The KTS Success Factor® (a Podcast for Women)

Sarah E. Brown, Ph.D.
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The mission of the KTS Success Factor® Podcast for Women is to bring proven ideas female business leaders can use to increase their ability to achieve big goals and become happy, successful, and understood at work. All this in 25 minutes or less. Sarah E. Brown, Ph.D. is an expert on personalizing work to the unique interests, strengths, and needs of the workforce. A former Managing Director at Accenture, she is now on a mission to reach 250,000 women with knowledge of their unique gifts and the tools to be happy, successful and understood at work.

  1. 4D AGO

    Love at Work with Kelly Winegarden Hall

    What if the key to high performance at work isn't pressure, control, or perfection; but love? Kelly Winegarden Hall is a leadership expert, business strategist, and founder of Live Large. With over 30 years of experience leading diverse teams and turning around distressed organizations, Kelly helps companies move from surviving to thriving. Her work is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: when people feel seen, heard, and valued, they perform at their best. She is also the author of Love Works: Transforming the Workplace with Purpose and  In this conversation, Kelly shares what "love at work" actually means, how leaders can create cultures of trust and accountability, and why the future of leadership is not about control; but connection.   What you will learn from this episode: What "love at work" really means beyond romance and why it is a leadership strategy. Why replacing delegation with "enrollment" increases ownership and performance. How to lead through division by focusing on shared purpose and human connection.   "The biggest skill that we have these days as leaders is not to be perfect, it's to repair and restore trust." – Kelly Winegarden Hall   Topics Covered: 03:07 - Defining "love at work" as connection, trust, and shared purpose in leadership. 05:38 - Replacing delegation with enrollment to drive ownership and engagement. 09:49 - Using radical transparency to improve decision-making and team alignment. 12:09 - Transforming culture by involving people instead of managing them top-down. 16:41 - The leadership skill that matters most: repairing and restoring trust.   Key Takeaways: "Everyone likes it better when things happen with them instead of to them." — Kelly Winegarden Hall "When people choose to do the work, they do it better." — Kelly Winegarden Hall "Better ideas and better thinking can come from anywhere." — Kelly Winegarden Hall "Our lives are about the quality of our relationships." — Kelly Winegarden Hall    Ways to Connect with Kelly Winegarden Hall: Website: https://kellywinegardenhall.com/  Book: Love Works: Transforming the Workplace with Purpose and Authenticity   Ways to Connect with Sarah E. Brown: Website: https://www.sarahebrown.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSarahEBrown LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahebrownphd To speak with her: bookachatwithsarahebrown.com

    18 min

  2. MAR 18

    Net Worth and Self Worth with Nancy Griffin

    Financial success is not just about numbers; it is about confidence, clarity, and courage. Nancy Griffin is the founder of Women, Worth & Wellness®, a connector and influencer who has spent decades helping women take control of their financial lives. Since establishing her practice in 1994 as a Private Client Wealth Advisor, Nancy has focused on empowering women to understand their health, wealth, net worth, self-worth, philanthropy, and legacy — so they feel fabulous, generous, joyful, confident, and fully in control of their futures. In this episode, we explore the powerful relationship between net worth and self-worth, and why women must integrate health, wealth, philanthropy, and legacy into one holistic plan.   What you will learn from this episode: Discover why personal health must be integrated into financial planning. Know the difference between net worth and self-worth and why they are not the same thing. Find out why you are your number one asset and must treat yourself that way.   Topics Covered: 01:27  –  Why personal health is foundational to long-term financial security. 06:10  –  How preventive and contingency planning protect both your health and your wealth. 10:54  –  Integrating health strategy into a comprehensive wealth plan. 14:56  – How women approach philanthropy differently — and why that matters. 17:44  – The rise of women as powerful and transformational philanthropists. 21:40  –  "You are your number one asset" — reclaiming self-worth in financial planning.   Key Takeaways: "Self-worth comes from having the confidence that you've got all your affairs in order." - Nancy Griffin "You put the oxygen mask on yourself first so that you can be your best and therefore bring out the best in others with the strength that you have to offer." - Nancy Griffin "Women are really, really gonna be in the driver's seat from both a powerful and transformational state of philanthropy." - Nancy Griffin "You are your number one asset. And women generally don't make themselves the priority." - Nancy Griffin   Ways to Connect with Nancy Griffin: Website: https://womenworthwellness.com/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCODT3IoUJsg0HEDx1zMQRHA    Ways to Connect with Sarah E. Brown: Website: https://www.sarahebrown.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSarahEBrown LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahebrownphd To speak with her: bookachatwithsarahebrown.com

