Buckle up because this is no ordinary episode—it's a milestone! You are about to dive into the 300th episode of the Beyond Barriers podcast with host Monica Marquez and special guest Jaci Czarnecki Thompson, Experience Architect at Beyond Barriers. Five seasons of riveting interviews, cutting-edge strategies, and stories of triumph that will propel you forward in your career.
We don't just talk the talk; we walk it with the incredible individuals who have shattered barriers and soared to new heights. And guess what? You, our phenomenal listeners, have been the wind beneath our wings, inspiring us to push boundaries week after week.
Our mission is bold: to close the gender gap at work and unleash economic opportunities for everyone. Brace yourself because today, we give you an unprecedented look behind the scenes. It's time to seize control of your destiny, break down barriers, and ride the wave of unstoppable momentum towards the career you've always dreamed of. Let's make history together!
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Learn about career acceleration strategies for diverse professionals.
- Overcome career barriers for women and BIPOC with actionable insights.
- Gain clarity and courage in your career development for greater success.
- Increase impact and influence at work with effective strategies.
- Discover the benefits of our executive accelerator program for career growth.
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Highlights
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Celebrating 300 Episodes
[00:30] Episode Summary
[00:58] Meet Jaci Czarnecki Thompson
[02:18] The Momentum Metric
[03:52] Career Development Disparities
[05:51] Importance of Clarity
[09:15] The Accelerator Experience
[14:15] Joining the Beyond Barriers Community
[16:15] The Origin of the Momentum Metric
[20:47] The Five C's of Success
[24:17] Focusing on the "How"
[29:06] The Purpose of Accelerator Programs
[35:36] Transition to Mixed Gender Cohorts
[40:59] Evergreen Program and Career Transitions
[32:30] The Power of Community and Constant Change
[45:02] Lightning Round Questions -
Lightening Round Questions
Q: What book has greatly influenced you?
A: The Cider House Rules by John Irving. That book single handedly shaped the way that I thought about the world, politics and women in ways that I had just never really cracked open before.Q: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
A: Worry is not preparation.Q: What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
A: Champion of Working MomsQ: What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
A: I made a conscious decision that I was no longer going to make decisions based in fear. I had grown up surrounded by people who had really good lives, but who maybe limited the choices that they made because of fear or worry or anxiety or doubt. And at a certain point in my life, I decided I did not want to be that way.Q: What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
A: Dolly Parton, Nine to Five. -
Quotes
Worry is not preparation.
Jaci Czarnecki Thompson
Clarity is hard and I think it's hard not because it's complicated,but because we're asking our members and ourselves questions that as grown adults, we don't get asked very much. So if you think about when you're a kid and you're in school, you're constantly being asked, what do you want to be when you grow up? You graduate and you start your first job and no one's asking you that question anymore.
Jaci Czarnecki Thompson
This is not a one and done situation. As our ambitions change, as our perspectives change, as our industries change, the things that we will want to are also likely to evolve.
Jaci Czarnecki Thompson
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About
Jaci brings ideas to life, from conception to execution. Whether coaching, launching a program, strategizing product development, or rolling out client facing communications, she inspires transformation.
In her 20 year career in higher education and program design, she has developed a keen eye for identifying and leveraging opportunities for collaboration, and has become skilled at creating and empowering adaptable teams that build upon each other's strengths to achieve meaningful change. As a strong and transparent leader, she is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and brings that lens to everything she does.Jaci is Director of Experience and coach at Beyond Barriers. She writes and speaks on the importance of vulnerability and authenticity for personal transformation at work and at home and strives to live that truth every day.
Jaci is passionate about women's leadership, access to education, workforce development, and the inherent value of diversity and cultural exchange. She is committed to helping ambitious women, particularly working moms, reconcile their personal and professional identities in a way that fuels and motivates them to achieve at their highest level. A mom of wild and wonderful twin boys, she manages the chaos of life with grace and humor.