In this powerful conversation, Natalie Born sits down with speaker, advocate, and compassion-driven leader Brenda Chand to explore what it really means to see people through the eyes of hope—not judgment. Brenda shares her personal story of growing up in a difficult environment, how those early experiences shaped her desire to champion others, and why leaders must resist the cultural pull toward criticism and comparison.

From the power of presence, to loving people in their mess, to cultivating spaces where grace leads the way, Brenda offers deeply practical and spiritually grounded wisdom. If you’ve ever struggled with self-worth, dealt with hidden pain, or felt the weight of others’ expectations, this episode reminds you that freedom begins with being seen—and seeing others—with compassion.

[00:00 – 05:00] Brenda’s Early Story & Hidden Pain

* Brenda shares childhood memories that shaped her understanding of shame, secrecy, and survival.

* How growing up in a home marked by instability taught her to recognize pain in others.

* Why empathy begins with acknowledging our own broken places.

[05:01 – 10:00] The Moment Everything Shifted

* Brenda reflects on the internal questions that followed her into adulthood.

* Realizing that her story wasn’t a source of shame—but a source of ministry.

* How God used her past to ignite a calling to help others experience hope.

[10:01 – 14:30] Casting Hope, Not Stones

* What it means to “cast hope” in a world that’s quick to criticize.

* Practical ways leaders can respond with compassion instead of judgment.

* Why withholding criticism isn’t weakness—it’s strength rooted in purpose.

[14:31 – 20:00] The Power of Being Seen

* Brenda explains why many people don’t need solutions—they need presence.

* How leaders can create environments where people feel safe to show their real story.

* Natalie and Brenda discuss the spiritual discipline of seeing people the way God does.

[20:01 – 25:00] Loving People Through Their Mess

* Why people often behave from places of unspoken pain.

* The importance of curiosity over assumptions.

* How to walk with someone through transformation without carrying the weight for them.

[25:01 – End] Hope as a Leadership Strategy

* How compassion fuels influence, loyalty, and authentic connection.

* Questions leaders can ask to remain grounded in grace and truth.

* Brenda’s encouragement to anyone wrestling with identity, shame, or purpose.

Quotes:

“When we lead with compassion, we create space for people to breathe, heal, and belong.” – Brenda Chand


“Hope is an invitation. Judgment is a barrier. Leaders get to choose which one they build.” – Brenda Chand


“Your story isn’t something to hide. It’s the very place God wants to speak through.” – Brenda Chand

About Brenda Chand:

Brenda Chand is a speaker, mentor, and advocate passionate about helping people move from shame to purpose. Drawing from her own journey of overcoming childhood adversity, Brenda equips individuals and leaders to offer compassion, hope, and healing in their spheres of influence.

Connect with Brenda:

Website: https://www.dreamreleaser.com

Connect with Thrive Today:

* Website: thrivetoday.com

* Instagram: @thrivetodaywomen

* LinkedIn: Thrive Today

* Facebook: Thrive Today Women

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👉 Learn more about the Thrive Today Membership at thrivetoday.com/pages/membership

In this inspiring conversation, host Natalie Born welcomes back Jacquel Tucker—entrepreneur, leadership coach, and founder of the J. Tucker Group—to help leaders reframe what it truly means to finish well. As the year draws to a close, Jacquel shares how faith, focus, and intentional reflection can turn fatigue into fresh fire. Together, Natalie and Jacquel unpack how leaders can regain momentum, celebrate progress, and bring clarity to their next season—without burnout or striving.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re running out of steam before the finish line, this episode will remind you that ending strong isn’t about perfection—it’s about purpose, integrity, and trusting God with what’s next.

[00:00 – 03:00] Rethinking What It Means to Finish Well

- Jacquel explains why finishing strong isn’t about checking every box but leading with integrity and peace.

- The mindset shift: milestones build momentum for the next season.

- How Colossians 3:23 shapes her philosophy of working “unto the Lord.”

[03:01 – 07:00] Finding Your Second Wind

- Why leaders lose momentum between January’s enthusiasm and December’s fatigue.

