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Published by Paula T. Edgar
This is the Branding Room Only podcast with Paula T. Edgar where we share career stories, strategies, and lessons learned on how industry leaders and influencers have built their personal brands.
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For 25 years, much of the conversation about my mother, Joan Donna Griffith, has focused on how she died. But the greatest leadership lessons I carry did not come from losing my mother on September 11, 2001. They came from how she lived, what she taught me, and how she prepared me for moments neither of us could have imagined. In this episode of Branding Room Only, I’m sharing one of the most personal talks I have ever given, originally delivered as a PDC Talk at the Professional Development Consortium (PDC) Annual Summer Conference. In this short talk, I reflect on what my mother taught me about preparing for disruption, making decisions grounded in your values, knowing your worth, and creating more leaders through mentorship, sponsorship, advocacy, and love. Leadership begins long before a crisis arrives. It is revealed through how we prepare people, the choices we make when something is at stake, and how we advocate for others when they are not in the room. 2:42 – The leadership philosophy Joan instilled in childhood 5:45 – The vital importance of preparing others for the unexpected 11:28 – Knowing your values and refusing to let fear make your decisions 15:15 – A lifelong reminder about exponential self-worth 18:12 – Love as the hidden meaning of leadership, and a question to ask yourself Mentioned In What Losing My Mother on September 11 Taught Me About Leadership Remembering Joan Donna Griffith 25 Years After September 11 with Peter L. Griffith A Tribute to My Mother Joan Donna Griffith Professional Development Consortium (PDC) Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform ! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops . Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
What people say about you when you’re not in the room matters. Raymond Sanchez Jr. has seen that play out throughout a career shaped by relationships, mentorship, and people willing to put his name forward because they trusted how he would show up. It is also a lesson he learned early from his father, Raymond Sanchez Sr., who taught him to have a plan, think ahead, and understand that what you know matters, but so does who you know. Ray was only 22 when his father, a union carpenter working at the World Trade Center, was killed on September 11th. In the aftermath, Ray found himself navigating the legal process to establish his father’s death, an experience that ultimately helped lead him to law school. Twenty-five years later, his father’s example still shows up in the way Ray thinks about service, integrity, and whether he is leaving things better than he found them. He is equally intentional about making sure his father is remembered for who he was, not simply for what happened to him on September 11th. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula T. Edgar sits down with Ray to discuss the people and experiences that shaped his career, why doing the right thing when nobody is looking remains central to his personal brand, and how his father continues to influence the choices he makes today. They also reflect on their shared experience of losing a parent on September 11th and why telling their parents’ stories matters if their legacies will be more than names on a wall. 1:13 – What personal brand means to Ray, three words he’d use to describe himself, his two favorite quotes, and his hype music 6:38 – How a childhood in the NYCHA buildings of the Lower East Side forged Ray’s code of ethics 12:47 – The internship that quietly connected Ray to politicians, Broadway royalty, and two decades of career opportunities 19:43 – The exhausting, bureaucratic maze of proving his father's life ever existed, just to get what Ray was legally owed 22:24 – Going to law school and working at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. 28:13 – The one thing to consider before accepting any job offer, and the roles Ray took on doing meaningful work in the Hispanic community 37:53 – A perfect demonstration of how personal branding is about what people say about (whether you’re in or out of the room) 41:00 – Why Ray ran for NYC Council District 7, joined a non-profit six weeks before federal investigators raided it, and became its new executive director 51:49 – Why Ray almost lost his cool with a city bureaucrat over the phone 57:19 – Raymond Sanchez Sr. as a man and a father, and what his son Ray remembers most about him 1:03:39 – The morning of September 11th through Ray’s eyes, and his father's quiet act of heroism that day 1:11:32 – The dehumanization of the 9/11 victim’s compensation fund, and how that experience proved to be a turning point that led Ray to law school 1:18:26 – How losing his dad the way he did turned Ray into who he is now 1:21:31 – Standing up for our communities as legacy, and why the phrase “victims’ families” never told the whole story 1:24:19 – Pushing back against being only defined by 9/11, why it took 15 years for Ray to talk about that day and tell his father’s story 1:28:15 – The joyful, fun parts of Ray today that his dad would recognize and be proud of 1:30:54 – What ethics demands of you when nobody’s watching, and Ray’s special talent to quickly synthesize complexity Connect With Raymond Sanchez Jr. Raymond Sanchez Jr., Esq. has spent two decades building a career at the intersection of law, government, and public advocacy — moving fluidly between City Hall, the private sector, and the nonprofit boardroom in ways that have repeatedly put him in the room where a crisis needed a steady hand. He most recently served as General Counsel to the NYC Mayor's Office of Contract Services, advising the City's Chief Procurement Officer on citywide policy and compliance. Before that, he was appointed CEO of Aguila, Inc., a NYC homeless services nonprofit, where he led the organization through a New York State Attorney General investigation and a pandemic-era transformation of a 200-bed shelter into the city's largest COVID quarantine center. His earlier chapters include Managing Director at Mercury Public Affairs, Principal of his own government relations firm, and seven years as General Counsel and Director of Policy to the Bronx Borough President, where he helped pass NYC's Living Wage Law and secured the conveyance of the Fulton Correctional Facility for a first-of-its-kind reentry housing program. A first-generation Latino leader, Raymond holds a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law and a B.A. in Government from Wesleyan University, and serves on the board of Areté Education and as a special advisor to the La Unidad Latina Foundation. He is a two-time honoree on NYC "40 Under 40" lists and a recipient of the Council of Urban Professionals' Law Catalyst Award. LinkedIn | Instagram Mentioned In How Raymond Sanchez Jr. Honors His Father’s Legacy 25 Years After September 11 Hispanic Federation Latino Justice The Boys Club of New York (BCNY) 9/11 Memorial & Museum Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review . Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
