Momentum Matters

Momentum Matters is the official podcast of Momentum, Alabama’s premier leadership organization advancing women in leadership. Hosted by April Benetollo, Katie Hannah, and Raven Holloway, this podcast raises awareness about the barriers women face on the path to leadership—and the skills, stories, and strategies that help move past them. Each episode features courageous conversations with changemakers across industries, sharing insights on leadership, equity, purpose, and personal growth. Whether you're navigating your own leadership journey or working to build a more inclusive workplace, Momentum Matters offers inspiration and tools to lead with impact. Tune in, turn it up, and lead with Momentum.

Momentum Matters is a business podcast hosted by Momentum Leaders, with 50 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Momentum Leaders hosts Momentum Matters, a business show with 50 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Momentum Matters

  How to Lead in the AI Era and What AI Can't Replace

  Sep 18, 202623 min

  In this episode of Momentum Matters , we dive into the intersection of artificial intelligence and human resilience with Tacita Thompson. While tools like Claude, Gemini, and custom agents are transforming how organizations operate and scale, Tacita shares why human validation, trust, and authentic connection remain indispensable for true leadership. Tune in as Tacita shares practical strategies on using AI to streamline daily tasks, avoid decision fatigue, and enhance efficiency, all without losing your personal voice or replacing human judgment. Key Topics Covered: AI Frameworks: Breaking down AI into three functional buckets: Assistant, Advisor, and Agent. Practical Productivity: How tools like Claude and Gemini help organize daily tasks and reduce anxiety around missed details. Guardrails & Best Practices: Setting boundaries for AI tools and ensuring critical human checkpoints remain in business processes. Maintaining the Human Element: Leveraging AI to handle repetitive tasks so leaders can focus on revenue generation, relationships, and human connection. Personal & Creative Applications: From devotional studies and navigating complex processes to learning music production. Connect & Learn More: More about FastSlowMotion: https://www.fastslowmotion.com/ FastSlowMotion Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@FastslowmotionConsulting Connect with Tacita on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacita-mae-2b044915/ Visit our website: www.MomentumLeaders.org Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MomentumLeaders Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momentumleaders LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/momentumleaders YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@momentumleaders

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  Momentum Matters

  Intern Insights: Success isn't What You Think

  Sep 16, 20266 min

  What does leadership look like beyond job titles, promotions, and congratulatory LinkedIn posts? In the kickoff episode of this special Momentum Matters fall mini-series, host Ria, Impact & Insights Intern at Momentum, dives into the real stories behind the numbers. Sitting with grant reports, program data, and spreadsheets from Alabama’s leading women’s leadership organization, Ria offers a fresh, data-backed lens on how true success manifests in women's lives. Connect with Momentum: Website: momentumleaders.org Social Media: Follow @momentumleaders across all platforms for weekly episode drops and updates. Visit our website: www.MomentumLeaders.org Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MomentumLeaders Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momentumleaders LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/momentumleaders YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@momentumleaders

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  Momentum Matters

  Leading with Purpose: A Conversation with America's Thrift CEO Chris Homewood

  Sep 10, 202639 min

  What does it take to lead an organization of 2,100 people without losing sight of the individual? In this episode of Momentum Matters , host April Benetollo sits down with Chris Homewood, CEO of America’s Thrift Stores and a longtime Momentum partner. Chris brings a unique, people-first perspective built on an impressive career spanning retail giants like Target, Ross Stores, Circuit City, and TriMark USA—as well as six and a half years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. From the drill field to the executive suite, Chris shares how the Marine Corps mantra "Mission first, Marines always" transformed into his personal leadership philosophy: "Mission first, people always". Tune in as April and Chris discuss: The "Walker Arounder" Philosophy: Why real executive insight comes from talking directly to front-line employees rather than sitting in a corner office. Frisbee vs. Boomerang Communication: How to ensure your message actually lands across distributed, multi-region teams. Building a Culture of Belonging: How evaluating talent holistically unlocks unseen potential across departments. The Girl Dad Effect: How raising a confident daughter influences his vision for workplace equity and opportunity. Upcycling at Scale: The massive impact of moving 75 to 80 million pounds of inventory a year out of landfills and into communities. Whether you're leading a small team or managing thousands, this candid, energy-packed conversation is full of practical wisdom on resilience, listening, and lead-by-example accountability. Connect & Learn More: Website: AmericasThrift.com LinkedIn: Connect with Chris Homewood Momentum: Learn more about how we empower leaders at Momentum Leaders Visit our website: www.MomentumLeaders.org Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MomentumLeaders Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momentumleaders LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/momentumleaders YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@momentumleaders

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  Momentum Matters

  Reclaiming Physical Power with Anne Marie Chaker

  Sep 4, 202628 min

  Episode Title: Reclaiming Physical Power with Anne Marie Chaker Episode Description: In this episode of Momentum Matters , host April Taylor sits down with Anne Marie Chaker, former Wall Street Journal reporter and author of LIFT: How Women Can Reclaim Their Physical Power and Transform Their Lives . Together, they dive into why strength training is far more than just a workout; it’s a transformative tool for building confidence, resilience, and personal autonomy. Anne Marie shares insights from her journalism background and personal fitness journey, revealing how women of all ages can break free from physical limitations, step into their strength, and carry that momentum into every area of their lives. In this episode, you’ll learn: The inspiration behind Anne Marie’s book, LIFT , and her journey from reporter to strength advocate. Why reclaiming physical strength is essential for mental and emotional empowerment. Practical advice for women looking to overcome gym intimidation and start building real physical power. How building physical strength creates a ripple effect across your career, relationships, and mindset. Visit our website: www.MomentumLeaders.org Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MomentumLeaders Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momentumleaders LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/momentumleaders YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@momentumleaders

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  Episode #17

  The Purpose Gap in Hiring: How Leaders Can Improve Retention & Engagement | Charles Baughman

  Jun 3, 202636 minS4

  In this episode of Momentum Matters , host Katie Hannah welcomes Charles Baughman, Chief Innovation Officer and Vice President of Sales at ITAC Solutions. With more than 20 years of experience in recruiting, talent strategy, and workforce development, Charles shares insights on what he calls the "purpose gap"—the disconnect between how organizations define a role and how employees ultimately experience it. Together, they explore why purpose has become a critical factor in employee engagement, retention, and long-term success. Charles discusses how companies can create more meaningful hiring processes, the importance of aligning job responsibilities with organizational impact, and what today's workforce is truly seeking beyond salary. The conversation also examines the evolving role of flexibility, leadership, workplace culture, and artificial intelligence in shaping the future of work. Whether you're a business leader, hiring manager, HR professional, or someone navigating your own career journey, this episode offers practical strategies for building stronger connections between people, purpose, and performance. Key topics include: • The purpose gap in hiring and retention • Employee engagement and workplace culture • Leadership and manager impact • Recruitment and talent acquisition strategies • Flexibility, trust, and the future of work • AI's growing influence on hiring and business • Creating meaningful career experiences Learn more about Momentum at momentumleaders.org. Visit our website: www.MomentumLeaders.org Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MomentumLeaders Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momentumleaders LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/momentumleaders YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@momentumleaders

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