When Enough Was Enough

Alethea Felton:

When Enough Was Enough

Pushed to her limits and diagnosed with a stress-induced anxiety condition, Alethea Felton learned the hard way that no job is worth losing your sanity. The stand she took reshaped how she defines power, purpose, and peace.

Bio

Alethea Felton is a motivational speaker, bestselling author, transformational specialist, and founder of Alethea Felton Coaching, LLC and the Resilient Leaders Alliance. As host of The Power Transformation Podcast – a Top 5% ranked show – she celebrates the power of turning adversity into triumph.

With over two decades in education and entrepreneurship, Alethea helps leaders master resilience, transform setbacks into breakthroughs, and elevate their overall influence personally and professionally. She turns life’s challenging plot twists into power moves, equipping leaders to bounce back, level up, and thrive. Having overcome life-threatening health challenges since birth, she embodies perseverance, inspiring others to reclaim their best lives and lead with purpose.

A proud Southeastern Virginia native and longtime Washington, DC resident, Alethea enjoys mermaids, genealogy, and time with Buddy, her playful American tabby.

Topics

  • The Hidden Mental Health Costs of Leadership
  • When the System Turns Toxic: How to Spot It Early
  • Rewriting Your Story After Workplace Trauma
  • What Burnout Really Feels Like—and How to Recover
  • Setting Boundaries When You’re in Charge
  • The Silent Epidemic: Mental Health Crises in Education
  • Why Therapy Shouldn’t Be a Last Resort
  • Advocating for Yourself Inside Bureaucratic Systems
  • Holding Grace for the People Who Harmed You
  • Transforming Crisis into Clarity

Guiding Questions

  • What were the earliest signs that your work environment was becoming toxic?
  • How did it feel to be a leader yourself while being undermined by someone above you?
  • What was the turning point that told you: “I need help—now”?
  • Can you walk us through your decision to go on medical leave?
  • What surprised you the most about working with a psychiatrist and therapist?
  • How did your experience with mental health reshape how you approach leadership today?
  • What advice would you give to someone feeling trapped in a toxic job right now?
  • How did it feel when your former principal saw you again years later—this time as a leader?
  • Why do you believe mental health support in the workplace is still so stigmatized?
  • How can organizations better protect employees from this kind of professional harm?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Cast the Net Differently

Eric Collett :

Cast the Net Differently

When a career opportunity vanished overnight, Eric Collett faced a crossroads that would change everything. What followed was a series of unexpected connections, a pandemic-induced collapse—and the creation of a model that is now revolutionizing brain health.

Bio

Eric Collett is the CEO of A Mind For All Seasons, an innovative company specializing in helping people across the United States to optimize their cognitive and mental health. He is a nationally recognized speaker, consultant and brain health expert, a licensed residential care administrator, a teacher at the College of Western Idaho, and has also taught at Boise State University.

Eric passionately believes that lifelong learning is a key to finding powerful new solutions to significant challenges and has been working to change lives through innovative brain health interventions, dementia care techniques, program development, and leadership strategies since 2000

Topics

  • How to build a mission-led healthcare business
  • Cognitive decline: what’s truly preventable
  • The science of brain optimization before aging
  • What most memory care programs get wrong
  • Why mitochondria (not your adrenals) are key to energy
  • Turning business losses into mission pivots
  • The role of faith in entrepreneurship
  • How private brain health solutions are evolving
  • The long-term impact of COVID on senior care
  • Why your brain’s future starts now

Guiding Questions

  • How did the canceled opportunity with a VISTA lead to something bigger than expected?
  • What were your first thoughts when COVID wiped out most of your revenue overnight?
  • Can you explain the science behind reversing symptoms of dementia?
  • What did you mean by “casting your net on the other side of the boat”?
  • What separates your approach from traditional memory care facilities?
  • Why do you believe Alzheimer’s is largely preventable?
  • How did you transition from serving long-term care to helping private individuals?
  • What role did faith and mindset play in your decision-making during the crisis?
  • Can you explain how energy production in the brain affects mental clarity?
  • What advice would you give to someone facing a business or personal pivot moment?

