Do the rules define you — or do you define your path inside them?

Today David Hill talks with Lauren Wittenberg Weiner, bestselling author of Unruly and former CEO of WWC Global, about how entrepreneurs, leaders, and creators can rethink expectations and operate with more freedom.

Lauren built a $100M consulting company after being told she "wasn't allowed" to work at her level overseas. That early moment sparked a career shaped by resilience, values, and strategic rule-bending. In this episode, she explains how rule-followers can evolve, how rebels can stay grounded, and how anyone can find space to create something better.

Takeaways: • Why so many people feel stuck inside expectations • How to interpret rules instead of being boxed in by them • The difference between challenging limits and crossing lines • How moral grounding changes the way you take risks • Why entrepreneurs must understand the system before bending it • How to use norms and guidelines to your advantage • Why authenticity matters more than approval

Guest Bio: Lauren Wittenberg Weiner is a bestselling author, speaker, and one of today's leading voices on leadership, service, and integrity. As the founder and former CEO of WWC Global, she grew one of the nation's top woman-owned national security firms while learning how to question norms without compromising values. Her book, Unruly: Deconstruct the Rules, Defy the Norms, and Define Your Success, empowers people to rethink the way they work, lead, and move through the world.

Connect with Lauren:

Instagram: @laurenwittenbergweiner

LinkedIn: Lauren Wittenberg Weiner

Facebook: Lauren Wittenberg Weiner

Connect with David Hill: Website: https://www.davidhill.ai Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidihill/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidihill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/davidihill

Listen on Apple & Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895