In this episode, Raven O’Neal and Emily Bronaugh, CEO of Worth of Work, dive into a timely discussion on how the pandemic has transformed leadership, particularly for women in business.

They explore the unique challenges of remote work, including the blurred lines between professional and personal life, the anxiety around constant digital availability, and the critical need for setting healthy boundaries in a virtual environment.

Emily shares her expert insights on how women can leverage their innate strengths in leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

The conversation also touches on the delicate balance of productivity and control, specifically, the struggles of delegation and trusting teams in a distributed work setting.

Finally, they examine the shifting expectations of younger generations entering the workforce and what these changes mean for the future of leadership.

Packed with real-world wisdom, this episode offers valuable perspectives for anyone navigating the evolving landscape of work and leadership.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The pandemic has shifted leadership dynamics significantly.
• Women are often better suited to meet new workplace demands.
• Setting clear expectations is crucial for effective delegation.
• Anxiety in the workplace can stem from poor boundary-setting.
• Younger generations are demanding a better work-life balance.
• Productivity should not come at the cost of employee well-being.
• Creating space in business allows for better hiring practices.
• Emotional labor often falls disproportionately on women.
• Technology can enhance productivity if used wisely.
• Mentorship should be a two-way street between generations.

DISCUSSION TIMELINE

• 02:29 Navigating Anxiety in Remote Work
• 05:04 Gender Dynamics in Leadership
• 07:58 The Shift in Leadership Styles Post-Pandemic
• 10:37 The Role of Small Businesses in Workplace Culture
• 13:20 Mentorship and Generational Differences
• 15:50 Productivity Beyond Traditional Metrics
• 18:27 Delegation and Trust in Leadership
• 21:06 Practical Hacks for Effective Leadership

CONNECT WITH EMILY

Emily on Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilybronaugh

Worth of Work Website: www.worthofwork.com

Whom to Hire Identifier: www.worthofwork.com/f/whom-to-hire-identifier

Schedule 1:1 Call: calendly.com/worthofwork/consultation

Permission to Lead Course: www.worthofwork.com/courses/permission-to-lead

In this conversation, host Raven O'Neal and Aubria Ralph explore the intersection of AI and law, discussing the implications of AI in legal practices, particularly regarding bias and representation.

They delve into the importance of incorporating diverse voices in the development of legal technology and the necessity of emotional intelligence in lawyering.

The discussion shifts to the challenges women face in the legal industry, emphasizing the importance of leadership and creating inclusive environments.

Finally, they address the power dynamics within law firms and the necessity for change to ensure a more equitable legal system.

Aubria also shares her motivation behind launching LegalEase, aimed at empowering law students by providing them with essential resources and support.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• AI is being used in the legal field for writing contracts and documents.
• Inclusion of diverse voices is crucial in AI development.
• Emotional intelligence is a key skill for attorneys.
• Women need support from those in power to effect change.
• Leadership should focus on creating more leaders.
• The legal industry has a significant impact on everyday life.
• Lawyers often fear standing up against injustice.
• Diversity in law firms is still lacking despite more women in law school.
• Cultural awareness is essential for serving diverse communities.
• Education plays a crucial role in shaping future leaders.
• LegalEase aims to empower law students with resources.
• Building relationships is essential for success in law.
• Generational change is necessary for progress.
• Respect is fundamental in professional interactions.
• Law school can be opaque and challenging for students.
• Creating equal footing can enhance opportunities for all.
• The importance of continuous learning and adaptation.

DISCUSSION TIMELINE

• 00:05 The Intersection of AI and Law
• 12:30 Women in Law: Soft Skills and Leadership
• 20:03 Breaking the Cycle: Power Dynamics in Law
• 34:10 Navigating Professional Dynamics
• 45:13 The Role of Education in Shaping Future Leaders
• 49:01 Launching LegalEase: Empowering Law Students

CONNECT WITH AUBRIA

Aubria on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aubria

Scrappy Girl Website: www.scrappygirlproject.com

Scrappy Girl on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/scrappygirlproject

In this powerful episode, Raven O’Neal sits down with Elaine Lin Hering, recovering attorney, author, and expert in communication, to discuss her book, "Unlearning Silence."

Together, they explore the deeply personal and societal layers that shape our ability (or inability) to speak up. From the influence of identity and culture to the challenges of parenting while unlearning generational silence, Elaine shares honest reflections and actionable strategies for reclaiming your voice.

Whether you’ve ever bitten your tongue in a meeting or struggled to express your needs at home, this conversation will challenge and empower you to reexamine what you’ve learned about silence and what’s possible when you start speaking up.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Elaine Lin Hering is a recovering attorney turned author.
• The book 'Unlearning Silence' addresses the challenges of speaking up.
• Silence can be a learned behavior influenced by identity and environment.
• Understanding one's values is crucial for effective communication.
• Asking oneself, "What do I think? What do I need?" fosters self-awareness.
• Parenting involves modeling the use of one's voice for children.
• Experimentation is key to unlearning silence and finding one's voice.
• It's important to recognize the power dynamics in conversations.
• The journey of unlearning silence is ongoing and requires effort.
• Everyone has the potential to change and evolve their voice.

DISCUSSION TIMELINE

• 04:11 The Journey to Unlearning Silence
• 07:06 Navigating Group Dynamics and Personal Agency1
• 0:20 The Structure of the Book and Its Evolution
• 12:56 Understanding Layers of Identity
• 16:11 Finding Your Voice and Values
• 18:51 The Process of Change and Self-Discovery
• 22:10 The Long Journey of Writing the Book
• 30:59 The Journey of Self-Evolution
• 34:13 Embracing Change in Relationships
• 37:03 Asking for What You Need
• 40:17 The Cost of Silence
• 44:20 Living Intentionally and Experimentation
• 47:41 Parenting and Unlearning Silence
• 53:39 Practical Hacks for Empowerment

CONNECT WITH ELAINE

Buy Elaine's book, "Unlearning Silence" elainelinhering.com/book/

Elaine's Website: elainelinhering.com/

Elaine on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elainelinhering/

Host Raven O’Neal sits down with Fractional CMO Kathy Guillory for a candid conversation about navigating corporate barriers, entrepreneurial transitions, and the invisible labor women carry in both spaces.

Kathy shares her hard-won insights as a mother and executive, from redefining equitable parenting to leveraging skills in product development and marketing.

Together, they dissect how patriarchal systems persist in workplaces, why diverse teams drive better business outcomes, and most importantly, how women can champion one another to break these cycles for good.

Packed with personal stories and actionable strategies, this episode is a rallying cry for anyone ready to lead differently.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Kathy's experience as the only woman with young children in leadership roles shaped her perspective on workplace dynamics.
• The transition from corporate to entrepreneurship allowed for more control over work-life integration.
• Equitable parenting is crucial for shared responsibilities and better family dynamics.
• Women often face different expectations in the workplace, especially when it comes to family responsibilities.
• The pandemic highlighted the need for flexibility in work arrangements for parents.
• Diversity in teams leads to better problem-solving and innovation in marketing.
• Understanding your audience is key to successful product development.
• Focus groups can provide valuable insights for solopreneurs and small teams.
• Modeling good behavior as a leader encourages a healthier work culture.
• Hacking the patriarchy involves challenging existing norms and supporting future generations.

DISCUSSION TIMELINE

• 05:43 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship
• 10:27 Equitable Parenting and Work-Life Balance
• 15:24 Corporate Culture and Parental Leave
• 20:28 The Shift from Corporate to Entrepreneurship
• 24:58 The Role of Fractional Employment
• 27:12 Gender Dynamics in Marketing

CONNECT WITH KATHY

Kathy on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kathyguillory

Belle Bear Marketing Website: www. bellebearmarketing.com

This short intermission recording features host Raven O'Neal sharing a candid update on why there’s no full episode this week.

Between family colds and a missed marketing step, Raven hits pause and reflects on running the show solo while teasing what’s coming next, including a flipped script episode where she gets interviewed.

Plus, she shares updates on her newsletters, Startup Women NC, and a call for aligned partners.

Want to connect or collaborate?

Email: raven (at) ravenoneal (dot) com

Raven on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ravenroneal

Amanda Stockwell knows UX is more than just pretty interfaces; it's the backbone of every successful product. This episode dives into practical strategies for solopreneurs and small businesses to master user experience without breaking the bank.

