The Hats Podcast

The Hats Podcast is for anyone who wears many hats - mom, friend, business owner, athlete, sister, traveler, fashionista, doctor, etc. - and wants tips on how to balance their hats with style and grace! This show offers listeners personal stories from hosts Melissa Dumaz, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and Kerri Harper-Howie, an attorney and business owner, as well as tips for how they balance the many hats they wear. Join Melissa and Kerri for a fun and funny few minutes and learn a little something along the way!

203: The Boss Moves Hat with Monique Earl 06/17/2026

203: The Boss Moves Hat with Monique Earl What does it really take to make a boss move? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumas and Kerri Harper-Howie sit down with powerhouse leader Monique Earl to explore what it means to make bold decisions, lead with confidence, and create impact without losing yourself in the process. With more than two decades of leadership experience across both the public and private sectors, Monique brings a wealth of wisdom on navigating high-level leadership, building meaningful relationships, overcoming fear, and trusting yourself when the next move feels uncertain. Throughout the conversation, Monique shares lessons from her journey through government leadership, consulting, community service, and personal adversity. She opens up about the pivotal career decision that changed the trajectory of her life, the cancer diagnosis that forced her to reevaluate her priorities, and why betting on yourself is often the biggest boss move of all. Melissa, Kerri, and Monique also challenge common ideas about leadership, success, and imposter syndrome. Together, they unpack the importance of authenticity, mentorship, capacity, relationship-building, and learning to trust the process even when the path forward isn't completely clear. Whether you're considering a career change, stepping into a leadership role, navigating a personal transition, or simply wondering what your next move should be, this conversation offers practical wisdom and encouragement to help you move forward with confidence. In This Episode: What "making boss moves" actually means in leadership and life Why taking risks is essential for personal and professional growth The influence Monique's parents had on her leadership philosophy How community impact shapes true leadership Why fear doesn't disappear and how to move forward anyway Navigating rooms where you may be the only woman or person of colour The importance of knowing and owning your superpowers Building relationships outside your comfort zone Why mentorship remains one of the most valuable career tools Understanding the difference between availability and capacity Monique's career-changing decision to leave a role she loved Lessons learned from navigating a cancer diagnosis and recovery Why betting on yourself is one of the biggest boss moves you can make Rethinking imposter syndrome and trusting your abilities How mistakes become some of our greatest teachers Why not every opportunity, promotion, or paycheck is the right one The power of showing up as your authentic self Why making boss moves is more like playing chess than checkers About Monique Earl: Monique is a dynamic leader with over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, specializing in financial management, policy development, and infrastructure innovation. She currently serves as a Senior Manager at Accenture LLP, where she leads transportation and infrastructure initiatives across Southern California, helping public sector clients drive modernization, efficiency, and equity in mobility solutions. Previously, Monique held key leadership roles in the City of Los Angeles, including Deputy Mayor of Budget and Financial Policy, Chief Deputy Controller, and Executive Officer at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. In these roles, she shaped financial strategy, improved transparency, and advanced transportation planning to better serve Angelenos. At the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, she led Human Resources and spearheaded diversity initiatives in hiring, contracting, and community engagement. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Monique is a proud resident of Leimert Park and remains deeply committed to community engagement. She holds a Master of Public Administration from American University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Northridge. Connect with The Hats Podcast Send an email: thehatspodcast@gmail.com Facebook: Instagram: Connect with Kerri Harper-Howie: Instagram: Check out Kerri’s book on Amazon: Connect with Melissa Dumas: Instagram: Website: /episode/index/show/thehatspodcast/id/41676245

202: The Small Talk Hat 06/10/2026

202: The Small Talk Hat Small talk. Argh, right?! Most of us do it. Many of us dislike it. Yet somehow, it remains one of the most important social skills we use in our personal and professional lives. Small talk is a bridge that helps people move from strangers to genuine connection. So, let’s talk about small talk: how to make it easier and do it better. Melissa shares why small talk can create anxiety for her as a therapist who spends her days having deep, emotionally meaningful conversations. Kerri reflects on how her career as an attorney has helped her become skilled at asking questions, building rapport, and navigating conversations in virtually any room. Together, they explore the purpose of small talk, why it matters, how it can open the door to deeper relationships, and practical ways to make it feel more authentic and less awkward. Whether you're attending networking events, meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends, or simply trying to feel more confident in social settings, this conversation offers practical insights that can help you approach small talk with greater ease and intention. In This Episode: Why small talk exists and the important role it plays in building connection The difference between small talk and meaningful conversation Melissa's experience with small talk anxiety and why surface-level conversations can feel challenging How Kerri learned to navigate conversations through her work as an attorney The value of finding shared humanity when meeting new people Why silence doesn't always need to be filled Practical strategies for starting conversations in networking and social settings How compliments can become authentic conversation starters The importance of asking questions you are genuinely curious about Why people often enjoy talking about themselves and how to listen well Signature questions that can help create more natural conversations How small talk can lead to deeper relationships, opportunities, and community Connect with The Hats Podcast Send an email: info@thehatspodcast.com Facebook: Instagram: Connect with Kerri Harper-Howie: Instagram: Check out Kerri’s book on Amazon: Connect with Melissa Dumaz: Instagram: Website: /episode/index/show/thehatspodcast/id/41596345

201: The Lifelong Learner Hat 06/03/2026

201: The Lifelong Learner Hat In this episode of The Hats Podcast, co-hosts Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie explore the Lifelong Learner Hat and why continuous growth is essential for anyone looking to level up personally and professionally. As part of the Boss Bitch Season, Melissa and Kerri discuss how lifelong learning extends far beyond classrooms, certifications, and formal education. It includes learning through life experiences, relationships, challenges, mistakes, therapy, business ventures, and self-reflection. They share personal stories about the lessons they've learned, the beliefs they've had to unlearn, and how staying curious has helped them evolve into stronger leaders, partners, parents, and professionals. The conversation also dives into the practical realities of making space for growth when life is already busy. From setting boundaries and prioritising learning on your calendar to advocating for professional development and embracing vulnerability, Melissa and Kerri offer actionable insights for anyone who wants to continue growing at any stage of life. Whether you already consider yourself a lifelong learner or you're just beginning your journey of personal and professional development, this episode is a reminder that it's never too late to learn something new or unlearn something that no longer serves you. In This Episode: Why the Lifelong Learner Hat is a key part of the Boss Bitch Season What it truly means to be a lifelong learner The connection between ambition, growth, and continuous learning How Melissa and Kerri intentionally create space for learning Why learning doesn't stop after school or professional certifications The importance of self-awareness and personal development Lessons Melissa learned from building a podcast and growing her therapy practice How Kerri prioritises learning through strategic scheduling and boundaries The difference between learning and unlearning Kerri's powerful realization that love is not transactional Melissa's journey of unlearning over-giving and strengthening boundaries Why communication is essential when growth changes your relationships How to protect your curiosity and commitment to learning Free and accessible ways to continue learning at any stage of life Connect with The Hats Podcast Send an email: info@thehatspodcast.com Facebook: Instagram: Connect with Kerri Harper-Howie: Instagram: Check out Kerri’s book on Amazon: Connect with Melissa Dumaz: Instagram: Website: /episode/index/show/thehatspodcast/id/41520690