Structure and Soul Podcast

About Structure and Soul Podcast

Structure & Soul Podcast: Unearthing the Real Stories Behind Entrepreneurial Success The Structure & Soul Podcast is where we're not just celebrating the wins, but diving deep into the soulful, gritty journeys that fuel the fire of innovation and impact. Our guests? They're dynamic, multi-talented powerhouses who've mastered the art of balancing business with life. It's not always picture-perfect, but hey, it works! On this show, we're connecting the dots between the personal and the professional, exploring the entrepreneurial journey in all its raw, real glory. We're not just spotlighting business expertise, but also sharing the soul-stirring stories that paved the path to success. And the best part? Our guests get to shine in front of a larger community of entrepreneurs, gaining exposure and making connections that matter. So, let's keep it cute and casual. This isn't your typical corporate job interview. Wear what makes you feel good, bring your favorite drink, and get ready for a judgement-free zone where we can laugh, learn, and connect over the entrepreneurial hustle that unites us all. https://www.structureandsoulpodcast.com

Publisher

Shanel Evans

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Sept 2024

Latest episode

10 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

80 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Sept 2026

   Ep. 3.5 | Black Women Disrupt: Reinvention, Resilience, and Refusing to Shrink with Zakiya Carr

   What happens when a former Chief Diversity Officer, diplomat, and international equity strategist decides to bet on herself? You get Zakiya Carr founder of Odara Solutions and the Black Women Disrupt Initiative and one of the most honest conversations we've had on Structure and Soul about reinvention, identity, and what it really costs to step out from behind the scenes. We met at the Every Kid Thrives Festival at the Obama Presidential Center two women from the DC area, in the same room, in the same season of rebuilding. This one felt personal. What We Cover: How Zakiya went from advising governments and international agencies to building her own firm from scratch and what nobody tells you about that transition Why Black Women Disrupt exists and what it means to build a community when your own peers won't share their resources What it felt like to pause Odara Solutions and return to it with fresh eyes in 2025 The identity crisis that hits when the title disappears and how she found her way back to herself Why she refuses to change her name and what that choice says about how we show up in a world that keeps asking us to shrink The filmmaker, the diplomat, the strategist why being multifaceted is a strength, not a distraction How Shanel and Zakiya both stopped separating their community work from their professional identity and what opened up when they did Key Takeaways: Disruption for the sake of disruption isn't the goal disruption with intention changes communities Building in isolation is a choice. Black Women Disrupt exists because women deserve a table that shares, not guards, the blueprint You don't have to change who you are to fit the room. Sometimes you just help people understand what your name means The skills you use in your nonprofit, your church, your community those count. Stop moving in silos within your own life Sometimes you put something down so it can grow. That's not failure. That's strategy. Connect with Zakiya Carr: Odara Solutions (https://www.odarasolutions.com/) Black Women Disrupt Initiative (https://www.blackwomendisrupt.com/) About the Host: Shanel Evans is a business strategist and coach who helps entrepreneurs shatter revenue ceilings and attract their dream clients through client attraction and social media strategies. Known for her "red pen" moments, Shanel offers feedback that helps entrepreneurs course-correct while staying true to their goals, delivered with love. Where to Find Us: Host Website: www.shanelevans.com (http://www.sociallysavvyco.com/shanelevans) Apply to be a Guest: www.structureandsoulpodcast.com (https://www.structureandsoulpodcast.com/) LinkedIn: Shanel Evans (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanelevans/) Subscribe & Leave a Review: Dont miss an episode! Subscribe to Structure and Soul on The Alive Podcast Network and everywhere podcasts are streamed.

2. 

   7 May 2026

   Ep. 3.4 | The Introvert's Edge: Content, AI, and Consistency with Nicky Saunders

   SHOW NOTES Episode Description What happens when a true introvert from Queens becomes one of the most recognizable voices in content creation and AI strategy? You get Nikki Saunders content strategist, community builder, and the secret sauce behind some of the most powerful personal brands you follow. In this episode, Shanel and Nikki talk about staying visible without burning out, using AI as infrastructure (not a shortcut), and why your consistency is your greatest competitive advantage no matter the follower count. What We Cover: How Nicky balances being a true introvert with massive, consistent visibility The "human filter" why AI amplifies your voice but can't replace it Why she stopped chasing expertise and started sharing what she was learning The moment a stranger at a conference told her, "Because of you, I have a business" and how that changed everything Getting invited to Google, partnering with OpenAI, and hitting the BET stage all from posting consistently about what she loves Her framework for building with AI without subscription overload or burnout Lion's Behavior: the community she built for introverts and ambivert creators who want to grow without the overwhelm Why visibility for Black and Brown entrepreneurs isn't just strategy it's advocacy Key Takeaways: "It's not about being the smartest it's about being the most resourceful." The best question you can ask AI: "What am I not seeing?" Consistency + authenticity > viral moments Document everything. Your SOPs are your scale strategy. You don't have to conform to get into the room. The right rooms will find you. Connect with Nikki Saunders: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisnickys/ (https://www.instagram.com/thisisnickys/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thisisnickys (https://www.youtube.com/@thisisnickys) Lion's Behavior Community: https://app.heartbeat.chat/lionsbehavior/invitation?code=9J6346#landing-page (https://app.heartbeat.chat/lionsbehavior/invitation?code=9J6346#landing-page) Mentioned in this episode: Lion's Behavior lock-ins (Austin in June, Puerto Rico end of year) Claude, ChatGPT, Opus Clip Notion as an AI-powered documentation system Shanel Evans is a Strategic Visibility Advisor, TEDx Speaker, and founder of Socially Savvy Consulting. She helps entrepreneurs, corporations, and organizations turn their expertise into authority with AI-powered strategy, messaging that converts, and visibility that actually moves the needle. Structure and Soul is where vision meets execution. Follow her here: https://www.instagram.com/theshanelevans/ (https://www.instagram.com/theshanelevans/) Rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode of Structure and Soul.

3. 

   6 Mar 2026

   The Power of Collaboration with Deana Jean, The “Collab Queen”

   In this episode of Structure & Soul, host Shanel Evans sits down with entrepreneur and community builder Deana Jean, widely known as the Collab Queen. Together they explore the real power behind collaboration in businesswhy the strongest opportunities come from relationships, not competition. Shanel and Deana take listeners behind the scenes of entrepreneurship, discussing reinvention, strategic visibility, and how intentional collaboration can accelerate growth, partnerships, and long-term business success. From the early days of meeting on Clubhouse to building powerful in-person communities today, this conversation dives into how entrepreneurs can shift from chasing attention to creating rooms people want to be part of. Key Topics in This Episode The Power of Collaboration Over Competition Deana shares how collaboration creates an abundance mindset in entrepreneurship. Instead of focusing on what you lack, collaboration allows you to build meaningful partnerships with people whose strengths complement your own. deana-shanel Reinvention in Entrepreneurship Season three of Structure & Soul explores reinvention, and Deana discusses her own shift from being the center of attention to building environments and communities others want to join. deana-shanel Building Systems That Support Your Vision To scale her work, Deana explains why she invested in operational support so she could focus on the visionary side of her businessdesigning experiences, making connections, and driving the bigger strategy. The Real Value of In-Person Events Despite being an introvert, Deana believes in the unmatched power of in-person experiences to accelerate trust and relationships. Being physically present in the right rooms allows entrepreneurs to build deeper connections and create meaningful collaborations. The Collaboration Ecosystem Deana describes the three key roles that drive business growth: Champions People who refer and advocate for you Collaborators Strategic partners who build opportunities with you Clients The people who invest in your work Building relationships across all three is critical for sustainable growth. How to Choose the Right Rooms Not every event is worth attending. Deana shares the two questions she asks before saying yes to an event: What value can I add to the room? What value can I receive from being there? This strategic approach helps entrepreneurs build long-term ROI through partnerships and relationships. Collaboration keeps you in an abundance mindset. Instead of focusing on what you lack, you connect with people who bring the strengths you need. About Deana Jean Deana Jean, known as the Collab Queen, is an entrepreneur and community builder dedicated to helping leaders grow through strategic collaboration. She leads the Success Tribe Network and works with enterprise organizations on collaboration strategies that strengthen teams, partnerships, and sales. Through curated events, summits, retreats, and leadership gatherings, Deana brings together powerful women in entrepreneurship, business, and nonprofit leadership to build meaningful partnerships and opportunities. Connect with Deana Jean Follow Deana and learn more about her work: LinkedIn: Deana Jean (https://www.linkedin.com/in/deana-jean-3675966/) Facebook: Deana Jean (https://www.facebook.com/deana.jonesjean) Nickname online: The Collab Queen Stay connected for updates on upcoming Connect & Collab Summits, retreats, and curated leadership gatherings. About the Host: Shanel Evans is a business strategist and coach who helps entrepreneurs shatter revenue ceilings and attract their dream clients through client attraction and social media strategies. Known for her "red pen" moments, Shanel offers feedback that helps entrepreneurs course-correct while staying true to their goals, delivered with love. Where to Find Us: Host Website: www.shanelevans.com (http://www.sociallysavvyco.com/shanelevans) Apply to be a Guest: www.structureandsoulpodcast.com (https://www.structureandsoulpodcast.com/) LinkedIn: Shanel Evans (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanelevans/) Listen & Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode of Structure & Soul, be sure to: Rate Review Subscribe Season three is all about reinvention, visibility, and building businesses with both strategy and soul.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

243

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

88

Social presence

0

YouTube

72

Engagement

0

Contact Structure and Soul Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Structure and Soul Podcast