Ambition Without Compromise (Monique R. Shields)
Explore every episode of Ambition Without Compromise
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
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| 09 Mar 2023 | 00 | Welcome to the Ambition Without Compromise Podcast | 00:08:16 | |
Hi and welcome to my corner of the podcast sphere! My name is Monique Shields. I'm an executive coach, a career strategist, a Black woman, a wife, a mom, and an entrepreneur. | |||
| 29 Mar 2023 | 01 | Embracing Your Next Season - How To Let Go Of What's Holding You Back | 00:39:09 | |
In this episode, I reveal what it has looked like for both me and my clients to move through the challenging experience of needing to shed either what no longer serves us or no longer matters most - even during the “gray” uncertain seasons of our lives. “ When I took a step back and asked myself ‘what do I truly want this year?’ I said, ‘I want a more singularly focused experience of my time and my business. I want to be doing a very limited number of activities and doing them super duper duper well” Luminae Wellness (Oakland, CA): https://instagram.com/luminaewellness?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields, and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com. | |||
| 29 Mar 2023 | 02 | Taking Your True Potential More Seriously | 00:41:45 | |
Does this sound familiar? | |||
| 29 Mar 2023 | 03 | What Are You Playing For? (CEO Series) | 00:38:50 | |
If you have been questioning whether your current business or career is fulfilling or meaningful, that may be a sign that you’re at a crossroads. | |||
| 29 Mar 2023 | 04 | Power In The Pause (CEO Series) | 00:29:58 | |
This episode is for everyone who is being pulled toward a new way forward. You are someone who has built something to be proud of, something people are taking notice of. After years of hard work and proving yourself, success is rolling in. It’s all you’ve ever wanted, but suddenly it doesn’t feel as exciting. Instead of rushing into the next opportunity, you’re asking yourself “What’s next?” | |||
| 12 Apr 2023 | 05 | Why We MUST Stop Isolating Ourselves - How To Connect Deeply With Other Women (CEO Series) | 00:24:27 | |
How are you navigating and managing your path to success? The biggest challenge high-achieving women face is isolation. You are wired to be self-sufficient and have an overwhelming feeling of responsibility and ownership. Those qualities propelled you into a powerful leadership position, but is being alone sustainable? | |||
| 26 Apr 2023 | 06 | On Trying To Save Everyone | 00:24:59 | |
This episode is about reframing generosity. As high achievers, the temptation to help everyone looking for mentorship is strong. Many of us get trapped in this version of generosity that has us spread thin, trying to do the best we can for everyone. All of these mentorships take up time and energy that could have been spent on our core vision - the passion that has propelled us to the top of our fields. “...because of the structural barriers, there's no one above us. And so we feel once we get to these levels, it's like, well, I didn't have anyone to look up to. I'm now the person I wish I had been back then. So I owe it to this young, bright mind …to take the phone call to say you know what, go ahead and send me your resume. Yeah, you know, go ahead and send me your portfolio. You know what, I'll find some time in my calendar, reach out to my assistant, you're just saying yes to everybody. And look, I want you all to understand, sometimes you're gonna say, Yes but it has to be filtered through a set of criteria that you have determined for yourself that it incorporates, and really, I think, at its foundation is about protecting who you are most meant to be showing up in the world”.
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| 10 May 2023 | 07 | Being "Worthy" Of The Pivot | 00:40:38 | |
Today I am taking away our excuses. If you are tuned into this episode, you are attracted to the notion of self-directed ambition. There is something calling to you that is bigger than what you are doing now. But these changes we want to make in our careers and businesses are pivots that trigger our worthy button. “Setting yourself up for success is either code for, “I want to make sure that I make a move that protects me from failure” or “how do I make sure I'm set up for it is what will finally make me worthy of the success?” So one is about, I want to make sure that I have collected all of the Girl Scout badges, and the other is about I've put on enough armor to protect myself. Both of those buckets are a way of thinking that has been handed down to us through traditional career building in corporate structures and neither of those models is going to get you to your intrinsic vision” Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com. | |||
| 24 May 2023 | 08 | What Rooms Deserve You | 00:38:33 | |
Today’s conversation is about deserving and the spaces we deserve to be in. | |||
| 07 Jun 2023 | 09 | Being The First Or Only (CEO Series) | 00:27:47 | |
It’s lonely at the top. "Don't normalize being the first or only. Acknowledge that this is an isolating experience for me. You can acknowledge that, yes …, I am equipped with some of the skills I need to navigate this. I can figure this out. We don't need to bash our confidence around it, but we also need to hold space for the fact that this is a uniquely challenging circumstance to exist and to continue to excel in”.
Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambi | |||
| 21 Jun 2023 | 10 | Teaching Your Team How To Treat You (CEO Series) | 00:40:48 | |
Let's discuss what it means to teach people how to treat you. You can't go out into the world expecting people to understand how you specifically need to be treated. This especially holds true when you are in a leadership position because your time and energy have to be optimized. In this episode, I challenge you to answer this question: "How do you want to be treated?" I want you to identify what matters to you regarding your treatment as a leader.
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| 05 Jul 2023 | 11 | When Relationships Take More Than They Give | 00:40:24 | |
Today I'm talking about relationships and the imbalance that so many of us are experiencing and tolerating in our relationships with other people. When I say people, I mean EVERYONE - your friends, family, investors, employees, and clients. This topic matters so much because too many of us are in lopsided relationships. We are giving more than we are receiving. Women, especially, can be so willing to give, and give, and give. But we have to choose something different. Our money, missions, and joy are on the line because of how we engage in relationships. “...many of us are actually moving through our lives and our professional experiences. … below rock bottom, and completely unaware of it because we won't allow ourselves to feel the true pain, the true rage, the true sadness, that exists here, right now, if we allow ourselves to feel it, we'd make some new decisions. And that's scary. We'd have to change. And that's scary”. | |||
| 19 Jul 2023 | 12 | Allowing Your Ambition To Evolve with Jereshia Hawk | 01:00:19 | |
I am excited to welcome Jereshia Hawk to the podcast. She is a highly sought-after business coach whose mission is to narrow the racial wealth gap by helping industry professionals leverage their expertise to chart new career paths with strategic online sales. Jereshia grew her business to multi-millions (creating $1MM in PROFIT during one of those years) in less than four years! I know her story will inspire you. This episode is about uncovering how Jereshia's ambition unfolded. Not only is there so much to learn from her success, but I know you will connect with her personal experiences as a Black woman high-achiever who comes from humble beginnings. She is an incredible example of how believing in yourself, knowing there is more to achieve, and connecting to an unwavering sense of ambition is an unstoppable combination.
GEMS DROPPED “I don't know if I ever had this moment in time where I was like, I have this infinite belief in myself that I can do anything. I think a lot of my, like, belief in more was rooted in how clearly I knew what I never wanted to experience”.- Jereshia Hawk | |||
| 02 Aug 2023 | 13 | Re-Mothering Ourselves | 00:39:11 | |
Mothering is strongly connected to ambition because it is a core part of the undercurrent of what we are experiencing as women building and creating in the world. I am choosing to open up this conversation because it is difficult, but we all have these personal experiences, and it is crucial to acknowledge that we are not alone in them. | |||
| 16 Aug 2023 | 14 | Spiritual Knowing and Self-Integrity with Josie Rosario | 00:39:03 | |
Today’s episode includes a special guest! My friend and fellow coach, Josie, is a former therapist who serves as a performance coach for entrepreneurs and teams. She is a disruptive thought leader whose unique mind shifts perspectives for high-performing, successful women. I am excited to share a dialogue between two high-level female executive coaches. Listen in as we touch on the topics of ambition and motivation and how they come together in our lives.
