Winning Season

Standing in Your Power: A Conversation with Denise Foss on Self-Leadership and TransformationDiscover how Denise’s journey from dance to leadership led her to create a powerful deck focused on helping individuals reclaim their strength and authenticity. In this episode, we explore the nuances of standing in your power, navigating unexpected challenges, and cultivating resilience within yourself and teams.In this episode:Denise shares her story of transition from a dance career to leadership roles and why she created her "Stand in Your Power" deck.The importance of presence, awareness, and intuition in professional and personal settings.How to recognize and navigate moments where you lose connection to your power.The five ways to utilize the deck for individual growth and team development.The insight, inspiration, and integration framework—three key steps to embodying new perspectives.Practical ideas for group or team activities using the deck, including retreats, meetings, and social gatherings.Denise’s holistic coaching approach that integrates life design, movement, and leadership development.Her philosophy of “and”—embracing dualities and holding space for contradictions.The ongoing journey of self-evolution and the importance of self-compassion and patience.Create Loudly WebsiteCreate Loudly InstagramDenise’s LinkedInStand in Your Power DeckInstagram – Create Loudly CoLinkedIn – DeniseEmail – info@createloudly.comChapters:00:00 - Introduction to Denise and the theme of standing in your power02:50 - How Denise’s background shaped her approach to leadership and self-awareness06:00 - The pivotal moment that inspired her deck creation09:15 - Understanding what it truly means to stand in your power12:45 - Tools Denise used to reconnect during a challenging leadership moment14:58 - Exploring Layla Delia’s quote and its relationship to power16:15 - The "and" philosophy: holding multiple truths simultaneously19:40 - How the deck works: insight, inspiration, and integration21:30 - Five creative ways to use the deck for personal and group growth26:30 - The importance of mindful reflection and active embodiment29:00 - Denise's coaching practice and holistic approach to living a fulfilled life33:15 - Embracing multi-passionate identities in coaching and life design37:10 - What Denise hopes listeners will take away: becoming and transformation39:50 - Special offer: a free shipping code for the deck and how to connect with Denise41:10 - Final words: celebrating personal power and ongoing growthResources & Links:Connect with Denise:Special Offer:Use code POWER26 at checkout for free shipping on the deck. This promo is valid until May 31, 2026, and is available only in the US.Note: This episode was released on April 26, 2026. Stay inspired and continue to step confidently into your power!

Unlock the powerful leadership principles grounded in Black church traditions and culture. In this episode, L.Michelle Smith shares her insights on how call and response, faith, community, and resilience can transform your leadership approach and drive authentic connections.L.Michelle's inspiration behind writing Call and Response and how her church experiences shape her leadership philosophyThe leadership lessons derived from Black church traditions, especially faith, purpose, and communityThe science behind attunement, oxytocin, and brain science that support community-building and resilienceThe historical roots of call and response from Africa to the Black church and their relevance to modern leadershipPractical strategies for applying these principles in corporate and community settingsHow to develop heart-centered, courageous, and emotionally intelligent leaders across industriesThe importance of integrity, accountability, and cultural competency in today's leadership landscapeResources: pre-order discounts, workshops, curriculum, and recommended readingCall and Response by L. Michelle SmithBook preorder & leadership toolkitL. Michelle Smith - WebsiteBlack Church Study - The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song by Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.Follow L.Michelle Smith on LinkedInFollow L.Michelle Smith on TwitterWebsiteRequest Speaking EngagementsPre-order the book and access curriculumLeverage the principles of call and response in team meetings and organizational cultureIncorporate storytelling, attunement, and community-building techniques into your leadership stylePractice integrity and accountability daily to build trust and resilience in your teamsUse the provided leadership questions and curriculum to foster critical thinking and strategic growthJoin the movement to develop more heart-centered, courageous leaders across industriesEmbrace these culturally rooted, science-backed strategies to lead with authenticity, influence, and purpose.—Thank you for listening! Don't forget to share your copies of the book and tag L.Michelle Smith on social media with your leadership insights.In this episode:Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Michelle Smith and her leadership journey02:00 - The story behind Call and Response and cultural influences04:50 - Black church leadership lessons: faith and purpose08:30 - The science of community: oxytocin and brain synchronization12:00 - Roots of call and response: from Africa to modern music and culture16:20 - The role of resilience: lessons from grandmothers and gospel hymns20:56 - Building integrity and accountability in leadership24:05 - Practical tips for applying call and response strategies in organizations27:40 - Addressing generational shifts and the importance of social-emotional skills31:15 - The significance of community as a covenant and collective success35:30 - Cultivating influential, heart-centered leaders: Carla Harris, Sint Marshall, and others40:10 - How to get the book, resources for leaders, and call to action43:05 - Final thoughts: leading with authenticity and cultural intelligenceResources & Links:Connect with Elle Michelle Smith:To Enhance Your Leadership:

Winning Season Podcast - Mini Episode Show NotesHost: Jacqueline TwillieEpisode Type: Mini Episode - Career and Negotiation InspirationDuration: ~3 minutesEpisode Overview A quick-hit episode sharing actionable career and negotiation tips from two of Jacqueline's current projects, designed to give listeners a boost in their professional journey.Main Tip: Highlight Your Unique ValueIdentify what makes you stand out from other candidatesLead confidently with your unique strengths in your job searchImplementation strategies:When: August 21stWhere: Maven.comCost: FreeCore Concept: Going from "Almost" to "Absolutely"A 5-step method for building a negotiation strategy:L - LookA - AnticipateT - ThinkT - TalkE - EvaluateFramework Benefits:Preparation for challenges and questions from the other partyAddresses potential objections that typically arise early in negotiationsBuilds confidence and prevents being thrown off your gameLeads to faster, mutually beneficial agreementsSmall tweaks can create significant impact in career developmentPreparation is crucial for successful negotiationsConfidence comes from being ready to address challengesThe power to shape your career is in your handsThe Table: 30-day pop-up career strategy groupInstant Negotiation Strategy Class: Free class on Maven.com (August 21st)"The power to shape your career and own your negotiation - it only takes a few tweaks."Keep winning!Chapters 00:00 - 00:15 - Welcome & IntroductionHost introduction and episode overview00:15 - 01:30 - The Table: Career Strategy for Black Women30-day pop-up group supporting those impacted by 2025 job market01:30 - 02:45 - The LATTE Framework for Negotiation5-step method from the Instant Negotiation Strategy class02:45 - 03:00 - Wrap-up & Closing Thoughts

Winning Season Podcast: Confidence Rewired SeriesEpisode 1: The Neuroscience of Confidence CrashersHost: Jacqueline TwillieIn this episode of Winning Season, Jacqueline Twillie explores the science behind confidence crashes and provides practical tools to rewire your response to setbacks. Drawing from her personal experience with imposter syndrome during Zero Gap's first enterprise rollout, Jacqueline breaks down the neuroscience of why our confidence can unravel so quickly and offers research-backed strategies to bounce back stronger.Key Takeaways:Understand how your brain's error detection system (dorsal ACC) triggers when performance doesn't match self-imageLearn how stress responses are amplified in high achievers who build identity around excellenceDiscover how cortisol disrupts connections between strategic thinking and memory during pressure momentsMaster two practical frameworks for rewiring confidence: the R4 Framework and the AHA FrameworkImplement immediate tools to reset your nervous system after a confidence hitEpisode Timestamps:00:01 - Introduction and personal story of confidence crash during Zero Gap's enterprise rollout02:11 - Explanation of the neuroscience behind confidence crashes03:15 - How stress response impacts high achievers specifically05:13 - Introduction to the R4 Framework (Risk, Resilience, Reward, Reset)06:39 - Introduction to the AHA Framework (Attitude, Habits, Actions)01:22 - Practical tools to calm your nervous system01:32 - Tool #1: 60-second error download exercise03:20 - Tool #2: 30-second psychological sigh breathing technique04:20 - Preview of next episode on activating your "internal hype coach"Resources Mentioned:Free Download: Confidence Reset Worksheet (limited access through June 2025) https://learn-zerogap.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/resilientleadersprogram2025Book Reference: "Dear Resilient Leader" by Jacqueline Twillie https://amzn.to/4j7yI6jResearch Referenced:UCLA studies on "affect labeling" - how putting language to emotion shifts brain activityUniversity of Michigan research on self-distancing to lower stress and improve decision-makingStanford research on the effectiveness of the psychological sigh breathing techniqueConnect with Jacqueline:Visit zerogap.co for more information on programs and resourcesFollow the Winning Season podcast for the full Confidence Rewired seriesLegal Note: The neuroscience and psychological content shared is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or therapeutic support.Program: Resilient Leaders Program at zerogap.coAvailable for individual contributors/ high performers, job seekersEntrepreneur versionCorporate training for Fortune 500 companies