Interested in this guest’s story?

When Risk Meets Calling

Marcy Bursac :

When Risk Meets Calling

Marcy thought she’d found her lifelong lane—until she realized her calling was evolving. What started as a quiet leap turned into a national movement.

Bio

Marcy channels the perseverance and self-reliance she learned amid childhood turbulent home life dynamics into advocating for children. Volunteering at an orphanage led her to pick adoption as her Plan A. After meeting her two children over Mother’s Day weekend, she pivoted her career into technology to align her schedule with her new role as a mother.

She works full-time for a global software company and volunteers as the executive director of The Forgotten Adoption Option, an organization she founded to help find permanent families for the over 100,000 children available for adoption through the foster care system.

Marcy is a 4x author and podcaster. She holds master’s degrees in philanthropy and business. She was honored with the Pilot Pen G2 Overachievers Grant on The Kelly Clarkson Show, chosen as an Angels in Adoption® honoree, and voted People’s Choice as United States of America’s Mrs. Ohio 2022.

Topics

  • How to re-skill and change careers midstream
  • The mindset tools that helped her overcome imposter syndrome
  • Navigating doubt after a career leap
  • Adopting through foster care and what most people don’t realize
  • The forgotten adoption crisis in America
  • How the pandemic unexpectedly launched her mission
  • Blending faith and practical steps in major life transitions
  • The unexpected leadership lessons from working in corporate tech
  • Creating a nonprofit from personal pain
  • What it really means to “trust the process”

Guiding Questions

  • What prompted you to leave a career in philanthropy you loved?
  • What was going through your mind when the program rejection email came in?
  • How did your experience adopting through foster care shift your sense of purpose?
  • Can you talk about what it felt like to go from senior leader to corporate cubicle?
  • What helped you mentally and spiritually stay grounded through uncertainty?
  • How did the idea for your book and nonprofit first spark?
  • What’s the biggest myth people believe about adoption through foster care?
  • What was it like transitioning from serving people in need to now influencing systems?
  • How did your faith shape the decisions you made in your career transition?
  • What advice would you give to someone who feels “stuck” in a good job?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Built Through Belief

Bill Haase :

Built Through Belief

Leaving a stable job, Bill dove into entrepreneurship—only to endure relocation, business loss, and personal upheaval. From that low came a powerful pivot centered on prayer, perseverance, and purpose.

Bio

With over 38 years of experience in the financial world, Bill Haase has a background of 20 years in the trading pits of Chicago (Wall Street), processing and underwriting of loans with major banks, and several years of financial advising (Main Street) to people like you. While he was never a trader (but was a broker!), Bill exercised trades and was involved in the transactions of stocks, stock options, Bonds, S&P futures, foreign currencies, risk arbitrage, and interest rate futures that included Eurodollars, Euroyen, and Libor. In 2004, Bill was the first person in the US to execute side-by-side pit and computer trading at the same time. No amusement park will ever develop a ride like Bill had on that day! He also had a 4-year running radio show titled “Innovative Strategies,” where Bill and his guests discussed financial literacy and how to build a business from concept to success. Logging nearly 1000 interviews for a couple hundred live on the show, Bill is launching a podcast with special guests to discuss more about the topics in his book and living your life with intent.  

Bill began his career at the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) as a runner with Goldberg Brothers taking option orders on stocks to the various brokers in the pits and acting as the runner when those options were executed. When hired, Bill was told that only one out of ten runners would make it a full month; yet Bill lasted twenty years. From there, Bill graduated to buying and selling stocks for traders as they hedged their options positions. About a year and a half into this crazy world, the powers that be thought Bill might be a good fit working in the Ivy Tower helping with a relatively new strategy called Risk Arbitrage. Bill participated in selling or buying baskets of stock that could be valued as high as $15,000,000 each, and the trade was completed in a matter of mere minutes. Back then, there was a person who would execute (trade) futures against the stock position (if buying stocks, then selling futures and vice versa) that were chosen and lock in the diƯerence in pricing. This was primarily the Fortune 500 stocks versus the S&P 500 futures, but other options were used occasionally. One day, Bill was sent to have lunch with Prudential Bache and signed the largest stock loan contract of its day for $100 million. Bill longed to get back to the action of the pits, recalling the mantra, “You either love it or hate it, and you’ll know quickly.” 

