Leadership With Heart

Have you ever convinced yourself that strength means handling everything on your own? In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sit down with the incredible Crystal Washington, Hall of Fame speaker, futurist, and someone whose wisdom always leaves a lasting mark. From walking away from corporate America after recognizing social media would change everything, to building a thriving business and becoming one of the most respected voices in leadership and foresight, Crystal shares a journey built on courage, trust, and listening to that inner compass. What stood out most for me in this conversation was our honest discussion around self-leadership and the false belief that becoming strong means doing life alone. Crystal talks openly about therapy, boundaries, rest, family support, and even the powerful role our ancestors play in shaping our resilience. Her perspective on standing on the shoulders of those who came before us was one of those moments that makes you stop and think differently about your own story. W

Why do some days feel heavier than others, even when nothing obvious has changed? In this solo episode of Becoming Unshakable, I speak directly to those moments when everything feels like a struggle. The days when motivation is low, your energy is off, and you quietly question whether you are doing enough, or even moving in the right direction. I share an honest reflection on what it means to keep going when you feel stretched, tired, or unsure, and why those moments are often part of a much deeper process. I talk about the internal pressure many of us carry, especially as leaders, caregivers, and people who others rely on. There is a tendency to push through, to stay strong on the surface, while ignoring what is happening beneath the surface. In this conversation, I open up about what it looks like to acknowledge that weight without losing your sense of self, and how small shifts in awareness can change how you experience difficult seasons. This episode is a reminder that struggling does not mean failing. It

What does it really take to stay steady when everything around you feels uncertain? In this episode of Becoming Unshakeable, I sit down with Kisha Wynter, an executive coach and former GE leader, to explore what steadiness actually looks like in real life. Not the polished version of leadership we often see on the surface, but the kind that is built through self-awareness, difficult personal moments, and a willingness to keep returning to the work. Kisha shares how her own journey through corporate leadership, personal change, and moments of deep self-doubt shaped her understanding of what it means to lead from within. We talk openly about the difference between appearing strong and being truly steady. Kisha reflects on a defining moment in her career when self-doubt surfaced during a high-stakes interview, forcing her to confront the internal narrative many leaders quietly carry. That experience became a turning point, leading her to invest in her own development and, eventually, to support others through si

What does it really take to build trust in a world where skepticism feels like the default setting? In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sit down with Scott Trumpolt to unpack what trust actually looks like in practice, beyond the buzzwords and surface-level statements. Scott shares a clear perspective on why transparency alone is not enough, and how honest dialogue, even when uncomfortable, becomes the real foundation for meaningful relationships inside organizations. As our conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that trust is tested in moments of tension, not in periods of stability. We explore how leaders often underestimate the cost of avoiding difficult conversations, and how that avoidance quietly erodes credibility over time. Scott offers real-world insight into what happens when leaders choose openness instead, even when they do not have all the answers. There is a human element here that cannot be replaced by process or policy, and it shows up in how leaders communicate, listen, and respond when

What kind of energy do you bring into the room when your team needs you most? In this solo episode of Becoming Unshakable, I shared a moment from my leadership journey that challenged how I show up for others. During a period of change, I allowed my own emotional response to lead the interaction, and I could see how quickly that energy spread across the team. It was a powerful reminder that leadership is felt before it is heard. Our presence sets the tone, whether we realize it or not. I shared how emotional contagion shows up in everyday leadership moments and why self-awareness has to come first. When we are overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsettled, those signals do not stay contained. They ripple outward. I talked about learning to recognize the early signs in my own nervous system and the importance of pausing before stepping into conversations that matter. That pause can be the difference between creating stability or amplifying uncertainty. We also explored practical ways to move from reaction to steadines

What if the biggest shift in your leadership, your confidence, and your results came down to just three decisions about how you think? In this episode, I sit down with Bron Watson to explore what she calls a simple but powerful three-step mindset shift. It is one of those conversations that feels immediately practical, yet quietly challenges how we see ourselves and the situations we face every day. Bron brings a grounded perspective on how our internal dialogue shapes our external reality, and why so many of us stay stuck without even realizing it. As we talk, it becomes clear that mindset is not something reserved for big life moments. It shows up in the small decisions, the way we respond to pressure, and how we interpret setbacks. Bron shares how shifting your thinking is less about motivation and more about awareness, choice, and consistency. There is a refreshing honesty in how she explains it, especially when it comes to breaking patterns that feel familiar but no longer serve you. We also get into wha

How well do you really know yourself as a leader? And what might your team see that you simply cannot see on your own? In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sit down with pharmaceutical executive and entrepreneur Hope Mueller to explore the powerful role self-awareness plays in leadership, decision-making, and building a life that reflects who you truly are. Hope has spent more than twenty-five years in the pharmaceutical industry, working in a field driven by purpose, science, and the promise of improving patients' lives. Alongside that demanding career, she also built Hunter Street, her own publishing company, helping aspiring authors bring their ideas and stories into the world. Her journey reflects a deeper question many professionals eventually face: Who are we beyond our job titles? During our conversation, Hope shared the moment that pushed her to rethink the future. Watching several successful women in her network suddenly lose long-held executive roles forced her to confront a difficult truth. Fo

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to remain steady when life delivers moments that feel impossible to carry? In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sit down with Rabbi Daniel Cohen for a deeply personal and reflective conversation about faith, gratitude, and the inner strength that helps people move through life's most difficult seasons. Rabbi Cohen shares the story that shaped his perspective early in life, losing his mother at a young age, and how that experience forced him to confront grief, purpose, and the deeper meaning behind the moments that shake us the most. Rather than allowing tragedy to define his path, Rabbi Cohen describes how he made a conscious choice to carry his mother's light forward. That decision eventually shaped his work as a rabbi, author, and speaker, guiding others through questions about legacy, purpose, and how we want to be remembered. Drawing on years of counseling people through loss and transition, he explains why reflecting on our mortality can become a powerful c

What does self-care really look like when you are scaling fast, raising four kids, and carrying the weight of other people's livelihoods on your shoulders? In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sit down with Michele Henry, founder and CEO of Face Foundry, to talk about what it actually takes to build a high-growth franchise brand without losing yourself in the process. Michele launched her flagship location in 2019 with a clear vision to franchise from day one. Within a year, the world shut down. She furloughed her entire team, slept in her warehouse during COVID, and faced the kind of doubt that tests every founder's resolve.  Today, Face Foundry has dozens of locations open, with aggressive expansion plans still ahead. But this conversation is not just about growth. It is about steadiness. Michele shares how self-care for her is not indulgent or optional. It is disciplined. Early mornings. Movement. Quiet time. Meditation. Clear routines in a world that constantly shifts. She talks openly about unlearni

What if the very drive that helped you succeed is the same force quietly pushing you toward exhaustion? In this conversation with Dr. Selina Neri, I explore a tension so many high performers live with but rarely name. The desire to hold high standards, to lead well, to deliver excellence, and at the same time feel deeply depleted. Selina brings both research and lived experience to this topic, helping us understand that burnout is not a sign of weakness. It is often the byproduct of sustained overextension without intentional recovery. We talk about what recovery really means. It is not about checking out or lowering expectations. It is about creating rhythms that allow your nervous system, your mind, and your identity to recalibrate. Selina shares why rest must be designed with the same intentionality as performance, and how leaders can model this in ways that strengthen culture rather than diminish it. One of the most powerful parts of our discussion centers on identity. When achievement becomes intertwined

What if the very thing you are trying hardest to avoid is the doorway to becoming unshakable? In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sit down with Amy C. Edmondson, Harvard Business School professor and the thinker behind psychological safety, to reframe how we see failure. Amy has spent decades studying leadership, teamwork, and learning organizations, and in this conversation, she brings her newest body of work into sharp focus. Together, we unpack the three distinct types of failure and why only one of them truly moves us forward. Amy challenges the simplistic messages we often hear, either that failure is unacceptable or that we should fail fast and fail often. Instead, she offers a more grounded framework. There are basic failures that can and should be prevented. There are complex failures that emerge from systems and unpredictability. And then there are intelligent failures, the thoughtful experiments in new territory that help us grow, innovate, and build resilience. If we are not experiencing some

What does it really mean to become unshakable when your career, your family life, and the world around you all feel uncertain at the same time? In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sat down with Christine Ann Miller for a conversation that stayed with me long after we stopped recording. From the very first question, Christine grounds resilience in something more profound than grit or endurance. She shares how becoming unshakable is tied to purpose, faith, and the courage to stay anchored to who you are, even when the path forward is unclear. Christine takes us through her journey as a Jamaican American leader, the first in her family born in the United States, and how growing up around healthcare shaped her desire to solve meaningful problems.  From discovering chemical engineering through an encyclopedia to interning at Merck and dedicating more than three decades to developing medicines that save and improve lives, her story is rooted in service, curiosity, and conviction. She reflects on why purpose m

What does it really take to stay grounded, human, and compassionate as a business grows faster than you ever imagined? In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sit down with Nicolas Breedlove for a deeply honest conversation about leadership, growth, and the internal work required to scale without losing yourself or the people around you. Nicolas shares what becoming unshakable has meant for him over the years, including the hard-earned discipline of emotional self-control and the realization that true leadership starts with self-leadership. We talk openly about his early mistakes, moments of emotional reactivity, and how learning to manage his responses shaped the leader he is today. Our conversation moves into the role of community in leadership, both inside and outside the workplace. Nicolas reflects on how surrounding himself with other entrepreneurs later in his journey changed his perspective, sharpened his thinking, and helped him grow in ways he wished he had embraced earlier. We explore why a hoardi

What does it really mean to become unshakable when life starts testing you before you can even put words to what you are feeling? In this deeply personal episode of the Becoming Unshakable podcast, I sit down with my daughter, Gabriela, for a conversation I have long wanted to record. As her mom, I have watched her journey from the very beginning, through medical uncertainty, learning challenges, therapy rooms, and moments that could have easily shaken her sense of self. As a listener, you get to hear Gabriela tell her story in her own words, with honesty, reflection, and a quiet strength that continues to move me. Gabriela shares what becoming unshakable means to her, not as a destination, but as a grounded sense of peace, confidence, and presence. We talk openly about growing up with heart conditions, speech therapy, sensory processing differences, IEP support, and the emotional weight of feeling different at school. She reflects on how those early experiences shaped her resilience, empathy, and, eventually

What happens when two podcasters decide to slow down, join forces, and have the kind of conversation many leaders are quietly craving right now? This week, I am doing something I have never done before. I am collaborating with my friend and colleague, Dr. Robyne Hanley Dafoe, on a shared episode that will be available on both our podcasts. This is not an interview swap or a highlight reel. It is a real, unscripted conversation between two women who care deeply about leadership, resilience, and what it actually takes to stay grounded in a world that feels loud, divided, and emotionally exhausted. We talk openly about why self-leadership feels harder right now, why so many capable people feel stuck waiting for permission, and why caring leadership cannot stop at the edges of our organizations. Together, Dr. Robyne and I explore the connection between values, self-worth, perfectionism, and hope. We explain why hope is often dismissed as unrealistic, even though science suggests it may be one of the most practica

What does it actually take to spot the leadership gaps that matter, especially when life and work keep speeding up? In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sit down with Erik Dodier, an entrepreneur who describes his career as a "30-year overnight success." Erik takes us from his early love of business and entrepreneurship to building a company through decades of pivots, pressure, growth, and change. What stood out to me right away was his willingness to discuss the pause that comes after the grind, that moment when you stop running and finally have enough space to reflect on who you became while you were building. Erik's definition of becoming unshakable is refreshingly grounded. It is the quiet confidence that comes from surviving hundreds of hard moments and realizing you are still standing. He shares a simple line that stuck with me, "Of all my bad days, I'm undefeated." And from there, we discuss pattern recognition as wisdom, how experience helps you respond with greater calm, and how looking back can

What happens when the identity I hold most proudly becomes the very thing that limits connection? In this solo episode of Becoming Unshakable, I share a moment of reflection that surfaced for me during a retreat I attended in Canada at the end of the year. I went there to speak, but also to listen, learn, and be present as a participant. In the middle of all the meaningful conversations and connections, one simple question from another attendee stopped me cold and stayed with me long after the retreat ended. I have always been comfortable giving, serving, and pouring into others. That part of my leadership feels natural to me. But when I was asked whether I was truly open to receiving what others wanted to give in return, it forced me to look more closely at how often I move past praise, support, and presence without fully allowing it in. I realized that even with the best intentions, refusing to receive can quietly block trust and shared humanity. In this episode, I reflect on why receiving matters just as m

What does it take to lead with heart in one of the most demanding, misunderstood public service sectors? In this episode of the Leadership With Heart Podcast, I spoke with Billie Jo McCarley, Deputy Director of Operations at the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department.  From the moment I saw her speak on a panel, I was drawn to her clarity, purpose, and grounded approach to leading in a system that rarely gets the spotlight it deserves. Her words were honest, her tone firm, and her leadership style deeply human. Billie Jo shares her journey from a union kid in upstate New York to a Marine Corps officer, and now to her executive role overseeing one of the largest utilities in the country. She brings a refreshingly straightforward style to leadership, one rooted in ownership, structure, and service. What resonated most was how she balances military precision with a deep sense of emotional intelligence and faith. Her mantra is simple: understand people, respect their uniqueness, and make hard decisions without

In this episode of the Becoming Unshakable podcast, I sit down with Neri Karra Sillaman, and this conversation stayed with me long after we stopped recording. I first met Neri at the Thinkers50 event in London, where she was recognized as a Radar Award winner. The moment she spoke about her work and her life, I knew I had to learn more. This episode is the result of that instinct. Neri shares her powerful journey as an immigrant entrepreneur and refugee, forced to leave Bulgaria at the age of eleven with her family and only two suitcases. She takes us inside what it means to rebuild life from a refugee camp, to navigate shame, loss, faith, and survival, and to carry those experiences into adulthood. What struck me most was how she reframes being unshakable, not as being unbreakable, but as being flexible, grounded in truth, and willing to live authentically even when life does not go as planned. We talk deeply about faith, worthiness, and the unseen forces that carry us through moments when the future feels i

What are the signals your team is receiving from you every single day, even when you think you are not sending any at all? In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I reflect on my recent work facilitating deep listening sessions inside organizations and what those moments quietly communicate to employees. Again and again, I hear the same response. Something feels different. Something feels like it is shifting. The signal is not a speech or a strategy deck. It is presence. It is being seen. It is knowing someone is actually listening. I talk about why listening is one of the clearest expressions of caring leadership and how intentional signals can change culture faster than most formal initiatives. When people feel heard, they invest more. They stay engaged. They support one another. And they find strength even when work feels heavy or uncertain. This episode also turns inward. I explore the signals our own bodies send us every day and what happens when we ignore them. Unshakable does not mean unhurt or unaffec