Say It Skillfully®

In this episode of Say It Skillfully®, host Molly Tschang engages in a deeply human, candid, and inspiring conversation with Ron Carucci — bestselling author, executive coach, and co-founder of Navalent. Together, they trace Ron’s extraordinary journey from a chaotic Long Island childhood to becoming one of the most trusted voices in leadership, organizational transformation, and personal growth. Ron opens up about the trauma and humor of growing up in a loud Italian household, discovering his love for the arts, navigating early career pivots, and finding purpose in helping leaders use their voices to serve the greater good. He shares vulnerable insights about therapy, impostor syndrome, mental health, parenting, marriage, failure, and what it means to truly “play big.” This episode offers profound lessons in honesty, self-compassion, resilience, and leading with integrity. Ron’s wisdom — centered on the belief that “nothing in life is irrevocable except death” — invites listeners to rethink how they show up in their work, relationships, and inner lives. A powerful celebration of growth, shared humanity, and the courage to become who you are meant to be. 00:00 Introduction to Ron Carucci 01:00 Growing Up in a Loud Italian Family 02:51 Childhood Dynamics, Bullying & Identity 04:36 Juilliard, Early Dreams & Family Expectations 05:44 Pivoting from the Arts to Purpose-Driven Work 06:29 A Transformational Moment with a Young Soldier 07:10 Discovering the Power of Story 07:47 Sibling Relationships & Processing Trauma 09:36 Therapy, Internal Parts & Self-Understanding 11:10 Entering the Corporate World & Early Lessons 12:24 Learning the Language of Leadership Development 13:03 Navigating Marriage, Partnership & Life on the Road 14:05 Long-Distance Love & Building a Family 15:36 Early Career Ambition & Realizations 20:12 The PepsiCo Chapter — Politics, Ego & Hard Lessons 23:09 Imposter Syndrome & Speaking Truth to Power 25:26 Struggles with Diplomacy & Authenticity 26:58 Parenting, Repair, and Generational Healing 29:15 Mentorship & the Legendary Toby 31:19 Writing as Validation, Craft, and Inner Work 34:16 Wrestling with the Mental Health of Book Writing 35:06 Tennis: Self-Care, Mental Health & Mastery 38:31 What Tennis Reveals About the Self 38:57 Symbolism in Collecting Keys, Doorknobs & Mugs 40:57 Identity, Introversion & Misconceptions 42:13 Career Do-Overs & Lessons Learned 43:44 His Proudest Accomplishment: Fatherhood 44:28 Rapid-Fire Questions 45:28 Top Takeaways & Ron’s Life Philosophy 46:36 Final Reflections & Closing

In this episode of Say It Skillfully, host Molly engages in a profound conversation with Mini’imah Shaheed, an inspiring leader in education. They explore Mini’imah’s journey from her roots in East Oakland to her impactful work in founding a school based on love and community. The discussion delves into the challenges faced in the education system, the importance of resilience, and the vision for empowering women leaders. Mini’imah shares her personal experiences, including her battle with cancer, and emphasizes the need for grace and self-compassion in leadership. This episode is a celebration of growth, community, and the transformative power of education. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Manaima Shaheed’s Journey03:03 Growing Up in East Oakland05:50 Navigating College Life at UPenn08:48 Teach for America Experience11:57 Teaching and Leadership in Atlanta14:32 Challenges in Education and Systemic Barriers17:38 Resilience and Personal Growth20:46 Influences and Role Models23:40 Starting a School and Educational Innovations31:28 The Power of Love in Education34:37 Leadership as a Labor of Love37:29 Navigating Difficult Conversations41:10 Exploring Hobbies and Personal Growth43:07 Understanding Introversion and Stoicism44:11 Reflections on Regrets and Do-Overs45:35 Future Aspirations and Legacy Projects48:20 Empowering Women Leaders50:27 Celebrating Personal Accomplishments52:08 Rapid Fire Questions and Fun Insights54:31 Final Reflections and Takeaways

