What does it really mean to belong at work?

In this powerful episode of Empowered & Out, Coach Jon sits down with award-winning author, leadership strategist, and founder of Rhodes Perry Consulting, Rhodes Perry, to unpack leadership, burnout, workplace belonging, and why authenticity is more than just a buzzword—it’s survival.

From working inside the White House and the Department of Justice to helping organizations create cultures of belonging, Rhodes shares how his lived experience as an openly trans man shaped his mission to challenge workplace loneliness and exclusion.

We dive deep into DEI, “DEI hushing,” somatic leadership, burnout recovery, and what companies still get wrong about belonging at work.

This conversation is honest, timely, and deeply needed—especially for LGBTQ+ professionals navigating today’s workplace climate.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to leave parts of yourself behind just to succeed… this episode is for you.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome to Empowered & Out
02:30 – Meet Rhodes Perry
03:00 – Energy Check-In: Burnout + Recovery
05:15 – The Workplace Loneliness Epidemic
08:10 – Why Exclusion Is a Leadership Problem
12:00 – Starting Rhodes Perry Consulting
14:30 – Career Lessons from the White House + DOJ
17:00 – Being an Open Trans Man in Corporate Spaces
20:00 – Why Trans Professionals Are a Massive Workplace Asset
26:00 – Why Belonging Matters More Than DEI Buzzwords
31:00 – What True Workplace Safety Looks Like
45:00 – Can Everyone Belong? Setting Boundaries
50:00 – The Future of DEI in 2026 and Beyond
54:00 – Burnout Recovery + Somatic Leadership
57:30 – One Action to Reconnect With Yourself

If this episode resonated with you and you're ready to rebuild confidence, rediscover your purpose, and create a career where you can fully show up as yourself—I’d love to support you.

Book your FREE coaching discovery call with me here: https://linktr.ee/empoweredandout

Let’s help you get back to you.

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