In this inspiring episode of Empowered by AI, host Michelle Muncy Silva sits down with Marilise de Villiers Basson, founder of ROAR! Coaching & Consulting, bestselling author, and TEDx speaker. Marilise shares her journey from battling burnout and workplace bullying to becoming a beacon of resilience and empowerment for women leaders. They discuss the transformative power of the ROAR! framework—Recognize, Observe, Assert, Redirect—and its application in personal growth, emotional resilience, and even organizational change.

Marilise also explores how cybersecurity is fundamentally a people problem and shares actionable insights for creating a culture of psychological safety. If you’re an entrepreneur navigating disruption, balancing self-care with bold leadership, or seeking clarity in your purpose, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you thrive.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The origins of the ROAR! framework and its application for overcoming inner critics and building confidence.
• How to navigate difficult conversations with yourself and others using emotional intelligence.
• Why prioritizing holistic well-being is crucial for women entrepreneurs.
• How cybersecurity intersects with people-centric approaches and why it matters to businesses of all sizes.
• Marilise’s advice on embracing failure as feedback and learning to adapt in a rapidly changing world.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction to Marilise de Villiers Basson
• [02:00] The power of emotional resilience in entrepreneurial journeys
• [04:30] Breaking down the ROAR! framework
• [10:00] Transforming silence into strength during challenging moments
• [18:00] Practical habits for sustaining self-care while leading a business
• [22:00] The intersection of cybersecurity and behavioral change
• [32:00] Navigating AI disruption with resilience and adaptability
• [39:00] Marilise’s personal mantra for balance: Peaceful, Present, Powerful
• [41:00] Where to find Marilise and her work

To get even more value from this episode: Visit my website Innovative AI Studio to grab the free worksheet I developed to help you put advice from this episode into action! I'll give you a free tool and you'll get updates on future episodes.

More Links and Resources:

• Connect with Marilise on LinkedIn: Marilise de Villiers Basson
• Visit her website: https://www.marilise-de-villiers.com/
• Learn more about her book: ROAR! How to Tame the Bully Inside and Out

Explore the ROAR! podcast: ROAR Podcast