Dare to Interrupt

Season 6, Episode 5

Guest: Lindsay Holder, Founder, Hustle Flow Lab

In a world that teaches us to shrink, this episode is about expanding—our confidence, our compassion and our connection to the bodies we live in. Through vulnerable conversations and personal stories, Lindsay Holder, founder of Hustle Flow Lab, explores what it means to heal body image from the inside out and finally see ourselves with the love we deserved all along.

Season 6, Episode 4

Featured Guest: Deanna Nwosu, Program Manager, REI

What would you do if you truly believed you only had one life to live? Deanna Nwosu, Program Manager at REI, shares how she’s learned to take bold risks, embrace fear with courage and grow her confidence.

This special episode, recorded in front of a live audience during the 2025 Annual Conference for the Association of Destination Management Executives International, brings together a panel of bold, leading women from the DMC industry to share their candid perspectives on navigating burnout, battling imposter syndrome, being a working parent and more.

Guests:

Lisa Deleon, DMCP, Vice President of Global Sales, Terramar, a DMC Network Company

Jacqueline Marko, CMP, DMCP, Regional Vice President, Mid-South Region, PRA Events

Daniella Bikoulis, DMCP, CIS, Director, Metropolitan DMC & Event Management

As more women break through barriers into leadership roles, the challenges don’t disappear—they evolve.

Guest: Reem Ismail, Clinical Practice Liaison, MSN, AGACNP-BC

How can we lead with greater empathy? Reem Ismail, clinical practice liaison, explores how the training healthcare providers receive to harness empathy in patient care can offer valuable lessons for leaders in any industry—helping them lead with more compassion, connection and impact.

Season 6, Episode 1

Guest: Ksenija Polla, Director, International Development, Talley Management Group

Ksenija Polla, director international development for Talley Management Group, shares her top tips on how to make 2025 your most successful, balanced and bold year yet.

Season 5, Episode 12

Guest: Jason Dunn, CEO, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals

Are leaders making decisions that will build a brighter future? Jason Dunn, CEO of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals, discusses how leaders can navigate the balance between addressing immediate challenges and preparing their organizations for a sustainable, future-focused success.

Season 5, Episode 11

Guest: Aracelly Delgadillo, Senior Account Manager, International Sales, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

How can you live a more empowered life? Aracelly Delgadillo, senior account manager, international sales at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, discusses the importance of community, the power of journaling and intentionally investing in yourself. 

Season 5, Episode 10 Details

Guest: Shideh Doerr, CEO & Chief Magician Officer, JabberYak

Do you struggle with social anxiety? Shideh Doerr, CEO & Chief Magician Officer at JabberYak, discusses how to feel more comfortable when networking and shares tips to keep your social battery charged.

Season 5, Episode 9

Guest: Huong Nguyen, CEO & Founder, Shiloh Events

When you get knocked down, what do you need to do in order to get back up and move forward? Huong Nguyen, CEO and founder of Shiloh Events, discusses the power and growth opportunity that experiencing failure presents.

Season 5, Episode 8

Guest: Sepideh Eivazi, Founder, Dawn of the Earth

What does the future version of you look like? Sepideh Eivazi, founder, Dawn of the Earth, shares how to tap into breathwork, honor your personal transformation and live life authentically.

Season 5, Episode 7

Guest: Kyel Godfrey-Ryan, CEO and Founder of TUNE

Do you find yourself constantly navigating stress and overwhelm? Kyel Godfrey-Ryan, CEO and founder of TUNE, shares insights and resources to reset and balance your nervous system in order to live a healthier, more peaceful life. 

Season 5, Episode 6

Guest: Taylor Smith

What do you know about Gen Z? Taylor Smith, content developer, destinations and features for Meetings Today, shares her perspective on battling social anxiety, finding valuable mentorship and creating awareness around today's young professional experience.

Season 5, Episode 5

Featured guest: Maria Grasso, Senior Vice President, Convention Division, Philadelphia CVB

What kind of challenges are leaders facing today? Maria Grasso, senior vice president of the Convention Division at the Philadelphia CVB, shares her experience with managing remote employees, caregiving for an aging parent and investing in her community. 

