Shows
The Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonThe Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance with Zach MercurioWelcome back to The Grey Areas Podcast! This week, we’re joined by Zach Mercurio, a researcher, speaker and author of The Invisible Leader and The Power of Mattering. Through his work with global brands like the US Army, Delta Airlines, and the National Park Service, Zach shares how purposeful leadership creates cultures where people truly feel seen, valued, and essential.In this episode, we dive deep into how leaders can build trust, repair broken relationships, and activate purpose at every level of an organization. Zach also shares real-world examples of how small, consistent acts of recognition ca...2025-05-1456 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonFrom Invisible to Influential: How Sophie Hirst, Workbaby CEO, Is Rewriting Early Career RulesWelcome back to The Grey Areas Podcast! This week, we’re joined by Sophie Hirst, career coach, viral TikTok creator, and founder of Workbaby. From magician’s assistant to Google exec, Sophie has done it all, and now she’s helping Gen Z navigate work with clarity, confidence, and influence.In this episode, we dig into how to communicate like a leader, build credibility before the title, and manage up without the cringe. Sophie shares powerful mindset shifts, practical templates, and the career truths no one teaches but everyone needs.Highlights include:2:43 – The two versions...2025-05-071h 07The Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonWhat Are You Worth? Breaking the Silence on Pay Transparency with Hannah WilliamsWelcome back to The Grey Areas Podcast! If you've ever been told it's “rude” to talk about money, or worried that asking about salary might tank your chances, this episode is your reminder that transparency is a tool for equity, not conflict.We're joined by Hannah Williams, creator of the viral movement Salary Transparency Street. What began as one bold video with a borrowed mic has become a national platform redefining how we talk about work, worth, and wages. Hannah shares her origin story, what she’s learned from thousands of candid conversations, and why values-first leadership is at...2025-04-301h 06The Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonThe Grey Areas of Parental Leave: Allison Whalen on Navigating Career Uncertainty Before, During & After LeaveWelcome back to The Grey Areas Podcast! This week, we’re diving deep into the often-overlooked transition back to work after parental leave—and what employers are missing when it comes to retention, career progression, and leadership accountability.We’re joined by Allison Whalen, co-founder and CEO of Parentaly, a platform reshaping how companies support employees during leave. Allison shares her raw and empowering journey through infertility, parental leave at a high-growth startup, and the career cliff so many new parents unknowingly face. From building a business while pregnant to surveying thousands of working parents, Allison brings unmatc...2025-04-2355 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonJillian Richardson on Making LinkedIn Weird: Thought Leadership Without the CringeWelcome back to The Grey Areas Podcast! If you’ve ever felt like you have nothing to say on Linkedin or worse, that you’ll get fired for saying the wrong thing, this episode is your permission slip to show up anyway (and make it weird).We’re joined by the endlessly brilliant and hilarious Jillian Richardson, a ghostwriter, writing coach, and the mind behind the viral “Make LinkedIn Weird” movement. Jillian breaks down how to turn your thoughts into compelling content, why ghostwriting is basically therapy, and how to build a platform without losing your personality, or your mi...2025-04-1650 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonB2B Marketing is Mid: Creative Hot Takes & Insights with Bridget PoetkerWelcome back to the Grey Areas podcast! Today’s episode is all about building a creative career that actually feels good, and what it takes to run a values-first business in a world obsessed with hustle.Our guest is Bridget Poetker, a brand strategist, copywriter, and the co-founder of Creative Little Planet, a content collective helping brands find their voice and cut the fluff. With over a decade of experience across agency life, startups, and solopreneurship, Bridget shares what it really looks like to grow a business without selling your soul or burning out!In th...2025-04-0951 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonLeadership Without the Politics: Ashley Rudolph on Confidence, Influence & Emotional IntelligenceWelcome back to the Grey Areas podcast! Today’s episode is all about navigating the messy middle, that murky space where leadership, influence, and emotional intelligence collide. Our guest is Ashley Rudolph, an executive coach, former tech VP, and the founder of a leadership coaching practice that empowers high achievers to rise fast without losing themselves along the way.In this episode, we unpack how to build influence before you have the title, what it really means to lead with emotional intelligence, and why knowing your values might be the ultimate leadership hack.Highlights