Here Be Dragons

In this deeply validating and practical episode, Rachel Inabinet and Clair Poletti explore the quiet, often invisible work of navigating the world with a brain that’s carrying a lot. Whether it’s neurodivergence, hormonal shifts, stress, or simply modern life, they unpack the power of tiny supports and gentle systems that make daily functioning more possible and more humane. The conversation highl...

What if the storm has already passed — but you’re still bracing for it? In this episode, Rachel and Clair explore what they call “storm mode” — that state of heightened awareness where we’re scanning, preparing, anticipating, and holding everything together. It’s an intelligent, necessary response to uncertainty and change… but one that isn’t meant to last forever. Together, they unpack what storm...

What if letting go isn’t about loss but about making room? In this episode, Rachel and Clair explore the quiet, often complicated practice of release: not just letting go of what’s broken or obviously misaligned, but of what is still good, still useful, and still meaningful, yet no longer true for who we are in this season. Together, they unpack the tension between usefulness and alignment, the ro...

In this episode, Rachel and Clair explore strategic restraint — the practice of intentionally narrowing focus, conserving energy, and resisting the pressure to respond to everything. Not as disengagement, but as a leadership skill rooted in clarity, alignment, and care. Together, they unpack why hustle culture confuses busyness with effectiveness, how “less is more” only works when it’s chosen on...

What if the problem isn’t that we can’t keep resolutions — but that resolutions were never built for who we actually are? In this episode, Rachel and Clair explore why the annual pressure to reinvent ourselves so often collapses into self-critique, and how shifting from resolution to ritual offers a more compassionate, sustainable path to growth. Drawing inspiration from Suleika Jaouad’s Against R...

Who decided we only get one version of ourselves? In this episode, Rachel and Clair explore the art of second acts — how we evolve not by starting over, but by becoming more fully who we already are. Drawing inspiration from Arthur Brooks’ From Strength to Strength , the concept of Wisdomnomics , and the idea of Ancient Grandmother Energy , they unpack what it means to move from proving to being,...

Clair and Rachel explore Bruce Lee’s famous quote, “Be water, my friend,” and how it applies to leadership, adaptability, and emotional resilience. The conversation dives into what it means to stay flexible without losing form — to move with change rather than against it — especially in high-pressure or uncertain environments. Together they unpack: Fluid leadership — how adaptability and boundarie...

Saying “yes” often feels like the right thing to do—being a team player, stepping up, helping out. But automatic yeses can cost us time, focus, and energy. In this episode, Rachel and Clair explore better ways to say yes (and no) using three practices: curiosity, connection, and prioritization lenses. Together we talk about how to pause before responding, how to support others without overloading...

Double, double, toil and trouble… or just powerful women being themselves? Join Clair and Rachel as we reimagine the wicked witch and uncover why her story still casts such a long spell. Why are so many powerful women in our stories cast as villains? From fairy-tale stepmothers and cartoon witches to Baba Yaga herself, we dig into how culture punishes female autonomy, why the “ugly = evil” trope i...

In this episode, hosts Rachel Inabinet and Clair Poletti reimagine leadership through the lens of curiosity. Instead of focusing on always having the answers, they emphasize the transformative power of small questions . Thoughtful, everyday questions can deepen trust, spark creativity, and shift workplace culture in ways that grand strategies often cannot. Action Item: Pick one small, curious ques...

In this episode of Here Be Dragons , your favorite Dragons, Rachel Inabinet and Clair Poletti, explore the radical power of rest in a culture that glorifies hustle and burnout. From personal reflections to practical strategies, they unpack how pausing intentionally can fuel creativity, strengthen leadership, and model a healthier way forward. Rest isn’t a reward — it’s resistance. Action Item: Thi...

New Season, Fresh Guests! What does it really look like to live with full authenticity? To stay curious, lead with acceptance, and take up space like you belong there? In this episode, we talk with someone who lives the Dragonhood mantra out loud. Donald reminds us what it means to awaken your inner dragon—and live boldly, bravely, and fully you . Our guest: Donald C. Shorter Jr., is an educator,...

