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"Fine" is a lie leaders tell themselves — and it costs them their people, their culture, and their impact. Every episode, a leader gets honest about what it really takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage… especially when everything isn’t fine. We're sharing how human connection drives innovation, retention, profitability and ultimately, legacy. I trust something in this conversation will stay with you. One thing’s for sure… you’ll never hear—or say—the word “fine” in the same way again.
- 297 - 248. Not From a Nice Family with Diana Keough
In 1988, Diana Keough came home for Christmas for the first time in three years. She was married, she had a six-month-old baby, and she was determined to finally build the kind of relationship with her mother she had watched her friends enjoy. Within weeks, her family learned that her father, a trial attorney and pillar of a fundamentalist Baptist community, had AIDS and had been living a double life for 27 years. Three weeks later, her mother tested positive for HIV.
Diana was trained as a journalist, so she did what journalists do. With her mother's permission, she dropped a tape recorder into her purse before her mother confronted her father in the hospital, and she kept recording. Over the next six years she gathered more than 100 hours of interviews with both parents, their caregivers, and her mother's psychiatrist, trying to understand the people who had raised her inside so many secrets.
In this conversation, Diana tells Lori what it took to forgive a mother who had been cruel, to keep loving a father who had been her North Star and had also lied, and to reconcile with five siblings who split into Team Mom and Team Dad and went years without speaking. It is a conversation about truth-telling, the grace families rarely offer each other in a crisis, and why she ultimately decided her story had no victims and no villains.
What You'll Take Away
Why Diana started recording her parents in 1988, and what 100 hours of tape revealed about two people she thought she knewHow learning her parents' own childhoods helped her see them as broken people rather than only as the source of her painWhy the silence in an interview, or a hard conversation, often gets you closer to the truth than the next questionHow six siblings who went years without speaking found their way back, through a Sunday morning book club that became "a reconciliation in real time"What it means to tell a painful family story so that there are no victims and no villainsGuest Bio
Diana Keough is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, on NPR, and on PBS. Named AP Ohio Reporter of the Year, she has won roughly thirty journalism awards across print and radio. She holds an MFA in narrative nonfiction from the University of Georgia's Grady College, where she teaches, and writes the monthly column "Between Sundays" for Salvation South. Not From a Nice Family, her reported memoir podcast produced with Campside Media for Audible, is her first podcast.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
00:00Opening and episode premise
01:29Growing up fundamentalist Baptist in Elm Grove, Wisconsin
02:32Leaving Bob Jones University, and the mother who stopped speaking to her
03:47Coming home in 1988 hoping to finally connect with her mom
04:54The diagnosis that exposed her father's 27-year double life
05:50Why a journalist put a tape recorder in her mother's purse
07:48Seeing her parents as broken people, and the abuse she had to forgive
11:00Team Mom vs. Team Dad: how six siblings split apart
13:13Why both parents agreed to be recorded
17:54The interviewer's best tool: staying silent
19:22A marriage her mother never wanted, and her father's side of the story
23:41National media, and her father becoming a leader in Cincinnati
25:55"The six of us is the only club I ever wanted to be a member of"
27:07Thirty years of boxes, 33 cassettes, and full transparency with her siblings
30:15No victims, no villains, and the Sunday calls that became the ending
33:05Her hype song: "Brave" by Sara Bareilles
33:45Where to listen to Not From a Nice Family and connect with Diana
Resources Mentioned
Podcast: Not From a Nice Family by Diana Keough, an Audible Original produced with Campside Media (search "Not From a Nice Family" on Audible; Audible subscription required)Column: "Between Sundays" by Diana Keough at Salvation South - https://www.salvationsouth.com/author/diana-keough/Hype Song: "Brave" by Sara Bareilles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQsqBqxoR4&list=RDQUQsqBqxoR4&start_radio=1Connect With Diana Keough
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-keough-a354646/
Instagram:@dianakeyo (https://www.instagram.com/dianakeyo/)
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557124244395
Twitter/X:@dikeough (https://x.com/dikeough)
Podcast:Not From a Nice Family (Audible Original; search the title on Audible)
Continue With Lori
Website:https://zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email:Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
Zen Rabbit
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 239: One Drop of Water and a Dying Plant with Cyndy Etler
Another conversation about telling the truth of a difficult upbringing in a strict, controlling environment, and turning that story into a memoir.
About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine.
We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine.
Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode.
If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Research & Sources
Diana describes the high doses of AZT her mother received in the early 1990s and notes that the "AIDS cocktail" arrived after her mother's death in 1994. Combination antiretroviral therapy became the standard of care in 1996, following the approval of protease inhibitors, and early AZT monotherapy was given at higher doses than later regimens. Source: "HIV Treatment Paradigm Shifts over the Past 40 Years," PMC - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12749152Diana's statement that only four AIDS hospices existed in 1988 is presented as her recollection, not as an independently verified figure.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 - 37min - 296 - 247. The Pause Is the Work with Jobert Abueva
On September 6, 1997, the day of Princess Diana's funeral, Jobert Abueva couldn't get out of bed. He was in a Hong Kong hotel room, paralyzed for the better part of 48 hours, unable to touch the club sandwich or hot tea he'd ordered, crying from exhaustion, loneliness, and homesickness. It was, he says, the lowest point of a career that from the outside looked like nothing but success.
For most of his thirties, Jobert had been living the frenzied pace of a global marketing career, opening new markets for Herbal Essences across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, jumping from country to country in a matter of months, taking calls with U.S. headquarters at all hours. He got the raises and the next plum assignment. He also got the lack of sleep, the overeating, the overdrinking, and the signals he kept ignoring, until his body simply stopped.
In this conversation, Jobert tells Lori how a childhood memory of Janus, the two-faced Roman god of beginnings and endings, surfaced in that hotel room and became the seed of a framework he now calls the Janus Plan. It's a conversation about what happens when you finally stop outrunning burnout, why looking backward is what makes it possible to move forward, and why boundaries only stick the second time you build them on purpose.
What You'll Take Away
Why ignoring burnout signals for years eventually catches up with even the highest performersHow a childhood memory of the Roman god Janus reframed Jobert's understanding of endings and beginningsWhy 'ponder the past' before 'frame the future' makes goals more sustainable than New Year's resolutionsHow setting boundaries the second time around, including turning down future expat assignments and developing a team instead of doing everything himself, reshaped his second corporate careerWhy any personal threshold, not just January 1st, can be the start of a meaningful new chapterGuest Bio
Jobert E. Abueva grew up between four Asian countries and went on to a three-decade global marketing and philanthropy career, including launching Herbal Essences into international markets. He is a TEDx speaker, a Lambda Literary Prize recipient, and the author of The Janus Plan: A No-Resolutions Path to Begin Your Year with Intention. He lives in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
00:00Opening and episode premise
00:39The nomadic childhood that shaped a global career
07:09Launching Herbal Essences across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia
10:55The signals he ignored: exhaustion, overwork, and a frenzied pace
12:00September 6, 1997: the Hong Kong hotel room he couldn't leave
15:48A childhood memory of Janus reframes everything
20:15Ponder the past, frame the future: leaving corporate to write
24:13Setting boundaries the second time around
26:05The Janus Plan: a no-resolutions path to a new year
34:24His hype song and the moment it found him
36:17Where to find Jobert and the invitation to 'be like Janus'
Resources Mentioned
Book: The Janus Plan: A No-Resolutions Path to Begin Your Year with Intention by Jobert E. AbuevaJobert's 2023 boyhood memoir (referenced in conversation; title to be confirmed with Jobert's team before publication)Hype Song: "You Get What You Give" by New Radicals - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL7-CKirWZE&list=RDDL7-CKirWZE&start_radio=1Connect With Jobert Abueva
Website:https://joberteabueva.com/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jobertabueva/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/joberteabueva/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/joberteabueva/
Book:https://amzn.to/477VkA7
Continue With Lori
Website:https://zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email:Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
Zen Rabbit
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine.
We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine.
Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode.
If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 01 Oct 2026 - 40min - 295 - 246. Toxic Optimism with John Azar
John Azar fled Syria at 16 in the middle of a civil war, arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina not speaking a word of English, and eventually built his way to an MBA in finance and a career in commercial real estate. Then came 2008. His first company collapsed with no clients, no money, and a brand new baby at home.
He rebuilt, more than once. Along the way, his own therapist gave him a label he still carries: toxic optimist. He believes, almost unshakably, in people's capacity to change, and he's had to learn what that belief costs him when the other person never actually does the work.
On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, John talks with Lori Saitz about what failure actually means once you separate the event from the emotion attached to it, why he believes mastery requires periods of genuine imbalance, and what he tells business leaders facing circumstances completely outside their control.
What You'll Take Away
Why believing in people's inherent goodness can work against you, according to what John's own therapist told himWhy failure is whatever you decide it is, and why the event itself is different from the emotion you attach to itWhat John did in 2008 with no clients, no money, and a newborn at home, and what it teaches about controlling only what's actually yours to controlWhy sometimes the answer isn't what to add to your life, but what to stop doingWhy mastery requires periods of genuine imbalance, and why that imbalance has to come in sustainable chunks rather than foreverGuest Bio
John Azar is a public speaker, coach, and founder. He speaks and coaches about entrepreneurship, resilience, and the myth surrounding balance and failure. He founded Peak15 Capital, a private equity firm specializing in commercial real estate, with talks drawing on two decades of deal-making, including work on a cumulative portfolio worth over $2 billion nationwide. Prior leadership roles at MACC Venture Partners and Boston Venture Partners, which he co-founded, round out his operating background, and he is also co-founder of Forja, an institutional-grade education and coaching ecosystem for commercial real estate investing and capital markets. He is a graduate of UNC Charlotte and Boston University's Questrom School of Business.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
01:25The values he was raised with, and growing up the youngest of five in Syria
02:52Growing up “raised by the wild,” and a childhood shaped by civil war
04:09Immigrating to Charlotte, North Carolina at 16 with no English
05:32The people who became his avatars: his father, brother, mother, and sisters
08:46The term his therapist gave him: “toxic optimist”
10:53Why failure is whatever you decide it is
14:14His failed marriage, and what he's learned about facing himself
18:09Building and closing multiple companies, including through the 2008 crisis
20:49What to say to leaders facing circumstances completely outside their control
23:15Commission and omission: sometimes the answer is what to stop doing
24:34The daily practices that keep him grounded
25:00Embracing imbalance as a requirement for mastery
31:04The free diver metaphor: why imbalance has to come in chunks, not forever
32:27The song that gets him going, and its unlikely origin
33:20Where to find John: his coaching site and Peak 15 Capital
Resources Mentioned
Company: Peak15 Capital — private equity firm specializing in commercial real estateCompany: Forja — institutional-grade education and coaching ecosystem for CRE investing and capital markets, co-founded by JohnTV Show: Ballers (HBO) — the source of John's energy songSong: Right Above It by Lil Wayne and Drake — open.spotify.com/track/1kMuU3TNQvHbqvXCWBodmPConnect With John Azar
Company: Peak15 Capital
Company: Forja
Website: johnazar.com
Website: peak15cap.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jalalazar
Instagram: @jjazar
Email: azar@peak15cap.com
Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 240: Amanda Van Der Heiden — on “win or learn,” her own reframe of failure that closely parallels John's view that failure is whatever you decide it is.
About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 - 37min - 294 - 245. It's Not Your Job to Fix Everything with Lori Saitz
How many things in your life are you currently trying to fix that aren't even yours to fix? An employee who isn't performing the way you want. A team member who keeps making the same mistake. A business problem you've been solving alone for years. A family member whose choices frustrate you. Your own tendency to overwork, overthink, and over-achieve.
Recording solo this week from Ideas Fest, a festival in a field about 45 minutes outside London with 6,000 other founders, entrepreneurs, and investors, Lori Saitz breaks down why fixing feels like responsibility but is actually about control, and why the exact instinct that made you successful as an individual contributor is often the thing holding your team, your family, or yourself back.
Drawing on conversations from four past episodes, a business owner who scaled by stepping back, a leader who reframed what it means to see people as more than resources, a guest who spent years achieving to prove his worth, and a founder who lost everything overnight through no fault of her own, Lori lays out a five-question test for telling the difference between fixing and leading, and what real trust actually requires you to give up.
What You'll Take Away
Why fixing other people's problems is often less about helping them and more about maintaining a feeling of controlThe real difference between helping someone become more capable and rescuing them from ever having to beWhy the skill that made you successful as an individual contributor can become the exact thing holding your organization back once you're leading othersA five-question test to run before you jump in and solve a problem that was never yours to solveWhat “this is how it is now” actually means as a starting point for acceptance, not a form of giving upChapters & Key Timestamps
00:00Opening: the cost of fixing things that aren't yours to fix
01:27Recording solo from Ideas Fest in England
01:57The things we try to fix that were never ours to fix
02:41Why fixing feels like responsibility, but is often about control
03:10The high-achiever hustle myth, and what it actually costs
03:37You can only control your inputs, never the outcomes
04:08The exact skill that gets you promoted becomes the thing holding your team back
04:39Will Steel's story: the business owner who scaled by stepping back (Ep. 235)
05:16Five questions to ask before deciding your team needs more of you
05:55The real difference between helping and rescuing
06:30What rescuing sounds like, versus what leadership actually sounds like
07:37Scott Doggett's boat analogy: rowing hard, barely rowing, rowing backwards (Ep. 238)
08:42Why you can't lead someone you've already decided is a problem
09:19Recognizing people as humans, not managing them as “resources”
09:55Anthony Sparks and the belief that achievement will finally make you worthy (Ep. 216)
11:01Why external achievement can't fix an internal problem
11:30What happens when you genuinely cannot fix the situation
11:57Jodi Scott's story: losing everything in 24 hours, through nothing she did wrong (Ep. 236)
13:17“This is how it is now”: acceptance as a starting point, not surrender
14:00Why trust and micromanaging cannot coexist
14:38Trusting someone means trusting their way, not just your way
15:16The five-question test: am I fixing, or am I leading?
16:28What true leadership actually looks like
16:56The song, and why it's a little ironic given today's topic
The Fixing-or-Leading Test
RUN THIS BEFORE YOU JUMP IN TO SOLVE SOMETHING THAT ISN'T YOURS:
1. Is this even mine to fix? If not, step back.
2. Does this person need me to give them an answer, or do they need me
to ask better questions?
3. Am I solving the problem, or am I relieving my own discomfort?
4. If I fix this, what will this person learn?
5. What happens if I don't step in?
Resources Mentioned
Song: Control by Janet JacksonEpisodes Referenced in This Episode
Episode 235: Will Steel — the auto body shop client who went from 65–75-hour weeks to 12, grew revenue from $2.5M to $7M, and sold the business for $23.5M within 12 months of stepping out of the day-to-day.Episode 238: Scott Doggett — the boat analogy for team engagement: three people rowing hard, five barely dipping their oars, two actively rowing backwards.Episode 216: Anthony Sparks — on why money, titles, and achievement are scoreboards that can buy options and reduce stress, but can't replace self-respect or meaningful connection.Episode 236: Jodi Scott — on losing her team and her income within 24 hours after her acquiring partner was raided by federal investigators, and the phrase that became her starting point afterward: “this is how it is now.”Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at
Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine.
We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine.
Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact.
New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation
Thu, 10 Sep 2026 - 17min - 293 - 244: A Google Search Got Him Fired with Shane Lukas
Shane Lukas built his career on the belief that transparency, done right, protects you. He had spoken about his history in sex work advocacy at national and international conferences for years, and when a highly awarded, LGBTQ-friendly US company hired him, he did what he always did: he was upfront about who he was and where he'd come from.
The same day, someone in the sales department Googled his name and called HR. He was terminated immediately, for something that had nothing to do with his job performance.
On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Shane tells Lori Saitz what that firing revealed about the gap between a company's stated values and its lived ones, what a federal arrest years later taught him about testing his own values under real pressure, and why he now believes clarity about your values, not compromise, is what actually makes hard decisions easier.
What You'll Take Away
Why being fired for radical transparency, from a company that had built its brand on LGBTQ+ support, revealed the real gap between stated values and lived onesWhat a values hierarchy is, and why trying to defend every value equally leaves you paralyzed instead of groundedWhy Shane believes the next generation may be better positioned to stand up for their values, having less invested in promises that were already brokenThe difference between the 'melting pot' and 'mosaic' metaphors for culture, and why the mosaic reflects what he actually wants to seeWhat algorithm-driven feeds cost us that a library shelf never did, and why 'adjacent knowledge' matters more than it soundsGuest Bio
Shane Lukas is an activist, the brains behind award-winning brand strategy firm A Great Idea, a public speaker, and co-host of Power Beyond Pride, the weekly podcast for queer changemakers. In his latest TEDx talk, “What Values Conflict Costs You,” he brings Midwestern straight-talk to the lie of “I'm fine”: what misalignment actually costs you, and how courage becomes a practice instead of a personality trait.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
02:00The values he was raised with: authenticity, compassion, and bodily autonomy
06:00Growing up in an unstable, abusive household, and learning to self-parent at a young age
07:30Meeting Patty Alzator at 14, and what she modeled about dissent through compassion
09:00Studying journalism on the belief that more information leads to better decisions
11:00Building the country's only advocacy program for men in the adult industry
12:00Terminated the same day, after being fully transparent about his past
15:00Being tested on how far he was actually willing to go for his own values
16:00The second TEDx talk, and the arrest that prompted it
19:00The values hierarchy: why you can't defend every value equally
21:00Clarity around your values as the thing that actually makes decisions easier
23:00Whether thinking about your values is a luxury, and why he doesn't think so
27:00Pushing back on a company that refused LGBTQ+ protections despite employing queer people
29:30Why the next generation may be more prepared to stand up for their values
33:30The library metaphor: what 'adjacent knowledge' gave us that algorithms don't
38:00The song that gets him ready to walk on stage
39:00Where to find Shane: shanelukas.com and agreatidea.com
Resources Mentioned
TEDx Talk: What Values Conflict Costs You — Shane LukasTEDx Talk: Shane's second talk, on the arrest referenced in this episodePodcast: Power Beyond Pride — the weekly podcast for queer changemakers, co-hosted by ShaneFree Resource: downloadable resources and white papers — agreatidea.com/insightsBook: Shane's upcoming book, launching October — sign up for launch notice at shanelukas.com/bookSong: Be Great by Jill Scott (feat. Trombone Shorty) — youtube.com/watch?v=ouDRlJljBgsConnect With Shane Lukas
Company: A Great Idea
Website: shanelukas.com
Website: agreatidea.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shane-lukas
Instagram: @shanelukascom and @agreatideaco
X (Twitter): @shanelukascom and @weareagi
Podcast: Power Beyond Pride
Free Resource: agreatidea.com/insights
Book: sign up for launch notice at shanelukas.com/book
Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 241: Suneet Bhatt — on values clarity as the foundation for every hard decision, not an obstacle to it.
About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 03 Sep 2026 - 44min - 292 - 243: Wrong Tape, Wrong Story with Henry Tolbert
Henry Tolbert was sitting at a fire pit behind a rental house, grilling hot dogs for his wife and four daughters because the insurance money for their flooded home was running out, when he finally said out loud what he had been avoiding for months: this isn't fine.
A few years earlier, Henry had been leading a small church that grew from 40 people to nearly 200, and had been named bishop over 65 churches. Then, without warning, discord broke out with the leader who had brought him in, and he was forced to resign from everything at once. In that same season, an unidentified animal chewed through the water lines in the walls of his home, flooding the first floor and displacing his family for six weeks. He had no job, no income, and what he calls a broken sense of purpose.
On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Henry tells Lori Saitz the full arc: a high school football career derailed by one injury after another, a scholarship earned in just five games, an NFL tryout built on the wrong game tape, a Bible study intervention that redirected him into ministry, and the fire pit moment that gave him permission to stop building other people's dreams and finally build his own.
What You'll Take Away
Why a childhood dream pursued through repeated injury taught Henry more than an NFL career would haveHow losing his ministry role and his home in the same season forced an honest reckoning he had been avoiding for yearsWhy judging his life by lead goals, the inputs he controls, instead of lag goals, the outcomes he doesn't, changed how he shows up every dayWhat shifted when Henry stopped chasing clients and started inviting people insteadHow admitting he wasn't fine gave him permission to finally build something of his ownGuest Bio
Henry Tolbert spent years answering “How are you?” with “I'm fine” while quietly running on fumes, leading a church, building a business, and pretending he had it all together. Spoiler: he didn't. Now he's the Founder of Simple Systems Consulting, author of The Comeback Plan, and a recovering “I'm fine” addict who helps pastors and entrepreneurs stop white-knuckling their way through leadership and start building systems that actually let them breathe. He's also an Associate Pastor, podcast co-host, husband, dad of four, and a man who once grilled hot dogs over a fire pit in his backyard because life had completely fallen apart, and decided that was the last time he'd pretend everything was fine when it wasn't.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
00:00Opening and introductions — the Henry connection and generational names
01:33The values that shaped him: faith and football in Birmingham, Alabama
05:07A high school career derailed by injury after injury
07:07Five games, one scholarship, and a record-setting career at Grambling State
07:47What NFL scouts never saw: the tape from his best season
08:47His grandmother's plea to walk away — and why he couldn't
11:07The Bible study intervention that redirected him toward ministry
13:47“There's a light around you” — the moment that sealed it
14:47Becoming a bishop over 65 churches, then losing it overnight
15:47The critters, the flooded house, and six weeks displaced with four daughters
17:47The fire pit moment: admitting he wasn't fine
21:07Why people of faith are so good at sweeping things under the rug
25:47Lead goals vs. lag goals: judging life by inputs, not outcomes
27:47The coaching advice that changed everything: invite, don't chase
29:47Why the people who found him became his best clients
31:47Building an audience by just showing up, even when only his wife was watching
34:07In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins: Henry's walk-up song
35:07Where to find Henry: getchurchsystems.com and mybusinesssystems.com
Resources Mentioned
Book: The Comeback Plan by Henry TolbertFree Resource: Get Church Systems — getchurchsystems.com (for ministry and church leaders)Free Resource: My Business Systems — mybusinesssystems.com (for business owners and entrepreneurs)Resource: The Mandate Method — themandatemethod.comSong: In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins — open.spotify.com/track/7Dbg5O9nNWu6SWxDjJ9qoqConnect With Henry Tolbert
Company: Simple Systems Consulting
Website: getchurchsystems.com
Website: mybusinesssystems.com
Website: themandatemethod.com
Book: The Comeback Plan
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/henry-tolbert-005a3943
Facebook: facebook.com/htolbert
Instagram: instagram.com/henry_tolbert
Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 237: Scott Doggett — a leader who lost his role suddenly and rebuilt around a clearer sense of who he actually was.
About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026 - 39min - 291 - 242: A Toddler Saved His Life with Jim Morris
Content Note: This episode includes a brief, non-graphic reference to a personal crisis involving suicidal thoughts.
Jim Morris grew up believing giving was the whole equation. His father taught him to give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it, and it showed up everywhere in his childhood, right down to the night his father pulled a stranger from a burning car outside their home.
What Jim didn't learn for a long time was how to receive. It took a high-stakes business risk, a $240,000 self-funded conference that lost $112,000, and a moment of real personal crisis for him to finally ask for help directly.
On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Jim tells Lori Saitz about the Triple H method for actually supporting the people you love, and about four words from his two-year-old daughter that pulled him back from the lowest point of his life.
What You'll Take Away
Why guessing what someone needs, help, being heard, or a hug, is one of the most common ways people let each other downHow a single moment of connection can ripple outward in ways you'll never see or know aboutWhy anticipating the worst contractually protects relationships and business deals alikeThe Five Alive exercise: what's already sitting, untapped, in your last five text conversationsWhy Jim now treats a $112,000 loss as an investment, not a failureGuest Bio
Jim Morris is a keynote speaker who helps organizations scale revenue and create deep belonging by centering their culture on integrity, connection, and intentional growth. He is the author of Connect or Die: How to Survive AI and serves as the CEO of Human Touch Publishing.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
03:00The night a car crashed outside his childhood home
05:00His father pulling a stranger from a burning car, and the police officer's warning
07:00The question that reframes everything: how are you at receiving?
09:00The moment everything was on the line and he finally had to ask for help
11:30The Triple H method: help, heard, or hugged, and why guessing wrong fails people
17:47A period of profound personal crisis, interrupted by four words from his daughter
26:30The confidant, ally, acquaintance bullseye exercise, and how to build it
32:00The Five Alive exercise: what's already sitting in your text messages
34:00The $240,000 conference, the sales team that walked out, and losing $112,000
35:30The sign on the highway that said exactly what he needed to hear
37:30Reframing failure as an investment, not a loss
Resources Mentioned
Book: Connect or Die: How to Survive AI by Jim Morris — a.co/d/00BVmyGxSong: Spinnin by Connor Price — youtu.be/UekfKh59KOwConnect With Jim Morris
Company: Human Touch Publishing
Website: realjimmorris.com
Book: Connect or Die: How to Survive AI — a.co/d/00BVmyGx
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/realjimmorris
Facebook: facebook.com/therealjimmorris
Instagram: instagram.com/realjimmorris
Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 240: Amanda Van Der Heiden — on resilience, boundaries, and what it costs to keep giving without receiving.
About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 20 Aug 2026 - 45min - 290 - 241: The Surprising Path to Happiness with Suneet Bhatt
Suneet Bhatt spent 12 years in private equity and venture-backed businesses, and every job followed the same arc: new and exciting at first, then, faster each time, something felt off, and he went looking for the next one. He never noticed he was the common denominator.
It took his wife, after his last business exit, to name what he couldn't see in himself: his happiness at work was getting shorter each time, his exits were getting more acrimonious, and he needed to stop and figure out what actually mattered to him.
On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Suneet talks with Lori Saitz about what came after that conversation — the executive coaching practice, the Rutgers class that doesn't mention the word purpose until session 15, and the research-backed exercise he uses to counter the brain's built-in negativity bias.
What You'll Take Away
Why purpose has to start with reflection, not predictionThe three consistent through-lines across every popular definition of purpose: personal, forward-looking, bigger than youThe 18-minute exercise, happy, proud, not yet satisfied, and why the order mattersWhat the research on self-forgiveness and procrastination actually showsWhy 'stuck' is not one problem, and each version of it needs a different responseGuest Bio
Suneet Bhatt has spent more than 25 years helping people gain clarity about who they are and what they want, then move toward it with purpose. He coaches founders and leaders, works with teams as an EOS Implementer, and has guided people from boardrooms to classrooms. He is the author of Making Sense of Purpose, out August 25, 2026 from Morgan James, built on one premise: before you can make sense of your purpose, you have to make sense of yourself.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
01:33Values from an immigrant household: be helpful, above everything else
07:14The corporate route: Fortune 500, an MBA at Duke, then 12 years in private equity
08:30Why he never noticed he was the common denominator
08:58His wife's intervention after the last exit
12:03Why 'finding your purpose' feels like waiting for an Amazon package
13:43Personal, forward-looking, bigger than you: the three common threads in every definition of purpose
14:12The Rutgers bait-and-switch: purpose doesn't come up until class 15
16:07Why you should never build your purpose on a single point of failure like joy
18:16Happy, proud, not yet satisfied: the 18-minute exercise, explained start to finish
22:06Negativity bias: why we respond more strongly to negative stimuli than positive
23:48Plateaus, not stuck: reframing what it means to feel stuck
25:09Self-forgiveness research: the procrastination study and what it proves
Resources Mentioned
Book: Making Sense of Purpose by Suneet Bhatt (Morgan James, August 25, 2026) — available for pre-orderResource: book soundtrack, one song per chapter, on Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon MusicResource: Purpose Radar Library — a free, rated map of books, podcasts, and films about purposeSong: Da Rockwilder by Method Man and Redman — youtube.com/watch?v=WCYy8jpp7R8Connect With Suneet Bhatt
Website: makingsenseofpurpose.com
Book: Making Sense of Purpose (Morgan James, out August 25, 2026)
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/suneetbhatt
Instagram: @suneetonpurpose
Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 238: Scott Doggett — on purpose, burnout, and what it takes to stop and ask the bigger question.
Research & Sources
Suneet cites research showing humans respond 2 to 5 times more strongly to negative stimuli than positive. This aligns with well-established negativity bias research, including Roy Baumeister's 'bad is stronger than good' review, Kahneman and Tversky's work on loss aversion (roughly a 2:1 ratio), and Cacioppo's neural response studies showing measurably stronger brain activation to negative stimuli. The exact ratio varies by study and context, but the underlying finding is well replicated.About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 13 Aug 2026 - 39min - 289 - 240: Get Back on the Horse with Amanda Van Der Heiden
Replaced by Three Employees and Called It a Badge of Honor with Amanda Van Der Heiden
Amanda Van Der Heiden could trot on a horse before she could walk. When she fell into a sandpit at age two, her parents put her right back on before she was done crying — no discussion, no choice. That lesson became the operating principle for the rest of her life, including a corporate career that hit the exact same burnout pattern three times in three different companies.
At 27, working 20-hour days with a team spanning two continents, she left one role and was replaced by three full-time employees. She saw it as a badge of honor for years, until the same thing happened again, and then again.
On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Amanda talks with Lori Saitz about what executive presence actually looks like, the real difference between introversion and extroversion, and why she now measures success by whether she tried, not whether she succeeded.
What You'll Take Away
Why chasing bigger networks misses the point when most people already have valuable relationships they've stopped tendingWhat Amanda learned about executive presence by watching three tiers of leadership arrive at the same conferenceThe real difference between introversion and extroversion — it's about how you refuel, not how social you areWhy the same burnout pattern across three different companies pointed to one common denominatorWhat Amanda means by 'win or learn,' and why it removes the fear of tryingGuest Bio
Amanda Van Der Heiden is a Chaos Organizer and Relationship Builder, and a passionate learning and development leader who enjoys energizing and enabling people to excel. She is an award-winning consultant, speaker, coach, and author who drives change, talent development, and effective leadership worldwide.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
01:05Raised on a horse farm: work ethic, determination, resilience
03:21Raised between Kentucky and Long Island, and how that shaped her adaptability
07:19The horse story: strapped into the stirrups before she could walk
08:06The sandpit: falling at two years old and being put right back on
18:09The leadership conference: watching executive presence across three tiers of seniority
22:03The burnout pattern: 20-hour days, a team across two continents, 17,000 people
23:17Getting replaced by three full-time employees, and thinking it was a compliment
25:41Introversion and extroversion explained correctly: it is about refueling, not sociability
28:01Win or learn: the redefinition of failure that removes the fear
Resources Mentioned
Free Resource: goal-accomplishment giveaway for listeners — goGTDS.comSong: Get Things Done by Solyn — open.spotify.com/track/2WsizP4qoRB7rAZb3oxsRNConnect With Amanda Van Der Heiden
Website: GTDScorp.com
Free Resource: goGTDS.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amandavanderheiden
Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573758719415
Instagram: gtds.LearnTuesday
Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 238: Scott Doggett — on employee engagement, burnout, and treating people as more than resources to manage.
About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 06 Aug 2026 - 36min - 288 - 239: Concentration Camp for Throwaway Teens with Cyndy Etler
Content Note: This episode includes discussion of childhood abuse, institutional trauma, and a reference to suicidal ideation, drawn from Cyndy's own published memoirs.
