Unspeakable Leadership

What happens when being “nice” stops being a survival tool and starts holding you back? In this conversation, Rohene Bouajram sits down with Amira Barger, award-winning executive and author of The Price of Nice, to unpack the hidden costs of being “the nice girl” in leadership and life.

We cover:

Why “nice” often means silence, shrinking, or compliance

Why the opposite of nice isn’t mean, it’s nerve

How crossing the line can look like small, everyday acts of courage

The difference between your “authentic self” and your “chosen self”

What it really takes to lead with boldness, especially for women of color

This episode is both a mirror and a challenge: what’s the cost of your nice and what would it look like to practice more nerve?

Grab Amira's book on her website, which currently has a special discount until October 28, 2025.

Connect with Amira:

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

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

Website: https://amirabarger.com/

Connect with Rohene:

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

Website www.rohenebouajram.com

Access resources to redefine your leadership: https://www.rohenebouajram.com/resources

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iigMiz6mS5k

In this opening episode of Unspeakable Leadership Season 4, host Rohene Bouajram introduces the theme: She Crossed the Line.

Rohene shares a personal story from her childhood in Zimbabwe—her first race, the struggle of undiagnosed asthma, and the defining moment when her mother’s voice urged her to keep going. From that experience comes a lesson that still echoes today: leadership isn’t about arriving first; it’s about finding the courage to cross the line.

This season explores the lines we all face: rules, expectations, ceilings, promises, and invisible barriers. Then we're called to consider what happens when women dare to step beyond them. You’ll hear stories, reflections, and tools to help you redefine leadership on your own terms.

In this episode:

The origin story behind She Crossed the Line

What “the line” means in leadership and life

Four grounding prompts to help you reflect and take action

An invitation to step into authorship instead of interpretation

Connect with Rohene:

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

Website: www.rohenebouajram.com

Access resources to redefine your leadership: https://www.rohenebouajram.com/resources

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3rT517L7N60

What does it mean to lead unspeakably—and then pause, reflect, and honour what came before?

In this powerful season finale of the third season of Unspeakable Leadership, host Rohene Bouajram brings us full circle. With deep reverence and reflection, she revisits the theme Her Next Act—a season that invited women to rewrite their narratives, release what no longer serves them, and reclaim their voices with tenderness and power.

We reflect on the transformative stories shared by our six remarkable guests—Gabriela, Kahsennenhawe, Rasie, Valincia, Jam, and Irene—and the bold truths and soft awakenings they brought into our ears and hearts.

This episode is a love letter. To growth. To stillness. To YOU.

Whether you’re stepping into your next act or still cocooning, Rohene reminds us: You are not behind. You are becoming.

And the wings? They’re coming.

You can learn more about Rohene on her website.

What does it take to reclaim your voice and rewrite your story when the world would rather you stay silent?

In this unapologetically bold and soul-nourishing conversation, Jam Gamble—globally recognized vocal empowerment coach and founder of Slay The Mic™—reminds us that using our voice is not only a right but a responsibility. From international stages to deeply personal moments of grounding and healing, Jam brings fire, heart, and truth to every word she speaks.

Together, we explore:

✨ The power of building a name that speaks before you do—and the legacy that follows

✨ What to do when imposter syndrome, fear, or trauma try to dim your voice

✨ Why speaking up isn’t just about having a platform—it’s about honouring your ancestors, your story, and your future

✨ Practical, heartfelt guidance for women at all stages of their voice journey—from unsure whispers to confident roars

✨ How reclaiming your voice is a gateway to your next act

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re ready, worthy, or “too much,” this episode is your reminder: your voice is a superpower, and it’s time to stop leaving it on silent.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in the episode, check out the show notes here.

What if the leap is not the part you are afraid of?

Join us for a powerful and intimate conversation with a guest appearance from Irene Nviri, certified life coach, speaker, community advocate and founder of Emerge and Soar Consultancy Inc. Irene shares her definition of her next act and reflects on her own experience of transformation as well as how she coaches immigrant women to grow with clarity and purpose.

Blending personal storytelling, poetic reflection, and tangible wisdom, Rohene offers a soul-nourishing blueprint for navigating the sacred in-between—the space between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming.

Together, we explore:

✨ Why the leap isn’t the scary part—trusting you’ll be caught is

✨ The danger of comparison, and why your leadership blueprint must be rooted in your values

✨ A powerful tree metaphor to help you define success on your own terms

✨ What half marathon training taught Rohene about scaling sustainably—and the importance of rest

✨ How to grieve the past versions of yourself to make space for your next act

✨ Why your leap is not reckless—it’s righteous

This episode is both a grounding compass and an open invitation to choose alignment over achievement, grace over hustle, and purpose over pressure.

If you're standing at the edge of your own next act—wondering if the free-fall is worth it—this one’s for you.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in the episode, check out the show notes here.

What does it take for women of colour to walk away from a secure corporate job and build a life rooted in freedom, wealth, and purpose?

