What happens when a high-performing entrepreneur hits a wall he can’t outwork?

Justin Mink helped scale companies to billion-dollar valuations, until chronic illness forced him to stop everything.

In this episode of Inner Work, Justin shares the hidden reckoning behind his public success: the burnout he ignored, the pain he endured, and the radical mindset shift that transformed how he leads today.

Host MaryAnn Means-Dufrene guides this honest, revealing conversation about what it really takes to evolve; not just as a leader, but as a human being. If you've ever asked, “Is this all there is?”, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

Justin Mink is a seasoned entrepreneur and leadership advisor who has spent over two decades building and scaling high-growth companies; from zero to 1,000+ employees. After chronic illness brought his world to a halt in 2016, Justin redefined his path. Now, as a Certified EOS Implementer and Certified Outgrow Advisor, he guides leaders toward sustainable, human-centered growth, inside and out.

🔗 Connect with Justin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinmink/ 

🔗   Want to talk through your own leadership shift?
Book a 1:1 with MaryAnn: https://collectivegrowthleadership.com/book-call

What happens when a leader built on calm presence steps into chaos, and still delivers record-breaking results?
In this powerful episode of Inner Work, Bob Jameson, President & CEO of Visit Fort Worth, opens up about his leadership evolution, from running a hotel to navigating public responsibility and shaping the identity of a growing city.

Bob shares how he manages complexity without losing connection, why knowing your strengths is non-negotiable, and how to lead through uncertainty with credibility and care. If you’re feeling the weight of leadership, this conversation is a breath of fresh perspective.

Bob Jameson is the President and CEO of Visit Fort Worth, where he has led the city through record-setting tourism growth and economic recovery. Known for his calm presence and relational approach, Bob’s decades of experience span hospitality, public leadership, and cultural storytelling.

🔗 Connect with Bob:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-jameson-b447a6a/ 

🔗  Ready to Rebuild with More Trust? Book a 1:1 leadership clarity call with MaryAnn: 👉https://collectivegrowthleadership.com/book-call

What does true leadership development look like during relentless change?

In this raw, honest conversation, Jennifer Limas, CEO of Girls Inc. of Tarrant County, opens up about the breaking point that transformed her leadership, from running the day-to-day to becoming the vision keeper her organization desperately needed.

Through deep reflection and vulnerable storytelling, Jennifer shares the hard-earned lessons of stepping back, empowering her team, and reshaping her role to align with the future her mission demanded. You'll hear how she navigated pandemic pressures, team trust, community shifts, and the emotional labor of leadership; with grace, grit, and fierce clarity.

If you're a mission-driven leader clinging to control but craving impact, this episode is your mirror.

Jennifer Limas is the President and CEO of Girls Inc. of Tarrant County, a nonprofit inspiring over 18,000 girls annually to be strong, smart, and bold. She’s a civic leader, board member, and a passionate advocate for transforming lives through purpose-driven programs and visionary leadership.

🔗 Connect with Jennifer:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-limas-71379047/

🔗 Feeling the weight of it all? Book a clarity call with MaryAnn: 👉https://collectivegrowthleadership.com/book-call

What if the cost of “success” is your health, your joy, or your identity?
This raw and powerful episode dives deep into the emotional journey behind leadership development and what it takes to come back to yourself.

Executive coach and former Google Chief of Staff Eric Nehrlich sits down with MaryAnn Means-Dufrene for a vulnerable conversation about burnout, parenting, trauma, and the inner reckoning that changes everything. They explore how real leadership isn't about pushing harder, it’s about learning to pause, feel, and choose differently. If you're carrying too much, pushing too hard, or quietly breaking down behind the scenes… this one is for you.

00:25 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:14 The Importance of Inner Work

02:03 Personal Growth and Transformation

03:37 Challenges and Failures

11:43 Burnout and Realizations

14:26 The Power of Choice

18:52 Embracing Emotions and Trauma

22:03 Empowerment and Leadership

26:28 Discovering Personal Passions

31:04 Continuing the Journey of Healing

31:57 Lessons from Parenting

33:17 Balancing Self-Care and Responsibilities

35:35 Understanding and Managing Emotions

40:42 Parenting as Leadership

55:01 The Importance of a Safe Space

56:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Eric Nehrlich is an executive coach who helps leaders increase their impact by challenging the mindsets and habits that hold them back. Drawing on 25+ years in tech, including 6 years at Google, he guides high achievers toward more meaningful impact. He’s the author of You Have A Choice and lives in the Bay Area with his partner and three children.

Learn more: https://www.toomanytrees.com/

🔗 Feeling the weight of it all? Book a clarity call with MaryAnn: 👉https://collectivegrowthleadership.com/book-call

Leadership development isn’t always bold, sometimes it’s quiet, personal, and fiercely compassionate. In this conversation, we meet a leader who left nothing on the table.

In this raw and uplifting episode of Inner Work, host MaryAnn Means-Dufrene sits down with Lindsey Garner, CEO of Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County. For over a decade, Lindsey has carried a bold vision to serve students through compassion, consistency, and community, even when it meant breaking through her own fear barrier.

They talk about what it really takes to lead through change: midlife reckonings, ethical tension, parenting neurodiverse children, and launching a capital campaign that changed the game for her organization. It’s a story about staying grounded in humility while building something that matters.

Whether you're leading a team, a nonprofit, or just trying to show up for your life, this one will stay with you.

