In this episode of 'Call Her Boss,' we sit down with Jay Pfalzgraf, the Chief Growth Officer at Blue Stone Therapy. Jay has played a pivotal role in transforming various companies into powerful organizations. Taking us through his journey, Jay shares his experience across different roles in the medical and wireless industries. From his early beginnings as a corporate trainer to becoming a business development maestro, Jay offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs about goal-setting, the importance of personal investments in relationships, and the magic of writing things down. Tune in to hear Jay's insights on maintaining a growth mindset, the significance of deliberate decision-making, and tips for small business growth. With a focus on people and relationships, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone looking to excel in the business world.

00:00 Introduction to the Episode

00:34 Meet Jay Pfalzgraf: Business Mentor and Leader

00:49 Jay's Career Journey and Achievements

01:31 The Role of Organizational Communication

05:19 Jay's Early Career and Transition to Sales

06:51 Climbing the Corporate Ladder

09:38 Joining Bluestone Therapy

11:19 Growth Strategies and Leadership at Bluestone

17:36 Advice for Small Business Owners

23:17 The Importance of Relationships in Business

26:31 The Struggles of a Visionary Leader

27:06 Engaging Your Team in the Vision

30:07 The Importance of Deliberate Decision-Making

32:33 Setting Big, Audacious Goals

33:24 The Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship

35:22 The Value of Business Consultants

38:50 The Practice of Business Development

40:15 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

43:59 Recommended Resources for Growth

49:22 Always Be Connecting

10 Essential Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Lessons From My Journey

Welcome back to Call Her Boss! This week, we're diving into something a bit different—entrepreneurship and small business. I'll share my personal journey and valuable lessons I've learned along the way, including the importance of having a business plan, securing funds, understanding the value of mentorship, and more. With 31 million entrepreneurs in America and only 9% holding business degrees, I'll demonstrate that you don't need formal education to succeed. I hope this episode answers your questions and inspires you to start your own business journey. Visit callherbosspodcast.com to submit your questions for future episodes!

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Evolution

01:04 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Passion

04:13 Top 10 Non-Negotiable Priorities for Starting a Business

08:32 The Importance of a Business Plan and Funding

13:56 Legal and Financial Essentials

23:09 Branding and Marketing Strategies

26:40 Mentorship and Compliance

32:22 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Join us for an engaging episode with Emmy award-winning journalist Amanda Goodman. Dive into her journey from a Philadelphia native to a prominent figure in Cedar Valley, her experiences with gender bias in journalism, and her advocacy for children. Amanda shares her transition from being an on-air news anchor to becoming a voice for the community and women everywhere. Discover the challenges she faced in a male-dominated industry and how she, along with her co-host Tara Thomas, is empowering women through their 'Faith and Four Letter Words' tour. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in journalism, women's empowerment, and making a difference in the community.

00:00 Introduction to Amanda Goodman

01:22 Amanda's Journey to Journalism

03:50 Challenges Faced by Female Journalists

06:32 Friendship and Professional Rivalry

18:40 Navigating Public Opinion and Personal Integrity

29:46 Personal Growth and Self-Respect

30:04 Handling Confrontation and Respect

30:24 The Victim Mentality and Accountability

30:33 A Personal Story of Standing Up

33:04 The Impact of Cancel Culture

41:39 The Death of Journalism

47:35 Empowering the Next Generation

51:50 Future Goals and National Expansion

54:07 Closing Remarks and Encouragement

Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Sending Your Child to College

In this deeply personal episode, we explore the emotional journey of a parent preparing to send their oldest child off to college. With a blend of joy, grief, confusion, and introspection, this episode discusses the unique perspective of raising children with significant age gaps and the lessons learned from both experiences. From sleepless nights of worry to celebrating milestones, the narrative offers heartfelt advice and key findings from research that can support other parents going through a similar phase. The episode provides insights on maintaining connections, self-care, and embracing the new era of parenthood. As we prepare our children for their new independent journey, we also find ways to reclaim our own identities and cherish the evolving parent-child relationship.

00:00 Introduction: What's Next for Me?

