Episodes
-
The best leaders know this: people rarely remember the technology. They remember how it made them feel.In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, I sit down with Matt DeVance, Founder and President of DeVance Electronic Lifestyle, to explore what happens when innovation, leadership, and human connection come together.After more than 20 years designing luxury smart homes, businesses and experiences, Matt has learned that success isn't about selling the latest technology—it's about listening first, serving well, and creating environments where people can thrive.From the impact of lighting on focus and well-being to building a business with your spouse, developing employees, and leading with service instead of ego, this conversation is packed with practical leadership lessons that extend far beyond technology.Because whether you're designing a home, leading a company, or building a team...the experience you create is your legacy.In this episode, we unpack: Why technology should simplify life—not complicate it. How servant leadership builds stronger teams and stronger businesses. The surprising connection between your environment, productivity, and well-being. Why curiosity will always outperform a sales pitch. How to help employees grow instead of simply managing them. What today's luxury clients really value. The realities of building a successful business with your spouse. Why trust, relationships, and putting people first will always outperform transactions.If you lead people, serve customers, or believe business should leave people better than it found them, this conversation is for you. | Connect with Us |Follow Matt DeVance:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-devance-6989541a/Company Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/devance-av-design-llc/Instagram – Devance Electronic Lifestyle (@devanceelectroniclifestyle) • Instagram profileWebsite – DeVance AV Design | Home Theater Systems & More | Frisco(Matt DeVance is the Founder and President of DeVance Electronic Lifestyle, a technology integration company serving residential and commercial clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For more than 24 years, he has helped clients create connected environments that blend technology, comfort, and functionality. Known for his service-first philosophy and commitment to servant leadership, Matt has built a business centered on delivering exceptional experiences while developing people and fostering long-term relationships.)Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-SuiteFollow WrkDefined:LinkedIn: WRKdefinedInstagram: WRKdefined (@wrkdefined) • Instagram profileFacebook: WRKdefinedWebsite: WRKdefined Podcast Network: Conversations Pushing The Boundaries of WorkWant to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest? Podcast Nomination Form - Podcast | Empower Your Leadership Journey — Listen Now — Christy Honeycutt
-
Leadership often looks different from the inside than it does from the outside. While titles may suggest authority and certainty, the reality of leadership is often defined by difficult decisions, constant change, and the responsibility of guiding people through uncertainty.
As organizations navigate evolving workforce expectations, rapid technological advancement, and increasing complexity, leaders are being challenged to rethink how they build teams, create growth, and foster meaningful connections. The skills that set great leaders apart are becoming increasingly human.
In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Jake Zabkowicz, CEO of Hudson Talent Solutions, to explore what leadership looks like from the CEO seat. Drawing from more than two decades of experience in talent acquisition and workforce strategy, Jake shares lessons from his leadership journey, the importance of building trust and autonomy, and how organizations can prepare for an AI-driven future.
Together, they discuss the evolving role of talent acquisition, the power of human connection, and why compassion, adaptability, and relationships remain essential to long-term success.
Because leadership is not defined by titles—it's defined by the ability to help people grow, navigate change, and move forward with confidence.
What You'll Learn:
Why leadership becomes more challenging—and more personal—at the CEO level
The hidden reality of loneliness in executive leadership
How great leaders balance responsibility with vulnerability
Why asking better questions is more valuable than having all the answers
The importance of creating autonomy and trust within teams
How talent acquisition is evolving beyond filling open roles
What organizations must do to stay competitive in an AI-driven workforce
Why workforce planning and talent strategy are becoming inseparable
The role compassion plays in effective leadership
How relationships continue to outperform transactions in business
Why adaptability is becoming a critical leadership capability
The leadership lesson Jake hopes future generations will remember
| Connect with Us |
Follow Jake Zabkowicz:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/zabkowicz/Company Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/hudson-talent-solutions/Facebook – Hudson Talent SolutionsInstagram – Hudson RPO (@hudsonrpo) • Instagram profileWebsite – Home
(Jake Zabkowicz is the CEO of Hudson Talent Solutions and a recognized leader in talent acquisition, workforce strategy, and organizational growth. With more than 20 years of experience helping organizations navigate workforce transformation and evolving talent needs, he is known for his people-first leadership approach, strategic vision, and commitment to building high-performing teams.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Follow WrkDefined:
LinkedIn: WRKdefinedInstagram: WRKdefined (@wrkdefined) • Instagram profileFacebook: WRKdefinedWebsite: WRKdefined Podcast Network: Conversations Pushing The Boundaries of Work
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?
Podcast Nomination Form - Podcast | Empower Your Leadership Journey — Listen Now — Christy Honeycutt -
Missing episodes?
-
Leadership is becoming increasingly complex. As organizations navigate changing workforce expectations, evolving team dynamics, and constant pressure to perform, the ability to lead effectively requires more than expertise or authority. Today's leaders must learn how to build trust, communicate intentionally, and create environments where people can thrive.
In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Carrie Fabris, Founder and CEO of CareerFrame, to explore what intentional leadership looks like in today's workplace.
Drawing on more than two decades of leadership experience, Carrie shares insights on the role of ego in leadership, why communication is truly a team sport, and how leaders can create stronger alignment through trust, strengths-based leadership, and self-awareness. Together, they discuss the hidden costs of grind culture, the value of Return on Energy (ROE), and why failure often becomes a catalyst for growth and development.
Because leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about creating the conditions for people to do their best work.
