Episode 46

Empowered & Out with Guest Mary Ellen Murrah

Published on: 18th November, 2025

Lead & Belong — Showing Up Fully at Work (with Mary Ellen Murrah)

Guest: Mary Ellen Murrah — Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, Vista Consulting; co-owner, Groundwater Creative; proud Baltimorean; mom of two; fierce alto.

What we cover

  • Coming out later in life while already in senior leadership
  • Speaking up in male-dominated, “stiff” industries
  • The power of queer spaces (chorus!) to build resilient leaders
  • Holiday boundary-setting with family (the Christmas Eve dinner)
  • Empathy at work: modeling grace without losing standards
  • Networking authentically—micro-moments that shift culture

Memorable quotes

  • “I decided I’m walking in as myself—and the room can take me as I am.”
  • “You don’t have to know every answer to be a great leader.”
  • “Queer joy is leadership training.”
  • “Boundaries are love with clarity.”

Action step

Ask yourself before your next meeting: What’s one small, honest detail I can share that lets me show up fully (and safely) today? Then do it.

Links

  • Connect with Mary Ellen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryellenmurrah/
  • Vista Consulting: https://vistact.com/
  • Jonathan: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanmbarbe/
  • IG/TikTok/FB @JMBCoachingLLC

Credits

Host: Jonathan Barbe • Empowered & Out Coaching

Subscribe + review to support the show and help others find it. 💜

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Empowered & Out

About the Podcast

Empowered & Out
The LGBTQ+ Career Coaching Podcast
This is the podcast where LGBTQ+ professionals come to get real about career, confidence, and authenticity at work. Each week, Jonathan shares coaching insights on purpose, confidence, and unmasking at work—PLUS inspiring interviews with LGBTQ+ leaders, authors, and change-makers who are rewriting what success looks like in their industries.

From overcoming workplace discrimination, to unlearning internalized shame, to building a career that actually feels like YOU, these conversations are honest, practical, and rooted in the queer experience.

🌈 Whether it’s a solo coaching deep dive or a guest interview, Empowered & Out is here to help you thrive authentically, without apology.

About your host

Profile picture for J B

J B

JB Motivating From The 5280 Podcast is about me, Jonathan Barbe, living in the Mile High City, sharing my thoughts and opinions on positive motivation and self-improvement from my home in Denver, Colorado.