00:35 Preparing for the Empty Nest

02:42 Reflecting on Motherhood

06:31 The Grief of Letting Go

07:56 Research and Insights

15:56 Creating New Traditions

23:08 Navigating Emotions and Changes

28:03 Embracing the New Era

29:52 Conclusion: A Time of Growth

This week I explore the transformative power of emotional intelligence and vulnerability. Emphasizing the importance of harnessing emotions to create a richer, more fulfilled life, I delve into how emotional intelligence can help individuals become better parents, leaders, and the best versions of themselves. I highlight the societal failure in teaching men how to properly express emotions, linking emotional suppression to societal issues like male toxicity and violence. By referencing personal experiences and scientific data, I discuss the profound impact of emotions on genetic makeup and generational trauma. Emotional neglect in childhood is examined for its detrimental long-term effects on mental and physical health. I advocate for the crucial role of parents in modeling emotional expression and managing emotions to foster emotional intelligence in children. The ultimate message underscores the necessity for self-healing to positively impact personal relationships and overall well-being, urging a collective shift towards embracing and processing emotions.

In this engaging podcast episode, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Danielle McGue, a communication studies expert and successful entrepreneur who works with high achieving women, to discuss the complexities of balancing life's passions with overwhelming schedules. Danielle sheds light on the challenges faced by high-achieving women, addressing issues such as burnout, societal pressures, and the struggle to fulfill both personal and professional roles. We explore the importance of intentional planning, self-reflection, and compassionate goal-setting to navigate these hurdles effectively. Danielle offers practical advice on developing personalized systems and adapting goals to different life stages while emphasizing the value of intergenerational relationships and community support. Together, we delve into themes of self-love, creating meaningful rituals, and redefining success to include holistic personal development. This episode is a must-listen for women seeking strategies to balance their lives intentionally and compassionately.

This week's episode is dedicated to all perfectionists, whether past, present, or future. As a reforming perfectionist, I share my personal journey of letting go of the need for perfection and its liberating yet challenging process. I delve into real-life examples, such as overthinking paint colors and refolding laundry, to illustrate the pitfalls of perfectionism. We dive deep into how perfectionism acts as a protective measure against criticism but ultimately hampers growth and happiness. With rising levels of perfectionism particularly among millennials and college students, I highlight its severe mental and physical health repercussions, supported by pertinent studies. Drawing from my experiences as a nurse practitioner and a mother, I emphasize the importance of setting realistic expectations and fostering self-compassion. The episode urges viewers to recognize their inherent worth beyond achievements, prioritize joy and presence over perfection, and grant themselves the same grace they offer others. The ultimate takeaway is embracing excellence while allowing room for mistakes, encouraging a healthier, more fulfilling life.

This week, I had the pleasure of hosting my dear friend Allison Schwab, an extraordinary photographer, mother of four, and founder of the Autism nonprofit organization Every Piece Matters. Hailing originally from Virginia, Allison now resides in the Midwest with her husband, Doug Schwab, a former Olympian and current wrestling coach at the University of Northern Iowa. Allison shared her journey from Virginia to Iowa and her family’s intriguing background, including the story of how she met Doug. She is a mother to two sons, Hayden and Hendrix, who are accomplished wrestlers, and twin daughters Jenna and Lennon, who are seven and were diagnosed with autism before the age of two.

We discussed the inspiration behind Every Piece Matters, a nonprofit dedicated to providing communication tools for individuals with diverse communication needs. Allison shared the challenges she faced as a parent when her daughters were diagnosed with autism, the strategies she employed to address their communication issues, and the organization's impact in donating over 500 communication boards across the U.S. She also emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and support, which significantly helps in the long-term development of children with autism.

Allison balanced her busy career as a photographer with her responsibilities as a mother and an advocate. She is particularly noted for her sports photography, which is recognized nationally and internationally, and her role as a surrogate mom to around 30 wrestlers. We also explored the pressures of parenting student-athletes, the importance of focusing on attitude and effort over results, and maintaining a balance between celebrating achievements and managing failures.

The episode highlighted Allison's approach to modeling grace and compassion under pressure, her advice on handling the educational system for children with diverse needs, and the significance of having support systems in place. She encouraged maintaining open communication and realistic expectations for children to help them grow without feeling the burden of results-oriented pressure. Additionally, we touched on her personal strategies for managing a busy household and multiple roles.

This episode serves as an inspiring journey through Allison's life, providing listeners with insight into parenting, balancing various responsibilities, and advocating for children with special needs.