Attention: This is a machine-generated transcript. As such, there may be spelling, grammar, and accuracy errors throughout. Thank you for your understanding!
Nancy McClelland: Welcome to She Counts the Real Talk podcast for Women in Accounting. I'm your host, Nancy McClelland.
Questian Telka: Wait. Host. What about me?
Nancy McClelland: Um, yeah, I meant co-host. Yeah. That's it. Oops. And every episode, we're digging into the real experiences, [00:00:30] challenges, and unspoken truths of life in this profession.
Questian Telka: Because if you've ever felt like you're the only one, you're not, and you shouldn't have to do it alone.
Nancy McClelland: Special thanks to our season four sponsors Bill, Relay and Carbon were so grateful to them for helping us bring these conversations to life, enabling us to share out loud what everyone's thinking, but no one's saying. Learn more about them on our sponsors page at dot SHOW.
Questian Telka: And if you really [00:01:00] want to support the podcast, the one thing that would make the biggest impact is to leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Reviews help others find the show.
Nancy McClelland: Remember, you can go to earmark.app to earn CPE credit, and please follow the She Counts podcast on LinkedIn to join the conversation.
Questian Telka: And everyone knows we love a good story. But today, this episode really is the story itself. Uh, it's really the story of the [00:01:30] evolution of she counts and where it's headed.
Nancy McClelland: And I'm going to argue that it's not just about the evolution of she counts, but the evolution of my dear friend. Question Telka.
Questian Telka: Yes, the another iteration always evolving. Definitely. And this is also the first episode of season four.
Nancy McClelland: Yeah. Welcome back.
Questian Telka: Welcome back. Can you believe it's been, well, three [00:02:00] down and four in the making.
Nancy McClelland: I'm amazed. As a matter of fact, when I saw your show notes for this episode, you were like, Welcome to season three, first episode of season three. And I was like, hey girl, it's actually season four. We've been doing this for a while now.
Questian Telka: Yeah. That's right. It's, um.
Nancy McClelland: Although the season is starting out differently than either one of us expected, which I alluded to earlier.
Questian Telka: That's right. When, um, when you [00:02:30] referred to yourself as the host, which that's what the big news is that we have to share today is that I am leaving. She counts and stepping away and leaving it in amazing hands with you, Nancy, as you're going to continue to take the show forward. And this comes from a place of and we're going to talk about this as we go throughout the episode. But this is coming from a place of not [00:03:00] conflict or anything. Definitely wrong. But the fact that, you know, I need to follow some of my own advice and that there are some other things in my life that I really need to be focusing on and haven't been.
Nancy McClelland: So yeah. So the episode is all about recognizing when something good no longer fits the season of life you're in. But that doesn't mean that the thing itself does not bring you joy. It just means you [00:03:30] need to focus on something else. So there is a there is a bigger, greater theme going throughout this that we want people to, to take away. But in the process, we get to tell you all about why this is happening and what we've learned and what's next. So question, I want to ask you a few questions.
Questian Telka: Yeah. I'm ready.
Nancy McClelland: How did this happen? When did you realize that something had to give.
Questian Telka: I think I knew that something had to give for a long time. [00:04:00] And, you know, we've been so open and vulnerable on the show and I've shared kind of my things professionally and personally that have kind of shifted for me over time. You know, it went through, um, a divorce, a medical emergency with my son, like all of that came before. But throughout that process, I was always felt like I was drinking from a fire hose. And it was like, I just finally got to the point where I was like, I was so tired and exhausted and feeling like I'm [00:04:30] doing all of these incredible things poorly. I am parenting poorly.
Nancy McClelland: That is very well said. I, I, I totally know that feeling too.
Questian Telka: Yeah. And I was just, you know, I, I one, it resonated, you know, we've, we've had Lynette on, we've talked to her a lot about this and when I was already kind of thinking how, what [00:05:00] changes do I need to make? And we were talking about at wave, how we define success for ourselves and what that means. And like I had already started going through that process and changing the structure of my business and trying to slowly like step away. So I was speaking less at conferences and, um, teaching fewer webinars. And so I was kept slowly kind of moving things off and still feeling like the pressure hasn't subsided.
Nancy McClelland: I remember that when we were, when Aaron was [00:05:30] interviewing us on stage at wave, we had already seen Lynette O'Connell's session earlier that day on burnout. And wow, I looked over at you and it had hit you really, really hard. And when I, you know, I went back and, uh, listened to that episode once it released, which was two months later. Right. So by that point, we already knew you were going to be leaving, not when we recorded it, but when I listened to it and there was so much foreshadowing like, oh yeah, I feel like listening [00:06:00] to you on that stage. I should have known that.
Questian Telka: What I, what was, what was coming, what I needed. And I.
Nancy McClelland: Think.
Questian Telka: Part of it, um, was like even being there during that, during that conference and, you know, hearing Lynette go through like this, you know, the evolution of like your burnout, so to speak to and like, where are you at in this process? And I'm like, I have just, you know, I've reached a point where I was, like I said, I felt [00:06:30] like I was doing everything, like not up to the standard, although, you know, you and I are both perfectionists, so, but I still knew that I was not living up to what it needed to be, but I was just too exhausted to do anything about it. And so, and then, you know, also like, um, my, my life is different now as well.
Nancy McClelland: So you hit the reboot button. I mean, what? Talk about all the things that are different. Like, you know, you're, you're, uh, divorced, you're in a new relationship. [00:07:00] You moved not only yourself across the country, but your ex and your kids and your mom as well, which is like stunning and going in a really different direction with your business. And you're doing, uh, you know, financial consulting and analysis and advisory work. It's like, could you have changed more things at once? Like it's kind of insane. Yeah. They say what it is insane. Like you're not supposed to. [00:07:30] There's certain things that you're not supposed to do more than two of at the same time. And I think it's like getting married, getting divorced, uh, switching careers, um, having a baby. I can't remember what all of the.
