What happens when you reach the top of the corporate ladder and realize it’s not the summit you expected? This week, Shelley Paxton, former CMO of Harley Davidson and author of Soulbatical: A Corporate Rebel’s Guide to Finding Your Best Life, joins me to share her powerful journey from marketing executive to Chief Soul Officer.

In this episode, we discuss the lessons Shelley learned while stewarding one of the world’s most iconic brands, the awakening that led her to redefine success on her own terms, and the importance of living authentically. She opens up about her “soul-shaking” realization, how it transformed her life and career, and her mission to inspire others to lead with courage, humanity, and impact.

Whether you’re navigating corporate challenges, entrepreneurial burnout, or your own personal crossroads, Shelley’s story will resonate deeply and leave you with actionable insights for creating a more fulfilling life and career.

About Shelley

Shelley is a 26-year advertising and marketing veteran whose legacy is imprinted on iconic global brands like McDonald’s, Visa, and Harley-Davidson. At the pinnacle of her career, as Chief Marketing Officer of Harley-Davidson, she was shocked to find herself feeling success-empty instead of success-full. That awakening led her on a profound journey that became her mission, business, and bestselling book, Soulbbatical: A Corporate Rebel’s Guide to Finding Your Best Life (Simon & Schuster).

Now Chief Soul Officer, she works with leaders and organizations to advocate for redefining success and reshaping culture in ways that celebrate humanity, wellbeing, and soul. Her influential work is an empowering antidote to corporate burnout, attrition, and disengagement. It’s gained recognition on platforms from NBC, CBS, Forbes, Inc., and Thrive Global, to the TEDx stage. She’s also a regular contributor to CBS Chicago’s Mental Health Minute.

Shelley is a respected thought leader, advisor, and sought-after keynote speaker who’s been called “the next Brené Brown” by Chip Conley, NY Times Bestselling Author, Former Airbnb Exec, and Founder of MEA. She graduated with a BS in Business and Marketing from Boston College.

Connect with Shelley

https://www.instagram.com/theshelleypaxton/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleypaxton/

Connect with Veronica
https://www.instagram.com/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.

This week’s episode of The Rainmaker Podcast is a special one—we’re bringing you an exclusive recording from the virtual launch party we held last week for my first-ever book, Identity Marketing: How to Create Loyal, Lifelong Fans and a Legendary Brand (No Matter What You Sell or the Size of Your Budget)! It was a memorable and special celebration with some of the incredible stars featured in the book, and the insights they shared were just too good not to share with you too.

In this episode, you’ll hear from a few of the stars of Identity Marketing, including Kelly Ruta, Alex Cattoni, and Mike and Nicole from SMASHD. We dive into the key themes of Identity Marketing, including ethical marketing practices, the role of identity in relationship marketing, and actionable ways to elevate your own marketing strategy.

If you desire to make your marketing more human and impactful, this conversation is filled with golden nuggets and practical advice you don’t want to miss. So grab a notebook and enjoy this unique behind-the-scenes look at the Identity Marketing launch party!

Get your very own copy of my new book, Identity Marketing: How to Create Loyal, Lifelong Fans and a Legendary Brand (No Matter What You Sell or the Size of Your Budget) at https://identitymarketingbook.com/

Connect with Veronica
https://www.instagram.com/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.

What does it take to craft a standout launch in today’s fast-paced market? This week, Brenda McGowan, a seasoned launch strategist, joins The Rainmaker Podcast to discuss the art and science of successful launches. With Q1 as the busiest season for marketing campaigns, Brenda shares her predictions for 2025, insights into evolving buyer behavior, and strategies to roll over from 2024.

In this episode, we discuss the critical pre-launch phase—what Brenda calls the “pre-open cart courtship”—and how industries like film use slow-burn anticipation to captivate audiences. She also uncovers common missteps and the essential elements to ensure your next launch hits its mark.

Whether you’re gearing up for a product debut, service launch, or major marketing campaign, Brenda’s expertise will leave you with actionable tips to elevate your strategy and boost your results in 2025.

About Brenna

Brenna McGowan is a launch strategist & copywriter. She believes that hustle-based, high-pressure program launches don’t serve you or your customers. Instead, she teaches a systemized pre-launch process to put leads through so they’re primed, pre-sold, qualified, and eager to buy your offer.

