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

    4D AGO

    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 Anjel B. Hartwell Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds by Anjel B. Hartwell Listener Line (540) 402-0043 Ext. 4343  Email listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    31 min
  2. 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 Anjel B. Hartwell Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds by Anjel B. Hartwell Listener Line (540) 402-0043 Ext. 4343  Email listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    30 min
  3. How to Build a Subscription-Based Business That Solves Real Problems with Heather Moore – Ep.368

    MAR 18

    How to Build a Subscription-Based Business That Solves Real Problems with Heather Moore – Ep.368

    What if the biggest risk in your career isn't leaving corporate, but staying? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Heather Moore, Founder and CEO of Pet Centric Health. Heather takes us behind the scenes of what it really looks like to transition from corporate stability into entrepreneurship, including the mindset shifts, challenges, and unexpected growth that come with building a company from the ground up. This episode is a must-listen for high-achieving women who feel the pull toward something more and are ready to explore what's next in leadership, impact, and value creation.   What You Will Learn: How to recognize the internal and external signs that it's time to leave corporate. What mindset shifts are required to take the leap into entrepreneurship. How to evaluate risk in a way that empowers action instead of fear. What it really takes to build a startup from idea to execution. How to navigate the early stages of business with limited resources. What challenges founders face when scaling a business beyond startup phase. How to build a subscription-based business model that creates consistent value. What it means to stay nimble and evolve with market demand. How to balance confidence and vulnerability as a leader. What it takes to build a mission-driven company that serves multiple stakeholders.   FAQ: How do you know when it's time to leave your corporate job? You know it's time when you feel a strong pull toward solving a problem you can no longer ignore, combined with a sense that your current role no longer challenges or fulfills you. Often, a pivotal life event or internal shift clarifies that staying is the greater risk.   What are the biggest challenges when starting a business after corporate? The biggest challenges include navigating uncertainty, managing limited resources, making high-stakes decisions without a safety net, and shifting from structured environments to building systems from scratch.   What is a subscription-based business model and why does it work? A subscription-based model provides recurring revenue by offering ongoing value to customers. It works because it creates consistency, improves customer retention, and allows businesses to build long-term relationships. Connect with Heather Moore PetCentric Health Connect with Anjel B. Hartwell Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds by Anjel B. Hartwell Listener Line (540) 402-0043 Ext. 4343  Email listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    30 min
  4. Why Women Still Aren't in Leadership Parity and What Needs to Change with Gloria Feldt – Ep.367

    MAR 11

    Why Women Still Aren't in Leadership Parity and What Needs to Change with Gloria Feldt – Ep.367

    Why are women still dramatically underrepresented in leadership positions despite earning the majority of college degrees and making up half the workforce? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Gloria Feldt, visionary leadership strategist, bestselling author, and co-founder of Take The Lead. Drawing on decades of experience, including serving as national president of Planned Parenthood and building leadership development programs for women, Gloria explains why the issue is not a lack of ambition but a deeper challenge around women's relationship with power and money. This episode is a must-listen for women leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to expand their impact, influence, and ability to create meaningful change.   What You Will Learn: How Gloria Felt's early life experiences shaped her passion for gender equality and leadership. What the real barriers to gender parity in leadership are and why ambition is not the issue. How women can redefine power as a creative force rather than something oppressive. Why women's relationship with money and power plays a critical role in leadership advancement. How strong networks and relationships create opportunities, funding, and career growth. What leadership power tools women can use to move into positions of influence. Why thinking bigger about business and impact can help accelerate women into leadership roles.   FAQ: Why has gender parity in leadership still not been achieved? Despite women making up roughly half of the workforce and earning the majority of college degrees, systemic cultural conditioning and structural barriers still limit women's access to leadership roles. Gloria Felt explains that the issue is not ambition but the way power and leadership have historically been defined and rewarded.   What does Gloria Felt mean by redefining power? Gloria teaches that power should not be viewed as "power over others," but as energy that can be used to create, build, and improve lives. When women shift their mindset to see power as a positive and generative force, they become more willing to pursue leadership roles.   How can women build businesses that create larger impact? Gloria encourages women to think bigger when starting businesses and to design companies that create meaningful impact in people's lives. Building organizations that solve large problems attracts investment, attention, and opportunities for scale. Connect with Gloria Feldt Take the Lead Women Connect with Anjel B. Hartwell Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds by Anjel B. Hartwell Listener Line (540) 402-0043 Ext. 4343  Email listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    30 min
  5. How to Build Confidence, Prevent Burnout, and Lead with Emotional Safety with Dr. Melanie Gray – Ep.366

