Be S.H.E.

Heidi Schalk

Are you ready to Be S.H.E.? That's Be Seen, Be Heard, and Be Empowered! I'm Heidi Schalk, Business Strategy Coach, welcome to the Be S.H.E. podcast. Each week, I'll be sharing tips and strategies to help you increase your visibility, amplify your voice, and take control of your life and business. We'll cover everything from personal branding to marketing, networking, public speaking and leadership. I'll also be interviewing successful women who have made their mark in their respective fields and are on a mission to make a positive difference in the world, so you can learn from the best. So, if you're ready to step out of the shadows, make your voice heard, put your stake in the ground and take charge of your life, then tune in and subscribe to the Be S.H.E. podcast. I’m excited for you to join me!

  1. FEB 6

    Ep. 105 From Law to Labor & Delivery: Dr. Anne Marie Reidy on Reinvention, Purpose, and Women’s Care

    Anne Marie Reidy, MD is the founder and owner of Women4Women OBGYN in Huntsville, Alabama.  Women4Women provides comprehensive OBGYN services, midwifery care, and aesthetic and wellness options (including a weight loss clinic and specialized menopause care by our certified menopause provider, Elizabeth Irby, CNP.) Prior to her career as an Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Dr. Reidy graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center and then practiced law in Cleveland, Ohio for 10 years. She obtained her B.A., summa cum laude, in Classical Studies from Boston College. Dr. Reidy has been providing prenatal care, delivering babies, and practicing gynecology in Huntsville since 2004. She came to Huntsville after training at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio and having graduated from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. Upon founding Women4Women OBGYN in 2017, Dr. Reidy expanded the scope of the practice to include wellness and aesthetic services.  Dr. Reidy initiated these options after years of hearing patients’ requests that she do so, and she has discovered that delivering these services is an extremely satisfying addition to her busy practice. Another breakthrough Dr. Reidy initiated was the return of certified nurse midwives to Huntsville Hospital after an absence of nearly 30 years. Dr. Reidy feels strongly that the women of North Alabama deserve to have this option available to them in a safe hospital setting. Among her numerous civic and professional activities, Dr. Reidy is one of the founders of the International Women’s Forum-Alabama and its immediate past president. The International Women’s Forum-Alabama is part of an invitation-only global organization whose mission is to advance women’s leadership and champion equality worldwide. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Drake State Community and Technical College.  She served six years as a board member of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation and has also served on the boards of The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, and Girls, Inc. of North Alabama. She is a founding member of the Women’s Philanthropy Society of the Community Foundation and a former chair of the OBGYN Department at Huntsville Hospital. She has held multiple leadership positions for Huntsville Hospital.   Dr Reidy has been presented with several awards for her leadership, including being named one of the “50 Women Who Shape the State” of Alabama in 2022 and a recipient of the Vaccine Champion Award from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 2021 for her work advancing the Covid vaccine during the pandemic. Only 6 practitioners nationwide received this award. Dr. Reidy is very committed to improving women’s health locally, nationally and internationally.  She has attended multiple international conferences on women’s leadership and on climate change over the years and is an outspoken advocate for improving maternal mortality in Alabama and the U.S.  Dr. Reidy is also involved in promoting racial equity through work with her husband, who is the director of a civil rights museum in Scottsboro, Alabama, The Scottsboro Boys Museum, and being founding members of the racial equity fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, Alabama. For relaxation, Dr. Reidy enjoys spending time with family and friends, being “Nonna” to her 7 grandchildren, mahjong, crochet, yoga, reading, and traveling.  To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: http://www.women4womenhsv.com  Instagram: Instagram Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoaching FB Group: https://www.facebook.com

    31 min
  2. FEB 3

    Ep. 104 Redefining Beauty Without Plastic: Inside the Future of Haircare w/ Kate Assaraf

