In this thought-provoking and deeply human conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Amanda Slavin, educator, author, consultant, and creator of the Seven Levels of Engagement, to unpack why engagement, not productivity, is the real engine of learning, leadership, and parenting.

Amanda shares the origin story of her life’s work, starting with her own childhood report cards that all said the same thing: “Amanda talks too much.” What teachers saw as disruption was actually early evidence of her lifelong obsession with connection, curiosity, and conversation. That spark eventually led her to become a teacher, earn a master’s in education, study pedagogy across wildly different school environments, and discover a taxonomy that would shape the next decade of her career.

Together, Kevin and Amanda explore how the Seven Levels of Engagement help decode what’s really happening in classrooms, teams, and families. They talk about why kids melt down when parents get distracted, how quiet quitting begins long before someone stops performing, and why the real opposite of engagement isn’t disengagement, it's apathy.

Amanda also opens up about how she applies her framework at home with her five- and three-year-old, and why she collaborates with them on consequences instead of handing down punishments. She explains why connection is the cheat code in parenting, why incentives rarely create long-term motivation, and how repair, presence, and respect model emotional maturity for kids who rely on our nervous systems to regulate.

From bedtime battles to bored employees, from distracted leaders to overwhelmed parents, this episode is filled with real stories, practical tools, and the kind of grounded insights that make you rethink how you show up.

Whether you lead teams, raise tiny humans, or both, this conversation gives you a blueprint for building cultures of connection in every corner of your life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why engagement is not binary and why each of the seven levels matters
• How extrinsic rewards shortcut compliance but reduce creativity, curiosity, and connection • The difference between consequences and punishments and why one teaches while the other controls
• How a parent’s distraction can drop a child from “inspired and connected” to stressed and overwhelmed
• Why apathy, not disengagement, is the real danger zone in the workplace
• How to spot quiet quitting before it happens
• How to create psychologically safe cultures where people feel seen, valued, and motivated • Why presence and accountability matter more than perfection in parenting
• How the same engagement principles used at Google and Coca-Cola apply to bedtime routines
• Why respect is the foundation of every relationship from toddlers to executives

Top Takeaways:
• Distraction destroys connection faster than anything else.
• Consequences teach; punishments shame.
• Kids’ regulation relies on our regulation, until age 25.
• Engagement is nuanced; productivity alone is not a measure of alignment or meaning.
• Quiet quitting starts with feeling unseen long before performance drops.
• Intrinsic motivation fuels creativity, collaboration, and long-term commitment.
• Culture becomes real when values are measurable, not decorative.
• Repair is more important than getting it right the first time.
• Presence is the foundation of trust at home and at work.
• Apathy, not disengagement is what leaders must prevent.

About Amanda Slavin:
Amanda Slavin is an educator-turned-consultant, author of The Seventh Level, and creator of the Seven Levels of Engagement framework. With a master’s in education and years of experience inside classrooms across diverse environments, she spent a decade helping global brands, including Google, Coca-Cola, and Nestlé, build cultures of meaningful engagement. A mother of two young children, Amanda blends research-backed frameworks with real-life parenting, modeling respect, presence, and connection in the moments that matter most.

In this revealing and deeply personal conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Adam Brotman, renowned digital innovator, CEO of Forum3, and former Chief Digital Officer at Starbucks, to explore how great leadership begins at home.

Adam shares the untold story behind Starbucks’ digital transformation, the strategy that reshaped the way millions of customers order coffee and connect with brands and the lessons that came from leading that change. From architecting mobile order and pay to stepping into the co-CEO role at J.Crew, Adam opens up about the costs of burnout, the courage to set boundaries, and the decision to become a primary parent.

Together, Kevin and Adam dive into the evolution of leadership, learning through failure, and the transition from ambition to purpose. They discuss how COVID redefined presence, why Zoom parenting became a gift in disguise, and what it means to raise grounded, creative children in an AI-native world. Adam also reflects on the values he hopes to pass on to his daughter, to be a good listener, a good learner, and a good friend and how those same principles guide his leadership today.

Whether you’re leading a company, navigating burnout, or redefining success beyond your career, this episode offers both practical wisdom and heart-centered reflection on what it truly means to build a meaningful life.