- How rest, reflection, and reliance on God help restore clarity and drive.

- Identifying what’s working—and what to release—before stepping into the next season.

[07:01 – 10:00] Accountability and Celebration

- Natalie shares the power of quarterly reviews to stay on track.

- Jacquel’s analogy of “the game played in inches”—progress happens step by step.

- Why teams must build in moments of celebration to sustain motivation and joy.

[10:01 – 14:00] Leading Teams with Purpose

- The importance of connecting individual “whys” to company goals.

- How cascading goals and contextual communication help teams stay aligned.

- Why understanding the “why” transforms compliance into ownership.

[14:01 – 17:00] Inviting Collaboration and Creativity

- Jacquel shares how inclusive goal-setting unlocks innovation at every level.

- How involving your team early builds buy-in and breakthrough ideas.

- Why leaders must cultivate an environment where ideas can flow freely.

[17:01 – End] Entering the Next Season with Clarity

- Practical questions to ask as you close the year: What worked? What didn’t? What’s next?

- How celebration, gratitude, and reflection position you to lead from strength in the year ahead.

- A reminder that finishing well is not about doing more—it’s about trusting God to complete what He started.

Quotes:

“Finishing well doesn’t always mean you hit every goal—it means you’ve led with integrity and peace.” – Jacquel Tucker

“We can’t reach the next level until we master where we are.” – Jacquel Tucker

“Momentum builds when we pause, reflect, and realign with God’s vision.” – Jacquel Tucker

About Jacquel Tucker:

Jacquel Tucker is a leadership coach, entrepreneur, and founder of the J. Tucker Group, where she equips leaders to build purpose-driven teams and faith-centered businesses. Drawing from her background in hospitality, sales, and ministry, Jacquel inspires individuals and organizations to lead with excellence, service, and heart.

Connect with Jacquel:

🔗 Website: https://www.jtuckergroup.com

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacqueltucker

Connect with Thrive Today:

🌐 Website: https://thrivetoday.com

📸 Instagram: @thrivetodaywomen

💼 LinkedIn: Thrive Today

📘 Facebook: Thrive Today Women

Loved this episode?

⭐️ Subscribe and leave us a 5-STAR review to help more women grow in faith and leadership.

💬 Join the Thrive Tribe for encouragement and resources to help you lead with courage and clarity.

👉 Learn more about the Thrive Today Membership at thrivetoday.com/pages/membership

In this uplifting episode of Thrive Today, host Natalie Born welcomes back bestselling author and researcher Shaunti Feldhahn for a deeply encouraging conversation about the transformative power of kindness. Drawing from her groundbreaking research and her latest writing on the subject, Shaunti reveals how even the smallest acts of kindness can transform relationships, reshape cultures, and revive weary hearts.

Together, Natalie and Shaunti explore what happens when leaders intentionally choose compassion over criticism, and how faith empowers us to lead with grace in a world that often prizes efficiency over empathy.

If you’ve ever doubted whether kindness truly makes a difference, this episode will remind you that genuine kindness isn’t just nice—it’s revolutionary.

[00:01 – 06:50] The Science and Spirit of Kindness

- Shaunti shares her global research journey exploring kindness across organizations and communities.

- Why kindness is not weakness—it’s one of the most powerful leadership tools we have.

- The neuroscience behind kindness and its profound effects on engagement and trust.

[06:51 – 12:40] The Ripple Effect in Leadership

- How one person’s consistent kindness can shift an entire culture.

- The stories behind workplaces that turned around through empathy and grace.

- Why small, intentional acts matter more than grand gestures.

[12:41 – 18:00] Faith, Psychology, and the Human Heart

- How Scripture and science agree: we are designed for kindness.

- The spiritual truth that kindness reflects the heart of God.

- How choosing kindness reshapes our thoughts, emotions, and reactions.

[18:01 – 23:50] Practicing Kindness in Real Time

- How to pause before reacting and choose gentleness instead.

- Daily disciplines that help cultivate a “kindness reflex.”

- Why authentic kindness goes deeper than surface-level niceness.

