Storytime with Lori

Lori Mayer

Storytime with Lori is a heartfelt podcast where real stories spark growth, blending leadership, identity, and reinvention with honesty and humor.

  1. May 27

    The Future of Leadership Isn’t Louder. It’s More Human.

    Some leaders build companies.Michelle Ragusa-McBain builds PEOPLE.In this deeply powerful episode of Storytime with Lori, Michelle opens up about the journey behind becoming one of the most respected and trusted leaders in cybersecurity and channel partnerships today.But this conversation is not about titles.It’s about:✨ Self-worth✨ Reinvention✨ Emotional intelligence✨ Leadership with heart✨ Human connection in the age of AI✨ Championing women and people of color✨ Building trust that lasts longer than transactionsFor years, Michelle has been a quiet force behind the success of countless people in this industry — mentoring, advocating, connecting, elevating, and helping others rise.What makes Michelle different is this:People don’t just remember what she accomplished.They remember how she made them FEEL.Now, Lori and Michelle officially join forces together at Corero Network Security — a company building the future of AI-powered cybersecurity, DDoS protection, strategic partnerships, and people-first innovation.This episode is about the HUMAN behind the leadership.The resilience behind the confidence.The empathy behind the executive.The becoming behind the success.If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome…If you’ve ever questioned your worth…If you’ve ever needed proof that authenticity still wins…This conversation is for you.🎙️ Storytime with Lori featuring Michelle Ragusa-McBain — now streaming.#MichelleRagusaMcBain #StorytimeWithLori #WomenInTech #Cybersecurity #LeadershipPodcast #Authenticity #WomenInLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #ChannelPartners #Corero #PersonalGrowth #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship

    42 min

  2. May 27

    The Future of Leadership Isn't Louder, it's More Human

    Some leaders build companies.Michelle Ragusa-McBain builds PEOPLE. In this deeply powerful episode of Storytime with Lori, Michelle opens up about the journey behind becoming one of the most respected and trusted leaders in cybersecurity and channel partnerships today. But this conversation is not about titles. It’s about:✨ Self-worth✨ Reinvention✨ Emotional intelligence✨ Leadership with heart✨ Human connection in the age of AI✨ Championing women and people of color✨ Building trust that lasts longer than transactions For years, Michelle has been a quiet force behind the success of countless people in this industry — mentoring, advocating, connecting, elevating, and helping others rise. What makes Michelle different is this: People don’t just remember what she accomplished.They remember how she made them FEEL. Now, Lori and Michelle officially join forces together at Corero Network Security — a company building the future of AI-powered cybersecurity, DDoS protection, strategic partnerships, and people-first innovation. This episode is about the HUMAN behind the leadership. The resilience behind the confidence.The empathy behind the executive.The becoming behind the success. If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome…If you’ve ever questioned your worth…If you’ve ever needed proof that authenticity still wins… This conversation is for you. 🎙️ Storytime with Lori featuring Michelle Ragusa-McBain — now streaming. #MichelleRagusaMcBain #StorytimeWithLori #WomenInTech #Cybersecurity #LeadershipPodcast #Authenticity #WomenInLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #ChannelPartners #Corero #PersonalGrowth #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship

    42 min

  3. May 20

    Surviving Abuse While Building a Career | Healing, Mental Health & Reclaiming Your Power

    What does it look like to survive abuse… while still showing up every day expected to perform?In this deeply emotional episode of Story Time with Lori, Lori sits down with Sharon Hildebrand to talk about:✨ domestic violence✨ healing after trauma✨ rebuilding self-worth✨ spirituality & energy✨ leadership while struggling privately✨ creating Fearless Sisters Nation to empower young womenThis isn’t just a conversation about survival.It’s about:👉 becoming👉 healing in real time👉 reclaiming your identity after painIf you’ve ever struggled with:* toxic relationships* anxiety or depression* emotional abuse* confidence after trauma* healing while growing your careerthis episode is for you.🎙️ Story Time with Lori — real life, real laughs, real lessons.#MentalHealth #DomesticViolenceAwareness #HealingJourney #WomenInLeadership #TraumaHealing #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence #SelfWorth #Podcast #StoryTimeWithLori

    39 min

  4. May 11

    For Anyone Feeling a Little B it of Everything Today

    Holding More Than One Thing at Once This Mother’s Day Mother’s Day is one of the most emotionally layered days of the year. For some, it’s filled with joy and gratitude. For others, it brings grief, estrangement, infertility, loss, or complicated family dynamics. And for many of us, it’s all of those things at once. As I continue my own journey of healing, self-awareness, and opening my heart again, I’m realizing something important: We don’t need to simplify our emotions to make them acceptable. We’re allowed to feel: ✨ gratitude and grief ✨ love and disappointment ✨ hope and uncertainty ✨ strength and longing. All at the same time. Mother’s Day was originally created to honor the emotional labor, sacrifice, and humanity of women. Today, I think it’s important we expand that definition to include: -those grieving mothers-those who never had the mothers they needed-those navigating infertility or loss-those raising children while healing themselves and those longing to be chosen, loved, and seen. Healing isn’t about becoming emotionless. It’s about learning how to hold your emotions without abandoning yourself. If today feels heavy, you’re not alone. If today feels beautiful, you’re allowed that too. There is room for all of it.

