Ambition Without Compromise
Ambition Without Compromise is the space where powerhouse women of color — with a special heart for Black mothers and future mothers — come to redefine success on their own terms.
Hosted by Monique R. Shields, executive coach, entrepreneur, and mentor to women at the highest levels of leadership, this podcast dives into the real challenges women face when juggling bold professional pursuits with the responsibilities of being present partners, mothers, and whole, healthy individuals.
Through honest conversations and powerful stories, you’ll gain insights on:
- Balancing ambition and freedom without burnout
- Crafting sustainable work-life integration
- Protecting your mental and emotional well-being
- Building intentional communities and seeking mentorship for growth
Whether you're scaling your business, stepping into a higher leadership role, or simply seeking clarity about what success means now, this show offers the tools and stories to help you thrive without compromise.
Follow Monique wherever you listen to podcasts and step into a world where ambition and joy can coexist.
Episodes
60 episodes
59 | You Don’t Need More Time — You Need a New Identity
👆🏾 TEXT ME for more on CLAIMED™ - Group Coaching Experience For Black Mothers in LeadershipFeeling overwhelmed by your ambitions? It's time for a mindset shift! Join Monique as she dives into the struggles many ambiti...
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42:20
58 | What Got Me Here: The Real ROI (And Real Costs) Of My Self-Investment Journey
In this deeply personal episode, Monique shares the behind-the-scenes story of her biggest self-investments—from surprise trips and $15K coaching programs to community spaces that changed everything. She walks us through the fears, mindset shif...
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46:37
57 | The Less I Do The More I Get Done: Finding Rest As We Work
Are you feeling overwhelmed and overworked? In our latest episode, Monique explores the transformative power of rest and how it can revolutionize your productivity.Drawing inspiration from a recent gathering of high-achieving Black women...
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54:35
56 | Creating Space For Motherhood As A Leader
Motherhood is a transformative journey that ambitious women in leadership find themselves contemplating. For many, the thought of becoming a mother can evoke feelings of fear and uncertainty. How will this new role affect my professional impact...
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37:27
55 | When You Do The Most But Expect The Least: Letting Go Of Shrinking Yourself
This week's episode dives into self-love and transformation! Join Monique as she discusses the importance of recognizing your worth and embracing your true self. Inspired by a profound coaching conversation with a client, she explor...
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26:21
54 | The Giver, The Grinder & The Pleaser: Rethinking Success
Is the pursuit of success weighing you down? In this episode, Monique uncovers how ambition can sometimes come at the cost of our deepest dreams.Listen in as she shares compelling stories of women balancing leadership, motherhood, and pe...
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38:12
53 | The Safety Shift: Trusting Yourself in Times of Transformation
In today's fast-paced world, the pressure to conform to a certain image of success can be overwhelming. Many of us are familiar with the archetype of the "4am CEO," a figure that embodies relentless ambition and productivity. But what happens w...
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37:36
52 | Making The Scary Identity Leap
Are you standing at the edge of a new chapter, feeling the pull of transformation, yet held back by invisible barriers? Join Monique as she uncovers the secrets to navigating identity shifts and breaking free from the self-doubt tha...
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33:02
51 | Monique's 2024 Reflections: Money, Motherhood & Mental Health + What's Next!
In this episode, Monique shares her personal process for annual reflection, offering insights into how she evaluates the past year and sets intentions for the year ahead with clarity and purpose. Tune in to discover how embracing feminine energ...
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48:35
50 | Top 5 Episodes Since Launching AWC
Welcome 2025 with us as we celebrate our 50th podcast episode! 🎉Join Monique as she reflects on the top five episodes—ranked by downloads and impact—exploring themes like embracing change, prioritizing well-being, and balancing humanity ...
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39:04
49 | Whose Permission Are You Seeking?
Have you ever felt the pull to close one chapter of your life and start a new one, only to be held back by an invisible ball and chain? This episode tackles the heart of that struggle, exploring how we can make meaningful shifts in ...
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27:36
48 | Learning How To Choose Instead Of Saying Yes To Everything
In a world where success is often defined by external benchmarks and societal expectations, Monique invites us to pause and reflect on the art of intentional living. Tune in as Monique shares her personal framework, "Nature, Nurture, Navigate,"...
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37:42
47 | When Ambition Meets Stillness: Finding Strength in Slowing Down
Are you feeling ungrounded or disconnected from your true self? Our latest episode takes you on a transformative journey of self-discovery through therapy, journaling, and meditation. Join Monique as she takes us on an unscripted jo...
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35:03
46 | Balancing Success and Personal Legacy with Former Blavity.org ED Tamyra Gordon
Join Monique for an enlightening conversation with Tamyra Gordon as she shares her journey of intentional living, homeschooling and legacy building.Tamyra, also known as Tammy, is a public historian whose work serves as a powerful reclam...
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1:06:57
45 | How To Actually Prioritize Rest: What I've Learned To Do
This episode is a delightful reflection on Monique's recent family trip to Australia and the valuable lessons she learned about balancing ambition with rest. Monique takes us through her journey of stepping away from her solopreneur...
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55:25
44 | Submitting To Hard Changes In A New Season
Are you navigating a season of change? This episode is here to provide inspiration and guidance.Join in as Monique revisits a transformative period in her life, reflecting on a throwback episode from her earlier audio newsletter series, ...
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51:22
43 | Rebooting Social Media Boundaries As A Business Owner: What I Had To Do
In this episode, Monique takes us on a journey through her relationship with social media. She dives into an ongoing experiment that is reshaping her life, work, and well-being. Instead of waiting until the end of this process, Monique brings y...
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41:52
42 | Committing To Success That Heals You with Transformational Healer & Coach Marla Teyolia
Welcome back, good people! This episode is a special treat as we welcome the inspiring Marla Teyolia, a seasoned transformational coach with over two decades of experience. Marla’s expertise lies in executive presence development, enhancing com...
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49:48
41 | What to Do When Your Vision Is Changing
Have you ever found yourself feeling stuck, even though you've accomplished everything you set out to do? Life is full of subtle shifts and changes that can catch us off guard, leaving us feeling lost or in limbo. As high achievers, we can some...
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46:58
40 | Are You Asking Too Much Of Your Team?
One of the most challenging aspects of this journey of entrepreneurship is people management. As entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves grappling with delegation and feedback, two crucial elements that can make or break our team dynamics and ov...
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34:04
39 | On People Pleasing
In this live-recorded episode, we explore the pervasive issue of people-pleasing, its roots, impacts, and the paths to overcoming it. This behavior, often rooted in a desire to be liked and accepted, can have profound impacts on bot...
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32:33
38 | Scared To Hire
In this special behind-the-scenes episode, I pull back the covers on my personal journey as a CEO and entrepreneur sharing my fears, challenges, and breakthroughs. From hiring hurdles to business growth, I get real and raw about the ups and dow...
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43:54
37 | The Power Of Prioritizing Friendship And Connection
As a coach, facilitator, and speaker, I have come to realize that our dreams don't always welcome us with open arms. The journey towards our aligned future can often feel lonely and unwelcoming, especially when we are made to feel isolated....
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36:44
36 | Learning How To Do Nothing
In today's fast-paced world, the concept of truly resting and enjoying success often feels elusive. Many of us are caught in a cycle of hyper productivity and achievement, constantly striving for the next milestone without pausing to reflect or...
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39:44
35 | The Courage To Pursue Peace With Hillarie Maddox of BlackGirlCountryLiving
Are you yearning for a change in your life, especially one that brings you closer to your true self? This episode might just be the nudge you need. In this episode, we unfold the essence of rewilding – a term that transcends its eco...
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56:15