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386 - Empathy in Action with Maria Ross
Welcome to the No Labels, No Limits Podcast, where we share inspiring stories about resilience and growth. In this episode, host Sarah Boxx talks with Maria Ross, a keynote speaker, author, and empathy advocate, about how empathy can transform leadership and everyday life.
Maria Ross’s life took a dramatic turn at 35 when she survived a brain aneurysm. This experience reshaped her perspective on connection and leadership. Now, as the founder of Red Slice and author of The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal Boundaries, Maria helps organizations create cultures rooted in empathy. Her TEDx talk, How to Trojan Horse Leaders into Being More Empathetic, has inspired audiences worldwide.
- Compartmentalization: Maria discusses how leaders can compartmentalize emotions to handle challenges effectively while staying true to their values.
- The Five Pillars of Empathetic Leadership: Maria introduces the five pillars from her book, The Empathy Dilemma, which guide leaders to:
- Self-Awareness: Understand emotions and triggers for authentic leadership.
- Self-Care: Prioritize well-being to sustain effectiveness.
- Clarity: Communicate transparently to build trust.
- Decisiveness: Make tough choices with confidence and compassion.
- Joy: Embrace positivity and fulfillment in leadership.
- Building Empathetic Workplaces: Maria shares practical advice on overcoming barriers to empathy in organizations and fostering cultures where people and performance thrive.
Actionable insights:
- Learn how empathy drives personal and professional success.
- Discover tools for balancing emotions and decisions.
- Be inspired by Maria’s journey of resilience and transformation.
Free Gift: Get a free chapter of The Empathy Dilemma! Visit The Empathy Dilemma to claim your copy.
Connect and Learn More with Maria:
- Website: Red Slice
- LinkedIn: Maria Ross & https://www.linkedin.com/company/red-slice-llc
- Instagram: @redslicemaria
- Twitter: @redslice
- Facebook: Red Slice
- YouTube: Maria Ross Channel
Connect and Learn More with Sarah Boxx: The SandBoxx offers Nonprofit business consulting and coaching for leaders.
Empathy is a powerful force for good in leadership and life. Maria’s story reminds us that compassion and resilience can transform lives. Tune in to learn how to lead with empathy without losing yourself.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the No Labels, No Limits Podcast for more inspiring stories and practical insights.
#empathy #empatheticleadership #leadership #nonprofits #balance #inspiration
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387. 387 - Building Wealth and Humility with Entrepreneur Jose Berlanga
55:39||Season 5, Ep. 387In this episode, entrepreneur, real estate investor, author, and speaker Jose Berlanga shares valuable lessons from his nearly 40 years of experience across multiple industries. With a story rooted in resilience and adaptability, Jose offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing financial discipline, preparation for the unpredictable, and the importance of knowing your role in your business.Key Themes and Takeaways1. The Power of Financial DisciplineFinancial success requires more than earning money; it demands disciplined management of resources.Jose highlights specific strategies, such as:Avoiding unnecessary expenses, especially during business growth phases.Reinvesting profits wisely to create sustainable growth.A critical takeaway: Learn to delay gratification for long-term rewards instead of succumbing to short-term pleasures.2. Preparing for the UnpredictableBusinesses face inevitable challenges, from economic downturns to market shifts.Jose advises entrepreneurs to:Build a financial buffer to weather tough times.Operate with humility, knowing that external factors can disrupt even the best-laid plans.Stay grounded and focused, avoiding overconfidence during periods of success.3. Balancing Hands-On and Hands-Off LeadershipAs a highly involved entrepreneur, Jose thrives on understanding all facets of his businesses, from hiring to negotiations.However, he emphasizes the need to delegate effectively:"You can only do so much as one person."Learning to trust and empower your team is essential for scaling any business.Finding the balance between being engaged and stepping back allows for better decision-making and personal well-being.4. Defining Success on Your TermsSuccess is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Jose encourages entrepreneurs to:Clearly define what success means for them and their business.Assess their role in the business and the value of their time.Focus on what they do best and align their actions with their personal goals.Jose’s Personal Philosophy"It's life's job to push you beyond your limits, and your job to push back until you win."Success requires persistence, humility, and an understanding of your priorities.Practical Advice for EntrepreneursDevelop financial discipline and embrace delayed gratification to ensure sustainable growth.Prepare for the unexpected by staying humble and building a financial safety net.Strike a balance between being hands-on and learning to delegate responsibilities.Define success for yourself and align your business goals with your values.Connect and Learn More with Jose:Website: http://www.joseberlanga.com/Website: http://www.onyxtx.com/LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-berlanga-900a9518Connect and Learn More with Sarah: The SandBoxx offers Nonprofit business consulting and coaching for leaders.#Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #HumbleLeadership #Leadership385. 385 - Fix Your Cracked Lens: Steps to Achieve Purpose and Success with Nate Green
