This week, Lorie Jones sits down with Laura Nardella, a dynamic sales leader recognized for her trailblazing journey in digital advertising at groundbreaking companies like MTV, Hulu, Spotify, and Reddit—a path marked by intentional choices, personal reinvention, and radical honesty about the realities women face in male-dominated industries.
Listen to Laura open up about the pressures of exhaustion culture, the pivotal power of setting boundaries, and how a major health scare reshaped her approach to leadership and life. She highlights the importance of flexibility not just as a parental perk but as a human right, the value of learning from mistakes, and the vital role of owning your individual path.
If you’re craving an honest conversation about ambition, authenticity, and building a career on your own terms, get ready—this episode is for you. Let’s get started!
Show Highlights:
- The power of nonlinear paths to resilient, intentional careers. [05:14]
- How curiosity drives careers, including what’s next with AI. [06:21]
- Should we deliberately pursue digital over traditional media? [09:09]
- Why boundaries are the first best investment to make in life. [12:01]
- The danger of overwork and how to model unplugging as a leader. [16:02]
- Learn a 2-minute trick to transform regret into learning. [20:56]
- The value of celebrating small wins in team culture. [23:27]
- What a financial advisor can do for your future and freedom. [24:11]
- Is flexibility just for working moms or a common human need? [27:49]
- Silver linings in Laura’s recovery from breast cancer and advocacy. [29:58]
- Three pearls of wisdom for young women from a fearless female. [32:49]
Laura Nardella welcomes your questions at laurajanenardella@gmail.com.
If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts and leave a review!
For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females.
00:01.46
Lorie Jones
Good morning, fearless females. So today we have Laura Nardella, and she is a sales leader. And I’m so excited to get to chat with her. She’s had some I’ve had a chance to talk with her just a little bit beforehand. And she’s just got some really great ideas. So I’m excited for your story. Laura, thank you for joining us.
00:20.22
Laura Nardella
Thank you, Lori, for having me. I’m a fan of the podcast and a listener. I’m looking forward to chatting with you today.
00:28.63
Lorie Jones
So my first question is um making my book list. I have someone who says, I’ve got two stacks of books in the back of my room this high that I haven’t read. And that’s kind of where I’m at. But I still keep asking it because it’s my favorite question. I’m a reader. What is your favorite book?
00:48.02
Laura Nardella
Okay, so this is one I think you should move to the top of that pile.
00:51.89
Lorie Jones
OK.
00:51.98
Laura Nardella
It’s called a House in the Sky. It’s by Amanda Linhout and Sarah Corbett. And it’s about a woman and a man actually who are held hostage in Somalia.
01:03.70
Lorie Jones
Oh.
01:03.82
Laura Nardella
It’s certainly not a beach read, but it’s all a true story and live recount. um And it was one of those books I read about 10 years ago and still sticks with me as my favorite. It’s one of those stories where you leave being like, wow, I can’t believe that actually happened. um I’m a big nonfiction fan myself. It seems to keep my attention. So more of that came from, but put it on your list.
01:29.60
Lorie Jones
Oh yeah, that does sound really interesting. I read one um several years ago, like 10 years ago, that was kind of along the same lines. And it just has stuck with me so vividly for so many years that that another good suggestion in that same genre sounds amazing.
01:47.12
Laura Nardella
Oh, can you tell me what that is?
01:48.89
Lorie Jones
um I always forget the name of it, but I’ll tell you what, I will post it and I will send you a link afterwards because it was really, really So…
01:57.43
Laura Nardella
Perfect.
01:58.55
Lorie Jones
So tell me a little bit about your journey. How did you get where you’re at? Did you always know what you wanted to be? How did you, was it a straight path? um What are you kind of doing now? What amazing things are you putting out in the world? Who are you? Tell us just a little bit about you, Laura.
02:14.26
Laura Nardella
Yeah. so I would say my path has been a little bit accidental and a little bit intentional all at the same time, probably as many people can relate. And I’ve built a career in digital advertising, really leading sales and account management teams at fast growing tech companies. um i Some consider me a glutton for punishment.
02:39.34
Laura Nardella
I like getting in the ground early and helping build and be able to see the forest through the trees. So, um, you know, I think if you look at my resume, my LinkedIn, it looks very traditional with promotions and bigger roles and more responsibility kind of moving my way up the ladder.
