1 hype song8:52 - Impact of growing up with working-class values as an inner-city Toronto kid11:49 - How Lisa navigated the professional space differently, learned to overcome her reluctance to share her success, and reframed bragging17:35 - Why self-promotion and bragging (when done properly) is really about being of service to others and why context plays an important part in its reception22:29 - How to set yourself up to brag rightly in today’s professional world and why Lisa is so against the elevator pitch26:46 - Why you still need to self-promote even if you think people already know what you do (and how well you do it)33:23 - How L’Oreal commercials illustrate a way to get around feeling icky about bragging and practical steps to doing it correctly37:49 - Lisa’s reflections on viewpoints about bragging from people of different cultures and the problem with meritocracy44:26 - How Lisa’s new book presented her with a brand-compromising or brand-confirming choice and why passion is her Branding Room Only magicMentioned In Bring the Right Bragitude to Your Self-Promotion and Success with Lisa BraggLisa Bragg | LinkedIn | InstagramBragging Rights: How to Talk About Your Work Using Purposeful Self-Promotion by Lisa BraggSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.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’ve probably heard the stereotypes of different generations in the workplace, including millennials just wanting trophies and more seasoned workers being averse to technology. These are the signs of some of the generational friction that exists in (and out) of the workplace. These challenges can be mitigated through a better understanding of the narrative identity each generation has of work (and the world) and why these narratives exist.My guest Chris De Santis is a speaker, podcaster, and consultant with over 38 years of experience in training and development. He’s also an expert in generational differences in the workplace. And he joined me to discuss the impact of generational theory on his work, which he wrote about in his humorously titled book, Why I Find You Irritating: Navigating Generational Friction at Work.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about how the upbringing of each generation, and the traits they take on as a result, affect workplace dynamics. We’ll dig into the importance of understanding and adapting communication styles across different age groups, the shift towards a new career progression model, the role of technology in the workplace, and so much more!1:03 - Personal branding versus reputation and how you are the actor, agent, and author of your life4:43 - The ability to authentically align with certain characteristic traits for a short while and a fair point about authenticity8:00 - Chris’ upbringing, career trajectory, and the benefits he sees in having a background in improv18:15 - One differentiating factor influencing the four current generations in the workplace and perceptual differences that cause friction between them26:58 - The mistake being made in the workplace with millennials (and Gen Z) and what the emerging adult is looking for in their career36:47 - How generations tend to be talked about differently when it comes to technology and the evolving workplace (and its dynamics)48:37 - The one thing Chris will never do to hurt his brand and the Branding Room Only attribute that makes him uniqueMentioned In How to Navigate Generational Friction In the Workplace with Chris De SantisChris De Santis | LinkedInCubicle ConfidentialWhy I Find You Irritating by Chris De Santis2024 Intention and Goal Setting WebinarSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.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.

Ben Wilson is truly, truly the definition of a trailblazer, and if you joined us for part one, you've already experienced a glimpse of his incredible journey. Ben’s dedication to advancing diversity and inclusion, environmental advocacy, coupled with his strategic vision for leadership offer so many invaluable lessons for all of us. I hope that his stories and the strategies he shares inspire you to think about your own impact and how you can contribute to positive change in your community and beyond.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about Ben’s visionary approach to creating support structures that contribute to a more inclusive and diverse legal profession. You’ll also hear about his unique insights into mentorship and the legacy he wants to leave behind.Now get ready for more thought-provoking wisdom, inspiration, laughs, and actionable advice from a true trailblazer in the profession.1:15 - How Ben formed The Diverse Lawyers Network, its impact, and why groups like these are necessary for Black lawyers14:44 - The key to getting chosen over those more qualified than you and what makes a brand great20:05 - A shoutout to Ben’s wife and to mothers who illustrate why the people who support you are a big part of your brand23:31 - What Ben does for fun and some of the work he’s involved in now since retiring from his firm27:42 - How Ben’s daughter describes his Branding Room Only moment and the importance of holding the door open for othersMentioned In Trailblazing Change: Creating the Structures of a More Inclusive Legal Profession with Ben WilsonDiverse Lawyers NetworkBlack General Counsel 2025 InitiativeLeadership Council on Legal DiversityMinority Corporate Counsel AssociationDC Bar FoundationSanta Clara University’s Black Corporate Board Readiness ProgramBooks by Isabel WilkersonSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.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.

