This Could Have Been An Email

Join us for a conversation with Kate, an arts administrator and modern dance enthusiast, as she talks us through her journey of redefining her career path, advocating for the arts, and championing self-empowerment through her passion for people, moving her body, and mentorship. Kate talks about the long game and short game, and how collaboration, volunteerism, and corporate support can help sustain local art in local communities. Kate's journey inspires us to think about our impact through personal growth, artistic expression, and meaningful change.

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Meet Hannah Howard, writer, author, editor, cheese maven, and old work friend of Alex's from the grocery industry. As Alex and Nicole venture into freelancing, LLCs, and maybe even book publishing, our conversation could not have been more perfectly timed. From Hannah's post-college journey through restaurant management training to mommyhood and balancing freelance writing about all things food and parenting, join us for a conversation on bravery, balance, community, and cheese... don't miss Hannah's desert island cheese recommendation!
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Trigger warning: this episode includes passionate conversation around Roe v Wade, women's healthcare, gun control in America, as well as societal expectations and pressures around body image, diet culture, thin privilege, and toxic masculinity. This Could Have Been an Email aims to have open discussions with authentic women on important topics impacting our lives and create an atmosphere of mutual respect and sensitivity.  

Anna (D), momma, social worker, community organizer, nature enthusiast, and OhioU alum, (the list goes on) ran against four other men for the Wisconsin State Assembly for the 80th District to replace retired female, 20-year-career, Representative Sondy Pope (D). Running for office may not be your jam, but Anna's passion to demand action and authentically build community inspires us in so many ways. Learn more about what an assembly person does (in the State of Wisconsin), what the process was like to run, and the self-work it takes to ensure you're manifesting experiences that aren't based on external validation but because it's what YOU want to do.

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What's the bravery recipe that cooks up the guts to take the leap and make a career change? To completely uproot your life and maybe even what you thought your life would look like, to do something that actually fulfills you and brings you joy? We're talking with Jennifer, an ex-marketing executive turned executive chef who shares her humble journey to brave. From the importance of having a support system, seeking mentorship, and brushing up on skills by way of staging (staj-ing) to practicing risktaking by taking small risks at a time and, above all else, betting and believing in yourself. Don't be (or become) a dry crouton. Be fresh bread soaked in really good olive oil with some Maldon on top.

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Meet Kortney. Kortney is an incredible leader and Principal at an elementary school in Canton, OH. In this timely Back to School episode, we break down Kortney's journey to her leadership role and the challenges along the way -- advice and conversation relatable to women in leadership roles everywhere and in every sector. From emotional paychecks to choosing the relationship over the rule, leading with empathy and being authentic can be hard but pays out tenfold for your team, staff, community, or tribe. Also, teachers and educators are saints and we don't deserve them.

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Career coaching can be perceived as this nebulous, expensive experience that can never be measured. But Coach Nicole and her Build Your Brave framework, help us understand that career coaching is not just a point in time and that even internal improvements CAN be measured because bravery is not a personality trait but a skill that can be practiced and learned.

We discuss aggression vs assertion and how being brave may disappoint others, but never yourself. We share examples of when you might really consider a career coach (and how to vet one,) vs a therapist vs just a bitch sesh with friends over drinks, and how to advocate for yourself so you can open doors and advocate for others.

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Disclaimer: 1 in 5 American adults have experienced mental illness. On this episode, we will cover topics surrounding mental health and therapy. We are not trained, medical professionals. We are simply 3 women talking about our own experiences. If you are experiencing depression, anxiety, or thoughts of harm to yourself or others, please reach out to a medical professional to seek immediate help, and please know that you are not alone and you are loved. 

Today we're talking about mental health and self-care, and the vulnerability throughout our conversation is real (Brene Brown would be proud.) Danielle joins us as we navigate the moments when we first experienced a heightened level of stress at work, to the realization that we needed therapy and everything in between. To quote Danielle, "it's not the stress Olympics" and women need to stop feeling bad for feeling bad. It's time to practice mindfulness, make space for the things that bring you joy, and demand support from our managers and employers.  

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Trigger warning: this episode opens with a disclaimer on our stance on the Roe vs Wade SCOTUS decision from June 24, 2022. This Could Have Been an Email aims to have open discussions with authentic women on important topics impacting our lives and create an atmosphere of mutual respect and sensitivity.

While many millennial women are choosing not to have children, many still are and, unfortunately, the careers and employers that helped get us to where we are today, aren't providing the empathy, support, flexibility, or policies to allow us to raise these beautiful tiny humans and maintain our tenacious career goals. Nicole and Alex talk with Ashley, a mom-of-almost-three, about what to expect with work-life balance with your first child, how to create boundaries and advocate for yourself with doctors, employers, and family, the need for something like marine sleep deprivation training, the obscene costs of daycare where your kid isn't even learning Mandarin, and more.

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