Real Talk: Conversations on Mental Fitness & Leadership

"Most CEOs won't tell you about the years before the title. Nicholas Thompson — CEO of The Atlantic, record-breaking marathon runner, and one of the most influential media executives in the world — spent his twenties being fired, busking on subway platforms in New York City, and wondering if he'd ever figure it out. What he learned in those years is what's running one of the most...

Welcome to another episode of Real Talk - Mental Fitness! Today, we’re diving into the power of connection, curiosity, and the often-overlooked art of networking with our extraordinary guest, Shelly Lombard. From her high-stakes career on Wall Street and her unique experiences as a Black woman in finance, to the launch of Schmooze Biz—a vibrant networking space uplifting professionals into board o...

Welcome back to Real Talk – Mental Fitness . In today’s episode, hosts Ijeoma and Chinazom sit down with the remarkable Jen Fisher, a trailblazer in workplace wellbeing and the former Chief Wellbeing Officer at Deloitte. The conversation dives deep into Jen’s personal journey—from her own experience with severe burnout, to her transformative embrace of hope as a daily leadership strategy. Together...

Honored to have spent time in a truly open, honest conversation with two people I call my brothers - Steven Rzezuski, and Lee Aaron Smart (both professional coaches and dedicated fathers) for a recent episode of #RealTalk -  “Unlocking Men’s Emotional Strength: Real Conversation on Mental Fitness and Connection”. Our focus was on the realities of men’s mental fitness—what we do to show up for ours...

Hey Real Talk community, We’re thrilled to bring you the highlights from our latest episode of Real Talk – Mental Fitness , featuring the incredible Elaine Lin Hering—author of "Unlearning Silence." It was an absolute privilege to enjoy this dynamic and heartfelt conversation, trust us you will want to tuck into the full episode, probably more than once. 🎙️ Episode Spotlight: Elaine Lin Hering on...

🚨 Tune in to discover how Cate Luzio, Founder and CEO of Luminary, Survived the Pandemic, Built Inclusive Community, and Why “Never Waste a Good Crisis” Is Her #1 Leadership Rule 🧵👇 💡 Meet Cate Luzio, founder of @Luminary, who built a thriving community space for women in just 14 months—then was forced to shut down her NYC location overnight as COVID hit. “It was less about me… and so much abo...

Dave is a true visionary and matchmaker, connecting people, bringing communities together and driving change in our society.  As a child of Taiwanese immigrants, Dave shares his journey from growing up in New Jersey to finding his purpose and voice during times of social upheaval. You'll discover how he turned pivotal moments, such as the George Floyd incident and rising Asian hate crimes, into op...

In today's Real Talk - Mental Fitness episode, we sat down with William, a dynamic leader who shared his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to becoming a global CFO. William delved into the power of mental fitness, balancing work ethic with personal well-being, and the importance of community. He emphasized taking action despite uncertainties, staying hungry for growth, and having a clear pu...

📢 Excited to share our first podcast of the year!  “Real Talk - Conversation on mental fitness and leadership” is back with a bang for 2025 🌟 . We ( Ije & Chinazom ) had the privilege of speaking with our guest Neel Singh . 🎙A dynamic and accomplished fractional CMO and brand strategist with a wide-ranging career. Neel opens up about his journey from startup hypergrowth to a variety of leade...

Welcome to Real Talk - Conversations on Mental Fitness. In this special episode we are thrilled to welcome Ed Cook, PhD and Roxanne M. Brown from The Change Decision . Roxanne and Ed combine their expertise in change management and decision analytics to bring a fresh perspective on workplace transformation. In today's conversation, we'll explore key cultural differences in handling crises, how to...

Hola Everyone !!! Your favorite show is back with a new episode!!!  In this episode of Real Talk - Conversations on mental fitness we had the honor and pleasure to have a magical conversation with M. Aurelius Higgs. Marcus is a Communication Coach for Parents of Preteens (10-14 y.o.). He supports caregivers to connect with their distancing adolescence without fear or frustration.  He shares his un...

Welcome to another episode of **Real Talk – Mental Fitness**! Today, Chinazom and Ije dive into the timely and crucial topic of thriving amidst chaos, particularly focusing on leadership challenges during times of instability. We'll explore how leaders often feel forced to project an image of unwavering strength even when dealing with immense internal pressures due to job insecurities and organiza...

