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Andrea Heuston

Decide What You Want

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Chanie Gluck is the CEO of 4D Global, a medical billing staffing company. She is also the host of the Growing Global and Leaders in Medical Billing podcasts. As an Inc. 5000 entrepreneur, Chanie has been voted The Next 1,000 CEOs to Watch by Forbes and Inspiring CEOs 2021 by InSight Magazine.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [3:18] The freedom that drove Chanie Gluck to entrepreneurship — and her early business success
  • [8:19] Why Chanie began offshoring talent
  • [10:34] How to dismantle misconceptions about offshoring
  • [14:08] What is the future of offshoring?
  • [16:07] Chanie talks about balancing work and motherhood
  • [20:39] Chanie’s approach to leadership

In this episode...

While female leadership styles are becoming more accepted, women still embody male characteristics when leading, especially during stressful periods. How can you embrace your feminine energy in your personal and professional life?

For global entrepreneur Chanie Gluck, leading like a woman means embracing her role as a female in business. Women share unique traits like intuition and strong instincts that allow them to balance work and life effectively. When struggling to maintain composure during high-stress situations, rather than reverting to masculine tendencies, you can delegate tasks to simplify your work-life balancing act. This may involve offshoring talent to streamline responsibilities.

In the latest episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston invites Chanie Gluck, the CEO of 4D Global, who talks about offshoring talent and embracing your feminine characteristics. Chanie discusses the future of offshoring, how she balances work and motherhood, and how she dispels myths about offshoring.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • “I firmly believe that we have, and I use that inner voice a lot and listen to it a lot.”
  • “I think the future for offshoring is really bright. And as entrepreneurs, if we don’t embrace it, we’re going to fall behind.”
  • “Really, freedom. I just wanted my freedom. I wanted to come and go. But I also had big dreams.”
  • “Looking at the world from a place of abundance instead of scarcity is a major shift. Very important.”
  • “I never complain about being a woman. Being a woman in business is my superpower.”
Action Steps:
  1. Embrace a growth mindset: Emphasize the importance of maintaining a “glass half full” attitude to overcome obstacles in entrepreneurship. This optimistic approach helps entrepreneurs pivot in challenging times and find opportunities in adversity.
  2. Leverage global talent: Consider offshoring repetitive or non-communication-intensive tasks to tap into a global workforce. This strategy can enhance efficiency and profitability, especially as labor costs increase domestically.
  3. Delegate effectively: Surround yourself with highly skilled individuals and delegate tasks to reduce stress and improve business operations. By trusting your team and letting go of control, you can focus on strategic decisions and personal priorities.
  4. Set clear goals and prioritize: Take time to define what you truly want from your business and life. Having clarity on your goals helps you align your actions to avoid regrets and ensures your business decisions support your overall life objectives.
  5. Lead with empathy and connection: Use your intuition and empathetic nature to lead effectively, understanding the needs of both your clients and team members. Building strong relationships and acknowledging personal milestones can create a supportive and motivated work environment.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Lead Like a Woman SpeakHer. 

Lead Like a Woman SpeakHer is an online speakers resource dedicated to empowering women in leadership. 

This subscription platform is designed to empower and equip women with the tools and resources they need to excel as speakers and influential leaders.

Its mission is to support women in harnessing their strengths, amplifying their voices, and making a lasting impact on their industries and communities. 

To enroll in Lead Like a Woman SpeakHer, mention this episode by name and sign up on leadlikeawoman.biz/speakher

Find Your Authenticity

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Donna Griffit is a corporate storyteller and Communication Coach at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, where she works with students to improve their communication, executive presence, writing, storytelling, and pitching. For 30 years, Donna has worked with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and investors in 30 countries, helping them create, edit, and deliver powerful presentations. She is also the author of Sticking to My Story: The Alchemy of Storytelling for Startups.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [3:12] Donna Griffit’s leap from working for a pet company to becoming an entrepreneur
  • [7:33] The elements of corporate storytelling
  • [16:31] Why you should embrace serendipitous moments
  • [23:01] How to obtain additional business funding for women
  • [29:05] Donna’s winning formula for crafting pitches
  • [32:15] Advice for women to generate sales

In this episode...

