Female Fridays

On Female Fridays , we go beyond the résumé to reveal the real stories of women leading with courage, complexity, and heart. Hosted by Rachel Keller — a journalist at heart and a Vice President by trade — this podcast features unfiltered conversations with extraordinary women in healthcare, senior living, entrepreneurship, and beyond. These are the stories behind the titles: breaking glass ceilings, navigating imposter syndrome, redefining power, and building legacy on their own terms. If you're craving deeper, more human stories of leadership — the doubt, the pivots, the quiet wins — you’re in the right place. Because true leadership was never just a title. Tune in each Friday for real talk, emotional insight, and the truth behind what it really takes to lead.

Female Fridays is a business podcast hosted by Rachel Keller, with 17 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Rachel Keller hosts Female Fridays, a business show with 17 episodes published.

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  Episode #17

  Why Not Me? Stop Disqualifying Yourself Before Anyone Else Does with Nicole Pretre

  Aug 10, 202642 minS1

  Have you ever looked at someone else's success and thought, "That could never be me" ? She has the right background. The right experience. The right connections. She followed the right path. But what if the experiences you've been discounting are actually the ones that have prepared you most? In this episode of Female Fridays, Rachel sits down with Nicole Pretre, President and CEO of Cedar Community, to challenge the way we think about what it means to be "qualified." In this conversation, you'll learn how to recognize the transferable skills you may be overlooking, rethink your relationship with mistakes and resilience, and challenge the belief that you need to follow a certain path or check every box before you're ready. You'll also hear why Nicole wants women to reconsider one of the most common phrases we use to describe self-doubt: imposter syndrome. Maybe the problem isn't that you're unqualified. Maybe you've been defining "qualified" too narrowly. This conversation is an invitation to audit your own experiences, recognize the skills you've built along the way, and catch yourself the next time you automatically think: "That can't be me." Then ask a different question: Why not me? Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolepretre/ Learn about Cedar Community: https://www.cedarcommunity.org/ Connect with Rachel Keller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelschisler/

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  Episode #16

  How to Stop Living Someone Else's Script & Start Choosing Your Own with Elaine Scheelk

  Jul 5, 202644 minS1

  What if the life you're pursuing isn't actually the life you want? From the time we're little girls, many of us inherit stories about what it means to be a "good woman." We learn what success should look like, what we're supposed to want, and how we're expected to build our lives. But what happens when those expectations no longer fit? In this episode of Female Fridays, I'm joined by Elaine Scheelk, Chief Strategy Officer at Canterbury Court, for a conversation about the invisible scripts that shape our lives—and how to begin questioning them. Whether you've ever felt guilty for wanting more, questioned whether you're living the life you truly chose, or wondered if you've been following someone else's script, this conversation will leave you with practical tools and a renewed sense of permission to build a life that feels authentically yours. If this episode resonates with you, share it with a woman in your life who might need the reminder that she doesn't have to live by someone else's expectations. Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainescheelk/

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  Episode #15

  Why High Achievers Stop Listening to Themselves with Life Coach Rachel Zurer

  Mar 8, 202641 minS1

  Most high achievers are really good at thinking their way through life. We analyze. We strategize. We push forward. But what happens when success on paper doesn’t feel aligned on the inside? In this episode of Female Fridays , I’m joined by life coach Rachel Zurer to talk about something many ambitious professionals struggle with: learning how to listen to their body instead of constantly overriding it. For many of us, success comes from pushing through discomfort. We’ve been rewarded for ignoring our gut feelings, intellectualizing our problems, and staying productive no matter what. But over time, that can disconnect us from what we actually want. Rachel works with high achievers who want deeper meaning in their lives and careers. Through body-based practices and thought work, she helps people reconnect with their internal “yes” and “no” signals so they can make decisions that feel aligned rather than forced. In our conversation, we explore why so many successful people eventually reach a moment of asking, Is this the mountain I actually wanted to climb? Rachel also shares a simple exercise to help you recognize the difference between a “whole body yes” and a subtle “no”—a powerful tool for making clearer decisions in your career, leadership, and personal life. If you’ve ever felt successful on paper but still a little disconnected inside, this episode is for you. Key Topics in This Episode Why high achievers often disconnect from their body’s signals What a “whole-body yes” actually feels like How overthinking can become a coping mechanism Cultural conditioning around productivity and achievement The fear that comes with making aligned decisions Practical ways to start listening to your intuition and body signals Resources Mentioned Rachel's free guide: 15 Questions to Ask Yourself as Your Soul Business (or Next Career Move) Gestates Download the guide: https://wildgenius.com/soul-business Learn more about Rachel Zurer: https://wildgenius.com Connect with Me Follow me on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/rachelschisler Subscribe to Female Fridays for conversations about leadership, ambition, and building a career that feels as good as it looks.

