Relationships Rule

In this episode of Relationships Rule, I had a great conversation with Mike Desjardins, CEO of ViRTUS, about what leadership really looks like when it’s grounded in relationships. We started with a powerful idea, that leadership has very little to do with titles or results, and everything to do with whether people actually want to follow you. From there, our conversation unfolded into a thoughtful...

In this episode, I sit down with Behdad Jamshidi to talk about what it really means to build meaningful business relationships. Behdad has built his business around connection, not just by meeting people, but by understanding them, staying curious, and creating introductions that genuinely help others move forward. We talk about the difference between networking and true relationship building, the...

In this episode, I’m joined by Sigrun Gudjonsdottir, an award-winning business coach, entrepreneur, and a strong advocate for helping women build scalable online businesses. Sigrun shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Iceland with a strong belief in what women can do, to becoming a CEO, turning struggling companies around, and eventually building her own business. What stood out to me...

In this episode, I sit down with Deborah Kevin, publisher, author, and founder of Highlander Press, to talk about what really goes into writing a book and why it matters more than we often think. Deborah shares that the biggest challenge most people face is not writing, but getting clear on what they truly want to say. We explore how that lack of clarity can hold people back, not just from writing...

In this episode, I’m joined by Derrick Chevalier, negotiation strategist, speaker, and author of Evolve or Be Slaughtered: Negotiation for the 21st Century. Many people think negotiation begins when it is time to talk numbers, price, or terms. In this conversation, Derrick challenges that idea and explains why negotiation actually starts much earlier, from the first impression to the first email,...

You are going to love this episode! I know I did. I’m joined by Gabrielle Dolan, global storytelling expert and author of Story Intelligence: The Craft of Authentic Storytelling Made Smarter with AI. Gabrielle has spent more than two decades helping leaders communicate with more clarity, connection, and trust through real stories. We talked about why authentic storytelling matters even more now, e...

In this episode of Relationships Rule, I had the pleasure of speaking with intuitive artist and spiritual teacher Heather Eck about seeing people and relationships in a completely different way. Heather experiences the world through synesthesia, a condition where senses overlap. In her case, people, emotions, and experiences appear as color. What began as a unique way of perceiving the world event...

In this episode of Relationships Rule, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jimmy Page, leadership expert, author, and co-creator of the powerful One Word philosophy . Jimmy has spent decades helping leaders, teams, and organizations improve culture, performance, and purpose. Through his work with athletes, businesses, and ministries around the world, he has trained more than 100,000 leaders and co...

Trust feels more fragile than ever right now, and I believe leaders are being asked to navigate change, uncertainty, and higher expectations in ways we have not seen before. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller, EQ expert, TEDx speaker, and author of The Empathic Leader, to talk about empathy as a practical leadership skill that builds trust, improves culture, and drive...

This week, I sit down with Nick Richtsmeier to explore something many business owners feel but struggle to articulate: trust is eroding, and it is affecting every sales conversation. Nick challenges the traditional growth playbook. Instead of treating hesitation, resistance, or disengagement as problems to fix, he reframes them as valuable data. Distrust is not a failure. It is information. We tal...

In this episode, I sit down with Coach Jim Johnson, a long-time educator, championship basketball coach, and inspirational speaker who has spent decades helping people see what’s possible for them. Right away, I could see how closely Jim’s leadership style reflects what I’ve witnessed firsthand, with my husband. (He was a lifelong high school basketball coach too.) Leading with belief, care, and e...

In this episode, I sit down with David Homan , master connector, podcaster, start-up founder, co-author of Orchestrating Connection and founder of Orchestrated Connecting . We explore how connection, generosity, and purpose can transform our businesses and our lives. David shares how he’s built a system to track and honor referrals — so that connectors get recognized for the value they create. We...

In this episode I welcome back Stacey Brown Randall, author of The Referable Client Experience. Stacey challenges the old idea that referrals come from asking. We talk about why excellent work alone doesn’t lead to referrals, what clients are quietly thinking as they move through your process, and how small, human touchpoints build trust, safety, and pride, the emotions that make people willing to...