    MAR 4

    How to Build Confidence, Prevent Burnout, and Lead with Emotional Safety with Dr. Melanie Gray – Ep.366

    What is trauma-informed leadership, and why does it matter in today's workplace? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Dr. Melanie Gray shares how trauma-informed care transforms leadership, strengthens workplace culture, and prevents burnout before it derails careers. Drawing from over 25 years in healthcare, higher education, and corporate leadership, Dr. Gray explains how trauma shapes behavior, how generational stress impacts performance, and why confidence is built through intentional self-leadership. If you are a high-achieving woman considering leaving corporate, building a consulting business, or leading teams through change, this episode delivers practical wisdom on resilience, emotional safety, confidence, and long-term leadership sustainability.   What You Will Learn: How trauma-informed leadership shifts workplace culture by asking what happened to someone rather than what is wrong with them. What generational trauma and adverse childhood experiences mean for confidence, communication, and leadership development. How unresolved trauma contributes to burnout, anxiety, and disengagement in corporate environments. What practical steps leaders can take to build emotionally safe and resilient teams. How to assess personal skills and strategically prepare for a transition from corporate to entrepreneurship. What confidence truly looks like when it is built through preparation, data, and intentional action rather than perfectionism. How planning financial runway reduces anxiety when launching a consulting business. What separates sustainable business growth from temporary virality and surface-level success. How structured coaching with defined goals creates measurable transformation instead of dependency. What it takes to lead with compassion while still holding high standards for performance and accountability.   FAQ: What is trauma-informed leadership? Trauma-informed leadership is a framework that considers how past experiences, including adverse childhood experiences and generational stress, influence present behavior, communication, and performance in the workplace.   How does trauma affect workplace performance? Trauma can impact confidence, emotional regulation, communication patterns, and stress responses, which may show up as withdrawal, defensiveness, burnout, or disengagement. How do I confidently leave corporate to start a consulting business? Confidence increases when leaders assess their skills, create a financial runway, build required competencies in advance, and transition with a structured plan rather than reacting to anxiety or corporate restructuring.   Connect with Dr. Melanie Gray Website Connect with Anjel B. Hartwell Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds by Anjel B. Hartwell Listener Line (540) 402-0043 Ext. 4343  Email listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    30 min
  6. How Digital Innovation Is Transforming Women's Care with Aanchal Dasoar Arora – Ep.365

    FEB 25

    How Digital Innovation Is Transforming Women's Care with Aanchal Dasoar Arora – Ep.365