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  Episode #14

  How to Grow a Personal Brand on LinkedIn with Christie Freeze

  Feb 15, 202650 minS1

  If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your personal brand on LinkedIn without sounding self-promotional… this episode is for you. In today’s episode of Female Fridays , I’m sitting down with one of my industry besties, Christie Freeze, to talk about what it actually takes to build a personal brand that feels authentic, strategic, and effective. Christie has built a community of more than 12,000 followers on LinkedIn and is known across the senior living industry for her energy, positivity, and expertise in video sales. She’s the Director of Strategic Growth at SalesMail and the Founder and Author of Roadmap for Eldercare — but what I admire most is how intentionally she’s built her personal brand alongside her career. This conversation isn’t just about posting tips. It’s about confidence, clarity, and visibility. Together, we talk about: How to identify your personal brand (even if you don’t feel like an expert yet) What to do if your job changes, and whether your brand should change too How to grow your LinkedIn following strategically Whether video or static posts perform better on LinkedIn How often you should post to build momentum How to use AI (like ChatGPT) for LinkedIn content without sounding robotic How to create content pillars so you’re never staring at a blank screen What to do if coworkers or leadership judge you for being visible Why consistency matters more than perfection Christie also shares how building her LinkedIn presence opened doors to speaking opportunities, partnerships, and professional growth, and how showing up before you feel fully confident can accelerate your career in ways you can’t predict. If you’re a professional, entrepreneur, sales leader, or woman in leadership who wants to grow your visibility on LinkedIn in 2026, this episode will give you both tactical tools and mindset shifts to help you start. Because personal branding is about becoming essential in the rooms you want to be in. If you loved this episode, share it with someone who’s been thinking about building their brand. And if you’re ready to stop lurking and start posting...let this be your sign! Follow Christie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiefreeze/ Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelschisler/

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  Episode #13

  How to Network Inside Your Organization (Without Feeling Awkward) with Author Rachel B Simon

  Feb 8, 202637 minS1

  How to Network at Work: Internal Networking Strategies for Career Growth With Rachel Simon | Female Fridays Want to know how to network at work — without feeling fake, pushy, or transactional? In this episode of Female Fridays , I break down practical strategies for internal networking, career visibility, and relationship building at work with Rachel Simon, former AT&T executive and author of Relationships at Work . A few years ago, I challenged myself to have 50 networking conversations in one year. That decision increased my sales, expanded my influence, and opened doors I didn’t even know existed. But here’s the twist: the most powerful networking strategy isn’t outside your company. It’s inside it. If you’ve ever asked: How do I network within my company? How do I ask a coworker for coffee? How do introverts network at conferences? Do I really need networking for career growth? How do women get more visibility at work? This episode answers those questions. We cover: Internal networking strategies that actually work What to say when requesting a networking coffee Who should pay for networking lunches Conversation tips for introverts and extroverts How to follow up after conferences or happy hours Why women need advocates and sponsors — not just hard work Your career isn’t just about the what and the how . It’s about the who . Who knows your work? Who talks about you when you’re not in the room? Who advocates for your promotion? If you’ve been relying on doing great work alone, this episode is your reminder: visibility and relationships drive career advancement. Reframe networking as authentic relationship building — and watch what it unlocks. Grab Rachel Simon’s book, Relationships at Work : https://www.amazon.com/Relationships-Work-Authentically-Network-Company/dp/1637555377 Connect with Rachel Simon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-b-simon-ab306a18b/ Connect with me (Rachel Keller): https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelschisler/

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