In this inspiring episode, Molly welcomes Jeff Greenwald — world-class coach, bestselling author, and founder of Fearless Tennis and Mental Edge Sports. Jeff shares his remarkable journey from rising junior player at the legendary IMG Academy to competing on the pro tour, and ultimately transforming setbacks into a career helping athletes master the mental side of performance. 00:00 – Intro: The Mental Game of TennisMolly introduces Jeff Greenwald, bestselling author, world-class coach, and founder of Fearless Tennis and Mental Edge Sports, framing the conversation around performance, mindset, and authenticity. 01:16 – Jeff’s Early JourneyJeff shares how he fell in love with tennis, from choosing the sport at age 12 to training at IMG Academy and playing on the pro tour. 03:40 – Struggles on the CourtJeff opens up about being a hothead, battling frustration, and learning hard lessons after being suspended from competition — experiences that planted the seeds for his later work. 05:27 – Discovering Sports PsychologyHow reflection, journaling, and a deep curiosity about mind-body connection shifted Jeff’s approach to competition and eventually led him to sports psychology. 10:03 – Family Influence & Choosing TennisJeff reflects on his family’s role in shaping his drive, resilience, and perfectionism, and why he chose tennis over team sports. 13:09 – Life at the AcademyStories from his intense training days, the pressures of competition, and the early lessons about discipline and self-reliance. 17:14 – Contemplating Quitting the TourJeff recalls moments of burnout, the challenges of constant travel, and how curiosity ultimately pulled him toward coaching and psychology. 20:03 – Coaching in Germany & A Defining MatchHow his time coaching abroad — and one match where he dropped fully into the “zone” — revealed new possibilities and sparked his shift into mindset training. 23:12 – Building Fearless Tennis & Mental Edge SportsJeff describes the evolution of his work, blending his personal experience with research to help athletes of all ages trust themselves under pressure. 26:43 – Playing Loose & Finding PerspectivePractical insights on setting match intentions, letting go of perfectionism, and why gratitude and perspective are as important as technique. 33:16 – Handling Pressure & Negative ThoughtsJeff shares how even sports psychologists face nerves — and the tools he uses to reset and refocus in high-stakes matches. 34:42 – Writing The Mental Edge for Young AthletesWhy Jeff wrote his latest book, how it helps kids, parents, and coaches, and his belief that sports can be a powerful teacher for life. 39:10 – Parenting Lessons from SportsCandid stories about guiding his own children through sports and the balance between supporting and over-coaching. 44:07 – Reflections & AccomplishmentsJeff shares his biggest “do over,” his proudest achievements, and the importance of curiosity and authenticity in his ongoing journey. 46:23 – Closing ThoughtsMolly and Jeff wrap up, reflecting on the energy of the conversation and the message of embracing the process, authenticity, and “incremental becoming exponential.” Jeff opens up about his own struggles with frustration and self-doubt, and how reflection, journaling, and psychology shaped his ability to play with freedom under pressure. He discusses the importance of perspective, gratitude, and resilience — lessons that extend far beyond the court. Molly and Jeff also dive into his latest book, The Mental Edge for Young Athletes, offering practical tools for kids, parents, and coaches to navigate the challenges of competition while enjoying the journey. Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or simply striving for your personal best, Jeff’s insights on mindset, curiosity, and “incremental becoming exponential” will leave you inspired to embrace the process and show up authentically in every area of life. 

In this inspiring episode of Say It Skillfully, host Molly Tschang sits down with Vicky Serany, founder and president of Southern Studio, to explore her unexpected path from architect to business owner. Vicky shares how her passion for design became a mission to create joyful spaces and build a company where people love to work. Through real-life lessons in entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth, Vicky opens up about the power of letting go of control, leading with empathy, and navigating tough conversations with grace. She and Molly talk candidly about the challenges of running a business, finding your voice, and living a life aligned with your values—both in the office and at home. Whether you're a creative professional, business owner, or just someone striving to lead with heart, this episode offers rich insights and practical wisdom you won’t want to miss. Topics Covered: • Designing a business that puts people first • Building a values-based culture • Leading with authenticity and vulnerability • The intersection of work, family, and fulfillment • Tips for skillful conversations as a leader 00:00 – Intro: Designing for Joy & LeadershipMolly introduces Vicky Serany, founder of Southern Studio, and frames the conversation around leadership, values, and personal growth.02:45 – Vicky’s Journey: From Architect to EntrepreneurVicky shares how she unexpectedly became a business owner and the evolution of her design career.08:10 – Creating a Joyful Work CultureDiscussion around building a company where people genuinely love to work, and why joy is at the center of her leadership philosophy.13:20 – Letting Go of ControlVicky reflects on how releasing the need to control every detail has been key to growth, both personally and professionally.17:45 – Leading with Empathy & VulnerabilityThey explore how empathy, especially in tough conversations, builds trust and emotional safety in teams.23:15 – Designing with Heart: Purpose-Driven WorkVicky explains how her firm uses design to create environments that uplift and support clients’ lives and values.29:40 – Finding Fulfillment Beyond WorkA candid look at how Vicky navigates the balance between running a business and nurturing her personal life.34:55 – Advice for Future LeadersVicky offers insights for aspiring leaders on building something meaningful without sacrificing their values.38:40 – Rapid-Fire ReflectionsFun, fast-paced questions about leadership, learning, and what Vicky’s most proud of.41:15 – Closing Thoughts from MollyMolly wraps up the episode with a reflection on skillful leadership and living fully.