This year marks 25 years since September 11, 2001. For Paula and her family, the anniversary brings an intensely personal loss into focus, along with the many milestones and ordinary moments they wish her mother, Joan Donna Griffith, had been here to experience. Joan was brilliant, funny, stylish, loving, an avid reader, a dedicated professional, a mentor, a wife, and the mother who raised Paula. She shaped how Paula shows up in the world, what she values, how she cares for others, and so much of the personal brand she has built. In this special rerelease of Branding Room Only, Paula revisits a conversation with her father, Peter L. Griffith, about Joan, the life their family shared with her, the grief that followed September 11, and the legacy she continues to leave. This conversation honors Joan Donna Griffith for the fullness of how she lived, not only the way she died. 3:04 - How immigrating to the U.S. shaped Peter’s experience in junior high and high school 10:37 - Peter’s early career experiences and what he learned about race, opportunity, and expectations 16:22 - How Peter met Joan and what it took to build a family together 24:38 - Stories from Peter and Joan’s early years together and the love that shaped their marriage 30:19 - Joan’s love of reading and how the family changed when Paula’s younger sister was born 36:32 - The 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the role Joan played in keeping Paula connected while she was away at boarding school 40:16 - How Joan showed up at home and at work and the standards she passed on to Paula 43:47 - The music, photos, and home videos that captured so many everyday family memories 48:55 - Joan’s dreams, her work ethic, and the impact she had on the people she worked with 55:10 - How Paula and Peter learned about the September 11 attacks and what they remember from those first hours 1:03:06 - How their family began navigating the shock and grief that followed 1:11:09 - Memories from the final weeks with Joan and the “last piece of love” she gave Paula that August 1:19:39 - Remembering Joan through her memorial and the day Paula and Peter retrieved her purse in Lower Manhattan 1:24:30 - What it was like to grieve such a personal loss so publicly 1:34:18 - How Joan’s values continue to shape Paula, her family, and the generations that came after her Mentioned In Remembering Joan Donna Griffith 25 Years After September 11 with Peter L. Griffith A Tribute to My Mother Joan Donna Griffith Angela Titus on LinkedIn Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform ! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops . Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
Excellence without intentional follow-up has a very short shelf life. You can deliver a great presentation, have people tell you how much they enjoyed it, and still leave entirely too much value on the table if you don’t have a strategy for what happens next. There’s a window after you speak when people still remember your message, your stories, and how you made them feel. What happened during the engagement can also give you clues about what comes next. A question that keeps coming up, a conversation with someone in the audience, or feedback from the organizer may point toward another opportunity. The point is to pay attention, follow up thoughtfully, and not treat the engagement as something that ended the moment you left the stage. In Part Four of So You Want to Be a Speaker? on Branding Room Only , Paula T. Edgar walks through what to do after a speaking engagement to keep the momentum going. She shares how to follow up with the people involved, build proof of your work, and use the experience to support future opportunities while continuing to build genuine relationships. She also gives you a practical timeline for the days and weeks that follow, so you know what to do next while the experience is still fresh. 1:35 – Why the first 48 hours after you speak matter just as much as the talk itself 3:12 – What to say in your LinkedIn post reflecting on the event 4:39 – The right and wrong way to send a personalized LinkedIn connection request 6:03 – How to follow up with the event organizer and ask for a testimonial and an introduction to a new audience 9:13 – How you can turn every speaking opportunity into a content goldmine 10:58 – The video and photo strategy that builds evidence of your work for potential clients 13:12 – How to build a simple system for collecting and organizing testimonials 14:18 – Why you should think of the people in your audience as future connectors in addition to potential clients 15:47 – Practical timeline to use after your next speaking engagement, from 48 hours to 30 days 18:32 – A short tease for the next episode of this series Mentioned In So You Want to Be a Speaker? How to Turn a Speaking Engagement Into More Opportunities Part 1 - So You Want to Be a Speaker? Getting Clear Before You Get Booked Part 2 - So You Want to Be a Speaker? Build a Personal Brand That Gets You Booked Part 3 - So You Want to Be a Speaker? How to Pitch, Prepare, and Get Invited Back Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform ! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops . Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
Have you ever had something happen and thought, “I should post about that,” and then life moved on before you did? By the time you came back to it, a few days or weeks had passed and suddenly you were telling yourself that the moment was gone and nobody wanted to hear about it anymore. My friends, it is not too late. Your experiences are evergreen. If you lived it, learned from it, laughed about it, struggled through it, or are still thinking about it, there is value in going back to that experience and asking what it means to you now. I still talk about being on Wheel of Fortune more than a decade later because that story continues to give me something to reflect on and gives other people a way to understand more about my growth, my choices, and my personal brand. In this episode of Branding Room Only, I want to talk about why your past experiences still matter to your personal brand and why you do not have to share something in real time for it to have value. We’re talking about the stories you thought you missed your chance to tell, the perspective you have now that you could not have had in the moment, and why the people in your sphere can still benefit from what you experienced. 1:00 – Your experiences are evergreen and still have value for your personal brand 1:43 – Treating past experiences as personal brand assets instead of expired moments 2:16 – The perspective and reflection that make an old story worth sharing now 3:08 – How to use your past experiences as a personal library you can keep pulling from 4:02 – Sharing later can show growth and give your audience something valuable to learn from 4:52 – Going back to the stories, photos, and lessons you thought you missed the chance to share Your Personal Brand Challenge Think about the conference photo you never posted, the accomplishment you did not celebrate, or the meaningful lesson you thought was no longer timely. Ask yourself: Why am I still thinking about this experience? What did it teach me? How have I changed since it happened? Why might this lesson matter to someone today? What does the story reveal about my values, expertise, or journey? Then share it. You did not miss the opportunity. Your story may be arriving exactly when someone else needs it. Mentioned In Your Past Experiences Still Matter to Your Personal Brand Sign up and see Paula on Wheel of Fortune Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform ! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops . Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.\ PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
