Proven Not Perfect: Recent Episodes
Shontra Powell
This is a show for women who wear many hats and who have held themselves to an unhealthy measure of success. This show will deposit nuggets for your own self reflection and self improvement. This audio series builds upon the book - Proven Not Perfect: 7 Truths of a Corporate Executive, Mommy, Wife and Christian (published 2018, Amazon Best-Seller).
Send us Fan Mail
We hit the 100th episode of Proven Not Perfect, and we’re still amazed this started as a one-time recording. We share why we keep showing up, how listener feedback proves the impact, and why obedience matters even when the results are not visible yet -- choosing faith and obedience over needing proof first :)
Like it, follow, share.
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us Fan Mail
The boardroom isn’t a bigger meeting with fancier titles. It’s a different job, a different mindset, and a different kind of pressure. We sit down with Naomi Kent, a boardroom coach who helps senior leaders build a real board career, and we get specific about what separates strong board members from talented operators who are new to governance.
We dig into the heart of board service: oversight, strategic guidance, and collaboration. Naomi shares what it looks like to lead with confidence without letting ego take over, especially when you’re surrounded by former CEOs and high-stakes opinions. We talk about the skill of disagreeing well, how to use better language in the boardroom (“help me understand…” and “we” instead of “I”), and why communication is often the make-or-break trait for effective directors.
If you’re curious about corporate boards, nonprofit boards, or advisory boards as part of your long-term leadership path, we also cover timing and compensation. Naomi explains why waiting until you’re walking out the door of your full-time career can be too late, and how starting earlier builds the governance track record that opens doors later. We don’t skip the hard stuff either: fiduciary duty, fraud, factional dynamics, and when fortitude means walking away.
We wrap with practical conference and networking advice you can use immediately, including LinkedIn readiness, a tight elevator pitch, and follow-up that turns quick chats into real professional relationships. Subscribe, share this with a leader who’s board-curious, and leave a review with your biggest boardroom question.
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us Fan Mail
250 years is a long time to carry a national story, especially one that holds both breathtaking ideals and painful contradictions. On this July 4th 250th anniversary reflection, I’m coming to you with a quick “voice snack” that cuts past slogans and goes straight to the core: the United States still creates a foundational opportunity for many, and it’s worth naming why that matters when you’ve seen how constrained life can be elsewhere.
We don’t dodge the complicated parts. The start of the country sparks real debate, and the inequities woven into that beginning are impossible to ignore, especially for families whose ancestors paid a steep cost. I hold that truth plainly, then widen the lens to what it took to build a nation on open terrain: resilience, fortitude, vision, and faith. That mix of honesty and hope is where meaningful patriotism lives.
From there, we “double click” on what we share. No matter our background, we want freedom. We want opportunity for ourselves and our legacy. We want self-expression without fear, and we want respect. I also offer a practical prompt you can use today: take a personal freedom inventory. What’s getting in your way right now, and what will you do to move it out the way?
If this resonates, subscribe, share it with someone you’re celebrating with, and leave a review so more listeners can find these short reflections. What does freedom look like in your life today?
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us Fan Mail
Truth is getting harder to find, and the stakes are not abstract. When an AI-generated TikTok video about a “monster fish” went viral, people poured into Smithsonian webpages to check what was real. That moment frames a bigger question we wrestle with here: in a world where technology can fabricate convincing stories at scale, who do we trust, and how do we rebuild shared reality without giving up curiosity or hope?
We sit down with Under Secretary for Science & Research at Smithsonian Institution, Ellen Stofan, a scientist and leader whose career stretches from studying volcanoes on Venus and Mars to serving as NASA chief scientist and leading major Smithsonian work into a new era. We talk about the leadership skills that actually move complex missions forward: creating space for ideas from every level, making a rigorous win-win case, and building teams that don’t collapse into ego. Ellen also gets candid about imposter syndrome, being the only woman in the room, and how failure can trigger an endless self-analysis loop unless you learn to take the lesson and put it down.
Then we open the “front door” of the Smithsonian and walk into what most people never see: 157 million artifacts, vast natural history collections, and a mission rooted in the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.” We explore why digitization, genomics, and AI-powered search can unlock scientific discovery, protect pollinators and agriculture, and bring museum-grade knowledge to a kid who may never visit Washington, DC. If you care about women in STEM, science communication, digital trust, museums of the future, or how to lead with humanity in public institutions, this conversation delivers.
Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves science and history, and leave a review with the most trusted “house of real” in your life.
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us Fan Mail
A single sentence can change a career: “You don’t know fashion... I know fashion. You ARE fashion.” That moment launches our conversation with Sydney Stinson Ferguson into the real mechanics of a career pivot, the kind that doesn’t come from a frantic reinvention but from flow, relationships, and someone naming your strengths before you fully own them yourself.
We talk about what it takes to lead through constant change in corporate life without hardening into a persona that isn’t you. Sydney shares how she learned to hold authority while leading with kindness, why being a “people person” can be a leadership superpower, and how mentorship and intentional self reflection can reshape the way you show up in high stakes rooms. If you care about leadership development, executive presence, and authentic management, you’ll hear practical wisdom you can apply immediately.
Sydney breaks down how bold color became a conversation starter, a confidence switch, and even a shield, especially as an introvert who often has to push through social discomfort. We also wrestle with the pressure to be perfect, how the “get the A” mindset follows many of us into adulthood, and what “proven not perfect” really means when you’ve endured, evolved, and earned the right to be fully yourself.
If this resonates, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, share it with a friend who’s in a pivot, and leave a review with the one insight you’re taking into your next room.
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us Fan Mail
Grief doesn’t just hurt. It reveals. On a weekend that holds both Juneteenth and Father’s Day, we sit with the kind of loss that rearranges your inner world: losing a dad who felt like a rock, a coach, and the call you could make at any moment. If you’re walking through the loss of a parent, grieving a father figure, or trying to support someone in mourning, this conversation offers language for what’s hard to explain and permission to be honest about the tenderness.
We talk through three anchors: loss, legacy, and growth. Loss brings a vulnerability that can’t be fully understood until you live it, and that tenderness becomes a crossroads. We can let grief harden us into guardedness and negativity, or we can accept the tenderness and double down on the love already in our hearts. We share a practical mindset shift that helps with healing after loss: when emotion rushes in, we tell ourselves, “feel the feelings,” so we don’t miss what grief is shaping in us.
Legacy turns missing someone into movement. We explore how honoring a father’s legacy becomes action oriented: carrying forward the goodness he planted, taking the next step with intention, and seeding that same strength into others. We also lean into faith, closing with Psalm 62:2 as a steadying reminder that we are not alone, even when the day feels heavy.
If this resonates, listen now, share it with someone who needs it, and subscribe and leave a review so more people looking for grief support, emotional resilience, and purpose after loss can find the show. What part of their legacy are you choosing to carry forward?
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us Fan Mail
A single line of scripture can hit differently when you’re walking through an emotional month and your mind keeps asking, “Why is this happening?” I’m out on a walk when I feel compelled to share what’s on my heart, and it all centers on Psalm 121: “I look to the hills from where does my help come?” followed by the steady answer, “My help comes from the Lord.”
What stops me is the image of the hill itself. A real hill blocks your view. You can’t see over it, which means you can’t see what’s next. That’s exactly what uncertainty feels like in real life: you’re trying to peer into a future you can’t access, whether you’re asking from desperation or from expectation. And right there, the verse becomes a lifeline, not a slogan. It reminds us that help doesn’t come from what we can predict, solve, or force. Help comes from God, even when the path ahead is hidden.
I also share a bit of what I sense in this season: a calling to support women of faith, especially women in career who are called to excellence and big pursuits and who refuse to be limited. If you’ve been staring at your own “hill,” I hope this encourages you to move your body, take a walk, or sit still and ponder the word of God until it steadies you.
If this message gives you a breath of hope, subscribe to Proven Not Perfect, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more listeners can find it.
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us Fan Mail
You can feel it everywhere: leaders are expected to move faster, decide with less certainty, and keep teams connected while AI reshapes how work gets done. I sit down with Michelle Buck from the Kellogg School of Management to slow the noise down and get practical about what actually holds up in turbulent times. We start with a leadership idea that sticks in your body, not just your notes: the music ensemble. One shared rhythm, many distinct instruments, and the real work of making space for every voice without losing alignment.
From there, we widen the lens to the arts in leadership, including music, dance, and imagery, as tools for communication, resilience, and meaning. Michelle shares why leaders need more than words to create impact, and why joy and self-acceptance are not “soft” extras but real performance multipliers. We also talk about polarization, psychological safety, and the underestimated power of community, especially when people are stressed, overwhelmed, and trying to get by.
The conversation turns personal and unforgettable as Michelle shares stories that shaped her understanding of resilience, including a lived lesson in gratitude and the grounding practice of “coming home to ourselves” through values, purpose, and non-negotiables. We close on what leaders should keep front and center right now: asking better questions, helping people feel seen and heard, and building the courage to have the conversations that matter. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who leads people, and leave a review. What question do you need to ask your team this week?
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode I share a portion of my keynote to a group of leaders who represented multiple industries. It really gives a peak into one of my most humbling lessons in my leadership journey.
[Note: I am hitting stages more, and I am super excited 👏🏾 🎙️]
A few key points from this talk:
- Leadership can feel like something you earn once and keep forever, until you walk into a new room and realize nobody asked to be led by you.
- When success comes quickly, it’s easy to assume your vision will inspire others the same way it inspires you. But teams have their own history, identity, and everyday rhythms. If you miss those signals, you can lose your best people fast, even when your intentions are good and your strategy sounds solid.
- The turning point comes through humility and asking for feedback when it hurts.
- The big takeaway is practical leadership: listen before you lead, adapt your message to the people in front of you, and remember that influence is granted, not claimed.
If this story hits home, subscribe so you don’t miss the next conversation, share it with a manager who needs it, and leave a review with the leadership lesson you learned the hard way.
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us Fan Mail
What happens when strategy meets calling? We sit down with Tanya for a raw, practical, and energizing conversation about how to lead with data, conviction, and peace—without shrinking who you are. From her early days learning corporate culture to a pivotal first promotion with a skeptical team, Tanya shows how proof can outpace prejudice and how identity becomes an asset once outcomes speak.
We dig into commercial fundamentals and how to translate them into impact drivers that keep the chains moving.
Leadership, though, is more than math. Tanya breaks down how to “watch the tape” with your team to validate the truth together, recruit ambassadors to shift the middle, and set a standard where dissent stays in the room and unity leaves it. She talks about protecting peace, addressing personal friction offsite with honesty and care, and navigating the fine line many underrepresented leaders walk between being assertive and being misread. We also explore the difference between what you should do and what you’re called to do—how duty hits the target, but calling changes the field for others. Tanya’s Grace Moves Inner Court Workbook offers a blueprint for fusing market excellence with spiritual wisdom.
