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 monetization, this conversation offers practical wisdom for emerging and established business owners ready to grow with alignment and purpose.

About Our Guest — Fredah Mainah
Fredah Mainah is a business growth strategist, author, and founder of SPIRAL with Fredah. She helps businesses expand their brand presence, optimize revenue, and scale sustainably through strategy grounded in self-leadership and alignment

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 industries, including manufacturing and telecommunications.

Together, they discuss influencing leaders as an HR Business Partner, balancing accountability with psychological safety, and creating people-first cultures where employees and organizations thrive.

About Our Guest — Riunita Martin
Riunita Martin is a Human Resources Business Partner with over a decade of HR leadership experience and more than 20 years in corporate operations. She specializes in supporting business growth, guiding leaders through change, and translating strategy into actionable people solutions.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, is PHR-certified, a Certified Change Management Professional, and has completed advanced leadership training through Cornell University.

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 discipline and compassion. This conversation is a must-listen for leaders navigating change, complexity, and
execution in healthcare and beyond.

Key Topics Covered:
 Bridging clinicians, business, and technology
 Systems thinking in healthcare strategy execution
 Turning vision into measurable population health outcomes
 Reducing friction through aligned planning and governance
 Leading high-performing cultures with empathy
 Navigating resistance and change
 The future of healthcare leadership

About the Guest:
Katie Nowak is a Vice President of Commercial Accounts and a seasoned healthcare strategy and operations leader with deep expertise in population health, transformation, and execution. She is passionate about improving patient and community outcomes by aligning strategy, systems, and people.

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 free.

You’ll learn:
 Why real leadership requires self-care, not self-neglect
 The identity shifts women leaders must make to lead with ease
 How to build boundaries without apology
 Daily practices for emotional and energetic self-regulation
 The mindset shift from “carrying it all” to conscious leadership
 What leading from overflow actually looks like

If you’re tired of pushing through and ready to lead from power, peace, and presence, this episode is your invitation.

Connect with Sharon:
Website: https://selfcareyouacademy.com/
Instagram & Resources linked on her site
Connect with Rhoda:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virtualrhodabanks
Podcast: Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co.

Join Fortitude & Free Circle
🔗 https://www.skool.com/fortitude-free-7478
Learn more about: https://selfcareyouacademy.com

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 (burnout, stress, loss of joy).
 The cost of conforming to the world’s expectations.
 Why purpose lives beyond the four walls of work.
 Practical steps to move forward when fear and “what ifs” try to hold you back. Reflection: Where are you resisting the push? And what’s one small step you can take this week toward alignment with your purpose?

Purpose doesn’t wait for perfect timing. It waits for your yes.

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 by equity-driven purpose, resilience, and powerful sponsors who saw her potential before she fully saw it herself.

Rather than chasing titles, Dr. Winston focused on excellence, service, and impact, trusting that the right doors would open at the right time. When they did, she had to confront her own doubts, lean into belief, and step fully into her calling.

This episode is a masterclass in:
 The power of sponsorship over self-promotion
 Leading with humility, authenticity, and courage
 Navigating imposter syndrome and stepping into big leadership roles
 Building trust through deep listening and community connection
If you’ve ever questioned your readiness, struggled with self-doubt, or waited for permission to
lead, this conversation will speak directly to your heart.
Dr. Winston’s Leadership Journey Highlights
 30+ years in public education
 Former School Psychologist
 Chief of Diverse Learners — Chicago Public Schools
 Assistant Superintendent → Deputy Superintendent → Superintendent (MCCSC)
 Architect of community-centered leadership strategies
 Champion for equity, access, and inclusive education

Why This Episode Matters
Dr. Winston’s story reframes leadership success. Instead of asking, "How do I get there faster?"

she teaches us to ask:
"Who am I becoming while I prepare?"