GEMS DROPPED | |||
| 30 Aug 2023 | 15 | Learning To Dream First (CEO Series) | 00:28:55 | |
Who do you desire to be, and have you created the space to dream her up? GEMS DROPPED | |||
| 13 Sep 2023 | 16 | Knowing Your Value Beyond What You Produce | 00:40:09 | |
How do you let go of the version of yourself that is all about producing and achieving? In today’s episode, I discuss why it is so terrifying for high-achievers to refrain from valuing themselves outside their ability to produce. | |||
| 27 Sep 2023 | 17 | Do What You Are Called To Do | 00:32:32 | |
Do you have an idea, a concept, a product, or a business that you are drawn to? Do it! Someone is waiting for you and your unique perspective. STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 11 Oct 2023 | 18 | Running a Business And Having A Baby | 00:42:21 | |
In this episode, I share a profound conversation that I had with my amazing mindset coach, where she dropped a bombshell: "Pregnancy is a trauma." This left me truly shaken and I couldn't help but resonate with this statement deeply. In this first year with my second baby, I had to hold back from screaming in agreement. This episode dives headfirst into the unspoken realities of pregnancy and postpartum experiences, highlighting the need for more support and understanding. It's a conversation that's long overdue, and I'm honored to share it with you. So, join me on this emotional rollercoaster as we explore the profound impact of motherhood, worthiness, and the career-focused world we navigate.
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| 25 Oct 2023 | 19 | Liberated Business Building with Sabia Wade (aka The Black Doula) | 01:08:33 | |
In this episode, we dive deep into the experiences and wisdom of Sabia Wade, a remarkable Black Queer CEO, Investor, Educator, and Author who's been making waves in the world of birthing and beyond. We reminisce about her childhood and her early concept of "Black luxury." From there, we journey through Sabia's path, from a small business owner to an audacious visionary, embracing her creativity and her resolute belief in the power of asking, "Why not me?"
GEMS DROPPED STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 08 Nov 2023 | 20 | Experiencing Peace While Building Big Scary Things | 00:24:25 | |
In this episode, I explore a powerful and often overlooked aspect of achieving success and finding peace while working hard. Drawing on my own experiences and insights, I highlight the complex dynamics that women, particularly women of color, face in their professional journeys. I challenge the conventional wisdom that peace is primarily linked to self-esteem or confidence and propose a different perspective: peace equals presence. | |||
| 22 Nov 2023 | 21 | You Need A New Story | 00:27:06 | |
Picture yourself playing at a new professional level; the stakes are higher, your scope of responsibility is broader, and the pressure is palpable. It's a unique blend of excitement and nerves, especially for people of color, who are navigating spaces that might not always feel welcoming. This is fear and it can be paralyzing. | |||
| 06 Dec 2023 | 22 | Wanting Change vs. Being Changed | 00:49:57 | |
In this episode, I explore the concept of desiring change and the realization that to truly experience change, we must be willing to be changed ourselves. I share insights from coaching conversations and my personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of creating rituals and safe spaces for courageous conversations.
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| 20 Dec 2023 | 23 | Fighting Against Living Your Own Dream | 00:34:09 | |
Over the past few weeks, I've been actively exploring a concept that's been alive in me, sparked by conversations with others and introspection. I've reached a point where I need to share it publicly and grapple with it out loud. So today we are going to do some wayfinding. Listen in as I explore the fear of success, and the challenge of creating a life that aligns with our deepest desires. It's a journey of building and receiving, of embracing the vision while navigating the uncertainties and the discomfort of living the dream. So, buckle up and come along with me as we navigate the intricacies of wanting, building, and trusting the process of experiencing Ambition Without Compromise.
“Step into a realization or an ownership over the fact that you can actually do this. You can command your time. You can exist in spaciousness. You can feel like you're not at the behest of everybody's unspoken needs.” “When you're an overachiever or a high-achiever when you think about it, it's like my bar is so astronomical, it's like I never should be able to reach anything or close to it. And so when you do it, immediately you're like, ‘well, this bar must be too low or something must be wrong with this, like something is off.’ We can be quick to question these things and to feel discomfort.” “This is part of what can feel really uncomfortable for us with charting a course towards the life we really, really want is that there is this kind of white space, stuff I can't account for, that feels unreal, kind of unimaginable and we feel uncomfortable with that. There's a big leap that takes place in terms of what we have to learn to value and who we have to be to become comfortable with being in that in-between space. Like who am I if I'm not doing everything? “ “When we think about I want to feel more connected to this place I want to go that scares the shit out of me. Because I'm like, ‘Who am I going to be if I'm there and I'm not doing all the things I'm doing today?’ Right? But you have to be able to see it. Because you have to give yourself a reason to want to set down some of those fears, or to at least open up like okay, maybe I still have these fears, but I'm open to some exploration are all around them. So there's that. We start there.” | |||
| 03 Jan 2024 | 24 | 7 Gifts Of Coaching For High Powered Women | 00:34:08 | |
I'm buzzing with excitement after leading an incredible retreat with a group of amazing black woman CEOs. Now, I'm ready to dive into a topic that's been on my mind for a year: coaching. It's a tricky thing to explain because there are a million different types of coaches out there and the term has come to mean a lot of different things. So, in this episode, I'm breaking down what coaching means to me, shedding light on its benefits, and helping you conceptualize it in your own way. I've jotted down seven key areas that I believe capture the essence of my coaching philosophy. Join me as I share my thoughts on coaching, drawing from what's reflected back to me from my clients, and highlighting what I excel at as a coach. Let's get into it!
“The type of person for whom coaching is a little more urgent, is the person who self identifies as the giver and structurally exists this way in their community, network, family, etc. …there is a mental and emotional labor that comes with playing this role in any group or community. When you're always the provider, it makes it easy for you to also feel really alone. …To be the person that most people look to for something. The role of coaching for this person is that you can finally be in a space with someone who is entirely committed to your thriving and has no personal attachments or agenda for you outside of you getting exactly what it is that you want.” “The benefit of not feeling alone is something that is terribly hard to quantify. But I think we all know just how life changing it can feel to go from being in a state of loneliness to a state of “Oh, somebody's in my corner… somebody is dedicated to me… has no separate agenda… is not attached to my decisions, and the bounds of the relationship are formalized and set up so I can trust that I can fall back into that structure and not feel alone in my own head and on my own journey.” “Coaching helps us get behind ourselves, examine why we're moving the way we move, giving us explicit permission to pause, asking us the right questions to help us get intentional, to examine our pace and to reset it to feel like we are actually self directed and that we are not being led by some false pace that has been set out in the ether by whoever, whatever, out in the world, all these pressures that make us feel like we need to be doing stuff that we maybe don't need to be doing.” “Coaching provides you the space and the freedom and the safety for that inner little you to still show up, be seen, noticed and taken care of. There is something really, really, invaluable to be in space with someone who can create room for all aspects of you, all dimensions of you, all little ages and grown ages of you to be seen, to be heard and to be held so that we're not always pretending to be the grownup that we want to be… that we want everybody else to see.” “This is one of the greatest gifts that I know I bring to coaching for sure is that I'm not intimidated by people's accomplishments. I love that about myself. I can be in awe of you, I can be celebratory, I can be inspired and at the same time, just because you do really impressive, superhuman-like things doesn't mean that you are less human yourself. And I think that that can be such a critical experience for someone to have… that space to be human and be regular, that gives you that break from the fandom. To trust that this person is not going to bypass my humanity for the sake of trying to be around for proximity.”
