What an absolute JOY it was to reconnect with my sister-friend and former colleague from our Essence magazine days, the brilliant storyteller and explorer Tara Roberts! 🧡

Tara is someone I’ve admired for decades—not only for her sharp editorial mind and deep heart, but also for her fearless pursuit of meaningful storytelling. And in this conversation, we dive (pun intended!) into her latest transformational journey—literally and spiritually—as a National Geographic Explorer and author of the gorgeous memoir "Written in the Waters."

Tara takes us behind the scenes of how a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture changed everything. What began as a passing curiosity about a photo of Black women in wetsuits turned into a multi-year, purpose-driven adventure uncovering the stories of sunken slave ships and the descendants connected to them.

In this episode, Tara opens up about:

• How following a spark of curiosity led her to scuba diving and uncovering buried Black history

• What it means to say a “heartfelt yes” even when the path is uncertain

• Navigating shame, solitude, and the unconventional path as a woman and an explorer

• Why reclaiming history through storytelling is an act of healing, not just remembrance

This is one of those conversations that will live in your heart. Whether you're questioning what's next or just need permission to follow your own light—Tara’s story is a beautiful reminder that your soul already knows the way.

📘 Grab Tara’s book: Written in the Waters: A Memoir of History, Home and Belonging — available wherever books are sold.

📲 Connect with Tara on Instagram: @tararoberts_explorer

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Support is Sexy podcast host Elayne Fluker is an ICF-trained Executive Coach for high-performing women who are transitioning to their next level. Her clients have worked for organizations such as Pfizer, Amazon, Expedia, Bain & Company and more. She is creator of Next Level Navigator -- a dynamic 3-month coaching program for women leaders. Elayne is also an author, speaker, and facilitator of leadership development workshops for Fortune 500 companies and organizations. Her LinkedIn Learning courseshave been attended by more than 70,000 students. Click here to get in touch with Elayne.

In this inspiring episode of Support is Sexy, host Elayne Fluker speaks with Gina Diaz — immigration and real estate attorney, entrepreneur, cancer survivor, and advocate for women’s empowerment. From being deported twice as a child before finally settling in the U.S., to becoming a single mother at 19, to beating ovarian cancer in her early 30s, Gina’s journey is a testament to resilience and fearless reinvention.

She opens up about the emotional toll of her experiences, the strength she found in her faith and family, and the power of choosing gratitude over self-pity. Now one of Chicago’s top attorneys and a founder of We Win, an organization that helps women build wealth through real estate, Gina shares how she’s using her journey to uplift others.

• The immigrant experience from a child’s perspective — and what people misunderstand about it

• How Gina overcame generational beliefs to pursue law and defy expectations

• What surviving cancer taught her about fear, faith, and making peace with herself

• Why helping other women build wealth through real estate is her legacy

• How gratitude and mindset helped her rebuild after personal and professional setbacks

Gina Diaz is a resilient immigration and real estate attorney who opened her own firm, Diaz Case Law, more than 10 years ago. A passionate advocate for immigrants and women of color, Gina is also a real estate investor and founding member of We Win, LLC, which supports women in building wealth through property ownership. Her story of persistence, purpose, and power is proof that fear can be your greatest teacher — if you listen.

📱 Text or WhatsApp: +1 (773) 318-0216
📸 Instagram: @abogadagginadiaz

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Support is Sexy podcast host Elayne Fluker is an ICF-trained Executive Coach for high-performing women who are transitioning to their next level. Her clients have worked for organizations such as Pfizer, Amazon, Expedia, Bain & Company and more. She is creator of Next Level Navigator -- a dynamic 3-month coaching program for women leaders. Elayne is also an author, speaker, and facilitator of leadership development workshops for Fortune 500 companies and organizations. Her LinkedIn Learning courseshave been attended by more than 62,000 students. Click here to get in touch with Elayne.

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, I speak to my brilliant friend Dr. Zoe Shaw, author of the upcoming book—Stronger in the Difficult Places—about what she calls Complex Shame. Dr. Zoe defines Complex Shame as "a hidden emotional wound many women carry from childhood or relational trauma."

