Advertise on podcast: The Leading Below the Surface Podcast with LaTonya Wilkins

In this solo episode, LaTonya Wilkins explores a feeling many leaders, coaches, and consultants are quietly naming right now: the sense that traditional leadership frameworks and learning models no longer meet the complexity of today’s world. Drawing from recent client work, leadership development experience, and conversations across industries, LaTonya unpacks what’s no longer working, what leaders are truly craving, and why presence, trust, and community matter more than ever in this moment. This episode offers reflection prompts and a grounded invitation to consider how leadership and coaching must evolve beyond transactional approaches. 🎥 Prefer to watch? This episode is also available on YouTube with chapters: https://www.youtube.com/@changecoaches/podcasts Episode Chapters & Key Moments [00:00] Why leaders feel ready for something new Naming the collective feeling many leaders and coaches are experiencing Why this isn’t burnout or lack of skill [02:45] What’s no longer working in leadership development The limits of frameworks, checklists, and box solutions Why ROI-driven models fall short in today’s environment [07:20] The realities leaders are navigating right now Constant reorganization, overload, and shifting expectations What gets lost when everything becomes a priority [12:10] What leaders are actually craving Presence, trust, hope, courage, and community Why adaptability alone isn’t enough [17:05] From information to experience Why information is no longer the currency The power of containers, practice, and self-authorship [22:30] Community at work and why it matters The role of connection, psychological safety, and belonging What happens when leaders don’t have space to process [27:40] What works at this stage of leadership Presence as a practice Trust built in real time through listening and empathy [32:10] Reflection questions for leaders and coaches What are you craving differently right now? What no longer works for you? [36:00] Coaching Below the Surface and what’s next Creating containers for leaders and coaches Upcoming March 2026 pods and organizational offerings Calls to Action 🔹 Explore Coaching Below the Surface™ (ICF-approved): https://changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/ 🔹 Follow Change Coaches on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/change-coaches 🔹 Connect with LaTonya Wilkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/

What does it really mean to be trauma-informed—and why does this matter far beyond therapy? In this deeply personal and educational episode, LaTonya Wilkins sits down with Lion Goodman, coach, author, and founder of the Clear Beliefs Institute, who shares his incredible story of surviving being shot in the head four times—and how that life-altering moment shaped his approach to healing and leadership. Lion breaks down the difference between surface-level coaching and therapeutic coaching, how trauma shows up even in “successful” people, and how we can begin to unhook the past to truly move forward. Whether you’re a coach, a leader, or someone who wants to support others more skillfully, this conversation is rich, grounded, and unforgettable. 🔗 Learn more about Coaching Below the Surface: https://changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/ 📲 Connect on LinkedIn: Change Coaches: https://www.linkedin.com/company/change-coaches LaTonya Wilkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/ 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changecoaches/podcasts 📝 Timestamps + Summary [00:00] Welcome and how LaTonya met Lion Goodman Connection at ICF Converge and why Lion’s work stood out Meaning behind the name “Lion” and his Leo identity [12:00] A near-death experience that changed everything Lion recounts being shot four times and surviving The experience deepened his spiritual and professional journey [21:10] When coaching falls short without addressing trauma Clients often loop when past wounds go unexamined Lion begins to integrate deeper healing techniques [28:20] What it means to unhook a belief Beliefs are formed through experience, not logic Memory reconsolidation can rewrite core identity structures [38:00] Psychedelics and trauma work Powerful for deconstructing beliefs—but dangerous without integration Coaches must be trained to guide responsibly [44:10] Coaching vs. therapy: how they overlap and differ Coaches walk with you, but must know how to help offload trauma Why trauma-informed doesn’t mean “doing therapy” [48:00] Common mistakes when talking about trauma Overgeneralizing what trauma is—or avoiding it altogether Coaches need to clear their own trauma to avoid projection [51:30] Where to start with trauma-informed support Ask “what’s underneath that?” to go deeper Be grounded, breathe, and avoid judgment when holding space Tags: Trauma Informed Coaching, Lion Goodman, Therapeutic Coaching, Executive Coaching, LaTonya Wilkins, Leading Below the Surface, Coaching Below the Surface, Psychological Safety, Memory Reconsolidation, Coaching and Trauma, Psychedelic Integration, Clear Beliefs Method, Coaching Tools, Executive Development, Limiting Beliefs, ICF Accredited, Personal Growth, Coaching Conversations, Coaching Podcastand