include:2025-04-0258 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonBridging Generations: Navigating Gen Z, the Creator Economy, and Community Building with Lauren VilipsWelcome back to the Grey Areas podcast! Today, we’re diving into the intersection of brand building, creator partnerships, and how Gen Z is reshaping the future of marketing. Our guest is Lauren Vilips, a powerhouse community builder and strategist who knows exactly how to connect brands and creators in meaningful, scalable ways. As the creator acquisition strategist at Mavely, Lauren leads recruitment programs and partnerships that keep creators engaged, invested, and thriving. Before that, she spearheaded Bumble’s nationwide ambassador network, crafting influencer campaigns, campus activations, and community retreats that put authentic engagement first.In t...2025-03-2635 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonLeadership Without the Politics: Ashley Rudolph on Confidence, Influence & Emotional IntelligenceKelsey's Links For You:WebsiteGrey Areas InstagramKelsey's InstagramLinkedInTikTok2025-03-2458 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonManaging Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge with Melody WildingWelcome back to the Grey Areas podcast! This week, we’re joined by Melody Wilding, a human behaviour professor, award-winning executive career coach, and the author of Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge. Recognized as one of Insider’s most innovative career coaches, Melody blends psychology, neuroscience, and professional development to empower leaders to build trust, influence, and authority at work.In this episode, we dive into practical strategies for managing up, setting healthy boundaries, and taking control of your career—without changing your job title.Highlights includ...2025-03-1945 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonRylie Godoy on Waiting for the Right Position to Open UpWelcome back to the Grey Areas podcast! If you've ever felt stuck in your career, overlooked for promotions, or like you're doing all the right things but still not getting ahead, this episode is for you.This week, we’re joined by Rylie Godoy, a powerhouse career strategist who helps professionals break free from corporate stagnation and own their worth. After spending 13 years climbing the corporate ladder the hard way, Rylie realized the system wasn’t designed for people like her to succeed. Instead of playing by outdated rules, she took control—and now, she’s teaching others h...2025-03-1257 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonNavigating The Complexities of Leadership Without Losing Yourself with Connie GaoWelcome back to the Grey Areas podcast! This week, we’re joined by Connie Gao, a leadership coach dedicated to helping smart, driven, and empathetic leaders unlock their full potential. With a background rooted in research-backed frameworks from Columbia Business School and real-world experience in both startup and corporate environments, Connie brings a structured yet empathetic approach to leadership development.In this episode, we dive into burnout recovery, the grey areas of leadership, and how to balance empathy and accountability. We also explore the fine line between being a supportive leader and avoiding burnout yourself, plus why be...2025-03-0556 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonReclaiming Time: Ashley Chang on Reshaping Careers and Family Life with SundaysWelcome back to the Grey Areas podcast! This week, we’re joined by Ashley Chang, the inspiring CEO and co-founder of Sundays, a company dedicated to accelerating parents' careers while creating more quality family time. After a decade in product management, Ashley witnessed firsthand how parents, especially moms, are often forced to choose between their careers and their families. With Sundays, she’s on a mission to help parents reclaim their time and thrive both personally and professionally.Highlights include:• 2:00 - Ashley shares what inspired her to start Sundays and the moment that shifted her focus.•...2025-02-1933 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonUnpacking HR with DanfromHR: Insights on Careers, Feedback, and AdvocacyWelcome back to the Grey Areas podcast! In this episode, we are joined by Daniel Space, a seasoned HR business partner with experience at major companies like WebMD, Electronic Arts, and Spotify. Daniel is also the creator of the online persona DanfromHR, where he shares valuable career insights and debunks common HR myths through his content on TikTok.With a wealth of experience in both HR and career development, Daniel has become a trusted voice in the job search space, reaching a wide audience through his engaging social media presence, articles, and podcasts. Beyond his online persona...2025-01-2954 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonThe Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids and Come Back Stronger Than Ever with Neha RuchWelcome back to the Grey Areas podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Neha Ruch, founder of Mother Untitled and author of The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids and Come Back Stronger Than Ever. Neha is a trailblazer in reshaping how