Business Casual: The Stories We Tell, In and Outside of the Boardroom

Mihae Ahn
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Welcome to Business Casual! I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete". Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles. Join me for honest talk with remarkable women who are willing to let down their guard and share the stories that truly matter—both in and outside of the boardroom. You will be inspired. More importantly, you will feel seen and heard.

  1. 10/22/2025

    #16. The Power of Self-Reflection and Letting Go: An Inspiringly Honest Conversation with Maricel Dicion

    The guest of the last episode of season 2 is my dear friend Maricel. We met just a few months ago and I remember thinking, she will hold a significant place in my heart. And she has. Our friendship has been growing quickly and I am honored to call her a friend. Maricel is a deep thinker with a rich inner world. She has incredibly sharp self-awareness which she has cultivated very intentionally through a lot of self-reflection and writing. Some key takeaways from the episode include: Career paths don't have to be linear—embracing the winding journey can lead to unexpected growth.Internal motivation brings more lasting fulfillment than seeking external validation.Letting go of relationships that no longer serve you creates space for growth.Managing our inner critic through self-reflection is crucial for moving forward.Collective thriving and community mindset matter more than individual success alone.This episode is full of golden nuggets, really. I'm so appreciative of Maricel openly, candidly sharing her journey so far. Please enjoy. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    57 min

  2. 10/15/2025

    #15. The Art of Intentional Balance that Creates Connection, Growth, and Joy: A Conversation with Dr. Julia Wiener

    Welcome to Business Casual. I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete". Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women leaders who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles. My guest today is Dr. Julia Wiener. Julia is an organizational psychologist who masterfully balances multiple roles as a mother, wife, nonprofit board member, and consulting firm owner. She brings deep wisdom about human connection and authentic leadership to everything she does. I appreciate how Julia combines professional expertise with genuine vulnerability, sharing both her struggles and triumphs with remarkable openness. Some key takeaways from our discussion: Connection and community are essential for navigating life's challenges and finding fulfillment.Balancing multiple roles requires intentionality rather than perfection.Joy can be found in everyday moments when we're present and aware.Imposter syndrome affects even the most accomplished leaders, but self-awareness helps us move through it.Combining friendships with professional relationships can enhance both personal and career growth.Please enjoy this thoughtful, inspiring conversation with Dr. Julia about connection, growth, and finding joy in the complexity of life. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    37 min

  3. 10/08/2025

    #14. The Pursuit of Intentional Living by Making Choices, Not Compromises: A Conversation with Katie Bennett

    Welcome to Business Casual. I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete". Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women leaders who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles. My guest today is Katie Bennett. Katie is a mother, athlete, executive coach, and consultant who has navigated the complex journey of balancing multiple demanding roles while staying true to her values. She brings authenticity and resilience to everything she does, from raising her children to building her coaching practice. I appreciate how openly Katie shares both her triumphs that she is deeply proud of and her struggles that she has overcome. Today's conversation was deeply personal and inspiring, touching on the realities of modern life and leadership. Some key takeaways from our discussion: Being present for your children while building a career requires intentional choices, not compromises.Imposter syndrome is common but manageable when you focus on your authentic contributions.Fulfillment comes from aligning your work with your values and continuing to grow.Please enjoy this heartfelt, authentic conversation with Katie about motherhood, career transitions, and the ongoing pursuit of meaningful work. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    54 min

  4. 10/01/2025

    #13. Career Longevity, Authentic Leadership, and Smart Boundaries: A Conversation with Katie Bonar

    Welcome to Business Casual. I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete". Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women leaders who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles. My guest today is Katie Bonar. Katie has had an impressive 13-year career at Cameron Stephens, where she has demonstrated remarkable adaptability and authentic leadership. She is currently serving the organization as a Senior Vice President of Investment Management.  The confident and authentic energy Katie always carries with her is something I have loved and admired. Her approach to career growth, team building, and personal development offers valuable insights for anyone who is starting and building their professional journey. Some key takeaways from our discussion include: Working smarter, not harder, leads to better results and sustainable success.No need to have a master plan meticulously crafted - most of us figure out as we go.Setting boundaries helps maintain your energy and health in the long run.Authenticity fosters deeper relationships and stronger leadership in the workplace.Please enjoy this honest and motivating conversation with Katie. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    37 min

  5. 09/24/2025

    #12. Employee Ownership and Balanced Leadership: A Conversation with Jennifer Williams

    Welcome to Business Casual. I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete". Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women leaders who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles. My guest today is Jennifer Williams. Jennifer specializes in business transitions to employee ownership and has extensive experience helping business owners navigate this evolving landscape.  I appreciate Jennifer's practical wisdom and her deep understanding of the human side of business transitions, especially the identity challenges that come with letting go of something you've built. Some key takeaways from our discussion: Employee ownership aligns employees with business goals and creates meaningful rewards for their contributions.Identity can be deeply tied to business ownership, making transitions challenging.Having hobbies and community outside of work helps maintain a balanced identity.Please enjoy this thoughtful and informative conversation with Jennifer. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    33 min

  6. 09/17/2025

    #11. Immigration, Identity, and Impact with Professor Raunica Ahluwalia

    Welcome to Business Casual. I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete". Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women leaders who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles. My guest today is Raunica Ahluwalia. Raunica is a passionate educator who made the brave journey from India to Canada, driven by adventure and a deep commitment to teaching. Her story of immigration, family, and finding her place in a new country is both inspiring and deeply relatable. I appreciate how openly Raunica shares the challenges and triumphs of her journey, including the difficult decisions and moments of self-doubt that come with starting over in a new place. Some key takeaways from our discussion: Confidence in your abilities is crucial for success, especially as an immigrant.Surrounding yourself with positive influences is essential for growth.Please enjoy this authentic and uplifting conversation with Raunica. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    39 min

  7. 09/10/2025

    #10. Leading with Love and Time Mastery with Nancy MacKay

    Welcome to Business Casual. I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete". Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women leaders who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles. My guest today is Nancy MacKay. Nancy is the founder and CEO of MacKay CEO Forums. I am honored to call her my mentor. She is one of the most inspiring leaders I know, hands down, whose mission is to populate the world with inspiring leaders. She leads by example every single day. I am excited to bring this episode to life for so many reasons, including these key takeaways: Love in the workplace is a thing. It is about caring for the people we work with as human beings and telling the truth in a judgment-free way.To be an inspiring leader, we want to master our time. We all have about 100 waking hours a week. To learn more about Time Mastery, I recommend checking out Nancy's book titled, "I Don't Have Time."Love starts with self-love. Follow the 5:1 ratio — positive thoughts to negative thoughts ratio. Every day, take some time to reflect and celebrate wins, both big and small.I hope you enjoy the conversation filled with practical insights. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    26 min

  8. 09/03/2025

    #9. From Leading With Purpose to Using Our Platform to Uplift Others: A Conversation with Rekha Narang

    Welcome to Business Casual. I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete". Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women leaders who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles. My guest today is Rekha Narang. Rekha works at Microsoft. She is one of the incredible leaders at Microsoft I had the privilege to meet, get to know, and work with over the last decade. She is deeply passionate about leadership, mentorship, and creating positive impact through her platform. I appreciate how authentically Rekha shows up even when it is difficult and uncomfortable. Today's conversation was thought-provoking, like every other conversation I've had with Rekha. Some key takeaways from our discussion: Language matters. Use "Could" as opposed to "Should" — we have agency to make our own decisions.We have influence, sometimes more than we realize. Use your platform to uplift others.It's okay to say no to things that don't align with your purpose.Purpose evolves over time and should be embraced as part of growth.Please enjoy this heartfelt, inspiring, and authentic conversation with Rekha. Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.

    40 min
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Welcome to Business Casual! I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete". Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles. Join me for honest talk with remarkable women who are willing to let down their guard and share the stories that truly matter—both in and outside of the boardroom. You will be inspired. More importantly, you will feel seen and heard.

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