What happens when your title changes? Does your confidence change with it? Too many professionals tie their value to a position, an organization, or someone else's validation. But your personal brand should be rooted in something much stronger: your personal power. In this episode of Branding Room Only , Paula T. Edgar sits down with Demetrius Thornton to explore the difference between positional power and personal power. They discuss his SCOPE Personal Power Framework, the inspiration behind his book American Trickery , and why understanding your value beyond your title is essential for long-term career success. If you've ever questioned your worth after a career transition or wondered how to build a brand that lasts through change, this conversation is for you. 1:20 – How personal brand is evolving for Demetrius, three words that describe him, two resonating quotes, and the music that picks him up 4:47 – Being in New York as a native Southerner and Demetrius’ professional journey after graduating from Morehouse College 10:36 – How personal power changes the way we should think about personal branding 13:48 – The moment a senior banker said the quiet part out loud, and the faultiness of seeking external validation that never comes 17:58 – How to stay grounded in your personal power, regardless of the status of your job or title 21:35 – The SCOPE Personal Power Framework and how it helps you find your way back to yourself when you get off-kilter 28:54 – How to protect your values, credibility, and personal power within an organization with a public brand that doesn’t align with how they navigate internally 33:02 – What the title of Demetrius’ book American Trickery represents, and why he wrote it 36:31 – The difference between a resume and a body of work, and why so many high achievers are aiming lower than they realize 40:34 – Advice for anyone building a personal brand rooted in purpose rather than on paper 43:06 – What Demetrius does for fun, what he’ll never compromise his brand on, and why his relatability and passion for people is his magic Mentioned In Building a Personal Brand Rooted in Personal Power with Demetrius Thornton Demetrius Thornton | LinkedIn American Trickery by Demetrius Thornton Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review . Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
Getting a yes for a speaking opportunity can feel like the finish line. You pitched yourself, made the case for why you belong in the room, and someone agreed to bring you in. In reality, that yes marks the beginning of your responsibility as a speaker, because what happens between getting booked and taking the stage can determine whether you are invited back. Speaking is a relationship business long before it’s a stage business. That relationship is still being built as you ask questions, learn what the audience is navigating, and prepare for the experience the organization wants you to create. People can feel the difference between a speaker who prepared for their specific audience and someone who prepared a talk and just happens to be delivering it to them. In Part Three of So You Want to Be a Speaker? on Branding Room Only, Paula T. Edgar shares how speaking opportunities actually begin, how to pitch yourself with strategy, and how she prepares once she’s booked. She walks through how she builds the spine of a session, rehearses out loud, and handles the practical details that affect the delivery, so that when it’s time to step into the room, she can be present, connected, and in service to the audience. 1:16 – Reality check about how speaking opportunities actually reach you 2:42 – How to decide which stages are worth your time to pitch to 3:22 – How to personalize the pitch to increase your chances of getting booked 5:04 – How to follow up, and why silence after a pitch doesn’t automatically mean “No” 5:54 – The first thing Paula does to prepare after getting an invite to speak at an event 6:49 – The internal process behind building a talk that has a true through line, and how writing out your speech reveals gaps you can’t see otherwise 7:47 – Why rehearsing out loud matters, and the importance of the first 60 seconds 8:26 – Overlooked practical details that separate a polished professional from someone just winging it 9:35 – What determines whether an organizer books you again 10:22 – How Paula prepares on the day of the event, and why preparation can also offer flexibility 11:31 – Your takeaway, and a preview for Part Four of the series Mentioned In So You Want to Be a Speaker? How to Pitch, Prepare, and Get Invited Back Part 1 - So You Want to Be a Speaker? Getting Clear Before You Get Booked Part 2 - So You Want to Be a Speaker? Build a Personal Brand That Gets You Booked Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform ! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops . Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
By the time I reached Luxor, I thought this trip had already given me everything it was going to give me. Kenya reminded me to slow down and rediscover wonder. Cairo made me think about legacy and the importance of telling our own stories. Hurghada reminded me that joy is not a luxury. Then Luxor connected all of it in a way that settled into my spirit. Standing in the Valley of the Kings, surrounded by stories that had survived for thousands of years, I couldn't stop thinking about how intentional it all was. Every image, every color, and every symbol had been chosen to communicate something about who these people were, what they valued, and how they wanted to be remembered. They did not leave their stories to chance, and neither should we. In this final episode of my Paula Out of Africa series on Branding Room Only , I'm sharing what Luxor taught me about gratitude, legacy, and the choices we make about how we show up. From the story of Hatshepsut to the realization that none of us should leave our stories to chance, this part of the journey reminded me that legacy isn't something we leave behind someday. It's something we're creating every day through the choices we make, the stories we tell, and the lives we lead. 1:34 – How gratitude shapes your personal brand and the way people experience your character 3:33 – Why gratitude changes the question from what else you can get to how you can honor what you have already received 4:02 – The Luxor excursion Paula nearly skipped and why “hope is not a plan” changed her decision 7:25 – Arriving at the Valley of Kings and feeling the weight of standing on sacred ground 9:09 – What the intentional storytelling inside the tombs revealed about branding and legacy 12:31 – How Hatshepsut shaped her own identity, authority, and place in history 14:49 – What Hatshepsut’s story reveals about women, leadership, visibility, and taking up space 16:18 – The moment Paula realized no one could make her small unless she participated in her own shrinking 18:34 – The message Paula brought home from Africa about remembering who you are and what you are building Mentioned In Paula Out of Africa, Part 4: Luxor and the Legacy You Create Every Day Paula Out of Africa, Part 1: Kenya, Wonder, and the Brand You’re Becoming Paula Out of Africa, Part 2: Egypt and What Your Personal Brand Preserves Paula Out of Africa, Part 3: Hurghada and Why You Should Stop Postponing Your Joy Paula’s Luxor and Valley of Kings Photo Album Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform ! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops . Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
Hurghada became one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. Between standing in the Red Sea, saying yes to a flying dress photo shoot, and dancing in the middle of an Eid al-Adha celebration, I was reminded how joyful life can be when you stop trying to optimize every moment and simply allow yourself to experience it. As high achievers, we are often quick to postpone joy until after the next promotion, project, or busy season. We make plenty of room in our personal brands for expertise and accomplishment, while forgetting that people also remember our energy and how we made them feel. Joy belongs there too. In Part 3 of my Paula Out of Africa series, I’m taking you with me to Hurghada and sharing what this part of the trip taught me about being fully present in your own life. I’ll also tell you about the unexpected conversation that reminded me how much we have in common, even when our lives look completely different. 1:13 – Why joy belongs in your personal brand alongside expertise and executive presence 2:47 – How arriving in Hurghada changed the pace of Paula’s Africa trip 5:56 – A flying dress photo shoot by the Red Sea and the power of giving yourself permission to play 8:15 – Experiencing Hurghada during Eid al-Adha and seeing the city beyond the resort 10:31 – Why permission, more than confidence, helps Paula participate fully in her life 12:30 – What a conversation with a shopkeeper revealed about career pivots, resilience, and identity 15:00 – Trusting a stranger’s advice and finding another spiritual moment in Hurghada 16:53 – Why high achievers need to stop postponing joy until someday Mentioned In Paula Out of Africa, Part 3: Hurghada and Why You Should Stop Postponing Your Joy Paula Out of Africa, Part 1: Kenya, Wonder, and the Brand You’re Becoming Paula Out of Africa, Part 2: Egypt and What Your Personal Brand Preserves Paula’s Hurghada Photo Album Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform ! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops . Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
Ancient Egypt isn’t just something you read about in a school history book or see in an old Elizabeth Taylor movie. It was a real, thriving civilization filled with people who lived, loved, worked, governed, worshipped, and left behind evidence that they had been there. Millennia later, we still know their stories because someone took the time to document, preserve, and pass them on. Standing in a papyrus gallery in modern-day Egypt and learning how ancient writings survived for thousands of years made me think differently about personal branding. Your personal brand helps preserve your ideas, your work, and the story of the impact you made. It also gives you the opportunity to shape that story for yourself instead of leaving someone else to define what you are known for. In Part 2 of my Paula Out of Africa series, I’m taking you through the Egyptian leg of my trip, from Cairo and the Nile to the Grand Egyptian Museum, the pyramids, and the Sphinx. I’m sharing why joy belongs in your personal brand, how your vision can expand before anyone else sees it, and why documenting your expertise matters if you want your work to continue speaking when you are no longer in the room. If you have ever assumed your work will speak for itself, this episode makes the case for giving it a voice. 2:03 – How Paula’s arrival in Egypt was completely different from when she first set foot in Kenya 5:02 – Real joy as a brand asset and credibility as a reward for authentically expressing it 7:24 – How a photo taken on a dock overlooking the Nile expanded Paula’s vision for her brand 8:40 – Highlights from the breathtaking Grand Egyptian Museum tour 10:54 – The importance of owning your story and not letting others define your professional reputation 12:54 – What ancient paper can teach you about showcasing and protecting your expertise (and legacy) 15:31 – A valuable business reminder from vendors hustling outside the pyramids 17:16 – Why building a stronger personal brand might start with leaving your calendar behind Mentioned In Paula Out of Africa, Part 2: Egypt and What Your Personal Brand Preserves Paula Out of Africa, Part 1: Kenya, Wonder, and the Brand You’re Becoming Paula’s Cairo Photo Album National Bar Association Grand Egyptian Museum Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform ! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops . Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
For years, I had wanted to visit the African continent, especially Egypt, but when the opportunity came to travel to both Kenya and Egypt with the National Bar Association, something in me immediately said, "Paula, you have to go." I had no idea just how much that decision would change me. In Part 1 of my Paula Out of Africa series, I'm taking you along on my journey through Kenya. What started as a long-awaited trip became a powerful reminder of the importance of wonder, curiosity, community, and making room for experiences that expand who we are. Along the way, I found unexpected moments of connection, stood in awe watching elephants in the Maasai Mara, reflected on leadership and personal branding, and came home with what I can only describe as a capital-C confidence. If you've ever felt a nudge to do something that stretched you, this episode is your reminder to trust it. Sometimes the experiences that change us the most begin with simply saying yes. 1:11 – Why Paula took this trip (and why it had to be solo) 2:29 – The question so many stop asking themselves 3:54 – A strange encounter that proved prophetic 5:01 – An important reminder about relationship-building on the first leg of the journey 6:07 – What surprised Paula when she first set foot on African soil 7:10 – How travel influences your perspective 9:38 – The creative power of participation 10:14 – Why curiosity might be the most underrated tool in relationship building 11:17 – What finally happened when the long-awaited spiritual connection arrived 13:01 – An unforgettable scene that shows the beauty and heartbreak of nature 15:11 – The "capital-C confidence" Paula brought home and what it means for her personal brand 16:59 – An invitation to trust your intuition Mentioned In Paula Out of Africa: Kenya, Wonder, and the Brand You're Becoming Paula’s Kenya Photo Album National Bar Association Nairobi National Museum Kobe Tough Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform ! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops . Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
Your brand is your first audition. When someone hears you speak and starts imagining you at their conference, retreat, leadership program, or client event, the next thing they are going to do is look you up. Long before you speak with an event organizer, your LinkedIn profile, website, bio, content, and digital presence are helping people decide whether you are someone they can trust with their audience. Too many aspiring speakers leave that process to chance. An outdated LinkedIn profile, a website that never mentions speaking, a vague bio, or a lack of clear positioning can create hesitation and uncertainty at the exact moment you want to inspire confidence. In Part Two of So You Want to Be a Speaker? on Branding Room Only , Paula T. Edgar breaks down how to build a personal brand that supports your speaking goals and helps you stand out. She explores the importance of positioning, clarity, and consistency, while walking through the essential speaker assets every professional should have, including LinkedIn, a website, speaker bios, one sheets, video, and thought leadership content. Whether you're pursuing your first speaking engagement or looking to expand your platform, this episode offers practical strategies to help decision-makers understand your value, remember your expertise, and feel confident bringing you to the stage. 1:08 – The invisible audition you start giving as soon as someone hears your name 2:39 – Three questions your positioning must answer (and why not doing this first will cost you) 4:08 – The LinkedIn profile set-up that entices others to book you as a speaker 5:49 – What to include on your website to make it effortless to refer and invite you 6:23 – What your speaker bio needs to address for the event organizer and your audience 7:00 – The one-page document you can create to serve as an easy referral tool 7:31 – How to create and use video as a showcase (and why it matters more than you think) 8:23 – The importance of consistency among your assets as a quiet trust-builder 9:38 – How to create five pieces of content from a single speaking topic 11:08 – How to audit your assets, the key takeaway from this episode, and a preview of the next installment in the series Mentioned In So You Want to Be a Speaker? Build a Personal Brand That Gets You Booked Part 1 - So You Want to Be a Speaker? Getting Clear Before You Get Booked Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform ! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops . Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
What happens when the very things that make you different become your greatest strengths? For Fitzann “Fitz” Reid, showing up fully, taking calculated risks, and creating opportunities where none existed before have been defining themes throughout her career. A lawyer, investor, entrepreneur, sports owner, and leader, Fitz has built a career that defies traditional expectations. From growing up in South Jamaica, Queens, as the daughter of Jamaican immigrants to serving at the highest levels of the SEC, helping launch Hunterbrook, and investing in professional sports, she has consistently chosen growth over comfort and possibility over convention. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Fitz and Paula explore what it means to build a career intentionally rather than simply following the path laid out for you. They discuss the power of sponsorship, the leadership lessons learned through sports, the responsibility that comes with visibility, and the confidence required to remain authentic in spaces that were not always designed with you in mind. Fitz also shares her experiences as a Black queer woman and a first-generation Jamaican-American, and how those experiences have informed her perspective while never limiting the scope of who she is or what she can accomplish. The conversation covers career pivots, entrepreneurship, investing, leadership, and personal branding through the lens of someone who has repeatedly stepped into unfamiliar spaces and found ways to succeed. Fitz's story is a reminder that growth often requires courage, that visibility creates possibility for others, and that some of the most meaningful opportunities appear long before there is certainty about the outcome. Her approach to life and work demonstrates the value of trusting yourself, staying open to possibility, and being willing to take the first step before you have every answer. 1:26 – Fitzann’s personal brand definition and why she describes herself as authentic, relentless, and empathetic 4:20 – Why a Bryan Stevenson (director of Equal Justice Initiative) quote that hangs on Fitz’s wall made such an impression 7:43 – How Fitz learned independence and resilience as a kid growing up in South Jamaica, Queens 10:25 – How being a first-generation Jamaican American has influenced Fitz’s leadership and ambition 13:02 – The weight of responsibility often facing children of immigrants and how Paula conveyed that to her kids 14:25 – How Fitz has navigated her career and assumed leadership positions as a Black, queer woman in industries often lacking diversity 19:05 – How her background in sports has played a major role in Fitz’s leadership style 22:38 – How Fitz stood her ground against conforming in law school and grew her confidence over time 31:45 – Fitz outlines her career trajectory, from an early interest in politics and law school to buying an Italian basketball team and building Hunterbrook 39:02 – How that initial sports investment opened up bigger doors of opportunity 41:00 – How Fitz has been intentional about building her brand while navigating her career 44:32 – The root of Fitz’s personal and strategic interest in women’s sports, and investment opportunities still available 48:10 – Why advocacy through the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association is so important to Fitz 51:48 – Why Fitz will never compromise on how she shows up, and the magic she offers to others 53:41 – The importance of treating your difference from others as a