And if your organization is ready to strengthen communication, collaboration, and team performance, this conversation comes at the perfect time. As CareerFrame celebrates its 10-year anniversary, Carrie is in full workshop booking mode with seven workshop openings still available for organizations looking to build stronger teams, improve communication, and create cultures where people thrive. After all, communication is a team sport.
What You'll Learn:
Why ego can quietly undermine leadership effectiveness
How vulnerability strengthens credibility and trust
The importance of understanding the "why" before the "how"
Why communication is a shared responsibility across teams
How assumptions create misalignment inside organizations
The hidden cost of grind culture on performance and engagement
What Return on Energy (ROE) reveals about sustainable success
How strengths-based leadership improves team dynamics
Why adaptive leadership matters in multigenerational workplaces
How executive coaching creates space for growth and accountability
Why failure often signals meaningful development
How intentional leaders build cultures where people thrive
|Connect with Us |
Follow Carrie Fabris:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriefabris/LinkedIn Company Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/careerframe/Facebook – FacebookInstagram – Carrie Fabris (@cdfabris) • Instagram profileWebsite – Home | careerframe.com
(Carrie Fabris is the Founder and CEO of CareerFrame, an executive coaching and leadership development firm focused on helping leaders build stronger teams through self-awareness, intentional communication, and strengths-based leadership. With more than two decades of corporate leadership experience, she partners with organizations to strengthen culture, improve team dynamics, and develop leaders who create meaningful, lasting impact.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Follow WrkDefined:
LinkedIn – WRKdefinedInstagram – WRKdefined (@wrkdefined) • Instagram profileFacebook – WRKdefinedWebsite – WRKdefined Podcast Network: Conversations Pushing The Boundaries of Work
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?
Contact Form – Podcast | Empower Your Leadership Journey — Listen Now — Christy Honeycutt -
The future of work isn't slowing down—and neither can the way we prepare people for it.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, career paths are becoming increasingly nonlinear, and the skills that once guaranteed success no longer offer the same certainty. In a world defined by constant disruption, the question is no longer, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" It's: How do we prepare people to thrive through continual change?
In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Dr. Kevin Fleming, Founder and CEO of Catapult Masterclass, to explore what true readiness looks like in today's rapidly evolving workplace.
Drawing from decades of experience in education, leadership, and workforce development, Dr. Fleming challenges traditional thinking around career preparation and professional growth. Together, they discuss why adaptability has become a leadership imperative, how organizations can build cultures of continuous learning, and why individuals must take ownership of their own development.
Because in a world that refuses to sit still, our greatest advantage may not be certainty—it's our willingness to remain curious, adaptable, and teachable.
What You’ll learn:
Why today's professionals should expect multiple career transitions
How adaptability becomes a competitive advantage
The leadership traits that outlast technological disruption
Why authentic relationships remain the foundation of leadership
How organizations can rethink learning and development
The role of mentorship, coaching, and community in long-term success
Practical ways to take ownership of your growth and expand your opportunities
How informational interviews expand opportunity and social cpaital
One of my favorite takeaways: In a world defined by disruption, our greatest advantage may not be certainty—it's our willingness to remain curious, adaptable, and teachable.
If you're leading people, building a career, or navigating change, this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss.
| Connect with Us |
Follow Dr. Kevin Fleming:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinjflemingphd/Company Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/catapultmasterclass/Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/kevinjflemingphd?_rdc=1&_rdr#Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/kevinjflemingphd/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/TelosESWebsite – https://www.kevinjfleming.com/ | https://www.catapultlpd.com/
(Dr. Kevin Fleming is the Founder and CEO of Catapult Masterclass, an organization dedicated to helping educators prepare students for life beyond graduation through career-connected learning and workforce readiness initiatives. A former college vice president, author, speaker, and nationally recognized thought leader, he brings decades of experience at the intersection of education, leadership, and human development. His work challenges organizations and institutions to rethink how they cultivate adaptability, purpose, and lifelong learning in a rapidly changing world.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Follow WrkDefined:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined/posts/?feedView=allInstagram: WRKdefined (@wrkdefined) • Instagram profileFacebook: WRKdefined
Website: WRKdefined Podcast Network: Conversations Pushing The Boundaries of Work
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast -
Leadership is often measured by visibility, performance, and outcomes. Yet the leaders who create lasting impact understand something many organizations overlook:
Trust is the strategy.
As organizations navigate AI disruption, shifting workforce expectations, and increasingly fragmented attention, one capability continues to separate influential leaders from transactional operators—the ability to build meaningful relationships over time.
In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Greg Wasserman, a master relationship builder whose career spans media, advertising, business development, and podcasting. What begins as a conversation about podcasting quickly evolves into a deeper discussion about leadership, influence, communication, and why relationships remain one of the most valuable assets a leader can cultivate.
Greg challenges conventional thinking around growth, networking, and leadership effectiveness. Together, Christy and Greg explore why trust has become a competitive advantage, how vulnerability strengthens teams, and why the leaders who create the greatest impact focus less on extracting value and more on creating it.
This episode also doubles as a mini-masterclass in podcasting. Whether you're a host, a guest, a business leader considering a podcast, or simply curious about the medium, Greg shares practical insights, common mistakes, and hard-earned lessons that every podcaster should know. From measuring success beyond downloads to building genuine audience engagement, this conversation offers actionable advice that applies far beyond the microphone.
At its core, this episode reveals a simple but powerful truth: people rarely remember the transaction. They remember who listened, who showed up, who created value, and who invested in the relationship before expecting anything in return.
