Kind of a Big Deal

Kristin Belden
  • 5.0 (5)
  • CAREERS

Ever brushed off a compliment? Downplayed a win? Made yourself smaller so you wouldn’t sound like “too much”? Yeah, me too. Kind of a Big Deal is my love letter to women building careers and lives they’re proud of. This isn’t your typical Fortune 500 CEO interview. Instead, it’s real, relatable conversations with everyday women - corporate baddies, scrappy entrepreneurs, and everyone in between - who are leading lives we can all aspire to. Through honest stories and hard-earned wisdom, we shine a light on the victories, the lessons, and the messy middle that rarely make the highlight reel. It’s about celebrating the impact women make (even when we’re tempted to shrug it off). Because the truth is: you are kind of a big deal.

  1. 3D AGO

    Leadership, Media, and Why Engagement Matters More Than Ever

    “Engagement is the metric of whether people actually care.” Join me as I sit down with Simone Aponte, VP News Director at KTVU, who has spent her career inside newsrooms - from writing scripts at 3:00 AM to leading teams shaping how communities receive and understand information. Simone has seen the media landscape shift in real time - not just in how news is produced, but in how trust is built, how teams are led, and how impact is measured. In this conversation, we explore what it actually looks like to lead inside a newsroom - the shift from doing the work to building systems, developing people, and thinking long-term in an environment that runs on constant deadlines. We talk about the tension between speed and thoughtfulness in news, why engagement matters more than reach, and how the way people consume information is fundamentally changing. We also talk about AI in journalism, the realities of leading through constant change, and what it means to leave something better than you found it. This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation about leadership, journalism, and the responsibility that comes with shaping how people understand the world around them. You’ll Learn ⭐ Why engagement matters more than views or reach ⭐ What it actually looks like to lead inside a newsroom ⭐ The shift from doing the work to leading people and systems ⭐ Why local news still matters for strong, informed communities ⭐ How Simone’s definition of success has evolved over time ⭐ What it means to build trust with audiences today Key Insights Engagement Reflects Real Impact It’s not about how many people see something - it’s about whether it resonates enough for people to respond, share, and care. Leadership Requires Letting Go of the Work Moving into leadership means stepping out of execution and focusing on people, systems, and long-term outcomes. Speed and Thoughtfulness Are in Constant Tension Newsrooms operate in real time, but meaningful storytelling requires context, nuance, and editorial judgment. Trust Is Built Over Time In a fragmented media landscape, trust isn’t assumed - it’s earned through consistency, clarity, and credibility. AI Is Changing the Work — Not Replacing It Technology can support efficiency, but human judgment and storytelling remain essential. Timestamps [00:00:00] – Introduction: Simone’s path into journalism  [00:03:00] – Early career and first newsroom experiences  [00:07:00] – The reality of working in broadcast news  [00:12:00] – Transitioning from producer to leader  [00:16:00] – Thinking long-term in a deadline-driven environment  [00:20:00] – Building a live streaming model during COVID  [00:24:00] – Engagement vs reach in modern media  [00:28:00] – Rebuilding trust with audiences  [00:33:00] – AI in journalism: tool vs risk  [00:40:00] – Redefining success over time  [00:45:00] – Early work experiences and leadership lessons  [00:50:00] – Legacy and leaving things better than you found them Resources and Links Connect with Simone on LinkedIn Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for Kristin’s newsletter for more stories, insights, and tools for women leaders: BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter

    53 min

  2. MAR 12

    Why Difficult Conversations Go Wrong - And How to Handle Them Better

    What if the biggest factor shaping your leadership isn’t strategy, experience, or authority - but the emotional energy you bring into the room? Join me as I sit down with communication and leadership expert Beth Wonson, who has spent more than 15 years helping organizations and leaders navigate difficult conversations, workplace conflict, and the emotional dynamics that show up whenever humans work together. Beth’s path into this work didn’t begin in consulting. It began in leadership roles where she discovered firsthand how challenging it can be to manage teams, hold people accountable, and navigate high-pressure environments without the tools to manage your own emotional reactions. In this conversation, we explore the real skill behind difficult conversations: learning to manage your own emotional energy, approaching conflict with curiosity instead of defensiveness, and creating dialogue that builds trust instead of damaging relationships. This is a practical, honest conversation about communication, self-awareness, and what it actually takes to lead people well. You’ll Learn ⭐ Why difficult conversations are really about managing your own emotional reactions ⭐ How emotional energy shapes the outcome of workplace communication ⭐ Why curiosity is more powerful than trying to be “right” ⭐ The difference between healthy conflict and damaging conflict ⭐ How leaders can share vulnerability without oversharing ⭐ Why emotional intelligence is essential for effective leadership ⭐ How to approach challenging dialogue in a way that builds trust Key Insights Leadership Starts With Self-Management The most important skill in difficult conversations isn’t persuasion - it’s the ability to manage your own emotional triggers before responding. Curiosity Creates Connection Approaching conversations with curiosity rather than defensiveness helps build empathy, trust, and better outcomes. Healthy Conflict Drives Innovation Friction between different perspectives can create better solutions when leaders know how to hold space for disagreement. Emotional Energy Shapes the Room The energy leaders bring into conversations affects how teams respond, communicate, and collaborate. Communication Skills Aren’t Taught Most professionals are promoted for technical skills, not leadership or communication abilities - leaving many leaders to learn these skills the hard way. Timestamps [00:00:00] – Introduction: Why difficult conversations shape leadership [00:03:00] – Beth’s early career and lessons from leadership roles [00:06:00] – Learning to manage emotional reactions as a leader [00:08:00] – Why workplace conflict usually comes down to communication [00:11:00] – Healthy conflict vs unhealthy conflict in organizations [00:14:00] – Vulnerability, leadership, and oversharing [00:18:00] – Emotional intelligence and navigating workplace stress [00:22:00] – Understanding emotional triggers and reactions [00:30:00] – How curiosity transforms difficult conversations [00:37:00] – Self-awareness, leadership growth, and personal development [00:46:00] – Career advice for younger professionals [00:53:00] – What legacy means in leadership Resources and Links Connect with Beth Wanson on LinkedIn Learn more about Beth’s work on communication, leadership, and challenging dialogue on her website Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for Kristin’s newsletter for more stories, insights, and tools for women leaders: BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter

    57 min

  3. MAR 5

    Stop Waiting Until You Feel Ready

    Join me as I sit down with strategic consultant Kyla Bryant, whose work centers on leadership, workforce development, and helping organizations build people-first systems. Kyla’s leadership philosophy started on prom day at a cosmetology school when she raised her hand to organize a chaotic situation she hadn’t been trained for. That moment became the foundation for a mindset she still carries today: it’s easier to steer a moving ship.  Over the course of her career, Kyla has worked across multiple sectors, from education and workforce development to consulting and entrepreneurship. Along the way, she’s learned that leadership rarely comes from feeling fully prepared - it comes from stepping forward when something needs to be done. We talk about entrepreneurship, perfectionism, the pressure many women carry to have everything figured out, and how success can evolve from external markers to something much deeper: feeling grounded in who you are and the work you’re building. You’ll Learn: ⭐ Why leadership often begins before you feel ready ⭐ How momentum can create clarity when the path feels uncertain ⭐ Why reflection is critical for entrepreneurs and leaders ⭐ The difference between hustle and sustainable flow ⭐ How defining success evolves over the course of a career Key Insights Momentum Creates Clarity Waiting until you feel fully prepared often keeps you stuck. Taking action - even imperfect action - allows you to adjust course as you move forward. Reflection Builds Perspective Regular reflection helps leaders recognize progress, learn from patterns, and avoid constantly chasing the next milestone. Entrepreneurship Requires Internal Leadership When you work for yourself, you must become both the strategist and the accountability partner. Flow vs Hustle Sustainable success comes from working in alignment with your natural rhythms and priorities - not constant pressure or overwork. Success Evolves Over Time Early in our careers, success often looks like titles or income. Over time, many leaders redefine success as feeling grounded, aligned, and purposeful in their work. Timestamps [00:00:00] – Introduction to Kyla Bryant [00:03:00] – Early leadership instincts and growing up the oldest sibling [00:04:30] – Starting out in cosmetology and discovering leadership [00:06:00] – Seeing opportunity before feeling ready [00:08:00] – Early career uncertainty and the pressure to have answers [00:10:00] – Perfectionism, parenthood, and learning to let go of control [00:15:00] – The path to entrepreneurship [00:18:00] – Strategic guidance rooted in empathy [00:22:00] – Workforce systems and people-first leadership [00:24:00] – Building structure and reflection as a solopreneur [00:29:00] – The reality of working for yourself [00:32:00] – Hustle culture vs sustainable flow [00:37:00] – Redefining success over time [00:43:00] – What legacy means for Kyla Resources and Links Connect with Kyla Bryant and check out her work at https://kylabryantllc.com/ Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for more conversations and insights at  BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review. And if you're interested in more conversations about leadership, identity, and building meaningful work, join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter

    46 min

  4. MAR 4

    Curiosity Is a Leadership Strategy

    Join me as I sit down with Shonna Shearson, President and CEO of First U.S. Community Credit Union, whose leadership journey is anything but a straight line. Shonna began her career thinking she might become a teacher, eventually moving into training and development before discovering the cooperative world of credit unions - an industry rooted in community, financial empowerment, and collective impact.  Over the course of decades, she built her leadership career not by chasing titles, but by staying curious, being of service, and saying yes to opportunities to grow.  We talk about nonlinear careers, the power of mentorship and peer communities, the role curiosity plays in long-term leadership growth, and what it means to build a legacy by developing the people around you. You’ll Learn: ⭐ How curiosity can become one of the most powerful leadership skills ⭐ The cooperative model behind credit unions and why it matters for communities ⭐ How mentorship and peer networks shape leadership growth ⭐ Why service - not ambition alone - often leads to meaningful success Key Insights: Curiosity Drives Growth: Leaders who stay curious about systems, decisions, and processes often uncover opportunities for innovation and impact. Service Creates Opportunity: Focusing on how you can contribute - rather than how you advance - often opens doors to leadership naturally. Careers Are Nonlinear: Few people can predict where their careers will lead. Remaining open to unexpected opportunities allows growth to unfold over time. Community Shapes Leadership: Mentors, peers, and professional communities often play a critical role in leadership development. Legacy Is About Developing Others: True leadership impact isn’t just about personal success - it’s about helping others grow into leaders themselves. Timestamps: [00:00:00] – Introduction to Shauna and Leadership Sacramento [00:03:00] – Early career uncertainty and choosing teaching [00:06:00] – Discovering training and development [00:08:00] – Finding purpose in the credit union movement [00:12:00] – Why credit unions exist and how they serve communities [00:18:00] – Staying curious inside long careers [00:21:00] – Service as a leadership mindset [00:24:00] – Ambition vs meaningful success [00:26:00] – Career seasons and raising young children [00:27:30] – Becoming a yoga teacher during the Great Recession [00:30:30] – Mentorship and peer communities [00:35:00] – Defining leadership legacy Resources and Links: Learn more about First U.S. Community Credit Union Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for more conversations and insights at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review. And if you're interested in more conversations about leadership, evolution, and building meaningful work, join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/ newsletter.

    39 min

  5. FEB 26

    Burnout Is a Signal - Not a Weakness: A More Sustainable Way to Lead

    Join me as I sit down with psychologist and leadership development consultant Dr. Christina Pate, whose work explores the intersection of human behavior, organizational culture, and sustainable performance. Christina’s path into this work began with her own experience of burnout - not as something to push through, but as information that something deeper was misaligned. Since then, she has focused on helping leaders and organizations understand how nervous system patterns, identity pressures, and workplace expectations shape how we perform, lead, and sustain ourselves over time. We talk about over-functioning, identity beyond roles, the pressure many women leaders carry to hold more than their share, and what it means to build lives and organizations that support wellbeing rather than quietly erode it. This is a thoughtful conversation about leadership, sustainability, complexity, and learning to build success that can actually last. You’ll Learn: ⭐ Why burnout is often a signal of misalignment - not a personal failure ⭐ How leadership mirrors the way we lead ourselves ⭐ The role of nervous system awareness in sustainable performance ⭐ The difference between scalable success and sustainable success ⭐ Why holding complexity is a modern leadership skill Key Insights: Burnout as Information: Burnout often reveals misalignment between values, identity, expectations, and systems - not a lack of resilience. Leadership Starts Internally: The way we regulate stress, set boundaries, and relate to uncertainty shapes how we lead others. Sustainable vs Scalable Success: Organizations frequently optimize for growth and output without building the internal conditions required for people to thrive. Nervous System Awareness Changes Leadership: Stress responses influence decision-making, communication, and capacity long before conscious strategy. Identity Beyond Roles: Career disruption, burnout, and transition often surface deeper questions about identity and purpose. Complexity Over Certainty: Modern leadership requires the ability to hold nuance, reject binary thinking, and operate in ambiguity. Timestamps: [00:00:00] – Introduction and meeting through LEAP Academy [00:03:00] – Early burnout and redefining success [00:07:00] – Burnout as signal, not failure [00:12:00] – Leadership as a mirror of self-leadership [00:18:00] – Over-functioning and invisible responsibility [00:25:00] – Disruption, grief, and rebuilding frameworks [00:28:00] – Nervous system awareness and leadership [00:33:00] – Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses [00:38:00] – Rejecting binary thinking and holding complexity [00:41:00] – Identity shifts and the future of work [00:44:00] – Micro practices for regulation and sustainability [00:47:00] – Legacy as sustainability, not scale Resources and Links: Connect with Dr. Christina Pate Learn more about her leadership development work Take Christina’s stress response quiz  Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for more conversations and insights at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review. And if you’re interested in more conversations about leadership, identity, and building sustainable success, join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com