    What if luxury haircare didn’t have to come with plastic, greenwashing, or exclusion? In today’s episode, we’re joined by Kate Assaraf, founder of DIP, a sustainably forward haircare brand redefining beauty with plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bars that actually perform. Kate shares her journey from years in the beauty industry to creating a product she couldn’t find anywhere else: salon-quality haircare that honors both people and the planet. We talk about her lifelong love of hair, the problem with “eco” products that forget performance, and how DIP is empowering women-owned refill stores across the country. From honest marketing to conscious consumerism, this conversation will change how you think about beauty, sustainability, and what innovation really looks like. Kate Assaraf is the founder of DIP, a sustainability-forward haircare company redefining beauty without plastic or pretense. After years in the beauty industry, Kate saw how marketing excluded real women and greenwashed the truth—so she created DIP to do things differently. DIP makes salon-quality shampoo and conditioner bars that are plastic-free, travel-ready, and built to last. But more than that, it’s a brand with a mission: empower small, women-owned refill stores across the country to thrive. Kate’s 7-figure business doesn’t rely on Amazon or big box retail—instead, she invests directly in Main Street. From funding store build-outs to launching exclusive local-only scents, Kate is proving that sustainable beauty can be good for people, the planet, and your profit margins. Named NJ Mompreneur of the Year, a Forbes Council Member, and Oprah’s 2025 #1 Pick for Curly Hair, Kate is a fierce advocate for small business, honest marketing, and conscious consumerism. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: http://www.dipalready.com  Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dipalready  Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoaching FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleaders Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.com

    48 min
  3. JAN 27

    Ep. 103 When Passion Meets Practicality: Motherhood, Acting, and Building a Global Business w/ Lisa Peers

    In this episode, I talk with Lisa Peers, the founder of Peers & Players. She spent decades acting in Australia before completely shifting gears to build a global communications company. Now she works with major tech companies, law firms, and financial institutions, helping their leaders communicate better. Lisa's story is pretty cool. She wanted to be around more for her kids, so instead of stepping back from work entirely, she created something new. She took what she knew from acting….role play, reading emotions, connecting with people, and turned it into a business that teaches executives how to handle tough conversations and lead with confidence. Here's the thing: her approach isn't about making people "perform" or put on a show. It's about helping them show up as themselves, just clearer and stronger. We talk about leadership, empathy, starting a business while raising a family, and how sometimes your biggest career move comes from wanting to solve a personal problem. This one's great if you're leading a team, running your own thing, balancing work and family, or just interested in why some people communicate so much better than others. Lisa is a successful actor in Australia for decades, starring in numerous films, tv shows and plays, as well as producing and directing theatre, Lisa founded her global business, Peers and Players, in 1998. Now based in San Francisco, she works with top tech companies like Cisco and Splunk, law firms, financial institutions and more... She is also a mother of 2 accomplished and talented musicians (Jesse Redwing in Sydney and Rainee Blake in LA), and she started the business when they were young, as a way juggle her commitment to being present as a mother, while contributing financially to her young family. As a Senior Leader for Tony Robbins, she has attended and/or supported numerous events since 2014, being adept in many of Tony's coaching modalities. And she studied NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) while in India. Her approach combines her work as an actor, director, producer as well as her personal and professional experience in coaching and facilitation of communications skills programs globally. Her team of around 300 people provide experiential learning: focused on courageous conversations, powerful presentation skills and interactive peer support… They provide practical and lasting feedback and coaching which is tailored to acknowledge and improve people’s innate strengths and development needs. Their international reach means clients have consistent communication skills training across regions, with Actor/coaches based in more than 28 cities worldwide, bringing cultural diversity and a consistent and powerful approach to learning. "Most staff training doesn't bring lasting change to how people communicate, so they feel disengaged. Our proven drama-based training helps people be confident when tackling challenging presentations and conversations; to be happier and more motivated." Lisa Peers To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: http://www.peersandplayers.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisapeers/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peersandplayers/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peersandplayers/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisapeers/  Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoaching FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleaders

    38 min
  4. JAN 23

    Ep. 102 Finding Yourself After Losing Everything: Jenny Hubbard on Breakdowns, Breakthroughs, and Building a Life You Love

    Ever feel like you've completely lost yourself? Like you're going through the motions but don't even recognize who you are anymore? That's exactly where my guest Jenny Hubbard found herself before everything changed. Jenny’s the founder of Realization Coaching and a certified NLP practitioner, but before all that, she went through some seriously rough stuff. We're talking profound loss, relationships that left her feeling totally alone, and moments where she had to completely rebuild her life from scratch. Here's the thing though, all those hard times? They taught her exactly what she needed to know to help other people transform their lives. In this episode, Jenny and I dig into: How she lost herself and what it took to find her way backThe difference between lonely relationships and the deeply fulfilling ones she eventually createdWhy your biggest breakdowns usually come right before your biggest breakthroughsThe real skills nobody teaches you about personal growth and healthy relationshipsThis conversation hit me hard because it's proof that even when life feels impossible, you can find joy, real connection, and actual purpose again. If you've ever felt stuck, lost, or like you're just surviving instead of actually living, this one's for you. Jenny Hubbard is the founder of Realization Coaching and a certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Jenny has been transforming lives and relationships for nearly 15 years through her personal and executive coaching, online courses, live events, and television appearances. She specializes in helping high achievers master the skills needed for deep intimacy and connection in both personal and business relationships. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: http://www.realizationcoaching.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-hubbard  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyhubbard_/  Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoaching FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleaders Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.com