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| 17 Jan 2024 | 25 | Avoiding The Real Work | 00:45:06 | |
Reflection season is here, and I'm delving into the experiences of the past year, contemplating what truly matters. In today's episode, we uncover the layers of self-discovery and transformation, emphasizing the importance of doing the real work we often avoid. Join me on this deep dive as we concentrate on the four pivotal buckets of meaningful connections and personal growth and why when we nurture them, everything else falls seamlessly into place. GEMS DROPPED "The real work is more murky, not always gratifying, but important for the experiences we desire in the coming years." "The real work starts with healing, childhood stuff, therapy – the core that yields new outcomes within yourself." "Your body has to be set up for success; it informs your thoughts, creativity, and innovation. You've never seen your peak performance until your body is right." "Investing in community and relationships can skyrocket your dreams with half the effort because you're no longer doing it alone." "Sometimes it's just the fact that there is someone else holding space for your dream alongside you that makes the difference." "Time and energy constraints often hinder building friendships and community, but it's about the quality, not the quantity, of time spent together." "It's not about the superficial tasks and planning; the real work is diving into the emotional and healing aspects, the work we often avoid." "Most of your relationships are lopsided; you're constantly the giver, fixing others' problems. Meaningful connections require a thoughtful design space." "Connection and vulnerability can lead to love in a moment with a stranger, but we're not taught to have trust in open-ended spaces with friends." "Put yourself into spaces designed with intention and care to achieve the depth you crave in relationships." "It's important to have both - the little Kiki moments and the depth that anchors into something real." "Connectedness requires thoughtfulness, especially in the pace of life as a business leader." "Don't avoid the real work in the depth of friendships and community; it's crucial for success and feeling good about your success." "Spirituality is personal; it's what makes you feel connected, hopeful, and alive. It goes beyond religious beliefs." "Arriving at success without spiritual investment feels empty; integrate spirituality into the journey for a fulfilling destination." "Focus on healing, health, friendship, and spirituality; when you nurture these buckets, everything else falls seamlessly into place." STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 31 Jan 2024 | 26 | When Achievement Is No Longer The Goal | 00:23:44 | |
Today's episode focuses on a crucial perspective shift for high achievers who have hit all the targets and are now facing brand new questions and a career crossroads. Listen in as we explore the significance of introspection, identifying our true passions, and the value of taking small steps towards aligning with our inner artist on our journey of self-discovery and transformation as we redefine success beyond mere achievement.
"Achievement has a cut-off point; it's time to shift from being the achiever to embracing the artist within." "In a world of achievement, there's a scarcity hierarchy baked in because not everyone can reach the top. It's time to redefine success beyond achievement." "Transitioning from achievement to artistry requires letting go of the need to constantly prove oneself and embracing the unknown of creating your own path." "Being a high achiever is like playing by a fixed menu; stepping into artistry means creating your own secret menu, even if the page is blank." "As an artist, you need to be in touch with your sensory being, understanding what activates you, where you shine, and what uniquely belongs to you." "The shift from achiever to artist involves doing a whole lot less, embracing stillness, reflection, and the less tangible, yet powerful, work of creation." "You're no longer qualified for roles you excelled in decades ago; your value now lies in the invisible, visionary work that sets the stage for impactful change." "Transitioning to artistry requires taking small steps, aligning with an executive coach, therapy, or activities that nourish your inner creative being." "Your job is to prioritize activities that resonate with your inner artist, even if they seem unrelated to traditional notions of success." "Embrace the discomfort and grieving process of letting go of old identities; prioritize wisdom, vision, and time freedom to enact the influence you desire."
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| 14 Feb 2024 | 27 | Scaling Your Humanity With Your Wealth | 00:34:31 | |
I've been reflecting on my self-discovery journey, facing challenges and pondering profound questions this season. Recent conversations, especially those delving into my middle school experiences, have revealed personal truths and beliefs related to my sense of belonging. Sharing these experiences isn't just about my journey but aligns with a broader theme observed among powerful women. As we navigate success, visibility, and seniority, we often compromise spaces where we can be authentic. This episode delves into the significance of investing in spaces that foster thriving, full expression, and true belonging.
GEMS DROPPED "In the absence of belonging, my basement was that people would respect me …if looking for and embracing and trusting that belonging wasn’t available to me, that at the very least, I didn't go seeking anything beneath basic respect.” “A big important part of our core and important part of this work for you, is to allow yourself to feel that you want to belong… to feel the wanting, to feel the desire, allow yourself to feel that. It's okay …you deserve to want that as opposed to just saying, well, I'm not going to assume that I belong, but I will assume respect and how do you know when one of the ways that we can think of respect is like a proxy for it, that can be sort of symbolic.” “Especially in this day and age, we have got to cling to the things that bring us back into our humanity. We have got to. And when you're operating as the powerful woman, the woman who knows when you're operating at this level, and you have big dreams, big aspirations, and you've got the track record, you can look back and you can say look, check my receipts. I do the things, I operate in a big way, and I have every intent of doing what feels expansive. We're discounting this key aspect of what it looks like to grow and belong and make things happen as a fertile, loving collective.“ “As you become more and more successful, the more wealth you have, the more seniority you occupy, the more visibility that you have, there are fewer and fewer spaces where you can be your own human self, your real true blue, honest, quirky, full self because cameras are on, people are watching, your team is looking to you, everybody needs something from you. And so people don't always see you as human. Even those who are cheering for you.” “Our humanity carries with it a tapestry of really critical energies– our true personalities, our preferences, our quirks, who we actually are. It’s an energy that is meant to be expressed. It is meant to flow. And when it is caged in and bottled up, because you are on a pedestal, you are on a platform, everybody is looking to you and you have to button the shit up, and you need to look a certain way, you need to say a certain thing, you need to…” “Not everybody has the capacity to negotiate their own identities in the distance between your reality and theirs with personal security. People sometimes can't maintain their own self- esteem in your presence.” “The privilege of just being able to be who you are out loud in front of people, bear and real and raw you, that has immeasurable value.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an | |||
| 28 Feb 2024 | 28 | Beneath The Struggle To Ask For Help | 00:30:55 | |
Often, we tell ourselves that the key to expanding our leadership is merely becoming better at asking for help or refining our delegation skills. But what I've unearthed in my work as a coach to CEOs and leaders is that the challenge goes deeper than tactics and tips. It's not just about optimizing to-do lists or honing delegation strategies; there's a profound internal barrier between us and the help we seek. Join me on this exploration of the struggle of asking for help and the complexities surrounding delegation. I’ll dig into the fears of appearing incompetent, needy, or even abusive when asking for help (especially as women and POC) . I’m also dissecting the misconception that unlimited capacity equates to competence and pull back the covers on how shifting our perspective can transform our leadership dynamics.
GEMS DROPPED "What I am constantly finding is that it's not about the tactics, it's not about the tips, it's not about the tricks, it's not about optimizing your to-do list, not at least at first. That's not the first step. There's something that runs much deeper within us around what feels like a barrier between us and the help that we want to better leverage”. “Building this skill, building confidence and comfort, around asking for help, employing help, receiving help, it's gonna be make or break for whatever it is that you're trying to build. It creates a ceiling immediately if you can't move through this and expand and grow this part of yourself.” “I think women and people of color, we can carry a great deal of undue pressure on our leadership design… that maybe makes us account for too many variables. Trying to hold too many things, and maybe not always the things that matter the most.” “There is a level of thoughtfulness that we try to bring to our own leadership, to not repeat and not recreate a culture around reckless and uncaring delegation, and I think that there's a weight to that intent that we carry around …being better, trying to be more thoughtful… that just adds another layer of pressure to what it means to ask for help, what it means to delegate or to set expectations for someone else… what it means to be responsible when you are occupying a position of a great deal more power within a power dynamic, trying to be respectful and responsive to that.” “You're wanting to make sure that basically, the team knows that you can handle hard shit, that the team knows that you have horsepower, that they can believe in your work ethic, and your ability to handle things… but what's happening, because you have such a focus on this, on proving to this team, appearing to this team that you have what it takes, and essentially, that you are strong, is that you are conflating capacity with competence. Meaning, you’re trying as hard as you can to always appear competent through how infinite your capacity is, which it's not.” “When we're focused on, I just need to be the strong one that's getting all the things done, we don't create space for relationships and for what really needs to be invested in here.” STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 13 Mar 2024 | 29 | Betting On My Wellbeing: Sharing My Practices | 00:48:28 | |