Cyndy Etler was 13 when she chose foster care over going home. A month at a Bridgeport youth shelter gave her the first real choices of her life. Then her mother enrolled her in Straight Incorporated, a program later described by the ACLU as a concentration camp for throwaway teens, where Cyndy was held for 16 months for having tried marijuana three times.
She came home brainwashed, isolating in bathroom stalls at lunch, telling classmates they weren't in her best interest — until an English teacher read her writing out loud to the class and said her name like it mattered.
On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Cyndy tells Lori Saitz how one adult's genuine interest can redirect a kid's entire life, and what she now teaches other teenagers to watch for in the adults around them.
What You'll Take Away
Why one small, genuine act of attention from an adult can move a kid's entire trajectoryWhat made Straight Incorporated function like a coercive cult, according to Cyndy's accountThe difference between coaching and therapy, and why that distinction matters for teenagers specificallyWhat teenagers actually need (autonomy) versus what they usually get (control and direction)The one thing Cyndy tells every teenager to watch for in the adults around themGuest Bio
Cyndy Etler is a homeless, incarcerated, suicidal kid turned teen life coach and author. She was put on earth to bring out the champ in kids who have been counted out. She is the author of two memoirs, Dead Inside and We Can't Be Friends, and narrates Season 2 of Robert Downey Jr.'s podcast The Sunshine Place, covering the full history of Straight Incorporated. Those seeking non-judgmental, evidence-based support for teens and young adults can book a consultation with her at theteenlifecoach.com.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
07:00Choosing foster care at 13 — the choice at the police station
09:00Janice House: the first adults who gave her a choice and respected the answer
10:30Hit by lightning at 14: walking to the corner store and knowing her purpose
13:30Straight Incorporated: the warehouse, the ACLU verdict, 16 months, 250 kids
18:30Five months before she could speak to her mother, with a script and an observer
19:00Coming out brainwashed, and telling kids they weren't in her best interest
21:00The English teacher who read her writing to the class and said her name
24:30What the teacher taught without knowing it: one drop of water and a dying plant
27:00What teenagers actually need versus what they usually get: autonomy vs. control
29:30Coaching vs. therapy: no DSM-5, no IEP goals, just what do you want to change
31:30The one adult who listens without wanting something in return
Resources Mentioned
Book: Dead Inside by Cyndy EtlerBook: We Can't Be Friends by Cyndy EtlerPodcast: The Sunshine Place, Season 2 (Robert Downey Jr.'s podcast, narrated by Cyndy)Song: My Prerogative by Bobby Brown — youtube.com/watch?v=5cDLZqe735kConnect With Cyndy Etler
Coaching: theteenlifecoach.com
Author site & books: cyndyetler.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cyndy-etler-med-icf-acc-b9149535
Facebook: facebook.com/CyndyTheTeenLifeCoach
Instagram: @cyndyetler
Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 237: Rob Scheer — on foster care and what one adult's attention can do for a kid's entire life.
About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 - 39min - 287 - 238: AI Can't Do This with Scott Doggett
Scott Doggett spent 30 years in corporate America, first running hotel and resort operations, then leading learning and development teams up to vice president. He was, by every external measure, successful. Then came his first layoff at the end of 2023, six months of searching that led nowhere, and a panic attack on the exact anniversary of the day he was let go.
That night he prayed and, for the first time in his life, truly surrendered. The next morning, a LinkedIn job posting he almost didn't open led to a director role at a Christian nonprofit that matched everything he'd spent a decade building. Nine months later, he was laid off again.
On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Scott tells Lori Saitz why the second layoff didn't feel like a setback, and what he built from it: National ALD, a movement to help leaders see their people as priceless human beings instead of resources to be managed.
What You'll Take Away
Why most leaders spend their energy on the wrong third of their teamHow the language of management — 'resources,' 'assets' — quietly changes how leaders treat peopleThe exact mental exercise Scott uses to change how he sees someone in the momentWhy AI makes human connection the defining leadership skill of the next decade, not less importantWhat the Ebenezer Scrooge workshop experience forces leaders to confront about their own legacyGuest Bio
Scott Doggett has spent more than 30 years helping leaders understand a simple truth: people are not problems to solve, they're people to serve. He is the Founder and Chief Servant Leader of the National Academy of Leadership Development (National ALD), author of Priceless! See People Differently. Lead People Better., and leader of a growing national movement to rehumanize the workplace through people-first leadership. Alongside a growing faculty of leadership experts across the country, Scott helps organizations create cultures where people feel valued, trusted, and inspired to do their best work.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
01:33The label problem: why calling people 'resources' and 'assets' changes how we treat them
07:00The Gallup numbers: roughly 30% engaged, half apathetic, and a smaller group working against you
09:00Scott's fine-but-not-fine moment: VP title, the layoff, and the six-month wilderness journey
11:30The panic attack on the six-month anniversary, and the prayer that followed
12:00The LinkedIn email the next morning, and why he almost didn't open it
14:00What he saw at the nonprofit that he had never seen in 30 years of corporate life
19:00The mirror exercise: changing the label from 'resource' to 'priceless human being'
20:00The boat analogy: three rowing hard, five barely dipping oars, two rowing backwards
26:00AI, stress, and why the future of leadership is human connection
29:00The Ebenezer Scrooge experience: past, present, future — what do you want to be known for?
Resources Mentioned
National ALD: nationalald.com — national workshop tour, executive retreats, and the bookBook: Priceless! See People Differently. Lead People Better. by Scott DoggettFree Resource: Priceless Leadership Assessment — NationalALD.com/assessmentSong: Lose Yourself by Eminem — youtube.com/watch?v=xFYQQPAOz7YConnect With Scott Doggett
Company: National Academy of Leadership Development (National ALD)
Website: nationalald.com
Free Resource: Priceless Leadership Assessment — NationalALD.com/assessment
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scottdoggett
Instagram: instagram.com/nationalald2025
X (Twitter): x.com/AcademyLD
Book: Priceless! See People Differently. Lead People Better.
Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 237: Rob Scheer — on leadership without a title and building something out of a personal collapse.
Research & Sources
Scott cites Gallup research showing roughly 30% of the workforce highly engaged, with the remainder split between disengaged and actively disengaged. Current Gallup global data (State of the Global Workplace, 2025-2026) puts worldwide engagement closer to 20-21%, with the roughly 30% figure more closely matching historical U.S.-specific Gallup reporting. Both figures point to the same underlying finding: a clear majority of the workforce is not fully engaged.About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 23 Jul 2026 - 35min - 286 - 237: Trash Bags to Backpacks with Rob Scheer
Content Note: This episode includes discussion of childhood abuse, foster care, and homelessness.
Rob Scheer was thrown out at 18 with a trash bag. He spent his senior year of high school homeless, sleeping in the bathroom of the taco restaurant where he worked and on library beanbag chairs after closing. He joined the Navy to have somewhere to go, and was medically discharged after years of childhood abuse caught up with his body.
He spent 28 years building mortgage companies before he looked at his four children in designer clothes and realized he had never taught them empathy. That realization became Comfort Cases, a nonprofit that has now delivered over 320,000 backpacks of essential supplies to children entering foster care.
On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Rob tells Lori Saitz the full arc — the teacher who believed in him when no one else did, the fabricated resume that got him hired, and the five-year-old son whose idea about a blanket changed what every backpack now includes.
What You'll Take Away
Why one teacher's quiet belief can outlast decades of a kid not knowing anyone noticedWhat Rob's five-year-old son understood about a blanket that no adult on the team had thought ofWhy empathy has to be taught deliberately — it doesn't develop on its ownWhat leadership actually looks like without a title, according to RobHow to help close the gap between 40,000 cases delivered and roughly 168,000 children entering foster care each yearGuest Bio
Rob Scheer is the founder and CEO of Comfort Cases, a nonprofit on a mission to eliminate trash bags from the foster care system and replace them with dignity, one backpack at a time. A former foster youth who experienced homelessness in high school, Rob served in the U.S. Navy, built a career in banking, and turned his lived experience into national advocacy. He is a 2018 CNN Hero, author of A Forever Family, and delivered the commencement address at Lynn University, where he also received an honorary doctorate. He is a husband and father of five, all adopted from foster care.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
00:00How Rob's team pitched this episode
01:30The teachers who shaped him, and the book signing reunion with Mrs. Boley
05:00Aging out of foster care at 18: the trash bag at the door
07:30Senior year homeless: the taco bathroom, the library beanbags
09:30Joining the Navy to have somewhere to go
13:00Hitchhiking down Route 7, the Salvation Army suit, and the fabricated resume
17:00Looking at four children in designer clothes and realizing something had to change
18:00What five-year-old Grayson said about the blanket in the backpack
19:00320,000 cases delivered to all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and the UK
23:00Derek Jeter published his memoir, and The Ellen Show followed
25:00How many children enter foster care every day in the US
28:00Leadership: not a title, not followers, not waiting for someone else to fix it
29:00How you can help: used books, hotel toiletries, yarn for a women's correctional facility
Resources Mentioned
Comfort Cases: comfortcases.orgBook: A Forever Family by Rob Scheer — signed copies available, all proceeds go directly to Comfort CasesProgram: Give Back Box (UPS) — ship 70 lbs of books for $20, Comfort Cases packs and delivers backpacks locallySong: Simply the Best by Tina Turner — youtube.com/watch?v=GC5E8ie2pdMConnect With Rob Scheer
Website: comfortcases.org
LinkedIn (Rob): linkedin.com/in/rob-scheer-27482653
LinkedIn (Comfort Cases): linkedin.com/company/comfort-cases-inc
Facebook: facebook.com/comfortcases
Instagram: @comfortcases
Email: info@comfortcases.org
Book: A Forever Family — signed copies benefit Comfort Cases directly
Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 239: Cyndy Etler — on foster care, institutional environments, and what one adult's genuine interest can do for a kid's trajectory.
Research & Sources
Rob cites approximately 740 children entering foster care in the US daily and roughly 380,000 in the system at any time. Current federal data (AFCARS, FY2024, Administration for Children and Families) shows approximately 329,000 children in care as of September 2024, with about 168,000 entering during the year (roughly 460-470 per day). Rob's figures reflect a commonly cited, somewhat higher estimate closer to the system's 2017-2018 peak of approximately 437,000; both figures point to the same underlying scale of need.About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 16 Jul 2026 - 36min - 285 - 236: Built It, Sold It, Bought It Back with Jodi Scott
Jodi Scott co-founded Green Goo, a plant-based first aid brand, after a bike fall led her past an abandoned Southern estate and a first aid cabinet she could no longer justify during her pregnancy. What started as herbs grown in an Idaho backyard and sold at farmers markets grew into a national retail presence.
Then she sold the company to what looked like the right financial partner. Weeks later, that partner's founder was raided by federal investigators, and Jodi had less than 24 hours to lay off her entire team — her mom, her sister, her husband, her brother-in-law, and her best friend from college.
On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Jodi tells Lori Saitz what it took to rebuild after that collapse, including the coach who refused to let her cancel a session she could no longer afford, and the two-year fight to buy her own company back.
What You'll Take Away
Why mental fitness has to be trained deliberately, not just reached for during a crisisHow a coach's every-three-hours presence practice rebuilt Jodi's capacity to make decisionsWhy the answers you need are usually already in you, if you can get into the right state to access themWhat it actually costs to build a national brand from a farmers market tableWhy anticipating the worst contractually protects you more than optimism doesGuest Bio
Jodi Scott is the co-founder of Green Goo, a plant-based first aid and herbal wellness company rooted in the belief that nature gives us powerful tools for healing. She blends her background in health, herbalism, psychology, and entrepreneurship to help people reconnect with their bodies, their resilience, and the natural world. After navigating burnout, crisis, and the very human experience of rebuilding, Jodi brings honest, grounded wisdom to conversations about nervous system healing, recovery, and purpose. When she's not talking herbs, healing, or business, she's usually on the farm in Colorado.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
00:00How Jodi found the show and why she wanted to be on it
09:30The bike fall, the overgrown driveway, and the phone call to her grandmother
15:00A pregnant Jodi, a first aid cabinet full of chemicals, and the idea for Green Goo
18:00Why they renamed the entire brand Green Goo, because customers already called it that
23:30The pandemic pivot from retail to online, and why they almost did not survive
25:00Selling the company to find a financial partner, and what happened next
26:30The acquirer gets raided by the feds — 24 hours, entire team terminated
30:30The coach who refused the cancellation and started a mental fitness practice
32:30Micro-meditations every three hours, and how presence rebuilt her decision-making
Resources Mentioned
Website: greengoo.comOffer: 15% off with code WELCOME15 at greengoo.comSong: Ready For It? by Taylor Swift — youtube.com/watch?v=wIft-t-MQuEConnect With Jodi Scott
Website: greengoo.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jodi-scott-7234331b8
Facebook: facebook.com/GreenGooHelps
Instagram: instagram.com/greengoohelps
Offer: 15% off with code WELCOME15
Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 238: Scott Doggett — on rebuilding after a sudden professional collapse and what it takes to find clarity afterward.
About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 - 41min - 284 - 235: You Get Paid for This? with Will Steel
Will Steel could ride along on a milk delivery route before he could read. His mother ran the round for 40 years, seven days a week, just to cover the grocery bill. Decades later, after a stonemason apprenticeship, dual engineering qualifications, and a stint flying formation for the Royal Air Force, Will was offered the most prestigious flying job in the country: a 747 captain's seat at British Airways.
He turned it down for a job starting at the bottom, doing personal development work, with a 75% pay cut.
On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Will talks with Lori Saitz about that decision, the 27 years of business coaching that followed, and the tools he now uses to help business owners escape what he calls the doing trap — the pattern that keeps owners working 65-hour weeks instead of building something that can run without them.
What You'll Take Away
Why the impressive option and the right option are not always the same thingHow a car body shop owner went from chasing $2.5M in survival revenue to a $23.5M acquisition offer in 12 monthsThe 15-minute time audit that reveals where a business owner's hours actually goWhy delegation fails when you hand over the how instead of the outcomeWhat Will means when he says authenticity is a practice, not a personality traitGuest Bio
Will Steel is a transformational leadership coach, author of Free to Lead, and host of the Free to Lead podcast. A former Royal Air Force pilot who graduated with the Leadership Trophy from RAF College Cranwell, he spent over 21 years as a senior leader with one of the world's most influential personal-development organizations after 10 years flying. He has delivered transformational programs to more than 90,000 people across 26 countries, and his clients include founders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and change-makers across the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
00:00Will calls in from Costa Rica, about to go surfing after this
01:30The values he was raised with, and delivering milk at three years old
04:00His mother's 40-year milk round and what his parents built from nothing
08:30The car body shop owner who went from $2.5M to $23.5M in 12 months
11:00The unlikely career path: stonemason, engineer, university, RAF pilot
14:00Joining the airlines, and why it felt like being a bus driver
15:30The Landmark Forum, the British Airways offer, and the 75% pay cut decision
20:00Why business owners get stuck in the doing, and what it costs them
23:00The 15-minute time audit tool that reveals where the hours actually go
27:00Delegation done right: pay for outcomes, not doing
32:00Authentic leadership: it is not a feeling, it is a practice
Resources Mentioned
Book: Free to Lead by Will SteelPodcast: Free to Lead, hosted by Will SteelProgram: The Landmark ForumFree Resource: willsteel.com/freetolead.phpSong: Rock 'n' Roll Star by Oasis — open.spotify.com/track/17z8eLCkciVamEqXJS6Ri8Connect With Will Steel
Website: willsteel.com
Podcast: Free to Lead
Free Resource: willsteel.com/freetolead.php
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/will-steel-business-coach-high-performance-transformation
Facebook: facebook.com/share/1Me8gmNHzf
Instagram: @willsteelcoaching
Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 237: Scott Doggett — on employee engagement and why most leaders are managing the wrong 50 percent of their team.
About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 - 39min - 283 - 234: She Woke Up Angry She Survived with Candice Van Dertholen
Content Note: This episode includes discussion of domestic violence, a suicide attempt, and complicated grief.
Candice Van Dertholen was a single mother at 22, a corrections officer at a Texas maximum security prison in her twenties, and, at her lowest point, a woman who woke up in a hospital bed angry that she had survived.
She had spent years running toward whatever the moment required — raising three kids alone, taking a corrections job because the pay was better than waitressing, staying in a marriage that turned abusive because the chaos felt familiar. It took a violent car ride with her children in the backseat, a CPS investigation, and a hospital chaplain's blunt honesty for her to finally stop and rebuild.
On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Candice tells Lori Saitz how she went from that hospital bed to becoming an energy practitioner who now helps other people through their own pivotal, breaking-open moments — and why she believes healing is never as fast as anyone wants it to be.
What You'll Take Away
Why the nervous system reads familiar chaos as safety, even when it isn'tHow losing daily access to motherhood, her whole sense of identity, forced Candice to ask who she actually wasWhat a hospital chaplain said that finally gave her permission to leave an abusive marriageWhy disenfranchised grief, the grief nobody gives you permission to feel, is so rarely talked aboutWhat Candice tells clients who feel unworthy of the next version of themselvesGuest Bio
Candice Van Dertholen is a Speaker, Retreat Facilitator, and Private Advisor to Conscious Business Owners. She is the founder of The Warrior Within Healing, bringing over 20 years of experience across leadership, small business development, and wellness. Her work focuses on helping founders and high-performing professionals address root-level patterns that impact decision-making, visibility, and growth, beginning with embodiment and nervous system regulation and expanding into deeper pattern integration. Candice also serves as Vice President of HR-4U Inc. and leads the virtual chapter for Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce initiatives.
Chapters & Key Timestamps
00:00Opening and introductions
01:30The values she was raised with, and the discipline of non-judgment
03:00Growing up alongside her mother's nursing work with terminally ill children
08:30Becoming a single parent at 22 and the judgment she faced in Texas
09:45The unexpected detour: corrections officer at a Texas Level 5 prison
13:00The abusive marriage, and how familiar energy patterns kept her from seeing the signs
15:30The violent car incident that involved her children and set off a CPS investigation
18:30The night she nearly took her life, and the hospital room that changed everything
20:00The books, therapy, and affirmations that began a two-year rebuild
22:00The hospital chaplain's words that gave her permission to leave
24:00Complex grief: losing both ex-husbands within one year
28:00Burnout, 75 Hard, and the yoga studio that led her to energy healing
30:00What to do when you feel stuck and unworthy of the next level
Resources Mentioned
Book: Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce MeyerBook: The Buddha's Brain — recommended by Candice's therapist during her recoveryProgram: 75 HardSong: Ready or Not by Britt Nicole (feat. Lecrae) — music.apple.com/us/album/ready-or-not-feat-lecrae/715836662Resource: Women's Mastermind — candice-s-site-e12c.thinkific.com/products/communities/alignwithinleadaheadConnect With Candice Van Dertholen
Company: The Warrior Within Healing
Website: heal.me/candice
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/candicevandertholen
Facebook: facebook.com/CandiceElizabeth84
Instagram: instagram.com/candice_elizabeth.co
Resource: Women's Mastermind — see Resources Mentioned above
Continue With Lori
Website: zenrabbit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.com
Invitation From Lori
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.
Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.
Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.
If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/
Related Conversation
Episode 239: Cyndy Etler — on institutional trauma and what it takes to rebuild a sense of self afterward.
About FINE is a 4-Letter Word
FINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.
Follow FINE is a 4-Letter Word
Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.
Thu, 25 Jun 2026 - 39min - 282 - 233: 17 Years in a Toxic Marriage with Everte Farnell
Everte Farnell spent seventeen years married to a partner he now believes had borderline personality disorder, enduring verbal, emotional, and eventually physical abuse before everything came to a head in his own kitchen. In this conversation, he opens up about why men rarely report abuse, what changed the night his daughter stepped in, and how he rebuilt his health, his confidence, and his life from the ground up.
What You'll Learn
Why a majority of domestic abuse incidents involve female aggression toward male partners, and why almost none of it gets reportedHow borderline personality traits can drive a partner to undermine the people closest to them out of fear of abandonmentWhat it actually took for Everte to leave a marriage he had stayed in for years out of fear and outdated research about kids and divorceHow losing over 100 pounds became part of Everte's recovery from years of stress eating and undiagnosed sleep apneaWhy filing for a protective order as a man can come with its own uphill battle in the legal systemHow Everte went from believing the world was an emotional hellscape to seeing it as full of opportunityGuest Bio
Everte Farnell grew up in the small town of Umatilla, Florida, and built a career as an entrepreneur, including scaling a roofing company to ten times its weekly sales in under sixteen months. After surviving a seventeen-year marriage marked by abuse, he rebuilt his life, lost over 100 pounds, and remarried into what he describes as the healthiest relationship of his life. He now shares his story to help others recognize and talk about abuse that often goes unreported.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 — Introduction and Everte's background growing up in rural Florida
04:00 — The toxic beliefs about money Everte had to unlearn
06:00 — How Everte rewired disempowering beliefs over time
13:00 — Living with smiling depression and undiagnosed sleep apnea
14:00 — Seventeen years married to a partner with borderline traits
20:00 — Why Everte stayed longer than he should have
25:00 — The night everything changed in the kitchen
28:00 — The truth about domestic abuse against men
31:00 — How Everte became more empathetic and rebuilt his life
Connect with Everte Farnell:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/everte-farnell-aa77556/
Website: https://evertefarnell.com/
About the Show
Fine is a 4-Letter Word is a podcast about what happens when people stop pretending everything is fine and start telling the truth about what they are really going through. Host Lori Saitz brings on guests for honest conversations about the moments that changed everything.
Subscribe so you never miss a conversation that might change how you see your own story.
Thu, 18 Jun 2026 - 39min - 281 - 232: The Patterns Running Your Life With Dr. Kevin Mays
You're not failing because of lack of skill or effort. You're failing because of patterns you picked up before you were old enough to choose them. Dr. Kevin Mays, leadership coach and author of Lead Yourself First, built a career helping executives see that the behaviors driving their success are often the exact same ones quietly sabotaging what they're trying to build.
What You'll Learn
Why childhood patterns like people-pleasing and humor as a deflection tool show up in the boardroom decades laterHow to shift from being run by unconscious programming to making intentional choices from a place of presenceThe difference between geographic disruption and internal disruption, and why the latter is the harder and more powerful pathHow to reprogram your subconscious using 'I am' statements rather than 'I would like' statementsWhy comfort is the true enemy of growth, and what to do about it when you're not at rock bottomWhat it really means to step into the void with no plan B and why that clarity can change everythingAbout the Guest:
Dr. Kevin Mays is a leadership coach, speaker, and author based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Through his company, Upgrade Your Leadership, he works with executives and founders to uncover the unconscious patterns holding them back and develop the self-awareness needed to lead at a higher level. His book, Lead Yourself First, recently made the Amazon best-seller list.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 — Cold open and show introduction
01:25 — Welcome and breathing exercise before the call
03:36 — Kevin's upbringing in Michigan: the car company culture and what it programmed
05:22 — Birth order, family patterns, and the youngest child's drive for attention
08:11 — How Kevin began studying self-awareness and what opened that door
09:12 — The motorcycle trip: riding to the Pacific Coast until the bike broke down
12:50 — Aeronautical engineering, near-miss in the airplane, and choosing a different road
15:48 — Identity falling away piece by piece and the moment of real surrender
19:22 — How to strip away constraint without hitting bottom first
22:48 — Quitting his job, moving to Michigan, and committing with no plan B
27:06 — Overcoming early programming: affirmations, rewiring neural pathways, and the piano analogy
31:48 — Releasing constraint vs. replacing it: Kevin pushes back on 'brainwashing'
34:37 — Music, Rumi, and how Kevin finds presence and energy
35:18 — Lori's five key takeaways from the conversation
38:12 — Closing
Connect with Dr. Kevin Mays:
Website: https://upgradeyourleadership.com/Book: Lead Yourself First (available on Amazon)Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kevin-mays/Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maysleadershipKevin's hype song: Friday I'm In Love by The CureAbout the Show:
Fine Is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is okay. Host Lori Saitz brings on guests who get honest about what it really takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage. New episodes every week.
Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if this conversation hit home, leave a review. It helps more leaders find the show.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 - 38min - 280 - 231: Promises You Make To Yourself With Scott Lackey
Scott Lackey grew up as a free-range kid roaming the woods and building forts, convinced he had all the time in the world. Then three questions from three people in the span of two weeks turned everything upside down. What followed was a winding path through the military, a failed invention, a Ponzi scheme, and a long list of promises he kept breaking to himself — until one sleepless night during Covid changed the trajectory of his life.
In this episode of Fine Is a 4-Letter Word, host Lori Saitz sits down with Scott to unpack the stories behind his upcoming book, including why crossing the finish line is never the actual victory, how military service wired him differently than the civilian world could handle, and why the Ironman he completed wasn't really about endurance at all.
Scott shares the moment he realized broken promises to himself were the root of his unrest, and why learning to listen to your inner voice, whether you call it God, instinct, or something else entirely, changes how you move through every challenge.
Key Topics Covered:
- How Scott's free-range upbringing shaped his sense of adventure and created the blind spots that nearly derailed his early adult lifeThe two-week period where three questions from a coach, a teacher, and his father forced him to think about the future for the first timeHow an Army commercial became the clearest sense of direction he had ever feltServing with the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, and why four years of military service were irreplaceableThe Wire Dog invention he built in the desert, the $10,000 Ponzi scheme that ended the dream, and what those failures actually taught himWhy Scott believes the gifts are always in the pain, and how that principle shaped his leadership philosophyThe danger of taking advice from people who have nothing at stake in your decisionHow broken promises to yourself erode self-trust, and the internal wake-up call that led him to register for the IronmanThe practices Scott uses to stay connected to his inner voice, including journaling, fasting, long workouts, and meditationWhat the Ironman's question 'What are you willing to sacrifice?' ultimately revealed to him If you've ever felt stuck at 'fine' and couldn't put your finger on why, this conversation will hit close to home.
GUEST BIO: Scott Lackey Scott Lackey is a US Army veteran, entrepreneur, Ironman athlete, and author whose life story reads like a series of pivot points, each one forced by failure, chance, or a voice he couldn't quite ignore. He grew up in rural America, joined the Army after seeing a TV commercial that spoke to something he couldn't articulate, and served with the 1st Infantry Division across Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
After leaving active duty, Scott pursued an entrepreneurial dream built around an invention he'd prototyped in the desert, only to have it derailed by a Ponzi scheme. What followed was years of building, failing, learning, and ultimately creating something worth sustaining. His upcoming book draws on all of it, examining why failure and pain carry more lasting value than the victories people celebrate, and why the hardest promises to keep are often the ones made in private, to yourself.
Scott completed a full Ironman (140.6 miles) after a period of quiet internal reckoning during Covid, a decision he kept to himself for six weeks because he didn't yet trust himself to follow through. He's a husband, father, and dedicated student of what it means to live with integrity to your own inner compass.
Connect With Scott:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottlackey1/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescottlackey/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Thescottlackey/X: https://x.com/thescottlackeyYou may find some of the topics in his top 10 most requested keynotes of topical interest. Link on his website: https://scottlackey.com/speaking/
Another area of possible interest is his published short stories: https://scottlackey.com/published-work/
Subscribe to Fine Is a 4-Letter Word wherever you listen to podcasts.
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit.com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
Thu, 04 Jun 2026 - 39min - 279 - 230. The Walmart Love Story with Dr. Andrena Phillips
Raised in a household steeped in integrity, respect, and love, Dr. Andrena Phillips credits her upbringing and the strong leadership modeled by her Marine father and telephone company manager mother for shaping her approach to life. Those early foundations became the fuel for a lifetime of showing up authentically, keeping her word, and encouraging others to live by values that go farther than any resumé line or professional accolade.
And Dr. Andrena carried all of that — through a nursing career, through raising three kids as a single mom, through earning her doctorate, through building a business that certifies coaches and develops leaders — into every chapter of her life.
She met her late husband in Walmart when she walked up to a tall, bald, hazel-eyed stranger and told him his wife was a lucky woman. He followed her to the hair gel aisle and told her he wasn't married. They were together from that moment on.
When he got sick, they had what she calls the "hard truth conversations." He was a military man — practical, prepared, purposeful. He told her two things to hold onto: never question the man above, because He knows our beginning and our ending. And run your race, Andrena, whether I'm here or not, because you had purpose from the very beginning.
And so she did. She kept showing up. She kept building her business. She kept dancing — because she and Mr. Phillips used to dance together on social media and people loved it, and dancing still brings him close. From the outside, people saw her and thought, she's fine. But what they didn't see was the therapist, the long walks, the internal work happening behind the scenes. She wasn't fine. She was just getting through and those two things are not the same.
Three years later, Dr. Andrena is still doing the deep work and letting it show up in how she leads, how she loves, and how she lives. She's still grieving — she'll tell you straight up that grief has no timeline and no rulebook — and she's also still growing, still coaching, still owning her greatness.
Hype Song:
Affirmations by Flippa T Affirmations (Radio Edit)
Resources:
Dr. Andrena’s website: https://KeepMovinWithAndrena.com
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/andrenaphillips
Facebook: https://facebook.com/KeepMovinWithAndrena
Instagram: https://instagram.com/Keep_MovinWithAndrena
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndrenaKMovin
Dr. Andrena’s book: https://keepmovinwithandrena.com/walkingagain/
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit.com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
Thu, 28 May 2026 - 40min - 278 - 229. Grief, Golf, and Van Life with Kym Coco
From a childhood shaped by the loss of her father and the blending of deeply religious family values, Kym Coco developed an early appreciation for spirituality as a lived sense of connection and empowerment. Her journey began with the awareness that we are spiritual beings within physical bodies, a notion both comforting and inspiring when navigating life’s difficult moments. As Kym grew older, especially after her father’s passing, she felt compelled to internalize and reinterpret her spiritual upbringing, seeking an authentic alignment with her own experiences and needs.
This was the foundation she leaned on when her husband Steve became ill. Their rich conversations about meaning and connection to something greater became the foundation of Kym adult life. Before he passed, Steve told her plainly: "Kym, you're gonna need structure when I'm gone." So she bought a van. (He wasn't thrilled about it.) But that van became a beacon of hope and the centerpiece of a solo golf adventure across the western U.S. where Kym played courses from the Oregon coast to Montana to Wyoming. She met wonderful people, played in the rain, dodged lightning, and caught a double rainbow.
Meditation, learned in her twenties, became a lifeline, a practice to quiet the chaos, cultivate presence, and forge mind-body-spirit alignment. For Kym, meditation was about learning to witness and gently release the tension, angst, and old energy patterns of childhood and young adulthood. Her willingness to try different modalities, whether a 10-day silent retreat or simply stepping away from her phone, reflects a growth mindset and playful curiosity that infuse her journey.
Kym’s not someone who pretends the hard stuff isn't hard. She recognizes that the stubborn patterns of worry or fear don’t dissolve overnight; instead, it starts with small acts of awareness, self-compassion, and the willingness to let go of static definitions of self. She highlights the importance of sampling different “flavors” of transformation, just as one might experiment with various styles of yoga or tea. Because who you are today isn’t fixed, and your resources for change evolve alongside you.
