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In this episode of Sweet but Fearless, Mary Sullivan, co-founder, sits down with Jane Dalesandro, AI Operations Strategist, to explore the critical role frontline employees play in shaping the customer experience and building a company's reputation. As businesses rush to embrace AI and automation, Jane challenges leaders to think carefully about what they're automating. The goal shouldn't be to replace the human connection that makes a customer experience memorable. Instead, automate what happens behind the desk, not the customer experience itself. When used thoughtfully, AI can reduce employee burnout, streamline operations, and give teams more time to deliver the unique value customers can't get from technology alone. Jane also shares insights from her upcoming book, The Floor You Carry: How I Built a Career in the Job Nobody Takes Seriously, releasing November 1. She reminds us that some of the best leaders begin their careers in customer service, where they develop essential leadership skills: emotional control, accountability, communication, empathy, and the ability to make decisions under pressure. It's a conversation about recognizing the leadership potential of frontline employees, using AI with intention, and remembering that your greatest competitive advantage may be the people who interact with your customers every day. ABOUT JANE DALESANDRO: LinkedIn – Jane Dalesandro Book – "The Floor You Carry: How I Built a Career in the Job Nobody Takes Seriously"   ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Sharitta Marshall, founder of Visionary Development Consulting, about how leaders can use AI as a tool to strengthen, not replace, their skills, judgment, and experience. AI may be powerful, but it isn't smarter than you. The real opportunity comes from understanding how AI is changing your industry, influencing your everyday life, and where it can best support your decision-making process. Sharitta encourages leaders to think of AI like a vehicle: it can help move you forward, but where you end up depends on where you're going, what you're trying to accomplish, and how intentionally you use it. This conversation is a practical reminder that effective leadership in an AI-driven world isn't about having all the answers, it's about asking better questions and knowing when technology can help you make smarter, more informed decisions.   ABOUT SHARITTA MARSHALL: LinkedIn – Sharitta Marshall Website – Visionary Development Consulting Book – "The Unwritten Rules Are Meant to Be Broken: Breaking Barriers, Thriving in Corporate Spaces, and Redefining Success as a Black Leader" ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

What if creating a more fulfilling life didn't mean changing everything at once? Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with self-care coach and entrepreneur Christina Russell about what it really means to put yourself back on your own priority list. Christina shares why putting yourself first isn't about ignoring your work, family, or responsibilities. It's about making sure you don't disappear in the middle of all of them. Mary and Christina talk about finding what brings you joy and creating space for it in your everyday life. If you're feeling stuck or burned out, the answer doesn't have to be a major life overhaul. Christina encourages starting small and looking at your situation from a different perspective. Those simple shifts can help you gain clarity and better understand what you truly want. One of the most powerful reminders from the conversation is that the answers are often already within you. When we continually sacrifice our own joy, the cost can be higher than we realize. If you've been feeling like something is missing, this episode is a thoughtful reminder that it may be time to listen to yourself again.   ABOUT CHRISTINA RUSSELL: LinkedIn – Christina Russell Website – Christina Russell 3 Steps to Break Free from Self-Doubt 3 Day Accountability Challenge   ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

What happens when you quiet the outside noise long enough to hear what you really want? Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Jennifer White, founder of Clearing for Launch Coaching, about making life decisions with greater clarity and confidence. As a coach, Jennifer helps her clients reconnect with their own voice, uncover the wants and passions they may have pushed aside, and take action toward the life they've been putting off for years. She shares how to move through the hurdles, fears, and uncertainty that can keep us stuck and why the answers we're searching for often begin with getting clear about what we truly want. It's a conversation about trusting yourself, navigating change, and giving yourself permission to move toward what's next. ABOUT JENNIFER WHITE : LinkedIn – Jennifer White Website – Clearing For Launch Facebook – Clearing For Launch   ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode of Sweet but Fearless, Mary Sullivan talks with Lina Viner, founder and creator of The Rewire Method, about mindset, entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to create lasting change. Lina shares why our belief systems can either move us forward or keep us stuck and how changing the way we think can change the way we live. Through The Rewire Method, she works with individuals to identify behaviors and thought patterns that no longer serve them, building new routines and creating mindset shifts designed to last. Lina also talks about the mindset entrepreneurs need to succeed: being comfortable with uncertainty, taking responsibility, solving problems creatively, and learning from failure. She shares how she built a successful business, stepped away, and then created another in a completely different industry. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: be curious about where you are, get clear about where you want to go, and ask yourself what is keeping you from living the life you really want. It's a conversation about believing in what's possible, developing the mindset to pursue it, and having the courage to rewire the way you approach what comes next.   ABOUT LINA VINER: LinkedIn – Lina Viner Website – Lina Viner The Rewire Method ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with life coach and Bible counselor Mia Godfrey about her remarkable journey from Romania to a life shaped by faith, resilience, and purpose. Throughout their conversation, Mia shares how her faith guided her through uncertainty, how she learned to recognize her purpose, and why surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people can make such a difference when rebuilding your life. What begins as a story of heartbreak becomes a story of transformation, a reminder that even after devastating loss, we can rise from the ashes, find renewed purpose, and discover that we are buried, not broken.  Mia is the author of Buried, Not Broken: A Memoir of Survival, Sisterhood, and Starting Over, a moving memoir about survival, sisterhood, faith, and rediscovering hope after profound loss.   ABOUT MIA GODFREY: LinkedIn – Mia Godfrey Website – Scribbled Pages Book – Buried, Not Broken: A Memoir of Survival, Sisterhood, and Starting Over ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

Making an intentional career pivot isn't about starting over, it's about building on everything you've learned along the way. Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Katie Whipple about her varied career journey and how the knowledge, skills, and experience she gained in each role helped her make thoughtful, strategic career changes. Today, Katie brings that diverse experience to her role as Area Sales Manager for Kastenbery, helping small-business owners find smarter ways to save time, reduce costs, and work more efficiently. She shares how embracing a nonlinear career path helped her recognize new opportunities and move forward with greater clarity and confidence. ABOUT KATIE WHIPPLE: LinkedIn – Katie Whipple Website - Kastenbery ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless talks with Paula Houlihan, founder of Choice Mastery, to explore her inspiring journey from corporate burnout to successful entrepreneur. Paula shares how she once believed that long hours, constant stress, and relentless hustle were simply the price of success. After experiencing burnout firsthand, she transformed her approach to work and life, developing the Choice Mastery Model, a practical framework built around four key steps: Assess, Evaluate, Choose, and Act. Together, Mary and Paula discuss the habits of thought and behavior that contribute to burnout, how intentional choices can lead to lasting change, and why redefining success is essential for both personal and professional fulfillment. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, navigating a career transition, or looking for a healthier path to success, this conversation offers practical insights and empowering strategies you can start applying today. ABOUT: PAULA HOULIHAN LinkedIn – Paula Houlihan Website – Paula Houlihan Book:  Hijacked: The Surprising Neuroscience Behind the Choices You Think You're Making and How to Take Back the Controls   ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless talks with Kristine Frost, Founder of Shattered Glass Advisory, about the honest truth behind reaching the C-suite and why political fluency is an essential leadership skill. Drawing from more than 25 years of leading people and culture in the automotive industry, Kristine shares her journey as one of the few women in executive leadership, the importance of being in the rooms where key decisions are made, and how women can avoid getting stuck in transactional leadership by developing an enterprise mindset that helps move an organization forward. Together, Mary and Kristine explore the shift from seeking external validation to finding fulfillment from within, while discussing the resilience, pragmatism, strategic thinking, and courage required to reach the next level of leadership. Whether you're aspiring to the C-suite, navigating a career transition, or redefining success on your own terms, this conversation offers honest insights and practical wisdom to help you move forward with confidence.   ABOUT: KRISTINE M. FROST LinkedIn – Kristine M. Frost Website – Shattered Glass Advisory ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

Can you build a successful career and still create a life that feels truly fulfilling? In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Wendy Meadows, attorney, life coach, and author, about redefining success without walking away from the career you love. Wendy shares how her early years in a family law firm taught her the fundamentals of business, time management, and efficiency, while also revealing the personal cost of constantly pushing forward. After discovering health and wellness coaching, she found a path that complemented her legal career and helped her reconnect with herself. Today, Wendy continues to practice law while empowering others through coaching and her book, "sparkle & GRIT", showing that fulfillment comes from nurturing every aspect of your life, not just your career.   