In this heart-to-heart episode, I'm peeling back the curtain on my personal journey of self-investment and well-being. As I navigate the ebbs and flows of life, I've come to realize that to manifest the life I aspire to, I must over-invest in my well-being. Join me as I share the strategies and practices that are guiding me through 2024, from embracing the power of coaching to the subtle magic of herbal remedies and the transformative impact of environment organization. I'll dive into the profound clarity that comes from addressing health and healing holistically, the importance of community and nurturing relationships, and the spiritual nourishment found in nature and the innocent play of children. This episode is an intimate exploration of how prioritizing ourselves can lead to attracting higher quality opportunities and achieving professional abundance with seemingly effortless grace. Whether you need a nudge to take that first step towards self-care or you're seeking affirmation that your path of personal investment is valid, this episode is a gentle yet powerful reminder that when we take care of ourselves, the universe conspires to take care of everything else. Tune in to be inspired, to find permission, and perhaps, to make that life-changing decision for yourself. MENTIONED GEMS DROPPED "We'll sabotage what could be big for us. We'll sabotage what could be incredible and exciting for us because we know that we don't have it within us, energetically, emotionally, spiritually, physically, that we don't have it to rise to that occasion”. “If you take care of yourself, the things you want get taken care of, too. So how can we aggressively take care of ourselves?” “Listen to your body and respond”. “Every time you walk past something in your house and you're like, I got to figure out where to put these things, or I've got to figure out how to make that work better. But you don't have the tools to do it, or you don't have the time to do it. You leak energy … It's a cognitive drain, and it's small. But we're walking through our spaces…the environments that we're existing in, that we're working in, that we're living in, and we're having these little moments of energy, of attention that are being drained away from us because we don't have a space that fully supports the humans living in it and the belongings that we have.” “Stop tolerating discomfort with setting up these systems, adhering to systems that actually support your financial well being, because that has everything to do with how you feel energetically, emotionally in your day to day life.” “When we don't feel alone in the paths that we're walking, the journeys that we're on, because we know someone else is holding space for us, someone else is thinking about us. Or we can reflect back on the inside joke that came out of the last time we spoke, or the vulnerable share, and we can hold space for that person outside of it. It's just so important.” “Once you leave the college and the grad school of it all, there are very few spaces that will forge that kind of bonding and connection because we don't have the same level of interconnected … intensity of a shared experience. Right? We have to create them”. STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an | |||
| 27 Mar 2024 | 30 | How I Became A Podcaster - 1 Year Anniversary Episode! | 00:42:48 | |
In today's episode, we celebrate the one-year anniversary of Ambition Without Compromise, a testament to the power of persistence and the beauty of evolution. Join me as I take a reflective journey down memory lane, recounting the origins of this podcast, born from a desire to connect authentically and serve a community of visionary women. From the humble beginnings of voice memos sent out to a small circle of friends and family, to the robust, twice-monthly musings that reach an ever-growing audience, this journey has been one of learning, growth, and unwavering commitment to my vision. I delve into five key lessons learned along the way, from embracing imperfection to tuning into the data, and the importance of meeting ourselves where we are. As we step into the next year of the show, I invite you to celebrate the milestones we've reached together and the space we've created for daring questions and honest answers. Whether you've been with me from the start or have recently joined our community, I hope you find inspiration in the realization that ambition does not have to be compromised when we listen, adapt, and serve with heart. In honor of our anniversary, I ask for the gift of your feedback. Leave a review and share how this podcast has impacted your journey. Your words not only help others find this podcast but also guide the future of our conversations. Send me a DM or an email to let me know your thoughts, and together, let's step into another year of uncompromised ambition. REQUEST Share your anniversary well-wishes by leaving a rating and review for Ambition Without Compromise on Apple Podcast. Your engagement fuels this journey, and I can't wait to hear from you. MENTIONED GEMS DROPPED “Perfection is not required to do the next thing that you're trying to do. I just want to remind you, if you don't already know, or if you know, that you're placing this undue pressure on yourself, that perfection is not required.” “Sometimes it's not about you having said the perfect thing, crafted the perfect positioning, and language, and put all of this thought and science and art just melding together into this gorgeous piece of work. Sometimes it's just the way you naturally say things. Someone else out in the world needed to hear it in that way. Someone's looking for YOU.” “Sometimes we think we need to over prepare when it's like you are enough as you are, that your rawness is actually the best gift you can give people, for people to get a real taste of the essence of you.” “You have everything you need to start, you just need to be creative. Just allow yourself to have the freedom to have like, a quick and easeful creative exploration. If you give yourself permission to be where you are and to listen to what exactly it is that you want.” “Listen to the data to block out distraction. Most of the time, I think the distractions are like our insecurities, fears or doubts.” STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 10 Apr 2024 | 31 | When Will It Ever Be Enough? | 00:31:38 | |
In this episode, I'm tackling a question that is rattling around the corridors of the minds of us highest achievers: "When will it ever be enough?" It's a relentless echo that reverberates in the silence left by our latest triumphs, a whisper that lingers even as we scale the peaks of what I’m calling “Money Mountain” with the weight of the world on our shoulders. For those who've pushed themselves to the brink, who've crafted empires with their bare hands and sheer will, this episode is a soul-stirring examination of the unsustainable pace of success and the personal toll it exacts. We're pulling back the veil on the harsh truths behind burnout, the undercurrents of systemic pressures, and the personalization of collective dysfunctions that lead us to question our worth, our work, and our way forward. Join me as we explore the deeper questions that should be guiding our pursuit of fulfillment. We'll navigate through the false narratives of entrepreneurship, the courage to be beginners in the public eye, and the vulnerability required to ask for what we truly want. Tune in and transform the way you approach your goals and your life. MENTIONED 03 | What Are You Playing For? (CEO Series) GEMS DROPPED “In this quest to say, ’Am I doing enough? Is it enough? Have I ascertained enough? Have I done enough? Have I created enough?’ We're really searching for, ’Will I ever be enough?’ That's the real question that runs beneath all of this, is, will I ever be enough?” “We're asking ourselves at the end of the day, why am I not enough? Why am I not rising to the occasion? Why is this wearing me out? Why am I having these emotional reactions and responses? Why am I being a fucking human being? We're punishing ourselves for our basic needs, and it's wrong. It is wrong. It is misguided. It is misdirected. So I want you to turn that energy into some better questions. I think a better question is ’Am I fulfilled, well, and whole?’“ “That moment where the decision is available to you, it can feel like you don't have a choice. And we always have a choice. We always have a choice.” “At a certain point, money no longer delivers. There's no return on that investment emotionally. Once you get past a certain level it caps out and you're not going to get any more enjoyment, fulfillment, happiness, even delight. All of that just falls flat. And so, well, what are you even playing for? “ “There really is no enoughness that's going to truly satisfy you…the feeling that you're actually seeking to meet, which is fulfillment. If fulfillment is what's lacking, none of this other stuff even matters. And I think that that's what we end up getting ourselves to when we first start asking this question. What's enough? You're enough. What do you want? Who do you want to be? Who you desire to be? Start there.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email | |||
| 24 Apr 2024 | 32 | The Right Time Is Not Coming | 00:28:19 | |
Are you waiting for the perfect moment to make a change? In this episode, I am shattering the illusion of the "magical right time" that so many of us are waiting for. The truth is, that moment when you feel entirely ready, when everything is in place, and when you've done enough—it's a myth. It's never coming. The right time is now. Join me as I dive into the language of limitation and how phrases like "I just need to..." can trap us in a cycle of perpetual preparation, holding us back from stepping boldly into the life we're meant to live, without compromise. I also challenge the narrative that familiarity equals safety and explore the power of tapping into the unbridled strength of our younger selves to fuel our courage for change. Press play and let's explore what it means to live freely and authentically, and how to back it into a plan that propels us forward. GEMS DROPPED “This magical right time, the time when you feel ready, when things are in place, when you have done enough, when you have prepared enough, and you know that this is up for you, that this is a challenge for you right now… The whole thing is a trick.” “When you keep saying stuff like, well, I just have to think about, or I just have to decide, or I've got to give some more thought to … I need to do some preparation… I just. I just. I just. I just. y'all. This is all danger language. Danger, danger, danger, danger, language. We start backing ourselves into deep limitation because we are fearful of giving ourselves permission to be specific about what it is that we truly want.” “I recognize that in order for this next part of me, this next phase to come to fruition, for that to happen, I'm gonna have to relinquish the reins. I'm gonna have to let this other part of me, this free and creative and open, this vulnerable part of me, come up to the driver's seat and I might have to get in the back, I might have to get in the trunk at some point. That feels so risky. It feels so, so risky internally.” “We disconnect from that part of ourselves. We leave those, air quote, ‘childish things’ behind and we get serious about life and we put on new coping skills and different things toughen us up and rough us up, and we forget that that wild and free little version of us, has so much power.” “I hope that if you are sitting in stagnation and not realizing, I hope that if you are sitting in, ‘I need to wait for the right time’, or ‘I just need to think through. I just need to figure out,’ or ‘I just need to, you know, shore up x, y and z,’ that you bust down those walls and get real with the truth of what's going on here, which is knowing that you don't have to cling to what's familiar and that you're not going to find your freedom. Your salvation will not come from this place. You have everything you need to make the move if you give yourself permission to let that part of you actually dream it up and connect you to the urgency of it all.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com. | |||
