Women in Business Archives - Catherine Johns

Smile! Or Maybe Don’t …

Smile! Or maybe don’t … The outraged commentary—and there’s been a lot of it—has moved on from sexism to racism.

I’m still back on President Trump’s churlish response to a female reporter’s question because it has implications for the rest of us, in terms of the way men and women communicate. At work and in life. CNN’s Kaitlin Collins was trying to finish a question in an Oval Office gaggle. She was asking what Trump would say to survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, when the president jumped in to critique … her face. “You are the worst reporter. No wonder — CNN has no ratings because of people like you. You know, she’s a young woman. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile. I’ve known you for 10 years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face.” Reaction was swift. Turns out the world is full of women who are sick to death of being ordered to smile.

Catherine Johns | Feb 11, 2026

Side-by-Side photos of CNN anchor and reporter Kaitlin Collins and Donald Trump

Communication, Mindset, Women in Business

A Sympathetic Ear

A Sympathetic Ear. Every now and then, we just need somebody to listen to us. Whatever the issue at hand, we can find facts all over the place—on social media, in our inboxes, and on the news, whether we get it from TV or TikTok. So yes. When something’s eating at us, delving into the issue in search of information or explanations isn’t hard. But what about just feeling heard? That’s where the grandmas come in. I came across this story a little while ago, and I’ve been meaning to share it with you ever since; it just tickled me.

Catherine Johns | Jan 28, 2026

A smiling, joyful grandma looking into the comuter screen.

Business Communication, Communication, Mindset, Women in Business

The Energy in Your Photograph

The Energy in Your Photograph – There comes a time when new photographs are a must. You’re updating your LinkedIn profile as you search for a new gig. You’re launching a new business, and a new website to go with it. You’ve let your hair go gray and those pictures of a brunette just don’t work anymore. Or maybe it’s just that too much time has passed since you last sat down in front of a professional’s camera. My headshots from 2018(!) were great, but they were starting to feel like false advertising. So, like it or not, I had to head back to Meka Hemmons’s studio. And to my surprise …

Catherine Johns | Jan 21, 2026

Meka Hemmons owner and photographer of SpiderMeka Portraits https://www.spidermeka.com/

Business Communication, Women in Business

How Many Times Have You Smiled Today?

How many times have you smiled today? Your answer to my question may depend on your age! Little kids smile or laugh hundreds of times a day. By the time we’re in our twenties, those numbers are in steep decline. And they keep going down even further as we get older. Then, by the time we get to be about 80 years old, the smile count creeps back up a little bit. Interestingly, these numbers from Gallup have come under some challenges. Tracking down the data has been enough to wipe the smile off my face!

Catherine Johns | Sep 17, 2025