Learn how to identify real user needs (not just assumptions), why diverse testing leads to better products, and where AI tools actually deliver value versus creating more work. Amanda also shares why marketing and product teams need to collaborate earlier, along with three free research methods you can implement immediately.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• UX is about the total experience of a user interacting with a product
• Understanding your audience is crucial for effective UX design
• Diversity in UX can lead to more innovative solutions
• Research is essential; assumptions can be risky
• Continuous discovery helps businesses adapt to changing user needs
• Personas help in understanding different user archetypes
• Marketing and product development should be aligned
• AI can assist in UX, but should not replace human insight
• Budget-friendly UX strategies can still yield significant results
• Listening to users is key to successful UX design

DISCUSSION TIMELINE

• 04:12 Enhancing UX on a Budget for Solopreneurs
• 07:16 Diversity in UX: Gender Perspectives and Approaches
• 10:22 The Beverage Industry: UX and Market Success
• 13:02 Navigating Competition: Research vs. Innovation
• 15:59 Adapting to Change: Continuous Discovery in UX
• 19:20 Innovation in UX: Finding Opportunities in Mundane Changes
• 22:09 The Role of UX in Marketing and Product Strategy
• 26:30 The Intersection of Marketing and Product Development
• 30:00 Understanding User Personas and Archetypes
• 33:58 The Importance of Diverse User Research
• 37:56 Leveraging Insights for Better Product Decisions
• 42:32 Practical UX Hacks for Entrepreneurs

CONNECT WITH AMANDA

Amanda on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amandastockwell

Amanda's Website: www.stockwellstrategy.com

In this conversation, host Raven O'Neal sits down with Raj Bandyopadhyay, a founder, photographer, and speaker, shares his journey of identity transformation, particularly in relation to his partner's transition and how it reshaped their lives and perspectives.

He discusses the impact of societal and patriarchal norms on their experiences, especially in the tech industry.

Raj also delves into his transition from a tech career to photography, emphasizing the importance of authentic self-expression and challenging conventional standards in photography.

He offers practical tips for individuals to navigate their identities and present themselves confidently, both in front of the camera and in life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Identity is closely tied to career choices
• Personal transformations can lead to professional shifts
• Experiencing gender transition can alter perceptions of identity
• Patriarchal norms affect how individuals are treated in the workplace
• Photography can be a medium for authentic self-expression
• Challenging societal standards in photography is essential
• Confidence should not be defined by societal expectations
• Breathing can help ease discomfort in front of the camera
• Understanding your audience is key to effective branding
• Recognizing bodily sensations can guide personal decisions

DISCUSSION TIMELINE

• 01:39 Identity and Transition
• 12:32 Photography and Breaking Norms
• 19:42 Navigating Presence in Professional Spaces
• 20:55 Defining Confidence and Femininity
• 22:10 Challenging Conventional Posing Standards
• 26:34 Understanding Audience Connection in Photography
• 29:44 Hacks for Authentic Self-Expression
• 34:41 Breaking Free from Societal Fairy Tales

CONNECT WITH RAJ

Raj on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rajbandyopadhyay

Raj's Photography Website: www.seriesaphotography.com

In this conversation, Host, Raven O'Neal, and guest, Bri Leever, founder of Ember Consulting, delve into the intricacies of community building, focusing on the different types of communities, the challenges of engagement, and the importance of diversity.

Bri shares her insights on the distinctions between free and paid communities, the role of education and connection, and the unique strengths women bring to community building.

They also discuss the balance between accessibility and exclusivity, and Bri offers practical hacks for those looking to start their own communities.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Communities come in four types
• Free communities struggle with the value proposition
• Women excel at community-building but often hesitate to monetize
• Member engagement is harder in free communities due to lower investment
• Paid waitlists help gauge interest before launch
• Dunbar's number suggests an optimal community size of around 125 people
• Balance accessibility with exclusive elements
• Allow communities to develop organically
• Test with events before full launch
• Start conversations early to build interest and gather feedback

DISCUSSION TIMELINE

• 06:30 The Four Types of Community
• 12:06 Navigating Community Dynamics
• 20:48 Building Diverse Communities
• 23:42 Value and Engagement in Communities
• 28:13 The Value of Paid Communities
• 30:08 Understanding Engagement in Communities
• 32:24 Habit Formation and Community Interaction
• 34:05 Prompts and Rules for Engagement
• 36:16 Community Size and Connection
• 38:23 Accessibility vs. Exclusivity in Communities
• 43:50 Learning from Men's Community Building
• 45:11 Monetization Strategies for Communities
• 50:14 Practical Hacks for Building Community

CONNECT WITH BRI

Join Bri's Community: www.emberconsulting.co/join-community

Bri on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/briannaleever

Bri's Website: www.emberconsulting.co

Bri on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@emberconsulting