Swagg University

There are some conversations that stay with you forever—not because of what was said, but because of who said it.This is one of them.Before her unexpected passing, I had the distinct honor of sitting down with Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson—educator, public servant, bookstore owner, mentor, and authentic force of nature. It would be our last recorded conversation together. At the time, I had no idea just how much of a gift that moment would become.This very special episode is being released posthumously in honor of Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson.  In this powerful and soul-nourishing conversation, Councilwoman Henderson shares her journey of courage, caregiving, public service, and personal evolution. Serving as a city councilwoman at age 60 to launching a Black-owned bookstore, Gwen opens up about rediscovering herself, retiring the "strong Black woman" trope, and learning to rest, ask for help, and lead from a place of peace.Councilwoman Henderson was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, I

Leadership begins with the quiet decision to honor the version of yourself you’re becoming.Too often, we chase inspiration when what we really need is intention. Dr. Phildra Swagger unpacks the powerful question, “What does showing up for your future self look like?”and how answering it can transform your leadership, productivity, and peace of mind. She shares tangible ways to align your schedule with your values, honor your vision, and build a rhythm that supports your goals without burnout.From practical time-blocking strategies to deeply human reminders about grace, rest, and legacy, this conversation invites you to lead with clarity, confidence, and compassion, for yourself first. Because when your future self wins, everyone around you rises with her.https://combinedexpertise.com/

The most powerful leadership move you can make may be to sit your behind down.Dr. Phildra Swagger delivers a soul-nourishing reset for high-achieving women entrepreneurs who are done glorifying burnout. Through her powerful message on intentional rest, she challenges the toxic hustle narrative and calls for spiritual alignment, clarity, and sustainable business strategy. She shares her CEO Life Framework with five actionable tips to help you reset and lead from a place of purpose, not pressure.Your peace and your power are non-negotiable—and they are big business. Now is the moment to realign, recalibrate, and rise as the intentional leader your business truly needs.https://combinedexpertise.com/

Your next level isn't in the hustle; it's hidden behind the clutter.Dr. Phildra Swagger shares how to reset your leadership and life using her powerful "CEO of My Life" framework. With a mix of faith-based strategy and grounded mindset coaching, she walks listeners through the process of decluttering mentally, emotionally, and physically to invite in clarity, alignment, and flow. Through personal stories, brain science, scripture, and soul-aligned questions, she challenges high achievers to shift from survival mode to intentional, values-based living.The rhythm of clarity, alignment, and discipline is the true path to becoming magnetic and fulfilled. You don’t need to chase what’s yours—just create space for it to find you.https://combinedexpertise.com/

Strong leadership blends heart and strength to inspire, guide, and elevate teams.Dr. Phildra Swagger shares three transformative leadership shifts that will help you balance compassion with authority, so you can inspire your team, set clear expectations, and foster a thriving business culture. She covers moving from boss to leader, mastering clear and empathetic communication, and creating a culture of accountability without guilt.By making these intentional shifts, leaders can foster trust, clarity, and consistent performance. When compassion meets authority, both people and business goals flourish.https://combinedexpertise.com/

The right questions can change your life more than the biggest goals ever could.Most people chase fixed goals only to find themselves unfulfilled at the finish line. Dr. Phildra Swagger explores how asking powerful, expansive questions can create clarity, self-awareness, and opportunities beyond what you imagined. She shares three life-changing questions to ask yourself regularly, guiding you toward growth, alignment, and joy.When you shift from a pass/fail mindset to one that values the process, you stop chasing and start attracting a life that excites you. Success becomes less about checking boxes and more about becoming the person you truly want to be.https://combinedexpertise.com/

Discover how to achieve more while feeling deeply fulfilled, energized, and aligned with the life you truly want.Dr. Phildra Swagger shares three transformative shifts that can help high-achieving women redefine success, reclaim their time, and restore balance. She walks through the mindset shift of focusing on fulfillment over constant hustle, the strategy shift of moving from busy to truly productive, and the energy shift that prioritizes rest as a powerful success tool. These shifts are designed to help women lead with clarity, confidence, and joy.By embracing these shifts, you can lead with purpose, protect your energy, and experience both personal and professional growth. The life you want is already waiting—you simply need to claim it.https://combinedexpertise.com/