A. P. Tureaud. Donald Hollowell. Constance Baker Motley.Those are just some of the Black men and women who have helped forge important change through the legal system in the U.S. Many people, however, aren’t aware of these pioneers and the impactful reach of their work to this day. That’s why my guest Ben Wilson often makes a point to "say their name" so that history doesn’t forget them. Ben is a trailblazer in environmental law who gives gratitude to the pioneers who paved the way and those who supported him on his career journey. Ben is fantastic. I was truly honored to have the opportunity to discuss his thoughts about the importance of being resilient, embracing lessons learned from failure, and how helping others as a career hallmark can take your branding beyond professional success.In part one of our conversation on the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about how to build resilience and the impact it can have on your career and for the next generation. Ben will discuss how to be a trailblazer whose brand resonates and inspires others to follow.1:55 - Ben’s definition of personal branding, three words he’d use to describe himself, and his favorite Jackie Robinson and Dr. King quotes and hype songs10:15 - How growing up in Jackson, MS in the 1950s and 60s shaped Ben’s life and contributed to his admiration of lawyers (some of whom history has forgotten)16:36 - What it was like growing up on a college campus and the fortunate circumstance that allowed him to go to prep school20:29 - Why Ben chose to focus on environmental law, how he failed at first, and the lesson that failure provided him27:47 - The importance of resiliency and knowing what to do to separate yourself so you’re ready when opportunity arrives31:56 - A few of Ben’s cases that demonstrate the reach of environmental issues and how law can impact people’s lives39:10 - Qualities that are essential to being a good leader in your organizationSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.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.

Regardless of recent attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), moving forward is an inevitability. Organizations that want to thrive are going to have to get on board or get left behind. And they could use the help of someone like my friend Kori Carew.Kori is a former litigator turned speaker, writer, and consultant who advocates for (among other things) diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Through her work, she helps bridge differences and facilitates learning and growth for people and organizations in inclusive leadership development.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about the impact of inclusion on brands and the greatest challenges leaders face when confronting (or being confronted with) issues involving equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. You’ll also see how Kori’s background contributes to the unique way she works with organizations and individuals on these issues.1:25 - What personal brand means to Kori, how she (and others) describe her, and why she has a hard time coming up with favorite things10:58 - How Kori’s unique backstory growing up in Nigeria as a Canadian-born Sierra Leonean shaped her life17:31 - How studying political science opened the door to Kori becoming a defense lawyer23:01 - The driving force behind Kori’s work navigating inclusion with organizations and leaders and the specific nature of what she does30:04 - What it means for the brand of a leader who doesn’t prioritize inclusion now (and why many don’t want to talk about the consequences)35:46 - The biggest challenges for organizations that express a desire to improve their diversity and inclusion41:27 - Why truth-telling (with grace) is such an essential part of Kori’s brand and her Branding Room Only qualityConnect With Kori CarewKori CarewInstagram | LinkedIn | XSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.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.

Allyship is an ongoing journey, not a destination. There are best practices that’ll help you build your brand and reputation as an inclusive leader and true ally (and some not-so-best practices you’ll want to avoid).My guest David Sarnoff has so many stories about experiences and lessons that have forged an awareness of the importance of inclusive connections. He’s taken what he’s learned--from his childhood to his current work as an executive coach and consultant--to build a brand of authenticity and consistency. Now, he’s training, speaking, and facilitating workshops to help others become better leaders,allies, and advocates.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about the importance of protecting and cultivating your reputation, get David’s insights on allyship and inclusive leadership, and hear about the role of authenticity and consistency in building a strong brand. You’ll also discover the value of emotional intelligence, in-person relationship building, and how to have an effective mentor-mentee relationship in the workplace.00:56 - David introduces and describes himself, defines personal brand, and shares his hype songs and favorite Winston Churchill and Maya Angelou quotes6:38 - How David’s childhood gave him the most invaluable experience and education about how to interact with people14:36 - The importance of authenticity and consistency in building and protecting your personal brand and true allyship in situations of bias or discrimination20:23 - Why allyship is an ongoing journey for everyone and where people can go sideways with it and negatively affect their brand27:16 - Why emotional intelligence is a crucial skill for brand building, inclusive leadership, and effective mentorship33:56 - How leaders set the tone and build an inclusive feedback culture within their organization38:07 - One thing that doesn’t get emphasized enough that’ll help you build your brand and become an inclusive leader or ally41:10 - What David loves to do in his personal life, why he won’t compromise on ethics, and how his Branding Room Only moment is all about audience connectionConnect With David SarnoffDavid B. Sarnoff on LinkedInSarnoff Group LLCLoeb LeadershipPracticing Law InstituteMentioned In How Inclusive Connections Help Build Your Brand As a Leader and Ally with David Sarnoff “Beyond 9/11: Life and Legacy of Joan Donna Griffith - A Conversation With My Father, Peter Griffith”The Leadership ChallengeSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.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.