Questian Telka: Death in the family, which I also had in the fall.
Nancy McClelland: That's right, that's right. I mean, it was just like you just went. Let's just do it all at once.
Questian Telka: Yeah, let's just get it all out of the way real fast. Restart. Yeah. And so that's it. I mean, getting to the point of making the decision [00:08:00] to do this was like kind of traumatizing because we did this for reasons that I still believe in. Um, but I also was like, okay, I have to take care of myself and my family and have this life that I want to live. And I also want Nancy to be able to have the show, um. Appear and just be out [00:08:30] there in the format that you, that we wanted it to be in. And it was like, I don't feel like I can show up everywhere the way that I need to. And so.
Nancy McClelland: Well, I remember that conversation really, really, really well because it was such a shock and I was just stunned. I just was floored. And you started crying because you were like, I don't want to disappoint you. And I will always remember the words that just came out of my mouth. So naturally, I was like, honey, [00:09:00] I would so much rather you be self aware that you can't be there and tell me, than to not show up for me when I need you. And I'm so grateful. I'm so I was so grateful in that moment, even though I was shocked and I was sad. And it was like so many emotions at the same time, like we talk about with dialectical behavioral therapy. It was like all of them at the same time. But I just remember being so grateful to you for that [00:09:30] self-awareness. And that brings me to my next question, which is, you know, we talk so much about recovering from burnout, but in this moment, you made a decision before you completely burned out. And that decision was respectful and kind and self-aware and full of, uh, intention. Like so many things that we talk about on the show [00:10:00] that are so hard to do. What does it look like from the other side of things to make that decision before you burn out?
Questian Telka: Well, I honestly feel like I made it after. I don't think so. Let's put it this way. I was burnt out overall with life and work and everything, but I wasn't burnt out on the podcast. And so it's, it was just I needed to, I guess you're right in the sense [00:10:30] like that in that specific area, I got there pretty close to the edge. I think you would agree because like, I know you could tell. Um, but yeah, I mean, it felt I was so concerned when I told you that you were going to be, you know, like really upset and you were just like, I know that you have a lot going on and I'm just happy that you told me. And so like, now we can make a plan and go forward. And I was like, you know, that was it was relieving. And so I'm happy that it feels great.
Nancy McClelland: Yeah, [00:11:00] yeah. You're, you know, audience members should know what happened next because this was just a few days before engage. And so we were like, you know what? Let's meet the night before engage starts. Let's have a glass of wine. Let's hug, let's cry it out and let's figure out what's next. And like, we sat down on that sofa and you handed me a glass of prosecco and we cheered. And then [00:11:30] we hugged and just burst into tears. It was so cathartic for both of us.
Questian Telka: Yeah, I know, and there's like something to be said for. It's like seeing your people in person, right?
Nancy McClelland: Oh yeah. For sure.
Questian Telka: It's like, it just feels different.
Nancy McClelland: I feel like this is just such a good example that I want to learn from where you're letting go of something you love, and that letting go is [00:12:00] actually an act of caring for yourself. You know, you said to me that there are so many episodes where you were like, I feel like I remember when we were recording the imposter interrupted episode. And, you know, we talk about turning down self-doubt and you're like, no, I just have more and more self-doubt as I get farther and farther away from being able to do episodes on She Counts, which is where the big D [00:12:30] divorce and rebuilding came from, because I was like, you know what?
Questian Telka: That was the conversation. And, and that's the thing is like, um, I think one of the things both of us have been great about is like, we have these topics or we have guests on and we've all and we're both very open about the fact that we don't have those things figured out, which is why we have guests.
Nancy McClelland: Which is why.
Questian Telka: We talk about.
Nancy McClelland: Do you remember? That was one of my favorite moments. Um, when we had Alicia Katz Pollak [00:13:00] on and, um, you were asking her about, you know, why we undervalue ourselves. And she goes, why do you have a podcast? Because we talk about that so often. Like it is a part of the human condition. It is part self doubt is wired into humanity, right? Yeah. And, um, so yeah, like the, the saying the things out loud because we don't have it figured [00:13:30] out is a big part of what you've been able to bring to the podcast and to our listeners. I mean, to me, that's just such a beautiful thing.
Questian Telka: Yeah, I agree. And, um, you know, sometimes being successful means deciding, you know, what? What can you. No longer. What can you no longer do or carry? It's not always about adding the next thing to the top of the [00:14:00] pile.
Nancy McClelland: It feels like it so often though, I mean, again, to go back to waive Aaron Cohen's conference, the theme this year was to success.
Questian Telka: Mhm.
Nancy McClelland: And about us defining what success looks like and not carrying somebody else's definition of success.
Questian Telka: Yeah. Like the traditional definition of what that means in our field and.
Nancy McClelland: Which is like more and more and more grow, get bigger, like more and.
Questian Telka: More revenue. Yeah. All of [00:14:30] it. Yeah.
Nancy McClelland: Yeah. So I feel like that is such a beautiful and tangible example that you will be able to say the next time you're on a podcast and you're getting interviewed and somebody says, what's a lesson that you've learned that you want to share with others, that sometimes success means deciding what you're no longer willing to carry.
Questian Telka: That's right. Yeah.
Nancy McClelland: So what are you hoping to make room for by leaving?
Questian Telka: So, you know, like you said, I [00:15:00] just a new relationship. Well, I guess new is relative. It's like nearly a year old at this point, but, um, newly living in the same city and so exploring here and building, building friends locally and a network locally, spending more time with my kids. Um, you know, my youngest got at the end of school at the end of the school year. We already knew this [00:15:30] was the case, but in addition to all of his other physical and developmental disabilities got, you know, they confirmed that he has autism. So, um, you know, it's, it's been, I, I mean, it has been the greatest challenge of my life. I, I can't I can't even explain it. It's hard to express to anyone who isn't like living it, but, um, you know, trying to find the time to make sure he has the care that he needs. Um.
