Fast Forward Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant and multi-talented RaQuita Weathers, my personal photographer and dear friend. We dive deep into the theme of visibility and its impact on both professional and personal growth. RaQuita takes us through her inspiring journey from dance instructor to sought-after brand photographer, all while juggling the roles of wife, mother, and creative entrepreneur.

RaQuita shares how she helps women feel seen and confident through her photography. Plus, learn the secrets behind building genuine connections and why it’s crucial for long-term success in creative industries.

Tune in for an episode packed with inspiration and actionable tips on prioritizing connection and authenticity.

#PowerOfVisibility #AuthenticConnections #CreativeJourney

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About RaQuita Weathers RaQuita Weathers is a phenomenal woman who embodies the mompreneur lifestyle. As a wife, mother of two, Professional Personal Branding & Maternity photographer and a true creative. RaQuita empowers women, especially black mothers to feel confident, sexy, and to own their “boss” in all aspects of life. With over six years experience as an entrepreneur, RaQuita has found her lane as photographer and creative director. With over 350+ clients in her tenure she’s making moves that you need to subscribe to in 2024!

--- About the Fast Forward Podcast: The Fast Forward Podcast is the strategic briefing for C-suite executives, Fortune 100 leaders, and government leaders navigating complex organizational change. Hosted by Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach, each episode shares her nearly 20 years of experience transforming enterprise teams, unicorn startups, and public sector agencies. This channel bridges behavioral science and high-stakes execution. It's practical intellectualism, delivered with a touch of witty wisdom. Visit forwardcollectivegroup.com to learn more.

In this episode, we tackle the often misunderstood concept of power. Power isn't something to shy away from—when used effectively, it can create real impact in both your personal and professional life. I explore how leaders can better understand their power and use it to make tough decisions that ultimately lead to growth.

Drawing from my own experiences, I highlight the difference between power and influence and why relying too much on influence can actually undermine authority. I also dive into the emotional weight of leadership, including making difficult calls that affect your team but push the organization forward.

From navigating leadership dynamics to addressing survivor’s remorse and the importance of adaptability, this episode offers actionable insights on how to wield power in a way that fosters both personal growth and team success. If you're ready to rethink what power looks like in your leadership journey, hit play and let’s get into it.

--- About the Fast Forward Podcast: The Fast Forward Podcast is the strategic briefing for C-suite executives, Fortune 100 leaders, and government leaders navigating complex organizational change. Hosted by Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach, each episode shares her nearly 20 years of experience transforming enterprise teams, unicorn startups, and public sector agencies. This channel bridges behavioral science and high-stakes execution. It's practical intellectualism, delivered with a touch of witty wisdom. Visit forwardcollectivegroup.com to learn more.

Communities hold power! In this episode, our featured guest, Ryan Wilson, CEO and co-founder of The Gathering Spot, shares his insights on the importance of vulnerability, the necessity of radical honesty, and how our experiences shape our entrepreneurial journeys. We discuss the significance of understanding our "why" as entrepreneurs and how to leverage it to navigate the inevitable challenges that come our way.

From the layers of community that influence our lives to the resilience required to overcome obstacles, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons for any leader or entrepreneur.

--- About Ryan Wilson

Ryan Wilson, the Co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot, is a visionary entrepreneur and recognized thought leader. His transformative approach at The Gathering Spot has redefined the art of networking, making the club a vibrant hub for collaboration, connections, and experiences. Ryan's work as a community builder and his dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity have established him as a distinguished figure in the world of business and community engagement.

A native of Atlanta, Ryan is an active participant in several Atlanta civic and community organizations. He proudly serves on the boards of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Usher’s New Look, The Woodruff Arts Center, The Atlanta Business League, The Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Invest Atlanta’s Foundation, Goodwill of North Georgia, and the Board of Councilors for The Carter Center. He has previously served on the boards of Hands on Atlanta and Peace Preparatory Academy. He is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the 100 Black Men and the Atlanta Rotary Club.

Ryan graduated from Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law Center, where he proudly serves on the Board of Regents. He currently resides happily in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and two children.

--- About the Fast Forward Podcast: The Fast Forward Podcast is the strategic briefing for C-suite executives, Fortune 100 leaders, and government leaders navigating complex organizational change. Hosted by Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach, each episode shares her nearly 20 years of experience transforming enterprise teams, unicorn startups, and public sector agencies. This channel bridges behavioral science and high-stakes execution. It's practical intellectualism, delivered with a touch of witty wisdom. Visit forwardcollectivegroup.com to learn more.

In our first episode of the Fast Forward Podcast, I discuss the why and how behind the podcast's rebranding. Peek behind the scenes of the shift towards a more balanced and passion-based career. Plus, I introduce the September & October theme: power.

