Bound & Determined℠ with Meg McKeen

What happens when you gather a DJ, an insurance agent, and a sobriety and breathwork coach in a 50s-themed cooking school in Chicago and ask them about going against the grain? This. In this live recording from the Bound & Determined℠ Midwest Live tour, Meg is joined by Mary Nisi, Rosanne Boik, and Katie Tomaszewski for a conversation about how it feels to make choices for yourself that others wouldn’t make for you, how our definition of success changes as we do, and the importance of trusting our own knowing. Settle in for this one. It’s a masterclass in self-advocacy. And love.

Meet Mary Nisi

Mary Nisi founded Toast & Jam in Chicago, IL, in 2005, based on the idea that her clients and guests should be entertained, not overshadowed. Music-obsessed since childhood, Mary got her start in community radio and began DJing events when a listener called the request line and asked if she would DJ their wedding. Over the last 20+years, Toast & Jam has provided the soundtrack to thousands of weddings and events in Chicago and beyond. She is a founding member of the Chicago Independent Radio Project

(CHIRP) and currently hosts “The Noonday Underground” on Mondays from noon to 3pm on CHIRPradio.org. Mary is also the creator of the Toast & Jam Lab, an online course to help Mobile DJs grow and scale their businesses and is the host of the podcast, All Up in My Lady Business, Ever the innovator, Mary is the founder and sole DJ of Hot Flash Dance, a punctual party for rowdy women. In what spare time she does have she spends with her friends and family keeping bees, crafting and watching Jeopardy.

Meet Rosanne Boik

Rosanne Boik has been a commercial insurance broker for over 25 years, with her primary focus in the hospitality industry. Her expertise has allowed her to maintain relationships with many of the most recognizable restaurant brands in Chicago, including Frontera Grill & Tortazo, SMG Restaurant Group (S.K.Y., Apolonia, Valhalla), Elske & Creepies, Cruz Blanca/Lena Brava, Bang Bang Pie, Pretty Cool Ice Cream, Tzuco & Ummo, m.f.k, Pangea Restaurant Group and across the nation - she’s currently working with a Michelin-starred taqueria in New York City. Rosanne is a long-term resident of the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago and she’s an avid traveler, loves hiking and cycling and hustles on the side, sitting for small dogs. Her current obsessions include works by both Gustav Klimt and Dale Chihuly.

Meet Katie Tomaszewski

Katie Tomaszewski is a multi-passionate health and wellness educator dedicated to helping others feel and live better. With a degree in Health Sciences and extensive certifications as a breathwork educator and Pilates-based movement specialist, she brings a wealth of expertise to her work as the founder and lead coach of Deep Line Holistic Custom Fitness, the founder and lead coach of DryNamics - which is pioneering body-centered sobriety, and as a faculty member, The Language of Breath Breathworker School. With a deep understanding of the interplay between the nervous system, overall health, and quality of life, Katie provides the guidance and transformative strategies you need to start changing the way you *feel* the world around you. Through a holistic approach that integrates science, breathwork, meditation and small lifestyle adjustments, you can change the way you’re living, start feeling better and achieve lasting wellness.

Bound & Determined℠ Midwest Live is presented by Westfield

Westfield is a property and casualty insurance company with more than 175 years of helping people protect what matters most - and a long tradition of creating spaces for women to connect and build community. Westfield believes that when women share their experiences and champion one another, they can inspire lasting change across the insurance industry. Learn more about Westfield.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Join Postmarked: Bound & Determined℠ - and receive an every-other-month envelope of joy delivered to your mailbox
• Join Meg for an upcoming gathering:

• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Join the waitlist for the next Bound & Determined℠Founders' Retreat

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, subscribe here. Not following Meg on Instagram? You can find her here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Jessica Hendricks has spent more than 18 years in property and casualty insurance, and now she is head of agency relations for Standard Lines at Westfield. In this live discussion, she reflects on challenging moments, such as when she dropped out of law school and, as a lifelong type-A planner, needed to figure out her life without a plan. Learning to trust her gut, Jess began getting comfortable with saying no and allowing herself to be ‘selfish’ within her career and personal life. We will also hear how Jess leads as her whole self, being comfortable not having all the answers, and finding her footing in the ‘messy middle’, from the boardroom to the ball field. If you are sitting at a crossroads, this discussion is for you.