Hype Songs:
Real Good Feeling by Oh the Larceny
Andy Grammer - Damn It Feels Good To Be Me (Official Video)
Resources:
Kym’s website: https://swagtail.com/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/swagtailyoga Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swagtailyoga Attention is our greatest resource, and we can train it to focus on what matters most. I'm sharing a free 20minute class to start boosting it now. https://swagtail.com/podcastbonus/Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
Thu, 21 May 2026 - 40min - 277 - 228. Drunk at His Desk with Dan Flanagan
What if everything you’ve gone through in life — the chaos, the loss, the addiction, the grief — was the exact preparation you needed to save someone else's life?
Dan Flanagan grew up surrounded by strong values of integrity, hard work, and loyalty, anchored in the rhythm of small-town Ohio life and Catholic faith. His childhood had a kind of Norman Rockwell quality to it — a baseball field in the backyard, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, his mom ringing a bell to call the kids in for dinner. But underneath that idyllic surface, something harder was brewing.
Dan's dad, his hero, his best coach, was secretly battling severe clinical depression. When Dan was 15, his dad went away to a psychiatric unit an hour from home to undergo treatment and was gone for over a year. His mom held down the fort working 12-hour days.
The sudden loss of his parental anchor left Dan and his siblings with too much freedom, few role models, and an onslaught of confusion and pain. He went off the rails. Started drinking, making bad choices, falling in with the wrong crowd.
The darkness in his family didn't stop with his dad. His brother Sean also developed mental illness in college and attempted suicide more than once.
Dan managed to earn a degree and build a sales career out of sheer determination and grit, the unresolved trauma and anger simmered beneath the surface. He masked his struggles with alcohol and bravado, insisting that everything was “fine,” when he was far from it.
The turning point came on May 6th, 2019, when he finally said enough. He enrolled himself in an intensive outpatient program at the Cleveland Clinic, started showing up at the gym at 4:45 AM, and began listening obsessively to Eric Thomas, Tony Robbins, Jocko Willink, and David Goggins — anyone who had built something from nothing and come out the other side.
About a year into his sobriety, he was listening to a Jocko podcast and heard about Dr. Daniel Amen, a world-renowned psychiatrist who developed brain SPECT imaging, a tool that shows what's happening in a living brain rather than just guessing. Dan ordered the book “The End of Mental Illness” before he even got home. And sitting on his couch that Saturday, something cracked open. He describes it as a spiritual moment, followed by a question that felt like it came from somewhere bigger than him: what if all of this was the preparation?
Motivated to make a difference, Dan leveraged his story and his sister’s expertise to launch the Brain Enrichment Initiative, a peer-to-peer mentoring and mental wellness program for students. Rooted in authenticity and vulnerability, the program aims to help young people break the silence around emotions, teaching them proactive brain health strategies and creating space for real connection.
The urgency behind BEI is very real to Dan. He is out there doing the work every single day — for his family, for those kids, and for every version of himself that didn't have someone showing up to say: your brain can get better, and so can you.
Hype Song:
Dan’s hype song is Zach William’s “Survivor”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R4tdF2s42w
Resources:
Dan Flanagan’s website www.bei-neo.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-flanagan-a4934850/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dqflanagan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dqflan/Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
Thu, 14 May 2026 - 42min - 276 - 227. Five years of Fine is a 4-Letter Word
Welcome to the celebration of five years of fine is a four letter word. I'm your host, Lori Saitz, and man, what a ride it has been. Five years. I don't know that I could have said five years ago that I would expect to be still doing this show five years later. mean, man, that's like another lifetime ago.
Think of everything that's happened in your life in the past five years. I mean, I had different cats, I lived in a different state. I've had so many adventures in the past five years and met so many amazing, incredible people and been through so many experiences. Someone asked me the other day, I was a guest on someone else's show, and they asked me what I was grateful for, and I said, all the incredible experiences I have gotten to experience, all the incredible adventures I've gotten to experience in my life. So grateful.
You know what else I'm grateful for? Every single guest, more than 200 of them who have been on this show, and especially the first 20 who trusted me enough to give me their time and say yes to being on a brand new show. Because stats show 80 to 90 % of shows never make it past the first 20 episodes. 44 % don't even get past the first three episodes. And here we are at episode 227, five years of weekly publishing. Wow. Sure, there have been some vacation weeks like last year when I was in Tanzania and that year, Panther and I were on our month long road trip sabbatical, but average it out and we've published 45 episodes a year.
When I say we, I'm referencing that this show isn't a solo effort from the people who've helped me with strategy before it even launched, specifically Donnie and Mark, to my editors Greg and Chad and Adam and team and Jennifer, who put it all together after it's recorded. I thought for this episode, we do a little review of some especially memorable moments and shows.
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Listen, we all know that no one's reading emails and those all hands meetings and Slack messages can feel a little impersonal. How do you make work feel more human? Leaders who are serious about building real trust with their teams are finding more modern and effective ways to strengthen culture, create connection and foster community. That's where I come in.
Forward-thinking companies, and specifically those with new CEOs, are hiring me to produce internal podcasts, to bring leadership and employees together through insightful stories and personalized conversations, and to share information that actually helps you move your career and company forward. Think of it as your old school printed company newsletter, reinvented. I know, what a cool idea, right? If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at lori at zenrabbit.com.
As I look ahead, I can’t necessarily promise another five years, but I can promise I’ll keep doing this for as long as it brings me joy. And right now, it brings me SO MUCH JOY to meet all these fantastically interesting people and hold space in my studio for them to be seen and heard and to tell their stories.
Thanks for listening to Fine is a 4-Letter Word. If you enjoyed the show, please follow and share it with a friend. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform to help others discover it too.
Remember, you do not have to settle for FINE. You have the power to become a leader people respect and want to follow AND create a life you love. Now let’s f-ing go!
Thu, 07 May 2026 - 42min - 275 - 226. This Wasn't Supposed to Happen with Nicole Milone
What would you do if your business partner, the woman who recruited you, trained you, and believed in you before you believed in yourself, didn't come home from vacation? That's exactly what happened to Nicole Milone, wealth advisor and founder of Solaris Strategic Wealth.
Raised as the oldest of three in an entrepreneurial family, Nicole Milone internalized the values of compassion, curiosity, and resilience from an early age. Helping run her family’s shoe store, she learned firsthand the value of hard work, adaptability, and the complexities of money.
After studying finance and spending years in the banking industry, Nicole was invited by her mentor and financial advisor to move into the world of financial planning. What began as helping with processes and paperwork grew into a deep calling to empower others around money. She recognized from her own experience how few people truly understand or feel confident in their financial lives.
Nicole’s world was turned upside down when her business partner and mentor, Debbie, passed away unexpectedly, suddenly leaving her in charge. There was a succession plan — on paper. But the real knowledge, the day-to-day operations, the payroll, the bank accounts — all of it lived in Debbie's head. Overnight, Nicole became the owner of a business she didn't fully know how to run. She was forced to hold it all together for her team and clients, without ever really stopping to grieve.
She was waking up at 3am, making massive decisions with a brain that grief had essentially rewired. She still can't fully recall that entire first year. She thought she had to do it all. That was the only model of business ownership she'd ever seen. But she finally realized she couldn't — and more importantly, she didn't have to.
With her husband by her side, and professionals she learned to trust and delegate to, Nicole rebuilt both the business and herself. She did the deeper work around her own complicated relationship with money, the fear of losing it, the silence around it she grew up with, and how all of that quietly drives our financial decisions without us realizing it.
Now she's on a mission to make sure no one else gets caught as unprepared as she was.
Hype Song:
Fireball (feat. John Ryan) - song and lyrics by Pitbull, John Ryan | Spotify
Resources:
Nicole Milone’s website: Strategic Wealth Management Services | Solaris Strategic WealthLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-milone/Facebook: Https://www.facebook.com/solarisstrategicwealthInstagram: @thenicolemiloneTwitter (X) @Solaris_SWInvitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 - 42min - 274 - 225. Sued for $60 Million. Not Guilty. with Shane Barker
What would you do if you woke up one day to find the California Attorney General was suing you for $60 million — and you hadn't done anything wrong? That's exactly what happened to Shane Barker, digital marketing expert and founder of TraceFuse.ai, and the way he navigated it says everything about who he is.
Shane was shaped by the loving, free-spirited energy of his family in Sacramento, California. It was a household with hippie leanings where kindness and connection were valued above all. Though he acknowledges that no childhood is perfect, Shane credits his upbringing with teaching him resilience and the ability to view life’s challenges through a lens of growth and learning. He’s a big believer that every experience, even the tough ones, is an opportunity to evolve.
This mindset was severely tested when Shane found himself at the center of a high-profile, $60 million lawsuit from the California Attorney General. He was the owner and marketing leader of a real estate company created to fight predatory lending and help vulnerable homeowners after the 2008 housing crash. The company grew rapidly, making waves by standing up to big banks and brokers who had exploited countless families. But the very system he sought to challenge turned its sights on him, launching a very public PR battle, freezing his bank accounts, and painting him as a villain in the court of public opinion.
The experience was a brutal, wild ride. He was working 18-20 hours a day, 40 pounds heavier, running on energy drinks and determination, endlessly battling negative narratives online and in the media, trying to protect his family from the chaos while simultaneously fighting for his reputation and his business. He was showing up and arguing with strangers online who weren't even customers and confronting the reality that truth isn’t always what gets broadcast or believed.
He thought he was winning. But he finally realized he was losing. Losing his health, his time, his energy, and his opportunity to be at his son's baseball games.
Throughout it all, Shane remained steadfast, refusing to flee or hide. He eventually realized that other people were living rent-free in his head, and he was handing them the keys. He stopped fighting every battle on the internet, started walking 10 miles a day, and began asking a very different question: what can I learn from this?
When we spoke, Shane and his family were beginning a 45-day vacation in a small little beach town in Oregon. He’s come a long way from what he called Shane 1.0 who was in a room with coffee, going to war every day. Now he’s looking at animals and enjoying life and continuing to grow.
Hype Song:
Shane’s hype song is "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers
Resources:
Shane Barker’s website: https://shanebarker.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanebarker/Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 - 48min - 273 - 224. Do It Scared with Vanessa McDowell Atlas
What if the secret to being an exceptional leader isn't about being stronger, working harder, or having all the answers — but about being the first one in the room to say *I need a break*?
Sounds counterintuitive, right? Maybe even a little reckless. But stick with me here.
Vanessa McDowell-Atlas grew up deeply rooted in the values of faith, family, and community, shaped by her upbringing in Madison, Wisconsin. The McDowell household instilled a strong connection to God, encouraged giving back, and fostered authenticity. These ideals were lived out every day.
Authenticity, though often overused in today’s cultural landscape, holds a deeper resonance for Vanessa. She notes that the pressure to perform and conform is magnified by technology and social media, where curated lives and even AI-generated content can make “real” feel elusive. The craving for genuine connection, she believes, is stronger than ever because so much of what’s presented isn’t authentic at all. Growing up without the noise of constant screens, Vanessa learned the value of face-to-face relationships and the grounding that comes from truly being seen and heard.
From these foundations, Vanessa’s journey into leadership and service was anything but random. Each step in her career was guided by faith and an intentional sense of purpose. She describes her path as a series of conscious choices—listening, reflecting, and praying to discern where she was meant to serve. Even when the path was uncertain or intimidating, she adopted the mantra “do it scared,” understanding that courage grows in the doing, not the waiting.
She's a natural introvert. She deals with anxiety. And somehow, she ended up as the CEO of a century-old organization — becoming the first Black woman in its entire history to hold that role. No pressure or anything.
She didn't stumble into it either. Her boss announced she was leaving, tapped Vanessa on the shoulder for the interim role, and Vanessa thought, *sure, six months, I can hold it down.* Spoiler: it became permanent. And what she inherited? Her words — a mess. On top of that, she was carrying what she calls "three isms" — racism, sexism, and ageism — every single day, before she even opened her laptop.
So she did what a lot of leaders do. She worked twice as hard, carried the load silently, and told everyone she was fine.
Burnout came for her anyway… because it always does. But here's where Vanessa's story takes a turn most leaders never make: she told her team the truth, took two weeks completely off, and came back so recharged that her staff literally noticed the difference and asked why she didn't do it sooner.
By giving herself permission to pause, rest, and ask for support, Vanessa not only transformed her approach to her own well-being but also modeled a new kind of leadership for her team and community. As she puts it, being a “strong Black woman” is not about never taking a break. It’s about having the wisdom to know when to recharge, so you can serve from a place of wholeness.
Oh, and did I mention she's also a DJ on the side? Yeah. DJ Ace is in the building.
Vanessa is now a transformational leadership coach, and in this conversation, she's about to share what it actually looks like to lead from your values, do it scared, and give yourself, along with everyone watching you, permission to be human.
Resources
Vanessa McDowell-Atlas’ website: vmatransformationalcoaching.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vanessarmcdowellHype Song
Vanessa’s hype song is You've Been So Faithful by Eddie James & The Phoenix Mass Choir https://youtu.be/m28IBrcgSIo?si=kE2OV_-o0msqb7vC
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 - 37min - 272 - 223. I Can't Get Off the Highway with Melissa Coloton
What happens when your life looks successful and you keep telling yourself it is… but then you find yourself pulled over on the side of the highway with clammy hands and unable to breathe?
Growing up in a loving, hard-working family deeply rooted in farming traditions, Melissa Coloton learned early on the importance of honesty, compassion, and the power of expressing love. Unlike most families, hers openly verbalized affection. “I love you” was the punctuation to every goodbye. This warmth, however, was balanced with discipline and high expectations. Because Melissa’s mother became a parent at sixteen, she was vigilantly determined to give her children the best possible chance, insisting on hard work, achievement, and a relentless pursuit of success.
Melissa spent 20 years building a successful career in sales. She was really good at it. The kind of good that keeps you locked in. Promotions, performance, steady income… all the things that say, “stay right here.” And for a long time, she did.
But underneath that success was constant pressure to get it right. To not mess up. To keep proving herself. What looked like ambition on the outside was really a fear of failure she didn’t even recognize at the time.
That panic attack on the highway left her feeling lost, disconnected, and unraveling, fearful that she’d die without ever honoring her true purpose.
With the help of a life coach and the practice of self-compassion, Melissa learned to listen to her own needs, confront the chronic sources of anxiety, and eventually gained the tools to manage and move through challenging emotions.
Eventually she was able to unlock the “golden handcuffs” of her sales career and step into work that centers around honoring yourself and creating aligned success so you can avoid the kind of burnout that she experienced.
We’re talking about how technology and societal shifts have fostered loneliness and a loss of communal support. But our conversation is optimistic about the resurgence of retreats, gratitude dinners, and analog gatherings. Listen in to hear the whole story.
Resources
Website: www.melissacoloton.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-coloton-coach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_coloton/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568472840753Hype Song
Unstoppable by Sia
https://open.spotify.com/track/1yvMUkIOTeUNtNWlWRgANS?si=a2507f11148f41b1
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 - 37min - 271 - 222. Unshakeable Relief with Janice DaCosta
What happens when the thing you pride yourself on most… is the very thing quietly breaking you?
Janice DaCosta grew up in a world where excellence wasn’t optional. You hold it together. You don’t fall apart. You make it work—no matter what.
Until one day, standing in front of a mirror with scissors in her hand, she couldn’t hold it together anymore.
What followed was a complete Control, Alt, Delete reset.
Raised in a family of serial entrepreneurs with deep roots on Wall Street, Janice DaCosta grew up learning values centered around excellence, rigorous work ethic, and community upliftment. Love was at the core, but hustle was integral too.
Janice’s professional journey began in the corporate world, navigating high-pressure environments across multiple continents as a global logistics leader.
She excelled in male-dominated environments, but behind the scenes, it was a different story. She was holding together a marriage that wasn’t working. Showing up strong, being everything to everyone in every role she played. And quietly, she was unraveling.
That pivotal “mirror moment” happened on a regular day when the façade finally cracked. It became the catalyst for radical change. She realized true failure wasn’t in letting go and not being perfect. It was in sacrificing herself at the altar of perfection.
Thus began her long, messy, honest healing process. She started recording raw, unfiltered conversations with herself on video through which she allowed herself to unpack, witness, and process what she’d been holding back for years. This practice of speaking aloud, instead of shoving the emotions down, helped her cultivate self-trust and gave her the courage to finally seek support from others.
Through this introspective journey, Janice unlocked the transformative power of “unshakable relief.” She learned to define her worth outside productivity, to let go of shame, and to give herself permission to feel all the emotions that make us human. That journey and its hard-won wisdom are now at the heart of her latest book on emotional wealth, which reimagines the concept of “pay yourself first.”
Keep listening to hear what it sounds like when someone who “has it all together” finally admits… yeah, I don’t—and can’t keep pretending I do. Because you might recognize yourself here.
Hype Song
Janice’s hype song is Run the World (Girls)- Beyonce
https://youtu.be/Xqo08TXbxWQ?si=jvYs5OeWT25608Wr
Resources
- Janice DaCosta’s website: iamjaniceclaire.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicedacosta Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjaniceclaire Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjaniceclaire
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
Thu, 26 Mar 2026 - 38min - 270 - 221. Connection Is the Real Life Hack
We’re more connected than ever… and more lonely than ever. Because connected online is very different than connected offline.
In this solo episode, I'm exploring the quiet epidemic of loneliness and why it shows up in places most leaders overlook.
If you’re interested in being successful – whether you’re running a business or working for someone – no matter what your definition of success is… and you want to amplify or upgrade your abilities, this episode is for you. If you’re interested in living longer without having to eat kale and work out two hours a day, seven days a week, this episode is for you.
More than 10 years ago, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy uncovered an epidemic of loneliness in the U.S. What surprised him the most was the degree to which people described feeling lonely. And the diversity of people affected – all genders, all ages, all levels of education and professionalism and wealth.
People were reporting they didn’t feel like they belonged. And people felt embarrassed and ashamed to admit they felt lonely. Because they didn’t want to appear needy or inadequate. Because of course, in America, we’re all about independence and self-sufficiency.
Nothing has changed since then. If anything, these findings have only intensified in the past decade and were especially exacerbated by pandemic times.
When people don’t feel seen, known, or supported, collaboration suffers, trust erodes, and work becomes heavier than it needs to be.
The truth is, humans aren’t designed to operate like machines behind screens all day. Real connection fuels creativity, resilience, and engagement. It also plays a surprising role in how long and how well we live.
If you want a stronger culture, better communication, and a team that actually enjoys working together, this episode will give you a place to start.
Resources:
- My Website: https://ZenRabbit.com/LinkedIn: https://zenrabbit.com/linkedin/Facebook: https://zenrabbit.com/facebook/Instagram: https://zenrabbit.com/instagram/Visit the “FINE is a 4-Letter Word” store at https://zenrabbit.printful.me
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
Mon, 16 Mar 2026 - 18min - 269 - 220. Broke Built Me Better with Barry Bradham
Shaped by a childhood of resourcefulness and grit, Barry Bradham’s story moves beyond your usual rags-to-riches narrative. Raised in a family where money was often scarce, his parents displayed both strong work ethics and unconventional life choices. Barry started honing his sales skills at just eight years old; he was trading toys and selling bubblegum and baseball cards from a table on the corner. These formative experiences not only instilled the value of integrity but also introduced him early to both the highs of self-sufficiency and the lessons that come when the money in play isn’t as innocent as it first appears.
From those humble beginnings, Barry followed an untraditional but ambitious route, blending work ethic with curiosity. His adolescence and entry into adulthood were marked by a succession of odd jobs, guided mentorship from community figures, and a constant drive to improve his financial footing. It was this drive, combined with the influence of books like "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and real-life examples of side hustles and entrepreneurship, that sustained his hunger for financial autonomy. But it was also a journey fueled by necessity and wanting a sense of control over his life that he didn’t always see modeled at home.
In college, Barry took those scrappy entrepreneurial skills to the next level, helping launch new student organizations and eventually moving into a career in banking and real estate. By outward appearances, things looked, well, fine.
He had an expanding portfolio, social credibility, and an impressive track record managing both businesses and teams. And yet, beneath the surface, Barry was making decisions in isolation, he no longer had the mentorship and strategic counsel that are vital when navigating high stakes. This was his first “fine but not fine” phase.
It all came to a head during the economic downturn, when his calculated risks unraveled. He lost properties, financial security, his fiancée, and his sense of direction. And still, he kept the front up. Smiling. Positive. “I’ve got this.”
But as often happens, those lowest moments became catalyzing ones. One day he was on a bus in the rain in Manhattan Beach, whispering to his sister through the phone that he felt like he was living out the movie The Pursuit of Happyness in real time.
He was determined not to stay in that place though. He taught himself graphic design and studied Adobe programs late into the night. Slept on his office floor when he had to. Sold his car. Kept showing up to meetings with a belief that he could still create value.
Barry credits his resurgence to humility, learning to ask for help, and embracing community instead of going it alone. His second “fine” season taught him something even bigger. And that story? Tune in to hear him tell it.
Resources:
- Website: https://digilink.global/barrybradham-entrepreneur LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrybradham/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barrybradham Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrybradham_entrepreneur/
Hype Song:
Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines ft. T.I., Pharrell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyDUC1LUXSU&list=RDyyDUC1LUXSU&start_radio=1
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 05 Mar 2026 - 40min - 268 - 219. Running Full Speed… Into a Wall with Lindsey Korell
If your body pulled the emergency brake tomorrow, would you wish you’d slowed down sooner?
Growing up on a dude ranch in the remote town of Utica, Montana, Lindsey Korell was immersed in a world where hard work, family, and a curious eye toward the wider world set the tone for her upbringing. Surrounded by international guests drawn by her grandfather's innovative marketing and her father's relentless entrepreneurial drive, Lindsey developed a deep-rooted wanderlust and a respect for building success through grit and persistence. Early lessons included watching her dad make cold calls every evening after family dinner—a practice that became both a source of admiration and apprehension, showing Lindsey the realities, and costs, of uncompromising dedication.
Curiosity about life outside Montana led Lindsey far from home, first to England on a Rotary Foundation scholarship and later to Turkey, where she wrote her master’s thesis on a bridge-building project. These adventures expanded her worldview, helping her recognize just how small her perspective had been and igniting what would become a lifelong passion for travel and understanding diverse cultures. A stint in the Peace Corps working with banking co-ops in developing countries taught her the profound importance of flexibility and humility. The world looks a lot different when you experience it on the ground and she learned how vital it is to see life through more than one lens.
Back in the U.S., Lindsey’s career spanned real estate, launching her own businesses, and high-level operations in the corporate world. For years she thrived on the illusion that she could handle everything herself. Then came the wake-up calls she never expected. First a serious autoimmune diagnosis discovered by chance and, not long after, a heart attack that forced every assumption about work, life, and health into question.
Lindsey’s journey is one of repeated reinvention, and one that includes unlearning the myth of invincibility and gradually accepting that genuine success is as much about surrendering control as it is about seizing it. Today, she helps women create more breathing room in their businesses. Through lessons learned in moments of both triumph and adversity, Lindsey embodies a philosophy that true fulfillment is about presence, perspective, and prioritization.
Hype Song:
Lindsey’s hype song is “Something's Got a Hold On Me” by Christina Aguilera
Resources:
- Lindsey’s website: dailyprincipal.com LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/lindseykorell
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 26 Feb 2026 - 38min - 267 - 218. The Danger of Handling Everything with Emma Collyer
What if the moment you tell yourself “I’m fine” is the exact moment you should be paying closer attention?
Rooted in the core values of hard work, family, and emotional restraint, Emma Collyer grew up with the unspoken rule to “just get on with things.” This principle followed her well into adulthood. Raised in the UK and now residing in Canada, she learned early how to be dependable, observant, and low maintenance. The kind of person organizations love. The kind of leader who listens deeply, carries a lot, and rarely asks for help. This early belief of not causing a fuss left Emma wrestling with the tension between being a good listener and risk fading into the background vs speaking up and voicing her ideas.
Her tendency to overcommit reached its breaking point during a pivotal leadership assignment. Wanting to prove herself, Emma found herself saying yes to every task. Investigations. Operational work. Emotional labor that wasn’t on any job description.
Then one afternoon, she broke down in the middle of a busy city center, unable to maintain the “I’m fine” façade any longer. The emotional moment prompted honest conversations with supportive colleagues and forced her to reconsider the self-imposed pressures behind her relentless hustle.
Reflecting on this turning point, Emma candidly admits that old habits sometimes resurface, but now she’s equipped with greater self-awareness and boundaries that keep her from sliding back into overwhelm.
A large part of Emma’s work today centers on helping people master difficult conversations in the workplace – the ones most people avoid – the ones about capacity, trust, feedback, and what’s really happening beneath the façade of professionalism. She emphasizes the importance of using frameworks that shift the focus from accusation to collaboration, encouraging leaders to approach issues as shared challenges rather than personal failings. She understands why people disappear in meetings. Why feedback feels threatening. Why managers stop hearing the truth the higher they climb.
This episode is about recognizing the quiet patterns that lead smart, well-intentioned people to override themselves and learning how to interrupt them sooner. Let’s shift conversations from transactional to human, from faking it to honesty.
Hype Song:
Emma’s hype song is “Unstoppable - R3HAB Remix” by Sia, R3HAB
Resources:
- Emma’s website: aspireexecutivecoaching.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-collyer-aspire/Instagram: https://instagram.com/aspireexecutivecoaching/
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 19 Feb 2026 - 36min - 266 - 217. I Built It. Then I Walked Away with Ali Brown
What happens when the life you worked relentlessly to build suddenly stops feeling like you belong in it?
From the outside, Ali Brown had it all. An epic brand. Massive influence. Serious revenue. The kind of success most people spend their lives chasing. But from the inside, something was missing.
Growing up, Ali Brown was surrounded by the stability of a working father and a creative, stay-at-home mother who filled her days with books, crafts, and art. She credits her self-sufficiency and drive for entrepreneurship to this blend of independence and encouragement. With no explicit entrepreneurial role models, her path to self-employment emerged almost by necessity and through sheer resourcefulness, with how-to books from Barnes & Noble as her guides. Back in a time without the relentless comparison and distraction of social media, she learned to “do what she could from where she was with what she had.”
The journey from being a freelance writer to running a multimillion-dollar coaching empire wasn’t planned. Ali describes a period of explosive growth, fueled by her willingness to share freely, innovate with early email marketing, and cultivate a loyal following of women in a space otherwise dominated by “bro marketing” and big promises. Her signature info products complete with big instruction binders and CDs felt radical at the time. As her brand grew, so did her sense of responsibility, not only to her expanding team and loyal clients, but to her own evolving sense of purpose.
Despite the incredible outward success, she found herself pulled in a different direction after a life-changing appearance on ABC’s “Secret Millionaire” and the birth of her twins.
She had to figure out what to do after her identity outgrew the model that built it. And have you ever assured yourself that listening to your heart was the right thing to do even though it felt disloyal to everyone else? Motherhood, faith, and finally finding clarity forced Ali to make a hard pivot.
This episode is about permission. The kind of permission you give yourself. To change. To disappoint people. To shut things down that still make money. To choose peace over approval. And to stop confusing momentum with meaning.
If you’ve ever wondered why the thing you worked so hard to build suddenly feels heavy, keep listening.
HYPE SONG:
Ali’s hype song is “I Know a Name” by Brandon Lake and “Sure Shot” by the Beastie Boys
RESOURCES:
- Ali Brown’s website: www.alibrown.comAli Brown’s other website: www.JoinTheTrust.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alibrownla/Instagram: instagram.com/alibrownofficial
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 - 40min - 265 - 216. Success Didn’t Fix It with Anthony Spark
What happens when you get everything you thought would finally make you feel okay… and it doesn’t?
Anthony Spark grew up in chaos, learned independence early, and chased financial freedom with relentless focus. He did what so many people are told will fix everything: worked harder, made more money, built businesses, climbed the mountain. And then he discovered something he didn’t expect. Success doesn’t save you from yourself.
As a child, Anthony witnessed the challenges of a single-parent household and the consequences of generational dysfunction. From his mother, he learned independence and personal responsibility. She made it clear that actions have consequences. You handle your own stuff. You clean up your own messes. That foundation taught him self-reliance early and shaped his drive to stand on his own two feet rather than wait to be rescued.
His father struggled with addiction, incarceration, and emotional instability. But even through that, Anthony heard a consistent message: you’ll be better than me.
As Anthony set out on his own path to financial independence, He achieved great success but also discovered that winning the so-called “game” didn’t fill the void he felt inside. He felt so much tension between striving for success and accepting oneself as “enough.” When his business became his mistress, he almost lost his marriage.
Through counseling, he learned true success requires presence, vulnerability, and emotional intimacy. And that genuine happiness is cultivated through loving relationships, inner peace, and staying committed to personal values, even as you pursue ambitious goals.
This was his reckoning. Then came his reinvention.
If you’re leading a team that looks productive on the surface but feels fractured, exhausted, or misaligned underneath, this conversation will hit close to home. It’s for leaders who know that performance problems are rarely about strategy alone and are ready to address the human dynamics that drive trust, clarity, and momentum.
HYPE SONG:
Anthony’s Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EptZxSk8ZSptt?
RESOURCES:
- Anthony’s websites: https://sparkachangecoaching.com/https://extraordinaryexcellence.com/https://phoenixevolution.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonykspark/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mr.anthony.sparkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_spark_is_born/
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 05 Feb 2026 - 39min - 264 - 215. Nice is Not Kind with Allie Jones
Growing up in Iowa, Allie Jones was immersed in a culture of “Iowa nice,” a brand of politeness defined by being helpful, agreeable, and perpetually pleasant. So not surprisingly, niceness became a core value for Allie, one that was reinforced by her community, but also complicated by its shadow: the tendency to avoid hard conversations and uncomfortable truths in favor of small talk and surface-level connections.
Early in her career as a third-grade teacher, she poured herself into her students, striving to live up to the expectations of hard work and service. But as she recounts, supportive words from administrators weren’t matched with real action, and the relentless pace of changing curricula and high standards left her burnt out. When she realized that staying in the classroom would be the wrong kind of responsible, she left teaching, took a sabbatical to explore the country, house sat, and dipped her toes into freelance writing and marketing.
Navigating this period of uncertainty, Allie was challenged by the perennial question, “Who am I if I’m not what I do?” She realized that so many of our identities are tied up in our job titles and professional achievements, but true fulfillment lay in embracing her transferable skills, resiliency, and capacity for connection.
Allie now has an intention to cultivate a new version of “Iowa kind,” because there’s a difference between nice and kind. This version is rooted in authentic connection and courageous conversation, not just politeness.
As a business and leadership consultant, Allie is also helping others step into their own authenticity.
Listen in to hear her story of moving beyond the safety of “nice” to the richer, more complicated rewards of being kind, in community, conversation, and career. In facing discomfort and embracing change, Allie models what it means to answer the question “How are you?” with truth and intentionality.
Allie’s hype song is Honeypie by JAWNY
RESOURCES
- Allie Jones’ website: alliejonesconsulting.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allie-s-jones/Instagram: instagram.com/alliejonesconsulting
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 29 Jan 2026 - 43min - 263 - 214. I Divorced My Parents with Andrew Quebbemann
Raised in a hardworking, Catholic family that seemed picture-perfect from the outside, Andrew Quebbemann learned early on the value of self-reliance and doing things for yourself. But it was during a pivotal moment at age sixteen—choosing not to get confirmed into the church—that he first exercised the courage to honor his own convictions over societal or familial expectations. That decision, viewed as rebellious by his parents, was also his first bold step toward living authentically and questioning what really worked for him, rather than simply following the script laid out for him.