Her journey reminds us that:
 Sponsorship matters
 Self-belief is learned
 And leadership is something we step into, not chase
This episode will resonate deeply with:
 Women navigating executive leadership paths
 Educators and administrators
 Professionals wrestling with imposter syndrome
 Anyone standing at the edge of their next breakthrough

Favorite Quote from the Episode
“I didn’t chase the role — I had to accept that I was ready for it.”
Host Message This episode is a reminder that your breakthrough doesn’t always come from pushing harder, sometimes it comes from believing deeper.

— Rhoda Banks Breakthrough Conversations with Rhoda & Co. 

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, authenticity, and navigating chaos with clarity and courage. The conversation also highlights her work with university students through Universities United, preparing the next generation with the inner and outer competencies needed to thrive in today’s workplace.

Together, they explore:
 Why remembering who we are is foundational to leadership
 How inner work drives outer impact
 The role of trust and authenticity in engagement and retention
 What young leaders need to navigate complexity and uncertainty
This episode is a must-listen for leaders, educators, and anyone committed to human-centered leadership.

Guest Bio:
Michele Risa is a global speaker, former Citibank executive, award-winning author, and conscious leadership practitioner. She is co-author of Conscious Entrepreneurs and the founder of Collaborative Solutions Global. Michele has spoken at the World Economic Forum, TEDx Manhattan, and for organizations including Microsoft, MasterCard, and the New York Stock Exchange.

Connect with Michele:
Website: www.CollaborativeSolutions.Global

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 compulsive overeating, she learned to build healthy boundaries that changed every aspect of her life—from relationships and career to physical and emotional well-being.

Together, Rhoda and Barb explore:
 Why boundaries are essential, not selfish
 How codependence keeps women stuck in self-neglect
 The connection between emotional healing and physical health
 How inner transformation creates broader social impact
This episode is a must-listen for women ready to break old patterns, reclaim their voice, and become whole.

Guest Bio:
Barb Nangle is a boundaries coach, speaker, author, and podcast host of Fragmented to Whole. After a life-changing recovery journey at 52, Barb now empowers professional women to break cycles of self-neglect, heal deep-rooted wounds, and build healthy boundaries that support personal growth and social change.

Connect with Barb:
Website: https://higherpowercc.com/
Podcast: https://higherpowercc.com/podcast/

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 patient–physician communication, patient advocacy, and what it truly means to center care around the human experience.

Together, they explore:
 Why patient–physician communication is foundational to quality care
 How Dana’s personal medical journey reshaped her professional mission
 What healthcare leaders can do to elevate the patient experience
 How patients can become informed, empowered partners in their own care 

This conversation is a must-listen for healthcare leaders, clinicians, patients, and anyone passionate about creating more compassionate, effective healthcare systems.

Guest Bio:
Dana E. Sherwin is a healthcare consultant and speaker focused on healthcare management and patient–physician communication. She has held executive and consulting roles across hospitals, managed care plans, and leading national consulting firms. Dana holds a Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on multiple editorial and advisory boards. Dana is also a stem cell transplant survivor and the voice behind The Thinking Patient.

Connect with Dana:
Website: www.thethinkingpatient.com

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-centric leadership looks like in practice
 How to lead teams through uncertainty and change
 The role of mindfulness, resiliency, and authenticity in modern organizations
 The legacy he hopes to leave for the leaders coming behind him
This is a conversation for anyone who leads, wants to lead, or wants to be led by someone who truly sees them.

Key Questions Explored
 What does “The future of leadership is human” mean in today’s world?
 How does empathy differ from simply “being nice”?
 What does a human-centric leader look like in action?
 How can leaders balance compassion with accountability?
 Why is empathy essential during change and uncertainty?
 What breakthrough insight would Erik offer to emerging leaders?

Takeaways
 Empathy is not a weakness, it’s strategic strength.
 The best teams are built from unique, diverse gifts.
 Leadership legacy is created one human moment at a time.
 Resiliency begins with people feeling seen, valued, and supported.