[23:51 – 28:00] Leadership That Heals

- How kindness restores dignity and unlocks creativity in others.

- The unexpected business and relational outcomes of grace-filled leadership.

- Shaunti’s invitation to each listener: be the one who breaks the cycle of harshness with compassion.

Quotes:

“Kindness isn’t weakness, it’s strength under control.” – Shaunti Feldhahn

“We underestimate how powerful one kind response can be in changing someone’s day or their life.” – Shaunti Feldhahn

“God wired us for kindness because it heals what harshness breaks.” – Shaunti Feldhahn

About Shaunti Feldhahn:

Shaunti Feldhahn is a social researcher, bestselling author, and speaker whose work bridges faith and science to reveal what helps people thrive in relationships and leadership. Known for her bestselling books The Kindness Challenge and For Women Only, Shaunti equips leaders, couples, and organizations with research-backed principles for cultivating connection and compassion in everyday life.

Connect with Shaunti:

🔗 Website: https://www.shaunti.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauntifeldhahn

Connect with Thrive Today

🌐 Website: https://thrivetoday.com

📸 Instagram: @thrivetodaywomen

💼 LinkedIn: Thrive Today

📘 Facebook: Thrive Today Women

Loved this episode?

⭐️ Subscribe and leave us a 5-STAR review to help more women cultivate their influence and lead with courage.

💬 Join the Thrive Tribe and discover resources designed to help you grow in faith, leadership, and purpose.

👉 Learn more about our Thrive Today Membership at thrivetoday.com/pages/membership

In this inspiring episode of Thrive Today, host Natalie Born sits down with Roshanda Pratt—former TV news producer turned communication strategist, visibility coach, and storyteller extraordinaire. Roshanda unpacks what it really means to build influence that goes deeper than likes, clicks, or surface-level visibility. Together, they explore how courageous communication, collaboration, growth mindset, and vulnerability shape authentic leadership. Roshanda also shares personal stories of adversity and faith that reveal how influence can change not just organizations, but lives.

If you’ve ever wondered how to show up, speak up, and scale up your impact, this conversation is for you.

[00:01 – 07:20] Why Influence Matters

- Influence is about more than marketing—it’s about moving people to action.

- Courageous communication begins with creating safe spaces for others to be seen and heard.

- True leadership requires humility, curiosity, and a willingness to listen.

[07:21 – 13:50] Vulnerability as a Leadership Strength

- Why “visibility is power”—and why you deserve to be seen, heard, and paid.

- Jesus as the model of transparency and vulnerability with Thomas.

- Collaboration as a form of vulnerability: inviting others into the process.

[13:51 – 20:00] Growth Mindset in Action

- Challenges are not happening to you, but for you.

- Learning to invite God into decision-making and leadership moments.

- A powerful story of forgiveness and provision in business.

[20:01 – 24:30] Influence Through Adversity

- Roshanda’s vulnerable story of navigating grief and sharing it openly.

- How transparency in hardship creates resonance and builds trust.

- Influence comes when you give people language for what they’re experiencing.

[24:31 – 25:57] Practical Steps to Cultivate Influence

- Start with your why—life gives you clues about your calling.

- Don’t despise small beginnings: influence grows through consistency.

- Commit to showing up for your people the way God consistently shows up for us.

Quotes:

“Visibility is power—you deserve to be seen, heard, and paid.” – Roshanda Pratt

“Challenges aren’t happening to you; they’re happening for you.” – Roshanda Pratt

“Influence isn’t about a platform; it’s about giving people language for what they can’t yet say.” – Roshanda Pratt

About Roshanda Pratt:

Roshanda Pratt is a former TV news producer turned visibility coach and communication strategist. Known as “your visibility coach,” she equips leaders to show up, speak up, and scale up through the power of storytelling. Roshanda is passionate about helping women master their message, own their voice, and lead with influence that matters.

