

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 24, 2018 • 50min
278: Heather Chauvin: Mom Is In Control
Heather Chauvin has been named the next generation’s thought leader in parenting and women’s leadership. Her mission is to crack women open to their deep potential and help them create the life their soul craves.Heather is the creator of the New & Noteworthy Podcast, Mom Is In Control, and has been featured on/in the OWN network, Huffington Post, and various other media outlets. Through her Courageous Rewrite Initiative, Heather gives voice to many humans who courageously took inspired action to create lives they’re proud of.With wit and wisdom, Heather inspires a global community of women to take back control of their lives and evolve how they lead, work, play, and parent.Listen in to Heather share:
Why she’s excited to have her mom move in with her despite their challenging past
How she went from almost taking her own life to almost having her life taken from her
Why you need to focus on energy management NOT time management
Why you need to slow down to speed up
The phases of Survival Momentum Thrival Creative Abundance and how they touch different areas of your life
The power (for you) in giving your child a safe place to experience any emotion
Links Mentioned:
Heather’s podcast: Mom Is In Control
Connect with Heather: http://heatherchauvin.com
Join Heather’s Facebook group
Thank you to our sponsors:
BarkBox: Get a free month of Barkbox with any 6 or 12 month subscription by visiting www.barkbox.com/shameless. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 22, 2018 • 48min
277: 17 Ways To Protect Your Kids From Predators
I often tell people that my “mommy podcast” is not about momming. It’s no about how to potty train your kid or get through sleep training. It’s generally NOT parenting advice. Except now. Because I will shamelessly declare that there are a few instances in which I will use my platform to give parenting advice. Protecting your kids from predators and sexual violence is one of those instances. A few weeks ago I released an episode titled, “How To Not Raise A Rapist.” After that episode, I got a number of messages asking, “What about our daughters? How do we protect our girls from predators.” I immediately knew I needed to create this follow up episode. And this episode is not just about protecting your daughters. It’s about protecting girls and boys from predators. In this episode, you’ll learn:
17 tools to protect your kids from predators
6 reasons victims don’t report assaults
6 things every parent should know about predators
The reality of people who perp on kids and the exact behaviors they use to build trusting relationships before they victimize
Resources/Links Mentioned:
SMA Episode 271: How to Not Raise A Rapist
Book: It’s Not The Stork (for young children)
Book: It’s So Amazing (for slightly older children)
Book: It’s Perfectly Normal (for preteens)
(and follow up books)
SMA Episode 120 with Amy Lang: Bird and Bees and Kids
Resource - RAINN: https://www.rainn.org
Article - Parents Magazine: How To Protect Your Kids From A Predator
Thank you to our sponsor:
Follain: Save over 50% and get Follain’s Clean Essentials Kit today for only $22. Go to www.follain.com/shameless and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout to get free shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 17, 2018 • 55min
276: Katie Krimitsos: Reframing Mom Guilt and Other Mommy Myths
Katie Krimitsos is a Shameless Mom, wife, adventurer, podcaster, business strategist, seeker and change maker. She's committed to brightening the light of women around the world - through her Biz Women Rock community, which supports Women Entrepreneurs - and now through Meditation for Women, guided meditations that are specifically created with the special journey of women in mind. These meditations are tools to help women reconnect with the divine wisdom already inside of each us so we may live our own, extraordinary lives.I connected with Katie at an event after some light stalking… She had the most magnetic energy and I knew I wanted to connect with her. We ended up chatting and I immediately felt like I found a new friend. I am so excited to share her with you.Listen in to hear Katie share:
How motherhood exploded her universe in unpredictable, expansive, dynamic ways
How she created her Mompreneur Mission Statement and what she included in it
How she has reframed and renamed “mom guilt” so it doesn’t exist in her world
Why it’s a myth that you have to make less money in motherhood
When and why you should push pause, get quiet, and take a timeout
How transparency and sharing helps us turn our struggles into strengths
Links Mentioned:
Connect with Katie: Biz Women Rock
Join Katie’s private Facebook group
Katie’s Meditation Podcast: Meditation for Women
Katie’s Business Podcast: Biz Women Rock
Thank you to our sponsors:
Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, go to Canvas People and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Scentbird: To save 50% off your first order and get your first scent for just $7.50, go to Scentbird and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 15, 2018 • 36min
275: 4 Ways To Let Your Freak Flag Fly
Like most women, I spent a lot of my life trying to blend in. I wanted to be the same as all the people around me. In fact, I hated that I had red hair and freckles for my entire childhood. I didn’t like looking different.However, today, as a 42-year-old woman, mom, wife, entrepreneur, I LOVE standing out. I love being my own unique person. I love being recognized for what makes me different. I love my red hair and freckles (and I get super offended with certain skin care companies say they have creams to minimize/lighten freckles – WTF?!? Not cool.)I’ve come a long way in owning my differences, embracing my oddities, and sharing my true self. And the result has been magical – as now I attract all the best people into my life. When I was trying to blend in I had a lot of relationships that were NOT satisfying. Sometimes I felt misunderstood and like I needed to hide parts of myself.No more. Now I let my freak flag fly and the people I attract people have many of the same values as me, and often the same interests (Real Housewives, entrepreneurship, fitness, personal and professional development, mental health awareness). I actually build friendships around geeking out on common interests instead of pretending to like what someone else likes. And, it’s SO MUCH BETTER. Who knew???Listen in to this episode to learn 4 ways you can let your freak flag fly and how flying your freak flag will change the dynamics of your relationships. Thank you to our sponsors:
Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
RXBAR: RXBAR is offering you an exclusive pack of 6 adult bars and 4 kids bars + 25% off your first order when you go to RXBAR and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 10, 2018 • 57min
274: Marina Pearson: The Joy of Being
Marina Pearson is a Shameless Mom to 3-year-old Leo, host on The Joy of Being Podcast, bestselling author and investor. Aside from being featured on/in ITV This Morning (in Europe), Marie Claire, The Guardian and The Daily Mail she lives her life working on projects that light her up. When she isn't spending time with her son at the beach in Javea Spain (where she lives) she is running exclusive Joyriding Retreats in Spain for women/mums in business who want to ditch the overwhelm or overseeing her investments, or hosting her Joy of Being Podcast where she interviews transformation professionals, business owners and creatives on how moms and women in business can live a life full of joy and freedom.Listen in to hear Marina share:
The power of not limiting yourself to one title/role
The power of stressing less and living more
How she mothered in spite of feeling she lacked the “mom gene”
How to create space between emotion and reactions in order to feel more in control of your reactions
How she manages a challenging/unconventional custody schedule
The difference between easy and effortless and how to create more effortlessness in your life
The truth about Connection (yes, it starts with a capital C)
Links Mentioned:
Marina’s Podcast: Joy of Being
Connect with Marina: Marina Pearson
Free Resource: Joy Catalyst Scorecard
Marina on Instagram
Marina’s free Joy of Being Facebook group
Thank you to our sponsors:
Talkspace: to find your perfect match therapist for a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy, go to Talk Space and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout to save $45 off your first month.
Third Love: To find the perfect fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase got to Third Love
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 8, 2018 • 34min
273: How to Do it ALL FOR YOU
I’m guessing someone at some point told you something like, “If you take good care of yourself, you’ll be so much more able to take good care of others.” Can we just call BS on this?!? First of all, you are allowed to take good care of yourself because you damn well deserve it, not because you need to serve others better. AND… When is the last time anyone ever told a dude to take good care of himself so he could better serve others? Ummmm, never. You wear a million hats and serve others in a million ways. But if you don’t serve yourself first, you won’t see the beauty in any of it. You’ll be anxious, bitter, overwhelmed, exhausted, and uninspired to use your best gifts to their full capacity. When you show up in any role do it FOR YOU.Prove how strong you are FOR YOU.Show how patient you are FOR YOU.Let yourself cry FOR YOU.Be assertive with your voice FOR YOU.Share your time and energy FOR YOU.Laugh out loud FOR YOU.Become an artist FOR YOU.Run a marathon FOR YOU.Quit your job FOR YOU.Go for the promotion FOR YOU.The idea that you should take care of yourself so you can better take care of others is bullshit.Take care of yourself because you are a hero, friend, mother, daughter, visionary, QUEEN, ruler, woman who damn well deserves to take care of yourself FOR YOU. Thank you to our sponsor:
care of: For 25% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit www.takecareof.com and enter the code SHAMELESS at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 3, 2018 • 51min
272: Colleen Hauk: How To Live The "And" Life
Colleen Hauk is a public speaker, co-author of the bestselling book, Women Who Ignite, a Certified Professional Success Coach and creator of YOU SO NEW ™, a program designed for successful professionals who fail to take care of their personal life.All of this coupled with over 15 years of corporate leadership, training, and consultative selling, Colleen shares her skills, personal experiences and research in a unique way to authentically connect and empower high-performers to ‘have it all’ without losing it all.Married to her supportive husband, Matt, they live in Southern California where both were born and raised. They enjoy life with their beautiful children, Jordan (24), Ethan (12), and Reese (9), camping, hosting fun-filled evenings with friends, and spending quality time with their nearby extended family.Listen in to hear Colleen share:
How picture perfect lives aren’t usually picture perfect
The costs of prioritizing her work over everything else
The impact of her family having to walk on eggshells around her
How to live the “and” life
How to define your own version of “having it all”
How she intentionally integrates her personal and professional life
Links Mentioned:
Connect with Colleen: Colleen Hauk
Colleen’s Free Guide: The Me-Time Starter Guide
Get Colleen’s Best Selling Book: Women Who Ignite
Colleen on Facebook
Colleen on Instagram
Colleen on Twitter
Colleen on LinkedIn
Thank you to our sponsor:
Canvas People: To get a FREE 11x14 canvas print (just pay shipping) of any of your photos, go to Canvas People and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 1, 2018 • 14min
271: How To Not Raise A Rapist
There are so many things I want to scream out of rage and disillusionment right now. But that is not what is most productive. What is most productive is being an intentional part of the solution. The solution is to dismantle rape culture. And it starts HERE. It starts with how we are raising our boys. Now.Today.It starts with the conversations you’re having with your sons and the behavior you’re modeling.Is it a big undertaking?Yes.Can we do it?Yes.In this episode, I explain the exact (science/research based) parenting my husband and I are committed to because we are committed to not raising a rapist. If I had a daughter, I would want to know that every boy, young man, and the older man she was in contact with understood and valued these guiding principles.Please listen and share with everyone you know who is participating in any way to raise the next generation of men.See full show notes in link in bio for recommended articles and books related to raising emotionally intelligent boys.Resources:Article: 3 Do’s and Don’ts For Raising Emotionally Intelligent KidsArticle: 5 Ways To Raise Emotionally Intelligent Boys In The Era Of Toxic MasculinityArticle: How To Raise Emotionally Intelligent KidsBook: Raising Cain: Protecting The Emotional Life of BoysBook: Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 26, 2018 • 57min
270: Nichole Sylvester: Surviving Addiction, Abuse, And Murder
Nichole Sylvester is International Bestselling Author of OH SHIFT: A Journey from Chaos to Consciousness and host of the OH SHIFT Show. She is a Shameless single mother to her 13-year-old daughter, a Spiritual Success Coach and a transformational speaker on a mission to guide people home, to themselves, to discover their innate power. She supports thousands of people per year through her online programs, private coaching, and retreats.I heard Nichole in an interview on another podcast recently and immediately Instagram stalked her and asked her to come on the SMA. Her story is mind-blowing. From watching her dad OD in front of her to smuggling drugs taped to her body between states to having a woman murdered in her own home at the hands of her abusive ex-boyfriend, Nichole’s journey is more than you think one woman can endure. Yet, here she is. A survivor and a warrior and a powerful thought leader.Listen in to hear Nichole share:
How she survived rock bottom when her ex-boyfriend murdered a woman in her home
How she drugged her abusive boyfriend to escape with her daughter
How she turned a life of addiction and abuse into a life of service and purpose
The power and purpose of radical compassion
How to move into the “lesson and leadership” phase to share your story
Why you need to start with celebration in your life in order to get over feeling like you’re not enough
Links Mentioned:
Connect with Nichole: Nichole Sylvester
Nichole’s Book: OH SHIFT
Nichole’s Podcast: OH SHIFT Show
Nichole on Instagram
Nichole on Facebook
5-day money mindset challenge: Own Your Money Shift
Thank you to our sponsors:
Fabfitfun: To get $10 off your first subscription box (making it only $39.99 for $200 worth of products) go to Fabfitfun and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.
Green Chef: For $50 off your first box of Green Chef meals go to Green Chef.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 24, 2018 • 36min
269: Abortion And The Murky Undercurrents Of Your Past
Every now and then I get an email from a Shameless Mom that just blows me away. A couple weeks ago I got one such email – detailing a mama’s struggle with her current relationship with an addict and her past decision to terminate a pregnancy. What was so overwhelmingly touching about this email was that a lot of the email was about how HAPPY this mama is. That 96.34% of the time she is extremely happy, caring, empathetic, and grateful.But then there was the admission that, “the murky undercurrents of my past sometimes swirl with the polluted storm of my present; and my sunny disposition is immediately overcast by a darkness so ominous and pensive, that I fear I will suffocate under all the darkness......”I asked this Shameless Mom if I could share her story and do some processing on this episode and she so kindly agreed. To any mama who has struggled to make peace with your past or is currently struggling to find peace in the present, this is for you.Links Mentioned:Resource: Design Mom Gabrielle Blair speaks on abortion Thank you to our sponsor:
Lola: Get 100% organic tampons delivered right to your door for 40% off. Go to my Lola and use the code SHAMELESS40 at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


