Aree Bly joins host Meg McKeen for real talk - about expectations, and about what happens when you change the rules of the game. We share our experience in unpacking the beliefs we've had about what our personality indicates about our ability. An actuary by training and vocation, Aree is a remarkable thinker and together in this rich and vulnerable conversation, we reframe what it means to be boring, introverted, and we break down the notion of faking it till you make it. Ugh!

Megan Bock joins host Meg McKeen to share more about her experience following a traumatic injury in early 2023. Through the sharing of her story, Megan reminds us that changing the way we're showing up in the world shouldn't have to require a significant life change. Together we talk through the fallacy of multi-tasking, the not always great influence of technology (specifically our phones) on our lives and relationships, and the power in knowing you're replaceable at work.

In this solo episode, host Meg McKeen puts on her sales + leadership coach hat and responds to listener questions, digging deep into topics like career paths, setbacks, and the scary - and heart-filling - world of entrepreneurship. Would you like Meg to answer your question on a future episode of the podcast? Submit it here: https://www.adjunctadvisors.com/question.

Heather Blevins joins host Meg McKeen for a heartfelt conversation about mentorship. We talk about the hesitations we may feel to ask for mentorship - and the boundaries (you know we love 'em) we may need to set when mentoring requires bandwidth we just don't have. Together we chat about the importance of exposure to new perspectives - and roles - in the insurance industry as so many of us take steps to find alignment between our work and lives.

Crista Walker joins host Meg McKeen for a conversation about squishy leadership topics like purpose – who has time for that? – the risk of admitting you have it all but maybe don’t want it all, and bad bosses. May you neither have one nor be one! Crista provides a modern definition of what it means to be a leader today - and some practical ideas for helping us to see ourselves the way others might.

Mary Clare McGraw joins host Meg McKeen for an honest conversation about mental health. MC shares about an early career pivot that allowed her to open her eyes and take an intentional look around - leading to her career in insurance and now, as an aligned entrepreneur. In her work as an operations coach for insurance agencies today, MC knows firsthand how confronting it can be to look at the way you've always done things - and how scary change can be. Our winding path includes conversation about fathers and their entrepreneurial daughters - and how being emotional and highly sensitive can be a gift. 

Nicole Corey joins host Meg McKeen in this rich conversation about failure, freedom, and the power of choice - and change. As curious travelers, we explore the notion of "home" - and what happens when we find ourselves ready - but maybe not quite - to change direction on our path. We talk about what happens in your work when you make the choice to change in your life - and fumble through our answers to the question "what is enough?"

Amanda Boleyn joins host Meg McKeen to reflect on the power of the pause - and pivot - as you build your career and life, and, as a time management expert, Amanda shares her tips and tricks and hacks to help us make the most of the same 24 hours each day that we each have. We love to talk about boundary setting on the podcast and this episode delivers; if you're a people-pleaser or perfectionist, this one's for you!

Liz Brock joins host Meg McKeen to share more about her decision to embrace her silver hair earlier this year. Together they reflect on some of the bogus advice Liz received earlier in her career the led her to start dying her hair - and the learning that has come from making a different choice today. Also on our minds? The (double) standard of beauty in our society - and how changing the color of our hair can create opportunity - not limit it.

Jenn Urso joins host Meg McKeen for a heartfelt conversation about the professional pauses we both took before starting our own businesses, and the lessons learned since then that inform the work Jenn does to support rising leaders in the insurance industry today. Throughout this conversation, we explore the complex relationships we have with money, with self, and with our own relationship with work. 

Mercy Komar - the Cyber Diva - joins host Meg McKeen to share the wisdom she's gleaned from her more than 40 years working in the insurance industry as a CSR, agency principal, and producer. As this one will show you, Mercy doesn’t shrink in hard conversations and her passion for supporting women, as well as seniors, in the insurance industry is strong and evident in the way she’s showing up in the industry today.

Alyssa Gambone joins host Meg McKeen for a candid conversation about her experience navigating her actuarial career in the insurance industry as a trans woman. 

Katie Tomaszewski joins host Meg McKeen for a candid conversation about sobriety. How does changing our relationship with alcohol influence our relationships with others - and ourselves? 

Tracy Cotton joins host Meg McKeen to answer her own question: “How do you navigate a season of waiting?” When your default mode has been striving for the next thing or adventure or experience, striving for deeper relationships with those we love - and ourselves - can be its own adventure. In this heart-filling conversation between friends, Tracy shares more about a new relationship in her life and her decision to explore an alcohol-free lifestyle.

As the owner of multiple high-impact businesses and an insurance professional with over 15 years of experience, Reghan Brandt has seen many changes and shifts in the industry. In this episode, Reghan joins host Meg McKeen to discuss the future of insurance and what it means for young professionals growing their careers in the industry. Reghan also shares her belief in the importance of interpersonal relationships and the advice she would give to her younger self. 