 

Bill headed over to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and worked a desk with a well-known company called Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc. in the Eurodollar pit (interest rate futures). This was the largest trading pit in the world with roughly 1500 people at any given time, trading over 40 diƯerent futures and any combination of those futures, as well as the options on those futures. Just nine months into this new gig, Drexel got forced into bankruptcy in 1990 for an issue with Junk Bonds, and after a bit Bill wound up at Nikko Securities as the desk manager for a group of Japanese brokers. A little over six years later, Bill switched sides and moved into the pit as a clerk involved with spreads (buying one contract while selling another at the same time, which could involve strategies for spreading that may include several futures at once). About four years later, computer trading had finally made it to the US. What a splash this made!  

When your world gets taken over by technology, where does one go? Certainly not the corporate world, or so he thought. While trying to start his own business, Bill landed at Chase Bank in Milwaukee processing loan modifications, moving back to Illinois a year later with Bank of America processing and underwriting loans for residential deals.

After three years, Bill became a financial advisor and worked for various companies, recounting how his experience would help him get a step ahead of the competition. What Bill learned was that most people didn’t understand much about how to develop individual and family portfolios. Bill found this frustrating, in that he knew he could help, but they just couldn’t understand the intricacies of how money works. Bill discovered his desire to teach financial literacy and launched his radio show that included how to build a business from concept to success. With so many people leaving their corporate jobs, many would embark on their own with no idea of what they were getting into. Four years later, Bill made the pivot to launch a podcast with a focus on financial literacy and living your life with intent. This led him to write his book,  Our Mindset on Money. 

Bill was called to provide basic knowledge and show people how they can take back control with a little eƯort and a desire to live a better life. This book is for those who wish to stop letting money stress them out and live in peace the rest of their lives.

What has your 38 years of experience in the financial world taught you about the human condition?  

Here in the U.S., we learn at a very early age to start chasing the almighty dollar. Many parents sacrifice to send their children to certain schools in hopes of acquiring a higher paying job once they’ve completed their studies. The pressure starts early and never ends for many. But how many know why? Our parents tell us how hard they worked and sacrificed to provide better opportunities for us so that we may live a better life. And yet, we then go out and do the same for our children. It’s perpetual, and we never stop to ask why. The obvious answer is that we will live a better life if we make more money, but what is a better life? Bigger homes in nicer neighborhoods, expensive foreign made cars, fancier clothes and jewelry, or dining in those high-end restaurants. Therein lies a huge problem; we are programmed to believe that the more money we appear to have, the better we look in the eyes of those around us.

Call it status or perception, but we’re led to believe that the more money we have makes us look more successful and even smarter. And since we don’t take the time, or maybe have the time, to get to know a person, we base our judgement on people by how they look first. Just look at the size of the cosmetic and clothing designer industries. We’re willing to go into debt to create a certain perception of ourselves, and that often leads to many of life’s problems, such as depression and high stress levels.  

I could tell you stories all day long about people who claim they never have enough; wealthy people are completely controlled by money and won’t retire because they don’t have enough to live the way they want too. This makes me think we have the wrong mindset on money as to how to live a great life, regardless of where we stand financially. 

Tell us about the day you were sent to have lunch with Prudential Bache.  

In 1987, about a year into my career as a runner at the Chicago Board Options Exchange, I was moved into the risk arbitration office, which was a great opportunity at the time. We executed large baskets of stocks against the underlying futures, typically, the S&P 500 stocks versus the S&P Futures where we could take advantage of an imbalance in pricing; and that would often involve selling short stocks. Shorting stocks meant you were selling stocks you didn’t own, and that created a need to borrow stocks to cover the position being held for the period of time until the trade was reversed (we would say unwound). While there were only about eight of us in the office at the time, we were considered one of the biggest risk arbitration groups in the world financially. We got to a point where we were constantly borrowing stocks and that would get costly, eating into the profits.