This early demonstration of independent thinking set the stage for a pattern that has defined Andrew's adult life. Whether leaving corporate America after looking around and finding no one he wanted to emulate or choosing to go plant-based overnight simply because it felt right for his body, Andrew developed what he calls psychological agility—the capacity to make swift decisions and take action when something no longer serves him.
However, this same strength became a source of deep conflict within his family, where relationships had always been transactional and understanding seemed impossible to achieve. After years of trying to navigate increasingly difficult family dynamics that affected both him and his wife, Andrew made the painful decision to request a three-month break from his parents to reevaluate their relationship as adults. Their response was a brutal phone call filled with insults, which marked the beginning of a three-year estrangement that continues today, despite Andrew's willingness to engage in family therapy.
The loss of his parents while they're still alive has required Andrew to mourn a relationship he thought he had. He candidly shares how stepping away from toxic dynamics allowed him to embrace self-care, protect his marriage, and redefine how he wants to show up in the world.
Through therapy and a daily meditation practice inspired by Indian mystic Sadhguru, Andrew has learned to find peace within himself rather than seeking validation from those who may never be capable of providing it. His story illustrates the heartbreaking reality that sometimes loving someone means accepting that a healthy relationship with them may not be possible, and making decisions that honor your well-being is necessary for survival.
Hype Song:
Andrew’s hype song is One Step Closer by Linkin Park
Resources:
- Andrew’s Website: https://goldbookfinancial.com/our-team/andrew-quebbemann/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-quebbemann/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/andrewquebbemann/
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 22 Jan 2026 - 39min - 262 - 213. Change Your Mind About It with Stef Warlick
Stef Warlick grew up with the kind of values that leave a lasting imprint. Guided by a mother who came from a strict Catholic upbringing and believed deeply in championing the underdog and showing relentless kindness, Stef was immersed from a young age in principles of empathy, hard work, and accountability. “If you can’t change something, change your mind about it” was a guiding family mantra.
Those early teachings became the blueprint for how Stef approached life and work. Stef's career in government contracting and corporate environments taught her invaluable lessons about gathering complete information before making decisions, thanks to a mentor who emphasized that "there are more than two sides to every story." This wisdom became crucial during a devastating personal tragedy involving her beloved pets, which left Stef walking through life in a fog. It was a period of numbness so acute it felt like an out-of-body experience.
Worse still was overhearing people, unaware she was within earshot, harshly judging her character based solely on this single, painful event. That incident carved a groove in her understanding of empathy: you never know what someone else is carrying, and judgment without context is more than unfair—it’s destructive.
Stef became even more attuned to the stories people keep hidden and the resilience they muster just to keep going.
Now focused on building inclusive teams and communities, Stef has learned that diversity isn't just about checking boxes but about creating environments where people feel genuinely seen and valued. Her approach to working with people with disabilities exemplifies this philosophy. Rather than tiptoeing around differences or making assumptions, she advocates for direct, respectful communication that treats everyone as a whole person worthy of authentic connection. Her story illustrates how our most painful experiences can become our greatest teachers if we're willing to learn from them.
Hype Song:
Stef’s hype song is Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
Resources:
- Stephanie Warlick’s website: https://www.stephaniewarlick.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniewarlick/X: https://x.com/5FTV_ConsultingFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579261754103
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 - 40min - 261 - 212. Easy Doesn’t Mean It Wasn’t Scary with Kathryn Eipl
Kathryn Eipl spent much of her professional life doing exactly what she was trained to do: keep everything together, move forward no matter what, don’t feel too much, and definitely don’t let anything fall apart.
Raised in a household where emotions were weaponized as jokes and communicating risked having your vulnerabilities shared with the entire extended family, Kathryn learned early to guard her feelings. She joked that she had "a black heart" and simply "didn't feel."
This emotional armor served her well in the notoriously cutthroat entertainment industry, where she thrived managing complex projects while navigating an environment that demanded perfection and offered little room for human vulnerability.
Not surprisingly, the constant stress and emotional suppression took their toll, leading to burnout and an unhealthy relationship with alcohol as her primary coping mechanism. Despite achieving professional success, Kathryn found herself caught in a cycle of reactivity, letting her emotions run the show while simultaneously denying they existed.
The turning point came when friends convinced her to try hot yoga. Despite her initial resistance, the fast-paced vinyasa classes in heated rooms provided the perfect entry point for someone accustomed to constant motion, allowing her mind to finally quiet as she moved through poses too quickly to overthink. This practice became her gateway to emotional awareness and regulation, teaching her the crucial difference between reacting to life's challenges and consciously responding to them.
As Kathryn deepened her yoga practice and completed teacher training, suppressed memories and emotions began surfacing during her sessions. She put a journal beside her mat to process the revelations. This journey of emotional archaeology taught her how to respond instead of react. She also learned to advocate for herself. That meant walking away from the entertainment industry completely after promises made for a prestigious overseas project were broken, even though fear, guilt, and old stories tried to talk her out of it.
Now as a yoga instructor and wellness coach, she helps others develop the emotional intelligence and self-regulation skills that the entertainment industry—and many other high-stress environments—actively discourage, proving that it's never too late to learn a healthier way of being in the world.
Kathryn's Hype Song:
Resources:
- https://eiplhealing.com/ (1 Free Neuro-Resonance Strategy Session use code WELCOME at checkout.)LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-eipl/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eiplhealingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/eiplhealing/#
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 08 Jan 2026 - 44min - 260 - 210. Not Your Good Girl with Kristi Straw
Growing up in the Midwest during the 1980s, Kristi Straw was raised with traditional values of being the quiet, grateful “good girl," don’t speak too boldly, and never outshine others. Alongside this mandate to be humble and accommodating came the classic Midwestern lessons in kindness, like let others go first at an intersection, and cook a pot roast for the new neighbors.
But lurking underneath the surface was an undercurrent of self-diminishment. These expectations and beliefs would be both barriers and fuel for Kristi's eventual rise in the corporate world.
Leaning into relentless drive and adaptability, she climbed from individual contributor to bank president and C-suite executive in just a few years. But behind the impressive title and substantial paycheck was a steadily growing sense of inauthenticity. She describes years of “chameleonizing” or masking her true self to fit an environment that wasn’t built for her bold ideas, her height, or her emerging leadership voice.
Ultimately, her success required constant shape-shifting and sacrificing parts of herself, a survival tactic rooted in childhood messages about what women “should” be.
Everything came to a head when, after finally reaching the top, Kristi realized three hours into her dream job that she simply couldn’t conform anymore. She found herself lying on her office floor with the stark realization that this life was no longer "fine." The money, status, and access couldn't mask the fundamental misalignment between who she was becoming and who she wanted to be.
That raw acknowledgment sparked her greatest pivot yet. Now, Kristi is fiercely committed to building communities based on authentic connection, collaboration, and high standards of integrity. As a coach and author, she champions what she calls “psychological agility,” aka the ability to adapt, stay open to surprise, and continually learn regardless of the outcome.
I suspect you’ll relate to her story of realizing that sometimes the most successful-looking life is in fact the one that's keeping you furthest from your true potential. And that no matter what, you have to find the courage to break the rules that never fit you in the first place.
Kristi's Hype Song
All I Do is Win https://youtu.be/GGXzlRoNtHU?si=9dwag_ZqVPmTJhgV
Resources
- Website: www.LighthouseLeadershipConsultants.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kstrawmba/Instagram: @LighthouseLeadershipConsultant
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 18 Dec 2025 - 43min - 259 - 209. Rush is the Pace of Fear with Pia Mailhot-Leichter
Growing up in a household where freedom was paramount, Pia (Myo Lischter) Mailhot-Leichter was raised by rebellious, artistic parents. From her mother’s escape from small-town Quebec at 19 on the back of a motorcycle bound for Morocco and New York, to her artist father who lived outside society’s lines, Pia inherited both a fierce independence and a romanticized view of constant movement as the solution to life's problems. Education was another cornerstone value, instilled early on as the key to independence, especially for women. The foundational beliefs of freedom, strength, and visionary self-expression became the undercurrents that shaped Pia’s journey.
By seventeen, Pia had already left home, continuing her mother’s legacy of carving her own path through life. After years of living what appeared to be a successful creative life in London and Copenhagen, Pia found herself caught in a destructive pattern of using movement and busyness to avoid dealing with deeper issues. Following a messy divorce, an unhealthy rebound relationship, and throwing herself completely into building a creative studio, she was maintaining the facade that everything was "fine" while internally falling apart. The wake-up call came when she was fired from her partnership role, leaving her metaphorically thrown through the windshield of the fast-moving car that was her life, staring at the shards of what she thought was working.
Instead of immediately jumping into job hunting mode, Pia listened to her intuition and made a radical choice to embark on a solo four-week journey across China, Mongolia, and Russia via the Trans-Siberian Railway.
A therapist invited her to learn how to stay instead of running, which became a catalyst for her inner transformation. Pia learned that staying busy and on the move was a form of distraction, a way to avoid sitting with pain and uncertainty. Through stillness, she gradually rewired her nervous system and uncovered the importance of discernment. She built resilience to sit with discomfort, understanding that pain minus the mental story is simply pain, not suffering.
Throughout this conversation, Pia reminds us that uncertainty is actually fertile ground for creativity and growth. By running “experiments” in life, leaning into discomfort, and treating every chapter as an adventure rather than a test to win or fail, she embraces messy, beautiful humanity.
Her story is an invitation to break free from inherited scripts, anchor into self-compassion, and write entirely new lines—proving that sometimes, the bravest act is simply to stay.
Resources:
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/pia.leichter/ Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pialeichter LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/pialeichter/ Websitehttps://kollektiv.studio/Pia's Hype Song:
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 11 Dec 2025 - 45min - 258 - 208. Confidence Isn't an Amazon Delivery with Meshell Baker
Raised with strong faith values across multiple religious traditions, Meshell Baker discovered early on that the best people she encountered weren't defined by their specific beliefs, but by how consistently they practiced core principles of love, kindness, and service. In the beginning of her career, Meshell was exposed to diverse spiritual communities while selling Yellow Pages advertising in the most racially diverse county in America. Her experience would later become the foundation for everything she built.
After a period of incarceration that stemmed from personal trauma and lost confidence, Meshell threw herself into rebuilding through corporate success. She became exceptional at climbing the ladder. You know the routine, the one that involves chasing promotions, better cars, bigger paychecks. On paper, she was winning. But she felt like she was running on a hamster wheel, hitting milestones that gave her five minutes of satisfaction before she had to chase the next achievement high.
The turning point came during a Bible study group where she discovered her gift for helping women transform their confidence and step into their power. She realized this work brought her more joy than any corporate achievement ever had.
Now as an entrepreneur and confidence coach, Meshell has learned the crucial difference between transformation and transaction. She emphasizes that once you transform internally, the external transactions (success, money, opportunities) naturally follow, but the reverse isn't true. Her story illustrates how confidence isn't something you summon on demand like an Amazon delivery. It’s a way of being that you embody through consistent practice and self-compassion, even when, or especially when, you don't feel like it.
Resources:
Meshell Baker’s website: https://meshellrbaker.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meshellrbaker
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeshellRBaker
Instagram: http://instagram.com/MeshellRBaker
Meshell's Hype Song is Confident by Demi Lovato
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 04 Dec 2025 - 42min - 257 - 207. Wine Is Not a Lifestyle Thanksgiving Solo
Holiday solo episode today. On what might be a controversial topic, but what the hell. LFG!
It’s no secret that this girl loves shopping. I inherited this love from my grandmothers. The small state I grew up in has at least 12 major shopping malls. It’s a challenge right now to not get sucked into all the Black Friday sales. Although my favorite protein powder is 30% off and I can’t guarantee some new leggings won’t end up in my shopping cart.
All this to say it’s no surprise that when my two besties from high school and I get together for girls’ weekends, we go shopping.
No matter what city or town we’re exploring, we tend to find ourselves in those cute home décor or specialty kinds of stores. You know the ones with mugs and glassware and candles and soaps and locally packaged food items. And there’s something I’ve noticed in recent years. The more I’ve thought about it, the more it disturbs me.
It’s the dish towels that say “They should put more wine in the bottle. So there’s enough for two people.” Or “Wine, because adulting is hard.”
And the coasters that scream “I’m one glass away from a good mood.”
It seems we live in a culture that promotes drinking as a way to have a good time or wash away all your negative emotions. “Everything’s just fine! Have some wine.” I haven’t seen that one yet, but maybe it’s out there.
Stay with me here because this episode is not about shaming you if you enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail. I’m here to have a chat about how we’ve seemed to normalize drinking as a coping mechanism. And how it’s entirely built into the way we socialize.
Since we’re right in the thick of the holidays now, I thought it would be interesting to look at this concept and ask, is it fine or not fine? Maybe it’s simply about becoming more aware of this social habit and giving yourself the opportunity to evaluate your participation in it.
Thanks for spending part of your holiday with me. Wishing you all the feelings of joy, love, belonging, and gratitude, my friend.
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Listen, we all know that work emails from leadership and all staff meetings can feel…a little bit impersonal. How do you make work feel a little more human?
Leaders who are serious about building real trust with their team are finding more modern and effective ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through insightful stories, personalized conversations, and the information you ACTUALLY want to hear that helps you move your career and company forward. Think of it as a way to your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Thu, 27 Nov 2025 - 14min - 256 - 206. The Weight He Finally Put Down with Christopher Bylone
Christopher Bylone grew up on a New Jersey family farm where no one was above mucking stalls, and lending a hand wasn’t optional. His grandfather, decades ahead of his time, taught him that inclusion wasn’t a corporate policy; it was just what decent people did.
Those lessons stuck. They carried Christopher from agriculture to analytics to becoming a respected voice in diversity, equity, and inclusion. When his company’s diversity metrics stalled, he spoke up, “We have no strategy.” That bold truth redirected his entire career toward DEI leadership. He went on to build a team from zero headcount and zero budget into a million-dollar operation. On paper, he was thriving. But inside? He was the four letter “fine.”
Working at Krispy Kreme, he loved the mission but dreaded the grind. Seventy-five percent of his time was spent executing instead of shaping strategy. Then came the layoff. And with it, the uncomfortable truth that “fine” had become his hiding place.
That pattern didn’t stop at work. After years of insisting he could lose weight on his own, Christopher realized grit wasn’t enough. Well-meaning people told him to “just diet harder,” but he made a different choice and underwent bariatric surgery. It was a turning point that forced him to evaluate not only his habits but his relationships as well.
Now, 90 pounds lighter with 30 left to go, he’s learned that accepting help isn’t weakness: it’s wisdom. The people you surround yourself with can either hold space for your growth or keep you stuck in the old story. As a lifelong gardener, he’ll tell you not everything that looks like a weed needs to be pulled. Sometimes, it just needs to be moved.
Through therapy, reflection, and better boundaries, Christopher discovered that true friends don’t have to agree with your decisions but they do have to respect them enough not to stand in your way.
Christopher’s hype song is “Proud” by Heather Small.
Resources:
Christopher Bylone’s website: https://www.innovationunbiased.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbylone/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbylone/Listen to Christopher’s podcast I Know I Belong When: https://www.iknowibelongwhen.com/Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 20 Nov 2025 - 42min - 255 - 205. Vulnerability Is the New Invincibility with Coach Matt Doherty
What happens when a basketball star loses everything from his NBA dream, his identity, and even his beloved coaching job at his alma mater?
In today’s episode of "Fine is a 4-Letter Word," you get to meet Coach Matt Doherty, who opens up about the masks we wear, the power of vulnerability, and why saying "I'm fine" can be the most dangerous lie we tell ourselves.
Coach Doherty grew up on Long Island with dreams of basketball greatness. He achieved remarkable success as a three-year starter at the University of North Carolina under legendary coach Dean Smith. But his NBA dreams were cut short, leading him to Wall Street during the decade of greed where he began self-medicating with alcohol.
After building a successful coaching career that culminated in his dream job as head coach at UNC, Matt's world came crashing down when he was fired after just three years in a very public manner. This devastating blow, combined with his struggle with alcoholism, forced him into a period of deep self-reflection and transformation. The turning point came through discovering emotional intelligence and the power of vulnerability, leading him to remove what he calls his three masks: the "tough guy mask," the "smart guy mask," and the "I got my shit together mask."
Today, Matt is an executive coach using his hard-earned wisdom to help leaders avoid the landmines he stepped on during his own leadership journey. Through his work with peer advisory groups and his book "Rebound: From Pain to Passion," Matt demonstrates that true strength comes from exposing your struggles to the light instead of hiding them.
Get ready to hear about the morning routine that changed his life, why he believes vulnerability is the new invincibility, and the surprising origin of the word "coach." Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or just trying to get out of bed some mornings, this episode will challenge you to take off your masks and step into who you're meant to be.
Matt’s hype song is Ramble On by Led Zeppelin
Resources:
Coach Matt Doherty’s websites: https://coachmattdoherty.com/ and https://dohertycoaching.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmattdoherty/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachmattdoherty/Claim your copy of “Rebound: From Pain to Passion” at https://dohertycoaching.com/books/Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 - 36min - 254 - 204. The Bully in the Mirror with Massimo Backus
Fine is a 4-Letter Word is all about those moments when “fine” is just the mask we wear before life gives us a loud wake-up call.
For Massimo Backus, that wake-up call came wrapped in a leadership 360 evaluation that painted a picture he didn’t recognize. The team he thought he was inspiring and supporting saw someone defensive, unsafe to approach, even a bully. Gut punch, right?
Raised by creative, supportive parents who met in a woodworking class over a three-legged chair, Massimo learned the values of creativity, acceptance, and generosity that would later guide his unconventional career path. He also carried the invisible weight of childhood dyslexia and a lifelong habit of needing to prove himself. That pattern followed him into adulthood and eventually showed up in how he led others.
His relentless pursuit of purpose-driven work eventually led him to a prestigious position as global head of leadership development for a large international consulting firm, where he thought he had finally “made it.” However, that 360-degree feedback assessment came as an unexpected wake-up call.
Massimo first tried to “fix” himself on his own. It wasn’t until he surrendered control and attended the Hoffman Process, a weeklong retreat, that he uncovered the real saboteur: his own inner critic.
Through self-compassion, Massimo finally found the power to stop performing and start being. Listen as we unpack his journey from overactive inner critic to radical freedom.
Massimo’s hype song is Dance Yrself Clean by LCD Sound System
Resources:
InKind Leaders Website: https://www.inkindleaders.com/Massimo’s Personal Website: https://massimobackus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-backus/Claim your copy of: “Human First, Leader Second” bookInvitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Thu, 06 Nov 2025 - 43min - 253 - 203. When Silence Speaks Louder Than Words with Karen Brown
Hey high achiever, what if the only way to save your life… was to finally stop doing all the things and learn how to be?
In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Fine is a 4-Letter Word, we sit down with Karen Brown, a global leader, poet, and mentor who has lived and worked in nearly 90 countries—and once wore her “busyness” like a badge of honor. I know you can relate to that.
Raised in Jamaica on the values of personal identity, learning, and service, Karen built her life around helping others. But when decades of stress and 18-hour workdays landed her in the emergency room, she was forced to face a painful truth: the woman who’d mastered productivity had forgotten how to pause.
What followed was a journey of rediscovering the power of silence. Because for Karen, silence wasn’t just absence of noise; silence was painful and jarring. It was a void she tended to fill with constant learning and doing. Over time, though, she learned to sit with silence, to let it restore her body, calm her mind, and reconnect her to herself.
That transformation didn’t just heal her—it deepened the way she serves others.
Now, Karen changes lives through the simplest of acts: truly seeing people. Whether mentoring a young professional, writing letters to hotel staff around the world, or stopping a stranger just to say, “You are seen,” Karen reminds us how small moments of kindness can heal invisible wounds and ripple outward into the world.
But here’s the question that lingers: when silence finally knocked on her door… what truth did it whisper that changed everything?
Tune in to find out how Karen turned stillness into strength—and how you can, too.
Karen’s hype song is "We Pray" by Coldplay.
Resources:
Karen Brown’s website: https://bridgearrow.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridge-arrow/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgeArrow/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoeKJ8Bnc_POr-IidXaNAFgInvitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
So let’s have our sit-down with Karen. I’ve been looking forward to this, especially a story she reveals near the end where she transformed people’s careers simply by writing letters!
Thu, 09 Oct 2025 - 51min - 252 - 202. Three Kinds of Truths with Angie Tumlinson
Stop and ponder for a moment.
Is it possible that everything you thought was keeping you “safe” was actually keeping you small?
We often look to resolve our issues through self-help books, seminars, and courses. But if they really worked, we’d all be perfectly fit, deliriously happy, worry-free millionaires! No, we need to dig deeper.
Angie Tumlinson’s story is a roadmap on how to find that higher level of fulfullment.
She grew up with the values of hard work, perfectionism, and fear-driven faith—beliefs that shaped, then nearly broke, her life. From running a booming church to walking away from it all, from building businesses out of sheer grit (and $27 in her pocket) to discovering the power of belief and imagination, Angie’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and radical self-discovery.
Then came the devastating losses of both parents, the identity crisis that followed, and the unexpected mentor (a name you might know!) who appeared just when she needed him most. Along the way, Angie learned the difference between “need” and “want,” how to let go of old paradigms, and why most of us are terrified to admit what we truly desire.
When Angie finally allowed herself to envision the life she really wanted, something extraordinary happened—her income multiplied tenfold, her relationships transformed, and her voice grew stronger than ever.
So how did she go from exhausted pastor’s wife and overworked business owner to creating abundance, freedom, and authenticity on her own terms? And what powerful lesson did she learn about love, control, and partnership that changed her marriage forever?
Tune in and find out…
Angie’s hype song is “Can't Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake.
Resources:
Angie Tumlinson’s website: https://www.elevateyouinstitute.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angietumlinsoncoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angietumlinsonWatch Angie’s webinar, “Go For It”, and discover priceless insights that help you start living the life you dream about at https://www.elevateyouinstitute.com/go-for-itInvitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
So, let’s bring Angie on. I, like you, can’t want to hear this story!
Thu, 02 Oct 2025 - 50min - 251 - 201. Build It Boldly with Dr. Kimberly McGlonn
Welcome to a new season of Fine is a 4-Letter Word. I’m excited for today’s guest because there is no better time for you to meet someone who embodies what it means to live boldly, build with purpose, and refuse to accept “fine” as a final answer.
Dr. Kimberly McGlonn spent 18 years as a high school teacher, a job she loved thoroughly. She could have stayed there and finished up an amazing career. But she realized she was only reaching about 100 people a year. And she wanted to reach thousands.
So Kimberly took a sabbatical and traveled to East Africa where she dove deep into creativity. She came back with a mission of starting a new breed of fashion design company she called Grant Boulevard.
The first Black woman-owned B Corp in the U.S. fashion industry, her design firm aligned with a value she learned in childhood of combating disenfranchisement. Going way beyond creating eye-grabbing blouses and fashion tastemaking, this brand was interested in sustainable materiality. Focused on supply chain and procurement and climate action, but also very interested in not separating climate action from the need to take care of workers. They recruited women in the Philadelphia area whose lives had been impacted by the criminal justice system to sew the clothing, creating empowerment and opportunity.
We’re connecting with Kimberly just at the point where she sunsetted Grant Boulevard and is bringing to life another design company – Black Ivory Thrift. And she has taken the powerful step of writing a book to exponentially share her message of sustainability, service, and advancing the common good.
So far, we’ve only scratched the surface. Over the next 30 minutes, you’re about to discover Kimberly’s fascinating story which goes into so many more areas as well!
Kimberly’s hype song is “New Day” by Alicia Keys
Resources:
Dr. Kimberly McGlonn’s website: https://www.drkimberlymcglonn.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkimberlymcglonn/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlymcglonn/ Claim your copy of “Build It Boldly” in audiobook, paperback, and e-book format by visiting the links at https://linktr.ee/builditboldlyInvitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Now, let’s head over to meet Kimberly. She’s out in her yard bird-watching! As I said, this intro just scratched the surface.
Sat, 27 Sep 2025 - 44min - 250 - 200. Valuing Yourself Equally with Others In Friendships: A Special Episode With Lori
By the time you see this episode, I’ll be in Tanzania, petting lions and riding zebras.
(Ok, I KNOW, that’s not likely to happen, but I wish it could!)
This week marks a lot of milestones.
It’s the one-year anniversary of my father’s passing, and part of my reason for visiting Tanzania is to honor his memory and express gratitude for making sure he left behind the funding I’d need for the trip.
It’s also the 200th episode of Fine is a 4-Letter Word – and as I was doing my last-minute packing and thinking about what I’d share, what immediately came to mind are the many valuable friendships and connections I’ve made through interviewing our amazing guests, working with our production team, and having the chance to dialogue with you – the listener – about what we share here.
Thus the topic of this very short (just 12 minutes and 50 seconds) episode, which is all about valuing yourself equally in friendships.
I’ve been around long enough to see friendships come and go – and stay – and am convinced of the validity of the saying “Some are for a season, some are for a lesson, and some are for life.”
In today’s episode, YOU are the subject.
When you tune in now, you’ll discover a simple but powerful blueprint that helps you determine which of your friendships serve you equally with the other person, which don’t, what you may be able to do to correct it, and what happens if you can’t.
At the very end, I have two very short “asks” of you – one is about the podcast, and one is about the status of your friendships.
I only ask if you could please give each one of them their due – it will take but a couple minutes – because the benefits you gain may astound you.
Lori’s hype song as she records this special episode is “Raise Your Glass” by Pink.
Resources:
My Website: https://ZenRabbit.com/ LinkedIn: https://zenrabbit.com/linkedin/ Facebook: https://zenrabbit.com/facebook/ Instagram: https://zenrabbit.com/instagram/Visit the “FINE is a 4-Letter Word” store at https://zenrabbit.printful.meInvitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Now, let’s get started!
Thu, 21 Aug 2025 - 12min - 249 - 199. Heart Work, Not Hard Work with Shaun Murphy
If you’re having difficulty finding what you’re looking for in life, have you thought about looking in a completely different place? One that might require walking away from what you have?
Of course you can say that’s a lot easier said than done, especially if it feels like there’s not a whole lot out there for you.
For Shaun Murphy, known internationally as Mister Motivation, the idea of staying in place, settling, and subsisting never really worked for him. Fine is a 4-Letter Word, and at every step of the way, standing still has never been “fine” for him.
His father was murdered when he was six years old. His mother, an immigrant from Barbados, was poverty-stricken yet resourceful and would go through walls to make sure the family had enough – not much, for sure, but enough – with about $100 per month to spare. And yet, if she was down to her last $20 and met a starving stranger on the street, she’d buy them a good meal. So showing up, working hard without complaining, staying grounded in service, and helping other people – these were the core values the experience imprinted on Shaun.
After high school, he briefly went to college then dropped out to serve in the military for eight years. But when he got out, he discovered three unpleasant truths.
One, there is not nearly enough support for military servicepeople transitioning to civilian life. Two, after eight years of active duty and living well, all of a sudden he was back to not knowing for sure where his next meal would come from. And third, he found that as a man in his community, a man just couldn’t talk about it when things aren’t fine. Even if his buddies gave him an understanding ear in the moment, they might embarrass him over it a few weeks down the road. And women would see him as soft.
Shaun’s next job was working in the mailroom at NYU, where he learned a priceless lesson I’ll let him tell you about. Next it was off to Iraq, working as a combat civilian working the postal mission. And then he was introduced to Teach for America and realized this was his calling. By now, he had a good-paying steady job and career prospects. “Impact over income”, Shaun tells us – so he got the degree he needed and took a huge pay cut for the opportunity to spread wealth into the lives of others.
Fast-forward a bit, and Shaun found himself a former college dropout who had become a college professor teaching college students how to succeed in college.
There’s so much more to this story, as I’m going to let Shaun tell you in his own words. Now, he’s an accomplished motivational speaker, musician, author – and sports team owner. I can’t wait to share.
Shaun’s hype song is "The Bunker" by Mister Motivation.
Resources:
Shaun Murphy’s website: https://mister-motivation.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmurphy1/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misterm0tivati0nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/misterm0tivati0n/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mistermotivation492 Claim your copy of Shaun Murphy's book, Unbreakable Valor: Triumph Through the Soul of Resilience.Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Now that we’ve talked a little business, let’s bring Shaun Murphy onto the stage. Get ready to tap into an area of your brain where childlike states of enthusiasm meet adult aspirations to greatness!
Thu, 14 Aug 2025 - 45min - 248 - 198. Leading With Humanity Over Hustle with Christian Agulles
A lot of companies use positive-sounding cliches like “people over profit” and “work-life balance”. This sounds good, until somebody pulls the sales reports and says “we need more revenue and profits”. Then, the bottom line becomes the bottom line. This is sometimes served with a side of “you come to work to do work, change the world on your own time”.
Now, picture a model where putting people over profit actually increases profits. Where work-life balance is not measured using number of hours worked or percentage of time in the office vs. working remotely. Being involved with a company that breaks the rules and norms for its industry, where coming to work to do work means doing your part to change the world.
Christian Agulles has created all of these things in an industry known for squeezing its engineers like getting that last drop out of the toothpaste tube.
Born and raised in College Point, a little town in Queens, Christian was a devout Catholic who went to church, went to Catholic school, and had the whole Catholic experience that, as he describes it, formed him and scarred him at the same time. His father, a police officer, was shot in the line of duty when Christian was seven. Even being able to retire on three-quarters pension, that money didn’t go far supporting a family including Christian and his two younger brothers. His mother went to work in the school cafeteria so she could align her schedule with her sons, and cleaned houses on weekends. By example, she taught Christian to not be afraid to do hard things and to do them with grace.
While starting his family, Christian spent the first 20 years of his career with an engineering firm that moved him around the country to open new offices. But over those 20 years, his employer was repeatedly acquired and evolved into company that focused more on acquisition, revenue, and EBIDA. It was right around this time he was recruited to join PAE. Everything worked out fine, yes? Well, Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
Did his moment of realization come from a coaching session at PAE with Sandy Lindstrom, known for the “polishing the diamond” principle, where he found out they did not feel he was very good at delivering feedback?
Was it discovering that his foundational values around doing hard work with grace could be merged with volunteerism, altruism, and contribution?
In a moment, when I bring Christian on, he’s going to guide us through his experience leading a Certified B-Corporation and how he’s taken one of their metrics – utilization – and redefined it to build PAE into a company that has a net positive impact not only on its employees, but on society as a whole. If, up until now, you’ve seen your best-laid plans get trumped by “the bottom line” when bills are due, this could be what you need to hear.
Christian’s hype songs are "Bring It On Home To Me" by Sam Cooke and "Right to Be Wrong" by Joss Stone.
Resources:
Christian Agulles’ website: https://www.pae-engineers.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-j-agulles/Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Now, let’s head over to meet Christian. As you’ll see when we go through, this comes with a lot of “two-fers” that could double the value of your time hanging out with us!
Thu, 07 Aug 2025 - 54min - 247 - 197. Leading Magnanimously with Andrew Brummer
What if the secret to a peaceful, impactful life is simply refusing to live by anyone else’s rules?”
