Sophie Beren takes a seat this week. Sophie is the founder and CEO of The Conversationalist, a non-partisan educational platform empowering the next generation to break out of their echo chambers, have difficult conversations, and unify. Her community of over 70,000 young people is committed to coming together, across differences, through multiple platforms. In part one, Sophie shares why she describes herself as a ‘unifier from Wichita’, what inspired her to create The Conversationalist, and what they do to stay non-partisan on their platform.
About Sophie Beren: Sophie is a unifier from Wichita, Kansas. She is the Founder and CEO of The Conversationalist, a non-partisan educational platform empowering the next generation to break out of their echo chambers, have difficult conversations, and unify together. Her community of over 80,000 young people is committed to coming together, across differences, through “POVz” the first ever Gen Z Talk Show and their digital network on the Geneva app. Sophie was recently named “25 Under 25” by Social Entrepreneur’s Magazine and “21 Women Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2021.” Her social impact journey began at The University of Pennsylvania where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and her Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Leadership.

Episode 11 | Part Two : Chuck Garcia
In the conclusion of Cicely’s talk with Chuck Garcia, the founder of Climb Leadership International, Chuck shares how he learned the power of the pause from Mark Twain and what inspired him to climb some of the world’s tallest peaks. About Chuck Garcia: Chuck is the founder of Climb Leadership International and coaches executives on


Episode 10 | Part Two : Cristina Mendonsa
In the conclusion of Cicely’s conversation with journalist and entrepreneur, Cristina Mendonsa, Cristina shares how she started her own production company and provides some tangible advice for the next generation of broadcasters. About Cristina Mendonsa: Cristina is an EMMY/Edward R. Murrow award-winning multimedia journalist, producer, spokesperson and media entrepreneur. For over two decades, she’s demonstrated

Episode 10 | Part One : Cristina Mendonsa
Cicely welcomes Cristina Mendonsa to Pull Up Your Chair. Christina anchors 4 hours of radio news daily while also producing documentaries, winning awards, and mentoring upcoming journalists on career strategy and mid-career pivots. In part one, Cristina talks about her first job in journalism, the evolution of electronic media, and what inspired her to shift

Episode 09 | Part Two: Tara Jaye Frank
In the conclusion of Cicely’s conversation with Tara Jaye Frank, the author of The Waymakers: Clearing the Path to Workplace Equity with Competence and Confidence, Tara talks about the words of advice she gives companies that are beginning their journey to creating an equitable workplace. About Tara Jaye Frank: Tara is an Equity Strategist who

Episode 09 | Part One: Tara Jaye Frank
Cicely welcomes Tara Jaye Frank to Pull Up Your Chair. Tara is an Equity Strategist who has advised and educated thousands of executives across industries on how to create an equitable workplace. She’s also the author of the new book, The Waymakers: Clearing the Path to Workplace Equity with Competence and Confidence. In part one, Tara

Episode 08 | Part Two: Barry Nalebuff
In the conclusion of Cicely’s conversation with Barry Nalebuff, the author of Split the Pie, Barry shares what it was like to negotiate with Coca-Cola and why empathy is the key to negotiating. About Barry Nalebuff: Barry is the Milton Steinbach Professor at Yale School of Management strategy. This is his seventh book. (His bestsellers

Episode 08 | Part One: Barry Nalebuff
Cicely welcomes Barry Nalebuff to the podcast. Barry is an entrepreneur, a professor at Yale School of Management, and an expert in negotiating. He’s the best-selling author of several books, including “Thinking Strategically” and “The Art of Strategy.” His latest, “Split the Pie: A Radical New Way to Negotiate” is out now. In part one,

Episode 07 | Part Two: Steve Palmer
In the conclusion of Cicely’s conversation with Steve Palmer, the founder of The Indigo Road, Steve talks about the culture he’s built and why he was inspired to build a community of hospitality workers committed to helping others battling addiction. About Steve Palmer: Steve is the managing partner and founder of The Indigo Road Hospitality

Episode 07 | Part One: Steve Palmer
Cicely’s guest this week is Steve Palmer, the founder of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group and the author of “Say Grace: How the Restaurant Business Saved My Life.” Steve founded the company in 2009 with one restaurant and expanded to more than twenty restaurants throughout the southeastern United States. In part one, Steve talks about

Episode 06 | Part Two : April Rinne
In the conclusion of Cicely’s conversation with change navigator, April Rinne, April runs down the 8 superpowers needed for thriving in constant change and talks about the concept of how getting lost is how you get found.

Episode 06 | Part One : April Rinse
We’re living in a world of change…and some of us are better equipped than others, but if you don’t have that skill set, how can you embrace change? This week, Cicely welcomes April Rinne to the podcast. April has made a living out of helping people rethink and reshape their relationship with change, and has been named one of the

Episode 05 | Part Two : Vanessa Bohns
In the conclusion of Cicely’s chat with social psychologist & award-winning researcher, Vanessa Bohns, Vanessa shares why she thinks power is a responsibility and what inspired her to write her new book, You Have More Influence Than You Think. About Vanessa Bohns: Vanessa is a social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University, and

Episode 05 | Part One : Vanessa Bohns
Cicely welcomes Vanessa Bohns to the podcast. Vanessa is a social psychologist, an award-winning researcher, and a professor at Cornell. She’s also the author of the new book, You Have More Influence Than You Think. In part one, Vanessa shares how growing up on a bird farm prepared her to become a researcher, why she isn’t



Episode 03 | Part Two : Ilene Rein
About Ilene Rein: Ilene is a Partner and an Executive Recruiter and Managing Partner at Marketing & Sales Resources, an executive search firm focused on the placement of marketing, sales, and engineers. After hearing many stories of difficulties in finding employment, Ilene developed the program Pounding Pavement 101 sharing the deep secrets from the view of

Episode 03 | Part One : Ilene Rein
About Ilene Rein: Ilene is a Partner and an Executive Recruiter and Managing Partner at Marketing & Sales Resources, an executive search firm focused on the placement of marketing, sales, and engineers. After hearing many stories of difficulties in finding employment, Ilene developed the program Pounding Pavement 101 sharing the deep secrets from the view of

Episode 02 | Part Two: Scotty Alpaugh
Cicely wraps up her conversation with Scotty Alpaugh, the author of the book “Have no fear, there’s always F-ing next year: (a COVID-19 tale)”. In part two, Scotty shares the importance of perspective, if he reads the reviews of his book on Amazon, and why everyone should watch Ted Lasso. Scotty Alpaugh: Scott “Scotty” Alpaugh

Episode 02 | Part One: Scotty Alpaugh
Scotty Alpaugh pulls up a chair this week. Scotty works at one of the world’s largest wealth management companies, he served in the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division before being injured in combat in Baghdad, and he is a cancer survivor. He’s also the author of the book “Have no fear, there’s always F-ing next year:

Episode 01 | Part Two: Sergeant Major Keith Craig
Cicely wraps up her conversation with Sergeant Major Keith Craig, the author of Serving To Lead. In part two, Sergeant Major talks about the benefits of adding veterans to corporate teams, the importance of knowing your purpose, and why service & leadership is represented by three words: Be Know Do. About Keith Craig: Sergeant Major Keith L. Craig

Episode 01 | Part One: Sergeant Major Keith Craig
Cicely welcomes her first guest on the podcast, Sergeant Major Keith Craig. The Sergeant Major is a public speaker, entertainment executive, philanthropist, and U.S. Army Veteran. He’s also the author of Serving To Lead: Lessons in Adversity and Resilience from the Battlefield, Gridiron, and the Corporate World. In part one, Sergeant Major shares his journey from homelessness to