    What happens after the baby arrives, and why has that conversation been missing for generations? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Aanchal Dasoar Arora, women's health innovator, pelvic floor physical therapist, and founder of Mendhai Health, shares how postpartum depression, pelvic floor dysfunction, and an identity crisis after motherhood led her to leave a high-level corporate healthcare career and build a digital maternal recovery platform born out of MIT. If you are a leader navigating identity shifts, a healthcare innovator, or a woman seeking support after pregnancy, this episode delivers both validation and visionary solutions. What You Will Learn: Why postpartum identity loss is more common than discussed and how it impacts leadership and relationships. How pelvic floor dysfunction and maternal recovery gaps affect long-term physical and mental health. The cultural and systemic barriers that prevent women from seeking therapy and recovery support. What inspired the creation of an all-digital maternal recovery platform born out of MIT. How technology can address clinician shortages and improve access to women's healthcare. What it takes to move from corporate healthcare leadership into entrepreneurship. Why hospital partnerships may be the fastest path to scaling maternal health innovation. How discipline and structure sustain founders through the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship. What it means to choose expansion over shrinking in motherhood and leadership.   FAQ: Why is postpartum recovery not discussed as openly as pregnancy? Cultural norms have historically centered pregnancy preparation while minimizing postpartum physical and emotional recovery, leaving many women unsupported after delivery.   How long are wait times for pelvic floor physical therapy in the United States? In many hospital systems, wait times can extend up to a year due to clinician shortages and limited access to specialized care.   How can digital health platforms improve maternal recovery outcomes? Digital platforms increase access, provide education across the entire maternal journey, extend clinician support, and reduce barriers related to geography, childcare, and scheduling. Connect with Aanchal Dasoar Arora Mendhai Health Connect with Anjel B. Hartwell Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds by Anjel B. Hartwell Listener Line (540) 402-0043 Ext. 4343  Email listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    29 min
  7. Letting Go as a Leadership Strategy with Ginny Priem – Ep.364

    FEB 18

    Letting Go as a Leadership Strategy with Ginny Priem – Ep.364

    What if the reason you feel stuck isn't that you need to push harder but because you need to let go? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Ginny Priem, keynote speaker, #1 bestselling author, master certified coach, and host of the Unsubscribe podcast. Ginny shares how escaping a toxic relationship became the catalyst for transforming her entire life and career. If you've ever wondered whether it's time to let go of something you've invested years into, this episode will challenge and empower you to make bold, aligned decisions faster.   What You Will Learn: Why trusting your intuition is often the first step toward meaningful change. The difference between being victimized and staying in a victim mindset. How corporate environments can reinforce unhealthy patterns if left unchecked. Why specificity in your message can dramatically increase visibility and opportunity. How to build a transition plan before leaving corporate life. Why clarity in positioning leads to greater revenue and impact. How to stop trying to be everything to everyone in your business. Why visibility should always be tied to revenue strategy. How to create structured accountability for business growth activities like outreach. The role of supportive leadership in career evolution. How to shift from valuing material success to prioritizing meaningful experiences. Why most people regret staying too long rather than leaving too soon.   Connect with Ginny Priem Unsubscribe Official   Connect with Anjel B. Hartwell Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds by Anjel B. Hartwell Listener Line (540) 402-0043 Ext. 4343  Email listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com

    30 min
  8. Building a Business That Honors Motherhood, Money, and Meaning with Lesley Pyle – Ep.363

    FEB 11

    Building a Business That Honors Motherhood, Money, and Meaning with Lesley Pyle – Ep.363

    What if working from home wasn't a trend but a calling you answered decades before the rest of the world caught up? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Lesley Pyle, a true pioneer in the remote work and entrepreneurship space. Lesley is the founder and CEO of Hire My Mom, a platform that connects small businesses with highly skilled virtual professionals. This episode is a must-listen for women who feel the inner nudge to do work differently, redefine success on their own terms, and create a business that aligns with their life.   What You Will Learn: How personal necessity and motherhood can spark powerful entrepreneurial ideas. What it really looks like to leave a stable job and start a business with limited resources. Why early sacrifices can create long-term freedom and flexibility. How to navigate the emotional and practical tension between ambition and family priorities. What it takes to stay grounded when others question or misunderstand your choices. Why passion and determination matter more than chasing massive growth or external validation. How remote work has evolved and why small businesses are perfectly positioned to benefit from it. What types of roles and industries thrive in remote, flexible work environments. How supportive partnerships can make or break the entrepreneurial journey. Why building a business that serves your life is a form of leadership. How Lesley has sustained motivation and purpose across multiple life seasons. What it means to play the long game in entrepreneurship without burning out. Connect with Lesley Pyle For small business owners hiring remote talent: HireMyMom.com/podcast For moms seeking flexible, remote work opportunities: HireMyMom.com/podcast-moms Connect with Anjel B. Hartwell Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds by Anjel B. Hartwell Listener Line (540) 402-0043 Ext. 4343  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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