Show Notes In this episode of Leading Below the Surface, I reflect on the lessons that quietly shaped my year — not through big milestones or dramatic changes, but through slower growth, healing, and learning to listen more closely to my body and intuition. Rather than setting rigid goals, I share why I’ve been leaning into intentions and clarity, supported by science around behavior change, visualization, and motivation. We explore what it means to set “soft stretch” goals that are ambitious but achievable, why manic manifesting can actually work against us, and how progress often unfolds more slowly — and more sustainably — than we expect. I also talk openly about endings, healing, and the quiet shifts that signal real growth, even when it doesn’t look loud from the outside. This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and enter the next chapter with more intention and less urgency. If you’re someone who feels called to move forward thoughtfully — not frantically — this conversation is for you. This episode is also available on YouTube. You can watch and subscribe to the Leading Below the Surface Podcast on the Change Coaches YouTube channel, where we’re focusing our energy moving forward. Key Themes & Takeaways Why intentions can be more effective than rigid goal-setting The science behind “soft stretch” goals and sustainable motivation How visualizing challenges (not just success) supports real behavior change The difference between intentional growth and manic manifesting Why the next step forward is often already in front of you How endings create space for healing and clarity What quiet growth looks like — and why it still counts Reflection Prompts from the Episode What is your body telling you that you may be overriding or ignoring? Where might you be forcing progress instead of allowing it to unfold? What endings — habits, roles, relationships, or expectations — may be asking for your attention? Listen, Watch, and Connect 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changecoaches/podcasts 🔗 Coaching Below the Surface: https://changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/ 🔗 Change Coaches on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/change-coaches 🔗 LaTonya Wilkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/ 🔗 Full Article on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-2025-taught-me-letting-go-healing-trust-latonya-wilkins-udscc

PODCAST DESCRIPTION In this candid episode of Leading Below the Surface, LaTonya Wilkins sits down with executive coach and Consciously CEO Kvon Tucker to talk about what it really takes to break away from dominant leadership standards – especially inside big-name companies like Netflix, Amazon, and Google. Kvon shares how a suicidal depression in his late 20s became a turning point, why he ultimately walked away from a “dream” tech career, and how he and his family ended up in Costa Rica designing a more human, spiritually aligned life. Kvon unpacks the dangerous mix of hypergrowth, fear-based leadership, and ego-driven cultures – and what it looks like to lead consciously instead, in a way that centers love, liberation, and human wellbeing. This is a below the surface conversation about work, worth, ego, redemption, and the kind of leadership our world actually needs right now. EPISODE SUMMARY In this conversation, we explore: How Kvon’s mental health crisis woke him up to a life and career he didn’t actually choose. His path through Netflix, Amazon, and Google – and what was really happening beneath the “best places to work” branding. The “dark triad” traits that often get rewarded in dominant leadership cultures, and why they’re so harmful. Hypergrowth vs. natural growth: why the pace that works for business often breaks human bodies. Three practices Kvon recommends for anyone who wants to lead more consciously: meditation, healing work (like therapy), and coaching. ABOUT OUR GUEST – KVON TUCKER Kvon Tucker is an executive coach and the CEO of Consciously, a coaching and consulting company that helps leaders build more conscious, human-centered organizations. Before founding Consciously, he led manager and leadership development at companies including Netflix, Amazon, and Google. Today, Kvon coaches leaders around the world as they navigate identity shifts, burnout, and the desire to lead in a way that’s more aligned with their values, spiritual growth, and real life. He lives in Costa Rica with his wife and daughter. KEY INSIGHTS Dominant leadership standards are often built on fear, hypergrowth, and ego – not love, wellness, or liberation. Big-name “dream companies” can simultaneously offer incredible opportunities and deeply misaligned cultures. Both can be true. Hypergrowth works for revenue, but it’s usually unsustainable for human nervous systems and family life. Many leaders are waking up to the fact that the path they’ve been on is no longer serving them – there’s a real shift in collective consciousness happening. Ego isn’t always “bad.” It can be redirected toward growth and impact when we’re aware of it and in relationship with it. You can’t be serious about liberation if you’re not serious about practices that help you know yourself – like meditation, therapy, and coaching. LEARN MORE: If this conversation resonated, here are a few ways to go deeper: Work with Kvon or learn more about his work Website: https://consciously.one LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvontucker Explore Coaching Below the Surface (ICF-approved coach training) Learn more about the Coaching Below the Surface program and upcoming cohorts: https://changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/ Work with LaTonya & Change Coaches Learn about keynotes, leadership development, and coaching for executives and teams: https://changecoaches.io Connect with LaTonya & Change Coaches LaTonya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/ Change Coaches on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/change-coaches Listen & follow the podcast Follow “Leading Below the Surface” wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with someone who’s questioning dominant leadership standards or reevaluating their own path.

