Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar

Paula T. Edgar
  • 5.0 (29)
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  • Updated Weekly

This is the Branding Room Only podcast with Paula T. Edgar where we share career stories, strategies, and lessons learned on how industry leaders and influencers have built their personal brands.

  1. Wherever You Go, There You Are: Personal Branding and Dating Mindset with Francesca Hogi

    2d ago ·  Video

    Wherever You Go, There You Are: Personal Branding and Dating Mindset with Francesca Hogi

    Your personal brand is not limited to your LinkedIn profile, your networking skills, or how you show up at work. It is how people experience you in every room you enter, including your relationships, your dating life, your confidence, your boundaries, and the stories you tell yourself about your own worth. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula T. Edgar sits down with love educator, coach, author, and two-time TED speaker Francesca Hogi for a candid conversation about the connection between personal branding, self-worth, dating, and authenticity. From her unconventional path from corporate law to matchmaking and coaching to her insights on modern dating culture, Francesca shares why so many people are taught to perform for acceptance instead of choosing themselves first. Together, Paula and Francesca unpack the conditioning that teaches women to wait to be chosen, the difference between attraction and alignment, how relationship patterns often mirror professional patterns, and why discernment matters just as much in love as it does in business. They also dive into dating apps, intuition, confidence, loneliness, authenticity, and what it really means to bring your full self into every room you enter. Honest, funny, reflective, and deeply relatable, this conversation will have you thinking differently about love, identity, and the way you move through the world. 1:16 – What personal brand means to Francesca, how she’d describe herself, her lifelong motto, and why she calls herself “a weirdo” about music 5:37 – How growing up in New York City influenced Francesca’s understanding and appreciation of people 7:40 – The question Francesca hated being asked as a child, and how the only answer she had influenced her professional life (including her Survivor appearances) 13:41 – How matchmaker Paul C. Bunson initially introduced Francesca to personal branding and inspired her career pivot into love and relationships 16:31 – How love and dating connect to personal branding, self-worth, and what your romantic patterns reveal about how you actually see yourself 21:31 – The "pick me" conditioning that trains people to treat dating like a job pitch, and what it looks like to show up differently 27:10 – Why the list of must-haves for most dating people often has nothing to do with the relationship they want 36:26 – Why lack of discernment is one of the most common dating mistakes Francesca sees, what it looks like when you don’t have it, and what changes when you do 41:29 – Why you don’t need (and shouldn’t overly depend on) a dating app, and a mindset shift in meeting people organically 41:29 – Why you don't need a dating app to find love, and the mindset shift that opens up what Francesca calls the "meet cute" opportunity in everyday life 52:09 – One thing Francesca will never compromise on, and the magic she brings to a standing room only Connect With Francesca Hogi Francesca Hogi is a love coach, guide, speaker, and mentor for people who are ready to start a new chapter in dating, find meaningful relationships, and live in alignment with their deepest values. Through her coaching, writing, and community (The True Love Society), she helps people create relationships that feel fulfilling and true to who they are. She has shared this work with hundreds of thousands of people through her client work, events, courses, TED talks, Dear Franny podcast, and How to Find True Love book. Before her journey into love and coaching, Francesca practiced corporate law for over a decade. She holds a B.S. in Producing for Electronic Media from Syracuse University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. And fun fact: she competed on two seasons of the iconic reality show Survivor. Her website, book, TED Talk, podcast archive, and social media: Francesca Hogi | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube How to Find True Love: Unlock Your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships “How to Unlock Your Flirting Superpowers” | TEDxTalk Dear Franny podcast archives Mentioned In Wherever You Go, There You Are: Personal Branding and Dating Mindset with Francesca Hogi Paul C. Brunson | Twitter/X The Matchmaking Institute Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Webinars Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review. Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today. Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    56 min
  2. So You Want to Be a Speaker? Getting Clear Before You Get Booked