Strong leadership is often less about accelerating outcomes and more about building trust long enough for extraordinary outcomes to emerge.
What you’ll learn:
Why relationship-building is a leadership advantage
The difference between managing people and leading people
How vulnerability strengthens trust within teams
Why transactional leadership eventually limits growth
The role podcasting can play in building executive influence
How podcasts create long-term relationship equity
Why downloads can become misleading success metrics
The importance of audience engagement over audience size
Podcasting dos and don'ts for both hosts and guests
Practical tips for creating better conversations and stronger content
How consistent communication builds organizational trust
The hidden ROI of investing in people before opportunities emerge
If you're looking to become a better leader, communicator, networker, or podcast guest, this conversation delivers practical wisdom you can apply immediately.
| Connect with Us |
Follow Greg Wasserman:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman/Company Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/rsscom/Instagram – Greg Wasserman (@gwassermusc) • Instagram profileCompany Page - RSS.com (@rss_podcasting) • Instagram profileWebsite – https://rss.com/
(Greg Wasserman, Head of Relationships at RSS, is a relationship-driven media and podcast industry professional whose career spans advertising sales, business development, and strategic partnerships. After spending over 15 years in media and advertising, he transitioned into the podcast ecosystem, where he focuses on building trust, fostering meaningful connections, and helping leaders rethink growth through long-term relationships rather than short-term transactions. His work centers on communication, partnerships, and the intersection of audience-building and authentic leadership.
Follow Inside the C-Suite:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast -
What happens when a CEO asks a simple question that changes the trajectory of your career?
In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with leadership researcher, author, TEDx speaker, former Fortune 500 executive, and even stand-up comedian, Dr. Debra Clary, to explore why curiosity may be the most underrated leadership skill of our time.
After a 40-year career that took her from driving a Teamster route truck to serving in executive leadership roles at Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Brown-Forman, and Humana, Dr. Debra became fascinated by a pattern she couldn't ignore: the more successful leaders became, the less curious they often were.
That observation sparked years of research and ultimately led to her award-winning book, The Curiosity Curve.
In a world being reshaped by AI, uncertainty, and constant disruption, Dr. Debra makes a compelling case that the leaders who thrive won't be the ones with all the answers—they'll be the ones asking better questions.
We dive into the hidden cost of certainty, how curiosity fuels innovation, trust, and engagement, and why creating space for inquiry may be one of the most important responsibilities leaders have today.
Along the way, you'll hear lessons from the boardroom, the TEDx stage, and even the comedy stage, proving that curiosity isn't just a leadership trait—it's a competitive advantage.
Why curiosity is a leadership superpower
The dangerous relationship between certainty and blind spots
How AI increases the value of asking better questions
Practical ways to build a culture of curiosity
The connection between curiosity, trust, and hope
Why vulnerability and inquiry go hand in hand
How great leaders create environments where better ideas emerge
If you're leading through change, navigating uncertainty, or simply trying to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving world, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership—and the questions you're asking.
Because the future doesn't belong to those who know the most.
It belongs to those willing to keep learning.
Follow Debra Clary:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/debraclary/Company Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/theclarygroup/Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/drdebraclary/Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/drdebraclary/Website – https://www.debraclary.com
(Dr. Debra Clary is a leadership researcher, author, speaker, and former Fortune 500 executive whose career spans leadership roles at Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Brown-Forman, and Humana. After earning her doctorate in leader development and organizational design, she dedicated her work to helping organizations build stronger leaders during times of transformation. She is the author of The Curiosity Curve, a research-backed exploration of how curiosity drives performance, innovation, and organizational success.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2gk39EvNtXLVHuAbp7tr6bSubscribe on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-c-suite/id1739883160
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDZmt0CV92OihiJO1kS62SolgHvetZ0rzjJDMfO9YEILWu0g/viewform?usp=send_form -
Organizations move faster than ever. Leaders are expected to respond instantly, navigate complexity, and maintain clarity under pressure. Yet speed is often mistaken for effectiveness. In reality, the inability to slow down may contribute to burnout, stress, poor decisions, and disconnection.
In this episode, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Ayako DeRuby, founder of The Alchemy Yoga, meditation facilitator, sound healing practitioner, retreat host, and author. Together, they explore how awareness shapes leadership—not as a philosophy, but as a practical tool for decision-making, relationships, resilience, and growth.
Ayako shares her journey from seeking external validation and numbing discomfort to creating a life centered on meditation, emotional awareness, and intentional living. The conversation challenges assumptions about productivity, discomfort, and what sustainable leadership truly looks like.
The discussion raises an important question: How many workplace challenges come not from strategy gaps, but from leaders operating in constant reaction mode?
Because awareness creates options. Reactivity narrows them.