Connect with Roshanda:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roshandaepratt/

Connect with Natalie:

Website: https://innovationmeetsleadership.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalieborn/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovationmeetsleadership/#

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/innovationmeetsleadership

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@innovationleadership

X (Twitter): https://www.tiktok.com/@innovationleadership

Learn More about Thrive Today:

Website: https://thrivetoday.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thrivetodaywomen

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/thrive-today-women

Facebook: https://facebook.com/ThriveTodayWomen

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Finding Your Voice: Leading with Courage and Conviction

In this empowering episode of Thrive Today, host Natalie Born sits down with Tinsley English—SVP of Business Insurance Operations, keynote speaker, best-selling author, and founder of the G-Force Code System. Tinsley opens up about her personal journey of silencing, healing, and ultimately reclaiming her voice. Together, they explore what it takes to show up authentically in leadership, dismantle internalized narratives, and lead with clarity, confidence, and conviction. This is a conversation for every woman ready to step into her power and live her purpose.

[00:01 - 07:25] From Silence to Significance

- Tinsley’s early struggles with people-pleasing and perfectionism

- The internal war between external success and internal insecurity

- How finding your voice is tied to owning your truth

[07:26 - 13:50] Rewriting the Narrative

- Unlearning the belief that good leadership means silence

- Moving from external validation to internal clarity

- The role of emotional healing in discovering your leadership voice

[13:51 - 19:42] Confidence That’s Not Conditional

- Why competence is not the same as confidence

- Learning to lead from identity, not performance

- The power of grit, growth, and gumption in bold leadership

[19:43 - 26:10] Practical Tools to Reclaim Your Voice

- Strategies from the G-Force Code to build confidence and clarity

- Using journaling and silence as leadership disciplines

- How to mentor others while still evolving yourself

[26:11 - 31:29] Becoming a Voice for Others

- The ripple effect of finding and using your voice

- Encouraging women to speak from identity, not fear

- Why your story matters more than you think

Quotes:

“You don’t have to earn your voice. You were born with it.” – Tinsley English

“Confidence isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the presence of truth.” – Tinsley English

“When you use your voice, you give others permission to find theirs.” – Tinsley English

About Tinsley English:

Tinsley English is an SVP, Regional Business Insurance Operations Leader, a recognized expert in female leadership development, a dynamic keynote speaker, and a best-selling author renowned for her transformative G-Force Code System. She was a founding member of the Southeast GROW Chapter (Growing Relationships and Opportunities for Women) and serves on the Enterprise Grow Chapter for National Marsh McLennan Agency. With over a decade devoted to coaching high-performing women, her direct approach enables her to swiftly identify obstacles and unveil hidden strengths, fostering authentic leadership through grit, growth, and gumption. Tinsley is on a mission to reach one million women by 2026 with this message, helping them grow in confidence, clarity, and sense of purpose.

Connect with Tinsley:

Website:https://gritgrowthgumption.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinsleyenglish/

Follow Thrive Today:

Instagram: @thrivetodaywomen

Website: thrivetoday.com

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Subscribe and leave us a 5-STAR review to help more women reclaim their voice and lead with confidence.

The Hidden Cost of Hustle: Why Emotionally Healthy Leaders Win

In this powerful episode of Thrive Today, host Natalie Born sits down with Simi John—author, speaker, and pastor—to unpack the often-overlooked emotional and spiritual layers of leadership. Together, they explore the link between burnout and boundaries, empathy and empowerment, and what it really looks like to lead from a place of emotional clarity and self-awareness. This candid conversation blends scripture, psychology, and practical wisdom to help women show up for themselves, their families, and their leadership callings with strength and perspective.