In this inspiring episode of Say It Skillfully, Nat Ware—Rhodes Scholar, social entrepreneur, and founder of Forte and 180 Degrees Consulting—shares his journey from a modest upbringing in Sydney to building global systems that unlock human potential. Nat breaks down his revolutionary Forte model, which funds education and healthcare without cost to individuals or governments, by leveraging future tax revenue from increased employment. He also reflects on resilience, happiness, and the mindset that’s fueled his impact—including surviving a gunshot wound the night before Forte’s first launch. A must-listen for anyone passionate about creating scalable, sustainable change. Learn more at: www.sayitskillfully.com00:00Introduction to Nat Ware's Journey02:55Childhood and Family Background05:48Academic Influences and Early Interests08:42First Steps into Philanthropy11:40Transition to Global Awareness14:38Founding 180 Degrees Consulting20:32Pursuing Higher Education and PhD23:50Introducing the Forte Model29:51Impact Stories and Future Vision33:59Unlocking Human Potential through Education Financing37:56Scaling the Model Globally41:07Innovative Approaches to Education Quality42:43Resilience in Entrepreneurship46:19The Importance of Partnerships47:53Understanding Happiness and Expectations53:31Living a Life with No Regrets01:00:13Reflections on Personal Growth and Future Aspirations

Molly is joined by Dan Berger, an Israeli-American entrepreneur whose life experiences shaped his understanding of identity, belonging, and resilience. Dan shares his journey from being an orphan to creating spaces for connection through his ventures, including Social Tables and Assemble Hospitality.00:00 Introduction to Dan's Journey01:51 Trauma and Belonging: A Personal Narrative06:10 Life in Israel: Early Memories and Identity11:51 Navigating Adolescence: Moving to America20:07 Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Its Impact23:50 The Role of Entrepreneurship in Healing29:58 The Transition from Social Tables to Assemble Hospitality31:38 The Journey of Selling a Company34:20 Exploring New Ventures and Personal Growth36:01 Understanding Belonging: A Personal Perspective39:45 The Four Belonging Personas41:22 Lessons Learned Through Research and Self-Discovery43:55 Navigating Tough Conversations47:22 Hobbies and Personal Interests49:25 Reflections on Life and Accomplishments50:43 Future Aspirations and Passions53:17 The Importance of Addressing Men's Issues

From military missions to life lessons, Steveo Bermudez brings the real talk in this week’s Say It Skillfully! His journey is one of resilience, leadership, and the power of showing up for others. Whether navigating deployments, balancing family, or owning mistakes, Steve-o shares the hard-earned wisdom that has shaped his success. You’ll laugh, reflect, and walk away with insights to level up in work and life.Stay tuned—this is one episode you won’t want to miss!00:00 Introduction to Steve-o's Journey04:04 From Military Brat to Air Force Veteran10:48 Leadership Lessons from Family Dynamics14:03 Understanding Military Deployments18:04 Success in Military vs. Civilian Life21:07 Receiving Feedback and Personal Growth24:44 Navigating Ambiguity in Leadership27:17 Dealing with Difficult Team Dynamics31:35 Balancing Work and Family Life37:47 Navigating Home Life After Deployment42:01 The Importance of Communication in Relationships45:59 Overcoming Insecurities and Building Confidence50:00 The Meaning of Service and Selflessness55:51 Personal Insights and Hobbies01:00:38 Transformative Relationships and Personal Growth01:01:20 Reflections on Sharing Life Experiences

