Lonely at the Top

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  Finding Happiness in the Middle of a Toxic Workplace with Ricky Powell 09.09.2026 43min

  Ricky Powell is a Happiness Architect, executive happiness coach, and culture transformation strategist who spent 25 years inside NBC Universal, including nine years working under a supervisor whose behavior left him questioning who he could trust. Behind his successful corporate career, Ricky faced workplace toxicity, betrayal, isolation, and the pressure of protecting his career while navigating a deeply difficult relationship.This episode of Lonely at the Top is about standing up for yourself, finding strength through personal development, and how to respond when circumstances are outside your control. Ricky opens up about the nine-year experience with a toxic supervisor that ultimately changed the direction of his life, the meticulous records he kept to protect himself, and the moment those records became critical to saving his career. He shares how discovering the study of happiness, meaning, purpose, and personal development helped him move through an incredibly difficult period and eventually led him toward his work helping others create happier, healthier workplaces.Episode HighlightsRicky's experience navigating nine years with a toxic and manipulative supervisorWhy he began documenting lies, sabotage, and workplace incidents and how those records ultimately protected himHow personal development and the study of happiness helped Ricky survive an incredibly difficult chapterThe difference between feeling pain and practicing toxic positivityRicky's philosophy that life is 10% what happens and 90% how we respondWhy language matters, and how changing “I have to” into “I get to” can shift our perspectiveConnect with Ricky PowellWebsite: Lifelong HappinessCellphone: 805-279-4222Have thoughts on this episode or the overall show?Email [email protected](No guest pitches please)Want your own breakthrough?Discounted Magic Breakthrough session for listeners: https://rachelalexandria.as.me/magicbreakthrough100 ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Decolonizing Power and Finding ALOHA with Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell 26.08.2026 47min

  Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell is a native Hawaiian scholar, wayfinder, oral historian, and founder of Co3, Co-Creating Cohesive Communities. Grounded in ALOHA and guided by purpose, she helps leaders and communities navigate complexity while honoring people, place, culture, and relationships. But behind her accomplishments and years of leadership, Dr. Gerry has also faced isolation, imposter syndrome, burnout, and the painful realization that carrying more does not necessarily mean leading better.This episode of Lonely at the Top is about redefining leadership, finding your way back to who you are, and learning that you don't have to carry everything alone. Dr. Gerry opens up about leaving a position of power that was taking a toll on her, the pressure to constantly prove her value, and the process of decolonizing herself and reconnecting with her Hawaiian identity. She shares how a painful moment with her grandson forced her to confront the impact of her words, leading her to develop a deeper understanding of ALOHA, self-regulation, accountability, and relationship-centered leadership.Episode HighlightsWhat it means to choose yourself when a position of power is no longer sustainableMoving beyond imposter syndrome and the need to constantly prove your worthDr. Gerry's journey of decolonizing herself and reconnecting with her culture and identityHow a powerful moment with her grandson changed the way she thought about her words and leadershipThe meaning of ALOHA and how asking, listening, observing, having heart, and adapting can transform relationshipsWhy self-regulation and embodied leadership matter when navigating difficult conversationsThe difference between leadership that "powers over" people and leadership that empowers peopleWhy taking accountability is an essential part of true leadershipLearning that your capacity to carry something does not mean you're responsible for everythingWhy not every problem is yours to solve, not every person is yours to save, and not every room deserves your energy or your alohaConnect with Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-TunnellWebsite for Co3 Consulting Dr. Gerry's Linkedin Dr. Gerry's Email: [email protected] thoughts on this episode or the overall show?Email [email protected](No guest pitches please)Want your own breakthrough?Discounted Magic Breakthrough session for listeners: https://rachelalexandria.as.me/magicbreakthrough100 ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Leading in Public Health Through COVID with Shivani Mehta Bhatia 06.08.2026 39min

