B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership

"What if ownership at work could change how wealth is built and shared? In this episode of B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership, host Lorelle Atkinson speaks with Jack Moriarty, Executive Director of the Lafayette Square Institute, about the growing momentum behind employee ownership. Moriarty shares how his path from musical theater to healthcare policy led him to a model that sits at the intersection of public policy and private markets. He explains how employee ownership works, why it has gained bipartisan support, and how it can create stronger companies while expanding economic opportunity for workers. This conversation explores a practical approach to building wealth, strengthening communities, and rethinking who benefits from business success."

"For Ruramiso Mashumba, agriculture was never a fallback. It was a calling shaped by family, purpose, and a commitment to community. In this episode of B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership, host Lorelle Atkinson speaks with Mashumba, Founder of Mhandi Africa, about her journey into a field where women are often overlooked. From navigating barriers and challenging perceptions to building a platform that empowers young women in agriculture, she shares how her work is rooted in both personal history and a vision for the future. Drawing strength from her family’s resilience, Mashumba is redefining what leadership in agriculture can look like. This conversation explores how shifting mindsets, investing in communities, and expanding opportunity can transform not just an industry, but the people within it."

In this episode of B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership, host Lorelle Atkinson sits down with Ashley Bell, Founder & CEO of Redemption Bank, to explore the deeper motivations behind his work expanding access to capital and ownership. Bell reflects on how his father’s experience with job loss shaped his belief in the importance of owning, not just participating in, the economy. From launching his first business in law school to building institutions focused on increasing access to credit and homeownership, he shares how mentorship, resilience, and vision have guided his path. This conversation dives into the systemic barriers that limit opportunity, the power of ownership in building generational wealth, and why redefining who leads and who owns is essential for a more inclusive future.

In this episode of B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership, host Lorelle Atkinson sits down with Ciara Garcia, CEO of Social Venture Partners International, to explore how lived experience shapes the way we lead. Garcia reflects on growing up between two vastly different socioeconomic realities and how that dual perspective informs her work today. From supporting families through grief to building bridges between nonprofits and philanthropists, she shares what it means to lead with empathy, presence, and intention. The conversation also dives into her approach to leadership through radical candor, balancing care with accountability, and why connection remains at the center of creating meaningful change.

In this episode of B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership, host Lorelle Atkinson sits down with Yemi A.D., Founder of Moonshot Platform, to explore a creative journey shaped by movement, intuition, and purpose. From dancing in communist Czechoslovakia to choreographing for global artists like Kanye West and Virgil Abloh, Yemi shares how creativity became both an outlet and a guide. He reflects on the transformative experience of moving to New York City, finding belonging, and embracing a multidisciplinary path that spans art, technology, and social impact. At the heart of the conversation is a belief in trusting the process, staying present, and pursuing bold ideas. For Yemi, that includes a literal moonshot: a mission to travel to space, and a broader commitment to empowering the next generation to dream just as big.

Conservation isn’t just about protecting wildlife. It’s about making it possible for people and animals to coexist. In this episode of B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership, host Lorelle Atkinson speaks with Dr. Krithi Karanth, Director at the Centre for Wildlife Studies, whose work sits at this critical intersection. Growing up in the forests of India, she developed an early connection to wildlife that continues to shape her approach today. From helping farmers access compensation for wildlife-related losses to building trust between communities and conservation systems, Karanth focuses on practical, community-driven solutions. Through initiatives like Wild Seve and her work as a children’s author, she is also inspiring the next generation to care about biodiversity. This conversation offers a grounded look at conservation rooted in empathy, education, and coexistence.

" Young people aren’t the future. They are already shaping the present. In this episode of B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership, host Lorelle Atkinson sits down with Ziad Ahmed, Head of Next Gen at United Talent Agency, to explore what it really means to give Gen Z a seat at the table. From founding his first company at 16 to advising global brands, Ziad has built his career on one core belief: conversations about young people should include them. He shares how early support from his family shaped his confidence, why he has never questioned whether he belongs in the room, and how he challenges institutions to rethink who gets to lead. The conversation also unpacks the gap between performative and real authenticity, and why meaningful engagement requires more than representation. It requires a shift in who holds power."

In this episode of B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership, host Lorelle Atkinson sits down with Benji Backer, Founder & CEO of Nature Is Nonpartisan, to explore the personal experiences that shaped his approach to leadership and conservation. From a formative childhood hike that sparked his connection to the outdoors to his work building a cross-partisan environmental movement, Backer shares why reconnecting with nature is essential not just for the planet, but for human wellbeing. He reflects on the power of public lands to unite communities, the role of empathy in bridging political divides, and why meaningful progress depends on rebuilding relationships across differences. At its core, this conversation is about finding common ground, not just in nature, but in each other.

“I feel like I am literally a walking example of daring to dream… never give up hope, never stop dreaming because you never, ever, ever know—if you don’t try.” Founder & CEO of We Got Us Now, Ebony Underwood, joins B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership to share how her father’s journey home after 30+ years of incarceration inspired her to found We Got Us Now and advocate for families impacted by parental incarceration. Tune in for a powerful conversation with host Lorelle Atkinson on resilience, purpose, legacy, and what it means to turn hope into action.

At nine years old, Gabe Fleisher started sending his mom an email to help her process politics. Today, Wake Up to Politics reaches tens of thousands of readers—including some of the most influential people in Washington. In this conversation, Gabe talks about growing up in the public eye, why trust in media is fraying, and how independent journalists can help repair it. He shares lessons from his father’s rabbinical teachings, insights into Gen Z’s unique approach to politics, and the simple reason he still writes like he’s talking to his mom over breakfast. If you care about honest, accessible, values-driven journalism, you won’t want to miss this episode.

She built a media company by accident, got it syndicated on Bloomberg, and still makes time for Saturday morning walks along the Miami River. In our latest episode, Sherrell talks about trading “proving yourself” for “being yourself,” building community with purpose, and why she believes the future of tech will be about saving lives and the planet. You’ll hear stories of early mentors, the power of collective care, and how one Beyoncé anthem fuels her fearless leadership. Whether you’re chasing your next big goal or learning to slow down, this conversation will inspire you to invest in others—and yourself.