society views stay-at-home motherhood, offering a voice for ambitious women navigating career pauses or downshifts.Neha shares her personal journey from brand strategist and Stanford MBA graduate to embracing motherhood full-time. She reflects on the outdated stereotypes she encountered and her mission to catalyze a societal shift through Mother Untitled...2025-01-2241 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonRediscovering Passion and Purpose in Content Creation and Entrepreneurship with Danielle MossWelcome back to another episode of The Grey Areas Podcast! I am thrilled to be here with you all again, diving into inspiring stories and meaningful conversations. Today, I am joined by the incredible Danielle Moss, a true powerhouse in the world of content creation and entrepreneurship. Danielle's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. As the founder of The Everygirl and The Everymom, and co-founder of Anecdote, Danielle has carved out a path that blends passion, purpose, and profound resilience. Her story took a significant turn when her daughter's cancer diagnosis prompted her to reevaluate her priorities...2024-07-1751 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonHR Visionary Stephanie Lemek Gives Us the Tools to Build Trauma-Informed WorkplacesWelcome to another insightful episode of The Grey Area’s Podcast! This week, I am thrilled to sit down with Stephanie Lemek, a seasoned Culture, Talent, and HR expert with over 16 years of experience. Stephanie's journey spans from large-scale corporations to dynamic startups, where she has honed her expertise in HR, culture, and talent strategy. With a special focus on the built environment, Stephanie supports construction and engineering teams, navigating their unique challenges and rewards.Stephanie is deeply passionate about creating inclusive organizational cultures where everyone can thrive. Her research in trauma-informed workplaces is groundbreaking, helping leaders un...2024-06-191h 02The Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonConscious Leadership Expert Ginny Clarke on Leading Effectively in a Rapidly Changing WorldWelcome back to another episode of The Grey Areas podcast! This week, we are thrilled to be joined by the incredible Ginny Clarke. Ginny is a world-renowned conscious leadership expert, sought-after speaker, author, instructor, and advisor. Her approach to leadership is rooted in the five dimensions of conscious leadership, which encourages leaders to deepen their self-awareness, embrace their truth, inspire love, expand their consciousness, and activate their mastery. Ginny empowers individuals to become radically accountable and fosters a space for healthy, authentic leadership.With over 30 years of expertise in executive recruiting and talent management, Ginny has held...2024-06-0551 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonPerformance Improvement Plans (PIPs), Retaliation and Discrimination in the Workplace with Employment Law Attorney Craig LeveyWelcome back to The Grey Area’s podcast! We're thrilled to welcome our next guest, Craig Levey, who you may recognize from TikTok where he shares his expertise. Craig is an employment and business attorney, using social media to advise workers on corporate behavior. On his TikTok page, Craig addresses many common red flags in corporate environments today.Craig’s practice focuses on civil litigation with a specialization in employment and business matters. He represents both individuals and companies, handling cases related to discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wage claims, and partnership disputes. With extensive experience in federal, supe...2024-05-2939 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonBrand Social Media, Mentorship & Employer Branding with Kate WinickI am so excited to welcome the next guest onto The Grey Area’s podcast this week, Kate Winick! Kate is a powerhouse in the realm of social media strategies and brand building, bringing her extensive experience as a fractional social leader consultant. She has served as the head of social at Peloton and led initiatives at Who What Wear, Clique Media, and ELLE Magazine. Some of her recent clients include Fossil Group, StubHub, The Aspen Group, and many more. Kate’s expertise extends beyond traditional marketing roles, as she is also an accomplished writer and editor. As a ment...2024-05-221h 07The Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonStarland Alchemy Founder Whitney Howard on Workaholism and AstrologyWelcome to this week's episode of The Grey Areas Podcast! Join me as I delve into a captivating conversation with the remarkable Whitney Howard. A powerhouse in her own right, Whitney wears many hats as a business consultant, professional mentor, and evolutionary astrologer based in LA.In this episode, we explore Whitney's journey from her roles in corporate giants like Disney and Sony Music to founding her own venture, Starland Alchemy. She shares insights on navigating growth, redefining success, and advocating for a new paradigm in the corporate world.Here's a glimpse of what we...2024-05-1553 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonUsing AI to Understand and Act on the Employee Voice with CultureX Co-Founder