Why awareness is the foundation for meaningful change
The difference between responding and reacting under pressure
How mindfulness strengthens decision-making
Why emotional intelligence impacts leadership effectiveness
The role discomfort plays in growth and transformation
How unresolved patterns influence workplace behavior
Why consistency matters more than intensity in self-care
The connection between alignment, energy, and sustainable performance
How curiosity reduces judgment toward yourself and others
Why leaders benefit from creating mental space
How small pauses lead to clearer thinking and stronger leadership
00:00 – Introduction to Ayako DeRuby and her mindfulness work01:04 – Why leaders neglect wellbeing03:13 – Earth medicines and transformational work04:41 – The sacred pause: awareness and choice06:37 – Emotional regulation in business decisions08:15 – Technology, speed, and losing presence09:12 – Ayako’s journey through validation, addiction, and healing12:21 – Meditation and reconnecting with self-awareness14:08 – Sound healing and the nervous system16:02 – Purpose, compassion, and the “big why”19:30 – The inner guru and intelligence beyond thought24:25 – Burnout, misalignment, and resistance28:38 – Leadership lessons in uncertainty31:30 – Workplace stress and daily practices for leaders36:03 – Building emotional resilience36:36 – Resources and final reflections
| Connect with Us |
Follow Ayako DeRuby:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayakomahtani/Company Facebook – The Alchemy Yoga | Frisco TXInstagram - ✨Ayako✨ (@ayakothealchemy) • Instagram profileCompany Instagram – The Alchemy Yoga (@thealchemyyoga) • Instagram profileWebsite – Transformation Lives Here - The Alchemy Yoga
(Ayako DeRuby is the founder of Alchemy Yoga and a facilitator specializing in yoga, meditation, sound healing, and transformational wellness practices. Through retreats, mindfulness education, and her book The Foundation: Create a Lasting Meditation Practice, she helps individuals cultivate greater awareness, emotional resilience, and deeper connection with themselves. Her work focuses on creating practical pathways toward clarity, healing, and sustainable wellbeing.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast -
In many organizations, hiring is treated as a transaction—roles open, resumes are reviewed, and decisions are made quickly. But beneath that urgency is often misalignment between expectations, capability, and culture fit. As automation reshapes hiring, the human side can become diluted.
In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Matthew Howe, founder of Tread Talent Solutions, a disabled veteran-owned recruiting firm built on discipline, structure, and operational clarity. His work focuses on helping companies rethink not only who they hire, but how they approach hiring itself.
Matthew shares his journey from military service to corporate recruiting, the automotive industry, and entrepreneurship. A major turning point came when he realized his original business model was unsustainable. Rather than forcing growth, he rebuilt around a more aligned model centered on recruiting process outsourcing (RPO) and long-term partnership over transactional staffing.
The conversation explores how leadership connects to standards, accountability, and clarity. Matthew discusses how military discipline shaped his approach while emphasizing a critical truth: hiring is not just filling roles—it’s understanding readiness, capacity, and long-term fit.
The discussion expands into onboarding, leadership, and organizational systems. Companies often underestimate the time and investment required to properly integrate employees into teams. Without alignment and support, even strong hires can struggle.
At its core, this episode is about reinvention—of business models, leadership assumptions, and the discipline required to rebuild when existing systems no longer work.
What You’ll Walk Away With
• Why hiring failures often reflect system design, not candidate quality
• How military discipline translates into leadership and recruiting standards
• Why organizations underestimate onboarding and integration
• The difference between staffing, recruiting, and true business partnership
• How misaligned expectations impact performance
• Why self-awareness matters for founders navigating growth
• How AI is reshaping candidate behavior and hiring systems
• The importance of balancing speed with thoughtful evaluation
• Why many hiring managers default to “post and pray” recruiting
• How better job design improves candidate quality
• Why reinvention often requires dismantling what already works
• How leaders can better coach—not just evaluate—talent
00:00 – Intro to Inside the C-Suite & Matthew Howe
01:06 – Military background and transition into recruiting
02:10 – Early corporate recruiting experience
03:45 – Business model breakdown and challenges
04:42 – Shift from staffing to RPO
06:05 – Self-awareness, burnout, and candidate experience
06:53 – AI, applications, and hiring authenticity
08:05 – Hiring standards and leadership gaps
09:33 – Misalignment in hiring expectations
13:08 – Onboarding as leadership investment
15:42 – Military influence on discipline and standards
18:48 – Emotional reality of rebuilding a business
22:48 – Reinvention journey at Tread Talent Solutions26:14 – AI’s role in recruiting systems29:40 – Advice on uncertainty, timing, and action32:54 – Closing reflections
🎙️ Watch the full episode here:
Podcast — Christy Honeycutt
| Connect With Us |
Follow Matthew Howe:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewhowe2/
Company Page - https://www.linkedin.com/company/treadts/posts/?feedView=all
Website - https://www.treadts.com
(Matthew Howe is the founder of Tread Talent Solutions, a disabled veteran-owned recruiting and talent strategy firm specializing in helping small and mid-sized businesses optimize hiring systems. With experience spanning military service in the 82nd Airborne and corporate recruiting leadership, he brings a disciplined, systems-driven approach to talent acquisition. His work focuses on aligning hiring strategy, candidate experience, and organizational growth through practical, scalable recruiting frameworks.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:
LinkedIn – Christy Honeycutt
Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-Suite
Subscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form - Inside the C-Suite Podcast -
Sustained excellence is rarely the result of a single decision. It is the accumulation of thousands of leadership choices made in alignment—or misalignment—over time. In highly regulated, high-trust industries like banking, the margin for error is small, but the expectation for consistency is high. What often determines whether an organization endures is not just performance, but coherence between strategy, culture, and leadership behavior.
In this conversation on Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Mark Turner, former Chairman and CEO of WSFS Bank, who led the organization through a period of significant growth—from $2 billion to over $20 billion in assets. His leadership journey spans decades of executive decision-making, board governance, and cultural stewardship at scale.
Turner’s perspective is shaped not only by growth, but by durability. He reflects on what it means to lead organizations beyond a five-year planning horizon, emphasizing that true sustainability requires leaders to think in decades rather than cycles. His work today spans board service, executive advising, and mentoring CEOs navigating complexity in real time.