In this episode, you’ll learn
• How Starbucks’ digital flywheel became a blueprint for connection
• The warning signs of burnout and how to realign with purpose
• Why setting boundaries is a leadership superpower
• How becoming a parent reshapes your definition of success
• The lessons COVID taught us about presence and flexibility
• How to prepare your kids for an AI-driven future
• Why authenticity and reflection create stronger leaders

Top takeaways
• Great leadership starts with self-awareness and boundaries
• Burnout is a signal to realign, not a failure
• Parenting teaches empathy, patience, and humility, the same skills that drive effective teams
• The future of work will favor creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence
• Legacy is built through presence, not performance

About Adam Brotman
Adam Brotman is the co-founder and CEO of Forum3, author of AI First, and a celebrated digital innovator best known for architecting Starbucks’ digital transformation, including mobile order and pay. He previously served as co-CEO of J.Crew and co-founded Brightloom, a restaurant technology company. A proud father and husband, Adam is passionate about creating meaningful customer experiences and about helping the next generation prepare for a rapidly changing world.

In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Nick Tran, President and CMO of the joint venture between Diageo and Main Street Advisors, to talk about what it means to design a life, not just a career.

Nick shares how taking a mid-career sabbatical and moving his young family to London became one of the most rewarding chapters of his life. Over three years and 23 countries, he learned that kids are far more adaptable than we give them credit for and that presence, not perfection, is what they remember most.

Together, Kevin and Nick explore how to balance ambition with intention, the importance of setting boundaries in high-pressure roles, and the mindset shifts that come from slowing down. Nick also opens up about his parenting approach from limiting social media and encouraging curiosity to teaching kindness, generosity, and resilience as the skills that will matter most in the future.

Finally, Nick reflects on his career path from leading global marketing at TikTok, Taco Bell, and Samsung, to helping others find their voice as leaders. He shares why he measures success by the number of people from his teams who have gone on to become CMOs, and why he believes personal branding is essential for every modern professional.

In This Episode You'll Learn:
• Why designing a life matters more than chasing titles
• How living abroad can reshape family connection and perspective
• The power of intentional parenting and setting family milestones
• Why screen time and social media guardrails are essential for kids
• How to teach generosity, kindness, and resilience through action
• Why curiosity and learning how to learn matter more than hard skills
• How to build authentic relationships that elevate your career
• Why personal branding is a critical leadership skill

Top Takeaways:
• Presence and boundaries create balance in demanding careers
• Travel teaches adaptability, empathy, and global perspective
• The best lessons for kids come from lived experience, not lectures
• Generosity and curiosity are the foundation of lifelong leadership
• Building others up is the true measure of success

About Nick Tran:
Nick Tran is the President and CMO of the joint venture between Diageo and Main Street Advisors, overseeing brands like Lobos 1707 and Ciroc Vodka. Previously, he led global marketing at TikTok, Samsung, Taco Bell, and Hulu, where his work helped define cultural relevance for modern brands. Nick is also a devoted father who believes leadership starts at home, through presence, purpose, and the courage to design life intentionally.

In this honest and energizing conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Chris Andrews, Chief Information and Digital Officer at European Wax Center, to explore how leadership at work intersects with leadership at home.

Chris reflects on the milestone of dropping his twins at college and feeling joy instead of tears, the daily discipline that kept him present for family while leading large transformations, and how returning to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu helped him rebuild health, clarity, and calm under pressure.

Together, Kevin and Chris unpack seasons of stress, the signals that work is intruding on family life, and why authentic leadership and supportive cultures matter more than ever. Chris shares the lessons he wants his kids to carry forward: kindness, resilience, and the courage to keep showing up even when it is hard.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why physical health is a leadership advantage
• How Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu builds calm, confidence, and composure
• Practical ways to protect special family moments on a tight schedule
• How to notice when career pressure is crowding out presence at home
• Why authentic leadership deepens trust and connection with teams
• How to create a supportive work culture that lifts people up
• What career setbacks can teach you about grit and growth
• How to model kindness and resilience for your kids

Top Takeaways:

• Presence is built through discipline and protected rituals
• Health fuels better decisions and steadier leadership
• Authentic leadership starts at home and shows up at work
• Supportive cultures are created by consistent daily choices
• The legacy that matters most is who your kids become

About Chris Andrews: Chris Andrews is the Chief Information and Digital Officer at European Wax Center. He has led complex digital transformations at well-known multi-unit brands and is passionate about building healthy teams, supportive cultures, and a life where career and family strengthen each other. Outside the office, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu keeps him grounded, focused, and calm under pressure.

In this candid and energizing conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Deena DePhilips, CIO of Red Robin, to explore how becoming a mother transformed her leadership, her relationship with time, and her definition of success.

Deena shares the raw reality of stepping into the CIO role just five weeks after giving birth and the crash that followed when the old “workhorse” playbook stopped working. She opens up about rebuilding from burnout, trading perfectionism for presence, and shifting from doer to strategist by empowering her team.