Melanie Parsons, the owner of Parsons’ Insurance Agency, joins host Meg McKeen to share more about her journey in the insurance industry. Melanie and Meg discuss navigating negativity - and the impact creating a positive corporate culture can have - and they also delve into the topic of financial awareness for women. Through Melanie’s stories, tune in to be inspired by this story of determination and perseverance.

Misha Bleymaier-Farrish opens up to host Meg McKeen about her unique career path - and pivots - and finding fulfillment in the ebbs and flows of life. We honor the importance of celebrating achievements, the concept of "shiny objects" in entrepreneurship, and the outdated notion that work *must* make you miserable. Misha is an inspiring entrepreneur and author and you'll be glad you slowed to listen to this conversation!

This Mental Health Awareness Month, listen in for a heartfelt conversation between host Meg McKeen and guest Marissa Rutkowski as they talk about creating space for mental health discussions in the workplace, how it feels - literally - to consciously blur the line between “work” and “life,” and boundaries. Can we even have a conversation on this podcast without talking about ‘em?

Lemons and lemonade. Messes and missions. Blah, blah, blah. Alas, when will there be enough lessons for this life? In this episode, Saya Hillman joins host Meg McKeen to discuss the power of curiosity - and list making - in times of uncertainty, how to make doing different, seemingly disparate things make sense in your life and career, and so many of those a-ha moments that happen when we're living our Life of Yes℠.

Does a trailblazer even know she's a trailblazer? In this episode, Dr. Michelle Morkert joins host Meg McKeen for a candid chat about what makes a trailblazer, the realities we face as we navigate the systems we are part of, and what taking courageous action feels like. We also dig deep and share more about our inner critics - and what it feels like to hang out for longer than we might like in the messy middle of life.

On the brink of burnout, Renee Bruns made the thoughtful decision to leave her corporate role and embark on a year-long travel adventure. In this episode, Renee joins host Meg McKeen to share the “why” that fueled her decision and the way she’s navigated her own relationship with risk in her travels - and life. Renee also shares two key lessons she’s learned this past year and what’s up next for her.

If you've ever felt like the *only* woman who has ever doubted herself, her capabilities, or her authority, let this conversation between commercial lines underwriting leader Danielle Morales and host Meg McKeen be the reminder that indeed, you are not. In this episode, hear more about Danielle's experience with imposter syndrome, finding and leveraging her own leadership voice, and the changes, like the seasons, that we experience in our relationships, too.

Whether it's advocating for more pay or making a complete pivot, career coach Andrea Yacub Macek joins host Meg McKeen for the most candid conversation yet about the transition so many women in insurance are in as we evaluate our relationship with work and what might be next. We talk about why it's so hard to talk about money and where we place flexibility on our priority list - not surprising, it's at the top! We acknowledge that the insurance industry, like many systems women navigate, wasn't built with women in mind and the challenge to navigate it with clarity and confidence is real.

Ashley Fitzsimmons joins Meg McKeen to share more about her life while navigating a chronic, invisible autoimmune condition. We unpack the topic of rest - you’re not being lazy if you take it - and the ongoing challenge it can be to say no. Ashley leaves us with advice for supporting a colleague or loved one with a chronic illness - let’s just say that less is more when it comes to talking.

Jody LaVoie, the founder of Widows in the Workplace, joins host Meg McKeen on this episode of Bound & Determined. Through the learning and healing experienced following the tragic loss of her spouse and partner, Jody now supports women navigating their own relationship with work, family, grief - and themselves. As many continue to evaluate the place "work" fits in our "life," Jody highlights the need to think creatively about the meaningful ways we can support - and show up for - the employees who choose to work in our organizations.

Precious Norman Walton is a champion for education - and change - in the insurance industry. In this episode, Precious shares her wisdom about the skills we accumulate in our lives and careers - they're transferable, even if you can't see how - and what a less conventional career path might look like when we align those skills with our talents and beliefs. An expert storyteller, Precious and Meg chat through our relationship with failure and perfectionism - it's complicated!

Together with host Meg McKeen, Jenn Walsh shares strategies for finding and using your voice in the workplace - a coach can help! - and what it looks like to take the lead with your clients, too. We chat through the agent/producer and service personnel dynamic and wrap up with a reflection on the unique opportunity service professionals have to succeed in a sales role. One of the smartest conversations to date!

Licensed therapist Lauren Martin joins host Meg McKeen for a candid conversation about burnout. If you’re feeling it, know you’re not alone. Since burnout can be sneaky - that you’re headed for it might not be so obvious to you or those you love. Lauren reminds us that navigating life with and after burnout can be tricky, and requires us to inventory our energy - and in some cases, redraw our boundaries - but it’s possible.

Host Meg McKeen shares more about her digital nomad lifestyle, answering the questions she's asked most frequently. Have a listen to learn more about the logistics and the lessons she's learned in her nomad life.

The infamous Dustyne Bryant and Cat Ferris join host Meg McKeen to share their thoughts on the emotions we feel - good and bad - when we tell our stories in public ways, and the boundaries we must set to keep our most sacred stories - and relationships - safe. We talk about the challenges - and opportunities - we face in building relationships in this virtual world, proving that so much is possible.