Influential Women Podcast

Influential Women
  • 4.9 (12)
  • Business

Influential Women Podcast features conversations with women leaders, founders, professionals, and subject matter experts about leadership, careers, entrepreneurship, visibility, and personal growth. The podcast is part of Influential Women, a professional media and editorial platform Hosted by Jodie O’Brien, each episode shares real stories from entrepreneurs, executives, creators, and changemakers, exploring the decisions, challenges, and turning points that shaped their journeys. Podcast hub: ⁠https://influentialwomen.com/podcasts⁠ IMDb: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/title/tt42561398/⁠

  1. 6h ago

    Keep the Heart: How to Grow Without Losing What Makes You Special | Bobbie Lloyd

    What does it take to grow a beloved brand without losing the heart of what made people love it in the first place? In this episode of the Influential Women Podcast, host Jodie O'Brien sits down with Bobbie Lloyd, Chief Brand Officer and Chief Baking Officer of Magnolia Bakery, to discuss leadership, brand stewardship, company culture, hospitality, innovation, and what it takes to grow while staying true to your values. Over more than two decades with Magnolia Bakery, Bobbie has helped guide the company through extraordinary growth while serving in roles including COO, President, and CEO. Today, she continues to protect and evolve the brand by understanding which traditions matter, which processes can change, and why the strongest brands are built from the inside out. For Bobbie, sustainable growth begins with people, kindness, trust, and a clear understanding of what makes your organization special. In this episode, Bobbie shares: How to grow a beloved brand without losing its identityWhy company culture has to be built from the inside outHow to know when to embrace change and when to protect traditionWhy “we've always done it this way” isn't always a reason to keep doing itHow failure can become an important part of your growthWhy great leadership starts with making people feel seen, heard, understood, and appreciatedHow hospitality creates meaningful connections with customersWhy knowing your values makes it easier to say noHow mentorship can shape the next generation of women leadersWhy Bobbie wants to see more women represented in C-suite leadershipHow business growth can create career and ownership opportunities for othersWhy trusting yourself matters at every stage of your careerWhether you're building a business, leading a team, navigating change, or figuring out how to grow without losing sight of what matters most, Bobbie's story offers a thoughtful reminder that progress doesn't require abandoning what made you special. Sometimes the key is knowing what deserves to grow with you. Connect with Bobbie Lloyd Magnolia Bakery: https://www.magnoliabakery.com/ The Magnolia Bakery Handbook of Icebox Desserts: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-magnolia-bakery-handbook-of-icebox-desserts-bobbie-lloyd?variant=43012145807394

  2. Sep 4

    Bet on Yourself: Grit, Leadership, and Opening Doors for Others | Chef Tiffany Derry

    What happens when you stop trying to become who everyone else expects you to be and finally decide to bet on yourself? Chef, restaurateur, entrepreneur, and television personality Chef Tiffany Derry joins host Jodie O’Brien on the Influential Women Podcast to talk about purposeful leadership, mentorship, creating opportunities for others, and the grit it takes to bet on yourself. A James Beard Award finalist and MasterChef judge, Tiffany is the founder of Tiffany Derry Concepts and co-founder of T2D Concepts, the hospitality group behind Roots Southern Table, Roots Chicken Shak, and Radici Wood-Fired Grill. Tiffany’s journey began with rejection. At 15, she was denied the cooking job she wanted and instead found another way into the restaurant industry. Years later, after an unexpected restaurant closure left her facing a team that depended on her, she became determined to take greater ownership of her future and build opportunities for others. She also opens up about the moment she realized she had been shaping herself around what other people expected from her. Her decision to finally “bet on me” ultimately shaped more than Tiffany’s own career. It influenced the kind of leader she wanted to become, from building healthier restaurant cultures and mentoring emerging talent to creating pathways toward business ownership for people who haven’t always had access to them. In this episode, you’ll learn: What it really means to bet on yourselfHow Tiffany turned early rejection into gritWhy authenticity matters in leadershipHow leaders can create healthier workplace culturesWhy Tiffany implemented a four-day workweekWhy hospitality starts with the way you treat your own teamHow mentorship combines opportunity with accountabilityWhy creating pathways toward ownership mattersWhat moving from competitor to judge taught Tiffany about taking risksWhy preparation has to accompany ambitionHow to start pursuing what you want before you feel completely readyWhy sometimes all you need is one yes Tiffany’s story is a reminder that betting on yourself isn’t only about creating your own success. It’s about deciding what kind of leader you’ll become once you have the opportunity to help someone else succeed, too. Connect with Chef Tiffany Derry: Tiffany Derry Concepts: https://www.tiffanyderryconcepts.com Roots Southern Table: https://www.rootssoutherntable.com Radici Wood-Fired Grill: https://www.radiciwoodfiredgrill.com The Landing: https://www.thelandingbyt2d.com  Syrup + Sno: https://www.syrupsno.com