    4 min

  5. May 11

    Becoming in Real Time: Healing, Mental Health & Starting Again

    This one is real. In this solo episode, Lori shares what the last several years have looked like behind the scenes—navigating depression, anxiety, ADHD, career loss, and rebuilding while still carrying it all. This conversation is about: trusting again after hard experiencesmanaging mental health while growing your careerlearning how to stay open after being hurtunderstanding that healing isn’t linearIf you’ve ever felt like you were “in it” while still trying to move forward—this episode will resonate. 🎙️ STORYTIME with Lori #MentalHealthAwareness #PersonalGrowth #CareerGrowth #SelfDevelopment #HealingJourney #WomenInLeadership #MindsetShift #AnxietySupport #DepressionRecovery #StoryTimeWithLori

    7 min

  6. Apr 30

    From Albania to Tech: Ana’s Story of Courage, Immigration & Quiet Leadership

    In this episode of Storytime with Lori, Lori Mayer sits down with Ana for a real, heartfelt conversation about connection, courage, identity, and quiet leadership. Ana shares her journey from Albania to England to the United States, navigating education, immigration, visa sponsorship, career pivots, and her unexpected path into the tech and data center industry. From attending Channel Partners solo to finding community in women in tech, Ana’s story is a powerful reminder that authentic networking, mentorship, and human connection can change everything. This conversation explores women in technology, career growth, immigration resilience, boutique companies, leadership, mentorship, professional development, and what it means to live authentically. 🎧 Listen for a story about courage, community, and becoming who you are meant to be. #StorytimeWithLori #WomenInTech #LeadershipPodcast #CareerGrowth #AuthenticLeadership #ImmigrationJourney #TechIndustry #DataCenters #ChannelPartners #Networking #Mentorship #WomenSupportingWomen #ProfessionalDevelopment #QuietLeadership #SanDiego #AlbanianWomen #Resilience #PodcastEpisode #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerJourney

    40 min

  7. Apr 22

    This Is What It Took — The Duality of Becoming

    🔥 “This is what it took.”That’s the line I keep coming back to after recording this episode.Because if I’m being honest…This wasn’t a straight path.It wasn’t clean.And it definitely wasn’t easy.Over the last 10 years, I’ve navigated:leaving a relationship and rebuilding as a single momliving in an environment that didn’t feel safe or stablebecoming estranged from my birth familyopening myself up to love… and getting it wrongcarrying trauma while still showing up every daybeing laid off multiple times (shoutout to the economy 🙃)while also being promoted, leading, and buildingmanaging a $400M+ sales careerbuying a home on my own with no safety netAll at the same time.And here’s the part I think people don’t talk about enough…👉 You can be breaking and building at the same time.👉 You can be healing and performing at the same time.👉 You can be carrying more than people see… and still show up.That’s not failure.That’s real life.This episode of Storytime with Lori is about that duality.It’s about what it actually takes to:✨ choose yourself✨ leave what’s breaking you✨ rebuild when everything falls apart✨ trust again when it would be easier not toAnd also this—This is just one piece of my story.Just like you’re living one piece of yours.We’re all navigating something.Different timelines. Different circumstances. Same weight.So if you’ve been feeling like you’re holding everything together while quietly figuring it out…You’re not alone.🎙️ New episode is live:#StorytimeWithLori #Authenticity #WomenInLeadership #CareerGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #Resilience #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #GrowthMindset #WomenSupportingWomen #SalesLeadership #TechSales #SingleMomStrong #HealingJourney #RealTalk #LifeLessons #PodcastLaunch #SelfGrowth #MindsetShift

    11 min

  8. Apr 15

    How to Enter New Rooms Without Losing Yourself

    POV: You walk into a new room… and instead of shrinking, you own it 🔥This episode of Storytime with Lori is a full-circle moment—sitting down with two women who don’t just enter rooms… they shift the energy.Back in our Verizon Connect days, I remember the exact moment Sarah Wicker and Ofelia Petty walked in—✨ One brought bold, undeniable presence✨ The other? Quiet, commanding finesseAnd together? We built, collaborated, and leveled each other up💡 In this episode, we get real about: How to step into new environments without losing your identityNavigating imposter syndrome (yes, even at the top)Building trust + influence FASTWhy relationships ego every single timeThe truth about leadership, culture, and co-creationAnd let’s be honest…👉 If you’re “the new person” in the room right now—this one’s for you#Leadership #WomenInTech #AuthenticLeadership #CareerGrowth #PersonalBrand #ImposterSyndrome #CorporateCulture #Storytelling #PodcastEpisode #YouTube

    42 min
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About

Storytime with Lori is a heartfelt podcast where real stories spark growth, blending leadership, identity, and reinvention with honesty and humor.

Information

  • Creator
    Lori Mayer
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Lori Mayer
  • Show Website
    Storytime with Lori