    23 min

  3. MAR 4

    Third Places A New Trend in Physical Fitness with Whitney White Kozlowski

    Fitness is no longer just about burning calories or building muscle; it's about belonging. Whitney White Kozlowski is the founder of The Beau Collective, a hybrid fitness studio and curated retail space in Park City that reimagines what the gym experience can be.  A decade ago, Whitney brought her bold vision to life, creating a "third place" where challenging workouts meet genuine connection and curated experiences. She leads by example, fostering a community rooted in consistency, inspirational messaging, and daily delight…bringing others along for an ever-evolving ride of growth and good vibes.  Whitney's career is defined by vibrant vision and a relentless heart for impact, making her a recognized powerhouse at the intersection of collaborative community and wellness.  In this episode, Whitney shares how women are reshaping fitness culture, why accountability fuels consistency, and why the future of fitness is rooted in energy, connection, and mental well-being.   What you will learn from this episode: Define what a "third place" is and why it matters for women's leadership and well-being. Learn why group fitness creates deeper accountability than working out alone. Discover how to build fitness into your life as a non-negotiable appointment.   Topics Covered: 01:46 – Reinventing fitness through a hybrid model of workouts, retail, and community. 06:29 –  What a "third place" really means — and why connection fuels consistency. 10:33 –  How to find your third place and build accountability that actually sticks. 14:35 –  Treating fitness like a non-negotiable calendar appointment. 17:31 –  The future of fitness: energy, mental health, and belonging over aesthetics.   Key Takeaways: "Strong is the new black. I think that community women are able to say this is like a new daily vitamin."  — Whitney White Kozlowski  "Real growth happens when you have time under tension, and the same is for a lot of these powerful women in business." — Whitney White Kozlowski  "I think we are refocusing on so much of mental health and connection as a commodity and that people are really realizing we are better together." — Whitney White Kozlowski    Ways to Connect with Whitney White Kozlowski : Website 1: https://www.thebeaucollective.com  Website 2: https://www.thebeaucollectivephx.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beaucollective/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-white-kozlowski-96a053159    Ways to Connect with Sarah E. Brown: Website: https://www.sarahebrown.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSarahEBrown LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahebrownphd To speak with her: bookachatwithsarahebrown.com

    20 min

  4. FEB 18

    Why Do Successful Business Women Often Have Problems Finding Success in Their Love Life with Lynda Williams

    Many high-achieving women can lead teams, close deals, and build global careers — yet feel confused, frustrated, or discouraged when it comes to love. Lynda Williams is the founder of the Evolved Woman Program, a relationship coach, and podcast host who helps ambitious women find love without compromising their success. After building a career across three continents in leadership and entrepreneurship, Lynda realized that the same traits driving her professional success were undermining her love life. Through deep inner work, she transformed her relationship patterns and now guides women worldwide through that same shift. In this episode, we explore why professional success does not automatically translate into relationship fulfillment, and how the very mindset that fuels career achievement can quietly sabotage intimacy.   What you will learn from this episode: Why do successful women feel confident at work but insecure in dating and relationships. What the "success–love paradox" is and how it shows up in high-achieving women's lives. Why ambition is not a barrier to love — and how to use it as an asset instead.   Topics Covered: 02:34 – The success–love paradox for high-achieving women. 06:02 – Why professional confidence doesn't translate to dating confidence. 09:54 – Doing the inner work to understand who you are and what you want. 12:25 – Why traditional dating strategies fail ambitious women. 16:38 – Self-awareness as the foundation of healthy relationships. 20:46 – Why relationships, not achievements, drive long-term happiness. 23:38 – How to balance ambition and love without sacrificing either.   Key Takeaways: "Many high-achieving women are incredibly successful on the outside but quietly struggling with self-worth." — Lynda Williams "The problem isn't ambition — it's the disconnect between how women show up at work and in relationships." — Lynda Williams "You don't need to choose between career success and love. You can have both." — Lynda Williams   Ways to Connect with Lynda Williams: Website: https://www.lyndawilliamscoaching.com/lwc-evolved-woman-program LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndajw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyndawilliamscoach/   Ways to Connect with Sarah E. Brown: Website: https://www.sarahebrown.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSarahEBrown LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahebrownphd To speak with her: bookachatwithsarahebrown.com

