SheSpeaks: Women of Influence

SheSpeaks, Inc.
  • 4.9 (205)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Women of Influence podcast, hosted by Aliza Freud and presented by SheSpeaks. Each episode features candid conversations with creators, CMOs, and media leaders shaping today’s marketing landscape, exploring how storytelling, trust, and paid media work together to move consumers from discovery to purchase. Built for marketers, brands, and creators, the show delivers practical insight into the strategies shaping the next era of advertising.

  1. 6d ago

    Authenticity Over Algorithms: Kristen Sellentin on Creating Content People Trust

    Kristen Sellentin has built a career on the same thing that makes any good friend worth listening to: authenticity. A Houston-based family lifestyle creator with more than 845,000 followers across social media, she creates content spanning family life, DIY projects, recipes, home decor, seasonal celebrations, and everyday motherhood — and has become a trusted voice for modern families along the way. Her partnerships with brands like Walmart, Target, Netflix, Sony, General Mills, Nike, Michael's, Crayola, and M&M's are proof that relatability, not polish, is what actually moves people to buy. In this episode, Kristen joins Aliza Freud to talk about what it really takes to build a community versus an audience, why authenticity always outperforms polish, and how she evaluates brand partnerships to protect the trust she's built. They dig into the mechanics of a great hook, the shift toward long-term brand partnerships and UGC, and why — even in an AI-driven content landscape — her community can tell the difference between a real photo and a generated one, and responds accordingly. Episode Highlights From hobby to full-time business — How Kristen's early posts about crafts and motherhood evolved into a career built on sharing wins, failures, and everything in between.Community over audience — Why trust, consistency, and authenticity — not follower count — are what actually drive brand results.The anatomy of a hook — Why leading with the finished product (not chronological storytelling) is what keeps audiences watching, and how on-screen text and pacing factor in.The value of long-term brand partnerships — Why ongoing creator-brand relationships lead to stronger content, deeper trust, and better results for everyone involved.Creating multiple income streams — How Kristen has built a business beyond sponsored posts, and why diversification matters for creators.Using AI without losing authenticity — How Kristen incorporates AI into her workflow while ensuring her content still feels personal, genuine, and true to her brand.Kristen's story is a reminder that in a crowded creator economy, the edge isn't more content — it's more trust, built one authentic post at a time. Links and Resources Follow Kristen Sellentin on Instagram Follow Kristen Sellentin on TikTok Want more from SheSpeaks? * Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! * Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

  2. Jun 29

    What's Next for Retail? with Anne Mezzenga

    Few people have experienced the retail industry from as many angles as Anne Mezzenga. With more than 25 years of experience spanning journalism, retail, marketing, and technology, she's held leadership roles at Target, co-founded the influential retail podcast Omni Talk, and now leads Retail Field Report, where she uncovers the people and ideas shaping the future of commerce. In this episode, Anne joins Aliza Freud to discuss the rapidly evolving retail landscape, from AI-powered shopping and social commerce to the growing importance of authentic human connection. Together, they examine why creators are becoming indispensable to modern commerce, how brands can stay relevant in an increasingly fragmented marketplace, and what leaders should be doing now to prepare for what's ahead. Anne also shares lessons from her own entrepreneurial journey and why curiosity, authenticity, and trust remain the most valuable currencies in business. Episode Highlights Preparing for the next era of commerce — Why AI, social commerce, and agentic shopping are redefining how consumers discover and purchase products.The human advantage in an AI-driven world — Why authentic experiences, trusted recommendations, and creator voices remain essential to building consumer confidence.How retail brands are adapting — From luxury retailers embracing "invisible AI" to brands navigating an increasingly complex mix of sales channels.Creators are becoming commerce engines — Why creator content is fueling retail media, product discovery, PDPs, and AI search in ways traditional marketing can't.From corporate leader to entrepreneur — Anne reflects on building Retail Field Report and creating a platform centered on meaningful conversations rather than headlines.The power of authentic storytelling — Why asking better questions, staying curious, and leading with empathy create stronger content and deeper connections.Links and Resources Connect with Anne Mezzenga on LinkedIn Follow Retail Field Report on LinkedIn Learn more about Retail Field Report Want more from SheSpeaks? * Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! * Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