Hi everyone, here’s part two of the enriching conversation with Luke Cooper, a distinguished entrepreneur and former lawyer who has navigated the highs and lows of building and selling multiple companies. Luke shares his compelling journey from growing up in poverty to achieving entrepreneurial success, highlighting the mental fitness needed to persevere through failures and celebrate both wins an...

Hey everyone, it's Real Talk Team, and we just wrapped an incredible session on Real Talk - Mental Fitness with Luke Cooper from Latimer Ventures. Luke shared invaluable insights on building resilience, embracing both wins and failures, and the necessity of surrounding yourself with a supportive community.  From insightful reflections on his personal experiences, including his daughter’s illne...

Hey everyone, we just wrapped up an incredible session on "Real Talk - Mental Fitness" with hosts Chinazom Nwabueze and Ijeoma Jemie. We dug into the power of coaching and therapy, the importance of tackling tough emotions, and the value of trusted advisors. Chinazom shared inspiring insights on creating a mental fitness revolution and the pivotal role of self-love under pressure. If you...

Welcome to a very special anniversary episode of "Real Talk - Mental Fitness"! In today's episode, our hosts, Ijeoma Nwabueze and Chinazom Nwabueze, celebrate the journey of Chinazom’s groundbreaking book on men's mental fitness, now celebrating its one-year anniversary as a best-seller. From its inception, inspired by the tragic losses of well-known figures and the silent strugg...

We dive into a thought-provoking discussion on generational dynamics, technology, and mental well-being with the generational guru, Rekha Gibbons . Rehka founded her business focusing on generational diversity a few years ago. Inspired by a television show that discussed ageism and the negative perceptions of older generations, Rehka decided to tackle these issues head-on. We enjoyed  exploring th...

Once upon a time, in the bustling world of technology, there was a visionary named Rich Sheridan. He had seen the inner workings of corporate structures that seemed to suck the joy out of work and leave human spirits withered. In the episode featuring Chief Joy Officer,, listeners are taken on a journey through his experiences with failed systems in the tech industry. These systems didn't just...

🎙️ New Podcast Episodes !!! Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of "Real Talk - Mental Fitness." We are your hosts, Chinazom Nwabueze and Ijeoma Nwabueze and today we're diving deep into the heart and mind of the workplace with special guest Petra, a distinguished psychotherapist and mental health consultant. In this episode, we tackle the potent subject of groupthink and it...

Julian's Blueprint for Precision Health and Peak Performance: Welcome to Real Talk - Mental Fitness, where we dive deep into the essence of resilience and the journey of self-discovery. In this powerful session with Julian, we peeled back the layers on evolving beyond societal expectations and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. We tackled the transformative practice of self-love, the vitalit...

Julian’s Journey from Medicine to Self-Reinvention on Real Talk 🎙️ New Podcast Episodes !!! In this episode we get the opportunity to sit down with our fascinating guest, Julian Hayes II , to peel back the layers of personal transformation, societal expectations, and the pursuit of mental fitness in high-pressure environments. Julian is the embodiment of curiosity and forward-thinking. In a casual...

Hey there, it's Chinazom Nwabueze, and you've just tuned into an illuminating episode of Real Talk - Mental Fitness. In this session, our incredible guest Alan Lazaros shared his powerful journey, from hardship to high achievement. Alan decoded fulfillment, emphasizing joy, pleasure, and purpose, showing us how true satisfaction lies in aligning with our inner calling and practicing virtue...

Welcome back to another powerful episode of Real Talk - Mental Fitness, where we dive deep into the stories that shape our mental tenacity and resilience. I’m your host, Chinazom. And I’m Ijeoma, co-piloting this journey where we unpack the complexities of the mind and celebrate growth through adversity. Today marks our second enchanting episode of the year, and we’re absolutely thrilled to introd...

We'll unpack the intricate layers of mental fitness and self-love. In this conversation we’ll embrace topics such as the power of positive affirmations , the craft of writing , the importance of solitude , and the profound influence of cultural upbringing on self-perception. We’ll underscore the relentless quest for mental fitness and how success is a continually evolving goal, redefined with...

Welcome back to another empowering episode of "Real Talk - Mental Fitness," where we dive deep into the essence of mental, spiritual, and physical health. I'm your host Chinazom Nwabueze, alongside my ever-insightful co-host Ijeoma Jemie. In this week’s episodes we have an incredibly special guest with us – Sherman Perryman, founder of Militant Grind and an authority in the realms of...