Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co

In this special episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda is joined by Shannon Norman and Becki Feldman for a conversation about the heart behind Women Unite to Ignite, a one day experience designed to help women reconnect with themselves, build authentic community, and step boldly into what's next. Together, they explore the meaning behind this year's theme, Y...

In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with Paula Robinson to explore what 250 years of progress has meant for women and underrepresented groups in the workplace. Together, they discuss where meaningful progress has been made, where organizations continue to fall short, and what leadership must look like over the next decade. Paula shares practical insi...

In this powerful episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with entrepreneur, business coach, podcast host, and founder of Rich As A Mother™, Lacey Burkett. Lacey shares her journey of surviving domestic violence, intentionally pursuing healing, and breaking generational cycles to create a different future for herself and her children. Together, Rhoda and Lacey di...

What does courageous leadership look like in today's world of burnout, disconnection, and constant change? In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with author, speaker, and leadership expert Justine Froelker to discuss authentic leadership, resilience, and building cultures rooted in connection and belonging. Together, they explore the Courage Is Bu...

In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with executive coach and leadership expert Ali Carson to discuss burnout, personal branding, and building a career that aligns with who you truly are. Ali shares her journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, the lessons burnout taught her, and why understanding your strengths matters in both leadership...

In this powerful episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with Monique McKinney for an honest conversation about voice, perception, and the workplace experiences many Black women continue to navigate every day.  Together, they unpack the harmful labels often placed on confident women, especially Black women, when they speak directly, advocate for themselves, or l...

What happens when leaders stop trying to control everything and start leading through credibility instead? In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with a senior sales leader known for transforming underperforming markets into high- performing teams through clarity, accountability, trust, and ownership. Together, they unpack one of the biggest leaders...

Whitney Howard shares how she rose from customer support to director level by shifting from doing the work to owning outcomes. This conversation focuses on leadership mindset, operational clarity, and driving real results. Key Takeaways  Leadership starts with how you think, not your title  Doing tasks is not the same as driving outcomes  Hidden gaps in systems cost time and money  Strong lead...

What will people remember about you as a leader? Not your title. Not your results. Not your resume. In this solo episode, Rhoda breaks down five leadership behaviors that leave a lasting impact on your team. This is a practical, honest conversation about how you show up, how you build trust, and how you shape your leadership legacy in everyday moments. If you want to be remembered as a leader who...

In this solo episode, Rhoda discusses something she is personally navigating, staying confident and grounded while searching for the right opportunity in a competitive market. What You’ll Take Away A healthier way to view rejection How to stay focused and in motion A reminder that your value does not change Connect with Rhoda Follow for more insights on leadership, career growth, and breakthrough...

Ryan McCrea, Leadership development expert and author of Quick Bites of Insight: Leadership Micro Sized Learning on Work and Leadership joins the show. What We Covered:  Why traditional leadership development often requires supplemental and additive approaches  The power of micro-learning in daily leadership  How small insights lead to lasting behavior change  Practical ways to develop yoursel...

In this episode, Rhoda speaks with executive coach and former Chief Human Resources Officer Jada Reese about leadership growth, mentoring, and navigating executive leadership as a woman. Jada shares lessons from her career journey that began in mechanical engineering and evolved into senior HR leadership roles at major organizations including Enterprise Bank and Schnucks. After more than three dec...

In this solo episode, Rhoda challenges leaders to confront a critical but often overlooked truth. You are always casting a leadership shadow. Through personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical reflection, this episode explores how your behavior, energy, and emotional presence shape your team’s experience. You will walk away with a deeper awareness of your leadership impact and clear step...

In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with Aaron Adams, a seasoned leader in the startup technology space whose career spans corporate leadership, executive consulting, entrepreneurship, and high-growth startups. Aaron shares:  The key differences between corporate and startup leadership  What consulting teaches you about influence  Lessons learned...

In this powerful episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with the co-founder of The Royal Butterfly, Lashonda J. to explore how pain can become purpose. From personal adversity to building a movement that empowers vulnerable youth, this conversation dives into healing, leadership, resilience, and what it means to grow wings through hardship. If you’ve ever wonde...

In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with business growth strategist and author Fredah Mainah to explore what it really takes to grow a business with intention. Fredah shares insights on brand clarity, revenue optimization, and sustainable scaling, along with the critical role self-leadership plays in entrepreneurial success. From mindset to monet...

In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with HR leader Riunita Martin to explore what intentional leadership looks like in action. With more than 20 years in corporate operations and over a decade in HR leadership, Riunita shares lessons from partnering with executives, leading through organizational change, and supporting workforce growth across industr...

In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations, Rhoda Banks sits down with healthcare strategy and operations executive Katie Nowak to explore what it takes to turn complex healthcare goals into measurable outcomes. Katie shares insights on bridging the gap between clinicians and the business of healthcare, applying systems thinking in real- world environments, and leading transformation with both...

In this powerful episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co. Rhoda sits down with self-care advocate and leadership mentor Sharon to explore the truth that self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s leadership. They unpack the conditioning that keeps high- achieving leaders, especially women and women of color, in cycles of over- responsibility, depletion, and self-sacrifice, and how to break f...

Sometimes life whispers, sometimes it nudges, and sometimes it pushes us out of comfort and into calling. In this solo episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda shares her personal journey of learning to trust those pushes, from leaving roles and relationships that no longer served her to writing Daughter of an Assassin. You’ll hear:  What happens when we resist the nudge...

In this deeply inspiring episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with Dr. Markay Winston, whose rise to the superintendency is less a story of pursuit and more a story of preparation, sponsorship, self-belief, and courageous acceptance. Dr. Winston’s journey spans more than three decades in K–12 education, from school psychologist to district leadership, shaped...

In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with global speaker, author, and conscious leadership practitioner Michele Risa to explore what it truly means to lead from within during uncertain times. Drawing on decades of global experience, from post-Soviet Russia to the Middle East to Fortune 500 boardrooms, Michele shares insights on agency, authenticit...

In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with boundaries coach, speaker, and podcast host Barb Nangle for a deeply honest conversation about healing, codependence, and reclaiming personal power. After decades of surface-level healing, Barb’s life transformed at age 52 through 12- step recovery. By addressing codependence, intergenerational trauma, and...

In this episode of Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co., Rhoda sits down with healthcare consultant, speaker, and survivor Dana E. Sherwin for a powerful conversation at the intersection of expertise and lived experience. With over 35 years in healthcare leadership and consulting, and as a six-and-a-half-year survivor of a stem cell transplant, Dana offers a unique perspective on pa...

In this heart-centered and insightful episode, Rhoda sits down with former colleague and transformational leader, Erik Person, to explore why the future of leadership is increasingly human-driven, rooted in empathy, authenticity, and honoring people’s unique strengths. Erik shares:  His philosophy of building teams of “loveable misfits”  How empathy transforms outcomes in leadership  What human...