So, the powers that be decided to cut a deal with the good folks at Prudential Bache to borrow upwards of $100 million worth of stock, if needed, at what I could only assume was for a lower cost. I was in my mid-twenties and chosen to do the ceremonial signing of that contract. All I could think about was, how the heck did I get myself into this position? I was shaking because I didn’t know it was ceremonial at the time. Let’s just say the Prudential folks took great care of me at lunch, and when I returned to the office I was feeling no pain. 

When the world gets taken over by technology where does one go?  

Funny you should ask, as I just learned that very soon we won’t be needing keyboards or mouses anymore. That sounds crazy to me, but we’ll see. To put this from a financial perspective many folks see cryptocurrency as part of technology and wonder where it comes from. I always ask the same question, ‘Where does the money you use now come from?” Depending on our age or generation, many folks use technology to pay their bills and buy things, never actually exchanging hard currency. What’s so different? In some countries Bitcoin fluctuates, on a daily basis, less than the currency they use. And when we think about Bitcoin we typically say, “Well that’s way too expensive for me,” but for many, so is a $100 bill. Yet we have $50, $20, $10, $5, $1 bills, and coins to break down our currency even more. The same holds true for cryptocurrencies. It’s just that we have our minds set on what we believe Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency is, typically not doing our homework on what it actually is, and what it can do. 

To be honest, I consider myself technically challenged and lean on friends with greater knowledge. But we need to embrace it or we’re going to be left behind. By that I mean that we might be taken advantage of in ways that will usurp our money. It’s happening all the time now. Just look at your text messages, social media, and emails, that are filled with deception in an effort to divide us from our money we hold. To be fair, it’s not always by deception as there are many good folks out trying to sell their products and services. The difference can be between those that understand how to use technology, and those that think they do. There’s an old book from 1998 by Dr. Spencer Johnson called Who Moved My Cheese. It’s happening again. 

What surprised you the most as a Financial Advisor?  

Three things stood out:  

When I learned that spouses typically don’t ever talk about two things, money and sex. I used to stand in front of groups telling them I was there to help with one of those. But the reality is, we don’t like to talk about things we don’t know about, and that rolls down to the next generation. There are exceptions to every rule, but how many parents really sat down and talked to their children about the birds and the bees, as we used to say. And if you don’t understand how to control your money and spending, then how are you going to teach your children? Let’s add that it’s taboo to even talk about money with other people. It’s the perfect storm; you’re not supposed to talk about something you know so little about. 

The second thing I learned was that even people I would expect to have a greater knowledge of money, like a CFO or someone in the finance world, would look at me like a deer in headlights when explaining the investments I thought would best suit their wants and needs. Throughout my career I was involved in some highly technical aspects of money and trading, and I understand that most people could not comprehend some of the investment opportunities they had before them. But in many cases, there was very little understanding of even some basic investment options. I just read that according to the Federal Survey of Consumer Finances, in 2023 there were approximately 58% of Americans that owned stocks, and that the wealthiest 10% of Americans owned roughly 93% of the stocks. The financial literacy in our country is sorely lacking, and I can’t help but wonder how this affects productivity, not to mention our physical and mental health. 

Lastly, the training methods used to educate financial advisors are severely deficient which accounts for why so many drop out of the industry. According to  Financial Advisor magazine, nearly 71% of advisors leave within the first five years, adding that most are within the first three years. What I find interesting is one industry tactic, where once you start and get all licensed up, and you’re told to go talk to friends and family first. I’m guessing it’s believed that talking to people you know would be easier. Just bring them in and you’ll get help from a more experienced advisor. The problem I see with that approach is that the new advisor will not have sufficient knowledge and experience, and I don’t see how it helps to show that aspect to your warmest market. Family and friends are where people go to learn if you’re worth talking to, and yet you’re showing them in the earliest stage of your career that you’re not ready. 

