Episode: From Classical Guitar to Founder — Mission-Driven Leadership with Faiza Alam

In this episode of Amplify Your Signal, Nicole Roberts sits down with Faiza Alam—music educator turned two-time founder—whose path from classical guitar to building and exiting a nationally operating music education company (twice) is a masterclass in discipline, sustainability, and people-first leadership.

Faiza shares what it really takes to bootstrap a business with zero funding, why alignment can become a founder’s strongest currency, how to intentionally design culture across a distributed team, and the mindset shift from “master doer” to “chief systems architect” that paved the groundwork for successful exits.

Connect with Faiza on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/faiza-alam-ba7640a6

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Faiza Alam's Journey
• 01:58 The Roots of Musical Passion
• 03:46 Defining Success and Sustainability in Business
• 05:49 Building a Business with Zero Funding
• 07:51 Evolving Company Culture in a Distributed Team
• 09:57 Mission-Driven Leadership and Scaling
• 11:34 Mission-Driven Scaling
• 14:01 Navigating Challenges During COVID-19
• 16:44 Discovering Values in the Next Chapter
• 18:01 Advice for Founders Transitioning Away
• 22:50 Experiencing the Job Market as a Founder
• 27:59 Closing Thoughts and Future Connections
• 30:02 Amplify Your Signal YouTube Outro

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Humanity in the Age of AI: Copywriting, Creativity & Reinvention with Pamela McWhorter

In this episode of Amplify Your Signal, Nicole sits down with Pamela McWhorter — an award-winning copywriter, medical storyteller, and creative force who has spent nearly two decades shaping narratives for brands across finance, healthcare, and pharma.

Behind the impressive portfolio is a woman writing a new chapter — one rooted in vulnerability, reinvention, and the courage to step into the unknown.

Pamela shares:

• How roller coasters (literally) helped her push past fear and expand her comfort zone
• What it was like bringing humor into healthcare through the “Migraine Newsroom Live” concept
• The impact of AI on copywriting — and why emotion, nuance, and humanity still matter
• How agency life has evolved and what she still carries from those in-person creative rooms
• What authenticity looks like in a remote-first world and on platforms like LinkedIn
• The realities of navigating a creative career in a changing landscape — without losing your voice

00:00 Introduction to Storytelling and Vulnerability
01:45 Embracing Fear: Roller Coasters and Personal Growth
03:13 Innovative Storytelling in Healthcare
06:48 The Impact of AI on Copywriting
10:19 Reflections on Agency Life
12:54 Navigating Remote Work and Authentic Connections
14:59 The Evolving Job Search Landscape
17:51 The Role of AI in Recruitment
20:00 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations
26:47 Amplify Your Signal YouTube Outro

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pamelamcwhorter/
Portfolio: pamelamcwhorter.com

If this episode resonated, please follow, rate, and share to amplify Pamela’s story.

Join us next time as we amplify voices, elevate stories, and support one another… one episode at a time.

Guest: Jeff Kraus — digital marketer, multimedia storyteller, and published author using creative strategy to make messages matter.

Episode theme: How storytelling powers strategy, connection, and career resilience.

Jeff shares the origins of his storytelling craft (including writing The Aspie Teen’s Survival Guide and The Aspie College, Work & Travel Survival Guide), the mechanics of impactful media promos that move people to action, and the realities of today’s job search—plus practical networking and referral tactics you can use today.

What we cover

• Storytelling as a strategic skill across news, e-commerce, SaaS, and payroll tech
• Becoming a published author and writing for the autism community
• Designing promos that drive real-world impact
• Navigating hiring freezes, internal candidates, and assessments with confidence
• Networking systems, internal referrals, and mindset shifts that sustain momentum
• Collaboration, culture, and where Jeff wants to contribute next

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Storytelling and Strategy
• 02:25 The Journey of a Published Author
• 04:45 Impactful Storytelling in Media
• 07:03 Connecting Marketing and Storytelling Across Industries
• 10:04 Navigating Job Search Challenges
• 12:10 Communicating Value in Video Production and Digital Strategy
• 14:15 Building a Network and Job Search Strategies
• 16:23 When Assessments Enter the Process
• 18:13 Adding Assessments Earlier to Combat Bot Applicants
• 18:34 Understanding Culture Fit in Job Applications
• 19:01 Cutting Through the Noise — What's Working in Job Search
• 20:54 Job Seeking Tip — Internal Referrals
• 21:43 Lessons Learned in the Job Search Process
• 23:11 Shifting Perspective and Mindset
• 24:30 Jeff's Message to Future Employers, Collaborators, and our Community
• 26:25 The Value of Collaboration and Team Culture
• 27:58 Connect with Jeff!
• 28:42 Amplify Your Signal YouTube Outro

Connect with Jeff: LinkedIn

Listen & follow: Amplify Your Signal

Join us next time as we amplify voices, elevate stories, and support one another… one episode at a time.

You Don’t Have to Be Fearless. Doing It Afraid Is Just as Brave.

In this solo episode of Amplify Your Signal, I share one of the hardest but most freeing lessons I’ve learned: courage isn’t about being fearless. It’s about showing up anyway, even when you’re scared. From navigating a layoff and a breast cancer diagnosis just days apart, to starting a business while in treatment, and now facing new transitions, I’ve discovered that bravery often looks like doing it afraid.