| 08 May 2024 | 33 | Unpacking Trauma And Achievement with Psychologist Andrea Michel | 00:59:23 | |
In this episode, we explore the intricate web of trauma, perfectionism and high achievement with Andrea Michel. As a developmental psychologist, trauma-sensitive leadership coach, and former corporate badass, Andrea peels back the layers of what it means to be a high achiever, how our childhood traumas shape our professional lives, and the subtle yet significant distinction between burnout and trauma responses in the workplace. She offers a compassionate lens through which to view our inner perfectionist – not as something to be vanquished, but as a part of ourselves that requires understanding and, if we choose, healing. Whether you're a leader seeking to create a trauma-sensitive environment or an individual ready to confront the roots of your perfectionism, Andrea's expertise will guide you toward a path of self-awareness and empowerment. Press play to join the conversation. Some key points discussed in this episode include:
GEMS DROPPED “What I come into contact with, even with some clients in session, sometime we're asking, like, where does that come from? Why is that showing up? Why is that happening? What was that about? But we can't take it much further. And I just feel like sometimes it's just another reminder that you can't really do this alone. You can, many times only get yourself so far, because we can't see outside. We can't see outside of how we see.” - Monique R. Shields “We have to unburden ourselves of things that we ultimately cannot control and we're not supposed to anyway.” - Monique R. Shields
EP. 14 Spiritual Knowing and Self-Integrity with Josie Rosario
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| 22 May 2024 | 34 | Perfectionism & The Settled Place We're Seeking | 00:44:46 | |
Have you ever felt like you're constantly chasing a moment of peace, where everything on your to-do list is checked off, and you can finally relax? This pursuit of the 'settled place' might be more ingrained in your daily life than you realize. There's a way to shift from this endless cycle of striving for perfection to embracing an abundant boss mindset. A mindset that allows you to assume possibility, to believe that space and resources you need will be available to you, and to prioritize your own well-being alongside your ambitions. Join me as we unpack the layers of societal expectation that have taught us to stifle our emotions, to maintain composure at the cost of our authentic selves. I also share personal anecdotes and insights into how modeling emotional honesty can shape our environments, encourage others, and foster a culture of genuine well-being. Tune in to learn more.
“Some of the most important mental resource tools I've honestly ever picked up were between therapy and the fact that I worked for four years at a mental health startup where I learned cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in and out.” “One of the greatest lessons that I learned in my coaching training is how emotions move. Emotions are emotions. There are no good emotions, there are no bad emotions… emotions are just energy. They are energy that needs to flow through us. Our body is engaging with the world and energetically reacting to the experiences that we have, the relationships that we keep and when our emotions come up, as adults, we have been trained to work them on down, to make them feasible, to make them workable, or to shut them off, to shut ourselves off, and to go into numb mode just to survive the moment because we're not socially given the space to do much more than that on a da -to -day basis.” “This craving of arriving at the settled place, this desire to get ahead of this, to get to the point where you feel peace and confident and on top of things. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but I think that what we are not recognizing in that process or in that craving is that it's not just so much as a desire to get to a place as it is I think a desire to get away from. Because what's happening is we're just scared to be present to what is so we need to get somewhere else where there aren't the complicated, hard feelings there. Sadness is not there. Rage, anger and frustration are not there. It's just pure satisfaction and rest and peace, which we all deserve. And I want to argue today that we also deserve to have regular space to feel all of the other emotions as well.“ STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 05 Jun 2024 | 35 | The Courage To Pursue Peace With Hillarie Maddox of BlackGirlCountryLiving | 00:56:15 | |
Are you yearning for a change in your life, especially one that brings you closer to your true self? This episode might just be the nudge you need. In this episode, we unfold the essence of rewilding – a term that transcends its ecological roots to embody a spiritual awakening and connection with the natural world. Hillarie Maddox, a mother, aspiring farmer, community builder and the visionary behind Black Girl Country Living, shares her profound shift from the corporate grind to a life steeped in nature, healing, and community on Whidbey Island. Join in as Hillarie recounts her journey– from her aspirations for big-city success to her courageous leap into a life that truly resonates with her soul. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of transitioning multiple times, the power of visibility in attracting life-altering opportunities, and the importance of aligning one's work with deeply held values. Her story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to seek a more fulfilling path, and that transitions are not just about the physical move from one place to another but also about the spiritual passage from one state of being to another. GEMS DROPPED “When I first started getting into gardening, and homesteading and thinking about, like, you know, this is something that I have to do all on my own. And then realizing, like, homesteaders, farmers, they don't do this on their own, they work in connection to all of these other people, and you can't possibly grow everything on your own. And so it's been like this sort of expansive rethinking of what this lifestyle actually means. And that understanding has trickled into all parts of my life, including my career.”- Hillarie Maddox “Many of us are still building our careers off of that very old dream. There's nothing wrong with having that dream, like, whatever age you have it at, and you pursue it and then decide, actually, this is not what I thought it was going to be and then making a new decision. But sometimes we never hit that point or allow ourselves to hit the point of reckoning where it's just like, this ain't it. It may be “it”, but sometimes it's not it, many times it's not it.” - Monique R. Shields “If you don't know what your values are, then you're making decisions from all of these different inputs from who knows where in your life and then it creates this really out of touch, out of alignment way of living.“ - Hillarie Maddox GUEST LINKS STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 19 Jun 2024 | 36 | Learning How To Do Nothing | 00:39:44 | |
In today's fast-paced world, the concept of truly resting and enjoying success often feels elusive. Many of us are caught in a cycle of hyper productivity and achievement, constantly striving for the next milestone without pausing to reflect or recharge. Inspired by a friend's sabbatical and a compelling story from Will Smith's autobiography, I’m examining the internal struggle and unexpected discomfort that comes with stepping away from the grind. If you're seeking ways to incorporate rest into your life, or simply curious about the journey of self-discovery and enjoyment, this episode offers valuable reflections and practical advice to help you embrace stillness and find balance. Tune in as I dive into the art of stillness and explore what it means to remove yourself from the relentless pace of life to reconnect with your true self.
“Some of us have been working full time employees since we were very small children. Whether we were going elsewhere, outside of our household to work or whether we were energetically, emotionally laboring, we've been like many of us have been laboring for a very long time. And so when that threshold arises where it's time for my sabbatical, it's gonna vary.” “Without the expressed belief that I am working towards a sabbatical, some sort of extended break to pull yourself away and to reconnect with yourself and life…whatever. I think that that's what we're quietly playing for, but I don't think that many of us have actually taken ourselves to the place.” “The question is what do we actually think we want and what we truly will find on the other side of this freedom to rest, the stillness, the pause that we all keep saying that we want?” “I think we focus a lot on, like, I need to have a hobby, I need to have fun. And I think a lot of that just comes back down to like sit down either with yourself or someone else, however you process out your thoughts. If you can't think of like what am I into? What am I interested in besides making money, besides doing, you know, achieving things and you know, like working, what am I into? Go back to your younger self and think about what brought you delight and joy and surprise and what really intrigued you as a kid. What was something that you used to spend hours on. It may not be that exact thing today in its exact form, but some continuity of that still exists within you.” “Build yourself a bridge back to yourself first.” “Until he had had that kind of stillness experience where it's like, I have nowhere to go but to be here with me and to actually feel what it is that is trying to be felt. That is the thing that I think we are avoiding most.”