45:12||Season 4, Ep. 385In this inspiring episode, we’re joined by Nate Green—Leadership & Entrepreneur Performance Coach, Award-Winning Entrepreneur, and Best-Selling Author. Nate’s story is more than just one of success—it's about finding hope, stepping into your purpose, and pushing beyond your comfort zone to become the greatest version of yourself.Key Highlights:From Pain to Purpose: Nate shares how the pain of staying where you are is often worse than the pain of trying something new.Connecting to Your Why: Actionable steps to identify your purpose and align it with your actions.The Growth Zone: How stepping outside your comfort zone is where greatness is forged.Overcoming Hardships: Lessons from Nate’s transformation—shy kid to an 8-figure entrepreneur and impactful coach.Key Takeaways:Hope is the First Step: No matter where you’re starting, there’s a path forward.Purpose-Driven Success: True success begins when you connect to your deeper “why.”Courage Over Comfort: Growth begins when you’re willing to face the unknown and challenge yourself.Exclusive Gift for Listeners: Access Nate’s “Unstoppable Game Plan” course—a tool to help you take actionable steps toward your goals! DM Nate on IG with the message: Unstoppable Game PlanConnect and Learn More with Nate:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamnategreenX: Nate Green (@IAmNateGreen) / XLinkedIn: (10) Nate Green | LinkedInWebsite: http://www.successwithnategreen.com/Connect and Learn More with Sarah: The SandBoxx offers Nonprofit business consulting and coaching for leaders.This episode is a call to action—Nate reminds us that life is too short to stay stuck. Whether you’re feeling lost, unmotivated, or unsure of your next step, this conversation will equip you with the mindset and tools to try, grow, and thrive.Tune in now and start your journey toward a greater version of YOU. #BreakThroughBarriers #FindYourPurpose #SuckLessDoBetter #GrowthMindset384. 384 - Beyond Burnout: Thriving as a Nonprofit Leader with Rachel Krinsky
43:51||Season 4, Ep. 384In this episode of the No Labels, No Limits podcast, host Sarah Box sits down with seasoned nonprofit leader and executive coach Rachel Krinsky. Rachel shares her journey from a burnt-out non-profit executive to a compassionate coach empowering leaders to thrive.Key Takeaways:The Challenges of Nonprofit Leadership: Rachel delves into the unique pressures faced by nonprofit executives, including heavy workloads, constant demands, and the relentless pursuit of impact.The Power of Positive Intelligence: She introduces Positive Intelligence (PQ), a framework that helps individuals shift from stress and anxiety to calm, focused, and creative states of mind.Practical Tips for Stress Relief: Rachel guides listeners through a simple mindfulness exercise, demonstrating how to reduce stress and increase focus in just a few minutes.The Art of Prioritization: She emphasizes the importance of effective prioritization, encouraging leaders to let go of non-essential tasks and delegate responsibilities to their teams.Cultivating Empathy and Effective Communication: Rachel shares strategies for fostering empathy and navigating difficult conversations, helping leaders build strong relationships and resolve conflicts.A Transformative Moment: Rachel shares a powerful story about a client who was on the brink of burnout. By applying the tools and techniques they learned together, this client was able to navigate a stressful situation with grace and resilience, ultimately transforming their experience of leadership.By applying Rachel's insights and techniques, nonprofit leaders can reduce stress, improve their work-life balance, and ultimately achieve greater impact.Free Gift: 45-minute Leadership Wellness Boost sessionhttp://www.rkadvising.com/Connect and Learn More with Rachel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-krinskyWebsite: https://www.rkadvising.com/Connect and Learn More with Sarah: https://sarahboxx.com/#positivepsychology #burnout #organizationalculture #boardgovernance383. 383 - Practical Emotional Intelligence for Modern Challenges with Dr. Robin Hills
57:14||Season 4, Ep. 383Join Dr. Robin Hills, a globally renowned business psychologist and emotional intelligence (EI) expert, as he delves into the fascinating world of emotional intelligence on the "No Labels, No Limits" podcast. With over 400,000 individuals in 195+ countries benefiting from his transformative training and resources, Dr. Hills offers invaluable insights into understanding and mastering emotions for personal and professional growth.In this compelling podcast, Dr. Hills unpacks how emotional intelligence influences every facet of our lives—decision-making, communication, leadership, and relationships. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting your self-awareness journey, this series equips you with practical tools to navigate the emotional landscape of today's rapidly changing world.Key HighlightsDefining Emotional Intelligence: Understand the pillars of EI, including self-awareness, self-regulation, and social skills.EI isn’t about IQ—it’s about understanding emotional data for informed decisions and deeper relationships.Learn how emotions act as a sophisticated feedback system for navigating our environments.Practical Applications of EI:Leadership: Create inspiring and inclusive workplace cultures rather than fear-based environments.Communication: Decode non-verbal cues, even in unique contexts like hearing impairments.Stress Management: Recognize and manage the physiological effects of emotions to stay grounded under pressure.Decision-Making: Leverage emotional intelligence to make thoughtful, empathetic choices.Relationship Building: Enhance empathy and foster authentic connections.Exploring Emotions Without Judgment:Discover exercises to interpret emotions without labeling them as “good” or “bad.”Connect your emotional experiences to physical sensations for deeper insights.Learn to deconstruct emotions like fear and anger to harness their constructive potential.Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in emotional intelligence!Gift: Four comprehensive online courses on EI at a discounted rate: Emotional Intelligence Courses.Connect and Learn More with Robin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinhills/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/ei4change/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EI4Change/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ei4ChangeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ei4change/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBBxGskYxL0wnRfuyz_wHZA/feedWebsite: https://ei4change.com/Connect and Learn More with Sarah: The SandBoxx offers Nonprofit business consulting and coaching for leaders.#EmotionalIntelligence #CommunicationSkills #PersonalGrowth382. 382 - Beyond Proving Yourself: Confident Leadership with Jenna Washnieski
44:07||Season 4, Ep. 382Welcome back to the No Labels, No Limits Podcast, the show that explores stories of personal growth, transformation, and leadership insights. In this episode, we are thrilled to host Jenna Washnieski, a dynamic leadership coach who combines her experiences in coaching and a semi-professional dance career to offer unique perspectives on personal and professional development.Key Highlights:Jenna shares her journey from feeling the pressure to prove her worth in an executive leadership role to embracing her authentic self.Discusses how connecting with one's values and passions leads to more effective leadership.Insight into balancing professional ambitions with personal passions, including her semi-professional dance career.Reflections on how the modern environment of passive entertainment differs from childhood experiences of creativity and exploration.The importance of self-awareness in leadership and how it fuels confidence and success.Jenna's perspective on notable leadership examples, such as the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the lessons they provide for today's leaders.An overview of Jenna's coaching practice—typical clients, engagements, and how she empowers leaders to unlock their full potential.Jenna’s Message: Tune in to learn how understanding yourself and making space for your passions can lead to profound professional and personal fulfillment. Don’t miss this episode if you’re aiming to become a more self-aware and impactful leader.Join us for an inspiring conversation that challenges the traditional boundaries of leadership and highlights the power of embracing your authentic self.Connect and Learn More with Jenna:Email: jenna@inwithcoaching.comWebsite: InWith CoachingInstagram: @inwithjennaLinkedIn: Jenna WashnieskiPodcast: In With The Podcast (with Jenna)Connect and Learn More with Sarah: The SandBoxx offers Nonprofit business consulting and coaching for leaders.#PersonalGrowth #CoachingInsights #SelfAwareness #WomenInLeadership381. 381 - Resilience, Risk, and Ready: A Guide to Bold Leadership with Miara Shaw
52:59||Season 4, Ep. 381In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Miara Shaw—leadership coach, speaker, and host of the Leadership Wellness Circle podcast. Miara’s journey is truly inspiring: she went from being one of the nation’s few female energy traders to becoming a thriving entrepreneur. Her personal philosophy—Capable, Prepared, & Ready® (CPR)—empowers individuals, particularly women, to balance leadership and personal well-being.Miara’s career path is anything but traditional. She didn’t complete college, yet she became one of the only Black female energy traders in the nation before transitioning into entrepreneurship. In this episode, Miara shares how this unconventional journey shaped her resilience, leadership style, and approach to overcoming adversity. As Miara says, “The work is not skippable”—each step, even the challenges, prepares us for what's next.Philosophical Roots: Empowerment & GrowthMiara’s coaching is rooted in philosophies that promote self-awareness, growth, and emotional intelligence. Drawing from psychological models like growth-mindset, she teaches how to navigate challenges and embrace opportunities for personal and professional growth.The CPR Philosophy: Capable, Prepared, & Ready®At the heart of Miara’s work is the CPR philosophy—a powerful tool to help leaders believe in themselves and take action. Miara explains how this framework helps individuals feel capable, prepared, and ready for whatever comes next. It’s about building confidence, developing skills, and taking bold steps forward.Turning Setbacks into OpportunitiesMiara’s own career includes moments of hardship, including being laid off, which ultimately catalyzed her entrepreneurial journey. She shares her insights on resilience and how obstacles often present unexpected opportunities. Miara encourages listeners to view challenges not as roadblocks, but as steppingstones to growth.Tune in for a conversation filled with insights on leadership, personal growth, and the courage to take the next step.Key Takeaways:Embrace uncertainty—sometimes taking risks leads to the greatest rewards.Resilience is essential—view setbacks as opportunities for growth.Balance is key—leadership is about integrating personal well-being and professional success.CPR framework—Capable, Prepared, & Ready® helps you confidently step into your next challenge.Free Gift: A free "Strategy Session" to listeners who connect with her: http://miarashaw.com/Connect and Learn More with Miara: Email: miarashaw@gmail.comWebsite: http://miarashaw.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mavenmiaraConnect and Learn More with Sarah: The SandBoxx offers Nonprofit business consulting and coaching for leaders.#Entrepreneurship #Resilience #OvercomingSetbacks #DiversityinLeadership380. 380 - Curiosity, Connection, and Leadership: Transforming Work Culture with Dr. Elyse Dub
