Ronderings

Executive coach and sabbatical guide Elandria Jackson Charles makes the case that a leader stepping away for three months is not a perk. It is an investment in organizational resilience.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Elandria, founder of Ayoka Partners, to talk about sabbatical care and what changes when rest is built into the structure instead of left to the individual.Elandria grew up an only child outside Atlanta, raised by parents from Macon whose sacrifices never added up on paper. She was a junior Olympic champion at 12, running the 200 and the 400, and she was also throwing up before races. She quit track before college and lost the identity that came with it. Perfectionism carried her for years after that, until burnout and her second child arrived together. That is when she bet on herself and built Ayoka Partners. Ayoka is Yoruba for one who causes joy, and it was her original middle name.Ron brings a sports analogy. When a paid athlete goes down, the organization rehabs them, because getting that player back on the court matters to the team. The social impact sector calls itself a team sport and structurally plays an individual one. Elandria asks how we perceive injury when there is no limp, when a leader is answering every email and going home a shell of herself. A sabbatical, she says, shows you your leadership bench fast, and funders have a role in making one possible.Tune in to hear why Elandria says slowing down actually accelerates you, and what a yellow smiley face sticker in the shower drain has to do with joy. Chapters:🌿 02:40 Elandria Jackson Charles checked every box and still lost herself🏃 07:40 A junior Olympic title at 12 and vomiting before races🌅 24:27 Rest hygiene, and asking what fuel supports her dreams today🪑 34:32 A sabbatical shows you who is actually on your leadership bench🎾 36:34 Social impact says team sport and structurally plays an individual one🩹 38:34 The injured leader with no limp, still answering every email😊 40:32 Joy is micro: a smiley face sticker in the shower drain⏸️ 44:39 The Rondering: pausing unlocks possibility, and slowing down accelerates youLinks:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elandriajacksoncharlesThe Sabbatical Moment newsletter: sabbaticalmoment.myflodesk.comInstagram: @restclarityjoyConnect with Elandria Jackson Charles on LinkedIn to learn more about sabbatical care and her work supporting leaders, especially Black women leaders, to pause and come back with clarity. Her free newsletter, The Sabbatical Moment, is where she writes about the smaller sabbatical moments you can build into an ordinary Thursday.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Civic designer and movement strategist Dr. Kim McLear spent twenty years in the Coast Guard, and ten of them running a whistleblowing campaign built on carnival rhythm instead of the lone hero.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Kim, a systems engineer turned artist and movement builder, to talk about how she reimagined whistleblowing as a collective practice with rhythm and discipline.Kim is a first generation American raised by Trinidad and Tobago immigrant parents who each served nearly thirty years in the military. She started school in Okinawa and finished high school in Germany, with 18 cities behind her before she could vote. She still has a scar on one finger from opening a reinforced steel door during a cyclone to get a better look at the trees dancing. Hours under the hood of cars with her father taught her that changing one part changes the whole system, which is the thread that runs to her PhD in systems engineering.She picked the Coast Guard because it was the furthest thing from anything she knew, water included. When she spoke up, she refused the single hero version and built a survivor led coalition of thousands while continuing to serve as an officer and teach as a professor. She stayed disciplined about describing behavior rather than calling people names, and over a ten year arc that work helped surface a CNN investigation and new federal laws.Tune in to hear why Kim calls despair a design feature of oppressive systems, and what practicing the future looks like when it starts with a paint bucket and a couple of friends. Chapters:🧵 02:39 Dr. Kim McLear: engineer, professor, and Coast Guard whistleblower🌍 07:47 Dignity for all living systems, not just the human ones🌀 11:55 Cyclones and car engines: the making of a systems engineer⚓ 25:45 Why she joined the branch furthest from her comfort zone🥁 30:18 Whistleblowing with carnival rhythm: no one whistles a symphony alone📰 38:36 The ten year arc behind the CNN investigation and new federal laws🚫 49:59 Never call people names: describe the behavior instead🎷 01:01:42 Practice the future: grab a paint bucket and a couple of friends🎭 01:04:11 Despair is a design feature of oppressive systemsLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justdrkim/ Connect with Dr. Kim McLear on LinkedIn to follow her work as a civic designer and movement strategist building education ecosystems for movement builders. Her practice draws on music and rhythm to help communities move from fragmentation toward coherence, which is the same practice she walks through on this episode. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Gold Chhim leads national partnerships at Education Pioneers. For years he kept his identity and his leadership in two separate lanes, and closing that gap is what he now means by authentic leadership.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Gold, Managing Director of Partnerships at Education Pioneers, to talk about what it costs to be the only one in the room and what changes when you stop paying it.Gold grew up on the east side of Compton, the son of a Cambodian refugee mother who told him his job was education. His schools were roughly 65% Latino and 34% Black. The remaining 1% was him. He got into UCLA and finished year one on academic probation, wondering whether he was smart enough to be there. Two days after graduating, he flew to Detroit with two suitcases and started teaching high school math. He founded the basketball team too, which made him the winningest coach in school history by default.Ron and Gold get into the part that does not fit on a resume. Gold's students in Detroit had never met an Asian person, and their only reference point was Jeremy Lin. The two of them compare notes on being judged by other Asian Americans for how they talk, and on why code switching eventually stopped being worth it.Tune in to hear the question Gold uses as a north star: is he living as someone 15 year old Gold would look up to? Chapters:🌏 01:53 Gold Chhim and the short list of Southeast Asian leaders in education🧭 08:31 The hustle his mother taught him: education was the job🎓 10:38 Academic probation at UCLA and the fear of not belonging🧳 12:23 Two suitcases to Detroit two days after graduating🔢 14:49 Growing up as the 1% on the east side of Compton🏀 21:23 His Detroit students had never met an Asian person before🏙️ 27:23 Teaching in a city that woke up bankrupt💿 37:54 Music as a better entry point than what do you do🚦 39:32 Why he stopped keeping identity and work in separate lanes💬 49:57 The Ronderings question: create the conditions for authentic leadershipLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gold-chhim-94b59a9a/ Connect with Gold Chhim on LinkedIn to learn more about his partnership work across the education sector at Education Pioneers. He asked for it directly on the episode: message him, and he will look for a way to partner. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Philanthropy does not fail for lack of money. It fails when nobody in the room has the courage to put the issue on the table. Marvin L. Smith has spent twenty years watching that happen from the inside.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Marvin, founder of the advisory practice and podcast Funding Bravely, for a conversation about what it costs to keep your voice inside systems that were never built for you.Marvin grew up outside Boston, a Black and brown kid in a predominantly white, upper income town, with a hoarse voice that made read alouds something to survive. Tennis is where he found leadership before he found words. In third grade a teacher had him beating sixth graders in a math contest and feeling invincible. In eighth grade, an algebra teacher pulled him out of history class and threatened his place at the school for letting a friend copy his homework. He bombed the state test that year and did not get his confidence back for decades.He and Ron get into philanthropy from close range. Funders who quietly bankroll advocacy but will not attach their names to it. Rooms convened to solve a problem with nobody present who has lived it. Marvin's read: the deciding factor was rarely the size of the check or the polish of the pitch deck. It was whether courage showed up.They also talk about what comes after a role elimination, and why Marvin will not shrink to fit somebody else's job description. Chapters:🎾 04:05 Meet Marvin L. Smith: a hoarse voice and a tennis court➗ 05:54 Feeling invincible in math, then threatened over a shared homework📉 08:28 The state test never made for him and the repair nobody offered🎒 09:58 The kids were never the problem, so he asked what they wanted🏆 18:19 Learning tennis etiquette, then deciding to play his own way💸 26:23 What twenty years close to donors actually showed him🔑 28:26 Courage was the variable, not the money or the pitch deck🌊 30:56 The great wealth transfer and the advisory practice built for it🛡️ 32:58 What makes people act bravely, and why nobody wants to go first🎯 35:40 The tennis coach question that became his advising model💼 41:45 A role elimination, and refusing to let the market set his value✊ 45:10 I cannot shrink myself to fit someone else's job description🔁 53:41 Reparative philanthropy and why no donor should do this aloneLinks:Website: fundingbravely.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marvin-smith-a2672012Substack: open.substack.com/pub/fundingbravelyFunding Bravely podcast: YouTube | Spotify | Apple PodcastsConnect with Marvin on LinkedIn or follow Funding Bravely to hear the conversations he is having with grant makers and fundraisers about where courage actually shows up in philanthropy, including a coming miniseries on donor advised funds. He also works directly with wealth holders and nonprofit leaders on philanthropic advising and storytelling.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Executive coach and Lead For Liberation founder Shayna Renee Hammond has spent two decades coaching Black leaders through burnout, and she says the work starts with energy, not strategy.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Shayna, founder of Lead For Liberation and Indigo Unbound, for a conversation about what it costs to lead inside systems that were never built for you.Her first day of school was in Pinckney, Michigan, a rural town known for the Ku Klux Klan. She was five, the only Black child, and no one on the bus would let her sit down. She got an assigned seat behind the driver and rode alone for the rest of the year. The emotion she remembers is not shame. It is curiosity. What she took from it was a sentence she still uses: it ain't me.Fifth grade in Washington DC brought her first Black teacher, who pulled her aside and told her she was a leader. She went from the bottom reading group to the top of her class, and became a principal at 25, leading the highest performing middle school in Baltimore at the time.Ron and Shayna get into the raw deal school leaders are handed. LeBron has a trainer and a physical therapist behind him. Principals are told to put up all star numbers and hand themselves an ice pack. Shayna calls the thing underneath it a sick collective consciousness, built on scarcity and false urgency, and she is not waiting for the system to fix itself.Tune in to hear what spirit told her when she felt stuck at 45, and why she calls the CrossFit Open a diagnostic. Chapters:🎙️ 00:11 Welcome to Ronderings, and meeting Shayna Renee Hammond🚌 03:28 Kindergarten in Pinckney, and the bus where no one let her sit✏️ 07:35 The fifth grade teacher who told her she was a leader🪞 14:20 It ain't me, and presence alone is revolutionary📹 16:29 The talk she gave that found her fifth grade teacher again⏰ 20:25 The Teach for America application she filed at 2:53 in the morning🗺️ 22:00 Dr. Alonso opened an org chart and let her choose🤰 26:46 Recruited back by KIPP at eight months pregnant🌱 31:11 Leaving to be a present mom, and the first contract💜 36:20 IndigoWomen becomes Indigo Unbound, and a room of 100 Black men🏀 40:06 LeBron has a whole team, school leaders get an ice pack🏋️ 43:17 The CrossFit Open and what spirit said about being stuck⚡ 48:51 The Ronderings question: invest in your energyLinks:Website: www.leadforliberation.comWebsite: www.indigounbound.comInstagram: @indigounboundReach out to Shayna Renee Hammond through Lead For Liberation for executive coaching and organizational culture work, or through Indigo Unbound, the space she built for Black leaders and entrepreneurs to do the inner work that sustains the outer impact.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Founding principal turned entrepreneur Dr. LaShawnna Harris opened a New York City public school with 220 kindergartners and ran the operations flawlessly. Her appointment still stalled, because systems were never the part she needed to master.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with LaShawnna, founder of sharEDtalent, to talk about the gap between technical excellence and the relationships that decide whether you get to stay in the room.LaShawnna is a Queens girl who took the bus across the bridge to Monsignor Scanlan in the Bronx and landed at RPI planning to be an engineer. She switched to management and had her daughter as a sophomore. She graduated into a job market that closed on 9/11, with an interview at the World Trade Center scheduled for the week after. An ad for the New York City Teaching Fellows put her in a Bronx classroom by September.By 2010 she was a founding principal in Corona with no grievances and a school she describes as rocking and rolling. Her appointment was held up anyway. A network leader told her to work on the people things. A superintendent suggested she bring donuts.Six months before her defense, she threw out her dissertation and wrote a new one on race socialization, trust, and how Black entrepreneurs mobilize social capital. That research is the foundation of her work now, designing Impact Labs where leaders and entrepreneurs solve problems together instead of trading business cards.Tune in to hear why LaShawnna says the answer is already in your network, and what it costs to never make the ask. Chapters:🗽 03:10 Dr. LaShawnna Harris from a Queens block to engineering at RPI🎓 08:38 Switching to management so she would not fail out of RPI✂️ 10:57 A police officer with a barbershop and a mother who sewed😢 13:48 Crying in a closet as a first year teacher🏫 18:13 Opening a school with 220 kindergartners in Corona🍩 20:28 The appointment that stalled, and the advice to bring donuts🤝 22:50 Social capital was not a thing to her in 2010🧭 25:32 Founding sharEDtalent to connect schools with the help they need📚 33:32 Rewriting her whole dissertation six months before the defense🎤 38:19 Redesigning the ed conference so people actually solve problems together🙌 49:11 The Ronderings question: make the ask, slow does not mean noLinks:Website: www.sharedtalent.org LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lashawnnaharris Substack: substack.com/@sharedtalent Impact Labs: www.sharedtalent.org/impact-labReach out to Dr. LaShawnna Harris to learn more about sharEDtalent and the Impact Labs she runs for leaders and entrepreneurs who want to get clear, test ideas, and build the relationships their work depends on. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Nonprofit leadership is a creative practice, not a title you master. Executive coach Gary Bagley led New York Cares and now works with the executives and boards holding organizations together.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Gary, board adviser and adjunct professor at Columbia and Baruch, to talk about what nonprofit leadership asks of people when the ground keeps moving.Gary trained as a musician. A friend asked him to play piano for a kids' musical theater class, and inside he thought no. He said yes anyway and fell in love with it. That yes led to teaching arts in New York City classrooms and eventually to the top job at New York Cares. A seventh grade aptitude test had told him to be a teacher, be a preacher, or be a social worker. He did not know what a social worker was.He and Ron dig into the gap between the power people assign a nonprofit CEO and the power the job carries. Gary's view is that the most important decisions do not belong to the CEO, and that real preparation means sitting in rooms where people disagree.They also get into boards. A board governs an entire organization on roughly ten to twelve hours of meeting time a year, and going virtual gave Gary the best attendance he had ever seen without the engagement to match. And the people absorbing the most pressure right now are not CEOs. They are the senior leadership teams one level down.Tune in to hear why Gary defines trust as the sum of expectations met, and what saying yes to possibility looks like when the moment feels closed. Chapters:🎭 02:48 Gary Bagley: from teaching arts in classrooms to running New York Cares🎹 08:29 The piano favor he almost turned down💡 12:05 Making one and one equal three, and why leaders have to fail⚖️ 17:48 The biggest decisions in a nonprofit do not belong to the CEO🚦 25:48 Somebody put a foot on the gas pedal and never let up🪑 32:58 The time boards need most is the time they have least🤝 40:18 Trust is the sum of expectations met🛟 44:37 Senior leadership teams are getting hit the hardest🎨 47:17 The Ronderings question: say yes to possibilityLinks:Website: garybagley.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/garybagleyReach out to Gary Bagley to talk executive coaching, board governance, and succession planning, and follow his biweekly LinkedIn newsletter Bagleyisms for his running notes on leading and managing nonprofits.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Parent engagement advocate Punam V. Saxena failed the gifted test in second grade, and spent the next twenty five years believing she was not smart.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Punam, a TEDx and SXSW EDU speaker who started out teaching special education, for a conversation about what schools miss when nobody asks families what they actually want.Punam grew up outside Atlanta in the 1970s, the only Indian family in the community. Neighbors asked what tribe they belonged to and how the bindi stayed on her mother's forehead. Her father, the first agricultural engineer of Indian descent hired in this country, once answered that they were Cherokee just to end the conversation. When a second Indian family moved in and their son was also kept out of gifted, Punam's parents told them to go advocate. He got in. He went to MIT.At 22, with no training, she was put in a self contained classroom of students with autism. Later, teaching students with severe emotional disturbances in Florida, she noticed that not one parent came to her door. The turn came in an IEP meeting, where a mother who had taken two buses and unpaid hours off work sat silent while the professionals wrote goals. Punam stopped and asked what she wanted. The answer was life skills, because her son would graduate in seven years.She and Ron get into the Puritan foundations still sitting under American schooling, and her dissertation on how second generation Indian American women build a hybrid cultural identity in college.Tune in to hear why Punam's Ronderings is equity over equality, 100% of the time. Chapters:🎙️ 00:11 Welcome to Ronderings, and meeting Punam V. Saxena🏡 05:14 One Indian family in rural Georgia, and the question about what tribe📉 10:18 How failing the gifted test made her believe she was not smart🧩 14:24 At 22, handed a classroom of students with autism and no training💬 16:36 The parent who took two buses and was never asked anything🏅 19:22 The next Indian family advocated, and their son got into MIT🤝 23:21 Why showing up only when there is a problem makes teachers defensive⛪ 32:32 An education system still built on Puritan ideals📖 43:25 Her dissertation on being Indian at home and American at school❤️ 52:37 The Ronderings question: equity over equality, 100% of the timeLinks:Website: punamvsaxena.comLinkedIn: Punam SaxenaEmail: [email protected] out to Punam V. Saxena for coaching, consulting, and workshops on parent engagement, or to bring her in to speak on what multicultural families need from the schools their children attend.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Educator and community builder Craig Aarons-Martin, founder of the Black Boy Joy Summit, has spent more than two decades doing transformative work in Boston's schools, and he is candid here about the rooms he still gets shut out of and why he keeps building anyway.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Craig, a New Orleans native, longtime school leader, and author, to talk about belonging, masculinity, faith, and what it takes to choose purpose while carrying real weight.Craig traces his path from a summer school classroom in Louisiana, where a teacher named Miss Madeline handed him a math lesson at thirteen, to Dillard University, to Lesley University and the greater Boston area. He is honest about arriving in Boston over three hundred pounds, "a hundred and seventy-five pounds of that being depression," working his calling while mostly closeted, convinced that showing up fully himself could cost him his license. Ron opens the conversation from his own grief, having just buried his nephew Arnold, and that honesty sets the tone for everything that follows.The two get into why vulnerability is so hard for men of color, what it means when a father starts learning to emote after forty years of silence, and how Craig built the Black Boy Joy Summit as a space for boys of color to see unsung heroes rather than only celebrities and seven-figure CEOs. Craig also names the harder truth underneath his visible success: a hundred outreach emails and twenty-five sponsorship proposals that went nowhere, and a calling he refuses to abandon.Tune in to hear why Craig believes the breakdown always comes before the breakthrough, and why taking L's might be the necessary cost of elevation. Chapters:🌱 02:46 Craig Aarons-Martin on the journey of becoming🧭 05:08 More years in the North, but a Southerner first🤝 07:54 Why he finally said yes to brotherhood in his forties🫂 12:52 The loneliness young men of color carry behind the feed🍎 16:31 Miss Madeline, a math lesson, and the moment he became a teacher💔 21:12 Arriving in Boston at 300 pounds, carrying depression and a calling🏳️‍🌈 24:32 The double standard of who gets to be out at work🧱 27:35 Two decades of excellence and the rooms still closed to him🗣️ 32:15 A father learning to emote after forty years of silence🏋️ 35:34 What men lock themselves out of when they refuse to connect👑 40:17 Building the Black Boy Joy Summit for the sons he hopes to have🎯 44:33 Taking L's on the way to elevation, and the breakdown before the breakthroughLinks:Email: [email protected] Website: ccmeducationgroup.co LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/craigcmartin Linktree: linktr.ee/iamcraigaaronsmartinReach out to Craig Aarons-Martin to learn more about the Black Boy Joy Summit and his work building brave, affirming spaces for boys and men of color in education.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Dr. Nadia Lopez banked 156 unused sick days. When she finally got too sick to work, the Department of Education separated her from payroll and told her she could come back to work.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Dr. Nadia Lopez, award-winning educator, best-selling author of The Bridge to Brilliance, and the founding principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy in Brownsville, Brooklyn, for a conversation about educator wellness, burnout, and what it costs to give a system everything you have.Dr. Lopez never planned to teach. She trained as a critical care nurse, detoured through Verizon, and was rejected from the NYC Teaching Fellows before a mentor forced them to put the rejection in writing. They could not. She landed in a seventh grade special education classroom in Fort Greene and brought her nursing philosophy with her: know the child before you read the IEP, treat the behaviors and not the label, understand the context before you diagnose the problem.She talks about asking her students whether they had a library at home and realizing they did not own a single book, while thousands sat unused in school storage rooms. She talks about the Global Teacher Prize taking her to Dubai, Sweden, and Korea, and what those systems understand about sustainability that we do not. She talks about her mentor Karen, who ignored her own symptoms the same way Dr. Lopez ignored hers.And she talks about the autoimmune diagnosis that ended her principalship, the medical sabbatical the DOE denied her, and the fight to get insurance back so she could have surgery.Tune in to hear why Dr. Lopez believes leadership is responsibility, not martyrdom, and what her HEART framework asks of leaders who have never once been asked how their heart and spirit are doing. Chapters:🩺 02:53 Dr. Nadia Lopez never wanted to be an educator, she was supposed to be a nurse✉️ 06:56 Rejected by the NYC Teaching Fellows, until a mentor asked them to put it in writing🏫 11:31 Seventh grade special education in Fort Greene, and the nursing philosophy she brought with her📕 15:30 The question she asked every student: do you have a library at home🇬🇹 20:27 Guatemala, the food pantry, and the child nobody knew was struggling🌍 23:44 The Global Teacher Prize, teaching under a tree, and what other systems understand❤️ 29:30 The question she asks educators everywhere: how is your heart and spirit🕯️ 31:26 Karen Giles, glioblastoma, and the signs they both ignored🚫 41:16 The HEART framework, 156 unused sick days, and the sabbatical the DOE denied👩‍👧 45:14 Walking away as the lesson she was teaching her daughter about her own worth📋 50:36 We have attendance protocols for students and nothing for leaders💭 54:58 The Ronderings question: listen to your body or you become a hypocriteLinks:Website: www.thelopezeffect.com Work with Dr. Lopez: www.thelopezeffect.com/workwithme Socials: @thelopezeffect on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and XDr. Lopez coaches women leaders in education on building careers they can sustain, and she is launching a new health and wellness endeavor. Reach out to her if you are leading a school or a system and no one has asked you lately how your heart and spirit are doing.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Julie Chan was a Yale and MIT-trained urban planner building a career in economic development when a spontaneous spiritual awakening opened intuitive abilities she never asked for and could not explain. Today she helps entrepreneurs and executives find their life purpose, and she is on a mission to bring science and spirituality back into the same room.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Julie Chan, founder of Being My Purpose and an intuitive life purpose coach, to talk about what happens when the analytical mind you built your career on suddenly is not the only way you know things.Julie's path did not start with crystals and channeling. It started with degrees from Yale and MIT, work in healthcare technology, biotech, and small business development, and a very grounded life in New York City. Then the awakening arrived, unbidden, and with it came clairaudience, clairvoyance, and a set of experiences her training gave her no language for. Rather than run from it, she went looking for a framework big enough to hold both the data and the download.She and Ron get into what it actually means to channel the Akashic Records, why she has written thousands of pages of guidance for clients, and how someone with her background makes peace with abilities that science has not yet caught up to. They talk about purpose as something you uncover rather than invent, the fear that keeps people from expressing it, and why Julie believes healthcare, education, and business are all overdue for a more expansive view of what human beings are capable of.Ron brings his own curiosity and a little healthy skepticism, and Julie meets all of it with warmth and specificity.Tune in to hear how a self-described analytical planner learned to trust a way of knowing she once would have dismissed. Chapters:🌱 02:05 Julie Chan on leaving urban planning for a life she never planned🎓 05:30 What a Yale and MIT planner did before the awakening⚡ 11:20 The spontaneous awakening that opened abilities she never asked for👂 18:40 Clairaudience, clairvoyance, and learning to trust a new way of knowing🗂️ 24:10 What it actually means to channel the Akashic Records✍️ 27:29 Writing thousands of pages of guidance for clients🧭 34:05 Purpose is something you uncover, not something you invent😨 41:30 The fear that keeps people from expressing their purpose🔬 46:15 Why science and spirituality belong in the same room🏥 48:20 A bigger view of healthcare, education, and human potentialLinks:Website: beingmypurpose.comFacebook: facebook.com/beingmypurposeInstagram: @beingmypurposeConnect with Julie Chan at Being My Purpose to learn more about her work helping entrepreneurs and executives uncover and express their life purpose through intuitive coaching and the Akashic Records. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

A high school sports editor watched a fellow editor dismiss a brilliant Black student's writing. The question that moment raised never left him.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Jon Schnur, cofounder of New Leaders and CEO of America Achieves, for a conversation about leadership, education, and economic mobility in the age of AI.Jon grew up just outside Milwaukee, the son of a mother who co-founded one of the country's first children's museums and the city's first racially integrated preschool. He went to that preschool. So when he later sat in segregated Milwaukee classrooms as a teenage reporter, he already knew another way was possible. That gap between what is and what could be became his life's engine: ask why, then ask what we can do about it.That question carried him from a Chicago campaign volunteer job (he started as Bill Clinton's airport driver) through seven years in the Clinton administration, advising Al Gore, and co-founding New Leaders, which has since developed 8,000 school leaders reaching more than a million students. Ron has his own New Leaders story, and the two of them trace what made that community what it was.Then Jon turns to what is next: the good jobs economy, and how states can prepare people for meaningful work as AI reshapes entire careers.Tune in to hear why Jon believes the future is not something to predict, but something we decide through what we choose to do. Chapters:🎙️ 00:40 Welcome to Ronderings, and a full-circle reunion two decades in the making🏛️ 04:24 Growing up in Milwaukee, and a mother who built museums and integrated preschools📰 09:39 The high school newsroom moment that turned a sports editor toward education🚗 20:26 From Clinton's airport driver to seven years in the administration🏫 24:19 Why every great school had a great principal, and the idea behind New Leaders🤝 31:15 Twenty-five years of New Leaders, and the people who built the community🌎 38:12 How a search for an executive director led to Barack Obama💼 53:30 The good jobs economy, and preparing people for work in the age of AI❤️ 58:30 The Ronderings question: equal dignity, asking why, and taking action📬 1:00:18 How to reach Jon, and a final word on responsibility over grievance🎧 1:04:36 Closing reflections, and Podcasts That Matter at www.podcaststhatmatter.orgLinks:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jon-schnurAmerica Achieves: linkedin.com/company/america-achievesEmail Jon directly: [email protected] out to Jon to talk leadership, the good jobs economy, and how states can prepare people for meaningful work in the age of AI. If you are part of the New Leaders community, he is genuinely inviting your ideas on what the next twenty-five years should look like.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

George Suttles followed the money. Not for status, for impact, and from inside some of the most powerful funding institutions in the country, he is trying to redesign how philanthropy works.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with George Suttles, Executive Director of Commonfund Institute, Harlem-born and New York City-rooted, for a conversation about power, repair, and rebuilding the system from the inside out.George traces his path from a father who coached every neighborhood team and a mother grounded in faith and service at Convent Avenue Baptist Church, to direct youth work across the city, to tech policy at the National Urban League, to philanthropic advising at U.S. Trust, and now to leading Commonfund Institute and chairing the board of the New York Foundation. The through line he names is older than any of it: generosity, abundance, and taking care of your neighbors, learned long before he had words like "nonprofit" or "philanthropy."The conversation gets honest about the professionalization of philanthropy and the way metrics quietly became a gate. George unpacks the myth of merit-based funding, why the 5% payout was never built to be transformational, and the question he keeps asking in mainstream rooms: if foundations believe endowments are good, why not endow their grantees too?He and Ron also talk about how to actually move an institution, why change starts at the board level, and why nobody is coming to save our communities, so we build our own things.Tune in to hear why George believes radical love and radical imagination are the tools the moment demands. Chapters:🎙️ 01:40 Meet George Suttles: Harlem-born, NYC-rooted, and how he and Ron first met🏙️ 02:27 A New York City kid: family, kinship, and a love story across the boroughs⛪ 06:40 A father who coached the neighborhood and a mother grounded in the church🤲 08:10 Generosity and abundance before he had the words for philanthropy🚪 09:46 From frontline youth work to tech policy: seeing the cracks in the system🔍 15:40 Peeking behind the curtain: gatekeeping versus gate-opening📊 18:00 The professionalization of philanthropy and the myth of merit-based funding🏛️ 26:33 Moving the institution: why real change starts at the board level💰 43:29 Why nonprofits deserve endowments too🔧 50:09 Repair, chronic under-resourcing, and building our own things❤️ 55:31 George's Rondering: radical love and radical imaginationLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgesuttles Email: [email protected] Donate: NYC Racial Equity Endowment FundConnect with George Suttles to talk philanthropy, fiduciary duty, and values-aligned investing, or give directly to the NYC Racial Equity Endowment Fund and put the endowment idea he champions into practice for the communities that need it. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Chris Thompson, CFA, went from training to be a mechanic at a Brooklyn vocational high school to managing over a billion dollars on Wall Street. The thing that changed his trajectory wasn't talent. It was a math teacher who told him he was good at something he couldn't yet see in himself.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Chris Thompson, impact investor, executive coach, and JP Morgan investment banking alum, to trace one of the most improbable career arcs the show has covered. Raised in Crown Heights by his Jamaican immigrant mother after his father died when Chris was two, Chris enrolled at Automotive High School for one reason: to learn a trade fast and help put food on the table. Junior year, a Jamaican math teacher and a business teacher saw something in him and redirected everything, pointing him toward college credits, a JP Morgan scholarship, and a path nobody in his world had a map for.Chris graduated valedictorian of Long Island University, earned an MBA from Duke and the CFA designation, and worked corporate credit through the 2008 financial crisis. He also carries a loss that reshaped everything: his mother died suddenly in front of him at 43, just as he was planning for business school.Today Chris ties his finance skills to something bigger, deploying capital into affordable housing and community projects, and coaching the people coming up behind him. He and Ron, both children of immigrants who lost a parent young, get into mentorship, legacy, survivor's guilt, and the discipline of putting one foot in front of the other when you want to stop.Tune in to hear why Chris calls that JP Morgan scholarship an impact investment in his own life, and what he'd ask his parents if he could.Chapters:🌱 01:47 Two island kids, children of immigrants, meet through a mutual friend🍽️ 02:53 No vision, no path, just trying to see the next meal💔 04:27 Losing his father at two and growing up with a superwoman mom🔧 08:21 Choosing Automotive High School to learn a trade and help fast📐 09:51 The math teacher who said, you're good at this, why not pursue it🎫 13:18 The JP Morgan scholarship that changed everything🏆 17:09 Graduating valedictorian and earning a seat at the investment bank📉 20:08 Reading the warning signs before the 2008 crash🕯️ 25:25 The hardest part of the story: losing his mother at 43🤝 28:59 The village that carried him, and a sister he leaned on🌍 31:42 Tying finance to purpose through impact investing and coaching🌺 36:00 The question he'd ask the parents he lost🚶 43:49 The Ronderings value: find a way to keep going, one step at a time🔗 46:41 Where to find Chris and the work he's doing nowLinks:Email: [email protected] Reach out to Chris Thompson directly by email to learn more about his work in executive coaching and impact investing.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.orgFor more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Career expert Jeremy Schifeling says a referral used to give you a 10x edge in hiring. In today's AI-flooded job market, it's now 20x, because trust is the one thing a machine can't fake.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Jeremy Schifeling, founder of The Job Insiders and best-selling author of the top LinkedIn and AI job-search books on Amazon, for a conversation about how to actually get hired when applying online has stopped working.Jeremy's story doesn't start with success. It starts with him, by his own admission, sucking at teaching. A kindergarten teacher in Bed-Stuy who once tried to win over a room of eighth graders with a Jeopardy game and got laughed out of the room, he learned the hard way that you have to understand people before you can lead them. That failure pushed him from the classroom to Teach For America, to Echoing Green and iMentor, to LinkedIn, and finally to building his own company helping the next generation find meaningful work.Ron and Jeremy compare notes from both sides of the table: what Jeremy hears from buried job seekers, and what Ron sees as a recruiter watching a thousand applications land in three days. They get into why referrals now matter more than ever, why introverts should reach out to geek out instead of network, and why social connection is as essential as a good diet.Tune in to hear Jeremy's challenge to treat 2026 the way the best of us treated 2006: go build your own luck.🎙️ 00:39 Jeremy Schifeling on sucking at teaching and why that failure built his whole career🧠 03:17 Why the people who pick the hard path tend to run everything later🎒 10:18 The eighth-grade Jeopardy disaster that taught him to understand people before leading them🛠️ 12:08 How running a school blog in Bed-Stuy quietly became a tech superpower🚀 18:42 Leaving the safe path to bet on himself, ten years of mistakes and all🪄 22:49 Turning workshops into a magic show instead of a lecture📉 25:00 Two career experts compare notes on the toughest job market in years🤝 32:44 Referrals jumped from a 10x to a 20x advantage, and AI is the reason🌱 39:07 Why social connection is as essential to your life as a good diet🧲 40:15 Reach out to geek out: networking advice for introverts who hate networking💡 53:37 The Rondering: build your own luck and make the world a better placeLinks:Website: thejobinsiders.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/schifelingYouTube: youtube.com/@jobinsidersBooks: Jeremy's best-selling LinkedIn and AI job-search books on AmazonReach out to Jeremy Schifeling, fellow LinkedIn nerd, to talk job searching, AI, and how to build your own luck. He would genuinely love to hear what you are seeing in the market, so connect with him on LinkedIn and keep the conversation going.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.orgFor more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Some leaders climb out of a system and never look back. Dr. Patrick Fagan climbed out of New York City Public Schools and came back to lead it.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Dr. Patrick Fagan, Chief Talent and Human Resources Officer for New York City Public Schools, the largest school system in the nation, for a conversation about what it takes to lead people at a scale most of us will never touch.Born in London to Jamaican parents and raised in East Flatbush, Patrick is a K-12 product of the very schools he now serves. He walks Ron through the full arc: playing trumpet at JHS 285, learning a trade at William E. Grady, and the doctorate in industrial-organizational psychology that taught him to read workplace behavior like a scientist.Then he gets into the leadership. Why he traded "leadership" for "teamship" across his 10 executive directors. Why he refuses to be the bottleneck every decision runs through. Why he says you have to love people, not just like them, to last in HR. And how faith and a 5:30 AM gym routine keep him grounded while he oversees HR for 150,000 employees inside a $44 billion system.There is also the line he tries to live by: every day is an interview. Not for the next job, but for trust.Tune in to hear how Patrick brings the human back into human resources, and why he calls leading 150,000 people a privilege, not a burden.🎙️ 00:16 Welcome to Ronderings, and a full-circle homecoming📚 01:59 Want to publish a book that matters? Check out www.leveragepublishinggroup.com🎺 06:38 From JHS 285 to a trade school, the path was never straight🏢 17:19 The real scale: 150,000 employees and a $44 billion system🛞 21:21 Teamship over titles, and why he refuses to be the bottleneck🥧 30:12 The PIE framework, and bringing the human back to HR💡 36:38 Got something worth saying? Talk to Dr. Kent at www.talktokent.com🙏 37:18 Faith, wellness, and every day is an interview❤️ 45:37 The Ronderings question: leave it stronger for the next generation🎧 48:52 Podcasts That Matter, and a Stronger Podcast shout-outLinks:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patrick-d-fagan-ph-d-mbaReach out to Dr. Patrick Fagan to talk teamship, building talent pipelines inside the nation's largest school system, and the many careers in New York City Public Schools that don't require a classroom.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.orgFor more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Most people think legacy is about dying. Shawna Wells builds her whole life around the opposite idea: legacy is about living, and you are leaving one with every choice you make right now.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Shawna Wells, CEO of 7Gen Legacy Group, executive coach, and self-described generationalist, for a conversation about leadership, generational thinking, and what it actually means to live a legacy instead of leaving one.Shawna traces it back to a moment at age 10. She fell off her bike in Northeast Philadelphia, two grown men drove past without stopping to ask if she was okay, and she walked home and told her mom that when she grew up, she would make sure the people coming behind her were alright. That instinct became a career: teacher, school leader, and now a coach who helps CEOs, nonprofit leaders, and changemakers across the country align their daily decisions with the impact they say they want to make.The conversation moves from the running track, where Shawna anchored relays and learned never to drop the baton, to the grandmother who left Wetumpka, Alabama and opened her home to hundreds heading north. Ron and Shawna dig into why social impact leaders feel under siege right now, why collective legacy beats clawing for funding alone, and the Las Vegas fellowship turning rival nonprofits into partners.Tune in to hear Shawna's Rondering on generational health and the one question that cuts through everything: are you making it easier or harder for the people coming after you?📚 01:38 Publish your book at www.leveragepublishinggroup.com🪑 02:02 Meet Shawna Wells: educator, coach, and self-described generationalist🚲 04:29 The bike fall at 10 and the promise that shaped a life🏃🏽‍♀️ 09:36 Anchoring the relay and the grandmother who housed hundreds🍎 12:14 Can you be a generationalist inside a system not built for it✍️ 20:38 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org⏳ 21:44 Legacy is about living, not dying: the question that changes everything🚕 25:01 Hamilton, Whitney, and the Uber drivers who tell you their life story🧭 28:34 How to shift an organization to think in generations✊🏽 31:22 Leading social impact work when you fear you may not survive the year🤝 36:06 Intertwining legacies: the Align Fellowship and turning rivals into partners🌟 39:24 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org🔁 44:18 Shawna's Rondering: generational health and not dropping the baton🎧 50:00 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.comLinks:Website: https://7genlegacy.comConnect with Shawna Wells and the 7Gen Legacy Group team to explore executive coaching, leadership development, and the Living Your Legacy experience, and to find the new Legacy Switch program launching in January 2026.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.orgFor more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Board-certified psychotherapist Jessica Muñoz calls herself a visible survivor of gender-based violence and an expert in re-traumatizing systems designed to help. She built The Business of Healing™ to train the rooms most likely to encounter a survivor first: hotels, gyms, courts, workplaces.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Jessica, founder of The Business of Healing™ and a survivor leader with Sanctuary for Families, for a conversation about why early intervention blocks lethality and what trauma literacy actually looks like at a hotel front desk.Jessica grew up in Scotland with a Hispanic last name, moved to West Harlem just before 9/11, and went through domestic violence, sexual assault, criminal court, family court, and the New York City shelter system as a first-generation immigrant. She points to the Diddy and Cassie hotel video as a textbook case of what her training is designed to interrupt. A staff member took a $100,000 payment to keep quiet. That, she argues, is the second wave of harm survivors meet after the first.Ron and Jessica get into what trauma-informed hospitality looks like inside hotels, restaurants, and gyms, why the relationship is the vehicle to healing, and why the courts pay forensic evaluators rates so low that no trained professional will take the work. They also talk about Sanctuary for Families, The Bride's March, Kyra's Law, and why patriarchy is not about men versus women but about unearned power that hurts everyone, men included.Tune in to hear why Jessica believes your story is necessary, not just for healing, but because it is the cultural expertise the system keeps refusing to pay for. Chapters:📚 01:13 Ron's call for voices: Leadership in a Time of Chaos, a book about saying something real🛡️ 02:10 Meet Jessica Muñoz: board-certified psychotherapist and founder of The Business of Healing🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 04:20 Visible survivor of gender-based violence and expert in re-traumatizing systems⚖️ 09:06 Patriarchy on steroids in the courts: judges and attorneys not literate in trauma📜 15:31 Kyra's Law and the fight still on Governor Hochul's desk🏨 17:14 Trauma-informed hospitality: what the Diddy and Cassie hotel video should have stopped🌹 18:12 The Bride's March: a grassroots movement run by families who lost women💪 23:00 The barbell section is therapy: inviting the mind back to the body🎤 24:57 Hit a referral-only mastermind for impact-driven leaders at speakersthatmatter.com🤝 27:12 Why the relationship is the vehicle to healing, from front desk to gym floor💡 40:03 Got an idea that needs to get out into the world? Check out talktokent.com🗣️ 43:51 Jessica's Rondering: your story is necessary, not just for healing👥 45:42 Patriarchy is about unearned power, not men versus women🎧 52:36 Podcasts That Matter makes Ronderings happen, check them out at podcaststhatmatter.orgLinks:Instagram: @jmunozpsychotherapyInstagram (The Business of Healing): @businessofhealingSanctuary for Families: sanctuaryforfamilies.orgThe Bride's March: @bridesmarchFollow Jessica Muñoz and The Business of Healing™ to learn more about trauma-informed hospitality training and the clinical work behind early intervention in gender-based violence. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.orgFor more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org

In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Wenimo Okoya, educator, public health scholar, and founder of Healing Schools Project, for a conversation about why community itself is medicine and why the adults carrying the most trauma are the ones being asked to deliver wellness frameworks for kids.Wenimo's path runs from a Newark classroom (where she lost her job in the Christie-era budget cuts that brought the Zuckerberg money in) to a Master's of Public Health and doctorate at Columbia, to the Children's Health Fund, to the JED Foundation, and now to leading Healing Schools Project, a nonprofit born out of pandemic-era healing circles for educators of color.She introduces herself the way her colleagues at GirlTREK do, by her matrilineal lineage. She is Wenimo, the daughter of Grace, the daughter of Estolita, the daughter of Maude. The thread of women, entrepreneurship, and Caribbean healing wisdom runs through everything she builds.The conversation lands on a simple frame Wenimo brings into every circle she holds: three questions. How are you arriving? What do you need? What do you have the capacity to give? Ron calls it the simplest leadership tool listeners will hear all year. The back half of the episode unpacks why connection has been overcomplicated and why trust is the metric organizations refuse to measure even though they could.Tune in to hear why connection doesn't require innovation and why community is the public health intervention we keep walking past.Chapters:📚 01:23 Publish your book at www.leveragepublishinggroup.com🌍 02:35 Meet Wenimo Okoya: Newark teacher, public health scholar, founder of Healing Schools Project👵 03:32 Daughter of Grace, daughter of Estolita, daughter of Maude: introducing yourself by lineage🏫 05:40 Teaching in Newark during the Christie cuts and the Zuckerberg money🎓 08:11 Columbia, Carolyn Belell, and integrating public health and education when no one else was🦠 13:00 Pandemic healing circles, the JED Foundation, and how Healing Schools Project was born✍️ 15:14 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org🧪 21:13 Peppermint in the backyard: Caribbean healing wisdom and what immigrants kept🪑 23:11 The three questions that beat any icebreaker🌟 32:03 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org📊 36:55 Trust is the metric organizations refuse to measure🏛️ 40:28 Why funders won't pay for what's in the middle💊 43:23 Wenimo's Rondering: micro-shifts beat massive change🎧 48:23 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.comLinks:Website: https://healingschoolsproject.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/healing-schools-project Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingschools Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingschoolsprojectConnect with Dr. Wenimo Okoya and the Healing Schools Project team to learn more about their work bringing healing-centered practices and educator well-being into schools across the country.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.orgFor more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Revenue strategist and third-generation entrepreneur Amirah Raveneau-Bey has spent 25 years inside Citibank, Zillow, Trulia, NerdWallet, and Opendoor. The truth she keeps coming back to: you cannot scale a business you are not personally growing into.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Amirah, founder of Grow Scale Develop, to talk about why what looks like a revenue problem is almost always a leadership problem.Amirah traces the entrepreneurial line that runs through her family. Her grandparents built a business on Long Island. Her father became a Broadway drummer who turned arts education into a calling when New York public schools started cutting music. She thought she wanted a nine to five and went to Citibank, where her boss told her to stay in the box. Tech said the opposite, so she built what wasn't there. It made her discover something she could never go back from. Leadership is 10% strategy and 90% emotional regulation.Ron and Amirah dig into why every sales problem is really a trust problem, why bosses who cannot regulate themselves are the bosses people quit, and how Amirah talks to her clients about rest. Rest is not a reward. It is a requirement for the level of leadership we are asking people to step into. And she lands on a Rondering that stops Ron mid-conversation. Every strong leader needs a space where they do not have to be strong. Coaching and mentorship are not luxuries. They are protection.Tune in to hear what 25 years across finance and tech taught Amirah about scaling a business while scaling the leader inside it.Chapters:🌱 00:36 Meet Amirah Raveneau-Bey: third-generation entrepreneur and revenue strategist📚 01:50 Publish your book at www.leveragepublishinggroup.com🎶 03:44 Nineties R&B, Jodeci, and the music that shapes who we become🏝️ 07:17 Long Island grandparents, a Broadway drummer father, and the entrepreneurial line she could not outrun💡 10:19 Saying no to entrepreneurship and getting in trouble at Citibank for thinking too creatively🚀 13:28 What tech taught her that a big bank could not: build the thing that is not there yet✍️ 18:46 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org🤝 19:20 Why every revenue problem is really a leadership problem in disguise👋 23:33 People do not quit jobs, they quit bosses who cannot regulate🧠 26:48 Autonomy is the leadership move most leaders skip 🪞 35:22 Who you were as a leader five years ago is not who you need to be today🌟 37:29 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org😴 43:19 Rest is not a reward: it is a requirement for the leadership we are asking people to step into🛋️ 49:38 Every strong leader needs a space where they do not have to be strong🎧 56:35 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.comLinks:Website: https://www.growscaledevelop.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirahraveneaubeySubstack: https://amirah.substack.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grow.scale.developConnect with Amirah on LinkedIn or visit Grow Scale Develop to follow her work helping founders and executives turn revenue problems into leadership breakthroughs.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.orgFor more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Education leader Jameelah Stuckey has built a career across finance, classroom teaching, school founding, and national education research, and she did it without losing the softness her father told her to protect.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Jameelah, senior manager at TNTP and education chair of the Greater Tulsa Area African American Affairs Commission, to talk about identity, neurodivergence, advocacy, and what it actually takes to lead without hardening.Jameelah grew up in South Central LA, the ninth of ten siblings, raised between mosque and church by three parents who each taught her something different about how to move through the world. She started in finance, working her way up from a high school teller program at Washington Mutual to Bank of America to a stint at the White House during the Obama administration. That ended when she was sent home for two days for being too passionate about the people the policy was supposed to serve. The redirect pointed straight at education.She taught, became a founding principal of a non-traditional high school in Compton, and eventually landed in Tulsa, a city she describes as small enough to dream and implement in the same week. Now she serves nationally through TNTP while leading community work across Tulsa Young Professionals, the Tulsa Area United Way, and a few other tables in town.Ron and Jameelah get into the difference between assertion and aggression, how neurodivergence shaped the way she works and leads, and why her father's line, the same people you see going up you will see coming down, has carried her across every sector she has worked in.Tune in to hear why becoming who you are meant to be does not have to mean losing your softness along the way.Chapters:📚 01:40 Publish your book at www.leveragepublishinggroup.com🌴 02:30 Meet Jameelah Stuckey: South Central, TNTP, and the Ed homie connection🕌 04:03 Mosque, church, and three parents: an early lesson in inclusion🤝 11:33 The leadership ethic her father taught her: respect, assertion, and never the big I or little U💵 13:39 From Washington Mutual teller to Bank of America: a finance career that started in eighth grade🏛️ 16:38 Sent home from the White House for being too passionate🏫 19:02 How a substitute gig in Compton turned into founding a school✍️ 20:22 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org🎓 21:03 Building a non-traditional high school for non-traditional students🌆 24:18 Why Tulsa is the place where dreams actually get implemented🏘️ 27:13 Black Wall Street, social capital, and what makes Tulsa different🌊 33:33 Be like water: the leadership ethic that meets the moment🧠 35:36 Why neurodivergence works better in remote, autonomous environments🤖 43:04 How AI became a real accommodation tool for ADHD leaders🌟 43:56 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org😊 47:02 Where Jameelah finds joy: progress, new things, and a purple suede coat🔁 48:43 Think, believe, release, receive: the mantra she lives by🎧 59:52 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.comLinks:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jameelah-stuckey-mba TNTP: tntp.org African American Leadership Academy: aalatulsa.orgConnect with Jameelah on LinkedIn to learn more about her work in education, leadership, and community impact across Tulsa and beyond.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Dr. Abiodun Durojaye arrived in the United States at nine years old from Nigeria, and by fourth grade she had learned two things: she was Black in America, and the name her father gave her would not fit in the spaces she was trying to enter.In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Dr. Abiodun Durojaye, founder of AsidaLove and former CEO of Urban Alliance, to talk about identity, gratitude, motherhood, and why love belongs in leadership conversations that usually leave it out.Abiodun grew up the daughter of a Nigerian mother raising four children alone in a new country. Every one of those children now holds at least a doctorate. She went on to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, joined Delta Sigma Theta, and after graduation packed her bags for Nigeria to serve in the National Youth Service Corps. That year in camp, fetching water for a bath in front of thousands of strangers, is where she learned the line she still lives by. Authenticity is a privilege. Check yourself at the door. She also met her husband there.Then came the part of her story most people do not see. Two of her three daughters were born micro-preemie, one at 24 weeks and one at 23, each weighing about a pound. Five-month NICU stays. Holidays in the hospital. She finished her dissertation in those rooms because work became the only thing that kept her upright. Ron and Abiodun talk about what that kind of endurance costs, and the day she pulled her oldest out of school at 11 a.m. to go bra shopping because grace matters too.Now Abiodun is building AsidaLove, a movement rooted in the belief that love is a strategy, not a sentiment. She is planning a For Her, By Her convening in Chicago for women of color navigating transition, and writing a memoir about her NICU years and what kept her going.Tune in to hear why empathy is strength, why presence is the real work of leadership, and what it means to check yourself at the door. Chapters:📚 01:44 Publish your book at www.leveragepublishinggroup.com🌍 02:36 Meet Dr. Abiodun Durojaye, first-generation Nigerian🏫 07:22 Fourth grade at Reavis Elementary and the day Abiodun learned she was Black👩🏾 11:13 The women whose shoulders Abiodun stands on🎓 13:38 UIUC, the Deltas, and her line sisters✈️ 15:11 Bags packed for Nigeria at the end of college🏕️ 15:42 A year in the NYSC camp, pay little to nothing💍 16:41 The Nigerian man she swore she would never marry✍️ 19:21 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org🚪 22:25 Authenticity is a privilege, so check yourself at the door📖 27:03 Three daughters, two NICU babies, and the book she is writing⏰ 30:34 Twenty-three weeks, one pound, and the decision no mother should make🏥 33:23 A mother's fight when the medicine cracked her daughter's ribs💪 34:39 The dissertation as a distraction from the NICU💗 40:02 AsidaLove: a movement rooted in community and love👩🏾‍🤝‍👩🏾 41:48 For Her, By Her, the Chicago convening Abiodun is dreaming up🌟 43:32 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org🍲 46:13 Asida, the warm dish that sticks to you🙏 49:23 Her year of yes and being obedient to what is next✨ 53:18 Love as strategy and empathy as strength🎧 01:03:27 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.comLinks:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adurojayeInstagram: www.instagram.com/duro_itsabi  Abiodun is someone you want in your corner. Follow her for AsidaLove, the For Her, By Her convening in Chicago, and the memoir that is coming. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

From a special education classroom in West Philadelphia to corporate philanthropy at Vanguard, Nicholas Pascale has spent two decades building his career the same way he builds everything: through relationships. In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Nicholas, a former SPED teacher, principal, district leader, and nonprofit consultant who now works on Vanguard's Community Stewardship team. Nicholas grew up in a working class Italian family in New York with a twin brother and parents who both worked at JFK Airport. When he was a year and a half old, his father was diagnosed with terminal leukemia and given six months to live. He fought for ten and a half years. That early confrontation with loss shaped everything. Nicholas knew by first grade he wanted to be a teacher after Mrs. Kennedy knelt beside him on his first day apart from his twin brother and told him it was going to be okay. As a principal, he built school culture around reconciliation, insisting that adults model the same forgiveness they ask of thirteen year olds. When he pivoted to HR at a startup and got laid off, the relationships he had been building for years carried him into consulting with Bellwether, Albuquerque Public Schools, and DCPS. Ron and Nicholas also go deep on what it means to maintain relationships over time, why financial literacy belongs in schools alongside health education, and how a volunteer role at Vanguard led Nicholas back to education through corporate philanthropy. Tune in to hear why the only legacy that lasts is the way you make people feel. Chapters:📚 01:44 Publish your book at www.leveragepublishinggroup.com 🤝 02:34 Meet Nicholas Pascale: relationships as a way of life 🇮🇹 08:20 Growing up in a working class Italian family in Queens 🏥 09:55 Dad diagnosed with leukemia at one and a half: ten years of fighting 👩 14:12 Mom held the load as a single parent after dad passed 💰 16:45 Mentor, financial literacy, and how mom retired at 55 ✍️ 17:44 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org 🍎 18:44 Mrs. Kennedy in first grade: deciding to be a teacher at seven years old 🏫 23:36 Building school culture around reconciliation: kids come first 🔄 33:27 From schools to ed consulting: Bellwether, DCPS, and Albuquerque 🌟 35:53 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org 🏢 42:32 How a volunteer role at Vanguard led back to education through philanthropy 📱 48:25 The simplest relationship strategy: just reach out and tell people you love them 💛 52:55 The Ronderings: life is measured in love and kindness through relationships 🎧 57:17 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com Links:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-pascale-ab1701137Connect with Nicholas on LinkedIn to follow his work in corporate philanthropy at Vanguard and his continued commitment to education and community. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org 

Leadership coach and former statewide education CEO Dr. Maya M. Faison knows what it looks like when organizations want your brilliance but not your voice, and she is done staying quiet about it. In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Maya, founder of Faison Advisory Group and creator of the UNMUTED coaching experience, to talk about what it actually costs black women to lead inside systems that were never designed for them. Maya grew up in Philadelphia, where a classmate once told her she was not smart enough to get into Masterman, the top-ranked magnet school in the state. Her parents went to the school to apply. The counselor hesitated. But a principal who chose to see her potential advocated for her admission. What Maya found out later was that her older sister had been turned away years earlier. Different principal, different outcome. One block separated Masterman from a school where a third grader could not read the words "press enter to start." That gap set everything in motion. She went from the University of Pennsylvania to Harvard to the classroom, then into policy work as one of the original teacher ambassador fellows at the US Department of Education. She eventually led a statewide charter school advocacy organization for nearly a decade, passing legislation at rates most policy shops only talk about. But behind those wins, the personal cost was compounding. Board members suggesting she hire a white man to run the organization she was already running. Colleagues undermining her team. The quiet, constant pressure to shrink. When Maya started attending EdLoC convenings and connecting with other black women in nonprofit ed reform, she realized her story was not an individual one. It was systemic. Women hospitalized from stress. Women blackballed for speaking up. Women who left the country entirely. That pattern is now the foundation of her research project, I Survived Ed Reform, and the reason she coaches women to stop muting themselves and start leading from wholeness. Tune in to hear why Maya believes your job will never love you back, and what it looks like to lead without giving away your soul. Chapters:📚 01:36 Publish your book at www.leveragepublishinggroup.com 🎒 02:42 Meet Dr. Maya M. Faison: Philly kid, educator, truth teller 🏫 06:19 The little girl who said "you're not smart enough" and the gloves came off📖 08:24 Tutoring a third grader who couldn't read the screen one block from the best school in the state 📻 13:33 Mavis Beacon, summer spelling lists, and a nerdy family dinner radio show 🎓 17:26 Traditional teacher licensure, Harvard, and the long route into policy ✍️ 21:45 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org 😤 23:10 "There's this other guy": being told to hire someone to do the job you were hired for 🤝 26:19 Walking into EdLoC spaces and finding out it was all of us 📓 28:35 Interviewing women across the country for I Survived Ed Reform 🏥 30:23 Hospitals, Ghana, and the physical cost of leading under fire 💔 37:12 The biggest regret: putting off families for organizations that moved on without them 🌟 38:19 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org 📉 41:16 A love letter on LinkedIn and what 300,000 layoffs mean for black women 🧭 44:19 Negotiate from abundance, not desperation 💎 47:54 Maya's Rondering: you don't owe them your soul 👕 50:47 The shirt says healing over hustle and she means it 🎧 58:37 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com Links:Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/mayabfaison  Website: www.mayafaison.com Faison Advisory Group: www.faisonadvisorygroup.comI Survived Ed Reform: www.isurvivededreform.com  Instagram: @mayabfaison Connect with Maya on LinkedIn or visit mayafaison.com to learn more about her coaching work with women in leadership and her upcoming book, I Survived Ed Reform.  Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Hector Calderón grew up watching the South Bronx burn, taught himself English through Gilligan's Island tapes, and went on to co-found the first Human Rights High School in the nation. In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Hector Calderón, co-founder and former principal of El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice, educator, racial justice facilitator, and leadership coach with over 25 years of experience building liberatory spaces for leaders and communities. Hector traces his path from a childhood split between a burning South Bronx block and a one-room schoolhouse in the Dominican Republic, to landing at the epicenter of hip hop's birth on Banana Kelly Street, to finding his calling at El Puente in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 1993. El Puente was not a school dropped into a community. It was a community deciding what kind of school it deserved. He shares the three founding tenets that shaped it: education as liberation, disciplines in service of community needs, and integrated curriculum that mirrors how the real world actually works. The conversation moves into what Hector does today, coaching leaders through the eighteen inches between the brain and the heart, and holding firm to the Frantz Fanon charge he lives by: every generation must find its destiny, fulfill it or betray it. Tune in to hear how Hector Calderón turns every rupture into an aperture, and what that means for the rest of us.  Chapters:📚 01:49 Publish your book at www.leveragepublishinggroup.com 🌎 02:39 Hector Calderón's story: from the South Bronx to the Dominican Republic and back 🏫 08:55 Navigating dangerous schools and the move to Queens 🗣️ 10:06 Teaching himself English through Gilligan's Island tapes 🎵 15:18 Growing up at the birth of hip hop on Banana Kelly Street 🏗️ 19:45 Co-founding El Puente Academy: a community building its own school ⚖️ 22:58 The three founding tenets of El Puente ✍️ 25:29 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org 🧬 29:42 Student asthma research published in JAMA and a vaccination clinic that beat the Department of Health 🔥 36:47 Coaching leaders today: the eighteen inches between brain and heart 🌟 42:35 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org 📖 44:29 Frantz Fanon and keeping justice alive right now 🎤 45:35 Hector's poem: in the beginning was the word 💡 52:10 Learn to turn ruptures into apertures 🎧 01:00:05 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com Links:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hector-calderón-602b4124 Connect with Hector on LinkedIn and keep an eye out for his upcoming book of poetry, art, and educational reflections. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org 

Mindfulness coach and professional development consultant Amanda Muhammad knows what burnout looks like from the inside, and she built a company to help organizations do something about it. In this episode of Ronderings, Ron sits down with Amanda, founder of Mako Mindfulness, to explore workplace stress management, psychological safety, and what it genuinely takes to build a culture where people can show up at their best. Amanda grew up in Kansas City in a family rooted in movement and faith. Her father ran a karate dojo, her mother became a certified yoga instructor, and a purple yoga mat from TJ Maxx is where her own practice began. She studied HR and organizational leadership, planned the corporate climb, but every workplace she moved through told the same story: people were quietly burning out, and no one was talking about it.When she finally decided to make the leap into entrepreneurship, she didn't announce it. She quit her job, told nobody, and spent a full year building Mako Mindfulness in the trenches before her family even knew she'd left. What carried her through was a daily faith practice and a prayer book she kept re-reading from the start. Every time she hit the halfway point, a new contract landed. Ron and Amanda dig into the gap between what organizations say about well-being and what their policies actually create, and why generational tension gets worse when leaders stop thinking beyond their immediate needs. They also get personal about why making your life bigger than your job might be the most underrated thing a leader can do. Tune in to hear what Amanda's story says about what conscious leadership actually demands. Chapters:📚 01:50 Publish your book at www.leveragepublishinggroup.com 🌱 02:41 Amanda Muhammad's Story: From Kansas City to Conscious Leadership 🧘 04:06 A Yoga Class, a Purple Mat, and a Practice That Stuck 🙏 10:20 Leaving Corporate, Telling Nobody, and Trusting the Leap ✍️ 22:15 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org 💼 23:04 What Mako Mindfulness Actually Does 🪞 27:05 Collective Care vs Self Care: What Organizations Get Wrong 👥 31:52 The Leadership Mirror Check 🔄 32:52 Generational Tension at Work and Who Has to Move First 🚀 35:08 The Future of Work and the Gig Economy 🌟 39:39 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org 🎨 40:23 Art, Play, and Why Amanda Goes to Museums to Do Her Emails 🌍 51:35 Making Your Life Bigger Than Your Job 🎧 01:00:29 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com Links:Website: www.makomindfulness.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/makomindfulness LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amandamuhammad Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn or visit Mako Mindfulness to learn more about her work in stress management, psychological safety, and professional development for schools and organizations. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org 

From Silicon Valley innovator to neuroscience educator, Ellen Petry Leanse explores what happens when we stop separating creativity from analytical thinking and begin using the full capacity of the human mind.In this episode of the Ronderings podcast, Ron Rapatalo speaks with Ellen about her unusual path from a curious child interested in both science and art to a decade-long career at Apple during the company’s early years. She reflects on how curiosity, unstructured time, and even frustration with traditional schooling shaped her lifelong interest in the brain and human behavior.Drawing on more than 35 years of studying neuroscience with thinkers such as Dr. Iain McGilchrist and Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Ellen explores how the brain’s hemispheres shape the way we pursue goals and make sense of the world. She also reflects on how modern technology may be reshaping attention and cognition in what she calls “mental climate change.”The conversation moves into leadership, habits, and intentional living. Ellen connects neuroscience with older traditions of wisdom, including Taoist philosophy and Indigenous perspectives, to explore how people can move beyond reactive thinking and develop a more integrated way of responding to challenges.If you are interested in neuroscience, leadership, and the deeper questions of how humans think and create, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective.Listen to the full conversation to hear how Ellen connects brain science, creativity, and lived experience to help us better understand ourselves and the world we are shaping. Chapters:📚 02:03 Publish your book at www.leveragepublishinggroup.com 🧠 02:54 Ellen’s Story: Curiosity, the Brain, and an Apple Break🌟 21:25 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org 💡 33:07 What Neuroscience Teaches Us About Leadership 🎯 36:16 Habits, Focus, and Training the Brain 🕊️ 38:44 When Brain Science Meets Something Deeper❤️ 43:29 From Heartache to Hope ✍️ 51:05 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org 🔮 01:00:35 Ellen’s Big Idea: We Are More Than We Think 🎙️ 01:05:03 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.com Links:Personal Website: www.ellenleanse.comPodcast Website: www.thebrainandbeyond.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/chep2mFacebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093194381038LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ellenleanse If something in this conversation sparked your curiosity, explore more of Ellen Petry Leanse’s work through the links above. Her podcast The Brain and Beyond is a thoughtful place to keep exploring neuroscience, creativity, and what it means to be human. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org 

What does it take to lead real change inside systems that weren’t built for you? In this episode of Ronderings, Dr. Natalie Neris shares how mentorship, faith, and integrity shaped her journey from Chicago classrooms to systems-level leadership helping organizations turn bold visions into lasting change. Natalie reflects on her upbringing in Chicago and how a life-changing mentor helped her navigate college and discover her purpose in education. She shares how her early experiences as a student who often felt unseen shaped her commitment to equity and fueled her work in systems change. Drawing on her time as an award-winning educator, a leader within Chicago Public Schools, and later at Kids First Chicago, Natalie explains why sustainable change requires aligning aspirational values with daily practices and building infrastructure that truly supports people.Natalie also opens up about the emotional weight of leadership, the role of faith in sustaining courage, and why integrity is a leader’s greatest asset. Through her work with Root and Reimagine Consulting Collective, she helps mission-driven organizations bridge theory, practice, and lived experience to create meaningful and lasting impact.Her story, from a student at Northeastern Illinois University to doctoral research at National Louis University, is a testament to the power of mentorship, healing, and purpose-driven leadership.Tune in to hear how Natalie’s journey reveals what it really takes to lead with authenticity and transform education systems from the inside out.Chapters:📚 01:52 Publish your book at www.leveragepublishinggroup.com📝 03:33 Natalie’s Chicago Story: Growing Up in Humboldt Park🎓 07:00 The Mentor Who Changed Her Life💔 12:02 Trauma, Poverty, and the Hidden Reality of Students🔥 17:30 Why Faith Matters in Leadership ✍️ 20:22 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org💼 23:25 Leadership Burnout and Broken Systems🏫 30:53 Rethinking Change in Chicago Public Schools⚡ 34:22 Emergent Strategy vs. System Reality🎯 37:20  Finding Leverage Points That Actually Move Policy 🌟 43:56 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org🧬 46:01 Ancestral Wisdom and Systems Thinking🛡️ 55:29 The Most Important Leadership Trait: Integrity 🎧 59:52 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out www.podcastsmatter.comLinks:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_neris LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/natalienerisLearn more about Natalie’s work through Root and Reimagine and her approach to helping leaders turn bold ideas into lasting systems change. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org 

From strategic communication to leadership intelligence, Danielle Kristine Toussaint shares how saying what you mean can transform how leaders build trust, align teams, and lead through uncertainty.In this conversation, Ron sits down with Danielle Kristine Toussaint, founder and CEO of Purple Haus, to talk about how authentic communication shapes powerful leadership. Danielle reflects on how early encouragement from family and mentors helped her discover her natural ability to influence and inspire others, and how those experiences shaped her work supporting CEOs and social impact leaders today. From navigating elite academic spaces as a first-generation student to finding her calling in storytelling and strategy, Danielle’s journey is grounded in the belief that leadership is never a solo act.They explore how leaders can stay true to their values while communicating in complex times, why vulnerability does not mean oversharing, and how silence can send a message just as loudly as words. Danielle shares insights from her Say What You Mean framework, reframing communications as strategic intelligence that helps organizations build trust, move people to action, and stay aligned when the pressure is high. They also talk about mentorship across difference, the importance of creative intelligence in mission-driven work, and why the best leaders communicate with clarity, compassion, and conviction.If you’ve ever wondered how leaders can show up authentically while guiding organizations through uncertainty, this conversation is for you. Pull up a chair and tune in.Chapters:00:36 👩🏽‍💼 Meet Danielle Kristine Toussaint, Founder of Purple Haus 02:16 📘 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com 08:01 💬 Mentorship, Trust, and Leadership Development 14:42 🧭 Danielle’s Journey to Strategic Communications 21:43 🧠 What Purple Haus Does (Clarity + Compassion in Comms) 24:57 🛠️ Say What You Mean: The Communication Framework 30:16 😅 Unfiltered Moment & Leadership in Real Life 31:01 📈 Leadership in Complex Times & Comms Intention 34:30 🌱 Why Listening and Network Breadth Matter 41:54 🌱 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out https://geniusdiscovery.org 52:24 🎙️ Want a podcast just like this one? Check out https://podcastsmatter.org 53:22 🎯 Final Leadership Lesson: Team Sport, Not Solo Links:Website: www.purple.hausLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/daniellekristinetoussaintConnect with Danielle Kristine Toussaint and explore her work at Purple Haus to learn more about authentic leadership communication and how to say what you mean with clarity and purpose.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org 

From competitive dancer to higher education strategist, Dr. Chantelle George shares how discipline, ambition, and identity shaped her leadership journey. Raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Chantelle grew up in a family grounded in education and service. Today, she is the CEO and founder of CG Consulting, a national firm working across K-12, higher education, nonprofits, and workforce systems to expand access and economic mobility for underserved students. In this conversation, she reflects on navigating the VA system as a caregiver, redefining success beyond credentials, and why institutions must shift from asking if students are college-ready to becoming truly student-ready themselves. This episode explores student success, systemic change in education, leadership under pressure, and the power of reputation. As Chantelle reminds us, it’s not just who you know: it’s who knows you. Chapters:02:03 📚 Publish Your Book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com.03:45 🌿 Louisiana roots, French immersion, and growing up in an education-first home.09:42 🎖️ Supporting a veteran parent and navigating the VA system.13:02 💃 Fourteen years of dance, discipline, competition, and identity beyond achievement.23:49 ✍️ Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at https://booksthatmatter.org.30:18 🎓 NYU hustle, higher education, work-study, and staying connected for life.32:22 🏫 Building real pathways from high school to career.37:45 🔗 When K-12, higher education, nonprofits, and employers actually align.42:54 📘 What student-ready really means in higher education: the reality of anti-DEI pushback.47:23 🌟 Leaders and changemakers can find support at https://geniusdiscovery.org.54:30 🧭 Not just who you know: reputation, access, and long-term mobility.01:02:18 🎧 Discover Podcasts Like This One At https://podcastsmatter.com Links:Website: https://chantellegeorge.comSocial Media: www.instagram.com/chantellegeorgeconsultingLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chantellegeorgeConnect with Dr. Chantelle George to explore CG Consulting’s work, follow her insights on higher education and workforce development, and learn how to create meaningful impact for students and communities.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org 

From corporate finance to education equity, Nick Freeman didn’t take the expected path. At 26, with an MBA and master’s in finance in hand, he walked away from the corporate world and stepped into Chicago Public Schools. What he saw there (school closures, resource disparities, and the weight of systemic inequity) reshaped his career and his calling. Today, Nick is the Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Innovare, where he works at the intersection of education leadership, edtech, and AI-powered tools. His team helps schools turn real-time data into action reducing administrative burden, streamlining school improvement planning, and giving educators time back to focus on what matters most: relationships. But this conversation goes beyond technology. Raised on Chicago’s South Side in Hyde Park, Nick grew up watching his parents run a neighborhood baseball league for twenty-five years out of their basement. They didn’t build it for profit. They built it for community. That example shaped how he thinks about leadership, trust, and responsibility. In this episode, Nick speaks candidly about being a Black founder in venture capital spaces where less than one percent of funding goes to leaders who look like him. He reflects on mental health, the pressure of representation, and the power of removing the mask: rejecting code-switching and leading in your authentic voice. This is a conversation about education reform, authentic leadership, community-driven innovation, and what it takes to stand firm in your values while building something that lasts. If you care about equity in schools, AI in education, or leading without shrinking who you are, this one’s for you. Chapters:00:40 👋🏾 From Finance to a Quarter-Life Pivot: Nick’s Journey into Education01:57 📚 Publish your book at leveragepublishinggroup.com03:44 🏡 Baseball, Basement Offices, and Growing Up in Hyde Park07:21 🏫 What School Closures and Inequity Look Like Up Close18:50 ✍🏾 Write your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org24:27 🤝 Co-Founding Innovare: Building with Community at the Center26:29 💰 Venture Capital, Representation, and Not All Money Is Good Money28:11 🧭 Removing the Mask: Authentic Leadership and Code-Switching34:31 🤖 AI in Education: Saving Educators Time to Focus on Relationships39:26 🌱 Support for Leaders and Changemakers at geniusdiscovery.org41:52 🔭 Legacy, Family, and Building Something That Lasts50:02 🎧 Launch your podcast at  https://podcastsmatter.com Links:Website: https://innovaresip.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovaresip LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickfreeEmail address: [email protected] Connect with Nick Freeman on LinkedIn and explore Innovare’s work to see how data, technology, and authentic leadership can help drive equity in education. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org 

From a student activist placed on a no-fly list to White House policy leader to an equity-driven consultant in Canada, Chris Harley shares how a lifetime of intersectional leadership shaped her mission to help organizations lead with courage, clarity, and care.Chris is a nonprofit leader, fractional executive, and strategic advisor with more than fifteen years of experience guiding mission-driven organizations through growth and transition. A mixed-race Asian American and Indigenous woman of color with Korean and Piscataway heritage, she brings an equity-centered lens to everything she does. From her formative years at Oberlin College to earning her MPP at the University of Chicago, Chris’s leadership has always been grounded in justice, proximity, and lived experience. Her path has taken her from grassroots activism to the White House and now to her own consulting practice serving U.S. and Canadian organizations.She shares the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership: organizing one of Ohio’s largest interfaith protests after 9/11, advocating for Asian Pacific American Studies as a student, and later leading health equity work at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders under President Obama. Chris recounts addressing toxic exposures for immigrant women in nail salons and ensuring millions could access the Affordable Care Act through culturally responsive outreach. Her journey continued as President & CEO of a national sex education nonprofit, where she led through the pandemic and racial reckoning while building a values-driven culture that doubled the organization’s budget and impact.Chris offers powerful insights for leaders navigating uncertainty: grounding yourself in your identity, prioritizing psychological safety, and focusing on what truly matters during change. She speaks candidly about the decision to relocate her family to Canada for safety and stability, and how getting comfortable with the unknown has been central to her leadership. Her story is a reminder that lived experience is not a limitation but a leadership asset.This conversation is a masterclass in values-aligned leadership, resilience, and building organizations that reflect the justice we hope to see in the world. Tune in to hear how Chris’s journey can inspire you to lead with greater authenticity and impact.Chapters:00:42 👩🏽‍💼 Meet Chris Harley and her courageous leadership journey01:48 📚 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com03:01 ✊🏽 Identity, activism, and finding her voice as a leader17:59 🏛️ Navigating policy work through a social justice lens22:55 🧭  Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org28:45 🧩 Understanding the foundations of racial justice31:55 💬 Leading through the challenges of sex education work35:43 🌈 Practicing intersectionality as a leadership strength43:04 🧠 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org44:33 🍁 Relocating to Canada for safety, values, and a new beginning58:51 🎙️ Want a podcast just like this one? Check out  https://podcastsmatter.comLinks:Website: www.csyharleyconsulting.com/home LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/christine-soyong-harley  Connect with Chris Harley to explore her consulting work and learn how she helps organizations navigate growth, equity, and leadership with intention. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org 

From broadcaster to ADHD advocate: Dave Delaney shares his journey of turning lifelong curiosity, comedy, and communication expertise into a mission to help others understand and manage ADHD. With over two decades of podcasting experience, Dave has explored everything from parenting with his wife on Two Boobs and a Baby to solo musings on Walking with Dave, and now educates audiences through his podcast ADHD Wise Squirrels. His storytelling blends humor, empathy, and insight, making complex topics approachable while celebrating authentic human connection.Dave’s path was shaped by discovery and adaptability. Majoring in radio and television broadcasting, his hyperactive, class-clown personality led him to study improv at Second City in Toronto, honing skills that would inform his podcasting, public speaking, and networking work. Recently diagnosed with ADHD at fifty, Dave reframed decades of personal and professional experience, realizing that his innate curiosity and energy could empower others. Along the way, he navigated the evolving landscape of social media, podcasting, and live performance, learning to balance technology’s benefits with its potential to dilute human connection.Based on his knowledge and experiences, Dave shares practical strategies drawn from improv, communication theory, and ADHD research. He emphasizes the “yes and” mindset for authentic leadership and networking, the importance of mastering material to allow genuine improvisation, and how long-term, empathetic engagement outweighs transactional connections online. He also addresses ADHD management, offering resources like free screenings on wisesquirrels.com and insights into coaching oneself to stay focused and productive.Listeners will gain a nuanced perspective on leadership, creativity, and resilience. Dave highlights how embracing neurodiversity can enhance collaboration and innovation, and why in-person relationships remain irreplaceable even in a digital-first world. His reflections on humor, storytelling, and human connection invite audiences to see both personal challenges and professional opportunities in a new light.Tune in for a conversation filled with laughter, insight, and actionable advice, and discover how Dave Delaney transforms curiosity and creativity into tools for connection and understanding.Chapters00:49 🎙️ Meet Dave Delaney the Podcasting Pioneer01:45 📚 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com02:39 🎧 Explore Dave Delaney’s Podcasting Adventures06:44 🎭 Discover the Power of Improv and Networking19:45 💡 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 29:05 📝 Dave’s Struggles with ADHD and Writing30:15 🌐 Tracing the Evolution of Social Media32:21 ⚠️ Understanding the Dark Side of Social Media42:34 🤖 AI and the Future of Networking00:46:17 🌟 Leaders and Changemakers Can Get Support at geniusdiscovery.org 47:01 🧠 Understanding ADHD through Personal Insights01:03:06 🎙️ Want a Podcast Like This One? Check out  https://podcastsmatter.com LinksWebsite: https://davedelaneyspeaks.comSocial Media: https://davedelaney.me/linkage  Connect with Dave Delaney to explore his ADHD resources, follow his podcast ADHD Wise Squirrels, and learn how improv, storytelling, and authentic networking can transform your communication and leadership skills.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org 

From classroom teacher to leadership architect, Nautrie Jones shares her journey of transforming educational systems and workplaces by helping people recognize their value, develop their potential, and create meaningful impact.Nautrie Jones, co-founder of Empact Work, has spent over two decades shaping people-centered leadership across education and organizational consulting. Beginning her career in Atlanta Public Schools, Nautrie quickly distinguished herself as a thoughtful educator and mentor, known for her empathetic approach with middle school students and her ability to create structured, engaging classrooms. Her dedication extended beyond academics, providing students with basic needs and fostering a sense of belonging, which became a cornerstone of her professional philosophy.Her path wasn’t without challenges. After over a decade of teaching, Nautrie recognized her contributions were undervalued when a modest raise was denied, prompting her to reassess her career trajectory. Mentorship, reflective practice, and a pivotal recommendation from a former colleague eventually led her to Teach For America, where she honed her skills in teacher coaching, leadership development, and team strategy. Each transition, from educator to instructional coach to organizational consultant, was marked by courage, curiosity, and a commitment to seeing potential in others.Through Empact Work, Nautrie and co-founder Travonnie Mackey address systemic gaps in talent development and workplace alignment. They equip managers with the tools to support teams effectively, clarify value propositions so employees understand their path to success, and ensure strategic plans translate into measurable performance. Nautrie emphasizes that leadership is as much about understanding people’s motivations as it is about strategy, and she encourages reflection, curiosity, and deliberate practice as keys to lasting impact.Nautrie discusses recognizing opportunity, cultivating empathy, and translating experience into scalable frameworks for growth. Listeners will walk away inspired to embrace persistent callings, build compassionate communities, and lead with clarity. Tune in to hear Nautrie’s insights and discover how cultivating human-centered leadership can transform both organizations and lives. Chapters00:38 👋 Meet Nautrie Jones, From Classroom to Co-Founder01:29 📚 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com02:20 🏫 Nautrie’s Early Career and Teaching Philosophy23:35 ✍️ Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 24:24 💼 Transitioning to Talent Strategy and Empathy in Leadership30:59 💖 Spiritual Currency and Abundance31:59 🎓 Navigating Challenges in Education35:38 🚀 Transition to Teach For America47:20 🌟 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org 48:07 🤝 Founding Empact Work54:26 🔮 Final Reflections and Future Plans01:00:06 🎧 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.com LinksWebsite: www.empact.workLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nautrie-jonesConnect with Nautrie Jones to explore her approach to leadership, discover Empact Work’s professional development offerings, and learn how to create workplaces where people feel valued, empowered, and clear about their contribution.   Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org

From a childhood shaped by crisis in the Bronx to leading one of New York’s most influential juvenile justice organizations, Dr. Gisele Castro shares how lived experience became the foundation for systemic change and courageous leadership.In this episode, Ron welcomes Gisele Castro, CEO of Exalt, a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to supporting court-involved youth through education, paid internships, and cross-sector collaboration. Recently earning her Distinguished Doctoral Degree from NYU Steinhardt, Dr. Castro reflects on her journey as a scholar-practitioner who bridges research, policy, and on-the-ground impact. With more than two decades in the juvenile justice field, she is widely respected for building ecosystems that center young people while transforming how institutions work together.Dr. Castro traces her purpose back to a defining moment at age fourteen, when her older brother was shot and became entangled in the juvenile justice system. Witnessing her family navigate a broken system without adequate resources reshaped how she understood inequality, poverty, and opportunity. Though she once imagined a career in journalism, that same curiosity evolved into a deeper question: what could she build to change outcomes for young people facing the same barriers her family did?Throughout the conversation, Dr. Castro unpacks the philosophy behind Exalt’s success, from cultivating internal self-reflection and coaching to uniting judges, prosecutors, educators, nonprofits, and youth who rarely sit at the same table. She shares insights from her doctoral research, Innovation Versus Incarceration, and introduces the emerging 2030 Project for Juvenile Justice—a blueprint designed to close the gap between scholarship and practice while centering youth voice. Listeners will also hear how Exalt approaches leadership development, talent mobility, and intentional scaling as it expands from New York City to Syracuse.At its core, Dr. Castro’s journey is a powerful example of legacy, environment, and responsibility. She challenges leaders to reject scarcity mindsets, invest deeply in people, and model wellbeing so young people can truly thrive. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how proximity to adversity, paired with disciplined leadership, can reshape systems and create lasting impact.Chapters🌱 00:39 Meet Dr. Gisele Castro and Her Journey of Resilience📘 01:53 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/ ✨ 01:53 The Spark Behind a Lifelong Mission🏛️ 02:46 Building Exalt and Transforming Systems and Lives🔮 04:43 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations✍️ 17:12 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 🧠 26:25 Intellectual Inspiration and Family Legacy📍 29:45 Exalt Expands Its Impact to Syracuse📈 32:16 A Methodical and Strategic Approach to Scaling🏙️ 35:09 Building the Next Generation of Leadership in New York City🚀 38:24 Inside Exalt’s Leadership Development Model🌐 40:52 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org 🎙️ 52:29 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.com LinksWebsite: www.exaltyouth.orgExalt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exalt_2/Socials: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisele-castro-9860b8b/ Connect with Dr. Gisele Castro’s work through Exalt and follow her journey as she continues to reimagine juvenile justice, leadership development, and systems built to help young people and communities thrive.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org

From learning differently to leading differently, Josh Feldman shares how a childhood shaped by learning disabilities became the foundation for redesigning work culture around rest, humanity, and sustainable impact.Josh Feldman is the Founder and CEO of R&R: The Rest of Our Lives, a practice dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations build cultures where people can actually thrive. With over 20 years of experience as a master facilitator, coach, and community builder, Josh has worked across nonprofits and social impact spaces, bringing deep empathy, creativity, and systems thinking to leadership development. His work challenges the assumption that productivity and exhaustion must go hand in hand, especially for changemakers doing meaningful work.Josh traces this philosophy back to his childhood, sharing a formative fourth-grade memory of seeing beauty in New York City buildings while struggling to read. Navigating a learning disability with the support of thoughtful parents and teachers taught him early on that there are many valid paths to success. Those experiences shaped his belief that differences can become superpowers—building collaboration, empathy, and inclusive leadership skills that would later define his career.The conversation explores why so many leadership programs fail to create real change: people are simply too burned out to absorb what’s being offered. Josh explains how this realization led to founding R&R and advancing practices like sabbaticals, Break Weeks, and redefining rest as organizational infrastructure rather than individual self-care. He emphasizes that leaders must model rest themselves, normalize practices like naps and meeting-free time, and reject false urgency that keeps teams trapped in constant sprint mode.Josh is calling to redesign work around life, not the other way around. Josh and Ron reflect on hustle culture, nonprofit scarcity narratives, and the opportunity to use this moment of technological change to re-center humanity at work. Listeners will walk away with a more expansive understanding of rest, permission to experiment with what restoration looks like for them, and a vision for building workplaces that can sustain impact for generations to come. Tune in for a thoughtful, restorative conversation that just might change how you think about leadership, productivity, and what really matters.Chapters🎙️ 00:39 Meet Josh Feldman and His Mission to Transform Work and Leadership📚 01:24 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/ 🌱 09:45 Founding R&R the rest of our lives🛌 13:37 Why rest belongs at the center of leadership and work culture✍️ 22:40 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 🧭 29:26 Reflections on leadership maturity and personal growth⏰ 31:23 Flexibility, autonomy and trusting people at work❤️ 32:55 Redefining rest and well-being beyond self-care🏗️ 39:13 Redesigning work culture for long-term sustainability🤝 47:44 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org ✨ 52:17 Final reflections and an invitation to rethink work🎧 57:09 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.comLinksWebsite: https://restofourlives.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-josh-feldman-4a84297/Explore Josh Feldman’s work at R&R: The Rest of Our Lives to discover research, tools, and practical frameworks, like Break Weeks, sabbaticals, and glimmers, that help organizations and individuals build more humane, sustainable ways of working.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

From first-generation Pakistani American immigrant to national leader in educational equity, Dr. Sana Shaikh shares her journey of using identity and lived experience to transform communities and advance opportunity for all.Sana Shaikh is a nationally recognized expert in education, policy, and economic development, currently serving as a Business Development Specialist at the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. With over 14 years of experience spanning K–12 education, nonprofit leadership, and public policy, she has dedicated her career to building systems that center equity, inclusion, and authentic human connection. Her journey began as a Teach For America corps member teaching high school in Baltimore, where the realities of systemic barriers reshaped her understanding of opportunity and inspired her to pursue a PhD at Brandeis University.Sana’s path has been marked by pivotal turning points, from teaching in under-resourced schools to leading cross-sector initiatives in economic development. She reflects candidly on the challenges of navigating higher education, professional spaces, and personal life as a mother and immigrant. These experiences highlighted that meaningful change is not just about credentials but about authentic relationships, curiosity, and connecting deeply with others to understand their real needs.Throughout the conversation, Sana shares practical insights on fostering trust, cultivating empathy, and leveraging personal and professional privileges to create systemic impact. Her frameworks emphasize authentic engagement, cross-cultural understanding, and the power of intentional collaboration. She also explores how exposure to diverse communities and perspectives strengthens leadership, broadens empathy, and equips individuals to address inequities thoughtfully.Listeners will leave inspired by Sana’s message that impactful work requires both courage and vulnerability, and that each person can use their unique identity and experiences to make a difference. Tune in to hear her stories, lessons, and actionable advice on turning lived experience into leadership and lasting community impact.Chapters👋 00:38 Meet Dr. Sana Shaikh and Her Journey of Sacred Synthesis🔗 01:32 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/ 🌍 02:27 Dr. Sana Shaikh’s Immigrant Experience and Career Path🤝 06:14 Building Authentic Connections and Impactful Policy🎓 24:08 Balancing Life While Pursuing a PhD💪 26:24 The Emotional and Physical Labor of Academia🗣️ 27:01 Navigating Relationships and Negotiations During Doctoral Work📖 28:43 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 💼 30:30 The Art of Building Connections🚀 36:17 Empowering Entrepreneurs and Strengthening Communities🌟 38:41 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org 🎧 44:24 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.comLinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sananaeemshaikh/Check out Dr. Sana Shaikh’s LinkedIn to explore her work in educational equity, economic development, and cross-sector collaboration, and discover how she turns lived experience into meaningful impact.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org/

From middle school teacher to Ironman athlete and DC State Board of Education president, Jessica Sutter shares how endurance, youth voice, and values-aligned leadership can transform both systems and lives.Jessica Sutter is the founder of EdPro Consulting and a longtime education leader whose career spans classrooms, state policy, nonprofit consulting, and elected office. Beginning as a middle school teacher in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, she built a reputation for thoughtful systems design and deep respect for young people as civic actors. Her work has included serving as the elected Ward 6 Representative, and later President, of the DC State Board of Education, alongside advising organizations nationwide through EdPro Consulting. Across every role, Jessica brings a rare blend of policy expertise, community listening, and whole-person leadership.A defining throughline in Jessica’s journey has been endurance athletics, which began unexpectedly when her students invited her to join Girls on the Run. What started as road running grew into triathlons and Ironman training, providing mental clarity, resilience, and structure during demanding seasons of leadership. She credits athletic discipline along with friendships and communities outside of work for helping her complete her doctorate, run for office, and navigate public leadership without burnout. The conversation also highlights how coaching in sports reshaped her belief that no meaningful challenge is solved alone.Throughout the episode, Jessica shares practical insights on authentic youth engagement, emphasizing that young people immediately sense inauthenticity. Drawing from Jesuit principles of working “for and with others,” she describes how real change happens when adults listen first and create structures where youth voices genuinely matter, including on decision-making committees. She also challenges assumptions in education leadership by reframing organizational mergers as opportunities for resilience, growth, and legacy rather than failure.At its core, Jessica discusses alignment between body and mind, values and work, service and sustainability. Jessica reflects on what she calls “sacred syncretism,” the integration of personal, professional, and spiritual dimensions that allows leaders to show up fully for others. Listeners will walk away inspired to rethink leadership, community, and the many ways their unique gifts can serve the world. Tune in for a grounded, hopeful conversation on building resilient systems, and a resilient self.Chapters🎙️ 00:39 Meet Jessica Sutter educator and policy leader📘 01:27 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/ 🛤️ 03:11 Jessica Sutter’s journey from accidental educator to policy leader🏃‍♀️ 09:16 How athletics shaped professional growth and resilience✍️ 14:49 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 🤝 19:16 Why community and coaching matter for leadership🗳️ 27:25 Engaging young people in the political process🎓 29:23 Lessons on authentic youth engagement from classrooms to school boards⚖️ 31:10 Challenges and opportunities in youth civic engagement🌱 34:50 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org 🏫 37:22 Consulting work and mergers in the education sector🧭 46:54 Aligning personal values with professional life🎧 54:14 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.com  LinksWebsite: https://www.edproconsultingllc.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicasutter/Explore Jessica Sutter’s work through EdPro Consulting, connect with her on LinkedIn, and dive deeper into her writing and leadership to see how values-driven systems change can take root in communities.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org/ 

From educator to organizational designer and education advocate, Jenai Emmel shares how a life shaped by service, spirituality, and public education led her to reimagine leadership, storytelling, and systemic change in schools.Jenai Emmel is the founder of Byrd and the Center for Education News, where she works at the intersection of organizational design, culture, and public education advocacy. With a 25-year career spanning roles as a teacher, school and district leader, and consultant, Jenai brings a rare blend of lived experience and strategic insight to the education sector. Her work centers on listening deeply to stakeholders, including students, educators, families, and communities, to design systems that truly serve those closest to the work.Throughout the conversation, Jenai reflects on formative influences that shaped her leadership, including her military family heritage, multicultural background, and Buddhist upbringing. She shares how these experiences instilled a strong sense of service, growth, and accountability, and how adversity has consistently served as fuel rather than a barrier. Rather than chasing endless achievement, she emphasizes integration by aligning personal, professional, and spiritual dimensions to create sustainable impact.Jenai also discusses her transition into independent consulting and media work, including merging her ventures under one organization and launching the Center for Education News after discovering how little and how negatively K–12 education is covered in the media. Drawing from Buddhist principles of cause and effect and continuous improvement, she explains how personal transformation and community change are inseparable. Her leadership approach prioritizes reflection, feedback, and the courage to engage complexity instead of oversimplifying it.This episode offers a thoughtful reflection on purpose-driven leadership, the responsibility that comes with independence, and the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices in education. Tune in and get inspired to ground your work in values, and care for yourself while serving others.Chapters👋 00:39 Meet Dr. Jenai Emmel and her vision for reimagining education📘 01:19 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/🌍 02:09 Dr. Jenai Emmel’s story of identity values and multiculturalism🧘 05:18 How Buddhism shapes Dr. Jenai Emmel’s leadership approach✨ 11:20 Exploring spirituality and personal belief systems✍️ 29:04 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org❤️ 30:49 Empathy and learning how to manage emotional weight🌱 34:23 Balancing self-care with professional growth🚀 45:04 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org🎓 45:39 Advocacy work and the future of compulsory education🎙️ 51:23 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.comLinksExplore Jenai's work through Byrd and the Center for Education News to engage more deeply with thoughtful, inclusive conversations shaping the future of public education.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org/  

From first-generation student to transformative education leader, Oscar Wang shares his journey of reshaping college access in Philadelphia while building a life defined by curiosity, empathy, and impact.Oscar Wang, the founder of College Together, is an Asian-American social entrepreneur dedicated to creating flexible, student-centered pathways to higher education. A graduate of Haverford College, he has spent over a decade addressing systemic barriers faced by first-generation students, blending mentorship, advocacy, and innovative programming to make college attainable for learners of all ages and backgrounds. Known for his humor, candor, and thoughtfulness, Oscar also embraces the small joys of life, from playful wordplay to discovering the city’s best cheesesteaks.His journey wasn’t linear. Initially choosing a college based on proximity to the White House, Oscar realized the importance of aligning decisions with purpose rather than appearances. As the sole transfer student at Haverford, he navigated isolation and self-doubt, eventually founding Mentor for Philly to connect college students with high school mentees. Early nonprofit ventures highlighted a gap between popular programs and real-world outcomes, leading him to pivot repeatedly until founding College Together, an institution that combines project-based learning, flexible credit pathways, and personalized student support.Oscar shares frameworks and principles that guided his leadership: prioritizing mission over ego, embracing collaboration, and learning from “happy hour” conversations to uncover authentic problems. He emphasizes that ideas can evolve, but values remain constant, and that meaningful change comes from empathy, listening, and proximity to the communities served. Through College Together, students earn credits, gain work experience, and complete degrees on timelines that reflect real-world constraints, challenging traditional notions of the college experience.Listeners will take away insights into leadership, innovation, and the power of culturally attuned mentorship. Oscar’s story underscores the need for representation, persistence, and adaptability in creating educational models that meet learners where they are. Tune in to hear how one leader is redefining college, bridging gaps between aspiration and access, and inspiring a new generation of students and social entrepreneurs.Chapters👋 00:38 Meet Oscar Wang on Resilience and Innovation📚 01:14 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/ 🌎 05:08 Oscar's Journey from California to Philadelphia🏫 06:59 Founding College Together with Challenges and Triumphs💡 17:54 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 🤝 27:18 Reflecting on the Mentorship Program🍹 31:39 Learning from the Happy Hour Principle🔄 32:41 Pivoting to a New College Model🎓 38:02 Adapting Education to Modern Students' Needs🌟 43:38 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org 🚀 45:41 Advice for Aspiring Social Entrepreneurs🎧 51:54 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.com LinksWebsite: collegetogether.org Instagram: @collegetogetherInstagram: @oscarkirschwangCheck out Oscar Wang’s website, follow him on Instagram, and explore his innovative approaches to higher education and mentorship to see how students of all ages can access meaningful, flexible learning opportunities.  Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org/ 

From surviving early loss to building mission-driven strategies, Cecilia Paz Aguilar shares how turning pain into purpose shaped her leadership, creativity, and commitment to sustainable growth.Cecilia Paz Aguilar is the Founder of Rozas Rising, a business development and event strategy firm that helps leaders and organizations bring ideas to life through connection, clarity, and execution. With a background as an educator and founding school leader across California, Texas, and Louisiana, Cecilia has spent her career bridging mission-driven partners with the tools and relationships they need to thrive. She also serves as a PT Business Development Consultant with Stronger Consulting, expanding partnerships across education and social impact spaces. Known for blending strategy with heart, Cecilia brings a deeply human approach to leadership and growth.In this conversation, Cecilia reflects on growing up in Stockton, California, navigating the loss of her mother at a young age, and how survival instincts shaped her relentless work ethic. She shares how humor became a family healing tool, while achievement became both a shield and a strain. As the daughter of immigrants, Cecilia explains how the drive to prove oneself can fuel success but quietly block true thriving. Over time, burnout and reflection pushed her toward a slower, more intentional pace rooted in self-trust rather than external validation.Cecilia offers powerful insights on purpose-driven building, nervous system health, and sustainable ambition. She speaks candidly about overworking as a trauma response, the importance of self-awareness, and how neuroscience, psychology, and intuition intersect in leadership. Meditation, music, and meaningful relationships now anchor her wellness practices, allowing her to show up more fully as a founder and partner.At its core, this episode is a conversation about legacy, healing, and redefining success on your own terms. Cecilia reminds listeners that pain is not an ending, but a redirection. One that can lead to clarity, peace, and aligned impact when honored intentionally. Tune in to hear a grounded, inspiring discussion on growth that doesn’t cost you yourself.Chapters✨ 00:43 Meet Cecilia Paz Aguilar and her journey of resilience📚 01:16 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/ 🌱 02:09 Cecilia’s story from Stockton to becoming an educator💡 04:22 Finding purpose and meaning through adversity✍️ 15:33 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 🧠 26:01 Exploring neuroscience and emotional intelligence🧘‍♀️ 28:02 Meditation practices and tools for grounding🎶 29:18 Musical influences and the stories they carry🚀 33:38 Launching a new business venture with Rozas Rising🌹 38:05 Reflections on loss resilience and personal growth🌍 40:56 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org 🎙️ 47:38 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.com LinksWebsite: https://www.rozasrising.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciliapaz11/ Email: [email protected] Rozas Rising, connect with Cecilia on LinkedIn, or reach out directly to learn how her work in strategy, leadership, and relationship-building can help your vision rise with clarity and purpose.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org/ 

From immigrant roots to industry-leading influence, Nicole Smart shares how purpose, identity, and intentional leadership shaped her journey into DEI, executive coaching, and transformative workplace culture.Nicole Smart, Founder and Principal Consultant of Smart EDI Solutions LLC and the coaching platform Purpose Tracks, brings over a decade of cross-sector experience rooted in advancing equity, leadership excellence, and intentional culture-building. As a daughter of Trinidadian immigrants, she credits her parents’ service-driven careers for instilling the work ethic, integrity, and sense of purpose that continue to define her approach today. Now an adjunct faculty member at NYU’s Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport, Nicole integrates her professional sports background with her passion for developing leaders who create environments where people and performance thrive.Nicole reflects on pivotal moments that redirected her path, from experiencing early discrimination after immigrating to New York, to pursuing law school before ultimately discovering her place in professional sports. A crucial conversation with a WISE mentor helped her see that purpose doesn’t require a predetermined roadmap, leading her to pursue a master’s degree at Cornell rather than a traditional legal route. Through these experiences, she learned that nonlinear journeys often reveal the most authentic destinations.Nicole shares a wealth of insights, including her “smart intention” practice centered on intentionality, redirection, and positivity. She reframes DEI as an inclusive, identity-aware framework that benefits everyone, emphasizing the competitive advantage that diverse perspectives bring to leadership and organizational success. With research showing that over 90% of women in the C-suite played sports, she highlights how athletic environments offer powerful case studies in resilience, teamwork, and leadership development.She also speaks to the evolving landscape of workplace culture, noting how globalization, AI, and shifting societal expectations require leaders to adapt and act with greater self-awareness. Despite political pressures and DEI rollbacks, Nicole remains focused on tangible, human-centered practices that cultivate belonging, value, and psychological safety. Listeners will walk away inspired to rethink traditional career paths, embrace identity as a leadership strength, and approach their work with purpose-driven intention.Tune in to hear Nicole’s powerful story and her practical wisdom on leadership, identity, and shaping equitable workplaces that help people thrive.Chapters👋 00:47 Meet Nicole Smart and Her Journey from Crown Heights to NYU🔗 01:26 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/🌟 02:23 Nicole’s Story of Family, Integrity, and Hard Work🎯 06:00 Nicole’s Career Path from Law Aspirations to DEI Leadership📝 12:46 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org🏈 21:27 The Business of Sports and Fan Engagement🏆 22:15 Leadership and the Cultural Impact of Sports🤝 24:08 Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Sports🏢 32:20 Navigating DEI Challenges in Today’s Workplace💡 34:50 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org 🌱 37:40 Personal Growth and the Journey of Professional Development🎙️ 44:02 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.com LinksWebsite: https://www.smartedisolutions.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nssmart/Check out Nicole Smart’s work at Smart EDI Solutions and connect with her to deepen your leadership journey and build more intentional, inclusive environments. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org/ 

From journalist-in-training to nationally recognized employment strategist, Natalie Holder shares how a lifelong instinct to protect others evolved into a career dedicated to equity, courage, and transformational allyship.Natalie Holder, President and CEO of QUEST Employment Initiatives, LLC, joins Ron to share the journey that shaped her into one of today’s most respected voices in employment strategy and workplace inclusion. Originally drawn to journalism and marketing during her time at NYU, she discovered that the law offered a powerful path to advocate for underrepresented communities. After earning her law degree from Tulane, she worked across human rights agencies and major law firms before realizing that her true calling was educating organizations on how to build cultures grounded in respect and accountability.Her path took a pivotal turn when she created QUEST Diversity Initiatives, transforming traditional compliance training into experiential, story-driven learning. But the most profound shift came when she accepted the role of Chief Diversity Officer for the U.S. Capitol Police, a decision inspired by the Michael Brown tragedy and fueled by a desire to influence systemic change from within. Through candid stories about allyship, including the CFO who gave up his office so she could lead effectively, Natalie illustrates how real support requires sacrifice, visibility, and action.Throughout the conversation, Natalie breaks down the frameworks that guide her work today: practicing courageous allyship, cultivating a personal board of directors, and understanding employment as the foundation of human stability. She offers practical advice on negotiating severance packages, protecting workplace rights, and monetizing long-term skills without compromising professionalism. Her reflections on childhood, leadership, and the moral obligation of those with privilege underscore a powerful message: inclusion is built through everyday choices, not policy alone.Listeners will walk away inspired to speak up, build stronger support networks, and lead with integrity—whether in their communities, companies, or personal lives. Tune in for a conversation that blends wisdom, candor, and a call to be a more intentional ally.Chapters👋 00:39 Meet Natalie Holder, a Trailblazer in DEI📚 01:23 Publish Your Book At https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/🚀 02:17 Natalie’s Career Path and DEI Initiatives🤝 13:18 The Importance of Allyship and Inclusive Leadership✍️ 24:54 Find Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book At booksthatmatter.org🌱 27:27 Reflecting on Early Career Struggles🤖 27:59 The Role of AI in Human Rights Commissions⚖️ 31:19 Natalie’s Sense of Justice and Early Influences🧭 35:02 Building a Personal Board of Directors💼 39:55 Career Advice and Employment Law Tips🌟 45:38 Go From Expert to Thought Leader With the Help Of geniusdiscovery.org 🎙️ 51:14 Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check out podcastsmatter.comLinksWebsite: QUEST Employment InitiativesLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/natalievholderCheck out Natalie Holder’s work, explore her resources through QUEST Employment Initiatives, and connect with her on LinkedIn to continue learning how to cultivate truly inclusive workplaces.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org/ 

From fourth-generation New Yorker to nationally recognized education leader, Dr. Rahesha Amon shares how her identity, heritage, and lived experiences shaped her purpose-driven journey in transforming schools and developing the next generation of teachers.In this episode, Dr. Amon reflects on her deep New York City roots, describing how Harlem, her family’s African lineage, and the energy of the city molded her resourcefulness, directness, and authentic leadership style. She and Ron revisit the cultural richness of their hometown and the early influences, from museum work to arts education, that sparked her love for history, storytelling, and service. Even as her career expanded beyond New York, she remains grounded in the people and places that raised her.Dr. Amon opens up about pivotal turning points, including the profound impact of her “Black Mitzvah” trip to West Africa at age twelve and how her mother intentionally cultivated ancestral pride. She shares lessons learned from career shifts, from her early days as a fifth-grade teacher at PS 107 in the Bronx to founding Frederick Douglass Academy III and later serving as a superintendent. Moments of challenge, including being fired, became catalysts for clarity, faith, and resilience that ultimately guided her toward her current role.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Amon breaks down the realities of systemic inequities in education and why comprehensive teacher preparation, like the model she leads at City Teaching Alliance, is essential for long-term student success. Her insights offer a powerful blend of personal history, practical leadership wisdom, and a call to remember that investing deeply in people is both cost-effective and transformational. At every step, she emphasizes purpose, community, and the belief that there is abundant space for everyone to thrive.This episode is a rich meditation on identity, leadership, community, and legacy—inviting listeners to reflect on their own journeys while learning from Dr. Amon’s remarkable path. Tune in to hear a conversation filled with heart, history, and hope for what’s possible in education and beyond.Chapters🗣️ 00:39 Welcoming Dr. Rahesha Amon🔗 01:08 Publish Your Book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/🌆 02:02 Dr. Rahesha Amon on New York Roots and Identity🌍 04:52 Exploring Heritage and Family History💡 11:02 If You're a Leader or Changemaker Looking for Support, Check Out geniusdiscovery.org 🎓 30:16 Lessons in Leadership🏫 31:33 Founding a School and the Power of Mentorship✍️ 37:40 Support for Writing Your Impact-Driven Book at booksthatmatter.org 🏢 38:26 Current Role at City Teaching Alliance✨ 47:20 Trust the Process and Final Reflections🎙️ 51:54 Want a Podcast Like This One? Visit podcastsmatter.com LinksWebsite: cityteachingalliance.orgLinkedIn: Dr. Rahesha Amon LinkedIn: City Teaching AllianceConnect with Dr. Rahesha Amon on LinkedIn and explore the work of City Teaching Alliance to learn more about her mission to uplift educators and transform student outcomes.Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org/ 

From professional athlete to principal to purpose-driven founder, Kash Hameed shares how his journey from basketball courts to classrooms led to creating a movement that’s redefining how communities approach youth mental health and wellness.Growing up in Schenectady, New York, Kash found his way out of limited opportunity through basketball. His talent took him from Iona College, where he earned Hall of Fame honors and led the team from record-breaking seasons to professional leagues across Europe. Yet, even after experiencing global success and acclaim, Kash felt a deeper calling. The drive that once fueled his athletic career transformed into a desire to give back, leading him to education and, eventually, to reimagining how sports can serve as a vehicle for healing and growth.His transition wasn’t easy. Teaching in New York City public schools tested him in new ways, including long days, emotional fatigue, and the humbling challenge of connecting with students from underserved backgrounds. But it was there, amid the chaos of his first year, that Kash discovered profound purpose. Over seven years as a principal at Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy, he witnessed firsthand the growing mental health crisis among youth, especially post-pandemic. That realization sparked Klinic Kids, a nonprofit bridging the worlds of athletics and emotional wellness by pairing professional athletes with licensed clinicians to deliver mental health support through sports.In this conversation, Kash unpacks his holistic framework for youth development—centered on self-worth, resilience, and intentional community building. He shares how techniques like breathwork, positive affirmations, and wellness practices help children and athletes alike redefine success beyond performance metrics. His message is clear: true victory lies not in trophies, but in the ability to grow through life’s challenges with grace, grit, and groundedness.Listeners will leave inspired by Kash’s unwavering commitment to service, his belief in mentorship, and his vision to make mental health as integral to sports as physical training. Tune in to hear how Kash Hameed and Klinic Kids are transforming the game both on and off the court.Chapters🏀 00:40 Guest Introduction and Kash Hameed’s Journey📚 01:17 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/🎓 03:03 From Professional Basketball to Education💬 07:26 Klinic Kids Bridging Sports and Mental Health🌟 07:42 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org🌍 14:25 Expanding the Impact of Klinic Kids🤝 27:58 The Importance of Social Capital✍️ 29:48 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 🏆 30:35 Basketball Journey and Overseas Experience👨‍🏫 33:34 Transition to Teaching and Principalship🧘 36:33 Mental Health Practices and Cold Therapy❤️ 44:01 Klinic Kids and Final Reflections🎙️ 47:30 Want a podcast just like this one? Check podcastsmatter.comLinksWebsite: www.klinickids.comYouTube Channel: Klinic KidsInstagram: @klinickidsCheck out Kash Hameed’s work with Klinic Kids, follow their journey on social media, and explore how you can support their mission to make mental health support accessible, empowering, and transformative for every young athlete. Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapataloCheck Out Ron's Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 Leverage Publishing Group: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comPublish a Book That Matters: http://booksthatmatter.orgStart a Podcast That Matters: http://podcastsmatter.comGo from Expert to Thought Leader: http://geniusdiscovery.org For more great podcasts like this one, visit: https://podcaststhatmatter.org/ 

From immigrant daughter to hospital CEO, Helen Arteaga Landaverde shares her remarkable journey from translating her father’s leukemia diagnosis as a young girl to leading one of New York’s most vital hospitals with courage, purpose, and heart.In this deeply personal and inspiring conversation, Helen joins host Ron to reminisce about their NYU days in the 1990s, when two first-generation college students bonded over late nights, campus activism, and dreams that felt far beyond their reach. Today, Helen stands as the CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst as the first woman and first Latina to lead the 192-year-old institution. Her story begins in an Ecuadorian immigrant household in Queens, where ten family members shared one bathroom but never felt poor, surrounded by love and determination.A defining moment came when Helen’s father fell gravely ill, and a young Helen found herself translating life-altering medical news for her mother — an experience that exposed the inequities of healthcare and ignited her lifelong mission. Decades later, she leads the very hospital where her father passed away, transforming it from a symbol of loss into a beacon of healing and equity. During the pandemic, Elmhurst became a global emblem of resilience, developing protocols adopted worldwide. Under Helen’s leadership, the hospital has raised over $140 million, expanded women’s and pediatric services, and redefined what compassionate, community-centered healthcare looks like.Helen’s insights extend far beyond medicine, touching on leadership, cultural identity, and perseverance. She speaks candidly about facing bias as a Latina leader, about turning pain into purpose, and about the quiet power of everyday acts of kindness. For Helen, success means staying rooted in community and using every challenge as fuel to make life better for someone else.Tune in to hear how Helen Arteaga Landaverde transformed hardship into healing, proving that true leadership begins where compassion meets conviction.Chapters 👋 00:40 Meet Helen Arteaga Landaverde and Her Journey from Ecuador to CEO📚 01:20 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/🗣️ 01:21 Ron Shares His Publishing Journey👩‍👧 02:14 Helen’s Early Life and Family Struggles💪 04:09 Overcoming Adversity and Helen’s Path to Leadership✍️ 20:22 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 🏥 24:55 Pride in Transforming Elmhurst Hospital🌎 25:43 Leadership and Transformation During the Pandemic💡 27:27 Fundraising Success and Technological Advancements❤️ 29:10 Community Connections and Personal Stories⚕️ 35:22 Challenges in Modern Healthcare🚀 45:27 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org 🎙️ 50:52 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.org  LinksWebsite: https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/locations/elmhurst/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-arteaga-landaverde/Check out Helen Arteaga Landaverde’s work at Elmhurst Hospital and connect with her on LinkedIn to follow her mission of building healthier, more equitable communities for all.Rapatalo Group: [email protected]  Leverage Publishing: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comBooks That Matter:  http://booksthatmatter.orgGenius Discovery: http://geniusdiscovery.orgPodcasts Matter:  http://podcastsmatter.orgConnect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapatalo Ron’s book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 For more podcasts that matter, check out https://podcaststhatmatter.org/ 

From science classrooms to the C-suite, Shakira Petit’s journey embodies what it means to lead with purpose, humility, and strategy. A former educator turned CEO of SKP Consultants, Shakira joins Ron to unpack how organizations can identify and develop the leaders already within their walls, before crisis forces their hand. Her story bridges the worlds of education, operations, and executive leadership, proving that the best leadership pipelines are grown, not hired.Shakira shares how divine timing redirected her from a pre-med track to a transformative teaching career at Newark Public Schools, Harlem Children’s Zone, and beyond. What began as a temporary substitute assignment turned into a lifelong calling to develop others. From teaching middle school science to leading district turnarounds, and raising graduation rates from 39% to 95%, her path reflects a deep belief in the potential of people when given structure, trust, and stretch opportunities.Through her leadership journey, Shakira experienced firsthand how mentorship and intentional development shape strong teams. Drawing from mentors like Geoffrey Canada and Shavar Jeffries, she learned that effective leaders multiply their impact by reproducing excellence in others. Her Antarctica research expedition, corporate leadership at Democrats for Education Reform, and tenure as Chief of Staff at the KIPP Foundation all reinforced a single truth: leadership is both art and discipline, cultivated through reflection, accountability, and courage.In this conversation, Shakira breaks down her succession planning framework: how organizations can proactively prepare for change, assess internal depth, and strengthen team dynamics. Her “positionless leadership” philosophy, inspired by basketball greats, encourages fluid collaboration and cross-functional strength. Listeners will walk away with a renewed understanding that true leadership is not about titles or tenure, but about nurturing talent and building legacy.Tune in to hear Shakira’s inspiring perspective on leadership, legacy, and the power of investing in the people you already have.Chapters👋 00:51 Meet Shakira Petit and Her Unexpected Journey into Education📘 01:26 The Power of Publishing and Personal Growth🔗 01:32 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/🎓 02:16 From Substitute Teacher to Educational Leader🏫 06:55 Leadership Lessons and Challenges in Education Today🌐 23:10 If you are a leader or changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org🧭 32:26 The Importance of Succession Planning⚖️ 33:44 Challenges of External Leadership🤝 34:29 Building a Strong and Aligned Team🏀 39:12 Leadership Lessons Inspired by Sports📚 43:31 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 💡 49:45 Creating an Effective Leadership Development Program🎙️ 59:04 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.org LinksWebsite: https://skpconsultants.com/Check out Shakira Petit’s website to explore her leadership development programs, connect with her consulting firm, and learn how to build strong, sustainable teams from within your organization.Rapatalo Group: [email protected]  Leverage Publishing: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comBooks That Matter:  http://booksthatmatter.orgGenius Discovery: http://geniusdiscovery.orgPodcasts Matter:  http://podcastsmatter.org Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapatalo Ron’s book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 

From hospitality manager to leadership coach, Leslie Wade shares her extraordinary journey of transforming lessons from the classroom into a people-centered framework that redefines how leaders grow, communicate, and connect.Leslie Wade’s story begins in Brooklyn’s "Bed-Stuy" neighborhood, where an early love of learning and a fearless curiosity set her on a path of self-discovery. From being the student who always raised her hand to attending Brooklyn Tech, one of New York’s most prestigious specialized high schools, she found both challenge and belonging among equally driven peers. Her experiences there, and her mother’s fierce intellectual curiosity, sparked a lifelong belief in the transformative power of education.After studying food service administration at the University of Maryland and working in high-end hospitality and event production in Los Angeles, Leslie found herself unfulfilled by work that dazzled but left no lasting impact. The aftermath of 9/11 became a turning point, prompting her to seek purpose-driven work. Her next chapter in nonprofit and educational leadership, including a pivotal tenure with KIPP New Jersey, immersed her in environments where she could see, firsthand, the profound difference caring adults make in young lives.Leslie’s evolution into a leadership coach emerged from those classroom observations and her years guiding school leaders. She developed the “What Would A Teacher Do?” framework, revealing that great educational leaders already possess the empathy, structure, and feedback systems needed to manage adults effectively—they simply need to reconnect with their teacher instincts. Her approach challenges conventional leadership training by bridging head and heart, theory and practice.In this inspiring conversation, Leslie and Ron explore authenticity, curiosity, and the art of leading with humanity. Listeners will walk away seeing leadership through a new lens—one where teaching and management share the same foundation: empathy, structure, and belief in human potential. Tune in to discover how Leslie Wade is helping leaders unlock their inner teacher and transform organizational culture from the inside out.Chapters 🎙️ 00:49 Meet Leslie Wade and Her Journey from Food Service to Education📚 01:14 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/💬 02:09 Ron and Leslie Share Personal Stories🎓 03:36 Leslie’s Educational Journey and Early Challenges🏫 07:32 Transition into Charter Schools and Leadership🌐 29:50 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org 🧭 32:29 Steps Toward Effective Leadership🪞 33:18 The Power and Value of Coaching🏅 33:57 Building Multi-Sport Leaders🧩 36:14 Discovering the “What Would A Teacher Do?” Framework✍️ 42:47 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 💡 57:50 Embracing Human-Centered Leadership🎧 01:02:10 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.org Links Website: https://lesliedianewade.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliedianewade/Check out Leslie Wade’s website and connect with her on LinkedIn to explore her coaching work, leadership resources, and practical tools for building stronger, more human-centered organizations.Rapatalo Group: [email protected]  Leverage Publishing: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comBooks That Matter:  http://booksthatmatter.orgGenius Discovery: http://geniusdiscovery.orgPodcasts Matter:  http://podcastsmatter.org Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapatalo Ron’s book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473

From engineer to ethical luxury founder, Lola Banjo shares her extraordinary journey of building Silver & Riley, a purpose-driven brand redefining what it means to lead, create, and give back with integrity.Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents and raised across three continents, Lola’s path has been shaped by audacity, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in possibility. As a child in Lagos, she witnessed the realities of poverty and privilege side by side, vowing early to use her opportunities for impact. An academic father who pushed her to master calculus as a child and an entrepreneurial mother who modeled empathy and grit set the foundation for her global outlook and relentless drive. Those lessons would later inform both her leadership and the ethos behind Silver & Riley.After earning degrees in engineering, math, and finance, Lola built a stellar career as a global strategy executive at Salesforce, Deloitte, and Accenture. Yet the spark of entrepreneurship never faded. A freezing flight during business school planted the seed for a new kind of travel company — one that would blend functionality, beauty, and purpose. Today, Silver & Riley stands as a global ethical luxury brand known for Italian craftsmanship, timeless design, and its groundbreaking Buy 1, Give 5 initiative, through which Lola aims to award 1,000 grants to women entrepreneurs by 2030.Lola opens up about scaling a mission-led company without losing its soul — from learning to delegate and lead with trust, to protecting her energy and well-being amid the pressures of entrepreneurship. She shares the daily practices that keep her grounded, from prayer and exercise to reframing mindset and embracing joy as a discipline.This episode of Ronderings is a powerful reminder that legacy isn’t built overnight — it’s cultivated through character, courage, and consistent generosity. Tune in to hear how Lola Banjo is shaping the future of ethical luxury and inspiring a new generation of leaders to build with heart.Chapters 👩🏾‍💼 00:41 Meet Lola Banjo and Her Entrepreneurial Journey🎙️ 01:13 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/ 🌍 03:15 Early Life and Inspirations That Shaped Lola Banjo💡 20:42 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org 👜 21:30 The Birth of Silver & Riley💖 26:49 Living Out Values Through Social Responsibility✨ 35:00 Authenticity in Branding and Leadership🤝 36:05 Leveraging Relationships and Social Capital for Success📈 39:41 Scaling a Business with Strategy and Grit📚 45:14 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org 🌿 47:41 Finding Joy and Maintaining Wellness🔥 50:04 Lessons in Entrepreneurship and Sacrifice🎧 01:05:40 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.org LinksWebsite: www.silverandriley.comSocial Media: Instagram @silverandrileyCheck out Lola Banjo’s work at Silver & Riley, follow her brand on Instagram, and explore how her Buy 1, Give 5 mission is transforming luxury into lasting impact.Rapatalo Group: [email protected]  Leverage Publishing: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comBooks That Matter:  http://booksthatmatter.orgGenius Discovery: http://geniusdiscovery.orgPodcasts Matter:  http://podcastsmatter.org Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapatalo Ron’s book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473 

From uncovering a hidden family history to empowering a new generation of AAPI leaders, Eddie Shiomi shares how reclaiming his past reshaped his purpose and deepened his approach to leadership, storytelling, and civic engagement.In this heartfelt and historically rich conversation, Eddie joins host Ron to trace a remarkable lineage stretching from Okayama, Japan to the United States and beyond. He reflects on his great-grandfather Kaishi’s immigration in 1883, his family’s harrowing wartime experiences across Manchuria and Tokyo, and the extraordinary Senate bill that eventually reunited them. These revelations, discovered through his grandmother’s autobiography and a decades-old family binder, transformed Eddie’s understanding of identity and reminded him that “who we are is who we were.”What began as a personal exploration evolved into a professional philosophy. Drawing from years in public service, including work with the California State Assembly Speaker and leadership roles at Coro New York, Venture for America, and Apex for Youth, Eddie learned that effective leadership begins with curiosity and empathy. Now as Chief Operating Officer of AAPI LEAD, he helps cultivate that ethos at scale by spotlighting the stories of local and municipal AAPI officials and reminding listeners that character development is not just for fiction; it is the heart of authentic leadership.Together, Ron and Eddie reflect on the intersections of ancestry, politics, and creative expression, exploring how storytelling humanizes civic life and strengthens communities. They discuss the growing visibility of Asian Americans in culture and politics, the challenges of sustaining inclusion across diverse identities, and the urgent need for solidarity amid global uncertainty. Through Eddie’s lens, understanding history becomes not an act of nostalgia but a roadmap for resilience and unity.Tune in to hear an inspiring journey through generations that bridges art, activism, and ancestry, and rediscover why knowing each other’s stories may be the most powerful form of leadership we have.Chapters 🎙️ 00:38 Meet Eddie Shiomi and His Journey of Resilience and Activism📘 01:08 Publish your book at https://leveragepublishinggroup.com/🌏 02:54 Eddie’s Family History from Japan to America🌿 15:26 Discovering Family Roots and Reconnecting💡 20:32 Lessons in Leadership and Character Development🖋️ 23:27 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at booksthatmatter.org🏛️ 25:12 Exploring the World of State Government✨ 26:07 Spotlighting Local Elected Officials🤝 27:36 Personal Stories Shaping Political Impact🌪️ 30:40 A Personal Journey Through Political Turmoil🌍 40:24 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out geniusdiscovery.org🎧 53:06 Want a podcast just like this one? Check out podcastsmatter.orgLinksWebsite: https://www.aapilead.org/Instagram:@aapi_lead Instagram: @eddieshowme Check out AAPI LEAD’s work, follow Eddie Shiomi on Instagram, and explore how his leadership journey continues to shape a more connected, story-driven future for AAPI communities everywhere.  Rapatalo Group: [email protected]  Leverage Publishing: www.leveragepublishinggroup.comBooks That Matter:  http://booksthatmatter.orgGenius Discovery: http://geniusdiscovery.orgPodcasts Matter:  http://podcastsmatter.org Connect with Ron: www.linkedin.com/in/rapatalo Ron’s book: www.amazon.com/dp/1613431473