In The Room, On Purpose

Alyssa Edwards
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Business

The playbook was written for men. This show is about rewriting it. In The Room, On Purpose by Alyssa Edwards is for women navigating leadership, ambition, and growth. Through honest conversations with women across industries, the show explores confidence, career pivots, identity, power, and the messy middle of becoming. Here, vulnerability is a strength, mistakes are honored, growth is present, self-love is tangible, and reinvention is always available.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Mental Health v. Corporate Burnout: When Your Body Tells You It’s Time

    Mental Health v. Corporate Burnout: Knowing When It’s Time to Change What happens when you’re ambitious, successful, deeply capable... and the life you’ve built stops working for you? For short stories and what we are up to, follow us on Instagram In this episode of In The Room, On Purpose, I sit down with Jen Mbanu for an incredibly honest conversation about mental health, self-trust, career, motherhood, nervous system regulation, and having the courage to change course. Jen takes us through her experience with trichotillomania beginning at 13, navigating mental health diagnoses as a young woman, building a successful career in healthcare and biotech, raising a family, and eventually reaching the moment when her husband looked at her and said, “You’re quitting your job today, aren’t you?” We talk about what happens when ambition and well-being begin working against each other, the stories we attach to the things that happen to us, and why learning to listen to your body can fundamentally change the way you live and lead. Today, Jen is bringing decades of lived experience together with her background in healthcare, health policy, communications, and coaching to help other women build foundational health and lives that actually feel like their own. In this episode: Mental health, ambition, and corporate burnoutLearning to feel safe in your own bodySeparating what happens to us from the stories we tell ourselves about itRecognizing when your body is telling you something needs to changeBuilding a healthcare and wellness team that works with youMotherhood, marriage, career pivots, and maintaining your own identityCreating space before the world gets a say in your dayComing back to yourself and trusting what you find thereChapter Timeline 00:00 — Welcome to In The Room, On Purpose 00:22 — Meet Jen Mbanu 02:00 — Family, identity & growing up different 07:00 — Reconnecting with your younger self 10:00 — Morning pages & claiming your day 16:00 — Trichotillomania, shame & feeling safe in your body 24:00 — “There’s the thing that happens to us, and then there’s the story we tell ourselves about it” 28:00 — Mental health, college & receiving a diagnosis 36:00 — Building a healthcare team that actually supports you 41:00 — Jen’s career in healthcare 51:00 — Motherhood, marriage & returning to work 59:00 — Building a career in pharma and biotech 1:07:00 — The leaders and mentors who changed her career 1:13:00 — Corporate burnout & the moment everything stopped 1:18:00 — “You’re quitting your job today, aren’t you?” 1:23:00 — Returning to corporate life after a breakdown 1:28:00 — ADHD, career pivots & choosing a different path 1:33:00 — Building Jen Mbanu Wellness 1:40:00 — Your body is always talking to you 1:45:00 — Coming back to yourself Jen Mbanu WellnessJulia Carson’s: The Artists WayThe Healthy Deviant by Pilar GerasimoHal Elrod: Morning Miracle

  2. Jul 30

    Inside Wealth Management: Her Story, Her Mentors & Her Why

    To clear your mind and your to- do list from all of the text/email follow up you have: Try https://ref.wisprflow.ai/alyssa-edwards - Simple, time saving & worth it. Let me know what you think! Stay tuned for our follow up Q&A asking YOUR questions about building wealth! The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to finance, wealth management, career development, and personal experiences. It delves into the challenges and opportunities faced by women in the financial industry, the importance of mentorship, and the journey of starting a business. The discussion also explores the impact of early experiences on career choices and the significance of flexibility in work-life balance. Alyssa Edwards shares her journey of launching a business and the challenges of entrepreneurship. She emphasizes the importance of building a client-centered culture and the evolution of leadership in her organization. Alyssa also discusses the therapeutic nature of financial planning and the significance of personal well-being in her life. Takeaways Wealth management and financial advising are evolving fields, and there is a growing need for female advisors and mentors in the industry.The journey of starting a business involves challenges, decision-making, and the need for flexibility and adaptability. Entrepreneurship is driven by a deep guttural feeling of building something on your own terms.Building wealth is about making conscious small choices over decades that actually build and compound.The therapeutic nature of financial planning involves holding space for clients to express their financial concerns and goals.Leadership is an evolution that requires self-reflection, adaptability, and a commitment to building a client-centered culture. Chapters 00:00 Women in Wealth Management04:16 The Importance of Financial Independence05:36 Empowerment and Mentorship08:03 Career Journey and Early Experiences39:50 Transition to Entrepreneurship45:31 The Entrepreneurial Journey48:17 Building a Client-Centered Culture52:43 The Evolution of Leadership01:02:13 The Therapeutic Nature of Financial Planning01:16:13 Personal Well-being and Work-Life Balance Follow us on Instagram for real time updates and research!

