The Empowered Career Woman Podcast

Lisa McCluskey, MBA
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Business
  • Updated Biweekly

The rise to the top is not always a straight line. Sometimes the bend in the road is the most challenging, yet it leads us to where we are meant to be. If you are an aspiring business leader or entrepreneur, listen as host Lisa McCluskey shares stories of successful women and their life, loves, and rise to the top. These leaders share insightful advice to help others who are on the career ladder or just starting out.

Episodes

  1. 07/16/2025

    Ep. 10 - Brenda Bridges, Founder, Bridging Divorce Solutions

    The rise to the top is full of twists and turns and no one knows this better than Brenda Bridges, founder of Bridging Divorce Solutions, LLC. From advertising sales to stay-at-home-mom to yoga instructor, financial advisor, and now the owner of her own firm, Brenda’s journey is defined by continuous learning and a willingness to stretch for new opportunities.  Brenda Bridges is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, mediator, and Certified Divorce Coach who helps people navigate one of life’s most difficult transitions with clarity, confidence, and calm. She’s the creator of the Informed Mediation™ process and a trained Collaborative Divorce professional, formerly serving as president of the Illinois Association of Collaborative Professionals. Now based in Chattanooga, she’s working to expand access to Collaborative Divorce in the region. Drawing from both personal experience and professional expertise, Brenda guides clients to make smart financial and parenting decisions—without court, chaos, or costly mistakes—so families can reshape their futures with respect and intention. Learn more about Brenda and her work at: www.bridgingdivorcesolutions.com  https://www.facebook.com/BridgingDivorce  instagram @bridgingdivorce  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendabridgingsolutions/ The Empowered Career Woman is presented by Medicare Misty. www.medicaremisty.com. Email: empoweredcareerwoman@gmail.com Facebook and Instagram: @emp.career.woman Produced by: Whitfield Media Group, Chattanooga, TN Editing: Tyler Owens About your host: Lisa McCluskey, MBA is a retired Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Physician Sales at CHI Memorial, Chattanooga. She is founder and host of the Silver Divorce Podcast and Empowered Career Woman podcast. Follow the Empowered Career Woman on Facebook and Instagram @emp.career.woman.   This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not intended as legal advice. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-empowered-career-woman-podcast/id1800040014 #womeninbusiness #femaleleaders #womenentrepreneurs #femaleentrepreneurs #chattanooga #empoweredcareerwomanpodcast #womensupportingwomen #inspiringwomen #divorce #divorcecoach #chattanooga #chattanoogatn #bridgingdivorce #brendabridges

  2. 07/02/2025

    Ep. 9 - Secrets to Getting Respect and Appreciation w/Dr. Veronica Anderson

    This episode is a departure from our normal format as we delve into the topic of how women can show up in the workplace, be seen, be heard, and receive the respect we deserve. Dr. Veronica shares her enlightening and practical method for creating successful careers and fulfilling relationships. She also reveals the secret to getting and keeping the respect and appreciation that you crave, but haven’t figured out how to get reliably.  Dr. Veronica Anderson is a visionary leader, accomplished physician, and the founder of Rosewater Falls, a transformative organization that combines the best of conventional medicine, integrative health, and leadership development to create a holistic approach to organizational transformation. She is the best-selling author of 4 books, including her most recent, “Get the Respect You Deserve: 7 Secrets to Getting Seen and Heard in Your Job and Relationships”  which is incredibly important for the listeners of this podcast.  You can learn more about Dr. Anderson on her LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and on her website at drveronica.com. The Empowered Career Woman is presented by Medicare Misty. www.medicaremisty.com. Email: empoweredcareerwoman@gmail.com Facebook and Instagram: @emp.career.woman Produced by: Whitfield Media Group, Chattanooga, TN Editing: Tyler Owens About your host: Lisa McCluskey, MBA is a retired Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Physician Sales at CHI Memorial, Chattanooga. She is founder and host of the Silver Divorce Podcast and Empowered Career Woman podcast. Follow the Empowered Career Woman on Facebook and Instagram @emp.career.woman.   This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not intended as legal advice. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2A6hDaxHqND2wI2fWsWB9w Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-empowered-career-woman-podcast/id1800040014 #womeninbusiness #femaleleaders #womenentrepreneurs #femaleentrepreneurs #chattanooga #empoweredcareerwomanpodcast #womensupportingwomen #inspiringwomen #Philanthropyleader #fundraisingleader #chattanooga #chattanoogatn #rosewaterfalls #drveronicaanderson