Dr. Zoe Shaw is a licensed psychotherapist, motivational speaker, podcast host of Stronger In The Difficult Places, relationship coach and fitness fanatic. She is a mom to 5, and is passionate about helping women overcome complex shame and find strength in difficult relationships, including that sometimes difficult relationship with themselves.

And let me tell you, we go deep into my own Complex Shame on this episode, which I didn't even realize I was wrestling with!

You'll learn:

• What is Complex Shame?
• How might it impact you?
• How do you realize it?
• Where does it come from?
• How do you heal it?
• How do you forgive yourself?

Learn more about Dr. Zoe Shaw at www.drzoeshaw.com. PRE-ORDER Dr. Zoe's upcoming book Stronger in the Difficult Places on Amazon.

Support is Sexy podcast host Elayne Fluker is an ICF-trained Executive Coach for high-performing women who are transitioning to their next level. Her clients have worked for organizations such as Pfizer, Amazon, Expedia, Bain & Company and more. She is creator of Next Level Navigator -- a dynamic 3-month coaching program for women leaders. Elayne is also an author, speaker, and facilitator of leadership development workshops for Fortune 500 companies and organizations. Her LinkedIn Learning courses have been attended by more than 65,000 students. Click here to get in touch with Elayne.

As an executive coach, speaker and facilitator of leadership development workshops, I lean into my specialty around Soft Skills -- which are non-technical skills such as empathy, emotional intelligence, adaptability and resilience -- and teach on the topic in diffferent forums.

One place I teach is as an instructor is on LinkedIn, where I have over 78,000 followers and where one of my courses on "How to Deal with a Difficult Boss" has surged to over 15,000 students in the past couple of weeks. I have lots of theories on why that surge is happening (long story short: folks are stressed, frustrated, under pressure and on edge), but one thing I know for sure, this an area where people need support.

And no matter if you’re climbing the corporate ladder, navigating leadership in a startup, or transitioning into executive roles — at some point, chances are high that you, too, will encounter a boss who… let’s just say, challenges your peace and professionalism.

So on this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, I go deeper on insights from that course "How to Deal with a Difficult Boss" and share 7 powerful soft skills that will help you not only survive a difficult boss — but lead yourself through the experience with confidence, clarity and, of course, support.

To connect with me on LinkedIn: go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaynefluker/

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Support is Sexy podcast host Elayne Fluker is an ICF-trained Executive Coach for high-performing women who are transitioning to their next level. Her clients have worked for organizations such as Pfizer, Amazon, Expedia, Bain & Company and more. She is creator of Next Level Navigator -- a dynamic 3-month coaching program for women leaders. Elayne is also an author, speaker, and facilitator of leadership development workshops for Fortune 500 companies and organizations. Her LinkedIn Learning courses have been attended by more than 62,000 students. Click here to get in touch with Elayne.

Anna Radulovski is author of Chief in Tech: How Women Are Breaking the Silicon Ceiling and Leading with Impact and she is the Founder and CEO of WomenTech Network — a global community with 150,000 members across 179 countries. WomenTech Network provides mentorship, career development, and networking opportunities connecting women with industry leaders at top companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM.

Anna also hosts host the Women in Tech Global Conference and the Chief in Tech Summit, which is coming up on May 20, 2025. The summit brings together thousands of executives and professionals to discuss leadership, innovation, and diversity in tech.

(GET 15% OFF THE Chief in Tech Summit / Global Conference tickets or annual membership WITH THE CODE: SUPPORTISSEXY at https://shop.womentech.net/ )

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Anna and I dive deep into some of the smart and simple ways for you to establish authentic connections — whether you’re connecting for a new job or an investor for your business.

From LinkedIn, to raising your visibility and influence, to power networking through shared values and so much more, there are many different avenues for building your support network.

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Support is Sexy podcast host Elayne Fluker is an ICF-trained Executive Coach for high-performing women who are transitioning to their next level. Her clients have worked for organizations such as Pfizer, Amazon, Expedia, Bain & Company and more. She is creator of Next Level Navigator -- a dynamic 3-month coaching program for women leaders. Elayne is also an author, speaker, and facilitator of leadership development workshops for Fortune 500 companies and organizations. Her LinkedIn Learning courses on soft skills, emotional intelligence and finding the right executive coach have been attended by more than 45,000 students. Click here to get in touch with Elayne.