    45 min
  5. JAN 20

    Ep. 101 The Unexpected Path to Leadership: How Maria Edelson Became a Pioneer in Sales

    In this episode of the Be S.H.E. Podcast. Heidi sits down with the powerhouse herself, Maria Edelson, founder of Edelson.io and former transformational sales leader at Procter & Gamble. Maria's journey is anything but predictable. From a biology and chemistry major on her way to a PhD in genetics, to becoming the first woman hired in her P&G division, leading billion-dollar accounts, and shaping sales programs still used by 15,000+ executives worldwide, her story is one of bold pivots, unexpected opportunities, and undeniable leadership. Heidi and Maria dive into the surprising beginnings of her career, the qualities that opened doors she never expected, and the moments that shaped her into the global sales mentor she is today. This conversation is rich, inspiring, and full of wisdom for any woman navigating her own unexpected path. As an Executive with Procter & Gamble, an $80B worldwide leader in the consumer package goods industry, Maria was a transformational sales leader, change agent, pioneer in new business development, and capability development leader. She was responsible for major customers in the U.S. with revenues estimated at $1 Billon and an organization of +250 people.  As the leader of Sales Capability Development, she was responsible for strategy development and direction setting of P&G’s Capability Program for their 2000 Sales Managers in North America.  P&G still utilizes components of this program in their Global Sales Capability & Development Program supporting 15,000 sales executives around the world.  As the most senior sales training manager at P&G globally, Maria designed, developed and implemented breakthrough sales training to take P&G from a selling organization to a Customer Business Development (CBD) organization, transforming the selling organization from transactional selling to strategic selling. Maria founded Sales & Capability Development, LLC (S&CD) in 2010 and Edelson.io in 2020.  Both companies specialize in sales transformation, and sales training and development. Client’s include, but are not limited to, Henkel, Hempel, Guardian Fall Protection, Adidas, Samsung Group, The Clorox Company, Starbucks, Duracell, Kimberly-Clark, and P&G.  Edelson has done projects in 86 countries on 6 continents working with over 14,000 sales executives, and is recognized as a valuable global resource.  Maria was a founding member of the Network of Executive Women (NEW). She served on the National Board as Chairperson, Regional Advisory for 8 years and National Chairperson, Education for 2 years. She was a regular keynote speaker at their annual 2,000-person annual conference. Maria was on the National Board of Strategic Account Management Association (SAMA) for 5 years and a regular keynote speaker. She is a graduate of St. Lawrence University with BS in Chemistry. She has a Finance for the Non-Finance Executive certificate from Columbia Business School.  She is a contributing author to Fortify Your Sales Force (San Francisco: Pfeiffer, 2010).  She is married with 3 wonderful children. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: http://www.edelson.io  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-edelson-8a36984/  Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoaching FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleaders Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.link

    46 min
  6. Visibility Isn’t a Spotlight — It’s a Becoming: What 100 Episodes Taught Me

    JAN 13

    Visibility Isn’t a Spotlight — It’s a Becoming: What 100 Episodes Taught Me

    Welcome to Episode 100 of the Be She Podcast — Be seen, be heard, be empowered. This milestone episode is more than just a celebration. It's a reflection, a reckoning, and a reclamation. After taking a few intentional weeks of rest during treatment and the holidays, this moment marks not just a return—but a renewal. For years, I believed consistency meant never stopping. That strength meant pushing through. That leadership meant always being "on." But this season asked something different of me: to slow down, to listen, to heal, and to choose myself—not as a reward, but as a requirement. In this episode, I'm taking you behind the mic and into the journey of becoming a woman who chooses to be seen. We talk about: 🌱 Why rest is not a setback but a sacred part of growth 🌱 How visibility is an inner transformation, not a marketing strategy 🌱 The tiny, shaky, brave moments that built this podcast 🌱 What it means to show up when you'd rather shrink 🌱 Healing the parts of yourself you buried just to survive 🌱 Choosing courage over confidence, every single day 🌱 The identity shifts required to reach 100 episodes—especially doing it solo You'll hear the truth behind the early days: the shaking hands, the trembling voice, the fear of being seen in the middle of divorce, exhaustion, and rebuilding. You'll hear how visibility became less about spotlight moments and more about choosing to tell the truth, take up space, and stop hiding. Because visibility isn't about perfection. It's about presence. It's about healing. It's about becoming. And reaching 100 episodes? It represents courage, persistence, and transformation—not just mine, but yours. Because you've been here. You've listened, supported, and grown alongside me. This community has become a home for women who are rising. Here's to the next chapter. Here's to choosing visibility as a lifestyle. Here's to becoming the woman you were always meant to be. Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoaching FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleaders Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.com