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| 03 Jul 2024 | 37 | The Power Of Prioritizing Friendship And Connection | 00:36:44 | |
As a coach, facilitator, and speaker, I have come to realize that our dreams don't always welcome us with open arms. The journey towards our aligned future can often feel lonely and unwelcoming, especially when we are made to feel isolated. Join me as I share personal stories and revelations about overcoming isolation and finding support in our journeys. From a significant encounter in 2018 that solidified my commitment to working with women of color, to the transformative power of finding and fostering authentic connections during the pandemic, this episode is a heartfelt testimony to the necessity of community for thriving. Tune in to discover how prioritizing connection can unlock your potential and lead to greater success in both your personal and professional life. MENTIONED GEMS DROPPED “Your primary concern must be about connection. It must be about community. It must be meeting the needs.” “As a black woman, we're used to counting on ourselves. And so the help that we really deep, deep, deep, deep down, that desire, the vulnerability, the sadness, the emotions, the joy that we wish we could not only express, but to be witnessed and to be held in and celebrated in or whatever needs to be amplified or just held, we don't know how to do that. Nobody has taught us how to do that. And so it is the medicine for so many things. “ “There's a whole different experience of human interaction in the world. And I think we think about this just for our kids. We are greatly impacted by this, • and I think it is costing us dearly. And I think for those of us who have layer upon layer of subjugated and or marginalized identities, however you hold that language in your mind, it's even more so. So we are under attack, like, our humanity. And what becomes possible for us is under attack because of what kinds of patterns and practices have become normalized in our societies.” “When belonging is blocked, or you're not getting enough of that, it has far reaching impacts over the rest of your life. It has everything to do with how much money you believe you can make as well. Make it happen like you're fighting for your life, because you are.” STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 17 Jul 2024 | 38 | Scared To Hire | 00:43:54 | |
In this special behind-the-scenes episode, I pull back the covers on my personal journey as a CEO and entrepreneur sharing my fears, challenges, and breakthroughs. From hiring hurdles to business growth, I get real and raw about the ups and downs of my five-year journey of building my business and the challenges of making my first full-time hire. If you've ever hesitated to invest in yourself or your business, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now and discover how you can move past your fears and build the business of your dreams. MENTIONED
“I had begun to buy into this sort of vague, emotional reaction, and told myself a story that was irresponsible to hire someone until I have this feeling that I can support them. And that's not what hiring is like. The actual exchange of expectations and the resources and the energy that flows between you and your team members or those who are working for your company, you're not paying to take care of them. And so that doesn't have anything to do with my values around being a thoughtful and kind and compassionate person and leader, right. How I will treat people, how I actually care about whoever works with me, their humanity, like I'm still me and I don't have to place this additional weight on the relationship that doesn't need to exist. It just really has no place.” “We all need this. We need other people to help us catch those blind spots and shift our perspective. Otherwise, we're trapped in our own way of thinking, and we overcomplicate stuff. We make things harder than they need to be and it's just because certain things are hidden or there’re certain angles that we're just not exploring.” “I think it's important to get yourself into conversation not only with your coach, because I would not have made the connections to the undercurrents right around the belonging, around the messiness if I had not already laid the groundwork, which with the deeper level work that I do with my coach and that I have done with my therapists. But these kind of [questions], ‘What's the next step? Where are we going to take it next?’ Not sitting in that alone. It makes all the difference.” STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 31 Jul 2024 | 39 | On People Pleasing | 00:32:33 | |
In this live-recorded episode, we explore the pervasive issue of people-pleasing, its roots, impacts, and the paths to overcoming it. This behavior, often rooted in a desire to be liked and accepted, can have profound impacts on both our personal and professional lives. Join me for personal stories, client experiences, and actionable steps to help you reclaim your voice and set healthier boundaries. Learning to love and accept ourselves, flaws and all, is a vital part of the journey towards breaking free from this behavior. If you're ready to reclaim your voice, tune in to this enlightening episode. It's time to prioritize your own well-being and create a life that truly reflects who you are. GEMS DROPPED “People pleasing is symptomatic of feeling unseen, going for long periods of your life, probably in your youth, probably having to deal with some of our traumas, where we've been unseen. “ “I want to be really clear that people pleasing is not the same thing as being ”weak”, or, not having a perspective or being passive. Some of the most hard hitting, ambitious, aggressive, in all the best ways, women that I know also identify as being people pleasers. Two things can be true at the same time, y'all. People pleasing is not the same thing as playing second fiddle and always taking a backseat.” “You are in the driver's seat of the choices you make, no matter what choices you make. This podcast, Ambition Without Compromise, is about you designing what ambition looks like. And I think oftentimes when you really think about it, one of the most ambitious things, if I'm honest, that a black woman in this world could do is to decide against all odds that she is prioritizing just her basic well-being over anything else. Over career, over accolades, over anything. And that could look a lot of different ways.” “Our bodies are our bodies. We are still real flesh and blood human beings. We are not supernatural. We are not meant to take on all the burdens of the world. We have got to stop convincing ourselves that, like, I can hold it. They're not built like me, so I guess I better handle it. Like, at some point, it will catch up with you. 1000% guaranteed and on that day, you won't be able to always just walk it back.” “I think all of this boils down to a very fundamental need that all of us have as humans, which is unconditional love. It's like the ooey gooey center of it all. I'm talking about leadership. I'm talking about, you know, showing up in spaces and holding things and pleasing folks. And you gotta please your investors, you gotta please your team, you gotta please your clients, you gotta please your parents, you gotta please your extended family, you gotta please your spouse, you gotta please your kids. Right? But when we operate like this, I think a big part of it is that we move into circumstances, in general, in life, where we just don't expect unconditional love. We don't know what that looks like. We have not been taught that and not in a blanketed way. And it's what we crave most, where it's just like, I can be me and I'll still be accepted. I can want what I need too, and still be loved. I’m deserving of it all.” STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 14 Aug 2024 | 40 | Are You Asking Too Much Of Your Team? | 00:34:04 | |
One of the most challenging aspects of this journey of entrepreneurship is people management. As entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves grappling with delegation and feedback, two crucial elements that can make or break our team dynamics and overall business success. In this episode, I’m diving deep into these very topics by exploring the common pitfalls entrepreneurs face when trying to delegate tasks and provide feedback, and offering practical solutions to overcome these challenges. Join me as I share personal experiences and the lessons I've learned from coaching clients through the intricate dance of delegation. From setting clear expectations to creating effective checkpoints, I walk you through my thought process and provide actionable advice to help you delegate tasks more effectively and give constructive feedback. If you've ever struggled with feeling like your standards are too high or questioned your ability to trust your team, this episode is for you. MENTIONED GEMS DROPPED “I think the other part of defining ownership, is also explaining the stakes in the context because when we start handing over decision making authority - even if it's very low stakes or small decisions - they still have an impact. We equip our team members with what they need to increase their chances of success when we explain to them the context, that is necessary for the task at hand or for the whatever it is that you're trying to hand over ownership for. This is a key missing piece.” “Before we set any expectations, we have to recognize how little we actually know about what our expectations are. Especially as women leaders, we know what we want, but we don't know how to express what we want. We're not practiced at it. We're not practiced at both, what it is that we want, and expressing it freely because we are often in spaces where it is not safe to do that. And so, number one … is to drop into and find support for expressing your needs. This flows outside the walls of your business or your organization. This is about how you are also showing up in life, how you relate to what it is that you need… How you express that. Period.“ STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 28 Aug 2024 | 41 | What to Do When Your Vision Is Changing | 00:46:58 | |