  Shivani Mehta Bhatia has spent her career helping leaders navigate conflict, power, and organizational change. A facilitator, advisor, and writer, she works with senior leaders, particularly women of color, queer leaders, and mission-driven organizations, to transform conflict into insight, strengthen relationships, and build healthier organizations. Drawing on her background in public health, crisis response, and health equity, Shivani brings a deeply human perspective to what it means to lead when the stakes are high.This episode of Lonely at the Top is about the courage to stay human in positions of power, and why conflict, when approached with care, can become a pathway to deeper trust rather than division.Shivani shares how leading through the COVID-19 pandemic shaped her understanding of leadership, moral injury, and the emotional weight carried by those responsible for difficult decisions. Together, Rachel and Shivani explore accountability, public criticism, the fear of causing harm, and the relational skills every leader needs to steward power with wisdom instead of simply wielding it.Episode HighlightsHow conflict resolution can become an invitation to deeper trust and stronger relationshipsThe difference between accountability, shame, and genuine repairNavigating leadership criticism while discerning what feedback to receive, and what to let goLessons from facilitating public health leadership during the COVID-19 pandemicWhat is moral injury and what to do about itWhy sustainable leadership requires protecting your own humanityConnect with Shivani Mehta Bhatia:Website: https://shivani.coNewsletter: Intimate Practice (available through her website)Have thoughts on this episode or the overall show?Email [email protected](No guest pitches please)Want your own breakthrough?Discounted Magic Breakthrough session for listeners: https://rachelalexandria.as.me/magicbreakthrough100 ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Leadership & Vulnerability: When to Share and When to Stay Silent 23.07.2026 10min

  Vulnerability is often praised as one of the most important qualities of effective leadership, but timing matters. Sharing too much too soon can create confusion, erode confidence, and make it harder to navigate challenges, while never opening up at all can leave leaders feeling disconnected and isolated.In this solo episode, host and executive coach Rachel Alexandria reflects on the lessons that emerged from her conversation with Sebastian and explores the delicate balance between authenticity and discernment.Drawing from her experience as a former psychotherapist, executive coach, and public-facing leader, Rachel shares why she believes vulnerability is most impactful after you've found stability, how emotional maturity requires resisting extremes, and why the healthiest leadership isn't about appearing perfect or exposing everything. Through thoughtful reflections and practical insight, she offers a nuanced perspective on building trust, leading with authenticity, and knowing when your story is ready to be shared.Have thoughts on this episode or the overall show?Email [email protected](No guest pitches please)Want your own breakthrough?Discounted Magic Breakthrough session for listeners: https://rachelalexandria.as.me/magicbreakthrough100 ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Leading Through Criticism and Mental Health Challenges with Sebastian Martinez 13.07.2026 43min

  Sebastian Martinez has dedicated his career to serving communities through advocacy, art, and leadership. As the Executive Director and CEO of Culture Shock San Diego and Deputy Executive Director of Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance, he has spent years building spaces where people can thrive. But when public criticism, cyberbullying, and the pressures of leadership collided, Sebastian found himself facing one of the most difficult seasons of his life.This episode of Lonely at the Top is about navigating public scrutiny and learning how to ask for help when the burden becomes too much to carry alone.Sebastian opens up about stepping into a beloved organization with a 30-year legacy, the backlash that came with leading change, and the emotional toll of feeling responsible for everyone around him while struggling privately. He shares his experience with isolation, burnout, and a mental health crisis that forced him to rethink everything he believed about strength, vulnerability, and leadership. Episode HighlightsThe challenges of leading change in organizations with deep community rootsHow public criticism and cyberbullying impacted Sebastian's mental healthWhy leadership can feel incredibly lonely, even when you're surrounded by peopleThe danger of believing you always have to be the strong oneLearning to ask for help and accept support during difficult seasonsHow vulnerability became a turning point in Sebastian's leadership journeyThe difference between living in service to others and valuing yourselfWhy being "the fullness of your humanity" is essential for sustainable leadershipConnect with Sebastian MartinezSebastian Martinez's Instagram Have thoughts on this episode or the overall show?Email [email protected](No guest pitches please)Want your own breakthrough?Discounted Magic Breakthrough session for listeners: https://rachelalexandria.as.me/magicbreakthrough100 ★ Support this podcast ★
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  How Do I Know What the Right Choice Is 24.06.2026 10min

