The LowDown Podcast

In this Life LowDown, Alex and Sara are getting the lowdown on what it’s like to be an agent with Homeland Security Investigations from Colby Award winner Kelly Harrison. Kelly talks about what it’s like investigating trasnational child exploitation and human trafficking--from the highs to the lows. She discusses what she does to unwind and why her work-life balance is something she’s rather proud of, given her line of work.

Today, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown about being their most authentic selves through clothes with owner and founder of Nicole Blair Wear, Nicole Busch. Nicole is a stylist, image and wardrobe consultant, and personal shopper, and shows women how to take the pieces they already own to create stylish outfits that make them feel good about themselves. Nicole is a firm believer that we all are limited edition, so we shouldn’t try to be anyone but ourselves, and we can showcase this through our wardrobes.

Most of us hate public speaking, right? Even if we’re extroverted, speaking in front of large crowds can be a bit nerve wracking. In this episode, Alex and Sara get the lowdown from Alex Ruffato-Perry about how to feel more confident when you have to give a speech or presentation. It’s more than just being prepared, it’s about owning your presence--executive presence as Alex calls it.

This week, Alex and Sara are talking to Dr. Rebecca Edelmayer, director of scientific engagement for the Alzheimer’s Association--a cause near to every Sigma Kappa, as one of our philanthropic partners. Rebecca gives an overview of the Alzheimer’s disease landscape in the U.S. And as the sixth leading cause of death, we need more research to find a way to prevent the disease, if not cure it. Rebecca also shares a new study that the Alzheimer’s Association is embarking on that they’re hopeful will provide evidence as to how lifestyle intervention can play a role in cognitive impairment...meaning how lifestyle intervention could help to prevent the disease.

In this bonus episode, Alex and guest co-host Sarah (she’s back!) get the life lowdown of Jennifer Rainey, a systems engineer, avid traveler and Sigma Kappa’s national vice president for finance. Jennifer shares stories about how she and her husband met in “Cube Land” at her first post-graduate job in Idaho, how they decided to adopt their son and how just quickly he became a part of the family (they found out they had been matched less than 24 hours before he was born!), and some of the unique places the three of them have traveled recently.

Today, Alex and Sara are getting the lowdown on the challenges that Fraternity and Sorority life still face today and how leaders can better articulate their experience on their resumes and cover letters. Leaders come in all shapes and sizes and you don’t have to be chapter president in order to be a leader. Wendi has worked her way up from a Panhellenic president to the president for the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors and she credits it all to others seeing something in her that she didn’t see.

Today, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown about how to be less awkward in interviews from body language expert Lisa Mitchell. Most everyone is at least a little bit nervous in interviews, but that doesn’t mean you need to be awkward. Lisa has studied body language for years and provides tips that you can put into practice to show you are confident and poised and make the best first impression possible, as well as ways you can read the interviewer’s body language to determine if they think it is going well.

We’ve heard it all before—Millennials are the worst! Well with two podcast co-hosts who fall into the Millennial generation, they can’t say they agree. Today, Alex and Sara are getting the lowdown from generational expert Kim Lear on what makes each generation unique and how Millennials, Gen Z, Baby Boomers, and Gen X can work best together in the workplace. Kim also debunks the idea that many people imagine Millennials as 12 year olds, when, at this point, they’re all at least older than 24. She also gives tips on how Millennials and Gen Z can have their voices heard at a company when the older employed generations may be a little resistant to change.

In this bonus episode, Sara and Alex talk with Julia Broglie, founder of the Broglie Box, a quarterly subscription box for mental health and stress relief, that was named in honor of her brother who died by suicide in 2014. We get the lowdown about Julia’s life, including her own mental health journey, and how she has coped with her brother’s death, and what it’s like to have founded her own company in memory of him. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or experiencing anxiety or depression and need support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) or the National Depressive/Manic-Depressive Association Hotline (1-800-826-3623).

Today, as part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown about anxiety. Dr. Amy Cirbus discusses several different things that occur in most every woman’s life and how these can cause or trigger anxiety. She provides practical tips and ways for you to change your mindset on these events that may be part of the reason behind anxiety you are feeling or struggling with.

This week, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown on all things feedback—why it’s important, how to do it, and how to do it well. Based on the research, virtually every employee in an organization wants feedback, or wants more of it, but isn’t receiving it—but we’re either not giving it enough or we’re doing it very well. Erin gives advice for how to begin giving feedback today and how to also be a good receiver of it. She also talks about the ways you can instantly stop a conversation on feedback whether you’re giving or receiving it.

In this bonus episode, Sara and Alex talk with Susan Willis, Sigma Kappa National Housing Corporation’s president. They get the lowdown on what it’s like being a manager in the restaurant industry having never been a server or bartender! And because many celebrities call Atlanta home, she’s met quite a few in her time. Additionally, they learn about life as an only child and how Sigma Kappa gave her the sisters she always wanted.

This week, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown of preparing for a job interview from career coach Jessica Smith. They learn about how to prepare for the who, the what, and the why, and also learn how to prepare physically and mentally. Jessica gives actionable tips that you can do today to help with any interview you have coming up. As a tech recruiter, she not only shares stories of interviews she’s had but also conducted, and you’ll finish the podcast ready to rock your next job interview.

This week, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown of navigating relationships with coworkers with career expert and HR consultant Lauren Moffatt. Lauren goes into detail describing the drama triangle and the roles of each of the participants (the victim, the rescuer and the villain).

In this bonus episode, Alex and Marlee Jones get the lowdown of the life of Olivia Carter, the newly re-established Sigma Kappa Alpha Omega Chapter president at the University of Alabama, where the average membership of the sororities on campus are more than 300 women and can be classified as mega chapters. Olivia shares why she chose not to participate in primary sorority recruitment, and even shares how she decided at the last minute to give Sigma Kappa chance—she was actually the extension team’s last personal visit (don’t worry—we talk about what a personal visit is!), and our director of collegiate services who spoke with her, left her interview saying she would be the next Alpha Omega chapter president!