Tell us about your new book, Our Mindset on Money. What was the catalyst for your book?  

The book is actually the second effort based on a calling I received in January 2022 to provide financial literacy to those that needed it most; the underprivileged. A calling is a funny thing in that it is not saying, “Here’s a great idea.” For me, it was being asked to take on a mission that I couldn’t refuse.  

While I know there are many people around the world that need and want financial literacy, I knew I had to focus on a specific target market. My first effort to fulfill this calling was to develop a series of classes for juniors and seniors in high school. I set up a company and put together a team that I felt was very strong and created a plan. The problem was that I was going to need a large amount of funds to do it the way I felt it needed to be done. For years, I saw clearly how to build it and understood the need to entertain as well as educate when working with young adults. I had written the courses, had access to a high end studio and producer, and wanted to bring in recognizable people to record the courses. The problem was typical of an entrepreneur trying to raise capital; finding the money. Let’s just say I failed to acquire the funds necessary and had to do what so many entrepreneurs do; pivot

To this day, I still believe the business plan is a solid one, and could be very lucrative, but I was out of time and money. A lawyer friend of mine in New York called around that time and mentioned he loved the way I lived my life with intent. That made me realize this was not the time to give up on my calling. I had never thought of writing a book, in fact, I figured there are others in this world better suited to write about financial literacy than myself, but I didn’t see anyone else doing it. And I felt that most people didn’t want another book telling them how to do a budget and to stay within it. I already knew most people had no idea what they spent last month, or any month for that matter, and they didn’t want to know how much money they were wasting and where it was going. My prayers were answered: what I needed to do was hit upon our mindset on money.

What triggers us to spend and why are we so willing to go into debt? Why do the rich buy time, while the poor buy stuff? It just felt so right to educate people on their  relationship with money, so that they could take more control over their spending habits. A year later, almost to the day, the book was published and I became an author. Who would’ve thought?

Who is this book for?  

While I’d like to say there’s something in it for people of all ages, color, gender, culture, and so on, I know the world likes to put things in a box to more readily define where it should be categorized. But the reality is, there are people of all backgrounds and income that struggle with money. I’ve spoken with amazing people around the world that are begging for financial literacy in hopes to improve their lives, or with the intention of helping others live a more abundant lifestyle. Within hours of the press release we had over 350 hits with wire services from all parts of the world. 

But my team’s focus is on starting here at home in the U.S. I currently have four major targets starting with the Military; there are so many ways to help these good people. Military spouses that remain here while their spouse goes off to fight battles quickly realize they need to take control of their money, and sure don’t want to have their spouse come home to a pile of bills and nothing left in their bank account. The Gold Star Families of those lost in battle, or that are moving to civilian life, have indicated their biggest fear is not knowing anything about money. What if we could help from an early stage with new recruits? What about Wounded Warriors that have to deal with constant financial struggles? Are there other Veterans that could use our help? The Salvation Army is another target to help those less fortunate get back into the game of life. Community Colleges are a way to reach young adults about to enter the real world, and typically with debt hanging over their heads. Home schooling is yet another area I’ll be pursuing. I can assure you there is no limit to where we can go and the many we can help. 

What is the greatest misnomer when it comes to money?  

The more you have, the happier you’ll be. I have yet to meet someone that was constantly chasing the almighty dollar ever be truly happy over time. They may be happy for a short time, but the money is not fulfilling when looking for happiness. I have heard, and seen, how the more money one makes the more they become who they are. Meaning, if you’re a happy person, then money will make you happier. But I’ve seen some people do the very opposite and become more abusive, mean, and dissatisfied with life. 

Against all belief, the more money you have does not necessarily make you smarter. As for success, if money is your way of judging others’ success, then I suggest you take the time to get to know the person you’re judging and learn from them what makes them most happy. I bet you’ll hear things like my marriage, my children, grandchildren, friendships, or maybe even knowing God. 