ABOUT: WENDY S MEADOWS LinkedIn – Wendy Meadows Website – Wendy Meadows Book – "sparkle & Grit: Live a Technicolor Life by Finally Finding Balance, Escaping Monotony, and Beating Burnout"  ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Laura Nespoli, Founder of Meshin Movement, to explore the transformative power of story. After experiencing profound personal growth, Laura discovered that embracing and sharing her own story became the catalyst for breaking through limitations and becoming the woman she was meant to be. That journey led her to study the science of storytelling and how our personal narratives can fuel growth, deepen self-awareness, strengthen our relationships, and create meaningful connections within our communities. Together, Mary and Laura discuss why stories matter, how storytelling shapes our experiences, and how reclaiming your own narrative can create lasting movement in your life.   ABOUT: LAURA NESPOLI LinkedIn – Laura Nespoli Website – Meshin Movement Book – "Threads of Me and You: Unravel Your Limits and Weave Growth from Within" ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Teresa Gregory, Founder of G Squared Consulting, talk about how too often, we become pigeonholed by the very skills that make us successful. When you're known as the person who can always get a specific job done, others begin to define you by that role and it's easy to start believing that label yourself. Teresa shares why it's important not to lean into those limitations, but instead to intentionally promote your broader capabilities and position yourself as a strategic leader. Mary and Teresa also explore how technology is reshaping leadership. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for people, they discuss how leaders can embrace it as a powerful tool that enhances decision-making, innovation, and impact. If you're ready to move beyond labels, think more strategically, and lead with confidence in an AI-driven world, this conversation is for you. As the founder of G Squared Consulting, Teresa has partnered with industry leaders—including Microsoft, Kaiser Permanente, and major corporate teams—to design high-impact leadership programs that elevate culture, accelerate growth, and equip managers with the skills needed to lead confidently in a changing world.     ABOUT: TERESA GREGORY LinkedIn – Teresa Gregory Website – Squared Success ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Linda Hunt, founder of SumSolutions, to explore the winding path from corporate accounting professional to successful entrepreneur. Linda shares how many of us hold tightly to goals we set years ago, even when they no longer align with who we've become. She reflects on the importance of giving ourselves permission to evolve, recognizing when our interests have changed, and embracing opportunities that may look very different from the careers we originally envisioned. The conversation also tackles one of business's most important, and often, uncomfortable topics - money. Linda explains why accounting is far more than numbers on a spreadsheet. Financial data tells the story of a company, revealing patterns, highlighting priorities, and providing the clarity leaders need to make informed decisions. While accounting may not directly generate revenue, it plays a critical role in profitability, growth, and long-term success. Throughout the discussion, Linda's guiding philosophy shines through: "Everything is figureoutable."   ABOUT LINDA HUNT: LinkedIn – Linda Hunt Website – Sum Solutions Book – The Money Conversation: Speak the Truth. Set the Standard. Get Paid Without Apology ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Meghan French Dunbar, founder of Conscious Company Magazine and author of This Isn't Working, for an honest conversation about burnout, identity, and defining success on your own terms. After founding and scaling a nationally recognized media company, and serving as CEO for years, Meghan found herself exhausted, disconnected, and questioning the very definition of success she had worked so hard to achieve. What followed was a period of deep reflection that transformed how she approaches leadership and personal fulfillment. Meghan explores how traditional leadership models have been shaped by masculine ideals and how many women have been conditioned to believe they must adopt these traits to succeed. Meghan shares insights on what she calls the "half-leadership trap", the tendency to value only one side of leadership while overlooking the strengths that qualities often viewed as feminine bring to the table. She discusses why the most effective leaders embrace both masculine and feminine traits, blending decisiveness and ambition with empathy, collaboration, and intuition to create a more balanced and authentic approach to leadership.   ABOUT MEGHAN FRENCH DUNBAR: LinkedIn – Meghan French Dunbar Website – Meghan French Dunbar Book – "This Isn't Working: How Working Women Can Overcome Stress, Guilt, and Overload to Find True Success" Podcast – Unbehaved Instagram  - Meghan French Dunbar Tedx – Why Success Isn't Making You Have & How to Fix It ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Jinesha Jain, Senior Analyst and TEDx Speaker, to explore the hidden pressures that often accompany ambition and achievement. Despite advancing quickly in her personal and professional life, Jinesha realized that success had come with an invisible cost when her mother observed that she no longer carried the same smile she once had. That moment became a turning point, prompting Jinesha to reevaluate what true success and well-being really mean. That realization led Jinesha to discover Bhramari pranayama, or "humming bee breath," a yogic breathing practice that helped her reduce stress, improve focus, and reconnect with herself. Together, Mary and Jinesha explore the importance of internal growth alongside external success, reminding women that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is pause, realign with what matters most, and care for ourselves while pursuing our goals.   ABOUT JINESHA JAIN: LinkedIn – Jinesha Jain Instagram – Jinesha Jain TEDx – The Power of Stillness: How One Breath Can Break Burnout ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless