Our biggest shifts sometimes elevate entire communities. My guest on this episode of Shift Out Loud has built an award-winning career around uplifting those who need it most. I’m joined by Alison Anthony, the President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. Among her many recognitions, she’s been inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma State University Diversity Hall of Fame, and is the 2025 recipient of the Leadership Oklahoma Distinguished Graduate award.
Our conversation digs into Alison’s enduring passion for justice and inclusion, and the importance of meeting your own needs while helping others. Tune in as we explore her decision to play bigger in a way that aligned with her deeper values, her journey to grow as a leader while dealing with personal challenges, and the incredible bar fight story that reveals her hidden superhero side!
Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:
- How to set healthy boundaries and detach lovingly when helping others hurts you
- The enormous impact of older women in our families and communities
- How Alison is shifting into a new chapter of reflection and self-expression
Guest bio: Alison Anthony serves as the President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. A number of non-profit organizations are proud to name her as a member of their Boards of Directors, including the Tulsa Community Foundation and the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce. To all her roles, Alison brings a passion for inclusion, justice, innovation, and a belief that we can join our talents together to make our community a place where we can all flourish and thrive.
Timestamps:
01:57 Intro
03:58 Meet Alison Anthony
07:16 Growing up & over-helping
10:57 Fly fishing story
14:07 Ear biting story
18:55 Shift to corporate
22:37 So shall it be or better
28:52 Shift to United Way
30:42 Al-Anon & codependency
35:22 Setting boundaries
40:22 The ‘Shift Happens’ 60s
43:44 Next shift
47:59 Sharing a stage
49:08 Conclusion
Links:
Alison Anthony
tauw.org/team_member/alison-anthony
tulsahistory.org/halloffame/alison-anthony
linkedin.com/in/alison-anthony-14a76a6
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com
Visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit tracyspears.com
Podcast support:
If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game!
Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe and ring the bell for notifications, so you never miss an episode!
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.