Wickedly Smart Women

Anjel B Hartwell & The Creative Age Consulting Group
  • 5.0 (216)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

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. 2d ago

    Activating Women to Lead and Thrive with Raina Gandhi – Ep.385

    What if your career hiatus wasn't a gap, but the foundation for your most impactful work? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Raina Gandhi, a powerhouse advocate for women in leadership and the founder and CEO of Rising Tide Consulting. After an 11-year hiatus to raise her daughters, Raina returned to the professional world with a Wharton MBA and an investment banking background, only to find a corporate landscape that often felt misaligned with her values. Her journey through burnout, the challenges of re-entry, and navigating workplace barriers led her to discover her true calling: activating other women to navigate these same hurdles and step confidently into leadership roles. Through coaching, workshops, and research-backed strategies, Raina now equips women with the tools to tackle self-advocacy, negotiation, and gender equity. This conversation is an inspiring look at how to lead on your own terms and ensure that when women stay in the workforce, they don't just survive—they thrive. What You Will Learn: Why an 11-year career hiatus can be a catalyst for professional reinvention and purpose. How to recognize the symptoms of burnout in high-stakes roles like investment banking. Why "life deciding for you" can be a powerful redirection toward your true calling. The critical importance of visibility and representation for women of color in leadership. How to navigate workplace barriers such as information gatekeeping and bullying. Why the skills that get you to a director level aren't the same ones needed for the C-suite. The importance of shifting from male-centric negotiation tactics to authentic self-advocacy. How to manage the transition from being an individual contributor to leading and scaling a business. Why having a "blueprint" and a partner is essential for entrepreneurial success. How to scale your impact by shifting focus toward speaking and group leadership programs. Connect with Raina Gandhi Rising Tide Consulting http://risingtideconsultingllc.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

    Activating Women to Lead and Thrive with Raina Gandhi – Ep.385

  2. Jul 8

    Build the Business That Builds Your Future with Jennifer Johnson – Ep.384

    What if the biggest obstacle to building the life and business you want isn't your circumstances, but your willingness to take the first step? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Jennifer Johnson, founder of True Fashionistas, Florida's largest lifestyle resale store, entrepreneur, business coach, best-selling author, and host of the Confident Entrepreneur podcast. Jennifer shares the setbacks, betrayals, pivots, and powerful mindset shifts that shaped her entrepreneurial journey. She also explains why building a personal brand before exiting your business creates lasting freedom and opportunity. If you've been wondering whether it's too late to reinvent yourself, this inspiring conversation will encourage you to stop waiting, trust yourself, and begin creating your own destiny. What You Will Learn: Why it's never too late to reinvent yourself or pursue a new calling. How starting a side business can reduce the risk of becoming an entrepreneur. Why unlimited income potential comes from creating your own opportunities. How setbacks and betrayal can become catalysts for greater success. Why hiring based on core values builds stronger, more resilient teams. The importance of asking for help and working with coaches or consultants. How shifting from "Why is this happening to me?" to "What is this teaching me?" transforms adversity into growth. Why every entrepreneur should intentionally build a personal brand before exiting their business. How stepping out of daily operations empowers both your business and your leadership. Why lasting success is built one intentional step at a time. Connect with Jennifer Johnson Website https://jenniferannjohnson.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

