Have A Seat...Conversations With Women In The Workplace

Debra Coleman
  • 4.5 (17)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A lighthearted but heartfelt conversation with women about the work they do and the journey that brought them to pursue their career path. As of June 2025, Have A Seat…Conversations with Women in the Workplace has officially wrapped after five incredible years of stories, insights, and community. While I’m no longer actively producing new episodes, the full catalogue of conversations are still available on your favorite podcast platform and on this website. I’d love for you to have a seat and take a listen to conversations with women in the workplace.

  1. Until Next Time: A Love Letter to the Listeners of Have A Seat

    JUN 29

    Until Next Time: A Love Letter to the Listeners of Have A Seat

    Send us a text "If I had a mission for this podcast, it was this: to hold space for the voices of women in the workplace — in all their messy, brilliant, powerful, still-evolving glory. And each of you helped me do that." After five incredible years, I share one final message in this heartfelt farewell episode of Have A Seat...Conversations with Women in the Workplace. With honesty, gratitude, and a few happy tears, I reflect on the journey — from humble beginnings and standout guest moments to global listeners and personal growth behind the mic.  Whether you’ve been here since day one or just pulled up a chair, this episode is a love letter to everyone who made this podcast possible. It’s not goodbye — it’s see you later. Support the show Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation. Thanks for listening!

    23 min
  2. Talk Back, Speak Up: Gen Z, Communication & the Future of Work with Jenna Rogers

    JUN 22

    Talk Back, Speak Up: Gen Z, Communication & the Future of Work with Jenna Rogers

    Send us a text “Think of your career as a mosaic, it’s not going to be this linear climb up the corporate ladder that it once was, you are going to have experiences that take you in one direction, that add color to your mosaic, and that’s OK. It doesn’t have to make sense right now and it also doesn’t need to make sense to anyone other than you.” How do we help the next generation of women thrive in today’s workplace? In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Jenna Rogers—founder of Career Civility and workplace communication coach—who’s on a mission to equip Gen Z women with the tools they need to speak up, be heard, and succeed.  From decoding multi-generational communication challenges to breaking free from outdated corporate norms, Jenna shares powerful advice on navigating the modern workplace with clarity, confidence, and impact.  Whether you’re just starting out or leading a team of your own, this episode will leave you rethinking what it means to truly connect and lead with purpose. Connect with Jenna: Career Civility https://www.instagram.com/careercivility/ https://www.tiktok.com/@jennacareercivility Support the show Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation. Thanks for listening!

    29 min
  3. Permission Not Needed: Building Unshakable Confidence with Speaker & Author, Velera Wilson

    JUN 15

    Permission Not Needed: Building Unshakable Confidence with Speaker & Author, Velera Wilson

    Send us a text “We all have different levels of fear and doubt about our capabilities, embrace that and lean into your past wins, lean into those moments when you were afraid, exhausted, weren’t sure and yet still managed to get through it; see the result, refer to that, and keep going.” In this episode of Have A Seat, I sit down with Velera Wilson—global speaker and author of You’re Absolutely Worth It, for a candid conversation about confidence, self-worth, and what it really takes to stop playing small at work.  Velera shares how she went from being the “only one in the room” to becoming a powerful voice for women ready to break free from imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and people-pleasing.  From learning how to “do it scared” to asking for what you truly deserve, this episode is packed with mindset shifts, real talk, and permission to start showing up like you already belong—because spoiler alert: you do. Connect with Velera: Velera Wilson https://www.linkedin.com/in/velera-wilson/ You’re Absolutely Worth It Support the show Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation. Thanks for listening!

    33 min
  4. The Human Side of Leadership: A Conversation with Huong Bui & Angela Smith, Co-Founders, KaleidoWork

    JUN 8

    The Human Side of Leadership: A Conversation with Huong Bui & Angela Smith, Co-Founders, KaleidoWork

    Send us a text Angela:  "Those shifts [in work culture] allowed me to remain very career-driven and productive. If they hadn’t happened, I could’ve easily been part of the statistics of women who left the workforce because it was just too much." Huong:  "If a plant doesn’t thrive in the garden, we don’t blame the plant—we look at the environment. It’s the same in the workplace. We need to ask: What needs to change to help this person thrive?" In this insightful and heartfelt episode of Have a Seat, I sit down with Angela Smith and Huong Bui, co-founders of KaleidoWork, to explore what it truly means to create human-centric workplaces.  Drawing from their rich leadership experience and coaching work, Angela and Huong unpack the beliefs, behaviors, and systems that shape how we work—and how we can do it better. From redefining leadership and boundaries to dismantling outdated 9-to-5 norms, these two powerhouse women share powerful strategies for sustainable leadership and workplace well-being.  If you’ve ever felt burned out, unseen, or boxed in by traditional expectations, this conversation offers a refreshing, compassionate, and action-forward perspective. Connect with Huong & Angela: www.kaleidowork.com https://www.youtube.com/@kaleidowork Support the show Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation. Thanks for listening!