Molly is joined by Ayse Birsel, a renowned industrial designer, as they explore her unique journey from Izmir, Turkey, to becoming a leading figure in design. The conversation delves into her educational journey, the challenges of adapting to life in New York, and the significance of imagination and creativity in both design and personal growth.Show Notes00:00 Introduction to Ayse and Her Journey06:04 Ayse's Early Life and Influences11:59 The Impact of Family and Culture17:57 Moving to New York and Adapting23:47 The Design School Experience30:06 Understanding Industrial Design35:48 Empathy in Design and Ayse's Philosophy39:03 Navigating Self-Doubt and Optimism41:36 The Journey of Starting a Design Firm43:20 Love and Partnership in the Design World48:15 Balancing Motherhood and Career53:49 Overcoming Challenges in Business56:01 The Joy of Designing for Better Living58:45 Redesigning Life Through Design Principles01:01:44 The Art of Skillful Communication01:03:20 Rapid Fire Insights and Reflections 

In this episode of the Say It Skillfully Podcast, Molly has a conversation with Rachel Ziering, the Founding Executive Director of Muddy Paws Rescue. Rachel shares her journey from a musical upbringing to her passion for dog rescue, detailing her experiences and the challenges she faced while building her nonprofit organization. The conversation highlights the importance of following one's passion, the lessons learned from both music and nonprofit work, and the impact of community outreach in animal welfare. In this conversation, Rachael shares her experiences and insights from leading a nonprofit organization focused on animal rescue. She discusses the importance of managing volunteers, the challenges of nonprofit leadership, and her motivation to continue her work. She also talks about the vital role of fostering in animal rescue, the strategies for fundraising, and how she handles criticism and online reviews. 

Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, joins Molly Tschang on the Say It Skillfully podcast to share her inspiring journey from corporate leadership to nonprofit work, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, self-discovery, and mission-driven leadership. Trisha discusses her early life challenges, the importance of education, and the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership style. She talks about her work at the North Texas Food Bank, highlighting the need for strong governance and effective practices to serve the community better. Trisha reflects on her personal growth, the significance of listening as a leader, and the impact of her experiences on her current role. 

Ganesh Iyer, CEO of Etnyre International, joins Molly on the Say It Skillfully podcast to share his inspiring journey from a humble upbringing in India to navigating the corporate world and becoming a CEO. He discusses the importance of putting people first in business, the challenges of leadership, and the philosophy of optimizing profit while improving lives. Ganesh reflects on his experiences, the lessons learned from mistakes, and the significance of work-life integration. The conversation emphasizes the value of kindness, adaptability, and the pursuit of meaningful work.

Molly is joined on the Say It Skillfully Podcast by the design director for the elite sportswear company designing for the best athletes in the world, including the women's Olympic gymnastic team, Jeanne Diaz.One of the creative geniuses behind the stunning women's patriotic blinged out leotards from this year's Olympics, Jeanne joins the show to share her story, including how she chose to follow her passion, navigating and building a career in the fashion industry, and recently working with amazing athletes like Simone Biles while designing Olympic sportswear.

Since leading fashion designer Robby Geller moved to LA from Germany at a young age, he has never stopped learning. He discusses the array of learning curves he has faced throughout his personal and professional journey- whether that be at age five or 35, with language and even fashion. Most importantly, he emphasizes the need of active contribution to get things done.Hear about the not-so common path of a world renowned fashion designer and how contributing to the conversation can be fully life changing.

Unexpected social media sensation David Lorimer joins Molly for this episode of the Say It Skillfully podcast and delves into the "behind-the-scenes" of his @today.iam.grateful Instagram page. David authentically shares his journey, from his childhood in Iowa and Kentucky through his adult life, telling tales of his career, relationships, and finding himself.He further tells us the duality between joy and true fulfillment. David goes beyond his everyday work life and dives into balancing it with the intricacies of parenting and mental health.Finally, he teaches us how intentional gratitude and personal reflection are the greatest shields against mental health issues.