Season 5, Episode 4

Guest: Dr. Brandi Baldwin, CEO, Millennial Ventures

"Forget my money. Forget my reputation. Forget what people will say about me."

That's what Dr. Brandi Baldwin, CEO of Millennial Ventures, declared after deciding to write an open letter about an influential leader who had created a hostile work environment. This is her story.

* This podcast represents the opinions of the host and the interview subject, and not necessarily the opinions of Meetings Today.

Season 5, Episode 3

Guest: Tiffany Andrews, Sales and Marketing Administrator, Myrtle Beach Convention Center

This Women's History Month, Tiffany Andrews, sales and marketing administrator at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, shares her perspectives on how to break the glass ceiling and build upon the advancements of women.

Season 5, Episode 2

Guest: Haydee Antezana, CEO, Haydee Antezana International

When your soul feels restless, your spirit needs to breathe. Haydee Antezana, CEO of Haydee Antezana International, shares how to reinvent yourself through the process of intentional renewal.

Season 5, Episode 1

Guest: Carla Cobos Hull, Owner, Unleash International

Are you feeling burned out and undervalued? Carla Cobos Hull, owner of Unleash International, shares advice to effectively set boundaries, advocate for yourself and communicate your value to key stakeholders.

Season 4, Episode 12

Featured guest: Amani Roberts, Chief Musical Curator, The Amani Experience 

Are you willing to release control and embrace the unknown? Amani Roberts, Chief Musical Curator at The Amani Experience, shares his journey of personal development and the lessons he learned along the way. 

Season 4, Episode 11

Guest: Maayan Ziv, Founder and CEO, AccessNow

How accessible is our world? Maayan Ziv, Founder and CEO of AccessNow, shares her perspective on living with muscular dystrophy, working together to create a more accessible world, and what people should know about disability culture. 

Tune into a special live audience recording at "She Means Business" during IMEX America in Las Vegas, as host Courtney Stanley interviews influential leaders on the most relevant topics facing women in the industry, including the importance of representation, self-empowerment, burnout and more.

Season 4, Episode 9

Guest: Kate Walsh, VP of Team Member Experience, Hello! Destination Management

How can we design more thoughtful, inclusive events? Kate Walsh, VP of Team Member Experience at Hello! Destination Management, shares her perspective on leveraging empathy, data and strategic partnerships to create better event experiences.

Season 4, Episode 8

Guest: Christine Renaud, CEO, Braindate by e180

How do we focus more on being, rather than doing? Christine Renaud, CEO of Braindate by e180, shares her perspective on the elements she leverages to live a more present, balanced life: intuition, energy and pleasure.

This special edition of Dare to Interrupt was recorded in front of a live audience at the Grand Ole Opry at Meetings Today LIVE! South in Nashville and features Dee Patel, from The Hermitage Hotel; Jessie States, vice president of MPI Academy; and LeAnn Phelan, owwner of LP Creative MGMT & LP Creative Therapy.

Season 4, Episode 6

Featured guest: Connie Cay-Santos, Senior Director, Growth and Engagement, Quest Audio Visual

What defines trust? In this Dare to Interrupt podcast, Connie Cay-Santos, senior director of growth and engagement at Quest Audio Visual, shares her perspective on identifying red flags, managing trust and building meaningful relationships.

Season 4, Episode 5

Featured guest: Devon Montgomery Pasha, Director, North America for Event Design Collective and Founder of DMP Creative, LLC

Who are you living for? Devon Montgomery Pasha, director, North America for Event Design Collective and founder of DMP Creative, LLC, shares her perspective on working on your own goals versus the goals of others, identifying box-checking behavior and taking back control of your life.

Season 4, Episode 4

Featured guest: Sonia Fong, Senior Vice President of Convention Development, Louisville Tourism

When faced with adversity, what mindset do you deploy? Sonia Fong, senior vice president of convention development at Louisville Tourism, shares her experience and perspective on leading by example, practicing gratitude and building resilience. 

Season 4, Episode 3

Featured guest: Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

Do you stand up for yourself when the moment calls for it? Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer at the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, shares her experience and perspective on workplace bullying, choosing to be zealous over jealous, and finding the courage to get comfortable with uncomfortable conversations.

