Shows
Proven Not PerfectSelling Has Changed: Here’s How To Win NowSend us a textYour buyer doesn’t need a lecture on features. They need a partner who can make sense of complexity and map it to outcomes that matter. That’s the throughline of our conversation with Denise, a veteran deal maker who’s led enterprise sales, built her own consultancy, and now coaches leaders to sell with clarity, credibility, and care.We start by interrogating the timeless playbook—persistence, product knowledge, relationships—and how each one transformed after COVID. Denise explains why education no longer differentiates when every stakeholder has done the homework, and how th...
2025-12-0720 min
Proven Not PerfectStyled For The Life You Want with Tech Executive, Style Coach and Personal Branding Expert Mandy TuckerSend us a textIf the mirror could talk, would it tell the truth you’ve been avoiding—or the story you’re ready to live? I sit down with Mandy Tucker, a veteran tech leader who expanded her career into coaching and personal styling for midlife professional women, to unpack how mindset, vision, and wardrobe can work together to change your confidence and your results. The conversation begins with life in the UK and moves into a practical framework for aligning who you’re becoming with how you show up.Mandy breaks down the differen...
2025-11-2650 min
Proven Not PerfectEmmys And Advocacy: Jasmine Minor On Faith, Pivoting, And PurposeSend us a textWhat if perfection wasn’t the prize, but the prison? We sit down with Jasmine Minor—three-time Emmy winner, ABC journalist, and founder—to trace a life that looks shiny on the outside and deeply rooted within. From Division I tennis to newsroom leadership, Jasmine shares how injury, heartbreak, and a hospital visit turned into a turning point: let go, take the smallest step, and trust God to write the lines you can’t.The conversation moves with honesty and heart. We unpack how perfectionism clashes with patience, why trophies can’t deliver...
2025-10-3048 min
Women Leaders on the Move - HerCsuite® RadioElevate Your Presence And Over Deliver Every Day with Shontra Powell, Podcast Founder and Host Proven Not Perfect™ PodcastHave you ever wondered how some leaders seem to rise effortlessly always prepared, composed, and ready for what’s next?Listen in as Shontra Powell, Senior Executive at Hubbell Incorporated and Founder and Host of Proven Not Perfect™ Podcast, talks with Host Natalie Benamou and shares how intention, preparation, and authenticity can transform your career trajectory.From her start in finance to global leadership roles at GE and Hubbell, Shontra reveals the mindset that helped her build credibility and open doors throughout her journey. Her philosophy is simple yet powe...
2025-10-2919 min
Proven Not PerfectArt, Ancestry, And A Bold Pivot Conversation with Serial Entrepreneur Nkenge AdamsSend us a textA phone call, a building rehab, and a question: do you want these? That’s how 90 African artifacts—masks, ritual pieces, and carved figures—arrived and changed the path of serial entrepreneur Nkenge Adams. What could have been a quick sale became a long bet on community, culture, and the living artists who shape both. We walk through the decision to steward rather than liquidate, the ancestry research that linked the collection to Cameroon and Nigeria, and the practical steps that turned private objects into public learning through exhibitions, grants, and youth programs.
2025-10-2328 min
Proven Not PerfectYou can’t pour from an empty account, so here’s how to audit your calendar, choose impact over quantity, and set a clear vision for 2026 with Denise Thomas, The Effective CommunicatorSend us a textWhat if your burnout isn’t about doing too much—but about allowing the wrong withdrawals? We step into the fourth quarter with a sharper lens: a daily deposits-versus-withdrawals audit that exposes invisible drains, restores peace, and helps you choose the rooms where your impact will be felt. From calendar chaos to meaningful tradeoffs, we share the simple tie-breaker that ends second-guessing: pick the commitment where your presence creates the greatest change, not the one with the flashiest optics.Denise takes us behind the curtain of persona and replenishment, naming why high...
