EP8: Clarifying, Communicating & Reinventing with Allison Kluger

Today’s episode features one of the most radiant and wise humans I know — Allison Kluger, four-time Emmy-nominated producer, Stanford GSB lecturer, and absolute queen of clear messaging and purposeful reinvention. 💫

From producing Good Morning America and The View to co-creating classes with Tyra Banks and Alex Rodriguez, Allison has mastered the art of aligning her expertise with evolving seasons of life. In this heart-opening conversation, she and Steph go deep on how to navigate misalignment, find your footing in new chapters, and build a reputation that opens doors even when you feel like a total beginner again.

Whether you're pivoting in your biz, rethinking your path, or just figuring out your next “yes,” this episode is filled with stories, strategy, and soul.

🌟 What We Covered:

✨ From Misaligned to Magnetic – How Allison transitioned from TV exec to Stanford professor (and what made her feel like an outsider at first)
🎓 Building From Scratch – The story of pitching a class with Tyra Banks… and getting a yes by showing up with a full plan
🔍 Imposter Syndrome vs. Newness – Why being scared doesn’t mean you’re not qualified—it might just mean it’s new
🍰 The Cake & Icing Method – How to identify your core skills (cake) and your personal essence (icing) to build your brand
🔄 The Myth of the Big Pivot – Why strategic reinvention is really “100 unsexy steps”—not one leap
🧠 The Power of Presence – How being fully here is your greatest asset in communication, connection, and leadership
📣 Tell People Who You Are – Why it’s not bragging—it’s giving others the tools to see you clearly
📹 Wedding Drone Chaos – A hilarious, totally real story about a drone, a wedding, and Allison being Allison 🥹

Allison’s Six-Word Story:

“Conjuring words to clarify and inspire.” 🪄👏

🛠️ Action Steps to Align Your Life & Biz:

1️⃣ Try the Cake & Icing Exercise – Map out every role, gig, or hobby from your teens onward. List the skills you used (cake), and ask 3 people how they’d describe you (icing). What shows up again and again?
2️⃣ Bet on Yourself – If you’re pivoting, ask: How do I always show up? Hardworking? Curious? A connector? That’s your secret weapon.
3️⃣ Broadcast the Pivot – Ready for change? Email 10 people and tell them what you’re moving into, what you’re excited about, and how they can help. Be brave, bold, and clear.

Connect with Allison Kluger:

📲 Website → alisonkluger.com
📚 Books Mentioned → Branding Pays by Karen Kang (https://amzn.to/4mUxGO4), When to Jump by Mike Lewis (https://amzn.to/3HMBNM2)

Final Thought:

✨ You don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. Just aligned, present, and brave enough to start. ✨

Loved this episode? Text it to your most brilliant biz bestie — the one who’s quietly dreaming of a pivot but hasn’t made the move yet. And if you haven’t already, hit subscribe and leave a quick review. It helps more aligned souls find us, and builds the kind of community where we all rise.

Until next time, keep aligning boldly. 💛