#16. The Power of Self-Reflection and Letting Go: An Inspiringly Honest Conversation with Maricel Dicion
The guest of the last episode of season 2 is my dear friend Maricel. We met just a few months ago and I remember thinking, she will hold a significant place in my heart. And she has. Our friendship has been growing quickly and I am honored to call her a friend.Maricel is a deep thinker with a rich inner world. She has incredibly sharp self-awareness which she has cultivated very intentionally through a lot of self-reflection and writing.Some key takeaways from the episode include:Career paths don't have to be linear—embracing the winding journey can lead to unexpected growth.Internal motivation brings more lasting fulfillment than seeking external validation.Letting go of relationships that no longer serve you creates space for growth.Managing our inner critic through self-reflection is crucial for moving forward.Collective thriving and community mindset matter more than individual success alone.This episode is full of golden nuggets, really. I'm so appreciative of Maricel openly, candidly sharing her journey so far. Please enjoy.Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.
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#15. The Art of Intentional Balance that Creates Connection, Growth, and Joy: A Conversation with Dr. Julia Wiener
Welcome to Business Casual. I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete".Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women leaders who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles.My guest today is Dr. Julia Wiener. Julia is an organizational psychologist who masterfully balances multiple roles as a mother, wife, nonprofit board member, and consulting firm owner. She brings deep wisdom about human connection and authentic leadership to everything she does. I appreciate how Julia combines professional expertise with genuine vulnerability, sharing both her struggles and triumphs with remarkable openness.Some key takeaways from our discussion:Connection and community are essential for navigating life's challenges and finding fulfillment.Balancing multiple roles requires intentionality rather than perfection.Joy can be found in everyday moments when we're present and aware.Imposter syndrome affects even the most accomplished leaders, but self-awareness helps us move through it.Combining friendships with professional relationships can enhance both personal and career growth.Please enjoy this thoughtful, inspiring conversation with Dr. Julia about connection, growth, and finding joy in the complexity of life.Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.
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#14. The Pursuit of Intentional Living by Making Choices, Not Compromises: A Conversation with Katie Bennett
Welcome to Business Casual. I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete".Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women leaders who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles.My guest today is Katie Bennett. Katie is a mother, athlete, executive coach, and consultant who has navigated the complex journey of balancing multiple demanding roles while staying true to her values. She brings authenticity and resilience to everything she does, from raising her children to building her coaching practice. I appreciate how openly Katie shares both her triumphs that she is deeply proud of and her struggles that she has overcome.Today's conversation was deeply personal and inspiring, touching on the realities of modern life and leadership. Some key takeaways from our discussion:Being present for your children while building a career requires intentional choices, not compromises.Imposter syndrome is common but manageable when you focus on your authentic contributions.Fulfillment comes from aligning your work with your values and continuing to grow.Please enjoy this heartfelt, authentic conversation with Katie about motherhood, career transitions, and the ongoing pursuit of meaningful work.Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.
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#13. Career Longevity, Authentic Leadership, and Smart Boundaries: A Conversation with Katie Bonar
Welcome to Business Casual. I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete".Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women leaders who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles.My guest today is Katie Bonar. Katie has had an impressive 13-year career at Cameron Stephens, where she has demonstrated remarkable adaptability and authentic leadership. She is currently serving the organization as a Senior Vice President of Investment Management. The confident and authentic energy Katie always carries with her is something I have loved and admired. Her approach to career growth, team building, and personal development offers valuable insights for anyone who is starting and building their professional journey.Some key takeaways from our discussion include:Working smarter, not harder, leads to better results and sustainable success.No need to have a master plan meticulously crafted - most of us figure out as we go.Setting boundaries helps maintain your energy and health in the long run.Authenticity fosters deeper relationships and stronger leadership in the workplace.Please enjoy this honest and motivating conversation with Katie.Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.
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#12. Employee Ownership and Balanced Leadership: A Conversation with Jennifer Williams
Welcome to Business Casual. I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete".Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women leaders who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles.My guest today is Jennifer Williams. Jennifer specializes in business transitions to employee ownership and has extensive experience helping business owners navigate this evolving landscape. I appreciate Jennifer's practical wisdom and her deep understanding of the human side of business transitions, especially the identity challenges that come with letting go of something you've built.Some key takeaways from our discussion:Employee ownership aligns employees with business goals and creates meaningful rewards for their contributions.Identity can be deeply tied to business ownership, making transitions challenging.Having hobbies and community outside of work helps maintain a balanced identity.Please enjoy this thoughtful and informative conversation with Jennifer.Music: "Come Out Tonight" by Vicki Vox (via Epidemic Sound) Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit my Website.
About Business Casual: The Stories We Tell, In and Outside of the Boardroom
Welcome to Business Casual! I am Mihae Ahn, your host and author of "The Stories We Tell" and "Perfectly Incomplete". Business Casual brings you unfiltered conversations with badass, inspiring, highly accomplished women who are changing the game. I am passionate about and believe in the power of sharing stories, our authentic, raw, and incomplete stories, getting beyond the polished LinkedIn profiles to the real humans behind the titles.Join me for honest talk with remarkable women who are willing to let down their guard and share the stories that truly matter—both in and outside of the boardroom. You will be inspired. More importantly, you will feel seen and heard.
Listen to Business Casual: The Stories We Tell, In and Outside of the Boardroom, 6 Minute English and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
Ireland