    Build the Business That Builds Your Future with Jennifer Johnson – Ep.384

  3. Jul 1

    Know It's Time for Your Next Chapter with Allison Maslan – Ep.383

    What happens when the business you've worked so hard to build no longer feels aligned with who you've become? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Allison Maslan, CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author of, Scale or Fail, which is endorsed by Daymond John and Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank.  From nearly losing her life after pushing herself beyond her limits to becoming a homeopathic physician and ultimately founding Pinnacle Global Network, Allison's journey is a powerful reminder that every experience prepares you for your next evolution. If you've been feeling disconnected from the work you've built or wondering if it's time for your next chapter, this conversation will give you both the permission and the practical wisdom to move forward with confidence. What You Will Learn: How to recognize the early signs that it's time to pivot before burnout takes over. Why success without alignment eventually leads to dissatisfaction. The importance of trusting your intuition alongside business strategy. How every business experience prepares you for your future purpose. Why following your passion can become your greatest competitive advantage. The mindset shift that allows entrepreneurs to let go of old identities. How scaling requires releasing perfectionism and learning to delegate. What trapeze has taught Alison about fear, trust, resilience, and leadership. Why learning how to fail is essential for long-term success. How to build a legacy business that reflects who you've become. Connect with Allison Maslan Pinnacle Global Network https://pinnacleglobalnetwork.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

    Know It's Time for Your Next Chapter with Allison Maslan – Ep.383

  4. Jun 24

    Build a Thriving Business After Corporate with Marjie Hadad – Ep.382

    What does it take to leave a successful corporate career, build a thriving business, and create a life that aligns with your values? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Marjie Hadad, Founder of  Marjie Hadad Communications, crisis and leadership communications expert, and author of The Confident Kid Playbook.   The conversation explores the importance of visibility, public relations, work-life integration, crisis communication, and how leaders can use their professional skills to empower the next generation.   Whether you're considering leaving corporate, growing a consultancy, or looking to become a more confident communicator, this episode delivers practical wisdom you can apply immediately. What You Will Learn: Why leaving corporate doesn't have to mean sacrificing financial security. How focusing on your first client can create long-term business growth. The mindset required to move forward without looking back. Why visibility is essential for business growth and revenue generation. How public relations helps amplify your message and impact. The importance of honoring commitments through effective calendar management. How to create a healthy balance between work, family, and personal priorities. The role communication plays in crisis prevention and leadership. Why bringing your professional strengths into parenting creates confident and resilient children. How strategic communication can empower individuals, families, and organizations. Connect with Marjie Hadad Website https://marjiehadad.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

    Build a Thriving Business After Corporate with Marjie Hadad – Ep.382

  5. Jun 17

    Million-Dollar Mission with Merry Korn – Ep.381

    What if getting fired was actually the catalyst for building the life you were meant to live? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Merry Korn, entrepreneur, author, and social enterprise pioneer.  After losing a job she desperately wanted to keep, Merry found herself facing uncertainty, fear, and the responsibility of supporting her family. What followed was an extraordinary journey that led her to build Pearl Interactive Network, a company that grew to employ more than 1,300 people and specialized in hiring individuals often overlooked by traditional employers, including people with disabilities, veterans, military spouses, and those living in economically challenged communities. This conversation is a powerful reminder that career setbacks can become the doorway to your greatest work and that purpose often reveals itself when you're willing to listen.   What You Will Learn: How getting fired can become a catalyst for discovering your true purpose. Why many high-achieving women stay too long in careers that no longer align. The role informational interviews can play in career transitions and business growth. How Merry built a social enterprise focused on hiring overlooked talent. Why vision is essential when creating a business with long-term impact. How hiring people with disabilities became a competitive advantage and mission. The importance of recognizing opportunities disguised as setbacks. Why listening to intuition can be a valuable business strategy. How government contracts helped scale a purpose-driven organization. The difference between building a business to operate and building one to sell. Why your mission and purpose can evolve throughout different stages of life. How meaning becomes a greater motivator than money for many entrepreneurs. Connect with Merry Korn Fired to Inspired https://firedtoinspired.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

