Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar

Paula T. Edgar
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Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar

This is the Branding Room Only podcast with Paula T. Edgar where we share career stories, strategies, and lessons learned on how industry leaders and influencers have built their personal brands.

  1. 7 Powerful Branding Lessons I’ve Learned From My Son

    2D AGO

    7 Powerful Branding Lessons I’ve Learned From My Son

    You know how some birthdays feel bigger than others? My son just turned 13, and it hit me hard—in the best way. In this deeply personal episode of Branding Room Only, I reflect on seven powerful lessons my son has taught me. These lessons have shaped not only how I parent, but how I lead, communicate, and show up in the world. From courage and joy to boundaries and the boldness to ask for what you want, his influence, even at this young age, already runs deep. Because sometimes the most meaningful branding lessons come from the people closest to us. We often talk about personal branding in terms of LinkedIn, pitches, and positioning. But the truth is, your brand is shaped just as much by who you are at home—in moments of love, challenge, and growth—as it is in the boardroom. 1:34 – The power of resilience my son started showing at one year old 3:07 – Why I admire and want to emulate his audacity to ask (despite it testing my patience) 4:04 – How Austin brings me joy and the realization he taught me about its gifts 5:06 – The importance of having boundaries, standards, and self-respect 6:13 – How my son reminds me of authenticity and its importance to branding 7:01 – The difference between confidence and courage that he displays 7:57 – The most transformative lesson of all that I continue to learn from Austin daily Mentioned In 7 Powerful Branding Lessons I’ve Learned From My Son Donate to Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital Personal Branding Strategy Sessions Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTube Paula’s Resources Lessons from My Mother, Hopes for My Daughter: On Mothering and What We Carry Forward Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform!  Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    10 min
  2. Inspiring Independence: Reimagining Leadership and Branding with Michele Coleman Mayes

    JUL 1

    Inspiring Independence: Reimagining Leadership and Branding with Michele Coleman Mayes

    Independence Day is on the horizon, and what better way to celebrate the spirit of freedom and new beginnings than revisiting a conversation with a true pioneer!  Michele Coleman Mays redefined leadership and advocacy during her distinguished career. She has served as the Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary for The New York Public Library and had key roles at Allstate Insurance Company and Pitney Bowes Inc. During our conversation, she shared her unique lens on personal branding, leadership, and career development. In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about the difference between branding and reputation, the critical role of authenticity, and how to rethink the concept of retirement. Michele will also touch on various aspects and strategies in strong brand creation, best practices for enhancing your leadership and career skills, and more. 2:26 - Michele’s personal branding definition, how she describes herself, a quote that’ll make you pause and think, and her hype songs 7:00 - Two strategies that Michele used in building her personal brand 9:07 - The evolution of Michele’s interaction with the business and leadership sides of different organizations 12:12 - How personal branding and reputation differ and the necessity of keeping your audience in mind during interactions 16:48 - Why you should still strive to access resources that help build your brand and skill set, even if you’re already at the top 20:52 - The complexity of showing up authentically for minority groups in professional settings 24:32 - Two things that surprised Michele the most while co-writing her book Courageous Counsel 27:00 - Civic engagements that were integral to Michele’s career, how she reimagines the concept of retirement, and what she plans to do next 33:05 - Two mistakes people make when networking for personal brand-building 35:03 - What Michele always does for fun when traveling and her non-negotiable brand aspects, Branding Room Only Magic, and final words of advice Mentioned In Inspiring Independence: Reimagining Leadership and Branding with Michele Coleman Mayes Courageous Counsel: Conversations with Women General Counsel in the Fortune 500 by Michele Coleman Mayes and Kara Sophia Baysinger Michele Coleman Mayes on LinkedIn The HistoryMakers Center for Reproductive Rights American College of Governance Counsel Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTube Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    43 min
  3. How Career Pivots Can Strengthen Your Personal Brand with Nina Blackshear