Then imagine what would change if you stopped living for a legacy and started living like today is all that matters.
As you get to know Andrew Brummer and his journey toward self-actualization, you’ll discover the seeds harvested with him were planted early. He had a difficult childhood for various reasons, but his parents provided a sound upbringing. His father taught him to be a “multiplier”. This means, to not only enhance others, but to be skilled in many areas rather than have a narrowly-focused specialty. Add his mother’s teaching that nobody is going to make things better for you and you alone choose how to live, and you combine resourcefulness with resilience.
His mother also taught him to accept people as they are and love them the way they want to be loved. Over time, this liberated Andrew to be of better service to his employees, his teammates, and his community. It also helped him find his own True North and build a solid foundation for himself.
All in all a good package, and on the surface it looked fine. But Fine Is a 4-Letter Word. We all wear what Andrew calls “the Facebook mask”, where we make it seem like everything is great and watch everyone else do the same. Andrew admits here he’s gone through many tough times, including in his relationships, work situations and immigration challenges. Plus, he’s had a lifetime of medical issues that have required numerous surgeries.
But what did he discover?
Ultimately, nobody is going to put their nose to the grindstone and do the work for you. It’s up to you to make it happen. And, like his mother taught him, it’s up to you to decide what kind of day you’ll have when you wake up in the morning and get moving.
Today, Andrew is not only a fractional COO, he’s also either leading or launching several other companies, including one that’s building a firearms training system that can even teach kids to use them safely. He is a coach and a mentor. Plus, he has a radio station that has a 200-song playlist. And that’s when he’s not doing woodwork or decorating his house with 35,000 Christmas lights. Skilled in many areas, as his father taught him. Sounds like an interesting guy, yes?
In a moment, when you hear from Andrew, you’ll discover a lot more about his journey. One key lesson was finding his own truth and coming to embrace that each of us has our own truth. There are so many more in his new book, “Leading Magnanimously”, which you’ll hear more about.
Andrew’s hype song is "Kiss Off" by Violent Femmes.
Resources:
Andrew Brummer’s website: https://ardunan.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbrummer/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrummer X: https://x.com/andrewbrummer Claim your copy of Andrew’s new book, “Leading Magnanimously”, at https://ardunan.com/village/books/land-lmInvitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
So let’s meet Andrew and take a deep dive with him into his practice and philosophy for helping himself and others succeed beyond THEIR projections. I am curious, though: 35 THOUSAND Christmas lights?
Thu, 31 Jul 2025 - 44min - 246 - 196. My Conversations With God with Neale Donald Walsch
Do you believe God talks with you? In fact, God is never not talking with you!
Depending on your background, beliefs, and point of view, this might sound crazy. If you’re actively involved in any of the 4,223 religions currently practiced around the world today, the elders of whatever your formal congregation is called will probably say you ARE crazy. They might also call you a sinner, a heretic, a blasphemer, or worse.
So imagine a man who’d seemingly had it all going for him. He was a former radio broadcaster who then made a name for himself as a newspaper reporter, rising to managing editor of a weekly newspaper in Annapolis, MD. He made good money. He had a wife and kids. Everything was fine – more than fine.
But one day his wife decided she wanted a divorce. It was amicable, but still difficult. Five days after the end of his marriage, he was downsized out of his job. His boss gave him a glowing recommendation though and he was off to another job interview faster than it took to brew some coffee… and on the way there he got in a car accident that broke his neck and left him lucky to be alive.
After he got out of the hospital, the job interviews kept coming, but nobody would hire him. Like it or not, he was told, that neck brace he was wearing scared employers because if anything happened to him while he was at work, they’d be paying his medical bills for the next five years. He lost his apartment because he couldn’t come up with rent money. He ended up living on the street for a year. Moving back in with his ex-wife even temporarily was out of the question – fair enough – but she wouldn’t even let him come in the house. He had to visit the kids in the garage.
Fine is a 4-Letter Word, indeed.
Well, eventually he found some work and was able to rent a tiny studio apartment. This man, who had grown up religious, woke up at 4:23 one morning and wrote an angry letter on a yellow notepad to God, asking in essence, “What do I have to do to make it in the game of life?”
Then he heard a voice… God answered. (Or was that God?)
For Neale Donald Walsch, that was a good question. But then these conversations became a regular thing. He was writing, or channeling, everything he heard. Eventually, God told him he would publish his writings, and the answers, as a book. Neale’s publisher told him it would never sell 500 copies since nobody would believe God spoke directly to anyone who wasn’t a pope, patriarch, preacher, rabbi, or imam. Turns out, his publisher was right – it didn’t sell 500 copies. It sold FIVE MILLION.
Conversations with God, Book 1 was published in 1995 and I’m pretty sure I have one of the first copies, which I devoured cover to cover. It all made so much sense to me. But back then, and even up until a couple months ago, I would never have imagined having an hour-long conversation with Neale. But now that I have, you don’t have to imagine it either. You get to hear it.
Resources:
Neale Donald Walsch’s websites: http://www.nealedonaldwalsch.com/ and https://CWGconnect.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NealeDonaldWalsch/ Also, check out Episode #190, Study That Which You Desire To Become with John Morris - it was John who introduced me to Neale!Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Now, for a level and dimension of human communication you don’t hear very often, let’s get into it with Neale. There’s no music on his radio, but that’s okay.
Thu, 10 Jul 2025 - 1h 14min - 245 - 195. Generals Eat Last with Tony Crescenzo
How many battles are you fighting without even being aware you’re in the arena?
It might seem like everything is “fine”. Sure, you had struggles, some hard times and bad luck, and things that didn’t quite go your way. Many people have a story or two about the time they got fucked over BECAUSE they were doing the right thing.
That boomerang can spin around and hit you when you least expect it, like it did for Tony Crescenzo.
Tony grew up in a family of mechanics. Really, all the men in his family were mechanics, except for one grandfather who retired relatively young and bought a farm. They all lived in that same South Philadelphia neighborhood where the Rocky Balboa character trained for his fights with Apollo Creed. So young Tony worked Saturdays as a mechanic and Sundays on his grandfather’s farm, learning the value of good, honest work.
Tony’s parents divorced. His mother remarried to a Navy officer and they moved to Hawaii.
His stepfather’s friend was an old-school Marine whose John Wayne-esque tales of service and heroism inspired young Tony to join the Marines. That’s where he learned priceless lessons about teamwork, being part of something greater than yourself, and the importance of service.
That’s until he was assigned to NIS (which is what it was before NCIS), working in criminal investigations to bring down a paycheck scam. As the only witness for the upcoming court-martial of the accused, he soon found himself being court-martialed – and convicted – for a plethora of exaggerated charges, one of which was that he was UA (think AWOL) even though he was on an approved leave!
So much for Semper Fi, right? Well, not exactly. Tony did get the conviction reversed, along with a commendation for his service and $20 for his trouble. But he decided to pivot to the private sector, working for, leading, and owning various companies and becoming a sort of “Clint Eastwood” of corporate restructuring.
The thing is, his penchant for fighting was affecting every aspect of his life. Both his first and his second wives were used to Tony waking them up in the middle of the night screaming in his sleep. In his own words, he was was one of those people who goes from zero to fuck you in 10 seconds. So things weren’t “fine”. It’s a four-letter word. And then everything changed when he mis-Googled directions to the CIA.
In a moment, when we meet Tony, he is going to give us a master class in accountability, vulnerability, and leadership including the power of meditation and an innovative method he is bringing to market for treating PTSD.
As you listen, reflect on the fact that PTSD is not limited to those who have seen death and destruction on the battlefield. It comes in many different forms from triggers you might not even know.
Tony’s hype song is “Summer Wind” by Frank Sinatra.
Resources:
Tony Crescenzo’s websites: https://peakneuro.com/ and https://intelligentwaves.com/. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrescenzoInvitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
As I said, Tony is about to give us a master class in engagement, performance, and success.
Let’s go see him now. He’s standing at the very end of the buffet line!
Thu, 03 Jul 2025 - 53min - 244 - 194. It’s Time We Talk About Money with Anders Jones
Ever heard the phrase “may you live in interesting times?” Seems applicable these days. And it’s causing a lot of people to live with a constant feeling of anxiety that nags at you, sapping at your energy throughout the day, so by bedtime, you're exhausted but still can’t sleep. Financial stress is a primary source. According to an April 2025 survey, fewer than 45% of Americans say they’re in better than fair shape financially. Which means more than 50% are not ok.
Well, there's a good chance that it’s not your fault. Because many Americans did not grow up with the family support to develop financial literacy from a young age. Maybe you were told family finances were “none of your business.” Layer on top that often parents and grandparents didn’t have a strong financial foundation of understanding to start with either.
Anders Jones has been taking matters around this topic into his own hands ever since a series of twists and turns brought him into what he and his mother jokingly call "the family business", even though the family doesn't have a business and they never worked together.
Growing up, Anders was fortunate to not really want for much of anything. His mom worked at Fidelity and helped millions of Americans prepare for retirement. His stepdad was a British guy who gifted him his first car, complete with a single CD disc changer and two requirements.
Graduating college in 2009, at the height of a financial crisis, he didn't have a whole lot of prospects for becoming an investment banker or going into private equity. So he joined a Web 2.0 company owned by a serial entrepreneur whose method was to hire young, promising talent and empower them to figure things out. After a while, they sold the company. Since then, he's become involved with several ventures, including co-founding a financial planning firm called Facet.
Now, Anders says that he feels so fortunate that if he were to die and be reincarnated, he'd want to come back as himself. That’s not something many people would say. So at what moment did the boomerang whack him in the face and show him why Fine Is a 4-Letter Word?
Well hang on, because when you meet Anders, you'll find out that this time, it's you, the listener, for whom things are not "fine". Up until now, you've been told that money is a taboo topic. Up until now, you've been told to trust your gut, then gotten lambasted when you did and things didn't work out as planned.
It's time for new conversations on a lot of topics. Anders is going to get us started on three - gratitude, mindfulness, and financial literacy. There's a reason he picks three, which you'll also find out.
Anders’ hype song is “Riding With The King” by B.B. King & Eric Clapton.
Resources:
Anders Jones’ website: https://facet.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anders-jones/Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
I look forward to speaking with you about all that. In the meantime, you and I are the guests of honor at Anders Jones’ dinner party. This is going to be so interesting.
Thu, 26 Jun 2025 - 48min - 243 - 193. Fighting A Bear In The Cave with Eddie Sand
If the self-help industry was actually effective, the world would be full of people in perfect health with boundless wealth, always succeeding at everything they set out to do. They'd have perfect relationships, be surrounded by nothing but love and harmony, and know the definition of paradise!
The first time things seem a little off, you'd just buy one book, read it, and voila! You'd never need another book because the stars would align like some freaking celestial rapture put at your service personally. Alas, that's not the case.
Eddie Sand started reading one of those books. Rather than solve his problem instantly, it put him in such a tailspin that he ended up spending five months going through hell. Even his wife couldn't say much that would help him along or make him want to get out of bed.
Raised by his grandparents, lack showed him how different people had different things in their lives, which made him want to become better. And contributed to what’s become one of his biggest values - being genuine.
After several failed attempts to join the Army, he enlisted in the Marines because he noticed a Marine recruiter at his high school who seemed to have a bunch of girls crushing on him. What guy doesn’t want that? I *may* have had a thing for a few Marines myself 😊 So he served four years honorably, then got out because... he met a girl, now his wife and the mother of his daughters. So far so good, yes?
Well, he went out to find a job. What he found - a job selling cologne and perfume in the streets of Newark, New Jersey - made him yearn to go back to the Marine training where recruits are required to stand in containers full of tear gas without masks. One thing led to another, and he found a career in sales. Then he discovered his religious faith. But the initial draw was how the preacher issued a call to action to become better as a person - in a way, another form of sales.
Eddie found his niche, and everything seemed fine - but Fine Is a 4-Letter Word. A client gave him a book to read about Ego, and it tore him up. He found himself, as he describes it, in a cave he had to struggle through - a journey that took five months and that he's about to share with you.
In a moment, when you hear from Eddie, you'll discover the key piece of self-growth that a lot of personal development training misses. As part of the process, Eddie tried to feel multiple negative emotions all at once. Then it all sort of went away. You'll find out what happened and why.
Right now, Eddie is leading a group to teach people how to better approach their sales conversations. And working on how to share his struggles as a means for helping other men know they’re not alone. What does this mean? You're about to find out.
Eddie’s hype song is "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC.
Resources:
Eddie Sand’s website: https://stan.store/EddieSand LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddievsand/Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
But before you and I have that conversation about your organization, let’s speak with Eddie. He has a nice big cup of coffee in what is that, an Iron Man or Captain American mug? I can’t quite tell.
Thu, 19 Jun 2025 - 52min - 242 - 192. Show Up, Smile, And Support with Kevin Schnieders
Some people are just born with it.
Whether it’s the intelligence you need to thrive, personality traits that make you likable – or your dad owning the company you grow up to become “Chief Servant Leader” of – we all have something going for us.
Throughout the 192 (and counting) episodes of Fine Is a 4-Letter Word, I’ve covered stories of pain, struggle, perseverance, and salvation. One of my guests even went to prison for a murder she did not commit!
Kevin Schnieders is one of those guys who, when you first meet him, strikes you as the kind who was just born with it. But as we peel back the layers, you’re going to get to know a man who shows there’s always room to grow and boundless opportunities to make an impact when you see them.
Kevin’s dad was a school administrator who took a bold leap in founding EDSI, a workforce development, customized training, and consulting company focused on providing innovative solutions to close workforce skills gaps around the country. His mom was his dad’s biggest cheerleader, not a big departure since she had actually been a cheerleader for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He was the middle child, partially in awe of his brother who was brilliant in his studies. Kevin was less academic, but he found a niche as an athlete and pursued a dream of becoming a sportscaster. Rather than take to the mic, Kevin went into teaching and then came to work at EDSI – first as a training consultant, then as Director of HR and Operations, then as COO, before becoming CEO. Then he bought the company. Along the way he married and has two wonderful daughters who make him proud every day.
You’d think – wow, everything’s fine for Kevin. We could say, “He’s doing great and he lived happily after ever. The end!” But Fine Is a 4-Letter Word, as Kevin discovered when he was asked at a seminar how intelligent he was on a scale of 1 to 10, and he answered “6”. Bang! At that point, he realized he’d been carrying weight around for not being “as smart” as his brother. I’ll let Kevin explain. Then he attended another seminar and found out that for as compassionate as he always is toward others, he’d been falling short in practicing self-compassion.
In a moment, when you meet Kevin, you’ll discover what came next. How does all this impact him as a father? How does he pass his values to his daughters? As the owner of a company with 856 employees, what’s his secret for creating a sense of personal connection with every single person who works for him – all 856 of them?
Whether you have zero, ten, or 856 employees, or you are the employee, get out a note card – yes, an actual note card – and prepare to write.
Kevin’s hype song is "Be Who You Are" by Michael Franti & Spearhead.
Resources:
Kevin Schnieders’ website: https://www.edsi.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edsi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EDSITalent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edsi_careers/ X: https://x.com/EDSI_Solutions YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/EDSIvideosInvitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
And with that, let’s head over to Kevin’s office for a chat. Wait – he doesn’t have an office. Or a desk. Just a locker. What’s he doing poring over baseball cards?
Thu, 12 Jun 2025 - 50min - 241 - 191. Know Who's In Your Entourage with Margaret Rogers
Time and again, as you go through nearly 200 episodes of Fine Is a 4-Letter Word, you'll find stories from guests who found themselves disconnected from what's supposed to be a connected world.
Your circle of close friends you see all the time - your "besties"? Go back two years and tell me how many of them are the same people.
Your avid following on social media who hang on your every post? Delete your account and I bet maybe two of them even try to reach out somewhere else.
Sometimes being disconnected is a lonely place to be. Other times, it gives you the advantage of not being indoctrinated into other people's beliefs.
It could also mean your tribe is quietly forming behind you as you go through this journey called life - as Margaret Rogers discovered when her own journey became a giant a-ha moment.
The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, her parents' cultural way of showing love was to make sure she had the security that came with providing for her basic needs. She wanted for little materially, but the rest was up to her. Her parents told her two things: "We want you to be happy, healthy, and have a steady job" and "Money's easy to spend and very difficult to make".
In school, she was the only Asian girl in class. There weren't the thriving, nuclear Asian communities that exist in almost every city today. In college, taking an engineering class filled almost entirely with white men, her professor interrupted his lecture and singled out the woman, asking her, "do you understand?" for no particular reason at all.
Graduating with degrees in both electrical engineering and computer science, Margaret easily got a job during the dot-com boom. But then the bubble burst. She decided she really wanted to do "consulting" with only a vague notion of what that is. So she said "if you're laying people off, pick me" and started her own firm.
This was all turning out just fine. Really. But Fine is a 4-Letter Word, as Margaret found out after another company acquired hers and she became an executive there. When it hit her that the acquirer had bought the company's technical skill but abandoned the culture she had built, she felt like she'd let down the team she'd nurtured and assured she'd take good care of.
So, who had Margaret's back now?
You'll discover that in a moment. You’ll hear her story about the power of mentorship that began when she hired her first employee and recognized how that changed her own life forever. You'll also see how everybody from her Taiwanese grandmother to so many she’s met along the way have come together behind her like a posse. Like she's Wonder Woman and they're her Avengers.
Listen all the way through as it will hit you right at the end.
Margaret’s hype song is "Let's Get It Started" by The Black Eyed Peas.
Resources:
Margaret Rogers’ website: https://parivedasolutions.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretpengrogers/Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
And now that we’ve talked a little business between you and me, let’s talk some business with Margaret. Wait – is she balancing an old-school checkbook?
Thu, 05 Jun 2025 - 45min - 240 - 190. Study That Which You Desire To Become with John Morris
Being an outsider can be challenging – but it can also be your absolute superpower!
We all come into the world as a blank slate with the opportunity to form and grow organically. Taking in the world as you find it before being tethered to a rigid or strongly defined set of predetermined beliefs set for you by others.
John Morris started out that way too, but unlike most people, he never took on the opinions of others. He began questioning fear-based systems, trusting inner knowing, and seeing the world through a wildly different lens than most. This approach has given him a unique ability to use a few simple tools to reinvent himself every time he finds the world not to his liking and decides he can have better and do better.
Growing up, while his mom chased the current popular thing, his dad didn’t really instill a structured set of beliefs – his motto was “as you see it, as you get it”. Not only that, but he was isolated as a child, which had the silver lining of sparing him from having his beliefs molded by others in a hundred silent ways. When he was a teenager, there was a big part of him that knew he was different, knew he didn't process the world in the way that other people did.
John’s grandmother instilled in him his strong religious beliefs, which contrary to some of the stories you’ve heard from others on our show, weren’t constricting to him at all. After 15 years as a youth minister and 20 years as an evangelist, he left the church because of what he saw as scaremongering and politics.
But John came to understand that Fine is a 4-Letter Word because of how the word “fine” was an acronym commonly used in his youth ministry: “feeling inadequate, needing encouragement” – and how this version of “fine” can be brought about by pressure to conform and not speak of anything others don’t want to hear. I love this!
You’re about to meet a man currently in a profound state of metamorphosis. In addition to being a preacher, he has also built up an international reputation as an artist – something that he may be limited doing in the future due to a recent onset of dyspraxia. So with the additional ailments of amaurosis (which affects vision) and dyslexia (which affects the ability to read), what is John doing? He’s on his way to becoming an acclaimed author and is working with some of the biggest publishing houses and powerhouse editors to make it happen.
In just the past couple years, he’s written 25 complete novels, of which there are only two original manuscripts. He has one and His Majesty the King has the other.
All of this is possible due to a few simple understandings and ways of being, which we’ll circle back to after we chat with John.
John’s hype song is "Art From The Heart" by John Morris.
Resources:
John Morris’ website: https://thejohnmorris.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnmorrisartfromtheheart/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmorrisartfromtheheart/During the episode, we discussed Wayne Dyer’s “Everyday Wisdom” recording – watch it on YouTube or download the audio.Claim your 10% off your first 3 mental health sessions with John Morris - limited to the first 10 persons who mention his appearance on our show, “Fine is a 4-Letter Word”, by visiting his website at https://thejohnmorris.co.uk/.
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got an annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
And now, let’s head over to speak with John. He’s got a nice cozy little place here, festooned with the most awesome paintings of cats!
Thu, 29 May 2025 - 45min - 239 - 189. When Closure Is Actually A New Opening with Jill Valdez
Have you been moving through life feeling like there’s something else out there?
You can’t put your finger on it. Even though nothing outwardly seems off, there’s more to the story than you’ve been told or that you can see. Something’s not adding up, but how do you make 2+2=4?
For Jill Valdez, this crept up on her in a hundred small ways. Although she went through some experiences that were far less traumatic for her than they are for others – there was always something else behind door #1.
Born to an 18-year-old mother who put her up for adoption, Jill was raised in a conservative Christian home – but it didn’t feel constricting to her. Her values included faith and knowing that you reap what you sow – all well and good, but she’d come back to question those later.
When she was 15, she felt like she lost both her adoptive parents at once when her mother died and her father emotionally abandoned the family as he became a workaholic to deal with grief that would affect him for many years. Jill went through a rebellious-teenager streak, but recognized that wasn’t the life she wanted. Both she and her husband were called to traditional pastoral work, which she enjoyed until she decided to change how she leads people. Jill went through a lot, but somehow it always worked out. Everything seemed fine. But Fine, as you know, is a 4-Letter Word.
It definitely was NOT fine when shortly after her sister died, a man at church asked, “where’s your smile?” For f*cks sake, her sister had just died! It also wasn’t fine when her beloved nephew Kirky died just 11 days after being diagnosed with acute leukemia. Nor was it fine that Jill wasn’t sure she knew where she came from, other than that she was adopted.
So, she did her homework, found her maternal grandmother, and gave her a call. It took two hours to get through… but her grandmother, with whom she had never communicated before, instantly knew who was calling. As Jill got to know her biological mother, she discovered that being put up for adoption was a blessing. They have a great relationship now – and good thing they didn’t know each other when Jill was growing up!
In a moment, when you meet Jill, you’ll discover what could be a new point of view about why things happen. That in order to be authentic, it’s okay to question your values and the world as you see it, even if you come to agree that it’s… fine. Or more than fine, for that matter. And as you hear about what Jill is doing now with her consulting work, helping her clients get out of the weeds of chaos, it may hit you like a boomerang right at the end how everything she’s gone through has led to this moment.
Jill’s hype song is "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey.
Resources:
Jill Valdez’ website: https://www.linkconsulting.info/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillvaldezlink/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j_valdezlink/Invitation From Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Now speaking of managing and exceeding expectations, let’s go meet Jill. And hear why, when she was in high school, she was so confused about a Michael Jackson song.
Thu, 22 May 2025 - 46min - 238 - 188. Change Is Great (When It Happens To Others) with Suzanne Hopson
What if… one of your core values that should be empowering turned out to be something that held you back?
It’s meant to build confidence to try things. But it becomes a sort of low-key vicious cycle that subconsciously holds you back and curbs your ability to change.
That silent boomerang would be ironic for a professional change agent, but that same boomerang has been both catalyst and inhibitor of Suzanne Hopson’s story.
Growing up, Suzanne was taught, to quote her exact words as she said them in the conversation you’re about to hear, to “never think that there wasn't something I couldn't do”. I listened to the recording three times to make sure I heard her right. Did she mean it just like that? Was it a Freudian slip?
Well, she goes on to say that would have been a limiting belief IF she had it, but that life taught her – sometimes rudely – that she couldn’t do what she set out to do. It was a double-edged sword. So was the other core value, that you can’t do anything by yourself. While we can achieve more as a collective than the sum of our individual efforts, it can also mean that you can’t do anything on your own. I’ll let you sit with that one and hear from Suzanne on that.
So where did all of this leave Suzanne?
After three decades working in the multifamily industry, she came to an inflection point where she began to ask whether she should remain in her executive role or strike out on her own as an entrepreneur. Having to go through the experience of laying off employees, due to no fault of their own or her own, was a catalyst.
As you’re about to discover when you tune in for my chat with Suzanne, she did quit her executive job and start Here2Elevate™, which works with companies and their leadership to see the world as they want it to be and learn how to make it that way. Two factors played a big role. One is the power of mentorship, both positive and negative. The other is coming to terms with the visceral power of change management – the “grit” of it.
Whatever you’ve come to believe about change management and change in general, you may find yourself seeing a new point of view.
Suzanne’s hype song is “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten.
Resources:
Suzanne Hopson’s website: https://here2elevate.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannehopson/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/here2elevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/here2elevate/X: https://x.com/suzanne_hopsonTake Suzanne Hopson's Business Performance Assessment Quiz to discover how your team measures up in key areas like profitability and strategic thinking. Start now: https://elevated-business-performance.scoreapp.com
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Now, it’s time to meet Suzanne. Come on in. If you think you’ve heard it all… all I can say is, “not yet”…
Thu, 15 May 2025 - 44min - 237 - 187. It's My World with Heather Wyatt
So, you think you have it all.
A great career, a nice apartment, an 800 credit score. You're officially a grown-up with the adult job. The world looks at you and says, "wow, everything's going your way". It seems like everything's fine. What else could you ask for?
But it's not fine. You look around and know something's missing. Maybe you mutter some four-letter words - "fine" is a 4-letter word, after all.
Something's telling you there's a lot more out there. Maybe your grown-up life is stopping you from actually growing into the person you were always meant to be.
For Heather Wyatt, it was a realization that perhaps she was never meant to fill the role written for her by society.
Though she didn't realize it immediately, her role was written during her childhood as the daughter of a single mother who moved around a lot for financial reasons. Like many kids who move around a lot, Heather admired friends who stayed in one place, living in houses with two parents where everything was "normal" and "fine".
When she tried out the "normal grown-up" thing for herself, she realized the idea of being an adult in the same town she grew up in, sending her kids to the same school she went to, having her previous classmates be her kids' teachers, was the makings of a living nightmare. Actually, Heather got bored at the prospect of staying in the same place for too long.
Along the way, she discovered that bartending, supposedly not an "adult" job, not only paid a lot more, but helped her develop communication and selling skills far beyond anything she could find working in an office. Then COVID came along and she went into health coaching. Quickly, she discovered that health coaching was a dead end, at least for her, but she didn't want to be a business coach either.
So, blending her bartending skills and her knowledge of health coaching led her to where she is today, organizing wellness parties and retreats under the Goddess Getawaves brand.
In a moment, when you meet Heather, you'll learn from her the power of adaptability, perspective in understanding different realities, and the courage required to embrace change. It's a fascinating journey of self-discovery that could be the ride you need to hitch if you're looking around muttering four-letter words to yourself about how "fine" your current reality is.
Heather’s hype song is "Castle" by Halsey.
Resources:
Heather Wyatt’s website: https://goddessgetawaves.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-wyatt%F0%9F%A7%9C%E2%80%8D%E2%99%80%EF%B8%8F-64285124b/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069429799210Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_heatherwyatt/Also, check out our episode with Gabe Lullo, called “Do Hard Things”.Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
So, let’s go hang out with Heather. She’s from Jersey, so she tells things like she sees them, which means you’re going to enjoy a frank, open chat!
Thu, 08 May 2025 - 42min - 236 - 186. The Beatles Changed My Life with Flip Brown
Have you ever found yourself spending a crazy amount of time and energy trying to figure out why things happen in life? Wondering what you did to attract it? Desperately seeking answers right now, and coming up frustrated when you can't make sense of it.
But what if the whole plan is like a puzzle that doesn't form a picture until you've been given most of the pieces and taken the time to make them fit? You'll look back one day and see how it all comes together.
You could say Flip Brown has gone through life being, in some ways, both a product of his times and a traveler through a different time than everybody else was living in.
Growing up, he had a father who was ahead of his time in terms of fighting racism and homophobia, but a man of his time in emotional intelligence. His mother was a teacher who had to give it up when she became pregnant with Flip. She was doting and kind and taught Flip how to read early so he was ahead of his classmates. And when Flip was eight years old, she joined a cult religion.
Consistent with his times, Flip did hallucinogens, which affected his state of mind for decades to come. In contrast with his times, he changed careers many times in an era where you picked one thing and stuck with it until retirement.
He’s worked as a psychologist, nonprofit executive, international product manager, mobile crisis team clinician, retail salesperson, and wilderness workshop leader. He’s also been a hardwood furniture craftsman, windsurfing instructor, gigging musician, cross-country ski instructor, a cappella singer, and gardener. Wow!
Intuition served him along the way, when he abruptly quit a job with no plan, only to be immediately offered a much better one right out of the blue.
A lot of this might not have been "fine" by society, but Flip thought it was fine, partially because he didn’t realize how experiencing sexual abuse, as well as his father’s workaholism, patterned him. But as we all know, Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
In a moment, when you meet Flip, you'll be mindblown by one of the inflection points that helped Flip see it all come together – therapy using the plant-based medicine psilocybin. You'll be washed away by his experience with alcohol and his unique personal journey away from it, triggered in part by losing his brother-in-law on the Pan Am Lockerbie flight.
He relates how his experience on the mobile crisis team at a community mental health center dealing with acutely psychotic and suicidal people prepared him for his current work in executive coaching, team facilitation, and interactive skillbuilding.
Flip’s hype song is "Come Together" by The Beatles.
Resources:
Flip Brown’s website: https://businesscultureconsultants.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flipbrown/Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Now, at the risk of being flip about Flip, you can already guess his story is quite a trip. So let’s meet him! Not only is he a voracious reader, he’s an open book!
Thu, 01 May 2025 - 47min - 235 - 185. Permission to Pause - Why Rest Isn’t Weak: A Special Episode with Lori
We’ve been conditioned to believe that rest is optional—like guacamole on your burrito.
You can have it, but you’ll have to pay extra.
Let’s zoom out for a second and look at where this belief came from.
The hustle mindset didn’t just show up one day because Gary Vee started yelling about it. It’s deeply rooted in industrial-age values—when your productivity on the factory line was literally tied to your worth and your wages. The more you produced, the more valuable you were. Full stop.
Then came the Protestant work ethic, remember the Puritans from history class? They believed hard work was not just good, but godly. Resting? That was for the weak or the wicked. You’re either grinding or backsliding. There was no in-between.
If you’ve been listening to my show for more than 2 episodes, you know that when they’re answering that “what were the values and beliefs you were raised with” question, most of my guests say hard work. We’ve all been ingrained with this belief and accepted it without question.
Fast forward to the 1980s and '90s - Wall Street, power suits, "I'll sleep when I'm dead" culture. Burnout was a badge of honor. In fact, Bon Jovi released a song in 1992 called “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead.”
Actually, as I was outlining this episode, I looked up when that phrase originated and found Benjamin Franklin supposedly said, “There will be plenty of time to sleep when you're dead.” Clearly it’s been around for a while.
We celebrate busy. We glorify “the grind.” We worship the to-do list like it’s some kind of sacred scroll.
And now the whole country humblebrags about how little they sleep or how slammed they are, as if being overworked makes you more important. (It doesn’t. It just makes you more tired and cranky.)
So when someone does stop and rest, or take a day off without needing a “valid” excuse, it feels rebellious. Almost irresponsible. But that reaction? That guilt? It’s not truth - it’s just programming.
And it’s overdue for a rewrite.
