Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 26 with guest Monique Ball. What does it take to rise above stereotypes and rewrite the narrative? Monique shares how identity, education, and self-belief can become tools for empowerment.

Monique is a licensed real estate agent and previously worked in broadcasting and digital advertising. Throughout Monique’s life, she has continued to break societal stereotypes, and through education, she has been empowered to rise above the expectations placed on her.

This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 26: Breaking stereotypes and leading with curiosity.

Key Discussion Points:

00:58 Ignorance and Misinformation: We have to think critically about the information we consume, especially in times of crisis.

01:59 Navigating Stereotypes: People choose to accept stereotypes and misinformation rather than educate themselves. Use this as motivation to supersede whatever judgment society has placed on you.

07:05 Understanding Historically Black Universities:  Historically black colleges and universities are institutions that were founded on the principle of helping minorities have higher education.

08:08 Empowerment in Belonging: There is empowerment that comes with being part of the majority.

In Summary: Monique encourages us to challenge stereotypes, use adversity as motivation, and invest in education as a path to empowerment. She urges us to seek environments that affirm our identity and build self-confidence.

Resources from this episode:

Follow Monique on LinkedIn.

If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/

Ready to make a change?

→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.

→ If you are ready to transition out of Corporate and want to start building a profitable portfolio career as a business owner, board member or more, but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Connect with your hosts:

Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website.

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Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 24 with guest Annette Maxberry-Carrara. Feeling behind or unsure if it's too late to pivot? This conversation will remind you that reinvention isn’t about timing; it’s about courage, clarity, and action.

Annette is a screenwriter, celebrated author, and political activist. She embodies empathy, compassion, and courage, from saving her Afghan daughter from the Taliban and escaping the Algerian Civil War, to getting involved in political activism in the United States.

This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 24: Writing Success Stories with Courage, Compassion And Empathy.

Key Discussion Points:

01:00 Reinventing Yourself: You can reinvent yourself at any age, no matter your background or education. All it takes is courage.

02:57 Stepping Out in the Face of Fear: Failure is not the end of the world. True failure is letting fear hold you back from trying anything.

03:33 Doing What You Can with What You Have: Don’t let what you don’t have hold you back. Rather, explore what you can do with what you have.

06:56 Tapping Into an Untapped Market: If you are looking for a business opportunity, all you need is a bit of creativity and an untapped market.

In Summary: Annette reminds us that reinvention is always possible, regardless of age, setbacks, or fear. She encourages us to act before we feel ready and to embrace failure as part of the process.

Resources from this episode:

Follow Annette on LinkedIn.

If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/

Ready to make a change?

→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.

→ If you are ready to transition out of Corporate and want to start building a profitable portfolio career as a business owner, board member or more, but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Connect with your hosts:

Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website.

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Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we spotlight a powerful moment from episode 70 with guest Cindy Gallop. What happens when your values no longer align with your workplace? Cindy shares insight on walking away, speaking up, and building a career rooted in authenticity and impact.

Cindy is a bold entrepreneur, brand innovator, and advocate for social change with over 30 years in advertising. Known for her disruptive style, she calls herself the Michael Bay of business.

This short clip features one of the most impactful learning moments from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 70: Disrupting the Status Quo.

Key Discussion Points:

01:00 The Value of Being Your Own Filter: When you are your own filter and put what you are out there, you will attract your tribe and you'll keep away the people who are not for you.

03:37 Aligning with Your Values (As an Individual and a Business): When businesses come together with their consumers and employees based on shared values, they can make things happen that will benefit consumers, employees, society, and the company.

06:55 Knowing the Right Time to Leave a Job: Working at a company that is not in alignment with your values will cause you stress. This means it’s time to get out.

09:52 Overcoming Fear by Taking Action: The micro-action that will have the single biggest positive effect on your life is saying what you think. This is how you bring your value to the table and become your own filter.