    Million-Dollar Mission with Merry Korn – Ep.381

  6. Jun 10

    Turning Creativity Into Multiple Thriving Businesses with Arielle Tayar – Ep.380

    What happens when a successful entrepreneur leaves her own thriving business to get a "real job" only to discover she already knew more than she gave herself credit for? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Arielle Tayar, founder of Whip Creative Studio and Whip Productions.  Arielle shares her journey from growing up in an immigrant family to becoming a serial entrepreneur, her surprising experience in the corporate world, and the lessons she learned about confidence, creativity, leadership, and trusting her own vision. This conversation is an inspiring reminder that confidence grows through action, creativity requires space, and there is no single "right way" to build a meaningful and profitable business.   What You Will Learn: How small opportunities and "little yeses" can grow into thriving businesses. Why imposter syndrome often persists even when you're already successful. What Arielle learned after leaving entrepreneurship for a corporate leadership role. How creative leaders can balance structure without stifling innovation. Why nobody truly has all the answers and why that's good news. The importance of creating space for creativity and inspiration to emerge. How confidence becomes a powerful business asset for women entrepreneurs. What it takes to build seven-figure businesses without outside investment. Why networking and relationships remain essential for business growth. How to navigate the natural seasons of creativity, visibility, and revenue generation. The role intuition and trust play in entrepreneurial success. How experiential marketing creates deeper brand connections and memorable customer experiences. Connect with Arielle Tayar Whip Creative Studio https://www.whipcreativestudio.com/about Whip Productions https://www.whipproductions.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

    Turning Creativity Into Multiple Thriving Businesses with Arielle Tayar – Ep.380

  7. Jun 3

    Leading from Wholeness, Not Depletion with Bela Shah – Ep.379

    What happens when the career you've worked so hard to build no longer energizes you? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Bela Shah, a former attorney and ICF-certified coach. Bela shares how feelings of disconnection, burnout, and a lack of alignment ultimately led her to leave a successful legal career and step into coaching. Drawing on her experiences as a first-generation South Asian immigrant, meditation practitioner, and leadership mentor, Bela offers a powerful perspective on self-trust, purpose, and navigating major life transitions.  This conversation is a reminder that leadership begins within and that sometimes the greatest act of courage is trusting yourself enough to create a new path.   What You Will Learn: How to recognize when your work is no longer energizing you. Why self-trust is the foundation of authentic leadership. The signs that may indicate it's time to leave a career that no longer aligns with your values. How small and big leaps of faith contribute to meaningful life transitions. Why rest, reflection, and pauses are essential for making aligned decisions. How meditation and mindfulness can support personal and professional growth. The connection between perfectionism, self-doubt, and the feeling of "not enough." Why community and support systems are critical during periods of change. How coaching helps individuals uncover their own wisdom and insights. The importance of moving from self-sacrifice to self-trust in leadership.   Connect with Bela Shah Wisdom Leadership https://www.wisdomleadership.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

    Leading from Wholeness, Not Depletion with Bela Shah – Ep.379

  8. May 27

    Why Accomplished Women Must Stop Drifting Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer – Ep.378

    What happens when the career you worked decades to build no longer aligns with who you've become? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, organizational development strategist, executive coach, international keynote speaker, and creator of Stop Drifting: The Discipline of Direction™.  After more than 30 years in executive leadership roles across multiple industries, Dr. Cynthia shares the realities of being one of the only women in the room, navigating leadership expectations, surviving personal challenges, and ultimately transitioning out of corporate life into entrepreneurship and thought leadership. This conversation is an honest and deeply insightful look at leadership, reinvention, money, purpose, identity, and the courage it takes to intentionally build what comes next. What You Will Learn: Why so many accomplished women drift through their careers unintentionally. The difference between being "bossy" and being an effective leader. How women are often conditioned to ignore intuition and personal alignment. The hidden emotional and physical costs of staying in misaligned environments. Why corporate success does not always equal security. How to recognize the signals that it may be time for a career pivot. The power of making small intentional decisions toward your future. What entrepreneurship really looks like behind the scenes. Why writing a book often becomes the gateway to thought leadership and business ownership. How prosperity includes more than just money and titles. Why purpose and fulfillment matter as much as financial success. Practical ways to begin building momentum toward your next chapter today. Connect with Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer Website https://www.dr-cynthia.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

    Why Accomplished Women Must Stop Drifting Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer – Ep.378
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5
out of 5
216 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.

Information

  • Creator
    Anjel B Hartwell & The Creative Age Consulting Group
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 and beyond Empowered Messenger Enterprises, LLC
  • Show Website
    Wickedly Smart Women

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