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Swishie - Interviews with inspiring women of color who thrive in work and life

Swishie - Interviews with inspiring women of color who thrive in work and life

By Lia Fetterhoff

Get inspired by other women of color who have made the leap into becoming the CEO of their own life today by finding clarity and a bigger life purpose, living out their core values, and taking action towards their ideal life vision.
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04: Courtnei Jones on making authentic connections while building a vision

Swishie - Interviews with inspiring women of color who thrive in work and lifeAug 15, 2021

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33:59
10: Zennebe Arnold on career transitions, grit, and improving the educational experience
May 08, 202227:37
09: Glasa Gottschalk on being your unapologetic, authentic self and creating space in life

09: Glasa Gottschalk on being your unapologetic, authentic self and creating space in life

We live in a time when being busy is rewarded. However, Glasa’s challenge to high-achievers is to unbusy yourselves by creating some space in your calendar: be alone with your thoughts, stop ignoring what you might be pushing down, and get clear on what you really want out of life. Often we are afraid to just be with ourselves, yet individuals who are comfortable with this thrive as change agents because they’re already taking a risk when they show up as themselves. Glasa helps marginalized identities truly show up in life 100% unapologetic and authentic. The more space people have to do this, the bigger the impact we will all make on this world.

About Glasa

Glasa Gottschalk believes that you were not meant to simply survive. You were born to thrive! During her journey as a human, leader, consultant, and now coach, she has noticed that so many of us chase success that’s not our own, simply because we never paused to define it on our own terms. Title, status, wealth...none of this matters if you don’t first have a handle on who you are, what you value, and the impact you want to create in this one and only life. When you have clarity on these 3 things, life becomes less scary, more fulfilling, and ultimately more fun. This is the foundation of creating true freedom in your life. And it all begins with your mindset!

As a Life & Business Mindset Coach, and owner of GII Coaching & Consulting, Glasa partners with clients to gain clarity and momentum through powerful 1-on-1 coaching. She is passionate about creating equity, especially for women of color, and believes there is a gap in the coaching industry when it comes to serving marginalized identities. When not coaching she serves in several capacities for her local Habitat for Humanity, enjoys hiking with her husband and dogs, and loves a good impromptu road trip.


Resources

Get the free downloadable: Tips to Create Space in Your Life (So You Can Make Space for What Really Matters): https://mailchi.mp/1f54cf429db3/tipstocreatespace

Website: GoToGii.com

Instagram: @GoToGii

Facebook: facebook.com/GoToGii

TikTok: @glasagottschalk

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/glasagottschalk/

Feb 27, 202243:54
08: Hannah Martin on transitions, sustainable work, and enjoying the journey

08: Hannah Martin on transitions, sustainable work, and enjoying the journey

Is it worth it to experience “success” and big shifts if it’s done in a way you don’t enjoy? Hannah explores what their version of success looks like through focusing on how it feels to do the work instead of simply focusing on outcomes. As a first-generation Cuban-American, Hannah found their way to entrepreneurship through resourcefulness and coming from a line of engineers who figured it out. Now, they are reevaluating how to make the journey much more enjoyable, and sustainable. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to enjoy being as much as doing, this episode is for you!

About Hannah

Hannah (she/they) is a first-generation Cuban-American non-binary femme in San Diego, California. Currently, Hannah is a freelance content strategist and copywriter for digital brands and small businesses. Having been part of activist, government, and nonprofit spaces for nearly ten years, Hannah has experienced and witnessed the need for intersectional action in business spaces and beyond. She studied systems of oppression and women's leadership in her undergraduate education, and she incorporates this education through advocacy for leadership development and empowerment for women and femmes of color. Outside of her work, Hannah is a proud rescue dog parent, amateur artist, and sometimes coordinated roller skater.