By leveraging her pre-launch and Anticipation Marketing™ strategies, Brenna’s clients have tripled — and even quadrupled launch revenue growth — without the frenzy and chaos they used to feel when launching. She also helps her students inside The Pre-Launch Plan Program create strategic pre-launch plans that’ve raked in hundreds of thousands in revenue. When Brenna’s not strategizing or helping clients launch, you can find her walking in her Labradoodle in her Northern California neighborhood, continuing her endless search for the perfect white t-shirt, reading cheesy romance books, or coming to terms with soon becoming an empty-nester.

Connect with Brenna

https://www.instagram.com/brennamcgowanco/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/behindthelaunchwithbrennamcgowan


Connect with Veronica
https://www.instagram.com/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.

What does it take to build a brand that’s both authentic and impactful? In this episode, I sit down with marketing legend Seth Godin for an unforgettable conversation about identity in marketing and beyond. We explore the power of personal branding, the ethical dilemmas marketers face today, and why authenticity is the key to building genuine connections. From unpacking cultural phenomena like the Swifties to examining how identity shapes consumer behavior, Seth offers profound insights that challenge traditional marketing practices and inspire a more thoughtful, human-centered approach.

But our discussion doesn’t stop at marketing. Seth and I dive into leadership, community building, and even the lessons we can learn as parents trying to instill core values in our kids. We tackle the balance between authenticity and consistency, the challenges of leading with integrity, and the transformative potential of meaningful connections in a digital age.

Whether you’re a marketer, a leader, or someone seeking to make an impact, this episode is packed with insights to help you rethink how you show up in the world.

About Seth:

A serial entrepreneur, Seth Godin has a degree in computer science and philosophy from Tufts University, and an MBA from Stanford Business School. He runs the altMBA, a global business-thinking workshop, and founded two companies, Squidoo and Yoyodyne. In 2013, Godin was one of just three professionals inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, and in May 2018 he was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame too.

Connect with Seth:

Website: https://www.sethgodin.com/

Social links: https://seths.blog/socialmedia/

Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/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.

Are you confident your coach has the qualifications to guide you? In this week’s episode, Kelly Ruta, a clinical psychotherapist turned coach, joins me in tackling the ethical challenges plaguing the coaching industry. We candidly share frustrations, including a disappointing $1,500 one-to-one session, highlighting the prevalence of unqualified coaches and manipulative tactics.

Together, we examine the emotional toll of unethical coaching and the misuse of marketing strategies that prey on vulnerability. We also discuss the vital role of intuition when selecting a coach and advocate for a more transparent, integrity-driven industry.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking guidance in a coaching relationship or looking to navigate the industry with discernment.

Learn more about Kelly:
Kelly Sullivan Ruta is a seasoned clinical psychotherapist of two decades who leaped into the coaching world to help entrepreneurs create the ultimate inner operating system for rapid growth without rapid breakdown.
Kelly believes entrepreneurs are perfectly positioned to create a massive positive impact on the planet. But she also knows that no strategy, plan, or tactic will ever outperform one’s mindset, limiting beliefs, conditioned programs, or habits.
She is obsessed with helping entrepreneurs and their teams do deep inner work, unlocking their generational wealth-building potential along the way.
Kelly is a hardcore introvert, 9 Quickstart, and Enneagram 8. Her soul calls the beach home. When she isn’t working, Kelly hangs with her ride-or-die besties, has her head in a book, or is with her husband and two (mostly grown) sons.

Kelly's Links:

Website: www.kellyruta.com

Instagram: @kellysruta

Free Radical Resilience Roundtable Replay: https://kellyruta.com/op/roundtable-registration-october-2024

Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/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.

How do top performers, especially marketers, stay resilient and avoid burnout?

This week, I’m joined by mindset coach and former TEDx speaker Matt Gagnon for a powerful conversation on mental health, resilience, and personal growth. Matt shares his journey from corporate life to coaching, opening up about struggles with mental health and the transformative power of vulnerability and community.