While women entrepreneurs have received significantly more funding in recent years, less than 2% of all VC funding goes toward female founders. How can you amplify women’s voices to ensure they receive fair funding?

According to pitch and storytelling alchemist Donna Griffit, the key to capturing investors’ attention is a compelling pitch. Her four-acts formula is based on universal archetypes startups can leverage to simplify their pitches. It involves identifying the villain as the problem, the solution as the hero, the business plan as the hero’s course of action, and the vision for the future as the happy ending. This creates a well-structured pitch that positions you as an authority figure. Founders should also prepare lists of answers to potential investor questions.

In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston chats with Donna Griffit about crafting winning startup pitches. Donna shares why she embraces serendipitous moments, how to generate more sales, and the essential elements of corporate storytelling.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • “I see life as a series of serendipitous signposts. Sometimes, in the moment of the greatest crisis lies opportunity.”
  • “The real alchemy happens when you realize it’s not about you; it’s about them.”
  • “The most important character in that story is the damn audience.”
  • “Think like them wanting to buy. It’s about the audience, not about you.”
  • “Find the best in yourself. Find it within you, front and center.”
Action Steps:
  1. Embrace the villain in your story: Understanding the “villain” or the problem your audience faces is crucial for crafting a compelling narrative. This approach helps you connect deeply with your audience by addressing the innate challenges they are eager to overcome, making your story more relatable and impactful.
  2. Adopt the four-act structure: Use Donna Griffit’s four-act framework — the problem, the solution, the business plan, and the vision for the future, to organize your storytelling. This structured approach ensures clarity and flow, making your message more coherent and persuasive.
  3. Know your audience intimately: Tailoring your story to reflect your audience’s needs and experiences allows them to see themselves in your narrative. This personalization transforms your storytelling from a self-focused pitch to a meaningful dialogue with the audience, enhancing engagement and impact.
  4. Cultivate authenticity in your narrative: Find your unique voice and style rather than mimicking others, as authenticity fosters trust and connection. This genuine approach helps create a memorable impression, allowing your story to resonate more deeply with your audience.
  5. Prepare for questions with a comprehensive Q&A strategy: Anticipate potential questions and prepare clear, concise responses to ensure you are ready for any inquiries from your audience or investors. This preparation demonstrates your expertise and confidence, addressing concerns while reinforcing your narrative’s credibility.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Embracing Your Emotional Awareness

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Leah Diteljan is the Founder of MindSpa, a global movement of leaders. As a transformative coach and retreat facilitator, she has over 16 years of experience awakening emotional awareness and fostering personal growth in Fortune 100/500 CEOs and EO and YPO entrepreneurs. Leah spent over 13 years at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), working with aspiring leaders across 30 countries and six continents.

Leah Diteljan
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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [3:13] Why Leah Diteljan founded MindSpa
  • [5:46] The retreats and programs MindSpa offers leaders
  • [13:58] What Leah loves about coaching high-achieving leaders
  • [15:56] The challenges high-achievers face in their journeys
  • [18:36] Leah teases her upcoming book, Heal Leah, and her featured chapter in Lead Like a Woman
  • [25:16] Advice for stagnant women leaders

In this episode...

When high-performing leaders experience a personal setback, they often focus more on their business while ignoring their private upheaval, leading to excessive burnout. How can you tend to your emotional needs to continue excelling in business?

Emotional awareness coach Leah Diteljan urges entrepreneurs to treat their personal calamities like their business. This may involve developing a 90-day strategy to heal your emotions after a breakup. Leah has helped high-achieving women reconcile their emotions and create a sense of self-belonging through interactive retreats and experiences. Through introspective moments, leaders can learn to embrace and love every aspect of themselves.