    18 min
  7. 11/21/2025

    Ep. 99 From Newsroom to The Momalogues: Mary Avila-Shears on Finding Her Voice

    In this episode of the Be S.H.E. Podcast, Heidi welcomes former TV news anchor and reporter Mary Avila-Shears. Mary shares her journey from the newsroom to motherhood, her battle with postpartum depression, and how she turned her struggles into purpose by launching The Momalogues Podcast. Through candid conversations and heartfelt truths, Mary empowers moms to feel seen, heard, and reminded they’re never alone. Mary Avila-Shears is a former TV news anchor and reporter with nearly 15 years of experience covering everything from breaking news, entertainment, and human interest stories. She's interviewed everyone from lawmakers to celebrities. One of her proudest on-the-job moments? Locating a fugitive that federal and local authorities couldn’t track down. After the pandemic, Mary stepped away from the newsroom to be a full-time mommy and support her kids through virtual learning and stepped into a new, powerful chapter of her life. Now a mom of three, Mary launched The Momalogues podcast after walking through postpartum depression for the second time. Her experience opened her eyes to the silent struggles many mothers face and inspired her to create a space where moms feel seen, heard, and reminded they’re not alone. Through candid conversations, humor, and heartfelt truth, she shares motherhood's messy and magical parts. Mary also leads a growing motherhood ministry at her church, offering spiritual and practical support to mommas in need. Whether behind a mic or beside a momma in crisis, her mission is simple: to help mothers know their story matters and they don’t have to walk it alone. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: http://themomalogues.com  Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/the_momalogues  Connect with me:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoaching FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleaders Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.com

    53 min
  8. 11/14/2025

    Ep. 98 Trusting Your Gut and Transforming Your Story w/ Robin Ferguson

    In this heartfelt episode, Heidi sits down with master coach and author, Robin Ferguson, to explore the power of personal transformation, the courage to trust your gut, and the journey of rewriting your story. Robin shares insights from her ,The Phoenix Effect, inviting us to sift through the noise, honor our intuition, and rise with purpose. If you’ve ever felt stuck in old narratives or unsure how to step into your full self, this conversation is your gentle nudge forward. Robin Ferguson is a leading voice in the field of personal transformation and serves as an unwavering advocate for living life authentically, offering people permission to be human while challenging everyone to live a life of passion and purpose. As a Master Certified Coach, she empowers individuals, leaders, and organizations to embrace their full potential.  Robin's unique perspective is shaped by her diverse background as an organizational leader, coach, interfaith minister, and nurse, blending hard-earned wisdom with deep compassion. As a result, she approaches coaching from a holistic perspective, knowing that as women, we bring all of ourselves to every situation. She supports women in finding more balance, boundaries, and bravery – inviting them to put themselves at the top of their priority list. She is the also the author of The Phoenix Effect: Transcend Limitation and Ignite the Power Within You, a revolutionary approach to self-empowerment. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website: http://robin-ferguson.com  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/robinaferguson  The Phoenix Effect Book: https://amzn.to/4nYUqfn  Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoaching FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleaders Spotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.com

    42 min
5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Are you ready to Be S.H.E.? That's Be Seen, Be Heard, and Be Empowered! I'm Heidi Schalk, Business Strategy Coach, welcome to the Be S.H.E. podcast. Each week, I'll be sharing tips and strategies to help you increase your visibility, amplify your voice, and take control of your life and business. We'll cover everything from personal branding to marketing, networking, public speaking and leadership. I'll also be interviewing successful women who have made their mark in their respective fields and are on a mission to make a positive difference in the world, so you can learn from the best. So, if you're ready to step out of the shadows, make your voice heard, put your stake in the ground and take charge of your life, then tune in and subscribe to the Be S.H.E. podcast. I’m excited for you to join me!