Throughout the episode, Christy and Mark explore how leadership shows up under pressure—when strategy meets execution, when systems strain under change, and when decisions must balance short-term accountability with long-term intent. His experience inside WSFS Bank offers a grounded view of how culture is not defined in principle, but in moments of action.
At the center of the conversation is a deeper leadership truth: sustained excellence is not achieved through optimization alone, but through alignment—between what an organization says, what it rewards, and how its leaders behave when outcomes are uncertain.
The episode closes on a simple but enduring idea: organizations do not lose their way in moments of crisis—they drift when short-term decisions are no longer anchored to long-term clarity.
Sustained excellence requires a 20–30 year strategic lens
Culture is defined by behavior under pressure, not stated values
Short-term performance must be interpreted within long-term strategy
Leadership trust is built slowly and damaged quickly
The strongest organizations align strategy, culture, and talent decisions
Decision-making speed improves when strategy is clearly defined
“Fit” and leadership capability matter before financial modeling
Culture compounds through consistent daily decisions
Misalignment at the top creates downstream organizational confusion
Leaders are responsible for setting context, not just delivering results
Transparency builds trust when outcomes do not meet expectations
Enduring organizations prioritize alignment over optimization
03:10 – Defining “sustained excellence”06:05 – Leadership under pressure and grounding practices08:00 – Responsibility, integrity, and leadership identity09:20 – Leading in evolving systems and hybrid work11:10 – Authority vs trust in leadership13:00 – Building culture through people and trust15:00 – What separates performance from endurance16:30 – Decision-making framework and strategic alignment18:50 – Why people and strategy come before financial modeling20:20 – Culture as a compounding system22:10 – Leadership lessons from crisis and service27:40 – Leadership misstep and rebuilding trust30:00 – Short-term focus vs long-term sustainability32:00 – Technology, speed, and leadership judgment34:10 – Misalignment at the top36:00 – Mindset, presence, and leadership discipline
🎙️ Watch the full episode here:Podcast — Christy Honeycutt
| Connect with Us |
Follow Mark Turner:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-turner-9b1025210/LinkedIn Company Page - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wsfs-bank/Website - WSFS BankFacebook – WSFS BankYouTube Company Page – WSFS Bank YouTube
(Mark Turner is the former Chairman and CEO of WSFS Bank, where he led the company through transformative growth from $2 billion to more than $20 billion in assets while consistently delivering market-leading performance. Known for his grounded and people-centered approach to leadership, Mark focuses on building cultures rooted in trust, accountability, and long-term sustainability. He is the author of Path to Sustained Excellence and a respected voice on leadership, organizational growth, and navigating complexity with clarity and purpose.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-Suite on SpotifySubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite on Apple Podcasts
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form - Inside the C-Suite Guest Contact Form -
Entrepreneurship at its most sustainable is not built on opportunity alone. It is built on identity, instinct, and the willingness to create a life where the work and the person are inseparable.In this episode, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Dennis Collins, founder of Collins Brothers Jeep — the largest classic Jeep restoration shop in the world — and creator of Coffee Walk, the long-running automotive content series that has surpassed 400 consecutive weekly episodes and built more than 2.3 million fully organic followers. Dennis shares a perspective shaped by decades of entrepreneurship, deep specialization, and the ability to recognize value long before the market catches up.The conversation explores the foundation of the Collins brand, beginning with Dennis identifying car leads as a newspaper boy at age 10 and continuing through the evolution of a business built on trust, expertise, and consistency. Dennis reflects on receiving his dealer’s license in 1984, building Collins Brothers from the ground up, and developing a reputation rooted in doing a small number of things exceptionally well.A major turning point came when his daughter Kelsey joined the business and challenged the company’s traditional marketing model. Together, they replaced nearly a million dollars in annual advertising spend with a content-first strategy built around storytelling, education, and authenticity. What started as a simple morning routine eventually became Coffee Walk — a platform that now drives sourcing, customer trust, and community engagement at scale.At the center of this episode is the idea that consistency is more than discipline; it is a reflection of values. Dennis discusses what it means to publish over 400 consecutive weekly episodes and why long-term trust is built through reliability, not short bursts of visibility.The conversation also explores a growing challenge in legacy industries: expertise is disappearing faster than it is being replaced. Dennis explains why craftsmanship, restoration knowledge, and relationship-based sourcing are becoming increasingly rare, and why bringing younger generations into the industry matters.Dennis also speaks candidly about sacrifice, trade-offs, and the personal cost behind entrepreneurial freedom. Throughout the episode, a clear theme emerges: freedom and discipline in entrepreneurship are deeply connected.What ultimately stands out is a model of entrepreneurship built less around hype and more around clarity. Dennis has built a business, media platform, and community rooted in a consistent identity — creating a brand that cannot easily be replicated.What You’ll Walk Away With Why identity builds lasting brands How organic growth creates stronger trust Why specialization compounds over time The value of listening to younger generations What consistency reveals about leadership Why focus protects brand integrity The sacrifices behind entrepreneurial freedom How legacy is passed through habits and standards00:00 – Introduction to Dennis Collins and Coffee Walk02:21 – Building Collins Brothers from the ground up04:08 – 400 consecutive episodes and audience trust05:57 – Replacing a $40K/month ad budget with content09:58 – Growing 2.3 million organic followers with zero paid ads13:01 – Legacy, family values, and leadership philosophy17:17 – Specialization and recognizing opportunities others miss21:19 – The sacrifices behind entrepreneurial freedom24:16 – Building community and investing in the next generation28:21 – The story behind the 1958 Austin-Healey “Goldie”32:20 – Integrity, craftsmanship, and patience33:18 – Final reflections and where to follow Dennis| Connect With Us |Follow Dennis Collins:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-collins-30452312/?skipRedirect=trueFacebook – https://web.facebook.com/DennisCollins/?_rdc=1&_rdr#Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thedenniscollinsTwitter/X – https://x.com/holygraildennisYoutube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC17IH_7LhXszAU-SB1wvx_AWebsite – https://www.thedenniscollins.com/(Dennis Collins is the founder of Collins Brothers Jeep — the largest classic Jeep restoration shop in the world — and the creator of Coffee Walk, a long-form automotive content series with over 2.3 million organic followers and 400 consecutive weekly episodes. A lifelong entrepreneur who received his dealer's license in 1984, Dennis has built a business across restoration, parts manufacturing, and digital media that reflects a single consistent principle: know your lane and dominate it. He is based in Wiley, Texas.)Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2gk39EvNtXLVHuAbp7tr6bApple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-c-suite/id1739883160Want to be a guest or recommend someone?https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDZmt0CV92OihiJO1kS62SolgHvetZ0rzjJDMfO9YEILWu0g/viewform?usp=send_form
-
Leadership today is increasingly shaped by complexity—but its core challenges remain deeply human.
