Podcast
Female Fridays
Hosted by Rachel Keller · EN
On Female Fridays, we go beyond the résumé to reveal the real stories of women leading with courage, complexity, and heart.
Hosted by Rachel Keller — a journalist at heart and a Vice President by trade — this podcast features unfiltered conversations with extraordinary women in healthcare, senior living, entrepreneurship, and beyond.
These are the stories behind the titles: breaking glass ceilings, navigating imposter syndrome, redefining power, and building legacy on their own terms.
If you're craving deeper, more human stories of leadership — the doubt, the pivots, the quiet wins — you’re in the right place.
Because true leadership was never just a title.
Tune in each Friday for real talk, emotional insight, and the truth behind what it really takes to lead.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why High Achievers Stop Listening to Themselves with Life Coach Rachel Zurer
Mar 800:40:48Tap to summarizeMost high achievers are really good at thinking their way through life.We analyze. We strategize. We push forward.But what happens when success on paper doesn’t feel aligned on the inside?In this episode of Female Fridays, I’m joined by life coach Rachel Zurer to talk about something many ambitious professionals struggle with: learning how to listen to their body instead of constantly overriding it.For many of us, success comes from pushing through discomfort. We’ve been rewarded for ignoring our gut feelings, intellectualizing our problems, and staying productive no matter what. But over time, that can disconnect us from what we actually want.Rachel works with high achievers who want deeper meaning in their lives and careers. Through body-based practices and thought work, she helps people reconnect with their internal “yes” and “no” signals so they can make decisions that feel aligned rather than forced.In our conversation, we explore why so many successful people eventually reach a moment of asking, Is this the mountain I actually wanted to climb?Rachel also shares a simple exercise to help you recognize the difference between a “whole body yes” and a subtle “no”—a powerful tool for making clearer decisions in your career, leadership, and personal life.If you’ve ever felt successful on paper but still a little disconnected inside, this episode is for you.Key Topics in This EpisodeWhy high achievers often disconnect from their body’s signalsWhat a “whole-body yes” actually feels likeHow overthinking can become a coping mechanismCultural conditioning around productivity and achievementThe fear that comes with making aligned decisionsPractical ways to start listening to your intuition and body signalsResources MentionedRachel's free guide:15 Questions to Ask Yourself as Your Soul Business (or Next Career Move) GestatesDownload the guide:https://wildgenius.com/soul-businessLearn more about Rachel Zurer:https://wildgenius.comConnect with MeFollow me on LinkedIn:https://linkedin.com/in/rachelschislerSubscribe to Female Fridays for conversations about leadership, ambition, and building a career that feels as good as it looks.
Transcribe →How to Grow a Personal Brand on LinkedIn with Christie Freeze
Feb 1500:49:34Tap to summarizeIf you’ve ever wondered how to grow your personal brand on LinkedIn without sounding self-promotional… this episode is for you.In today’s episode of Female Fridays, I’m sitting down with one of my industry besties, Christie Freeze, to talk about what it actually takes to build a personal brand that feels authentic, strategic, and effective.Christie has built a community of more than 12,000 followers on LinkedIn and is known across the senior living industry for her energy, positivity, and expertise in video sales. She’s the Director of Strategic Growth at SalesMail and the Founder and Author of Roadmap for Eldercare — but what I admire most is how intentionally she’s built her personal brand alongside her career.This conversation isn’t just about posting tips.It’s about confidence, clarity, and visibility.Together, we talk about:How to identify your personal brand (even if you don’t feel like an expert yet)What to do if your job changes, and whether your brand should change tooHow to grow your LinkedIn following strategicallyWhether video or static posts perform better on LinkedInHow often you should post to build momentumHow to use AI (like ChatGPT) for LinkedIn content without sounding roboticHow to create content pillars so you’re never staring at a blank screenWhat to do if coworkers or leadership judge you for being visibleWhy consistency matters more than perfectionChristie also