--- About the Fast Forward Podcast: The Fast Forward Podcast is the strategic briefing for C-suite executives, Fortune 100 leaders, and government leaders navigating complex organizational change. Hosted by Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach, each episode shares her nearly 20 years of experience transforming enterprise teams, unicorn startups, and public sector agencies. This channel bridges behavioral science and high-stakes execution. It's practical intellectualism, delivered with a touch of witty wisdom. Visit forwardcollectivegroup.com to learn more.

Is DEI dead? Not at all! It has evolved (again) and the changes are causing a stir. Changes in name, staffing practices, and methodology don't have to mean the end of the discipline; they do reflect a need to think differently about our "why".

I share my "why" and "how" in this episode, including an expanded framework for understanding identity and a quadrant of focal points for DEI work. Let's evolve toward more effective DEI practices!

--- About the Fast Forward Podcast: The Fast Forward Podcast is the strategic briefing for C-suite executives, Fortune 100 leaders, and government leaders navigating complex organizational change. Hosted by Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach, each episode shares her nearly 20 years of experience transforming enterprise teams, unicorn startups, and public sector agencies. This channel bridges behavioral science and high-stakes execution. It's practical intellectualism, delivered with a touch of witty wisdom. Visit forwardcollectivegroup.com to learn more.

Is perfection possible in organizational culture? Or are we stuck in a cycle of toxicity? Contrary to the current narrative, there is a middle ground as cultures shift constantly. Join me in the conversation about culture's place in PCI.

I'll share how organizational development is culture's gear shift plus four areas of change that will accelerate your journey out of toxicity.

--- About the Fast Forward Podcast: The Fast Forward Podcast is the strategic briefing for C-suite executives, Fortune 100 leaders, and government leaders navigating complex organizational change. Hosted by Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach, each episode shares her nearly 20 years of experience transforming enterprise teams, unicorn startups, and public sector agencies. This channel bridges behavioral science and high-stakes execution. It's practical intellectualism, delivered with a touch of witty wisdom. Visit forwardcollectivegroup.com to learn more.

HR is more than a cheerleader, it's the engine that drives the business. In this episode, I'm talking about the real, un-sexy side of HR — and how it should evolve beyond spreadsheets and headcounts. I’ll also break down the employee lifecycle and why understanding it is crucial for both leaders and employees to build better relationships with HR.

Let’s chat about how to make HR work for the people, not just the bottom line.

--- About the Fast Forward Podcast: The Fast Forward Podcast is the strategic briefing for C-suite executives, Fortune 100 leaders, and government leaders navigating complex organizational change. Hosted by Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach, each episode shares her nearly 20 years of experience transforming enterprise teams, unicorn startups, and public sector agencies. This channel bridges behavioral science and high-stakes execution. It's practical intellectualism, delivered with a touch of witty wisdom. Visit forwardcollectivegroup.com to learn more.

Welcome to Season 3 of the Dreaming Forward Podcast! In this episode, I share exciting updates about my energetic reset; my new business venture, the Synapse Experiential Learning Institute; and my 2023 book, Evolution to Equity (https://a.co/d/cRr0r0i). We're diving into the topic of "People, Culture, and Inclusion," which is the intersection of human resources, organizational development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. I highlight the importance of seeing work as an ecosystem rather than a battleground, emphasizing the need for community and cohesion in the workplace.

--- About the Fast Forward Podcast: The Fast Forward Podcast is the strategic briefing for C-suite executives, Fortune 100 leaders, and government leaders navigating complex organizational change. Hosted by Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach, each episode shares her nearly 20 years of experience transforming enterprise teams, unicorn startups, and public sector agencies. This channel bridges behavioral science and high-stakes execution. It's practical intellectualism, delivered with a touch of witty wisdom. Visit forwardcollectivegroup.com to learn more.

Redefining your standard of excellence can be scary and painful. I know firsthand that it's not all sunshine and roses, but it is worth it. Pushing past discomfort while committing to leveling up is worth the outcome: a new and better version of you. Tune in to learn how I've evolved during Season 2 and 2024. Can you believe we're halfway through the year already?

--- About the Fast Forward Podcast: The Fast Forward Podcast is the strategic briefing for C-suite executives, Fortune 100 leaders, and government leaders navigating complex organizational change. Hosted by Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach, each episode shares her nearly 20 years of experience transforming enterprise teams, unicorn startups, and public sector agencies. This channel bridges behavioral science and high-stakes execution. It's practical intellectualism, delivered with a touch of witty wisdom. Visit forwardcollectivegroup.com to learn more.

Excellence and efficiency are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they're close cousins. Start by defining your personal standards of excellence then building efficiency to maintain the standard. Listen in to hear how I've transformed my own life and career using this method.

--- About the Fast Forward Podcast: The Fast Forward Podcast is the strategic briefing for C-suite executives, Fortune 100 leaders, and government leaders navigating complex organizational change. Hosted by Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach, each episode shares her nearly 20 years of experience transforming enterprise teams, unicorn startups, and public sector agencies. This channel bridges behavioral science and high-stakes execution. It's practical intellectualism, delivered with a touch of witty wisdom. Visit forwardcollectivegroup.com to learn more.