Meet Jessica Hendricks

Jessica Hendricks is Head of Agency Relations for Standard Lines at Westfield, where she leads the Distribution Management team focused on strengthening agency relationships and creating a more connected, consistent experience for agency partners. Her team supports agencies throughout the entire lifecycle, from prospecting and onboarding to compensation, engagement, and strategic partnerships.

Jess brings more than 18 years of experience in property and casualty insurance, with deep expertise in agency distribution, sales strategy, and operational leadership. Before joining Westfield, she served as Vice President of Sales and Distribution Management at EMC Insurance Companies, leading enterprise-wide initiatives in agency compensation, contracts, national partnerships, and sales enablement. Based in Des Moines, outside of work, you'll most often find her cheering from the sidelines at her kids' sporting events and activities.

Bound & Determined℠ Midwest Live is presented by Westfield

Westfield is a property and casualty insurance company with more than 175 years of helping people protect what matters most - and a long tradition of creating spaces for women to connect and build community. Westfield believes that when women share their experiences and champion one another, they can inspire lasting change across the insurance industry. Learn more about Westfield.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Jess on LinkedIn
• Join Postmarked: Bound & Determined℠ - and receive an every-other-month envelope of joy delivered to your mailbox
• Join Meg for an upcoming gathering:

• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Join the waitlist for the next Bound & Determined℠Founders' Retreat

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, subscribe here. Not following Meg on Instagram? You can find her here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Molly Stewart started in insurance just four days after her 16th birthday, and 27 years later, she is the Director of Sales and Distribution at Highstreet Insurance Partners, and she continues to pass on the vital information she has learned along the way. Molly looks back at the mentor who took a chance on her, the district manager who told her at 21 she would never make it, and the dollar bill taped under her chair at her first sales training and discusses how the “prove them wrong” fuel worked for her. She also acknowledges that this advice does not work for everyone, and what it truly means to coach each person with a different strategy. Molly opens up about helping her daughter Avery publish books written about living with anxiety and explains how anxiety can show up in the most mysterious ways. Listen in to learn more about the next generation entering the industry, the mentorship that is needed, and why it is okay for your life to form outside of your career.

Meet Molly Stewart

Molly Stewart is a passionate sales leader known for motivating teams, navigating challenges, and building strong, growth-oriented cultures through a collaborative and people-first approach. As Director of Sales & Distribution with Highstreet Insurance Partners, she brings over two decades of hands-on industry experience. Her career has spanned agency ownership, sales leadership, training, and business development. Giving her a uniquely broad perspective on growth and organizational success. Outside of work, Molly is a proud mom to three busy kids - Avery (11), Tatum (9), and Easton (7) - and shares carpool duty with her husband of 12 years, Troy. Faith and family keep her grounded, and she's always working towards that perfect balance of being able to do it all.

Bound & Determined℠ Midwest Live is presented by Westfield

Westfield is a property and casualty insurance company with more than 175 years of helping people protect what matters most - and a long tradition of creating spaces for women to connect and build community. Westfield believes that when women share their experiences and champion one another, they can inspire lasting change across the insurance industry. Learn more about Westfield.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Molly on LinkedIn
• Join Postmarked: Bound & Determined℠ - and receive an every-other-month envelope of joy delivered to your mailbox
• Join Meg for an upcoming gathering:

• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Join the waitlist for the next Bound & Determined℠Founders' Retreat

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, subscribe here. Not following Meg on Instagram? You can find her here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen in as host Meg McKeen welcomes Amy Crandall for a conversation about her gray hair transition - and so much more. Amy shares about the moment she looked in the mirror and thought - who am I fooling? - and we talk about what we find underneath (it's more than hair) and the feeling of knowing that the time is now. Amy gives us the permission we may not realize we're waiting for to make a change - or not - simply because it's right for you.

