The gloves are off in this hard-hitting episode where host Nani tackles the uncomfortable truth about Gen Z's impact on creative workspaces. From conflict avoidance to feedback resistance, we're diving deep into the toxic behaviors that are sabotaging creative collaboration across the industry.

What You'll Learn:

• Why "let's just move on" is destroying creative teams
• The three leadership killers plaguing today's creative professionals
• How to transform feedback phobia into creative fuel
• The difference between artistic integrity and stubborn selfishness
• Practical strategies for giving and receiving creative feedback like a pro

Key Topics Covered:

• The Creative Collaboration Crisis
• Why tension is the birthplace of innovation
• Breaking down the "accountability allergy" in creative spaces
• Moving from "protecting my vision" to "serving the story"
• Building creative resilience through vulnerability
• What the industry desperately needs from young creative leaders

This episode doesn't pull punches—it's a wake-up call for creatives who want to lead, not just participate. Whether you're a Gen Z creative ready to level up your leadership game or a seasoned professional working with emerging talent, this conversation will challenge everything you think you know about creative collaboration.

Perfect for: Directors, writers, producers, artists, creative managers, and anyone leading or part of creative teams.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains direct feedback about generational patterns and may challenge comfortable assumptions about creative processes.

Ready to transform your creative leadership? Subscribe and hit the notification bell—because the stories, films, and art that will shape our culture are waiting for leaders brave enough to create them.

Connect with Nani:

• Website: nanimedia.com
• Instagram: @thenanimedia
• Get the Morning Leadership Checklist
• Upcoming Productions

#CreativeLeadership #GenZ #Collaboration #Feedback #CreativeIndustry #Leadership #Storytelling

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

For more leadership resources for storytellers and to dive deeper into authentic, heart-centered leadership, visit nanimedia.com and follow us @thenanimedia. Connect with host, Danielle Meyer, @daniellekmey.

Remember – your highest potential isn't a destination, it's an evolution. Take care of your heart, trust your inner wisdom, and keep rising.

Until next time, thank you for understanding.

Episode 4: "It's Not That Deep" - How Three Words Are Undermining Gen Z

We've all heard it. Someone calls out harmful behavior, and the response comes swift and dismissive: "It's not that deep." In this episode, we dive into why these three seemingly innocent words have become the ultimate shield against accountability in our generation—and how they're quietly eroding the foundation of respectful leadership.

Host Nani explores the dangerous shift from healthy perspective-taking to outright dismissal of others' experiences. Drawing from her expertise in servant leadership and years of building Nani Media, she breaks down why "it's not that deep" has become the verbal equivalent of putting up a wall when someone tries to engage with us about impact.

What You'll Learn:

• How dismissive language undermines trust and respect in leadership
• The difference between authentic self-expression and accountability avoidance
• Why sometimes it actually is that deep—and what that means for leaders
• Three key leadership behaviors that build genuine respect
• How servant leadership principles can transform difficult conversations
• Practical strategies for responding with curiosity instead of defensiveness

Key Takeaway: Being your authentic self and being respectful aren't opposites—they're partners. The most authentic thing you can do is care about how you affect the people around you.

Perfect for entrepreneurs, team leaders, and anyone who wants to develop more respectful communication skills while staying true to themselves.

About the Host: Nani is the founder of Nani Media and an expert in servant leadership principles, helping entrepreneurs and business leaders develop respectful leadership skills that create positive impact in their communities and organizations.

Connect with Nani:

• Website: nanimedia.com
• Instagram: @thenanimedia
• LinkedIn: The Nani Media

Subscribe for more leadership wisdom and storytelling insights that help you rise as both a leader and human being.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

For more leadership resources for storytellers and to dive deeper into authentic, heart-centered leadership, visit nanimedia.com and follow us @thenanimedia. Connect with host, Danielle Meyer, @daniellekmey.

Remember – your highest potential isn't a destination, it's an evolution. Take care of your heart, trust your inner wisdom, and keep rising.

Until next time, thank you for understanding.

Episode 3: There's No Place Like Growth, Wizard of Oz through Color

What if the most profound leadership lesson isn't found in a boardroom, but on a yellow brick road? In this captivating episode, we dive deep into the timeless symbolism of The Wizard of Oz and discover how Dorothy's journey from the black-and-white world of Kansas to the vibrant land of Oz mirrors our own evolution as leaders.

Join us as we unpack the powerful metaphor of visual transformation in storytelling and leadership development. We'll explore how the shift from monochrome to color represents more than just cinematic magic—it's a blueprint for breaking free from the constraints of conformity and stepping into a world of limitless possibility.