superpower, not a disadvantage Connect With Fitzann Reid Fitzann “Fitz” Reid is a partner, general counsel, and chief compliance officer at Hunterbook, a startup media company and hedge fund. She’s also an avid sports investor and co-founder of Vera West Sports and Entertainment. Before Hunterbrook, she spent the bulk of her career in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at the highest levels, serving across Examinations and Enforcement as well as Senior Counsel to Commissioner Allison Lee. Then she moved on to become the Chief Compliance Officer and Deputy General Counsel at impact-focused hedge fund Engine No 1. Her work spanned rulemaking, enforcement, litigation, whistleblowers, and on-site examinations of registrants, including broker-dealers, investment advisers, private fund advisers, and mutual funds. Fitzann has a BBA from Pace University, an MBA from Wharton at UPenn, and a JD from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, where she later taught federal regulations and enforcement as an Adjunct Professor. Off the clock, she serves on several boards, including the National LGBTQ Plus Bar Association, and is registered with the state bar in D.C. and New York. Fitzann Reid on LinkedIn Hunterbrook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube Mentioned In Authenticity, Ambition, and Betting on Yourself with Fitzann Reid Equal Justice Initiative National LGBTQ+ Bar Association Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Events Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only podcast on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review . Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
We don’t know the faces or names of many enslaved Black people in American history. Some left a small mark of their existence in the very bricks of the buildings their hands built, yet they remain voiceless because their story has been hidden away. Historians like Annette Gordon-Reed know that through sharing the stories of enslaved people, we remember their humanity and preserve historical truth in the process. She’s a Harvard University professor and the award-winning author of The Hemingses of Monticello and On Juneteenth . With her lawyer-like approach, she’s brought light to stories once expunged from our history and provided a view of the road to Juneteenth through her books. In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll hear about the national implications inherent in The Hemingses’ story (and connection to Thomas Jefferson) and Juneteenth. Annette will discuss her own experiences with celebrating Juneteenth, what the country should learn from the experiences of enslaved people, and more! 2:15 - Annette’s personal branding definition, three-word description of herself, favorite quotes, and hype song 4:30 - The importance of reading and music in Annette’s life as a child 6:31 - Annette’s non-traditional career trajectory as a lawyer, author, and professor 10:09 - What motivated Annette to write about the Hemingses and Thomas Jefferson 15:43 - The need to understand the truth in shaping the legacies and personal brands we hold dear 18:28 - The significance of Juneteenth and why Annette wrote her book on it 24:57 - Traditional Juneteenth celebrations Annette grew up with in Texas and newer ones she’s seen integrated into the holiday 29:29 - The good and (potential) bad about Juneteenth and its importance in the context of American history 36:37 - How Annette wants people in the future to remember her contribution to preserving a piece of American history 38:31 - Finding fun and continuous growth in humbling activities 42:27 - Annette’s one uncompromisable aspect and Branding Room Only quality Connect With Annette Gordon-Reed Annette Gordon-Reed grew up in Texas and went to Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. Annette practiced law for seven years and then went into academia as a law professor. Her first book, Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy, was published in 1997. In 1998, DNA corroborated the thesis of Annette’s book. Since then, she has written and edited 6 other books, including Vernon Can Read, A memoir with Vernon Jordan and, most recently, On Juneteenth. The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed Vernon Can Read!: A Memoir Mentioned In Truth and Celebration: Stories of Black American History with Annette Gordon-Reed “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan | YouTube (Official Music Video) “Scherzo Op. 39 No. 3 in C Sharp Minor” by Chopin | YouTube (Pogorelich) PaulaTV: Stagville Plantation Fingerprints of Slave Children Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review . Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
Your personal brand is not limited to your LinkedIn profile, your networking skills, or how you show up at work. It is how people experience you in every room you enter, including your relationships, your dating life, your confidence, your boundaries, and the stories you tell yourself about your own worth. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula T. Edgar sits down with love educator, coach, author, and two-time TED speaker Francesca Hogi for a candid conversation about the connection between personal branding, self-worth, dating, and authenticity. From her unconventional path from corporate law to matchmaking and coaching to her insights on modern dating culture, Francesca shares why so many people are taught to perform for acceptance instead of choosing themselves first. Together, Paula and Francesca unpack the conditioning that teaches women to wait to be chosen, the difference between attraction and alignment, how relationship patterns often mirror professional patterns, and why discernment matters just as much in love as it does in business. They also dive into dating apps, intuition, confidence, loneliness, authenticity, and what it really means to bring your full self into every room you enter. Honest, funny, reflective, and deeply relatable, this conversation will have you thinking differently about love, identity, and the way you move through the world. 