In Summary: Cindy emphasizes the power of authenticity, value alignment, and fearless self-expression in both life and work. She encourages individuals to be their own filter and live their values unapologetically.

Resources from this episode:

Follow Cindy on LinkedIn or visit her website.

You can support Cindy Gallpo’s mission by making a tax-deductible donation to Inspire Access x MLNP—an initiative championing equity and access in business. Whether you're a major investor or simply passionate about real change, we highly encourage you to contribute.

👉 Donate here to support a visionary female founder.

If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/

Ready to make a change?

→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.

→ Ready to leave Corporate and build a profitable portfolio career? Archita can guide your transition to entrepreneurship with clarity and confidence.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Connect with your hosts:

Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website.

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Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 30 with guest Sanhita Sen. How do you stay true to your values in corporate systems that resist change? Sanhita is sharing insight on navigating identity, power, and purpose in corporate environments.

Sanhita is an experienced Assistant District Attorney with a demonstrated history of working in the law practice industry. She has a Doctor of Law from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 30: Choosing to Challenge Systemic Racism in the U.S Justice System with Curiosity And Kindness.

Key Discussion Points:

00:59 Moving Beyond Surface-Level Diversity: We need to stop running from real conversations about power and privilege, and instead confront them honestly and intentionally.

05:01 Staying True to Your Values Within the System: You do not have to dedicate your life to the downfall of capitalism; rather, you can choose to act intentionally in the systems you live in.

03:35 The Social Networking Aspect to Dismantling Racism: People are more likely to change when ideas have been introduced to them by a friend.

10:29 Making Space for Less Privileged Voices:  You can use your privilege and platform to make room for voices that don't naturally have access to that privilege.

In Summary: Sanhita Sen encourages those more privileged to use that power to amplify marginalized voices. She explains that investing in imagination is the only way to create a more inclusive future.

Resources from this episode:

Follow Sanhita on LinkedIn.

If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/

Ready to make a change?

→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.

→ If you are ready to transition out of Corporate and want to start building a profitable portfolio career as a business owner, board member or more, but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Connect with your hosts:

Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Embracing Only on

Ready to make a change?
→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals?
Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.
→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.
Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 28 with Olivia Grant-Cream from before she was a host on the show. Olivia is sharing the exact steps you need to take to advocate for yourself in the workplace.

 Olivia is a US veteran, born and raised in Jamaica, with over 12 years of experience in HR leadership. She has recently left her corporate job to pursue entrepreneurship full-time, where she helps ambitious women of color break through barriers and create the success they deserve.

This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 28: From First Black Woman Engineer Officer in The U.S. Coast Guard to Corporate America.

Key Discussion Points:

00:58 Advocating for Yourself in the Workplace: You cannot accomplish anything in your organization without knowing what you want, networking, and adding value.

05:11 Stop Trying to Prove People Wrong: Don’t chase things just because someone says you can’t do it. That doesn’t help you in your life.

06:05 Understanding Your Why: Without a clear why, you’ll waste energy chasing goals that don’t actually belong to you.

In Summary: Olivia shares practical strategies for career growth by focusing on clarity, strategic networking, and adding visible value. She urges us to define our “why” instead of chasing goals rooted in ego or external doubt.

Resources from this episode:

Start with Why & Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/

Ready to make a change?

→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.

→ If you are ready to transition out of Corporate and want to start building a profitable portfolio career as a business owner, board member or more, but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Connect with your hosts:

Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website.

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Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 67 with guest Mary Waweru. We’re diving into creating inclusive workplaces as Mary shares impactful DEI practices and the importance of anti-racism.

Mary is an intersectionality, racial equity, decoloniality, and social impact consultant. As the CEO and founder of Crest Impact, she guides organisations to build safe and inclusive cultures, practices, policies, and communications.

This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 67: Taking Action To Be Anti-Racist.

Key Discussion Points:

01:00 Recognizing the Value of DEI: DEI affects every aspect of a business, from the brand and the people within the organization to people externally and brands wanting to partner with the organization.