Have you ever found yourself feeling stuck, even though you've accomplished everything you set out to do? Life is full of subtle shifts and changes that can catch us off guard, leaving us feeling lost or in limbo. As high achievers, we can sometimes be so focused on our goals that we miss the subtle shifts happening around us. In this episode, we’ll explore how to recognize and adapt to these seasonal transitions, ensuring that our dreams expand and contract with grace. Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, or someone in the midst of a personal transition, this episode offers valuable guidance to help you align with your next season. Join in as we explore the importance of acknowledging shifts, seeking trusted perspectives, and giving yourself the grace to grow. MENTIONED GEMS DROPPED “It's hard to detect that something is off because the really tricky thing about it is that things aren't actually broken.” “Dreams move. They pivot and change course but our dreams also expand and contract through different seasons. When something contracts, usually everything comes closer together and you become more compact. There's no more or less material there. It's just that we are more focused, and only going to do a certain number of things. And when we have a little more heat–think of that as energy or capacity …then that same dream gets to expand.” “Sometimes we will wake up in the middle of a season that is basically trying to end. I had to wake up to the fact that my season had shifted. Now I'm in a season where all these doors are open, and I get to choose which door I want to walk through. Initially, the prospect of that felt kind of exciting. But then, immediately, it turned to overwhelm because I had not given myself space to actually unpack the season that I'd come through because I did not realize that that season had come to a close.” STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 11 Sep 2024 | 42 | Committing To Success That Heals You with Transformational Healer & Coach Marla Teyolia | 00:49:48 | |
Welcome back, good people! This episode is a special treat as we welcome the inspiring Marla Teyolia, a seasoned transformational coach with over two decades of experience. Marla’s expertise lies in executive presence development, enhancing communication skills, career growth, and team expansion, all while preserving core values and personal authenticity. Her holistic approach integrates mindfulness, meditation, and yoga practices, making her coaching a transformative experience. In this episode, we dive deep into Marla’s journey, from her early work in the field of domestic violence to her current role in empowering leaders. We explore how she balances her deeply spiritual practices with her work in high-powered corporate spaces, and how she navigates the dance between personal freedom and family commitments. Marla shares profound insights on the importance of reconnecting with our humanity, the power of breathwork, and the necessity of decolonizing our vision of success. This conversation is a powerful reminder that our true power lies within, and that by tending to our spirit, we can navigate any space with grace and strength. Join us for this enlightening conversation and discover how you can embrace your inner power and live a life aligned with your deepest values. GEMS DROPPED “We have a western way of thinking where it's like, medicine is an external thing that you take into your body to help you to solve a problem. But your relationship to your inner spiritual awareness and connectedness is at your core and is your medicine. The medicine is inside. Making your medicine your lifeline has to start from there and everything else flows from that.” - Monique R. Shields “The strength that comes from knowing. First of all, what you value most-family, freedom, etc- there's no perfect static place that you arrive to that just stays that way. There's always this constant dancing trade off. When you think about doing that dance, we will cannibalize the things that matter most. And it's not like your family always gets the best of you or your work always gets, you know, 100% of the time, all the time. But there are other things outside of what matters most. And it's like focus on cannibalizing that.” - Monique R. Shields GUEST LINKS STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 25 Sep 2024 | 43 | Rebooting Social Media Boundaries As A Business Owner: What I Had To Do | 00:41:52 | |
In this episode, Monique takes us on a journey through her relationship with social media. She dives into an ongoing experiment that is reshaping her life, work, and well-being. Instead of waiting until the end of this process, Monique brings you into the messy middle, sharing her live experiences, feelings, and the steps she’s taking to reclaim her time and attention. Join Monique as she unpacks the psychological and emotional layers of her social media detox, offering valuable insights that might just inspire you to rethink your own digital habits. Grab your tea, take some notes, and let’s dive in together. GEMS DROPPED “We are going to reclaim our time. We are going to reclaim our attention. That is of high, high value to me, especially in this transitional season where I am really focusing down and redirecting my path with some new intention. And this (social media) cannot be a thing that stands in the way.“ “I was actually really surprised by the release that I felt (with unfollowing every account on IG). It felt like a real releasing, a relinquishing of something… something relieving and easeful.” “Baby, I got goals and [social media] cannot be a thing that stands in the way. This cannot be a thing that feels like it's clogging up my brain. A top line goal for all of this was to build the belief that I could feel in control of technology that I claim to use for my business and engage in for entertainment and connection. But its primary use is to be a tool to amplify the messaging of my business, to make sure I'm reaching people with my message.“ “Social media can serve as this passive proxy for connection that does not exist and it keeps you in a state of inaction of actually creating the thing you want, which is real connection.” STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 09 Oct 2024 | 44 | Submitting To Hard Changes In A New Season | 00:51:22 | |
Are you navigating a season of change? This episode is here to provide inspiration and guidance. Join in as Monique revisits a transformative period in her life, reflecting on a throwback episode from her earlier audio newsletter series, "Letters from Monique." She shares insights from her journey of allowing herself to be changed, especially during significant life transitions like the birth of her second child and the early seeds of this very podcast. She also emphasizes the importance of allowing oneself to be changed, the power of community, and the necessity of support and presence. Monique dives deep into the messy and beautiful process of change, offering a raw and honest account of her experiences. Whether you're in a season of transition or just seeking inspiration to embrace change, this episode is dropping gems. So, grab your tea, journal, and a cozy spot as Monique takes you on a journey through personal evolution, resilience, and the beauty of embracing change. Enjoy, and may this episode meet you exactly where you need to be met. GEMS DROPPED “You can't want change without permitting yourself to be changed.” “Our thoughts are anchored upon the changes that we get to experience externally, but what has to happen internally we undersell, we undershoot, and oftentimes, we don't fully anticipate because it's something that's new. So you're not really able to preemptively anticipate what those internal changers are. So to be changed is something that is easy to struggle with.” “We want the external product of change, we want the external experiences of change, but it's not all upside to get there. It can't be. There has to be some pain. And I'm not gonna say, full on suffering, necessarily, but pain, loss, absolutely. And this comes with any kind of change.” “When we ask for change be ready for everything that comes with that, but also recognize the beauty in it.” “Permitting ourselves to be changed is to permit ourselves to have permission to change, to have permission to create in the midst of change, to have permission to reenvision, to pivot, to shift, to reimagine, to want differently. And it requires support. I think for most of us, particularly so for women, we are so practiced at not permitting ourselves to want, to create,to build freely, unapologetically, and inviting in the support to do that. And not even the support to do that, but also just making sure that we are part of communities where that was heralded and encouraged and modeled. It means everything.” “It is very easy to scale back on our self investments when we think we can't produce as much, or we think that, like, oh, I'm stepping into a season of less. So then we start giving ourselves less. Girl, you're doing the opposite of what needs to happen. This is a season where we give ourselves more,much, much more.” “If you want change, you have to permit myself to be changed. So ask yourself, what needs to be true in this next season in order for you to get prepared for that season? There's a new version of you that is waiting.” STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 23 Oct 2024 | 45 | How To Actually Prioritize Rest: What I've Learned To Do | 00:55:25 | |
This episode is a delightful reflection on Monique's recent family trip to Australia and the valuable lessons she learned about balancing ambition with rest. Monique takes us through her journey of stepping away from her solopreneur business to embrace a much-needed break, all while maintaining the essence of her work and personal life. She shares insights on how to create space in your life for rest and recovery, even when you're running a business that thrives on personal connections. Monique also dives into the practices that have enabled her to take extended breaks without compromising her business. She discusses the importance of viewing rest as an asset, studying your own rhythms, setting a vision and plan, and getting the right support. For anyone contemplating a sabbatical, a big trip, or simply more spaciousness in their daily life, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration. Press play now to discover how to integrate rest into your entrepreneurial journey and emerge with renewed energy and clarity. MENTIONED
“We have to acknowledge that something is not congruent and that we actually have to step into a true valuing of rest, of space, not with the deep undercurrent of guilt that comes along with not constantly being productive. We have to see the relationship, like, truly feel the relationship between rest and productivity as one that is harmonious.” “Conceptually, it's easy to understand that rest is good for you, but my behaviors over time are not necessarily lining up with that understanding. So I want to shift us from understanding to belief.” “We are wrapped up in so many systems that tell us that if we ever stop moving, that we will be overtaken and destitute and just out of the game, that we will be fighting for our lives to feed ourselves and to be relevant. No matter how much money you have that track can be running in the background still pushing you to do more than what you need to be doing. And so I don't mean to in any way make light of this, but we have to kind of get real with how ridiculous it actually is and that it is not a narrative of our making. It is a narrative driven purely out of capitalism.” “I'd given myself over to this season of rest, and it gave me the proof after going through that, that abundance can be possible for you when you treat yourself abundantly.When you treat yourself with scarcity, you cannot be surprised when your results are scarce.“ “We cannot always be sowing seeds. Sometimes we need time for the stuff to grow. Sometimes we need time for the stuff to wilt and die so that it has the energy to regrow in a new season. You cannot always be on, you cannot always be doing, you cannot always be giving because you're going to reap really weak crops or it'll be the wrong crop.” STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 06 Nov 2024 | 46 | Balancing Success and Personal Legacy with Former Blavity.org ED Tamyra Gordon | 01:06:57 | |
