Bound & Determined℠ with Meg McKeen

In this live conversation recorded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the first sold-out stop on the podcast tour, Meg sits down with Jen DeGeorge, senior client manager at Hausman Group, a two-time national customer service award winner, and an energetic voice working towards the life she wants to lead. Together, Jen unpacks a year of putting herself out there, including the gut instinct that pulled her towards her next steps in her personal and professional journey. Themes in this episode include trusting your gut, envisioning your dream career and then watching it come to fruition, reframing “selfish” as choosing yourself, the self...

As a human behavior scientist, workers’ compensation strategist, and professor, Dr. Claire Muselman brings one incredibly honest conversation about people, pain, and purpose to the podcast. Recorded live in Des Moines, Dr. Claire shares how growing up in the foster care system helped shape her mission to make people feel seen, heard, and valued, and that she’s never felt shame about sharing her story. She explains why people respond to how they feel before what they know, why “soft skills” are a business strategy, and what leadership should require, accountability, respect, and the courage to speak up. Dr. Claire s...

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 sel...

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 answ...

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...

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 i...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 To...

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...

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 Me...

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...

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...

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 h...

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...

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...

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...

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 insu...

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...

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 bub...

In this special live experience, host Meg McKeen welcomes consultant and industry icon Deb Smallwood to the podcast, where Deb shares more about her own leadership journey, and how she's supporting women navigating their own leadership today through her SELFPOWERMENT framework. If, out of frustration or hope or despair you've ever asked yourself the question "Why Not Me?" this conversation is for you.

Meet Deb Smallwood

Deb Smallwood is a trailblazing executive and visionary leader on a mission to empower women to become SelfPowered—to embrace their authentic human-being, unlock their inner powers, and thrive in...

In this special crossover experience, Bound & Determined℠ host Meg McKeen and Megan Bell of InsHER, come together for an open, honest conversation about purpose, community, and the power of sharing women's stories. With deep respect for one another’s work, we reflect on what it means to create space for women in the insurance industry, why collaboration matters more than ever, and how podcasting has transformed the way they show up as leaders, listeners, and women.

Meet Megan Bell

Megan Bell leads marketing, communications, and customer experience at Falvey Insurance Group, bringing over eight years of i...

Skylar Romines joins host Meg McKeen for a conversation recorded during an intimate gathering of women in insurance in Irvine, California, on the Bound & Determined℠ Live in 2025 tour. Skylar reflects on the uncertainty, growth, and knowing that started with the choice she made to redefine her most essential relationships - with work and career, with those closest to her, and with herself. Thanks for being with me in Irvine, Skylar!

Meet Skylar Romines

Skylar is the founder and owner of ATW Advisors, an insurance consulting firm specializing in working with commercial real estate owners and de...

Jenn Walsh joins host Meg McKeen for a conversation recorded during an intimate gathering of women in insurance in Palo Alto, California, on the Bound & Determined℠ Live in 2025 tour. Jenn reflects on her relationship with ambiguity and the earliest days in her career in employee benefits - and the ways she's showing up now, as a business owner and advocate, as well as a mentor - and a mom. Thanks for being with me in San Francisco, Jenn!

Meet Jenn Walsh

Jenn Walsh is an insurance industry enthusiast who wants people to thrive at all ph...

Tracey Heeter Allen joins host Meg McKeen for a conversation recorded during an intimate gathering of women in insurance in Portland, Oregon, on the Bound & Determined℠ Live in 2025 tour. Tracey reflects on her decision to pivot - in her life and career - when, after processing the way she experienced the pandemic, as well as a health challenge, and a reprioritization of her core values overall, she started the consultancy that she works in today. Thanks for being with me in Portland, Tracey!

Meet Tracey Heeter Allen

After a 30+ year career in the employee benefits fi...

Elisha Cavanaugh joins host Meg McKeen for a conversation recorded during an intimate gathering of women in insurance in Seattle on the Bound & Determined℠ Live in 2025 tour. Elisha reflects on her journey into insurance agency ownership - and as an empathetic leader - a quality that is very much in demand today. We chat about the inverse relationship between our desire to take risks and our age, the reasons we hesitate to ask for help, and the glorification of overwork that is rampant in our industry. Thanks for being with me in Seattle, Elisha!

Meet Elisha Cavanaugh

Kay Martin joins host Meg McKeen for a conversation recorded during an intimate gathering of women in insurance in Missoula, Montana on the Bound & Determined℠ Live in 2025 tour. Kay reflects on burnout - and the private struggle many claims professionals are experiencing today - as well as her experience leading an intergenerational team today. We chat about feeling pigeon-holed in our area of expertise and share more about learning to trust your gut. Thanks for being with me in Montana, Kay!

Meet Kay Martin

An expert in carrier claims processes, Kay joined HUB International as th...

Michelle Raue joins host Meg McKeen for a conversation recorded during an intimate gathering of women in insurance in Nashville on the Bound & Determined℠ Live in 2025 tour. Michelle reflects on aging - and ageism - and the wisdom she's gleaned throughout her career - and life. Michelle is witty and she is honest - and together we share about our mutual distaste for networking - at least in the traditional sense - and unite in our support for more mental health support in the workplace. Thanks for sharing this experience with us in Nashville, Michelle!

Meet Michelle Ra...

Tinsley English joins host Meg McKeen for a conversation recorded during an intimate gathering of women in insurance during the Atlanta stop on the Bound & Determined℠ Live in 2025 tour. Tinsley reflects on the notions of resilience - and reinvention - as we align our career with our purpose – and how to identify your purpose if you’re not sure, and we chat more about journey many women are on today as they navigate menopause. As only she can do, Tinsley provides actionable wisdom with honesty and heart throughout. Thanks for joining me in Atlanta, Tinsley!

Meet Tinsley Englis...

Diane Wagner joins host Meg McKeen for a conversation recorded during an intimate gathering of women in insurance during the Charlotte stop on the Bound & Determined℠ Live in 2025 tour. Diane reflects on her earliest days in insurance, the urgency she felt to find success - and the lengths she'd go to find it - and what that success looks like for her today. We talk about money - it's not easy, but it's necessary as women plan for their own financial futures. Thank you for joining me in Charlotte, Diane!

Meet Diane Wagner

Diane Wagner is...

Heather Stoffer joins host Meg McKeen for a conversation recorded in front of a live audience during Ohio Insurance Agent's 2025 LeadHERship Collective. Heather describes her career like a hurricane: Hurricane Heather took a few sharp turns – from her service in the Air Force into municipal government and manufacturing, before she fell – or was she pulled? - into insurance four years ago. As she’s grown in her career and her life, Heather’s core values, rooted in the same values she learned during her experience in the Air Force, have shaped her beliefs and her decision-making.

Meet Heather...

Listen in as host Meg McKeen is joined in conversation with Adrienne Lieberthal. Together we chat through the decision Adrienne and her husband recently made – for him to leave his job and become the primary caregiving parent, and how they got there. We share more about what it looks like to thrive in values aligned relationships – both personal and professional – and the first step you can take to get there - if that’s what you need to hear today.

Meet Adrienne Lieberthal

Adrienne Lieberthal is the CEO of ATHENA Actuarial Consulting, an actuary, business leader...

Did you choose insurance or did insurance choose you? Listen in as host Meg McKeen is joined in conversation with Whitnee Dillard and we go to the way, way back, sharing more about our insurance career origin stories - and the responsibility we have as professionals here to support the next generation as they find their own place in the industry.

Meet Whitnee Dillard

Whitnee Dillard is the executive director for Invest - a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to educating, preparing, and attracting diverse new talent to exciting insurance opportunities and career paths. Whitnee's own...

What if we aren't climbing career ladders but playing career hopscotch instead? Listen in as host Meg McKeen is joined in conversation with Laura Rauba - a conversation sparked by this very question. Laura shares more about the sense of curiosity that led to her latest career move and how timing - and knowing yourself - really is everything when we're deciding which part of our life will be our priority - and how that priority can change.

Meet Laura Rauba

Laura has been with The Hartford since 2020 and has been involved in the industry...

Listen to a recording of Bound & Determined℠ Live in Phoenix, where podcast host Meg McKeen was joined in conversation by Elissa Kelly. Recorded in front of a live audience, Elissa shares more about her definition of success - and how it's changed over time - and the choice she made to shift her perspective from employee to business owner.

Meet Elissa Kelly

Elissa Kelly is a solopreneur business coach who guides experienced business leaders as they transition from corporate roles into thriving, strategic, risk-savvy solopreneurs. She is also the Founder and CEO of Surya Partners, a...

Listen to a recording of Bound & Determined℠ Live in Columbus, where podcast host Meg McKeen was joined in conversation by Ash Fitzsimmons. Recorded in front of a live audience, Ash shares more about her journey to motherhood and the challenge it can be to ask for help. We talk about fear and change - and the importance of honoring where we are in each moment.

Meet Ash Fitzsimmons

Ashley Fitzsimmons: Millennial. Beyonce of Insurance. Director of Professional Development & autoimmune disease badass (both literally & figuratively).

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Listen to a recording of Bound & Determined℠ Live in Cincinnati, where podcast host Meg McKeen was joined in conversation by Colleen Heister-Miles. Recorded in front of a live audience, we share about imposter syndrome, loneliness - even when in community - a scarcity mindset and the chance we have to honor the past while we create a different future.

Meet Colleen Heister-Miles

A Cincinnati native, after several years on the carrier side of the insurance business, Colleen moved her focus to her family’s insurance agency in Cincinnati, where she has worked for the last 16 year...

Host Meg McKeen welcomes Adrienne Fazi to the podcast to share more about her experience as an advocate for breastfeeding - and for women as they advocate for what's right for them. A subject Meg admittedly knows little about, listen as we talk through the option that is deeply personal for women, and can come with challenges in the workplace. Free from shame or judgment, Adrienne shares her recommendations for employers supporting breastfeeding women. This isn't a conversation for those who are breastfeeding - it's for the rest of us.

Meet Adrienne Fazi

Adrienne Fazi...