  3. Aug 28

    Building the Dream Before Anyone Else Believes It | Aarthi Sampath

    How do you build a dream that no one else can see yet? In this episode of the Influential Women Podcast, host Jodie O'Brien sits down with celebrated chef, entrepreneur, and restaurateur Aarthi Sampath, founder of Drāvida, to discuss resilience, entrepreneurship, leadership, and the courage to trust your vision. Born and raised in Mumbai, Aarthi moved to the United States and rebuilt her career from the ground up. After training in Michelin-starred kitchens, winning Chopped, defeating Bobby Flay, and scaling her CookUnity meal program to more than 50,000 meals each week, she opened Drāvida—a restaurant that celebrates the diverse flavors and stories of the South Asian diaspora. Throughout her journey, she stayed committed to one belief: success starts by believing in yourself before anyone else does. In this episode, you'll learn: How believing in yourself can carry you through rejection, setbacks, and uncertainty.Why showing up consistently matters more than achieving perfection.How to stop seeking validation and start trusting your own vision.What it takes to build a business without outside investors while staying true to your purpose.Why embracing creativity doesn't mean sacrificing authenticity.How writing down your goals can help turn long-term dreams into reality.The often unseen realities of entrepreneurship, from loneliness to resilience.Why building confidence begins by trusting yourself before anyone else does. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative professional, aspiring leader, or someone pursuing a dream that feels bigger than your current circumstances, Aarthi's story is a reminder that success begins long before the world recognizes it. As Aarthi shares throughout the conversation, building a meaningful life isn't about waiting for the perfect opportunity—it's about believing in your vision, putting in the work, and continuing to show up until your dream becomes reality. Connect with Aarthi 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aarthi_sampath/ 🍽️ Drāvida: https://dravidanyc.com/ 📷 Drāvida Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dravidanyc

  4. Aug 17

    Why Your Next Chapter Doesn't Require Permission | Deborah Sass

    What if the skills you've spent years building are exactly what a completely different industry needs? In this episode of the Influential Women Podcast, host Jodie O'Brien sits down with Deborah Sass, CEO and Founder of SpaceVrse, to discuss career reinvention, leadership, confidence, and building opportunities where none seem to exist. After spending more than two decades at companies including Amazon, Shazam, Spotify, and SpaceHero, Deborah made the bold decision to leave the digital entertainment industry and enter the space sector without a technical background or traditional credentials. Rather than seeing her lack of experience as a disadvantage, she recognized that the leadership, community-building, and platform expertise she'd developed throughout her career were exactly what the industry needed. Today, Deborah leads a global platform connecting professionals across more than 150 countries while encouraging others to embrace change, trust themselves, and redefine what's possible. In this episode, Deborah shares: Why transferable skills matter more than you thinkHow to confidently navigate career reinventionWhy women often underestimate their own abilitiesWhat it means to build a business without waiting for permissionHow storytelling creates stronger brands and communitiesThe importance of trusting your intuitionWhy delegation is one of the most valuable leadership skillsHow to embrace opportunities outside your comfort zoneWhy geography shouldn't limit your ambitionsHow your next chapter can become your greatest opportunity Whether you're considering a career change, starting a business, or stepping into a leadership role, Deborah's journey offers practical advice and inspiring perspective for anyone ready to embrace what's next.

  5. Aug 7

    It's Never Too Late: Reinventing Yourself at Any Age | Midori Verity | Influential Women Podcast

    What happens when your biggest opportunity comes after you've already built a successful career? In this episode of the Influential Women Podcast, host Jodie O'Brien sits down with entrepreneur, sales strategist, and FireCoach founder Midori Verity to discuss career reinvention, confidence, artificial intelligence, and why your greatest advantage may be the experience you've already earned. After spending more than 25 years building businesses and leading sales organizations, Midori launched her first software company at age 56 without a technical background. She shares how embracing lifelong learning, stepping outside her comfort zone, and trusting the value of her own experience helped her build an entirely new chapter. In this episode, Midori Shares: Why it's never too late to reinvent yourselfHow experience becomes your greatest competitive advantageWhy women often underestimate their own accomplishmentsHow confidence grows through actionThe importance of lifelong learning in today's rapidly changing worldHow neuroplasticity can help reshape limiting beliefsWhy authentic human connection remains invaluable in the age of AIPractical ways to overcome imposter syndromeWhy every season of life serves a purposeHow curiosity can become one of your greatest leadership strengthsWhether you're considering a career transition, starting a business, or simply wondering what's next, Midori's story offers practical wisdom and encouragement for anyone ready to embrace new possibilities. Connect with Midori Verity Website: https://firecoach.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/midoriverity/ FireCoach: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firecoach-ai/

  6. Jul 27

    The Gold Medal Mindset: Finding Strength After Life Changes Everything | Amy Van Dyken