shares how building her LinkedIn presence opened doors to speaking opportunities, partnerships, and professional growth, and how showing up before you feel fully confident can accelerate your career in ways you can’t predict.If you’re a professional, entrepreneur, sales leader, or woman in leadership who wants to grow your visibility on LinkedIn in 2026, this episode will give you both tactical tools and mindset shifts to help you start.Because personal branding is about becoming essential in the rooms you want to be in.If you loved this episode, share it with someone who’s been thinking about building their brand.And if you’re ready to stop lurking and start posting...let this be your sign!Follow Christie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiefreeze/Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelschisler/
Transcribe →How to Network Inside Your Organization (Without Feeling Awkward) with Author Rachel B Simon
Feb 800:37:28Tap to summarizeHow to Network at Work: Internal Networking Strategies for Career Growth With Rachel Simon | Female FridaysWant to know how to network at work — without feeling fake, pushy, or transactional?In this episode of Female Fridays, I break down practical strategies for internal networking, career visibility, and relationship building at work with Rachel Simon, former AT&T executive and author of Relationships at Work.A few years ago, I challenged myself to have 50 networking conversations in one year. That decision increased my sales, expanded my influence, and opened doors I didn’t even know existed.But here’s the twist: the most powerful networking strategy isn’t outside your company. It’s inside it.If you’ve ever asked:How do I network within my company?How do I ask a coworker for coffee?How do introverts network at conferences?Do I really need networking for career growth?How do women get more visibility at work?This episode answers those questions.We cover:Internal networking strategies that actually workWhat to say when requesting a networking coffeeWho should pay for networking lunchesConversation tips for introverts and extrovertsHow to follow up after conferences or happy hoursWhy women need advocates and sponsors — not just hard workYour career isn’t just about the what and the how.It’s about the who.Who knows your work? Who talks about you when you’re not in the room? Who advocates for your promotion?If you’ve been relying on doing great work alone, this episode is your reminder: visibility and relationships drive career advancement.Reframe networking as authentic relationship building — and watch what it unlocks.Grab Rachel Simon’s book, Relationships at Work: https://www.amazon.com/Relationships-Work-Authentically-Network-Company/dp/1637555377Connect with Rachel Simon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-b-simon-ab306a18b/Connect with me (Rachel Keller): https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelschisler/
Transcribe →When the Dream Changes: Mimi Godin on Outgrowing Your Plan and Finding a Bigger Purpose
Nov 700:30:38Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the dream you’ve been chasing for years no longer fits?After building a career across hundreds of dental practices, Mimi Godin landed the job she’d worked toward for years — only to realize six months later it wasn’t what she expected. In this honest conversation, she opens up about what it felt like to walk away from her “dream job,” navigate guilt and uncertainty, and follow curiosity into a completely new chapter of leadership.Today, as Senior Director of Dental Hygiene & Practice Development at Canada’s largest DSO, DentalCorp, Mimi leads with a mindset that bridges clinical care and business outcomes — proving that success doesn’t mean climbing higher; it means staying aligned with what matters most.Whether you work in dentistry or not, this episode is for the high achiever with evolving dreams — the one wondering what’s next when the plan suddenly changes. In This EpisodeThe surprising reality of being the first hygienist in a practice — and what it taught her about leadershipHow curiosity (not planning) became Mimi’s greatest career strategyThe emotional truth of realizing your “dream job” isn’t the right fitNavigating the tension between patient care and business outcomesRedefining success as progress, not perfectionConnectFollow Mimi Godin, MBA on LinkedInFollow Rachel on LinkedIn
Transcribe →When Proving Yourself Is Exhausting: How to Reprioritize and Find Peace with Dr. Mariz Tanious