In this special replay of a Change Coaches Community Event, we explore how to stay mentally, emotionally, and physiologically grounded while leading in uncertain times. Blythe Landry — therapist, trauma specialist, and author of Trauma Intelligence — joins LaTonya to share real-world, accessible mental health practices that help leaders thrive without burning out. You’ll hear discussion, guidance, and tools rooted in science, nervous-system awareness, grief work, and Below the Surface leadership. We also uplift wisdom from the community members who joined live — demonstrating the power of connection and shared learning. This isn’t self-care theory. It’s practical, lived resilience for today’s world. Episode Highlights Why uncertainty fuels stress — and how leaders can respond with grounding, not urgency The role of micro-rest, boundaries, and intentional recovery Tools to reconnect with your body and calm your nervous system Emotional hygiene habits and rituals to keep you steady How to support others without carrying their emotional load The restorative power of nature, community, and mindful movement What it looks like to lead like a human — not a machine  Key Insights • Leaders can’t control chaos — but they can control rituals, structure, and presence • Nervous system literacy is leadership literacy • Rest isn’t indulgent — it’s strategic • Community care is a resilience multiplier About Today’s Guest: Blythe Landry Blythe Landry, MSW, MEd, LCSW, is a nationally recognized trauma and grief therapist, author of Trauma Intelligence, and founder of Grief to Purpose, a program supporting individuals healing from loss. She brings 25 years of experience helping people transform grief and adversity into grounded strength and connection. Learn more about Blythe at BlytheLandry.com 🔗 Links & Resources • Learn about Coaching Below the Surface™ https://changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/ • Join our community events list https://changecoaches.io/community • Connect with LaTonya on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/ • Learn more about Change Coaches https://changecoaches.io If today’s conversation resonated, share it with someone who leads with heart and is navigating uncertainty. To deepen your practice and connect live with other values-driven leaders, join our community events list — we’d love to see you in the room next time.

