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You already know what it feels like the meeting where you said nothing when you should have spoken. The project you took on because you didn’t know how to say no. The slow, quiet erosion of your own needs in service of everyone else’s. You’re not weak. You’re wired this way. And there’s actually a way out. Amy Green Smith is a corporate and executive communication coach who has spent two decades working with women who are having real breakdowns in the communication arena, not just what to say, but why they can’t seem to say it at all. In this conversation, Rani and Amy get into: Why people-pleasing is a biological survival mechanism (not a character flaw), and why willpower alone will never fix it The difference between your organization’s structure and its dynamics, and what that gap tells you about whether it’s worth fighting to stay The “chronic complaint inventory”, the fastest way to identify exactly where you need to start setting boundaries Progressive language: why affirmations backfire, and what to say to yourself instead What it actually looks like to support someone without rescuing them in leadership, in friendship, in parenting Amy also shares practical tools to help you begin changing these patterns, including her free resources available at Amy Green Smith's Free Resources. This episode is for the woman who knows something needs to change, who has the words forming in her chest but can’t quite get them out and who is ready to stop outsourcing her worth to everyone else in the room. Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

You’ve been telling yourself you need to know more before you start. More research. More certainty. More money in the bank. LaKeisha Tomlin thought the same thing, and then she looked around her house, counted the Apple products, checked the five-year stock chart, and made her first investment. LaKeisha is a technical leader with a career spanning aerospace and tech, degrees from St. Louis University, Johns Hopkins, and Yale, and a self-taught investing and trading practice that now makes up the bulk of her income. She didn’t have a financial mentor growing up. She built it herself, step by step, following her curiosity. In this conversation, Rani and LaKeisha talk through: Why shifting from outcomes to inputs is the mindset move that changes everything How she lost tens of thousands in a single week — and what that loss forced her to learn about mentorship The simple, zero-jargon starting place for any woman who wants to begin investing Why “the work will speak for itself” is one of the most expensive myths working women believe What it actually looks like to treat your career like a business This episode is for the woman who knows she should be doing more with her money and her career, but keeps waiting for the moment she feels ready. LaKeisha is the permission to stop waiting. Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

Anna Radulovski is the founder of WomenTech Network, a global community connecting women in technology across 179 countries. Through initiatives like Coding Girls, mentorship programs, and global leadership events, she has dedicated her career to helping women gain visibility, opportunity, and influence in tech. She is also the author of Chief in Tech, a guide to navigating leadership and building impact in industries where women are often underrepresented.  In this conversation, Anna shares the leadership lessons she learned while building an international movement and working in rooms where she was often the only woman present. Together we explore: • Why waiting for permission can quietly stall your leadership • How imposter syndrome shows up even for high-performing women • The difference between working hard and making your work visible • Why mentorship and community change the trajectory of careers • The leadership skill that matters most today: storytelling Anna also shares the simple piece of mentor advice that shifted her entire mindset: “Don’t wait for permission to lead.” This episode is for the woman who is capable, experienced, and working hard, but still feels like she is waiting for the right moment to step forward. If you are navigating leadership, visibility, or the next chapter of your career, this conversation offers grounded guidance on how to move from hesitation to impact. Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

What happens when people keep asking you a question you cannot easily answer? “Where are you from?” Urmi Hossain has lived with that question most of her life. Born and raised in Italy to Bengali parents and now working in Canada’s financial sector, Urmi grew up navigating multiple languages, cultures, and expectations. Today she is a finance professional, author, speaker, and mentor who helps others understand how identity, belonging, and career growth often intersect in complicated ways. In this conversation, Urmi shares what it means to build confidence when you often feel like you exist between worlds. You will hear: • What it means to grow up as a “third culture” individual • How identity struggles can shape leadership and resilience • Why mentorship does not always come through formal programs • The concept of a “friendtor” and how friendships can become mentorship • The reality of navigating rejection, persistence, and growth early in your career This episode is for the woman who has ever felt like she had to choose between parts of herself and is learning that she does not have to. Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