  When you’re searching for direction, rather than seeking outside guidance or reading other people's advice books, sometimes what you need is to slow down, listen deeply, and learn the language of your own inner guidance. In this solo episode, host and Soul Medic Rachel Alexandria explores what it's like to trust yourself, especially when you’ve been conditioned not to. Drawing from her work with high-level leaders and her background in psychology and spirituality, she unpacks the difference between fear and intuitive knowing, how spirit communicates without urgency, and why clarity requires your active participation. Through personal reflections and a powerful story of receiving unexpected guidance, Rachel offers a grounded, nuanced perspective on how to partner with the unseen while staying rooted in your own sovereignty. ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Integrity and Consent in Leading Communities with Mark Silver 17.06.2026 38min

  After decades of building a values-driven business and guiding spiritually centered entrepreneurs, Mark Silver has come to see leadership as a practice of deep listening, consent, and integrity.This episode of Lonely at the Top explores leadership defined by relationship, accountability, and alignment with Something Greater.What does it really means to lead in a world shaped by disconnection and noise? How can we cultivate inner clarity, emotional honesty, and consent-based communication not as a performance of leadership but as an integral part of how we lead others as well as how we show up in our own lives.Through grounded wisdom and lived experience, Mark shares how leadership can feel less lonely when we build the right structures of support, stay rooted in our values, and learn to listen beyond the mind.Episode HighlightsThe difference between cultural loneliness and leadership loneliness Why consent-based communication is a critical (and missing) leadership skill How to share authentically without overstepping emotional boundaries The power of creating accountability structures in leadership and community Why “messiness” needs context and how to choose where to process it How spiritual alignment can guide business decisions and leadership direction The role of listening vs. forcing outcomes in leadership Why leadership, at its best, doesn’t doesn't have to cost you, but can expand you How regenerative practices and nature can support leadership wellbeing Why great leaders welcome correction, and say “thank you” for it The importance of building circles where you don’t have to leadConnect with Mark SilverHeartofBusiness.com Book: Heart-Centered Business: Healing from Toxic Business Culture So Your Small Business Can Thrive LinkedIn★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Balancing Confidence and Humility as a Surgeon with Dr. Pamela Lee 29.05.2026 41min

  Dr. Pamela Lee has spent her career making life-or-death decisions in the operating room while carrying the pressure that comes with being one of the few women leading in surgery. As a colorectal surgeon, robotic surgery specialist, and Chair of Surgery at both Sharp Memorial Hospital and Sharp Reese Stealy Medical Group, Pamela operates in environments where mistakes carry enormous weight and everyone is looking to her for answers.This episode of Lonely at the Top is about balancing confidence with humility, navigating the intense pressure of surgery, and learning how to lead ethically in environments shaped by ego, hierarchy, and relentless expectations.Pamela opens up about the terrifying early years of surgery, the emotional toll leadership has taken on her family life, and the moments in the operating room where she’s had to steady herself under overwhelming pressure because “if I lose it, everybody around me loses it.” She also shares powerful insights on female leadership in medicine, the evolution of surgical culture, and why the best surgeons never stop learning.Episode Highlights What it feels like to carry the weight of life-or-death decisions in surgery The hidden emotional toll of leadership in medicine and motherhood Why the first years as a surgeon can feel incredibly isolating Balancing confidence, ego, humility, and vulnerability in the operating room How robotic surgery technology is transforming collaboration and patient care The sacrifices leadership can place on family relationships and emotional bandwidth Why the best leaders and surgeons remain curious and willing to learnConnect with Dr. Pamela Lee Dr. Pamela Lee’s LinkedIn★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Finding Identity Beyond Success with Marguerite Martin 15.05.2026 46min

  After spending more than two decades in real estate, Marguerite Martin never expected her work would force her to confront difficult questions about community, power, and the unintended consequences of success. What began as a civic-minded passion project to help people discover Tacoma quickly turned her into a local public figure and, eventually, a lightning rod for conversations around housing affordability, displacement, and gentrification.This episode of Lonely at the Top is about navigating the emotional complexity of leadership in the public arena and parasocial relationships. It’s about learning how to receive criticism without losing yourself, and discovering that external achievement can’t heal internal wounds.Marguerite opens up about the loneliness of entrepreneurship, the hidden mental health crash that followed her biggest professional wins, and the process of rebuilding a more grounded sense of self after years of relentless hustle. She also shares powerful reflections on leadership, accountability, aging, and the importance of staying curious in a rapidly changing world.Episode HighlightsHow Marguerite became a public figure through her community-focused real estate platform  The loneliness and pressure of always appearing successful as an entrepreneur Why her biggest professional success led to a personal and emotional crash Learning to navigate criticism with accountability instead of defensiveness The difficult questions leaders must ask about success, growth, and community impact Why curiosity, adaptability, and self-awareness matter more with ageConnect with MargueriteMarguerite’s WebsiteMarguerite’s LinkedinMove to Tacoma InstagramMarguerite's Instagram★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Leading As an Act of Community Service with Bennett Peji 30.04.2026 59min

  After growing up as one of the shyest kids—constantly moving, constantly adapting—Bennett Peji never imagined he would become a leader responsible for bringing entire communities together. From feeling like an outsider to leading large-scale, community-centered design projects, Bennett’s journey is a testament to the power of adaptability, empathy, and intentional growth.This episode of Lonely at the Top is about redefining leadership through service, not control. It’s about learning to navigate uncertainty without needing to predict the future, building trust across diverse perspectives, and turning what once felt like weaknesses into your greatest strengths. It’s also about embracing change—not resisting it—and discovering how leadership can be a shared experience rather than a solitary burden.Episode Highlights How Bennett transformed extreme shyness into a leadership superpower  Why adaptability is one of the most valuable skills a leader can develop  The challenge of leading diverse communities with competing perspectives  What it really means to “share the load” as a leader instead of carrying it alone  Why predicting the future isn’t necessary—and what to focus on instead  The power of listening and letting others co-create solutions  How constant change in childhood shaped Bennett’s leadership style  The hidden cost of leadership: losing touch with your original craft  Why preparation—not spontaneity—is the key to confident communication  How meditation and intentional routines support long-term leadership wellbeing Connect with BennettBennett’s LinkedIn Bennett’s Website★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Leaders Shouldn't Have All the Answers with Jeff McAuliffe 17.04.2026 49min

  After decades moving between corporate leadership, consulting, and academia, Jeff McAuliffe has seen leadership from every angle. From sitting at executive tables to building his own consulting practice from scratch, he’s learned that “the top” isn’t a fixed place—and that loneliness shows up in ways most people don’t expect.This episode of Lonely at the Top is about the quiet realities of leadership that no one prepares you for. It’s about navigating influence when you don’t have control, the tension between authority and authenticity, and what it really costs to hold both.It’s also about redefining leadership as something more human: less about having answers, and more about creating space for truth.Episode HighlightsWhy “the top” is relative—and why loneliness can exist at every levelThe hidden isolation of entrepreneurship and solo consultingMoving from corporate leadership to building something on your ownWhy great leaders don’t need to be “the one in charge”The challenge of influencing without authorityWhat leaders wish they could say out loud (but usually don’t)Why “I don’t know” might be the most powerful leadership toolThe role of emotions in leadership—and why most leaders avoid themNavigating environments where authority doesn’t workLeading through uncertainty while holding information you can’t shareConnect with JeffJeff's Linkedin ★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Rewiring a Hustle-Driven Nervous System with Lauren Goche 03.04.2026 37min

  Lauren Goche has cracked the code on something most leaders never admit they need: community. A principal real estate broker, micro-influencer, and self-described love bully, Lauren built her career by staying connected — and then discovered that even she had a chaos habit she didn't see coming. In this episode, she talks with Rachel about the expensive sabbatical lesson that revealed she didn't know how to be calm, what it looks like to lead a team with radical care as the operating principle, and the strange isolating side effects of becoming someone people recognize in restaurants, on front porches, and at lunch while accidentally stealing your phone.Episode Highlights•⁠  ⁠She nearly took a job she dreaded — and a chance conference encounter changed everything•⁠  ⁠Why Lauren deliberately chose never to own her own brokerage ("it's more headache and more lonely")•⁠  ⁠The Mexico property: how a sabbatical got too quiet and she manufactured chaos to escape the calm•⁠  ⁠Scarcity to abundance: growing up with housing instability and what it meant to be able to lose big without losing everything•⁠  ⁠The love bully philosophy — why care for each other comes before care for clients, and why she'll bring you a sandwich whether you consent or not•⁠  ⁠The parasocial side of Instagram fame: being recognized at her own front porch, and having a fan sprint away with her phone•⁠  ⁠Lost friendships, nervous system repair, and learning to say no as a complete sentence•⁠  ⁠Why community isn't soft — it's the infrastructure of a sustainable businessConnect with LaurenLauren's Instagram ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Leading Beyond Medicine in a Broken Health System with Dr. Mark Vossler 19.03.2026 36min

  Dr. Mark Vossler spent 30 years as a cardiologist before most people retire from their first career. He was medical director of cardiac services for a decade, managed physicians, navigated hospital politics, and learned the hard way that medicine is really just people work with better equipment.Then he retired. And got busier.Now he leads Physicians for Social Responsibility, a national organization built on a striking premise: 80% of health outcomes have nothing to do with medical care. They're determined by your zip code, your income, your race, your environment. So if you actually care about keeping people alive, you have to go upstream to legislators, policy, and power.This episode is about what it takes to lead when you can't fire anyone, when the stakes are existential, and when caring too much can paralyze the very people you need to move.It's about knowing when to say no, how to protect what's yours, and why likability — real likability, not performed likability — might be the most underrated leadership asset there is.Episode HighlightsWhy 80% of health outcomes are determined by factors medicine can't fixManaging physician egos vs. managing volunteers — and which is harderThe fine line between being worried enough to act and so worried you shut downWhy facts don't persuade people — and what actually doesWhat Fred Rogers' congressional testimony teaches every leader about influenceThe 8pm Saturday call that signals your job is falling apartConnect with MarkMark's LinkedinEmail: [email protected]★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Belonging in Every Room as a First-Gen Leader with Alfred Fraijo Jr. 09.03.2026 43min

  He built influence in rooms that were never designed with him in mind.Growing up in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, Alfred Fraijo, Jr. grew up food insecure in one of LA's most underserved neighborhoods. Now he's reshaping the cities that once failed communities like his. He built a career at the top of a major international law firm, then walked away to bet everything on himself.This episode of Lonely at the Top is about what it feels like to carry leadership while holding identities that haven’t always been welcomed in positions of power.It’s about navigating ambition while staying connected to community.It's about leading projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars while addressing deeper issues of belonging, responsibility, and representation.Episode HighlightsGrowing up as the first person in his household to finish high school, and understanding power from an early ageRising to leadership inside elite legal spaces as a queer, Latino executiveFounding a multidisciplinary development firm rooted in social impactBuilding cities that reflect the communities they serveStaying grounded while operating at the edge of financial risk every dayRedefining what responsible leadership looks likeEnding every colleague call with "I love you" and making a case for why more leaders should tooConnect with AlfredWebsite: Somos GroupEmail: [email protected] ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Rebuilding After the Breaking Point with Daniel Graham 19.02.2026 28min

  Dan Graham spent 30 years at Sony, rising from organizing office supplies to managing 150 people, all without the pedigree or resume you’d expect.But his defining leadership moment wasn’t the promotion.It was the day he was called into HR and told he might lose his job, not because the numbers were bad, but because he’d forgotten the people behind them.This episode is about what happens when success quietly turns into pressure, pressure turns into reactivity, and a leader has to face the impact of his own behavior.It’s about fear. Accountability. And the courage to change in public.Episode Highlights• A late-night cafeteria conversation that changed the trajectory of his career• Promoted over colleagues with more education and experience• Managing 150 people without formal training• Turning off the lights in a tense executive meeting to reset the room• Forgetting his mission under mounting performance pressure• Being reported to HR by his own supervisors• Confronting the impact of his anger on the people he cared about most• The first honest conversation about fear in his entire life• Public accountability — and rebuilding trust with his teamConnect with DanWebsite: https://www.dpgphotos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dpgphotos0105/ ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Holding Power Without Losing the Human Connection with Dr. Kazique Jelani Prince 28.01.2026 1godz 1min

  In this episode of Lonely at the Top, Rachel sits down with Dr. Kazique J. Prince, psychologist, executive consultant, and creator of the Djembe Card Deck, for a deeply human conversation about dignity, authenticity, and the quiet loneliness that comes with leadership.Drawing from decades of experience advising mayors, CEOs, and change-makers, Dr. Prince challenges the myth that authority requires emotional distance. He explores how leaders can remain grounded in their humanity while holding power — and why true leadership is less about being “right” and more about ensuring that everyone walks away with their dignity intact.Together, they unpack how authenticity develops over time, why cultural awareness starts with self-examination, and how leaders can create environments of trust and belonging without sacrificing clarity or authority. Episode Highlights:Leadership doesn’t exempt you from being humanPower doesn’t mean you stop needing mutual recognitionThe real danger of leadership is not stress; it’s disconnectionCulture, hierarchy, and roles are real, and they don’t erase our shared nervous systemsThe goal isn’t agreement or “rightness,"  it’s relational intactnessLeadership should not require anyone to disappear — including the leader.Connect with Dr. Kazique Prince:jelaniconsultingllc.com djembedeck.com ★ Support this podcast ★
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  When the Role You Worked For No Longer Fits with Emma Whittard 15.01.2026 36min

  In this episode of Lonely at the Top, Rachel sits down with Emma Whittard, a former senior executive in global children’s publishing turned transformational coach for women leaders in midlife.Emma shares what it was really like to rise through the ranks at companies like Disney, DreamWorks, and Warner Brothers, including the invisible loneliness of being the only person in the room who knew how to build something entirely new. From running international publishing businesses to launching a startup-within-a-studio at DreamWorks, Emma reflects on the emotional cost of responsibility, especially when success quickly turned into loss and layoffs.Together, Rachel and Emma explore the isolating reality of leadership decisions that affect livelihoods, the lack of mentorship for innovators inside large organizations, and how women in particular are conditioned to carry enormous pressure quietly. Emma also speaks candidly about midlife transitions—shedding inherited stories of worth, productivity, and self-sacrifice—and why the best leaders are those who stay curious, ask great questions, and allow themselves to remain human.Episode Highlights“I was the only person in the entire company who had ever done this before.”Emma describes the profound loneliness of building a new business inside DreamWorks with no roadmap and no peers.Creating a global business plan while sitting on her bed with a toddler nearbyA striking image of how leadership, motherhood, and pressure collided in real time.The moment everything changed from expansion to contractionBeing asked to dismantle the very team she had just built—and how close that brought her to burnout.“That’s the closest I’ve ever come to a breakdown.”Emma’s most vulnerable admission about the emotional toll of leadership without support.The spa certificate that saved her nervous systemA small but profound example of how self-care—not strategy—was what she actually needed.“Leaders who ask great questions are the best leaders.”Emma reframes leadership as humility, curiosity, and connection rather than certainty.What she would do differently nowNaming mentorship and embodied support as non-negotiables for anyone at the top.Connect with Emma:EmmaWhittard.com ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Finding Power in Social Capital with Sorby Grant 22.12.2025 53min