1:16 – What personal brand means to Francesca, how she’d describe herself, her lifelong motto, and why she calls herself “a weirdo” about music 5:37 – How growing up in New York City influenced Francesca’s understanding and appreciation of people 7:40 – The question Francesca hated being asked as a child, and how the only answer she had influenced her professional life (including her Survivor appearances) 13:41 – How matchmaker Paul C. Bunson initially introduced Francesca to personal branding and inspired her career pivot into love and relationships 16:31 – How love and dating connect to personal branding, self-worth, and what your romantic patterns reveal about how you actually see yourself 21:31 – The "pick me" conditioning that trains people to treat dating like a job pitch, and what it looks like to show up differently 27:10 – Why the list of must-haves for most dating people often has nothing to do with the relationship they want 36:26 – Why lack of discernment is one of the most common dating mistakes Francesca sees, what it looks like when you don’t have it, and what changes when you do 41:29 – Why you don’t need (and shouldn’t overly depend on) a dating app, and a mindset shift in meeting people organically 41:29 – Why you don't need a dating app to find love, and the mindset shift that opens up what Francesca calls the "meet cute" opportunity in everyday life 52:09 – One thing Francesca will never compromise on, and the magic she brings to a standing room only Connect With Francesca Hogi Francesca Hogi is a love coach, guide, speaker, and mentor for people who are ready to start a new chapter in dating, find meaningful relationships, and live in alignment with their deepest values. Through her coaching, writing, and community ( The True Love Society ), she helps people create relationships that feel fulfilling and true to who they are. She has shared this work with hundreds of thousands of people through her client work, events, courses, TED talks, Dear Franny podcast, and How to Find True Love book. Before her journey into love and coaching, Francesca practiced corporate law for over a decade. She holds a B.S. in Producing for Electronic Media from Syracuse University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. And fun fact: she competed on two seasons of the iconic reality show Survivor . Her website, book, TED Talk, podcast archive, and social media: Francesca Hogi | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube How to Find True Love: Unlock Your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships “How to Unlock Your Flirting Superpowers” | TEDxTalk Dear Franny podcast archives Mentioned In Wherever You Go, There You Are: Personal Branding and Dating Mindset with Francesca Hogi Paul C. Brunson | Twitter/X The Matchmaking Institute Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Webinars Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review . Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
Wanting the stage and being ready to serve an audience from it are two very different things. Speaking can be a visibility strategy, a business development tool, or a business in its own right, but each lane requires a different strategy. When you treat every speaking opportunity the same, you miss the chance to make intentional decisions about your time, your preparation, your pricing, and your follow-up. And all of it starts with clarity: knowing what you have to say, who needs to hear it, and the value you want people to walk away with. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula T. Edgar kicks off the So You Want to Be a Speaker series with an honest conversation about what speaking actually requires before the bookings, polished website, or speaker reel. Drawing from her experience speaking to lawyers, executives, affinity groups, leadership teams, and professional audiences, she breaks down the three strategic lanes of speaking, the foundational elements every aspiring speaker needs, and a simple exercise to help listeners clarify their message, audience, and purpose. 2:28 – The distinct differences between speaking on stage for industry visibility, business development, and as a fully paid operation 3:43 – Why wanting the stage is not the same as being ready to serve an audience from it 6:17 – Why narrowing your focus is actually what makes you findable, bookable, and memorable 7:12 – How your brand needs to communicate your expertise before you even walk in the room 8:00 – What gathering proof in the beginning stages of public speaking will require of you 9:46 – Paula’s fill-in-the-blank framework that clarifies your message, audience, and purpose in a way that other people can use to refer you Mentioned In So You Want to Be a Speaker? Getting Clear Before You Get Booked Personal Branding Strategy Sessions Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform ! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops . Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services , go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
Sometimes, the best career and life advice you receive comes from your family. My guest can certainly relate since she has received pivotal advice from her dad that has helped her throughout her career! From Zabrina’s upbringing to her love for sports and spontaneity, we explore how her personal interests and family values have shaped her approach to leadership and personal branding. Zabrina’s fundamental belief is that your personal brand should echo your core values, a philosophy that has guided her own career and life decisions. In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, Zabrina shares her impressive journey of climbing the corporate ladder, a path filled with unexpected turns and valuable learnings. She opens up about the importance of embracing career changes as opportunities for growth and the profound impact of stepping outside one's comfort zone. Zabrina's remarkable story is a testament to adaptability, mentorship, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. 1:40 - What a personal brand reflects, how Zabrina describes herself, and her favorite quote and hype song 4:12 - How growing up with a dad in the Air Force influenced Zabrina’s childhood and her approach to the world, and her career 15:30 - The impact of leadership roles on Zabrina’s brand, the three A’s to her success, and how you reflect other people’s brands 21:42 - Ground rules Zabrina follows that can help you navigate through life and the different roles you play 26:45 - The impact that mentorship can have on your life and career 30:47 - Tips to help you navigate your personal brand in a corporate environment 34:56 - How much Zabrina loves sports and the outdoors, the risk she will never take, and the one thing some people find disarming about her Mentioned In Crafting a Personal Brand in the Corporate World with Zabrina Jenkins Zabrina Jenkins on LinkedIn “2024 Intention and Goal Setting Webinar” | YouTube Branding Room Only Interview: Beyond 9/11: Life and Legacy of Joan Donna Griffith – A Conversation with My Father, Peter Griffith A Tribute to My Mother Joan Donna Griffith Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Call to Action Follow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review. Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
