The Whole Assistant Podcast

Annie Croner

Welcome to The Whole Assistant Podcast! I’m your host Annie Croner. I’m a former assistant who is passionate about the profession, and a certified coach who is invested in your success. You’ve come to the right place if you want to know what it looks like to stand in your power, and achieve success free from overwhelm & burnout.

  1. May 28

    The Power of Personal Branding with Clara Chukwu

    You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat  ---------------------------------------------- Connect with Clara LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clara-chukwu-35583318b Website: https://www.bossbehindtheboss.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bossbehindtheboss_YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bossbehindtheboss ---------------------------------------------- Are you an exceptional support professional who’s ready to step out and start building more visibility? In this episode, I sit down with powerhouse executive assistant Clara Chukwu to unpack what it really means to cultivate a personal brand as an EA. We explore how showing up authentically online can open doors and reshape how others perceive your work, while also tackling the discomfort so many of us feel about stepping into the spotlight. If you’re ready to boost your impact, authority, and opportunities this conversation is for you. In this episode, you will discover: Why authenticity is the foundation of a powerful and sustainable personal brand How to overcome the discomfort of being visible The real-world impact of personal branding on career opportunities, professional respect, and self-confidence If you’ve ever wondered how to become more than just “the person behind the scenes,” this episode will show you how to step into your power and become an example of what’s possible. ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

    19 min
  2. May 21

    What AI Will Never Replace

    You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat  ---------------------------------------------- This episode is all about what sets executive assistants and support professionals apart, no matter how advanced AI gets. I’m diving into the three core areas of our work that will always require human intelligence, empathy, and influence. Whether you're excited by the possibilities technology brings or feeling a little anxious about the future, this episode will help you identify and double down on the unique strengths you bring to your role. In this episode, you will discover: Why your intuition is something AI will never replace, and how you can strengthen and trust it even more The irreplaceable value of human judgment and your unique vantage point, especially when it comes to organizational politics, navigating interpersonal dynamics, and acting as a grounding force for your executive How your personal influence, authentic relationships, and ability to champion your executive’s and the organization’s brand set you apart in ways no algorithm ever could Practical encouragement to cultivate these core strengths and step even more confidently into your badassery as a strategic business partner ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

    12 min
  3. May 14

    Top 3 Focus Hacks I Rely On

    You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat  ---------------------------------------------- Do you struggle to focus on what matters most? In this episode, I share the top three focus hacks that have transformed how I work, both as an executive assistant and now as a business owner. These strategies aren’t about hustling harder, but about working smarter, creating intentional blocks of deep work, and designing your environment for fewer distractions. Whether you’re drowning in notifications or tethered to your inbox, you’ll walk away with actionable steps to reclaim your attention and elevate your impact. In this episode, you will discover: How batching and time blocking can help you reclaim up to 40% of your productive time. Why reducing (or eliminating) phone notifications is key to maintaining deep focus, and how to do it without missing what’s important. The power of closing out your inbox (even for just 20 minutes) to carve out true heads-down work time, plus scripts and strategies for setting expectations. ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

    13 min
  4. May 7

    The Top 3 Tools I Use on Repeat

    You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat  ----------------------------------------------  In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the top three tools I use on repeat in my business and recommend to executive assistants everywhere. These tools are game-changers that simplify workflows, save hours each week, and help you shine in your role. I'll walk you through exactly how I use each one and why they've become my go-tos, plus share a few guidelines to help you use them effectively and responsibly. In this episode, you will discover: How to leverage Text Blaze for effortless email and document templating that saves you hours and eliminates repetitive typing What makes Cabinet a must-have calendaring app for executive assistants, including smart scheduling features and insightful calendar audits Ways to use ChatGPT (and similar AI tools) to improve communication, spot process gaps, and support both your professional and personal growth—without risking sensitive information Practical tips for evaluating and implementing new tools, plus essential reminders about following your company’s AI policies ---------------------------------------------- Tools I. mentioned: Text blaze: https://blaze.today/  Cabinet: https://www.joincabinet.com/  Chat GPT: https://chatgpt.com/  ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

    13 min
  5. Apr 30

    AI and the Elevated EA with Ebony Belhumeur

    You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat  ---------------------------------------------- Are you overwhelmed by the relentless hype around AI and unsure how it actually fits into your role as an executive assistant or support professional? If so, you’re absolutely not alone. This episode is for you. I sit down with AI entrepreneur and former world-class EA Ebony Belhumeur to pull back the curtain on what AI really means for our industry, how we can move beyond the noise, and why support pros aren't as “replaceable” as the headlines might have you believe. We talk practical strategies for maximizing ROI with AI at work, the skills you actually need to thrive. In this episode, you will discover: Why most organizations (and individuals) are struggling to extract real value from AI tools, and what needs to change The difference between basic prompt engineering and the deeper skill of context engineering, and why both matter for getting quality results How AI is fundamentally transforming (not destroying!) the scope of assistant and support roles, and what this evolution means for your career path Ready to future-proof your skills and see how you, uniquely, can thrive in the age of AI? Let’s dive in! ----------------------------------------------Connect with Ebony on LinkedIn. Sign up for early access to DappleAi. ---------------------------------------------- Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

    26 min
  6. Apr 9

    The Power of Coaching Yourself with Lisa Philyaw

    You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Want to discover the secret to coaching yourself through any situation? Every assistant faces moments when they feel tossed about by uncontrollable events or difficult colleagues. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Philyaw; a life coach, community manager, and self-coaching advocate, to unravel how developing the skill of coaching yourself can transform your resilience, resourcefulness, and outcomes both at work and beyond. Together, we share personal stories (think: anxiety spirals and birth plans gone awry), practical frameworks, and emotional tools from the world of professional coaching. In this episode, you will discover: How to identify when you’re stuck in a thought versus an actual fact, and why this shift in perspective puts the power back in your court The essential frameworks and mindset tools for coaching yourself through anxiety, uncertainty, and life’s unplanned events How to process and leverage your emotions as powerful guides rather than hurdles Ready to access your most resilient, resourceful self? This episode is for you! ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

    30 min
4.6
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Whole Assistant Podcast! I’m your host Annie Croner. I’m a former assistant who is passionate about the profession, and a certified coach who is invested in your success. You’ve come to the right place if you want to know what it looks like to stand in your power, and achieve success free from overwhelm & burnout.

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