Join Monique for an enlightening conversation with Tamyra Gordon as she shares her journey of intentional living, homeschooling and legacy building. Tamyra, also known as Tammy, is a public historian whose work serves as a powerful reclamation of Black history, identity, and legacy. With over 18 years of experience in education, historic preservation, workforce development, and public programming, she is more than just an executive; she is a steward of ancestral stories. Tune in as we explore Tamyra's path and learn how she continues to build and nurture her legacy with courage and heart. Her wisdom and experiences offer valuable guidance for anyone looking to live a life of purpose and impact. GUEST INFO MENTIONED “Legacy is less about generational wealth and what's the hand down, and what are the things that we sort of get as part of being tied to someone else's legacy. Really, it's just like, are we leaving this place any better than we found it and can the people who are left to tell our story actually articulate that? Did we live a life that our values, that our beliefs, that our actions are aligned to all those things that we said that we cared about? Did people feel better after being in my presence and being around me than they did not being around? Did I honor people who would otherwise be forgotten and not let to work and other things sort of distract from those moments where you can pull in people into the fabric of how we live today. In my mind, that's the legacy. That's how I'm thinking about it today. I'm also open to the idea of what that looks like continuing to mature and evolve with me and how I sort of see the babies keeping and thinking about legacy, because that will also matter. But for right now, it's keeping things alive that I think matter at the end.” - Tamyra Gordon STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 20 Nov 2024 | 47 | When Ambition Meets Stillness: Finding Strength in Slowing Down | 00:35:03 | |
Are you feeling ungrounded or disconnected from your true self? Our latest episode takes you on a transformative journey of self-discovery through therapy, journaling, and meditation. Join Monique as she takes us on an unscripted journey, sharing raw and real insights fresh from a therapy session, where the realization dawned that the key to feeling grounded lies in embracing our past and present selves. Through insightful reflections and a powerful grounding exercise experienced at a recent retreat, Monique challenges the notion of productivity-driven meditation and journaling, advocating instead for a return to the simple, joyful practices of being in nature and embracing the present moment. This episode is a heartfelt call to action for those feeling detached from their inner selves, offering a fresh perspective on finding balance between our adult responsibilities and the wisdom of our inner child. Tune in now to explore your own relationship with stillness, play, and the simple pleasures of life. MENTIONED GEMS DROPPED “The thing is never the thing y'all. There's something that's running beneath it that is keeping you from doing whatever activity or habit or ritual or behavior it is that you want to exhibit or want to stop exhibiting. It's not about the behavior itself. It is about something else that is running beneath it.” “I always had my diary. It was a companion and it was a way that, I not only just consolidated my thoughts or processed my emotions, but it was a way that I connected with myself. It was like a part of a relationship that I had with myself. It was a trusted anchor, and an expression of my own rootedness.” “The aspects of how journaling used to show up for me when I was younger and what was so grounding and beautiful about it was that there was no adult pressure. There was no pressure period on it.” “For those of you who are craving stillness, who feel like the relationship that you once had with yourself, where there was space for no strings attached, no pressure, no expectations, where you can just be and let your feelings flow. It's like you get to experience the fullness of yourself. To experience that again, make space for this other part of yourself, your inner child.” STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 04 Dec 2024 | 48 | Learning How To Choose Instead Of Saying Yes To Everything | 00:37:42 | |
In a world where success is often defined by external benchmarks and societal expectations, Monique invites us to pause and reflect on the art of intentional living. Tune in as Monique shares her personal framework, "Nature, Nurture, Navigate," guiding us to understand our inherent strengths and make choices that resonate with our true self. Press play now to learn how aligning your actions with your core values can lead to a more fulfilling and abundant life. This is the first step into a life of intentional living. Listen now! 📝As a special note, Monique announces the opening of her coaching waitlist for February 2025. You can sign up through her website to receive updates and secure a spot for transformative one-on-one coaching. MENTIONED GEMS DROPPED “You're oftentimes fighting to create more equity in the world. You're pushing so hard and overextending yourself for the people that you are making a way for. Your employees, your team, your mentees, whoever it is that you are trying to blaze the trail for or with. A big part of the mission oftentimes is to create more equity for them, for them to have experiences where there is more given to them than was given to you. Where they get to experience a reciprocal relationship within these crazy systems that they have to operate in and navigate and build, within and yet we won't expect that for ourselves. It's like you're trying to give the thing that you are not willing to give to yourself. And I want you to know that that comes at a cost, not just to you, but for those who are watching. Because you're not setting the example you think that you are. When you are living a life that is feeling lopsided, other folks can see that. We have to give ourselves permission to exist in what it is that we're trying to create for others to not leave ourselves out of our own vision.” “You need to know what your values are. I think a lot of us have loosely articulated vague values that are really just a set of feelings that we've never actually taken the time to do the work on, to truly be precise about, to be specific about.” “My values coupled with my mind, body, connection, and my gut feeling help me decide what I choose to say yes to versus what I don't. And we all need these. And I will also say that getting intentional practice around connecting the two, using them in real life situations, it deepens our conviction. It makes it much easier to step into whatever season of life or work that is ahead of us with a lot more confidence and speed, honestly.” STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 18 Dec 2024 | 49 | Whose Permission Are You Seeking? | 00:27:36 | |
Have you ever felt the pull to close one chapter of your life and start a new one, only to be held back by an invisible ball and chain? This episode tackles the heart of that struggle, exploring how we can make meaningful shifts in how we work, live, and perceive ourselves. Join Monique on this live broadcast episode as she discusses how to break free from old identities, embrace personal evolution, and seek permission from within. Tune in for a transformative conversation that challenges you to rethink the rules you've lived by and invites you to create from a place of artistry and authenticity. 📢As a special note, Monique is opening her coaching waitlist for February 2025. You can sign up through her website to receive updates and secure a spot for transformative one-on-one coaching. GEMS DROPPED “I think the top two reasons that I hear from people who are scared to pivot, who are scared to make the leap: number one, there's some scarcity thing going on around money. But I think that the bigger driver is something around this invisible audience that is judging our every move. The language that people use constantly is ’I get scared of what people will think or what people will say’. Like, what people? Who are you talking about? Who specifically are you referring to? ” “Usually there are specific relationships, there are specific groups of people that we have related to in a certain way, who have seen us occupy a certain identity, who have seen us in a certain light that we don't want to break our current image with them. We're terrified of becoming something unrecognizable to these people or a specific person. And the way these show up in our thoughts and in our minds that then influence our actions is what I've been calling an invisible audience.” “There's a physiological connection to the ways in which we are not allowing ourselves to show up in the fullness of who we are and we've created all of these rules around these old identities that are no longer going to serve us. We have created all of these limitations and rules and constraints based off of old spaces, places and identities that we've had to occupy or that we've chosen to occupy in the past and that stuff is sticking with us.” "Sacrifice is meant to be temporary. It is not meant to be the end all, be all, forever state of things." STAY IN TOUCH | |||
| 01 Jan 2025 | 50 | Top 5 Episodes Since Launching AWC | 00:39:04 | |
Welcome 2025 with us as we celebrate our 50th podcast episode! 🎉 Join Monique as she reflects on the top five episodes—ranked by downloads and impact—exploring themes like embracing change, prioritizing well-being, and balancing humanity with wealth. Monique also shares exciting news about her upcoming speaking engagement at Rachel Rogers' Millionaire Summit ROI, a conference aimed at empowering marginalized identities to achieve financial success. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the podcast, this episode serves as both a guide to the most impactful episodes and a celebration of the journey so far. Thank you for being a crucial part of our community. Here's to another year of growth, reflection, and ambition. 📢As a special note, Monique is opening her coaching waitlist for February 2025. You can sign up through her website to receive updates and secure a spot for transformative one-on-one coaching. TOP 5 EPISODES HONORABLE MENTIONS MENTIONED GEMS DROPPED "The work that actually unlocks the success that we're deeply craving is the work that we're avoiding." "When you share from the vulnerable place, you create powerful influence and connect with people as a leader." STAY IN TOUCH | |||