Welcome back to The Power Lounge! I'm Amy Vaughan, and this week, I'm thrilled to welcome Seema Giri—an international bestselling author, wellness and leadership expert, and founder of UpLyft Media. Seema will share her inspiring journey from battling a debilitating illness to achieving success without experiencing burnout. Together, we'll explore what it truly means to redefine success for high-achieving women who balance demanding careers, family, and the drive to excel, often at the expense of their wellbeing.

In our conversation, Seema recounts her six-year struggle before receiving an autoimmune diagnosis and how she discovered a new approach to self-leadership and healing. We'll challenge the notion that productivity requires personal sacrifice, delve into the cultural factors contributing to burnout, and uncover how listening to your body's wisdom can help you set boundaries, cultivate joy, and implement lasting change.

You'll gain valuable insights, science-backed tips, and practical strategies—from body scans to box breathing—that offer a roadmap for thriving on your own terms. Whether you're managing a never-ending to-do list or seeking a better balance between ambition and self-care, this episode provides advice to help you transition from burnout to balance.

Seema Giri brings over 30 years of leadership experience, guiding hundreds of women to publish, speak, and lead with confidence. As the founder of UpLyft Media and Chief Growth Officer at Upbuild Global Inc., she empowers purpose-driven entrepreneurs to transform their personal stories into bestselling books and powerful brands.

Join us as we uncover the secrets to succeeding without sacrificing your health or soul. Don't miss this enlightening conversation on The Power Lounge.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
02:05 - "Empowering Success Without Sacrifice"
09:26 - Autoimmune Insights and Advocacy
10:32 - Pregnancy's Unexpected Physical Changes
15:46 - Easing Back Into Meditation
23:29 - Grounding Techniques for Stress Relief
26:42 - Breathing Techniques for Stress Relief
33:44 - "Origins and Self-Awareness"
40:25 - "Benefits of Saying No"
45:13 - Leadership Trap: Stuck in the Weeds
52:37 - Listening to Your Body After 40
53:59 - Prioritizing Family Presence
01:01:55 - Together Digital Podcast Highlights
01:02:48 - Outro

Quotes:
"Wellness and success are allies, creating a life worth living."- Amy Vaughan

"Support others first, then lead yourself. Create your story one step at a time."- Seema Giri

Connect with Seema Giri
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemagiri/
Website:https://uplyft.media/

Connect with the host Amy Vaughan:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/amypvaughan
Podcast:Power Lounge Podcast - Together Digital

Learn more about Together Digital and consider joining the movement by visitingHome - Together Digital

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Welcome back to The Power Lounge. Today, host Amy Vaughn welcomes Kate Reed, partner at Project 300 and a dedicated advocate for working mothers. Kate’s career journey spans from an English major at the University of Cincinnati to roles in nonprofit arts, commercial printing, leadership development, and pediatric healthcare—all while raising three children, including surprise twins.

Amy and Kate explore the challenges of balancing a successful career with family responsibilities, addressing how the term "stay-at-home mom" often overlooks the significant contributions and workload involved in parenting. Kate shares her experiences managing the logistical and emotional demands of motherhood, the financial strain of childcare, and how she redefined success on her own terms. From fitting work into nap times to leading an agency built on flexibility and trust, Kate demonstrates how working moms can achieve both personal fulfillment and professional ambition.

Kate Reed's story proves that women can define success without compromising their family life, offering valuable insights for those looking to integrate business and motherhood effectively.

Bonus: Kate is a two-time Eras Tour attendee and can name nearly any Taylor Swift song in five notes or less.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:58 - "Empowering Working Moms Discussion"
04:00 - "Valuing Stay-at-Home Parents' Work"
07:44 - Prioritizing Family Over Career
11:30 - Gender Roles and Housework Disparity
15:26 - Juggling Work and Parenting Joyfully
17:24 - Parenting: Balancing Work and Family
19:41 - Project 300: Expanding Creative Support
22:41 - Rising Gig Economy Trends
27:10 - Daycare Costs Stun Working Parents
30:47 - Hedonic Adaptation and Life's Pressures
35:06 - "Early Career Pivot to Leadership"
38:15 - Embracing Reinvention and Skills Confidence
39:01 - "Cumulative, Transferable Skills Recognition"
44:09 - "It Takes a Village"
48:20 - Community Support for Working Parents
49:04 - "Titles Are Overrated"
55:07 - Finding Personal Space Working Home
56:37 - Prioritizing Self-Care for Parenthood
01:00:01 - Join, Listen, and Grow
01:00:24 - Outro

Quotes:
"Being a mom doesn't define you. Embrace change, redefine success, and continually reinvent to discover what truly fulfills you."- Kate Reed

"Prioritize presence and your values over titles. Your time and authenticity are your greatest gifts."- Amy Vaughn

Key Takeaways:
There’s No “Just” About Stay-at-Home Moms
Career Ambitions Can Evolve (and That’s Okay!)
Success Begins with Redefining Growth
The Power of a Nonagency Agency
Math Matters: Childcare Isn’t Cheap
Reinvention and Transferable Skills
Your Community is Your Superpower
Letting Go of the Guilt (and the Judgment)
Take the Leap—Nothing Is Permanent
Modeling Possibility for the Next Generation

Connect with Kate Reed
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katereedpm/
Website: https://www.project300.co/

Check out PROJECT 300:
PROJECT 300 Website: https://www.project300.co/
PROJECT 300 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-300-llc
PROJECT 300 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project300llc/
The Motherload, by Sarah Hoover: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Motherload/Sarah-Hoover/9781668010136

Connect with the host Amy Vaughan:

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Welcome back to The Power Lounge. In "Pin With Purpose," host Amy Vaughn engages with Pinterest marketing strategist Dana Joan Johnson, founder of Styled Pin Collection. Together, they explore how Pinterest can revolutionize strategies for creative entrepreneurs and business owners seeking an alternative to the relentless pace of daily social media posting.

Amy and Dana discuss Pinterest's potential as a visual search engine, emphasizing its ability to generate consistent, high-quality traffic to websites, content, and offerings. Dana shares her transition from the wedding industry to digital marketing, highlighting her dedication to sustainable marketing systems that prevent burnout. If navigating ever-changing social trends feels overwhelming, this episode provides practical strategies and valuable insights.

Tailored for both product-based businesses and service providers, listeners will learn how to repurpose existing content, optimize with effective keywords, and develop a Pinterest strategy that continues to deliver results over time. Additionally, Dana addresses common Pinterest misconceptions and explains the importance of clarity, consistency, and relevance in achieving pinning success.

Dana Johnson brings a unique perspective as a former wedding professional turned educator. Through The Styled Pin Collection, she empowers creative entrepreneurs with strategic, on-brand Pinterest content. By focusing on simplicity and authenticity, Dana helps businesses enhance their visibility and traffic without the constant pressure of daily social media engagement.

Join this conversation to refine your Pinterest strategy and drive meaningful results for your business.

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
01:58 – Pinterest: Beyond Aesthetic Inspiration
04:06 – Pinterest Strategies for Wedding Planning
09:38 – "Timeless Wedding Content Strategy"
11:38 – Educational Content Drives Quality Leads
15:14 – "Maximize Impact Through Repetition"
19:12 – "Unbranded Searches and Content Strategy"
19:53 – Empowering Consumers Through Value
26:24 – Content Refresh and Repurposing
27:49 – Maximizing Pinterest for Existing Content
31:24 – Effective Visual Communication Strategies
35:33 – "Encouragement to Speak at Conferences"
37:26 – Twitter's Marketing Challenge: Unrelated Trends
41:00 – "Year-Round Barbecue Marketing Strategies"
46:08 – "Show Your Face in Marketing"
46:56 – "Upcoming Master Classes Announcement"
49:34 – Outro

Quotes:
"Work smarter—create evergreen content that delivers lasting value."- Amy Vaughan

"Strategy beats hustle. Plant the right seeds to ensure your business grows long after you're done."- Dana Joan Johnson

Key Takeaways:
Pinterest is a Powerful Search Engine, Not Just a Social Platform
Strategic, Sustainable Marketing Beats Social Burnout
Evergreen Content is Your Secret Weapon
Keywords (and Simplicity!) Unlock Pinterest Growth
Repurpose, Schedule, and Simplify
Educate and Empower to Inspire Trust
Measure What Matters: Beyond Impressions
Pinterest’s Future: Visual Search & Year-Round Opportunity

Connect with Dana Joan Johnson:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson/
Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Check out PROJECT 300:

PROJECT 300 Website: https://www.project300.co/

PROJECT 300 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-300-llc

PROJECT 300 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project300llc/

Support the show