Join us for a powerful and heart-centered conversation with Valincia Bennett, founder of Savvy Method, a powerhouse coach helping others scale to 10K+ months through simple systems and diversified income streams. Valincia shares her remarkable journey from working 12+ hour days in the healthcare sector to becoming a multi-seven-figure entrepreneur—with real estate investments, the stock market, and multiple businesses in her portfolio.

Together, we explore:

✨ The defining moment she walked away from a toxic job—and was offered a new one before even reaching her car

✨ How COVID gave her a taste of the life she wanted, and a divine whisper gave her a specific date to quit corporate for good

✨ Why emotional intelligence, mentorship, and surrounding yourself with the right people are essential for growth

✨ What it means to trust divine timing and choose your next act with clarity, conviction, and courage

✨ How to design a business that doesn’t just make money—but creates freedom

Whether you're standing at the crossroads of your own next act or simply seeking financial clarity, this episode is filled with truth, strategy, and inspiration to help you bet on yourself—and win.

Step into the next act of your leadership journey with trust that what is meant for you will never pass you.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in the episode, check out the show notes here.

What if the leap you’re afraid to take is the very one that’s calling your name?

In this thought leadership episode, host Rohene Bouajram shares the why behind Her Next Act—the theme for Season 3—through a raw, intimate solo reflection. No guests. No interviews. Just truth.

In a world that praises titles, applause, and performance, this episode dares to explore the spaces in between: the silent, tender, often unrecognizable moments where women of colour leaders begin to choose themselves. With vulnerability and clarity, Rohene shares what inspired this season’s theme, the therapy moment that forever changed her, and a metaphor about tacos (yes, tacos) that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

This is more than a conversation about leadership transitions—this is the start of a love letter to the woman who is no longer okay with half-versions of herself.

Discover how to:

✨ Identify and release outdated contracts that no longer serve you

✨ Reclaim your voice from silence, shame, and survival

✨ Prepare for your next act with 5 steps that ground you in courage, clarity, and community

Your next act doesn’t need permission or an audience. You just need to claim ‘yes’.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in the episode, check out the show notes here.

How can women of colour embrace rapid life changes and trust themselves through uncertainty?

Join us for a vibrant, laughter-filled, and deeply grounded conversation with Rasie Bamigbade, leadership and book coach, bestselling author, and founder of RB Jumpstart Coaching and RB Jumpstart Mentorship & Youth Leadership Training Society. Rasie shares how she navigated a season of immense transformation: going full-time in her business, getting married, moving communities, and releasing years of conditioning that tied worth to productivity.

Together, we explore:

✨ What happens when you stop asking “Why me?” and start asking, “What is this here to teach me?”

✨ Why entrepreneurship isn’t just a career path—but a reclamation of time, joy, and self-trust

✨ The impact of rewriting internal narratives and embracing your unique speed of growth

✨ How to move from survival to sovereignty, especially as a woman of colour in leadership

✨ What it means to lead with grace—on your terms

Whether you're on the edge of a major transition or simply curious about what it takes to live life on your own terms, this episode offers a powerful reminder: you’re allowed to grow, pivot, and start again—without permission or apology.

Step into the next act of your leadership journey with intentionality in welcoming change.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in the episode, check out the show notes here.

How can closed doors become a catalyst for redirection?

Join us in this powerful conversation with Kahsennehawe Sky-Deer, Former Grand Chief of Kahnawà:ke, CEO and President at Sky-Deer Consulting and Vice President at Dable Consulting and Advisory Services.

Together, we explore:

✨ The challenges of breaking barriers in politics as one of the first Indigenous woman and 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders

✨ The public scrutiny, systemic resistance, and personal attacks Indigenous and women of colour leaders can face—and how to rise above them

✨ How to meaningfully engage in reconciliation with Indigenous communities

✨ The role of sovereignty, ancestral wisdom, and cultural grounding in leadership

✨ How embracing change and uncertainty can open new doors for impact and transformation

Kahsennehawe shares her trailblazing leadership journey, from making history in politics to embracing her next act in community impact and bridge-building beyond government roles. She invites us to reflect: What does it mean to lead on your own terms, with courage and authenticity?

Step into the next act of your leadership journey with sovereignty, spirituality, and purpose.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in the episode, check out the show notes here.

How can women of colour reclaim their leadership narratives through storytelling?

Join us in this transformative conversation with Dr. Gabriela Alcade, a creative, values-driven anti-supremacist leader, public health expert, and author of What Your Comfort Costs Us.

Together, we explore:

✨ The barriers Latina women and women of colour face in leadership—and how to navigate them

✨ The tension between humility, power, and visibility in systems not designed for us

✨ The role of storytelling, curiosity, and self-reflection in reclaiming leadership

✨ How reconnecting with your younger self can be the key to stepping fully into your power

Gabriela shares her courageous journey of owning her narrative, amplifying the stories of other women of colour, and writing a book that challenges traditional leadership models. She invites us to reflect: What stories are we carrying, and how can we rewrite them for liberation?

Step into the next act of your leadership journey with intention, boldness, and a redefined sense of power.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in the episode, check out the show notes here.