In a world that increasingly feels uncertain — and at times, broken — how do we stay grounded as leaders and human beings? In this powerful conversation, LaTonya Wilkins sits down with Dr. Caroline Adelman, clinical psychologist, coach, and founder of Chicago Psychotherapy, to explore what it truly means to lead and live well amid chaos. Together, they uncover how chronic stress, disconnection, and unpredictability shape our lives — and how we can rebuild connection through everyday mental health practices that actually work. Dr. Adelman shares evidence-based techniques rooted in therapy and neuroscience that help leaders regulate emotions, create stability, and bring real compassion into the workplace. Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or just trying to stay grounded yourself, this conversation offers practical wisdom for navigating a complex, broken world — one human moment at a time. Connection — not control — is the foundation of resilience. Stress disconnects us from ourselves, others, and what matters most; awareness and intention reconnect us. Leaders don’t need to have all the answers, but they do need to show care, humility, and hope. Simple rituals — listening, check-ins, walk-and-talks — can transform workplace wellbeing. Human-centered leadership is the antidote to fear-based systems. Dr. Caroline Adelman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, coach, and founder of Chicago Psychotherapy. She completed her PhD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and fellowships at the Yale Child Study Center. She previously served on the clinical faculty at Northwestern University and has spent over fifteen years helping children, adults, and professionals navigate anxiety, trauma, and transitions. Dr. Adelman’s work integrates evidence-based therapy with compassion, humor, and authenticity. She’s a frequent speaker and consultant on resilience, wellness, and leadership. To learn more, visit ChicagoPsychotherapy.com/dr-caroline-adelman.  Resources Mentioned Leading Below the Surface (2nd Edition): leadingbelowthesurface.com LaTonya’s article “The Relationship Between Psychological Safety and Accountability”: changecoaches.io/the-relationship-between-psychological-safety-and-accountability 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: changecoaches.io/podcast 🔗 Follow LaTonya Wilkins on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins 🔗 Follow Change Coaches: linkedin.com/company/change-coaches 🌐 Learn more about our work: changecoaches.io

Authoritarian, fear-based leadership might seem loud and everywhere—but that doesn’t mean it’s working. In this solo episode, LaTonya Wilkins, award-winning executive coach and author of Leading Below the Surface (second edition out Sept. 30), unpacks why dominant leadership standards—rigidity, perfectionism, and toxic meritocracy—are failing organizations today. Drawing on Chapter 2 of her book, LaTonya contrasts authoritarian and relational leadership, shares personal insights from the field, and explains why relational leadership is the future in an era of mental health challenges, AI disruption, and broken systems. She also teases upcoming guest conversations on mental health and conscious leadership. If you’ve been told to “toughen up” or “lead with fear” to get results, this episode will give you evidence, strategies, and courage to lead differently. Authoritarian leadership OwlCast episode referenced: Spotify Apple Key Insights: Dominant leadership standards (rigidity, fear, optics) are outdated and erode innovation and psychological safety. Authoritarian leadership thrives on fear and appears louder than it is—but relational leadership creates sustainable performance. Relational leadership is essential as workplaces face unprecedented challenges and employees bring their whole selves to work. Situational leadership and coaching cultures are powerful relational tools that drive inclusion, collaboration, and trust. Sticking with relational leadership—even when pressured to adopt authoritarian tactics—pays off in alignment, creativity, and resilience. Let's Stay in Touch: Subscribe/Follow: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Change Coaches YouTube Channel to catch every episode. Leave a Review or Share: If this episode resonated, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share it with a colleague or friend. Explore More: Visit LeadingBelowTheSurface.com and ChangeCoaches.io for book updates, keynotes, workshops, and coaching. Book Talks: Want a Leading Below the Surface book talk for your team? Email [email protected] to schedule—limited slots each month. Connect with LaTonya: LinkedIn — share your thoughts or let her know how relational leadership is showing up in your world. Next Episode Preview: Don’t miss next week’s conversation on Everyday Mental Health Practices for Leadership and Life—practical ways leaders can support wellness in a world that feels broken.

In today’s fast-changing world, surface-level leadership won’t cut it anymore. In this solo episode, LaTonya Wilkins (award-winning executive coach and bestselling author of Leading Below the Surface) walks you through 10 concrete ways organizations benefit when they embrace Below the Surface Leadership. From stronger leadership alignment and inclusive decision-making to navigating bias, building real belonging, and creating a shared language for change—even in the age of AI—you’ll hear practical ways to shift culture and performance. LaTonya also shares an update on the Second Edition of Leading Below the Surface (out this fall!) and how you can bring these practices into your teams and organizations. You’ll learn: 10 tangible benefits of Below the Surface Leadership Practical ways to apply P2B (Person-to-Belonging) listening Why authenticity and psychological safety are more than trends How to build a shared language for change in uncertain times Resources: LeadingBelowTheSurface.com — book updates & launch info Change Coaches — coaching, workshops, and keynotes LaTonya’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins

Psychological safety has become one of the most popular leadership buzzwords in recent years. But is it enough on its own? Inspired by Amy Edmondson’s recent Harvard Business Review article, executive coach and author LaTonya Wilkins explores the six most common misconceptions about psychological safety — and what leaders can do to move beyond them. LaTonya also shares exciting news about the second edition of her award-winning book Leading Below the Surface, coming this fall, and gives three practical tips for keeping psychological safety alive in your organization. Why psychological safety isn’t about being “nice” or avoiding accountability The difference between safety and job security How safety drives performance and collaboration, not the opposite Why everyone — not just senior leaders — can create safety 🌟 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why psychological safety isn’t about being “nice” or avoiding accountability The difference between safety and job security How safety drives performance and collaboration, not the opposite Why everyone — not just senior leaders — can create safety Three practical ways to make psychological safety last 🔗 Resources & Links Official Podcast Hub: leadingbelowthesurface.com HBR Article: What People Get Wrong About Psychological Safety by Amy C. Edmondson & Michaela J. Kerrissey LaTonya’s Article: The Relationship Between Psychological Safety and Accountability Change Coaches on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/change-coaches LaTonya Wilkins on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins Coaching Below the Surface Program: changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/

In this episode of Leading Below the Surface, LaTonya Wilkins sits down with sales strategist Kelly Hoppesch to unpack the art of selling yourself without feeling fake, pushy, or “salesy.” Whether you’re a CEO, a coach, or simply navigating your career, sales is a skill we all need, even if we don’t think of ourselves as salespeople. Kelly shares her insights on empathy in sales, how to build authentic influence, and why selling is really about connection and clarity, not scripts and pressure. You’ll walk away with actionable ways to position yourself, your ideas, and your value; all in a way that feels natural and aligned. Guest Bio: Kelly Hoppesch is a seasoned sales strategist, specializing in the HR Tech space. She’s held revenue leadership roles at powerhouse brands like LinkedIn, CareerBuilder, and Glassdoor, but her true passion lies in the messy, high-stakes world of startups. In 2021, she founded KH LLC, a consulting firm built to help tech founders unlock revenue and scale smarter, faster, and with purpose. Kelly believes revenue problems aren’t just about numbers — they’re rooted in people, operations, and execution. Through her work, she helps founders uncover the real heartbeat of their business, rewiring what’s broken so they can move forward with clarity and confidence. Stay in Touch with Change Coaches: -Change Coaches Guide to Create Psychological Safe Conversations Across Differences -Change Coaches Newsletter Connect with us: Email us at [email protected] Learn more about Change Coaches Follow LaTonya on LinkedIn Follow Change Coaches on LinkedIn For More on the Book Leading Below the Surface

In this solo episode of Leading Below the Surface, LaTonya Wilkins explores one of the most overlooked leadership superpowers: deep, intentional listening. In a world full of fear, anxiety, and change, most leaders are struggling to hear—and be heard. Drawing from a powerful real-life coaching session, LaTonya introduces two frameworks that will help you lead with empathy and clarity: • P2P (Person-to-Person) Listening • P2B (Person-to-Belonging) Listening Whether you’re leading a team, navigating personal growth, or building trust, this episode will help you tune in, reflect, and create deeper human connection. What You’ll Learn: Why listening is harder—and more essential—than ever What fear has to do with our inability to listen The difference between P2P and P2B listening How to listen with multiple senses Real tactics to become a better listener today A journal prompt to help you reflect and grow 🔗 Learn more about Coaching Below the Surface: https://changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/ 📲 Connect on LinkedIn: Change Coaches: https://www.linkedin.com/company/change-coaches LaTonya Wilkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/