In this episode, Christy Honeycutt is joined by William Tincup, a leading voice in HR, recruiting, and the future of work, to explore how leadership, systems, and human behavior intersect in modern organizations.
The conversation looks at the gap between vendor promises and real-world adoption, where success is determined not at purchase, but through implementation, alignment, and trust in execution.
It then shifts into leadership identity—highlighting how misalignment between a leader’s natural style and their environment can quietly limit clarity, creativity, and performance.
A key theme throughout is vulnerability in leadership. William emphasizes that asking for help and engaging peers is not a weakness, but a strategic advantage that accelerates growth and decision-making.
The discussion also reinforces that communication and clarity are critical in uncertain environments. Effective leadership is not about having all the answers, but about addressing complexity directly and without ego.
At its core, the episode underscores a simple principle: leadership effectiveness is shaped by self-awareness, environment, and the willingness to engage others openly.
The strongest leadership is not defined by certainty, but by awareness, alignment, and openness to learning through others.
Leadership success depends on implementation, not just selection of tools
Misalignment between identity and environment can quietly constrain performance
Authentic leadership is a factor in creativity and decision-making quality
Vulnerability is not weakness—it is a mechanism for acceleration
Peer networks often provide more practical support than internal structures
The real value of vendors emerges after adoption, not at point of sale
Trust and communication are foundational to effective partnerships
Self-awareness is a performance driver, not just a personal trait
Leaders grow faster when they normalize asking questions early
Ego reduction improves both clarity and collaboration
Complexity in systems requires simplicity in communication
No leader operates effectively in isolation
00:00 – Introduction and guest context02:10 – Industry expectations vs reality in vendor relationships06:05 – Trust, adoption, and post-sale challenges10:20 – The gap between promise and implementation13:40 – Authenticity and leadership identity17:50 – Vulnerability and peer learning in leadership21:30 – Building trust in vendor-practitioner relationships25:10 – Communication, ego, and organizational clarity30:15 – Health crisis, advocacy, and support systems35:40 – Empathy, uncertainty, and human behavior39:20 – Final reflections on asking questions and peer support
🎙️ Watch the full episode here:Podcast — Christy Honeycutt
|Connect With Us|
Follow William Tincup:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/Company Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined/posts/?feedView=allFacebook – William TincupInstagram – William Tincup (@williamtincup) • Instagram profileWebsite – WRKdefined Podcast Network: Conversations Pushing The Boundaries of Work
YouTube - WRKdefined Podcast NetworkX/ Twitter - William Tincup (@williamtincup) on X
(William Tincup is a leading voice in HR, recruiting, and the future of work. Through his work with WRKdefined Podcast Network, he explores how organizations are evolving in real time—challenging traditional thinking around leadership, hiring, and workplace systems. Known for his direct and thoughtful perspective, he brings clarity to complex conversations about how work is changing and what that means for leaders navigating uncertainty.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form - Inside the C-Suite Podcast -
Avelo Airlines is entering a new chapter of growth—and North Texas is part of that story.
In this episode, Andrew Levy sits down with Christy Honeycutt and shares the leadership philosophy behind building Avelo: simplify travel, meet customers where they are, and rethink how air service connects everyday communities.
That vision is now showing up in real time with Avelo’s planned expansion into McKinney National Airport in North Texas—a move designed to shift travel away from congestion-heavy hubs like DFW and toward local convenience, speed, and accessibility.
For Collin County and surrounding communities, this isn’t just new service—it’s a structural shift in how people move. Shorter lines. Easier access. Point-to-point travel that prioritizes time as much as cost.
At its core, this expansion reflects something deeper we explore in the conversation: LEADERSHIP is not only about scaling a company—it’s about reshaping how people experience a system (inside and out).
This isn’t just another airline entering a market.
It’s a bet on a different behavior entirely—that people will choose proximity over complexity, and simplicity over scale when given the option.
If it lands as intended, it doesn’t just add routes.It redefines dependency—moving from large hub reliance to local convenience.
