Carlos Ruiz is one of the assistant principals at North Salem High School and one of the first graduates of the Groundwork Leadership Institute. In this episode, Carlos shares how a lot of his inspiration and motivation as a leader comes from his grandfather. He also discusses the role of a leader and how it can change over time.

Carlos Ruiz is one of the assistant principals at North Salem High School and one of the first graduates of the Groundwork Leadership Institute. In this episode, Carlos shares how a lot of his inspiration and motivation as a leader comes from his grandfather. He also discusses the role of a leader and how it can change over time.

Carlos Ruiz is one of the assistant principals at North Salem High School and one of the first graduates of the Groundwork Leadership Institute. In this episode, Carlos shares how a lot of his inspiration and motivation as a leader comes from his grandfather. He also discusses the role of a leader and how it can change over time.&nbsp;

Inspired Leadership

We live in a world shaped by transactions—performance, productivity, outcomes, expectations. But beneath every transaction is something deeper being formed: identity, culture, relationship, and purpose.
Beneath the Transaction is a podcast about tending to that deeper work.
Hosted by Chris Pineda and his wife and co-founder of Groundwork, Kenzie Pineda, this podcast is an extension of the book Beneath the Transaction and a living invitation to lead—and live—more intentionally.
Together, Chris and Kenzie explore what it means to build lives, families, organizations, and communities rooted in purpose rather than performance alone. Drawing from modern leadership, organizational psychology, and indigenous wisdom, each episode invites listeners to slow down and reflect on what’s being shaped beneath the surface of their work and relationships.
Episodes intentionally alternate between two rhythms: Life and Leadership.
Some conversations lean into leadership—organizational culture, trust, accountability, and purpose at work. Others lean into life—marriage, family, faith, community, identity, and the quiet formation happening at home. Because the way we lead professionally cannot be separated from the way we live personally.
Guests include not only organizational leaders, but leaders of families, communities, faith spaces, and movements—people shaping culture in ways that rarely make headlines, but deeply matter.
This podcast is about building a Tribe. A Tribe committed to reflection. A Tribe willing to have the hard conversations. A Tribe choosing relationship over transaction.
If you’re longing for leadership that feels human, a life that feels whole, and a community that reminds you that transformation is never a solo act—you’re in the right place.
It takes a Tribe.
And transformation begins beneath the transaction.

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We live in a world shaped by transactions—performance, productivity, outcomes, expectations. But beneath every transaction is something deeper being formed: identity, culture, relationship, and purpose. Beneath the Transaction is a podcast about tending to that deeper work. Hosted by Chris Pineda and his wife and co-founder of Groundwork, Kenzie Pineda, this podcast is an extension of the book Beneath the Transaction and a living invitation to lead—and live—more intentionally. Together, Chris and Kenzie explore what it means to build lives, families, organizations, and communities rooted in purpose rather than performance alone. Drawing from modern leadership, organizational psychology, and indigenous wisdom, each episode invites listeners to slow down and reflect on what’s being shaped beneath the surface of their work and relationships. Episodes intentionally alternate between two rhythms:Life and Leadership. Some conversations lean into leadership—organizational culture, trust, accountability, and purpose at work. Others lean into life—marriage, family, faith, community, identity, and the quiet formation happening at home. Because the way we lead professionally cannot be separated from the way we live personally. Guests include not only organizational leaders, but leaders of families, communities, faith spaces, and movements—people shaping culture in ways that rarely make headlines, but deeply matter. This podcast is about building a Tribe.A Tribe committed to reflection.A Tribe willing to have the hard conversations.A Tribe choosing relationship over transaction. If you’re longing for leadership that feels human, a life that feels whole, and a community that reminds you that transformation is never a solo act—you’re in the right place. It takes a Tribe. And transformation begins beneath the transaction.

We live in a world shaped by transactions—performance, productivity, outcomes, expectations. But beneath every transaction is something deeper being formed: identity, culture, relationship, and purpose.
Beneath the Transaction&nbsp;is a podcast about tending to that deeper work.
Hosted by Chris Pineda&nbsp;and his wife and co-founder of Groundwork, Kenzie Pineda, this podcast is an extension of the book Beneath the Transaction&nbsp;and a living invitation to lead—and live—more intentionally.
Together, Chris and Kenzie explore what it means to build lives, families, organizations, and communities rooted in purpose rather than performance alone. Drawing from modern leadership, organizational psychology, and indigenous wisdom, each episode invites listeners to slow down and reflect on what’s being shaped beneath the surface of their work and relationships.
Episodes intentionally alternate between two rhythms: Life&nbsp;and Leadership.
Some conversations lean into leadership—organizational culture, trust, accountability, and purpose at work. Others lean into life—marriage, family, faith, community, identity, and the quiet formation happening at home. Because the way we lead professionally cannot be separated from the way we live personally.
Guests include not only organizational leaders, but leaders of families, communities, faith spaces, and movements—people shaping culture in ways that rarely make headlines, but deeply matter.
This podcast is about building a Tribe. A Tribe committed to reflection. A Tribe willing to have the hard conversations. A Tribe choosing relationship over transaction.
If you’re longing for leadership that feels human, a life that feels whole, and a community that reminds you that transformation is never a solo act—you’re in the right place.
It takes a Tribe.
And transformation begins beneath the transaction.

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Inspired Leadership

Inspired Leadership