    26 min

  5. FEB 4

    The Courageous Operating System with Eveline Shen

    Leadership today requires more than skill, strategy, or resilience alone — it requires courage that is grounded, aligned, and sustainable. Eveline Shen, who prefers to be called Ev, is an award-winning leader and social change strategist with more than two decades of experience building movements and developing courageous leaders. As the former executive director of one of the largest women-of-color-led, multi-issue organizations in the country, she helped expand the national Reproductive Justice movement. Today, as the founder of Leading Courageously, Ev teaches leaders how to stay true to their values, transform adversity into strength, and sustain their impact through her Courageous Operating System. In this episode, we explore how leaders can move beyond reactive leadership and instead operate from a deeply integrated system that aligns values, strengths, purpose, and courage.   What you will learn from this episode: Why leadership tools alone are insufficient without an integrated system. What the Courageous Operating System is and how it aligns nine core leadership components. Why women and marginalized leaders often need permission and support to fully claim their leadership power.   Topics Covered: 02:45 – Ev's journey from intern to executive director and movement builder. 05:10 – Building leaderful organizations within the Reproductive Justice movement. 07:20 – Why Ev founded Leading Courageously and shifted to leadership development full-time. 09:15 – Coaching, team work, and leadership programs as a sustainable business model. 11:10 – Why Ev wrote Choosing to Lead Against the Current. 13:30 – The leadership gap: why new leaders are promoted without support or training. 15:40 – Tools vs. systems: what makes the Courageous Operating System different. 19:05 – Courage as staying true to values, not people-pleasing or firefighting. 20:40 – Everyday acts of courage and why women leaders underestimate them.   Key Takeaways: "Leadership tools are helpful, but without a system, they can't carry you through complexity." — Eveline Shen "The Courageous Operating System interlocks leadership components so they move in the same direction." — Eveline Shen "Courage is not just about bold moments — it's about everyday decisions." — Eveline Shen "When leaders slow down, they create space to lead from purpose instead of reaction." — Eveline Shen "Staying true to your values often requires more courage than taking action." — Eveline Shen   Ways to Connect with Eveline Shen: Website: https://leadingcourageously.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveline-shen-a600b8b/ Book: Choosing to Lead Against the Current   Ways to Connect with Sarah E. Brown: Website: https://www.sarahebrown.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSarahEBrown LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahebrownphd To speak with her: bookachatwithsarahebrown.com

    22 min

  6. JAN 21

    Mindset Coaching for Women with Simon Calderbank

    Mindset is not about positive thinking — it is about courageous reflection, honest reframing, and intentional reinvention. Simon Calderbank is the founder of Big Knows and a leadership mindset coach dedicated to helping women reflect, reframe, and reinvent their mindset for lasting personal and professional growth. Raised in a strong matriarchal household by his mum, auntie, and sister, Simon developed deep empathy and a coaching style that is both compassionate and challenging. Following a personal health scare in 2015, he shifted from business development into mindset and leadership coaching, supporting hundreds of women leaders and earning recognition on the Northern Women's Power Inaugural Advocacy List for advancing gender equality. In this episode, Simon shares his Re3 framework — Reflection, Reframe, and Reinvention — and explains why real transformation requires being comfortable with discomfort, questioning inner narratives, and taking intentional action.   What you will learn from this episode: How to reinvent your mindset without abandoning who you are or conforming to leadership models that were never built for you. Why career breaks, motherhood, and life transitions do not erode capability — and how internal narratives, not skill loss, hold women back. How affirmations and self-talk directly shape confidence, decision-making, and performance — and how to use them intentionally instead of unconsciously.   Topics Covered: 00:10 - Growth requires being comfortable with discomfort. 06:22 - Reflection as the starting point for mindset change. 08:57 - Reframing past experiences to unlock new perspectives. 12:18 - How self-doubt and imposter syndrome take hold — and how to release them. 15:49 - Navigating gender dynamics in male-dominated workplaces. 21:38 - Asking the hard question: "Why am I not heard?" 24:35 - Using mantras and affirmations to reshape inner dialogue. 27:30 - A hybrid coaching perspective shaped by male and female lenses.   Key Takeaways: "You've got to be comfortable being uncomfortable if you want to become unstuck." — Simon Calderbank "Reframing doesn't change the past — it changes how you see it." — Simon Calderbank "Women often block their own capability after life changes, even when nothing was lost." — Simon Calderbank   Ways to Connect with Simon Calderbank: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simoncalderbank/ Upcoming 5-Day Challenge: Women Who Lead: Barriers to Breakthroughs https://mindset.big-knows.co.uk/challenge-registration-page   Ways to Connect with Sarah E. Brown: Website: https://www.sarahebrown.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSarahEBrown  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahebrownphd  To speak with her: bookachatwithsarahebrown.com