Website: www.wocspacecollective.com

Instagram: @wocspacecollective

Podcast: Thot Leadership https://open.spotify.com/show/4A9yDq5EfzAPeL5Zu1C5V6

Feb 13, 202244:48
07: Neha O’Rourke on showing up for yourself and finding purpose

07: Neha O’Rourke on showing up for yourself and finding purpose

Neha O’Rourke had the six-figure salary, award-winning campaigns and clients, worked at the best agencies, and was “successful.” However, Neha was breaking down physically, emotionally, and mentally. Her hair was falling out – and in her words, “as an Indian, when you’re affecting the hair, something’s wrong!” She asked herself why she would allow her career to put her in this type of place when it wasn’t fulfilling. So began her journey to get clear on her purpose and what actually mattered to her in life. After quitting and taking a year and a half of being “somewhere in between” to reset, Neha eventually got that clarity and realized she could help others, too. Neha founded her company, Somewhere In Between Coaching to help others find their purpose.

About Neha

Neha O’Rourke is an award-winning Career & Energy Coach and Founder of Somewhere In Between Coaching, a company dedicated to empowering career-driven women to discover their purpose and realign with their definition of happiness, intentionality, and fulfillment —and bring it to the forefront in ways that advance her personal and professional endeavors.

Somewhere In Between’s range of services — including 1:1 Coaching, Group Workshops, and Public Appearances has been embraced by brands such as Expedia, WeWork, NEMA, The Wing, and more. Her thought leadership has been featured in publications such as The Lily by The Washington Post, The Chic, Yoga Digest, and Lux and Concord, and on WGN News and Fox 32. Neha has been recognized by Honebook and Rising Ride Society as “20 on the Rise” in the coaching category.

Prior to Somewhere In Between Coaching, Neha worked in advertising where she architected strategies and campaigns for nationally recognized brands. As a result of physical, mental and emotional burnout, Neha shifted her career to launch Somewhere In Between Coaching. She fundamentally believes that life is too short to be “surviving” your career and that every woman deserves to thrive, both professionally and personally.

Website: https://sibcareercoaching.com/

Instagram: @somewhereinbetweencoach

Jan 30, 202247:12
06: Lekeshia Angelique on Impactful Change and Cultural Responsiveness

06: Lekeshia Angelique on Impactful Change and Cultural Responsiveness

Has anyone ever asked you, "Why do you work so hard?" --particularly if you were in a toxic job environment? When Lekeshia's wife (then dating at the time) posed her with this question, she didn't have a great answer. Over time, she started to ask herself what she wanted to do instead, and her journey is an inspirational one. Now, she consults with leaders and businesses on cultural responsiveness and how to be an active ally. Learn more about Lekeshia's story in this episode!

About Lekeshia

Lekeshia Angelique believes that discrimination happens not because of a lack of empathy, but a lack of education. As a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant, she has spent over two decades helping entrepreneurs and business leaders to redefine their authority into genuine allyship. Her workshops, presentations, and special programs have touched the lives of thousands of people across the globe, from the US to Germany to Afghanistan. She has spent 22 years working in the US Army, one of the most diverse organizations in the world. With master’s degrees in both Criminal Justice and Psychology, along with a Diversity Management Certificate from Cornell University, Lekeshia has a powerful understanding both of the work that needs to be done around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and of how our brains function, helping her to support leaders and entrepreneurs in shifting their perspectives and practices. She knows that by embracing D, E & I, we grow impact and revenue, and fulfill our commitment to truly changing the world.

Lekeshia Angelique lives in a small town outside of Nashville, TN with her wife, Cassandra, 10 year old twin daughters, London and Laila and their dog Polo. Her 20 year old twin daughters, (Yes, that’s 2 sets of twins, all girls!) are Sophomores in college in TN studying Art and medicine. Her oldest and only son is 24 year old Dajour, who lives in Des Moines, Iowa and is a Relationship Banker at a local bank. When they are not pouring into their family, Lekeshia and Cassandra love to travel the world and experience new cultures while making lasting memories. Lekeshia’s life philosophy is to do the thing that scares you the most now, don’t wait until you feel that it is safe to do so, your mental health depends on it.