If you’re ready to lead with clarity, win with empathy, and take your shot when grace makes space, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs the push, and leave a review with the play you’re calling next.
Book is available at the link: http://Amazon.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us Fan Mail
Shontra elaborates on the connection between board governance and corporate success, explaining how understanding the critical questions that drive leadership can lead to impactful solutions in the workplace. She stresses the importance of being proactive in networking and finding roles that resonate with one's values, ultimately transforming assignments into opportunities for growth and innovation. The episode serves as a motivational guide for early-career professionals looking to leverage their skills in meaningful ways, urging them to embrace challenges and pursue their passions with courage and clarity.
• the power of a strategic yes
• lessons from board-ready training
• translating governance to corporate value
• anticipating leaders’ questions
• early-career board service as a lever
• choosing nonprofits that fit heart and skill
• turning assignments into opportunities
Go and be great, proven not perfect
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us Fan Mail
Money shouldn’t feel like paperwork. We sat down with Virginia Heyburn to unpack how fintech and AI are transforming banking into something simpler, more inclusive, and far more human. From mobile-first experiences to embedded finance, we trace the long road that brought new providers like Chime and Klarna into mainstream behavior—and why Gen Z’s expectations for speed, clarity, and respect are driving the next wave of innovation.
We get real about AI’s impact on work. Traditional AI has lived in the background for years, but generative AI is changing daily workflows: less time on drafting and formatting, more time on strategy and connection. Virginia lays out why leaders must be AI fluent and then proficient, modeling responsible use while balancing governance, compliance, and shareholder demands. We also tackle a hard truth: many entry-level tasks will be automated. The opportunity is to train early-career talent as critical thinkers who can leap the rote work and contribute judgment, ethics, and creativity from day one.
Beyond the boardroom, we explore parenting in the AI age and the importance of mental health. Keeping kids off tech isn’t the answer; teaching them to coexist with tools is. Yoga and breath become a lens for leadership—automate the minutiae, then use your reclaimed time to build relationships, ask better questions, and focus on the whole. For community banks and credit unions, that same mindset means “scaling the unscalable,” partnering with fintechs to serve niche markets and compete on experience, not size.
If this conversation sparks new ideas for your team or your family, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review with the biggest insight you’re taking into your week.
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us Fan Mail
Your 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 the edge now comes from active listening and root‑cause discovery. Instead of pitching “what it does,” we dig into “why this solves the real problem,” and we show how to frame risks, trade‑offs, and value without fluff. Along the way, we unpack practical ways to deepen relationships on Zoom, use social media with purpose, and replace swag with substance.
Technology gets a frank audit. AI can draft outreach, summarize calls, and surface account patterns, but the win is using it to remove busywork and redirect energy to human skills—judgment, empathy, negotiation. Denise lays out guardrails for keeping your voice while scaling your workflow, and she shares simple coaching metrics like talk ratio and question depth that elevate every meeting. The human story anchors it all. Denise reflects on a late‑started healing journey that sharpened her empathy and intent, and we examine how inner work turns into outer performance. When you know your why, you stop seeking approval and start creating value.
We close with three concrete moves for modern sellers: adopt technology with intent, make every interaction about the buyer, and stay authentic by anchoring on purpose. If you want to sell beyond features, build trust faster, and make your buyer the hero, this conversation gives you a clear path forward. Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share with a teammate, and leave a review to tell us the discovery question you’ll try next.
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
If 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 difference between a checklist and a calling: vision sets direction, goals deliver momentum. Before any shopping list, she starts with mirror honesty—naming the beliefs that shrink presence and keep us dressing to hide. From there, she shows how body shape, proportion, and lifestyle should drive choices, why Pinterest boards often mislead, and how to become your own influencer by building a repeatable set of silhouettes that actually fit your life. We touch on the PIE model—performance, image, exposure—and why image isn’t about designer labels; it’s about clarity, coherence, and the energy you project.
We also get real about pivots. They rarely arrive glamorous. More often they emerge from friction, fatigue, or a mismatch between your values and your environment. Mandy shares how she moved from tech leadership into coaching and style, what midlife women uniquely face, and how “pivot and pursue” can turn a hard season into a launchpad. Along the way, cultural touchpoints—from British reserve to American boldness, from Meghan’s public reception to Victoria Beckham’s reinvention—highlight how narrative, presence, and resilience shape opportunity.
If you’re ready to dress for your dreams, not the algorithm, and to align your inner voice with your outer signal, this one’s for you. Listen, subscribe, and share with a friend who’s ready to expand. And if this conversation helped you see yourself more clearly, leave a review—tell us the one belief you’re dropping this week.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
What 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 lasting joy, and how acceptance grows roots that hold in any storm. Jasmine opens up about losing her father and channeling grief into the Kevin Minor Legacy Fund, the largest tennis scholarship for a Midwest female player, transforming memory into momentum. She describes journalism as listening with reverence—meeting every story with respect across cultures, beliefs, and politics—so people feel seen without needing a sermon.
Then we get practical. Jasmine’s framework is “strategically delusional”: dream beyond your circumstances and pair it with action. Cold email the hero. Ask the “dumb” questions. Gather critique and follow the common thread of feedback. Build rooms like the Rise Society where mission-driven women share resources and uplift each other. The result is a path that blends ambition with humility, excellence with empathy, and pivoting with purpose.
If you’ve been chasing the next win and still feel empty, this one’s a reset. Press play, take one faithful step, and tell us the bold ask you’ll make this week. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review so others can find this story of hope and grit.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
A 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.
We dig into the felt and measured power of art. Beyond beauty, art delivers health: stress reduction, better mood regulation, richer social ties, and stronger cognitive engagement. That’s why we designed hands-on experiences where kids become junior curators—choosing materials, writing labels, presenting their work, and touring gallery storage to see how shows come to life. When children witness their names on a placard and their ideas in a frame, something shifts. Confidence grows. Curiosity takes root. And the gallery becomes a place they can claim.
We also talk investment—NFTs and tokens versus the irreplaceable presence of objects—and why fair pay for living artists is overdue. Institutions are starting to fund community curation and stipends, and we share how those models can scale. The conversation moves from personal pivot to public value: art as a vehicle for wellness, identity, and memory, and as a catalyst for the next cultural renaissance. Want to see the work, host an exhibition, or bring a youth program to your city? Visit nKengeGallery.com and connect with Kenge Adams on LinkedIn. If this story moved you, follow, share with a friend who loves art, and leave a review to help others find the show.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
What 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-energy performers get quiet offstage and why that boundary is part of the work. Then the moment we’ve been waiting for: announcing her debut book, The Only One in the Room: How to Transform Differences into Strengths, Communicate with Impact, and Lead with Confidence—featuring a foreword by Stephen M. R. Covey. The book blends candid stories, practical tools, and interactive exercises to help you claim your voice, communicate with intention, and lead with calm confidence. Whether you’re introverted, the youngest at the table, the only woman, the only person of color, or simply the quietest thinker, your difference can be your superpower.
We also zoom out to the cultural noise and remember this truth: there’s still more good than evil. That perspective fuels our 2026 planning—what to launch, what to celebrate, and what to cut. If you’re craving clarity, this conversation offers a blueprint: audit your energy, choose impact over attention, honor your need to replenish, and build a vision that aligns with your values. Ready to protect your peace and amplify your voice? Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs the reminder, and leave a review with your Q4 non-negotiable—we’ll feature our favorites next week.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
What 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, assignment by assignment, with the leaders who can open doors.
The conversation turns intimate as Ugochi describes choosing education through personal darkness, flying Lagos–Miami for class weekends, and following the signals that brought her back to herself. That light leads to a different kind of leadership: stepping in as CFO/CSO of her family’s home healthcare company. She shares practical rules that keep love and performance intact—clean role lines, business-first hours, and a united front that refuses hearsay. It’s a blueprint any founding team can copy when relationships and revenue collide.
Then, an unexpected blossom: Oviko Gallery. Seeded years earlier by her love for Nigerian artist Chike Onuora, what started as a handful of canvases becomes a curated space in St. Augustine dedicated to elevating African talent. We unpack how scrappy action, expert help, and a ready room turned into a platform that fuses culture, commerce, and community. Through it all, gratitude anchors the story: the waves never stop, but the boats stay synchronized when vision holds. Press play for a candid, energizing journey that might nudge you to ask for your path, protect your energy, and step fully into your morning.
If this conversation moves you, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s at a crossroads, and leave a review to help more listeners find the light.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
What 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 board roles or entrepreneurship while helping them navigate the identity shifts that inevitably come with professional evolution.
Our conversation unpacks the five crucial steps to designing your next chapter: clarifying your values, determining your "freedom number," exploring your options, understanding your human design, and creating your roadmap. We discuss how the concept of pivoting has transformed from something requiring explanation on a resume to something employers now expect and value. Throughout, Natalie emphasizes that successful transitions aren't about deciding whether your new path is "better" than your old one—it's simply different, with its own unique opportunities for growth and fulfillment.
Whether you're contemplating your next move or supporting someone who is, this episode offers practical wisdom for anyone navigating today's non-linear professional landscape. As Natalie reminds us with her powerful mantra: "We make our own C-Suite." Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn or visit HerCSuite.com to continue your journey.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Ever 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. That high-intensity exercise class you're forcing yourself to attend might actually be working against your goals if you're already maxed out on stress from career demands and family responsibilities.
The conversation upends conventional wisdom about exercise intensity, revealing why "comfortable cardio" in Zone 2 (where you can still hold a conversation) may be far more effective for fat burning than the punishing HIIT workouts many of us have been programmed to believe are necessary. Through her own body composition testing, Dr. Eva demonstrates how high-intensity exercise during periods of high life stress actually increased her body fat percentage while reducing muscle mass—the exact opposite of what she was working toward.
Beyond exercise, we explore the truth about protein sources (hint: whole foods trump supplements), the importance of including adequate carbohydrates and healthy fats (especially critical for hormone production after 40), and practical strategies for prioritizing nutrition in impossibly busy schedules. The simple act of planning and prioritizing your own nourishment isn't selfish—it's necessary.
For those seeking the fountain of youth, Dr. Eva's prescription is clear: lift heavy weights three days a week to increase muscle mass and boost metabolism, combine with Zone 2 cardio for heart health and fat burning, and eat balanced meals featuring whole foods. This approach works with your changing body rather than fighting against it, creating sustainable results that actually improve with age.