Meet Amy Crandall

Amy Crandall has worked inside the insurance industry for more than 30 years with roles in a family-owned agency, large carrier and industry vendors. Her expertise lies in service - and when she's not supporting guiding her team, she's walking her rescue pup and enjoying the majesty of the Pacific Northwest.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Amy on LinkedIn
• Catch up on past episodes with Liz Brock and Meg (solo) where we chat about silver hair transitions
• Join Postmarked: Bound & Determined℠ - and receive an every-other-month envelope of joy delivered to your mailbox
• Join Meg for an upcoming experience:

• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Purchase your ticket for the Bound & Determined℠ Midwest Live tour, presented by Westfield, coming up in September. We'll be gathering in Omaha, Westfield Center, Chicago, Des Moines, Milwaukee and Grand Rapids.
• Join the waitlist for the next Bound & Determined℠Founders' Retreat

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, subscribe here. Not following Meg on Instagram? You can find her here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen in as host Meg McKeen welcomes Ellie Platt - an insurance agency founder, community builder, and woman who has spent 15 years betting on herself as she goes - for a conversation about what it feels like to outgrow the pot you're in. We talk about the leap of faith it took to leave a good job with a two-year-old at home - the importance of saying what you mean, always, and why sometimes the brave thing isn't leaving - it's staying. Ellie is warm and generous in the most approachable way - and leaves us with a fun reflection on life through her lens today.

Meet Ellie Platt

Ellie Platt is the owner and president of Platt Insurance, an independent agency she built from the ground up in Youngstown, Ohio. Now celebrating 15 years in business, she takes pride in leading a team of 12 and helping them grow while building a strong presence in the insurance industry. Ellie is also deeply committed to her community, serving in multiple leadership roles while balancing life as a dedicated mom.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Ellie on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Platt Insurance
• Join Postmarked: Bound & Determined℠ - and receive an every-other-month envelope of joy delivered to your mailbox
• Learn more about Saya Hillman and the experiences she curates - and listen to our conversation on the podcast here
• Join Meg for an upcoming experience:

• Join Meg and Tracey Heeter Allen for Coffee & Conversation, coming up in Lake Oswego, Oregon on August 26th
• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Purchase your ticket for the Bound & Determined℠ Midwest Live tour, presented by Westfield, coming up in September. We'll be gathering in Omaha, Westfield Center, Chicago, Des Moines, Milwaukee and Grand Rapids.
• Join the waitlist for the next Bound & Determined℠Founders' Retreat

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here. Not following Meg on Instagram? You can find her here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen in as host Meg McKeen welcomes Ema Roloff for a conversation about the uncommon courage it takes to build something before you know how it's going to turn out. We talk about reimagining the ways we gather, the accessibility gap in many professional events these days, and how it feels to take the first step when the noise around you tells you to wait - or skip it altogether.

Meet Ema Roloff

Ema Roloff is the Co-Founder of Roloff Consulting, where she helps business leaders navigate digital change with clarity, confidence, and a people-first approach. With more than a decade of experience in B2B enterprise software and complex enterprise sales, she translates topics like AI, digital transformation, and leadership into practical strategies that organizations can immediately apply. Through keynotes, workshops, research, and content Ema equips leaders to communicate change, build trust, and thrive in a digital-first world.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Ema on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Roloff Consulting
• Register for the IGNiTE Digital Leadership Summit, coming up in Madison, WI, on September 3rd. Take $100 of your registration through Friday, August 7th when you use code COUNTDOWN
• Join Meg for an upcoming experience:

• Join Meg and Tracey Heeter Allen for Coffee & Conversation, coming up in Lake Oswego, Oregon on August 26th
• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Purchase your ticket for the Bound & Determined℠ Midwest Live tour, presented by Westfield, coming up in September. We'll be gathering in Omaha, Westfield Center, Chicago, Des Moines, Milwaukee and Grand Rapids.
• Join the waitlist for the next Bound & Determined℠Founders' Retreat

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here. Not following Meg on Instagram? You can find her here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen in as host Meg McKeen welcomes Melissa Barr, the founder of Sisu Insurance Services, for an honest, grounded conversation about the moment Melissa decided she was tired of her day running her. We talk about the non-linear, make-it-up-as-you-go reality of early entrepreneurship, the busy badge of honor so many of us have worn for decades without question, and what it looks like to finally - purposefully - start to uncrowd your life.