Charlie SullWelcome back to The Grey Areas podcast! This week, we're breaking new ground as we welcome our first male guest, Charlie Sull, to the show. Charlie is not just any guest; he's a true visionary in the realms of corporate culture and artificial intelligence.Join us as we delve into Charlie's expertise, which has reshaped the landscape of corporate culture understanding. As the co-founder of CultureX, Charlie's data-driven insights have sparked meaningful change across industries worldwide. His work has garnered global recognition, earning him features in prestigious publications like the New York Times and the Wall Street...2024-05-0845 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonResilience Rising: Marina Middleton Advice on Personal Branding, Layoffs, and LeadershipTune in to the latest episode of The Grey Area's podcast, where we're thrilled to host the incredible Marina Middleton! As a devoted mother, wife, and serial entrepreneur, Marina brings a wealth of experience to the table as CEO of Create & Cultivate. With a career marked by resilience and determination, she's championed women's empowerment in the entrepreneurial sphere. Marina's journey through marketing roles at Yahoo and Tumblr has equipped her with invaluable insights into brand building and career advancement.Join us as Marina shares her wisdom on personal branding, navigating career shifts, and the art of cultivating...2024-05-0154 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonFormer Barstool CEO Erika Ayers Badan on Why Nobody Cares About Your CareerWelcome back to The Grey Area's podcast! This week, we're thrilled to have Erika Ayers Badan, the pioneering CEO of Barstool Sports, join us. A digital innovator and disruptor, Erika has redefined content creation, distribution, and monetization. With a career spanning high-level roles at AOL and Microsoft, Erika brings a wealth of experience to the table.In this episode, we delve into the core of leadership, career growth, and the often harsh realities of the workplace. Erika shares invaluable insights from her journey and offers candid advice on navigating the corporate landscape. Plus, get a sneak peek...2024-04-2449 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonSpilling The Tea on Leadership and Toxic Work Cultures with Dr. Susanna KislenkoWelcome back to The Grey Areas podcast! Today, I'm thrilled to introduce our esteemed guest, Dr. Susanna Kislenko! Dr. Susanna Kislenko wears many hats as a Skoll Center Postdoctoral Fellow at the Skoll Center for Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Oxford and Adjunct Research Professor at the School for Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University. With degrees in International Business and Political Science, she brings a wealth of expertise to her work in the nonprofit sector. But that's not all—Dr. Kislenko is also a dedicated yoga teacher, leading retreats annually and imparting wisdom in various leadership tr...2024-04-1756 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonWelcome To The Grey Areas Podcast!Welcome To The Grey Areas Podcast - we are SUPER excited to have you! Curious what that means? Well...The Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey Donlon is ready to disrupt corporate America! This is a space for candid conversations and deep dives into the complexities of the workplace. The mission: to empower women with transparent, inspiring narratives and challenge the status quo in corporate culture.Grey Areas is a safe, non-judgemental digital platform, podcast and community that inspires and empowers women to navigate the grey areas in the workplace. So what does that mean? Well...2024-04-1005 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonHiring, Firing & Managing with Jaclyn Johnson, Founder of Create & Cultivate and CherubWelcome to the first episode of The Grey Areas Podcast! I am so excited to also invite my first guest Jaclyn Johnson to the show! A powerhouse and serial entrepreneur with an impressive track record, Jaclyn sold her first business by the time she was 28 and went on to launch and sell her second multimillion-dollar company, Create & Cultivate - before the age of 35. As an entrepreneur, Jaclyn recognized a gap in resources, events, and community for female entrepreneurs, and created Create & Cultivate as a solution, the first-of-kind platform that incorporated brands of all sizes and categories to uplift female ent...2024-04-1049 minThe Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey DonlonCreating a Culture of Inclusivity: Insights from Mita Mallick, Head of Inclusion, Equity, and Impact at CartaWelcome to another episode of The Grey Areas Podcast! Joining me today is none other than the amazing Mita Mallick! She is currently the Chief Diversity Officer at Carta and has had an extensive career as a marketer in the beauty and consumer products good space. Her passion for change in the workforce around inclusion led her to write the Wall Street Journal and US Today’s bestseller ‘Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths To Transform Your Workplace.’ With many more impressive titles from co-host of the Brown Table Talk podcast, to LinkedIn Top Voice and DEI Thought Leader, Mita can be rec...2024-04-1042 min