The Power of Failing Forward with Stacey Ray

🎙 As featured on the Life. Reimagined podcast with Stacey Ray of SisterHood Travels

I recently joined Stacey Ray on the Life. Reimagined podcast for an honest, inspiring conversation about reinvention, resilience, and living—and leading—fully unapologetically. We talked about my journey from high-powered network executive to founder of Padlin Creative, the heart-centered artist mentorship organization I created to amplify authentic voices.

In the episode, we explore:

🏔 The courage it takes to make a bold career pivot
🎥 The emotional depths of wildlife storytelling—from orcas to hyenas—and what animals can teach us about humanity
🌿 How caring for my mother led me into the world of documentary filmmaking
💡 Why being Fully Unapologetic is changing how women’s voices are heard in media
🤝 The role of sports in building confidence, cooperation, and emotional resilience

Whether you’re navigating a career change, chasing a creative dream, or learning to take up more space in your own life, this episode is a masterclass in courage, creativity, and finding purpose through passion.

👉 Click here to listen to the full episode

Career Pivots, Emmy Wins & Telling Wild Stories That Stick

In this powerful guest appearance on the INsights & Straight Talk Podcast, I open up about the real behind-the-scenes journey that brought me into a 25+ year career in unscripted television, documentary storytelling, and creative leadership.

If you're navigating your own professional pivots, chasing creative clarity, or trying to sell yourself in a saturated media landscape, this conversation is for you.

The reel gives a glimpse into how one unexpected family emergency—and a faxed job offer from a friend over drinks—led to a complete reinvention of my life, my career path, and ultimately my identity as a producer, storyteller, and Emmy-winning creative.

What You’ll Hear in This Podcast:

  • How I transitioned from creative staffing and marketing into television production at Discovery Channel and National Geographic

  • The real story behind my leap of faith—from a high-paying job in Chicago to a midnight editing shift in DC

  • Why being both left-brained and right-brained helped me thrive in the creative industry

  • My philosophy on career pivots: why you’re not starting over—you’re building range

  • The origin story of my Thinkific course, How to Sell Yourself Like a TV Show

  • The mindset shifts that help me stay creatively inspired and relevant—even after decades in a competitive industry

Keywords That Matter (and Why This Reel Will Resonate):

This isn’t just another interview. This is an unfiltered conversation about:

  • Breaking into the film and TV industry without a straight path

  • Creative leadership for women who don’t want to play small

  • How to use personal storytelling to build authority, not just aesthetics

  • What it takes to stay relevant in a changing media landscape

  • Why Gen Z is crushing it—and what Gen X can learn from them

  • The power of curiosity in a long creative career

What Makes This Episode Special

We also talk about the joy (and chaos) of producing award-winning wildlife docs like Secrets of the Whales, Penguin Town, and Inside the Mind of a Cat—plus what it really feels like to win a Primetime Emmy… and then get upstaged by your husband watching the NFL RedZone channel.

We laugh, we get real, and we dig into the behind-the-scenes of building content that sticks—with stories that shift how people see the world.

🎧 Want More?

Click here to watch the full episode on YouTube →

T.R.O.N. Podcast: Entrepreneurial Ambition & Selling Yourself

On this podcast feature, I sat down with Rashad Woods of The Randomness of Nothing (T.R.O.N.) Podcast to talk about what it really means to walk away from a high-profile TV career and start creating your own lane.

From Discovery to Doing-It-My-Way

I’ve produced Emmy-winning documentaries, worked with Nat Geo and Discovery, and led teams behind Secrets of the Whales and Penguin Town.

Now? I help brands and people tell stories that actually spark change.

We got into it, including…

🐘 When animal documentaries got weird (and powerful)
🚀 What happens when entrepreneurs stop dreaming big
🧩 How to lead creative teams without ego
🎭 Why “selling yourself like a TV show” works—really works
💡 The psychology behind a compelling personal brand

REAL TALK. STRATEGY. SHARKS. (Yes, sharks.)

This episode is for anyone who’s done being modest, tired of vague career advice, and ready to show up like the main character—not the intern, not the understudy, not the “maybe someday.”

👉 It’s time to pitch yourself like a hit series.