    Jun 2

    So You Want to Be a Speaker? Getting Clear Before You Get Booked

    Wanting the stage and being ready to serve an audience from it are two very different things. Speaking can be a visibility strategy, a business development tool, or a business in its own right, but each lane requires a different strategy. When you treat every speaking opportunity the same, you miss the chance to make intentional decisions about your time, your preparation, your pricing, and your follow-up. And all of it starts with clarity: knowing what you have to say, who needs to hear it, and the value you want people to walk away with. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula T. Edgar kicks off the So You Want to Be a Speaker series with an honest conversation about what speaking actually requires before the bookings, polished website, or speaker reel. Drawing from her experience speaking to lawyers, executives, affinity groups, leadership teams, and professional audiences, she breaks down the three strategic lanes of speaking, the foundational elements every aspiring speaker needs, and a simple exercise to help listeners clarify their message, audience, and purpose. 2:28 – The distinct differences between speaking on stage for industry visibility, business development, and as a fully paid operation 3:43 – Why wanting the stage is not the same as being ready to serve an audience from it 6:17 – Why narrowing your focus is actually what makes you findable, bookable, and memorable 7:12 – How your brand needs to communicate your expertise before you even walk in the room 8:00 – What gathering proof in the beginning stages of public speaking will require of you  9:46 – Paula’s fill-in-the-blank framework that clarifies your message, audience, and purpose in a way that other people can use to refer you Mentioned In So You Want to Be a Speaker? Getting Clear Before You Get Booked Personal Branding Strategy Sessions Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform!  Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops. Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today. Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    13 min
  3. Crafting a Personal Brand in the Corporate World with Zabrina Jenkins

    May 25

    Crafting a Personal Brand in the Corporate World with Zabrina Jenkins

    Sometimes, the best career and life advice you receive comes from your family. My guest can certainly relate since she has received pivotal advice from her dad that has helped her throughout her career! From Zabrina’s upbringing to her love for sports and spontaneity, we explore how her personal interests and family values have shaped her approach to leadership and personal branding. Zabrina’s fundamental belief is that your personal brand should echo your core values, a philosophy that has guided her own career and life decisions. In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, Zabrina shares her impressive journey of climbing the corporate ladder, a path filled with unexpected turns and valuable learnings. She opens up about the importance of embracing career changes as opportunities for growth and the profound impact of stepping outside one's comfort zone. Zabrina's remarkable story is a testament to adaptability, mentorship, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. 1:40 - What a personal brand reflects, how Zabrina describes herself, and her favorite quote and hype song 4:12 - How growing up with a dad in the Air Force influenced Zabrina’s childhood and her approach to the world, and her career 15:30 - The impact of leadership roles on Zabrina’s brand, the three A’s to her success, and how you reflect other people’s brands 21:42 - Ground rules Zabrina follows that can help you navigate through life and the different roles you play 26:45 - The impact that mentorship can have on your life and career 30:47 - Tips to help you navigate your personal brand in a corporate environment 34:56 - How much Zabrina loves sports and the outdoors, the risk she will never take, and the one thing some people find disarming about her Mentioned In Crafting a Personal Brand in the Corporate World with Zabrina Jenkins Zabrina Jenkins on LinkedIn “2024 Intention and Goal Setting Webinar” | YouTube Branding Room Only Interview: Beyond 9/11: Life and Legacy of Joan Donna Griffith – A Conversation with My Father, Peter Griffith A Tribute to My Mother Joan Donna Griffith Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Call to Action Follow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review. Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today. Sponsor for this episode PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    43 min
  4. Building a Legacy: Insights on Leadership and Diversity in the Law with Robert Grey Jr.

    May 19

    Building a Legacy: Insights on Leadership and Diversity in the Law with Robert Grey Jr.

    The fight to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion has deep historical roots, marked by significant milestones and challenges, from the Civil Rights era to present-day initiatives, including the recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. Robert J. Grey Jr., President of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) and former President of the American Bar Association, has witnessed several pivotal moments in this ongoing battle. His experiences growing up during these transformative times have profoundly influenced his career and dedication to both leadership and advancing diversity in the legal profession. In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, Robert delves into his impactful career and the current state of diversity in law and society. He discusses the vital work of LCLD, the importance of mentorship, and the lessons learned from career successes and setbacks. Robert shares his insights on what it takes to continue moving forward and build a legacy that inspires. 1:36 - Aspects of a successful personal brand, how Robert defines his brand, and his favorite quote and hype song 9:20 - How his upbringing and schooling impacted Robert’s brand and career 17:43 - What Robert learned about himself in not winning the 2008 Richmond mayoral race 21:07 - What the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity is and why it’s important 26:32 - Robert’s insights into the state of diversity in the country and the legal profession 32:34 - A broader concept of mentorship and how it can be critical to your brand 37:03 - How Robert made jury improvement and preservation his focus as American Bar Association president 43:07 - The legacy Robert hopes to leave behind and what he does for fun 49:39 - The inflection point confronting us right now and why persistence is so critical Mentioned In Building a Legacy: Insights on Leadership and Diversity in the Law with Robert Grey Jr. Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) | X/Twitter American Bar Association Legal Services Corporation Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Webinars Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review. Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today. Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    55 min
  5. The Social Billionaire: Networking, Personal Brand, and the Wealth Hiding in Plain Sight with J. Kelly Hoey

    May 12

    The Social Billionaire: Networking, Personal Brand, and the Wealth Hiding in Plain Sight with J. Kelly Hoey

    J. Kelly Hoey was the very first guest on Branding Room Only, and more than 100 episodes later, she's back. This time she's bringing a new book, a rabbit hole's worth of research, and a framework that challenges what most women have been told about how to build the relationships and the personal brand that move their careers forward. Kelly is a lawyer turned entrepreneur, networking expert, and bestselling author whose career has spanned big law, venture capital, and leading global communities. In her new book, The Social Billionaire, she draws on years of research showing that the women who flourish professionally do not mimic men. They follow a different playbook, one built on a specific network structure, a particular kind of focus, and the grit to keep showing up for it.  In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula T. Edgar and Kelly get into why so many women are doing all the right things and still not getting results, the network structure that high-achieving women use to get ahead, why your personal brand determines who is willing to vouch for you behind closed doors, and why the wealth you have been searching for might already be sitting right outside your office door. 1:35 – Kelly’s shifted perspective on networking and personal brand since her last show appearance, and why she wrote her newest book 2:43 – Why following networking advice tailored for men might actually be hindering your professional growth 8:33 – Kelly’s three-part framework and how it works as a filter for every goal, opportunity, and decision you face 18:08 – How a curated tribe of like-minded peers (when done right) changes everything else downstream for high-achieving women 24:18 – How strategic and reactive networks differ, and why trust is the currency that makes the whole thing work when you need it most 27:22 – Why some women feel resistance in making connections with women specifically (and people, in general) when it comes to networking 28:57 – Networking habits that might be hurting your brand and the current communication struggle some people have with others 39:12 – Why the wealth you need may already be hiding in plain sight 42:43 – How writing The Social Billionaire has changed the way Kelly shows up in, and the first move to make if you need to rethink your network 45:34 – The one relationship you’re probably ignoring that needs your attention right now, and the importance of seeing where you’re directing your energy 51:03 – The one shift Kelly wants you to make after reading her book, even if you do nothing else 54:57 – One thing about relationship-building that Kelly will never compromise on Mentioned In The Social Billionaire: Networking, Personal Brand, and the Wealth Hiding in Plain Sight with J. Kelly Hoey J. Kelly Hoey  Learn More About Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today. Sponsor for this episode PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    56 min
  6. How Motherhood Sharpened My Personal Brand

    May 5

    How Motherhood Sharpened My Personal Brand

    There’s a narrative among some that when you become a mother, your ambition should get quieter, your goals should get smaller, and you move to the background of your own life. That was not my experience. Motherhood didn’t replace my purpose. It expanded it. Becoming a mother in the middle of law school meant navigating two major transformations at once. What came out of that season was a sharper, more intentional, and more focused version of who I am and what I’m building. Motherhood made me more accountable to my own potential, not less. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula T. Edgar gets personal about what that actually looked like: becoming a mother during law school, navigating her son’s childhood cancer diagnosis, and the moment she decided she was no longer willing to stay in spaces that did not support her. 1:24 – The impact of balancing high-level education with early parenthood 2:12 – The difference in Paula’s brand before and after becoming a mother 3:45 – A surprising piece of advice about prioritization as a parent 4:35 – How motherhood expanded my purpose instead of replacing it 5:24 – How her son’s diagnosis forced an overhaul of Paula’s boundaries 6:58 – The root question Paula asks to ensure her actions align with the legacy she wants to leave 7:37 – Motherhood as a catalyst for increased accountability toward your own potential Mentioned In How Motherhood Sharpened My Personal Brand The Life & Legacy of Joan Donna Griffith: A Conversation with Peter Griffith (Part 1 and Part 2) Lessons from My Mother, Hopes for My Daughter: On Mothering and What We Carry Forward 7 Powerful Branding Lessons I’ve Learned From My Son Personal Branding Strategy Sessions Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform!  Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops. Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today. Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    9 min
  7. Stop Waiting for Confidence: Build the Systems That Sustain Your Personal Brand