    What happens when one of the most decorated Olympians in American history is forced to redefine what winning looks like? In this episode of the Influential Women Podcast, host Jodie O'Brien sits down with six-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Emmy Award-winning NBC Olympic analyst Amy Van Dyken to discuss resilience, perseverance, gratitude, and rebuilding life after unimaginable adversity. After a spinal cord injury left her paralyzed from the waist down, Amy discovered that the mindset that helped her become an Olympic champion could also help her navigate one of life's greatest challenges. Today, she shares how her accident transformed her perspective, strengthened her compassion, and taught her that some of life's greatest victories happen far beyond the finish line. In this episode, you'll learn: How Amy rebuilt her life after a life-changing spinal cord injuryWhy resilience is a skill anyone can developHow elite athletes train their mindset to overcome adversityWhy success looks different after tragedyThe power of gratitude during difficult seasonsHow asking for help became one of Amy's greatest strengthsWhy perspective changes everythingWhat it means to develop the "will to win"How compassion became one of Amy's greatest giftsWhy your greatest challenge can become your greatest opportunityWhether you're navigating personal hardship, career transitions, or simply looking for inspiration, Amy's story offers practical wisdom and hope for anyone learning to move forward after life changes unexpectedly. Connect with Amy Van Dyken Website: https://www.amyvandyken.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyvandyken/

  7. Jul 17

    Seen by AI, Chosen by People: Building Trust in the Future of Search | Heather Holmes

    How will customers find your business in a world where AI is changing the way people search? In this episode of the Influential Women Podcast, host Jodie O'Brien sits down with entrepreneur, author, and AI visibility expert Heather Holmes to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming brand discovery, why trust has become the most valuable marketing asset, and what founders can do today to stay visible in the future. Heather Holmes is the Founder and CEO of Publicity For Good, the nation's leading communications agency for purpose-driven brands. She is also the author of Seen by AI, Found by Customers and a recognized expert on AI visibility, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Through Publicity For Good, Heather has helped more than 500 brands grow through strategic storytelling, earned media, and authority-building strategies that strengthen visibility across both Google and AI-powered search platforms. In this conversation, Heather shares: Why AI is changing the way customers discover businesses How media coverage helps brands become visible in AI search Where founders should invest when marketing budgets are limited Why local media and podcasts remain powerful growth tools The importance of founder-led content and authentic storytelling How AI should support your business instead of replacing human connection Why systems and automation create more freedom for entrepreneurs Heather's approach to balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship How being fully present creates better leadership Why choosing the right mentors changes the trajectory of your careerWhat purpose-driven brands must do to remain discoverable in an AI-first worldWhy authenticity is becoming every company's greatest competitive advantageCONNECT WITH HEATHER HOLMES Website:https://publicityforgood.com Book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3X6GTDL Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/publicityforgood/https://www.instagram.com/heatherdesantis/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherholmespr/https://www.linkedin.com/company/publicity-for-good/posts/?feedView=all

  8. Jul 10

    Modern Dating Sucks: Why Your Love Story Doesn't Have To | Jackie Dorman

    Is modern dating really broken—or have we been looking for love the wrong way? In this episode of the Influential Women Podcast, host Jodie O'Brien sits down with relationship expert, bestselling author, and founder of The Last Year Single Movement, Jackie Dorman, to explore why dating feels harder than ever, what dating apps get wrong, and how self-awareness is the foundation for building meaningful, lasting relationships. Jackie Dorman is a relationship coach, matchmaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Last Year Single Movement. After more than 25 years as a television executive, she dedicated her career to helping marriage-minded singles overcome dating burnout, break unhealthy relationship patterns, and prepare for lasting love through her proprietary Heartwork methodology. Her upcoming book, Modern Dating Sucks, offers a practical guide for navigating today's dating culture with confidence and intention. In this conversation, Jackie shares:: Why modern dating may be broken, but your love story doesn't have toHow dating apps use the same psychology as slot machinesWhy more choices don't necessarily lead to better relationshipsThe difference between preferences and true non-negotiablesWhy self-awareness is one of the most important qualities in a partnerHow identity shapes the way we date, communicate, and build relationshipsWhat it really means to become relationally readyWhy Gen Z is rediscovering the value of marriage and commitmentHow to navigate dating after divorce or later in lifeWhy meaningful relationships require intention—not just chemistryHow to build lasting connection in a world driven by convenience and technology CONNECT WITH JACKIE DORMAN Website:www.jackiedorman.com Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jackiedormanofficial/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/jackiedormanofficial TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@jackiedormanofficial YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@JackieDorman

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4.9
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Influential Women Podcast features conversations with women leaders, founders, professionals, and subject matter experts about leadership, careers, entrepreneurship, visibility, and personal growth. The podcast is part of Influential Women, a professional media and editorial platform Hosted by Jodie O’Brien, each episode shares real stories from entrepreneurs, executives, creators, and changemakers, exploring the decisions, challenges, and turning points that shaped their journeys. Podcast hub: ⁠https://influentialwomen.com/podcasts⁠ IMDb: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/title/tt42561398/⁠

Information

  • Creator
    Influential Women
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Influential Women
  • Show Website
    Influential Women Podcast