04:06 Creating Safe Spaces for Conversation: Hard conversations don’t have to be scary. Normalise having these conversations and allow people to make mistakes, make guesses, and be unsure.

08:18 The Value of an Expert to Assist with DEI Work: DEI shouldn’t be assigned as a side project to the only woman or person of color on the team.

09:40 The Need for Anti-Racism: It’s not enough to be “not racist,” you have to take action to be anti-racist.

In Summary: Mary emphasizes the importance of cultural humility, racial equity, and social impact within organizations. She encourages us to be anti-racist through action, commitment, education, and learning.

Resources from this episode:

Follow Mary on LinkedIn or visit her website.

Find Mary’s anti-racism courses here.

If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/

Ready to make a change?

→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.

→ If you are ready to transition out of Corporate and want to start building a profitable portfolio career as a business owner, board member or more, but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Connect with your hosts:

Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website.

_________

Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 66 with guest Dorothy Mashburn. Workplace negotiations can be intimidating. Luckily, Dorothy is sharing her tips to help you master them.

 Dorothy is a leading authority in negotiation and has a fervent mission to champion the underserved in corporate arenas. With a track record of negotiating pivotal deals with global giants and managing international teams, her unique insights empower minorities and women to achieve their career aspirations.

This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 66: Mastering Workplace Negotiations.

Key Discussion Points:

01:00 Do Not Negotiate Against Yourself:  If you negotiate against yourself, you will never reach any big goals. Your job is to dream big.

03:39 Sponsorship as Minority Women:  In general, minority women do not have sponsors in the workplace unless they have created those relationships for themselves. You have to stand up and advocate for yourself.

05:57 Changing Negotiation Power Dynamics:  If someone says your ask is too big, do not immediately apologize. This gives them the power. Stand in your power and stay confident in your ask.

07:28 Don’t Fear the No:  No is just the start of the negotiations, not something that should scare you.

In Summary: Dorothy Mashburn challenges us to advocate for ourselves and go big when negotiating. She urges us not to fear the “no” and emphasizes the value of staying calm and confident during high-stakes negotiations.

Resources from this episode:

Follow Dorothy on LinkedIn or visit her website.

If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/

Ready to make a change?

→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.

→ If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Connect with your hosts:

Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website.

______

Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into navigating transition and finding alignment. Discover the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and hear personal stories and strategies for finding alignment and maintaining clarity during significant life changes.

Olivia also makes a very exciting announcement in this episode. Tune in to find out more.

Key Discussion Points:

01:23 The Value of Alignment: The market does not define you. If you are in alignment, abundance will come.

04:20 Understanding Your Passions, Values & Priorities: Understanding your passions, values, and priorities is key to making any successful career transition.

12:35 The Importance of a Support Network: It’s easy to miss patterns in our own behavior. This is why surrounding yourself with people who will tell you the truth is so important.

16:05 Creating a Financial Safety Net: Operating from a place of desperation eliminates creativity and innovation. A financial safety net makes pivoting easier.

19:54 Culture Fit and Workplace Values: The longer you stay in an environment that is misaligned with your core values, the more you will become a shadow of your former self.

24:02 Taking Control of Your Life: We have to take a proactive approach with our careers and lives. Do not give your power to anyone else.

32:24 Debunking the ‘Growth at All Costs’ Myth: Check in to make sure that whatever you are pursuing right now is in alignment with your larger mission and that you will not be sacrificing that mission for a short-term achievement.

In Summary: Olivia and Archita emphasise the value of understanding your passions, values, and priorities and aligning with them before you make any transitions. They encourage us to take control of our lives and ensure that are actions are in alignment with our long-term mission.

Resources from this episode:

The 5 Book by Dan Zadra and Kristel Wills

Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams

If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/.

Connect with your hosts:

Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.

Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website.

_________

Produced by Ideablossoms

Ready to make a change?
→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals?
Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.
→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.
Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.