    JUN 24

    How Career Pivots Can Strengthen Your Personal Brand with Nina Blackshear

    Nina Blackshear has turned career pivots into an art form. As the owner and principal of Nina Blackshear Coaching and Consulting, she's a certified executive coach and in-house corporate attorney. Her unconventional path, from law school to real estate, to fundraising, to employee relations, to marketing communications, and back to law, has become her greatest professional asset. Her specialty is helping others overcome impostor syndrome, intense perfectionism, and the burnout that results from constant striving —challenges she has navigated personally. What started as a series of unexpected career detours has evolved into Nina's mission. Helping others (especially women of color) discover their superpowers and write their own stories in professional spaces that weren't designed for them. Her love language, as she puts it, is helping people discover their power, and she's built both her personal brand and coaching practice around that core belief. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula Edgar and Nina dive deep into the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in building an authentic personal brand. They explore how to build EQ as a muscle, the unique challenges women of color face in professional spaces, and why knowing your non-negotiables is essential for leading confidently. Plus, they discuss the power of coaching, the importance of strategic networking, and why Nina believes we should all "do more giving and less taking" in our professional relationships. 1:31 – What personal brand means to Nina, how she describes herself in three words, and her favorite motto and hype song 4:51 – How being a Philly girl has shaped Nina’s personal brand 7:45 – Nina’s education and multi-pivotal career, from law school to executive coaching 16:20 – How Nina was able to hone her emotional intelligence (EQ) 20:47 – How to build your emotional intelligence muscle (and find organizational leaders lacking it who can develop it) 25:37 – How Nina helps clients (especially women of color) navigate professional spaces and write their own story 32:00 – The key to leading confidently and working authentically and the power of having a coach 38:13 – What causes most people to make personal branding mistakes (and how it often shows up in immigrant families) 45:32 – The importance of a strategic supportive network to prep for a career pivot 49:24 – The need for more reciprocity in professional relationships and building your own community 51:56 – Nina’s “garbage soup” and the foundations of her personal brand and Branding Room Only magic Mentioned In How Career Pivots Can Strengthen Your Personal Brand with Nina Blackshear Nina Blackshear Coaching and Consulting National Black Law Students Association Breaking Barriers, Pioneering Career Paths, and Making a Positive Impact with Paula Boggs Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Sponsor for this episode PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    56 min
  4. Truth and Celebration: Stories of Black American History with Prof. Annette Gordon-Reed

    JUN 17

    Truth and Celebration: Stories of Black American History with Prof. Annette Gordon-Reed

    We don’t know the faces or names of many enslaved Black people in American history. Some left a small mark of their existence in the very bricks of the buildings their hands built, yet they remain voiceless because their story has been hidden away. Historians like Annette Gordon-Reed know that through sharing the stories of enslaved people, we remember their humanity and preserve historical truth in the process. She’s a Harvard University professor and the award-winning author of The Hemingses of Monticello and On Juneteenth. With her lawyer-like approach, she’s brought light to stories once expunged from our history and provided a view of the road to Juneteenth through her books. In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll hear about the national implications inherent in The Hemingses’ story (and connection to Thomas Jefferson) and Juneteenth. Annette will discuss her own experiences with celebrating Juneteenth, what the country should learn from the experiences of enslaved people, and more! 3:40 - Annette’s personal branding definition, three-word description of herself, favorite quotes, and hype song 6:00 - The importance of reading and music in Annette’s life as a child 8:00 - Annette’s non-traditional career trajectory as a lawyer, author, and professor 11:40 - What motivated Annette to write about the Hemingses and Thomas Jefferson 17:00 - The need to understand the truth in shaping the legacies and personal brands we hold dear 19:50 - The significance of Juneteenth and why Annette wrote her book on it 25:20 - Traditional Juneteenth celebrations Annette grew up with in Texas and newer ones she’s seen integrated into the holiday 30:50 - The good and (potential) bad about Juneteenth and its importance in the context of American history 38:00 - How Annette wants people in the future to remember her contribution to preserving a piece of American history 39:00 - Finding fun and continuous growth in humbling activities 43:50 - Annette’s one uncompromisable aspect and Branding Room Only quality Mentioned In Truth and Celebration: Stories of Black American History with Annette Gordon-Reed The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed Vernon Can Read!: A Memoir “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan | Youtube (Official Music Video)  “Scherzo Op. 39 No. 3 in C Sharp Minor” by Chopin | Youtube (Pogorelich) PaulaTV: Stagville Plantation Fingerprints of Slave Children Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform!  Sponsor for this episode PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    49 min
  5. Reframing, Branding, and Staying Ready for What’s Next with Lisa Rangel