Tune in now and discover for yourself:
✅ My personal story of zooming to burnout at 200 miles an hour, when I went beyond being “fucking cranky” to “totally wiped out”
✅ How to redefine and reframe “rest” and make it not only part of, but a catalyst, for your ability to achieve more
✅ Practical tools that you can use to create a “permission slip practice” that breaks the hustle-and-grind circle for you
✅ And much, much more!
Resources:
My Website: https://ZenRabbit.com/ LinkedIn: https://zenrabbit.com/linkedin/ Facebook: https://zenrabbit.com/facebook/ Instagram: https://zenrabbit.com/instagram/Visit the “FINE is a 4-Letter Word” store at https://zenrabbit.printful.meInvitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Now, let’s get started!
Thu, 10 Apr 2025 - 27min - 234 - 184. Everybody Has A Story with Steve Fales
In his 2023 report "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation", the US Surgeon General at the time, Dr. Vivek Murthy, declared loneliness and social isolation a public health epidemic.
Aside from feelings of ennui and lacking support structure, loneliness can trigger or increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and even premature death!
So, while he doesn’t quite come out and say it, and he might not have been thinking exactly along those terms when I spoke with him, Steve Fales might have had a brush with death.
Steve grew up in a single-parent home. Although he had a brother, his brother was 11 years older and serving in Vietnam while Steve and his mom were living in what he repeatedly describes as “a dead end street in a quiet town with lots of kids and dogs around and playing all the time and other stuff kids do”.
He started out working on the floor in a grocery store before he applied for a job in their advertising department – and got it. His experience eventually drove him to start his own advertising agency, where he carved out a niche in the air conditioning industry. Things were going fine… until his growing firm was selected as a provider of choice for a major manufacturing firm.
But Fine is a 4-Letter Word… and what some might call Steve’s ship coming in gave him panic attacks. For months he started his days by wretching and dry-heaving into the toilet. Outwardly, he was the envy of his peers and the idol of his friends… but he carried this dark secret.
Does this sound familiar, by the way?
Join Steve and me on a deep dive into the impacts of loneliness on our society. There’s a reason it’s an epidemic. With surveys showing one in 4 people reporting they eat alone every day, and everybody wandering down the sidewalk with their eyes on their phone… we’re surrounded by people yet frighteningly disconnected.
Not to reveal the takeaways before you even hear the episode, but the solution to your loneliness and disconnection comes not from being around other people, as much as it comes from within you.
Steve lays it all out for you.
Steve’s hype song is "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" by The Moody Blues.
Resources:
Steve Fales’ website: https://www.stevefales.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenfales/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.fales.18 Claim your copy of Steve Fales’ book, “Loving Your Neighbor: A Practical Guide” (plus the group discussion and journal prompts), at https://www.stevefales.com/books/loving-your-neighbor/Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in.
Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
With that said, let’s connect with Steve. He has a very important question to ask you!
Thu, 03 Apr 2025 - 45min - 233 - 183. Silence The Imposter with Gary Frey
Perfectionism is something that gets beat into a lot of us.
Sometimes literally, as you’ll find out from my guest.
Imposter syndrome goes hand-in-hand with perfectionism. You see, when you’re programmed to hold yourself to extremely high standards, nothing you do seems like it’s good enough. You’re not enough. And what if someone finds out?
Now imagine you got ripped off by not one – but two – business partners, and lost all your savings more than once. On top of that, you never graduated college, yet held down job after job that required a college degree, in part because others who believed in you more than you believed in yourself went to bat for you.
What a wild ride – and that’s Gary Frey’s story.
He’s been a perfectionist since he was a little boy, the older of two children. Education was important in his family. His dad almost got his Ph.D. but didn’t finish his dissertation, and his mom was a nurse. As a grade-schooler, he spent a lot of time with his strict, stern German grandmother, who would feed him German food he hated and spank him if he didn’t eat it.
When Gary was eight, his grandmother died of a stroke. For two years, he thought he somehow killed her, until he finally asked his parents.
In school, he was the smart kid who couldn’t play any sport involving moving balls or athletic coordination, but he eventually found his niche in swimming. He went to college on a prestigious scholarship, finding himself in a fraternity known for academic and athletic excellence, but feeling “less than” the rich kids in his house. Then he didn’t finish college – becoming the first in his family NOT to graduate college. After that, it was off to his career…
As you’ll discover when you hear from Gary, he got ripped off by two business partners. He repeatedly lost everything he had, got used by an employer who needed him to hook a major deal then fired him the day it closed, and had to move to different states to start over.
Perfectionist Gary found himself getting recruited out of the blue by companies who heard about him and wanted his expertise for roles that required college degrees and viewed him as a success. What was he going to do, tell them he had two corrupt business partners and lost millions of dollars?
He said it was fine… and Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
You’re about to discover how Gary emerged from the trap of perfectionism, learned to believe in himself, and the tools he used to achieve it.
Gary’s hype song is “Warrior” by Matthew Ward.
Resources:
Gary Frey’s website: https://garydfrey.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garydfreyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/garydfrey Claim your copy of Gary’s book, “Silence the Imposter: 7 Weapons to Silence Imposter Syndrome” at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJLLLV61Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
So, are you ready to meet Gary? This is going to be an experience. If there’s something about yourself you’re afraid people might find out, you might come out of this feeling less afraid.
Let’s freakin’ go!
Thu, 27 Mar 2025 - 52min - 232 - 182. Who's On Your Board of Directors? with Suresh Bhagchandani
Do you sometimes feel like you’re mailing it in?
Sure, you’re achieving your goals, hitting your numbers, and getting boxes checked on your to-do list. On paper, you’re a success.
But it still feels empty, like something’s missing and you’re not really succeeding.
How do you know for sure? Who’s there to help you figure it out? And what example are you setting for those who see you as a role model, even if you don’t know they look up to you?
These are questions Suresh Bhagchandani found himself grappling with one day while going over his sales numbers with his boss.
Suresh was born in raised in India, with three older sisters and his mother. His father died when he was young and his family had limited financial resources but an abundance of strong values. Among the values and beliefs he gained was that if you’re a good human and do the right things, good things will come along.
When he was 21, he and his mother moved to the United States where he enrolled in community college and then UNC Chapel Hill. Being an immigrant and landing in a small town in North Carolina, he searched for how to fit in in this unfamiliar territory.
For one thing, he was stunned by how people here brew and drink coffee!
Suresh began to find his purpose, and his friends, when he got involved in organizations and activities that placed him in social situations.
This gave him a fine appreciation of the power of networking, which catalyzed his life that day when his bosses told him he was doing a “fine” job – but Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
This is a conversation about what it means to adapt, push past limitations, and create opportunities.
And I love that we get into not only the importance, but the power, of properly identifying your friends, acquaintances, and the various roles different people play in your life.
Like, do you have a “board of directors” who guide you in your decisions? And if you’ve decided that 100% is just mailing it in, how do you get to 120%? What will your kids think?
Hang on because first…
Suresh’s hype song is "Started From The Bottom" by Drake.
Resources:
Suresh Bhagchandani’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sureshlb Also, be sure to listen to our recent episode, Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It, for an important lesson in the practice of gratitude.Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
And now, it’s time to login and have a good cup of coffee with Suresh. Although it’ll be tea for me. You’ll see he’s the sort of guy you want to have on your board of directors!
Thu, 20 Mar 2025 - 46min - 231 - 181. 36 Years in Prison for a Crime She Didn’t Commit with Judy Henderson
Battered Woman Syndrome is a commonly misunderstood condition that results from domestic or intimate partner violence.
Maybe you’ve known someone in such a situation. Or you’ve at least heard stories about it. And you’ve probably thought, Why do you stay there and take it? Why don’t you leave? There are support networks and shelters who can take you in, why not just go?
And wondered, What drives you to try to “fix” the situation and have understanding for your abuser? Why do you act like you owe them a f**king thing?
Judy Henderson, like many battered women, found herself in a situation that most of us couldn’t possibly imagine. I should pause quickly and put in a trigger warning, because this story actually gets worse.
See, Judy was the oldest child of eight in a Pentecostal family, raised by a father who abused her and a mother who kept trying to hold it together. The rule of the day was, don’t air your dirty laundry in public, conform to public norms, and put a positive face on it.
A positive face? Judy ended up in not one, but two, abusive relationships because that’s what she’d been conditioned to. The final straw in her 12-year marriage was when her husband threw her through a glass door window while her young daughter watched before running down the street screaming. Police were called but told her there was nothing they could do.
Her next relationship was with a con man who was fond of reading books about manipulation. He told her what she wanted to hear. One day, he announced he was moving in because she needed him to “care” for her and her children. That they could be a family. And as someone who only craved to be loved, this was.. well… a dream come true.
The nightmare got worse when he ended up murdering someone in a robbery gone too far and Judy found herself as a co-defendant. She was sentenced to life in prison without parole for 50 years, for this murder she did not commit. He walked away a free man. And yeah, there’s more…
Yet… through her time in prison, Judy finally found not only her freedom from a horrible life, but also an ability to forgive and the love she always wanted.
It’s an unbelievably incredible story, and Judy is telling it here on Fine is a 4-Letter Word in a way she’s never shared before.
In a moment, when you meet her, you’ll come away with a revised view on domestic violence, the criminal justice system, and how someone can find hope in tragedy.
Judy’s hype song is "It’s My Turn" by Diana Ross.
Resources:
Judy Henderson’s website: https://judyannhenderson.com/ Pre-order your copy of Judy’s book, “When The Light Finds Us” - https://www.amazon.com/When-Light-Finds-Us-Transformed-ebook/dp/B0CR93DD34Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message.
It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture because you’ve got annual all-hands meetings and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.
But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.
That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Now, let’s meet Judy. What’s going to strike you about her is how upbeat and vibrant she is. No doubt you’ll feel her smile through the audiowaves!
Thu, 13 Mar 2025 - 1h 06min - 230 - 180. Hell In The Hallway with Kristy Busija
Does it sometimes feel like no good deed goes unpunished?
What if I told you that no scandal, setback, or stumbling block goes unrewarded, if you’re willing to take the time to solve the puzzle?
As a puzzle-solver programmed to challenge the status quo, ask questions, and lean into her natural curiosity, Kristy Busija (BYOO-SEE-YA) learned both of these lessons when she got fired for doing the right thing.
Growing up, Kristy’s parents instilled classic values – have a good work ethic, act with integrity, abide by the Golden Rule, and catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
These same values created conflict in her work when she conducted an employee assessment where participants were told their responses would be kept confidential, but her bosses demanded she give them the data anyway. They fired her for – get this – not living the “values” of the company!
If that’s supposed to be fine, there’s a reason why Fine is a 4-Letter Word!
In a moment, when you meet Kristy, you’ll discover how this set off a journey of learning and self-actualization where she found out, as she says, it’s hell in the hallway.
All these doors – what rooms do they lead to? What did others see in Kristy through the peepholes in those doors that she couldn’t see in herself?
How does she solve this puzzle? What’s the next conversation?
Now hold that thought for just a second as I share a special invitation with you.
Kristy’s hype song is "Do It Again" by Steven Curtis Chapman.
Resources:
Kristy Busija’s website: https://nextconversationconsulting.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristybusija/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nextconversationconsulting Claim your copy of “The 2nd Wind”, the anthology that contains Kristy’s chapter called “It’s Hell In The Hallway”, by visiting https://buy.stripe.com/3cs6rtcga1kIaGcdR7.Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because there are…
Annual all-hands meetings where once a year you hear a well-rehearsed speech, employees clap politely, and everyone leaves with the same unanswered questions they came in with."Open door policies" that no one ever uses because people are uncomfortable walking in to talk with someone they don’t feel like they know very well. "Fun" team-building events like escape rooms, trust falls, and awkward, out of fashion happy hours Generic "we appreciate everything you do" emails with zero personalization or sincerity.Company values posted on a wall with no substance behind them.But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to...
Strengthen culture by sharing authentic stories from leadership and employees.Create connection so that remote and in-office teams know and understand each other and are eager to collaborateFoster community where everyone feels like they belong.That's where I come in. I’m now hosting and producing internal/private podcasts for forward-thinking companies.
Think old-school printed newsletter in a modern, updated format. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to facilitate communication, foster connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
So with that, let’s meet Kristy. It looks like she may have some questions for US!
Thu, 06 Mar 2025 - 41min - 229 - 179. What’s the Price of Doing the Right Thing with Idy Marcus
Situations involving stalking can be a gray area.
Does the person mean well but are just awkward in their approach? Are you reading too much into it? Let’s not jump to conclusions and end up smearing an innocent person. We should give the benefit of a doubt until we have our facts straight.
All of these are very natural impulses, rooted in solid values that generally speaking serve us well. And they could have cost Idy Marcus dearly.
Idy was raised in a very loving home by parents who married and started their family later in life. They adored each other and were connected in every way. This sentiment passed down to Idy and her sister, who picked up values like your handshake is your bond, present yourself well, give people the benefit of a doubt, and be honorable in all things.
She also learned to be bold, take chances, and not be afraid to take the plunge. Her family encouraged her to be curious, courageous, and not fear failure. These traits all served Idy well as she grew her career as a leadership management and corporate conflict resolution expert. When she started her own company, she figured if it didn’t work out, she had enough contacts eating lunch on Washington DC’s K Street that she wouldn’t go hungry.
After her sister passed and then suddenly her dad two years later, Idy insisted her mother come live with her. Her mom attended events with her and served as a fantastic business resource. Just before they were to move overseas for work with a corporate client, her mom suffered a massive and debilitating stroke, rendering her unable to speak and with limited mobility. Idy immediately put her career on hold to stay at the care facility with her mom full-time.
In her unique way, Idy carved out a path where everything was fine, until it wasn’t – after all, Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
One of her mother’s caretakers seemed nice enough, if a bit awkward. Idy didn’t make a whole lot of his obsession with her and minimized others’ concerns. Then she found black roses left on her car. Then her car was broken into. At first she tried to reason with the man, to give him the benefit of a doubt… until he started stalking others.
In a moment, when you meet Idy, you’ll discover how dealing with this situation led her to take on the role of CEO for Pro-Tect Services, LLC, a startup that uses trained U.S. veterans to provide on-demand close protection security service to those confronting domestic and intimate partner violence and stalking.
Idy’s hype song is "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from the "Mary Poppins" Soundtrack.
Resources:
Idy Marcus’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/idy-idora-marcus-520513277/Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.
Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.
Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because there are…
Annual all-hands meetings where once a year you hear a well-rehearsed speech, employees clap politely, and everyone leaves with the same unanswered questions they came in with. "Open door policies" that no one ever uses because people are uncomfortable walking in to talk with someone they don’t feel like they know very well. "Fun" team-building events like escape rooms, trust falls, and awkward, out-of-fashion happy hours Generic "we appreciate everything you do" emails with zero personalization or sincerity. Company values posted on a wall with no substance behind them.But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to...
Strengthen culture by sharing authentic stories from leadership and employees.Create connection so that remote and in-office teams know and understand each other and are eager to collaborateFoster community where everyone feels like they belong.That's where I come in. I’m now hosting and producing internal/private podcasts for forward-thinking companies. Think old-school printed newsletter in a modern, updated format. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!
If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to facilitate communication, foster connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit.com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage.
When they engage, they perform.
And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
Now, let’s bring Idy in. Knowing her, she might tell us to go fly a kite!
Thu, 27 Feb 2025 - 57min - 228 - 178. Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It: A Special Episode with Lori
Tomorrow, February 14th, is Valentine’s Day.
For some, it’s a joyous celebration of our connection with our spouse, companion, partner, and loved one.
For others, it raises questions about why we need a holiday to mark something that’s central to our life and our True North.
And there are those for whom it’s a source of grief or pain for various reasons – lack of a life partner, hurt over losing a life partner, or disillusionment over not having found a life partner.
But you know what we don’t talk about?
Loving ourselves.
I just finished reading a book called “Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It” by Kamal Ravikant and want to share a powerful lesson and practice from the book.
When’s the last time you looked in the mirror and said “I love myself”?
Do you think you could say it once?
Could you say it ten times?
When you tune in and listen to this very special episode, I’ll show you how this practice works, how I’ve made this mantra part of my routine, and why I call it a “mantra” rather than, say, an “affirmation”.
If you’re looking for love on Valentine’s Day, try looking in the mirror.
This could change your life in ways that, up until now, you could not possibly have imagined!
Resources:
My Website: https://ZenRabbit.com/ LinkedIn: https://zenrabbit.com/linkedin/ Facebook: https://zenrabbit.com/facebook/ Instagram: https://zenrabbit.com/instagram/Visit the “FINE is a 4-Letter Word” store at https://zenrabbit.printful.me Claim your copy of “Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It” by Kamal Ravikant at https://amzn.to/42SFWXi Listen to Episode #141, titled Regenerating Joy with Brad Chandler.Invitation from Lori:
Now, let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now, let’s get started!
Thu, 13 Feb 2025 - 20min - 227 - 177. You’re Not A Tree - You Can Move Anytime with Tabatha Jones
Always finish what you start.
Don’t give up a good thing; you’re good at it and make a lot of money at it.
The voice in your head is always right.
All this sounds like good advice, yes?
But what if one day you found out you had been slowly dying of this advice? I mean, literally, your health was deteriorating and you were wasting away?
Tabatha Jones had an intuition for years that something was wrong, based on the challenges she started to face getting out of bed in the morning.
At her foundations, nothing really stood out. She grew up in a typical middle class family and learned the values of hard work, responsibility, accountability, and being aware of the ripple effect caused by the example you set for others. She could sense when things weren’t right and had no problem speaking up when she saw injustice or unfairness.
Excellent traits. She grew up… fine. She got married and started what turned into a prosperous career doing work she was really good at and paid very well. It was all fine, until it wasn’t – after all, Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
While she loved the company she worked for and her co-workers, she started to feel out of alignment with how things were going. As a side-hustle, she began coaching in 2017, with a long-range goal of striking out on her own… someday.
Then came yet another company reorganization that went on for almost a year and ended up with her staying in the same job. While she negotiated for a raise and got it, it wasn’t fine anymore. Too much travel. Not feeling aligned with her purpose. The money was great, but she could barely get out of bed, much less fly from California one day to make an 8am Eastern meeting in Philadelphia the next.
She planned to quit her job and go full-time with her side business in March 2020, but then, as you might recall, the world flipped upside down. Sure, she didn’t have to fly to Philadelphia to meet with the Philadelphia people, but she still struggled, and finally gave notice in spring 2021.
In the meantime, she had been seeing a naturopath trying to get to the bottom of her health issues. A few months after she quit her job, her naturopath called her in to review the latest test results… which were stunning.
In a moment, when you meet Tabatha, you’ll find out what happened, including the very unique way she found out her previous job had been slowly killing her. You’ll also find out what her experience means for you, should you find yourself stuck in the ground like a tree whose roots are dug in too deep.
Tabatha’s hype song is "Confidence" By Demi Lovato.
Resources:
Tabatha Jones’ website: https://www.empowered-leader.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabatha-jones-4485854/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tabathajo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_tabatha/ Claim your copy of Tabatha’s “Career Confidence Playbook for Women 50+” by visiting https://www.empowered-leader.com/freegift/Invitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
And with that, let’s join Tabatha and find out what’s going on here. My intuition tells me this is going to be big-time revelational!
Thu, 06 Feb 2025 - 45min - 226 - 176. You Don’t Need A Permission Slip to Be Yourself with Shari Begun
In our society, we don’t know how to talk about a lot of super important things. We don’t learn, because we’re not taught. And that’s due to longstanding beliefs that we’re supposed to handle things a certain way.
Think about what happens if your spouse or life partner dies. You’re expected to have a period of enforced mourning. You look weird at best, or heartless at worst, if you keep going to work rather than take bereavement leave. Heaven forbid you take a vacation or something. They say it’s supposed to be funerals, wearing all-black, home alone miserable. Meanwhile, your life continues to tick on by.
Shari Begun had the learned experience that helped her break this mold when her husband died, but she couldn’t do it without a permission slip. In different ways, this both held her back and inspired her career and overall path in life.
After her parents divorced, she was primarily raised by her mother, a hairdresser who along with a younger business partner started her salon in a time before single women could get business credit on their own. First, Shari learned the importance of learning and education. As you’ll hear, her house was basically a library full of books, including THREE sets of encyclopedias!
From her situation, she learned independence and being strong. Although the seeds were planted early on, she just recently got her “permission slip” to become a confident, transparent, sharing leader – a recognized mentor to women in STEM-related careers making their voices heard and advancing in the workplace.
Shari went to college for electrical engineering, inspired by a family friend, a wealthy independent single woman who worked in the field. However, by junior year, she discovered she hated electrical engineering. Conversations with her college roommate’s boyfriend, a mechanical engineer who had gone into sales and become successful at it, led her to a sales career.
Shari’s career blossomed as she rose to become the first female customer-facing VP in her company, in a very male-dominated STEM-related industry. She also grew in her calling as a mentor to women in STEM. Everything seemed fine. But five months later, she abruptly learned why Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
It was Shari’s birthday. As she and her husband returned from her celebration, he started having trouble breathing. 45 minutes later, he died. This was an inflection point. Career-wise, her ship had just come in. She was devastated over losing her husband, but wanted to keep on working. What would people think of her?
In a moment, you’ll discover how this moment of catastrophe, catharsis, and catalysis came together to make this Shari’s ultimate moment (so far) and change a lot of people’s lives. But first, she needed to get a permission slip.
Why?
Shari’s hype song is "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne.
Resources:
Shari Begun’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharibegun/ Also, check out Episode #140, Replacing Fine with F*ck Off! with P.J. Roscoe, which covers some similar themes as this one.Invitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now, come with me as we join Shari on her morning walk. You’re going to love her story of becoming conductor of the “crazy train”!
Thu, 30 Jan 2025 - 45min - 225 - 175. I Gave The Reaper The Finger 6 Times with Keith McNally
Before we begin, let me alert you that the content of this episode includes conversation about mental health struggles and suicide, which can be distressing for some people. Don’t worry, we don’t go into too much detail, but if you are uncomfortable about that kind of thing, you may want to avoid this episode.
Imagine it’s 3:00 AM, and your life is coming apart at the seams.
You don’t know how you can keep going, and maybe you’re not sure you want to. Even if you believe this will pass if only you could get some sleep, you really need someone to hear your story and provide you some sort of comfort and support.
Who would answer the call if you dialed their number right now? Is there even one person who comes to mind?
Keith McNally was there and realized there was not one single person in the entire world who he felt would be there for him in his hour of desperate need.
Growing up, he followed all the Catholic traditions and holidays, and gained the values of being kind, being yourself, and doing what’s right. After high school, he joined the Marines. Then went on to college and all the way through to completing his PhD. He embarked on a successful career that included working in IT and being a professor of information technology.
Along the way, he discovered how his values didn’t so much change as he redefined their meanings and how he interpreted them. However, he says, he spent most of his adult life not knowing who he really was. He played roles and carried titles and filled expectations of others. But he didn’t dig into and examine what was really important to him. Didn’t ask himself, what is my life about? What is my philosophy of living?
Which is why, perhaps from the outside, things looked fine for a while – but Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
Between 1996 and 2021, he attempted suicide five times.
It was after that fifth attempt that he took a good, hard look at things and realized he wasn’t sure who he was, who he was meant to be – and that he had nobody to talk to about anything, really.
In a moment, when you meet Keith, you’ll discover the baby steps he took to turn things around. It started with simply talking to people on LinkedIn and listening to them tell their stories, which led to him launching several podcasts and YouTube channels.
In the same time period, he started to focus on his physical health in a new way, adapting his exercise routine and his diet. And just when he was getting in better physical shape, building his resilience muscles and support networks to prevent another suicide attempt that could leave his teenage daughter without a dad – he had a heart attack.
So once again, he gave the Grim Reaper the finger – and now he’s gearing up to hike the entire Appalachian Trail!
Keith’s hype song is “Gonna Fly Now” by Bill Conti.
Resources:
Keith McNally’s website: https://drkeithmcnally.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkeithmcnally/Invitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
So let’s go see Keith. I think you’re going to enjoy this conversation – after all, it’s conversation that saved his life!
Thu, 23 Jan 2025 - 56min - 224 - 174. Lessons From My Grandfathers with Frank Favaro
“Life is short” is one of those cliches that gets thrown around with the idea that you should let things roll off your shoulders or not spend time analyzing the past.
The truth is, though, that life is longer than you realize because...
A person lives on in the memories of those who knew them, are familiar with their stories, and share these stories so that other people may know them too.
Frank Favaro’s grandfathers both died in 2004 when Frank was 27, but they are very much alive for him due not only to their stories, experiences, and lessons, but how they instilled in him both the values and the expectations that have simultaneously driven Frank’s success and sometimes gotten in the way of it.
His paternal grandfather, also named Frank Favaro, grew up fighting in a tough neighborhood to keep his lunch money, then had to fight to stay alive when the Mob took over his contract as a light heavyweight fighter, then went on to become a fighter as a union leader. Yet Frank Sr., who had a seventh-grade education, read poetry and discussed its lessons with his grandchildren.
His maternal grandfather, Jim Biggins, was the nicest guy you’d ever meet and showed Frank how to be a great husband and father. Yet Jim’s own daughter (Frank’s mom) got divorced and left her son emotionally scarred by what she DIDN’T do.
Frank Sr. taught him to look a person in the eye, while Jim taught the value of connections. Together, these values underpin the guiding principle that has brought Frank success working in six industries and as an entrepreneur, which is to find out who people are and how to create emotional connections with them.
With all that, he should have been just fine – but Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
In a moment, when you meet Frank, you’ll discover how being a wrestler in high school not only left him feeling beaten down like a failure and demolished his will to apply himself in college, but pinned him down emotionally, leaving him unfulfilled in his career. Expectations are a lot to wrestle with, especially when they’re someone else’s.
Then you’ll learn how zooming back to the experience of his parents divorcing when he was seven years old, the lack of support he received when he blamed himself for it, and the stunning reason his parents, who were great people who loved him, did not offer him that support or even think to do so, left its marks.
These unrelated threads came together to show Frank the importance of the customer experience – his life’s work. And in their own way became pillars of his work, just as the memories of his grandfathers are living pillars for him.
Frank’s hype song is “Believe” by Lenny Kravitz.
Resources:
Frank Favaro’s website: https://serve-centric.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-favaro-b1507b80/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankfavaro1/Invitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Here comes Frank, walking down the path toward us. He’s the first guy I’ve seen walking in a long time who didn’t have earbuds in. Let’s join him!
Thu, 16 Jan 2025 - 44min - 223 - 173. Fear Is A 4-Letter Word, Too with Katie Carty Tierney
In the written description of my podcast, Fine Is a 4-Letter Word, I begin by asking:
“Wasn’t it just a couple years ago you were sitting on the beach at spring break in Ft. Lauderdale – listening to the Pet Shop Boys, U2, and Def Leppard - with your entire life ahead of you? Now you’re looking back 30-plus years and wondering what the hell happened.”
Basically, I’ve just described what used to be called the mid-life crisis. I started the show shortly after I’d embarked on some major mid-stream changes and was hearing similar rumblings from many of my friends.
But I’ve long maintained that this isn’t a crisis!
What if everything that happened was just groundwork setting you up for your current success – and that there’s a lesson to be found in how fast time seemed to zoom until one day you looked up and said “Holy s*it, I’m 52 years old!”
This is what Katie Carty Tierney tells those who have yet to go through it.
Her early life didn’t seem like much of a crisis – she came from a good home where she learned that when you say you're gonna do something, you do it; and if you make a mistake, own up to it and work hard to be better.
Growing up, she wanted to be a brain surgeon, then a pediatrician. As a college freshman, as part of her studies toward becoming some sort of doctor, she was made to do something in a biology lab she didn’t agree with, which I’ll leave to your imagination.
So she pivoted to business analysis and research.
This led Katie to a career in the computer industry as a consultant, which she enjoyed until she and her husband decided she would be a stay-at-home mom just before the birth of her first child in 2000.
Her husband was doing well in his career, so she became a stay-at-home mom for a while, volunteering for various networking organizations and stuff for the kids. She figured she’d never go back to work and everything seemed fine.
But Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
In 2007, Katie took an opportunity to go back into the workforce, and it’s been a wild ride since then.
In a moment, when you meet Katie, you’ll discover how her need to hang out with adults again led her down new career paths, including landing a job that required her to go through fifteen – yes, fifteen – interviews.
What did she learn from that?
And looking back with 20/20 hindsight, how has becoming an empty-nester for the first time in 23 years not only brought things full-circle, but also given her a wealth of information to pass along as she blazes the trail for others?
You’re about to find out.
Katie’s hype song is "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor.
Resources:
Katie Carty Tierney’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiecartytierney/Invitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Oh look, I think I see Katie over there rummaging through a small-town antique store! She and her husband look so cute, holding hands like teenagers in love. Let’s go say hello!
Thu, 09 Jan 2025 - 41min - 222 - 172. Slamming My Hand In The Door Changed My Life with Susan Jackson Lee
Remember that time you slammed your hand in the door? I heard you screaming obscenities for days. And depending on how it happened, it might have stung for a minute or caused you pain for a week.
But imagine your hand didn’t heal. Instead, it revealed you were slowly being ambushed by a silent killer. Act One to a new story you never saw coming.
This is Susan Jackson Lee’s story, and it ends on a cliffhanger.
Susan grew up in a military family as the only daughter in a family full of men, where unsurprisingly she learned the values of discipline, timeliness, and hard work. Her father didn’t believe women should be doctors or become successful on their own – he was old-fashioned like that. But this upbringing also taught her the value of never taking “no” for an answer – or as she puts it, “a no meant a yes for me”.
She went to college and, unlike most of her classmates, was specifically interested in sales. Because she was usually the only person in line for sales jobs at the recruitment fairs, getting in was easy. And since then, Susan has grown in her career from a salesperson, to a manager of a federal business, all the way to vice-president at an Interior Design organization.
Along the way, Susan met and married her entrepreneurial husband, started a family, and was fortunate to be healthy and fit. It seemed like she had everything going for her, and everything was fine.
But Fine is a 4-Letter Word, and one day everything slammed to a halt – literally.
One day while out running errands, Susan jumped out of her car and accidentally slammed the door on her hand. OUCH! I wince just thinking about this! She got a tetanus shot, but her hand wasn’t healing. So she got an MRI, followed by a diagnosis of…
Lung cancer.
How could this be? Susan didn’t smoke or drink, she ate right, she took care of herself, and she was disciplined about her health. Lung cancer?!?
In a moment, when you meet Susan, you’ll be stunned and amazed by the many lessons she learned while going through treatment, going into remission, and picking up the pieces of her life. Along the way, she let herself go to hell on purpose and got the idea she was about to lose her job, but she didn’t. At the time of our recording though, she had just given notice at her job.
What’s up with THAT?!?
Susan’s hype song is "A Beautiful Day" by India Arie.
Resources:
Susan Jackson Lee’s LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susan-jackson-lee-5878a13 Susan's new website: www.field2futureconsulting.comInvitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Here comes Susan around the corner. Not surprisingly, she’s out for a walk. Let’s head over and meet her!
Thu, 02 Jan 2025 - 43min - 221 - 171. Goodbye 2024. Here’s To a Transformational 2025: A Special Episode with Lori
2024 has been quite a year.
