Helping Others Without Losing Yourself with Alison Anthony Artwork

Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears

Hosted by Tracy Spears, speaker, co-author of two best selling leadership books, founder of The Leader Lab, coach, and head cheerleader for anyone trying to play bigger. Shift Out Loud is a podcast designed to inspire you to play bigger. You'll hear from real live people sharing what their shift was, when it happened, and why it was out loud. What you think is true, and when you move from the external locus of control to the internal locus of control, your shift can happen and anything becomes possible. This podcast is your invitation to listen to others who have made the shift, and also serve as a catalyst for you to play bigger.

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Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears

Helping Others Without Losing Yourself with Alison Anthony

September 30, 2025 • Tracy Spears • Episode 64

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Our biggest shifts sometimes elevate entire communities. My guest on this episode of Shift Out Loud has built an award-winning career around uplifting those who need it most. I’m joined by Alison Anthony, the President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. Among her many recognitions, she’s been inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma State University Diversity Hall of Fame, and is the 2025 recipient of the Leadership Oklahoma Distinguished Graduate award.

Our conversation digs into Alison’s enduring passion for justice and inclusion, and the importance of meeting your own needs while helping others. Tune in as we explore her decision to play bigger in a way that aligned with her deeper values, her journey to grow as a leader while dealing with personal challenges, and the incredible bar fight story that reveals her hidden superhero side!

Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:

How to set healthy boundaries and detach lovingly when helping others hurts you
The enormous impact of older women in our families and communities
How Alison is shifting into a new chapter of reflection and self-expression

Guest bio: Alison Anthony serves as the President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. A number of non-profit organizations are proud to name her as a member of their Boards of Directors, including the Tulsa Community Foundation and the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce. To all her roles, Alison brings a passion for inclusion, justice, innovation, and a belief that we can join our talents together to make our community a place where we can all flourish and thrive.

Timestamps:

01:57 Intro

03:58 Meet Alison Anthony

07:16 Growing up & over-helping

10:57 Fly fishing story

14:07 Ear biting story

18:55 Shift to corporate

22:37 So shall it be or better

28:52 Shift to United Way

30:42 Al-Anon & codependency

35:22 Setting boundaries

40:22 The ‘Shift Happens’ 60s