Meet Melissa Barr

Melissa Barr spent the last 24 years within the independent insurance agency operations space. Two years ago, she started her own company, Sisu Insurance Services, to help other independent agents and agencies build their businesses through enhancing workflows, building policies and procedures, employee and VA training and agency management system optimization. Fun facts about Melissa? She's a licensed massage therapist and has run the Detroit marathon; she also enjoys biking, hiking, running, yoga, barre and pairing great wine with great food!

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Sisu Insurance Services
• Join Meg for an upcoming experience:

• Join Meg and Tracey Heeter Allen for Coffee & Conversation, coming up in Lake Oswego, Oregon on August 26th
• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Purchase your ticket for the Bound & Determined℠ Midwest Live tour, presented by Westfield, coming up in September. We'll be gathering in Omaha, Westfield Center, Chicago, Des Moines, Milwaukee and Grand Rapids!
• Join the waitlist for the next Bound & Determined℠Founders' Retreat

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here. Not following Meg on Instagram? You can find her here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen in as host Meg McKeen welcomes Emily Merola, founder of the Blazer Society and leadership coach - for a conversation about what happens when we stop drifting and instead move with purpose. We talk about what happens when a woman finally gets clear on what she uniquely bring to the world, the courage it takes to bet on yourself after a lifetime of betting on everyone else, and why the women who need this support the most are often the ones who believe they deserve it the least. Emily is electric and so generous - this conversation will surely spark something in you, too.

Meet Emily Merola

Emily Merola is a former insurance industry executive – and today helps women leaders find the confidence to own the room and grow in their careers and lives. As a speaker and executive coach, she equips high-achieving women to move from overlooked to unmistakable through the power of presence.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Emily on LinkedIn
• Follow The Blazer Society on Instagram
• Learn more about the global not-for-profit supporting women, ISC Group
• Join Meg for an upcoming experience:

• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Purchase your ticket for the Bound & Determined℠ Midwest Live tour, coming up in September
• Join the waitlist for the next Bound & Determined℠Founders' Retreat

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen in as host Meg McKeen welcomes Julie Tomlinson for a conversation about the professional sabbatical that came when the job, the title, even the industry stopped fitting. We talk about psychological safety (it’s not a soft skill), what it means to mother a daughter as they both learn to take up space, and how confidence isn't a feeling - it's data, collected one attempt at a time. Julie is candid and wise, and reminds us that knowing who you are is a skill that will always be in demand.

Meet Julie Tomlinson

Julie Tomlinson is a purpose‑driven insurance leader whose mission is to inspire advocacy and grace while empowering others with passion and respect. She serves on the Executive Board of the Girls Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, a nonprofit providing affordable recreational soccer to more than 1,000 girls across Greater Cincinnati. Before she joins Palomar Insurance in late July, Julie is currently enjoying a professional sabbatical, giving her the rare gift of time to fully soak in life with her wonderful family — Ryan (fellow insurance nerd and husband), Ellie (15), and Wesley (12).

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Julie on LinkedIn
• Join Meg for an upcoming experience:

• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Purchase your ticket for the Bound & Determined℠Midwest Live tour, coming up in September
• Join the waitlist for the next Bound & Determined℠Founders' Retreat

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Join host Meg McKeen for a crossover podcast experience, featuring Kristin Heideman, the host of the Outspoken & Overbooked podcast. Recorded in front of a live, virtual audience, together we chat through our insurance career origin stories - and answer listener questions about moving from one role in the industry to another, and how to prep for the C-Suite, if that's what you decide is right for you. We already know it's who you know - but isn't it also how well you know yourself?

Meet Kristin Heideman

With over a decade of hands-on experience in the insurance industry, Kristin knows what it takes to succeed in this space - because she's been there. After years as an Account Manager, she transitioned into recruiting to help others find the right fit and help firms build stronger teams.

Now, as the WBE-certified owner of The Brinkman Group, Kristin specializes in placing top talent across commercial lines, employee benefits, and wholesale brokerage. She works closely with hiring managers and candidates to make meaningful, strategic matches - not just quick placements.

Whether you're hiring, exploring new opportunities, or just want to stay informed about the market - Kristin is a resource you can trust.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn
• Learn more about The Brinkman Group and the work Kristin does to support insurance professionals
• Join Meg for an upcoming experience:

• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Purchase your ticket for the Bound & Determined℠Midwest Live tour, coming up in September
• Nominate a woman in insurance you know to be my guest for the St. Louis stop here
• Join the waitlist for the next Bound & Determined℠Founders' Retreat

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen in as host Meg McKeen welcomes Danielle Morales as guest host for this special 100th episode of Bound & Determined℠ - commemorating 65 hours of conversation recorded since launching in 2020. Danielle brings questions crowdsourced from our community and a few of her own, and together they wander through all of it - the nuts and bolts of Meg's nomadic life, the marriage and job and city - and expectations - she left behind, the earliest years in business spent wondering when it would be her turn, and the slow, imperfect trust in herself to keep going.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Danielle on LinkedIn
• Join Meg for an upcoming experience:

• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Join Kristin Heideman and me for Bound & Determined℠ X Outspoken & Overbooked | A Crossover Podcast Experience on May 15th
• Stay up-to-date as plans for Bound & Determined℠: Midwest Live come together
• RSVP for Dinner in Denveron June 15th
• Join the waitlist for the next Bound & Determined℠Founders' Retreat

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen in as host Meg McKeen welcomes Katie Gouldner for a conversation about the particular restlessness of being content but not fulfilled - and what happens when you stop waiting for your work to heal it. We talk about perfectionism and the unknown, the courage it takes to build something that's all yours, and what it means to express yourself without a title or a permission slip - or a guarantee that it'll even be good. Spoiler alert: it's great!

Meet Katie Gouldner

Katie Gouldner is a marketing and communications leader, podcast host, and mom of two based in Central Pennsylvania who knows firsthand the art of balancing work, family, and personal passions. With over 15 years of experience in strategic marketing and storytelling, she specializes in making complex ideas approachable and meaningful. Through her podcast Chasing The Spark, Katie shares honest conversations about motherhood, career growth, and connection.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Katie on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Chasing the Spark and listen on Apple and Spotify
• Join Meg for an upcoming experience:

• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Join Kristin Heideman and me for Bound & Determined℠ X Outspoken & Overbooked | A Crossover Podcast Experience on May 15th
• RSVP for Dinner in Denver on June 15th
• Join the waitlist for the next Bound & Determined℠Founders' Retreat

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Host Meg McKeen welcomes graduating seniors Raji More and Chloe Shapkauski for a conversation recorded on the campus of her alma mater, Illinois Wesleyan University. Together we explore the impressions many have of our industry - and what individuals joining the industry are really looking for in their relationship to work. We talk about success - and how that definition has already changed for Raji and Chloe, We wrap by turning the mic back around on Meg - such rich and thoughtful questions.

Meet Raji More

Raji More is a senior at Illinois Wesleyan University, majoring in economics. Originally from Bloomington, Illinois, Raji has been active in various organizations during her time on campus during her time on campus, including roles as the commissioner of the Sustainability Committee and is now the elected class president. Raji will graduate in May and has past work experience inside an insurance company headquartered in Bloomington. Connect with Raji by email at rmore@iwu.edu or on LinkedIn.