[00:01 - 05:36] Simi's Journey into Ministry and Mental Health

- Growing up in a collectivist culture and navigating identity

- The stigma around mental health in faith spaces

- Why emotional health is not optional for spiritual leaders

[05:37 - 11:04] The Cost of Compassion Without Boundaries

- Empathy vs. emotional enmeshment

- Why leaders must know where they end and others begin

- The power of regulated emotions for effective ministry

[11:05 - 17:18] Leading from a Whole, Not Hurting, Heart

- How generational trauma impacts leadership

- Surrendering outcomes as an act of spiritual discipline

- Distinguishing people-pleasing from godly service

[17:19 - 22:40] Preventing Burnout by Practicing Wisdom

- Warning signs of emotional burnout

- Why over-functioning is not the same as faithfulness

- Creating space to hear God again

[22:41 - 28:50] Rhythms for Rest and Recovery

- Simi’s personal practices for preventing burnout

- Balancing calling and capacity

- Letting God fill the gaps you cannot

Quotes:

“If I don’t steward my emotions, my emotions will steward me.” – Simi John

“Empathy is not taking on someone else’s pain; it’s recognizing it, honoring it, and leading with clarity.” – Simi John

Connect with Simi:

Website: simijohn.tv

Instagram: @simijohn

Follow Thrive Today:

Instagram: @thrivetodaywomen

Website: thrivetoday.com

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Are leaders losing trust, not because of poor strategy, but because they’ve misunderstood what empathy requires?

In this special episode, Colleen Rouse interviews Thrive Today co-founder and media host Natalie Born to explore the real meaning and practice of empathetic leadership. They break down what empathy is not, why it’s often confused with weakness, and how it can be the difference between retaining or losing top talent. With a mix of personal stories, generational insights, and scriptural grounding, this conversation guides leaders toward practical tools for connection, feedback, and growth across every age group in today’s workforce.

[00:01 - 05:16] Rethinking the “Coaching Call”

● Why the Thrive Today coaching model creates space for safety and vulnerability

● The importance of merging scripture with life application

● The significance of interactive growth through community dialogue

[05:17 - 10:57] What Empathy Is—and Isn't

● Why empathy differs from sympathy, agreement, or weakness

● How one leader helped Natalie grow by challenging her thinking

● The importance of giving others ownership of their development

[10:58 - 15:39] Understanding the Empathy Gap

● Why most employees and customers feel a lack of empathy

● The impact of neglecting personal connection in the workplace

● Real-world examples of how leaders miss key moments to connect

[15:40 - 20:46] Generational Empathy in Leadership

● Distinctions in how Millennials, Gen Z, Gen X, and Boomers want to be led

● How communication preferences can build or break trust

● Why feedback style must be personalized

[20:47 - 23:31] Building a Legacy Through Empathy

● How empathy affects retention, loyalty, and long-term influence

● Why feedback delivery needs to fit individual preferences

● What kind of leadership legacy you're leaving behind

Quotes:

“Empathy isn’t agreement. It’s not weakness. It’s perspective-taking.” - Natalie Born

“Your leadership legacy is being written every day, whether you're aware of it or not.” - Natalie Born

Connect with Colleen:

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenrouse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwrouse/?hl=en

Follow Thrive Today on Instagram (@thrivetodaywomen) and visit our website at Thrive Today.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-STAR Review!

Is it possible to lead with love in the workplace without compromising standards?

In this episode, Natalie sits down with Colleen Rouse to unpack the leadership principle behind the phrase “Cheaper to Keep Her.” Together, they explore how leading with love doesn’t mean avoiding hard conversations—it means showing up with empathy, clarity, and intention. Colleen breaks down the myth of the sacred/secular divide, encouraging leaders to integrate their faith into every aspect of leadership.

[00:01 - 05:17] Breaking the Divide

- The significance of merging personal faith and professional leadership

- Why workplace roles carry divine purpose

- The importance of recognizing all work as sacred

[05:17 - 10:27] The Law That Governs It All

- How love changes your tone, decisions, and expectations

- The need for leaders to set a higher standard

- Why honoring people isn’t conditional on performance

[10:28 - 15:53] Potential vs. Performance

- How to believe in someone beyond their resume

- Why love reveals hidden potential

- The importance of seeing people’s purpose beyond output

[15:54 - 21:06] Grace, Boundaries, and Hard Conversations

- How to navigate repeated underperformance

- The biblical model of long-suffering and leadership

- Why boundaries are an extension of love

[21:07 - 26:19] The Cost of Giving Up Too Soon

- Real financial cost of firing versus investing

- How to discern between a teachable moment and a final warning

- Why how someone exits matters just as much as how they entered

Quotes:

“Nobody can take from you what you are giving by choice.” - Colleen Rouse

“We are not the ones who own the field. We are the gardeners.” - Colleen Rouse

Connect with Colleen:

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenrouse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwrouse/?hl=en

Follow Thrive Today on Instagram (@thrivetodaywomen) and visit our website at Thrive Today.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-STAR Review!