Together, Kevin and Deena dig into parenting as a mirror for leadership, breaking generational patterns, and creating boundaries that protect what matters most. Deena lays out the three lessons that changed everything for her: deep focus in short windows, falling in love with fluidity, and embracing “done is better than perfect.”

Whether you are navigating a big promotion, new parenthood, or both at once, Deena’s story offers practical tools and hard-earned encouragement for leading with clarity at work and at home.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why motherhood can be a launching pad, not a pause
• How to compress deep work into focused 60 to 90 minute sprints
• Tactics for choosing presence when work never truly turns off
• Why fluidity beats rigid routines in high-pressure seasons
• How to move from workhorse to strategist by empowering others
• Ways to protect sacred family time, especially bedtime rituals
• How parenting sharpens empathy, patience, and listening at work
• Why legacy is built through daily deposits in the connection bank

Top Takeaways:

• Presence over perfection creates more impact in both roles
• Focus and discipline matter more than long hours
• Let go or be dragged is a powerful mindset for change
• Done is better than perfect keeps momentum moving
• Work can be a passion, but family is the purpose that sustains it

About Deena DePhilips:
Deena DePhilips is the Chief Information Officer at Red Robin, where she leads enterprise technology and digital transformation. Known as both a workhorse and a visionary leader, she has built a reputation for simplifying complex systems and empowering high-performing teams. Deena is also a devoted mother who believes that work is her passion and her daughter is her purpose.

In this thoughtful and inspiring conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Thomas Odermatt, founder and CEO of Roli Roti Gourmet Rotisserie, to explore how family values, purpose, and empathy shape modern leadership.

Thomas shares his journey from growing up in his family’s butcher shop in Switzerland, where hard work and connection were a way of life, to leading one of America’s most beloved food businesses. He reflects on the lessons instilled by his parents, the importance of family rituals, and how those early experiences laid the foundation for his leadership philosophy today.

Together, Kevin and Thomas discuss the power of purpose in work, the role of empathy in leadership, and why empowering employees is key to building lasting company culture. Thomas also opens up about balancing business growth with family life, lessons from his time in the Swiss army, and what it truly means to lead like a father both at home and in the workplace.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or a parent striving to stay grounded through growth, Thomas’s story offers timeless wisdom about purpose, people, and perseverance.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How family values and rituals shape leadership style
• Why purpose in work creates fulfillment and direction
• The importance of empathy and understanding in leadership
• How to empower employees and build lasting trust
• Why balancing family and business is crucial for success
• Lessons from the Swiss army that translate to leadership today
• The value of long-term employees in sustaining growth
• Why transparency strengthens company culture
• How to celebrate small wins and maintain a startup mindset

Top Takeaways:
• Strong leadership begins with strong values
• Purpose-driven work fuels both personal and professional growth
• Empowered teams create thriving businesses
• Balancing family and business isn’t easy but it’s worth it
• Leading with empathy transforms culture from the inside out

About Thomas Odermatt:
Thomas Odermatt is the founder and CEO of Roli Roti Gourmet Rotisserie, a California-based food company rooted in craftsmanship, quality, and care. Raised in Switzerland in a family of butchers, Thomas built his business around the values of honesty, hard work, and connection. His leadership is grounded in empathy and empowerment, with a deep belief that a company, like a family, thrives when people are valued and purpose guides every decision.

In this open and heartfelt conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Brent Cooke to explore the realities of balancing parenthood, career ambitions, and family dynamics.

Brent reflects on the overwhelming early days of fatherhood and the lessons he’s learned about partnership, presence, and integrity along the way. He shares candid stories of how career responsibilities sometimes pulled him away from family life, and the strategies he’s used to stay connected and intentional as both a parent and a professional.

The conversation also dives into the complexities of co-parenting after separation, the evolution of his relationship with his daughter as she enters adulthood, and the importance of authenticity and communication in building strong family bonds. Brent offers practical insights for aspiring leaders who want to grow their careers without losing sight of what matters most at home.