    51 min

  6. FEB 17

    Don’t Rush What’s Next: Why Quiet Seasons Matter

    What happens when the company you helped build disappears - and you’re left rebuilding your identity in real time? Join me as I sit down with Michelle Skoor - former colleague, executive teammate, and one of the most grounded leaders I know. We worked side-by-side inside a fast-scaling, venture-backed social impact tech company that ultimately imploded. What followed wasn’t just professional transition - it was personal reckoning. In this conversation, we unpack what it means to lead through uncertainty, to question your own judgment, and to sit with the uncomfortable space between who you were and who you’re becoming. Michelle shares how their years as a competitive gymnast shaped their leadership style, why they've only applied for a traditional job twice in 25 years, and how intentionally building relationships over decades created the foundation for their next chapter. We talk about identity, imposter syndrome, risk tolerance, burnout, menopause, parenting, privilege, privilege’s responsibility, and the courage it takes to get quiet before rebuilding. This is an honest conversation about ambition, grief, resilience, and redefining legacy - not as titles or status, but as impact and love. You’ll Learn: ⭐ How early life experiences shape your leadership muscle ⭐ Why building relationships over time matters more than “networking” ⭐ How to recover after a professional implosion ⭐ Why quiet seasons can be strategic  ⭐ The difference between being good at something and wanting to do it ⭐ How to evaluate sustainability before saying yes Key Insights: Risk Tolerance Is Built Over Time: Trying things - in sports, in startups, in life - creates the muscle to navigate uncertainty. Identity Can Over-Attach to Work: When roles disappear, you’re forced to separate your worth from your title. Quiet Is Not Failure: Taking space to reflect, heal, and reset can be the most strategic move you make. Sustainability Matters: Mission-driven work without a path to financial health is fragile - and leaders must ask harder questions. Legacy Is Dual: It’s the work you’re proud of and the love you cultivate at home. Timestamps: [00:00:00] – Introduction: Leading through uncertainty [00:07:00] – Gymnastics, risk-taking, and leadership muscle [00:18:00] – Early career, imposter syndrome, and building access [00:25:00] – Intentional relationship-building vs. networking [00:33:00] – Writing a personal manifesto [00:42:00] – The implosion and identity reckoning [00:50:00] – Asking harder questions about sustainability [00:57:00] – The power of quiet seasons [01:05:00] – Parenting, re-parenting, and legacy Resources and Links: Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for more conversations and insights at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review. And if you’re navigating your own transition - whether by choice or by force - join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter for more conversations about leadership, resilience, and building what’s next.

    1h 11m

  7. FEB 16

    Rebuilding After the Thing You Built Disappears

    What would you do if the thing you built your identity around vanished overnight? Join me as I sit down with Channelle Charest - a former executive at a rapidly scaling, venture-backed tech company that imploded almost overnight. What followed wasn’t just a career shift. It was an identity reckoning. Channelle and I shared that experience from the inside. We were leaders. We were deeply invested. We believed in what we were building. And then suddenly, it was gone. This conversation isn’t about scandal. It’s about what happens after the collapse - when titles disappear, roles dissolve, and you’re left asking: Who am I without this? We talk about tying your identity to your work, the grief of losing something you loved, the pressure to rebuild quickly, and the uncomfortable (but necessary) process of reevaluating what actually matters. This is an honest conversation about ambition, burnout, code-switching, discipline, self-talk, and what it means to evolve - especially when evolution isn’t your choice. You’ll Learn: ⭐ Why high achievers struggle to slow down (even when they need to) ⭐ The cost of tying your worth to performance ⭐ How to rebuild after professional loss ⭐ Why discipline can be more powerful than hustle ⭐ What legacy really means beyond achievement Key Insights: Identity Can Get Over-Enmeshed with Work: When your vocation becomes your entire identity, losing it can feel like losing yourself. Success Isn’t the Same as Alignment: You can have impact, money, community, and influence - and still need to reevaluate who you are within it. Discipline > Overdrive: Growth sometimes means restraining your natural strengths instead of overusing them. Women Code-Switch More Than They Realize: Many female leaders feel pressure to shift identities between work and home - something men are often culturally exempt from. Legacy Isn’t Empire-Building: It’s laying bricks that raise the baseline for someone else. Timestamps: [00:00:00] – Introduction: When the thing you built disappears [00:04:00] – Working together in a high-growth tech company [00:08:00] – Identity, performance, and authenticity [00:17:00] – The implosion and the grief that followed [00:22:00] – Survival mode vs. reflection mode [00:27:00] – Rebuilding your identity from scratch [00:30:00] – Choosing values over prestige [00:36:00] – Discipline, overdrive, and self-awareness [00:44:00] – Inflection points and evolution [01:04:00] – Redefining legacy Resources and Links: Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for more conversations and insights at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter Connect with Channelle Charest on LinkedIn If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review. And if you’re navigating a season of professional transition or identity shift, join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter for more conversations about leadership, reinvention, and building what’s next.

    1h 7m

  8. FEB 15

    The Murky Middle: Navigating What’s Next

    What if the pressure to “have a plan” is the very thing keeping you stuck? Join me as I sit down with Celeste Gutierrez - a recent graduate who thought she had her path mapped out, until she realized (just one month before finishing) that it no longer fit. Instead of forcing clarity, she chose exploration. What makes this conversation powerful isn’t just her age - it’s her approach. Celeste is navigating uncertainty with curiosity, courage, and a willingness to try things before she feels fully ready. And that’s something many of us (at any stage) forget we’re allowed to do. We talk about pivots (and whether they’re even pivots at all), anxiety around making the “wrong” choice, the noise of social media comparison, the pressure of hustle culture, and what it really means to build resilience in real time. This is a conversation about being in-between. About the tension between possibility and fear. About reaching out before you feel qualified. About trying everything - not because you’re lost, but because you’re paying attention. If you’re in a season of transition - questioning your next move, rethinking your identity, or resisting the pressure to have it all figured out - this one will resonate. You’ll Learn: ⭐ Why there may be no such thing as a wrong decision ⭐ How to reframe “pivots” as clarity unfolding ⭐ What social media comparison is actually revealing about you ⭐ Why networking is really relationship-building  ⭐ How resilience is built through small, uncomfortable risks ⭐ How to stay connected to what you love - even as your career evolves Key Insights: Clarity Comes From Movement: You don’t think your way into the right path - you experiment your way there. Comparison Can Be Information: Jealousy often reveals desire. Pay attention to what pulls you. Relationships Create Opportunity: Bold outreach and real conversations open doors that credentials alone can’t. Resilience Isn’t Flippant - It’s Earned: Confidence grows through trying, adjusting, and surviving small failures. You Can Hold Ambition and Uncertainty at the Same Time: Possibility and fear coexist. That tension doesn’t mean you’re behind - it means you’re growing. Timestamps: [00:00:00] – Introduction: The pressure to have it figured out  [00:04:00] – Changing direction at the last minute  [00:08:00] – Pivot or growth?  [00:12:00] – The anxiety of making the “wrong” decision  [00:14:00] – Social media: comparison vs. connection  [00:18:00] – Reframing jealousy  [00:23:00] – AI, the job market, and uncertainty  [00:26:00] – Networking boldly  [00:32:00] – Hustle culture vs. exploration  [00:38:00] – Trying everything  [00:40:00] – Building resilience  [00:44:00] – What kind of legacy do you want to leave? Resources and Links: Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for more conversations and insights at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter Connect with Celeste on LinkedIn Follow Celeste on Instagram: @Celeste.Mariaa If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review. And if you’re navigating your own inflection point, join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter for more conversations about leadership, identity, and building what’s next.

    45 min
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About

Ever brushed off a compliment? Downplayed a win? Made yourself smaller so you wouldn’t sound like “too much”? Yeah, me too. Kind of a Big Deal is my love letter to women building careers and lives they’re proud of. This isn’t your typical Fortune 500 CEO interview. Instead, it’s real, relatable conversations with everyday women - corporate baddies, scrappy entrepreneurs, and everyone in between - who are leading lives we can all aspire to. Through honest stories and hard-earned wisdom, we shine a light on the victories, the lessons, and the messy middle that rarely make the highlight reel. It’s about celebrating the impact women make (even when we’re tempted to shrug it off). Because the truth is: you are kind of a big deal.

Information

  • Creator
    Kristin Belden
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kind of a Big Deal
  • Show Website
    Kind of a Big Deal