Ready to transform your relationship with fitness and nutrition? This conversation might just be the permission slip you've been waiting for to work smarter, not harder, on your health journey.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
What 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 transition," she reflects, sharing how lessons in organizational culture, people management, and authentic leadership became invaluable tools in her pastoral toolkit. Her story beautifully illustrates how seemingly unrelated professional experiences can be divine preparation for unexpected callings.
The transition from being known as "the pastor's daughter" to becoming "the pastor" presented unique challenges. With remarkable wisdom, Dr. Skipworth discusses how she navigated changing relationships with congregation members who had known her since childhood, establishing appropriate boundaries while maintaining authentic connections. Her insights offer valuable guidance for anyone stepping into leadership roles where personal and professional worlds intersect.
Dr. Skipworth also explores the evolving landscape of ministry in the digital age. Unlike pastors of previous generations, today's church leaders can leverage social media and technology to connect with their congregations in new ways—creating both opportunities and challenges for authentic ministry. Her thoughtful approach to balancing transparency with appropriate privacy serves as a masterclass in digital-age leadership.
At the heart of our discussion lies a powerful message about soul care and heart condition. "Our ministry and the things that we desire flow from the heart," Dr. Skipworth emphasizes, recommending spiritual practices and resources that nurture inner wellbeing. Whether you're leading a congregation, a corporation, or simply seeking to live purposefully, her wisdom about tending to your inner life will resonate deeply.
Ready to be inspired by a journey of faith, leadership, and authentic calling? Listen now and discover how God might be preparing you for your own full-circle moment.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
What 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 world-changing expectations.
With fascinating research and personal insights, Liz explains why "owning your average" might be the most liberating mindset shift you can make. She reveals how praising inherent talent over effort actually hampers growth and why embracing our ordinariness paradoxically leads to extraordinary results. Her perspective frees us from the exhausting pursuit of specialness and invites us into authentic contribution.
The conversation takes a compelling turn toward community as Bohannon makes a powerful case for social health as the missing pillar of human flourishing. With eye-opening statistics showing that regular friend connections provide happiness equivalent to a $150,000 annual raise, she illustrates how our individualistic pursuit of success undermines what truly makes us thrive. From suburban design to workplace expectations, she traces how we've systematically dismantled the community structures that once provided belonging and purpose.
Perhaps most refreshing is Bohannon's nuanced take on gender and achievement. Rather than advocating for women to simply climb higher on existing ladders, she envisions a world where success is redefined for everyone - where men feel empowered to prioritize family and community alongside career, and where "having it all" means having what truly matters.
Ready to reimagine success on your own terms? Listen now and discover how aligning your daily choices with your deepest values creates a life of authentic impact - no matter how small it might seem to others.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Have 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 recalibrate and finish strong regardless of where you stand today.
The secret lies in three powerful principles. First, "keep the main thing the main thing" – identify your single most important priority that resonates in your heart, not just your head. Write it down, visualize it, and treat it as your bullseye. Second, commit to ruthlessly eliminating distractions. This means becoming relentless with the word "no" and recognizing that anything not directly aligned with your main thing is simply a distraction – period. Finally, acknowledge progress daily, even when it seems minimal. Sometimes, maintaining focus and commitment for an extended period is progress worth celebrating.
This mindset shift transforms how you approach your goals and fosters greater accountability to yourself and responsibility for your unique talents. In our distraction-filled world, being intentional about your time is an act of self-respect and purpose. Join our Proven Not Perfect community as we lock in, refuse to settle, and commit to making the remainder of 2025 our most purposeful and productive time yet. And stay tuned – we've got some amazing guest conversations coming in September that you won't want to miss!
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Ever 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 instant connection. These random phrases aren't about excluding adults or representing diminished language skills—they're innovative shortcuts to community building in a world where meaningful connection feels increasingly rare.
The most profound moment comes when Carsyn observes, "People are so used to being different that they don't even care about coming together." This wisdom from a high school freshman suggests something remarkable: perhaps today's teens are intuitively developing communication patterns that prioritize unity over division. While older generations might focus on precise language and careful self-expression, Gen Z understands that sometimes, the content matters less than the connection itself.
This episode will leave you with unexpected hope for our collective future. If Carsyn's generation values connection enough to invent entirely new ways of creating it, perhaps they truly will be the ones to "pull us all back together." Listen now and discover why those seemingly random phrases your teen uses might actually represent something beautiful about their approach to human connection.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Kindness 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 judgment, mistaken for weakness or a Pollyannish perspective.
Through a personal career example, I share how my kindness was once misinterpreted as lacking edge during an operating review. Instead of pushing a team beyond their capabilities or making unrealistic demands, I acknowledged reality, showed kindness to people and the situation, and developed alternative solutions to move forward. This approach required courage to stand before senior leadership and advocate for a measured, realistic approach.
The truth is, kind leadership doesn't mean being a pushover - as I like to say, "don't let the smooth taste fool you." Leaders who prioritize kindness aren't missing the strategic imperatives. They're approaching challenges with values intact, asking crucial questions: What's best here? What's needed? How can I show up effectively?
If you're battling misunderstandings because kindness is your operating mode, stand firm in your integrity. Your strength will prevail, situations will improve, and you'll advance your mission. Most importantly, when people look back years from now, they won't remember specific metrics or strategies—they'll remember how you made them feel. And that might be the most important leadership legacy of all. How will you demonstrate kindness in your leadership today?
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Finding 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, creating space where your inner wisdom can finally be heard above life's constant noise.
Once centered, you have three potential paths: do nothing (sometimes the wisest choice when environments are unstable), just start (building momentum through small consistent actions), or go big (leaping toward what your heart already knows needs to happen). The paralyzing factor isn't identifying these options but choosing between them. We become immobilized by "what-if" thinking and fear of wrong choices. The liberating truth? Just pick. If your choice doesn't serve you, pivot—you'll still be in a different place than where you started. Progress isn't always linear, but zigzagging still creates movement away from stagnation and toward possibility.
As you navigate this August transition, consider where you might feel stuck and what stillness might reveal about your path forward. Amazing things happen when we listen to our hearts and, most importantly, when we finally choose to pick a direction. Share this episode with someone who needs this message, and connect with me on Instagram @shontrapowell_provennotperfect, YouTube at Proven Not Perfect™️. Listen, Follow, Like, Share... let's build community and see great things together!
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Have 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 somehow, colleagues who maintained normal hours were advancing alongside me or even surpassing me. The revelation? Smart work beats hard work every time. The most successful professionals identify the few truly important priorities and excel in those areas, rather than trying to do everything.
Similarly, I discovered that leaders at the top don't succeed by knowing everything—they win through curiosity and discernment. They surround themselves with subject-matter experts and focus on asking powerful questions rather than having all the answers. And perhaps most importantly, I learned that your personal values serve as the ultimate career compass. When faced with difficult decisions or disappointing outcomes, aligning your choices with your core values provides clarity that no career handbook can offer.
Whether you're just starting your career journey or looking to course-correct midway, these seven hard-earned lessons provide a roadmap for navigating professional life with greater wisdom and purpose. Which of these principles could transform your approach to work? Take a moment to reflect on how you might implement one this week.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Leadership 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 shares that many of the challenges she faced when first entering the hospitality world (immigration reform, workforce housing, and minimum wage debates) remain unresolved today, reflecting the cyclical nature of policy work.
"Never burn a bridge," Carol advises, explaining how this principle guided her through three decades of changing administrations and political landscapes. Her integrity-first approach to lobbying helped her achieve what many considered impossible: the repeal of Florida's burdensome drink tax, a victory that took years of patience and compromise to accomplish. For women navigating male-dominated spaces, she offers clear-eyed counsel about maintaining boundaries and professional respect.
The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Carol courageously shares a deeply personal story she's rarely told publicly. "Giving up is not an option," she explains, a philosophy that has carried her through countless professional challenges.
Whether you're building your career, leading a team, or seeking to make meaningful change in your industry, Carol's wisdom about patience, integrity, and the lost art of compromise offers a masterclass in sustainable leadership. Listen in as two accomplished professionals discuss what it truly takes to transform personal tragedy into purposeful action.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
What 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—from losing her father at age seven to being separated from her sisters in foster care, and ultimately finding her voice in aviation boardrooms where few women had ventured before.
But this episode extends far beyond personal triumph. Lillie takes us into the revolutionary world of Advanced Air Mobility, where electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) are poised to transform transportation as we know it. This isn't science fiction—it's happening now. By 2040, what's currently a billion-dollar industry will explode into a trillion-dollar economic powerhouse, creating "skyways in the sky" that could turn a three-hour commute into a twenty-minute flight.
The opportunities are boundless—from management positions to remote monitoring systems that resemble sophisticated gaming setups. For women contemplating career pivots or young professionals seeking emerging fields, Lillir offers profound wisdom: "Don't wait for permission. The world needs what only you can bring."
Whether you're fascinated by cutting-edge technology, searching for career inspiration, or simply love stories of unexpected success, this conversation will leave you looking skyward with newfound possibility. After all, as Lillie reminds us, the sky is not the limit—it's just the beginning.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
What 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 construction skills learned from her West Indian father, Bo began salvaging these materials to create furniture for their apartment. This creative outlet quickly evolved into Woodward Throwbacks, a brand dedicated to transforming reclaimed materials into stunning furniture and home décor that caught the attention of retail giants like Nordstrom and Target.
The journey from corporate designer to entrepreneur wasn't sugar-coated. Bo candidly shares the reality behind the glossy success story – from living in their workshop for a year to make ends meet, to the anxiety-filled nights wondering if they'd made the right choice. "I've had night sweats, I've had bursting out of my bed shaking with anxiety," she reveals, pushing back against glamorized portrayals of entrepreneurship. Yet through these struggles, Bo's commitment to authenticity has proven sustainable, expanding beyond furniture into interior design and real estate development. Her recently published book, "Throwbacks Home Interiors," showcases fifteen Detroit homes embodying authentic design across different styles.
What makes Bo's story so compelling is its universal message: success comes not from following prescribed paths but from having the courage to trust your instincts. As she explains, "If you are really passionate and you believe in what you're doing, people will see it." For anyone feeling constrained by expectations or seeking the courage to pursue their authentic path, Bo Shepard's journey offers both inspiration and practical wisdom. Connect with Bo's designs and philosophy by exploring Woodward Throwbacks online or picking up her book to discover how authentic spaces truly transform lives.
Check out Woodward Throwbacks as well on their YouTube Channel where you can catch them "in action". As well, pick up a copy of their book to be inspired to new levels at: Amazon.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Reimagining 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.