    30 min

  7. JAN 7

    Why You Might Want to Consider Boudoir Photography for Yourself with Liz Hansen

    Boudoir photography is not about vanity or perfection — it is about confidence, self-expression, and reclaiming your power. Liz Hansen is the owner and photographer at Chicago Boudoir Photography, a boutique studio dedicated to helping women feel confident in their bodies, relationships, and lives. Since opening her studio in 2018, Liz has grown it into the Chicago area's premier boudoir photography studio. She has been featured on the TEDx stage, on National Public Radio, and by the Association of International Boudoir Photographers. In this episode, we explore how stepping outside their comfort zone through a boudoir experience can shift how women see themselves, show up in their businesses, and lead with greater confidence.   What you will learn from this episode: Why boudoir photography can be a powerful catalyst for confidence and personal transformation. How stepping outside your comfort zone can unlock leadership presence and bold decision-making. Why confidence gained through self-expression often carries directly into business and career growth.   "That one boudoir experience gave me the confidence to open my own business and apply for a TEDx talk." — Liz Hansen   Topics Covered: 00:00 - How boudoir photography becomes a confidence-building transformation, not just a photo session. 04:08 - Why boudoir photography is a powerful tool for female empowerment and self-expression. 08:27 - Building a thriving small business by creating community, not just selling a service. 12:53 - Finding your deeper "why" and letting it guide business growth and decision-making.   Key Takeaways: "That one boudoir experience gave me the confidence to open my own business and apply for a TEDx talk." — Liz Hansen "Boudoir is not about being sexy. It's about feeling powerful and truly seen." — Liz Hansen "You don't have to be ready or perfect to take action — you just have to start." — Liz Hansen "The most magnetic brands are real, human, and sometimes a little messy." — Liz Hansen "Success comes from the relationship and the mission, not just the transaction." — Liz Hansen   Ways to Connect with Liz Hansen: Website: https://chicago-boudoir.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicagoboudoir VIP Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/VIPChicago Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicago.boudoir/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chicagoboudoir LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-hansen-9aab35173/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChicagoBoudoirPhotography Free eBook: https://chicago-boudoir.com/free   Ways to Connect with Sarah E. Brown: Website: https://www.sarahebrown.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSarahEBrown LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahebrownphd To speak with her: bookachatwithsarahebrown.com

    16 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    Humanitarian Fashion with Shahd Alasaly

    Humanitarian fashion is more than a trend — it is a movement built on empathy, cultural preservation, and collective healing. Shahd Alasaly is a sociology instructor at the University of South Florida. Her work focuses on trauma, displacement, and collective healing through an anti-colonial lens. She is the founder and creative director of Blue Meets Blue, a slow-fashion label employing refugee women and partnering with Syrian textile producers. She is also the author of A Kids Book About Humanitarianism and is currently writing a new book series on refugee journeys. In this episode, Shahd shares how fashion became a tool for art therapy, empowerment, and cultural preservation — and why teaching empathy to children may be the most powerful humanitarian act of all.   What you will learn from this episode: Why slow fashion can support trauma healing, dignity, and empowerment for refugee women. Why children are naturally wired for humanitarianism — and how to nurture it. Why storytelling is essential for preserving marginalized voices and histories.   Topics Covered: 02:11 – Founding Blue Meets Blue as a response to the Syrian civil war and collective trauma. 05:03 – How slow fashion and artisan work became art therapy for refugee women. 06:10 – Blue Meets Blue relaunching with textiles sourced from newly freed Syria. 07:02 – Bestselling A-line skirts, brocade dusters, and the storytelling behind each piece. 08:40 – Why Shahd wrote A Kids Book About Humanitarianism and how kids understand empathy. 10:48 – Teaching children about refugees through simple, actionable language. 12:30 – Shahd's upcoming book From There to Here following refugee children's journeys. 15:52 – How Shahd's research explores trauma, resilience, and community healing. 17:20 – Humanizing refugee experiences through stories of everyday motherhood and dignity.   Key Takeaways: "Kids don't complicate relationships. Adults add politics, fear, and layers that make empathy harder." — Shahd Alasaly "These women weren't just sewing. They were healing together in a safe, trusted space." — Shahd Alasaly "You don't have to wait until you're older or important to be a humanitarian. You can start with a simple smile." — Shahd Alasaly "Community resilience comes from holding space for each other through trauma." — Shahd Alasaly   Ways to Connect with Shahd Alasaly: Website: www.bluemeetsblue.com Instagram: @bluemeetsblue Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/782300/a-kids-book-about-humanitarianism-by-shahd-alasaly/   Ways to Connect with Sarah E. Brown: Website: https://www.sarahebrown.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSarahEBrown  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahebrownphd  To speak with her: bookachatwithsarahebrown.com

    17 min
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The mission of the KTS Success Factor® Podcast for Women is to bring proven ideas female business leaders can use to increase their ability to achieve big goals and become happy, successful, and understood at work. All this in 25 minutes or less. Sarah E. Brown, Ph.D. is an expert on personalizing work to the unique interests, strengths, and needs of the workforce. A former Managing Director at Accenture, she is now on a mission to reach 250,000 women with knowledge of their unique gifts and the tools to be happy, successful and understood at work.

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