The Unlock Lab

Discernment is the ability to make the best possible choice for yourself - which is the recognition that you have the sovereignty to choose what is truly for you. It took me years to learn how I was giving away my time, energy and resources without being discerning enough. Being selective about which relationships and places you invest in will change the trajectory of your life, because you’ll be...

Open wounds in relationships can throw off how we move in the world because it causes us dis-ease not only in our mind, but often in our body too. In this week’s episode, I dig into what it takes to move through relationship unrest when the other person can’t show up, won’t take responsibility, or simply isn’t able to meet you where you are. It's a big and emotional topic, but finding healing...

“Think easy” is just one of the mantras and wisdom shared by Vino Nobile winemaker, Niccolò Tiberini. It serves as a reminder to clear the cloud around our choices so we can see what is true. When I met Niccolò in Tuscany I knew before I left his winery that I had to have him on my podcast. I mean, the Tiberini the tagline is 'deep roots' - need I say more? His life and work are rooted (qu...

Are you tired of being in your head all the time? Do you overthink and regularly focus on making plans for your next move, but never feel at ease in the moment? In this week’s episode of The Unlock Lab, I dig into why we default to living from our headspace; old wounds and stress push us to doing what makes us feel in control. This protective habit can leave you feeling disconnected and fatigued....

Holding onto our confidence is critical to weather the storms that come - and oh do they come! In this week’s episode of The Unlock Lab, I explore what it takes to nurture confidence even when we can't seem to open the doors we are determined to open. Reflecting on my own ongoing journey navigating rejection and resilience, I share nine actionable tips, including reframes that have helped me s...

In this week’s episode of The Unlock Lab I speak with Roderick Jefferson, a Keynote Speaker & Go To Market Transformation Leader, author and survivor. Roderick opens up about his career journey, often being 'the only' in the room as a black man in tech and what he sacrificed along the way. He also shares his terrifying health event that shook every part of his life, forcing him to reth...

How we tell the story of our career shapes how others see us, and plays a huge role in the possibilities for what's next. This episode is inspired by my Talent Development Magazine article “Level Up Your Brand Narrative,” and I dive into what it means to own and evolve your professional story. I talk about how your personal brand isn’t something you set and forget, but rather an ongoing reflec...

Do you have a financial inner critic? That relentless, nagging voice that keeps you tangled in scarcity, fear and shame around money? In this episode of The Unlock Lab I talk about how you can change your entire relationship with this part of you. I share pieces of my own journey with deeply embedded financial thoughts, along with six practical ways to quiet this critic, reduce your stress, and ma...

If you quit your job, got laid off, fired, or if you have no clients in your pipeline, this episode is for YOU! Most of us were never taught how to be in limbo with grace and with ease. We’ve been conditioned to work nonstop, to fill every gap, and to treat career pauses like failures instead of the natural part of life they really are. In this week’s episode, I invite you to see the seasons betwe...

In this episode of The Unlock Lab, I sit down with comedian and motivational speaker Pat Dwyer to talk about what it really means to lean into the unknown. Pat shares his journey from studying politics to performing with Second City, navigating workplaces and ultimately stepping into his role as a sought after speaker. We talk about the power of team mentality, taking leaps of faith, facing challe...

This week on The Unlock Lab, I talk about how to address and manage our triggers, which is very much tied to working our emotional intelligence muscles. Triggers can feel overwhelming whether they happen in personal relationships or in the workplace, but they don’t have to derail you. In this episode, I talk about how I have responded to triggers in a way I'm not proud of, and how I learned to...

In Part 2 of my two part series with Anton Gunn, we move deeper into the journey, from discouragement and struggle to leading at the highest levels of government. This isn’t a story about chasing titles, it’s about what it takes to lead with conviction when the path is unclear. Anton shares how hip hop music helped him survive his darkest moments, how a single mentor changed the trajectory of his...

