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Here's What I Learned: Ditching Biz-as-Usual for Values, Freedom, and Doing It Your Way
Welcome to Here's What I Learned, the podcast for progressive entrepreneurs ready to grow their businesses without sacrificing their values, creativity, or sanity. Hosted by me, Jacki Hayes—a systems strategist, unapologetic smutty romantasy fan, and D&D geek—this show is your go-to space for honest conversations about what it really takes to create a business and life you love.
Each week, we dive into relatable stories and actionable lessons from values-driven leaders who’ve figured out how to scale sustainably while staying true to themselves. Whether you’re managing growth, navigating overwhelm, or rethinking hustle culture, this podcast is here to show you that success doesn’t have to mean burnout.
If you value integrity, autonomy, and time freedom—and you’re looking for inspiration that’s as practical as it is empowering—you’ve found your people. Hit play, and let’s rewrite the rules together.
Episodes
77 episodes
Reimagining HR for Small Businesses with Kirsten Ziegler
What happens when an HR pro leaves the corporate grind to build a business rooted in ethics, empathy, and real talk? In this episode, I sit down with Kirsten Ziegler, an HR consultant who’s rewriting the rules of people management for small bus...
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Season 8
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Episode 6
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29:25
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Ditching ‘Professionalism’: How Work Norms Hold Us Back with Becky Mollenkamp
What if everything you’ve been taught about work, success, and professionalism is actually holding you back? In this episode of Here's What I Learned, I sit down with Becky Mollenkamp, an accountability coach and intersectional ...
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Season 8
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Episode 5
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34:46
What My INTJ Brain and Human Design Taught Me About Running a Business
Show Notes:In this episode of Here's What I Learned, I’m flying solo to talk about one of my favorite nerdy rabbit holes: personality typologies—and how they’ve helped me design a business that actually works with how I’m wired....
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Season 8
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Episode 4
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10:29
Lessons in Business Growth, Burnout, and Finding a Better Way with Melody Johnson
In this episode of Here's What I Learned, I'm joined by Melody Johnson, founder of The Course Consultant, to talk about creating courses, redefining success, and designing a business that truly fits your life.Melody shares her j...
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Season 8
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Episode 3
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28:28
Sustainable Marketing & Values-Driven Engagement with Casey Eade
In this episode of Here's What I Learned, I sit down with Casey Eade—connection strategist, professional friend-finder, and advocate for low-capacity business owners—to dive deep into authentic engagement, values-driven marketing, and ...
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Season 8
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Episode 2
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26:25
Here's What I've Learned After Three Years in Business
Welcome back to Here's What I Learned! We’re kicking off Season 8 with a solo episode (because apparently, I like talking to myself). It’s been two years since I started this podcast, and I’m reflecting on the lessons I’ve lea...
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Season 8
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Episode 1
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15:08
Season 8 Trailer
Season 8 is coming soon!I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for eight seasons, but here we are! Here’s What I Learned is back, and this season brings more of the real, no-fluff conversations you love—plus some new twists...
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2:39
Season 7 Wrap-Up: Lessons in Authenticity, Alignment, and Thriving in Business
In this special wrap-up episode, I’m reflecting on the biggest lessons from Season 7 of Here’s What I Learned. This season was all about authenticity, alignment, and building businesses that don’t just work—but work for you. F...
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Season 7
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Episode 18
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6:24
Crafting a Brand That Feels Like You with Rachel Lee
In this episode, I chat with Rachel Lee, an artist and brand stylist, about her journey from following traditional branding playbooks to creating a business that’s truly her own. Rachel shares how she transitioned from long, exhausting branding...
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Season 7
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Episode 17
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28:55
Trusting Your Intuition in Business with Lauri Smith
In this episode, I talk with Lauri Smith, speaker and creator of the Vocal Presence Path, about embracing intuition in business. Lauri shares how joining a marketing program that didn’t sit right led her to rethink her approach and shift her co...
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Season 7
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Episode 16
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26:27
Aligning Your Business with Your Strengths with Rosemarie Callender
In this episode, I chat with Rosemarie Callender, a podcast coach and launch strategist, about her journey from following cookie-cutter business advice to building a business that truly aligns with her strengths and preferences. Rosemarie share...