In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Robin Hills, founder of Ei4Change and a long-time educator in emotional intelligence. We explore why the future is human, how empathy drives real performance, and what leaders can do that AI never will. Robin shares how self-awareness translates into intelligent behavior, why personality assessments are only useful when we apply them, and how the seven basic human...

Seeing is Believing! That’s one of the mantras of my guest, Todd Cherches. Todd has built his career, and written a book called: Visual Leadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Leadership and Life. In this interview we explore how visual thinking can transform the way we communicate, connect, and build trust in business. Todd shares why helping people “see what you’re saying” isn’t about artisti...

Today I speak with yoga therapist and educator Lisa Danahy about how the skills that calm a classroom can transform our relationships at home and at work. We explore safety before instruction, why our energy is contagious, and how a 15-second movement and breath reset can change the tone of a meeting. Lisa makes complex nervous system concepts simple and practical, and she reminds us that inclusiv...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tracy Poizner , founder of Space | Time Alchemy, about the powerful role of presence in how we connect and lead. Tracy helps high-performing women in tech and innovation recalibrate their energy so they can attract the right people, without forcing outcomes or overextending themselves. We explored how subtle energetic shifts can reshape the qual...

As we step into a new year, I decided to begin with something close to my heart — connection. This solo episode is all about how we can start 2026 by building and strengthening R.E.A.L. relationships: those built on trust, appreciation, and genuine human care. A personal story from my husband’s recent surgery reminded me that kindness and connection show up in unexpected ways, and that people reme...

Every so often, we need a reminder that personal growth isn’t just about what we add to our lives—but what we’re willing to shift, release, and redefine. That’s why I’m bringing back this powerful conversation with Mary Kominska—entrepreneur, mindset coach, and creator of the T.E.A. system. Mary shares how setting boundaries, managing our thoughts, and prioritizing self-care can transform the way...

No matter what time of year it is, it’s always worth checking in with a big question: Am I really charging what I’m worth? That’s why I’m bringing back this standout conversation with John Ray—business advisor, pricing strategist, and author of The Generosity Mindset. John breaks down the emotional side of pricing, how generosity and confidence go hand-in-hand, and why most of us are selling ourse...

As we approach a new year—and really, at any point in our business journey—it’s a great time to step back and revisit how we’re showing up in our marketing, especially when it comes to the story we’re telling. That’s why I’m bringing back one of our most popular episodes with Kris Jones, a StoryBrand expert and the author of From Click to Client. Kris shares how one well-crafted story can replace...

As we head into the holiday season—a time of giving, gathering, and let’s be honest… spending—it’s easy to feel the pressure that money can place on our relationships and our well-being. That’s why I’m re-sharing one of my favorite conversations with Chad Hufford, a financial advisor who goes beyond spreadsheets and budgets to focus on something much deeper: our relationship with money. If you're...

Bring the magic of Disney to your small businesses by showing how exceptional customer service creates unforgettable loyalty. Join me as I chat with Vance Morris, a former Disney executive turned small business owner and customer experience expert. Vance shares how his time at Disney taught him the power of systems, emotional connections, and attention to detail. He explains how these lessons help...

What if the real measure of success isn’t how high you fly but how deeply you connect? Jim Carpenter has spent decades helping families and business owners build wealth and preserve their legacies — yet what sets him apart isn’t his financial expertise, it’s his heart for people. A lifelong pilot and advisor, Jim built his business not from spreadsheets, but from relationships — flying thousands o...

In this episode, I’m joined by Celeste Warren , internationally recognized Diversity, Equity & Inclusion leader and author of The Truth About Equity: What It Really Is, What It Isn’t, and Why Everyone Wins When We Get It Right. After decades leading DEI at a global corporation, Celeste now helps organizations of all sizes, especially small businesses, reshape how they think about equity. Our c...