Get ready for the leadership conversation you didn't know you needed. In this special 2-part series, you will meet Anton Gunn, former senior advisor to President Barack Obama, and one of the world's leading authorities on socially conscious leadership. Part 1 dives into Anton's raw and unfiltered story, from college football disappointments and careers dead ends to moments of powerless...

In this week’s episode of The Unlock Lab, I talk to Benjamin Wolff, for a powerful conversation about the value of artistic and creative skills in the workplace. Ben is a Forbes leadership contributor, author, and former professional cellist. In our conversation he shares his personal journey from the concert stage, to corporate talent solutions, and we talk about why human skills like storytellin...

In this week's episode of The Unlock Lab, I speak with former state police officer turned inspirational speaker, David Atkins. David shares his winding career story and opens up about the exact moment he made one bold, pressing decision that changed everything. From working through financial struggles with his wife, to becoming a successful businessman and speaker, David shows how vision, fait...

In this week's episode, I talk about how to make decisions with more confidence by leaning into self trust, patience and self compassion. I share practical ways to reduce the stress and overwhelm that often come with decision making, like slowing down the urgency, getting intentional with small choices and remove the distraction of figuring out the "how" before you've even landed...

In this week's episode of The Unlock Lab, I'm joined by Ruth Rathblott for a powerful and personal conversation about the cost of hiding who we are. Ruth opens up about concealing her limb difference for over 25 years, and what changed when she finally decided to show up fully. From navigating corporate spaces to embracing her identity as a speaker and author, Ruth walks us through her jou...

In this special episode, I share my personal love story, celebrating 15 years of marriage. I take you behind the scenes of our relationship; the highs and the hard lessons and how this journey has helped me grow as a person, partner, and as a leader. I unpack eight key takeaways that apply just as much to leadership as they do to love. This episode is a reflection and an invitation to look at how...

In this week's episode, I talk about something that you are probably doing without knowing it. You may be blocking your own blessings. I share my journey of learning to receive, and releasing the habits that kept me from fully embracing life's abundances. I offer practical advice on how to become more aware of these habits and start embracing the generous offers and support from others. If...

This week I dive deep into one of the most powerful yet overlooked tools for personal growth: asking ourselves 'what do I need?' This episode is all about acknowledging that you are worthy of having your needs met. I share stories about my own therapy breakthroughs, treadmill revelations, and health wake-up calls. I also share practical ways to start meeting your needs as this is a huge unlock for...

In this week's episode of The Unlock Lab, I talk about the food inner critic, that nagging voice so many of us deal with when it comes to eating and our food choices. This is something I've battled with myself as I grew up in a household with deep associations with food (some good and some not so good). Then, my inner critic became even louder once I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at t...

This week I take a closer look at inner confidence, why self validation matters and how relying on external approval can hold you back. I share practical tips to help you build authentic confidence, like setting boundaries, protecting yourself from negative energy, journaling and creating moments of stillness and reflection. I break down the difference between self worth and self confidence with t...

This week I talk about what it looks like to upgrade your personal brand; not just the glossy parts, but the messy, real, and deeply personal journey behind it. I share how I navigated reworking my messaging, investing in a new website and photos, and digging into the truth of who I am today as a speaker and business owner. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder, deep in your entrepreneu...

In this week’s episode, I talk about what happens after the inner critic gets quieter, when the noise dies down and we’re left with space. The question becomes: what do I fill that space with? I share a story from a client who had done the work of naming and setting boundaries with her inner critic, but found herself unsure of how to bring in something new. That moment sparked this episode. I walk...

This week’s episode is for anyone who’s ever felt that tug of war about whether or not to go to a networking thing. I’m talking about why it can feel so hard, even when we know it might actually help us. Whether you’re job hunting, prospecting for clients, or just thinking about saying yes to a social invite, the inner critic loves to chime in with stuff like, “You don’t belong,” “It’s gonna be dr...