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Season 7
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Episode 15
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35:39
Creating a Life You Love (One Trip at a Time) with Sue Almonte
In this episode, I’m joined by Sue Almonte, a passionate traveler who’s made the leap from traditional business roles to carving out a space in travel-related entrepreneurship. Sue gets real about the ups and downs of experimenting in business ...
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Season 7
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Episode 14
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23:16
Self Trust and Owning Your Expertise with Steph Wharton
In today's episode, I'm talking with Steph Wharton, leadership and visibility coach. Steph shares the transformative power of trusting yourself in business decisions. She also dives into how going all-in on your own choices, rather than getting...
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Season 7
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Episode 13
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30:09
Do the Weird Shit Only You Can Do with Tracy Stanger
In today's episode, I talk with Tracy Stanger, an anti-hustle business coach about the importance of doing business in the most you way. Tracy shares her journey from a 9-5 job to running her own business and working 10 hours per week. She also...
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Season 7
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Episode 12
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24:07
Connecting Locally with Bailey Caswell
In today's episode, Bailey Caswell and I discussed her journey from managing a real estate office to starting her own business. Bailey shares how she finds fulfillment working with local businesses and nonprofits. She highlights the challenges ...
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Season 7
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Episode 11
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25:59
Unaligned Clients and Lessons Learned with Jillian O'Keefe
In today's episode, Jillian and I discussed setting boundaries in business while balancing personal life and prioritizing self-care. Jillian shared her personal journey of learning to recognize and communicate her boundaries, while I talked abo...
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Season 7
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Episode 10
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24:43
Entrepreneurship, Burnout, and Balance with Katie Carson
In today's episode, Katie Carson and I talk about the importance of prioritizing self-care and mindset in business, emphasizing the need to recognize one's worth and take care of oneself. We also discuss the challenges of balancing work and per...
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Season 7
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Episode 9
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31:04
Failure is Required with Patricia Sung
In today's episode, I talk with Patricia Sung about the challenges and benefits of starting a business as people with ADHD. Patricia share the importance of seeking support and finding a balance between flexibility and structure when running a ...
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Season 7
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Episode 8
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29:36
Infusing Ethos into Your Business with Becky Bullard
In today's episode, Becky Bullard and I sit down to a conversation about prioritizing community needs in business decision-making. We also talk about the challenges of balancing creativity and financial sustainability in entrepreneurship, highl...
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23:53
Experiencing Grief in Business with Sarah K. Heeter
In today's episode, I talk with Sarah K. Heeter about the importance of prioritizing self-trust, emotional resilience, and emotional intelligence in business. We also discuss the various forms of grief entrepreneurs may experience and the impor...
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Season 7
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Episode 6
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42:34
Running a Location Independent Business with Bridget Baker
In today's episode, Bridget Baker and I talk about the challenges of conforming to traditional business norms, balancing work and life, and creating personalized processes in your business. We also chat about the importance of giving ourselves ...
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Season 7
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Episode 5
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29:59
Embracing Creativity and Unpredictability with Kelli Perrault
In today's episode, I talk with digital illustrator, Kelli Perrault, about the value of embracing creativity and unpredictability in both business and life. We share our experiences with navigating unpredictable situations and Kelli share her p...
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Season 7
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Episode 4
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28:31
Rolling Dice & Making Business Fun with Amanda Gold
In today's episode, Amanda Gold and I discussed redefining professionalism and business success beyond traditional norms. I shared her experiences with trusting intuition and partnership, while Amanda highlighted the value of collaboration and ...
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Season 7
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Episode 3
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33:02
Setting Boundaries with Ariana Rodriguez
In today's episode, Ariana Rodriguez and I talk about setting boundaries in your business and how tech can help you uphold those boundaries. Ariana is on a mission to empower BIWOC-led, mission-driven companies. Providing C-suite level support ...
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Season 7
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Episode 2
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26:05
Business Strategy and Values Alignment with Frenchie Ferenczi
In today's episode, Growth Strategist Frenchie Ferenczi talks with me about her wants for what she thought she "should" do, aligning her business decisions with her values, and building a business where scaling isn't the most important goal or ...
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Season 7
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Episode 1
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24:57