In this episode, Monique Schafer sits down with Michele Ashby, a trailblazing executive, board director, and founder of ACE LLC. With over three decades of experience in finance and capital markets, and eight board seats under her belt, Michelle is on a mission to train 1,000 women to step into corporate boardrooms with confidence, clarity, and impact.

Together, Monique and Michelle dive into the real path to board leadership — from mastering governance and financial acumen to navigating the unspoken dynamics of the good old boys’ network. They also explore the mindset shifts women need to own their value, silence imposter syndrome, and speak the executive vernacular that commands a room.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is this all there is?” or “Could I be doing more?”, this episode is your blueprint for what’s next. Whether you’re an experienced executive, a rising leader, or simply curious about how women can shape the future of corporate governance, this conversation will challenge and equip you to lead at the highest level and claim the seat that’s already waiting for you.

(05:37) - Michelle’s Journey to the Boardroom (08:58) - The Importance of a Unique Value Proposition (10:13) - The Power of Relationships (14:12) - How Visibility Builds Momentum (17:22) - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome (21:41) - Beyond Tactical: How Michele’s Program Transforms Identity (24:27) - The Future of Women in the Boardroom (27:23) - Understanding the Transfer of Wealth (34:28) - Core Competencies: What Makes You Board-Ready? (40:33) - The Role of Men in Supporting Women (48:47) - Final Takeaways

• Michele’s Talk at Oxford | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgdh83r5IZM
• Board-Ready Bundle | https://www.acellc.consulting/board-ready-bundle

• Website | https://www.acellc.consulting/
• Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/ashbyconsultingenterprises/
• LinkedIn | http://linkedin.com/in/micheleashby1

• Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/
• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer
• YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?

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If you’ve ever found yourself crying in your car, wondering how the heck you’re supposed to “have it all” when you can barely keep it together… this episode is going to land deep.

I sat down with two women I deeply respect, Crystal Rose Harvey and Danielle Deanna, for our first-ever fireside chat. All three of us are women in the thick of it — raising kids, running a business, holding marriages together, and trying not to lose ourselves in the process.

This is a conversation about building a life with roots, where your business, family, and your identity don’t pull you in different directions but actually support each other. It’s raw, it’s encouraging, and filled with practical wisdom for when you’re burnt out and don’t even know where to begin. We cried, we laughed, and we got really honest about the things we wish someone had told us sooner. So if you’re in a season where everything feels like a lot, this one's for you.

(01:56) - Meet Crystal and Danielle (06:15) - How Motherhood Revealed the Cracks (10:44) - Embracing Family Life with Intentionality and Grace (17:33) - Burnout: The Cost of Building Without A Solid Foundation (19:18) - Why You Need to Prioritize Your Marriage Above All Else (23:43) - The Be-Do-Have Framework (26:46) - Why Awareness Is Key (29:02) - Overwhelm Is A Choice (43:03) - Relationship Killers and How to Stop Them Before It’s Too Late (58:47) - Productivity and Automation Tips and Tools

• Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/crystalroseharvey/
• Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/crystalroseharvey
• The Home on the Rock | https://www.instagram.com/thehomeontherock/

• Website | https://danielledeanna.com/
• Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thedanielledeanna/
• Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/danielle.klineiarussi/

• Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/
• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer
• YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?

'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.

https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

What happens when two driven, high-achieving people fall in love and try to do life — careers, kids, dreams — together? You get high-powered love, with all the magic and the mess that comes with it.

In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and deeply grounded Heather Clark, a licensed therapist and expert trained in trauma reprocessing and EDMR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). She works specifically with high-performing couples who are navigating success, stress, and the sacredness of their relationships. Think of powerhouses who are crushing it at work but are feeling disconnected at home! Heather is the creator of the upcoming High-Powered Love Method, and she’s here to drop some real talk and proven tools to stop putting your relationship on the back burner and actually grow deeper, stronger, and more in sync as life gets fuller.

Whether you’re running a business, climbing the corporate ladder, raising babies, or all of the above, this episode will hit home, so let’s dive in!

(02:49) - What Is EDMR (and why is it magical)? (05:22) - The Unique Struggles of High-Performance Couples (06:40) - My Love Story: What Ben and I Learned About Keeping Our Relationship Stronger (10:25) - Rituals That Root You Back to Each Other (14:37) - Planning vs Presence: How to Balance It All (18:36) - Creative Staycation & Vacation Hacks (Even with Little Kids) (25:13) - Teamwork Makes the Dream (and Marriage) Work (26:21) - Who Are You Sharing Your Wins With? (30:05) - Why “We’re Fine” Is the Scariest Thing You Can Say (32:47) - Change Can Start With One

• Website | https://www.heatherclarktherapy.com/
• Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/heatherclark_la

• Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/
• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer
• YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?

'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.

https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8