The Polished Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this heartfelt and inspiring finale of The Polished Podcast, host Jane Doerman sits down with Catrina Ballard, founder and owner of Happy Teams, to explore how joy can be a transformative leadership strategy. Wrapping up the Leading Joyfully series, this conversation dives into Catrina’s journey of building Happy Teams—a business consulting firm rooted in creating thriving workplace cultures—and her belief that joy is not just a feeling, but a practice of intentional leadership.

Catrina shares her winding road to success, from her background in psychology and counseling to the challenges of entrepreneurship during a pandemic. Through personal anecdotes and practical insights, she highlights how joy shapes team dynamics, fosters trust, and creates workplaces where individuals can truly thrive.

This episode also marks a pivotal moment for the Polished Podcast. As we transition to 4word, we invite you to continue the journey with us on the Work Love Pray Podcast, where we’ll keep amplifying stories of women who are leading with faith and purpose.

Don’t miss this reflective and uplifting conversation that will leave you inspired to embrace joy as a cornerstone of leadership—just in time for Christmas. Join us as we celebrate this season of joy and look ahead to a new chapter with 4word.

Key Takeaways:

• Joy is more than holiday cheer—it’s a leadership strategy that can transform workplace culture.

• Building joy starts with creating trust, valuing team members, and fostering meaningful connections.

• Catrina’s journey reminds us that joy is a choice we cultivate, even in challenging seasons.

Tune in to this final episode of The Polished Podcast and stay connected with us on the Work Love Pray Podcast in 2025. Until then, keep leading boldly, joyfully, and faithfully!

Subscribe to the Work Love Pray Podcast on 4wordwomen.org to stay inspired!

Connect with Catrina:

Website: http://www.happyteams.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happy.teams 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/catrinadballard 

Learn more about:

Move 4word with Polished!: Have you heard the news?! Polished Network and 4word Women are merging and you’re invited to join us! Learn more and stay up to date on this exciting transition at https://polishednetwork.org/cometogether 

Polished Chapter Gatherings are meeting once a month. Join a chapter near you! Learn more here: http://www.polishednetwork.org/chapters 

Polished Collaboratories: Level up your leadership through our peer facilitated faith based leadership development for women who want to level up their work. Learn more here: https://polishednetwork.org/collaboratories 

Connect with us on our Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polishednetwork/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/polished-network/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PolishedNetwork.online 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIcl9WlSPbhK8d8UPieJrdQ 

In this powerful episode of The Polished Podcast, host Jane Doerman sits down with Debora Grandison, founder of She Speaks From a Joyful Heart, LLC, to explore what it truly means to lead joyfully—even in the face of life’s toughest challenges.

Debora’s story is one of resilience, faith, and an intentional choice to embrace joy amidst adversity. As a heart disease and diabetes survivor, she has faced overwhelming struggles that could have easily derailed her path. Instead, Debora chose to root her identity in Christ and allow her trials to shape her purpose. From her journey of healing to her mission of inspiring others through writing, poetry, and speaking, Debora reminds us that joy isn’t the absence of hardship—it’s a decision we make, even when circumstances feel impossible.

If you’ve ever wondered how to find joy in your leadership journey or personal life, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped to lead boldly, faithfully, and joyfully. Tune in now and discover how to turn trials into triumphs—and why joy is always worth the fight.

Connect with Debora Grandison and her work:

Find Debora Grandison’s book - His Poetry, Her Story and other book recommendations from this episode in our Amazon store front: https://www.amazon.com/shop/polishednetwork/list/128UA9GV0PKNP?tag=onamzpolinetw-20&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_aipsfpolishednetwork_KKZAX2MW72ZE1ESYV1YR

American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/

National Coalition of Women with Heart Disease: https://www.womenheart.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debora.grandison 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromajoyfulheart/ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debora-grandison-99812727/ 

Website: https://fromajoyfulheart.com/ 

Learn more about:

Move 4word with Polished!: Have you heard the news?! Polished Network and 4word Women are merging and you’re invited to join us! Learn more and stay up to date on this exciting transition at https://polishednetwork.org/cometogether 

Polished Chapter Gatherings are meeting once a month. Join a chapter near you! Learn more here: http://www.polishednetwork.org/chapters 

Polished Collaboratories: Level up your leadership through our peer facilitated faith based leadership development for women who want to level up their work. Learn more here: https://polishednetwork.org/collaboratories 

Connect with us on our Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polishednetwork/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/polished-network/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PolishedNetwork.online 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIcl9WlSPbhK8d8UPieJrdQ 

In this episode of The Polished Podcast, host Jane Doerman sits down with Denise Lee Yohn to explore the theme of "Leading BOLDLY" through humility. Bold leadership is often mistaken for being loud or forceful, but Denise shares a refreshing perspective: true boldness is deeply rooted in humility and faith. Drawing from her extensive experience at tech giants like Google and Apple and her work with the Bay Area Center for Faith, Work, and Tech, Denise illustrates how embracing humility allows leaders to step up with courage when needed and step back to serve others.

Throughout the conversation, Denise unpacks how integrating faith into leadership challenges us to move beyond personal ambition and answer God’s call with obedience. By focusing on humility, she demonstrates how boldness becomes a transformative force—empowering leaders to make lasting impacts in their workplaces and beyond.

Tune in to learn how leading boldly through humility can shape your leadership journey. Don't miss this inspiring and practical conversation that will embolden you to lead with faith and courage.

Stay connected with us for more empowering episodes and conversations on faith and work!

Connect with Denise Lee Yohn:

Read Denise’s article that inspired this conversation here: https://commongoodmag.com/how-to-be-humble-in-the-age-of-self-promotion/

Bay Area Center for Faith, Work, & Tech: http://faithworktech.org

Denise Lee Yohn Linked In: http://linkedin.com/in/deniseleeyohn

Bay Area Center for Faith, Work &Tech Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bay-area-center-for-faith-work-tech

Denise Lee Yohn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deniseleeyohn

Bay Area Center for Faith, Work & Tech Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithworktech

Learn more about:

Polished Chapter Gatherings are meeting once a month. Join a chapter near you! Learn more here: http://www.polishednetwork.org/chapters 

Polished Collaboratories: Level up your leadership through our peer facilitated faith based leadership development for women who want to level up their work. Learn more here: https://polishednetwork.org/collaboratories 

Connect with us on our Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polishednetwork/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/polished-network/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PolishedNetwork.online 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIcl9WlSPbhK8d8UPieJrdQ 

What's your Enneagram number?!

Everyone's got one, but not everyone is an expert.
Katie Allen Harris is a certified enneagram coach who is passionate about helping women realize the beauty they bring to their relationships. And she's dropping jewels in this episode of the Polished Podcast - you'll want to listen, share and take notes.

Connect with Katie: 

Instagram: @katieallenharris

Website: katieallenharris.com

Stay connected with Polished by:

• Attending a Polished Webinar 

• Following Polished on Instagram

• Joining the Polished Network

• Starting a Polished chapter in your area

If anything resonates with the women of the Polished Network, it’s supporting one another. We don’t compete or compare, we champion our sisters—always. Supporting one another is a superpower that propels us beyond business networking and social-climbing into an interdependent community of women who have each other’s backs. When we rise to our true potential, it is, in part, because others work with us for our success. This month, our guests on the Polished Podcast will be sharing about practical ways to support each other in the workplace and encourage each other to grow. We're thrilled to kick off this series with the one and only Jamie Ivey as she authentically shares about her own experience with competition in her life and how we can all be champions for one another. 

Connect with Jamie: 

Instagram: @jamieivey

Podcast: The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

Website: Jamieivey.com

You Be You by Jamie Ivey

Stay connected with Polished by:

• Attending a Polished Webinar 

• Following Polished on Instagram

• Joining the Polished Network

• Starting a Polished chapter in your area

In our final episode of our A Través de Sus Ojos, or Though His Eyes series celebrating Latin Heritage Month, hosts Kat and Rocio are joined by Maria Pacheco to discuss some of the cultural scripts that hold Latina women back in the workplace. Maria was born in Mexico, grew up in Wheaton, IL (a suburb of Chicago) and currently resides in Dallas, TX. She serves as Act's Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, overseeing and developing many of ACT’s new initiatives and programs. Maria has a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Spanish and a graduate degree from Dallas Theological Seminary in Christian Education where her concentration was Women’s Ministry and Family Life. She loves to spoil her three nieces, drink tea, and travel.

Links from the show:

Brunch con Salsa Podcast

Stay connected with Polished by:

• Attending a Polished Webinar 

• Following Polished on Instagram

• Joining the Polished Network

• Starting a Polished chapter in your area

In the latest episode of the Polished Podcast, Pamela Flores joins our hosts, Kat Armstrong and Rocio Lopez, to share her perspective on this month’s theme, A Través de Sus Ojos, or Though His Eyes. Pamela, Rocio and Kat discuss the beauty and strength of Latin families as well as what it looks like to courageously find one’s authentic voice in the workplace.  

Pamela Cosio Flores is an executive coach and emotional intelligence expert specializing in helping high capacity leaders find a positive work-life balance, thrive in relationships at home and work, and continue to grow and improve their performance at work. In addition to her coaching and consulting practice, Pamela currently leads two Townsend Leadership Program Teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Pamela currently lives in Dallas with her husband and two little boys.

Connect with Pamela: 

Instagram: @pamela.c.flores

Links from the show:

Brunch con Salsa Podcast

Stay connected with Polished by:

• Attending a Polished Webinar 

• Following Polished on Instagram

• Joining the Polished Network

• Starting a Polished chapter in your area

This month on the Polished Podcast, we’re celebrating Latina Heritage Month by amplifying the voices of Latinas making their mark in the workplace and a special introduction from the ladies of Brunch Con Salsa podcast. Latinas belong to the largest minority group in the U.S. and have significant buying power in the economy, yet negative stereotypes diminish their identities as image-bearers of God and contributors at work. Christ's work on the cross calls for all of us, Latinas included, to see each other through his eyes.

Rocío López has a deep-rooted passion for empowerment and transformation. This has fueled her professional experiences and has inevitably carried over into other aspects of her life. She has worked at a global non-profit headquartered in Dallas, Texas since 2010 where she currently leads operations and drives the strategy of international programs for underserved children and families in Latin America and Africa. Rocío grew up in Dallas, Texas, and is of Mexican heritage. Her experiences in majority culture have pushed her to look deeper to understand herself and her roots better. As a result of this process, she co-founded the Brunch con Salsa podcast with two of her friends which highlights conversation around what it's like to be Latina, living between cultures in the U.S.

Connect with Rocio: 

Instagram: @rolop

Links from the show:

Brunch con Salsa Podcast

Stay connected with Polished by:

• Attending a Polished Webinar 

• Following Polished on Instagram

• Joining the Polished Network

• Starting a Polished chapter in your area

In the final episode of our "Come Together" series, licensed professional counselor, Tricia Gordon, joins our host, Kat Armstrong, to discuss how to work through relational breakdown, tips for connecting in our current world, and the healing space she's creating for black women. Tricia's perspective on what it looks like to really come together in every aspect of life will inspire you to get creative and intentional with connection in your own life. 

Tricia Gordon is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor in private practice at You Matter Counseling in Dallas, TX. She is a compassionate, insightful, inspiring leader and entrepreneur with 15+ years’ experience working with Fortune 500 corporations, non-profits, healthcare agencies, and government and faith based initiatives. Tricia is passionate about helping women turn down the volume of their internal negativity in order to hear the truth of their intrinsic value, worth, and capabilities. To that end, Tricia’s most recent venture is developing a space for black women to recognize and heal from trauma.  

Connect with Tricia: 

Instagram: @soulreparation

Website: youmattercounseling.com

Links from the show:

Shutterfly puzzles 

Stay connected with Polished by:

• Attending a Polished Webinar 

• Following Polished on Instagram

• Joining the Polished Network

• Starting a Polished chapter in your area

In the latest episode of our "Come Together" series, Polished's National Director, Amy Cedrone, joins host, Kat Armstrong, to share her perspective on what it looks like to show up for others, especially in the midst of a crisis, and what gives her hope in the midst of division. Amy's wisdom on how to seek unity and hope in Christ regardless of our circumstances will encourage you no matter where you are in life. 

Amy Cedrone is a preacher, retreat speaker, passionate shepherd, and Bible teacher. She mentors both young and older adult women and she works as a consultant for staff training, volunteer leader training, and missions development in churches and Christian organizations who are expanding their reach. Amy has a strong conviction to see women and young adults fully understand the deep love and freedom that can only be found in Christ. 

Connect with Amy: 

Instagram: @akcedrone

Facebook: Amy Cedrone 

Links from the show:

Learn more about serving with Polished 

Stay connected with Polished by:

• Attending a Polished Webinar 

• Following Polished on Instagram

• Joining the Polished Network

• Starting a Polished chapter in your area