What You'll Discover:

• The Kansas Trap: Why black-and-white thinking keeps us stuck in our comfort zones and how to recognize when you're living in leadership's "Kansas"
• The Color Revolution: How embracing the full spectrum of human experience transforms not just how we see the world, but how we lead others through it
• Ruby Red Wisdom: The significance of Dorothy's iconic shoes and what they teach us about the power we've always carried within ourselves
• Leading Your Own Oz: Practical strategies for navigating the colorful chaos of leadership—from the golden yellow of opportunity to the emerald green of growth
• The Companions We Need: How the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion represent different aspects of our leadership potential and the diverse perspectives we need on our teams

For You:

• Emerging leaders ready to step beyond their comfort zones
• Seasoned executives looking to rediscover the vibrancy in their leadership journey
• Storytellers who want to understand the deeper meaning behind beloved narratives
• Anyone feeling stuck in the "black and white" of their current situation

Key Takeaway:

True leadership isn't about following a perfect, predictable path—it's about embracing the beautiful complexity of the human experience and inspiring others to see the world in full color.

Connect with Nani:

• Instagram: @thenanimedia
• LinkedIn: Nani Media
• Website: nanimedia.com

"In both life and leadership, color is not just an aesthetic—it is the essence of what makes the journey worthwhile."

Subscribe and Review: If this episode inspired you to see your leadership journey in a new light, please subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps other storytellers and leaders find their way to these conversations.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

For more leadership resources for storytellers and to dive deeper into authentic, heart-centered leadership, visit nanimedia.com and follow us @thenanimedia. Connect with host, Danielle Meyer, @daniellekmey.

Remember – your highest potential isn't a destination, it's an evolution. Take care of your heart, trust your inner wisdom, and keep rising.

Until next time, thank you for understanding.

Episode 1: What It Really Means to Be an Old Soul

Welcome to the very first episode of Thank You for Understanding! I'm starting this journey by diving into something deeply personal – what it actually means to be an old soul in a TikTok world.

If you've ever felt like you don't quite fit in with people your age, or like you've somehow lived through more lifetimes than one, this episode is for you. We're going beyond the surface-level labels to explore the real traits that define old souls: wisdom beyond years, deep introspection, authentic empathy, and that unmistakable pull toward nostalgia and meaning.

I'll share why being called "old-fashioned" doesn't have to be an insult (hello, Audrey Hepburn appreciation!), why most of my friends are 5-10 years older than me, and that story about 8-year-old me calling my mom about getting dinner started. Plus, we'll talk about the shadow side – how that introspective nature can become overthinking if you're not careful.

Whether you're an old soul yourself or trying to understand the old soul in your life (you know, the one who cancels last minute and prefers smaller gatherings), this episode breaks down what makes us tick and why authenticity matters more than fitting in.

Take care of your heart and trust your inner wisdom.

Resources mentioned:

• Dr. Kristin Neff's books: "Fierce Self-Compassion" and "Self-Compassion"
• Dr. David Hawkins: "Power vs. Force" and "Letting Go"

For more leadership resources for storytellers, visit Nani Media.

I may earn commission from links you click on with no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

For more leadership resources for storytellers and to dive deeper into authentic, heart-centered leadership, visit nanimedia.com and follow us @thenanimedia. Connect with host, Danielle Meyer, @daniellekmey.

Remember – your highest potential isn't a destination, it's an evolution. Take care of your heart, trust your inner wisdom, and keep rising.

Until next time, thank you for understanding.

Episode 2: Why I Wore a CGM as a Healthy 25-Year-Old (And What I Learned)

Here's the thing – I'm obsessed with feeling and being my best each day. So when I spent $99 on a Continuous Glucose Monitor despite being a perfectly healthy 25-year-old athlete, people had questions.

In this episode, I'm sharing why I decided to hack my health with real-time blood sugar data, and the surprising things I discovered about my body. Spoiler alert: those "healthy" fruit snacks were causing bigger spikes than I thought, and the order you eat your food actually matters (there's a reason they bring salad first!).

We're diving into how different foods affected my energy levels, why I was crashing mid-afternoon despite all the coffee, and how various workouts impacted my blood sugar differently. Plus, I'll share the simple changes I made that completely transformed how I feel throughout the day.

This isn't about being perfect – it's about understanding your body better so you can show up as your best self. Whether you're curious about CGMs, struggling with energy crashes, or just want to optimize your health, this episode is packed with real insights from my two-week experiment.

Because here's what I learned: your next highest potential is yet to come, and sometimes it starts with the smallest data points.

Resources mentioned:

• CGM Doctor for health coaching and CGM expertise
• "Healing and Recovery" by Dr. David Hawkins

For more leadership resources for storytellers, visit nanimedia.com.

I may receive a small commission from links at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

For more leadership resources for storytellers and to dive deeper into authentic, heart-centered leadership, visit nanimedia.com and follow us @thenanimedia. Connect with host, Danielle Meyer, @daniellekmey.

Remember – your highest potential isn't a destination, it's an evolution. Take care of your heart, trust your inner wisdom, and keep rising.

Until next time, thank you for understanding.