The Cost of Ambition in the Age of Innovation with Dr. Naketa Ren Thigpen

Most systems focus on output, not connection. On this episode of Balance Boldly, we explore why innovation that ignores intimacy comes at a high cost. “We’ve made it normal to disconnect from ourselves just to stay relevant,” but that disconnection costs far more than it returns.

If innovation erodes your relationships, it’s not true innovation. “Growth that breaks trust isn’t strategy, it’s avoidance.” Intimacy is more than a romantic notion, it’s a practical and foundational tool for ALL of the relationships you create, from the bedroom to the boardroom. Being present helps you lead better, make smarter decisions, and scale with integrity.

This episode is for leaders ready to embrace connection as a core driver of sustainable success.

Follow the BBP here on this app for bold, authentic conversations that empower you to build impact and balance on your own terms.

Want to dive a bit deeper into the ThigPro Community?

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Where Balance Meets Brilliance and Intimacy Fuels Innovation.

Subscribe: https://rebrand.ly/ThigPro-Quo

Innovation is leading the way but intimacy remains essential. On this episode of Balance Boldly, host Dr. Naketa Ren Thigpen explores the true cost of ambition in today’s fast-changing world. As Dr. Thigpen says, “The world rewards motion. But the overachievers I work with are tired of spinning.”

This conversation explains why ambition that costs your peace or your people is simply too expensive. From optimizing relationships to building strong relationship infrastructure, this episode is for founders and leaders who are done pretending. Balance Boldly exists because success without self is a lie. These are real conversations about creating lives and businesses that energize you instead of draining you.

If you’re trying to balance the demands of innovation with the need for real human connection, this episode delivers clear, honest insights so you can lead with heart and sanity. It’s time to stop paying for ambition with your peace of mind.

Key themes include:

• How to balance innovation with intimacy in leadership
• Rethinking ambition beyond constant motion
• Practical strategies for growing relationships in business and life
• Candid talk for imperfect, courageous founders and leaders

Follow the BBP here on this app for bold, authentic conversations that empower you to build impact and balance on your own terms.

Want to dive a bit deeper into the ThigPro Community?

Enter ThigPro Quo

Where Balance Meets Brilliance and Intimacy Fuels Innovation.

Subscribe: https://rebrand.ly/ThigPro-Quo

Our next guest has a unique perspective on the modern workplace. Known as The Job Doctor and go-to career coach for Gen Z and Millennials, Tessa White’s insights on how to navigate complicated relationships at work while building your career are exploding on social media. Today, on the BBP, host Naketa Ren Thigpen sits down with Tessa White to discuss how you can heal and thrive through stillness.

What to expect in today's BBP episode:

-Bonds of Connection that can help those close to you heal and thrive

-The gift that comes from being still and listening to your heart

-Why Conflict Can Be a Good Thing & How to Use It To Fuel Growth

-The #1 Action That Builds Trust: Disagreeing...

*by understanding each other’s perspective, we grow our respect for our differences, which grows respect in our overall relationship

More about Tessa White

Tessa White is a Fortune 50 Executive with more than 25 years’ experience in Human Capital Resources. Her formidable insights struck a chord on TikTok and Instagram, garnering more than one million followers in two years.

Contact Tessa White

https://thejobdoctor.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jobdoctortessa/

https://www.tiktok.com/@jobdoctortessa

The Book: The Unspoken Truths For Career Success

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On the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa Ren Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout, navigate relationship hurdles, and what overall work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional personal development podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily.

If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, or your favorite podcast app to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.

Now Go! Enjoy the balance of your day, but remember, do it, BOLDLY!

Thank you for listening!

In this episode of the Balance Boldly Podcast, we unlock part three of the Alignment Exit Series with Naketa Ren Thigpen, uncovering how stress silently erodes personal and professional connections. Targeting ambitious women in business and a few brave men, Naketa highlights how unexpressed emotions and unresolved conflicts generate stress, leading to relationship rifts. With mindfulness and body scanning techniques, she shows listeners how to realign and assess relationships to combat burnout energetically. This episode emphasizes the power of honest communication and humility in offering help and fostering healthier, authentic connections that enhance creativity, leadership, and professional success.

Time Stamps:

00:00 How mindfulness helps to reduce social strain.

03:18 Navigating social conflicts.

07:42 Address issues when necessary; avoid frustration.

10:49 Body awareness meditation guide.

13:51 Seal conversations with affirmations.

17:13 Why your isolation is affecting the people around you.

Balance Boldly For Ambitious Women In Business featured in FeedSpot Top 70 Women In Business Podcasts. Thank you, Feedspot, for recognizing the BBP as #16 on this year's list of Top Women in Business Podcasts worth listening to! We appreciate you.

Personal Note from Naketa:

The conversation doesn't stop here; come chat with me over on @naketarenthigpen Substack.

I take you deeper with unfiltered reflections, the behind-the-scenes thought process, and the real-world application of everything we unpacked here.

Pull up a chair, pour a cup (or glass, no judgment here), and let's talk work, life, love, growth, (and) how to sustain it without losing your mogul-in-the-making mind.

More on the BBP:

Introducing Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women in Business (and a few brave men) with Naketa Ren Thigpen—a transformative podcast for founders & leaders who believe that building a legacy is as much about WHO you build it with as HOW you build it.

Unlike our latest amazing podcast, The Lazy Overachiever Show, which challenges norms around self-care and growth strategies, Balance Boldly, dubbed the BBP, emphasizes the deep connections and intentional work-life balance and relationship management strategies that form the foundation for lasting impact. Amplifying the power of intimacy by demonstrating how success in the boardroom is deeply intertwined with the energy you cultivate in your personal life.

On this show and in Naketa's everyday life, she's sharing how prioritized mental health with non-negotiable boundaries and strong relationship health help to collapse time, while rippling joy across generations.

Your Review Matters!

Listen & Leave a review on Apple Podcast: https://rebrand.ly/BalanceBoldly-ApplePodcasts

Listen & Leave a review on Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/BalanceBoldly-Spotify

Check out our latest podcast, The Lazy Overachiever Show, your haven away from the hustle. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app to gain insights into the benefits of balancing achievement with well-deserved...

In this episode of the BBP, host Naketa Ren Thigpen chats with Ashley Stanford, a digital marketing consultant and freelance expert with over 15 years of experience. This episode explores Ashley's path from career burnout to achieving balance and fulfillment. She discusses using tools like Danielle Laporte's "The Desire Map" to identify core desired feelings and the importance of setting clear boundaries in personal and professional life. Ashley shares her wisdom on juggling multiple roles, including being EVP of Client Strategy at TicketSocket and the VP and co-founder of Ice Cream Social, without losing oneself. The conversation is inspiring and practical, making it a must-listen for ambitious individuals seeking harmony.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Ambitious women's goals and responsibilities.

09:42 Embracing temporary sacrifices for future freedom.

11:35 Overcoming setbacks leads to significant achievements.

14:34 How boundaries enhance productivity and mental well-being.

18:24 Navigating life changes: parenting, avoiding burnout.

23:29 Prioritizing personal joy and self-care first.

More about Ashley Stanford

Meet Ashley Stanford, a digital marketing consultant with 15+ years of experience! She excels in creating strategic marketing plans and optimizing tactics, primarily in the events & entertainment sector, with additional expertise in healthcare and fintech. Ashley is the EVP of Client Strategy at TicketSocket and Vice President and Co-Founder of Ice Cream Social, a widget that enhances websites by driving word-of-mouth marketing and gathering valuable first-party data. Supported by Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech since 2022, Ashley's extensive background in digital marketing roles equips her with unmatched skills in customer acquisition, email, search, and content marketing.

Follow Ashley Stanford:

Ice Cream Social Website: https://icecreamsocial.io/

TicketSocket Website: https://ticketsocket.com/

Ashley LinkedIn: ashcline

Personal Note from Naketa:

The conversation doesn't stop here, come chat with me over on @naketarenthigpen Substack.

I take you deeper with unfiltered reflections, the behind-the-scenes thought process, and the real-world application of everything we unpacked here.

Pull up a chair, pour a cup (or glass, no judgement here) and let's talk work, life, love, growth, (and) how to sustain it without losing your mogul-in-the-making mind.

More on the BBP:

Introducing Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women in Business (and a few brave men) with Naketa Ren Thigpen—a transformative podcast for founders & leaders who believe that building a legacy is as much about WHO you build it with as HOW you build it.

Unlike our latest amazing podcast, The Lazy Overachiever Show, which challenges norms around self-care and growth strategies, Balance Boldly, dubbed the BBP, emphasizes the deep connections and intentional work-life balance and relationship management strategies that form the foundation for lasting impact. Amplifying the power of intimacy by demonstrating how success in the boardroom is deeply intertwined with the energy you cultivate in your personal life.

On this show (and) in Naketa's everyday life, she's sharing how prioritized mental health with non-negotiable boundaries and strong relationship health help to collapse time, while rippling joy across generations....