Oct 2400:42:46Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the drive to prove yourself collides with the pressure to be perfect?In this episode of Female Fridays, I sit down with Dr. Mariz Tanious, Chief Dental Officer at Affinity Dental Management, who shares her deeply personal journey from struggling student to executive leader—and how learning to rest became her greatest act of resilience.From being an immigrant child navigating a new language to leading at the highest levels of dentistry, Dr. T’s story is one of faith, belief in herself, and grace. She opens up about what it means to lead as a woman in a male-dominated field, to parent a child with autism while building a demanding career, and to finally give herself permission to slow down.Resources & MentionsCella & Rose CandlesConnect with Dr. Mariz Tanious on LinkedInLearn more about Affinity Dental Management
Transcribe →She Took Care of Everyone Until She Finally Chose Herself: Roxy Couse on Building Half a Million Followers and Finding Freedom
Oct 1000:35:22Tap to summarizeIf you’ve ever felt the weight of holding everything together—at work, at home, and in your relationships—this episode is for you.This week on Female Fridays, I sit down with Roxy Couse, the creator known as The Millennial Manager. Roxy has built a community of nearly half a million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn by telling the truth about corporate life, burnout, and what it really means to choose yourself.Together, Roxy and I unpack what it looks like to:Build a personal brand that feels silly until it works—and embarrassing until it creates freedomLet go of being “superhuman” as a defense mechanismRedefine success outside of your 9-to-5Choose joy that isn’t tied to productivityTrust that what’s meant for you won’t miss youRoxy shares her journey from Senior Director in tech to full-time creator, her viral Love Letters to My 30s series, and the brave decision to walk away from a corporate job that no longer aligned with her peace.This episode is for the high achievers, the eldest daughters, and the corporate superwomen who feel like everyone else has permission to crumble—just not them. If you’ve ever wondered whether choosing yourself is too risky, Roxy’s story will feel like permission to breathe again.Key Themes:Personal branding for professionalsBurnout and boundaries in corporate cultureEldest daughter syndrome & perfectionismMillennial career transitionsMental health and therapy for high achieversFemale empowerment and leadershipGuest: Roxy Couse (@roxycouse) Creator, storyteller, and founder of The Millennial Manager brand. Follow Roxy on TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn for honest insights on career, creativity, and choosing joy in your 30s.
Transcribe →She Jumped Out of Airplanes and Negotiated Million-Dollar Deals: Then Motherhood Brought Her to Her Knees. The Truth About Ambition & Motherhood with Priya Rednam-Waldo
Sep 2600:44:55Tap to summarizeShe jumped out of airplanes. Negotiated million-dollar public health deals. Graduated from Johns Hopkins.But when it came time to start her family, Priya Rednam-Waldo thought: how hard could a baby be?In this episode of Female Fridays, I sit down with Priya, a former Army officer, licensed perinatal therapist, and founder of Healing Home Counseling Group, a 7-figure practice supporting mothers and families.Priya opens up about her journey from West Point to postpartum, including traumatic pregnancies, adoption, and the identity shifts that shook her as a high-achieving woman. Together, we dive into:✨ The biggest lies we’ve been told about motherhood and career ✨ Why even top executives, surgeons, and founders struggle to feel worthy of support ✨ The truth behind buzzwords like work-life balance and work-life integration ✨ What it looks like to build your “motherhood playbook” before the storm hits ✨ How guilt, ambition, and invisible labor show up long after the newborn phaseAnd for the first time, I’m bringing your voices in. I asked Priya the questions you sent me about balancing ambition and caregiving, traveling for work while parenting, and how to truly support mothers — even if you’re not one yourself.Whether you’re a mom, a leader, or someone who simply cares about mothers, this is a conversation I think you’ll carry with you.Website : www.priyarednamwaldo.com Instagram: @priyarednamwaldoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyarednamwaldo/
Transcribe →When Life Comes Crashing Down: Katie Grant on Rebuilding After a Traumatic Brain Injury