What makes this story particularly compelling is Anya's unlikely journey. A Ukrainian immigrant and former lawyer with no background in science, construction, or oceanography, she built a diverse team largely through Craigslist—proving that innovation often comes from unexpected places. Her leadership philosophy prioritizes grit and hands-on skills over traditional credentials, resulting in a tight-knit team unified by their mission to transform coastal infrastructure.
The impact extends beyond environmental benefits. With 30% of the global population living directly on water, Kind Designs is making coastal protection more affordable and accessible. Their second-generation seawalls eliminate rebar entirely, further increasing cost efficiency, while extending lifespan from 30-40 years to over 100 years.
Discover how this groundbreaking approach to climate resilience is attracting major investment and changing how we think about infrastructure's relationship with nature. Also, I believe this thinking has the ability to inspire more breakthrough solutions and to be a catalyst for game-changing ideas in manufacturing, in total.
Follow Anya's mission to protect our coastlines while nurturing the ocean ecosystems we depend on.
www.kinddesigns.com
Instagram: @KindDesignsOfficial
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Ever 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 somebody who doesn't value you, you're sunk before you start."
The conversation explores how women often inadvertently sabotage their status through seemingly innocent behaviors. Self-deprecation, withholding accomplishments, and failure to strategically showcase expertise all chip away at how others perceive your value. Most surprising is the research showing that keeping achievements quiet doesn't make you appear humble—it actually damages relationships when people discover them later. "We think that when we keep good stuff to ourselves, people think we're humble," Fragale notes. "But the research shows it actually drives a wedge in relationships."
For those feeling undervalued in their current environment, Fragale offers practical hope. Status can be rebuilt over time, and leveraging allies—people who already respect you—can accelerate this process. She compares hoarding status to saving airline miles for a perfect trip that never materializes. Instead, she encourages viewing status as a renewable resource to be invested and spent strategically.
Whether you're just starting your career or looking to break through to the next level, this episode provides the framework and tactical approaches to ensure you receive the recognition and opportunities your capabilities deserve. Subscribe now and discover how balancing likability with badassery can transform your professional trajectory.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Have 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 embrace rather than suppress her natural talents.
The wisdom flows effortlessly as Denise unpacks how our environment—defined as "the people, places, and things that have access to you"—shapes our gifts and purpose. She challenges listeners to move beyond merely being "products of their environment" to consciously deciding who deserves access to their energy and space.
Perhaps most striking is the conversation around networking and authentic connection. "Am I going into this room to chase or to attract?" Denise asks, offering a transformative perspective on how we approach relationships and opportunities. Rather than arriving with predetermined scripts and targets, she advocates for showing up authentically and trusting that you'll connect exactly with who you're meant to.
Faith emerges as the foundation for this trust-based approach to life. As Denise puts it, faith provides "the strength to move forward, even when the path isn't fully visible." This perspective allows you to replace "why me?" with "use me," shifting from questioning to purposeful action.
Listen in as these two friends share genuine insights that will help you strip away societal expectations, embrace your gifts, and find the spaces where your presence is truly valued without explanation. And stay tuned—there's already a Part Two in the works!
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
What 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 troubling reality: most organizational ecosystems are governed by wounded, unrealized individuals leading from places of unresolved trauma. Even successful executives struggle to answer simple questions like "Why are you here?" and "What do you want?" without resorting to rehearsed, performative answers. Professional trauma from microaggressions, discrimination, and demoralizing experiences becomes the playbook from which many determine their worth and ultimately lead others.
But there's a profound alternative. Mindful leadership begins with creating space for stillness—just five minutes daily to be quiet enough to hear yourself. This small practice initiates transformation that ripples outward, affecting every relationship and organization you touch. The most powerful question you can ask is simply: "What am I resisting?" This often reveals where your destiny clashes with your current paradigm.
The journey toward conscious leadership isn't about dismantling everything you've learned but rather integrating it while ensuring external validation doesn't drive your decisions. When we recognize our inherent value beyond our achievements, we create space for others to do the same—cultivating environments where excellence, authenticity, and grace coexist.
Take the first step today. Set a timer for five minutes of stillness. Your authentic self is waiting to be heard, and the world needs leaders who lead from within.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
What 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 someone "super driven, somewhat selfish" into a leader described as patient, empathetic, and focused on serving others.
The cornerstone of Janet's success? A mindset that consistently sees paths forward when others see only walls. "My mom always said you always have an option," she explains. This foundation became her leadership superpower—being what she calls an "unstucker," someone who helps people navigate life's maze by showing them strengths they haven't yet recognized in themselves.
During our conversation, Janet shares the profound advice that changed her approach to business challenges: "You can turn a company around in 90 days or kill it in 90 days. Make a decision." She reveals how a leader's energy dramatically influences an entire organization, why self-care isn't selfish but essential for effective leadership, and how her definition of success evolved from financial wealth to witnessing others thrive.
Whether you're starting a new venture, facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, or wondering what your next chapter holds, Janet's story offers a masterclass in viewing difficulties not as burdens but as opportunities to develop skills you'll need later. Her journey reminds us that true success comes not from accumulating wealth, but from helping others discover their own potential while navigating life with curiosity, resilience, and an unwavering belief that options always exist—even when we can't immediately see them.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
What 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.
Drawing from her impressive career journey, Seymour shares three essential unwritten rules that have guided her success: "Relationships are everything," "Always stay curious," and "Feedback is not optional." These principles aren't just platitudes—they're practical guideposts for navigating complex organizational dynamics while maintaining your integrity.
Perhaps most valuably, Seymour challenges conventional wisdom about the crucial first 90 days in any new role. Her counterintuitive advice? "Go hard for the first six months, then you never have to go hard again." This approach establishes your reputation and creates what she calls a "flywheel effect," where your initial investment continues generating momentum long after those intensive first months.
The conversation takes a particularly meaningful turn when discussing vulnerability in leadership—a quality that emerged as a superpower during pandemic challenges. Seymour reflects on how leaders who could blend strategic thinking with emotional intelligence created psychological safety while still delivering results during unprecedented uncertainty.
Whether you're just beginning your career journey or sitting in the C-suite, this episode offers invaluable insights on defining success on your own terms. As Seymour powerfully states, true success means having options—the freedom to choose your path forward rather than feeling trapped by circumstances. Subscribe now to continue growing as an authentic, effective leader who remains true to their core values.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Maggie 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 a road for our conversation about female empowerment, but as she puts it - "such is the life we lead." This unplanned moment perfectly captures the reality of being a working woman balancing career ambitions with family responsibilities.
From the earliest days of her finance career, Maggie questioned whether she belonged in the room. At 23, walking into meetings with manufacturing executives, she wondered why they would ever listen to her advice. This vulnerability around confidence, especially for women in male-dominated fields, becomes our central theme. The conversation reveals how women often need significantly more certainty before taking risks compared to their male counterparts - a hesitation that can hold us back from opportunities for growth.
The turning point in Maggie's confidence came after successfully turning around an underperforming team, giving her tangible proof of her capabilities. Yet even successful leaders face setbacks. Her most valuable leadership lesson came from a failed turnaround where feedback revealed she'd been perceived as a "bulldozer" who hadn't taken time to understand the team before implementing changes. This taught her the essential principle that "you've got to get people in the boat with you before you ask them to row."
For women whose confidence has been shaken, Maggie recommends cultivating a personal "cheerleading squad" - trusted friends who genuinely see your value and can remind you of it during difficult times. This becomes increasingly important as leadership positions become more isolated, with positive reinforcement growing scarce.
The parallels between professional confidence and financial empowerment are striking. Women approach money decisions with similar caution, yet 80% will need to manage family finances at some point. For young women entering finance careers today, there's reason for optimism as technological advances make work-life balance more achievable, but representation remains critical - we need to see women who've successfully balanced career advancement with family life to believe it's possible for ourselves.
Listen for practical wisdom on developing self-advocacy, overcoming imposter syndrome, and finding your own power outfit (Maggie's is a hot pink Veronica Beard suit) that helps you own your presence in any room.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
This 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 guidance
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
This 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 innovation
• Encouragement for women to voice their experiences in tech
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
- The 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 internist and pediatrician with expertise in trauma-informed practices. She serves as the Chief Health Officer at Crisis Text Line, leading the organization’s external policy, advocacy, and partnership initiatives related to mental health. Crisis Text Line is a national not-for-profit organization that provides free, 24/7 text-based mental health support and crisis intervention in English and Spanish. In this role, she is fervently committed to addressing the youth mental health epidemic.
Dr. Turner has been a featured mental health expert at numerous conferences, top-tier and regional news programs, media interviews, and podcasts. Most notably, NBC’s Meet the Press, TIME Scripps News, Good Day DC, CNN, iHeart Radio Podcast with Michelle Williams, Good Day Seattle, HuffPost, to name a few. She also was a co-Host of NIKE’s acclaimed No Off Season podcast.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Have 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 anchoring ourselves spiritually and allowing that foundation to guide us through life's challenges, while emphasizing the importance of centering ourselves in the present.
This conversation is a call to embody the light within, and find peace grounded in our true identity and purpose. Embarking on this journey of acceptance may just be the key to experiencing a state of perfect peace, offering a renewed perspective on what it means to live a fulfilling life.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a text
Ever 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 fresh perspective on the value of surrendering to faith and trusting a wisdom that surpasses our understanding.
In this reflection, we explore the significance of Jesus's questions to his disciples, urging them—and us—to recall past personal miracles (indescribable and undeniable events) and trust in the process. I reflect on my own journey of moving from constant analysis to a place of obedience and faith, highlighting the humbling realization that not every instruction requires our full comprehension, just our trust. For anyone who identifies as a critical thinker, this discussion is a call to action to step back, let go of the need to reason everything, and find peace in simply following divine instruction.
This is applicable in our personal and professional journey, as we are called and led. Tune in for a thought-provoking and engaging conversation that encourages us to let go and fully embrace faith.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️
Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️
Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Send us a Text Message.
How 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 nurture our mind, body, and spirit.
Let’s talk practical tips: ever wondered how a physical calendar could revolutionize your self-care routine? I reveal my weekly habit of transferring tasks from my digital calendar to a physical one, a simple yet profound practice that brings clarity and reduces overwhelm. I’m eager to share these insights with you.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Check out Proven Not Perfect ™️ YouTube Channel as well.
I'd love to hear what you think!
As 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 tough time in her professional career. Stacey shares openly her lessons learned and we unpack key takeaways for anyone who has to navigate this in their own life.
Early career, Mid career, Senior leaders… join us for a conversation of inspiration, creativity, and practical tools.
Enjoy ⚜️
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Check out Proven Not Perfect ™️ YouTube Channel as well.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Ever 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 we develop along our journey.
We applaud the increasing role women are playing in shaking up traditionally male-dominated industries, and we celebrate mentorship that is welcoming and supportive.
The episode goes beyond the surface, examining how 2020 redefined our living spaces, igniting design trends that reflect our new normal. Lisa shares her personal quest for sanctuary amid life's storms and how this concept is intricately woven into the fabric of her design firm, offering listeners a blueprint for crafting spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also deeply restorative.
Enjoy!
Shontra Powell, Proven Not Perfect™️
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Check out Proven Not Perfect ™️ YouTube Channel as well.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Rayna 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 homeless youth face in accessing shelter and food, and the glaring inefficiencies of emergency resources.
We wrap up with an in-depth look at how food insecurity, housing, healthcare, and employment are interlaced strands in the tapestry of societal challenges.
A special shoutout for the great mission and work of The Collaboratory of SWFL!
You don’t want to miss this thought provoking conversation.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Check out Proven Not Perfect ™️ YouTube Channel as well.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Have 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.
Take a seat at our table as we serve up a hearty portion of entrepreneurial spirit with "Gobble Up the Bible" and "Little Chefs in Training." Lauren's passion for cooking and teaching children blossomed into a business that's as nourishing for the soul as it is for the body. Discover the fusion of faith, food, and family that led to this innovative program, and the steps they took to plant the seeds from which their dream grew. It's a story that reminds us how aligning with our divine purpose sets a journey to fulfillment.
Navigating the ebbs and flows of life and business, Lauren talks about the twists and turns of the COVID-19 pandemic on her 1st business, and how paying attention to trends led her to her current business, Southern Charm Bistro. Lauren demonstrates the resilience and adaptability required to thrive through uncertainty. We also peer into the future, contemplating strategic decisions for expansion while keeping the Southern charm that's at the heart of their restaurant. Through it all, Lauren emphasizes the grounding force of faith, family, and stillness that guide her in steering both her business and family life. Join us for an episode that celebrates the symphony of leadership, integrity, and love.
Happy Black History Month 2024!
Enjoy!
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Check out Proven Not Perfect ™️ YouTube Channel as well.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Stepping onto the mat with Tiara Brisco, aka Yogi TB, is more than a stretch; it's a leap into a world of empowerment and authenticity. Our heartfelt discussion shares her transformative path from a college woman seeking an elective for credits in physical education to emerging a beacon of wellness as a yoga instructor and social media influencer. With her candid reflections, Tiara sheds light on the intricacies of maintaining genuine identity amidst the backdrop of ever-present scrutiny and the unique pressures faced by women in their crucial years of growth.
Tiara's narrative weaves the delicate threads of vulnerability with the strength found in a supportive community, and a desire to gain clarity about what is serving her, versus what is not. She shares her courage to pivot in career, fearlessness to identify new pathways and humility to gift her community with what she has learned.
Tierra's story is both an inspiration as well as an invitation to get centered and to get real with our own self.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Check out Proven Not Perfect ™️ YouTube Channel as well.
I'd love to hear what you think!
As we usher in a new season of life in 2024, the spotlight shines on the power of women and the vital importance of sustaining their health. Sharing from my own journey, I've come to recognize that self-care isn't just a luxury, it's a necessity for maintaining the harmony in our lives. This episode is a vibrant tapestry of conversations with Coach Angela and Dr. Christina Tszilinis, weaving their expertise into our narrative as we explore the life-altering insights from the transformative book "Outlive." We tackle the essential matter of keeping life-threatening diseases at bay and the role metabolism plays in our health span, all while integrating self-care practices that don’t disrupt our daily lives or those around us.
This particular conversation isn't your run-of-the-mill health talk; it's an intricate dance between medical science and proactive personal health strategies. We explore the delicate equilibrium where medical intervention meets sustainable lifestyle changes, guided by a case study that illustrates the critical moments when health coaching becomes pivotal in preventing irreversible damage. It's an eye-opener to the uniqueness of each health journey, discussing why moderate exercise and stress management can be as impactful as any extreme measure. The insights from our guests underscore the importance of a well-rounded approach to wellness, destined to carry us through the years with vitality and grace.
To wrap up, this episode isn't just about the dialogue; it's about the flourishing of gratitude and wisdom that comes from it. Angela and Christina don't just share their knowledge; they're actively shaping a new baseline of health for the generations to come through their global platforms. Their stories and strategies, shared here, are treasures that promise to inspire not only our current listeners but those yet to step on their health journey. Join us for a heart-to-heart on longevity, where we embrace the blessings that come from caring for our well-being and the well-being of those we love.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Check out Proven Not Perfect ™️ YouTube Channel as well.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Ever feel like you're stretched too thin? Like you're saying 'yes' more often than you should? Find out how you can set clear boundaries and balance generosity with personal priorities. In this solo episode, we explore the importance of clarity and gratitude, and how we can avoid overextending ourselves by learning to say 'no'.
Join me as I share my personal strategy for managing commitments - focusing on three to five priorities at any given time - and how staying grounded in these priorities can lead to more effective service, greater generosity, and a much-needed sense of balance. We discuss the challenge of balancing service and generosity with personal boundaries and how to navigate this complex dynamic. Expect a heart-to-heart conversation filled with insights and personal anecdotes. Don't forget to share your thoughts on this episode when it goes live; I'd love to hear from you!
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Check out Proven Not Perfect ™️ YouTube Channel as well.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Your quest for more healthy choices and lifestyle will thank you for joining me in this vibrant conversation with Health Coach Angela Beyer.
Angela has success story imagining a new life for herself, and engaging focus and hardwork, and faith to see it come ... Miss Universe!!
Of course there is a backstory...... she shares her journey and inspires along the way.
Enjoy!
Proven Not Perfect ™️
Shontra Powell
Watch the Podcast on the YouTube Proven Not Perfect™️ Channel
Follow Angela: HealthCoachAngela on Instagram
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Check out Proven Not Perfect ™️ YouTube Channel as well.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Village of All -Stars, which YOU are included, we frequently talk to business startup founders, established business leaders and those killing the game in industries - from arts to academia too. We have not yet spoken with an All-Star killing the game in Franchise Ownership... well, we are breaking that streak with an inspired, humble and celebratory conversation with Holly Strickland.
Holly shares 'her story' to success and the back story for the 1st time, publicly here with us. Her tenacity, perseverance and courage underpin who she is in all spaces. No wonder her business would bring forward the same to all who invest in themselves, via commitment to Burn Boot Camps.
Enjoy!
Shontra
Proven Not Perfect ™️
https://www.burnbootcamp.com
email: naplesfl@burnbootcamp.com
(239) 293-3708
burnbootcampnaples on Instagram
shontrapowell_ProvenNotPerfect on Instagram
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Check out Proven Not Perfect ™️ YouTube Channel as well.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Gina Lyons, CEO and Founder of A Vine Affair and I talk about her inspired passion and journey to launch a business that is all about Luxury Experience, featuring Champagne and Caviar.
A Vine Affair was founded in 2020 however, Gina's journey to her passion started many years before.
Watch for the Podcast to be loaded to Proven Not Perfect YouTube Channel👏🏾
See you in Champagne! Cheers!
Follow Gina and A Vine Affair: https://www.avineaffair.com
Follow me at: https://www.provennotperfect.com
Socials:
Gina...
Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram: A Vine Affair
Me...
Instagram: shontrapowell_provennotperfect and provennotperfect
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Well, this is GOOD... I love to dig into a good conversation on HOT topic... who better to explore the Barbie phenomenon with other than an accomplished fashion exec, with a great eye... that's just the surface stuff.
Erin Mullaney, Founder of The Naples Collective and I kickoff a multi-part conversation... let us know what you think.
[note: we take a fun clip of ourselves after watching the moving.. check it out at Proven Not Perfect YouTube Channel 👏🏾]
Follow Erin on Instagram @TheNaplesCollective. Chat with me @shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Enjoy Part 1
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
This conversation will be nostalgic for some and motivation to even more... while this is billed "for the Moms".. this is packed with insight for ALL CAREGIVERS (no gender specified)...
Enjoy!!!
Learn more about Deborah at: https://www.deborahporter.net
Proven Not Perfect™️ is now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@provennotperfect
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
My guests, Yvette Foy and Bianca Sams, have been fighting for equity in pay for writers, actors, production staff, makeup artists, craft service workers, boom operators, set crew... and all the integral roles that bring to life the magic of film and tv - these last few months. Likely your summer was begun on the beach... not theirs...
Yvette and Bianca host impressive resumes, including acting - film and theater, as well as writing for 'hit' shows, including First Wives Club (Yvette) and Charmed (Bianca).. as well as leadership in industry organization... and, this is only the TIP of their accomplishments.
This podcast will Educate and Inspire.
The leadership tenacity, courage and confidence expressed by both Yvette and Bianca is a model for us all in pursuing our dreams and fighting for our rights.
Enjoy!
Proven Not Perfect ™️ .. Shontra Powell
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Natalie Johnson is a consultant and performance coach with over 30 years’ experience working with employers globally. She is the Co-founder and Chief Visionary of ViDL (“vital”) Work, a consulting firm that supports organizations so they can function at full capacity. Natalie’s work focuses on increasing energy, creating team connection, and developing courageous leaders. She creates inspiration and extraordinary experiences for her audiences all over the world.
Natalie has a background in human performance, specifically performance psychology, exercise physiology, performance nutrition and human resilience. She is an industry-recognized Health Coach, Performance Coach, Sports Nutritionist, and Performance Trainer. She is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator and a sought-after keynote speaker and trainer. She has received a variety of awards including Champion of Healthcare, Healthcare Hero, Business Leader Woman Extraordinaire, Health Program Innovation Award, Corporate Wellness Leadership Award and most recently Enterprising Women of the Year Award. Natalie is known for her engaging and high-energy personality, her approachable style, and for her ability to help people align behaviors with what’s most important to them.
Link to Resources for Vidl Work:
https://vidlwork.mykajabi.com/June20_2023_social_media?fbclid=IwAR1GJDq9p6TB2CVhUxLPqA-L2qNfRx-a86k3CM2z41vw0GMtfRzCnI7yA-s
Enjoy this resource for your own journey and perhaps healing!
Follow me:
shontrapowell_provennotperfect (Instagram)
proven not perfect (facebook and Instagram)
Shontra Powell (LinkedIn and Twitter)
https:/www.provennotperfect.com
At the date of release, I say, "Happy Juneteenth" 👏🏾
What better way to celebrate than to bring forward a story of legacy, love and faith.
My guest Michelle Greene has accomplished what very few have already, and on path to do so much more! We affirm this as truth as we allow us all to unpack what's in our own sights for impact and achievement.
This story will inspire, motivate and remind you that we are all capable.. now, let's go do it PNP Team!!!
Enjoy!!
Shontra Powell
IG: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
https://www.provennotperfect.com
For a light and silly moment, Bae (Dre) and I share an ongoing conversation about hairstyles... 😂😂😂
Weigh in on Instagram at: shontrapowell_ProvenNotPerfect
Should we do an ongoing slot???🤔
Yoga, Yoga, Yoga.... let's talk about it!
Kim Quan is a LuLulemon Ambassador, Entrepreneur and Yoga Teacher. Listen in on our conversation about the practice and life..
Follow Kim on Instagram at: @NinjaQuan
Follow me on Instagram at: ShontraPowell_ProvenNotPerfect
OR
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Do you have a regular practice of learning and development... booked at least annually? Do your plans include 'whole self' nurture? Are you working to push past anything, or to cultivate more for yourself and your loved ones?
Join me for a conversation with Erickajoy Daniels, published Author, Corporate Executive and Gate Girls Founder. We discuss an 'un' conference where you show up and 're' so many aspects of your life, leading to your vision for an enhanced future.
Maybe you'll be able to join this upcoming event, or at least, let us know that you would like to see us in a town near you....
Enjoy!
https://www.gategirlslove.com
gategirlslove on Instagram
I look forward to hearing from you:
https://www.provennotperfect.com
shontrapowell_provennotperfect on Instagram
My conversation with Maissa is a BALL of ENERGY JUICE! FOR REAL!
We travel to Nazareth (YES, Israel) to spend time in conversation with Maissa.
... We get a taste of culture through her shared experiences leading as an executive, and also going back to the beginning to learn about her upbringing in a diverse community of Jewish, Arab, Christian, Muslim and Druze (unique religious and ethnic group)....
I really loved hearing her perspective on commitment to community, and the acceptance of everyone; accepting culture - food, language, dress, and, and, and....
Maissa incorporates this diverse thinking into her own leadership style. She even has personal approaches to stay as clear of bias, and open as possible... sorry newscasters, she says don't watch news... go old school with radio listening and personal research.
Do you know what she says is our FIRST JOB in life... to get to know ourselves....
Do you know this Mama tells her babies that she MUST love her oneself 1st in order to fully love them....
Maissa's lived principles of authenticity, sincerity, integrity as her secret for growth in career and life is all wrapped up in her story.... ENJOY! YOU ARE WELCOME... ☺️ 🔥
Let me know what you think at:
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Join my community on Instagram: shontrapowell_ProvenNotPerfect
[note: you must demonstrate your authentic self to be invited into the now private tribe 😉]
There is nothing more special than a sister.
This conversation will fill your heart UP with love and inspiration.
Idara and Eva take us into their world growing up in DC, as well as the jewels learned from their Nigerian parents… Humility + Confidence!
Idara and Eva are on a mission to change the way women relate to footwear. They actually have the audacity to believe that comfort and fashion can coexist…. Yep!
Idara and Eva boldly combine their collective experiences in business and medicine. Think Kellogg School of Management (shout out! 💜) and Orthopedic Surgeon… AND they have combined this to launch a business as well as a game-changing product!!
Their business, AmaFi Shoes — means I love you in their native dialect…. It gets deep!
You will be head nodding and pulling for them to just get this product rolling on the production line…
We talk about startups —- highs and lows as female founders of color….
.. no joke.. we have REAL talk about the experience.
Enjoy a journey that goes from sentimental to heavy business….
Follow AmaFi on Instagram
Website: https://www.amafishoes.com
Let me know what you think at: https://www.provennotperfect.com
My guest Jen Clark is blazing a career in the non-profit space, reaching Executive C-Suite. She is currently leading the vision and mission for the Southwest Florida Music Education Center (www.swflmusic.org), and it is certainly fitting since her whole vibe screams of harmony!
We have a conversation for our own enjoyment and our daughters (and son's) benefit...
- Getting out of our OWN way ...
- Receiving changed plans and the blessing in it ...
- Faith, Fluidity and Harmony...
You will want to save and go back to this one when you need a gentle nudge after life had a plan of yours change... a vision clouded... and just faith dulled... stay in it!
Enjoy!
Let me know what you think at www.provennotperfect.com. Or, DM on Instagram at shontrapowell_provennotperfect.
Happy NEW YEAR!!! No, it's never too late (at least in January 😂)... I think it's still January.....
Welcome BACK to our regular conversations! Full disclosure, we are unfolding THIS new season together.... it will REVEAL as I LET IT COME .... listen in... you'll see what I mean 😉
Holla' back at: spowell@provennotperfect.com
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Instagram: shontrapowell_ProvenNotPerfect
LinkedIn: Shontra Powell
Spread Love 💕
- what is spaghetti squash?
- what is food up-cycling?
- what are up and coming trends in food?
- good advice in determining a business partner 'fit'...
- how do you think about business strategy in these VUCA times (...😉 listen to Ep 33. with Camille Change Gilmore to learn this term) ?
My guest has experience starting and growing successful businesses, and in her words, she may be in her favorite lane yet!
Donya Litowitz is fun, relentless and genuine... her words and I totally co-sign!
Enjoy!
https://www.impastafoods.com
Follow and DM me on Instagram: shontrapowell_provennotperfect.com
Proven Not Perfect ™️ Community... in this IN BRIEF episode I talk about how important it is to consider our own VIEWPOINT (period). If you move off your current position, ever so slightly, doesn't it create more space to compassionately feel, see, believe for another.... think about it ya'll. Let me know what you are seeing 😉
Follow Me on:
Instagram @ shontrapowell_ProvenNotPerfect
LinkedIn @shontrapowell
Holla' back too ⚜️
Love ya'll
Shontra
Thank you @Camille Chang-Gilmore for joining the Proven Not Perfect ™️ Village of All-Stars! Camille is VP HR and Chief Diversity Officer @BostonScientific and leading broadly in HR as a member of @SHRM Foundation Board.
Camille and I talk about leadership in the since of seasons. She shares a flow that can be encouraging and affirming, and depending on where you find yourself in your own journey. She keeps it real!
A few drips from our talk... These times of leadership are "VUCA" - volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
Leaders are demonstrating one of two realities: COVID Fatigue and COVID Clarity.
Check in with yourself - be clear on your true feelings.
Take care of yourself - it's time be intentional about a wholistic approach to leadership and life.
This is one for the Proven Not Perfect™️ Podcast Hall of Fame 👏🏾 Enjoy
leadership
clarity
courage
relationships
diplomacy☺️
emotionalintelligence
podcast
provennotperfect
womenleaders
Do you have a story to tell? Do you think you need to be trained or expert in someway to write a book? Is passion pulling you to share your beliefs and ideas with others? Have you been through something, or are you going through something that you believe is building story?
In this episode of Proven Not Perfect Podcast, I host published author Quinnise Pettway. Her debut book is “A Glimpse of Our Father” available directly at her website (www.aglimpseofourfather.com) ; as well as other standard outlets.
Quinnise is faithful and she shares her personal revelations in her relationship with God as she grew in her role as mom to her daughters.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER... this Podcast is a thought-instigator for those of us who are firmly planted in the Jesus camp AND those who are open to understanding more about others who may believe differently than you... we are a village... come along 🙂
AND... if you just want to be inspired about a journey to lean into an urge to walk out a dream…THIS IS FOR YOU TOO.... see we are a village... 🤗
Follow Quinnise...
Facebook-
https://www.facebook.com/aglimpseofourfather
Instagram-
https://www.instagram.com/quinnisepettway/
YouVersion Bible App Devotional Plan (Inspired by full book)
http://bible.us/r/82J
Amazon Book Link -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1735454273?pf_rd_r=H86KXWC67ZBKW0MWM7A5&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=cb3691f2-6a2b-4867-8474-02db99a93529&pd_rd_w=MtCe5&pd_rd_wg=RDB2T&ref_=pd_gw_unk
Talk to Me:
Website: https://www.provennotperfect.com
Instagram: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Facebook: @ProvenNotPerfect
Hey Y'All!!! Good Morning YAWNING.... ☀️ while it may not be morning for you when you catch this vibe, I promise it will be a vibe... and a BRIEF one too 😉
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Instagram: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
LinkedIn: Shontra Powell
Facebook: Proven Not Perfect
Speak soon!
S
It's great to have full circle moments when you get 'reintroduced' to a younger sister along your journey... to see the evolution of both them and YOURSELF - nothing better!
This conversation is with someone I affectionately see as a 'mini-me' in her ambition, drive, passion and commitment to increasingly developing herself and her offers in this world. My guest - Shanique Bonelli-Moore is a trailblazing creative in diverse, corporate industries, with name brand firms. We caught up in April of this year, talking about life, work, family... and a super neat NEW business that she is building alongside her corporate life! [Ya'll, I love my Village of All-Stars who keep ALL the assignments with grace, poise and mission to succeed.]
This is a PERFECT complement as you enjoy your HOT GIRL Summer🔥... 🤣 as you are on the beach, at the park, hiking, sightseeing... and now with space to get the FIRE and INNOVATIVE thoughts flowing... feel the spark ... YOU ARE WELCOME👏🏾
... Join me IN THE LAB with Shanique as we talk about her newest innovation and business Girlfriends Retreat .. it is A TREAT to be in the innovation process with this creative business mind. So, as you listen become EVEN MORE in tune with your own inspired thoughts burning within your own soul... get going‼️....
Some AWESOME Shanique quotes:
"We are magic just because"
"I look at myself as socially affluent... let's create this for all women"
"We are women... we know what we want and like... consulting with companies on centering women in the marketing process..."
... GET TO WORK... remember, don't keep hidden and burn up the curtains 😉
Enjoy!!
Find out more at:
http://www.girlfriendsretreat.com
Socials are on TikTok, LinkedIn and Instagram: @GirlfriendsRetreat
Follow and contact me at:
http://www.provennotperfect.com
Social Instagram: @ShontraPowell_ProvenNotPerfect
Social on TikTok: @ProvenNotPerfect by Shontra Powell
Hey Proven Not Perfect ™️ Community!
I have been on the road, feeling all the energy and fatigue that comes with it! Its been All Good and I want to share a few things encountered in my many movements... Its a quick one. I jump right in!
Talking about middle ground ... and LOVE ‼️⚖️
I look forward to hearing from you at:
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow or DM on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
... Good Vibes Live Here, and know that I know, "I AIN'T Perfect" 🤪🤣😉
Women Health is Family Health, I BELIEVE this.