    JUN 10

    Reframing, Branding, and Staying Ready for What’s Next with Lisa Rangel

    Reframing isn’t just for resumes, it’s a core skill if you want a career (and personal brand) that’s built to last. Whether you're navigating a career transition or making sure you’re ready for unexpected opportunities, the key is staying proactive long before you need to. Lisa Rangel, CEO of Chameleon Resumes, has helped clients in more than 88 countries future-proof their careers and land fulfilling, high-paying roles. With her META Job Landing System, Lisa combines resume writing, brand management, and career strategy to help executives show up as their best professional selves, before the market demands it. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula Edgar and Lisa dive into how to manage your personal brand like a boss (even if you have a boss), why experience alone won’t open the right doors, and why AI can’t replace the human side of personal branding. Lisa also shares practical advice for executives stuck in the “I can sit here for a while” trap and what it really takes to stay ready for what’s next. 1:14 – Lisa’s definition of personal brand, her three-word self-description, plus a hype song and a favorite Thomas Paine quote 7:08 – How Lisa’s childhood and family background shaped her career philosophy 10:41 – Lisa’s shift from recruiting to launching Chameleon Resumes 15:50 – Why “years of experience” won’t save you — and what real job security looks like today 20:16 – Lisa’s take on AI, personal branding, and why human judgment still matters 24:58 – The power of proactive career management and a daily practice to stay ready 30:22 – The META Job Landing System: How Lisa’s four-part framework helps clients land the right roles 36:20 – How branding yourself changes when you’re the boss vs. when you report to one 41:48 – Common mistakes professionals make on LinkedIn, in interviews, and in brand positioning 48:50 – Practical advice for executives stuck in a role that’s no longer a fit 53:30 – Lisa’s best career advice, what she’ll never compromise on, and the magic she brings to every client experience Mentioned In Reframing, Branding, and Staying Ready for What’s Next with Lisa Rangel Chameleon Resumes | Executive Career Chats | LinkedIn Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty and other books by Harvey Mackay Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Webinars Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Call to Action Follow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review. Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    57 min
  6. Mid-Year RESET: 5-Step Guide to Help You Realign Your Goals and Intentions

    JUN 3

    Mid-Year RESET: 5-Step Guide to Help You Realign Your Goals and Intentions

    We're officially halfway through the year, and let's be real—these past few months have been a lot. Maybe you started with clear goals and that "this is my year" mindset, but then life did what it does–the unexpected showed up, sidelining your intentions. Or maybe you've been laser-focused and hit every milestone. If so, congrats! But even then, it's time to pause.  In this solo episode of Branding Room Only, I’m diving into my powerful five-step mid-year evaluation, which I call RESET, to help you analyze, recenter, and align your goals, personal brand, and next steps. Whether you're feeling off track or totally on point, you deserve to relax, reflect, and (if necessary) realign without regret. 3:02 – How to reflect on your goals and intentions for the year 4:24 – How to evaluate what’s working and what's not working 5:49 – Why setting new priorities is necessary and not a failure or cause for regret 7:05 – The key to reconnecting to the drive and support systems you need to follow through 8:08 – What you need to do to turn your intentions into movement Mentioned In Mid-Year RESET: 5-Step Guide to Help You Realign Your Goals and Intentions Reserve your seat for the Mid-Year Audit: Does Your June Progress Match Your 2025 Goals and Intentions? Personal Branding Strategy Sessions Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTube Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform!  Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here

    11 min
  7. Breaking Barriers, Pioneering Career Paths, and Making a Positive Impact with Paula Boggs

    MAY 26

    Breaking Barriers, Pioneering Career Paths, and Making a Positive Impact with Paula Boggs

    From the military to the music world, Paula Boggs has made her mark by bravely navigating new spaces and pioneering career paths for herself. After serving at the Pentagon and in the White House as an army officer, she spent a decade at Starbucks as its Chief Legal Officer before leaving to write and perform music with the Paula Boggs Band. As you listen to our conversation, you’ll be inspired and in awe. Her story is one of resilience, adaptability, and breaking barriers. And she inspires others to embrace their authenticity, find joy in their work, and make a positive impact in their respective fields. In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about how Paula’s background influenced her leadership style and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Paula will also reveal the importance that mentorship and sponsorship can have in shaping careers, the value of servant leadership and the lasting impact it can have on an organization’s culture, and more! 2:24 - What personal branding means to Paula and her three-word self-description, favorite Maya Angelou quote, and Jill Scott hype song 4:32 - Why asking where Paula grew up has a more complicated answer than it does for most people 14:22 - The role of law school as a delay strategy for Paula and how she used failure to open doors of opportunity 24:08 - A textbook lesson in mentorship and sponsorship (and the difference between the two) 32:28 - A need to be fulfilled in a job and how Paula continued to break ground in her career journey 37:11 - How Paula got exposed to music at an early age and returned to writing and performing music after a 15-year hiatus 42:51 - Why Paula stayed on as Starbucks General Counsel for a few years even as she felt called to do something different 46:42 - Servant leadership as an essential attribute for good leaders and the legacy Paula left behind at Starbucks 56:20 - Sources of joy for Paula, the one thing she’ll always stand by, and her Branding Room Only magic Mentioned In Breaking Barriers, Pioneering Career Paths, and Making a Positive Impact with Paula Boggs Boggs Media, LLC | LinkedIn | Twitter/X Paula Boggs Band | Facebook | Twitter/X | Instagram | TikTok | Spotify Crafting a Personal Brand in the Corporate World with Zabrina Jenkins Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    1h 4m
  8. Tap Into Your Inner ATM: Self-Leadership and Personal Branding with Pallavi Jain

    MAY 20

    Tap Into Your Inner ATM: Self-Leadership and Personal Branding with Pallavi Jain

    So many leaders are burned out—checking all the boxes, meeting expectations, and still feeling stuck. Pallavi Jain wants to change that. As a seasoned HR executive and the creator of the Lead From Within program, she helps people step out of survival mode and reconnect with who they truly are—and how they want to lead and be known. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula Edgar sits down with Pallavi to explore why personal branding starts with self-leadership. They trace Pallavi’s path from engineer to HR leader and unpack how her lived experiences—and inner transformation—shaped both her leadership philosophy and personal brand. Pallavi shares her signature ATM Framework—a practical, powerful approach to building presence, taking responsibility, and making intentional choices. They also explore how identity, memory, and even generational trauma can shape—or distort—how we show up in the world. This isn’t a conversation about polished personas or performative leadership. It’s about doing the real, internal work to build an authentic, resilient brand—rooted in clarity, alignment, and joy. 1:12 – Pallavi’s personal branding definition, self-description, favorite childhood quote, and energizing songs 5:37 – The influence of Pallavi’s upbringing on her brand and her career path from engineering to HR leadership 8:30 – What led to the creation of Pallavi’s Lead From Within program and ATM framework 10:17 – Pallavi’s tips for building your personal branding with authenticity and the impact of lived experiences on your brand  17:33 – The premise of Pallavi’s program and framework, and how they help strengthen personal growth and empowerment 21:03 – The three steps of the ATM framework and the benefit of consistently implementing it  29:20 – Common mistakes from not leading from within that lead to burnout and ineffectiveness 36:18 – How traumatic memories can impact your perception and those of generations to follow 40:20 – Why organizations should incorporate the ATM framework 45:18 - A breakthrough Pallavi achieved from using her framework and how to start tapping into the power within you 49:15 – What Pallavi will never do to compromise her personal brand and the magic she brings to a standing-room-only Mentioned In Lead From Within to Stop Surviving and Start Leading with Pallavi Jain Pallavi Jain  The A.T.M. Framework For Personal Growth | Pallavi Jain | TEDxWilmingtonSalon 2025 Intention and Goal Setting Webinar Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review. Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Sponsor for this episode PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

    52 min
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This is the Branding Room Only podcast with Paula T. Edgar where we share career stories, strategies, and lessons learned on how industry leaders and influencers have built their personal brands.

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