Shine A Light

What if happiness isn't waiting at the finish line—but hidden in the small moments along the way? In this inspiring episode of Shine a Light, host Christine Miles sits down with Dr. Victoria Mensch, Founder and CEO of the Silicon Valley Executive Academy, to explore why the world's most innovative leaders aren't just building better technology—they're building better lives. Drawing from her unique...

What if the most powerful leadership strategy isn't having the right answers—but helping people feel seen? In this episode of Shine a Light, Christine Miles sits down with talent and learning executive Eileen MacDonald Cooke to explore how empathy, curiosity, and honest conversations transform workplaces. Drawing from her experience leading learning and development initiatives for organizations li...

One split-second decision changed Ryan Brady's life forever—and led him to discover a purpose far bigger than himself. In this powerful episode of Shine a Light, Christine Miles sits down with international speaker, TEDx mentor, and podcast host Ryan Brady to explore how surviving a traumatic brain injury at 17 reshaped his view of life, purpose, and possibility. Ryan shares the devastating car ac...

One ordinary morning, Erika Rothenberger walked into work and came face to face with a life-changing act of violence that forced her to rethink everything. In this powerful conversation, Erika shares how surviving a brutal random assault became the catalyst for a deeper transformation. From overcoming trauma and rebuilding confidence to becoming an advocate, author, speaker, and leader in a male-p...

What if the most powerful leadership skill isn't speaking—but truly listening? In this episode, host Christine Miles sits down with educator and leadership expert Julia Bialeski to explore the unseen weight of leadership, from the classroom to the principal's office and beyond. Drawing on over 20 years in education, Julia shares how coaching over telling, leading with grace, and creating meaningfu...

What if the way we respond to someone's hardest moment could change how they heal, trust, and show up at work? In this powerful conversation, Christine sits down with Katharine Manning, President of Blackbird, trauma-informed leadership expert, author, and former Senior Attorney Advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice, to explore how we can communicate with more compassion, calm, and confidence...

What if the secret to thriving in the age of AI has nothing to do with technology at all? In this episode, Christine sits down with tech executive and SCW Co-CEO Michael O'Donnell for a powerful conversation about leadership, human connection, and what it really takes to build trust in high-pressure environments. From growing up around hair salon conversations and early computers to leading massiv...

What if the life you truly want is waiting on the other side of permission? In this powerful conversation, Christine sits down with author, speaker, and emotional intelligence expert Tara Renze to unpack the idea that changed her life: "Be who you came to be." From leaving a successful corporate career to chasing childhood dreams and helping others uncover their "butterfly goals," Tara shares how...

What if the key to protecting your family was hiding in plain sight? In this episode, Christine Miles sits down with Cathy Pedrayes, a former environmental scientist turned trusted safety advocate with millions of followers. Cathy shares how her career evolved from inspecting physical environments for hidden dangers to helping families navigate modern-day safety risks—especially in the digital wor...

On this episode of Shine a Light, host Christine Miles sits down with Nolan Hout, SVP of Growth at InfoPro Learning, to unpack how curiosity, calm decision-making, and deep listening shape exceptional leaders. From his early experiences navigating education gaps and confronting bias, to building scalable learning strategies for global organizations, Nolan shares how understanding people—not just p...

What if your biggest money decisions aren't about money at all? In this episode of Shine A Light, Christine Miles sits down with financial behavioral specialist Kate Duffy to uncover the hidden psychology shaping how we earn, spend, and think about money. From childhood beliefs to subconscious patterns, Kate reveals why so many of us feel stuck financially—even when we "know what to do." Together,...

What if the way you choose relationships… is wired to fail? In this episode of Shine A Light, Christine Miles sits down with Dr. Chris (Coach Chris) to unpack the hidden patterns driving who we're attracted to, and why chemistry alone can lead us into the wrong relationships. Drawing from his background in medicine and emotional intelligence coaching, Chris breaks down attachment styles, nervous s...

