192 | Fluff and Fold

Shelley Brown is a keynote speaker, artist, and former hospitality pro who has built a career by challenging the status quo with heart and humor. After decades navigating buttoned-up boardrooms and high-stakes sales, she ditched the script to help leaders embrace imperfection, foster belonging, and lead like actual humans. Susan and Shelley talk about legacy, leadership, and the Dead. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🎤 The surprising first step to becoming a paid speaker 🪞 How self-awareness fuels stronger leadership 💥 The difference between being real and being unfiltered 💡 What “Rebel Leadership” actually looks like in practice 📉 Why data won’t fix your culture—but conversation might 🫶 A fresh way to think about purpose (hint: it’s not always profound)