Nancy McClelland: And [00:16:00] well.
Questian Telka: Successful in school.
Nancy McClelland: The most recent episode that, um, that we recorded, you had to cancel at the last minute because you couldn't get him with as a special needs child, you couldn't get him into a school. Like they just kept throwing him around, moving him.
Questian Telka: Yeah. Because he has a, you know, he has an IEP, which is I can't even remember what the letters stand for, but it's basically like a special education plan. And they, [00:16:30] you know, he got moved from school to school to school, like internally in the system because I kept going, oh, this one would be a better spot. Oh, wait, this is where you district. He's districted. This would be a better spot. This one he can't go to. And so then trying to get all of that figured out, and then we didn't know who the teacher was going to be. And then we didn't get to go to meet the, you know, it was like all of this stuff that happened. Um, even just trying like logistically also like my 15 year old is learning [00:17:00] to drive. Like someone's going to teach him how to drive, you know? Are you.
Nancy McClelland: Serious?
Questian Telka: Yeah.
Nancy McClelland: That is so hard to picture and imagine. Wow.
Questian Telka: So there are all of those, um, there are all of those things. And then like my client workload is, is heavy. And so, you know, leaning into that and just making sure that I am servicing them the best that I can and just kind of like actually made a.
Nancy McClelland: Comment to me about [00:17:30] that. I mean, just now you were talking about your kids and your, um, your new role in work and you made a comment to me that connected the two of those so perfectly. You said this was that that night before engage started. And I said, well, what do you want the narrative to be? And you were like, the narrative is exactly what's happening. I am finally listening to the advice that we keep giving ourselves and getting from guests on the podcast. And I [00:18:00] need to prioritize my family, which means I need to prioritize my finances.
Questian Telka: Yeah. That's right. Yep. That's right. And, you know, especially like post divorce, which that's a, that's always been important, but it's like, that is, you know, that is I need to be able to support them. Like Silas is going to be going to college soon. Like there's all of these, you know, all these big moves. So yeah, it's like, that has to be, [00:18:30] that has to be my priority. And, um, so yeah, it's been.
Nancy McClelland: What have you had to tell yourself to be okay with stepping away from something that you love so much that you helped build, that you know, has impact? Because I know this wasn't an easy decision, even though it became an obvious decision, it's still like emotionally painful.
Questian Telka: Well, once I, you know, as I thought about it, what I realized is that like once I am settled and reset and [00:19:00] like, I basically, you know, my, my boyfriend and I have talked about this, I'm like, I am gonna once everything is kind of settled, which it still isn't, not just with the podcast, with work, with getting moved, everything. I am going on a like mini sabbatical, which doesn't mean not having clients because I'm still going to have my clients, but I'm just not going to do like sign up, you know, to speak travel unless it's fun, like, um, any extra [00:19:30] or take on any additional clients and just like kind of breathe. And so what I told myself was that I have to just be okay. You know, recognizing that I have this need and I'm, I'm physically, emotionally, mentally, like tired after years of all the things which I think so many people are. And I'm like, I just need to breathe. And then what [00:20:00] will happen is, so what I tell myself is there will be other things that I'm interested in and other opportunities that will open up and come about. And it'll be coming at a time when I feel like I am finally rested. Right. Like I am. I'm back on solid ground. I'm not burnt out. And so then I can kind of like re-envision how I want things to be again, like another evolution or iteration. Right. Another chapter [00:20:30] in another chapter. Yeah. That's right.
Nancy McClelland: In your story.
Questian Telka: That's what I, that's what I tell myself. I'm like this. And I also know that it's in good hands. So.
Nancy McClelland: Well.
Nancy McClelland: Well. Thank you.
Nancy McClelland: Let's talk about what we've created here together. Like you badgered me for years before we finally started the podcast. Um, so that's how.
Questian Telka: You be honest. Be honest. You were a little annoyed after I was like, you know, like, I'm laughing when [00:21:00] I say this, right? Like I say to you, I badger you for years to start the podcast and then, um, I'm like, yeah. Um, so, so I'm leaving. I think I need to leave.
Nancy McClelland: Oh my God. Yeah. Oh no, there's no question about that. Like we're, you can't. Yes. This is amicable. Yes. We love each other. Yes. We're laughing about it. And also, oh my God, how annoying is that? You badger me for years and then you're like, oh, by the way, this thing that we built, um, it's [00:21:30] yours now because I'm out. Like, yes, it is true. Um, and I don't know what the future is going to look like. We both know that this ended up being a massive amount of work, way more than even we expected. Um, but it became something really beautiful. Like it became the, the fan mail that we get and the, the people who write us to say that impact that these, these honest [00:22:00] conversations have had on them. Like it's really amazing. Um, but we also had a bunch of ridiculous and funny moments and favorite episodes and guests who surprised us. What are, what are some of your good memories that you want to share?
Questian Telka: Um, well, some of the, you know, ridiculous or funny or unserious moments are, uh. Before everyone had, I don't know if we've shared this before, but when [00:22:30] we start a recording. Oh, Nancy.
Nancy McClelland: I know you're gonna say.
Questian Telka: Nancy has us go through this vocal warm up, which is the arsonist has oddly shaped feet. And like, I just it still makes me laugh, but it also every time. But I also feel absolutely silly and ridiculous, like doing it before. And which helps.
Nancy McClelland: To like, it helps us to shake it out beforehand. Like if you, if you have nerves or you [00:23:00] need to shift your mentality like into a new space. Um, and it's from anchorman, it's, it's a Will Ferrell quote that's like his, he, you know, a lot of people before the, when they do a vocal warm up for theater or television or something, they'll go unique New York or something like that. And he's going, I like Scotch Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch down into my belly. And the arsonist had oddly shaped feet.
Questian Telka: Yep. That's right.
Nancy McClelland: And [00:23:30] so we do it. We do it before every episode. It cracks question up.
Questian Telka: Yeah. Every time it makes me giggle like I'm eight or something. It's. Yeah. Uh, um, and then we have all of these amazing episodes. Nancy, what are some of your favorites?
Nancy McClelland: Oh my gosh, I have, I think I have too many favorites.
Questian Telka: All of.
Nancy McClelland: Them count. Yeah. Can I say all of them?
Questian Telka: Yeah.
Nancy McClelland: Um, I mean, one in particular that was super special was the first [00:24:00] time that we recorded live in front of an audience at, which was a year ago, uh, I guess a bit more than that at bridging the gap. And Aaron Cohen was our moderator and seeing all of those faces. Oh my God, I'm gonna cry. Like it was so beautiful. All of those people who are listeners, but they got to be there in person and listen. And somebody had bubbles. [00:24:30] I don't remember what the what maybe I was carrying bubbles around with me because I'm like that. I always carry something fun, like crayons or bubbles, or I have a mini disco ball that plugs into my phone, and we gave them bubbles, and they blew bubbles across the front of us. When we were going through the intro, it just made me. It was just so beautiful.
Questian Telka: And it was.
Nancy McClelland: So.
Questian Telka: Great to, to have people ask questions that were sitting in the room with us and, you know, hearing [00:25:00] like, what are they? What are the things that they're thinking about? What are the topics, you know, that they are concerned with? And so like, really, you know, people asking like vulnerable questions. Um, you know, and I think we had like a moment where we were like all basically in tears up there.
Nancy McClelland: So yeah. Oh for sure. And Roman said, um, he and I are on the, the advisory board for bridging the gap and in planning the 2026 [00:25:30] Bridging the gap. He was like, we need more sessions. Like she counts from last year where the audience got involved. He really, really loved that. And so he ended up designing a session this year that had audience participation because of that. Oh, that's so cool.
Questian Telka: Yeah. We love we love to do that too, don't we? We kind of do that with all of the, with all of the live sessions. And yeah. So yeah, my, I guess I agree with you that one's really special. [00:26:00] And just any of the ones that we record when we're live for some reason. Well, I guess I guess this seems obvious, but they're also the ones that I get the most nervous about.
Nancy McClelland: I, for me, they're my favorite. I, they don't make me nervous because I feel like I feel like they're where I'm just having a conversation with friends in the room, you know, like we're just hanging out in [00:26:30] my living room. There happened to be 300 friends in the room, but still. We just have a lot of friends.
Questian Telka: And we do actually have. So we are actually before I officially. Well, I guess I'm officially fully leaving for the recordings, but we have one more live session that we're doing in the fall.
Nancy McClelland: Yeah. So I've already, um, by the, let me see, by the time this airs, this is the first episode of season four [00:27:00] and the second episode of season four will actually be live at bridging the gap from 2026, which you were not there for that one, but oh, wow, you guys have to tune in to this one because we've got Deana Martin. Um, Anisha Jones and Jennifer Diamond were my guests and wow, they just it was fantastic. The audience was so amazing and they like submitted all these great questions and then upvoted them with this, um, new app that Chad Davis.
Questian Telka: I love.
Nancy McClelland: That called Participation town. Yeah, it [00:27:30] was really, really, really cool. Um, but then later this year, we haven't recorded this yet. We're going to be at, um, back at, I guess I should say AICPA Women's Global Leadership Summit, which I got to, um, I got to do fake Jazzercise with a room of 500 women last year, which was one of my favorite things I have ever done at a conference. I actually should put that in the show notes because the video to that is, [00:28:00] um, absolutely hilarious and wonderful. There's this one moment partway in where the camera pans across the room and you see 500 women, you know, shaking it and putting their arms over their head and, oh my gosh, it was just so much fun. So we're going back there this year. But this year they invited us to do a two part live recording with, um, Jackie Meyer and Hope Brown and other women, uh, that [00:28:30] were named to the women to watch list, um, which I had the very great honor of being named to and their inaugural list last year. And so we're going to do a she counts lessons learned from women to watch. And so, uh, I mean, our guest, one of our guests is going to be questioned because she's going to be coming back to do a guest appearance as a co-host for that episode, which is going to be.
Questian Telka: That's right.
Nancy McClelland: Super fun. What were some other favorite episodes or, um, [00:29:00] memories?
Questian Telka: I think one of this, this wasn't an episode, but it was when I went to waive the first year and, um, um, ran into, uh, I never, I can never remember if I'm saying her name. Right. Um. Jennifer. Is it Posner?
Nancy McClelland: I don't know if it's Posner or Posner. I think we had this.
Questian Telka: Conversation once before.
Nancy McClelland: Anyway, I had it with Jennifer. Actually, she's gonna laugh when she hears this. [00:29:30]
Questian Telka: Yeah, well, and she did the last time we brought it.
Nancy McClelland: Up in the comments. Tell us in the comments on LinkedIn when this episode airs. How to pronounce your last name.
Questian Telka: Yeah, I feel horrible, but I, and I could, I probably won't remember anyway because I'm awful with names, great with faces, terrible with names, but good to know. Um, when I saw her, she was telling me about how she was listening to a podcast. We brought this up on the episode on an earlier episode, but she was listening to a podcast on her drive down to the conference. And then she was like, and [00:30:00] then she put together that it was, you know, that I was one of the co-hosts. And it was just really funny hearing her talk about it. And then she's like, wait a minute, you're on that. Oh my gosh, like put it together. Yeah. And so like, that was a funny.
Nancy McClelland: Similar happen at advisory amplified last year when it was in Chicago. Um, somebody came up to me, I was talking with Blake Oliver and somebody came up and she's like, I had to walk over because I was like, I know those people. Those [00:30:30] voices sound so familiar. And then she was like, oh my gosh, it's Nancy from She Counts and Blake from the Accounting podcast. Like, of course I know those voices. It was really fun. And we've hung up many times since then.
Questian Telka: So I love that.
Nancy McClelland: It's pretty.
Questian Telka: Hilarious. Yeah, it's so fun. And then one of the episode, the episode and this one, a lot of people love this. And it, it's, um, it's validating, but also kind of disappointing, but it resonated with so many people. Your credit, which [00:31:00] one? The one credit where credit is due, where you are sharing. Yeah.
Nancy McClelland: Oh my gosh. That one. Do you remember when we. So I had just had that happen where my slides had been stolen. And man, I was coming in hot and I was not sure if it was going to be a good episode because it was running long because um, I just kept, I was like, and another thing. And and it kept going. And we even paused the recording [00:31:30] because you were like, Nancy, oh my gosh, like this episode's going so long. And I was like, I only have three pages of notes left. It'll be fine. And, and I, I remember thinking at the time, like when we were done, I was like, oh, I was too emotional. It went too long. And it turned out it's one of our most popular episodes.
Questian Telka: Yeah, yeah. And yeah, as what I said, and it's like, it's amazing because it's like it resonated, but then also it's like, it's not it. Yeah, it's sad because it resonated [00:32:00] so highly. And so yeah, I love that one. Um.
Nancy McClelland: What about, um, guests who surprised us?
Questian Telka: Um, well, one of the, there was an episode along this journey that I couldn't be there for. And Melissa Miller Ferguson, your bestie.
Nancy McClelland: Yes.
Questian Telka: Basically like. Morning of you're like, hey, you're gonna, I need you to do this thing for me. And then she came on and nailed [00:32:30] it.
Nancy McClelland: Yeah, that was amazing. That was amazing. Yeah. You texted me that morning like, oh my gosh, I think I saw it an hour before we were supposed to record. And, you know, I already had the outline written out and yeah, Melissa who I don't even know if she'd even, she certainly had never hosted a podcast. I'm not sure she had at that point even been on a podcast yet, but I knew she had, you know, she'd taken the theater public speaking program. And I, she had presented to ask [00:33:00] a CPA before. Um, and everybody always tells her what a calming voice she has. And it's really true, her demeanor, she can talk people off of a ledge. It's totally true. And she.
Questian Telka: Does have a very calming voice.
Nancy McClelland: Doesn't she?
Questian Telka: Yeah.
Nancy McClelland: She just.
Questian Telka: She speaks and it's like calm and slow. Like she takes time with her words and. Yeah. And she's very.
Nancy McClelland: Yeah. And she's very focused on outcomes. And I think that that's super helpful and she's very validating. And I was like, [00:33:30] I don't want to put her into this position. And on the other hand, like, I got to get this recorded. And she and I talk about that topic, which was like wanting to be nominated for awards, but also like dreading it because the whole awards cycle is so terrifying and it's such a hard thing to ask. And, you know, you want to win, but you also want to root for your friends. I mean, it's a hard it's a hard topic. And when we go like, get our nails done before a conference, it's one of the things that we talk about. [00:34:00] And I was like, she'll be perfect for it. And she was like, can I, can I run and take a shower first? That was it. Like it was just yes.
Questian Telka: Yeah.
Nancy McClelland: And then.
Questian Telka: At.
Nancy McClelland: Scaling new heights this year, um, I found out Misty Mejia leaned over and said to, uh, Melissa, do you host your own podcast? And she's like, no, what are you talking about? She goes, oh, I figured, I mean, you just, you [00:34:30] sounded like such a professional in that episode. I figured you must already have your own podcast. Isn't that a huge compliment?
Questian Telka: I know, oh yes, I love that. I know, I love that, I know.
Nancy McClelland: What about moments where you thought, and I remember some of these in particular, some what some whatsapps between us where we were like, oh wow, people are actually listening to this thing.
Questian Telka: Yeah. I mean, it's like the yeah, people send emails or [00:35:00] they grab us in the hallway, like at a conference. And, um, yeah, I there's definitely been a lot. Well, I mean, one of them was what I talked about when I was in Seattle. And so there have been, you know, several moments like that before or, Ah, um.
Nancy McClelland: Or letters or.
Questian Telka: Or texts.
Nancy McClelland: Or, you know, that people like Eileen Gilpin in particular, she sent us some really early [00:35:30] on. Um.
Questian Telka: Feedback.
Nancy McClelland: Yeah.
Questian Telka: Great, amazing feedback from her just like. Yeah. And that's, and that's what we hear. Like we'll, we'll put an episode out and then like get a text message from someone that we know saying like, oh my gosh, like I heard this thing and it like really made me think and it resonated.
Nancy McClelland: And there was one I got, um, I think it was just yesterday or the day before about the episode that I recorded [00:36:00] with Katie Healy at Theater of Public Speaking, and she was talking about how it took her seven years to build up the courage to leave the CPA firm where she had been working seven years. Right. And somebody texted me and was like, honestly, I felt like you guys were talking to me. I felt like you were talking to me. Like those moments where you're inspiring somebody to make [00:36:30] a change or see something in a different way. Like it just, oh my gosh, people are actually listening and it's actually changing lives. Like, oh my God, I, whenever I get those messages, I'll screenshot you with a WhatsApp and you'll be like, what?
Questian Telka: I know, I know, I love it. It's the, it's the reason that we do it right. It makes us want to keep going.
Nancy McClelland: And I had so much, so much early enthusiasm for, um, writing that topic list, which, I mean, if I pulled [00:37:00] it up right now, how many topics do we think we have on there? It's got to be nearly a hundred, right? Yeah. There's so many. And, but like, we've done a lot of them question like we're what are we 30, 40 episodes in at this point? And we've actually been like, like, think about that. An idea that came out of your head is sitting there on a Google doc, and then it comes to fruition. It actually becomes a podcast that goes out there into the world, and then we get feedback on it. [00:37:30] Like, yeah, it's, it's just, yeah, it's been really, it's been really, really special.
Questian Telka: It's been a special passion project. Yeah. And, you know, um, a passion project that requires a lot of actual work as anyone who has a podcast knows. I mean, I think I thought in the beginning, I was like, oh, well, well, yeah, we'll just record our voices and like, we'll just, you know, here we go.
Nancy McClelland: And just that was part [00:38:00] of why I said no to you for like 2 or 3 years is that I was like, I'm pretty sure she thinks that we're gonna get on a call the way that we do when we're just chatting with each other, and we'll just record it, it'll be great. I'm like, I think it's, it might be more work than that.
Questian Telka: Oh yeah. The recording, the like the it's like, you know, we have to meet and prepare and the actual recording and finding sponsors and the social and, you know, the travel [00:38:30] and the scheduling and the emails and production and like, it's a whole everything.
Nancy McClelland: That listeners never see because the whole idea is, it feels just like a, it's just a conversation, right?
Questian Telka: Mhm. Yeah.
Nancy McClelland: Which creates a tension because yeah, you want it to feel that way. But like, hey, this is the Real Talk podcast for women in accounting. So real talk. There's a, there's a tension between I love doing this and there [00:39:00] are only 24 hours in a day.
Questian Telka: That's right. And, you know, they're. They're definitely. But there could be more, you know, but then we would just use all those up working.
Nancy McClelland: It just feels poorly designed.
Questian Telka: Right? Yeah, yeah. And the nature of the fact that we're entrepreneurs and business owners, you know, we're creative in our thinking. We're more. You know, we're adventurous. We like trying different things. Um, means [00:39:30] that we, you know, continue to add things to our plate simply because, oh my gosh.
Nancy McClelland: Yeah, talk about we should do a whole podcast on what did hosting a podcast teach us about running our businesses? Oh my gosh. Right. Yeah. I mean, so a great example, actually, I haven't, I already have an answer to that one. Um, accidentally prioritizing the podcast to the exclusion of prioritizing things that actually earn us money. That's, [00:40:00] that's real. Like that's talk about that was.
Questian Telka: That was a big struggle for me.
Nancy McClelland: Was like.
Questian Telka: Okay, I, I love this, this is my passion project. You know, I'm doing this with my friend and I want to give it my all, but it's not paying my bills, you know. And that's the that's um, so that was, it goes back to what you were saying.
Nancy McClelland: You were talking about when you were making the decision and trying to figure it out.
Questian Telka: Mhm.
Nancy McClelland: The self-awareness [00:40:30] that comes with learning to distinguish between an opportunity being great and an opportunity being right for you at this time.
Questian Telka: Mhm.
Nancy McClelland: Right. Like that. It goes right back to that.
Questian Telka: That's right. That's true. So there's been a lot of, um, do you think we I know I just kind of like jumped, but do you think that we, uh, I feel like we did underestimated [00:41:00] the work.
Nancy McClelland: Um, yeah, we underestimated the amount of work. I mean, social media Alone that.
Questian Telka: Oh yeah.
Nancy McClelland: That's I remember early on you were like, I'm so excited that we're going to have earmark do the, you know, everything. They're going to take care of everything and they're going to take care of the social media because I hate doing social media and they're going to take care of all of you hate [00:41:30] social media. I know that it works that way. And they they do give us lots of really good assets. But then you got to go in there and make them your own, and you got to actually post them regularly and you got to set up the accounts. And yeah, there's.
Questian Telka: So many moving parts and things that have to be done. Yeah. It is. Yeah. But it's been, it's been amazing and absolutely amazing.
Nancy McClelland: But those two things can be true at the same time.
Questian Telka: Oh, yeah. Yeah. I'm, uh, I, I [00:42:00] am wondering myself how you're going, you know, how do you plan to, to structure it and manage it all?
Nancy McClelland: I'll be completely honest with you. Like, I don't know yet. I really don't know. Um, I have committed to season four because we've got sponsors that signed up and we've got guests who I've already been working with, and I've got recordings that I've already made. So obviously [00:42:30] season four is happening. Um, I am bringing in a dear friend, Margaret Bermuda, to help me out with, um, with some of it actually you're going to meet her in. I met her, you know. No, no, no. I mean. Audience members. Listeners, you, the listeners are going to meet Merritt. Actually, you know, I know I had said that Bridging the Gap was the next episode, but I actually think Merritt is the next episode now that I [00:43:00] think about it. Um, and I think Bridging the Gap is the episode after that, I don't know, I can't, I have a, I have a spreadsheet for this. Um, I can't keep it all in my head. That was another thing. Like how many how organized do you have to be in order to figure out the guests, the, um, sponsors, the what, which one is going to air when and um, you know, recording one's live and you know, you're not always doing them in the same order. And then [00:43:30] oh, wait, that guest couldn't do it on that date. And then, you know, like the scheduling, it's like, yeah, it really is.
Questian Telka: Yeah.
Nancy McClelland: It's totally a game of calendar Tetris. Yeah, it absolutely is. So, um, but anyway, merit, you're going to meet her in the next episode. She is going to help me out. And I, you know, she might end up becoming our, our new co-host, but for now, I want to, um, I mean, [00:44:00] we've already got some really great guests that are coming on the show. Um, some episodes that I've already recorded and, um, I feel like that part of it when we have guests and I'm talking with them like that part feels like something very natural because I've already done that quite a few times. I think that part of it I feel comfortable with, but there's so much like you were saying, there's like so much work on top of it. It's not it's not only about showing up to record [00:44:30] the episodes, it's about finding the guests and planning the episodes and working with the sponsors. Um, and then, you know, editing the articles, um, that earmark releases and writing up the descriptions and writing up the show notes. Like there's a massive amount of work that goes into every episode. So, um, so Merritt has graciously offered to help me out with some of that. And, um, I, you know, I'm sure we'll love working with each other and we'll see her more frequently and maybe that'll turn into, [00:45:00] um, later in the season or season five. Who knows, we might have a new cohost, but well, you know, it's it total honesty and openness. You know.
Questian Telka: You're kind of seeing where it goes.
Nancy McClelland: I'm gonna see where it goes. Yeah. I mean, part of this whole project has been about becoming more comfortable with being publicly vulnerable. So I will I will tell you, I don't know exactly what it's going to look like moving forward, but, um, I'm learning to [00:45:30] pivot and take things one day at a time.
Questian Telka: Well, it sounds, and I think you and we talked about this when we were sitting on the couch at engage in Vegas. And you're like I said, I mean, you can do this on your own. Like you don't need you were so supportive.
Nancy McClelland: You were like, you don't need a co-host.
Questian Telka: You don't, you.
Nancy McClelland: Don't need a co-host.
Questian Telka: You don't. It's like, it's a matter of, is this a preference for you? You know, you could, you can just have guests on, you could be on, on your own. Like you don't, you can carry it or not.
Nancy McClelland: And [00:46:00] I, when you said that, I was like, are you what are you talking about? Like, I can't do this by myself. This is that's not what it's supposed to look like. It was very validating. And Nicole Davis came and sat down next to us and she was like, yeah, girl.
Questian Telka: Go get it.
Nancy McClelland: Yeah, she totally agreed with you. That was, that was it wasn't just validating, like it was really encouraging. And it, it felt amazing for you to give me that kind of confidence. You know, we talked in one of our very early episodes about how [00:46:30] sometimes we need to borrow other people's confidence because they see something in us that we can't see. Yeah, that was our second episode. Yeah.
Questian Telka: Yeah, it's one of my favorites too.
Nancy McClelland: I really liked that one.
Questian Telka: Yeah. So what are you most excited about going in to this new iteration?
Nancy McClelland: Oh my gosh. I mean, there are days when I'm like, what [00:47:00] am I thinking? Like, this is so much work. Don't make a dime. Why would I pick this over something else? Right. Like it doesn't make sense. And then I get a text, or I read a review, or somebody tells me about the impact that it made. I'm like, about to cry again. You know, it's just. I, [00:47:30] I have said for a long time that every thing that I do in life, whether it's my career or in my personal life, is it's about making people feel less alone. And this podcast is the absolute living emblem of that, you know? And when I find out that something that we've done has [00:48:00] made someone feel less alone. Oh, I'm like, I would do it all over again.
Questian Telka: Yeah. You know, it's it's your why.
Nancy McClelland: It's my why. It's my why, which I think.
Questian Telka: Was.
Nancy McClelland: From the first episode, because that was, that was one of the very early things that you, that you talked about. So I remember, you know, when, when I first found out that you were going to be stepping away, um, my husband, Mark asked, do you want it to continue [00:48:30] or not? And I said, yes, unquestionably. And also, no way I can't do this because both things are true at the same time.
Questian Telka: That's right.
Nancy McClelland: Both things are true at the same time. Like it's, it's the thing I'm most excited about is that impact. But there's a huge amount. There's a huge amount of work involved in it. And, um, as long as it keeps making impact, like I [00:49:00] want to try to find a way.
Questian Telka: Yeah, that makes.
Nancy McClelland: Sense. Yeah. Um, I mean, what, what our listeners love about she counts isn't going away. It's, it's, it was your brainchild. Um, and together, our vision, um, to make women in accounting feel seen, heard and never alone. And it's going to keep being that I know I'm about to lose it.
Questian Telka: I know, I know.
Nancy McClelland: We've, [00:49:30] I can see your.
Questian Telka: Face. I know, I know, I know you're, I know you're going to carry it on. And um, and all of those things are true. And I'm excited to watch it evolve and to still, uh, come back and be a guest for you. Yeah. You know, um, because, you know, every once in a while, like you said, there's, uh, an opinion that I just cannot sit with, you know, got to get it out. [00:50:00]
Nancy McClelland: Gotta get it every once in a while. Come on.
Questian Telka: Yeah. Well, I am so grateful that we built this together and it's been such an amazing experience. And I know that it's going to continue to grow into something more and more beautiful. And, um, I'm so happy you said yes.
Nancy McClelland: I'm so happy I said yes too.
Questian Telka: So before we wrap everything up, [00:50:30] I have a question for you.
Nancy McClelland: Okay.
Questian Telka: I'd be interested to hear the answer to this one. Is there anything that you are secretly terrified about doing without me?
Nancy McClelland: That's a that's a good question. Um, well, secretly, I don't know. After I say it out loud, it won't be a secret anymore, right. So, um. Okay, well, one that you already know about is graphic design. [00:51:00] Oh my gosh, I am so terrible at graphic design. I'm terrible at any kind of design. Like I once I figure out like where to put the furniture in a room and where to hang things on the wall. It stays that way for like 20 years because I can't like re imagine what a room might look like. I just have no visual ability whatsoever. And you're so good at it. Like you're gifted. Like you [00:51:30] actually said when we were doing the graphic design for She Counts early on, you said and you brought in an amazing graphic designer.
Questian Telka: Oh yeah. She's incredible.
Nancy McClelland: What's her name again? I can't remember.
Questian Telka: J. Lee Davis.
Nancy McClelland: So you brought in J. Lee and but you and she worked together on it, and you said to me, if I hadn't gone into accounting, I should have become a graphic designer because I love this so much. And I was like, this is my least favorite thing I've ever done in my life. [00:52:00] Yeah, it was like the contrast. I mean, I didn't I don't even want to like, I made my husband pick out the kitchen cabinets and like the, the countertops and stuff like that. I just want, I, I hate that stuff so much. So, um, so that's not a secret. I would say secretly terrified. Um, do you remember when we recorded with Lindsay Patterson and she talked about the peach?
Questian Telka: I love Lindsay, yeah.
Nancy McClelland: I love Lindsay so much. She said, [00:52:30] um, you could be the juiciest, ripest peach ever. And there's always going to be somebody who doesn't like peaches.
Questian Telka: Yep.
Nancy McClelland: Well, I'm worried that maybe I'm a peach, right? Like what if what if there are people, I'm sure that there are people who are listening who are like, questions. Amazing. But that Nancy is a spaz.
Questian Telka: I doubt it, I'm sure of it. Okay, then.
Nancy McClelland: Impossible for both of our voices to resonate 100%. [00:53:00] With everybody out there, it would be impossible. So, you know, I worry that there are going to be people who don't want to listen anymore because you're not on it. What are you talking about?
Questian Telka: You're the dancing accountant.
Nancy McClelland: Well, yeah, but.
Questian Telka: Like, literally on stage.
Nancy McClelland: Like.
Questian Telka: Leading a, like, dance in the middle of the conference. Yeah. You know, it is.
Nancy McClelland: Cool, but that means I'm a peach. Like, some people are going to be really annoyed by that and not like it. And that's fine because I've learned to [00:53:30] lean into my voice, and I know that it's going to reach the people with whom it resonates. Right? That's fine, I don't. Justine Lackey had a really good saying when she was on the show. What did she say? She was like, oh, I can't remember exactly how she said it, but she was like, you don't have to be everybody's thing. Like, that's okay, that's okay.
Questian Telka: There are people who don't like me. Nancy. Well, we're all peaches. We're [00:54:00] all. That's right. We're we're a peach. We're all peaches. That's right. And we're all a different fruit. You know, our vegetable that somebody doesn't like. Like I hate beans. Yeah. You know, like.
Nancy McClelland: So that's something that I can say is a secret fear, but we're being vulnerable. So I'll say it out loud, like I, I am worried that about finding out that there are people who like, stopped listening because you're not here anymore, or you know, that there are people in your social circle who like, aren't going to be talking [00:54:30] up the podcast anymore because you're not on it anymore. That makes me nervous.
Questian Telka: I'm still going to be talking up the podcast. You know, it's like I, even though I'm not on it, it's still my baby. Yeah, as much as it is yours. So I want it to.
Nancy McClelland: Be.
Questian Telka: Successful.
Nancy McClelland: Is a perfect lead in to the, the question that I had for you, which I actually want to share a memory with you and with listeners, which is, um. I want to know how your voice [00:55:00] or confidence has evolved over time because of the podcast and the example that I want to give, the contrast that I see is when we started this podcast. Oh my gosh, you were so nervous in that first episode.
Questian Telka: You were I was like sweating and I don't sweat like hardly ever, even when I have a really hard workout.
Nancy McClelland: So it went from, you know, you being really, really, really nervous to what's an example? Where, where are you now?
Questian Telka: I [00:55:30] don't feel. I'll be honest. I'm always going to get nervous. I still get nervous every time we record. I still get nervous every time I walk out on a stage, every time I do a webinar. But I feel like I've. I am less nervous and I just kind of own my voice. And I feel less critical of myself and the things that I say. And so yeah, more confident in that way.
Nancy McClelland: Yeah. Yeah, I love that. Pushing through the fear. Like we are always saying [00:56:00] doing it anyway, you know?
Questian Telka: Yeah, exactly.
Nancy McClelland: Well, I want to make sure that we revisit our takeaways because I want listeners to, to hear this not only as questions story of evolution, but our own evolution as human beings, as women in accounting, that sometimes growth looks like building something like us building. She counts together and sometimes [00:56:30] growth looks like staying. And sometimes question growth looks like moving on. Yeah, yeah you can, you can say I'm proud of what we built. And it's still time for me to let it go. So I want I want everybody to think about how that makes an impact in your own life. What are the things where your. Your self-awareness about what you [00:57:00] can carry at a given time in your life may have changed from the last chapter that you were in.
Questian Telka: That's right.
Nancy McClelland: And as we wrap up, of course, we would love to ask listeners to follow our She Counts Linked in page and join in on the conversation by sharing. Under the episode The Evolution of She Counts. Where would you like the podcast to go and what topics are you all talking about that we're missing?
Questian Telka: And [00:57:30] before we sign off, we want to leave you with a quote by Eleanor Brown. You only have one life to live. Make sure it's yours.
Nancy McClelland: Oh, that's such a good one. I need that on a Post-it note on my bathroom mirror. Ah, thank you for being here with us on she Counts. And thank you for being here with me as my guest today. The Real Talk podcast for women in Accounting.
Questian Telka: If [00:58:00] something in today's episode hit home for you, well, that's exactly why we're doing this.
Nancy McClelland: So you feel seen, heard, and never alone.
Questian Telka: Remember that you can get CPE credit for listening@earmark.app. Links to that, as well as how to learn about our sponsors, solutions and other resources will be in the show notes.
Nancy McClelland: And please subscribe and leave us a review because it helps other people find the podcast. Also, please share with another woman in accounting who needs to [00:58:30] hear it too.
Questian Telka: And Nancy will see everyone again in two weeks. And I will be listening with all the listeners.
Nancy McClelland: Yay! Love you girl.
Questian Telka: Love you.
Nancy McClelland: Big hug.