  3. Jul 17

    Let's Chat: When Self-Doubt Gets Loud

    In this solo Let's Chat episode, Alyssa explores what to do when self-doubt, creative blocks, and uncertainty start to cloud your judgment. Drawing from her own leadership experience, she shares three practices that help her reconnect with clarity: returning to proof, focusing on who needs to hear the message rather than whether it's "good," and separating her identity from the outcome. She reflects on how high achievers often become consumed by performance, productivity, and external validation, losing sight of the people they impact and the purpose behind their work. Through examples from healthcare leadership, she demonstrates how revisiting evidence of positive impact can quiet self-doubt and restore confidence. Ultimately, the episode is a reminder that your worth is not defined by a project, title, or result—and that sometimes the best way forward is to return to the proof that you're already making a difference. For more follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheroomonpurpose/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@InTheRoomOnPurpose/shorts Subscribe: https://open.spotify.com/show/67BkphN3QudG3nIIs8bjhi

  4. Jun 18

    The Art of Reinvention

    It's Never Too Late for ReinventionWhat happens when you refuse to let your past define your future? In this episode of In The Room, On Purpose, Alyssa sits down with Veronica Ellinger, CEO of Murphy Business Sales, to explore a life shaped by resilience, reinvention, and the courage to keep becoming. From a chaotic childhood marked by criticism and instability to becoming the first female CEO in her organization, Veronica shares the lessons she learned about self-worth, leadership, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and building a life on her own terms. Together, Alyssa and Veronica unpack the realities of navigating executive leadership, balancing ambition with softness, raising children while building a career, and finding purpose in life's most difficult seasons. This conversation is a reminder that confidence can be something you build. And no matter your age, title, or chapter of life, it's never too late to reinvent yourself. In This Episode We Discuss:• Growing up in a difficult home environment and overcoming early self-doubt • Starting and selling multiple businesses at a young age • Leadership lessons from entrepreneurship and executive leadership • Being the only woman in the room and navigating male-dominated spaces • Why transparency, communication, and relationship-building are leadership superpowers • Balancing motherhood, ambition, and personal fulfillment • Learning to embrace both strength and softness as a leader • Finding purpose in life's challenges and continuing to evolve Key Takeaways• Confidence is built through action, not certainty. • You don't have to compromise your values to lead at the highest levels. • The strongest leaders create space for others to thrive. • Ambition and femininity can coexist. • Reinvention is available at every stage of life. Chapters00:00 – Veronica's story of courage, grit, and reinvention 01:15 – Childhood, chaos, and overcoming criticism 05:30 – Learning to support herself and finding independence 07:30 – Becoming one of Tampa Bay's youngest business owners 10:15 – Early leadership lessons and building strong teams 13:50 – Reinventing after entrepreneurship and motherhood 15:45 – Building a successful business through network marketing 18:25 – Motherhood, ambition, and doing both 21:00 – Why mothers make exceptional leaders 23:30 – Executive leadership and becoming the only woman in the room 26:00 – Navigating power structures without compromising yourself 29:30 – Women in leadership and rewriting old narratives 33:00 – Life as CEO of Murphy Business Sales 35:50 – Building relationships that create lasting impact 39:00 – Transparency, culture, and addressing the elephant in the room 42:00 – Strength, softness, and feminine leadership 48:45 – Modernizing a legacy business and embracing change 50:45 – Purpose, legacy, and what's next 54:00 – Finding purpose in life's burdens

  5. Jun 4

    Executive Leadership & Life on Her Own Terms

    Join Alyssa in the studio with Chief Financial Officer, Amel, for a conversation on confidence, culture, ambition, and marching to the beat of your own drum. In this episode, Amel shares how her upbringing as the daughter of Egyptian immigrants shaped her independence, drive, and refusal to fit into a mold that she decided wasn't built for her. She opens up about choosing her own path in life and leadership, building a career in a male-dominated industry, and learning that respect matters more than being liked. Together, Alyssa and Amel explore the likability trap, leading without ego, the difference between self-confidence and the word humility, and what it means to make bold choices without shrinking yourself to make other people comfortable. This is a conversation for any woman who has ever felt different, ambitious, misunderstood, or ready to stop asking for permission. Thank you for being here and supporting these conversations. Join us on Instagram & be a founding subscriber of the show across platforms.

  6. May 22

    I Am The Damn Table: On Confidence, Solo Adoption & Self Trust

    In this episode of In The Room, On Purpose, Alyssa sits down with leadership strategist and founder of Primrose Leadership Solutions, Jennifer, for a conversation on self-trust, whole human leadership, solo adoption, and what it means to contribute in the room you worked so hard to enter. From selling rocks on the side of a gravel road as a child to leading inside Fortune 50 companies and eventually building her own coaching and leadership development firm, Jennifer shares the through-line that shaped her life: confidence, curiosity, and the willingness to keep playing. Together, Alyssa and Jennifer unpack leadership without ego, motherhood through solo adoption, learning to stop “borrowing trouble,” and why women need to stop shrinking once they finally get a seat at the table. This conversation is reflective, funny, deeply honest, and full of practical wisdom for women building careers, businesses, families, and identities on their own terms. Key TakeawaysWhy confidence is something you can practice and build over timeThe difference between controlling outcomes and trusting your future selfHow whole human leadership creates stronger teams and healthier workplacesWhat Jennifer learned through the solo adoption process and becoming a motherWhy your value in the room comes from contribution—not just earning the seatChapter Timeline00:00 — “Hold My Beer”: Jennifer’s energy and confidence from day one 02:30 — Selling rocks, childhood confidence, and being your own hype person 06:45 — “Keep Playing” and leaving corporate America 10:30 — Entrepreneurship, leadership consulting, and learning through experience 15:00 — Internal champions, navigating resistance, and leading through conflict 20:30 — Trying on leadership before stepping fully into management 23:00 — Whole human leadership and emotional honesty at work 29:30 — Control, ego work, and trusting your future self 31:45 — Jennifer’s journey into solo adoption and motherhood 36:00 — Adoption realities, identity, and difficult conversations 42:30 — Women in leadership, communication styles, and speaking in bullets 46:00 — Control vs influence and redefining success through entrepreneurship 48:30 — Being the only woman in the room and knowing why you belong there 52:00 — Female friendships, accountability, and building while being seen 54:45 — Pilates, burnout recovery, and slowing down 57:30 — Build It or Leave It 1:02:00 — Final reflections on confidence, purpose, and being “the damn table”

  7. May 7

    Your Alter Ego Doesn't Play It Safe

    Follow Us on Instagram for data/stats relevant to women in business and Tik Tok for BTS! Alyssa Edwards sits down with Anne of So Sloan. Anne is a two time founder, Ralph Lauren & Estee Lauder alum, CGI & AI Content Strategist and much more! This conversation covers a range of themes including resilience, personal growth, founder experiences, AI in consumer products, and empowering consumer choices. It delves into the journey of self-exploration, the pivot from Estee Lauder to Ralph Lauren, and the importance of resilience and learning. The discussion also explores the founder's experiences with two businesses, the role of AI in the beauty industry, and the concept of an alter ego as a source of confidence and empowerment. The conversation delves into the concept of embracing one's alter ego, the impact of CGI and AI content creation, the significance of the Alter Ego series, the value of challenges and growth, leaving perfection behind, the weightlifting journey, AI's role in consumerism, personalized skincare, and the future of AI in beauty. The discussion emphasizes the empowerment of individuals through self-discovery and the transformative potential of AI in the beauty and wellness industry. Takeaways Resilience and learning are key to successSelf-discovery and personal growth are ongoing processes embracing the alter ego empowers individuals to step into their most confident selves.AI is revolutionizing the beauty and wellness industry by offering customized solutions and improving consumer-brand connections. Chapters 00:00 Pivoting and Passion15:03 Resilience and Learning21:06 Journey of Self-Exploration30:45 Founder Experience: Second Business36:43 AI and Authenticity45:44 CGI and AI Content51:33 Weightlifting Journey59:36 Personalized Skincare

  8. Apr 24 ·  Bonus

    Let's Chat

    In the Room on Purpose is a platform for women to engage in open and honest conversations about ambition, leadership, growth, and finding their voice. Alyssa Edwards shares her vision of creating a space for diverse female experiences and empowerment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and accountability. The show aims to provide long-form, docu-style conversations and values audience engagement and connection. Takeaways Empowerment through diverse perspectivesValue for audience engagement and connection Chapters 00:00 Introduction to In the Room on Purpose06:07 Diverse Perspectives and Accountability12:38 Looking Forward

  9. Apr 9

    Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good with THE Holly B. Miller

    Thank you for being here, I am so excited to build this together. Please remember that this show is FOR you and we would love our next conversation to be suggested BY you! Email the show to submit a question or topic you want to dig into, together. Website: https://intheroomonpurpose.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheroomonpurpose/ Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/intheroomonpurpose/p/everyonesoundsthesame?r=7xgz7i&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/112300989/admin/dashboard/ How do you define your confidence and what do you do in your life to grow it? In this episode of In The Room, On Purpose, Alyssa sits down with Holly Bird Miller, CEO and founder of Makeup by Holly Beauty Partners, for a real conversation about identity, self-worth, image, and the deeply personal work of becoming your own brand. Holly shares how childhood insecurity shaped her early sense of self, how she built confidence through leadership, and how she turned a creative side hustle into a national brand. Together, they unpack the difference between using beauty as a mask versus a tool, the role personal brand plays in modern leadership, and why women deserve to take up space fully and unapologetically. Thats right!! In this conversation: Holly’s journey from healthcare leadership to founderHow insecurity can shape the way women show up at work and in lifeWhy confidence is the most important thing you can wearThe connection between visibility, credibility, and opportunityWhat it means to build a personal brand rooted in authenticityWhy women need to stop playing smallHow image can support confidence without becoming a maskThe emotional power of being truly seen If this episode speaks to you, subscribe, share it with a woman in your life, and leave a comment with the moment that stayed with you. This show is FOR you and we want our next conversation to be suggested BY you! Email the show to submit a question, topic or area you want us to dig into! See you next time 3 For more on Holly, visit her on her Instagram, Website or LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/makeupbyholly/ https://www.makeupbyhollyb.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/makeup-by-holly-beauty-partners-b2020053/ #InTheRoomOnPurpose #WomenInLeadership #PersonalBrand #Confidence #FemaleFounder #LeadershipPodcast #Authenticity #CareerGrowth #WomenAtWork

  10. Mar 25

    Authenticity Unfiltered: The Cost of Conforming

    Want to build a professional playbook for women in a world made for men? Perfect. Subscribe and join us. What does it actually mean to be authentic and is there a cost? In this episode, Alyssa sits down with Michelle Mercurio to unpack the pressure to fit into corporate culture, the cost of hiding behind professionalism, and why authenticity is less about being fully exposed and more about being fully integrated. Michelle shares how her own path led her from corporate leadership into the work she now does as “the authenticist,” helping people reconnect with who they are, what they value, and how they want to live and lead. In this episode: Why authenticity became a leadership buzzword and does it still matterHow belonging can lead us to betray parts of ourselvesThe difference between privacy, performance, and true self-expressionWhy ambition and authenticity are not oppositesHow to identify forced energy versus flow in your own lifeMichelle’s hot takes on authenticity at work, leadership, confidence, and being liked Resources & Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheroomonpurpose/ Guest: Michelle Mercurio Host: Alyssa Edwards Sponsor mentioned: Coffitivity, code INTHEROOM20 for 20% off your subscription

  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

The playbook was written for men. This show is about rewriting it. In The Room, On Purpose by Alyssa Edwards is for women navigating leadership, ambition, and growth. Through honest conversations with women across industries, the show explores confidence, career pivots, identity, power, and the messy middle of becoming. Here, vulnerability is a strength, mistakes are honored, growth is present, self-love is tangible, and reinvention is always available.

Information

  • Creator
    Alyssa Edwards
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Alyssa Edwards
  • Show Website
    In The Room, On Purpose

You Might Also Like