What impact does ageism have on women in business? Dr. Lalia Rach, executive managing director at ALHI, and Donna Kastner, founder of Retirepreneur, discuss their experience and perspective on the role that age plays in career development.

Season 4, Episode 1

Guest: Quinn Conyers, Event Emcee & Professional Speaker, Speak to Society, LLC

It's one thing to know who you are; it's another to articulate your value to the world around you. 

Quinn Conyers, event emcee and professional speaker at Speak to Society, LLC, shares how to use luxury language, identify and invest in your top talents, and make your voice your superpower.

How can we work better together while honoring our differences? Joe Marcy, Business Development Executive at the Monterey County CVB, discusses his perspective on practicing vulnerability and leading with empathy in one's community.

As we're trying to keep up with the comeback of the events industry, are we setting ourselves up to fail? Kelley Douglass, director of client services at Agenda: USA, discusses setting boundaries to prevent burnout, her personal experience with battling depression, and the complexities that come with trying to be everything to everyone.

Season 3, Episode 10

Guest: Zoe Moore, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant and Founder of Moore Consulting Agency

How, as women, can we learn to consistently--and confidently--embrace who we are? Zoe Moore, diversity, equity and inclusion consultant and founder of Moore Consulting Agency, shares how she has given herself permission to amplify her strengths, redefine her own standard of beauty and show up as her authentic self.

Season 3, Episode 9

Guest: Amanda Armstrong, Senior Vice President, Brand and Community Engagement, Encore

How can you continue to evolve and grow as an impactful leader? Amanda Armstrong, senior vice president of brand and community engagement at Encore, shares her perspective on leading vulnerably, making tough decisions and surrounding yourself with a strong support network.

Season 3, Episode 8

Guest: Mariska Kesteloo, Founder, Word of MICE

Why is death a taboo topic? Mariska Kesteloo, founder of Word of MICE, shares her story of losing four loved ones over the span of five months—and the mission she is on to change the way we navigate grief.

Season 3, Episode 7

Guests: 

Shelley Williams, Director of Global Sales - Meeting and Events, Hard Rock International

Devin Lewis, VP Business Development, ACJ Meetings & Events

Mei Powers, Chief Development Officer, Miriam's Kitchen

The mission of Dare to Interrupt is to discuss the most critical, relevant challenges that women in business face in an effort to provide support, strategies and solutions that empower individuals. In this special live recording of the podcast, powerhouse leaders Devin Lewis, Mei Powers and Shelley Williams address a handful of today's most pressing topics, including how the overturn of Roe v. Wade will affect the meetings industry, the importance of building brave spaces, and how to represent oneself in a way that's authentic, strategic, and impactful.

Season 3, Episode 6

Guest: Monique Ruff-Bell, Head of Conferences, TED

How can we strategically advance in our careers? Monique Ruff-Bell, head of conferences at TED, discusses the value of sponsorship, creating visibility and building your individual roadmap for success.

Season 3, Episode 5

Guest: Anh Nguyen, Head of Customer Success, twine; Principal & Founder, Spark Event Collective

How many topics can we cover in one podcast, you ask? Anh Nguyen, head of customer success at twine and principal and founder of Spark Event Collective, discusses the lost art of critical thinking, redesigning the business model for career women who are caretakers, and the importance of community support to advance and succeed.

Season 3, Episode 4

Anca Trifan, Founder, Creator and CEO, Tree-Fan Events

How can women in business navigate and challenge stereotypes associated with their outward appearance? Anca Trifan, founder, creator and CEO of Tree-Fan Events, speaks candidly about her experience as a woman in the male-dominated field of AV and event production.

Featured Guest: Carleeka Basnight-Menendez, Founder, INSO INC INSIDE-OUT

Yes, we're talking about menopause, people. Carleeka Basnight-Menendez, the No. 1 Black voice for women in menopause, discusses her F-IT Method, building confidence to take risks, advocating for your needs and understanding the business value of addressing a wellness challenge that impacts 50% of the world's population. 

