Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears

My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud has appeared in publications ranging from the Harvard Business Review to Glamour UK, was named one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Women Leaders in HR, and has been hailed as a “cultural competency genius” — praise that is definitely well earned!

Risha Grant is an international speaker, bestselling author, and sought-after diversity & inclusion consultant who is currently mapping out ...

While many find fulfillment in mastering one craft, others thrive when exploring new worlds and challenges. My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud has excelled at playing a bigger game in a variety of sectors, from business to academia to politics.

Kathy Taylor is a woman with an incredible body of work. Her past roles include corporate EVP, Dean of the Collins College of Business at the University of Tulsa, and the 38th mayor ...

The strongest leaders often come from humble beginnings, because these early hardships are instrumental in the development of grit. 

In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I talk to community leader Kian Kamas. As the Executive Director of PartnerTulsa, Kian is passionate about creating long-term, institutional change in how Tulsa pursues its economic and community development objectives, and is committed to building a sustainable,...

I may be cheering you on as you think and play bigger, but my guest for this episode could give me a few professional tips! Charity Barton is the University of Tulsa Cheer coach, a Director at TU's Collins College of Business, and an entrepreneur who believes in the power of storytelling. Not only is Charity a gifted and charismatic speaker, she is a TEDx alumna. Her Talk, “How to Fix Your Unhealthiest Relationship”, focuses o...

My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud is definitely playing bigger — she was recently recognized as a 2023 Power List Leader in Workplace Diversity by Oklahoma’s Journal Record! As the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at BOK Financial, Janet Huber is responsible for providing leadership, vision, and a team-oriented philosophy to advance diversity and inclusion within the organization.

During our conversation, we talk a...

Often, our most impactful shifts can take us by surprise or seem to come out of nowhere. My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud is mastering the art of recognizing the right opportunities and shifting out loud with intention — whether that means playing bigger in the corporate world, leading her community, or embracing her role at home. 

Jessica Lowe-Betts is a Vice President at the PR and leadership development firm Schna...

Christopher Uric Brecht-Smith is a trailblazer in championing equality, and his passion for playing a bigger game has led him to make legal history… not once, but twice! Chris studied journalism at Oklahoma State University before shifting gears to pursue a juris doctorate from the University of Tulsa… and this shift would have a MASSIVE, reverberating impact for his community.  

Chris now practices family, guardianship, and ad...

You’d be surprised by the positive impact you can have on your community in just 45 minutes per week. If you want to learn how to make a huge difference in under an hour, you won’t want to miss this episode of Shift Out Loud!

I speak to Olivia Martin, who is championing students, teachers, parents, and volunteers in the meaningful work of literacy for children in Tulsa and the surrounding areas. As the Executive Director of Rea...

Karen Kiely has played bigger in two hemispheres and multiple industries — and she’s collected amazing insights along the way! 

Karen is the Executive Director of Cap Tulsa, an organization that helps children in lower-income families grow up and achieve economic success through a two-generation approach that prepares young children to succeed in school and helps their parents increase their parenting skills and earning potenti...

Dr. Dwayne Jenkins won’t just help you to play bigger — he’ll also teach you how to live fully and authentically. Dr. Jenkins is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist recognized for his expertise in advanced laproscopy and robotic surgery. 

Twenty years as a cancer surgeon has taught him this above all: the most powerful medicine flows from the heart, not the hands. Now, Dr. Jenkins is on a mission to teach a generation the power...

CONTENT NOTE:  This episode deals with intimate partner violence and homicide. Listener discretion is advised.

Barb Jordan is not only an excellent example of how to play bigger, she’ll inspire you to move about the world a little bit differently. Barb is a three-time NCAA Division 2 softball champion who also played and coached softball for Team USA for eight years and was part of the 1996 Olympic Women’s Softball team, a...

Shawna Suckow is a coach, consultant, and speaker with some serious knowledge of the customer mindset. As a former corporate buyer, she became fascinated with how organizations marketed and sold to her.

Her first book, Planner Pet Peeves: Straight Talk for Meetings Industry Suppliers to Understand How Planners Really Think, Act and Buy, aimed at helping organizations better understand how their target customers think. Her fifth book...

Mimi Brown is an award-winning motivational leadership speaker and the CEO of AMP Up Success. Through her training and coaching services, Mimi works with individuals and organizations to amplify their communication and leadership so they can make an influential impact on the world. 

In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I sit down with Mimi to discuss her transformational journey from working in the corporate world, to running her...

When you decide to play bigger, you can create positive impact that ripples far and wide and empowers others to play bigger, too. In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I speak to someone who has built the heart of her community — and works every day to keep it beating strong. 

Onikah Asamoa-Caesar is the founder and owner of Tulsa-based Fulton Street Books & Coffee, which she created as a safe space for Black and Brown folks t...

When you begin to think and play bigger, it can transform not only your own life, but the lives of those around you — your family, your team, your community, and even beyond. 

As the founder of the transformative global nonprofit Women Empowering Nations (WEN), Carlisha Bradley is playing bigger and making a difference on a global stage. She’s served as a trusted advisor to aid organizations, non­profits, schools, leaders, fore...

When you’re surrounded by people telling you what you should be doing, feeling, or working toward, it’s hard to hear the inner voice that is telling you what you truly want — and even harder to speak your truth. How do you know when the path you’re on is one you’ve chosen for yourself… and how do you make a shift to one that better reflects your goals? 

Dr. Mrinalini Garv is a bestselling author and career coach who helps South...

Dr. Meg Myers Morgan shared so many fascinating insights during her last appearance on Shift Out Loud that I had to invite her back! Meg is a keynote speaker, professor, and coach who works with people seeking clarity in times of overwhelm. Her award-winning books include Everything is Negotiable: The 5 Tactics to Get What You Want in Life, Love & Work.

In this episode, we discuss the key factor that can turn a passable coa...

Carol Seymour may be playing bigger than anyone I’ve ever interviewed — and her bold moves have helped me to play much bigger in my own life.

Carol is an accomplished business leader, one of Real Leaders Magazine’s Top 40 Women Keynote Speakers for 2020, and the founder of Signature Leaders, an organization that accelerates women into next-level leadership through its outstanding professional development programs. Signature Leaders ...

I’m issuing a heartfelt thank-you to all of the listeners who have supported the Shift Out Loud podcast in 2022. Our first season was wildly successful, reaching thousands of people who aspire to think and play bigger in their own lives. I’m thrilled that I was able to sit down with a variety of amazing people to dig deeply into their biggest shifts, challenges, lessons, and triumphs — including a groundbreaking stand-up comedian, ...