You can find her on social media here:

Instagram:  @lekeshia_angelique

FB: www.facebook.com/lekeshiaangeliqueconsulting

FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/deilounge

Twitter: @lahconsultants

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lekeshiaangelique

Jan 09, 202244:08
05: Joie Ha on activism, compassion and meaningful work

05: Joie Ha on activism, compassion and meaningful work

Have you always had an inner knowing about the kind of work you wanted to do, but wondered how you could do more with that knowing? Or maybe you want to make your voice louder to speak up for issues and causes you're passionate about. In this episode with activist and organizer Joie Ha, we discuss how she knew at an early age that she wanted to be an activist, how she’s working to break the stereotypes of being an Asian woman (and inspiring me to do the same!), and how she approaches the work she does when people close to her may not always agree.


About Joie

As the daughter of refugees, Joie Ha (she/her/hers) has always endeavored to do more good for more people. She has been an activist and organizer for minority communities in Colorado for over 10 years. She has a B.A. in Anthropology and a M.A. in Development Practice with a focus on holistic methods of treating mental health for the Vietnamese refugee community in Denver. She has completed development work in Malaysia as a Community Development Officer in Kampung Sungai Suloh, and Cambodia as a researcher regarding how hip-hop can create fictive kin for youth enticed by the familial aspects of gangs. In the United States, Joie often engages in community projects with focus on anti-racist work, civic engagement, and the intersection of art and activism. She sits on several boards including serving as Chair for the Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission and Board Member for Colorado Asian Pacific United.

Website: coredei.com

Instagram: @core.dei

Sep 13, 202140:27
04: Courtnei Jones on making authentic connections while building a vision

04: Courtnei Jones on making authentic connections while building a vision

Whether you’re still finding your place in the corporate world, navigating motherhood, or pivoting your business to solve a problem in a completely different space, this episode is for you! Courtnei shares insights and lessons from being a Black woman in the corporate world, how she’s created her own opportunities through making authentic connections with others, and how she plans to stay transparent as she takes the stepping stone into yet a new role.
About Courtnei
Since 2014, Courtnei Jones has led her own and other brands through successfully gaining strategic positioning online to increase brand awareness, visibility, and revenue. Courtnei is an author, beloved leader, the founder of Conversions by Courtnei, a coaching and consulting company, and CEO of Keywords on Social.
Notably, Courtnei has worked in partnership with Anthem, March of Dimes and the Institute for Contemporary Art to consult on strategies to increase brand awareness and revenue, and the University of Phoenix to educate others on how to do the same.
While Courtnei does work with larger brands, her greatest joy and focus is on smaller brands who wish to use the digital space to grow their brand and increase brand awareness online with revenue sourced from these efforts.
Clients have seen results like 148.900% increase in brand awareness and reach, immediate sales, notable collaborations, but best of all - peace of mind that they are taking the correct steps to get in front of the audience that matters most to their brand.
Learn more about Courtnei and Keywords on Social at
keywordsonsocial.com or on your favorite social media platform at @courtneionline.
Aug 15, 202133:59
03: Courtney Chow on redefining success and taking the leap during the pandemic

03: Courtney Chow on redefining success and taking the leap during the pandemic

The pandemic provided people with time and space to reflect on their relationship with work: how they do it, where it happens, and, of course, what they actually want to do for a living. During the pandemic, when Courtney was laid off from a job she loved, she gave herself a three-month window to finally start the social media agency of her dreams. If you consider yourself multi-passionate and have thought of leaving the 9-5 but lack that clarity, or have been held back by fear time and time again in your life, listen in to my conversation today with Courtney Chow and get inspired by her story.

Courtney Chow is a social and marketing strategist who helps creatives and coaches do what they love and get paid for it by attracting their dream clients on Instagram. Based in Southern California, her superpower is building relationships both online and through meet-ups and making roadmaps that busy entrepreneurs can follow to hit their business goals. Her favorite platforms to market on are Instagram and Tik Tok and you can find @courtneychow.co on Instagram and www.courtneychowco.com.


