“We've got to find a way to keep the good people contributing their talents in the workforce.”
In this thought-provoking episode of Startups in Stilettos, hosts Carlyn Bushman and Ingrid Zapata-Read sit down with Annie Graziani, founder of Sovera Strategy Company, doctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, executive coach, and author of the upcoming book Leave Life and Live. Annie shares insights from two decades of leading organizational transformations and her groundbreaking research on work-life integration, personal sovereignty, and the future of leadership.
Together, they explore why traditional definitions of success may be failing us, how the pandemic accelerated a shift toward freedom and flexibility, and why today’s workforce is prioritizing time abundance over climbing the corporate ladder. Annie also discusses the impact of AI on the workplace, the importance of autonomy and trust in leadership, and how entrepreneurs can design their businesses around what truly matters in each season of life.
What We Talked About:
Annie’s Journey and Insights [2:35]
The Shift in Work Dynamics Post-Pandemic [5:40]
Flexibility and Autonomy in Work [10:51]
Redefining Success and Personal Choices [15:55]
AI’s Impact on Work and Human Capacity [25:30]
Connect with Annie:
@anniegraziani on Instagram
Annie Graziani LinkedIn
Connect with Ingrid:
@itsingridsworld on Instagram
Ingrid Zapata-Read on Linkedin
Connect with Carlyn:
@carlynbushmanconsulting on Instagram
Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn
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Guests
Annie Graziani
Hosts
Carlyn Bushman
Carlyn Bushman is a seasoned business consultant, entrepreneur, and advocate for female founders. She founded POP Business Academy to empower women entrepreneurs with tools for building sustainable, profitable businesses. As CEO of Carlyn Bushman Consulting, she specializes in helping product- and service-based business owners navigate financials, marketing, and growth strategies. With extensive corporate experience, Carlyn, a mom in a blended family and lifelong learner, has been featured on Good Morning America and in Times Square. She's here to help you make money and stay in business.
Ingrid Zapata Read
Ingrid Zapata Read is a community strategist and founder of Grow With Community. She helps businesses get closer to the people they serve and build stronger, more intentional relationships around their mission.
After building a global community for moms of over 200,000 members, and through her experience in sales, startups, and customer experience, Ingrid brings a people-first perspective to growth across industries. She’s known for her thoughtful, practical approach and believes community building should be a part of every business strategy.
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