I spent most of the year as a nomad, traveling throughout the Southeast United States moving from town to town, housesitting for a lot of awesome cats (and a few awesome dogs).
It was an amazing adventure that led me to see lots of new places, meet people in real life I’d only known online, and discover a few things about myself along the journey.
But as I moved around, I lived with uncertainty. Tonight I would be in this one house, but where would I be tomorrow night? Would I have a place to go the next night after my current gig ended? When would I find out?
Not only that, but this past summer my dad passed away. I was fortunate to be able to spend the last week of his life with him in Florida, however it also served as a reminder of how things change, how things come and go, and how important it is to cherish and savor what we have now.
As we wrap up the year, I find myself settled down in a new apartment in Charlotte, North Carolina, determined to begin a new and different kind of adventure. As I traveled around the country in 2024, one of the things I missed out on was a sense of community. In 2025, we’re changing that.
Now, as your 2024 comes to an end and you look forward to the new year, give yourself the gift of tuning into this episode and discovering the takeaways that may serve your journey as you move to the next chapter in your life. And as you do so, take a moment and ask yourself these questions:
✅ What is your theme word for 2025? (Mine are "community" and "transformation".)
✅ What are some things that you want to do and bring into 2025 in your life? ✅ Conversely, what are you leaving behind? What is no longer serving you that you do not need to drag into 2025 with you?
✅ What are your intentions for this coming year?
✅ What are you building for yourself?
✅ What would you ideally like your life to look like?
✅ What are you committing to doing or not doing to get there?
✅ What do you feel good about right now having accomplished or done in the past year?
✅And how are you going to celebrate?
My hype songs as we enter 2025 are "I Am Not Okay" by Jelly Roll and "Fearless" by The Goo Goo Dolls.
Resources:
My Website: https://ZenRabbit.com/ LinkedIn: https://zenrabbit.com/linkedin/ Facebook: https://zenrabbit.com/facebook/ Instagram: https://zenrabbit.com/instagram/Visit the “FINE is a 4-Letter Word” store at https://zenrabbit.printful.meAlso check out Episode #67, Gratitude Through Hard Times with Chris Schembra.
Invitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now, let’s get started!
Thu, 26 Dec 2024 - 27min - 220 - 170. Not Lost in Translation with Robin Ayoub
Growing up in the United States, I was fortunate to not know what it’s like to go through a day with bombs falling around me and my dad fighting in the war. For Robin Ayoub, this was his daily reality, and as he would eventually discover, getting away from it was how he found his way home.
Imagine being eleven years old and given 24 hours to learn how to operate a knitting machine because your family's survival depends on it. Then picture yourself going door-to-door every weekend, selling the sweaters you made, knowing you can't come home until every single one is sold. That’s where he learned what all good sales professionals know: the importance of making “one more call” or “one more stop on your route” before quitting time.
That was just the beginning of Robin's extraordinary journey from war-torn Lebanon to becoming a tech executive whose influence spans four continents.
Growing up as the oldest of five children, he was taught the importance of being productive and responsible. With a civil war raging around him, survivability was key. There was no time to lose.
Even with all this going on, Robin finished college and got a job as a bank teller. One day he was sent home because of a bombing raid. Long story short – listen to hear what happened – he ended up in the hospital. When he got out, he said, “that’s enough. I’m done here!” He took his younger brother and moved to Cyprus.
He found a job and from there helped his parents and four younger siblings get their immigration paperwork in order. They all moved to New Brunswick, Canada, landing in the middle of a snowstorm and not speaking English. Through luck, Robin found a Maronite priest who spoke their language in the phone book, and within a short period of time he found work sweeping a construction site – a great use of his education in computers.
But, it turns out the hotel they were expanding on that construction site needed somebody to update their billing software. Since programming languages were universal, his lack of English at the time didn’t stop him. This opportunity led Robin to more jobs in computer programming, which in turn launched him onto what has become a rich, successful entrepreneurial journey.
In Lebanon, daily bombardments were normal. The constant threat of violence became background noise. And he thought it was all fine. But as we know, Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
In a moment, when you meet Robin, you’ll discover how he looked back and realized how living with bombs falling around him showed him the importance of his family, his work, and his opportunity to inspire and lead others. You may be particularly interested in how it informed his definition of “perfect”.
And I can hardly wait for you to hear where you can find Robin and his family every single morning at 6:30, without fail.
Robin's hype song is "Daddy Cool" by Boney M.
Resources:
Robin Ayoub’s website: https://www.L10NFiresideChat.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinayoub/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.ayoub Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robin.ayoub/ X: https://x.com/robinayoubInvitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
And now, let’s go meet Robin. Hopefully we’re not catching him in a plane, train, or automobile.
Thu, 19 Dec 2024 - 44min - 219 - 169. Hope That Won’t Die: A COVID Survivor’s Story with Craig Andrews
You’ve probably experienced sleep paralysis at some point – that weird “twilight zone” where you’re caught between the conscious world and the world of dreams, aware of your surroundings but noticing they have weird shapes.
Usually you can break out of sleep paralysis within a few seconds and after catching your breath, you’re fully aware you’re awake again and safe from whatever monster was trying to get you. But imagine being in that twilight zone for more than six weeks, where even though you’re trying to scream and wake yourself up, there’s no way out!
This is where Craig Andrews found himself a few weeks into his COVID diagnosis.
Craig’s wife claims he was raised by wolves. He and his brother went for long walks, built a log cabin in the woods, and lept into swimming holes filled with sea nettles and jellyfish, which can be nasty toward humans invading their space. One day, the Andrews boys miraculously found a swimming hole with no sea nettles and no jellyfish. When they told their dad, he shook his head and told them they had been swimming in sewage.
Craig’s sense of adventure may have contributed to him having low grades in school – who has time to sit around and study? It definitely contributed to him joining the Marines and serving several tours of duty abroad, then coming home to get his degree from North Carolina State. First he worked as a design engineer, which did not reward creativity. So a shift to marketing, selling semiconductors for mobile phones, was Craig’s next adventure. He kept at it, selling a product with steadily decreasing price curves, but everything seemed fine.
As you know though, Fine is a 4-Letter Word. Craig quit to start his own business when the margins got so low his employer insisted he fly coach - but that wasn’t the half of it!
On Saturday, July 31st, 2021 Craig and his wife woke up horribly sick. A week later, Karen was gasping for air. Then she got better but Craig got worse. By August 10th, Craig conceded to going to the emergency room. He couldn’t complete a sentence without taking multiple gasps of breath, and it would be another two months before he’d see Karen again. And three months before he’d leave the hospital in a wheelchair.
Despite being put on a ventilator, Craig survived. Despite being prescribed a medication for COVID that was known to cause kidney failure because the government gave bonuses to doctors for prescribing it, Craig survived.
In a moment, when you meet Craig, you’ll discover his journey through TWO worlds – the physical world where bad things were done to him and said about him in his presence while he was in a coma, and the subconscious twilight world where these experiences morphed into dystopian adventures.
Get comfy on the edge of your seat as you hear why the adventures stopped when Craig’s wife showed up, and where Craig found himself when he woke up.
Craig’s hype song is "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" by The Offspring.
Resources:
Craig Andrews’ website: https://allies4me.com Book websites: https://hopethatwontdie.com/ and https://makesalesmagical.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-andrews/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CraigAndrewsMarketing X: https://x.com/allies4meInvitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Hey, there’s Craig! He’s putting in a hell of a workout today. Let’s find out why is he enjoying a song about a loser who just doesn’t get it.
Thu, 12 Dec 2024 - 1h 01min - 218 - 168. Your Power Is In Your Vulnerability with Lilah Jones
Can you feel the sense of dread just thinking about that time in your life when something went horribly wrong and everything you had planned was totally shot to hell?
And what’s worse? The fear of criticism and rebuke from those you count on to be part of your support network or their well-intentioned comments that don’t do a damned thing to help and actually make you feel worse?
Lilah Jones faced these questions when she got ripped off for thousands of dollars and almost lost her new house just when she had it in the bag.
For Lilah, her values are so important she lists them on her website: heart-centered hustle, authenticity, bold action, active listening, holistic well-being, and self-actualization. The first three were ingrained growing up as the youngest of 11 children, a situation she describes as a place of scarcity and survival of the fittest.
As she grew up, finished school, and started her career, Lilah came to appreciate that hustle does not have to be a painful thing and it doesn’t need to be rooted in survival. She did not need to have suffering attached to her accomplishments. With this mindset, it seemed everything was fine.
Then, in a sudden, dramatic way, Lilah found out that Fine is a 4-Letter Word when she had the opportunity to get scammed out of the down payment on her new house.
Literally, as she was at the closing meeting, she discovered scammers had sent her a link to wire the money to them instead of where it was supposed to go in order to close on the house. Lilah and her family, including her elderly mother, were at risk of becoming homeless! Meanwhile, her family was waiting for her and her husband to get back from the closing meeting to celebrate with a bottle of champagne ready to pop.
What was she to do?
Now, note that a moment ago I said “opportunity to get scammed” and not “misfortune to get scammed” – this is key.
In a moment, when you meet Lilah, you’ll hear her amazing story about how she quickly got almost all the money back and still closed on the house. This only happened when she took a chance on being vulnerable. And instead of being condemned, she found strength she didn’t know she had.
This is a story she has told time and time again. It not only made the news, but has inspired thousands of others to find their strength in vulnerability, so they can achieve more than they thought possible. It changed her life forever.
Lilah’s hype song is “Fantasy” by Earth Wind and Fire.
Resources:
Lilah Jones’ website: https://www.lilahjones.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilahjones Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_lilahjones/ Claim your instant access to Lilah Jones’ free guide, “The Road to Renewal: Mapping Your Personal Off-Site”.Invitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now, let’s bring on Lilah. I have some thoughts already about what happened to her; I hope she’s interested and willing to listen!
Thu, 05 Dec 2024 - 43min - 217 - 167. A Powerful New Perspective on Gratitude: A Special Episode with Lori
When I was a kid, I remember having Thanksgiving with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
As an adult, there have been years where my husband and I spent Thanksgiving with just my mom or with a small group of friends.
In the most recent past years, before last year, it’s been having dinner with just one or two friends.
My point is, not everyone has a big dinner to go to - and that’s ok.
You’re not “less than” if you don’t.
And at the same time, it can feel lonely.
If this is your situation, you’ve got a few choices here.
One, you can figure out a way to alter your situation. Can you take the initiative to invite some others together and create an impromptu gathering?
Or can you volunteer somewhere you can make a difference?
Another choice is to find the good in being alone.
As you can see, there are many ways you can go about this.
Before you embark on today’s adventure, wherever it takes you, give yourself the gift of tuning in to this special episode and discovering for yourself:
✅ Why gratitude is a practice, not a platitude
✅ How connection is the remedy for loneliness
✅ What it truly means to show up and be present - beyond the mental and emotional aspects
✅ A roadmap to help you shift your perspective so you can also shift your entire energy and outlook
✅ How to hear, and trust, your inner voice and what it's telling you
✅ And much, much more packed into this powerful episode!
Resources:
My Website: https://ZenRabbit.com/ LinkedIn: https://zenrabbit.com/linkedin/ Facebook: https://zenrabbit.com/facebook/ Instagram: https://zenrabbit.com/instagram/Invitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
It’s time to step out of the clusterf*ck... of fear, regret, and disappointment, and into a place of peace, contentment – and gratitude in a way you’ve never seen it before, up until now!
Thu, 28 Nov 2024 - 23min - 216 - 166. You Can’t Buy Back Time with Todd Bertsch
When it feels like success and fulfillment continue to elude you even when you think you’re doing all the right things and making the right moves, it can be a real mindf*ck.
What’s holding you back? What’s the block? Why is it always one step forward, two steps back?
Todd Bertsch wrestled with this question for years.
He grew up in the 1970s and 1980s in a lower middle-class family where they didn’t really discuss their values or have a lot of those poignant teaching moments you saw in the popular TV sitcoms at the time.
Todd learned by watching and observing, and what he picked up was good enough: the value of hard work from parents who had multiple jobs and side-hustles, the value of inclusion from living in an ethnically mixed neighborhood, and the value of teamwork from playing sports. When he wanted something, he went to work and made the money to buy it.
These same values carried him into early adulthood, where he worked his way through college as a janitor and graduated with honors, worked in jobs involving marketing, graphic design, web development, and other pursuits at the height of the tech boom. Then he decided it was time to put all that to good use and start his own business. Today, Todd is a successful entrepreneur and podcast host with a great family, and everything’s fine. Check out his website to learn more. The End. Now, let’s bring Todd on and get started with the interview.
Right? WRONG!
Todd struggled through that path much more than he needed to because everything was NOT fine. Remember, Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
Underneath all that, Todd had a hell of a temper. It showed up when he constantly got ejected from sports games, so much so he became “famous” in his town for being red-carded at soccer more than any kid in the whole league. In his 20s, he lived in a house that was basically a drug den, until he got in a really bad argument with two guys who beat the f*ck out of him! Looking back at some of his interactions at companies he worked for, he says that if the person he was back then worked for him, he’d have fired his ass!
And then it all changed. In a moment, when you meet Todd, you’ll find out that it wasn’t really some dramatic shift in who he was or how he did life, but more a decision not to be so trigger-tempered. You’ll discover what support systems he relied upon, what inspired and motivated him, and how the practice of Positive Intelligence not only improved his results, but enabled him to mentor others.
Todd’s hype song is “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.
Resources:
Todd Bertsch’s website: https://www.toddbertsch.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theboltwithtoddb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theboltwithtoddb YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theboltwithtoddb Podcast: https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/Invitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
And now, let’s meet Todd. He looks like such a mellow, easygoing guy… but I see in his gaze a determined glint… that eye of the tiger!
Thu, 21 Nov 2024 - 48min - 215 - 165. You’re Not Alone with Scott Hackman
As humans, we’re designed for interdependence – we cannot go it alone. We’re designed to be part of networks and complement each other’s journeys. The title of this episode is one of the reasons I started this podcast – to help listeners know they’re not alone in their feelings and life journey.
But what happens when, due to your levels of sensitivity and empathy, you become so much in service to the feelings and needs of others that not only does it hold you back, but it holds others back?
Scott Hackman, growing up as a highly sensitive child before terms like “empath” entered the vernacular, thought everything was fine, all things considered, before his own value system hit him like a ton of bricks flying in out of nowhere.
Growing up, he learned the value of service toward others, more by having it modeled by his family and what he gleaned on the surface from religion than someone sitting down and explaining it to him.
This carried Scott through several iterations of his journey – his marriage, his time working in religious ministry, when he was involved in the family business selling coffee, and then to his work with entrepreneurs helping them design succession and saleability plans in their businesses.
Overall, he seemed to be on a journey of growth and everything seemed fine.
But Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
Along with having learned the value of service, Scott was also exposed to traumas as a result of unspoken and not consciously acknowledged generational patterns. All that service actually took the form of people-pleasing, and it became more of a survival skill. In his early 30s, Scott found himself admitted to inpatient psych due to suicidal ideation.
As I said… it seemed to come out of nowhere like a ton of bricks.
In a moment, when you meet Scott, you’ll discover his fascinating learning journey toward a new level of self-actualization that he didn’t know existed – that in fact, many don’t know exists.
Among other things, you’ll learn about the difference between a recovery mindset and a growth mindset, and how these things intertwine. You’ll also see that it’s possible to find good things in bad situations – to essentially go back and rewrite chapters of your life so the story serves you, now and in the future.
And, you’ll discover why Scott says that he and his wife, who he’s been with the whole time, have so far had at least four marriages.
This will amaze you.
Scott’s hype songs are listed on his Spotify playlist, “You’re Not Alone”.
Resources:
Scott Hackman’s website: https://scotthackman.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthackman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottHackmanVentures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scott_hackman/Invitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
So now, let’s meet Scott. As I see him from a distance, he looks very energetic and well-rested – what’s his secret?
Thu, 14 Nov 2024 - 49min - 214 - 164. Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors with Erica Anderson Rooney
In a world where women are told to have it all, do it all, and be it all, the reality they face while actually trying to do these things is far more complex.
The pay gap looms large – over the span of a career, it takes 132 years to close – while the confidence gap, the leadership gap, and the broken rung in the corporate ladder persist.
Erica Anderson Rooney has faced all these challenges intimately, personally, and head-on as she’s climbed the ranks to the C-suite while raising a family. But wait – there’s more.
Erica grew up as the daughter of parents who divorced when she was very young. Both were loving parents, and they lived close to each other so that she could spend half the week with her dad and half the week with her mom.
Having to live in two different households, each with different expectations, rules, and ways of doing things, led Erica to become a chameleon and put other people first in order to get by as smoothly as possible and avoid conflict and friction.
Three of her values were learned from her mom. Go to school and get good grades so you can have a good-paying job and financial independence was the first. This led to the second, which was to never be in a situation where you have to depend on a man – a fitting lesson given the circumstances. The third was to be a good person, be kind, be generous, and always show up and do the right thing.
These values carried Erica through childhood and college, into her first career, and into her marriage. Everything seemed fine, because of a fourth lesson she had learned – but that was the problem, as Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
See, the fourth lesson was that alcohol solves a lot of problems, whether it makes you feel happier, helps you forget why you’re sad, or loosens your inhibitions. Or helps you “ease up” when trying to be a chameleon has you grinding against your authentic self.
By dulling the edge, Erica missed that she wasn’t in touch with her authenticity. She’d go to a concert and say “this is great” in order to please whomever invited her, even if she hated the music. But sometimes, she would have a glass of wine to cope with houseguests she didn’t want to deal with. A glass would turn into two, then three – then a whole bottle. She’d wake up not knowing what happened or what she said, or sensing tension with her husband and not even knowing what they had fought about the night before.
In a moment, when you meet Erica, you’ll hear about the path to claiming her power to allow her authenticity to come through.
Erica’s hype song is "Owl City" by Verge ft. Aloe Blacc.
Resources:
Erica Anderson Rooney’s website: https://www.ericaandersonrooney.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericarooney/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromnowtonextribe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaandersonrooney/Invitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now, let’s meet Erica. She’s tending to a succulent plant that has grown and spawned other succulents. This ought to be interesting!
Thu, 07 Nov 2024 - 43min - 213 - 163. The Silver Lyming of Falling Ill with Anne Desjardins
Imagine you’re less than 30 years old, and so tired you’re afraid to drive because you might fall asleep at the wheel and cause an accident.
Picture the frustration of seeing doctor after doctor after doctor, only to be told you’re not sick, just depressed.
Then, after getting so many wrong answers, you conclude you have a brain tumor, because that seems to be the only possibility left.
And while all this is going on, you’re also in a toxic relationship that, as part of the final scene, has you seeking a Protection from Abuse Order.
This was Anne Desjardins’ journey to health.
She was raised in a traditional, loving family environment that emphasized caring for others and continuous self-improvement. Her father was an ER physician. Her grandfathers and uncles were doctors. Her parents also had what today we would call side hustles. All of them listened to cassette tapes about business success, meaning Anne heard a lot of these too and they left an imprint.
Anne went to college for international business, but left after one year because it wasn’t for her. She already knew that following her family’s path and becoming a doctor wasn’t for her either, since she passes out at the very sight of blood. When she did return to college, her value of helping others led her into a liberal arts curriculum. She graduated and began a promising career in sales. She fell in love. It was still early in the game, but everything seemed fine.
But you know, Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
Right around the time of her breakup, she saw a massage therapist who told Anne, “your soul is dying”. Pretty soon, it felt like her body was dying too. Along with memory loss, she suffered from night sweats, hives, and insomnia. Even her dental hygienist noticed something was unusual about the plaque on her teeth. Desperate for sleep, she began drinking vodka straight out of the bottle. Numerous doctors and specialists tried, but failed, to come up with answers.
Until finally she got the answer: Lyme Disease.
The seven years of struggle to finally get the answer she needed touched off a seven-year battle to get healthy again. In a way it was poignant that she had come to believe she was dying of brain cancer, only to find out she was bitten by a bug and the cure was a regimen of antibiotic treatments.
In a moment, when you meet Anne, you’ll hear how she decided not getting better was NOT one of her choices. Additionally, her journey highlights her core value of service to others, as she’s now become an empowering voice for Lyme Disease patients and others.
Anne’s hype song is “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys.
Resources:
Anne Desjardins’ website: https://www.thesilverlyming.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Annedesjardins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Anne.desjardins.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Anne.desjardins.15Invitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now let’s bring Anne in. She seems quietly determined, like she’s a girl on fire!
Thu, 31 Oct 2024 - 48min - 212 - 162. Understanding Fears and Their Roots with Constantin Morun
Fear often holds you back, even if it doesn’t make sense to be afraid.
You can have everything you ever wanted – a fantastic career, creature comforts, money to afford anything you need, plus “f*ck-you money” in the bank that gives you the freedom to not have to do anything you don’t want to.
And even with all that, you can still have an empty, nagging sense like you don’t really have anything at all.
This has been Constantin Morun’s journey.
Born in Romania, at the tail end of a vicious dictatorship that offered its people no consumer goods, banned typewriters, and forced citizens to use light bulbs so dim they couldn’t see around the room, it was easy for Constantin to find himself without freedom of expression and surrounded by scarcity.
While he was raised with love and compassion, he also knew what it felt like to be left in the dark, both figuratively and literally.
In 2000, when Constantin was 17, his family moved to Canada. There he was in a new land where he didn’t understand the language, the school system or the level of diversity he’d never seen or experienced before.
He did well in college and got a degree in mathematics, but his work wasn’t his passion. So he became a professional poker player while also coaching poker players, made a lot of money at it, but succumbed to pressures from others who told him he needed to get a “real job” at some point.
This brought him to the United States and into the corporate hustle, and within seven years he was doing extremely well. As a result of hard work and accomplishment, he got a promotion. Everything seemed fine.
But Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
In a moment, when you meet Constantin, you’ll hear about how just when it seemed he had it all – all he felt was an enormous emptiness inside. Which led him on the powerful journey of redefining terms like “regret” and “fear” and through which he discovered that, when all is said and done, these things are little more than illusions.
Prepare to discover the concept of “decoy fears” and that when bad things happen, there’s still always something good in it for you, as long as you’re willing to look for and see it.
Constantin’s hype songs are brain music you can find on Brain.fm.
Resources:
Constantin Morun’s websites: https://calmsuccesslive.com/ and https://unleashthyself.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/constantin-bo-morun/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Unleash-Thyself/100091499994716/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/unleashthyselftoday X: https://x.com/Unleash_ThyselfInvitation from Lori:
Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.
These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?!
But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that.
Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It’s about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time, consistently. Consistency over perfection wins every time. You deserve a life where you can breathe easy and not feel like a gorilla is standing on your chest all the time.
When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that can change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
And now, it’s time for our meetup with Constantin. He’s sitting over there by himself, but seems to be quite engrossed in some sort of dialogue. Let’s give him a penny for his thoughts!
Thu, 24 Oct 2024 - 45min - 211 - 161. This Won’t Last Forever with Helen Fanucci
You know the saying: your network is your net worth.
You can intentionally engineer the results by curating your circle of influence over time, keeping in touch, and being on the alert for subtle connections the casual observer might miss.
And then you might unintentionally end up on a flight with the CEO of your former employer, take your chance on grabbing the seat next to him in first class, and seize the opportunity to create networking connections that help him close a major deal.
Helen Fanucci took both approaches and had been able to practice and master the art of finding what’s possible.
Her parents instilled this in her by showing her she could achieve anything she put her mind to. When, as a young girl living in Boston, she told her father, who was the minister of a congregational church, that she wanted to go to the MIT, and asked if he thought she could get in, he told her the only way to find out was to try.
Spoiler alert - she got into MIT.
But before that, as Helen was finishing seventh grade, her mother died of ovarian cancer only a year after her family had moved to Seattle. During a visit to Boston she realized that although she was struggling to fit in living in Seattle, she could find her place if she intentionally looked for and created it.
After graduating from MIT, she worked as a manufacturing engineer for IBM in Silicon Valley. Worried that IBM’s culture of spending your entire career there could leave her stagnant, she pivoted into sales. She grew into the role through building her network and seeking knowledge where she could find it - until an unsettling discovery led her to leave IBM and work for a prospective client.
Cue the coincidental meeting with the CEO of IBM on the airplane and Helen’s opportunity to use her networking skills to create a relationship between the CEO and her new employer’s CEO. By all standards, everything was going just fine.
But Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
In a moment, when you meet Helen, you’ll discover how going on maternity leave changed everything. How spending a career in corporate America inspired her mantra of “this won’t last forever.” And why all these years later she’s started her own company that helps B2B companies with their go-to-market using AI tools.
It's a fascinating story, and you have to hear Helen tell it in her own words.
Helen’s hype song is “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison.
Resources:
Helen Fanucci’s website: https://www.pipelinepower.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenfanucci/ Claim your copy of Helen's book, Love Your Team: A Survival Guide for Sales Managers in a Hybrid World.Invitation from Lori:
In my special guide, 5 Easy Ways to Start Living the Sabbatical Life, you can discover, step-by-step, how you can stop settling for “fine” and look at your life with a fresh set of eyes. Even if, like many people in today’s high-speed world, you’re not in a position to take a month or year-long sabbatical.
You know how you normally hear the disclaimer “Don’t try this at home!” In this case, you CAN try this at home. And not just “try,” DO.
Once you read it, you’ll
✅ Discover a counter-intuitive approach to making intentional changes in mindset and lifestyle.
✅ Learn how to own your feelings and your struggles so you can address them.
✅ Find out how to face fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rewire your beliefs.
It’s only 7 pages, so it won’t take you long to get through. When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that could change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
So now, it’s time to meet Helen. We’re headed to the pickleball court, and there she is – on her phone working on a movie!
Thu, 17 Oct 2024 - 43min - 210 - 160. Do Hard Things with Gabe Lullo
When you work in sales, you of course want to build trust with your prospects and make them feel like you have their best interests at heart and aren’t simply selling them something just to earn a commission.
Resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning are as important to your success as empathy, patience, and effective communication.
Then there’s the question of whether you enjoy sales and believe in what you’re selling, or if it’s just a job and you’re doing the best you can to be decent at it. These, and other sentiments, are why today’s conversation with Gabe Lullo, the CEO of Alleyoop, is so important.
Gabe grew up in Buffalo, New York, which itself requires a lot of grit because you deal with really cold weather and a lot of snow. Add to that, Gabe and his sister were raised in modest circumstances by a single mom who worked two jobs so her kids could go to private schools and get a great education, even though it cost 90% of her income.
At the same time, he was close to his grandfather, a sports coach who modeled the “coaching” rather than the “bossing” approach to leadership.
When he turned 18, his mother made him go to bartending school. The idea was that no matter what happened with his career, Gabe could always make money.
In college, while taking classes and doing internships, he worked nights as a bartender, a vocation that in hindsight taught him so much about sales, marketing, relationships, and more in a way that you simply don’t get in the classroom. He first considered law school, then pivoted to finance, and then 9/11 hit and all opportunities in that sector evaporated.
Nevertheless, Gabe persisted, and he became a partner in a business venture, got married, and started a family. It was tough going there, but everything seemed like it was going to be just fine.
But Fine is a 4-Letter Word, and his business partnership broke up, sending him back to square one with an infant daughter to care for.
In a moment, when you meet Gabe, you’ll discover how the next pivot in his journey, doing cold-calling as a Sales Development Representative (SDR) at minimum wage, touched off a meteoric journey that less than a decade later landed him in his current position as CEO of that company.
Doing the hard things has paid off, and as a result, Gabe has found a level of passion and fulfillment he hadn’t imagined would be possible while shoveling through those Buffalo blizzards. Now he’s about to lay it all out for you.
Gabe’s hype song is "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins.
Resources:
Gabe Lullo’s website: https://alleyoop.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lullo/Invitation from Lori:
In my special guide, 5 Easy Ways to Start Living the Sabbatical Life, you can discover, step-by-step, how you can stop settling for “fine” and look at your life with a fresh set of eyes. Even if, like many people in today’s high-speed world, you’re not in a position to take a month or year-long sabbatical.
You know how you normally hear the disclaimer “Don’t try this at home!” In this case, you CAN try this at home. And not just “try,” DO.
Once you read it, you’ll
✅ Discover a counter-intuitive approach to making intentional changes in mindset and lifestyle.
✅ Learn how to own your feelings and your struggles so you can address them.
✅ Find out how to face fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rewire your beliefs.
It’s only 7 pages, so it won’t take you long to get through. When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that could change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
So let’s head over and meet Gabe. He’s in his office with a lot of paperwork on his desk, and he has some incredible insights about the “danger zone” of success!
Thu, 10 Oct 2024 - 42min - 209 - 159. I’m Not Going to Tolerate This with Jennifer Frye
It’s called “continuous growth” for a reason.
When you cut down a tree, or a tree snaps and falls, the rings you’ll see reveal more than the age of the tree based on how many rings there are. Each ring will be a different width, a different color or shade.
Each of these rings tells a story about how changes in the environment impacted its growth and development as it grew from a sapling into a fully-fledged organism sprouting branches, growing leaves, bearing fruit, expanding its roots, or whatever other functions it performed during its life cycle.
Jennifer Frye’s story of surviving domestic abuse and finding her way to thrive by looking from the inside out makes me think of this metaphor.
Growing up, Jennifer was instilled with the values of hard work, work ethic, honesty, integrity, family, education… and guilt. Yes, she grew up in the 1980s.
Her father was a successful entrepreneur who worked a lot of hours and embodied the hustle culture. Though she grew up in a loving household, both her parents died when she was in her 20s. She was determined to be a success story and to do what she believed would be expected of her.
Jennifer got married, had a child, and started a business, so it seemed like she was set to emulate her father and everything would be fine.
But Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
Her husband gradually became abusive. First it was emotional abuse, trauma, gaslighting, and displays of power like blocking her from leaving a room or laying behind her car so she could not leave the driveway. She tried to make it work for the sake of their child having a complete home. Then, after she went out with a friend for her birthday, he accused her of being with another man and struck her.
That was the break. Though it was scary, and she didn’t have a whole lot to go on as her business was just starting to really take off, she divorced him and embarked on a journey to making it on her own.
Funny thing, though. She had already been managing the household and primary in raising their child, so on the surface level, aside from a struggle to make ends meet, things hadn’t actually changed all that much.
Until one day, she was emptying the dishwasher and found sheer joy at knowing she didn’t have a man who would cause her anxiety if she didn’t empty the dishwasher.
In a moment, when you hear from Jennifer, you’ll see how, like the rings of a tree, she discovered how as you go through the layers of bark, you find your tolerations that get in the way of gratitude and dispose of them.
And most of all, you’ll be energized by the power of the word “because”.
Jennifer’s hype song is "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston.
Resources:
Jennifer’s website: https://appreciatedasset.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-levy-frye/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/appreciatedasset/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/appreciatedasset/Also be sure to check out Episode #81, Resilience in the Face of Adversity: A Dad’s Story of Overcoming Loss and Embracing Gratitude with Mike Fister – Mike connected me to Jennifer for today’s enlightening conversation!
Invitation from Lori:
In my special guide, 5 Easy Ways to Start Living the Sabbatical Life, you can discover, step-by-step, how you can stop settling for “fine” and look at your life with a fresh set of eyes. Even if, like many people in today’s high-speed world, you’re not in a position to take a month or year-long sabbatical.