What you’ll learn from this episode:
  • How Courtney bridged the gap between having many skills and finding aligning ways to serve her clients
  • How Silicon Valley helped her become intentional about her pivot
  • What to do if you feel like you're a "Jill of all trades" and aren't good at just one thing
  • Clarity on your focus areas and redefining purpose
  • Using fear as a motivator
  • Courtney's love for Disney and learning about creativity in business
  • Coming from a risk-averse family and observations on being a woman of color in the coaching space
  • How to show up as yourself instead of following tactics inauthentic to you
  • Finding purpose through serving others
  • Courtney's values of kindness, loyalty, and humility and how these influence her work and life
  • What it takes to start your own journey

Connect with Courtney + Courtney Chow Co:

Resources

Note: Some of the links shared here are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jul 25, 202127:44
02: Jenny Lee on navigating life pivots and intentional living through minimalism

02: Jenny Lee on navigating life pivots and intentional living through minimalism

Have you ever felt the inner rumblings of dissatisfaction, a knowing that the life you're currently living could be better? Have you thought of leaving your corporate job to pursue self-employment but held yourself back because of fear? If any of this resonates with you, listen in to my conversation today with Jenny Lee.

Jenny Lee is a minimalism mentor and founder of Hello Brio, a community of conscious creatives and entrepreneurs. She adopted a minimalist lifestyle in 2013 after a major life event and a cross-country move. Jenny has written on Forbes, Becoming Minimalist, No Sidebar, Wild Minimalist, Medium, and her own blog, sharing insights about intentional living.

Jenny has felt the call to make sweeping changes in her life over the years, redefining her version of success from the standard American consumer-driven lifestyle of a big house with a white picket fence and a fancy career to simply finding peace in the current moment. She has successfully navigated several business pivots and talks about how consciousness (or how she refers to it, "healthy skepticism", which I love!), connectedness, and creativity drive her. In today’s episode, we talk about how she's honed in on her purpose over the years and how to be strategic when considering a big life or career pivot.


What you’ll learn from this episode:
  • How Jenny knew corporate wasn’t for her
  • How she approached big changes like moving out of California and changing careers
  • What it meant to move from a consumer mindset to a minimalist mindset
  • How to be more intentional to remove the consent sense for striving
  • Jenny talks about the power of manifestation
  • What it means to invest in yourself, and how she got support along the way to her copywriting practice
  • Finding allies and supporting other WOC business owners
  • Advice for someone contemplating an international move
  • How to navigate any life change
  • Not "squashing" the passion when just starting out

Connect with Jenny & Hello Brio:

Resources

Note: Some of the links shared here are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jun 20, 202133:25
01: Maryn Masumiya on creative expression and living authentically

01: Maryn Masumiya on creative expression and living authentically

Growing up, did you know what you wanted to be? What about by the time you started college: how did you pick what you wanted to major in? If you've ever felt the call to be creative and are wondering if now is the time to get started, you will strongly relate to my conversation today with Maryn Masumiya.

Maryn is owner of Kawaii Craft Shop, was previously in corporate marketing for 14 years, and is a longtime friend (and my former college roommate!). During lockdown, she reconnected with her creativity while tapping into a community and getting the push she needed to build a business from a newly discovered craft she enjoyed: creating handmade gifts primarily made with clay.

What you'll learn from this episode:
  • Why it's important to take time to explore and experiment with different modes of creative expression, and not every hobby needs to become a business
  • Why now is a great time to pursue something creative as a business
  • How marketing can help you with developing products
  • Advice on how to make a career shift
  • The importance of connecting back to your identity if you've ever felt the need to minimize it growing up
  • A great reason for supporting small businesses
  • Why it's important to be clear on your values

Connect with Maryn & Kawaii Craft Shop:

Resources mentioned:

Note: Some of the links shared here are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

About the podcast:

Swishie is brought to you by Lia Fetterhoff, creator of swishie.com, inspiration for women of color to thrive in work and life. Subscribe for the latest episodes and if you like what you hear, consider supporting this podcast!

Jun 06, 202135:29