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First impressions can take only 6 seconds to make! But if you’re neurodivergent, those quick judgments about you can be misleading.

That’s where the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast comes in! Join me, Carolyn Kiel, as I talk with neurodivergent entrepreneurs, creators, advocates & more about their lives and identities. Their stories shatter misconceptions, break stigma and showcase the vibrance of neurodiversity.

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Recognition for Beyond 6 Seconds:

  • Ambie Awards 2024: Nominee - Best DIY Podcast
  • Signal Award Gold Winner and Listener's Choice Winner: 2023 Best Individual Episode - Best Conversation Starter 
  • Positive Change Podcast Awards 2022: First Place Winner - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category
  • Positive Change Podcast Awards 2022: First Place Winner - Personal Journal category
  • Positive Change Podcast Awards 2022: First Place Winner - Mental Health category
  • Positive Change Podcast Awards 2022: Second Place Winner - Inspiration/Motivation category
  • Positive Change Podcast Awards 2022: Second Place Winner - Psychology category
  • Signal Award Silver Winner: 2022 Best Individual Episode - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 
  • W3 Award Gold Winner: 2022 Podcasts General Series - Community 
  • W3 Award Silver Winner (x2): 2022 Podcast Features - Best Individual Episode
  • International Women's Podcast Association: 2022 Shortlist - "Moment of Raw Emotion" Episode Category

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Dec 17, 2018

In this episode, Beyond 6 Seconds host Carolyn Kiel is interviewed by her guest, Valerie Gordon, a 10-time Emmy award-winning television producer and owner of the career and communication strategy firm, Commander-in-She. 

Carolyn talks about a time in her career when she felt stuck and what she did to get unstuck, then Valerie & Carolyn share practical tips and advice for getting unstuck, including how to:

  • Take the time to identify what it is you like to do
  • Use conflict and dissatisfaction to your advantage
  • Expand your network
  • Establish a cast of supporting characters
  • Try new things
  • Make space for creativity

If you’re feeling stuck in your career, then you definitely want to listen to this entire episode!

Valerie offers workshops and webinars that teach the storytelling skills necessary to help high-achieving women ascend the leadership ladder. You can learn more about her work at www.Commander-in-She.com , connect with her on LinkedIn and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @CommanderInShe.

About Valerie Gordon:

Valerie Gordon is a 10-time Emmy award-winning television producer with more than two decades of experience creating and overseeing feature stories for ESPN, HBO Sports and CBS News, among other networks. Now the founder and president of Commander-in-She, LLC, a communications and career strategy firm, Valerie combines her background in storytelling with her passion for the important conversations and skills women need to harness the power of their stories. 

Valerie offers keynote presentations, group workshops, team building and individual strategizing to demonstrate the role storytelling plays in our daily lives and subsequent success.  She has worked with corporations and professional organizations such as Aetna, Mass Mutual, the YES Network, Untapped Potential, Women in Cable Telecommunications, Women in Sports and Events and American Women in Sports Media.

Valerie’s introspective introductory workshop, “What’s Your Story? Storytelling Secrets for Success” allows participants to consider the components of their personal stories – character, plot and narrative point of view – and emerge with greater authorship of their current and future chapters.  Story techniques are the thread for specific presentation topics including personal branding, negotiation and conflict resolution, goal-setting, communication skills and work-life balance.  

Valerie’s feature work has been seen on CBS News “The Early Show” (2004-2008), NBC’s “Weekend Today” (2002-2003), and HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (1998-2002), among other assignments.  She was a member of the Olympic profiles unit for both the Centennial Olympics in Atlanta (NBC, 1996) and the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan (CBS, 1998).  From 2008 to 2016, Valerie was a Coordinating Producer of ESPN’s acclaimed Feature Unit, supervising hundreds of features for studio shows, live events and special projects including SC Featured for SportsCenter and My Wish, ESPN’s collaboration with Make-a-Wish to grant sports-themed wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. From 2016-2017, Valerie helmed Mike & Mike, ESPN’s long-running multi-platform morning show on ESPN Radio and ESPN2. 

From 2014-2016, Valerie served as co-leader of ESPN Women, ESPN’s largest employee resource group, creating and overseeing professional development conferences serving hundreds of employees including “Leading at all Levels” (2014) and “Aspire/Inspire” (2015).  For her efforts as a catalyst for other women in the industry, she was honored at the 2015 WICT New England’s Evening of Excellence with the Touchstone award (2015).

In addition to her 10 Sports Emmy awards, Valerie is a 3-time Edward R. Murrow award recipient and 5-time NY Festival award-winner for both TV and radio and has been recognized with an NABJ Salute to Excellence and a Telly award.

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Valerie uses her life outside of work as a wife, mother, novice weightlifter and an occasional adventure race runner as inspiration for other relatable speaking and writing topics.  She blogs at www.Commander-in-She.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @CommanderInShe.