Keep in mind, money doesn’t care about anything. Not your color, gender, religion, house you own, car you drive, school you went to, clothes or jewelry you wear. Maybe that’s why we want it so much, because we seem to always chase after something that doesn’t care about us.  

Tell us about your podcast and where we can find it. 

The podcast is tentatively called “Intent” and is set to start recording very soon, as it’s the basis for my next book. At least that’s the plan now, but life happens, and things can change. I’m scheduled with iHeartMedia to release the recordings when we get a few in the bank, so to speak. Here is a link I believe still works to my radio show of four years that has ended as we move into podcasting: Innovative  Strategies – YouTube 

What do you want your legacy to be?  

Well, since I can’t buy a building at a school or a wing at a hospital, I’ll have to rely on what others believe it to be. In reality, there will be many things that I can’t control. Most importantly, I wish to be remembered as a person who served his calling well. 

  

Topics

  • Making the bold choice to leave stability
  • Bootstrapping a business with limited capital
  • Relocating in the face of adversity
  • Coping with theft and loss in business
  • The role of faith in entrepreneurial resilience
  • Using prayer and fasting to find direction
  • Rebuilding after repeated setbacks
  • Lessons in humility and perseverance
  • Incorporating spiritual values into business
  • Outcomes from divine encounters in decision-making

Guiding Questions

  • What prompted you to resign from your full-time job?
  • Did you have a support system when you took the leap?
  • How did you feel the day your first juice shop closed?
  • Can you describe the moment of the break-in and how it affected you?
  • What role did prayer and fasting play in rebuilding your courage?
  • How did moving to Congo shift your perspective?
  • What was the turning point in your spiritual journey during this time?
  • How did you maintain resilience amid multiple failures?
  • Looking back, what was the greatest lesson from this journey?
  • How are you leveraging these experiences today—personally or professionally?

Interested in this guest’s story?

When Plans Fall Apart

Eva Mwambene :

When Plans Fall Apart

After quitting her job without a safety net, Eva Mwambene faced a series of business failures, relocations, and personal losses. But through it all, she discovered something greater than success—divine purpose and spiritual resilience.

Bio

Eva (BA, Public Administration, Journalism & Optional English, MA Multimedia Public Relations) is a professional journalist and Publicist. She speaks 2 main languages; English and Kiswahili. She is also interested in learning other languages which include German, French, Italian, Turkish and Hebrew.

She has experience in Business, Entrepreneurship, Financial industries, Information Technology and Education.Apart from being an author, independent PR agent and blogger; Eva enjoys traveling and baking in her free time. She has been to different places in the world including England, Scotland, India, Malaysia and the UAE.

She is also a poet, critical discourse analyst and an educator.

Eva is the founder and managing director of ‘Precious Soul Tanzania’ a vintage digital innovation and marketing hub; ‘Brethren White Universal Congregation, BWUC’ a christian fellowship and publishing house; also, ‘Girls Backyard Healing’ A hub for girls and women welfare.

Topics

  • The emotional cost of leaving stable employment
  • Starting over after business failure
  • The intersection of faith and entrepreneurship
  • Spiritual resilience in uncertain times
  • Living with and healing from hearing loss
  • How prayer and fasting shaped my career path
  • Navigating professional setbacks with dignity
  • Finding purpose through divine encounters
  • Empowering underserved communities through entrepreneurship
  • Lessons from launching (and losing) multiple businesses

Guiding Questions

  • What made you decide to leave your full-time job without a financial cushion?
  • Can you walk us through one of your biggest business setbacks?
  • What role did prayer and fasting play in your personal transformation?
  • How did your hearing loss impact your professional and personal life?
  • How did you know it was time to pivot again after so many setbacks?
  • What lessons did you learn about identity and dignity during these transitions?
  • How do you stay motivated after repeated losses?
  • Can you share more about your supernatural experiences during prayer?
  • What advice would you give to someone who feels spiritually disconnected but professionally stuck?
  • How has your spiritual walk influenced your approach to entrepreneurship today?

Interested in this guest’s story?