In This Episode In this revamped episode of The Winning Season Podcast, host Jacqueline Twillie introduces a new "professional girlfriend" format, offering candid advice on navigating VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) environments when the chaos feels overwhelming including when we're contributing to it ourselves. Drawing from personal experience, Jacqueline shares actionable strategies for finding clarity, making decisions without complete information, recognizing your value, and creating plans aligned with your core values.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Winning Season Podcast02:21 Navigating VUCA Environments10:08 Overcoming Personal Chaos and Self-Doubt12:37 Strategic Planning in Uncertain Times13:59 Resilience and Adaptability in ActionKey TakeawaysPodcast Evolution: Jacqueline explains her decision to shift the podcast format to focus on "finding the win in any season" with a more conversational, girlfriend-to-girlfriend approachUnderstanding VUCA: Breaking down what VUCA means and why we're experiencing another VUCA moment globallySelf-Assessment: How to recognize when you're contributing to the chaos through overthinking, procrastination, or perfectionismDecision-Making Framework: Practical steps for making decisions when you don't have 100% of the informationValue Alignment: Creating strategies that honor your personal values while remaining flexibleWhen faced with chaos, first ask yourself: "Is this facts or feelings?" to combat overthinkingUse Byron Katie's "The Work" framework with four questions to gain clarityIn VUCA environments, you rarely have 100% of information—make decisions with what you havePerfectionism often masquerades as high standards but can actually be self-sabotageCreate a Professional Achievement Portfolio to remind yourself of your value and capabilitiesIdentify your top 5 values and ensure they align with your strategic plansHave both Plan A and Plan B ready, accounting for the information you don't yet haveResilience isn't always about bouncing back quickly—sometimes it's "inching forward" consistentlyResources MentionedProfessional Achievement Portfolio - Free resource available on Jacqueline's websiteByron Katie's "The Work" - Four-question framework for mental clarityConnect With JacquelineHave a question for a future episode? Reach out to Jacqueline:LinkedInInstagramQuote of the Episode"Remember who she was and the game changed." - Lalah DeliaThe Winning Season Podcast: Finding the Win in Any Season

In this episode, Jacqueline V. Twillie introduces what VUCA really means Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity and why it’s showing up in your work life more than ever. Whether you have a formal leadership title or not, this series will give you practical tools to stay grounded, clear, and confident.🧭 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Why work feels so chaotic lately (and how VUCA explains it)A breakdown of the VUCA framework—what each piece means and how it shows upThe philosophy behind Jacqueline’s AHA Framework (Attitude, Habits, Actions)A preview of the full 4-part series and what you’ll learn in each episodeWhy this content is especially relevant for mid-career professionals, team anchors, and unofficial leaders navigating complexity daily⏱️ Timestamps:00:01 – Welcome + why work feels so unpredictable right now00:42 – What is VUCA and why it matters now more than ever01:04 – Breakdown of each part: Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity01:55 – Who this series is for and why it’s personal02:04 – What is the AHA Framework? (Attitude, Habits, Actions)02:50 – What you’ll get from each episode in the series03:50 – Leadership in the middle: honoring informal leaders04:10 – Final encouragement + what’s coming next💡 Key Quote:“When the world around us is uncertain, we need internal certainty.”📚 Mentioned in This Episode:Book: Dear Resilient LeaderBook: Don’t Leave Money on the TableAHA Framework™ by Jacqueline V. Twillie📌 Connect with Jacqueline:Website: ZeroGap.coLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacquelinetwilliePodcast: Winning Season (Available on Apple + Spotify)Threads: @jacquelinetwillie

Summary In this episode, Jacqueline Twillie discusses the concept of managing up, emphasizing the importance of effective communication, proactive problem-solving, and self-advocacy in leadership. Through the story of a fictional character named Jordan, she illustrates key lessons learned in navigating workplace dynamics and building trust with managers. The episode also addresses handling vague feedback and the significance of visibility in one's career. Jacqueline encourages listeners to take ownership of their professional narrative and to actively engage in their career development. Takeaways Managing up is about influence, not office politics. Clear and concise communication is crucial for updates. Proactively sharing information reduces micromanagement. Building trust involves solving problems before they escalate. Visibility in your work is essential for career advancement. You must advocate for yourself to be recognized. Managing up requires creativity and strategy. Regular check-ins can help establish better communication. Ask open-ended questions to gain clearer feedback. You are responsible for defining your relationship with your manager. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Managing Up 02:18 Jordan's Story: The Importance of Communication 06:05 Proactive Problem Solving and Building Trust 09:21 Owning Your Voice and Leading Without a Title 12:15 Visibility and Advocacy in Your Career 15:16 Navigating Feedback and Communication Challenges 17:58 Building Relationships with New Managers 18:51 Reflection and Application of Managing Up Strategies Keywords managing up, leadership, communication, proactive problem solving, visibility, self-advocacy, feedback, relationship building

The "Winning Season Podcast" is led by the dynamic Jacqueline V. Twillie, who is joined in this exciting season premiere by the remarkable duo of Arthur Little and Vhutali Nelwamondo. Arthur, a seasoned professional in Global Partnerships at AIME, brings his wealth of experience. At the same time, Vhutali, an expert in Global Child Relations at AIME, provides a unique perspective. Together, they dive into a deep and insightful conversation about the powerful themes of resilience and leadership. Join them as they explore the strategies and stories that inspire success in both personal and professional journeys. This is a preview of a more extended conversation between the three leaders.