02:52.63
Lorie Jones
Thank
02:56.91
Laura Nardella
But, um, I think the success is not just in the numbers, but really about the people that I’ve met and the relationships that I’ve built and kind of the resilience that I’ve faced along the way. um So I’ve had certainly had moments that have felt really hard and navigated a lot of organizational changes and tough markets and more recently some personal challenges that have really forced me to rethink balance and how I show up.
03:26.23
Laura Nardella
in the workday. But what I would think has gotten me there is a curious mindset, um not being afraid to evolve and pivot and raise my hand when i have questions or, you know,
03:39.77
Laura Nardella
but something doesn’t feel right or i want more responsibility. So um yeah, I would say what I’m doing now is a lot of exploring of what’s next. I actually just recently completed an AI course um that I found really interesting. And i think it made me aware that there’s still so much to explore. and I’m really curious about how AI is going to help accelerate sales I really don’t think it’s here to take jobs.
04:08.05
Laura Nardella
I think it’s here to make us smarter and more efficient.
04:12.58
Lorie Jones
Yeah. Yeah. That’s always interesting. I’m looking into like the AI space as well and doing a lot of research and and development. I like to get in and make things work. And then when they don’t work, then I ask the questions, okay, how come it’s not working and how do I make it work? So I get that idea of curiosity. So did you go to school to be ah a tech person or a salesperson or what?
04:37.27
Laura Nardella
Yeah, that’s a good question. No. So my degree is in public relations and promotional marketing. and I think when I was an undergrad, I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do.
04:49.26
Laura Nardella
i knew that that field and that space interests me.
04:49.66
Lorie Jones
Hmm.
04:52.94
Laura Nardella
um And then I was lucky enough right out of school to get my first job at MTV, which at the time was so fun. You know, it was like in the days of the hills and and all those shows and kind of the digital movement. um And I loved it so much. And I was hired actually as a temporary, I was covering a mat leave for three months. So it was a contract role. And then i was hired on full time. So a little bit of right place, right time and a little bit of, you know, proving myself in that short period. Yeah.
05:26.17
Laura Nardella
And then over a time, I realized, one, I really liked it, and two, I was good at it. So I kind of started as an assistant and moved my way to a planner account management, sales, and then eventually into people leadership. So um it’s it’s been the opportunity to kind of see where the trends are heading and get in at the ground early at companies like Hulu and Spotify and Reddit. And so it’s it’s been fun.
05:55.12
Lorie Jones
Oh, that’s so cool. so So how did you go from, it’s just like kind of you were on like the the front range air the front lines of the industries you were in. And so MTV was kind of new and fresh back then. Now it’s maybe not. to be But ah then you just kind of went into other other tech areas.
06:22.36
Laura Nardella
Yeah, exactly. So I knew I wanted to um take the digital route. Some people stay in ad sales for linear or TV. um And I knew that wasn’t what I wanted to do.
06:34.76
Laura Nardella
And so it took a look at like what industries are popping from connected TV back when I worked at Hulu. It it isn’t what it is today to online streaming.
06:45.91
Laura Nardella
I was one of the first U.S. employees at Spotify before the company even launched in the U S so that was such a fun experience. I remember sitting in a Starbucks with my phone, just Skyping.
06:59.15
Laura Nardella
If you remember Skype people in Sweden, some of them weren’t even speaking fluent English and just trying to, you know, get the office off the ground and it really paid off.
07:09.22
Laura Nardella
And um so that’s kind of my, my superpower, if you will, is just trying to understand like what’s going to be the next hot ticket and how do I find my way in?
07:21.24
Laura Nardella
So um yeah, it’s, it’s been interesting.
07:22.17
Lorie Jones
Yeah.
07:25.18
Lorie Jones
That’s just what I was going to ask. Like, how did you know what the next big thing was? It’s just a talent like your spidey sense is telling you.
07:33.88
Laura Nardella
I always have prided myself on having a good intuition. um that Spotify in particular, one my old bosses brought me over and it was just kind of a little bit of blind faith and trust.