The Power of Enough

Rutherford Pascal :

The Power of Enough

After being passed over for leadership promotions multiple times, Rutherford Pascal realized he was presenting what he thought people wanted—not who he truly was. That shift to authenticity changed everything, unlocking a path to the top levels of leadership.

Bio

Rutherford Pascal is the Founder and CEO of Glass Walls Leadership, where he helps good leaders become great and great leaders become even better. He does this through keynote presentations, training sessions, and 1:1’s.

His approach leverages over 30 years of experience with three fortune 100 pharmaceutical companies, He held key leadership roles including Head of Sales and leading teams to achieve outsized results.

His focus is people development, culture, retention, and diversity ensuring that both individuals and organizations reach their full potential through transformative leadership strategies. He has developed a proven system PID system (Preparation, Intentionality and Differentiation) to help individuals and companies’ standout.

Topics

  • The cost of inauthentic leadership
  • How to stop interviewing for approval
  • The mindset shift that changed everything
  • Why authenticity is your greatest career advantage
  • Leadership lessons from failing forward
  • How to own your “zone of genius” in interviews
  • From overlooked to promoted: navigating internal advancement
  • Self-worth vs. external validation in leadership
  • Aligning personal values with professional roles
  • What leaders can learn from rejection

Guiding Questions

  • What was going through your mind after your seventh failed promotion attempt?
  • What helped you realize you were showing up inauthentically in interviews?
  • How did the way you framed your strengths shift once you embraced authenticity?
  • Can you break down the differences between first, second, third, and fourth line leadership?
  • What was the internal change that allowed you to go from rejection to rapid promotion?
  • How did embracing your “zone of genius” impact how you led others?
  • How can others recognize when they’re not leading from their true self?
  • What advice would you give to someone preparing for a leadership interview today?
  • Have you faced any pushback for showing up authentically—and how did you handle it?
  • What does “being enough” look like to you now?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Resilience Built Over Time

David Alison :

Resilience Built Over Time

Chasing external validation propelled David through corporate ladders across Europe—until self-inflicted burnout forced him to pause. Life taught him resilience isn’t measured by how hard you hit, but by the courage to create forward-moving momentum anyway.

Bio

David is a Wingman (Trusted Advisor, Thinking Partner & Coach) to Business Owners, Leaders and Organisations. PCC Certified with the ICF (International Coach Federation) David has been a coach since 2017 and spent 3 years as a Master Coach and Business Results Trainer in the Tony Robbins Coaching team.

He has helped hundreds of clients in @4500 sessions. He has worked with a diverse range of clients from Students to $M Entrepreneurs and C Suite Executives, guiding them to clarity & direction, strengthening their leadership skills and to personally find the harmony and fulfilment in life that they seek.

Topics

  • How a single comment shaped decades of life choices
  • Defining true resilience vs. toxic perseverance
  • The dots that connect in hindsight: learning to look back
  • Addiction, divorce, and recovery: a leader’s authentic journey
  • Creating meaning at any age—“you can create your own life”
  • From reaction to creation: coaching life responses
  • Experience of redundancy: what leaders can learn
  • Overcoming perfectionism and external validation
  • Leveraging past pain to empower others
  • Adapting skills across five countries—global career navigation

Guiding Questions

  • Can you walk us through the supermarket incident at 16 and what it sparked in you?
  • How did proving someone “wrong” eventually limit you?
  • Which life event was most surprising turning point for your resilience?
  • What beliefs or patterns did personal development help you shift?
  • How do you define resilience today—how is it different from “toughing it out”?
  • How did addiction and divorce reshape your worldview around success?
  • Can you unpack your Tony Robbins insight: “life happens for you”?
  • How did global/cultural contexts (working in five countries) influence your growth?
  • What do you say to someone who’s facing redundancy or setback now?
  • How does your coaching help clients shift from reaction to creation?

Interested in this guest’s story?