We explore "atomic mornings," a flexible way to start your day, the differences between coaching and therapy, the importance of self-care, and the ethical responsibilities of coaching. Packed with actionable insights, this episode helps you prioritize well-being while achieving personal and professional success. Don’t miss it!

Learn more about Matt:

From corporate burnout to executive coach, Matt Gagnon has lived it all. After 15 years in the corporate grind, missing out on life's precious moments, Matt took a leap of faith and transformed his life. Now, he's the founder of Atomic Mornings, a TEDx speaker, and as the founder of Matt Gagnon Coaching he is a certified professional executive coach. Additionally he is a virtual professor at Austin Community College focusing on LinkedIn strategies and also spends weekends as a touring musician through the state of Maine.

After hitting a plateau in running his own practice and on the verge of burnout again, Matt decided to make the unthinable move to become a morning person - 30 Day Custom Program designed to create a sustainable habit focused on protecting your self care supply lines. Matt believes that the world wants the best of you and not what's left of you.

Matt's Links:

https://linktr.ee/atomicmornings

www.linkedin.com/in/mattgagnon1

IG: @IamMattGagnon

IG: @Atomicmornings.io

TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/9lwJ3FxVTF4?si=0O-1MYztau6YuKZu

Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/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.

What does it mean to live abundantly in a world that often feels scarce? In this episode, I sit down with Cathy Heller, a podcaster with over 40 million downloads, to explore this question.

Cathy shares her wisdom on redefining abundance—not as material wealth but as a life filled with well-being, purpose, and meaningful connections. Reflecting on the challenges of the past year, we discuss how to stay authentic amid societal pressures and the importance of pursuing your passions to inspire future generations.

Cathy also introduces her new book, Abundant Ever After, which provides actionable tools for fostering an abundant mindset.

Learn more about Cathy:

Cathy is a renowned teacher, podcaster and author. She hosts one of the top spiritual podcasts, Abundant Ever After, which has been downloaded more than 45 million times. She’s a practitioner of the law of reception, and has a deep understanding of the universal principles of manifestation. Cathy guides individuals on a transformative journey towards unlocking their highest potential.

Drawing from the wisdom of Jewish mysticism and ancient teachings, Cathy illuminates the path to spiritual growth and abundance. Through her unique approach, Cathy empowers students to embrace their innate ability to receive and manifest their desires effortlessly with a focus on meditation and mindfulness practices.

By quieting the mind and connecting with the divine, students learn to harness their energy and create positive shifts in their lives.

Through Cathy’s teachings, individuals gain practical tools and techniques to attract abundance in all areas of life, including wealth, health, relationships, and personal growth. Cathy believes that abundance is not simply about material wealth, but also about aligning with one's purpose, experiencing joy, and cultivating meaningful connections.

With Cathy’s guidance, individuals unlock a life of abundance, fulfillment, and spiritual growth.

Cathy's Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathy.heller/

Book: https://www.cathyheller.com/abundant-ever-after-book-1

Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/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.

Are you caught in the cycle of ignoring your needs, telling yourself there’s no time for rest, reflection, or even being human? In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Heather Chauvin, a renowned advocate for emotional well-being, to dive deep into the struggles of high performers who push themselves to the brink.

We’ll explore the concept of "time debt" and how constantly postponing self-care can lead to emotional and physical burnout. Drawing from themes of vulnerability and resilience, Heather shares strategies for setting boundaries, prioritizing your humanity, and breaking free from the relentless pursuit of productivity.

This conversation is a wake-up call for anyone who feels trapped by their own expectations—tune in to learn how to reclaim your time, your health, and your sense of self.

Learn more about Heather:
Heather Chauvin is a leadership coach who helps ‘successful’ women courageously and authentically live, work, and parent on their own terms.

Heather started her career as a social worker helping adults understand children’s behavior. But it wasn’t until 2013 when a stage 4 cancer diagnosis pushed her to take a deeper stand for change, uncovering how cultural expectations sabotage our dreams. She has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Real Simple Magazine, Mind Body Green, Google, and more.

When Heather isn’t working, you will find her living out what she teaches which may include kayaking Alaska, snowboarding, hiking, or anything else that challenges what she believes is possible for herself (and inviting her children along the journey). Life is full of opportunities. It’s time to feel alive.

Heather's Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherchauvin_/

Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/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.