Sep 1100:49:23Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the identity you’ve worked your whole life to build disappears in an instant?That’s the story of Katie Grant, VP of Account Management at SafelyYou. A high-achieving nurse turned executive, Katie’s life was forever altered by a traumatic brain injury. Her world became small—confined to rehab, migraines, and uncertainty. But instead of staying small, Katie chose resilience. She rebuilt her life, her career, and her confidence—one vulnerable, courageous step at a time.In this unforgettable episode of Female Fridays, Katie opens up about:The wisdom seniors gave her as a young nurse (“live your life, say the things left unsaid”)How to grieve old identities—and why it’s essential for growthHow to grieve old identities—and why it’s essential for growthHow to move through loss and life-changing injuryHer battle with imposter syndrome, even as a VP leading a record-breaking teamWhy she pivoted into tech and joined SafelyYou (“any seat on a rocket ship is a good seat”)The launch of Halo, and how senior living technology is transforming careHer mission to mentor, sponsor, and advocate for women in leadershipKatie’s story is not just about surviving a setback. It’s about redefining leadership as authenticity, compassion, and courage. If you’ve faced a loss, a chronic illness, or a season where life hit harder than you could imagine, this episode will give you a roadmap to rise again.About Katie Grant: Katie Grant is a seasoned leader in the senior living and health tech space, where she blends innovation with compassion to improve the lives of older adults. With a background that spans nursing, technology, and executive leadership, Katie has built a reputation for driving results while uplifting the people around her.She’s passionate about empowering women in leadership, openly sharing her own journey of overcoming health challenges and imposter syndrome to inspire others to rise with confidence. Today, she leads with resilience, heart, and a commitment to lifting up women at every stage of their careers, proving that when one woman’s voice grows stronger, we all move forward.If you loved this conversation, don’t miss Melissa’s episode, which Katie highlighted as one of her favorites.
Transcribe →She Had the Harvard Degree and Dream Job—Then Walked Away from It All. Learning to Trust Yourself with Tama Kieves
Aug 200:44:06Tap to summarizeHave you ever done everything “right” — checked every box, landed the dream job, hit the big milestones — but still wondered, Is this really it? That’s exactly where my guest Tama Kieves found herself. She had the Harvard Law degree, the prestigious career, the life her family dreamed of… and she walked away from all of it to chase something she couldn’t ignore: her own voice.If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or secretly longed for a different life, you’re not alone. In this episode, Tama gets honest about what it’s really like to leave behind expectations, face your fears, and finally trust yourself — even when it makes no sense on paper.You’ll hear us talk about:Why high achievers (especially women) are often the ones doubting themselves mostHow to tell the difference between intuition and anxietyThe unfiltered truth about starting over — with no plan, no safety net, and no regretsThe hidden cost of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and ignoring your inner voiceSimple, powerful tools Tama uses to help women get clear and take bold steps forwardIf you’re thinking about a career change, feeling overwhelmed, or just craving more meaning in your life, this conversation is for you. You’ll walk away with real strategies, plenty of “me too” moments, and (I hope) a renewed belief that your own dreams matter.This is for every ambitious woman who’s ever wondered if she’s allowed to want more. I can’t wait for you to listen.Learn more about Tama: https://tamakieves.com
Transcribe →Trailer: Meet Female Fridays 👋 Real Stories. Bold Women. True Leadership.
Aug 200:00:45Tap to summarizeWhat Is Female Fridays? A Podcast for Women in Leadership, Healthcare & EntrepreneurshipWelcome to the Female Fridays podcast — your weekly space for real conversations with women in leadership. This 60-second trailer gives you a quick feel for what we’re all about.Hosted by Rachel Keller, each episode features unfiltered stories from bold women in senior living, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and beyond. We go beyond the LinkedIn headline to talk about career pivots, breaking glass ceilings, imposter syndrome, and the quiet courage it takes to rise.If you’re searching for a podcast that blends leadership, authenticity, and legacy — you’re in the right place.Hit play to hear what Female Fridays is all about.
Transcribe →