07:46.17
Laura Nardella
And then as I matured in the business, started to do my homework and started to network and understand like what’s what’s going to happen. Like for example, when I went to Reddit, it was a 15 year old company that looked like Craigslist. But as they started to launch,
08:01.40
Laura Nardella
the ad sales team, i knew how much power there was in the reach and the content on the site and just leaning in into, you know, faith that it was going to be cleaned up and we were going to get the right products. And I was going to be part of setting that vision and hiring the right people. And, um, yeah, it it was fun to see a company go from virtually zero ad revenue to taking them public a couple of years ago. so all big learning experiences along the way. and And when I left Reddit, it certainly didn’t look how it did when i started, but that’s part of the fun of the ride.
08:39.83
Lorie Jones
Yeah, yeah. It sounds like a ah sounds like my kind of world, actually. i like turning chaos into calm. you know, like trying to make something that is, is chaotic and big and huge into something that is organized and easy to understand. And, and I love that.
09:00.02
Lorie Jones
um Tell me a little bit about the best investment that you made in yourself. If you can kind of look back over your trajectory and your career, is there anything that you can say, oh my gosh, I’m so glad I did that. It made a huge difference.
09:14.49
Laura Nardella
Yes. Well, first first of all, I was going to say, I think give your new but book title, Chaos and Into Calm, like that if you’re ever to publish yourself.
09:20.00
Lorie Jones
Oh, there you go.
09:24.98
Laura Nardella
um Best investment. Yeah. I mean, look, I could say like coaching or therapy or something like that, but the reality is, is was learning to set proper boundaries. And I think for a long time,
09:39.74
Laura Nardella
what I thought was making me successful was saying yes to everything and being available and being that seller with the highest meeting count or the most revenue or you know, jumping in for all the projects and working day and night, getting up at 6am to work out then taking clients out after work and just bringing the candle at both ends and being fueled off of coffees and bagels and nothing healthy.
09:52.02
Lorie Jones
you
10:02.27
Laura Nardella
Right. But eventually burnout does crouch in and that doesn’t, elevate you. there There’s a point of no return, right? And so ah I think my personal aha moment came last year when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. And it really forced me to slow down and ask myself, like, how do I want to show up? and what kind of human do I want to be? And how does my health play into that? And so that’s when I really started investing in learning how to set boundaries and take my own well-being into account because
10:38.78
Laura Nardella
When you manage your own energy, you show up better for yourself and for other people at work. And, you know, that’s outside of just managing your own calendar and running like a chicken with your head cut off back-to-back meetings and being like, I haven’t had lunch. I haven’t even peed all day, right? Like how many times have I done that? And I realized that’s not showing up as the best version of yourself. So…
11:01.93
Lorie Jones
Yeah, I think that’s a really valuable point that people kind of forget. And women in particular, we we we feel a little bit like superwoman, like we can just do everything.
11:13.32
Lorie Jones
We can say yes to everything and we’ll just find the time somewhere. and um And I think that idea of setting boundaries, like what is my most important priorities?
11:23.74
Laura Nardella
Thank you.
11:24.76
Lorie Jones
And really dialing down on those on those priorities and remembering what they are. Because because i will set them. I will say, okay, these are my top three things.
11:35.91
Lorie Jones
But then something shiny comes along. it like.
11:39.26
Laura Nardella
yeah
11:40.76
Lorie Jones
really good and like maybe I want to do that too and so I’ll just put it in and then something else shiny and pretty soon I’m way over here on the right when I should have been straight in the middle and and like reviewing those those priorities to set your boundaries even for yourself because it you do tend to go in that direction right
12:02.58
Laura Nardella
Definitely. i think everything that you just said is so spot on. And I’m sure so many of your listeners can resonate with that because we, especially as women being good multitaskers, it’s a, it’s a blessing and a curse, right? And I hate that it took something like that for me to learn how to do it properly, but I take it as a silver lining from the experience and just being more self-aware on,
12:30.36
Laura Nardella
you know, what you put into your personal life in terms of recharging the batteries and choosing to do a few things really well, rather than a million things half-assed is I think so much more valuable.
