The Scrappy Leader with Julia Scott

The Scrappy Leader Podcast: From Jazz to Journalism to Leadership with Julia Scott

Episode Summary:
Welcome back to The Scrappy Leader Podcast! I’m your host, Christy Ritchie, and I’m beyond excited to introduce you to this week’s guest, the incredible Julia Scott. Julia and I go way back—we first met while training for triathlons and fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Since then, she’s had an amazing career journey that perfectly embodies what it means to be a scrappy leader.

In this episode, Julia takes us through her fascinating career pivot from jazz to journalism to digital marketing. She shares invaluable insights on building confidence, overcoming imposter syndrome, and embracing leadership. We also dive into the power of difficult conversations, learning to fire people (yes, it’s a leadership skill), and the importance of lassoing your cheerleaders to help you through the inevitable bumps along the way.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself as a leader or wondered how to turn unexpected career shifts into opportunities, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Julia’s unexpected career path: how a jazz degree led her to journalism and, eventually, digital marketing.
• How learning to talk to strangers as a reporter helped shape her leadership and business skills.
• The art of navigating change and why breathwork (hello, box breathing!) helps keep her grounded.
• What it means to be a people-pleasing leader—and how to balance being kind while making tough business decisions.
• The importance of addressing difficult workplace conversations with honesty and respect.
• How to overcome imposter syndrome and remind yourself of the value you bring to the table.
• Why asking for help is one of the most powerful leadership skills you can develop.
• The power of “lassoing your cheerleaders” and how to intentionally build a network of supporters.
• Julia’s key leadership lesson: It’s okay to love being in charge!

Memorable Quotes:

• “There are wins, and there are lessons. You learn from everything.” – Julia Scott
• “As a leader, you need to ask yourself: does this serve the business?” – Julia Scott
• “Being in business is like being a reporter. You have to learn to ask good questions and listen.” – Julia Scott
• “Asking for help is a leadership skill—practice it!” – Christy Ritchie
• “You don’t have to know everything to be a great leader. You just have to be willing to figure it out.” – Christy Ritchie

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Julia Scott on LinkedIn: Julia Scott LinkedIn
• Learn more about her company, J Scott Marketing: www.jscottmarketing.com
• Follow J Scott Marketing on Instagram: @jscottmarketing

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
Did this episode resonate with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag me on LinkedIn or Instagram and let’s talk about what lessons from Julia’s journey hit home for you. And if you found value in this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another scrappy leader in your life!

Thanks for tuning in, and remember—leadership is a journey, not a destination. Keep leading, keep learning, and keep being scrappy!