  3. Jun 10

    M&A Moves in Ad Tech with Mary Matyas

    Mary Matyas has spent twenty-five years moving across every layer of the digital media ecosystem — from operating leadership at Criteo, The Trade Desk, and MediaMath, to the deal table as COO and Managing Partner at Ironbound Group, a boutique M&A advisory firm specializing in FinTech, AdTech, and MarTech. What sets her apart from most advisors: she's been the operator on the other side of the table. In this episode, Mary unpacks what the Publicis acquisition of LiveRamp could mean for identity, RampID, and the future of "neutral" data infrastructure. She breaks down how platforms like Meta are pushing advertisers toward open targeting and message-first strategies, why better creative works with modern algorithmic delivery rather than against it, and what acquirers actually look for when evaluating ad tech and martech businesses. Plus: a firsthand look at the Criteo/Hook Logic integration, the retail media consolidation coming, the creator economy's missing infrastructure, and where AI is actually moving the needle. Episode Highlights What the Publicis/LiveRamp deal really signals — what a $2B acquisition tells us about the future of identity, RampID, and whether "neutral" data infrastructure can survive inside a holding company.Open targeting and the creative imperative — how Meta and other platforms are nudging advertisers away from tight audience controls, and why message-first creative is the new competitive advantage.The M&A playbook from both sides of the table — what strategic buyers and private equity look for differently when evaluating ad tech, martech, and agency businesses, including the role of leadership and culture.Why earnouts don't have to be a trap — the structural conditions that make earnouts a feature rather than a fight waiting to happen.Criteo and Hook Logic as a retail media origin story — a firsthand account of integration friction that ultimately helped define an entire category.The creator economy's unfinished business — why measurement, contracts, and brand safety remain the missing infrastructure holding the space back.Where AI is actually delivering — why the real impact is showing up in data quality, fraud detection, and supply path optimization rather than in replacing authentic creative voice.Links and Resources Connect with Mary Matyas on LinkedIn Connect with Ironbound Group on LinkedIn Learn more about Ironbound Group Want more from SheSpeaks? * Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! * Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

  4. May 13

    From Shopper to Screen: Inside the Evolution of Retail Media

    Amy Vollet has spent her career at the intersection of media, commerce, and retail — watching the entire landscape transform around her. Now leading the digital commerce practice at Saatchi X, part of Publicis Commerce, she brings together media planning and buying, data and analytics, and e-commerce into one end-to-end approach that reflects how consumers actually shop today. In this episode, Amy shares her perspective on how retail media has evolved from shopper marketing, why the brand-retailer relationship is more complicated than ever, and what it takes to stay competitive when private label is growing and AI is rewriting the rules of media buying. She also gets candid about leadership, the lost art of humanity in business, and what the next generation is teaching us about intentional personal branding. Episode Highlights How the retail media conversation has expanded to include the retailer as a full partner — and why that changes everythingWhy social media has collapsed the traditional purchase funnel, turning a single piece of content into an end-to-end brand experienceThe "four shelves" framework: digital, physical, social, and agentic — and what it means for content strategyWhy brand-building remains the most powerful answer to private label competitionHow AI agents are already changing media planning — and why the human 20% is what separates good from greatHer "no dead ends" philosophy and what it really means to be omni-channelWhy she defines influence as advocacy — and how that shapes the way she leadsLinks and Resources Connect with Amy Vollet on LinkedIn Learn more about Saatchi X and Publicis Commerce Want more from SheSpeaks? * Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! * Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

  5. Apr 8

    Think It, Become It: How Your Mindset Shapes Your Outcomes

    When Sarah Centrella hit a breaking point in her life, she was left with uncertainty, pressure, and no clear path forward. In that moment, a simple shift in thinking opened the door to something new: the idea that her future could be shaped by what she chose to believe. As an author, speaker, and coach, and the author of multiple books including her newest release Think It, Sarah has spent over a decade helping individuals and executives reprogram their mindset, aligning their thoughts with the outcomes they want to create.  In this episode, she breaks down how internal dialogue shapes reality, why many people unknowingly reinforce the same patterns, and how small, intentional shifts in thinking can unlock entirely new possibilities.  Episode Highlights The moment that sparked her mindset shift and changed the trajectory of her lifeHow thoughts influence outcomes and why repetition plays a key role in rewiring the brainWhat mental fitness looks like in practice and how to apply it dailyWhy negative self-talk is often the biggest barrier to growthSimple tools, including the Power of Pause, to interrupt unhelpful thinkingHow visualization and future planning can create clarity and momentumSarah offers a practical and grounded perspective on influence, showing that real change starts internally. By becoming more intentional with our thoughts, we can begin to shape better outcomes in both our personal and professional lives. Links and Resources Connect with Sarah Centrella on LinkedIn Learn more about Sarah’s Mindset & Vision Setting Purchase Sarah’s Books Want more from SheSpeaks? * Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! * Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