12:45.94
Lorie Jones
Yeah, yeah. i think I think we could probably have a a conference, like a one-day conference ah or one-week conference on all those things, that the ways to kind of keep ourself on track and and deliberately watch our energy. And it it is hard that things that…
13:05.05
Lorie Jones
that we have to have these really hard things come up in our life to remind us what is important. but But it also does remind us what’s important. And so we managed to get back on track again. That’s good.
13:18.90
Laura Nardella
Yeah, absolutely.
13:21.11
Lorie Jones
um What is the worst advice someone gave you? Laura, have you ever gotten some really bad advice and did you take it or did you not?
13:30.49
Laura Nardella
that is a great question. I have certainly been given bad advice. Sometimes you think it’s good advice or you trust the source it’s coming from. um But one particular as it pertains to work is i was once told by an old manager to quote unquote pick up the pace. um And, you know, hindsight’s always 20-20. And this was coming from someone who really was ah a workaholic and a shark seller and lacked the EQ and skill to truly develop people and just thought, you know, back to almost what I was saying before, that grind around the clock is going to lead to more revenue. But at the end of the day, that’s what causes burnout. And so at first I did, and then it it
14:17.85
Laura Nardella
quickly made me realize how fast my cortisol levels were like rising and that I wasn’t ah wasn’t feeling aligned. um I would say it really helps develop and shape my own leadership style because leading by example and tapping into that vulnerability of being able to actually unplug in the evenings or or weekends or when I’m at work on vacation, excuse me, um is allowing me to show up more focused, more energized, and really create that balance that makes me enjoy work and not resent it. Because when I have the time to have dinner with loved ones and go to the gym and and do those things, and I’m at work with bright-eyed and bushy-tailed versus falling behind in life um when you’re just working around the clock and, quote-unquote, picking up the pace,
15:14.10
Laura Nardella
For me, it just, it was terrible advice. so I take that to heart.
15:18.50
Lorie Jones
Yeah. I think that’s really important and something that I actually run into quite a bit is the fact that people will, um you know, they they tell me that their values are such and such and they give me what they are, but they’re spending their money in this way. Or they’re telling me, hey, I value family above all else, but I’m spending 80 hours a week at work with zero vacation time, right? So So like, I think that, i think that’s really important to kind of understand how your values align with the way that you spend your time and, um and keeping it in mind that in order for you to show up at your best, you do need those recharge times. You do need the time to, to focus on what is important to you.
16:06.70
Laura Nardella
Yes. ah I think this is something we all know intellectually, but putting into practice is a muscle that we have to flex. And especially being a people leader, one of your most important roles is to show up how you want your team to show up. And so that’s something that I really take pride in. I don’t like sending emails late at night. There’s always going to be those emergencies, right? Where you’re you’re stuck working after hours, but Aside from that, really taking work as an area of your life and not the way to define your life is what works best for me and what I would recommend for others as well.
16:41.33
Lorie Jones
Thank you.
16:50.58
Lorie Jones
Oh, I so believe in that. And I’m going to tell you, Laura, I did something so great last week. I’m so proud of myself. my um
16:57.82
Laura Nardella
but Tell me.
16:58.78
Lorie Jones
Yes, my ah assistant took the week off and um and she’s pretty accessible most of the time. And so I deliberately tried to you know i didn’t I didn’t email, I didn’t call, i didn’t text, I didn’t talk to her about work-related things for the entire week so she could have the whole week off. And I thought that was you know because she she would jump back into work and for that idea of like,
17:31.22
Lorie Jones
of of showing them the way that the they should be doing it by doing those things yourself. you know So not pulling them back in and expecting them to be on when they’re taking time off to recharge their batteries.
17:44.75
Laura Nardella
Yes, I love that you were aware of that and put it into practice because guess what that That’s why she likes working for you. That’s the type of leaders that people like to follow, you know, and you’re giving her the opportunity to take her space and then come back excited.
18:02.84
Laura Nardella
And I love that you did that. There
18:05.43
Lorie Jones
i was I was proud of myself and I’m going to do even better at it next time.
18:08.12
Laura Nardella
you go.
18:10.61
Laura Nardella
you go
18:12.44
Lorie Jones
So tell me um what about a situation that you can maybe look back on that you’re like, oh, I wish I had a do-over. um Like I’ve learned so much. I would really handle that situation better. Knowing what I know now, I would go back and do it differently. Is there something that you can think of through your journey that was like that?
18:35.29
Laura Nardella
Yeah, there are a lot of things like that. And I like to rather than rather than focus on an example for this, i I want to talk about kind of my POV on the fact that those moments are keys to success and those regrets, if you will, can be lessons. And what I mean by that is like, what I try to do anytime I have,
19:02.58
Laura Nardella
um Maybe i’m it’s an inter interview I’m going on. Maybe it’s um whatever it is, a client meeting.
19:08.17
Lorie Jones
Thank you.
19:09.90
Laura Nardella
I like to do a quick evaluation in real time and say what worked, what didn’t, and what could I have done differently. And the goal of that little exercise is not to beat myself up or focus on the negative and you know shame for, hey, this didn’t go well. But it’s more of like every conversation could go so many different ways. So what are different outcomes and how how could they have gone better? maybe better, maybe not as good. and And practicing that in real time, it only takes two minutes, gives you an opportunity to come to each next opportunity with a little bit more wisdom and clarity. um So that’s generally how I like to look at any situation I might regret. um
19:56.44
Laura Nardella
I would say like,
19:56.50
Lorie Jones
Thank you.
19:58.46
Laura Nardella
With that, it’s all about, am I making progress, right? It doesn’t have to be perfection, but going to that back to that goal of curiosity and authenticity is like, okay, there are little stepping stones along the way, and it’s not going to be one linear straight line, right? And anyone who expects that is setting themselves up for disappointment and just kind of going with it and understanding, like,
20:26.28
Laura Nardella
The more give ourselves and others and receive feedback, the lighter it becomes. And the more we realize it’s just helping us along the way. So I know that wasn’t a specific example, but it’s just the approach I like to take when thinking about those things.
20:41.16
Lorie Jones
Yeah, I like that idea. And I like that you put in there, what did I do well? Because that, you know, like what worked, what I think that a lot of times when you are beating yourself up over those past situations that could have done, you could have done better. You forget to say, well, what did I do well? You know, what can, what can I ah take out of that situation? If I, I always started with the, with you know, the after action,
21:10.07
Lorie Jones
um like going through those things. i always started with, well, where did we shine?
21:12.73
Laura Nardella
remember
21:15.70
Laura Nardella
Yes. i i It’s such a good point because in work especially, we can focus so much on negative or what else can we be doing? What can we do? Are doing better? But celebrating, i always tell my teams, like let’s celebrate small wins, non-revenue wins, because those are the little things that build our confidence and remember that it’s important to celebrate things along the way.
21:38.95
Laura Nardella
Yeah.
21:41.37
Lorie Jones
So is that noise on your side?
21:46.09
Laura Nardella
Yes, I believe there’s a little construction going on right outside my building. Sorry, it should have stopped now.
21:52.82
Lorie Jones
No, that’s all right.
21:54.08
Laura Nardella
it’s back.
21:54.87
Lorie Jones
ah
21:57.05
Laura Nardella
Should I mute for a moment?
22:00.86
Lorie Jones
Yeah. um If you mute for just a second, then I can ask the question and then I’ll let you answer if that
22:06.58
Laura Nardella
okay
22:10.04
Lorie Jones
Um, so I love that thought of just kind of looking through what you, what you’re doing well and where you can make changes and always calibrating and kind of going back and looking at that situation. If you could go back and high five yourself for one really great financial decision in the past, what would that be?
22:33.75
Laura Nardella
Ooh, I love this question. um Honestly, it’s investing in a financial advisor. He’s
22:41.23
Lorie Jones
Oh, I love that answer.
22:44.39
Laura Nardella
the best. I trust him with my life, I swear. um But he has really helped consolidate all my assets, 401ks from past jobs, et cetera. And handing over the keys is is a good lesson in trust, but also…
23:00.11
Laura Nardella
It’s a great example of like, we don’t have to do everything ourselves. Seeking help, there are professionals and experts in every area that are there to to make our lives easier and better. And that decision has allowed me to have some financial freedom and and live the life I wanna live. So if anyone needs a referral, I’d be happy to share.
23:22.55
Lorie Jones
yeah Well, that’s great. I love that, you know, because I do do financial advising and I love the idea of of helping um my clients to kind of get their assets all in order. And, you know, they’re busy. They’re busy living their life. They’re busy doing their jobs. And it’s really hard to, um you you can’t be perfect at absolutely everything.
23:48.18
Lorie Jones
i like what you said about letting somebody else take the take the reins on some of those things that we love at a 10 and you may not love as much as we do. so tell me, scared you the most when you started out on your journey? Is there something that you were like worried about, but maybe you’ve learned that now it’s not so scary or you’ve learned how to deal with that?
24:16.63
Laura Nardella
Yeah, I think in terms of scared, like the thought of being wrong in public scared me. i i don’t actually know what led to this, but I thought in the professional world, you had to have your answers 100% right all the time.
24:36.89
Laura Nardella
And early in my career, that was a belief. And I think it probably caused me to not speak up as much as could. would, could, or should have.
24:49.02
Laura Nardella
um But now, think being exposed to strong leaders and understanding, like it’s not all black and white. Part of what the beauty of learning and bringing diverse perspectives is taking a stand and having a POV and not being afraid to share it. And also hear other people’s perspectives. you know you could say the same about politics or religion or whatever, just you know whatever you believe is not right or wrong. It’s about learning more and the more we can speak to others. And I think that there’s a strength in that vulnerability and that people can relate to and drive connections. So I would say now it still intimidates me, don’t get me wrong, but if you’re in the room with the right people, you’d be able to share what what you want to share and be accepted for it. And I think that’s the most important piece.
25:44.63
Lorie Jones
Yeah, I like that, that idea that you can kind of share your experience and and maybe you don’t have to feel so, i don’t know, imposter syndrome, something like that.
25:45.82
Laura Nardella
of the memory the land.
25:59.09
Lorie Jones
Like there isn’t as much of that as you your life. as you grow into your yourself, your skin, your job, and um that curiosity can take over. You don’t feel like you’re a dumb-dumb because you’re asking questions, right?
26:15.58
Laura Nardella
Exactly. Exactly. It’s all conversation.
26:18.69
Lorie Jones
Yeah. Did you face any unique challenges along the path because you were a woman?
26:25.94
Laura Nardella
Yeah, and that’s, that’s such a brave question. i think that you’re asking. And the answer is yes. And probably not in the way that people might expect me to be answering. um i think the,
26:42.17
Laura Nardella
Biggest challenge I’ve experienced as a woman who does not yet have kids is the unspoken assumption that my time is somehow more valuable or flexible than a working mom’s.
26:55.22
Lorie Jones
ah
26:56.60
Laura Nardella
And i I’ve experienced it a lot, I think because I’m not, you know, married mother living in the suburbs. There have been a lot of moments where the expectation was that I should work later or travel more or be more available. And flexibility is often treated as something you earn when you have kids. and I believe that working parents deserve flexibility wholeheartedly.
27:24.52
Laura Nardella
Of course they do.
27:24.89
Lorie Jones
Yeah.
27:25.76
Laura Nardella
But I also believe that flexibility and balance is is a human need, not just a parental perk. And that’s really shaped of A lot of how I lead about creating um really intentional office cultures where, back to that word, boundaries are supported for everyone, regardless of your stage of life.
27:45.51
Laura Nardella
And equality isn’t about supporting moms. It’s supporting all humans that you’re working with.
27:51.83
Lorie Jones
Yeah, that’s really an important point, too. And I think that, you know, there’s there’s working dads. There’s just there’s people that are caretakers. There’s people that you just, you know, like you had a ah health scare or something like that. Like there’s there are lots of reasons that you need that flexibility.
28:12.38
Lorie Jones
And, and that shouldn’t just be one reason, right? It shouldn’t just be for one, one group of people or one reason. I like that. I like that you pointed that out.
28:23.32
Laura Nardella
Yeah, I think it’s important, you know, everyone’s going through their own their own challenges and um it’s important to honor that.
28:35.16
Lorie Jones
What is the thing, Laura, that you are most proud of?
28:39.08
Laura Nardella
Ooh, I mean, look, what I’m really most proud of is becoming cancer free. Like four surgeries, a year and a half later, I’m finally closing the chapter on that journey and You know, I attribute it to not only my incredible medical team, but my network of friends, my amazing family, people that have showed up for ways that I couldn’t imagine. And as that pertains to this conversation, it’s the ability to identify those silver linings. And that is really starting to become my purpose, inspiring people to look out for those moments. And like we talked about before, like celebrate those wins. So I think it all is intertwined.
29:21.56
Laura Nardella
to my professional life and to, um you know, leading leading with intention, with purpose. um
29:30.30
Lorie Jones
Thank you.
29:30.62
Laura Nardella
So i i like to try to reminders and anyone who’s listening that’s going through a tough time, you know, even those those seasons, there’s moments of light if you’re willing to look for them. And um it’s inspired me actually to become on the leadership council of the Pink Agenda, which is a non-for-profit organization supporting breast cancer patients, and it’s given a new fulfillment to what I do every day. So, um, yeah, it’s exciting.
30:01.88
Lorie Jones
I like that you found the rainbows in the rain. I mean, do you think that’s, you you like looked and said, yeah, this was a really hard thing for me, but I’m going to take out of this, these things that I can bring into the world. And, and, um,
30:17.50
Lorie Jones
you know, and be ah more present in this space of breast cancer awareness and helping out in that space. um You could have gone a lot of different ways with that. I really am. I’m excited and pleased that you decide to make a difference.
30:33.53
Laura Nardella
Thank you. I appreciate that. Yeah. I mean, I think there’re there are people who become the victim and think, why me? And and go down a really tough path. And and I’ve, of course, had those moments, but being able to realize how lucky I am that I overcame it and that I live in a place with amazing doctors and have health insurance and all of those things and and the strength and being otherwise young and healthy to get me through that is really where I’m choosing to focus. And, um, I know breast cancer affects one in eight women, which is wild and it’s getting younger and younger. And so if there’s anything I can do to be an advocate and support and inspire people that might have a similar journey, then that, that brings me joy.
31:26.91
Lorie Jones
Yeah, I love that.
31:28.65
Laura Nardella
Yeah.
31:29.91
Lorie Jones
Any advice for a young lady, Laura, who’s just kind of starting down this path that you’re successful at already to help her be successful like you?
31:40.38
Laura Nardella
Yeah. I mean, have the confidence of a man. um All joking aside, that, but also like advocate for yourself. um Professionally in the healthcare world, you have to be your own voice.
31:58.18
Laura Nardella
Don’t be afraid to ask the questions.
32:00.10
Lorie Jones
Thank you.
32:00.31
Laura Nardella
um Another piece of advice I have is to network. Like those connections you make that you might think are just in and out of your life, like make the effort, add them on LinkedIn, ask to get coffee every now and then because you never know who is going to make an introduction to your next job, your future partner, whatever it might be. Having advocates is super important. um And I would say the last piece of advice that I want to share here is like create your individual path and own it. Your timeline shouldn’t look like anyone else’s.
32:39.96
Laura Nardella
in terms of where you’re going, why you’re going, or how you get there. And that is what makes us all unique and compliments each other, right?
32:51.17
Laura Nardella
Being able to celebrate other people’s success only, what’s that phrase? Rising tide rises all ships or whatever it is. It’s so true.
32:59.13
Lorie Jones
Yeah.
32:59.57
Laura Nardella
Like we don’t need to be carbon copies of each other. So just, just believe the path that you’re on.
33:07.50
Lorie Jones
I love that. That’s a really great takeaway. Believe the path that you’re on I love that.
33:12.73
Laura Nardella
Yeah.
33:13.62
Lorie Jones
Thank you so much, Laura, for spending some time just sharing your journey and sharing your experience. I really appreciate it. If we have young ladies who want to ask you questions, how do they get in touch with you?
33:25.56
Laura Nardella
Yeah, absolutely. and And I’m completely open. They can email me. My email is Laura Jane Nardella at Gmail. So I can, we can maybe we can type that in the copy or I can spell it out, whatever is easiest.
33:40.89
Lorie Jones
No, I’ll go ahead and put that in the in the show notes so that they can catch that. So thank you, Laura, for your time today and for your amazing experience. Thank you for sharing.
33:50.97
Laura Nardella
Thank you, Lori, for having me. I love chatting with you and I’m so excited to um to be connected with you moving forward.