Wickedly Smart Women

Anjel B Hartwell & The Creative Age Consulting Group

Wickedly Smart Women® is a multi-award-winning, internationally ranked podcast featuring conversations with women who have left high-level corporate roles or exited businesses and are now discerning what comes next. Each episode explores leadership, visibility, value creation, and the transition from corporate identity to independently owned impact. Guests share candid stories, hard-earned wisdom, and real-world insight drawn from lived experience. This show is for women who know they are in - or approaching - their final corporate chapter and are beginning to explore how their expertise, leadership, and discernment can be structured into a high-value consultancy, advisory path, or independent body of work that reflects who they are becoming. Wickedly Smart Women® supports thoughtful transitions - from structure to sovereignty, from credentials to contribution, and from success as defined by others to success defined from within. Listeners come for grounded conversations, practical perspective, and clarity about what's possible after corporate - and stay for the intelligence, integrity, and depth that define the Wickedly Smart Women® ecosystem.

  1. Reinventing Health and Longevity with Janet McConnell – Ep.376

    1D AGO

    Reinventing Health and Longevity with Janet McConnell – Ep.376

    What if the biggest wake-up call of your life became the reason you completely reinvented your future? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Janet McConnell, a Senior National Champion Bodybuilder who began competing in her late 40s, Janet brings decades of experience in strength training and lifestyle habits that support cognitive health, resilience, and vitality. As the author of Elements of Aging Well, she blends science-backed insight with real-world strategies to help women age with confidence, strength, and purpose.  Janet shares how a shocking health diagnosis at age 46 forced her to confront the reality of burnout, unhealthy habits, and the long-term impact of putting herself last. Instead of accepting prescriptions as her future, she made a bold decision to change her life through one consistent habit: resistance training. If you've ever wondered whether you've waited too long to prioritize yourself, this episode will challenge everything you believe about aging and personal transformation.   What You Will Learn: How one consistent habit can create massive health transformation over time. Why resistance training is one of the most powerful tools for healthy aging and cognitive health. How high-achieving women often disconnect from their health while building successful careers. Why mindset shifts must happen before lasting behavior change can occur. How Janet reversed alarming health markers without extreme dieting. What happens physically and mentally when strength training becomes part of a long-term lifestyle. Why aging does not automatically mean decline or loss of vitality. How identity and purpose evolve when transitioning out of corporate life. Why women over 45 should rethink the way they approach fitness and longevity. How healthy habits become votes for the person you want to become. Connect with Janet McConnell LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-mcconnell-65703a1b2/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AgingStrongforLife    Connect with Wickedly Smart Women® Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic [5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds Email: listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    31 min
  2. Human-First Leadership That Drives Real Business Results with Kathy Eastwood – Ep.375

    MAY 6

    Human-First Leadership That Drives Real Business Results with Kathy Eastwood – Ep.375

    What if the reason your team isn't performing has nothing to do with strategy and everything to do with leadership? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Kathy Eastwood, CEO and creator of the human-first E3 Leadership Code and a leadership strategist with over thirty years of executive experience across EY, Hewlett-Packard, high-growth startups, and private equity-backed companies. This conversation dives into the real reason most teams struggle, why emotional intelligence is the missing link in leadership. If you've ever questioned your leadership environment, your next career move, or how to build a business that aligns with your values, this episode will challenge how you think about success and performance. What You Will Learn: How misaligned leadership directly impacts culture, performance, and team engagement. What signals indicate it may be time to leave a corporate role and explore something new. How emotional intelligence influences leadership effectiveness and team results. What the E3 Leadership Code is and how it creates sustainable high performance. Why fear-based leadership fails and what to do instead to motivate teams. How to navigate the financial uncertainty of leaving corporate and starting a business. What it really takes to build a people-first organization that drives profit and retention.   Connect with Kathy Eastwood E Equals Why https://marketing.eequalswhy.com/e3-leadership-code   Connect with Wickedly Smart Women® Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic [5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds Email: listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    29 min
  3. Reinventing Your Career Path with Megan Applegate – Ep.374