Have you ever wondered why you job hop, overfunction on teams, or struggle with work relationships? The answer might lie below the surface—in your attachment style. In this solo episode, LaTonya Wilkins, award-winning executive coach and author of Leading Below the Surface, breaks down the four attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, disorganized, and secure) and how they show up at work, in leadership, and in love. You’ll walk away with: A quick self-diagnosis guide to help you identify your style Insights on how each style impacts your work relationships and leadership Coaching tips tailored to each style—no psychology degree required A powerful reminder that self-awareness is the gateway to becoming a better leader Whether you’re leading teams, navigating workplace tension, or just trying to understand yourself better, this episode offers a grounded, human-centered framework to help you lead and live more authentically. 🎧 Mentioned in this episode: Ep. 47 – The Leadership Echo: How Childhood Trauma Affects the Way You Lead ft. Blythe Landry https://open.spotify.com/episode/3GW4CVfAwZO8w4KgXwkaEI 🔗 Learn more about Coaching Below the Surface: https://changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/ 🔗 Follow LaTonya Wilkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/ 🔗 Follow Change Coaches on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/change-coaches

In this episode of the Leading Below the Surface podcast, host LaTonya Wilkins sits down with Mel Milloway—servant leader, learning experience designer, and Co-Founder of This Side Up—to explore how AI and emerging learning technologies are reshaping leadership, learning, and performance. Mel shares how leaders and learning professionals can stay ahead of the curve by upskilling with digital tools, human-centered design, and experimentation. They discuss practical ways to think differently about learning tech, the importance of lifelong curiosity, and how the role of learning teams is shifting in real time. Whether you’re in L&D, leading teams, or just curious about how AI is reshaping work, this conversation will help you reimagine what it means to lead and learn today. Guest Bio: Mel Milloway is a people leader and learning experience designer with over 14 years in corporate learning. She’s led high-impact programs at Amazon and Miro, and champions innovative approaches including xAPI, UX/UI, and servant leadership. Mel publishes a newsletter on LinkedIn called This Side Up, where she shares videos, frameworks, and practices from the frontlines of modern learning. 📍 Learn more about Mel: https://melmilloway.github.io/about https://www.linkedin.com/in/melmilloway/ 🙏🏾 Please share this episode if it resonates with you, or if you know someone who’s navigating these shifts in learning and leadership. 🔗 Stay connected: Change Coaches: https://www.changecoaches.io Change Coaches on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/change-coaches LaTonya Wilkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/ Leading Below the Surface: https://www.leadingbelowthesurface.com Coaching Below the Surface: https://changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/

Episode Summary: Dive into the science and soul of leadership in this inspiring episode of the Leading Below the Surface podcast! Host LaTonya Wilkins welcomes Megan Dittman, Co-Founder of Front Goose Wellbeing®, to explore what it really means to lead with wellbeing—and why this summer is the perfect time to reset. Megan brings over 20 years of corporate HR experience and a deep foundation in holistic wellness to this powerful conversation. Together, she and LaTonya explore the burnout epidemic, the shortcomings of traditional leadership models, and how the most resilient leaders today are turning inward. Discover how Megan’s RISE model (Response, Intention, Service & Evolution®) provides a roadmap for thriving in today’s unpredictable world, and why companies that prioritize human-centered leadership will rise to the top. 🔑 Key Insights: Traditional management models are no longer sustainable for performance or wellbeing Megan’s RISE model reframes leadership through a lens of self-awareness and intention Corporate cultures that ignore wellbeing are at a disadvantage in innovation and retention Leaders must learn to care for themselves to lead others authentically This is the critical moment for organizations to evolve—or risk being left behind If you’re craving a more grounded, human approach to leadership and success, this conversation will resonate deeply. 👉🏾Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL to catch new episodes that push leadership thinking forward. More About Megan MEGAN DITTMAN, is Co-founder of Front Goose Wellbeing®; a leadership development organization that translates practices of holistic wellbeing into performance and human-centric leadership skills necessary for today’s modern leader.  With over 20 years of Corporate HR experience in her toolbelt before starting Front Goose, Megan learned first-hand what is needed for corporations to not only survive, but to thrive. Megan personally realized that ‘you cannot pour from an empty cup.’ The consequences of old-school management tactics, where leaders squeeze as much as possible from team members with no regard to their wellbeing and its impact on personal performance is clear. Creativity is severely limited, short-term thinking becomes the norm, and people revert to survival instincts damaging effective teamwork. Megan knows there is a better way and believes that today’s work environments are on the cusp of extremely positive change. She believes we are at a critical juncture where strong companies will be separated from the weak, and companies that lead with a human-centric focus will grow & prosper. Companies that cultivate the holistic wellbeing of their workforce will RISE to the top and lead with RISE - Response, Intention, Service & Evolution ®. Megan holds a Master of Industrial Labor Relations from Cornell University, and a BBA in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame. She spent four years in public accounting before pivoting to a 20-year career in corporate human resources. She is a certified Brain-Based Coach from the Neuroleadership Institute, a Certified Health & Wellbeing Coach and Primordial Sound Meditation Instructor from the Chopra Institute and holds the esteemed board certification from the AMA & NBHWC in health and wellness coaching (NBC-HWC). In addition, she is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher and is working towards her 500-hour certification. An avid reader, and lifelong learner, Megan continues to grow in her own wellbeing and leadership practices daily. All these experiences have shaped her passions and expertise in Talent Development, Corporate HR Strategy, Wellbeing, and Leadership.  Overall Front Goose Offerings:Front Goose Wellbeing | Team & Executive Leadership Development Upcoming Meditation Retreat in Tucson, AZ Nov 6-9, 2025 Meditation