  3. 06/18/2025

    Ep. 8 - Jennifer Willis Nicely, VP Philanthropy S Region/President,CHI Memorial Foundation

    The rise to the top is full of twists and turns. Listen as Jennifer Willis Nicely, VP Philanthropy South Region and CHI Memorial Foundation President, shares her career journey, the impact of a variety of mentors, and her decision to step back to better position herself for a larger role in the future. Jennifer is responsible for philanthropy initiatives in CommonSpirit’s Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas markets. She also leads the Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana, a $120 million grant-making entity in the Greater Louisville area.  She received her B.A. in English with a Business Administration minor from Vanderbilt University. She was named a Fellow of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy in 2024, earned her CFRE in 2003, received CommonSpirit’s inaugural Values in Philanthropy Award in 2021, was honored as the 2024 AFP Chattanooga Chapter’s Philanthropy Day Outstanding Fundraising Professional, received the Athena Leadership Award in 2021, and is a Leadership Chattanooga graduate. Jennifer’s community involvement is extensive and her other professional affiliations include the Rotary Club of Chattanooga.  She shares wise advice for women navigating male dominated power structures and the role a variety of mentors played in her future success.  Follow Jennifer on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-nicely-fahp-cfre-0570b88. The Empowered Career Woman is presented by Medicare Misty. www.medicaremisty.com. Email: empoweredcareerwoman@gmail.com Facebook and Instagram: @emp.career.woman Produced by: Whitfield Media Group, Chattanooga, TN Editing: Tyler Owens About your host: Lisa McCluskey, MBA is a retired Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Physician Sales at CHI Memorial, Chattanooga. She is founder and host of the Silver Divorce Podcast and Empowered Career Woman podcast. Follow the Empowered Career Woman on Facebook and Instagram @emp.career.woman.   This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not intended as legal advice. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2A6hDaxHqND2wI2fWsWB9w Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-empowered-career-woman-podcast/id1800040014 #womeninbusiness #femaleleaders #womenentrepreneurs #femaleentrepreneurs #chattanooga #empoweredcareerwomanpodcast #womensupportingwomen #inspiringwomen #Philanthropyleader #fundraisingleader #chattanooga #chattanoogatn #commonspirithealth #chimemorial #medicaremisty

  4. 06/04/2025

    Ep. 7 - Maggie Carrington, Founder & CSO HRHabitude

    The rise to the top is full of twists and turns. Listen as Maggie Carrington, founder and Chief Strategy Officer for HR Habitude shares her career journey and decision to start her own firm at age 60. Maggie Carrington is a seasoned HR strategist and business advisor with over 35 years of experience transforming people operations into powerful drivers of performance, culture, and growth. Trusted by executive teams and boards alike, Maggie has helped organizations across industries. In doing so, she has enabled organizations to enjoy optimized, award-winning team performance, achieved cost efficiencies, elevated efficiencies throughout the employee lifecycle, and helped create transformative employee experiences. Known for bridging the gap between people and profit, Maggie brings a data-driven approach to workforce transformation—ensuring people strategy is a true driver of the bottom line. To broaden her impact, Maggie founded HR Habitude: Making Work A Better Place To Be® to provide fractional and project-based human resources consulting services to organizations and career coaching to professionals. In 2024, Maggie and Denise, a colleague, launched Candor & Courage At Work® to share lessons they've learned by being candid and courageous as HR leaders to enable professionals of all walks to use those traits in daily work life to be more successful. You may follow Maggie at https://www.hrhabitude.com/ and her podcast at https://www.hrhabitude.com/podcast The Empowered Career Woman is presented by Medicare Misty. www.medicaremisty.com. Email: empoweredcareerwoman@gmail.com Facebook and Instagram: @emp.career.woman Produced by: Whitfield Media Group, Chattanooga, TN Editing: Tyler Owens About your host: Lisa McCluskey, MBA is a retired Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Physician Sales at CHI Memorial, Chattanooga. She is founder and host of the Silver Divorce Podcast and Empowered Career Woman podcast. Follow the Empowered Career Woman on Facebook and Instagram @emp.career.woman.   This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not intended as legal advice. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2A6hDaxHqND2wI2fWsWB9w Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-empowered-career-woman-podcast/id1800040014 #womeninbusiness #femaleleaders #womenentrepreneurs #femaleentrepreneurs #chattanooga #empoweredcareerwomanpodcast #womensupportingwomen #inspiringwomen #HRleader #hrhabitude #medicaremisty

  5. 05/21/2025

    Ep. 6 - Misty Bolt, founder of MedicareMisty

    The rise to the top is full of twists and turns. Listen as Misty Bolt, an insurance broker whose brand, Medicare Misty, is synonymous with Medicare. She is an author, in-demand speaker, has her own cooking show, talk show, magazine and radio show. She is a true marketing innovator. Misty’s college aspirations were in the psychiatric field, but she quickly realized her interest and strength was business. She earned her marketing and sales chops at Enterprise Rent a Car, where she learned how to build and operate a business. Her dream job was to be a pharmaceutical rep, yet her inability to score a position was the best course for her future. Misty entered healthcare at Unum, selling long-term care insurance. After a layoff from the insurance industry, Misty started a company focused on providing consumers and businesses with options for health insurance coverage at one small room in a church to an extensive network of 50 agents serving people across the United States. Misty shares her wisdom in reinvesting in the business for optimal growth and how to persevere during hard times. How she pivoted during COVID to continue working with people during lock down. How she managed to juggle her son’s needs when she was growing a business as a single mother. When facing her son’s brain cancer, how her investment in her team allowed her to take four months off to care for her son. You may follow Misty at www.medicaremisty.com Social Media: Medicare Misty, MedicareMisty Bus, MedicareMisty’s Let’s Talk Magazine The Empowered Career Woman is presented by Medicare Misty. www.medicaremisty.com. Email: empoweredcareerwoman@gmail.com Facebook and Instagram: @emp.career.woman Produced by: Whitfield Media Group, Chattanooga, TN Editing: Tyler Owens About your host: Lisa McCluskey, MBA is a retired Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Physician Sales at CHI Memorial, Chattanooga. She is founder and host of the Silver Divorce Podcast and Empowered Career Woman podcast. Follow the Empowered Career Woman on Facebook and Instagram @emp.career.woman.   This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not intended as legal advice. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2A6hDaxHqND2wI2fWsWB9w Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-empowered-career-woman-podcast/id1800040014 #womeninbusiness #femaleleaders #womenentrepreneurs #femaleentrepreneurs #chattanooga #empoweredcareerwomanpodcast #womensupportingwomen #inspiringwomen #medicaremisty #medicare

  6. 05/07/2025

    Ep. 5 - Emily Niespodziany, VP & Chief Development Officer Erlanger Health

    The rise to the top is full of twists and turns. Listen as Emily Niespodziany, Vice President and Chief Development Officer for Erlanger Health and the Erlanger Foundation shares her journey and wisdom. Erlanger Health is a nationally-acclaimed, multi-hospital health system anchored by a leading academic medical center. It is also home to Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, LifeForce Air Ambulance, and the Erlanger Southeast Regional Stroke Center. Emily recently accepted the role of Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Erlanger Health. Prior to this, she dedicated 16 years to the American Heart Association, where she served as the Executive Director for the Chattanooga and Georgia communities. During her ime with American Heart, Emily and her team successfully raised over $22 million to fund essential research, education, and community-based initiatives. While her career has been centered around operational management and fundraising, Emily's true passion lies in leadership, strategy, staff development and public health. In her current position, she aims to enhance the philanthropic efforts of the Erlanger Foundation, furthering the health system’s mission of providing compassionate patient care.  Emily's achievements have been recognized with multiple awards from the American Heart Association, including the Long Distance Runner award, Outstanding Fundraising Performance award, and the State Advocacy Collaboration award. She has also contributed to her community as a past board member of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, a participant in the Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute, and the development committee for St. Peter and Paul Parish. Additionally, she served on the advisory board for UTC’s Master of Public Health program and was honored as one of the “30 under 30” in CityScope magazine and featured on the cover of HealthScope Magazine. Outside of work, Emily enjoys outdoor activities and traveling with her husband and three children. You may follow Emily’s work at www.erlangerfoundation.org  Facebook: Erlanger and Erlanger Foundation  Instagram: @ErlangerFoundation The Empowered Career Woman is presented by Medicare Misty. www.medicaremisty.com. Email: empoweredcareerwoman@gmail.com Facebook and Instagram: @emp.career.woman Produced by: Whitfield Media Group, Chattanooga, TN Editing: Tyler Owens About your host: Lisa McCluskey, MBA is a retired Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Physician Sales at CHI Memorial, Chattanooga. She is founder and host of the Silver Divorce Podcast and Empowered Career Woman podcast. Follow the Empowered Career Woman on Facebook and Instagram @emp.career.woman.   This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not intended as legal advice. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2A6hDaxHqND2wI2fWsWB9w Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-empowered-career-woman-podcast/id1800040014#womeninbusiness #femaleleaders #womenentrepreneurs #femaleentrepreneurs #chattanooga #empoweredcareerwomanpodcast #magicfeetinsoles #womensupportingwomen #inspiringwomen

  7. 04/16/2025

    Ep. 4 - Doris Collier, President/CEO Magic Feet LLC & Actor

    The rise to the top is full of twists and turns. Listen as Doris Collier, an actor and President/CEO of Magic Feet LLC, shares the secrets to her success with seven films and one TV series to her credit, Founder of an international brand, and Chair of the board for Raising Dreamers. Doris is married to an Emergency Room physician. In 2005, he related a story of how many people he cared for were suffering from back pain due to standing on concrete during their work shift. That simple conversation sparked an idea for Doris to find a solution that would ease the pain of these workers. Doris went on to found Magic Feet LLC, and the brand is now sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.  Even though Doris was a busy executive, she felt the pull of Hollywood and has acted in The Colors of Emily, The Borrowed Christmas, College Bound: Window of Hope, Certificate of Completion, Saving Faith, One by One, Real Love,  the Dream Motel, and more.  Doris is a woman of deep faith and is chairing the board of Raising Dreamers Ministries, traveling the country to give opportunities for women to deepen their faith and experience spiritual growth in all areas of their lives.  Visit www.magicfeetinsoles.com or https://raisingdreamersministries.org to learn more about Doris’ work. The Empowered Career Woman is presented by Medicare Misty. www.medicaremisty.com. Email: empoweredcareerwoman@gmail.com Facebook and Instagram: @emp.career.woman Produced by: Whitfield Media Group, Chattanooga, TN Editing: Tyler Owens About your host: Lisa McCluskey, MBA is a retired Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Physician Sales at CHI Memorial, Chattanooga. She is founder and host of the Silver Divorce Podcast and Empowered Career Woman podcast. Follow the Empowered Career Woman on Facebook and Instagram @emp.career.woman.   This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not intended as legal advice. #womeninbusiness #femaleleaders #womenentrepreneurs #femaleentrepreneurs #chattanooga #empoweredcareerwomanpodcast #magicfeetinsoles #womensupportingwomen #inspiringwomen

  8. 04/02/2025

    Ep. 3 - Cheri Hale, SVP, Corporate Responsibility, CommonSpirit Health

    The rise to the top is full of twists and turns. Listen as Cheri Hale, Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility for CommonSpirit Health shares her rise to the top from her role as an auditor for Ernst & Young working on the CHI Memorial account to a Senior Vice President of a healthcare corporation with 2,200 care sites in 24 states. Cheri was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Her story is a testament to being intentional in making the right moves to advance your career. The Empowered Career Woman is presented by Medicare Misty. www.medicaremisty.com. Email: empoweredcareerwoman@gmail.com Facebook and Instagram: @emp.career.woman Produced by: Whitfield Media Group, Chattanooga, TN Editing: Tyler Owens About your host: Lisa McCluskey, MBA is a retired Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Physician Sales at CHI Memorial, Chattanooga. She is founder and host of the Silver Divorce Podcast and Empowered Career Woman podcast. Follow the Empowered Career Woman on Facebook and Instagram @emp.career.woman.   This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not intended as legal advice. #womeninbusiness #femaleleaders #womenentrepreneurs #femaleentrepreneurs #chattanooga #empoweredcareerwomanpodcast #chimemorial #commonspirithealth #corporateresponsibility

  9. 03/19/2025

    Ep. 2 - Dr. Renee Gordon, Author, Entrepreneur, International Speaker

    The rise to the top is full of twists and turns. Listen as Dr. Renee Gordon, an international speaker and author of 11  books shares her journey to becoming a mastermind in relationships and entrepreneur of a thriving business. Dr. Renee relates the story of how she was engaged to be married nine times before finding her husband, Jim, whom she has been married to for 25 years. Her missteps in her own relationships is what drove her to pursue an education focused on human behavior and create a coaching program to help others. Her career included being a design consultant with Anne Klein, a model for Shiseido Cosmetics, a real estate broker, and a student of fine cuisine. She relates the true near-death experience that had a profound experience on her life. Dr. Renee is the true definition of someone who mastered the art of pivoting in her career and shares her wise advice to advance in the workplace. The Empowered Career Woman is presented by Medicare Misty. www.medicaremisty.com. Email: empoweredcareerwoman@gmail.com Facebook and Instagram: @emp.career.woman Produced by: Whitfield Media Group, Chattanooga, TN Editing: Tyler Owens About your guest: Dr. Renee Gordon is a world-class relationship expert with over 14 years of uplifting hearts and guiding souls to their ultimate connections. As an in-demand international speaker and prolific author - penning titles like “Finding Your Love at Last,” its sequel “Finding Your Love at Last Duets “ for couples, and her best seller, “Swipe for Mr.Right” - she has been the architect of countless love stories. Dr. Renee boasts a Doctorate in Philosophical Theology and Advanced Human Sexuality. She resides in Chattanooga, TN and may be contacted at www.reneelovecoach.com or renee@reneelovecoach.com.. About your host: Lisa McCluskey, MBA is a retired Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Physician Sales at CHI Memorial, Chattanooga. She is founder and host of the Silver Divorce Podcast and Empowered Career Woman podcast. Follow the Empowered Career Woman on Facebook and Instagram @emp.career.woman.   This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and does not replace therapist or legal advice. #womeninbusiness #femaleleaders #womenentrepreneurs #femaleentrepreneurs #lovecoach #relationshipcoach #femaleauthors

  10. 03/11/2025

    PODCAST SWAP - An interview with Mike Costa, My Morning Cup

    This week, we are doing something different. A podcast swap featuring My Morning Cup with Mike Costa. Mike interviews leaders around the region as they discuss careers and life. I sat down with Mike to talk about my meandering career and how the Silver Divorce Podcast came to be. I hope you enjoy this departure from our norm. My Morning Cup is released on Mondays. If you like what you hear, head over to ⁠https://mymorningcup.podbean.com/ The Empowered Career Woman is proudly presented by MedicareMisty. www.medicaremisty.com Facebook & Instagram: @emp.career.woman Email: empoweredcareerwoman@gmail.com

  11. 03/04/2025

    Ep. 1 - Kim Chapman Whitfield, News Icon and Co-Founder of Miracle League

    Please follow and share this podcast with friends. The rise to the top is full of twists and turns. Listen as Kim Chapman Whitfield, an ABC and Fox affiliate anchor and co-founder of the Miracle League of Chattanooga, shares her journey in the news industry from its beginnings to becoming an icon in Chattanooga over the past 25 years.  Kim relates the story of when she took a stand against discrimination. She shares the heartwarming tale of how the Miracle League of Chattanooga came to be from a simple Facebook post and a tremendous grassroots effort. The Empowered Career Woman is presented by Medicare Misty. www.medicaremisty.com. Email: empoweredcareerwoman@gmail.com Facebook and Instagram: @emp.career.woman Produced by: Whitfield Media Group, Chattanooga, TN Editing: Tyler Owens About your guest: Kim Chapman Whitfield attended The State University of West Georgia where she majored in mass communications and minored in psychology. Her work has been recognized by the Associated Press. Kim is a co-founder and board member of the Miracle League of Chattanooga. The Miracle League is a world-wide baseball league for children with special needs. She co-anchors the NewsChannel 9 ABC 6 and 11 evening newscasts as well as First at 10 on FOX, and hosts the popular “Pay it Forward” segment. Follow her on Facebook @KimChapmanNC9 or on Twitter @KimChapmanNC9.  About your host: Lisa McCluskey, MBA is a retired Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Physician Sales at CHI Memorial, Chattanooga. She is founder and host of the Silver Divorce Podcast and the Empowered Career Woman podcast. Follow the Empowered Career Woman on Facebook and Instagram @emp.career.woman. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and does not provide legal advice.

  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The rise to the top is not always a straight line. Sometimes the bend in the road is the most challenging, yet it leads us to where we are meant to be. If you are an aspiring business leader or entrepreneur, listen as host Lisa McCluskey shares stories of successful women and their life, loves, and rise to the top. These leaders share insightful advice to help others who are on the career ladder or just starting out.

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