You know how you normally hear the disclaimer “Don’t try this at home!” In this case, you CAN try this at home. And not just “try,” DO.
Once you read it, you’ll
✅ Discover a counter-intuitive approach to making intentional changes in mindset and lifestyle.
✅ Learn how to own your feelings and your struggles so you can address them.
✅ Find out how to face fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rewire your beliefs.
It’s only 7 pages, so it won’t take you long to get through. When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that could change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now, let’s head over to Jennifer’s house. It looks like such a warm and inviting place. We might be early though, because I think I hear her emptying the dishwasher!
Thu, 03 Oct 2024 - 45min - 208 - 158. If It’s Meant For You, It Will Find You with Brian Fink
Living through the pandemic changed all of our lives, in one way or another.
For some, it was coming to a realization that you didn’t feel like your business or your career was your true calling, in which case it’s possible you may have encountered someone like today’s guest during your journey toward finding something more aligned with your life’s purpose.
For others, it’s finding out that although you had a bunch of superficial or virtual interactions every day, you essentially felt alone. And maybe the friend or mentor you needed was someone you had never met, like in the form of a content creator, an author, or a podcast host.
This is Brian Fink’s story.
Growing up, his family was in the shirt manufacturing business. Today, he’s a talent acquisition partner who finds top-tier hires. One day, at a recruiting event, a candidate approached him and asked if he was one of the Finks who had owned the local shirt factory. It turns out, Brian’s grandfather had given his father white dress shirts as a reward for making Dean’s List at an HBCU, Albany State University, and to encourage him to continue doing well in his studies.
This encounter led Brian to the realization that because of what his grandfather did for those students and during the civil rights movement, that Brian’s striving to make sure things are fair and indivisible for everybody comes through family legacy.
Brian has enjoyed a storied career. He’s owned recruiting businesses, exited them, and helped others grow and exit their recruiting businesses. He has worked for companies like Amazon and AWS, Twitter, and Vanguard on his way toward his current work at McAfee.
As an “intrapreneur”, as he calls himself, he lives out the values imprinted by his grandfather as well as one of his grandmothers, who taught him to value friendships and the communities you create and serve.
This all sounds fine.. but Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
About 20 years ago, Brian found out he suffers from anxiety and depression.
In his search for understanding, acceptance, strength, and growth, he found himself drawn toward not only mentors in the workplace who create space for him to learn from mistakes and explore his talents, but also remote mentors – those authors, speakers, and podcast hosts. He reads voraciously to the point that he’s not really up on “pop culture” because he prefers books to television and movies.
Like the day he discovered by chance that his grandfather had been someone else’s father’s hero, there was one particular video he found that gives him incredible inspiration to find what he is looking for on the other side of fear.
When you listen to Brian, you’ll discover how he has found companionship and mentorship at a distance.
Brian’s hype song is “Sweetness” by Jimmy Eat World.
Resources:
Brian Fink’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfink/ Will Smith’s video that we discuss during the interview, “What Skydiving Taught Me About Fear”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFIB05LGtMsInvitation from Lori:
In my special guide, 5 Easy Ways to Start Living the Sabbatical Life, you can discover, step-by-step, how you can stop settling for “fine” and look at your life with a fresh set of eyes. Even if, like many people in today’s high-speed world, you’re not in a position to take a month or year-long sabbatical.
You know how you normally hear the disclaimer “Don’t try this at home!” In this case, you CAN try this at home. And not just “try,” DO.
Once you read it, you’ll
✅ Discover a counter-intuitive approach to making intentional changes in mindset and lifestyle.
✅ Learn how to own your feelings and your struggles so you can address them.
✅ Find out how to face fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rewire your beliefs.
It’s only 7 pages, so it won’t take you long to get through. When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that could change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now let’s meet Brian. He seems to have his nose buried in a book while whistling to something he’s listening to through his headphones!
Thu, 26 Sep 2024 - 50min - 207 - 157. Pursuing Passion and Finding Work-Life Integration with Rick Herrmann
Do you think you’ve got it made?
Today’s situation is remarkable for the sheer amount of disruption, rapid change, and even chaos that seems to spin faster and faster with each passing moment.
Just in the past few years, the world has been turned upside down, stood back up, spun around, and sent into the rapids by a pandemic that has become endemic, political and social upheaval that might leave you feeling like nothing would really surprise you at this point, predictions becoming fact in weeks rather than years, and much more that few of us saw coming just five years ago.
What if you could take a step back and turn down the noise?
Rick Herrmann invites you to do just that.
For the past 35 years, Rick has been what he calls an “always on” tech executive who thrives in the intensity and passion of work and then in play with his family. These experiences have taught him to be resilient, driven, and adaptable.
As a kid in New England during the 1980s, when Michael J. Fox played Alex P. Keaton, Rick grew up in the family ties of a supportive environment as the son of an engineer and entrepreneur who left the house at 5:30 am and came home at 6:30 pm and installed in young Rick the values of hard work and certainty.
These values inspired him to enter the tech world, a place where bedrock stability and calm through crisis are key to doing a great job and making a big difference. In the workplace, you might think of IT only when something goes wrong; the rest of the time you subconsciously bask in the certainty the up-and-running servers give you that you’ll be able to do your job.
You might say Rick stands out by not standing out – he’s a gentle, quiet man with a great career and a wonderful family. Everything’s fine with Rick – why would we even have him on a show that’s about radical inflection points and catharsis?
But that’s just the thing – FINE is a 4-Letter Word.
Things got a little f*cked up for Rick – in an understated way – when he entered his 50s and the world entered a pandemic. Coupled with the loss of a parent, it drove him to identify three core values – family, compassion, and doing big things.
Along the way, he’s taken plenty of walks in nature, walking calls with employees that are about candidly venting without the pressure to solve the world’s problems, and driven the shift from “work-life balance” to “work-life integration”. Along the way, he’s brought computers to millions of underserved communities so they have a fair opportunity to participate in all the world has to offer.
Now tune in and prepare to soak up some of the wisdom Rick has learned along the way.
Rick’s hype song is "Need a Favor" by Jelly Roll.
Resources:
Rick Herrmann’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickaherrmannInvitation from Lori:
In my special guide, 5 Easy Ways to Start Living the Sabbatical Life, you can discover, step-by-step, how you can stop settling for “fine” and look at your life with a fresh set of eyes. Even if, like many people in today’s high-speed world, you’re not in a position to take a month or year-long sabbatical.
You know how you normally hear the disclaimer “Don’t try this at home!” In this case, you CAN try this at home. And not just “try,” DO.
Once you read it, you’ll
✅ Discover a counter-intuitive approach to making intentional changes in mindset and lifestyle.
✅ Learn how to own your feelings and your struggles so you can address them.
✅ Find out how to face fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rewire your beliefs.
It’s only 7 pages, so it won’t take you long to get through. When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that could change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Okay, I think I see Rick coming along the walking trail toward us right now. Whatever he’s listening to through his earbuds, he is inspired! Let’s wave and get his attention.
Thu, 19 Sep 2024 - 42min - 206 - 156. The More You Say No, The More You Grow with Michelle Charpentier
Self-reliance. Determination and grit. Treating others the way you want to be treated.
These are some of the most noble traits our society says we can possibly have, attributing people who exude them as being the product of a good upbringing and the kind of person we should aspire to be.
These are also the traits than can bite you in the ass and f*ck everything up when they come back at you like a boomerang and whack you upside the head just when you think you’ve done it all right and everything’s fine.
This is Michelle Charpentier’s story.
She was raised with the “Golden Rule” by hardworking, self-relliant parents who always came through for her, one way or another. Her dad was a school teacher and a musician who got by just fine by living this same value system. Her mom was always busy doing something.
Michelle embarked on a successful management career in the jewelry industry, where she discovered a few things that really stood out. Like the time a meeting coordinator asked Michelle to be liaison with the cleaning lady rather than approach the woman directly because Michelle seemed to get along with her so well. Or that some managers were assuming everything was fine with their employees and not taking the time to get to know their likes and dislikes.
Eventually, Michelle was offered the kind of major promotion you don’t say no to. For a while it involved a long commute from New York City to New Jersey, but she was able to get transferred to NYC and everything seemed fine.
But FINE is a 4-Letter Word.
Michelle burned out, but it wasn’t just the commute and the long hours that come with being in retail that drove her to leave it all behind and start her own consulting firm so she could have more flexibility to start a family.
Remember that boomerang that comes around and hits you back? Michelle felt it when all of a sudden she had nobody to manage. Then she found those traits of self-reliance, determination, and grit became a problem when employees weren’t around whose specific job it was to help her.
And that Golden Rule thing? She found out in the “silence of solopreneurship” that it played a huge role in burning her out and cost her a fortune in life.
In a moment, when you meet Michelle, you’ll find out how all those admirable traits f*cked things up – and some new values she developed that actually made her an even better person than the fine human being she already was. It may come across as contrarian, and it may shock you. And that’s exactly why you need to listen.
Michelle’s hype song is "WOW" by Post Malone.
Resources:
Michelle Charpentier’s website: https://www.charpconsulting.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleccharpentier/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/charpconnectionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooklyn_pioneer/Also, check out Episode #135, Pull The Weeds When They’re Wet with Kris Ward, for even more on the topics Michelle shares with us today.
Invitation from Lori:
In my special guide, 5 Easy Ways to Start Living the Sabbatical Life, you can discover, step-by-step, how you can stop settling for “fine” and look at your life with a fresh set of eyes. Even if, like many people in today’s high-speed world, you’re not in a position to take a month or year-long sabbatical.
You know how you normally hear the disclaimer “Don’t try this at home!” In this case, you CAN try this at home. And not just “try,” DO.
Once you read it, you’ll
✅ Discover a counter-intuitive approach to making intentional changes in mindset and lifestyle.
✅ Learn how to own your feelings and your struggles so you can address them.
✅ Find out how to face fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rewire your beliefs.
It’s only 7 pages, so it won’t take you long to get through. When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that could change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
So, let’s head over to our meeting with Michelle. She has blocked off just a half hour for us, but we have her undivided attention. Let’s lunch and learn together!
Thu, 12 Sep 2024 - 44min - 205 - 155. Pain To Purpose: The Power of Drumming with Dori Staehle
Imagine going about your day, following your routine, when out of the blue something comes along and knocks you to the ground, ending the life you’ve known up until that moment.
In the movies, things can go into slow motion, or you hear the “needle scratch” that ends the background music as everything comes to a shuttering halt and you fall to the ground.
This was the moment Dori Staehle (pronounced STAY-LEE) got beat like a drum in a bicycle accident – and as she was soon to discover, drumming was going to be the next step.
Dori told her professors she was raised by wolves. Her father became a single parent to Dori and her two older sisters and the girls found themselves taking care of the household with minimal parental guidance.
At age 16, she left home to live with a friend from high school. Around that same time developed a curiosity about spirituality and sought to learn more about faith on her own.
After college, where she almost burned out due to her heavy course load, Dori pursued a career path of international business and sales and marketing but felt unfulfilled creatively. At the same time, she discovered her children “learned differently.” so out of necessity she designed a unique way to teach them mathematics.
It was then that Dori discovered that hand drumming helped beat stress and ADHD issues and improved productivity. So in 2009 she became a Certified Drum Therapist with Drums and Disabilities, and later trained with Health Rhythms.
Not everything was “fine” – that 4-Letter Word – but it was about to get worse.
BAM!
One day in 2011, that bicycle came out of nowhere. After weeks of being put off when she sought proper medical attention and being told she was “fine” when she was in constant pain, an MRI revealed that not only did she have a mass of cysts inside her, the bicycle accident had triggered Aphasia.
Dori almost gave up, but decided to ask God to give her a way to heal herself and others - and that's when things got interesting.
Already well into her 50s, she started her fourth business, Next Stage Drumming, mainly offering classes, events, and private drum therapy sessions. Once Dori added some mentoring and coaching to the mix, she began to see breakthroughs taking place very quickly – not only for her clients, but for herself as well.
In a moment, when you meet Dori, you’ll hear her fascinating story about how all the threads, lessons, triumphs, and tragedies of her life coalesced as if they were leading her to the drums. As Dori says, “You're never too old and it's never too late to rock what you've got!”
Dori’s hype song is "Rise Up (Lazarus)" by CAIN.
Resources:
Dori Staehle’s website: https://www.nextstagedrumming.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doristaehlemba Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nextstagedrummingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextstagedoriClaim your access to Dori Staehle's free stress relief video when you sign up for her newsletter: https://www.nextstagedrumming.com/free-tips/
Invitation from Lori:
Before you press that "Play" button (or after you finish listening), let me mention that in my special guide, 5 Easy Ways to Start Living the Sabbatical Life, you can discover, step-by-step, how you can stop settling for “fine” and look at your life with a fresh set of eyes. Even if, like many people in today’s high-speed world, you’re not in a position to take a month or year-long sabbatical.
You know how you normally hear the disclaimer “Don’t try this at home!” In this case, you CAN try this at home. And not just “try,” DO.
Once you read it, you’ll
✅ Discover a counter-intuitive approach to making intentional changes in mindset and lifestyle.
✅ Learn how to own your feelings and your struggles so you can address them.
✅ Find out how to face fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rewire your beliefs.
It’s only 7 pages, so it won’t take you long to get through. When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that could change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now, let’s head over to where that drum music is coming from – there’s Dori. I can tell you right now, there’s a message in those drum beats. Let’s find out what it is!
Thu, 05 Sep 2024 - 47min - 204 - 154. Living and Thriving on the Autism Spectrum with Daniel Keith Austin
What do Anthony Hopkins, Dan Aykroyd, Courtney Love, Daryl Hannah, Jerry Seinfeld, Albert Einstein, Heather Kuzmich, Elon Musk, Lionel Messi, Eminem, and Satoshi Tajiri have in common?
Celebrity?
Creativity?
Fame?
Fortune?
Yes, all of them have these things to varying degrees. Each and every one of them also has (or in Einstein’s case, had) autism.
So does author, actor, autism advocate, and animal rights activist Daniel Keith Austin, creator of the children’s book series, Chelsea’s New Journey. I was especially interested in hosting Daniel on the show because there are a lot of misconceptions around what autism is and how people with it interact with the world. It’s a topic that’s near and dear to my heart because my nephew is on the spectrum.
Daniel was raised with the core beliefs of striving to be a good and decent person who treats people well, does things for the overall benefit of mankind, and helps people lead better lives.
He also grew up as one of four autistic siblings and experienced many challenges. He was a disruptive kid who struggled in an educational system that just wanted him to follow orders and behave while doing little to support him in learning to form relationships and communicate effectively. He didn’t find out he had autism until he was 14 years old.
In Daniel’s case, you could say things were never “fine” – for him, Fine is a 4-Letter Word and always has been.
In a moment, when you meet Daniel, you’ll discover how his passion for writing, performing, and storytelling led him to create a series of children’s books about Chelsea the Golden Retriever.
Revolving around the life story of a Golden Retriever based on Daniel’s childhood dog, this series breaks down and transforms complicated, contentious themes into an understandable, relatable tale that powerfully addresses themes of abandonment, the need for acceptance and belonging, and triumph over adversity through seemingly impossible challenges from the perspective of someone who lacks a human voice.
Through Chelsea’s eyes, Daniel invites you to join an engaging and thought-provoking story arc around Chelsea becoming a therapy dog for people on the autism spectrum.
Daniel’s hype song is “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story.
Resources:
Daniel Keith Austin’s websites: https://danielkeithaustin.com/ and https://www.chelseasnewbeginningbook.com/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/chelsea.the.golden.retrieverInstagram:https://instagram.com/chelseathegoldenretriever88/X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/ChelseaTheGold2Invitation from Lori:
Before we get to this thought-provoking, emotional conversation that delivers a new perspective on thriving with autism, let me mention that in my special guide, 5 Easy Ways to Start Living the Sabbatical Life, you can discover, step-by-step, how you can stop settling for “fine” and look at your life with a fresh set of eyes. Even if, like many people in today’s high-speed world, you’re not in a position to take a month or year-long sabbatical.
You know how you normally hear the disclaimer “Don’t try this at home!” In this case, you CAN try this at home. And not just “try,” DO.
Once you read it, you’ll
✅ Discover a counter-intuitive approach to making intentional changes in mindset and lifestyle.
✅ Learn how to own your feelings and your struggles so you can address them.
✅ Find out how to face fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rewire your beliefs.
It’s only 7 pages, so it won’t take you long to get through. When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that could change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now, let’s meet Daniel. Here he comes down the street, walking several dogs. I can’t wait to hear the stories he has to share with us today!
Thu, 29 Aug 2024 - 35min - 203 - 153. The Real Purpose of Pets with Maribeth Decker
In conversations with friends and through my own experiences, I know our animals who’ve crossed the rainbow bridge can still communicate with us. My kitty girls show up in my dreams from time to time.
My guest today is Maribeth Decker. And when she started receiving messages from her dogs after they passed away, it led her to her current vocation.
Like many of my guests, Maribeth was raised to conform to social expectations. Be good, be quiet, be smiley. Don’t ask questions. Do as you’re told. Whatever you’re told is the absolute truth. At age 13, she was out in the woods when she asked God if He existed. She received an incredible response from a loving, intelligent presence. Part of the message was that maybe the humans in her life didn’t have all the answers after all.
In college, she studied pre-med and was horrified by being forced to do experiments on live turtles and mice. After college, her boyfriend suggested she join the Navy, which was a “Fuck Yes” decision for her. In the service she lived up to the drunken sailor stereotype. But when she lost her drinking partner because he decided to get sober, she decided to get sober too.
After 17 years, Maribeth took early retirement from the Navy and became an association manager. During that time, her first husband died, leaving her with young children. She could have worked as an association manager until she retired, and given all she had been through, that would have been fine for Maribeth.
But Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
Instead, Maribeth felt a calling to do something else – massage therapy, then Reiki. After 21 years as an association manager, having already taken courses in massage therapy and Reiki, she retired from her job and went into these practices full-time. Things were going great; this was a right fit. Then her deceased dogs began sending her messages.
Eddie transitioned right before she left for a business trip. While on the airplane, Maribeth felt Eddie’s presence in the aisle and even petted her. Eddie stayed with her the first night in the hotel to make sure she was able to do her best work. Similarly, Timmy, who had passed years before, visited her at her home. He was a full-body apparition, grinning to say he was OK, he was happy and he loved her. Had Maribeth become Dr. Doolittle? What did all this mean?
In a moment, when you meet Maribeth, you’ll discover how this led her to a new and exciting chapter working with animals to help them become better family members through intuitive communication, medical intuition, and energy healing.
Maribeth’s hype song is “Pyro” by Kings of Leon.
Resources:
Maribeth Decker’s website: https://sacredgrove.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maribethdecker/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualpetpeopleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maribethdecker/Also, check out the following episodes we discussed during our interview:
Tap Into Your Intuition & Own Your True Self with Brigitte BakerYou Have a Ghost in Your Neck with Melanie WellerInvitation from Lori:
Before we begin the episode, let me mention that in my special guide, 5 Easy Ways to Start Living the Sabbatical Life, you can discover, step-by-step, how you can stop settling for “fine” and look at your life with a fresh set of eyes. Even if, like many people in today’s high-speed world, you’re not in a position to take a month or year-long sabbatical.
You know how you normally hear the disclaimer “Don’t try this at home!” In this case, you CAN try this at home. And not just “try,” DO.
Once you read it, you’ll
✅ Discover a counter-intuitive approach to making intentional changes in mindset and lifestyle.
✅ Learn how to own your feelings and your struggles so you can address them.
✅ Find out how to face fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rewire your beliefs.
It’s only 7 pages, so it won’t take you long to get through. When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that could change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now, let’s meet Maribeth. There’s a big, husky dog looking her in the eye, almost like they’re mind-melding. He looks like a good boy. Let’s see what’s going on!
Thu, 15 Aug 2024 - 39min - 202 - 152. Not Coming Out... But Going To with Kevin O’Connor
As a Gen-Xer, I remember when the prevalent view about being gay was that it was something you’d be afraid for people to find out about. It’s also been our generation that started to change that.
We’ve come a long way in the past couple decades, but it can still be a frightening prospect if your family and community are predominantly heteronormative.
With the stigma surrounding homosexuality that prevailed in the last century, can you blame someone for being afraid to come out, even if everyone they privately confided in has been completely understanding and supportive?
This is Kevin O’Connor’s story.
Kevin was raised in the 1950s and 1960s in the middle of the Midwest – Elgin Illinois to be exact – as part of a family that founded the first funeral home in that town in 1930 and continued to operate it up until 1984. He, his parents, and his older brother lived in one part of the house; his uncle, aunt, and three older girl cousins lived in another part of the house; the funeral parlor was on the ground floor. He uses the word “inclusive” to summarize his family and social environment growing up.
While he was welcome to make a career in the family business, nobody insisted; his family supported him when he went to college for education and became a teacher. In his early 20s, he got married. This was a great start, and everything seemed fine.
But Fine is a 4-Letter Word – and in 1971, being gay was not considered “fine”.
In a moment, when you meet Kevin, you will discover his extraordinary journey of coming out to his first wife, his second wife, his father, and his sons. And then what inspired him to come out publicly at 55 years old and the impact it had on all his relationships, including and especially the one with himself.
This is a story about inclusivity, acceptance, self-discovery, and navigating the waters of society you cannot miss – tune in now and you may find yourself seeing a new point of view.
Kevin’s hype song is "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" by Stevie Wonder.
Resources:
Kevin O’Connor’s website: https://www.kevinoconnorauthor.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmoconnor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.oconnor2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegriefnavigator/Also check out our episode, Unleash Your Joy with Carol Banens which includes a theme related to something Kevin and I discussed.
Invitation from Lori:
In my special guide, 5 Easy Ways to Start Living the Sabbatical Life, you can discover, step-by-step, how you can stop settling for “fine” and look at your life with a fresh set of eyes. Even if, like many people in today’s high-speed world, you’re not in a position to take a month or year-long sabbatical.
You know how you normally hear the disclaimer “Don’t try this at home!” In this case, you CAN try this at home. And not just “try,” DO.
Once you read it, you’ll
✅ Discover a counter-intuitive approach to making intentional changes in mindset and lifestyle.
✅ Learn how to own your feelings and your struggles so you can address them.
✅ Find out how to face fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rewire your beliefs.
It’s only 7 pages, so it won’t take you long to get through. When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that could change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now, let’s meet Kevin. I can just tell this one’s going to be an eye-opener, so buckle up!
Thu, 08 Aug 2024 - 48min - 201 - 151. Trying Not to Die with Deb Krier
While it's difficult to track how many people with cancer do not seek treatment, the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) conducted a study a few years ago that indicated about 9.2% of patients receive no first course of treatment.
This could be for many reasons, including fear or disbelief in traditional or corporate medicine, alternative treatments that stay off the statistics, or they just say “fuck it” and decide to enjoy the time they have left the best they can.
But what if you’re diagnosed with cancer and seeing an oncologist just doesn’t fit into your plan?
This was Deb Krier.
Deb was raised in a small town as the only child of a father who worked most of the time and was uninvolved to the point that he was vaguely aware the family had a bank account, and a mother who was the secretary at the local doctor’s office. Their marriage may have been what we today call a “female-led relationship” – her mother ran everything and insisted on making every decision.
This brought out two traits in Deb – it made her a perfectionist and perhaps a bit of a control freak, and it also made her very independent and insistent on having control over her own life.
She went to college, started a business, and in her 30s got married. They lived in Denver until her husband got transferred to Atlanta. Because they don’t have kids and otherwise are independent people, the move wasn’t that hard. They planted stakes in Atlanta and things went on. Hell, everything seemed fine.
But FINE is a 4-Letter Word.
A routine mammogram revealed something, but it was minor and easily treatable. Since it didn’t seem urgent, Deb didn’t exactly rush to the oncologist – actually, it wasn’t until months later, once the cancer had spread and things got serious, that she began treatment.
The journey through cancer has taught Deb many lessons, including the importance of delegation in her business, how to assert her autonomy and retain her choice as she goes through treatment, and a long quest through which she has discovered a new meaning and definition for the concept of death.
For a while, her mother moved in to help with care, which led to arguments because Deb, her mother, and her husband fought over who was in charge. It was a huge deal just to persuade her mother to leave when she was no longer needed.
So, how is Deb doing? How did this inspire her to create her venture, Trying Not to Die, which works with cancer patients showing them how to LIVE?
We’re about to find out.
Deb’s hype song is “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten.
Resources:
Deb Krier’s website: https://tryingnottodie.live/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahkrier/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1465660477225232Also check out our episode, Replacing Fine with F*ck Off! with P.J. Roscoe which includes a theme related to something Deb and I discussed.
Invitation from Lori:
Now, let me mention that in my special guide, 5 Easy Ways to Start Living the Sabbatical Life, you can discover, step-by-step, how you can stop settling for “fine” and look at your life with a fresh set of eyes. Even if, like many people in today’s high-speed world, you’re not in a position to take a month or year-long sabbatical.
You know how you normally hear the disclaimer “Don’t try this at home!” In this case, you CAN try this at home. And not just “try,” DO.
Once you read it, you’ll
✅ Discover a counter-intuitive approach to making intentional changes in mindset and lifestyle.
✅ Learn how to own your feelings and your struggles so you can address them.
✅ Find out how to face fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rewire your beliefs.
It’s only 7 pages, so it won’t take you long to get through. When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that could change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now, let’s catch up with Deb. I’m so glad she was able to fit us into her schedule!
Thu, 01 Aug 2024 - 44min - 200 - 150. The Power of Meditation and A Major Milestone: A Special Episode with Lori
First of all, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate all the work that’s gone into getting to this milestone of 150 episodes of Fine is a 4-Letter Word.
In past solos, I’ve talked about courage, doing what others won’t do, energy, and making decisions.
If you’re not familiar with what I do outside of this show, I work with business leaders and corporate teams, giving them tools and techniques so they can be more focused, resilient, and collaborative so they can manage the distractions in their heads that keep them from being as productive as they’d like and move projects forward with less stress and drama.
One of those techniques is meditation - but there’s often a lot of resistance around meditation, what it is, how to do it, etc.
There are many benefits, not least of which is meditation can decrease anxiety, it builds resilience. You’ll spend less time stuck in mulling over past mistakes and worrying about what might happen tomorrow.
In fact, a study at the University of Western Ontario followed an 8-week mindfulness program. Results showed participants experienced a 32% decrease in stress, a 30% decrease in anxiety and a 29% decrease in depression.
Tune in to this special episode and discover for yourself:
✅ When you can expect to see results from meditation
✅ The best time of day to meditate and how to use it to set yourself up to be more efficient and successful
✅ How you can easily make meditation a habit
✅ And much, much more packed into this powerful 23-minute episode!
This episode comes with a bonus called “Meditation: Clearing Anxiety” which is posted separately as a bonus episode.
Resources:
My Website: https://ZenRabbit.com/ LinkedIn: https://zenrabbit.com/linkedin/ Facebook: https://zenrabbit.com/facebook/ Instagram: https://zenrabbit.com/instagram/Invitation from Lori:
Much of what I included here comes from my digital Staying Calm in Chaos program.
If you’d like to get access to the entire program, where there’s a whole bunch more tools and techniques beyond meditation, you can find it at https://www.stayingcalminchaos.com/sp.
It’s time to step out of the clusterf*ck... of fear, regret, and disappointment, and into a place of peace and contentment!
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 - 25min - 199 - 150. Meditation: Clearing Anxiety
This meditation is designed to clear stress and anxiety so you can feel grounded and safe in this moment. Sometimes anxiety can spin you into a frenzy. Worrisome thoughts get stuck playing on an endless loop through your mind. It doesn’t feel good and it doesn’t serve you in any useful way.
Use this one to bring yourself back to tranquility, serenity, and calm.
Music credits: ©2017 Rebecca Reads Recordings Root Chakra Singing Bowls Note C
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 - 09min - 198 - 149. Failing Doesn’t Make You A Failure with Christina Robinson Race
In almost all of my episodes on Fine is a 4-Letter Word, I deal in varying degrees with the circles of life.
In two of the themes I explore with my guests – the values and beliefs they were raised with, and the moment in their life when they realized or found out that everything wasn’t “fine” – we see how these themes come together. And see where some of the conscious as well as the subconscious imprints either trigger the latter and/or blaze the trail for self-discovery, self-improvement, and self-actualization.
For the first time, I have a returning guest, Christina Robinson Race, who joined me 105 episodes ago for a conversation called “Lighting a Candle & Letting It Go”.
For a quick recap: Christina was raised in an abusive home and when she was sexually abused by a neighbor, got shut down by her covert narcissist mother who didn’t want to deal with it. There was no trust and no communication. During our conversation, we delved into how Christina and her husband had applied lessons from their upbringings in efforts to be better parents to their children, and how her desire to be an available, accessible parent had influenced her career path.
Today, we pick up with what’s happened since that episode. It’s been interesting to say the least, but it definitely hasn’t been “fine.”
The day we sat down for our update, Christina had just – and I mean within the couple days preceding – gotten out of surgery, packed up her house in Tennessee, and moved to Illinois to live with her now ex-husband, who in the intervening time had left her after having an affair with a younger colleague.
Christina’s children are coming along – her son is in the military, and one of her daughters is now starting as a teacher in a summer school.
The biggest challenges Christina has been working to overcome is having limited social interaction as an extrovert, taking things day-by-day as a person who was so organized she would have color-coded charts planning things out months in advance, and finding out that even when your children are grown, not only do you continue being a parent, but it takes on new and interesting forms!
Most people fear change, even positive change, because it involves the unknown. That’s why we settle for less, conform to others’ expectations, wonder how we became clones of our parents when we swore that would never happen, and stunt our own growth as human beings.
In a moment, when you meet Christina, or reconnect with her as the case may be, I invite you to open your mind and your heart as you prepare to discover answers to questions you didn’t even know to ask. Then be sure to stick around for the MANY takeaways, because there are some extremely powerful lessons here.
Christina’s hype song is "Brand New Me" by Alicia Keys.
Resources:
Christina Robinson Race’s websites: https://christinarobinsonrace.com/ and https://www.epremium.com/ Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crrace/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisraceAlso check out Christina’s previous episode, Lighting a Candle & Letting It Go.
Invitation from Lori:
Now, let me mention that in my special guide, 5 Easy Ways to Start Living the Sabbatical Life, you can discover, step-by-step, how you can stop settling for “fine” and look at your life with a fresh set of eyes. Even if, like many people in today’s high-speed world, you’re not in a position to take a month or year-long sabbatical.
You know how you normally hear the disclaimer “Don’t try this at home!” In this case, you CAN try this at home. And not just “try,” DO.
Once you read it, you’ll
✅ Discover a counter-intuitive approach to making intentional changes in mindset and lifestyle.
✅ Learn how to own your feelings and your struggles so you can address them.
✅ Find out how to face fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rewire your beliefs.
It’s only 7 pages, so it won’t take you long to get through. When you’re ready to say F*ck Being Fine, this guide is the place to start and it will give you new perspectives that could change your life starting today!
Go to https://zenrabbit.com right now to download it for free.
Now, let’s catch up with Christina.
Thu, 18 Jul 2024 - 48min
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