If you’ve ever hesitated to take the next step in your career—or in life—because of fear, this episode is for you. I open up about resilience, community, and practical job search strategies while reminding you that you are never alone in your journey.

Topics We Explore

• Facing job loss and health challenges with resilience
• Starting a business while in treatment
• Finding strength in community and connection
• Why “doing it afraid” is just as brave as being fearless
• Encouragement for job seekers in transition
• Practical job search and networking strategies

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Amplify Your Signal
• 01:38 Facing Adversity: Job Loss and Health Challenges
• 05:33 Starting a Business Amidst Challenges
• 09:14 Building Connections and Community
• 14:44 Encouragement to Overcome Fear
• 16:47 Job Search Strategies and Networking
• 18:51 Amplify Your Signal YouTube Outro

Connect with Nicole Roberts
linkedin.com/in/nrobertshr

Want to Share Your Story?
If you’d like to be a guest on Amplify Your Signal, I’d love to feature you. Fill out this short form to get started: Guest Intake Form

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Embracing Change, Chronic Illness, and Creative Freedom with Lindsay Patton

Guest: Lindsay Patton — LinkedIn

In this episode of Amplify Your Signal, I sit down with Lindsay Patton—journalist-turned-freelancer and social media strategist—to talk about building a career that honors both your creativity and your health. Lindsay shares candidly about living with chronic migraine, how freelancing lets her align work with her brain, and why healthy endings can be worth celebrating. It’s a warm, honest conversation for anyone navigating what’s next and craving more freedom and self-trust.

Topics We Explore

• Navigating career transitions with creativity and hope
• Designing work that aligns with how your brain works
• The realities of chronic illness at work (beyond “just a headache”)
• Healthy endings, mindset shifts, and letting clients “graduate”
• Worker-focused leadership and leading with empathy
• Finding energy and confidence in the job search
• Translating journalism skills into marketing, newsletters, and coaching

Episode Chapters
00:00 – Navigating Career Transitions with Creativity
01:34 – She’s Basically Snow White
04:30 – Aligning Work with your Brain
06:42 – Navigating Work with Chronic Pain
12:03 – Healthy Endings and Mindset Shifts
18:05 – Worker-Focused Leadership
23:43 – Job Search Insights and Personal Growth
23:52 – Job Search Experience
28:21 – Lindsay’s Message to Prospective Collaborators and the Community
31:08 – Connect with Lindsay

Connect with Lindsay Patton
blackstarcomms.com
LinkedIn

If Lindsay’s story resonated with you, subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone navigating a transition. Your support helps us amplify voices and stories that matter.

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Building Better Candidate Experiences—with Grit, Grace & Real Talk with Rachel Cupples

Recruiting strategist Rachel Kitty Cupples joins Nicole to talk about building human-centered hiring—from writing clearer job posts to creating inclusive interviews and balancing tech with judgment. We dig into neurodiversity, today’s job-search realities, and practical shifts any team can make today to improve candidate experience.

Guest: RecruitingSHEro.com | Rachel on LinkedIn

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Rachel Kitty Cupples
• 01:15 Humorous Interview Stories
• 08:34 The Impact of Neurodiversity on Recruiting
• 13:59 Shifting Mindsets in Recruitment
• 19:12 Current Job Search Realities
• 19:50 The Importance of Networking
• 22:04 Tech in Hiring: Efficiency vs. Humanity
• 24:59 AI in Recruitment: Opportunities & Challenges
• 33:01 Ethics & AI: Misinformation and Privacy
• 35:56 Inclusive Hiring: The Human Element

Referenced: Illinois’ Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act (HB 1806) banning AI as a therapist. Read more.

In this episode of Amplify Your Signal, host Nicole Roberts sits down with Natalie Brown, https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie--brown/ a transformational leader whose career spans continents, consumer brands, and bold reinventions. Natalie opens up about career transition, her season of creative recovery, and how redefining productivity, wellness, and community reshaped her path.

What you’ll learn:

• What “creative recovery” looks like in real life—and how teaching Pilates and making jewelry helped rebuild confidence and community.
• How to separate competence from confidence during a job search (a powerful lens Natalie credits to coach Pat Romboletti).
• Practical ways to redefine productivity and identity after leaving full-time work.
• How to rebuild a network from scratch—and why the 20 Minute Networking Meeting approach works.
• Lessons from consumer branding that strengthen your personal brand and storytelling.
• Making brave career decisions: saying no to misaligned roles to protect impact and mental health.
• Why agility—physical, mental, and emotional—is a leadership advantage at any age.

Natalie also shares how she guides legacy retailers from catalog-heavy models to true multi-channel ecosystems—bridging strategy to flawless execution across digital, brand, and creative teams.

Resources mentioned:

• Pat Romboletti — Bulletproof Your Career
• The 20 Minute Networking Meeting — Book link
• Simon Sinek — The Infinite Game

Tune in for an honest, encouraging conversation filled with practical takeaways for anyone navigating change, leading transformation, or rewriting their definition of success.