Clair and Rachel chat with the first unofficial Dragonhood graduate, Katie Roberts! In this conversation, they chat about the benefits of coaching and how their lives have changed since embracing the core Dragonhood concepts. Action Item: Think about environments where you find yourself shrinking. Notice those moments so you can practice taking up some of the room in those same spaces. Keep Soarin...

Clair and Rachel explore how glimmers, or small acts of positive interaction, can affect our lives. Listen as they chat about the power of Emotional Intelligence and micro-moments in leadership and work life. Action Item: How will you practice creating glimmers? What small steps will you take to create a more connected and authentic environment in the spaces you share with others? Keep Soaring wit...

Do you find yourself apologizing excessively, especially at work? Clair and Rachel dive into why we do this and explore alternatives. Take control, take up your space, and stop saying sorry! Action Item: How will you practice stopping yourself from apologizing? Any replacement phrase(s) you want to try? Keep Soaring with Additional Resources: Agents of Way Sign up for Dragonhood Coaching or any of...

Clair and Rachel discuss the importance of all types of rest and finding your center. In Part Two, they continue the conversation by exploring the Dragonhood Sunday Serenity series. Action Item: How will you start practicing rest in your life? Try one new type of rest this week! Keep Soaring with Additional Resources: Visit our curated Sunday Serenity page ! Buy the book ! The 15 Commitments of Co...

Clair and Rachel reflect on their first full year as the Dragonhood: celebrating successes, sharing growth opportunities, and looking towards a bright future for the second year. Action Item: Think about your last year and really reflect on what you're proud of, what challenged you, and what you want to focus on next. Keep Soaring with Additional Resources: Join our upcoming free webinar, Navigati...

Clair and Rachel discuss the importance of all types of rest and finding your center. In Part One, they explore the different kinds of rest with examples of what rest can look like, often in surprising ways! Keep Soaring with Additional Resources: Visit our curated Sunday Serenity page ! Buy the book ! The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Diana Chapman, Kaley Klemp, and Jim Dethmer Psycho...

Content Warning: This episode of Here Be Dragons contains discussion of grief, death, and the loss of a parent. The conversation may be difficult for some listeners to hear, so feel free to skip this episode. And for those of you grappling with grief, some helpful resources include: CDC resource page on Grief : includes other resources on the Emotions page, such as Loneliness National Alliance for...

Clair and Rachel continue to explore the concept of conversational jazz with Pete Riddell, storyteller extraordinaire in Part Two of this conversation. Pete is an Executive Creative Director at Derse by trade, but is also a self-described noticer and treasure hunter. Together, they uncover how conversational jazz can be beneficial in both the workplace and our personal lives. Action Item: How will...

Clair and Rachel explore the concept of conversational jazz with Pete Riddell, storyteller extraordinaire. Pete is an Executive Creative Director at Derse by trade, but is also a self-described noticer and treasure hunter. Together, they uncover how conversational jazz can be beneficial in both the workplace and our personal lives. Action Item: Consider your storytelling efforts in the past and ho...

In this short update video, Rachel discusses her journey post-breakup with her workplace that we explored in Workplaces That No Longer Fit (Parts One and Two). See how far she's come and listen to the realities of how everything came to be.

In part two of this discussion on workplaces that no longer fit, Rachel and Clair share about the decision to leave a workplace (the exit strategy) or, if you can’t leave right away, how to to reframe what your work life looks like while you’re hunting for something else. Clair and Rachel share about what coaching Rachel looked like. Sharing this with the hope that listeners may identify if it’s t...

In part one of this discussion, Rachel and Clair share about some red flags in workplaces that no longer fit and chat about what coaching looked like for Rachel. Sharing this with the hope that listeners may identify if it’s time to look for something else or find a better fit! Part two will discuss more about the decision to leave (that exit strategy) or, if you can’t leave right away, how to to...

Discover what it means to be a dragon and how Clair (Founder, CEO) created the Dragonhood! Action item for this episode: Notice when you feel like you're "too much." What was happening in that moment? Books/Resources mentioned: All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts for Boundless Living by Morgan Harper Nichols