Leadership is shaped more by experience than theory
Complexity demands steadiness, not perfection
Communication gaps often become leadership gaps over time
Accountability is not about blame—it’s about ownership
Identity can shift when roles change unexpectedly
Failure is a requirement for meaningful leadership growth
Culture is not controlled—it is continuously shaped by behavior
The strongest teams are built on trust, clarity, and responsibility
Talent is less about pedigree and more about character and discipline
Staying grounded is a leadership practice, not a personality trait
00:00 – Introduction & Andrew Levy background01:15 – What Avelo Airlines is building04:10 – The strategy of convenience and everyday low fares08:09 – Leadership under tragedy and operational complexity13:37 – Career evolution and lessons from multiple airlines18:30 – Identifing high-potential talent22:01 – Why failure is essential to leadership growth25:42 – Growth through termination28:35 – Identity shift after leaving a long-term leadership role32:30 – Building Intentional culture35:21 – Defining values and hiring for alignment38:17 – Perspective on travel, patience, and human behavior40:49 – Closing reflections on leadership and Avelo’s future
🎙️ Watch the full episode here: Podcast — Christy Honeycutt
| Connect with Us |Follow Andrew Levy:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-levy-0b70931/Company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/avelo-airlines/Instagram - Avelo Airlines (@aveloair) • Instagram profileWebsite - HomepageFacebook - Avelo Airlines | Houston TX(Andrew Levy is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Avelo Airlines, an ultra low-cost carrier he launched in 2021. With over three decades of experience in aviation, he has held senior leadership roles at major U.S. airlines, including serving as CFO of United Airlines and Co-Founder and President of Allegiant Air. Today, he leads Avelo Airlines with a focus on making air travel more accessible, efficient, and affordable by serving underserved markets and building a streamlined, customer-focused operation.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest? Contact Form - Inside the C-Suite Podcast -
How do you know when to keep going—and when it’s time to walk away?Not just stress. Not just pressure.But something deeper your body can no longer ignore.
In this episode, David Greenwood joins Christy Honeycutt for a real, unfiltered conversation on burnout—what it looks like, how it builds, and why so many high-performing professionals miss the signs until it’s too late.
This is not a surface-level conversation about being “too busy.”It’s a deeper look at what happens when work, life, and constant pressure collide—and start showing up in your body, your habits, and your identity.
Together, they unpack what people often overlook:Why burnout isn’t just about workloadWhy stress doesn’t stay in your head—it lives in your bodyAnd why pushing through can sometimes do more harm than good
From caregiving responsibilities to the “always-on” culture of modern work, David shares practical, real-world insight on how burnout develops—and what it actually takes to move through it.
We also get into the real conversations:Health. Boundaries. Leadership. Identity. Change.And the truth?If your work is making you physically sick, it’s no longer something to manage—it’s something to address.
If you’re navigating pressure, leading teams, or questioning your current path—this isn’t theory.This is reality.
Burnout often shows up physically—not just mentally
One early sign: losing interest in the things you once loved
Stress is stored in the body, not just the mind
The “always-on” culture is quietly fueling burnout
Caregiving, life pressure, and work all compound burnout
Awareness is the first step—but action must follow
You don’t always need to quit—but you do need a plan
Sometimes healing starts with simple, physical reset habits
Not all burnout looks the same—context matters
Leadership plays a role in either fueling or reducing burnout
Burnout isn’t weakness—it’s a signal
Real change starts when you stop ignoring that signal
00:00 Introduction & David’s background01:20 The personal story behind burnout03:19 Burnout across life stages (career, kids, aging parents)05:31 The myth of “simple fixes” for burnout07:04 Employer awareness & responsibility09:45 The impact of “always-on” work culture11:47 What burnout actually looks like12:37 Early signs: losing connection to what you love15:50 When stress shows up physically18:11 Creating a plan & finding a way out21:50 Industry change, pressure & adaptation23:49 External stressors and mental load26:18 Practical ways to start healing28:38 When it’s time to walk away30:07 Where to connect with David
🎙️ Watch the full episode here: Podcast — Christy Honeycutt
| Connect with Us |Follow David Greenwood:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidagreenwood/Instagram - David Greenwood (@david_greenwood1) • Instagram profileWebsite - Overcoming BurnoutFacebook - Overcoming Distractions
Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest? Contact Form - Inside the C-Suite Podcast -
What does real leadership look like in a multicultural world?Not just awareness. Not just intention.Understanding. Respect. Action.
In this episode, Brigitte Skeene joins Christy Honeycutt for a grounded, honest conversation on what it really takes to lead across difference—without reducing people to checkboxes, labels, or assumptions.
This is not a surface-level conversation about inclusion.It’s a deeper look at culture, belonging, identity, and the invisible dynamics shaping how people experience work every day.
Together, they unpack what leaders often miss:Why emotional intelligence alone is no longer enoughWhy culture is more than ethnicityAnd why respect without understanding can still fall short
From Indigenous ways of knowing to the power of cultural intelligence, Brigitte brings a human-centered perspective that challenges organizations to stop confusing intention with impact.
We also get into the real conversations:Belonging. Bias. Systems. Trust. Hiring.And the truth?If leadership is not changing people’s lived experience, it is not going far enough.
If you are leading people, building teams, or shaping culture in today’s environment—this is not theory.This is the work.