In this episode, we are joined by Jessica Heer and Latosha Bruff from Dallas Regional Chamber. Jessica Heer is the Senior Vice President, Regional Marketing and Talent attraction. She leads the Dallas Regional Chamber’s regional marketing initiative to attract businesses and talent to the Dallas region. Latosha Bruff is the Senior Vice President of Community Engagement. The two talk about the Dallas Regional Chamber Women’s Business Conference held on March 8, 2022.  They share some insights on how they came to work at Dallas Regional Chambers, The theme for this year’s DRC women’s business conference, Shesurgence. In this episode, you’ll hear about the speakers, and the flavor they will bring to the event. The speakers include Diana Trujillo, Mission Lead Mars 2020 Perseverance, and Jess Huang, Partner, Bay Area McKinsey.  Tune in to learn more about this and more exciting topics!  Episode highlights [02:52] The Dallas Regional Chambers Women’s Business Conference [03:12] How Jessica and Latosha came to work at Dallas Regional Chamber  [09:28] The theme for this year’s women business conference, She Surgence [11:35] The great recession that hit women hard in the past two years  [11:58] The speakers and the flavor they will bring to the event  [16:32] Where the conference will be held [20:48] Women looking to scale their small businesses to medium or large businesses  [23:29] The promo code for the event is "Winning" [24:55] The rapid questions  Notable quotes  “This is the time for the woman.”  “Women shift economic power because we don’t just get money and keep it to ourselves but go out to the community and spread it.”  Resources Links  DRC Women’s Business Conference drcevents.org\wbc use code "Winning" for a discount on up to two tickets https://www.dallaschamber.org/events/womens-business-conference/ This episode was sponsored by the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce.  About the Sponsor of this episode: Women’s Business Conference is consistently one of the most dynamic, engaging, and exciting events in the Dallas Region. Tuesday, March 8, 2022, conference marks the 24th year, bringing together regional executives and young professionals who will convene for a day of celebration, encouragement, and critical thinking with influential speakers and leaders. The 2022 program falls on International Women’s Day with a focus on the resurgence, reinvention, and resiliency of women. The DRC is excited for keynote sessions featuring: Jess Huang, a driving force behind McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace, who will highlight the data-driven insight on women’s progress in Corporate America and how the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a toll; and Diana Trujillo who will share her story of exploration and ascent from Colombia to Mission Lead on the Mars Perseverance. The program will also include: Presentation of the YPL ATHENA® award to Alexis A. Clark at Hilti and ATHENA® Award to Alfreda Norman at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. An exciting marketplace with local founders, presented by Frost. We’ll feature a community of Dallas Region creators and entrepreneurs. Each diverse organization highlights a unique mission or product. Enjoy exploring their wares, be inspired by their mission, and support their work.

In this episode of the winning season podcast host, Jacqueline Twillie shares with the listeners: Her top 3 books of 2022 A values assignment to help you deepen your understanding of leadership works for you  and The power of reflection to accelerate the alignment of your goals.  Let us know what your top 3 books are for 2022! 

Standing in Your Success: Winning Season Mini-Episode from Jacqueline Twillie When you're ready for the next chapter of the winning season, set the intention, then create your leadership career plan. https://bit.ly/time2winquiz

In this episode, Jacqueline interviews her friend Dr. Erin Wheeler, Founder of Be Preppy and Author of Geaux Wise. You don't have to make potential mistakes when you've been given a blueprint for a fail-proof plan. This is exactly what Dr. Erin Wheeler has set out to do in this very transparent book. She takes her years of college experience and years as a professional administrator to help young people. There’s a huge difference between getting a college degree and a college education. There is so much more to it than just obtaining a piece of paper. This book breaks down the entire experience into ways that help maximize the benefits of going to college and beyond. High school students and graduates, as well as enrolled college students will be better prepared for college success after reading this book.  Learn more about the book here    "Emulate Excellence without Excuses."  ~ Jacqueline V. Twillie, Founder and President of ZeroGap.co Join the PowerBanking FB group it's where we continue this podcast conversation. PowerBanking is the podcast for women leaders working in male-dominated industries.