In this enlightening dialogue, LaTonya and Austin explore how outdated societal expectations have impacted men’s well-being, relationships, and leadership effectiveness. Austin shares his journey from corporate consulting to coaching men of color and explains why spaces like The Man Cave are essential today. The conversation digs into topics like emotional regulation, stonewalling, unconscious beliefs around money and sex, and how redefining masculinity can transform not just men’s lives but our broader communities. All people, regardless of gender, possess both masculine and feminine energy; understanding this dynamic is key to leadership and well-being. Emotional suppression—especially among Black men—has deep roots and real consequences in leadership and relationships. “Stonewalling” is a common emotional response for men, often misunderstood; awareness and breathwork can create breakthroughs. Men often link their self-worth to money, success, and sex—but these are societal stories that must be unlearned. The Man Cave provides a powerful community for men of color to be vulnerable, seen, and emotionally accountable. If you're passionate about coaching across gender and race, or curious about how masculinity is evolving in today's world, this conversation goes far beneath the surface. Key Insights:👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and tap the NOTIFICATION BELL for more episodes that challenge outdated leadership norms. Connect with us:  Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ Learn more about ⁠Change Coaches⁠ (changecoaches.io) Learn more about Coaching Below the Surface (https://changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/) Follow LaTonya on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/) Follow Change Coaches on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/82310593) For More on the Book ⁠Leading Below the Surface (leadingbelowthesurface.com) And, if you loved this episode, please rate and share it! More About Austin My name is Richard Austin Walker and I am a man who shows the fuck up. I lead with truth and love. I empower responsibility and possibility. My practice is a reflection of my commitment to self-actualization and serving my mission in rasing the standard of masculinity for men of color. I support BIPOC men to own their truth, own the impact of their leadership, and choose the responsibility of owning all aspects of their lived experiences. I offer 1:1 coaching, men's groups, a variety of leadership development workshops, and partner with select organizations to empower a culture of leadership. I value building relationships with other men who embody their truth and choose to be leaders.  I host a weekly men's call for BIPOC leaders to be responsible for how they show up in the world. Each week we explore a monthly theme that is relevant for men of color. The Man Cave is a space for brotherhood, vulnerability, and authentic expression in service to being powerful models of grounded, open-hearted masculine leaders. If you want to drop into our conversation, please fill out our applicationInterested in a BIPOC men's community? Complete The Man Cave Interest form to engage. We meet Monday's at 12 PM ET and Thursday's at 6 PM ET. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRTGX85d500k_3uJQJNqWrWw2bOsvQHaC6ZRU6y34HalaB2w/viewform  BIPOC men's retreat this Fall, October 23 - 26, 2025 in James Creek, PA. Learn more at the Leadership Intensive Retreat webpage. https://www.austinwalkercoaching.com/new-leadership-intensive-retreat  #RedefiningMasculinity #CoachingMenOfColor#InclusiveLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadingBelowTheSurface