
156 episodes

Brave Women at Work Jen Pestikas
-
- Business
-
-
5.0 • 53 Ratings
-
Leadership positions in corporations are overwhelmingly held by men. Women who want to advance their careers and have equal representation at the table face enormous obstacles in today's society. They are frequently viewed through the lens of stereotypes, making it difficult for them to demonstrate their worth. In response, it's only natural that they keep their heads down and wallow in their insecurities. Don't you wish there was a guidebook for women to use as they enter the workforce? With this, they could have a much easier time navigating the complex environment.
Since there isn't anything like it out there, Jen Pestikas created a podcast called Brave Women at Work to fill the void. This show encourages women to believe in themselves and take charge of their professional lives so that they can progress to the next level.
Each episode is devoted to a different set of issues that prevent professional women from reaching their full potential and obtaining the leadership positions they seek. Burnout and imposter syndrome are two common causes of self-sabotage. Learn to break free of the victim mentality and the distractions that prevent you from speaking up, and you will have taken the first step toward removing those obstacles. Get out of your comfort zone and into the path to achieving much larger objectives. Use the information you gain from this show to help you realize your full potential, then stand firm against the unjust demands of the business world.
Listen in on discussions that teach you how to advocate for yourself and let others recognize the value you bring to the workplace. Don't let the long hours you spend at work make you feel bored or unappreciated. Find out when it's appropriate to negotiate your salary, your hours, and your position to get the most out of your job. One should not put their professional success in the hands of others. Take advantage of your unique abilities to make significant strides in your career.
For over twenty years, Jen has worked as a Certified Career and Leadership Coach in the business world, and now she's bringing that knowledge to the podcast audience. She'll show you how to succeed professionally without sacrificing your personal life or putting on a false front. Gain self-assurance and knock down roadblocks to success with the help of Jen's insightful advice.
In addition to her extensive expertise, Jen shares uplifting takeaways from her own corporate experience. Both burnout and the "imposter syndrome" have affected her. She struggled with many self-limiting beliefs and experienced her share of professional dissatisfaction. After spending many years in the predominantly male investment services industry, Jen learned what it takes to stand out as a strong, career-focused woman. She overcame adversity and is now the Senior Vice President of Business Development at a thriving financial institution. She is a shining proof of how far one can go in their careers by playing to their strengths and removing any self-doubt that may have been holding them back.
On the podcast, Jen not only discusses her own life but also features interviews with other remarkable women. Find out how they overcame the obstacles they encountered in the business world and how they turned their setbacks into opportunities. These outstanding individuals were once in your shoes, and now you can benefit from their experiences and insights as you propel your own career to new heights.
As long as men dominate the corporate world, it will be difficult for women to advance. Don't let the gender gap stop you from pursuing your professional goals. Acquire the resources you need to fully realize your potential by following Jen's guidance and the examples of her amazing guests. Luck will not make you a good leader. Instead, make people listen to what you have to say, become your own advocate, and take bolder action in everything you do.
Listen to Brave Women at Work at https://bravewomenatwork.com/.
-
The Conscious Influencer: A Conversation On Racial Equity, Women's Rights, Foster Care, And More With Rachel Lauren
I have talked to many successful women in corporate, business owners, authors, speakers, doctors, lawyers, and more, but I have not talked with a socially conscious influencer. But today, I brought you Rachel Lauren. After today's conversation, I learned we can all be influencers with our platforms and voices. It's up to us to find what we are passionate about and go and do something good. Rachel's story motivated and inspired me, and I'm sure you will be, too.
During my chat with Rachel, we discussed:
- She is multi-passionate and has many different professional and personal roles.
- How she landed in her current role as Chief People Officer at Dream.org.
- Her long history in serving marginalized groups, whether that is through prison reform, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion, or foster-to-adoption.
- What a conscious influencer means and how Rachel has grown her following.
- How we can all use our voices to support one another and be conscious influencers. -
The Gut-Brain Axis: Healing The Gut To Improve Your Life With Dr. Erika La Vella
Harnessing the power of managing your stress is essential to our health. But when we fall into the abyss of trauma, pain, and chronic disease, it reshapes our body and brain. In this episode, to lead us into the path to recovery and explain the value of healing the gut, Dr. Erika La Vella sits with Jennifer Pestikas. Dr. Erika brings so much wealth in today’s conversation to further understand how the Body Keeps the Score. Tune in to this episode and be a Brave Woman at Work today.
During my chat with Dr. Erika, we discussed:
What led her to her work of helping others heal their guts and take control of their health?What is the gut-brain axis? Why is it bi-directional? And why it's important?Symptoms of gut dysfunction and what we can do about itSugar, oh beloved sugar, how it can wreak havoc on our health, and how we can learn to manage our need for it.The role that stress plays in all of this.And how healing our gut helps us be a braver women at work. -
Focus On Health: Embracing The Power Of Redirection, Routines, And Holistic Medicine With Caitlin Spears
As we inch closer to the end of 2023, are you starting to think about year-end or 2024 goals? When the leaves fall and the weather turns cold, I start turning inward and want to reflect and plan. One of the things that I always think about is my health. I thought it would be perfect timing to talk with Caitlin Spears, a coach who specializes in health and well-being. Caitlin also focuses on building the routines you need to reach your goals, which can benefit everyone, no matter your health situation. To be the best and bravest version of ourselves, we need to focus on health.
During my chat with Caitlin, we discussed:
The power of our failures and how they redirect us to the correct paths in our livesHow can we prevent our self-perceived failures from stopping us and keeping us stuck?How Caitlin pivoted from being on America’s Next Top Model to running a health and wellness coaching firmHow routines, both big and small, play a big part in our health and how we feel on a day-to-day basisThe difference between traditional and holistic medicine and how we can leverage both for wellnessCaitlin shares some of her routines that help her feel her best.Caitlin shares her advice for busy working women to take control of their health. -
Achieving Magnificence By Murdering Mediocrity With Shilpa Kulshreshtha
Let’s kick off our show with a quote today:
“It’s lonely at the top. 99% of people are convinced they are incapable of achieving great things, so they aim for mediocre. The level of competition is thus fiercest for ‘realistic’ goals, paradoxically making them the most competitive.” -Tim Ferriss
When I was introduced to my guest, Shilpa Kulshreshtha and her concept of murdering mediocrity, I took pause. The term even made me uncomfortable, but it stuck, and I knew that I needed to speak with Shilpa.
I started asking myself if I was living in mediocrity. Was I living in my comfort zone or really going for it in my life and career?
And what did I need to do to eliminate mediocrity in all areas of my life?
If you suspect that you may be hiding out in a comfort zone, playing second fiddle, or not taking center stage and shining your gifts and talents for all the world to see, listen in! You will gain inspiration and motivation from our conversation.
During my chat with Shilpa, we discussed:
What does mediocrity mean? What are the signs of being mediocre vs. extraordinary?How do we know if we are in the 1% or 99% as Tim Ferriss said in the above quote I shared to kick off the show?What does murdering mediocrity mean to Shilpa? Why did she decide to use the term “murdering”? It definitely stuck out to me.What are the telltale signs that we may be in a rut personally or professionally? How does Shilpa help her clients get out of these ruts?How can we take center stage in our own lives and not push ourselves to the side or act in that “support” role vs. a leadership role?What does it mean to play it full in our lives and careers? Shilpa has a book specifically on this topic called Play It Full: 7 Steps to Unlock Your Extraordinary Career. -
Stop Waiting For Perfect: Embrace Imperfection And Trust Your Dopeness With L'Oreal Thompson Payton
We talk a lot about perfectionism at Brave Women at Work, and how it can truly cripple us in achieving our goals and dreams. As Brené says, there is no perfection. I often tell my daughters, “Do your best and leave the rest.” I say this so I can hopefully break the cycle of perfectionism in my family. What about you? How has perfectionism affected you, your life, or your work?
I met my guest, L’Oreal Thompson Payton, in an interesting way. L’Oreal is a freelance writer and an author, so I stumbled on one of her freelance pieces and was enthralled by it. I connected with her on LinkedIn and asked her if she wanted to be on the show. It just so happened that her book, Stop Waiting for Perfect, was coming out soon, so she agreed. How about that for coincidence! On top of that, L’Oreal is a Chicagoan just like me. The synergies are crazy!
During my chat with L’Oreal, we discussed:
● What drove L’Oreal to write her book Stop Waiting for Perfect: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and into Your Power?
● How was this book her own personal lesson in not being perfect?
● What’s a success junkie and how can this book help them?
● Where does our lack of self-trust come from? How can we trust our dopeness?
● How black and other women of color face different societal and cultural expectations and how we can help them succeed in all places and spaces.
● How we can step out of our comfort zone and take our power back.
● And what black girl magic means to L’Oreal! I’ve seen it on memes and hashtags, but I wanted to hear it firsthand from someone truly creating black girl magic! -
Rediscovering Joy, Building Confidence, And Thriving Post-Divorce With Renée Bauer
To be a brave woman at work, you need to bring your whole self to work. This means the personal side, the professional side, the physical side, and the emotional side.
Today, we are going to talk about relationships, especially after divorce, with my guest Renée Bauer. Renée is passionate about helping women stand strong in their relationships, recognize red flags, determine when parting may be better than staying, and discover what comes next after divorce. This was an eye-opening conversation for me, and one that I’m sure you will benefit from, no matter what your relationship status.
During my chat with Renée, we discussed:
1. Why did Renée choose to be a divorce attorney to begin with?
2. What was Renée’s life and work like after her second divorce? How did it shape her purpose?
3. What motivated Renée to write the She Who Wins book? And what learnings about grit and resistance she had throughout that process?
4. How this book was her own personal lesson in not being perfect?
5. How rejection is not something to feel bad about, but something to learn and grow from?
6. How each of us have our own version of bullshit, and what to do with it.
7. How expectations can hamper our ability to grow and win at whatever we are doing.
8. And more.
Customer Reviews
Relevant and fascinating
Many of Jen’s recent guests have spoken directly to ME as a working mother navigating work, identify, life and parenthood. Jen does a wonderful job of pulling fascinating insights and asking questions to break down complex topics—making them not only relevant but accessible.
Great Show with Great Guests!
Entrepreneur and former corporate professional of 30+ years here! Just wanted to share how much I love this show! It's a must-watch for all women in business. Jen's guests are smart, powerful, and inspiring. The diversity of subjects covered has been incredibly helpful to me. Thank you, Jen, for providing such valuable content!
Exactly What A Well-Rounded Executive Needs To Hear!
Jen talks about all the things we need to hear; presentation skills, negotiation, how to stand out without annoying others, and checking in with your executive presence.
A must listen for every woman in corporate!