How can you move beyond transactional sales to build lasting business relationships? In this enlightening episode, Troy Korsgaden, a consultant specializing in global marketing, distribution, agency building, and technology strategies for major insurance carriers, shares his expertise on building business relationships, navigating business complexities, and implementing effective business development strategies. He explains his methodical approach to generating leads, nurturing relationships, and providing value before selling products or services. Troy also discusses the importance of being intentional with business development and offers practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses.

[00:01 - 06:00] Introduction and Business Acumen

- Why business success requires more than selling skills

- How to balance marketing, operations, and leadership development

- The importance of navigating organizational politics

[06:01 - 12:43] Moving Beyond Transactional Sales

- Why relationships create more sustainable client retention

- How to implement intentional daily business development

- The power of generating 9,600 annual leads through consistent effort

[12:44 - 18:32] The Introduction Strategy

- How to make effective first impressions without sales pressure

- Why developing a 360-degree view of customers matters

- The benefits of fewer clients with multiple products

[18:33 - 23:19] The Service-First Sales Process

- Why leading with service builds stronger trust

- How seven annual touchpoints maintain top-of-mind awareness

- The importance of comprehensive contact management

[23:20 - 27:01] Finding Opportunity in Change

- How to overcome change fatigue with present-moment awareness

- Why perspective matters during business transformation

- The unprecedented opportunities in today's business environment

Key Quotes:

"People buy from people they know and trust, so if I want to grow my business, I need to know more people." - Troy Korsgaden

"There's never been a better time to be in business than right now." - Troy Korsgaden

Connect with Troy:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troykorsgaden

What if the grief you've tucked away is the very place where healing, purpose, and restoration are waiting to meet you? In this deeply personal conversation, Natalie Born sits down with author and speaker Tara Nicole Dorsey to talk about grief, healing, and the faith journey that followed the stillbirth of her daughter Phoebe. Tara shares how journaling became her tool for healing, leading to the creation of her book Blessed to Bear Fruit: Devotions for the Mom in Waiting. With honesty and hope, she unpacks the emotional and spiritual challenges of loss, the layered grief couples experience, and how God used her pain to reach and support other women.

[00:01 - 05:15] — When Grief Births Purpose

- How writing became Tara's way to process deep trauma

- Why her daughter's stillbirth led to the creation of a devotional journal

- The importance of acknowledging pain rather than ignoring it

[05:16 - 11:34] — Restoration Through Motherhood

- The significance of honoring both the pain and the promise

- Why healing can take years and still be valid

- How couples grieve differently and what that means for support

[11:35 - 17:57] — Showing Up When It’s Hard

- How grief impacts professional identity and energy levels

- The importance of having a trusted confidant at work

- Why vulnerability doesn’t weaken leadership—it strengthens it

[17:58 - 22:00] — Asking for Help and Taking Rest

- The need for personal and professional support systems

- What “three days of rest” can look like in the middle of grief

- Why naming the grief and giving it language is powerful

[22:01 - 27:50] — From Waiting to Legacy

- The spiritual meaning behind Tara’s daughter’s name, Phoebe

- The importance of telling your story—even years later

- Why obedience to God’s timing often opens unexpected doors

Key Quotes:

“This is an opportunity for me to show up as my true, authentic self.” - Tara Nicole Dorsey

“The Tara in 2017 couldn’t hold space for the women I’m now speaking to today.” - Tara Nicole Dorsey

Connect with Tara:

Website: https://taranicoledorsey.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taranicoledorsey/?hl=en

Follow Thrive Today on Instagram (@thrivetodaywomen) and visit our website at Thrive Today.