Total Leadership CEO, Stew Friedman, joins Molly on today’s episode of Say it Skillfully. Ranging from topics of favorite bands to leadership to the purpose of life. The enriching conversation spans from topics of favorite bands to leadership to the meaning of life. Stew exemplifies the idea the you don’t need to know where you are going to end up in the right place.Visit https://www.totalleadership.org/ for free videos, book chapters, articles including the 50+ that he's written for Harvard Business Review and more from Stew. Also, follow Stew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewfriedman/

Molly Tschang sits down for a conversation on the Say It Skillfully podcast with former WD-40 CEO, Garry Ridge. The conversation revolves around personal and professional growth, cultural understanding in international business, and the importance of authenticity and purpose in leadership. Garry shares his experiences and insights on how to navigate life's journey with clarity, speed, and self-compassion. He emphasizes the significance of values, people-first mindset, and effective communication in achieving success. Garry gives personal anecdotes from his career and life, and mentions key factors in building positive relationships and gaining respect in international business.

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 209 is the 41st monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. The aim is for you to see a bit of yourself in these journeys, and embrace—we’re more similar than not. In this episode, Molly is joined by Evan Wolfson, who founded and led the Freedom to Marry campaign; winning marriage equality in the U.S. after a 30+ year battle. Sharing Evan’s world-changing movement wraps four years with VoiceAmerica. Thank you for the amazing opportunity to amplify so many amazing voices! Evan joins the show to share the story of his long battle for marriage rights, dating back to his time in college, where he wrote his thesis on same-sex marriage long before it was in the national conversation. He’d move on to appear before the supreme court, write a book on “Why Marriage Matters”, and found Freedom to Marry. As a kid, Evan saw law as a means to politics, government and shaping history—hear his career path to literally doing so. Many gems from his fight for marriage, and his mentality when faced with setbacks and feeling like the world is against him. Don’t miss Evan’s thoughts on what being an activist means, as well as how he felt when the battle for same-sex marriage rights was won with similar reasoning to his 1983 thesis. Then, we talk a bit about what’s next in the fight for a better world. Evan inspires us to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves. Molly’s thought for the week from renowned meditation teacher, Shinzen Young: “Untangle and be free.”

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Here is Episode 208 for you, featuring Paul Lambdin, owner of North Carolina staple Cary Car Care. Paul joins the show to share his story, from a struggle-filled childhood that had him and his brothers in a constant battle with his alcoholic father, to becoming an entrepreneur with a success story that will leave you inspired. Tune in to hear key moments and turning points from Paul’s come-up, as well as lessons he learned along the way on teamwork, self-belief and communication. Don’t miss Paul’s reflections on his journey, including an inside look on building a successful small business, how he is raising his family differently than he was raised, and how he finally let go of anger he’d been holding inside for a long time. Paul inspires us to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves. Molly’s thought for the week: The gap between knowing what you want and going after it is where fear thrives. You don’t need enough courage for the entire journey. You only need courage for the next step.

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Here is Episode 207 for you, featuring Top 100 Most Influential Yoga Teacher Alison West. Alison joins the show for a conversation about what she’s done, how she got there, and her biggest epiphanies along the way. She’s studied in almost every major yogic lineage including in India with the Iyengars and with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. She’s taught since the 80s and more recently founded “Yoga Union”, a premier NYC studio, as well as Yoga Union Backcare & Scoliosis Center. Don’t miss hearing the ups and downs of Alison’s journey, including an in depth look at moments of spiritual awakening, the process of learning and re-learning when it comes to different yoga lineages, and how she was drawn to yoga after originally being invested into ballet. Alison inspires us to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves. Molly’s thought for the week: “Increase the peace.”

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Here is Episode 206 for you – respected Canadian Armed Forces Officer Kelly Williamson’s unlikely journey inspires us to live up to our own potential. Kelly joins the show to share her story, starting with the massive change of scenery brought about by joining a military college after graduating from a performing arts high school. Hear captivating stories and insights from her journey throughout the process of attending military school and becoming an officer for the Canadian Armed Forces. She shares first-hand accounts of assisting with humanitarian aid in Afghanistan in 2011, Haiti in 2010, and Nepal in 2015. Don’t miss hearing lessons that Kelly learned along her amazing career, including the necessity of not being too proud to ask for help, and accepting that you might not “fit the mold.” Molly’s thought for the week (Thanks, Kelly): “Be kind, be brave, be you.”