  In this episode of Lonely at the Top, Rachel sits down with Sorby Grant, President and CEO of Climb Hire, an equity-focused workforce development nonprofit supporting underemployed adults in accessing real economic mobility.Sorby reflects on the emotional cost of being the decision-maker, the pressure of stewarding a mission rooted in justice and opportunity, and the quiet exhaustion that can make it hard to recognize success while you’re living it.A central thread of the conversation is social capital — how access to relationships, trust, and informal networks determines who gets opportunities and who stays stuck. Sorby unpacks why talent alone is rarely enough, how the “hidden job market” really works, and why teaching people how to build professional relationships is a critical equity intervention.She also opens up about her own leadership evolution: stepping into the CEO role after working closely inside the organization, navigating the shadow of a founder with a very different leadership style, and learning to claim her own authority without losing the heart of the mission.Connect with Sorby:https://climbhire.co/[email protected] ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Owning Your Voice in Systems Not Built for You with Michelle Markwart Deveaux 12.12.2025 52min

  In this episode, Michelle Markwart Deveaux—author, singer, facilitator, coach, and founder of multiple mission-driven businesses— shares her journey from theology and the arts into business ownership, and the often unseen emotional labor of building something meaningful in systems that weren’t designed to sustain creatives. She speaks candidly about self-doubt at high levels of leadership, the difference between being nice and being clear, and why direct communication, while necessary, can deepen isolation at the top.Together, Rachel and Michelle unpack how leaders learn to keep moving forward even while privately questioning their worth, impact, or belonging. Michelle reflects on her desire to be impactful rather than “important,” and why self-examination is not indulgent but essential for ethical, sustainable leadership.Episode HighlightsA candid exploration of how self-doubt often increases—not decreases—at higher levels of leadership, especially for women and femme founders.Michelle unpacks the difference between being nice and being kind, and why leaders eventually have to choose clarity over likability.A nuanced conversation about how direct communication creates effectiveness while simultaneously increasing isolation at the top.Insight into how many creatives and consultants unintentionally undervalue their work due to inherited narratives about money, art, and service.A powerful reframing of leadership success: impact over importance, and why visibility without integrity leads to burnout.Discussion of how leaders often miss or minimize opportunities because they’ve learned to downplay their own significance, particularly in female-socialized leaders.An honest look at how leadership requires holding consent, agency, and boundaries in environments that reward over-giving.Connect with Michellehttps://thespeakeasycooperative.com/https://www.instagram.com/thespeakeasycooperative/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-markwart-deveaux/[email protected] ★ Support this podcast ★
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  Meeting Loneliness in the Chipotle Parking Lot with Zach Rehder 05.12.2025 41min

  In this deeply transformational episode, international teacher and healer Zach Rehder explores what happens on the other side of loneliness.Zach shares how, despite years of seeking, studying, and gathering spiritual knowledge, he still suffered loneliness until an unexpected flood of despair in a Chipotle parking lot forced him into surrender. What he found on the other side wasn’t destruction, but liberation.Zach reframes stress and anxiety as friends, signals that we’ve left presence. He explains how resistance to our feelings — not the emotion itself — is what creates suffering, and how embracing the fullness of human experience allows leaders to access deeper clarity, compassion, and inner spaciousness.✨ Episode Highlights• Stress and anxiety as alliesZach explains why these sensations are not failures, but friends guiding us back to presence.• The awakening in the Chipotle parking lotA sudden wave of despair becomes the doorway to one of Zach’s most profound transformations from resisting emotions to finding their inherent beauty.• The real cause of sufferingIt’s never the sadness, loneliness, or anxiety that is the villain, it’s our resistance, judgment, and fear of the sensations themselves.• Rachel shares her own awakening visionDuring one of Zach’s breathwork workshops, Rachel saw herself joined by other light-bearers — a moment that dissolved the illusion of isolation in her path.• The limits of knowledgeZach describes spending decades devouring spiritual information, only to realize that understanding doesn’t create transformation, presence does.• Why leaders overwork, overperform, and overrun their bodiesRachel reflects on how high achievers use productivity as a socially acceptable form of emotional avoidance until the body can no longer sustain it.• The invitation to stop fighting yourselfZach’s core message: all the emotions we fear are simply energy and when we stop resisting them, they become pathways to clarity and freedom.Connect with Zachhttps://www.zachrehder.com/ ★ Support this podcast ★