A great coach doesn’t just cheer you on, they challenge you to think bigger, act smarter, and grow faster. Dr. Phildra Swagger unpacks why the most successful entrepreneurs, leaders, and executives all have coaches. From uncovering blind spots to building strategic plans, she reveals how the right business coach can bring clarity, accountability, and a proven path to success. Through real client stories, you’ll see the transformative impact of shifting from managing to leading, from surviving to scaling. With the right guidance, you can make better decisions, strengthen your leadership, and create a more sustainable business model. The question isn’t whether you can afford a coach, it’s whether you can afford to keep going without one.https://combinedexpertise.com/

If you’ve ever felt the weight of leadership without a lifeline, you’re not alone and that’s the problem.High-achieving women often find themselves isolated at the top, navigating big decisions and burnout in silence. Dr. Phildra Swagger peels back the layers of this hidden struggle and shares the powerful truth: growth shouldn’t happen in isolation. From outgrowing old circles to feeling unsupported in wins, she explains why surrounding yourself with other ambitious women is the key to sustainable success.When you build a support system of women who get it, you stop second-guessing and start expanding. Leadership feels lighter and more joyful when it’s shared.https://combinedexpertise.com/

Burnout doesn’t just drain your energy; it can derail your business if you’re not leading with intention.Too many entrepreneurs get stuck in the weeds of daily tasks, leaving little time for the strategic thinking that drives true growth. Dr. Phildra Swagger shares three essential leadership strategies to help you step back and guide your business with vision. From scheduling focused CEO days, to building a team you can trust, to leveraging tools like SWOT analysis and the 80/20 rule, she breaks down actionable ways to create sustainable success.By shifting your focus from constant hustle to planning, you’ll position yourself for greater impact, stronger leadership, and more consistent results. It’s time to become the CEO of both your business and your life.https://combinedexpertise.com/

Discover how to grow your business, gain time freedom, and still keep your sanity intact.Dr. Phildra Swagger shares her proven three-step approach to scaling your business without feeling overwhelmed. From documenting your processes with clear, detailed SOPs to hiring the right people who fit both your culture and skill needs, she shows you how to build a team that can carry your vision forward. Finally, she reveals how leveraging automation and workflows can free up your time, streamline operations, and strengthen client relationships.These strategies aren’t just about working harder, they’re about working smarter with the right systems and support. With faith and focus, you can create a business that runs smoothly while you enjoy the freedom you’ve been working toward.https://combinedexpertise.com/

You don’t have to wait for permission to be powerful; you already are.Dr. Phildra Swagger shares how she moved from shaky hands and self-doubt to powerful presence and unshakable confidence. Reflecting on her early career moments of imposter syndrome, she offers three transformative steps: celebrating small wins, owning your voice, and staying relevant through growth and mentorship, to help women step into their full leadership potential.Whether you’re the only woman at the table or preparing to open doors for others, this conversation will remind you of your power, your brilliance, and your right to take up space. Release the fear, speak your truth, and lead with excellence.https://combinedexpertise.com/

Feeling like you’re always busy but never at peace?Dr. Phildra Swagger shares her personal journey from constant overwhelm to intentional balance. By prioritizing self-care, learning to set firm boundaries, and delegating with trust, she reclaimed her time and energy. She emphasizes the power of time blocking, saying no to non-essential commitments, and using technology like ChatGPT and automation tools to work more efficiently.With these strategies and a grounding in faith, she reminds us that rest and order are not luxuries—they’re necessities. When you align your time with your priorities, you step into leadership not just in business, but in life.https://combinedexpertise.com/

Success begins when you stop standing in your own way and start moving with purpose.Dr. Phildra Swagger shares her powerful three-step framework: clarity, alignment, and discipline, to help you shift from feeling stuck to building a thriving, purpose-driven life and business. She explores how morning routines, intentional learning, and networking with the right people can create the focus and momentum you need. With practical strategies for delegating, staying in your zone of genius, and using proven business systems, she shows how to consistently take action that moves you forward.By mastering clarity, you’ll know where you’re going. Through alignment, you’ll step into the right opportunities. And with discipline, you’ll transform dreams into measurable results. It’s time to break through your roadblocks and create the success you deserve.https://combinedexpertise.com/

What can three biblical women teach you about courage, purpose, and business strategy?Dr. Phildra Swagger unpacks how the stories of Sarah, Ruth, and Esther gave her the spiritual and practical guidance to walk away from a stable career and step into her true calling as an entrepreneur. Through personal testimony and business insight, she shares how faith is more than belief—it’s strategy, action, and legacy. Each woman's story represents a pillar: Sarah for vision, Ruth for loyalty and growth, and Esther for bold courage.Faith is not blind; it's calculated, courageous, and backed by wisdom. If you’re ready to climb the mountain toward your purpose, this is your invitation to move with strategy and soul.https://combinedexpertise.com/

What if you could accomplish in 12 weeks what takes most people an entire year?Dr. Phildra Swagger breaks down the power of the 12 Week Plan, a system designed to help high-achievers crush goals faster, with more focus and less burnout. By challenging myths around annual goal setting, motivation, and multitasking, she shares how simplifying your approach with lead measures, weekly accountability, and value-aligned actions can bring both business success and personal freedom. Real-world success stories, like Lisa's journey from burnout to family time at Disney, prove this plan delivers results.Ditch the perfectionism, forget procrastination, and start taking strategic action. With this plan, it's not about working more; it’s about working smarter and living better.https://combinedexpertise.com/

The real money in nonprofit growth isn't about luck—it's about strategy, data, and meaningful relationships.Dr. Phildra Swagger sits down with prospect research expert Jennifer Filla to demystify how nonprofits can uncover major donors, clean up their databases, and create relationship-based fundraising strategies that actually work. They discuss how to leverage board networks, use data to fuel smarter fundraising campaigns, and shift toward intentional, high-impact donor engagement—even in virtual spaces.Whether you’re starting with 50 donors or scaling toward million-dollar gifts, this episode gives you the roadmap to raise more with less stress. It’s time to align your mission with a modern fundraising mindset. https://www.aspireresearchgroup.com/publications/https://combinedexpertise.com/

You can't step into your future while dragging the expectations of your past.Dr. Phildra Swagger invites you to release outdated labels and step into divine alignment by choosing authenticity, purpose, and spiritual clarity. This episode explores how to recognize the gap between who you are and who you're meant to be, and how to close it with intention, faith, and bold personal truth.Letting go of what no longer serves you, including societal expectations, titles, and roles, makes space for the version of you God already promised. Prosperity begins the moment you give yourself permission to fully show up.https://combinedexpertise.com/

True healing starts when you slow down, tune in, and reconnect with your higher self.Dr. Phildra Swagger welcomes wellness expert and mindset coach Dana Mack to share her personal journey of transformation through meditation, yoga, and emotional healing. After navigating a painful life change, Dana discovered the power of alignment, forgiveness, and self-awareness. Her story unfolds with wisdom on trauma, inner work, and mindfulness practices that helped her, and now others, move from pain to power.Dana's blend of spiritual insight and practical tools like journaling and breathwork offer a deeply grounded approach to living in alignment. She also reveals her work with children, her inspirational books, and why self-care is essential for women leaders everywhere.Visit her website: www.danamacc.comhttps://combinedexpertise.com/

Letting go of perfection is the first step to stepping into your power.Dr. Phildra Swagger is joined by Liz Wooten Reschke of Connect For More for a powerful conversation on courage, vulnerability, and redefining leadership. Together, they explore how women—especially those in nonprofit leadership and entrepreneurship—can lean into imperfection, set healthy boundaries, and practice courage daily. Drawing from Brene Brown's teachings and personal stories, they highlight how wholehearted living and emotional resilience can help women lead authentically.This episode is a reminder that perfectionism is not a requirement for success. When we choose courage over comfort, we create space for self-compassion, real impact, and aligned leadership.Visit Liz at ConnectforMore.com https://combinedexpertise.com/