The fight to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion has deep historical roots, marked by significant milestones and challenges, from the Civil Rights era to present-day initiatives, including the recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. Robert J. Grey Jr., President of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) and former President of the American Bar Association, has witnessed several pivotal moments in this ongoing battle. His experiences growing up during these transformative times have profoundly influenced his career and dedication to both leadership and advancing diversity in the legal profession. In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, Robert delves into his impactful career and the current state of diversity in law and society. He discusses the vital work of LCLD, the importance of mentorship, and the lessons learned from career successes and setbacks. Robert shares his insights on what it takes to continue moving forward and build a legacy that inspires. 1:36 - Aspects of a successful personal brand, how Robert defines his brand, and his favorite quote and hype song 9:20 - How his upbringing and schooling impacted Robert’s brand and career 17:43 - What Robert learned about himself in not winning the 2008 Richmond mayoral race 21:07 - What the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity is and why it’s important 26:32 - Robert’s insights into the state of diversity in the country and the legal profession 32:34 - A broader concept of mentorship and how it can be critical to your brand 37:03 - How Robert made jury improvement and preservation his focus as American Bar Association president 43:07 - The legacy Robert hopes to leave behind and what he does for fun 49:39 - The inflection point confronting us right now and why persistence is so critical Mentioned In Building a Legacy: Insights on Leadership and Diversity in the Law with Robert Grey Jr. Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) | X/Twitter American Bar Association Legal Services Corporation Curated Resources from Paula Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming Webinars Learn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review. Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe Here Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today. Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
J. Kelly Hoey was the very first guest on Branding Room Only, and more than 100 episodes later, she's back. This time she's bringing a new book, a rabbit hole's worth of research, and a framework that challenges what most women have been told about how to build the relationships and the personal brand that move their careers forward. Kelly is a lawyer turned entrepreneur, networking expert, and bestselling author whose career has spanned big law, venture capital, and leading global communities. In her new book, The Social Billionaire, she draws on years of research showing that the women who flourish professionally do not mimic men. They follow a different playbook, one built on a specific network structure, a particular kind of focus, and the grit to keep showing up for it. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula T. Edgar and Kelly get into why so many women are doing all the right things and still not getting results, the network structure that high-achieving women use to get ahead, why your personal brand determines who is willing to vouch for you behind closed doors, and why the wealth you have been searching for might already be sitting right outside your office door. 1:35 – Kelly’s shifted perspective on networking and personal brand since her last show appearance, and why she wrote her newest book 2:43 – Why following networking advice tailored for men might actually be hindering your professional growth 8:33 – Kelly’s three-part framework and how it works as a filter for every goal, opportunity, and decision you face 18:08 – How a curated tribe of like-minded peers (when done right) changes everything else downstream for high-achieving women 24:18 – How strategic and reactive networks differ, and why trust is the currency that makes the whole thing work when you need it most 27:22 – Why some women feel resistance in making connections with women specifically (and people, in general) when it comes to networking 28:57 – Networking habits that might be hurting your brand and the current communication struggle some people have with others 39:12 – Why the wealth you need may already be hiding in plain sight 42:43 – How writing The Social Billionaire has changed the way Kelly shows up in, and the first move to make if you need to rethink your network 45:34 – The one relationship you’re probably ignoring that needs your attention right now, and the importance of seeing where you’re directing your energy 51:03 – The one shift Kelly wants you to make after reading her book, even if you do nothing else 54:57 – One thing about relationship-building that Kelly will never compromise on Mentioned In The Social Billionaire: Networking, Personal Brand, and the Wealth Hiding in Plain Sight with J. Kelly Hoey J. Kelly Hoey Learn More About Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
There’s a narrative among some that when you become a mother, your ambition should get quieter, your goals should get smaller, and you move to the background of your own life. That was not my experience. Motherhood didn’t replace my purpose. It expanded it. Becoming a mother in the middle of law school meant navigating two major transformations at once. What came out of that season was a sharper, more intentional, and more focused version of who I am and what I’m building. Motherhood made me more accountable to my own potential, not less. In this episode of Branding Room Only , Paula T. Edgar gets personal about what that actually looked like: becoming a mother during law school, navigating her son’s childhood cancer diagnosis, and the moment she decided she was no longer willing to stay in spaces that did not support her. 1:24 – The impact of balancing high-level education with early parenthood 2:12 – The difference in Paula’s brand before and after becoming a mother 3:45 – A surprising piece of advice about prioritization as a parent 4:35 – How motherhood expanded my purpose instead of replacing it 5:24 – How her son’s diagnosis forced an overhaul of Paula’s boundaries 6:58 – The root question Paula asks to ensure her actions align with the legacy she wants to leave 7:37 – Motherhood as a catalyst for increased accountability toward your own potential Mentioned In How Motherhood Sharpened My Personal Brand The Life & Legacy of Joan Donna Griffith: A Conversation with Peter Griffith ( Part 1 and Part 2 ) Lessons from My Mother, Hopes for My Daughter: On Mothering and What We Carry Forward 7 Powerful Branding Lessons I’ve Learned From My Son Personal Branding Strategy Sessions Subscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTube Call to Action Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform ! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops . Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today . Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC. PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn. You connect with me here every week, but did you know that speaking and facilitating programs for organizations is what I do for a living? If something you've heard on this podcast that made you think, my organization needs to hear this, I would love to continue the conversation. Visit paulaedgar.com or email me at info@paulaedgar.com to learn more about bringing me in to speak for your organizatio
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