Most women take their role of being a CENTER in their home seriously. We (inserting myself) feel the need to keep it moving to be there for the souls that we love ♥️
.Mommying a girl is different... as women, we can reflect upon what was good, or not good, about how we ourselves were mommied... we imitate and emulate the vibe we saw 👀... What vibe are sending to our daughters?
What happens when things come full circle in mom to daughter relationships? Cycles... what moms went through.. what we go through.. what our daughters experience... 🤪🤪🤪
We talk about IT ALL, including 'throw back' times (think Stevie Wonder "... sneakin' out the back door, hangin' with those hoodlum friends of mine... 🎶"
Real Talkon female issues from pushing yourself to pursue the BIG jobs/professions to the journey of WOMEN's HEALTH (from gas mask during delivery to finding our own voice and liberation in ourselves as a woman)...
How do you define FEMINIST? We talk about it... maybe we all don't agree ... that's OK. However, WE both think that it is strength, intelligence, freedom, drive, courage, confidence, nurturer/caregiver and feeling pretty just as I AM. POWER AS A WOMAN 🔥
SOCIAL MEDIA ➡️ SELF IMAGE for our girls AND ALL of US 😒
Ladies, GET in FORMATION - mind, body, spirit healing - balance ⚖️
Make space for this listen Ladies - find POWER in this restoring and energizing conversation...
Courage is not being afraid - fear is innate, just turn it around to show you the real situation👏🏾
ENJOY and You ARE WELCOME :)
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow me on Instagram: shontrapowell_ProvenNotPerfect
Conversation Journey🎙w/ my Village of All-Stars Member Yvette Foy...
- ‼️She's a Baddie Ya'll... don't believe me... just listen to her bio🙂 She is in my "Village of All-Stars"
- What do people admire about you? I share what I admire about Yvette... she REALLY does and has always sees people...👀
- How is life for imaginative mind... preserving the creativity while 'fitting in' the structures that the world gives us... 🤪 learning to be creative with constraints - real talk!
- ... Collaboration is key to winning in business... persistence is a good thing to make sure that you are HEARD... think 'making sure' that there is space for you as you are invited to THE TABLE ⚖️ BRING YOUR OWN SEAT even... 🪑
- Technology and Digitization has created a new aperture and access for non-traditional talent in media - television 👾 Stories are more inclusive because of this fact... THE PEOPLE (all of us) now have a say about what sticks 💣
- Drop the mic shoutouts to Issa Rae and others... let's here what it's like living in the culture of CREATIVE HOLLYWOOD... 📰
- ... journey isn't about the talent, it is believing in yourself, your own talent.. why you show up to the world... what you have to say, to offer... that what you have is important... YOU MUST BELIEVE 🙏🏾 DON'T SHRINK... SHOW UP ‼️
- Show up for the CHOICE... don't surrender this part... stay on the RIGHT STREET 🚦OWN "yes" and "no" ...
- Surround yourself with Truth-Tellers -- all the difference ...
- ... it's OK to lick our wounds when we fall back..... this is key to the process of moving forward.......💨
- 🪔The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing.... we go deep ya'll ... just sayin'
- Managing loss...
- Mindset ... you need the right tool for your situation...
- we evolve when we are ready to be transparent with others...
- Shiny medals fade 🥈🥇🎖...
- we are usually the most broken before we see our breakthrough -- it will be 'on time' ... stay focused and kind and available to others as a help - through it all. Keep living.. keep loving... get through IT!
- Choose to remember the happy spaces and places 👏🏾
For Real, For Real,. You may pin this one and go back to it on the regular... good innovator wake-up conversation 🔥
https:www.provennotperfect.com
Follow Me and 'Holla Back on Instagram: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
How are you doing?
Has anything shifted for you as so many things are reopening?
Let's INHALE and EXHALE on this ...
It's just ME and YOU ☺️
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Follow at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect on Instagram
Podcast Conversation Journey...
Would you do a house swap with another family? .. Not sure why that matters 🤷🏽♀️
Decision to go back to school as an adult... make sense to you 🤔
Creative Agencies sound like a cool place to start a career.. opened many doorways👩🏽🎨
Work/Life pivots are R-E-A-L... builds character ☺️... yes, no... maybe so.....🤔
Shout out to parents who build us up to believe in ourselves AND keep it real too.
Fun Fact: the 80's was a big season for international adoptions, in particular children from Korea. Allison speaks about 'being different' growing up in Western Michigan.. and some of the observations that support her confidence and strength in life well into adulthood....
Life is based on a series of decisions by other people in the beginning and then by us as we grow up
Is Advertising the "dark side" ???? What does that even mean... we spill the tea ☕️ about what goes on in the agency world... 😁... seriously, we learn more about these 'idea factories' and who make them up...
A quote to take to the bank... "we are all alike more than we are different"... let's all believe this - OK🙏🏾
Pivots can take us around the world... LITERALLY... cool thing is that if you find that you end up in a place that you don't feel 'fits', you can CHANGE YOUR MIND...
... did you make a change searching for something that was always there... 💁🏽♀️
For my single ladies, how do you know you found "the right one"... ask yourself this... "is there a symbiotic nature to how you both move and support one another?"... does it feel like a TEAM 🏀..... teamwork......
Entrepreneuring (a new word that I am making up) at night, alongside your full time gig and family management role..... CAN BE A LOT... just keeping it REAL😆
So, JUST JUMP IN ... 🙂 how did Allison do this ? how did she feel?
How much do you know about the cannabis industry?
What does this mean for the construct of society as we know it?
Do we have pre-prohibition lessons learned from other opening industries before they were opened?
We talk about stigma,
we talk about regulations,
we talk about health & safety,
we talk about economics, we talk about it.......
Full disclosure, I didn't know a lot. In fact, I wasn't (maybe still not) completely sure how I feel, and given the complexity of implications. That said, I am committed to staying open to new conversations AND open to other points of view AND to creating safe spaces... Love wins!!!💚
This conversation will awaken your soul, inspire you to check-in with yourself and bring to mind any systems and structures in your own life that create constraints, boundaries... challenge your access.
Our conversation journey highlights...
- Appreciating the serendipity in our journey, built on BOTH our calling and legacy ...
- Social Media feels... loving how perfect everyone else's life is OR ready to all B2#$%🤬
- Exploring the theme of 'Access' through the lens of a Woman of Color in the Design Industry... "Real Talk"
- Oops, OH YEAH, there is a very imperfect pause at ~25min in.. I lost internet connection 🤷🏽♀️🙈
- How do feel about claiming 'regrets' in your life? Are you comfortable with this word? We talk about it... even debate it... noone wins, but what do you think?
- Funding a business startup... 401k OR loans... one or the other... both... is there a right or wrong?
- How do you feel about community newspaper lists, you know... top 20, top 30.. 60 under 60... LOL? We think its about the 💵 💵... just sayin' 😉
- POC and WOC vibes in the sunshine of focus post the murder of Mr. George Floyd.. we talk about it 🔥
- Keep it Real.. do you sometimes have to shake your own negative demons off.. HARD.. we talk about it... staying focused on the muscle of gratitude through it all... 👏🏾
- In business, the "HOW" matters for ALL OF US ... straighten your collar 💁🏽♀️ AND youmust be "LIKED"
- How does one get on the guest list for the Met Gala.. we are trying to go 🤣😂
- Do manifest as a practice to achieving goals in your life? Does this work? Is faith tied to this practice 🤔
- SHOUT OUT Danyale Price... our girl 💕💚 iykyk
- God wins!!! NO Contest! 🎤
- Define Optimism... Define Inspiration... 👊🏽
- Our World has Beauty and Flaw... all spaces and places... its balanced.
Follow Keita Turner on Instagram: @keitaturnerdesign
Follow and DM me at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Hello Family,
Ashley Hines is Founder of THEE TAILORED LIFE an organizing business that is hands on, and building a virtual community of followers. This business is rooted in so much goodness. Follow her at: https://www.theetailoredlife.com and on Instagram at @theetailoredlife.
As the driven and ambitious type that we are as a community, we often feel like we need to take pause and 'get it together'... resonate.. check this conversation out.. check Ashley out.
For this conversation, I am 'on location' taping for the 1st time (pardon the sound), but as usual my guests and our conversations are the 💥 --
mentorship,
pivots,
being centered through it all
... a perfect 2022 Spring Tune Up :)
Enjoy!
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Instagram: @shontrapowell_ProvenNotPerfect
Ya'll... if you be rockin' with me from the jump, you know this journey is about surrender ... I was in my personal reflection and devotion this morning, exploring Word dripped by my Bishop on Sunday. And 💥 this hit me to drop for me and you...
Stay strong in your inspired thoughts and dreams 👏🏾
https://www.provennotperfect.com
instagram follow (direct message) at: shontrapowell_ProvenNotPerfect
Join my conversation with Jacqueline Wong, General Manager of Activation PR & Activation Digital, part of Activation Group, the leading interactive data performance marketing group for pan-fashion brands in Greater China. In fact, they are the largest experiential marketing company serving luxury and trendy brands in Greater China.
Jacqueline has been a brand steward for over 24 years, launch full spectrum of marketing campaigns for global renowned brands, with solid experience from both in-house and 4A's agency focusing on luxury, fashion, jewelry and skin care brands. Jacqueline is passionate about Art and Fashion! And... is a proud Kellogg Alumna 💜
Let's go talk to Jaqueline....🤩
Follow me at: https://www.provennotperfect.com
Instagram: shontrapowell_provennotperfect.com
DM or Email me ... I love hearing from you!
Hey Y'all, meet Heidi Hoelzer, grounded, centered and wise woman who journeyed from a quest to the top in the Fashion Industry to founding a Yoga Business, that hosts retreats all over the world 🌍
In fact, if you are near Austria (yes the country) May 29 - June 3rd, you may want to participate in her Hiking and Yoga Retreat! Check out http://www.hiyolife.com to learn more about her inspired retreats.
A few favorite nuggets from our talk:
- As we move forward it is important to flush what you've been through...
- Pivot comes from changes...
- It's the raw things that make us stronger...
- Sit with yourself... hang out with yourself...
Enjoy!!!
Hit me up at: spowell@provennotperfect.com
Follow me:
shontrapowell_provennotperfect.com on Instagram
Shontra Powell on Clubhouse
Shontra Powell on Twitter
https://www.provennotperfect.com
Let's talk about women entrepreneurs.. women in boardrooms... women and men dedicated to making a path for more women...
Entrepreneurship, VC and Investing have been dominated by men for years. We are seeing a shift, some would call renaissance in many areas since the global pandemic. Is there new, renewed space for women to not only sit at the table, but to own the table? Let’s talk what’s abuzz in entrepreneurship, in particular driven by women.