Functional nutritionist and narrative medicine practitioner Andrea Nakayama joins Working Women Mentor to share the personal story that reshaped her life and career. After navigating her late husband’s cancer diagnosis while pregnant, Andrea witnessed firsthand the gaps in the medical system. That experience led her to build a new approach to health that considers the whole person, not just the diagnosis.  In this conversation, Andrea explains why many women struggle to find lasting answers for their health and what needs to change in the way we think about wellness. In this conversation, you’ll hear about: • Why quick fixes, protocols, and biohacks often fail in complex health situations • The concept that biology is never separate from biography and how life experiences shape health • The foundational health non-negotiables Andrea focuses on first: sleep, digestion, and blood sugar balance • Why separating the problem from the solution leads to better decisions in health and life • How slowing down and listening to your body can be the most powerful step toward healing This episode is for the woman who feels overwhelmed by wellness trends and wants a calmer, clearer way to think about her health. If you have ever wondered why a solution that worked for someone else did not work for you, this conversation offers a thoughtful framework for understanding your body with more compassion and clarity. Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

Renee Carbone Fleming is a brand strategist and empowerment coach who helps women over 40 turn their story and experience into income without shrinking or apologizing. After building a multimillion-dollar sales organization and rebuilding her own life post-divorce, she now teaches women how to stop waiting to be chosen. This conversation is about visibility, ownership, and expansion in midlife. We explore: • Why confidence comes from clarity, not personality • How letting go of likability changes everything • What it really means to build a “Watch Me” mindset • Why women over 40 are positioned for leverage, not invisibility • How to begin creating multiple streams of income rooted in your lived experience Renee shares the framework behind her new book Watch Me and explains how to withdraw from explanation, act before approval, and hold the vision when no one else does. This episode is for the woman who feels capable of more but keeps hesitating. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment, this is your reminder: You don’t need more time. You need a decision. Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

Vicki Bradley, CEO and founder of Women in Leadership Empowered, brings over two decades of executive leadership experience into a conversation that feels both personal and practical. Her work centers on conscious leadership, trust, and what she calls “the invisible load” many women quietly carry. Her perspective matters because she has lived the stretch between high-level leadership, motherhood, illness, caregiving, and returning to earn her PhD mid-career. In this conversation, we explore: • How to respond instead of react in high-stress leadership moments • Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness • The concept of the invisible load and how it impacts women at work • How to build the muscle of conscious choice in your leadership • Why mentorship is reciprocal and often found in small, everyday moments This episode is for the woman who feels responsible for everything, who leads at work and at home, and who is ready to carry her ambition without burning herself out. If you are navigating growth, pressure, or transition, this conversation will remind you that you have more choice and power than you think. Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

Marcia Dawood is a venture investor, author, and longtime advocate for helping more women step into the world of capital with confidence. Through her work in angel investing and education, she has seen firsthand what holds women back from investing and raising money and what actually helps them move forward. Her perspective matters because it is rooted in lived experience, not theory. In this conversation, we explore: • Why so many women wait to feel ready before investing or raising capital • The mindset shift that makes fundraising less intimidating • What investors are really looking for beyond the pitch deck • How to build confidence through small, practical steps • Why access to capital changes more than just a business This episode is for the woman who has an idea, a growing business, or a curiosity about investing but feels like she is behind, underqualified, or unsure where to begin. You will walk away clearer on what actually matters and more grounded in your next step, whether that is writing the check or asking for one. Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

Robyn Engelson is a life transformation coach and bestselling author who rebuilt her health after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroid disease. After years of fatigue, brain fog, and frustration, she stopped waiting for answers and began taking ownership of her nutrition, strength training, mindset, and accountability. Today, she helps high-achieving women restore their energy in a way that is structured, realistic, and sustainable. In this conversation, we explore: • The overlooked signs of chronic fatigue and autoimmune imbalance • Why more cardio and less food is keeping women stuck • How stress and unresolved patterns impact physical health • The simple morning shifts that regulate your nervous system • What focused accountability over 90 days can truly change Robyn shares how compressing her two-and-a-half-year healing journey into a 90-day framework now helps women rebuild their energy without extreme routines or endless appointments. This episode is for the woman who keeps pushing through exhaustion, who knows she is capable of more, and who is ready to stop surviving and start rebuilding. Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

There comes a point in your career when working harder stops being the answer, and working wiser becomes essential. In this conversation, Gretchen Gagel shares the kind of perspective that only comes from decades of lived experience: leading teams, navigating seasons of isolation, learning when to adapt and when to stay rooted, and discovering that the most sustainable careers are built from the inside out. This episode isn’t about breaking barriers or proving yourself. It’s about learning how to lead without losing your values, how to grow without burning out, and how mentorship, both given and received, quietly shapes the women who last. If you’re navigating a season of growth, questioning what longevity really looks like, or craving guidance from someone who has already walked the road ahead, this conversation offers calm clarity and grounded reassurance. Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

What if your symptoms are not the problem, but the message? This episode is for the woman who is tired of quick fixes and ready to understand her body with more patience, more curiosity, and more compassion. Dr. Angela Zeng shares how traditional Chinese medicine approaches health through observation, prevention, and root-cause support, plus what it really takes to turn a personal remedy into a product people actually choose. You will hear a grounded take on why taste matters when you want healthier habits to stick, how to think about ingredients through both heritage and research, and why hearing “no” is part of building something meaningful. Along the way, you will be reminded to slow down, notice patterns, and reconnect with what your body is asking for. If you are craving a more aligned way to care for yourself long-term, press play and subscribe for more mentor moments.  Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

What if this season isn’t asking you to push harder, but to care for yourself more intentionally? In this episode, we explore what it looks like to slow down and tune back into your body, your energy, and your intuition. It’s a gentle conversation about redefining success, honoring quieter seasons, and trusting your timing, especially when life looks full on the outside but feels misaligned underneath. We talk about self-investment in the same way many women think about med-spa visits, collagen, skincare, and hormone health, not as vanity, but as long-term care. The kind that supports you from the inside out. The kind that helps you feel grounded, clear, and more like yourself again. This episode is for the woman who wants to understand what’s happening in her body, listen more closely to what she actually needs, and choose alignment over constant pressure. It’s a reminder that rest is information, clarity comes in stillness, and taking care of yourself is never falling behind. Press play when you’re walking, driving, or taking a moment just for you, and subscribe so you’re the first to hear what’s coming next this season. Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

In this episode of the Working Women Mentor Podcast, we sit down with Kristen Nolan, Senior Client Account Manager at Interview Valet, military spouse, and mother of three, who brings heart, humor, and hard-earned wisdom to the mic. Kristen takes us behind the scenes of a life shaped by movement—literally and figuratively. From constant relocations to growing roots in new communities, she shares how connection, mentorship, and resilience became her anchors. Whether you're leading a team, launching a business, growing your personal brand, or simply navigating change, this episode delivers rich, relatable insights. Learn how to build meaningful relationships, improve your listening skills, and show up with authenticity—even when you're starting over. Kristen also unpacks what makes a great podcast guest, how to overcome fear with preparation, and why niche audiences matter more than numbers. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone ready to grow their influence, build their community, and lead with intention—no matter the industry. Guest Links & Additional Episode Mentions: Website: https://interviewvalet.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbnolan/ Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Lailan Bento—a trailblazing real estate broker, community advocate, and proud Native Hawaiian—who brings a unique perspective shaped by politics, culture, and a lifelong commitment to mentorship. Lailan shares her journey from growing up surrounded by the Aloha spirit to transforming lives through real estate and public service. Her story weaves together cultural integrity, leadership with heart, and the role of mastermind communities in elevating personal and professional growth. Whether you're navigating your own career path, building a business, or simply seeking inspiration from women leading with purpose, this episode delivers practical wisdom for all stages of life. From embracing change to staying rooted in values, Lailan reminds us that community connection and mentorship can drive profound impact. Guest Links & Additional Episode Mentions: Website: https://lailanbento.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lailanbento/ Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI

What if you could scale your business without burning out, and lead with clarity—even during your toughest seasons? In this episode of the Working Women Mentor podcast, Rani Alfers sits down with Caitlin Bacher—entrepreneur, course creation expert, and mentor to business owners navigating the world of evergreen strategy. Caitlin opens up about her transition from social media manager to CEO, and how she redefined what success looked like for her, both in business and in life. Together, they dive into how mentorship can provide a blueprint during uncertain times, why finding your unique value proposition is essential in today’s crowded market, and how understanding emotional cycles (like the Dunning-Kruger effect) can empower smarter business decisions. Whether you're a course creator, corporate leader, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is full of practical, honest insights you can apply immediately. Discover how to own your voice, scale with purpose, and embrace growth—without losing yourself along the way. Guest Links & Additional Episode Mentions: Website: https://caitlinbacher.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitlinbacher/ Want to be a guest? If you have a mentor moment that could inspire someone else DM us GUEST on Instagram, or Apply to be a guest here: https://www.workingwomenmentor.com/apply Connect with our community on: https://www.instagram.com/workingwomenmentor/ 👇✨ Download our FREE Mentorship Resources: WorkingWomenMentor.com Connect with Rani Alfers on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rani.alfersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranialfers/ 🎁Want to Launch your OWN Podcast? Here are my FREE Resources to Get Started and SAVE time and money with AI