    APR 29

    Reinventing Your Career Path with Megan Applegate – Ep.374

    What happens when you wake up one day and realize the career you built no longer fits your life? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Megan Applegate, Career Strategist, Certified Personal Consultant, and the founder of Career Blueprint Solutions.  Megan shares her powerful journey from a 20-year corporate career in hospitality to building her own business in recruiting and career strategy. What started as a feeling of disconnection and burnout turned into a bold leap into entrepreneurship, without a clear roadmap. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck, questioning their career direction, or ready to make a change but unsure where to start.   What You Will Learn: How to recognize the signs that a career is no longer aligned and what to do next. What it means to shift from being a job seeker to someone who attracts opportunities. How to identify and articulate transferable skills when changing industries. Why proficiency in a role does not always equal passion or fulfillment. How to build confidence by understanding your true market value. What it takes to become "market ready" before making a career move. How to navigate career transitions without waiting for a breaking point. Connect with Megan Applegate Career Blueprint Solutions https://www.careerblueprintsolutions.com/   Connect with Wickedly Smart Women® Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic [5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds Email: listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    31 min
  4. Making Bold, Smart Decisions with Dr. Crystal Gifford – Ep.373

    APR 22

    Making Bold, Smart Decisions with Dr. Crystal Gifford – Ep.373

    What if the decision that changes everything isn't about leaving your job but about how you think? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Dr. Crystal Gifford, CEO of EdgeTech Global, a pioneering force in educational leadership, curriculum development, and EdTech integration. This conversation goes deeper than "just leap." It explores the internal and external variables that shape major life decisions, the importance of trusting yourself, and how to build a business that aligns with your values instead of burning you out. If you've been questioning whether it's time to pivot, evolve, or step into something bigger, this episode will help you think more clearly, decide more confidently, and move forward with intention. What You Will Learn: How to recognize the signs that it may be time to make a career or business transition. What factors to consider before deciding to leave a corporate or structured role. How to break down complex decisions into clear, manageable parts. What role self-trust plays in making confident and aligned choices. How personal values influence business and leadership decisions. What it takes to move from employee mindset into entrepreneurial thinking. How decision-making impacts long-term success in business and life. Connect with Dr. Crystal Gifford Edgetech Global https://edgetechglobal.com/  Connect with Wickedly Smart Women® Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic [5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds Email: listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    30 min
  5. Building People-First Businesses with Sandra Coker – Ep.372

    APR 15

    Building People-First Businesses with Sandra Coker – Ep.372

    What if the key to higher profits isn't better marketing or more sales tactics but how you treat your people? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Sandra Coker, CEO of Human Power Solutions and author of People Profit. Sandra shares her powerful journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, sparked by life-changing personal experiences that forced her to rethink everything. Sandra breaks down how investing in employee development directly impacts customer experience, retention, and long-term profitability. This episode is a must-listen for leaders, entrepreneurs, and women navigating what's next, offering both inspiration and actionable strategies to build stronger teams and more sustainable businesses.   What You Will Learn: How early life challenges can shape leadership style and drive independence. Why investing in employee development leads directly to increased profitability. The connection between internal team experience and external customer satisfaction. How to transition from corporate life into entrepreneurship with intention. What it takes to grow and scale a seven-figure consulting business. Why asking for help and leveraging mentors accelerates success. How to identify and fix internal organizational gaps that impact performance. Connect with Sandra Coker HP Solutions Book: People Profit: How to Improve Your Bottom Line by Investing in Those Connect with Wickedly Smart Women® Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic [5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds Email: listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    30 min
  6. Fixing Workplace Culture with Dr. Trisha Vinatieri – Ep.371

    APR 8

    Fixing Workplace Culture with Dr. Trisha Vinatieri – Ep.371

    Burnout is not a personal failure. It is a systems problem, and today's episode breaks down exactly why. In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Dr. Trisha Vinatieri, a clinical psychologist and organizational development psychologist who has spent nearly two decades treating PTSD and holding various leadership roles within healthcare systems. From her own experience navigating burnout during COVID to stepping into a leadership role focused on wellbeing, Dr. Vinatieri explains why so many high-achieving professionals feel stuck, exhausted, and disconnected from work that once gave them purpose. If you've ever felt like your job is draining you, or you're leading a team that's struggling, this conversation will shift how you think about burnout and what to do next.   What You Will Learn: Burnout is driven by systems and environments, not just individual effort. Why healthcare and helping professions experience burnout at higher rates. How workplace culture directly impacts engagement, retention, and wellbeing. The role leaders play in either driving or reducing burnout within teams. How small operational changes can significantly improve daily work experiences. Why connection at work is a critical factor in long-term job satisfaction. How to identify and eliminate unnecessary processes that frustrate teams. The importance of involving frontline staff in problem-solving and decision-making. How to transition from burnout into purpose-driven work that feels aligned. Connect with Dr. Trisha Vinatieri Clinical Care Consulting https://www.linkedin.com/company/clinical-care-consulting/ Connect with Wickedly Smart Women® Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic [5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds Email: listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    30 min
  7. Reluctant Leadership & Leaving Corporate with Stacey Bailey – Ep.370

    APR 1

    Reluctant Leadership & Leaving Corporate with Stacey Bailey – Ep.370

    What happens when your body starts telling you it's time to walk away, even before your mind is ready to admit it? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Stacey Bailey, a leadership coach, strategist, and facilitator who helps entrepreneurs and creative leaders grow businesses with heart. A certified System and Soul™ Implementor and Dare to Lead™ Certified professional, she brings more than 15 years of experience in leadership and operations within the creative services industry. Stacey shares her evolution from accidental leader to COO, and ultimately to entrepreneur, revealing the internal struggles, physical burnout signals, and emotional transitions that led her to make a bold exit.  If you've been questioning whether it's time to leave your current role, or wondering how to transition into entrepreneurship without burning out, this episode offers clarity, validation, and a practical path forward. What You Will Learn: Leadership is not about having all the answers but about guiding others to find their own. Burnout often shows up physically before you consciously recognize it. Leaving corporate requires both emotional readiness and strategic financial planning. True leadership balances empathy for people with the realities of business decisions. Entrepreneurship demands self-trust without the constant validation of a team. Creating space to rest and reset is essential before building what comes next. Connect with Stacey Bailey The Intention Collective Connect with Wickedly Smart Women® Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic [5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds Email: listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    31 min
  8. A New Approach to Women's Health with Meredith Oke – Ep.369

    MAR 25

    A New Approach to Women's Health with Meredith Oke – Ep.369

    What if your burnout isn't just stress but a deeper biological disconnect? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Meredith Oke, strategic coach turned science storyteller, host of the Quantum Biology Collective podcast, and founder of a nonprofit focused on helping women reclaim their energy and health through the lens of quantum biology. After walking away from burnout and chronic fatigue, Meredith now helps women understand how their environment, light exposure, and daily habits directly impact their energy, health, and long-term wellbeing. If you've been feeling exhausted no matter how much you rest, this episode will open your eyes to what might really be going on and what you can actually do about it. What You Will Learn: The difference between being tired and experiencing deeper biological fatigue that signals a bigger issue. Why burnout is not just emotional but a physiological response to how life is structured. How disconnection from nature directly impacts energy, hormones, and overall health. The hidden role of light, screens, and environment in disrupting your body's natural rhythms. Simple daily shifts that can create immediate leverage for better energy and healing. Why fatigue is often the first warning sign of chronic illness and should not be ignored. How expectations, overcommitment, and modern lifestyles contribute to long-term burnout. The connection between circadian rhythm disruption and serious health conditions. Why many women dismiss their symptoms and how that delays real healing. How to begin rebuilding your energy by supporting your biology instead of fighting it.. Connect with Meredith Oke Quantum Biology Collective Connect with Wickedly Smart Women® Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic [5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds Email: listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    30 min
5
out of 5
210 Ratings

About

Wickedly Smart Women® is a multi-award-winning, internationally ranked podcast featuring conversations with women who have left high-level corporate roles or exited businesses and are now discerning what comes next. Each episode explores leadership, visibility, value creation, and the transition from corporate identity to independently owned impact. Guests share candid stories, hard-earned wisdom, and real-world insight drawn from lived experience. This show is for women who know they are in - or approaching - their final corporate chapter and are beginning to explore how their expertise, leadership, and discernment can be structured into a high-value consultancy, advisory path, or independent body of work that reflects who they are becoming. Wickedly Smart Women® supports thoughtful transitions - from structure to sovereignty, from credentials to contribution, and from success as defined by others to success defined from within. Listeners come for grounded conversations, practical perspective, and clarity about what's possible after corporate - and stay for the intelligence, integrity, and depth that define the Wickedly Smart Women® ecosystem.

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