00:23  Welcome and Introduction

00:37  Communities in Schools: New Building and Mission

03:08  Leadership Journey and Personal Growth

05:05  Facing Midlife and Embracing Change

14:34  Balancing Professional and Personal Life

16:28  Creating Support Networks

26:05  Humility and Continuous Learning

31:22  Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Lindsey Garner is President and CEO of Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County. With nearly 20 years in the nonprofit sector, she leads a 108-person team across 11 districts, advocating for students and supporting at-risk youth. She’s also the founder of Mom Strong FW, a 500-member group for mothers raising children with autism.

👉 Want to explore your own leadership shift? Book a 1:1 with MaryAnn: https://collectivegrowthleadership.com/book-call 

Is leadership about rising through the ranks or rising to who you truly are?

In this episode of the Inner Work series, The Breakdown, MaryAnn Means-Dufrene and Karen Finney revisit MaryAnn’s powerful conversation with Dr. Ashley Elgin Barnes, CEO of Lena Pope. Together, they reflect on Ashley’s unique leadership journey, from counselor to executive, and what it means to lead with service, depth, and humility.

Through honest insight and emotional resonance, this episode redefines leadership readiness, challenges traditional success metrics, and explores how mentorship, vulnerability, and inner work shape who we become at the top.

00:18 Introduction and Welcome

00:38 Ashley Elgin Barnes' Unique Leadership Path

02:28 Redefining Leadership Traits

08:44 Mentorship and Readiness

16:59 Emotional Resilience and Recovery

20:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dr. Ashley Elgin is the CEO of Lena Pope and a nationally recognized expert in childhood trauma and organizational leadership. With over 35 years of service, she blends clinical wisdom with business strategy to build resilient communities and cultures.

👉 Want to explore your own leadership shift? Book a 1:1 with MaryAnn: https://collectivegrowthleadership.com/book-call

What if your leadership was costing your team more than you realize?

Underneath the metrics and meetings lies a truth most leaders ignore: burnout isn’t a badge of honor, it’s a warning signal. This episode takes you into the heart of that tension.

In this episode of the Inner Work series, The Breakdown, MaryAnn Means-Dufrene and Karen Finney revisit a powerful conversation with Brad Wallace. Together, they explore what it means to lead like a “corporate athlete,” why pushing harder isn’t the answer, and how redefining rest, feedback, and capacity can transform team performance.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to “do more” while your team quietly unravels, this one’s for you.

00:19 Introduction and Episode Breakdown

01:00 Sports Metaphors and Corporate Athlete

03:44 Marketing and Communication Strategies

05:22 Work-Life Balance and Team Norms

10:30 Feedback and Leadership Challenges

19:17 Learning from Failures and Growth Mindset

26:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 

Brad Wallace, CFA, is a Partner at LKCM Headwater Investments. With roots in competitive sports and finance, he’s known for building values-driven companies and leadership cultures that scale.

👉 Want to explore your own leadership shift? Book a 1:1 with MaryAnn: https://collectivegrowthleadership.com/book-call

What if your greatest trials became the blueprint for your deepest impact?
From battling severe acne to becoming a global skincare innovator and cultural advocate, Myong Chong’s leadership journey is a masterclass in faith, purpose, and resilience.

In this powerful episode of Inner Work: The Collective Growth Podcast, host MaryAnn Means-Dufrene sits down with Myong Chong, founder of Hanna Isul® and president of the Federation of Korean American Associations. Together, they explore what real leadership looks like behind the scenes, in the silence, in the struggle, and in the spiritual practice of staying true to your purpose.

Myong opens up about the inner war behind her entrepreneurial success, the role of prayer and ritual in sustaining balance, and the calling that drives her advocacy work across generations. This is a story about leadership from the inside out, and the fierce grace it takes to lead with integrity.

Myong H. Chong is an inventor, healer, and lifelong advocate for Korean American voices. Founder of Hanna Isul®, she has transformed decades of personal struggle into patented skincare innovations rooted in faith and science. She’s also the author of Divine Youth, and a mission-driven leader bringing spiritual and cultural renewal to communities worldwide.

👉 Want to explore your own leadership shift? Book a 1:1 with MaryAnn: https://collectivegrowthleadership.com/book-call

Leadership isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about knowing when to ask for help.

In this episode of  the Inner Work series, The Breakdown, Karen and MaryAnn unpack the raw, behind-the-scenes growth journey of Ashton Theiss, a top-producing real estate broker who learned that doing it all alone wasn’t the path to real impact.

From confronting her own perfectionism to redefining what leadership looks like at scale, Ashton’s story is a blueprint for any founder or executive ready to evolve. You’ll hear about Enneagram insights, breaking urgency addiction, and how failure can actually be a sign you’re on the right path.

This is what leadership development really looks like; messy, brave, and beautifully human.

Ashton Theiss is a Texas real estate broker, multimillion-dollar producer, and founder of The Ashton Agency. Known for her fresh, authentic leadership approach, Ashton has been featured on HGTV, named a 40 Under 40 honoree, and leads one of Texas’s most respected real estate teams.

👉 Want to explore your own leadership shift? Book a 1:1 with MaryAnn: https://collectivegrowthleadership.com/book-call

Great leadership doesn’t mean avoiding criticism, it means using it to grow.

In this episode of the Inner Work series, The Breakdown, MaryAnn Means-Dufrene and Karen Finney reflect on Paul Coury’s interview, and how a tough team survey became the catalyst for culture transformation.

Paul Coury is the Founder and CEO of Coury Hospitality, an award-winning lifestyle hotel brand. With a design-driven approach and a people-first mindset, Paul brings both creative vision and grounded leadership to his growing hospitality empire.

👉 Want to explore your own leadership shift? Book a 1:1 with MaryAnn: https://collectivegrowthleadership.com/book-call