Season 3, Episode 2

Featured Guests: Kim Montoya, Founder of Twenty156 // Juliet Tripp, Group Strategy Director, Make Events Ltd and events industry coach and speaker

Why do we wait until the sh*t hits the fan to take care of our mental, physical and emotional wellbeing? This vulnerable, blunt conversation between some of the event industry's leading hustlers sheds light on managing stress and anxiety, thriving under pressure and breaking up with burnout culture.

Season 3, Episode 1

Featured Guest: Michael Massari, Chief Sales Officer, Caesars Entertainment

What are some of the greatest challenges leaders in the meetings industry have faced and what does our community's future look like? Michael Massari, Chief Sales Officer at Caesars Entertainment and co-chair of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition, shares his own leadership lessons as well as his predictions for events in 2022.

Season 2, Episode 12

Featured Guest: Liz Lathan

What is "Return on Emotion" and how can you curate experiences that provoke happiness, which in turn, lead to greater profitability? Liz Lathan, chief marketing officer at Haute, gives us a peek behind the curtain at Haute's groundbreaking study on emotion and the innovative experiences that have blown audiences away.

Season 2, Episode 10

Featured Guest: Tracy Leparulo, founder and CEO, Untraceable Events

What does it take to make the leap into entrepreneurship? Tracy Leparulo, founder and CEO of Untraceable Events, shares how she built her company and reputation as an innovator, futurist and leader in the male-dominated fields of financial technology and cryptocurrency.

Season 2, Episode 9

Featured Guest: Stacey Hanke, founder of Stacey Hanke Inc.

Are you as influential as you think you are? Stacey Hanke, founder of Stacey Hanke Inc. and expert communicator, shares how intentional self-awareness and consistent, authentic interactions are key strategies to increase your influence and impact.

Season 2, Episode 8

Featured Guest: Megan Powers, Chief Strategist, Powers of Marketing

How often do we pause to appreciate the life we have, and are we really experiencing the best life we can? 

Megan Powers, Chief Strategist at Powers of Marketing, shares her story of uniting the events community to celebrate and honor the legacy of industry leader and friend, Elizabeth Glau.

Season 2, Episode 7

Guest: Kate Patay, Chief Strategist, Patay Consulting

How does our behavior either strengthen or undermine our credibility? 

Kate Patay, Chief Strategist, Patay Consulting, shares how outspokenness, awkward moments, and really fantastic women have shaped who she is— and where she is—as a successful entrepreneur in the events industry today.

Season 2, Episode 6

Special on-location podcast in Las Vegas!

Featured Guests:

Annette Gregg, Senior Vice President, Experience at Meeting Professionals International

Gwen Migita, Vice President Social Impact, Sustainability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Caesars Entertainment

Melissa Majors, Chief Executive Officer, Melissa Majors Consulting

Last year, there were more women than men in the workforce for the first time in a decade. Fast forward to a year later, and we are facing a “she-cession,” due to the COVID-19 crisis disproportionately affecting working women. With four times more women than men leaving the workforce as of last fall, the clock has clearly been turned back. 

Now, more than ever, effective leadership is needed to support the needs and professional advancement of women. Tune into a special live audience recording at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club in Las Vegas as host Courtney Stanley interviews influential leaders on the most pressing topics facing women in the industry, including mental health, diversity, equity and inclusion, office politics and more.

Season 2, Episode 5

Featured Guest: Michelle Thornton, Events Producer for Meetings & Events by Michelle

What are the effects of working for a toxic boss and how do you know when it’s time to walk away? Michelle Thornton, Events Producer at Meetings & Events by Michelle, shares her experience of working for a destructive leader and how it affected her overall wellbeing, as well as the lessons she learned along the way.

Season 2, Episode 4

Featured Guest: Dr. Kim Bercovitz, Ph.D, Health Behavior Scientist and Chief Wellness Officer at Byte-Size Wellness

With the global pandemic exacerbating our stress levels, how can we keep our health in check? When faced with a stress-induced thyroid disorder, Dr. Kim Bercovitz, Ph.D, Health Behavior Scientist and Chief Wellness Officer at Byte-Size Wellness, leaned on her expertise and took action, creating a formula to rebalance her mind and body. Her secret strategy to get on the road to recovery? Pause, ponder, patience, progress, and pivot.