Coffey Talk

☕️🎙️Summary:
In this episode of Coffey Talk, Kate Coffey-Bacon sits down with leadership coach and former fintech executive Maggie Coulter to talk about what happens when life interrupts the plan. Maggie shares how a cancer diagnosis and years in high-stakes tech leadership reshaped how she thinks about courage, identity, and career change. Together, they explore possibility-oriented realism, the quiet weight of imposter feeli...

Summary:

In this episode of Coffey Talk, Kate sits down with Erica Hakonson, CEO and founder of Maven Collective Marketing, to talk about what happens when purpose is not a side project, but the operating system of a business. Erica shares her journey from aspiring academic to entrepreneur, the two-year push to become a certified B Corp, and why giving is not a nice-to-have for her team, it is a responsibility. They walk through Mav...

Episode Summary
In this episode of Coffey Talk, Kate sits down with Steven Chinsky to talk about how consulting has evolved and what the next generation of consultants truly needs to grow into the role with confidence and impact. They explore how mentorship and community shape not just technical skill, but presence, communication, and trust. Steve shares why functional literacy matters as much as technical knowledge, how remote...

Not every year comes with trophies, promotions, or a neat list of accomplishments. Some years are quieter. Harder to explain. Still deeply formative.

In this episode of Coffey Talk, Kate Coffey-Bacon sits down with Shannon Mullins, Microsoft MVP, founder, community leader, and longtime friend, to talk honestly about seasons of change. The years where you show up, keep going, and stay grounded even when there’s no highlight reel to s...

In this episode of Coffey Talk, Kate sits down with Leanne Paul to talk about what it really looks like to step away from a career, come back, and keep moving forward without waiting for permission. From social work to IT, from staying home with kids to rebuilding momentum in tech, Leanne shares how asking for opportunities, staying curious, and valuing soft skills shaped her path. This conversation is a reminder that time away doe...

Resilience shows up when things do not go as planned. When the business you built gets shut down. When life forces a pivot you never asked for. When grief, disappointment, or uncertainty refuse to move on quietly.

In this episode of Coffey Talk, Kate Coffey-Bacon sits down with David Fullwood to talk about resilience as a lived practice, not a motivational slogan. They explore how setbacks shape identity, how small wins rebuild trus...

This episode sits down with two women who didn’t wait for permission. Molly Fuchsel and Liz Hallen left comfortable careers to build something the Microsoft ecosystem didn’t have yet. They trusted instinct more than certainty and created PartnerIn, a home for peer learning, vulnerability, and growth. We talk about the moment they knew they had to act, how community works when it’s intentional, and what it takes to leap before you k...

In this heartfelt episode of Coffey Talk, Kate sits down with Brittany Burke, a Microsoft MVP and leader in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform community, to talk about building balance across work, family, and purpose. From an unexpected start in accounting to becoming a respected voice in tech, Brittany shares how authenticity, empowerment, and community have shaped her career. Together, they explore what real balance looks like ...

This short version of my conversation with Brad Prendergast gets right to the heart of it. We talk about time in a way that has nothing to do with productivity and everything to do with being alive. We break down the moments that actually shape a life, what we lose when we rush, and why attention is the real currency we’re spending every day.

You’ll hear the parts of “4,000 Weeks” that hit us the hardest, the mindset shifts we’re st...

This conversation with Brad Prendergast is an honest look at how we spend our days, what we give our attention to, and why time is the currency none of us can refill. Inspired by the book “4,000 Weeks Time Management for Mortals,” by Oliver Burkman, we talk about presence, choices, attention, and learning to live now instead of waiting for “when things slow down.”

Bullet Points (searchable):

• Time as the currency of life
• Why attent...

In this episode of Coffey Talk, Stephanie Clark opens up about the real work of leading from the inside. She shares how she stepped into broken teams, rebuilt systems that needed more than surface fixes, and faced resistance from people who weren’t ready for change. Stephanie talks about being labeled “loud” and “bossy” and how those same qualities helped her lead with clarity, honesty, and heart. This episode is for anyone who has...

In this conversation, Bobby Small sits down with Kate Coffey-Bacon to talk about community, diversity, and what it looks like to give people space to be heard. Bobby shares the real moments that shaped his work in advocating for inclusive communities, including stories from his career, parenthood, and lived experience. Kate opens up about her own background and how it shaped her commitment to creating spaces where people can show u...

In this episode of Coffey Talk, host Kate Coffey-Bacon sits down with Melissa Maikos, teacher, fitness instructor, and former sports broadcaster, to talk about the real side of wellness. Together, they explore how movement builds confidence, how community keeps us grounded, and why it’s time to normalize conversations about perimenopause and aging.

Melissa shares how her athletic background shaped her approach to fitness, body image...

In this episode of Coffey Talk, host Kate Coffey-Bacon sits down with voting advocate Jessica Kraisinger to discuss why every vote counts—especially in local and state elections. They explore Jessica’s journey into voter education, the impact of down-ballot races, and the importance of staying engaged beyond election day. The conversation also tackles common voting myths, highlights the power of individual action, and reminds liste...

In this episode of Coffey Talk, host Kate Coffey-Bacon sits down with Pam Misialek, VP of Community at Dynamic Communities, and Cam Sessinger, Senior Online Editor, to talk about the Women in Tech initiative and this year’s She Builds luncheon at Community Summit. Together they explore the power of storytelling, community, and mentorship in shaping a more inclusive future for women in technology.

Highlights:

• The Women in Tech ini...

In this powerful Coffey Talk episode, Kate Coffey-Bacon sits down with tech veteran and Marketing CoPilot founder Marie Wiese to explore what it really means to start again, at any age. After more than 30 years in tech, Marie shares how personal loss, courage, and curiosity led her to redefine success and discover a new kind of confidence.
Together, Kate and Marie discuss:
Why success in tech, and in life, has no age limit<...

In this episode of Coffey Talk, host Kate Coffey-Bacon welcomes Amiee Keenan, Founder of The ISV Society, for a conversation about connection, collaboration, and community in the Microsoft channel and beyond.

Together, they explore how one spark can fuel a lifetime of connections, why collaboration creates competitive advantage, and the importance of celebrating progress along the way.

Key Takeaways:

• A single conversatio...

In this episode of Coffey Talk, Jennifer Bonenfant shares how knowledge and constant learning create lasting success. She takes us from her early accounting days to leading Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central projects for nonprofits and global organizations. Jennifer explains how curiosity, hands-on experience, and trusting your own expertise can transform a career and inspire others.

Listen in for practical advice on investing ...

Anya Ciecierski never set out to become an entrepreneur, yet her curiosity and strong relationships grew a simple idea into the powerhouse ERP Software Blog,  and Channel Marketing Academy.

In this episode of Coffey Talk, Anya shares how starting before you feel ready can lead to unexpected success, why collaboration beats competition, and how kindness and consistency create long-term growth. From her early days launching ...