In this week’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston chats with Leah Diteljan, the Founder of MindSpa Movement, about emotional awareness for high-achieving leaders. Leah shares advice for women struggling with self-identity, the importance of intuition, and what she loves most about her career.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • “Leaders create community and a sense of belonging for their teams and families.”
  • “Emotions are my greatest allies, showing where alignment is with my desires.”
  • “What went right is MindSpa; it’s an extension of the lifestyle that I live.”
  • “Awakening a sense of belonging within one’s self and with others and nature.”
  • “I’m under no obligation to be who I was five minutes ago.”
Action Steps:
  1. Stand in front of a mirror naked and compliment yourself: This increases self-acceptance and addresses the challenge of low self-esteem.
  2. Say “no” more often to prioritize personal needs: This teaches boundary setting, leading to better work-life balance.
  3. Connect with nature to find clarity and strength: Nature helps in stress reduction and mental clarity, which is essential for decision-making.
  4. Work on emotional awareness to raise consciousness: Emotional intelligence allows for better leadership and personal relationships.
  5. Develop intuition to anticipate and meet emotional needs: This improves decision-making by recognizing and addressing underlying emotions.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Allow Yourself To Be Brilliant

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Jaime Mann is the Founder of The Amaryllis Project, a coaching and advisory firm for growth-oriented, high-performance women. As an advisor, coach, and connection cultivator, she helps women strengthen and grow their leadership skills and works with organizations to create a culture of connected leadership. Jaime is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Jaime Mann
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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [3:47] Jaime Mann’s journey from psychology to leadership coaching with The Amaryllis Project
  • [8:20] How Jaime found the inspiration to launch The Amaryllis Project
  • [12:44] Sensitivity as a strength and gift
  • [16:14] Methods for overcoming internal bullying
  • [21:14] The importance of connection in leadership
  • [27:52] Jaime discusses the leadership topics she speaks about
  • [31:32] How Jaime leads like a woman

In this episode...

High-performing leaders often restrict their potential by engaging in limiting self-beliefs and negative dialogues. How can you step into your full potential without letting internal voices hold you back?

Having struggled with internal and external bullying, high-performance coach Jaime Mann learned to accept and embrace her strengths. This involved altering her inner narrative, which requires practicing self-compassion by treating yourself as you would a close friend or relative. Jaime also recommends developing a close network of personal and professional connections who can support you in your leadership journey and engaging in exercises like the Johari window, which allows you to view yourself objectively.

Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston welcomes Jaime Mann, the Founder of The Amaryllis Project, to talk about redefining leadership through connection and self-love. Jaime delves into her leadership style, why she views sensitivity as a core strength, and how her psychology background led her to become a coach.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • “Empowering female leaders to empower others is not just a mission; it’s a movement.”
  • “Connection to self is just as vital as connection to others.”
  • “Perfectionism isn’t a flaw; it’s a superpower that needs to be harnessed.”
  • “Sensitivity is a powerful strength, not a weakness to be hidden.”
  • “Lead yourself first before leading others.”
Action Steps:
  1. Practice self-compassion and speak to yourself as you would to a dear friend: This encourages emotional resilience and reduces self-criticism, leading to improved leadership presence.
  2. Embrace your unique strengths and allow yourself to feel proud of your achievements: This fosters self-confidence and authenticity, which are crucial for inspiring and leading teams.
  3. Cultivate deeper connections, both personally and professionally: This builds trust and engagement, which are essential for effective teamwork and leadership.
  4. Reframe negative thoughts and learn to view challenges as opportunities for growth: This promotes a growth mindset, enabling leaders to adapt and thrive in dynamic environments.
  5. Consistently ask yourself, “Why not?” when considering new opportunities or stepping outside your comfort zone: This encourages proactive decision-making and propels one toward achieving goals and embracing leadership roles.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Know What To Ignore

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Connie Kwan is the CEO of 4Storyteller, where she helps leaders tell their stories. As a former product executive, she worked with companies like Microsoft, Atlassian, and six product startups. Connie has crafted and delivered thousands of stories to investors and boards to set company visions and motivate teams. She has spoken on stages at Cornell University, the Product Management Festival, and Google Tech Talk.

