Proven Not Perfect

Proven Not Perfect

This is a show for women who wear many hats and who have held themselves to an unhealthy measure of success. This show will deposit nuggets for your own self reflection and self improvement. This audio series builds upon the book - Proven Not Perfect: 7 Truths of a Corporate Executive, Mommy, Wife and Christian (published 2018, Amazon Best-Seller).

Episodes

July 29, 2025 21 mins

Send us a text

Have you ever noticed that some colleagues who never seem to burn the midnight oil still progress faster in their careers? Or wondered why that person who knows everything isn't actually the one in charge? These puzzling workplace dynamics stem from unwritten rules and counterintuitive truths that can take years to discover.

When I entered the professional world, I was convinced that visible hustle—early...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about building bridges that connect people, perspectives, and possibilities. Just ask Carol Dover, who has spent three decades as the President and CEO of Florida's Restaurant and Lodging Association, steering the state's economic engine through hurricanes, economic downturns, and political shifts.

In this candid conversation with Shontra ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

What does it take to transform from a foster child and migrant farmworker's daughter into one of the most influential women in global aviation? Lillie Rentz never imagined herself breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, but when opportunity knocked unexpectedly, she answered with a resounding "yes."

In this captivating conversation, Lillie reveals how being in the right place at the rig...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

What happens when you refuse to fit into someone else's box? For Bo Shepherd, the answer was nothing short of transformation. As just the third African-American female interior designer at General Motors, Bo found herself constantly battling expectations about everything from her natural hair to her tattoos. Despite achieving what many would consider career success, something was missing – the freedom to be authe...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Reimagining coastal protection through revolutionary technology that preserves both our cities and oceans. Meet Anya Freeman, the visionary founder behind Kind Designs, who's transforming traditional seawalls into living marine habitats through cutting-edge 3D printing.

The urgency is clear: traditional concrete seawalls are destroying marine ecosystems at an alarming rate—50,000 miles of habitats will b...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Ever wonder why your hard work isn't translating into the success you deserve? Allison Fragale, author of "Likable Badass," reveals the missing piece of the professional advancement puzzle that most women overlook.

While we've been taught to pursue power and control resources, Fragale introduces a game-changing perspective: status must come first. Unlike tangible power, status exists in ot...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Have you ever found yourself breaking your neck to be in spaces where you simply don't fit? That's the powerful question at the heart of this spontaneous yet profound conversation with communication coach Denise Thomas.

What began as a casual catch-up call transformed into a masterclass on recognizing your gifts, embracing divine timing, and understanding the crucial difference between fitting and f...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

What happens when leaders drive without a license? When we race through leadership responsibilities at 180 miles per hour without first understanding ourselves, we miss critical details and create unnecessary risks—for ourselves and those we lead.

In this powerful exploration of mindful leadership, we unpack the fundamental difference between leading from performance versus purpose. For generations, we'v...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

What if the secret to navigating life's obstacles isn't finding the perfect map, but developing a mindset that always sees options? Janet's remarkable journey from unemployed 24-year-old to successful business founder and philanthropist offers powerful insights on leadership evolution that will transform how you approach challenges.

Janet didn't set out with a grand strategic vision when f...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

What does it truly mean to lead authentically in today's corporate landscape? Kim Seymour, a seasoned executive with decades of leadership experience, breaks down this question with refreshing clarity and hard-won wisdom.

"Leading people in a way that is sustainable for you, that you can believe in" forms the cornerstone of authentic leadership, according to Seymour. But this isn't just ab...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Maggie O’Brien is Managing Director - Co-Head of Chicago at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. She is a Daniel Burnham Fellow member of Leadership Greater Chicago, the region’s premier civic leadership organization. Complementing Maggie’s offer as a corporate and community leader, she is a mom and wife, committed to the love and advancement of her family. This conversation is ‘real’ and ‘raw’, getting deep into the reality of ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

This episode explores the complex realities of caregiving, focusing on the sandwich generation—the caregivers juggling responsibilities for both their children and aging relatives. With insights from Sue Ryan, we discuss self-care strategies, workplace transparency, and the importance of community support in navigating this demanding journey. 
• Understanding the sandwich generation and its pressures 
• Import...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

This episode dives into tech empowerment and artificial intelligence through a conversation with Noelle Russell. We explore her personal journey, the importance of AI literacy, practical tools for leveraging AI, and the evolving roles of leadership in this new era filled with technological advancements. 

• Noelle shares her journey becoming an AI advocate 
• The significance of personal experiences in sha...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

  • The episode delves into the intricate subject of boundaries, emphasizing their role in fostering mental well-being and emotional freedom. By exploring personal experiences, generational impacts, and practical strategies, we guide listeners to understand and implement healthy boundaries in their lives. 

• Boundaries and their importance for mental health
• The impact of upbringing and trauma on boundary-se...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Have you ever felt lost in the chaos of life, yearning for peace and renewal? Join me as I share personal insights on transforming our mindset by embracing acceptance. Through the practice of seeing beauty in our surroundings, from the grandeur of nature to the simplicity of everyday objects, we can find a sense of calm amidst the storm. Inspired by the timeless wisdom of Genesis, this episode explores how focusing on...

Mark as Played
October 5, 2024 7 mins

Send us a text

Ever find yourself tangled in analysis, trying to decode every instruction and intention before taking action? Join me, Shontra Powell, as I navigate through Mark 8:15-21 from the New King James Version of the Bible, where Jesus’s interaction with his disciples offers a profound lesson in trust and faith. Through a personal lens, I share how this passage challenges our habitual reasoning tendencies and invites us to e...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

How often do we find ourselves juggling life's responsibilities, only to realize we're neglecting our own well-being? Today, I share my personal journey of balancing expanded responsibilities and stepping into a caregiver role, leading to an epiphany about the critical need for self-care. We delve into the essence of Proven Not Perfect and why staying true to my voice and the core intent of the podcast ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

As the sun sets on the eve of Mother's Day, I am overtaken by gratitude for my own Mom and her unwavering strength. I dedicated this podcast to my Mother and all Mothers, and their incredible influence on so many lives.

Adding to this vibe of appreciation is the opportunity to celebrate my long time friend, Author, Stacey E. Harmon, whose debut murder mystery "Fire Starter" is her first of a se...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Ever wondered how to infuse your daily grind with unadulterated joy and authenticity? That's exactly what we're embracing in our latest Proven Not Perfect episode with Lisa Kahn. 

Lisa and I unpack the art of being fully present and the exhilaration of life's continuous evolution. Lisa and I celebrate the transformative process of personal growth and sanctuary.

As Lisa opens up about h...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Rayna Andrews, a fervent Public Health Ambassador, shares a slice of her life where adversity and advocacy intertwine. Milwaukee's own Food is Medicine proponent, Rayna, not only offers nourishment but also seeds of health to communities in need. Our conversation dips into a pool of personal accounts, from my own to Rayna’s.

In this episode, we discuss the harrowing realities of youth homelessness as we ...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.