Show Notes:

What if the thing standing between you and your most visible, impactful self isn't a lack of strategy — but a fear you've been calling something else?

In this episode, I sit down with Melanie Borden — brand strategist, speaker, and author of Theater of the Mind — for an honest, grounding conversation about what it actually means to build a personal brand as a woman. Not the polished version. The real one.

Melanie has helped hundreds of women step into their professional presence with clarity and confidence, and what she's learned might surprise you: your brand isn't something you create. It's something you uncover. It's the essence of who you already are — and the work is learning how to transfer that into everything you put out into the world.

We talk about the trap of overthinking, the real reason imposter syndrome keeps showing up, and why so many women are waiting for confidence before they start showing up — when it actually works the other way around. Melanie's framework is simple but transformative: visibility builds confidence, not the other way around.

Whether you're just beginning to think about your brand or you've been circling it for years, this conversation is your invitation to stop waiting and start being seen.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• What a personal brand actually is (and why most people get it wrong)
• How authenticity and your "inner essence" are the core of everything you put out
• Why imposter syndrome shows up so often for women — and how to start dismantling it
• The small but powerful habit of collecting proof of your own achievements
• Why creating content with your audience in mind (not yourself) changes everything
• What Melanie means when she says confidence is a result of visibility, not a requirement for it

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Branding and Personal Essence
05:30 Navigating Vulnerability and Imposter Syndrome
10:08 Theater of the Mind: Crafting Your Brand Narrative
15:22 Understanding Readiness in Branding
19:26 Defining Your Brand: Melanie's Perspective
22:26 Empowering Women in Personal Branding
25:05 Facing Fears and Taking Risks
30:10 Learning from Setbacks
33:07 Creating for Your Audience
38:15 The Power of Visibility
44:04 Transformative Impact of Personal Branding

Connect with Melanie:

Website: https://humantobrand.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieborden/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humantobrand/

Connect with The Women On Top:

Follow The Women On Top Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts. Subscribe for more empowering conversations and stories!

• Website: https://thewomenontop.com/
  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewomenontop
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewomenontoppodcast/
  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-lynn/

In this conversation, Dalourny Nemorin shares the story behind the fire that drives her, from her Haitian roots to her work as a public defender, and now, her decision to run for Congress.

But this episode goes deeper than titles.

It’s about what it takes to keep going when the work is heavy. How to stay hopeful without becoming naive. And why community is not just important, it’s everything.

Dalourny reflects on standing on the shoulders of those who came before her, people who believed in change before it was visible, and how that legacy shapes the way she moves through the world today.

This is a conversation about resilience, responsibility, and the kind of hope that refuses to disappear. A powerful listen for anyone who feels called to something bigger—and is learning how to keep going.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dalourny Nemorin
03:01 Journey to Becoming a Public Defender
05:56 The Challenges of Public Defense
09:02 Resilience in Advocacy
11:59 Navigating Politics as a Woman
15:06 The Importance of Networking
17:52 Mentorship and Guidance
21:12 Running for Congress: A Call to Action
23:58 Understanding the Role of Congress
26:51 The Impact of Federal Policies
29:47 The Future of Advocacy and Change
31:55 Survival Mode: The Struggles of the Working Poor
33:00 Resilience and Optimism in the Face of Adversity
36:52 The Importance of Self-Preservation in Activism
42:07 Proposed Solutions for Healthcare and Housing Affordability
45:23 Navigating Relationships Amidst Political Beliefs
47:13 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Identity
52:27 Choosing Your Life Path and Defining Success

Links:
Website: https://www.dalourny.nyc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalourny
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dalourny

Connect with The Women On Top:

Follow The Women On Top Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts. Subscribe for more empowering conversations and stories!

• Website: https://thewomenontop.com/
  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewomenontop
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewomenontoppodcast/
  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-lynn/

In this deep and raw episode of The Women On Top, Valerie Lynn sits down with world-class freeride skier Molly Armanino for a powerful conversation about courage, intuition, and finding meaning in the mountains.

Molly shares what it truly means to pursue a life on the edge—navigating fear, adrenaline, and the deep respect required when moving through wild landscapes. She opens up about how her connection to nature has shaped her spirituality, sharpened her intuition, and taught her how to stay grounded in the present moment.

The conversation also explores the profound ways grief and loss can transform us. Molly reflects on the relationships formed through shared tragedy in the mountain community and the resilience that emerges from those experiences.

Together, Valerie and Molly discuss the power of self-trust, the growing presence of women in adventure sports, and the responsibility that comes with being a visible role model. Molly reminds listeners that living boldly is not just about risk—it’s about authenticity, connection, and recognizing the impact we have on others.

This episode is an inspiring reflection on bravery, presence, and what it means to truly live on top.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Molly Armanino
02:07 The Journey of a Freeride Skier
05:30 Understanding Fear and Adrenaline
10:03 Intuition and Decision Making
14:32 Spirituality and Life Choices
19:54 Connection to Nature and the Mountains
24:45 Empowerment and Independence in the Mountains
30:45 Navigating Life's Choices and Opportunities
36:59 Lessons from the Slopes of Change
38:50 The Illusion of Achievement
40:46 Finding Satisfaction in the Moment
45:28 The Value of Micro Moments
46:15 Lessons from Loss
50:09 Navigating Grief
58:27 Messages from the Departed
01:09:45 Empowering the Next Generation

Connect with Molly:

Slopes of Change Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WZghuoJX_o

Website: https://mollyarmanino.mypixieset.com/about/

Freeride World Tour: https://www.freerideworldtour.com/riders/molly-armanino/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollyarmanino/

Connect with The Women On Top:

Follow The Women On Top Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts. Subscribe for more empowering conversations and stories!

• Website: https://thewomenontop.com/
  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewomenontop
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewomenontoppodcast/
  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-lynn/