Meet Chloe Shapkauski

Chloe Shapkauski is a business student at Illinois Wesleyan University, Class of 2026. Originally from Tinley Park, Illinois, she has held leadership and service roles in organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Rotaract, and Student Senate. She currently works as a Data Analysis Student Worker at the Hart Career Center, supporting strategic initiatives through data insights. In her free time, Chloe enjoys writing, running, reading, and cooking. She is passionate about continuous learning and seeks opportunities to create meaningful impact through both her professional and community work. Connect with Chloe by email at cshapkauski@gmail.com or on LinkedIn.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Join Meg for an upcoming experience:

• Coffee + Conversation in Burlington, Vermont, on April 25th
• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Dinner in Denver on June 15th

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen in as host Meg McKeen welcomes Brett McKenzie for a conversation about care - the caring we do for others and the caring we often need ourselves. We talk about boundaries and burnout - and how it feels to take off the mask we often wear and let others in – and sometimes down – when advocating for ourselves. Brett is a heartfelt storyteller and shares so much of her own beautiful story with us here.

Meet Brett McKenzie

Brett McKenzie began her career as a political media operative in Washington, D.C., with early chapters of her story written in journalism and the wine industry before she transitioned into insurance in 2009 - all while navigating chronic health challenges and raising a family. Brett has worked across globally recognized insurance carriers and insurtechs, in marketing and PR, sales, underwriting, and distribution strategy. Today, Brett is an independent consultant helping bold insurance brands and leaders clarify their voice, sharpen their strategy, and show up with confidence in our rapidly changing industry.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Brett on LinkedIn
• Join Meg for an upcoming experience:

• Coffee + Conversation in Burlington, Vermont, on April 25th
• Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Dinner in Denver on June 15th

• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen in as host Meg McKeen welcomes Emma Corcoran for a conversation about career paths - and how they change as our priorities and our plans change, too. Emma is wrapping up her first year as an independent consultant in the insurance industry and shares more about her new definition of *busy,* how she's measuring success today, and together we unpack the notion of "doing your time" - in a role or organization - and how we can support the next generation of women in insurance who are joining us.

Meet Emma Corcoran

Emma Corcoran is the founder of EC Consulting LLC, through which she helps leadership teams navigate complex challenges and make clearer, more confident decisions together. She blends design thinking with a human‑centered facilitation approach to bring alignment, clarity, and momentum to every room she leads. She's also a proud mom of two daughters, one very loved dog, and an advocate for elevating women in insurance.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Emma on LinkedIn
• Join Meg for the Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen in as host Meg McKeen welcomes Amora Wood to the podcast for a candid conversation about the range of emotions that come up when we choose to share our lives - and selves - with the world through social media. We'll talk about the boundaries we set, the very common reluctance to get started, and how we navigate the joy of the relationships we've built through the socials - and the haters that are out there, too.

Meet Amora Wood

Amora Wood is a VP with over 20 years of sales experience and a deep commitment to collaboration over competition. She believes integrity is the foundation of every client relationship and finds true joy in helping others succeed. Passionate about creating meaningful connections and innovative solutions, Amora focuses on building trust and fostering growth in every interaction.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Amora on LinkedIn
• Join in the fun on February 25th when you share your #DayInTheLife! Learn more here
• Sit at the {virtual} table with Saya and me on February 26th; register here
• Join Meg for the Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen in as host Meg McKeen welcomes Debbie Brcka for a candid conversation about her upcoming retirement - after more than 45 years in the insurance industry. In this conversation, we talk about Debbie’s decision to retire – the why now, the how, and the permission she didn’t know she needed. We talk about what’s ahead for Debbie in this new chapter and Debbie shares so much wisdom - spend the time – take the trip – say yes, say no - with us.

