Episodes

  • Launching Season 2: Empowering Stories with Lead Like a Girl

    Launching Season 2: Empowering Stories with Lead Like a Girl
    May 8 2024
    In this episode marking the launch of season two of 'Lead Like a Girl', Jessica introduces her excitement about the new direction of the podcast, featuring her and her long-time friends, Jamie and Coralyn. They share the backstory of their friendship and the organic development of this season's concept, centered on empowering women through storytelling. The discussion also includes anecdotes from their past, a reflection on their mission to share relatable, everyday women's stories, and how diversity and inclusion play a crucial role in their narrative. Apart from empowering stories, the episode touches on loyalty, non-judgmental support, and the dynamics of their cross-cultural friendship. The hosts also tease future episodes that will cover a variety of empowering themes and personal anecdotes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Celebrating a Legacy: Lessons from My Grandmother

    Celebrating a Legacy: Lessons from My Grandmother
    May 1 2024
    In this episode of 'Lead Like a Girl', the host shares the heartfelt story of her grandmother, Hortensia Aviles, who recently passed away, reflecting on her life, values, and influence. Born in Texas, Hortensia Aviles led a life filled with love, resilience, and dedication. She met her husband at a young age and they shared a life together until their 90s, overcoming challenges including military service, incarceration, and domestic abuse, but ultimately finding redemption and happiness. The host emphasizes the importance of family, the impact of her grandmother's hard work and resilience, and encourages listeners to reconcile with family members and honor their parents. She also hints at upcoming episodes, promising more stories and insights in the Lead Like a Girl 2.0 season. 00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl & A Quick Update 00:46 A Tribute to My Grandmother: A Story of Love and Legacy 14:11 Reflecting on Family, Sacrifice, and the Importance of Honoring Parents 20:20 Looking Ahead: Lead Like a Girl 2.0 and the Power of Storytelling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Empowerment, Leadership, and Friendship: A Journey with Lead Like a Girl

    Empowerment, Leadership, and Friendship: A Journey with Lead Like a Girl
    Apr 24 2024
    In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, host Jessica Smith shares her transformative weekend in Minneapolis with her best friends Coraline and Jamie, emphasizing the power of female friendship and leadership development. Jessica reflects on the importance of self-improvement over work, the warmth of friendships, and the valuable lessons of walking and experiencing church in a new light. Through storytelling and heartfelt discussions, Jessica underscores the need for authentic leadership, highlights her Toastmasters experience, and reiterates her passion for empowering women. She also previews the exciting journey ahead for Lead Like a Girl, including upcoming episodes with guest speakers, aiming to inspire, motivate, and support listeners through their personal and leadership growth. 00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Empowering Women's Leadership 00:30 A Weekend of Friendship, Cold Adventures, and Empowerment 03:22 Embracing Self-Care and Work-Life Balance 05:59 The Power of Faith and Community in Leadership 18:01 Toastmasters: A Journey of Growth and Leadership 24:40 Leadership Insights from the Toastmasters Conference 28:58 Reflecting on Childhood Dreams and Leadership Aspirations 30:52 Closing Thoughts: Stay Inspired and Lead with Purpose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Overcoming Obstacles and Empowering Leadership

    Overcoming Obstacles and Empowering Leadership
    Apr 17 2024
    This episode of the Lead Like a Girl podcast, hosted by Jessica Smith, dives into Jessica's personal journey and the challenges she faced in her professional life. She recounts a pivotal moment during a panel interview for a director level sales role, highlighting the unexpected turn of events and how it veered off into an apparent ambush rather than a genuine job interview. Jessica shares the defeat and frustration she experienced when realizing the opportunity was slipping away, especially after showing her real estate practice exam instead of her presentation. Despite this setback, Jessica reinforces the importance of integrity, hard work, and the belief that God has a better plan for everyone. She reflects on her adjustment to a different role that aligned more with her calling as a people leader rather than chasing a higher salary. Furthermore, Jessica shares inspiring stories of perseverance and the importance of soft skills in the workplace, evidenced by her hiring a highly successful salesperson with no prior sales experience. The episode emphasizes resilience, faith, and the power of sharing one's journey to inspire and guide others through similar challenges. 00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Embracing Inner Leadership 00:19 Back to My Story: A Journey of Growth and Partnerships 01:11 The Big Deal: A Turning Point in My Career 02:46 The Interview That Wasn't: Facing Workplace Challenges 07:26 Reflections on Integrity and Work Ethic 10:52 Navigating Leadership and Personal Growth 22:12 The Power of Talent and Work Ethic in Leadership 30:21 Closing Thoughts: Empowerment and Purpose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Embracing Rest and Prioritizing Self-Care

    Embracing Rest and Prioritizing Self-Care
    Apr 10 2024
    In this episode, Jessica Smith shares her personal journey grappling with illness and the important lessons she learned about the necessity of rest and self-care. Despite being under the weather, Jessica pushes through to deliver a heartfelt episode for her listeners, reflecting on her recent experiences of overworking and neglecting her health. She recounts the ordeal of attending her grandfather's funeral, getting sick afterwards, and ignoring her body's warning signs until she was forced to seek urgent care. Diagnosed with a severe strain of the flu, Jessica realizes the folly in pushing oneself too hard and the importance of listening to one's body. She discusses the societal pressures to constantly be productive, her reluctance to seek medical help due to upbringing, and the transformative realization of the need for self-care. Jessica uses this platform not only to share her own epiphanies but also to inspire her listeners to prioritize their health and well-being. She weaves in anticipations for upcoming events and projects, emphasizing the significance of inclusivity and diversity. The episode is a mixture of personal anecdote, motivational advice, and a glance into the future direction of the 'Lead Like a Girl' podcast, including the expansion of discussion topics and co-hosts. 00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Empowering Women's Leadership 00:30 The Importance of Self-Care and Listening to Your Body 01:07 A Personal Journey Through Illness and Recovery 04:47 Learning to Prioritize Health Over Hustle 10:49 Celebrating Milestones and Planning for the Future 17:58 Embracing Diversity and Inclusion: A Sneak Peek into Future Episodes 20:34 Staying True to the Mission: Consistency and Self-Care 22:45 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 mins
  • Inheritance of Influence

    Inheritance of Influence
    Apr 3 2024
    In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, Jessica Smith shares a deeply personal journey surrounding the passing of her grandfather, Mr. Gregorio Manuel Aviles Jr., reflecting on the celebration of his life during his funeral on Easter weekend. She explores the themes of legacy, family values, and leadership through her family's experiences and her own life lessons. Jessica emphasizes the importance of building a lasting legacy based on authenticity, integrity, and the impact on others. Through anecdotes and reflections, she encourages listeners to self-reflect on their own legacies, the values they want to pass down, and the importance of living with purpose and passion. The episode also touches on generational curses, the significance of family traditions, and the role of generational wealth in aiding others. Jessica aims to inspire listeners to think about their personal and family legacies and how they contribute to their communities and beyond. 00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Empowering Women's Leadership 00:22 A Personal Detour: Remembering Grandpa and Embracing Life's Challenges 07:23 The Power of Legacy: Reflecting on Family, Love, and Life Lessons 13:28 Building Your Legacy: Insights on Personal and Family Legacy 26:40 Embracing Integrity and Generational Success 28:35 Closing Thoughts: What Will Your Legacy Be? 30:06 Stay Inspired: Join Us Next Time on Lead Like a Girl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Lessons from Grandpa

    Lessons from Grandpa
    Mar 27 2024
    In this episode of 'Lead Like a Girl', Jessica Smith digresses from her typical programming to share a heartfelt tribute to her recently deceased grandfather. She recounts his journey from battling addiction to becoming a devoted man of faith, emphasizing the importance of legacy, purpose, and making a positive impact. Jessica shares personal stories of her grandfather's life, his teachings, and the role he played in her family and community, ultimately reinforcing the values of reflection, faith, and the pursuit of one's calling. 00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Empowering Women's Leadership 00:51 A Heartfelt Tribute: Remembering Grandfather's Legacy 02:24 Reflections on Life, Legacy, and Love 06:38 Grandfather's Journey: From Struggle to Spiritual Leader 15:01 Celebrating a Life Well-Lived and the Impact on Future Generations 20:51 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement to Share the Journey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Harnessing Opportunities and Navigating Career Growth Amid Challenges

    Harnessing Opportunities and Navigating Career Growth Amid Challenges
    Mar 21 2024
    In this episode of the Lead Like a Girl podcast, Jessica Smith shares her personal journey of career growth, strategic networking, and the importance of seizing stretch opportunities. She details a transformative lunch meeting at the Cheesecake Factory that led to a significant business deal for her company's new business unit focusing on mobile cleaning and maintenance. Jessica emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, telling one's own success stories, and setting measurable goals with deadlines. She also discusses the challenges and learning experiences she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, including homeschooling her children and launching a new sanitization product. Throughout her narrative, Jessica highlights the power of relationships in career advancement and the importance of resilience, time management, and faith in navigating life's trials. Her story serves to inspire and empower women to embrace their inner leaders and navigate their professional and personal lives with purpose and passion. 00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Empowering Women's Leadership 00:16 The Power of Networking: A Success Story 01:55 Embracing Opportunities and Navigating Corporate Environments 04:28 The Importance of Telling Your Own Success Story 07:59 Setting Goals and Overcoming Challenges 11:49 Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic: Personal and Professional Growth 17:04 The Impact of Relationships and Recognizing Opportunities 30:32 Reflecting on Achievements and the Journey Ahead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins