Episode Details

In this episode, Leslie Short – Author, Founder of The Cavu Group, and Culture & Brand Strategist – sits down with host Nicole Thomas to explore what it really means to lead with courage, culture, and purpose. They discuss her journey from ballet to global business, being “the first” in rooms not built for her, and the movement behind her memoir Someone Has to Be the First—a call to stop waiting for permission and start stepping into possibility.


In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to lead when you’re “the first” or “the only” 
• How to get unstuck in your career without losing yourself – how to reframe job loss and transition, ask “What do I really want?”, and build a path aligned with your values.
• How leaders can close the gap between culture and reality at work – the difference between transparency and visibility, and what it takes to create workplaces where diverse talent can actually thrive.

This episode is for you if:

• You’re a high-achieving woman, creative, or leader navigating change or feeling stuck in your career
• You’ve ever been “the first” or “the only” in a room and questioned your value there
• You care about leadership, workplace culture, and creating space for others coming after you