Feeling like an outsider and attempting to conform to societal norms can lead to a loss of self-identity and a longing for true belonging.Ritu Bhasin, a child of immigrants, has navigated her own journey of self-acceptance and emerged as a leading voice in equity, empowerment, and belonging.She’s also a passionate advocate for authenticity and helps others stand in their power in high-conformity workplaces.Her books, The Authenticity Principle and We’ve Got This, provide strategies and a framework for living more authentically and cultivating your relationship with yourself. She’s on the show today to share insights from her books and her journey towards self-acceptance and aligned choices.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about how to courageously choose to be who you really are and create an unshakeable sense of belonging. She’ll share her framework for navigating challenging professional settings while still maintaining authenticity, and also reveal the key to experiencing true belonging.1:24 - Ritu and I discuss how we define personal branding, the three words that describe her, and her favorite quote and 10-minute hype song9:38 - How Ritu is a reflection of what happened to her in her childhood and the transformative power of therapy17:04 - Ritu’s career journey (from joining big law for the wrong reason to becoming a business leader and DEI consultant) and legacy as a driver24:20 - Why Ritu wrote The Authenticity Principle, the core message behind it, and the Three Selves we all possess on the authenticity spectrum31:09 - How to tell the difference between hiding versus adapting who you are in the moment, especially in high-conformity environments34:06 - The big “A-ha” moment that led to Ritu’s second book and how you unlock the beauty of belonging43:21 - What to do if you’re struggling with being your authentic self in professional settings47:22 - What Ritu will never compromise about herself and her brand and when she feels she’s in her best element professionallyMentioned In Embrace Who You Really Are & Unlock a True Sense of Belonging with Ritu BhasinThe Authenticity Principle: Resist Conformity, Embrace Differences, and Transform How You Live, Work, and Lead by Ritu BhasinWe’ve Got This: Unlocking the Beauty to Belonging by Ritu Bhasin“Osaka Riddim Mix” by DJ JEL | The Soca Boss on SoundCloudVernā Myers“A Tribute to My Mother Joan Donna Griffith”Sponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.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 should authentically embody your personal brand, regardless of who you interact with. Your personal brand should also reflect your values and evolve based on your experiences.    Your brand should show up in your advocacy. This is why I invited Aliza Shatzman to be on the podcast. Her personal experiences in clerkship drive her authentic advocacy. Now, as the founder and president of The Legal Accountability Project, she aims to ensure that law clerks have positive clerkship experiences while extending support and resources to those who don’t.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about what Aliza’s doing to fight for greater judicial accountability and to arm law students and law schools with more information about clerkship experiences.  1:09 - How Aliza defines a personal brand, herself in three words, reveals her favorite Hillary Clinton quote2:45 - How growing up in a progressive Jewish community in suburban Philadelphia shaped Aliza and her view of the world5:06 - Aliza’s professional journey, the pushback against change in the judiciary, and her refusal to stay silent11:35 - The clerkship incident that led Aliza to launch her judicial accountability-focused organization18:14 - My negative experience interviewing with a judge to be a judicial intern and strong feelings on the need for (and lack of) accountability25:01 - How law students and young lawyers can start making a difference with judicial accountability right now29:13 - How a lot of people’s personal brands are very tied to their clerkship (and judgeship) in a dishonest way32:40 - What drives Aliza and how she aligns her personal brand with her advocacy while maintaining professional integrity and ethics39:01 - What Aliza does for fun every day, the aspect of her brand that’ll always exist, and her Branding Room Only magicMentioned In How Aliza Shatzman Is Fighting for Accountability and Change In the Judiciary“2024 Intention and Goal Setting Webinar” | YouTubeThe Legal Accountability Project | Twitter/X | LinkedInAliza Shatzman on Twitter/XAliza Shatzman on LinkedInSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.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.