From Burnout to Balance

Kelli Risse:

From Burnout to Balance

Overcommitment, perfectionism, and people-pleasing landed Kelli Risse in the hospital. What came next was a radical transformation in how she leads herself—and now, how she helps others lead too.

Bio

Kelli Risse is your go-to expert for avoiding burnout, retaining top talent and maximizing productivity in today’s demanding work environment. As a renowned Wellness & Peak Performance Specialist, Kelli empowers stressed-out high performing leaders, teams, and organizations to master stress, increase emotional intelligence and unleash their full potential so they are at peak performance and succeeding with ease. With a unique blend of neuroscience, communication, and behavioral expertise, she delivers strategies that foster success without sacrificing well-being.

Kelli’s methodology is both grounded and transformative. As a certified Neuro-Linguistics Programming Trainer & Practitioner, TTI Insights Emotional Quotient Certified Consultant, Master Transformational Life and Health Coach, Speaker, and International Best-Selling Author, she has transformed thousands of lives with her practical insights and relatable style. Her work has been spotlighted on ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and numerous online platforms.

Whether she’s guiding associations and companies, or empowering individuals, Kelli Risse is committed to helping high achievers become balanced high performers for sustainable growth and success. When you work with Kelli, you’re gaining a partner dedicated to your professional goals and success.

Topics

  • The hidden cost of high achievement
  • What burnout really feels like (and how to recognize it early)
  • The difference between a high achiever and a peak performer
  • The four pillars of sustainable success: mindset, focus, wellness, and connection
  • Self-leadership vs. self-care: what truly matters
  • How to stop people-pleasing without losing your relationships
  • Using neuroscience to beat burnout
  • The workplace wellness model that actually works
  • How businesses can spot (and reverse) team disengagement
  • Teaching women to say “no” without guilt

Guiding Questions

  • Can you take us back to the moment your body forced you to stop?
  • What are some of the warning signs of burnout that people often miss?
  • How do you define the difference between a high achiever and a peak performer?
  • Why do you think so many successful people hit burnout without realizing it?
  • What role did perfectionism and people-pleasing play in your experience?
  • How can leaders incorporate the four pillars—mindset, focus, wellness, and connection—into their everyday lives?
  • You mention “self-leadership” rather than “self-care.” What’s the difference?
  • What would you say to someone who thinks slowing down means falling behind?
  • How can organizations move beyond pizza parties and apps to support real workplace wellness?
  • What’s your advice for women who feel guilty saying no?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Grit, Grace, and Growth

Christopher Kemper:

Grit, Grace, and Growth

After 23 years in the military, Christopher Kemper never saw himself as an entrepreneur—until life and opportunity collided in a small town. What followed was a crash course in resilience, leadership, and surviving the unthinkable.

Bio

The journey from retired Soldier to business owner. I spent 23 years in the military in various capacities. I am really good at organizing things which led me to working for one of the smartest people I have ever met. I had a horrible experience with company leadership that led to us parting ways and my entrepreneurial journey. In almost 7 years, we have built a digital marketing company that has 12 employees and Clients across the US.

Topics

  • Transitioning from military to entrepreneurship
  • Leading a business through crisis (COVID pivot story)
  • Why small towns can build big companies
  • Building a business with no prior experience
  • What the Army taught me about entrepreneurship
  • The importance of creating a business plan
  • Making payroll when everything’s uncertain
  • Developing a resilient team culture
  • Mentoring younger employees in finance and life skills
  • Leadership lessons from the battlefield to the boardroom

Guiding Questions

  • What was the biggest mindset shift you had to make going from military service to entrepreneurship?
  • How did you know you were ready to start your own business?
  • What was going through your mind when the pandemic shut everything down?
  • How did your military training prepare you for the uncertainty of running a business?
  • Can you walk us through the moment you realized you might lose everything?
  • What helped you and your team pull through the early COVID days?
  • Why do you think your business survived when so many others didn’t?
  • What’s something about small-town business ownership that most people don’t understand?
  • How has your leadership style evolved since starting the agency?
  • If someone listening is at a breaking point with their business, what would you say to them?

Interested in this guest’s story?