🎧 LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE:

Shannon Malone-deBenedictis on The Randomness of Nothing Podcast

🎵 Spotify | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🟣 Amazon Music | 📻 iHeart Radio | 💬 Pocket Casts

No Subtext, Just Truth: Fat Bias, F-Bombs & Fixing Leadership Culture with Spitfire Coach


In this conversation on the Spitfire Podcast, I talked about something that comes up way too often in professional spaces: people expecting hidden meanings behind clear instructions. 🙄

I’d say, “Hey, I need you to take on this project—do A, B, and C,” and the response would be, “Okay… but what are you really trying to say?” And I’m like… that. I’m saying exactly that. Period. End of message. 📌

This constant expectation of passive-aggression or coded feedback? It’s exhausting—and it’s not how I operate. I’m not playing word games. I’m not giving half-truths. I’m a direct communicator. If you’re killing it, I’ll tell you. If something’s off, I’ll tell you that, too. That’s not being aggressive—it’s being clear, kind, and assertive. 💡

In the full episode, host Lauren and I dive deep into what it means to show up unapologetically in a world full of professional BS. 🧨

We get real about:

  • The epidemic of weak leadership hiding behind vague language 👀

  • The hard truths around fat bias in media 🎬

  • The myth of mentorship and what actually drives growth 🌱

  • And why being a problem-solver—not perfect—is the real flex 💪

Oh—and yes, there are F-bombs. And sharks. And a water buffalo. 🦈🐃

🎧 Want the full, unfiltered conversation?

Click here to watch: No Subtext, Just Truth: Fat Bias, F-Bombs & Fixing Leadership Culture

NOT REAL ART Podcast: Transforming the Media Landscape

🎙️ As featured on the NOT REAL ART podcast with Scott “Sourdough” Power

I recently had the honor of being featured on the NOT REAL ART podcast, where I shared my journey from two-time Emmy Award-winning TV executive to founder of Padlin Creative, my heart-centered artist mentorship organization.

In this episode, I reflect on my time in documentary filmmaking (yes, I got to work with icons like James Cameron and Sigourney Weaver), and why I ultimately chose to pivot into something that felt more me—more intentional, more empowering, more aligned.

We also go deep into the personal:
 💬 What it’s like navigating the media industry as a plus-size woman
 🧠 How I’ve learned to rewrite harmful narratives around visibility and worth
🔥 And why I launched Fully Unapologetic, my movement to help women step fully into their power, presence, and voice.

Whether you’re an artist, a storyteller, or just someone craving more authenticity in your life—I hope my journey reminds you that you can own your story and create success on your own terms. 💥

👉 Click here to listen to the episode

Crafting Success with Daniel Stih

What does it take to thrive in the ever-changing world of film and television? Spoiler: It’s not a straight line, and it’s definitely not about playing by the rules.

I sat down with Daniel Stih for a deep dive into the art of storytelling, building a filmmaking career, and navigating an industry packed with challenges, gatekeepers, and plot twists. From my zig-zag journey to success to producing award-winning documentaries like Secrets of the Whales (Disney+ & National Geographic) and Inside the Mind of a Cat (Netflix), we unpacked what it really takes to craft compelling stories and make a name for yourself in Hollywood.

🎥 Breaking into the film industry & thriving as a creative leader
🌊 Behind-the-scenes insights from Emmy-winning documentary productions
🚀 Why storytelling mastery is the key to standing out in entertainment
🔥 How to push past imposter syndrome & industry expectations to forge your own path

Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, a creative entrepreneur, or just someone looking to take control of your career, this episode is packed with expert insights, inspiration, and actionable strategies to help you navigate the highs and lows of creative success.

✨ Ready to jump in?

🎧 Listen here!

🌿🎥 Into the Wild: My Untamed Filmmaking Journey

Ever wondered what it takes to film a world few ever get to see? I sat down with Laurie Fivecoat on Calling All Creatures to spill the behind-the-scenes tea on my wildest adventures—literally. From capturing intimate moments between animals to navigating the unpredictable world of nature documentaries, we dive into the challenges, magic, and sometimes chaos of bringing these stories to life.

🐾 What’s it really like filming in extreme environments?
 📽️ How do you get up close without disturbing fragile ecosystems?
🚀 And how did my journey take me from the wild… to SPACE?

If you love nature, storytelling, and a little bit of adventure, this episode is for you! 🌍✨

🎧 Listen now on your preferred platform:

 👉 YouTube | Spreaker | Spotify | Apple Podcasts

On Confidence, Creativity, & Storytelling with The KiDD and Friends Podcast

What does it really mean to be Fully Unapologetic in your career? Spoiler: It’s not about playing it safe.

I sat down with The KiDD & Friends Podcast to spill the tea on creativity, confidence, and why shrinking yourself is so last season. As an Emmy-winning producer and founder of Padlin Creative, I know that success isn’t just about talent—it’s about owning your space and telling your story your way.

In this episode, we get into:

🎬 The behind-the-scenes magic (and chaos) of my Emmy-winning work on Secrets of the Whales
💡 How Padlin Creative is shaking up the industry with fresh, fearless storytelling
🔥 Why Fully Unapologetic is more than a brand—it’s a movement
 🚀 What’s next for me—including upcoming films and creative projects

Yes, there were a few tech hiccups (because, of course), but this convo is packed with real talk, hard-earned wisdom, and a few laughs along the way.

Watch the full episode on YouTube here! 🎙️