    47 min
  5. Kathy & Rhonda Are Expanding the Admin Table — Meet The BEA Network

    JUN 1

    Kathy & Rhonda Are Expanding the Admin Table — Meet The BEA Network

    Send us a text What keeps me going is knowing how important this role is and how we can learn and grow in these roles but the key is to know who you are and see yourself. Know your work and know your worth. ~ Kathy Having a lack of confidence not only begins to play on your own psyche, self esteem and self worth, but it will begin to also show up in your money, in missed promotions, opportunities and stretch assignments. ~ Rhonda In this episode, I sit down with the dynamic duo behind The BEA Network — Kathy A. Adams and Rhonda Augustus — two powerhouse executive assistants, leaders, and changemakers who are expanding what’s possible in the admin profession.  We chat about their inspiration for launching The Black Executive Admin Network, the importance of visibility and voice for Black admin professionals, and how their own career journeys led them to build the kind of community they wish they had.  If you’ve ever felt like there wasn’t space for you at the table, this conversation is your reminder that you can build your own — and invite others to thrive alongside you. Connect with Kathy & Rhonda Rhonda Augustus Website: The Confident Communicator LinkedIn: (2) Rhonda Augustus | LinkedIn Kathy A. Adams, MBA – Your #1 Admin Advocate Website: KathyAAdams.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyaadams-mba/ Business LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gfTFvirN The BEA Network Website: www.thebeanetwork.com LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14620215/ Support the show Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation. Thanks for listening!

    49 min
  6. I’m Fine. It’s Fine. Everything’s… Fine? Emotional Labor in Admin Life

    MAY 25

    I’m Fine. It’s Fine. Everything’s… Fine? Emotional Labor in Admin Life

    Send us a text "You don’t have to be composed 100% of the time. You don’t have to be the steady one, the cheerful one, the “office therapist” every single day. You can be messy. You can be human. And you can still be amazing at your job." In this heartfelt solo episode, I get real about a part of the admin role we don’t talk about enough: emotional labor.  From holding space for overwhelmed coworkers to staying composed while managing total chaos, admin professionals often carry the invisible weight of everyone else’s emotions — all while keeping their own in check. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.  Tune in as I unpack what emotional labor looks like in our world, how it shows up day after day, the toll it can quietly take, and how to start caring for yourself in the process. It’s honest, validating, and a must-listen for anyone who’s ever smiled through the stress and said, “It’s fine.” Support the show Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation. Thanks for listening!

    30 min
  7. Welcome Aboard! (Now Let’s Make It Make Sense), A Have A Seat Minicast

    MAY 18

    Welcome Aboard! (Now Let’s Make It Make Sense), A Have A Seat Minicast

    Send us a text “We’re not just welcoming someone to the team — we’re helping them feel like they actually belong there.” In this solo episode of Have a Seat, we're talking onboarding — but not from the new hire's perspective. Nope, this one’s for the admin professionals who actually make onboarding work.  From scheduling smarter 1:1s and dropping office culture cheat codes, to giving real campus tours (yes, the bathroom matters) and sharing local lunch secrets, I’m spilling the admin-side tea on how to make someone feel welcome and equipped.  Whether you're in the office or onboarding from afar, this episode is your reminder that when it comes to first impressions, we’re the ones who make it make sense. Support the show Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation. Thanks for listening!

    35 min
  8. Perception Is Everything: How You Show Up (Even on a Tuesday at 4:30)

    MAY 11

    Perception Is Everything: How You Show Up (Even on a Tuesday at 4:30)

    Send us a text "Sometimes it's not what you say, but how you say it that makes all the difference." Ever had one of those service experiences that just stuck with you? In this week’s mini episode of Have a Seat, I share a recent interaction with a rental car company that got me thinking about the power of perception—and how admin professionals are often the first impression, the voice, and the vibe of the entire organization. Whether you’re answering the phone, drafting an email, or greeting a guest, how you show up matters (even on a random Tuesday at 4:30). Tune in for a quick, honest reminder of why your presence as an admin pro carries more weight than you think—and how stellar communication can leave a lasting impact. Support the show Visit the Have A Seat website for more episodes at: www.haveaseatconversations.com or even better, leave me a quick voicemail at: https://www.haveaseatconversations.com/voicemail/ and let's continue the conversation. Thanks for listening!

    16 min
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4.5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

A lighthearted but heartfelt conversation with women about the work they do and the journey that brought them to pursue their career path. As of June 2025, Have A Seat…Conversations with Women in the Workplace has officially wrapped after five incredible years of stories, insights, and community. While I’m no longer actively producing new episodes, the full catalogue of conversations are still available on your favorite podcast platform and on this website. I’d love for you to have a seat and take a listen to conversations with women in the workplace.

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