2025-10-0749 min
Proven Not PerfectICYMI: Global Career, Kellogg School of Management, and a Leap of Faith, Ugochi Nwoga's JourneySend us a textWhat if the power you chased in a suit was really waiting in your own story? We sit down with Ugochi to trace a remarkable arc—from Igbo roots and a childhood split between Nigeria and the U.S., to UTC’s global rotations in Norway and Switzerland, to the Kellogg network that turned brand into belonging. Along the way she faces a familiar corporate paradox: high performance without a clear path to the role she envisioned. Her answer becomes a masterclass in agency—stop assuming effort equals elevation and start negotiating the path...
2025-09-301h 01
Proven Not PerfectThe Portfolio Career: Navigating Your Second Act with Purpose, My Conversation with HerCsuite Founder Natalie BenamouSend us a textWhat happens when decades of corporate identity suddenly vanish? Natalie, founder of HerCSuite, reveals the rarely discussed "glass cliff" moment that follows leaving a high-powered career and how to transform this potential crisis into opportunity.The traditional career ladder is being replaced by something far more interesting: the portfolio career. Rather than following a single track, today's professionals—especially women in the second half of their careers—are crafting multifaceted professional lives that align with their values, financial needs, and deeper purpose. Through HerCSuite's network and programs, Natalie guides women transitioning to b...
2025-09-2321 min
Proven Not PerfectHealth Hacks Beyond the Hype with Dr. Eva Asomugha, Fitness Business OwnerSend us a textEver feel overwhelmed by conflicting health advice? One expert tells you to track your sleep while another warns that tracking causes anxiety. Someone swears by protein supplements while others caution about hidden metals in those same products. With so many voices claiming to know the "right" way to be healthy, where do you even begin?Dr. Eva, an orthopedic surgeon turned personal trainer and sports nutritionist, cuts through the noise with revolutionary insights about fitness after 40. The game-changing revelation? Your body can't tell the difference between work stress and workout stress...
2025-09-1631 min
Proven Not PerfectThe Sacred Dance of Leadership with Reverand Dr. Erin SkipworthSend us a textWhat happens when God calls you to lead the very church where you grew up? When Reverend Dr. Erin Skipworth felt the calling to pastoral ministry, she never imagined she would one day become the first female pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in York, Pennsylvania—the congregation her father led for 50 years and where she spent her childhood sitting in the pews.In this soul-stirring conversation, Dr. Skipworth reveals how her early career in corporate marketing unexpectedly prepared her for ministry leadership. "I believe God was always preparing me for this tr...
2025-09-1048 min
Proven Not PerfectSmall Dreams, Big Impact: Rethinking Success with Liz BohannonSend us a textWhat if dreaming small could actually lead to greater impact than chasing grandiose visions? Liz Bohannon challenges conventional wisdom about success, ambition, and fulfillment in this thought-provoking conversation about finding meaning in a noisy world.Bohannon shares her evolution from an externally successful but internally lonely achiever to a community-focused entrepreneur who champions the power of starting where you are. She introduces her revolutionary concept of "dreaming small" - not as a limitation but as a permission to pursue the things that genuinely light us up without the paralyzing pressure of...
2025-09-1039 min
Proven Not PerfectThe Locked-In MindsetSend us a textHave you ever noticed that some people consistently achieve their goals while others struggle to make progress? The difference often comes down to a single mindset shift – staying locked in without settling for less.Right now, we're in the "August harvest" – that critical midpoint of 2025 when we need to evaluate our progress against the goals we set in January. Many of us started with clear objectives and visions of where we'd be by now. Some are right on track, but others may feel they've fallen short. This conversation tackles how to reca...