Connie Kwan
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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [3:02] How Connie Kwan began researching the art of storytelling
  • [8:25] What are the four types of storytellers?
  • [10:06] Examples of stories that resonate with audiences
  • [14:18] Connie shares an anecdote of a champion storyteller in action
  • [18:37] The genesis of Nobody Studios
  • [22:14] Why Connie launched the AmplifyHer network
  • [32:55] Advice for reaching your audience through storytelling
  • [34:48] Connie talks about her leadership style

In this episode...

Many women are stuck in the Smurfette paradigm, where they compete with other women for a single leadership position in a male-dominated organization. Yet as more women fight for a seat at the table, amplifying each other’s voices becomes increasingly vital. How can you encourage women to find their voice and stand out?

Master storyteller Connie Kwan has identified four storytelling methods to help women amplify their reach and carve a niche for themselves. The champion and sage storytellers reach their audiences through emotional connections, whereas visionary and professor storytellers use logic to convince their audiences. Identifying your and your audience’s storytelling methods allows you to craft a message that conveys your needs while resonating with your audience.

In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston chats with Connie Kwan, the CEO of 4Storyteller, about how women can hone their storytelling techniques. Connie describes the psychological aspects of effective communication, how she leads like a woman, and her mission to amplify women’s voices.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • Where I started in engineering, storytelling was not part of the curriculum.”
  • “Knowing what to ignore is when you’ll start being really great.”
  • “Collaboration and the ability to bring all voices together, even when they’re sitting around different corners, is key.”
  • “The power of rising together is learned when we understand there are multiple seats at the table for women.”
  • “My superpower is helping managers become story-led leaders.”
Action Steps:
  1. Take a quiz to find your storyteller type: This allows individuals to understand their natural storytelling predispositions, enabling better alignment with their audience’s expectations.
  2. Craft your “why you?” story: A compelling personal story tied to your mission garners investor faith and resilience during challenging times.
  3. Practice collaborative storytelling: Collaborative environments enhance narrative richness and ensure multiple perspectives are considered, leading to more inclusive decision-making.
  4. Embrace the raw shared mindset: Sharing ideas in their nascent stages invites early collaboration and feedback that’s essential for innovation and growth.
  5. Support and amplify others: Amplifying colleagues’ and peers’ successes fosters a culture of mutual support and advancement, which is particularly crucial for marginalized voices.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Take the Plunge

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Lizzie Mintus is the Founder and CEO of Here’s Waldo Recruiting, a boutique technical recruiting firm specializing in the video game space. Before founding her agency, Lizzie was a technical recruiter for Verticalmove, Inc. She received a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership from the University of Washington to enhance her leadership skills and grow her agency. Lizzie is also an ambassador at Women in Games, a platform empowering women in the gaming industry, and an active member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

Lizzie Mintus
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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [2:36] Lizzie Mintus’ journey from a Nordstrom sales associate to a recruiter and entrepreneur
  • [9:18] Lizzie talks about her decision to create a niche recruiting firm
  • [11:37] The growth trajectory of the gaming industry
  • [14:43] How Meta’s year of efficiency impacted Lizzie’s business
  • [16:25] Lizzie reveals her approach to leading like a woman
  • [20:35] Advice for women taking professional risks
  • [21:46] How Lizzie landed a meeting with the Founder of Xbox

In this episode...

Every entrepreneur knows that starting and managing a business means navigating market fluctuations, industry dominations and descents, and many failures. Yet among setbacks and losses, success and impact prevail.

Using her exceptional people skills, extroverted recruiter Lizzie Mintus went from losing profitable clients during Meta’s year of efficiency to landing a meeting with the Founder of Xbox. From this connection, Lizzie began paying it forward, providing her clients with valuable referrals and even offering to pay for an employee’s travel expenses to spend time with family during a crisis. Lizzie’s advice for women wanting to break into an industry with little experience is to take the risk and recognize that if it doesn’t work out, it’s never too late to start over.