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So Now What?

Are you a woman who has recently been laid off? Are you worried about being laid off? If so, you are not alone. Layoff anxiety is weighing on the minds of millions of working women. And though hope and prayer offer solace, they are not a substitute for support. You need a community that offers a place where you can be honest about what you're feeling and gain access to experts who can provide guidance to help you navigate these challenging times.

If this is you and you're wondering what to do next, join my networking and empowerment group: So Now What? at sonowwhat.net

• Be a part of a supportive community of women
• Get real about what you're feeling and experiencing at this time.
• Have access to coaching from me through conversatiosn facilitated within the group.
• Hear from experts who share crucial insights on topics that matter most to you.
• Learn tips on how to maintain your mental and physcial weelness, deal with loss, manage stress and more.
• Participate in virtual events and ask your most pressing questions
• Weigh in on what kind of support would be most beneficial to you.

Laid off? Worried about being laid off? You are not alone! It's a tough time and we're all experiencing it together.

In the first two months of 2025, approximately 221,812 Americans have lost their jobs—a 33% increase compared to the same period in 2024*. These losses are across every sector, from government jobs to the private sector, hitting us all hard.

There are no easy answers on when it will end and improve. The uncertainty, the ever-changing workforce and the constant reorgs can lead to stress, anxiety, grief and the looming question: So now what?

• What should I be doing to prepare myself right now?
• How do I survive if I lose my income unexpectedly?
• How can I connect with others so I don't feel alone?
• How do I remain resilient?
• How do I prepare myself for my next chapter?

• What are the ways that I create additional streams of income?

• Where can I turn to for support?

These are the questions that are weighing on the minds of millions of working women. And though hope and prayer offer solace, they are not a substitute for support. You need a community that offers a place where you can be honest about what you're feeling and gain access to experts who can provide guidance to help you navigate these challenging times.

That is the intention of the So Now What? community.

As an executive coach for high-performing women, I have supported countless clients on their journeys of personal and professional development. Traditional coaching can require an investment of thousands of dollars, and not everyone can afford that right now. So I feel a deep responsibility to create a space where working women who are struggling can share what they're experiencing and get coaching support.

GO TO sonowwhat.net to find out how you can join this community of supportive women, and listen to this episode to hear all the resources opportunties and insight you'll get by becoming a member for just $9.99.

Support is Sexy podcast host Elayne Fluker is an ICF-trained Executive Coach for high-performing women who are transitioning to their next level. Her clients have worked for organizations such as Pfizer, Amazon, Expedia, Bain & Company and more. She is creator of Next Level Navigator -- a dynamic 3-month coaching program for women leaders. Elayne is also an author, speaker, podcast host and facilitator of leadership development workshops for Fortune 500 companies and organizations. Her LinkedIn Learning courses on soft skills, emotional intelligence and finding the right executive coach have been attended by more than 45,000 students. Click here to get in touch with Elayne.

(*Statistic from Forbes)

Marcia Dawood is the author of Do Good While Doing Well and the host of The Angel Next Door Podcast, where she interviews angel investors and helps her listeners learn more how people got started investing in startup companies. Marcia holds investments in over 50 early-stage companies and funds, is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital and she's a member of Golden Seeds, one of the largest angel groups in the US.

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Marcia shares insights on what exactly an angel investor is, why it might be a way for you to support companies that share your values. Plus we discuss tips for you entrepreneurs who might consider angel investors for your businesses.

For more from Marcia Dawood visit https://www.marciadawood.com

For more from host Elayne Fluker visit https://elaynefluker.com

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

startengine.com

ifundwomen.com

kickstarter.com

republic.com

wefunder.com

indiegogo.com

Uncertainty -- like change -- is constant. But during certain times in our lives, Growth Mindset Coach Cole Baker-Bagwell says it may be more pronounced. In this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Cole shares how tapping into a growth mindset allows you to be resilient, reinvent and remain open to the possibilities.

Learn more about Cole Baker-Bagwell at https://colebakerbagwell.com/