    Apr 28

    Stop Waiting for Confidence: Build the Systems That Sustain Your Personal Brand

    Confidence that shows up after a win or in a familiar room is real. But when something shifts, a new role, a new team, a new challenge, that confidence can feel a lot less stable. The professionals who sustain confidence over time are not waiting on motivation. They have built systems around it. Self-awareness, reinforcement, visibility, and environment. And they have connected those systems to something that travels with them everywhere. Their personal brand. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula Edgar closes out the Confidence Factor series by walking through these four systems and explaining why your personal brand is the structure that holds your confidence in place. When your brand is clear and intentional, you are not starting from zero in every new environment. You are carrying your value, your positioning, and your proof with you. 1:48 – Self-awareness as a confidence stabilizer 2:18 – The system that pushes back against imposter syndrome with hard evidence 3:52 – Visibility and your environment as confidence strengtheners 5:02 – Paula’s real-time confidence booster for high-stakes moments 7:50 – The link between personal branding and confidence 8:34 – Why confidence isn’t always about certainty 9:47 – Seven reflection questions to help you build lasting confidence Mentioned In Stop Waiting for Confidence: Build the Systems That Sustain Your Brand How Sharing Your Wins Strengthens Your Personal Brand How to Assemble and Leverage Your Personal Board of Directors When Comfort Becomes Complacency: Protecting Your Personal Brand Before You Need It The Four Confidence Leaks That Are Undermining Your Personal Brand Borrowed Confidence: Why the Right People Accelerate Your Personal Brand Visibility Builds Confidence: Why Your Personal Brand Can't Afford to Hide Personal Branding Strategy Sessions Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform!  Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today. Sponsor for this episode PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    11 min
  8. Visibility Builds Confidence: Why Your Personal Brand Can't Afford to Hide

    Apr 21

    Visibility Builds Confidence: Why Your Personal Brand Can't Afford to Hide

    Doing excellent work is not enough. You can put your head down, deliver quality, and still be overlooked. That approach may feel comfortable, but it is not a strategy for growth. Capability alone does not create momentum. Visibility does. And what often gets framed as humility, caution, or professionalism is sometimes just hiding. That choice has consequences. It weakens your confidence, limits your access, and shrinks your opportunities over time. Being visible means being findable, understandable, and referable. These are three distinct things, and most professionals are falling short on at least one of them without realizing how much it is costing their confidence and their brand. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula Edgar continues the Confidence Factor series with a clear message. Confidence is not the issue. Visibility is. She breaks down why the gap between your internal capability and how the world perceives you is a visibility problem, how to close it without feeling like you are bragging, and what it actually looks like to show up with intention. 00:57 – The quiet cost of staying excellent but unseen 3:37 – How visibility is about being findable, understandable, and referable 5:53 – How you can be visible without being performative 7:51 – Visibility as a skill you can learn to use and maximize 8:35 – How discomfort with visibility can quietly signal growth 9:50 – Four questions to ask yourself about your visibility Mentioned In Visibility Builds Confidence: Why Your Personal Brand Can't Afford to Hide When Comfort Becomes Complacency: Protecting Your Personal Brand Before You Need It The Four Confidence Leaks That Are Undermining Your Personal Brand Borrowed Confidence: Why the Right People Accelerate Your Personal Brand LinkedIn Strategies & Leadership Tips to Master Personal Branding with Richard Bliss Personal Branding Strategy Sessions Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform!  Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today. Sponsor for this episode PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    12 min
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This is the Branding Room Only podcast with Paula T. Edgar where we share career stories, strategies, and lessons learned on how industry leaders and influencers have built their personal brands.

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