

Shameless Leadership
Sara Dean
Welcome to Shameless Leadership! This show is for women, transgender people, non-binary folks, and allies who are committed to advancing their leadership and the leadership of those around them. In this space, we believe everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. Our mission is to help you foster these feelings within your own circles of influence to build trust, psychological safety, and a culture of belonging.In each episode, we dive into essential topics impacting women in leadership - everything from shutting down your inner critic and imposter syndrome to overcoming perfectionism to using your voice in new ways to advocate for yourself, your ideas, and other folks carrying marginalized identities. You'll hear practical tips, effective strategies, and inspiring stories that will not only enhance your leadership skills but also broaden your perspective to become a more confident, thoughtful, and empathetic leader.Our stories come from people carrying identities who are often underrepresented, underestimated, and excluded. By sharing their experiences, we aim to provide you with invaluable lessons that will transform your leadership journey. We are thrilled to have you join this community of Shameless Leaders who are actively creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can intentionally lead through a more curious, compassionate, and inclusive lens.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 25, 2023 • 51min
817: Omi Bell: From Shameless Teen Mom to Shameless Female Founder
Omi Bell is a multi-talented computer scientist, business strategist, and serial entrepreneur. She also has a background in performance, K-12 Education, and IP Strategy. Her innovative approach to creating access to social and financial capital has earned her recognition as a leading voice in the industry, as well as praise from prominent figures such as Robert F. Smith and Daymond John.As the founder of and CEO of Black Girl Ventures, Omi has made it her mission to provide resources and support to underrepresented entrepreneurs. Under Omi’s leadership, Black Girl Ventures has funded over 300 women founders representing about $10MM in revenue, creating over 3,000 jobs for the US economy and raising $5M in financial and social capital. Her impact extends beyond her organization, as she continues to be an advocate for social justice and equity in the business world.Listen in to hear Omi share:
How women disassociate from their bodies over the course of their life and how hard it is to get out of your head and back in your body later in life
The mental shift for moms from “what do we need?” in earlier stages of motherhood vs “what do I need?” in later stages of motherhood
How being a 17-year-old mom laid the foundation for her to become the founder and CEO of Black Girl Ventures
How she went from renting out her living room as an Airbnb to make money to becoming a female founder who funds other black-owned companies
How she used the “template” of megachurches to build her business around community (without being culty)
The responsibility of owning and USING your creativity to show up in the world, as well as permission to step into your creativity by just dipping your toe in the water as a first step
Links mentioned:Get Omi’s Book: Originate, Motivate, Innovate: 7 Steps for Building a Billion Dollar NetworkConnect with Omi: omisworld.com Omi on IG/Threads: @omibellConnect with Black Girl Ventures: blackgirlventures.orgBlack Girl Ventures on IGWe love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our https://shamelessmom.com/sponsorInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 23, 2023 • 35min
816: 5 Mindset Resets to Amplify Your Joy in Motherhood
What we expect motherhood to look like (snuggles, rainbows, and roses!) vs what motherhood actually looks like (chaos, crying, and pure exhaustion) can be pretty jarring. There are these moments of pure joy that we could have never imagined and then - alllll the other moments. Often not pure joy… There are a number of factors that contribute to our joy depletion over time as we rear our brood. Everything from trying to conform to social norms to sinking deep into the comparison trap, to massive daily overwhelm, and complete loss of our sense of self. Today we will talk through 5 mindset resets that will amplify your joy in motherhood. These 5 mindsets center YOU, not your child(ren). My hope is that they allow you to stand apart from your child(ren) in order to find yourself amidst the chaos. Book mentioned Joy Is My Justice by Tanmeet Sethi We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsorInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 18, 2023 • 47min
815: Kristal DeSantis: Raising Boys Within a Model of Healthy Masculinity
Kristal DeSantis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with specializations in sex therapy, couples, and men's mental health issues. She is the creator of the STRONG Relationship Therapy Model of trauma-informed attachment-based couples therapy. She is joining us in the SMA today to talk about boys' mental health, the importance of healthy masculinity, and the impact of seeing healthy relationships on children's mental, emotional, and relational well-being.This was an incredibly powerful and critical conversation about teen boys and mental health. Please listen and share with the moms of boys in your life. Listen in to hear Kristal share:
How the socialization of male masculinity impacts boys’ mental health
How our current tropes of masculinity are harmful to young boys
Positive coping mechanisms for teen boys to reduce stress and build resilience
The significance of validating your child as a human with inherent worth - not worth they have to earn
The 4 Positions of Conversation that can positively impact parent/child communication
Tips on how we can reduce the stigma around mental illness and help teen boys feel more comfortable talking about their struggles and seeking help
Why we are seeing staggering rates to suicide in boys
Links mentioned:
Connect with Kristal: www.strong.love
Get Kristal’s Book: STRONG: A Relationship Field Guide for the Modern Man
Kristal on Twitter
Kristal on IG
Kristal on Threads
Kristal on FB
Kristal on TikTok
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsorInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 16, 2023 • 34min
814: How Shaming Undermines Trust and What to Do Instead
Shame is integrated into our society in all sorts of explicit and subtle ways. Sometimes we can see it right away and call it out. Other times, we quietly internalize it, not realizing that it’s undermining our self-worth while building up our protective armor to the point that our truest gifts can no longer shine through. Some of us were raised by parents who used shame as a weapon. Some of us have bosses who use shame as a weapon. Some of us have been taught, mentored, or coached by leaders who use shame as a weapon.When we have models and mentors who use shame as a form of control, power, or manipulation, sometimes we don’t know any better than to do the same thing ourselves once we have the opportunity to yield some control or power over others. In this episode, we will explore how shame does the opposite of what the shamer wants it to do while breaking our spirit in the process; how shame, even subtle shame, destroys the trust and integrity of a relationship; and 5 approaches you can use instead of shame to build healthy relationships while co-creating solutions that strength rather than undermine our bonds with one another. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsorInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 11, 2023 • 51min
813: Natalie Silverstein: How to Raise Kids Who Want to Give Back
Natalie Silverstein, MPH is an author, speaker, consultant, nonprofit founder, and passionate advocate for family and youth service. Her first book, Simple Acts: The Busy Family’s Guide to Giving Back, was published in 2019 and was named one of the Top Books for Parents Who Want to Raise Kind Kids by HuffPost. Her second book, Simple Acts: The Busy Teen’s Guide to Making a Difference was published in July 2022. She is the host of the award-winning podcast, Simple Acts, Big Impact: Celebrating Teen Changemakers. I got so much out of this conversation with Natalie. I love her philosophy that the best way to feel more hopeful about the world, while also adding meaning to our own lives, is to be of service to others. She is also brilliant at involving teens in this mission by offering manageable, actionable steps to help them start being of service in their communities.Listen in to hear Natalie share:
How she found her passion for writing and serving her community in a massive way at age 50
Her belief is that our current generation of youth are huge leaders in service and contributions to communities
How raising kids who engage in service work creates grounded and grateful kids
The health data on volunteering - how it gives “helpers high” and contributes to physical & emotional health, as well as increases life expectancy
How volunteering in the community decreases a teen's chances of engaging in risky behaviors
Creative ways to get younger kids engaged in service to others
How to engage teens and tweens in service work that is rewarding and meaningful to them - and guided by their strengths, gifts, and passions
How having kids being of service brings deep meaning and joy to their lives
Links mentioned:
Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat
Free Guide: Simple Acts: A Busy Teen’s Guide to Making A Difference
Natalie’s 2024 Simple Acts Day by Day Planner
Book: Simple Acts: The Busy Family’s Guide to Giving Back
Book: Simple Acts: The Busy Teen’s Guide to Making a Difference
Podcast: Simple Acts, Big Impacts: Celebrating Teen Changemakers
Natalie on IG
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsorInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 9, 2023 • 34min
812: 4 Invitations for When You’re About to Try Something Scary
It’s easy to conflate being new at something with being BAD at something. The first time I went skiing I was not good at it. So, I deemed myself a bad skier. When I had to speak in front of the class in high school, I would shake uncontrollably and black out. I wouldn’t remember anything I said as I walked back to my seat in a full sweat. So, I deemed myself a bad public speaker.Perhaps your child is like this too. Tries soccer once. Doesn’t score a goal. Retires from soccer. Cause - “I’m so bad at soccer, Mom!” If you look back over the course of your life, I bet you could see patterns where you tried new things and were pretty darn bad at them. How often did you give yourself the grace to note, “Here I am learning something new. Look at me learning!” I was at an event recently where someone announced she was an awful public speaker, yet every time she spoke the most beautiful, thoughtful, perfect melody of words came out of her mouth. Sometimes when something is new to us, we immediately assume we are bad at it. Sometimes when something is uncomfortable or scary, we immediately assume we are bad at it. Sometimes when something brings up a lot of sensation (shaking, sweating, nausea, blacking out!) we immediately assume we are bad at it. But, what if learning, discomfort, and sensation are the direct path to becoming great at something???In this episode, I offer you 4 invitations to carry with you for those moments when you’re about to try something new, or you’re feeling terrified of doing something that makes you feel ridiculously uncomfortable, or you find yourself standing in a pool of your own sweat as you blackout while beautiful words come pouring out of your mouth. Link mentioned:Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreatWe love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsorInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 4, 2023 • 48min
811: Ophira Eisenberg: Parenting is a Joke
Ophira Eisenberg is a standup comedian, writer, and the host of the new comedy podcast Parenting Is A Joke with iHeart Radio and Pretty Good Friends. She also hosted NPR’s Ask Me Another, where she interviewed hundreds of celebrities including Sir Patrick Harris, Rosie Perez, Yo-Yo Ma, Awkwafina, Roxanne Gay, Nick Kroll, Chelsea Handle, and more. She’s appeared multiple times on CBS’s The Late Late Show, Comedy Central, HBO, The New York Festival and is a regular host and teller on The Moth Radio Hour. Her stories are included in three of The Moth’s best-selling collections, including the most recent: How To Tell A Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth. Her memoir, Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy was optioned for a television series, and her new comedy special, Plant- Based Jokes is streaming on YouTube. Her solo show, Leaving A Mark: A Comedy About Scars, recently made its Off-Broadway review to rave reviews and won the Women in the Arts & Media Award for Solo Show Scripts.Ophira came back to the SMA for a second time because I adore her, and so she and I could talk very irreverently about motherhood - again. This time we also discussed what it means to be an “aging” woman or mother in your industry - the good, the bad, the ugly. Listen in to hear Ophira share:
Her journey as a stand-up comedian working evenings in NYC who was also a mom and having no other moms around her living that lifestyle
What inspired her podcast, Parenting is a Joke
What it's like to be working in comedy as a mom in her 50’s vs her 20’s & 30’s
The contrast of what is universally experienced for men, vs women comics
How she prepares herself to be confident on stage - even if she feels like she’s faking
The tenacity and resilience she has navigated having been in comedy for decades in an industry that requires constant reinvention
Links mentioned:
Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat
Connect with Ophira: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/
Ophira’s Podcast: Parenting is a Joke
Ophira on IG/Twitter/FB/TikTok: @ophirae
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsorInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 2, 2023 • 29min
810: When It’s Easier to Just Not
I know what it’s like to just not.Just not try the new sport.Just not sign up for the art class.Just not join the group of people whom I assume are smarter than me. Just not take that professional leap.Just not attend the event with people who seem to have it all figured out. Just not chase a dream. Just not admit I really want something.Just not believe I’m worth it.I’m curious if you ever get a case of the Just Nots?Perhaps this happens to you when you think something miiiight be kinda cool, but then you decide it feels too risky, too scary, or too vulnerable. You start to make up a bunch of reasons that it’s just not the right time. Just not the right fit for you. Just not the next right step. And you end up Just Not doing the damn thing. And then, you find yourself sad, mad, disappointed, full of regret, maybe feeling some shame, and likely making promises about how next time you Just Will. In this episode I talk through what the Just Nots look like and how they can impact your life. Then, we dig into the Just Wills - the fun stuff - where all sorts of magic happens. It’s ok if you’re typically a Just Not kinda person. But, I think (hope) this episode nudges you to be a little bit more of a Just Will person. Link mentioned:Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreatWe love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsorInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 27, 2023 • 1h
809: Ariel DeNey Rainey: Black Motherhood in America and Million Black Mom March
Ariel DeNey Rainey is a Global Creative Strategist and Urban Family Advocate whose work is inspired by her drive to galvanize moms and professionals to fight for change. She is also the mastermind behind the Hustle Mommies nonprofit organization and movement where she has connected hundreds of mothers to careers, personal development, celebrity engagement, grants and scholarships, and a plethora of other resources. Under Ariel’s leadership, the Hustle Mommies organization has multiple prestigious awards and accolades, most notably from President Barack Obama and The Obama Foundation. Since the 2020 pandemic, the Hustle Mommies helped to bury 16 kids who have been affected by inner-city gun violence. This led to the creation of the PAINT THE HOOD ORANGE initiative, a campaign to support efforts to end hood trauma within Black, urban neighborhoods, as well as the TASK FORCE AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE, which is now advocating for policy change surrounding gun violence. Hustle Mommies is currently planning the first ever Million Black Mom March taking place in May 2024 where their current campaign is BLACK MATERNAL NEEDS MATTER - and all Shameless Moms are invited! Listen in to hear Ariel share:
How being a teen mom of 2 inspired the work she does today with her non-profit, Hustle Mommies
How government policy has destroyed safety across Black communities
The current state of Black motherhood in America
Why Hustle Mommies created the Urban Mom Collective National Coalition for Black Moms and how they are committed to policy change and how this is so critical in the wake of extremely harmful groups like Moms For Liberty
Her mission around PAINT THE HOOD ORANGE and TASK FORCE AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE
How white women can show up in advocacy and activism with humility and graciousness to listen and learn BEFORE speaking and offering support
How she recently ended up at the White House to share her work with Hustle Mommies
The Hustle Mommies Million Black Mom March in Washington DC in May 2024
Links mentioned:
Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat
Connect with Hustle Mommies: www.hustlemommies.org
IG: @arieldeney @thehustlemommies
Twitter/X: @ushustlemommies
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsorInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 25, 2023 • 35min
808: Resilience Rant + 6 Ways to Raise Your Resilience
Today we are digging into the truth about resilience. Resilience has been branded as something that an individual should strive to have when facing adverse conditions. Resilience has been explained as something one can grow over time - which is true. We do become more resilient as we face more hardships. But, when we think of resilience in this way, we can quickly see how resilience is then required much more of certain people. In fact, we see that the most resilience is required of the people with the fewest resources. This feels backward, doesn’t it? Perhaps we need to look at the roots of the systems that set some folks up to require a lifetime of resilience to merely survive. When we look at resilience through this lens, we see…The system tells you, “Practice resiliency!” when the system was not built with any tools or resources to support your resiliency.The system tells you resiliency is your job alone when the system is beating down and failing large marginalized groups on a mass scale.The system tells you resiliency is about the last few years, all you’ve been through, and how well you’ve adapted. When in truth the system has been beating down women, mothers, POC, and marginalized communities for centuries.The system tells you resiliency is a problem solved through self-care when self-care won’t make any difference if you have to jump right back into the structures that harm you after your bubble bath.The system tells you, “Look at you! You’re strong! You’re adaptable! You’re the model of resilience!” without acknowledging that it has no plans to evolve or change to make your life easier. Instead, you will have to be your strongest, most adaptable, most resilient self #everydamnday until you die.When we take on our own resiliency as a personal project, the system keeps winning. The system is upheld. The system functions exactly as it was intended to. This episode explores how you can take care of yourself as you try to fit a tiny bandaid (your resiliency habits) on a large wound (the system in which, perhaps, you were never expected to fully succeed.)Links mentioned:
Join my October Retreat for Women Entrepreneurs: Influence & Ignite: Be the CEO and Thought Leader You Were Born to Be: shamelessmom.com/bizretreat
Book: Joy is My Justice by Tanmeet Sethi
Book: Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
Book: Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsorInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


