She Counts Podcast By Questian Telka EA & Nancy McClelland CPA cover art

She Counts

She Counts

By: Questian Telka EA & Nancy McClelland CPA
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About this listen

 She Counts brings together respected educators Nancy McClelland, CPA, and Questian Telka, EA, for candid conversations about what it’s really like to be a woman in accounting. Whether you’re in corporate, at a firm, or running your own show, this podcast offers a space to feel seen, heard, and understood. From taboo topics to everyday challenges, She Counts is more than a podcast—it’s a community where women in accounting, tax, and bookkeeping can come together and get real.© 2025 Questian Telka, EA & Nancy McClelland, CPA Career Success Economics
Episodes
  • Do It Anyway

    Do It Anyway
    Jul 2 2025

    Nancy and Questian dive deep into the difference between fearlessness and courage, sharing vulnerable stories: about becoming a dancer at age 40, speaking to a room of hundreds of people, and starting their own businesses. They explore why saying "don't be afraid" misses the point—true courage isn't the absence of fear, but choosing to act despite it. From imposter syndrome to asking for money, they discuss the specific fears women in accounting face and offer practical tools, such as: affirmations; breaking down scary tasks; remembering your “why”; and borrowing confidence from mentors.

    Sponsors
    Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
    Ignition - https://www.ignitionapp.com
    Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/


    • (00:00) - Welcome to She Counts: Today's Topic: Courage and Overcoming Fear
    • (01:26) - Nancy's Story: Dancing at 40
    • (06:48) - Questian's Story: Improv Class Challenge
    • (13:24) - Facing Public Speaking Fears
    • (19:21) - The Importance of Vulnerability
    • (26:44) - Balancing Family and Career
    • (32:02) - Challenges of Running Your Own Firm
    • (35:16) - Embracing Fear and Doing It Anyway
    • (39:53) - Overcoming Fear of Heights: Skydiving Story
    • (42:54) - The Power of Training and Facing Fears
    • (47:10) - Affirmations and Tools for Facing Fear
    • (55:47) - The Importance of Community and Mentorship
    • (01:02:36) - Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    Links mentioned in episode:
    • Ashley Francis - Kitchen Table Automations - https://www.kta.ai/
    • Financial Cents WorkflowCon - Nancy teaches the Time Warp - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dwFyP3M824&t=437s
    • Kate Johnson - Bookkeeping Side Hustle - https://www.youtube.com/live/0Ze2ayjEFSk
    • Misty Megia - https://www.instagram.com/misty_megia/
    • Geni Whitehouse - https://geniwhitehouse.com/


    Join Our Linkedin Page!

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast


    Subscribe on YouTube

    https://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcast


    Follow She Counts on IG

    https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/


    Connect with Nancy

    https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa


    Connect with Questian

    https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666


    Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast

    https://www.earmark.app/


    This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Break Free From Burnout

    Break Free From Burnout
    Jun 18 2025
    Burnout coach and CPA Lynnette Oss Connell joins us and shares her personal journey from running a successful accounting practice while juggling five kids, to recognizing and addressing signs of complete burnout. She explains how women experience burnout differently than men due to biological and social factors, and why 99% of accountants struggle with chronic stress. Lynnette introduces the concept of time versus energy management audits, as well as different strategies for burnout prevention versus recovery. Lastly, we discuss the critical importance of building authentic community before crisis hits.SponsorsForwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecountsIgnition - https://www.ignitionapp.com Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/(00:00) - Welcome to She Counts (00:44) - Introducing the Topic: Break Free from Burnout (00:58) - Meet Lynnette Oss Connell: The Burnout Bestie (02:25) - Lynnette's Journey Through Burnout (03:45) - The Importance of Community and Support (06:21) - Balancing Efficiency and Emotional Well-being (15:08) - Energy Audits and Work-Life Balance (20:47) - Lynnette's Decision to Transition Out of Her Firm (24:08) - Understanding Burnout in Accounting (27:28) - Managing Stress and Preventing Burnout (31:50) - The Gift of Reactivity in Retail (32:49) - Burnout in Women: A Unique Experience (33:13) - Understanding Stress Responses (35:52) - Symptoms and Diagnosis of Burnout (39:38) - Prevention vs. Recovery (44:00) - Subtle Red Flags of Burnout (46:48) - Building Resilience and Community (54:13) - Personal Stories and Final ThoughtsLinks:Lynnette Oss Connell’s website - https://www.burnoutbestie.com/Lynnette Oss Connell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnette-oss-connell-cpa/Lynnette Oss Connell on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/burnoutbestie/Theatre of Public Speaking - https://publicspeaking.mistymegia.com/bundles/tops-fall25?ref=85705599% of Accountants Suffer Burnout: Study - https://www.cfodive.com/news/most-accountants-suffer-burnout-study/627850/Book - “Burnout: the Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily & Amelia Nagoski - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42397849-burnoutBridging The Gap panel hosted by Questian - https://www.btgconference.com/event/tech-ai-bounce-back-build-forward/Shirley Koss on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirleykoss/Will Lopez on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wlopezjr/Join Our Linkedin Page!https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcastSubscribe on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcastFollow She Counts on IGhttps://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/Connect with Nancyhttps://www.thedancingaccountant.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpaConnect with Questianhttps://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666Thank you to our sponsors!https://www.forwardly.com/shecountshttps://womeninaccounting.ignitionapp.com/https://keeper.app/shecounts/Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcasthttps://www.earmark.app/This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • How to Make Business Happen When Life Happens

    How to Make Business Happen When Life Happens
    Jun 4 2025

    What do you do when your world falls apart—but the deadlines don’t stop?

    In this deeply personal episode, we’re getting real about the moments that nearly broke us. Nancy shares what it was like to run a firm while surviving months without being able to sit or lie down due to seizures. Questian opens up about her son’s sudden hospitalization and the toll it took on her body, business, and spirit.

    We talk about the pressure women in accounting feel to keep it together, to "suck it up," even in the middle of a crisis—and why perfectionism is a lie that keeps us isolated. We explore how transparency and community support can be lifelines when life feels impossible, and talk through actionable recommendations for how we can help each other manage personal emergencies while duty calls.

    Sponsors
    Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
    Ignition - https://www.ignitionapp.com
    Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/



    • (00:00) - Welcome to She Counts
    • (01:02) - Nancy's Personal Story of Medical Crisis
    • (04:03) - Support Systems and Client Management
    • (14:02) - Question's Story: Navigating Personal Trauma
    • (19:49) - The Importance of Empathy and Community
    • (28:10) - Practical Tips for Supporting Others
    • (32:55) - Challenges Women Face in Accounting
    • (34:11) - Breaking Point: Embracing Vulnerability
    • (35:32) - Redefining Resilience
    • (39:10) - Managing Expectations and Mental Health
    • (44:16) - The Power of Communication
    • (46:40) - Building Support Systems
    • (50:28) - Practical Solutions and Automation
    • (55:27) - Planning for Unplanned Absences
    • (57:47) - Final Thoughts and Resources

    Links

    • Bookkeeping Buds - https://www.bookkeepingbuds.com/
    • Mindy Leubke - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindyluebke/
    • Brene Brown - https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-shame-and-accountability/
    • Lynnette Oss Connell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnette-oss-connell-cpa/
    • Bridging The Gap conference - https://www.btgconference.com/
    • Jennifer Dymond - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenndymond/
    • Scaling New Heights - https://www.woodard.com/scaling-new-heights-2025
    • Erin Pohan’s Scariest Part of Running a Firm - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/erinpohan_scariest-part-of-running-a-firm-the-unexpected-activity-7316932835863416832-65kJ/
    • Dawn Brolin’s “The Elevation of Empathy” - https://www.amazon.com/Elevation-Empathy-Leading-WIN/dp/B0F2FFXY61

    Join Our Linkedin Page!
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast

    Follow She Counts on IG

    https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/


    Connect with Nancy
    https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa

    Connect with Questian
    https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666

    Subscribe on YouTube

    Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
    https://www.earmark.app/

    This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 2 mins
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