50:32||Season 4, Ep. 380In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Elyse Dub, a licensed psychologist and the visionary founder of Insight Onsite, to explore the powerful role psychological insights play in transforming workplace culture. With over two decades of experience in mental health, Dr. Dub is committed to fostering environments of deep connection, inclusion, and belonging in organizations. Her work enhances productivity, retention, and interpersonal relationships, creating more fulfilling workspaces for all.In this conversation, Dr. Dub shares her expertise on creating meaningful change within organizations, and we dive into some fascinating topics, including:The Power of Listening to Understand: Dr. Dub discusses why listening with the intent to understand, rather than just checking a box, is key to building trust and meaningful connections in the workplace. Curiosity-Driven Conversations: Dr. Dub emphasizes the importance of asking “what” and “how” questions that are specific to the person, rather than “why” questions that can come across as accusatory. She explains how the right kind of curiosity can help uncover deeper insights and foster better communication.Frenteurships: A term Dr. Dub uses to describe a more collaborative, “we” focused approach to leadership and professional development, as opposed to the traditional "mentor/mentee" dynamic. Frenteurships are about mutual growth, curiosity, and sharing knowledge across differences.Curiosity Across Differences: Dr. Dub encourages us to engage in conversations with people who hold different views or beliefs with a spirit of mutual curiosity—seeking to understand rather than to be understood. This shift in mindset can lead to more enriching, productive dialogues and ultimately help build stronger, more inclusive workplaces.Intention and Execution: Dr. Dub highlights that both intention and execution are critical when implementing strategies for workplace transformation. How we approach change is just as important as the steps we take to make it happen.As Dr. Dub shares: "People who have connections at work will stay at work." How are you engaging in conversations? Let us know! Tune in for an insightful discussion on how to create workplaces where connection, curiosity, and collaboration thrive.Free Gift: (a free 15-minute consultation) http://www.insightonsite.org/ Go to Elyse's calendar for scheduling.Book recommendation: Learn Hilchos Lashon Hara' by Rabbi Daniel Braude https://a.co/d/1K9vvyKConnect and Learn More with Elyse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elyse-dub-ph-d-/Website: http://www.insightonsite.org/Connect and Learn More with Sarah: The SandBoxx offers Nonprofit business consulting and coaching for leaders.#WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeRetention #WorkplaceInclusion #NLNL #BuildingBelonging379. 379 - Lead with Heart: Creating A Lasting Impact with Eric Newman
42:11||Season 4, Ep. 379Join us for an inspiring conversation with Eric Newman, the founder of Roc Solid Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and families facing the challenges of cancer. Eric’s journey from battling pediatric cancer to creating impactful initiatives is a powerful testament to resilience and hope. In this episode, we delve into:The Mission of Roc Solid Foundation: Learn how Eric’s organization brings joy and support to over 160 children’s hospitals across the U.S. Transforming Pain into Action: Discover Eric’s philosophy of focusing on people first, believing that when you prioritize human connection, success will follow.Strategic Leadership: Eric shares insights on structuring a nonprofit like a Fortune 500 company, including tips on setting up a board and establishing core values.A Vision for the Future: Hear about Eric’s approach of starting with the end in mind, emphasizing that true leadership involves making others greater.Planting Seeds of Hope: Understand how Eric embodies the spirit of perseverance—grinding through challenges without quitting.This episode is not just about overcoming adversity; it’s about harnessing that experience to inspire others. Tune in and be uplifted by Eric's remarkable story and the impactful work of the Roc Solid Foundation.Two recommended books, both by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy:The Gap and the Gain: https://a.co/d/7mn5lT110x is Easier than 2x: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGK74SR5?ref=KC_GS_GB_USConnect and Learn More with Eric: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-newman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocsolidfoundation/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rocsolidfoundationConnect and Learn More with Sarah Boxx: The SandBoxx offers Nonprofit business consulting and coaching for leaders.#pediatriccancer #resilience #empoweringfamilies #NLNL #ChildrenFirst #nonprofit