Top 6 Reasons Businesses Choose Podcasting
You’re thinking about starting a podcast, but you’re not exactly sure why. Maybe you see your friends and competitors podcasting, but you don’t know how to define the benefits...
The Secret Language of Brand Archetypes to Attract Your Ideal Clients, with Kaye Putnam
Let me ask you a couple tough questions – What is your innate brand advantage over your competition? Are you unique, or are you swimming in a sea of...
What teaching others teaches you, with Dr. Anissa Reilly
Dr. Anissa Reilly was a school principal in one of the poorest districts in the country for over 16 years, and, while she was excited to create a great...
Wedding MBA Recap + Craziest Wedding Stories on Episode 200!
Last week, we were at Wedding MBA in Las Vegas, and it was memorable to say the least – and at some points it felt like an out-of-body experience....
How to become an Empathetic Leader, with Hacking HR’s Enrique Rubio
In September 2017, Enrique Rubio saw a problem – the world of technology was moving so fast, and HR was moving very slowly (it at all). It was completely...
Silencing your inner critic and finding greater purpose with RARE’s Aiko Bethea
Do you ever find yourself holding back on pursuing your dreams? Do you want that promotion but fear keeps you from taking the next step? Aiko Bethea, founder of...
Love Letter to Raleigh
It’s no secret how much we love Raleigh. We dedicate our lives to this city, its stories and sharing those stories with its people. Leaning into that love, our...
Are We Chasing Money? Accolades? Respect? Contentment? Conversations with Sisters
Last week, sisters Eunice and Sabrina Moyle talked about the pivot that saved their company, Hello Lucky. They figured out that the growth-at-all-costs and the constant hustle was not...
Takeaways from the Black Men XCEL Summit
On today’s episode, Donald Thompson recaps his time speaking at and attending the Black Men XCEL Conference, which is “designed to elevate and empower Black men to be recognized...
Put down the self-help books and find your BREATH with Executive Coach Annie Leib
After hitting rock bottom and inspired by a poster quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson in an auto body shop, Annie Leib decided to change her life, discover her core values...
Juicy Scoop on Raleigh’s Steak Scene
Turns out locally owned steakhouses are pretty rare. It may surprise you to know a local steakhouse hasn’t opened in Raleigh since Reagan was president. Or that Raleigh houses...
The Pivot that Saved Hello Lucky, with Eunice and Sabrina Moyle
10 years into running Hello Lucky, sisters Eunice and Sabrina Moyle seemed to be on top of the world. They were working luxury weddings, they were featured on Martha...
Fear, Fundraising, and Finding a Niche: The Merri Story, with CEO Randi Bushell
Starting a small business is not for the faint of heart. There’s fear that you’re not the right person to lead a company. There’s uncertainty that you’ll ever be...
Politics in the Workplace: How Leaders Keep Teams Focused, with Billy Warden
In a recent study, 80% of people who identify as Democrats see Republicans as being out of control and a threat to democracy, while 80% of Republicans see Democrats...
Calling the Shots
Who will win Raleigh’s Best Bar this year? Voting is now open! And upping the ante, this year we added a new award for Best Bartender. Hang out with...
Rejection, renewal and representation: Avantha Arachchi’s authentic leadership and trailblazing work
Avantha Arachchi had done everything right, and she was one clearance away from achieving her life-long dream of joining the CIA when she was rejected because of her transgender...
Are you afraid of money, too? Conversations with Sisters
Last week, Courtney and Dana talked with Jessie Williams about starting a business and financial requirements of that. In this episode, hear Courtney and Dana talk about their relationships...
Unpopular wedding industry opinions, with Shean Strong
We all have some opinions about the wedding industry that might be considered unpopular. But as I say in the intro, this podcast is a safe space to dish...
Workforce Diversity in Pro Sports, with Timberwolves CDO Tru Pettigrew
Tru Pettigrew, Chief Diversity Officer of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, comes on High Octane Leadership to discuss the role of diversity in the professional sports arena, what organizations...
Raleigh’s Future Is at Stake
Voter turnout is expected to be at an all-time high in Raleigh this year. Why? Listen in as Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam discuss what’s at stake...
Working through stress and building resilience, with Dr. Deborah Gilboa
We’ve all heard the phrase “The only constant is change,” and it can be difficult, stressful and unsettling. In this episode, Dr. Deborah Gilboa shares using a growth mindset...
Stop and take your pulse, with Jessie Williams
Jessie Williams wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life, but she knew she was her happiest when she was creating. In this episode, hear how her...
Unraveling, with Sandra Cassios
The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back, and the rebirth of new. Today we feature Sandra...
Interrupt Imposter Syndrome and Own Your Success, with Teresa Sande
Two episodes ago, Don shared his thoughts on imposter syndrome and what leaders can do about feeling inadequate. He references the book, Find Your Fierce: Interrupt Imposter Syndrome and...
Shaping Our Skyline
There are currently 53 major projects—planned or in progress—in Raleigh. Tune in as Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam chat inside scoop on some of our city’s most...
Top tips for inclusive leadership, with Nils Vinje
Nils Vinje is a leadership coach and head coach of the B2B Leaders Academy, and he says that leading diverse teams effectively requires more than just leading the way...
Signs of burnout, and bulldozing through life: Conversations with Sisters
Last week, we heard Jen Taylor’s tragic yet inspirational story about her husband’s sudden death and what happened after – how Jen pressed on and found success in her...
Stop settling for less and get to the life you want, with Tony Chatman
Ever since I got into podcasts (and believe it or not, it actually took me a while), I’ve been focused on growth: getting to the life that I want...
Son of a Football Coach: Lessons Learned from My Dad
Growing up as a son of a college football coach, Don learned some valuable life lessons from his dad. Some were lessons on what to do, and others lessons...
4 Local Legends Dropping New Food/Bar Concepts
A handful of the local legends who have put Raleigh on the map for their food and spirits concepts are at it again. Tune in as Publisher Gina Stephens...
The importance of advocating for your healthcare, with Dr. Audrea Caesar
If you’re part of an underrepresented or marginalized group in the United States, you likely have faced or will face a health disparity at some point in your life....
After burnout, tragedy, and losing everything, Jen Taylor is creating a new path
In October 2018, Jen Taylor‘s world came crashing down as her husband tragically passed away, and she quickly had to figure out what the f*** to do with her...
Business Therapy and Mindset Transformations for Wedding CEOs, with Kelly Ruta
One of the reasons we started the Weddings For Real podcast and then formed The Planner’s Vault is because we want to create a community of wedding professionals who...
Imposter Syndrome: What Leaders Can Do About Feeling Inadequate
Being a high-octane leader doesn’t mean you have all the answers. It doesn’t mean you don’t have fear, uncertainty, and doubt. It doesn’t mean you are confident that you...
The science behind why teams fail, with Kimberly Wiefling
A former member of the U.S. Air Force, Kimberly Wiefling knows what it takes to build a strong team—and the signs of a weak one—and that’s why she started...
Playing to each other’s strengths: Conversations with Sisters
Last week, Courtney and Dana talked with another set of sister entrepreneurs—Jackie and Cassie Collier. This week, hear how Courtney and Dana grew to have different strengths and approaches...