“You don’t need to be an expert to be valuable—you just need a perspective.”

In this episode, I sit down with personal brand strategist, educator, and prolific content creator Brian Mikula to unpack the real reason so many professionals hold themselves back from showing up online. If fear of judgment, burnout, or “not being expert enough” has kept you from building your brand—this episode is for you.

Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or launching your own thing, this episode challenges everything you’ve been taught about personal branding—and offers a real, practical roadmap to start building equity in your name (without losing your sanity in the process).

“You can't teach give-a-shit.”

That quote sums up the conversation I had with seasoned marketing executive Anne Marie Benard.

Anne Marie shares her journey across industries. From Target and energy sponsorships to media, healthcare, and now higher education at the University of Utah.

But this isn’t just a résumé rundown, it’s an honest, insightful and often hilarious deep dive into how to make bold career moves, lead with EQ, and navigate professional pivots without losing your identity in the process.

Whether you're a rising professional trying to stand out in a crowded market or a seasoned leader in your own season of reinvention, Anne Marie brings equal parts strategy and soul.

About Anne:

Anne Marie Benard is an accomplished marketing and communications leader with a proven ability to build high-performing teams and drive significant results in large, complex organizations. Her career spans diverse sectors, including retail, energy, media, healthcare, and higher education, where she has consistently exceeded expectations in developing and implementing innovative marketing strategies.

Starting with a foundation in retail analytics and brand strategy at Target Corporation, Anne Marie has progressed to lead teams, manage multi-million-dollar budgets, and consistently achieve ambitious financial and campaign goals.

Her expertise in strategic planning, brand management, sponsorship negotiations, digital and traditional media, public relations, team building, and stakeholder management makes her a highly effective leader in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

Connect with Veronica:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

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Think you need a big, dramatic life moment to tell a powerful story?

In this episode, I sit down with bestselling author, master storyteller, and 61-time Moth StorySLAM winner Matthew Dicks to explore the magic of everyday storytelling—and how the smallest moments often carry the biggest impact.

From his life-changing “Homework for Life” practice to the science of what makes a story stick, Matthew walks us through the exact tools and mindset shifts that can turn anyone into a better storyteller—on stage, on camera, or around the dinner table.

Whether you’re a speaker, entrepreneur, or someone who just wants to communicate more powerfully, this episode will transform the way you see your own story—and help you share it in a way that truly connects.

About Matthew:

Matthew Dicks is the internationally bestselling author of six novels and three nonfiction titles:

Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Art

of Storytelling

Someday Is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Strategies to Propel Your Creative Life

Stories Sell: Storyworthy Strategies to Grow Your Business and Brand

His novels have been translated into more than 25 languages worldwide.

Matthew is a record 62-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 9-time GrandSLAM champion whose stories have been featured on their nationally syndicated Moth Radio Hour.

His solo show “You’re a Monster, Matthew Dicks” debuted at Theater Works in Hartford, CT in 2023.

He has also performed in the New York City Comedy Festival in 2022 and 2023. Teacher of the Year and a Connecticut Teacher of the Year finalist.

Matthew’s client roster includes Google, Salesforce, Amazon, Microsoft, Smucker’s, the FBI, The Eric and Wendy Schmitt Foundation, Yale University, MIT, and many more. He also works with Olympic athletes, world-class mountaineers, standup comedians, magicians, attorneys, breast cancer survivors, the children of Holocaust survivors, world champion memorizers, the clergy, and more.

Matthew is also the CEO of Storyworthy — a company that creates and distributes online education on storytelling, marketing, sales, and branding. He is also the founder and artistic director of Speak Up, a Hartford-based storytelling organization that produces storytelling shows throughout New England.

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.