What if one small moment of kindness could completely reshape your life? In this powerful episode of Shine a Light, Christine Miles sits down with speaker and author Pam Dwyer to explore how a childhood marked by trauma, abuse, and survival led to a breakthrough philosophy that now helps thousands transform their lives. From being unseen and unheard to discovering the life-changing impact of feeli...

What if the biggest problem in your relationships… is something you've never been taught? In this episode of Shine A Light, Christine Miles sits down with educator and author Ari Gerzon-Kessler to unpack a hidden gap affecting schools, workplaces, and families alike: the inability to truly listen. Drawing from decades in education and leadership, Ari shares how mistrust between parents and educato...

What if the way you lead could mean the difference between failure and survival? In this powerful conversation, Christine Miles sits down with retired Lieutenant General Mark Hertling to explore leadership under the highest stakes imaginable—from commanding 90,000 troops to writing letters to his sons before going to war, unsure if he'd return. Together, they unpack what truly drives people, how g...

What if everything you've been taught about leadership, HR, and workplace culture is wrong? In this powerful episode of Shine a Light, Christine Miles sits down with Dr. Lauran Starr—a bold, unapologetic disruptor redefining what it means to lead people and build culture. From growing up in poverty to becoming a Chief People Officer with multiple doctorates, Lauran shares how her lived experience...

What if the thing you think disqualifies you… is actually the start of your greatest strength? In this episode of Shine a Light, Christine Miles sits down with Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning Officer at BDO, workforce futurist, and author of The Trusted Learning Advisor and Hidden Value. Keith shares his powerful journey from being a high school dropout navigating homelessness and self-doubt to...

What if the biggest problem in our classrooms, companies, and families isn't communication—but the fact that no one is actually listening? In this episode of Shine a Light, Christine Miles sits down with longtime educator and school leader Sue Szczepkowski, who has spent more than 30 years shaping how students, teachers, and families learn and grow. From the athletic fields to the classroom to lea...

What if the real math crisis isn't about numbers — but about identity? In this powerful episode of Shine a Light, Christine Miles sits down with national education leader and math expert Beth Zhang to unpack America's math crisis — and why so many of us still believe, "I'm just not a math person." Beth shares her unexpected journey from political science major to leading K–12 math transformation e...

Most leaders think they're emotionally intelligent — the data says otherwise. In this powerful episode of Shine a Light, Christine Miles sits down with Dr. Ekta Vyas, Chief Human Resources Officer at Keck Medical of USC and expert in organizational transformation, to unpack why emotional intelligence is declining at the exact moment leaders need it most. Drawing from global research, real-world le...

What if the decision you're avoiding is the one that changes everything? In this episode of Shine a Light, Christine Miles sits down with Amy Lessinger, former President of RE/MAX and creator of The Irreversible Step, to unpack how leaders make bold decisions when the stakes are high and certainty is nowhere in sight. From building a billion-dollar real estate brokerage during the Great Recession...

What if the voice guiding your life isn't the one you should trust? In this powerful conversation, Christine Miles sits down with bestselling author and intuition teacher Happy Ali, whose life was transformed by a near-death experience at 17—and later tested by unimaginable loss. Happy shares how learning to distinguish between the soul, the mind, and the body can change how we make decisions, hea...

A single moment can rewrite everything you believe about life — and Ray Catania learned that firsthand. After surviving a near-death experience at 20, Ray spent decades wrestling with what he saw, felt, and understood on the other side. That journey eventually unlocked intuitive abilities, a new understanding of consciousness, and a mission to help people break free from the subconscious patterns...

AI may be transforming marketing, but the teams behind it still rise—or fall—on human connection. In this episode, two-time CMO and AI-driven go-to-market strategist Lisa Sharapata shares how her early dream of becoming an astronaut unexpectedly shaped her leadership philosophy, her career in marketing, and her ability to align teams like mission control. Lisa opens up about using AI responsibly,...

What if the life that looks perfect on paper is quietly draining your soul? In this powerful conversation, Jeff Munn—a former lawyer turned transformational coach—opens up about the invisible walls that keep high achievers trapped in careers and relationships that no longer fit. From panic attacks in law school to the courage to walk away from "good enough," Jeff shares how learning to listen to h...