In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Lizzie Mintus, the Founder and CEO of Here’s Waldo Recruiting, joins Andrea Heuston to discuss how she ventured boldly into entrepreneurship. Lizzie explains the importance of leading with empathy, the gaming industry’s evolution and growth, and why she created a niche recruiting business.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • “I’ve learned a lot. It was an excellent first job. You talk to people, and you have to figure out how to get people to talk to you, which is really my superpower.”
  • “I made a business plan in a notebook. It’s a simple beginning, but you never know where it might lead.”
  • “People were willing to take my call because I’d been good to them in the past. That’s the power of building long-term relationships.”
  • “You have to be somewhat crazy to start a business. If it fails, what’s the worst thing that could happen? You just get another job.”
  • “If you can’t take care of your personal life, you cannot be a good employee or a good person. So you need to take care of that first.”
Action Steps:
  1. Start building your business plan and keep iterating: Dive into the creation process of your business plan, allowing it to evolve as you gain more insight.
  2. Build and sustain long-term relationships in your network: Foster relationships by being genuinely interested in others and reaching out with personalized connections; this creates a valuable support system for entrepreneurial endeavors.
  3. Identify and leverage your unique superpower: Reflect on what comes naturally to you and use it as a cornerstone for personal and professional growth.
  4. Embrace change and learn from adversity: Adopt a flexible mindset to navigate industry shifts by reassessing and strengthening your business’ internal processes.
  5. Prioritize empathy and personal care in leadership: Lead like a woman by putting empathy at the forefront of your business decisions, which nurtures a loyal, caring workplace culture.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Trust Your Feet

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Miranda Barrett is the Owner of Capacity to Scale, which helps business leaders generate ROI from speaking engagements. With over 25 years of experience collaborating with senior leaders and entrepreneurs, she helps people amplify their impact through speaking and storytelling. Before Capacity to Scale, Miranda was the Vice President of External Engagement at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), where she helped double its size and geographic reach, spoke at industry conferences, and wrote for various publications as a member of the association executive committee.

Miranda Barrett
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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [2:57] How an entrepreneurial itch led Miranda Barrett to start Capacity to Scale
  • [7:45] The shared responsibility between speakers and audiences to create an impactful experience
  • [11:43] Miranda talks about her services for associations and speakers
  • [15:35] Miranda’s favorite part about working with speakers — and her core values
  • [18:25] Impactful speaking engagements Miranda has attended
  • [21:36] Advice for on-stage speaking

In this episode...

Have you ever attended a conference where the speaker was visibly unprepared for the speech? Unfortunately, this can happen often, dismantling trust between the speaker and their audience. How can you create impactful speaking experiences? 

With immersive learning at the forefront, capturing and maintaining audiences’ attention has become increasingly difficult. Speaker coach and entrepreneur Miranda Barrett notes that both speakers and their audiences are responsible for making speaking engagements worthwhile. Audience members must show the speaker respect by remaining present and attentive during the speech and trusting the speaker’s authority. Likewise, speakers must venture beyond merely capturing attention to study their audiences’ profiles and the association’s culture. 

Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston chats with Miranda Barrett, the Owner of Capacity to Scale, about scaling your personal brand through speaking engagements. Miranda discusses bridging the gap between organizations and speakers, advice for women speaking on stage, and her personal core values.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • “Clarity comes through action.”
  • “Being on stage is a privilege, and you have to earn and be worthy of it.”
  • “You just have to get comfortable with discomfort and do it.”
  • “The more you practice public speaking, the more comfortable you get, enabling growth and fun.”
  • “I am an instigator. I make stuff happen.”
Action Steps:
  1. Embrace discomfort as a path to growth: Being willing to step out of your comfort zone, especially when speaking publicly, is key to self-improvement.
  2. Prepare thoroughly for public speaking opportunities: In-depth preparation shows respect for your audience and ensures you can confidently deliver your message.
  3. Trust in your capabilities: Miranda Barrett’s mantra of “trust your feet” can be applied to believing in your expertise and skills.
  4. Focus on building relationships over lists: Developing genuine connections is more effective than casting a wide, impersonal net.
  5. Be strategic with your learning: Staying current with industry trends and innovations helps you maintain expertise and relevance.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Standing up to the Hurricane

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Kait Gannon is the Founder and CEO of Mezzo Allies, Inc., which raises awareness for family-controlled human trafficking and child sexual abuse. She is a survivor of family-controlled commercial child sexual exploitation and shares her experience through public speaking and hosting the podcast The Ugly Truth About the Girl Next Door. With a background in social work, Kait is trained in suicide prevention and was the program director for a public health clinic in Buffalo, New York.

Kait Gannon

Laurie Krull is the Clinical Director of Mezzo Allies, Inc., the co-host of The Ugly Truth About the Girl Next Door podcast, and a licensed clinical social worker. With over 30 years of clinical experience, she specializes in foster care, adoption, and trauma. Laurie began her career as a social worker with child protective services before working in an outpatient children’s mental health ward.

Laurie Krull
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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [4:51] How a desperate personal situation led Kait Gannon to seek Laurie Krull’s clinical help
  • [8:48] Kait shares how her daughter sparked her journey toward recovery
  • [14:01] The bright and dark worlds in the context of abuse
  • [17:19] Breaking through dissociation to reconcile prolonged trauma
  • [22:26] What led Kait and Laurie to launch The Truth About the Girl Next Door?
  • [27:18] The three levels of understanding in human trafficking
  • [35:04] Mezzo Allies, Inc.’s mission to provide support to sexual abuse victims

In this episode...

Sex trafficking isn’t talked about enough, as most people remain unaware of the magnitude of abuse taking place throughout the world, believing it’s relegated to minority groups and third-world countries. Yet much of this trafficking occurs within the family unit, as 82% of survivors report parents or extended family members as primary offenders. How can you educate yourself and become a fierce advocate for child sex trafficking victims?

A family home is supposed to be a safe haven, but for Kait Gannon, it was a recurring nightmare. Beginning before the age of four and continuing well into adulthood, Kait was sexually trafficked by her parents, grandparents, and uncles — a mere pawn in a generations-long organized trafficking scheme. After receiving threatening messages following repeated attempts to escape, Kait connected with trauma social worker Laurie Krull, who helped her reconcile the compartmentalized abuse with other areas of her life, leading to support initiatives for child sexual abuse victims. Through rigorous training programs and volunteering with mission-based organizations, you can become an advocate these survivors need.

Tune in to the latest episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston welcomes Kait Gannon and Laurie Krull of Mezzo Allies, Inc., to talk about family-organized child sex trafficking. Together, they uncover abuse survivors’ compartmentalized worlds, how to reconcile prolonged trauma, and the three levels of public understanding in human trafficking.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • “I’m not just going to die in a dark hole someday, and no one’s gonna know.” – Kait Gannon
  • “It’s about being able to channel that rage, to channel that drive towards something productive.” – Kait Gannon
  • “Even though I was still unsafe, I started receiving threats. It was an act of desperation.” – Kait Gannon
  • “If not us, then who? We didn’t wake up one day and decide; it was driven by necessity.” – Kait Gannon
  • “Persistent. When I hit an obstacle, I bounce around it, especially when the vulnerable are on the line.” – Laurie Krull
Action Steps:
  1. Educate yourself about the different levels of human trafficking, especially family-controlled abuse: Awareness is the first step to change; understanding the issue enables one to recognize and act against such injustices.
  2. Become an advocate for survivors in your community by staying informed and spreading awareness: Advocacy can drive systemic change and create a safer environment for survivors to come forward.
  3. Volunteer or offer professional services to organizations like Mezzo Allies, Inc.: Engaging directly with organizations supports their mission and extends help to those needing specialized services.
  4. Donate or seek sponsorships for initiatives combating sexual exploitation: Financial contributions fuel the programs, training, and support vital to survivors and their advocates.
  5. Support legislation and policymakers who prioritize the fight against human trafficking: Legislative support ensures the development and enforcement of laws that protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.