Does anyone else have a million things to do everyday and find that the things that used to work for you like, your old unapologetic pause is just not helping you pause anymore? And your physical, emotional and or mental health are not quite 100%? What about that activity that helped you take a breather but is now taking every breath you have, and leading you down the road to health issues instead of a healthy body?

You might also wonder: Is it OK to be selfish? Yes, it absolutely is. Because your mental health matters more than anything else. Prioritize your health and well-being at all times.

In this podcast, we get serious about Me-Time and shake the shame of being Selfish! What does being selfish look like for you?

Subscribe, REVIEW, Share & Balance Boldly

On the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa Ren Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout, navigate relationship hurdles, and what overall work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional personal development podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily.

If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, or your favorite podcast app to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.

If you want to dive deeper into personal development topics shared on the BBP (Balance Boldly Podcast) and get the “how-to” for implementing and infusing these tools, connect on LinkedIn so you get notifications for the Live Fully LinkedIn LIVESTREAMS held first and second Wednesday at 12pm EST (as long as I’m not selfishly vacationing and intentionally refueling) 😊

Order a paperback copy of my survivor memoir and personal transformational story for yourself or a friend. Selfish: Permission to Pause, Live, Love and Laugh Your Way to Joy at Barnes & Nobles, Bookshop.org or anywhere books are found.

Now Go! Enjoy the balance of your day, but remember, do it, BOLDLY!

Thank you for listening!

Naketa Ren Thigpen is a Balance (and) Relationship Advisor activating power couples (and) potent humans ready to self-actualize wholeness |Architect of Intentionally Selfish Suite Incubator- Training & Certification for Women Entrepreneurs| Podcast Host & Transformational Speaker. Interested in learning more, visit www.thigpro.com

Ready to activate joy in work/life (and LOVE), enjoy this Complimentary Masterclass at asknaketa.com

In this episode of the Balance Boldly Podcast, we step behind-the-scenes on why the boldest are embracing their inner lazy overachiever to create true balance personally (and) professionally.

Taking a personal dive by addressing feedback received from the BBP listeners who have expressed a desire for more of my professional insights, a new complimentary podcast will be airing soon and I couldn’t be more excited. Podcasting since 2012 before it was “cool” has taught me a thing or two about embracing all your parts, the new videocast style show is my way of sharing one more of mine out loud.

The BBP aka Balance Boldly for Ambitious Women in Business (and a few brave men) is here to stay! The TLO aka The Lazy Overachiever is our new addition, and you’ll want to subscribe to both.

What to expect in today's BBP episode:

- Introducing the new podcast: who are The Lazy Overachievers and why should you care

- Why being “intentionally selfish” is not about being led by your ego

- The importance of honoring your rest as much as your productivity

- BTS about the TLO show and how it will differ from the BBP

- How vulnerability and honesty still matter in the 21st century

Subscribe, REVIEW, Share & Balance Boldly

On the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa Ren Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout, navigate relationship hurdles, and what overall work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional personal development podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily.

If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, or your favorite podcast app to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.

Now Go! Enjoy the balance of your day, but remember, do it, BOLDLY!

Thank you for listening!

Follow on Instagram with me at @asknaketa

Connect on LinkedIn at Naketa Ren Thigpen

Our next guest isn’t just passionate about transforming relationships, he’s ignited highest when he can help couples transform fast! Jon Dabach is a couples counselor and relationship coach, known as Mr. Spirituality by clients and followers of his engaging podcast, Relationship Revival. Today, Jon is in the studio with host, Naketa Ren Thigpen to talk about complacency in your relationships and career path and the ripples that are created when you lean in and choose to be happy.

Get ready to be inspired! Tune in now.

What to expect in today's BBP episode:

- How happiness is connected to doing what you love doing most

- A reminder of how impactful your purpose is for the next generation

- Why it’s important to dress up for date night

- The benefit of speaking in your partners love language

- Bringing passion back into your relationship can be as easy as 1,2,3

- Bonus>>Why men should plan all the date nights moving forward…

Contact Jon Dabach

https://mrspirituality.com

https://facebook.com/mrspirituality

Subscribe, REVIEW, Share & Balance Boldly

On the Balance Boldly Podcast, host Naketa Ren Thigpen talks with ambitious women in business (and a few brave men) from a wide array of industries about their pursuit of success, how they face business burnout, navigate relationship hurdles, and what overall work/life balance looks like for them. Not your conventional personal development podcast, Balance Boldly uncovers real solutions to real problems afflicting real people at home and in the workplace, daily.

If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, or your favorite podcast app to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review.

Now Go! Enjoy the balance of your day, but remember, do it, BOLDLY!

Thank you for listening!