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Angela:
"Those shifts [in work culture] allowed me to remain very career-driven and productive. If they hadn’t happened, I could’ve easily been part of the statistics of women who left the workforce because it was just too much."

Huong:
"If a plant doesn’t thrive in the garden, we don’t blame the plant—we look at the environment. It’s the same in the workplace. We need to ask: What needs to change to help this person thrive?"

In this insightful and heartfelt episode of Have a Seat, I sit down with Angela Smith and Huong Bui, co-founders of KaleidoWork, to explore what it truly means to create human-centric workplaces.

Drawing from their rich leadership experience and coaching work, Angela and Huong unpack the beliefs, behaviors, and systems that shape how we work—and how we can do it better. From redefining leadership and boundaries to dismantling outdated 9-to-5 norms, these two powerhouse women share powerful strategies for sustainable leadership and workplace well-being.

If you’ve ever felt burned out, unseen, or boxed in by traditional expectations, this conversation offers a refreshing, compassionate, and action-forward perspective.

Connect with Huong & Angela:

www.kaleidowork.com

https://www.youtube.com/@kaleidowork

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Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation.

Thanks for listening!

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What keeps me going is knowing how important this role is and how we can learn and grow in these roles but the key is to know who you are and see yourself. Know your work and know your worth. ~ Kathy

Having a lack of confidence not only begins to play on your own psyche, self esteem and self worth, but it will begin to also show up in your money, in missed promotions, opportunities and stretch assignments. ~ Rhonda

In this episode, I sit down with the dynamic duo behind The BEA Network — Kathy A. Adams and Rhonda Augustus — two powerhouse executive assistants, leaders, and changemakers who are expanding what’s possible in the admin profession.

We chat about their inspiration for launching The Black Executive Admin Network, the importance of visibility and voice for Black admin professionals, and how their own career journeys led them to build the kind of community they wish they had.

If you’ve ever felt like there wasn’t space for you at the table, this conversation is your reminder that you can build your own — and invite others to thrive alongside you.

Connect with Kathy & Rhonda

Rhonda Augustus
Website: The Confident Communicator
LinkedIn: (2) Rhonda Augustus | LinkedIn

Kathy A. Adams, MBA – Your #1 Admin Advocate
Website: KathyAAdams.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyaadams-mba/

Business LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gfTFvirN

The BEA Network
Website: www.thebeanetwork.com
LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14620215/

Support the show

Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation.

Thanks for listening!

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"You don’t have to be composed 100% of the time. You don’t have to be the steady one, the cheerful one, the “office therapist” every single day. You can be messy. You can be human. And you can still be amazing at your job."

In this heartfelt solo episode, I get real about a part of the admin role we don’t talk about enough: emotional labor.

From holding space for overwhelmed coworkers to staying composed while managing total chaos, admin professionals often carry the invisible weight of everyone else’s emotions — all while keeping their own in check. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

Tune in as I unpack what emotional labor looks like in our world, how it shows up day after day, the toll it can quietly take, and how to start caring for yourself in the process. It’s honest, validating, and a must-listen for anyone who’s ever smiled through the stress and said, “It’s fine.”

Support the show

Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation.

Thanks for listening!

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“We’re not just welcoming someone to the team — we’re helping them feel like they actually belong there.”

In this solo episode of Have a Seat, we're talking onboarding — but not from the new hire's perspective. Nope, this one’s for the admin professionals who actually make onboarding work.

From scheduling smarter 1:1s and dropping office culture cheat codes, to giving real campus tours (yes, the bathroom matters) and sharing local lunch secrets, I’m spilling the admin-side tea on how to make someone feel welcome and equipped.

Whether you're in the office or onboarding from afar, this episode is your reminder that when it comes to first impressions, we’re the ones who make it make sense.

Support the show

Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation.

Thanks for listening!

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"Sometimes it's not what you say, but how you say it that makes all the difference."

Ever had one of those service experiences that just stuck with you? In this week’s mini episode of Have a Seat, I share a recent interaction with a rental car company that got me thinking about the power of perception—and how admin professionals are often the first impression, the voice, and the vibe of the entire organization.

Whether you’re answering the phone, drafting an email, or greeting a guest, how you show up matters (even on a random Tuesday at 4:30). Tune in for a quick, honest reminder of why your presence as an admin pro carries more weight than you think—and how stellar communication can leave a lasting impact.

Support the show

Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation.

Thanks for listening!

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“It’s OK, you can thrive in your career and still desire a thriving relationship, one doesn’t have to come at the expense of another.”

Can you really lead in your career and still have a life? This week’s guest, career success coach Sara Spencer, says absolutely yes — and she’s here to show us how.

In this energizing conversation, Sara shares her personal journey from burnout to balance and how it inspired her to help other women leaders do the same. We dive into what it means to redefine success, make room for relationships and joy, and stop glorifying the “always on” hustle.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to choose between ambition and well-being, this one’s for you.

Connect with Sara:

Sara Spencer

https://www.instagram.com/saraspencercoaching/

https://www.facebook.com/saraspencercoaching

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarabspencer/

Support the show

Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation.

Thanks for listening!

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“Your job title didn’t give you your worth — that was all you.”

This special mini-episode of Have a Seat is dedicated to the admin professionals who may not have a team to celebrate with this Admin Professionals Month.

Whether you're in between roles, navigating a layoff, or just in a quieter season of your career, this honest and heartfelt message is for you.

This is a reminder that your worth isn’t tied to your job title — you matter, you're seen, and you're not alone.

Support the show

Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation.

Thanks for listening!

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“Burnout isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a warning sign that something’s out of balance — and you don’t have to earn your exhaustion to be worthy.”

Feeling stretched thin and running on fumes? You’re not alone. In this energizing episode of Have a Seat, I’m joined by the incredible Dr. Jen Harrison, a dissertation coach, mental health advocate, and fierce champion for women navigating high-pressure spaces.

We dive into the realities of burnout, the myths we’ve been sold about pushing through exhaustion, and how to build sustainable boundaries that actually stick. Dr. Jen shares her wisdom on reclaiming your space, protecting your energy, and why burnout is not a badge of honor — it’s a warning sign.

If you’ve been waiting for permission to step off the hamster wheel, this is it.

Connect with Jen:

Read Write Perfect

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-harrison-769a89172/

Support the show

Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation.

Thanks for listening!