2025-08-2709 min
Proven Not PerfectMangos and Beyoncé: A Cross-Generational Conversation That Will Make You SmileSend us a textEver wonder what teens are actually saying when they spout seemingly random phrases like "skibbity toilet" or greet each other with words like "mango"? This special episode features an enlightening conversation with my brilliant 14-year-old niece Carsyn that might forever change how you perceive Gen Z communication.Recorded during our pre-Beyoncé concert excitement, our discussion takes an unexpected turn from Renaissance Tour merchandise tips to decoding what adults often dismiss as "brain rot" language. Carsyn brilliantly explains that what appears to be linguistic nonsense actually serves as a sophisticated tool for i...
2025-08-2009 minProven Not PerfectThe Kindness EdgeSend us a textKindness is perhaps the most underrated leadership trait in business today. When was the last time you saw "kind leader" featured on someone's resume? Yet this powerful quality might be exactly what's missing from many leadership approaches.This episode unpacks what true kindness in leadership actually means - having empathy, considering viewpoints in context, knowing when to hold back, and pivoting when situations require it. Far from being weakness, kindness represents a sophisticated leadership approach that balances human needs with organizational objectives. For women especially, demonstrating kindness often comes with unfair...
2025-08-1210 minProven Not PerfectAugust Conversations: Pick, Pivot, Progress - Getting UnstuckSend us a textFinding yourself stuck between summer's freedom and fall's structure? You're not alone. August represents that peculiar transition period where we crave both relaxation and readiness, unstructured days and clear direction.Getting unstuck starts with stillness. When was the last time you intentionally sat quiet enough to hear your own heartbeat? Not because an app prompted you, but because your soul needed that grounding? Whether it's wrapped in a cozy blanket, sitting among trees, or standing on a mountain peak—your personal environment for stillness matters. This isn't just self-care; it's self-connection, cr...
2025-08-0518 min
Proven Not Perfect7 Proven Lessons in a "Not Perfect" CareerSend us a textHave you ever noticed that some colleagues who never seem to burn the midnight oil still progress faster in their careers? Or wondered why that person who knows everything isn't actually the one in charge? These puzzling workplace dynamics stem from unwritten rules and counterintuitive truths that can take years to discover.When I entered the professional world, I was convinced that visible hustle—early mornings, late nights, working weekends—was the formula for success. I was working hard, carrying my laptop on family vacations, and making sure everyone knew it. Yet...
2025-07-2921 min
Proven Not PerfectThe Art of Compromise with Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association President and CEO, Carol DoverSend us a textLeadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about building bridges that connect people, perspectives, and possibilities. Just ask Carol Dover, who has spent three decades as the President and CEO of Florida's Restaurant and Lodging Association, steering the state's economic engine through hurricanes, economic downturns, and political shifts.In this candid conversation with Shontra Powell, Carol reveals how her winding career path—from waiting tables to becoming Florida's Fire Marshall to serving in the Governor's office—prepared her for leading one of Florida's most powerful industry associations. With refreshing honesty, she sh...
2025-07-2254 min
Proven Not PerfectSky's Not the Limit: How Lillie Rentz, Top Business Woman in Aviation, Is Reshaping the IndustrySend us a textWhat does it take to transform from a foster child and migrant farmworker's daughter into one of the most influential women in global aviation? Lillie Rentz never imagined herself breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, but when opportunity knocked unexpectedly, she answered with a resounding "yes."In this captivating conversation, Lillie reveals how being in the right place at the right time led to her role directing the first privatized air cargo commercial airport in the United States. With raw honesty, she shares the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership journey—fr...
2025-07-151h 00
Proven Not PerfectFrom Car Interiors to Vintage Finds and Home Design: A Story in Progress with Woodward Throwbacks Co-Founder and Head of Design Bo ShepherdSend us a textWhat happens when you refuse to fit into someone else's box? For Bo Shepherd, the answer was nothing short of transformation. As just the third African-American female interior designer at General Motors, Bo found herself constantly battling expectations about everything from her natural hair to her tattoos. Despite achieving what many would consider career success, something was missing – the freedom to be authentically herself.When Bo and her partner began exploring Detroit by bicycle, they discovered neighborhoods filled with illegally dumped materials – cabinets, doors, and lumber discarded during renovations. Drawing on cons...
2025-07-0950 min
Proven Not Perfect3D Printed Living Seawalls: Engineering Environmental Solutions with Anya Freeman, Founder & CEO, Kind DesignsSend us a textReimagining coastal protection through revolutionary technology that preserves both our cities and oceans. Meet Anya Freeman, the visionary founder behind Kind Designs, who's transforming traditional seawalls into living marine habitats through cutting-edge 3D printing.The urgency is clear: traditional concrete seawalls are destroying marine ecosystems at an alarming rate—50,000 miles of habitats will be lost by 2040. Meanwhile, coastal communities face increasingly severe flooding and prohibitive costs for protection. Anya's solution? The world's fastest concrete 3D printer creating biomimetic seawalls that serve dual purposes: safeguarding shorelines while fostering thriving underwater ecosystems.
2025-07-0138 min
Proven Not PerfectHow Women Get the Success They Deserve with Alison Fragale, PhD, Author of "Likable Badass"Send us a textEver wonder why your hard work isn't translating into the success you deserve? Allison Fragale, author of "Likable Badass," reveals the missing piece of the professional advancement puzzle that most women overlook.While we've been taught to pursue power and control resources, Fragale introduces a game-changing perspective: status must come first. Unlike tangible power, status exists in other people's perceptions—it's how much they respect and value you. This critical currency determines whether others will grant you the resources and opportunities you've earned. As Fragale explains, "If you're trying to influence so...
2025-06-2455 min
Proven Not PerfectQuit Breaking Your Neck: The Art of Fitting vs. Forcing with Denise Thomas, The Effective Communication CoachSend us a textHave you ever found yourself breaking your neck to be in spaces where you simply don't fit? That's the powerful question at the heart of this spontaneous yet profound conversation with communication coach Denise Thomas.What began as a casual catch-up call transformed into a masterclass on recognizing your gifts, embracing divine timing, and understanding the crucial difference between fitting and forcing. Denise shares her journey as "a little Black girl growing up in a small Midwestern rural town" with extraordinary communication abilities, and how her mother's unwavering support helped her...
2025-06-1737 min
Proven Not PerfectMindfulness Matters with C-Suite Coach Dee Kendrix: Why Leaders Need to Start with SelfSend us a textWhat happens when leaders drive without a license? When we race through leadership responsibilities at 180 miles per hour without first understanding ourselves, we miss critical details and create unnecessary risks—for ourselves and those we lead.In this powerful exploration of mindful leadership, we unpack the fundamental difference between leading from performance versus purpose. For generations, we've been taught to focus on achievement, external validation, and technical expertise. We've become masters at interpersonal relationships while neglecting the crucial intrapersonal relationship with ourselves and our deeper purpose.The conversation reveals a...
2025-06-1049 min
Proven Not PerfectUnstuck: BevSource Founder Janet Johanson Shares her Lessons in Growing and Exiting a BusinessSend us a textWhat if the secret to navigating life's obstacles isn't finding the perfect map, but developing a mindset that always sees options? Janet's remarkable journey from unemployed 24-year-old to successful business founder and philanthropist offers powerful insights on leadership evolution that will transform how you approach challenges.Janet didn't set out with a grand strategic vision when founding BevSource. She simply needed a job after being laid off from a brewery. This necessity-driven beginning evolved into a thriving business that would eventually attract private equity investment. Along the way, she transformed from...
2025-06-0332 min
Proven Not PerfectAuthenticity - Leadership and Life with Chief People Officer Kim SeymourSend us a textWhat does it truly mean to lead authentically in today's corporate landscape? Kim Seymour, a seasoned executive with decades of leadership experience, breaks down this question with refreshing clarity and hard-won wisdom."Leading people in a way that is sustainable for you, that you can believe in" forms the cornerstone of authentic leadership, according to Seymour. But this isn't just about showing up as your unfiltered self. Throughout this powerful conversation, she reveals the delicate balance between bringing your authentic voice to the table while understanding the ecosystem you're operating within.
2025-05-2740 min
Proven Not PerfectSeizing Power and Growing Confidence with Maggie O'Brien, Managing Director, Co-Head Chicago, J.P. Morgan Private BankSend us a textMaggie O’Brien is Managing Director - Co-Head of Chicago at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. She is a Daniel Burnham Fellow member of Leadership Greater Chicago, the region’s premier civic leadership organization. Complementing Maggie’s offer as a corporate and community leader, she is a mom and wife, committed to the love and advancement of her family. This conversation is ‘real’ and ‘raw’, getting deep into the reality of a PROVEN woman leader who navigates her journey with resilience, mindfulness and authenticity. Maggie never expected to be pulled over on the side of...
2025-05-2031 min
Proven Not PerfectBalancing Careers and Caregiving: Navigating Generational Challenges with Sue RyanSend us a textThis episode explores the complex realities of caregiving, focusing on the sandwich generation—the caregivers juggling responsibilities for both their children and aging relatives. With insights from Sue Ryan, we discuss self-care strategies, workplace transparency, and the importance of community support in navigating this demanding journey. • Understanding the sandwich generation and its pressures • Importance of transparency in caregiving within the workplace • Strategies for self-care as essential for caregivers • The role of community support and accepting help • Introducing the Caregiver's Journey initiative for resources and guidanceDrive, Ambition, Doing...
2025-02-1035 min
Proven Not PerfectAI, Family, and Breaking Our Personal High-Tech Barriers with Noelle RussellSend us a textThis episode dives into tech empowerment and artificial intelligence through a conversation with Noelle Russell. We explore her personal journey, the importance of AI literacy, practical tools for leveraging AI, and the evolving roles of leadership in this new era filled with technological advancements. • Noelle shares her journey becoming an AI advocate • The significance of personal experiences in shaping tech • Emphasizing AI literacy for women in tech • Practical tools personal and professional use • AI as a task killer, not a job killer • Transforming leadership to empower creativity and inn...
2025-02-011h 05
Proven Not PerfectNavigating Boundaries and Mental Health: Insights with Dr. Shairi Turner for Personal Growth and Parenting in the Digital AgeSend us a textThe episode delves into the intricate subject of boundaries, emphasizing their role in fostering mental well-being and emotional freedom. By exploring personal experiences, generational impacts, and practical strategies, we guide listeners to understand and implement healthy boundaries in their lives. • Boundaries and their importance for mental health • The impact of upbringing and trauma on boundary-setting • Current youth mental health crisis and its connection to boundaries • Role of communication in parenting for boundary enforcement • Practical steps for defining and asserting personal boundaries_______________________________Shairi R. Turner MD, MPH, is an...
2025-01-2553 min
Proven Not PerfectGuided by What Is Light in Darkness _ The Art of AcceptanceSend us a textHave you ever felt lost in the chaos of life, yearning for peace and renewal? Join me as I share personal insights on transforming our mindset by embracing acceptance. Through the practice of seeing beauty in our surroundings, from the grandeur of nature to the simplicity of everyday objects, we can find a sense of calm amidst the storm. Inspired by the timeless wisdom of Genesis, this episode explores how focusing on gratitude and what is rather than what isn't can open doors to recovery and new opportunities. It’s a journey of an...
2024-10-1211 min
Proven Not PerfectStop Overthinking in Your LifeSend us a textEver find yourself tangled in analysis, trying to decode every instruction and intention before taking action? Join me, Shontra Powell, as I navigate through Mark 8:15-21 from the New King James Version of the Bible, where Jesus’s interaction with his disciples offers a profound lesson in trust and faith. Through a personal lens, I share how this passage challenges our habitual reasoning tendencies and invites us to embrace the simplicity of divine guidance without overthinking. This episode resonates deeply with those of us who are accustomed to dissecting every detail, offering a fr...
2024-10-0507 min
Proven Not PerfectCrafting a Balanced Life: Self-Care StrategiesSend us a textHow often do we find ourselves juggling life's responsibilities, only to realize we're neglecting our own well-being? Today, I share my personal journey of balancing expanded responsibilities and stepping into a caregiver role, leading to an epiphany about the critical need for self-care. We delve into the essence of Proven Not Perfect and why staying true to my voice and the core intent of the podcast matters more than ever. In this conversation, I share my practical ideas on self-care, its evolving significance as we age, and the necessity of creating purposeful practices that...
2024-08-1119 min
Show Up as a Leader with Dr. Rosie WardCourage Pt. 2 with Rebecca Johnson, Natalie Johnson and Shontra PowellIn this episode of Energy, Connection & Courage at Work, hosts Rebecca Johnson and Natalie Johnson explore the relationship between courage, humility, energy, and connection in the workplace with special guest Shontra Powell. Shontra shares a personal story about a challenging leadership role where she had to find the courage to admit her mistakes and seek to understand her team. She emphasizes the impact of humility in leadership and the importance of relinquishing control to celebrate different perspectives and approaches. Additional Resources: Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn Learn m...
2024-08-0729 min
Proven Not PerfectMurder Mystery Novelist Stacy E. Harmon on the Power of Pivots and Birthing a Book✨Send us a textAs the sun sets on the eve of Mother's Day, I am overtaken by gratitude for my own Mom and her unwavering strength. I dedicated this podcast to my Mother and all Mothers, and their incredible influence on so many lives.Adding to this vibe of appreciation is the opportunity to celebrate my long time friend, Author, Stacey E. Harmon, whose debut murder mystery "Fire Starter" is her first of a series of murder mystery stories. Stacey and I talk about her decision to write this first book during a...
2024-05-1140 min
Proven Not PerfectThe Alchemy of Sanctuary and Design Innovation with Lisa Kahn-AllenSend us a textEver wondered how to infuse your daily grind with unadulterated joy and authenticity? That's exactly what we're embracing in our latest Proven Not Perfect episode with Lisa Kahn. Lisa and I unpack the art of being fully present and the exhilaration of life's continuous evolution. Lisa and I celebrate the transformative process of personal growth and sanctuary.As Lisa opens up about her journey as a female entrepreneur in the interior design realm, we're reminded of the significance of robust support networks like family and more formal networks that w...
2024-04-2740 min
Proven Not PerfectNourishing Communities and Confronting Challenges: Rayna Andrews' Crusade for Public HealthSend us a textRayna Andrews, a fervent Public Health Ambassador, shares a slice of her life where adversity and advocacy intertwine. Milwaukee's own Food is Medicine proponent, Rayna, not only offers nourishment but also seeds of health to communities in need. Our conversation dips into a pool of personal accounts, from my own to Rayna’s.In this episode, we discuss the harrowing realities of youth homelessness as we dive into an experience created by Rayna to reveal shocking truth, of survival for just 72 hours on the streets of Milwaukee. We dissect the barriers ho...
2024-03-1445 min
Proven Not PerfectEmbracing Parenthood and Entrepreneurship: Lauren Daniels' Trailblazing Journey through Food, Faith, and FamilySend us a textHave you ever stood at a crossroad between personal ambition and the pull of family life? Our guest, Lauren Daniels, shares her story with raw candor and inspiring insight, painting a vivid picture of how she embraced the role of a mother while co-owning a thriving family business. Lauren's journey is a powerful narrative of making tough choices, celebrating the spirit of Black History Month by showcasing what it means to be a modern-day trailblazer. She opens up about her joyous balancing act of raising four children alongside her business endeavors....
2024-02-2651 min