In this conversation, get to know Laura Marie Kaiser as we discuss startup and boardroom matters...
This talk is Pretty Powerful if you ask me :)
Let me know what your thoughts on the topic on IG at shontrapowell_provennotperfect.
Email me at: spowell@provennotperfect.com
http://www.provennotperfect.om
Here we go....
**We often hear startup business stories that seem as though it was an effortless breath for the founders to SEE the opportunity, and even more simple to SEIZE it..
In this conversation with The Nopo Co-Founder, Kelly Breakstone Roth, we get real about a founder's journey not always be 'sexy'. In fact, sometimes it is simply a desire to be an entrepreneur that sparks the work that brings all the magic to you✨
Kelly is 'doing it all' and shares her own challenges to wife and mom 3 beautiful children, while keeping her dream alive 🙌🏽
We begin by learning how she shifted her career, enhanced her skills and abilities and then identified a great business partner to uncover and grow a business together. [Note: this is 'iron sharpening iron'] Follow Kelly on Instagram at: TheNopo
OR**http://www.thenopo.com
Also, if you are enjoying Proven Not Perfect Podcast, please drop me a line at:
http://www.provennotperfect.com
Like my Podcast on your platform of choice.. and DM on Instagram at:
shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Proven Not Perfect, we are heading to New Orleans, Louisiana for a taste of food, culture, family ... and ALL THE THINGS... ⚜️
We visit with my homegirl, Julie Fredericks Vaucresson of Vaucresson Sausage & Food Co., founded in the 1800's in New Orleans. Talk about carrying a legacy forward... YESSS!
It happens to be Mardi Gras season ... have fun learning more about the culture of the people while you are inspired in running + leading in designing, marketing, building and scaling business for the next generation!
... resilience... CHECK
... faith... CHECK
... creativity... CHECK
Follow: http://www.vaucressonsausage.com
Follow on Instagram and Facebook: @creole_sausage_queen AND @vaucressonsausage
Follow me on Instagram at: @shontrapowell_provennotperfect
Follow: http://www.provennotperfect.com
ENJOY 🤗
Tiheasha Beasley is Founder and CEO of November Media Publishing. This is a great conversation for anyone who has considered, or maybe considering publishing a book. Tiheasha keeps it real with us, and reminds us that we are living our story every day, and this may be your best material to confidently move forward.
November Media Publishing:
http://www.novembermediapublishing.com
Contact/follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect.com
OR
http://www.provennotperfect.com
Proven Not Perfect Community we are talking to Karla Evans Davis y'all, Vice President Marketing for Ulta Beauty... featured in Pretty Powerful issue of Essence Magazine.. Mom... Wife... AND INSPIRED Woman of God🔥
Roll with us in the talk. We go back down memory lane with some fun nostalgia about our own fashion starts, and in my case STOPS... 🛑🤣
On the serious side, get some nuggets for career bag, your mommy bag, your boardroom boss bag and your spirituality and faith bag 👏🏾
IG: christcenteredcareers
follow Karla's passion work for the Lord
Message me at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect
💕💚 ❤️🤍
Enjoy!
http://www.provennotperfect.com
It's February... Black History Month 2022 . Let's celebrate, honor and support.
Today I talk about levels of "the push through" (a Shontra'ism) required for a black woman leader in her corporate journey to the C-Suite. This talk is on FIRE, featuring global tech leader, Michelle Greene.
We even talk about a black woman's role as mommy, god-mommy, auntie, nanny... and how we carefully raise our young to be optimistic but careful... as the harsh realities of bias and racism rear its ugly head. We talk about choosing LOVE ❤️
- Listen if you are a black woman who wants to smile and nod as you reminisce on your own journey..
- Listen if you are a woman who wants to celebrate the journey of WOC...
- Listen if you are an ally who wants to go deeper into experiences where you can make a difference...
- Listen if you are "on the come up" and you want to be ready..
- Listen if you you just want to enjoy a conversation that is sure to entertain, inspire thought and plant seeds in your own garden...
Enjoy! Peace and Love!
Talk to me at:
http://www.provennotperfect.com
IG: shontrapowell_Provennotperfect
What do sisters talk about... silly things, serious things.. all the things. You know what I am talking about🙂
One Saturday before the 2021 holidays I captured a chat between me and my sister. I am sharing my call to make you smile, maybe even laugh/scream...
Listen in to our talk and then quick jump off and get on your on call with your loved one ... sister or girlfriend.
From vaccine boosting to closet disasters to baptist church norms to hurricanes to 'mama saids'... :)))) Enjoy!
sisters
family
Saturdays
fashion
inspiration
http://www.provennotperfect.com
"The American Suitcase Smells Like Apples " A Conversation with Ugochi Nwoga --
So, after the Kellogg School of Management Reunion you'll hear, YES! that happened🙂 , enjoy a conversation about being our authentic self in career management, growth as a leader and managing tough times in the journey with a focus on more to come...
This conversation will inspire growing leaders who are working hard to grow "up" in your career... as in up the ladder.
- take agency for yourself
- stop assuming...
- how does an ask line up to your needs...goals
- keep energy and mental health in tact
This will be a throwback and reminder to others of us; about journey experiences getting to where we are today.
- even when it turned out different, you still grew.. got better and stronger
- there is joy in the journey - lest we forget
- triumph over tougher, darker times when the road shifts and changes around us
- the depth of more...we are more than enough
More good stuff --
We talk about family business best practices and watch outs... Entrepreneurship... and more
Check the African Artist discussed: http://www.ovicogallery.comwww.ovicogallery.com
Ebo Sayings we learn --
"When a person wakes up, it's their morning."
"Whatever comes to you at your time is not by begging by forcing. It was meant to get to you. It was meant for you."
Shout outs:
Rattler
FAMU
Kellogg
Inspiration
career
leadership
strong
passion
freedom
goals
aspiration
entrepreneur
africantalent
provennotperfect
Follow Proven Not Perfect at: http://www.provennotperfect.com
This conversation is HOT OFF THE PRESS... in fact, I literally couldn't hold to my schedule...
You know that I flow pretty organically, and this message is relevant and timely for many.
Calling ALL Psalm 31 Women... do I have a conversation for YOU...
... setting your year for a great start
... getting your mind right
Today, I talk with Erickajoy Daniels ...
- SVP DEI Officer,
- Author of "Taking Care of Business While My Husband is at the Gate",
- Minister, Pastor
- Community Leader, Wife and Mom.....
We talk about business, leadership, mental health, parenting, faith and just flowing... ALL THE THINGS :)
Enjoy!
Shontra
Follow her at: GateGirlsLove on Instagram.
Follow me on IG at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect and provennotperfect
Visit me at: http://www.provennotperfect.com
My guest in this conversation, Jen Mascali, is an accomplished businesswoman, starting a handbag collection in Italy that has been spotted on the shoulders of some pretty cool folks. She embodies her Italian heritage and legacy as a leather artisan, bringing the style and craftsmanship forward in this new generation.
This show brings lightheartedness and real talk on authenticity, vulnerability, creativity; as well as balancing the creative genius with economic viability.
This is a good one for after a long day and you just want some fun 'girlfriend talk' .. red wine optional 😉.
You can explore Jen's handbags on Instagram: @JenMescali *the Joey Bag is on my wish list!
Follow me on Instagram:
@shontrapowell_provennotperfect
@provennotperfect
Visit me at:
http://www.provennotperfect.com
Happy New Year! We kickoff this new year with an inspiring conversation between me and Dr. Riva Robinson. Dr. Riva is a Functional Medicine Physician, Lifestyle Transformation Coach and best-selling author. Her mission is to help everyone feel empowered through their health, so they can get more out of life. Outside of work, Dr. Riva is a reigning bodybuilding champion and loves inspiring others to pursue excellence in there own lives. You can learn more about Dr. Riva and her work at: riva wellness.com
Follow me on Instagram:
@shontrapowell_provennotperfect
@provennotperfect
Visit me at:
http://www.provennotperfect.com
Shontra's on this journey of movement... committing to the work every day for the next 30days... join her on this journey - listening or joining her actively. Let's GEAUX!!!
The next 30 Days will be revelatory by making this choice to MOVE ... join the conversation and invite other.
You like... share the podcast with 10 friends (are associates... or enemies :) today - THANK YOU!
Hit me up at:
spowell@provennotperfect.com
IG: proven_not_perfect
Twitter: @shontrapowell
Clubhouse: @shontrapowell
Welcome to the Proven Not Perfect Podcast!
In this Ep 7, our host Shontra Powell shares more about her journey to this format of leadership... You learn WHY.
Let me know what you think...
@shontrapowell -- Facebook, Twitter, Clubhouse
proven_not_perfect -- Instagram
spowell@provennotperfect.com
PEACE :)
Find some fun and joy in this episode celebrating your own unique, irreplaceable and inspired self! It's your time to "jump to the rhythm"... do you hear the beat?
Follow and Message me at:
Twitter: @shontrapowell
IG: Proven_Not_Perfect
Clubhouse: @shontrapowell
email direct to: spowell@provennotperfect.com
In this Episode, we talk about SUPER powers... mine and yours.
I look forward to your feedback!
Email: spowell@provennotperfect.com
IG: proven_not_perfect
Clubhouse: @shontrapowell
This episode speaks to ALL the Mamas... we are strong and needed and doing worthy work!
... Not a "mama" in the traditional meaning, but responsible for the care and keeping of another, this conversation for you as well...
Let me know what you think about "the duck"... :)
Follow (and message me):
Proven_Not_Perfect on Instagram
@shontrapowell on Clubhouse
This is a show for women who wear many hats and who have held themselves to an unhealthy measure of success. This show will deposit nuggets for your own self reflection and self improvement. This audio series builds upon the book - Proven Not Perfect: 7 Truths of a Corporate Executive, Mommy, Wife and Christian (published 2018, Amazon Best-Seller).
This episode continues the season with a conversation about clearing the baggage that holds us back from being our unique, best self... I hope that you enjoy!
Follow me on Instagram: Proven_Not_Perfect
Follow me on Clubhouse: @shontrapowell
Email me Feedback: spowell@provennotperfect.com
This episode builds the next chapter of this podcast that flows like a book... In podcast 1 of this season, we started with a 'tune up' with three principles. We start this chapter with a review and then build to a discussion about defining important...
If you like the podcast, follow the podcast... share the podcast :)
In this episode the seasoned business executive, mommy, wife and christian launches into the next phase from her debut book - Proven Not Perfect: 7 Truths of a Corporate Executive, Mommy, Wife and Christian (published September 2018, Amazon Best Seller).... this time as an audio series... listen in to 'clean up' and get set in this season of renewal and Spring...