Meet Deborah Brcka

Deborah began her career in real estate before pivoting to insurance in 1978, when she and her husband opened a scratch agency after he was injured in the line of duty. Following their divorce, she continued to build her career independently, serving in marketing and sales roles with regional carriers and ultimately rising to SVP at Bankers Insurance. After more than four decades in the industry, she’s now in her dream role with the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance, where she channels her passion into mentoring and developing future leaders.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Keep up with Debbie on LinkedIn
• Join Meg for the Bound & Determined℠ Restorative Retreat, coming up in Michigan in November 2026
• Makes plans to be in Wichita with Kansas Association of Insurance Agents in February or in Napa with Independent Insurance Agents of California in March
• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Host Meg McKeen welcomes Julie Webb for a timely conversation about our values: Where do they come from? How do they change as we change? And what happens when the way we’re showing up at work no longer aligns with the way we’re showing up in our heart? Or in the world? Julie shares more about her experience ending her corporate chapter and building her own consulting firm - including the upside of the risk we don't talk about loudly enough.

Meet Julie Webb, CPCU, CIC

Julie Webb has two decades of diverse insurance industry experience holding various leadership positions during that time. Most recently, she was the Principal at MPB Insurance, a scratch independent agency she started in March of 2020 (yes that March!). Prior to that, she was the Regional Vice President for a large agency network with responsibility for the Mid-Atlantic territory. She began her insurance career with GEICO in a Leadership Development Program where she ultimately built and led a regional sales and service call center in Buffalo, New York. Julie holds both her CIC and CPCU designations and is a proud graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where she studied business.

A strong advocate for professional women, Julie led the Women’s Leadership Network at MPB and founded a local chapter of the Women’s Business League to provide a space for professional women to network and grow together. In addition to this, she serves as the Board Chair for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA and enjoys volunteering with Girl Scouts, Girls on the Run, and Junior Achievement. In these roles, she’s committed to helping younger generations reach their full potential (and sprinkling a little bit of insurance awareness on top, too!).

It's her advocacy work that led her to found JMW Collective, a leadership consulting practice focused first on professional women. Through group and individual coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements, Julie is on a mission to empower organizations and leaders to design thriving businesses that are profitable, inclusive, and resilient for generations to come.

Julie enjoys facilitating mastermind groups through MyNetwork and teaching the CIC Agency Management course through the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance.

When she’s not helping professionals with their leadership style, she enjoys styling women in beautiful cabi clothes.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Julie on LinkedIn
• Learn more about JMW Collective and cabi
• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Listen as Meg narrates a recent social media post, sharing her thoughts on a new year and the pressure that it can bring.

Read Meg's original post on LinkedIn here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!

Host Meg McKeen welcomes Chelsy Bell Carpenter for a frank - and timely - conversation about burnout. Chelsy shares her own burnout story, including the moment everything shifted for her, and the range of emotions and the reality she experienced in the aftermath. Listen as we talk about how illogical it feels to be both grateful the work you’re doing and also itchy - for something that looks different. That feels different. We talk about seasons of high stress – we are IN it right now – and Chelsy shares three small, simple tweaks that can lead to big shifts. No bubble bath required.

Meet Chelsy Bell Carpenter

In Chelsy's words: My mission is to help high-performing professionals build careers rooted in clarity, purpose, and sustainability. I equip individuals and organizations with real-world strategies (that work, because I have personally tested them!) and science-backed tools to regulate the nervous system, strengthen communication, and create disciplines that support long-term success. In a society conditioned to burnout - I believe drive and well-being can and should coexist. Follow along for tips that I use to stay grounded and living with purpose!

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Connect with Chelsy on LinkedIn
• Visit Chelsy's website
• Learn more and join the waitlist for Chelsy's inaugural workshop, Built to Last
• Stay in the know as future plans for the next Bound & Determined℠ retreats take shape here
• Have a question for Meg? You can send that to her here.

To learn more about this podcast, and the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals, visit Adjunct Advisors. To receive To Taking the Risk, the monthly newsletter Meg curates, including updates on her #digitalnomad adventures, subscribe here.

Love the podcast? To show your support, consider leaving a positive review here, sharing this episode with a friend, or making a financial contribution here. Thank you for listening!