Whether you’re an executive navigating family responsibilities, a parent seeking more presence, or someone reflecting on the legacy you want to leave behind, Brent’s story offers wisdom, honesty, and encouragement.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why no one is ever fully prepared for parenthood

• The importance of partnership in parenting and co-parenting

• How career pressures can test family presence and how to respond

• Why showing up with integrity builds trust with your children

• How to bring your family along on your career journey

• The value of listening and open communication with kids

• Why legacy is about family impact, not just career achievements

• How parenting evolves as children grow into young adults

• Why being present in the moment matters more than perfection

Top Takeaways:

• Parenthood is a journey of learning, not perfection

• Partnership and co-parenting are essential for balance

• Integrity and authenticity create lasting family trust

• Careers rarely follow a straight path, bring your family with you

• Presence is the greatest gift you can give your children

About Brent Cooke:
Brent Cooke is a seasoned executive and leader who has built his career while navigating the challenges of fatherhood and family life. His story is one of growth, resilience, and authenticity, marked by lessons in partnership, co-parenting, and living with integrity. Above all, he is a proud father whose legacy is defined not just by professional success, but by the relationships he’s built with his family.

In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Arne Arens, global executive and former CEO of The North Face, to explore the delicate balance between high-pressure leadership and the demands of family life.

Arne shares the personal experiences that shaped his journey, from the influence of his upbringing, to raising children with health challenges, to the evolution of his leadership philosophy from self-driven ambition to contribution and servant leadership. He reflects on the importance of being present as a parent, the resilience required to face adversity, and how definitions of success shift as children grow older and prepare to leave home.

Together, Kevin and Arne unpack the lessons of conscious parenting and the realities of executive leadership, offering insights into navigating transitions, maintaining connection with family, and leading with empathy.

Whether you’re an executive navigating your own career, a parent striving to stay present, or someone reflecting on what success truly means, Arne’s story offers wisdom and perspective that will resonate.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why presence is the most important gift you can give as a parent
• How upbringing influences leadership and parenting styles
• Why resilience is a choice when facing life’s hardest challenges
• How servant leadership reshapes executive roles
• Why balancing work and family requires conscious, ongoing effort
• How a child’s health journey can redefine family dynamics
• The evolving meaning of success, from personal achievement to contribution
• The role of luck and hard work in career advancement
• How to instill the value of contribution and hard work in children

Top Takeaways:

• Parenting requires presence, even in demanding careers
• Leadership evolves from ambition to service over time
• Resilience is built through choices, not circumstances
• Success is not fixed, it evolves with life and family
• Contribution, not just achievement, defines true legacy

About Arne Arens:
Arne Arens is a global business leader and former CEO of The North Face. Over the course of his career, he has led iconic brands through periods of transformation while developing a leadership philosophy rooted in resilience, empathy, and contribution. Beyond the boardroom, Arne is a dedicated father who has faced the challenges and joys of parenting head-on, and who believes that presence and purpose matter more than titles or accolades.

In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Melissa Grady-Diaz, former CMO of Cadillac, to explore the complex intersection of motherhood, career ambition, and personal growth.

Melissa opens up about the challenges of maternity leave and the emotional transition of returning to a high-powered role while raising her first child. She shares why bedtime became a sacred ritual, how she learned to set boundaries to protect family time, and why self-care is a non-negotiable for sustainable leadership.

Together, Kevin and Melissa unpack the lessons of parenthood, from navigating exhaustion to redefining purpose, and reflect on how personal experiences shape leadership at the highest levels. Melissa also reveals how she thinks about career progression, exercise as a form of self-care, and her belief that life is a mosaic—where professional milestones and family moments come together to create meaning.

Whether you’re a working parent balancing career and home, or a leader seeking to align ambition with presence, Melissa’s story offers candid insights and practical wisdom for every stage of life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why returning to work after maternity leave is a deeply emotional journey
• The importance of protecting family time—especially bedtime rituals
• How motherhood can transform leadership style and priorities
• Why self-care is essential for balance and resilience
• The value of setting personal and professional boundaries
• How flexibility and adaptability drive both parenting and leadership
• Why reflection on past experiences creates growth and clarity
• How finding purpose in work leads to fulfillment beyond achievement
• Why life is best seen as a mosaic of personal and professional experiences

Top Takeaways:

• Parenthood reshapes leadership in powerful ways
• Bedtime routines and rituals are worth protecting at all costs
• Boundaries are the key to sustaining balance
• Self-care fuels both parenting and career success
• Reflection and adaptability lead to lasting personal growth
• Purpose, not just progress, creates fulfillment in career and family

About Melissa Grady-Diaz: Melissa Grady-Diaz is the former Chief Marketing Officer of Cadillac, where she led brand transformation at one of America’s most iconic companies. A seasoned marketing executive, she has been recognized for her leadership, creativity, and ability to drive results in high-pressure environments. Beyond her career, Melissa is a proud mother whose experiences of parenthood have shaped her perspective on leadership, presence, and purpose in life.