  6. 10/09/2025

    Changing the Game: The Power of Investing in Women

    When Thayer Lavielle joined Wasserman, she recognized an opportunity to drive change from within one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment agencies. What began as a conversation about how to better support women across industries became The Collective—a global initiative dedicated to advancing the power of women through data, strategy, and storytelling. As Managing Director, Thayer has helped transform how brands and organizations view women’s impact as consumers, fans, and leaders. In this episode, she discusses the evolution of women’s sports, the cultural moments fueling its momentum, and why authentic influence starts with service and purpose. Episode Highlights The inspiration behind The Collective and how it’s elevating women across sports, music, and entertainmentResearch-driven insights revealing the true scale of women’s fandom and purchasing powerKey cultural milestones that have shifted public perception of women’s sportsThe challenges and rewards of building a new brand within a global agencyLessons from Thayer’s early career in journalism and beauty that shaped her leadership approachWhat influence really means and how it’s best expressed through service and authenticityThayer’s perspective offers a thoughtful look at how advocacy, business, and storytelling can come together to create lasting impact for women everywhere. Links and Resources Connect with Thayer Lavielle on LinkedIn Connect with Wasserman on LinkedIn Learn more about The Collective Want more from SheSpeaks? * Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! * Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

  7. 09/18/2025

    Turning Grief Into Grit: Breaking Barriers in Fertility

    When Diana Thomas became one of the first women in the United States to give birth through donor egg IVF in 1996, there were no guidelines, agencies, or contracts. It was determination and uncharted territory. Today, as Founder and CEO of The World Egg and Sperm Bank, she is on a mission to bring transparency, ethics, and rigorous standards to a rapidly growing and often misunderstood industry. Episode Highlights Diana’s groundbreaking 15-year journey through infertility and how it shaped her mission to protect and empower future familiesEye-opening truths about the global egg donation landscape, including trafficking, exploitation, and overlooked legislative gapsWhy transparency and rigorous screening are critical—and the essential questions every hopeful parent should ask their clinicPractical advice for women navigating fertility challenges, including how to advocate for themselves in an emotional and complex processWhether you are navigating fertility yourself or want to understand an industry that touches millions, Diana’s insights are both eye opening and inspiring. Links and Resources Connect with Diana Thomas on LinkedIn Connect with the The World Egg and Sperm Bank on LinkedIn Learn more about The World Egg and Sperm Bank Want more from SheSpeaks? * Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! * Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

  8. 09/10/2025

    Proof of Value: Measuring What Matters Most

    Rikki Marler, Vice President of Client Development at Pēq, joins Women of Influence to share how she helps brands move beyond surface-level metrics to understand the true incremental impact of their campaigns. With a background in shopper marketing and lessons learned from early mentors, Rikki talks about why today’s marketers need real-time insights, how transparency has guided her career, and the importance of staying curious when navigating change. Episode Highlights: The shift from proof of performance to proof of value in marketing.Why in-flight optimization is essential as budgets tighten.Lessons in transparency from early career mentorship under Walmart’s first COO.Staying curious and using an “advisory board” to navigate career twists.Influence as making people feel seen, heard, and empowered.Links and Resources Connect with Rikki Marler on LinkedIn Connect with Pēq on LinkedIn Learn more about Pēq Want more from SheSpeaks? * Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! * Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV

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About

Welcome to the Women of Influence podcast, hosted by Aliza Freud and presented by SheSpeaks. Each episode features candid conversations with creators, CMOs, and media leaders shaping today’s marketing landscape, exploring how storytelling, trust, and paid media work together to move consumers from discovery to purchase. Built for marketers, brands, and creators, the show delivers practical insight into the strategies shaping the next era of advertising.

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