Emotional intelligence matters—but it’s not enough on its own
Cultural intelligence shifts leaders from judgment to understanding
Culture goes beyond ethnicity—it shapes how we think, act, and connect
The Golden Rule is limited—practice the Platinum Rule instead
Wanting to be respectful ≠ being respectful
Belonging and authenticity can be in tension at work
Indigenous ways of knowing offer lessons on balance, time, and community
Inclusion becomes performative without real accountability
Inclusive hiring starts with culture—not just job posts
If people have to change to “fit,” they don’t truly belong
Leadership means making space for overlooked voices
Real change happens when awareness turns into action
00:00 Introduction & Brigitte’s story03:05 Identity, belonging & personal journey10:30 Why EQ is no longer enough11:12 What culture really means beyond ethnicity14:35 The 4 dimensions of cultural intelligence (CQ)17:31 Golden Rule vs. Platinum Rule20:25 When intention becomes performative22:01 Deep listening & the talking stick23:49 Why inclusion is urgent for leaders26:49 Why “fit” is the wrong goal28:31 The uncomfortable truth leaders must face29:33 How to start practicing CQ31:17 Final thoughts on leadership & belonging
| Connect with Us |Follow Brigitte Skeene:Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigittes-skeene-recrutement/Facebook - https://facebook.com/brigitte.skeeneInstagram - Brigitte Skeene (@olivalex) • Instagram profileWebsite - https://talentiq.ca/
(Brigitte Skeene is a leader in cultural intelligence and inclusive leadership, helping organizations move beyond surface-level diversity efforts toward deeper understanding, respect, and meaningful change. Her work integrates human-centered leadership with practical strategies that transform how teams connect, collaborate, and perform.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast -
What does real leadership look like when things get hard?Pressure. Change. Uncertainty.
Not when it’s polished—when it’s messy.
In this episode, Stephanie Manzelli joins Christy Honeycutt for a straight, no-BS conversation on what it actually takes to lead humans—not just manage outcomes.
We go deep on:
Why clarity beats control—every time
Why onboarding isn’t a process… it’s a signal
And how trust is built (or broken) in the smallest, most overlooked moments
From prepping a new CEO for day one to navigating layoffs with integrity, Stephanie brings a grounded, human-first perspective that most leaders talk about—but very few actually practice.
We also hit the real conversations:AI. Accountability. Blind spots. Performance.And the truth? Kindness isn’t soft. It’s strategy.
If you’re leading in today’s environment—or trying to—this isn’t theory.This is how you show up when it matters most.
What You’ll Walk Away With
Onboarding isn’t a checklist—it’s your first leadership test
The first 90 days? That’s where trust is won or lost
Executive onboarding = context + connection + credibility (fast)
If your people are surprised in performance reviews, you’ve already lost
Trust breaks when leaders communicate how they prefer—not how others receive
HR has a massive opportunity right now—if it chooses to lead, not react
AI should drive better decisions—not justify bad ones
When things get hard, leaders need a North Star: What am I going to say to my people?
Kindness and respect aren’t optional—they’re differentiators
Every experience (especially the hard ones) is data—if you choose to use it
00:00 Who Stephanie is—and why her perspective matters01:10 The first 90 days: setting a CEO up to win03:13 Why executive onboarding is a different game06:39 Designing onboarding that actually works08:23 Best + worst onboarding stories (and what they teach us)12:30 The leadership behavior quietly killing trust15:04 Why context is everything17:38 What employees carry that leaders never see20:04 Why kindness is a leadership strategy22:58 Performance reviews: no surprises, ever26:08 HR’s moment to lead (or miss it)28:59 AI, layoffs, and the accountability gap34:13 Final word: growth, ownership, and showing up better
| Connect with Us |
Follow Stephanie Manzelli:LinkedIn – Stephanie Manzelli(Stephanie Manzelli is the Chief People Officer at Employ Inc., known for her expertise in transformational leadership and guiding organizations through periods of change. With a career rooted in navigating complexity, Stephanie specializes in turning chaos into clarity—helping companies evolve their people strategies while maintaining strong, human-centered cultures.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast -
In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Mark Shank, Founder and Managing Partner of Shank ADR, to unpack some of the most common leadership and workplace issues that quietly damage organizations from the inside out.
40+ years.Thousands of cases.A front-row seat to what actually breaks organizations.
And here’s the truth:It’s not usually the big, dramatic failures.
It’s the quiet patterns.The subtle behaviors.The things leaders don’t see—or choose not to address.
Because dysfunction doesn’t show up loud at first.It builds… slowly… under the surface.
We get into what’s really happening inside organizations:
Responsibility with no authority (aka the fastest path to burnout)
Power dynamics and silos that kill momentum
Favoritism that erodes trust—quietly but completely
And the ripple effect of one careless comment
What feels small in the moment?That’s often where the damage starts.
What We Unpack
Why giving people responsibility without authority sets them up to fail
How micromanagement signals mistrust—and creates it
The real reason people hoard information (and why it spreads)
Why favoritism isn’t just cultural—it’s operational risk
How one offhand comment can create legal and cultural fallout
The “prism effect”: how perception distorts intent—and changes outcomes
Why humility and apology aren’t weakness—they’re leadership
How listening (really listening) strengthens every layer of the business
And the truth: trust isn’t soft—it’s the engine behind performance
Leadership isn’t just about setting direction.
It’s about awareness.It’s about trust.It’s about how people actually experience you when you’re not in the room.
And more often than not…It’s about what you’re not seeing.
This conversation is real.It’s honest.And if you’re leading people right now—it’s required listening.
00:00 Introduction & Leadership Risk Overview02:10 Top 3 Workplace Risks03:16 Responsibility Without Authority05:54 Impact: Burnout, Trust & Inefficiency09:21 Delegation & Letting Go of Control11:52 Navigating Lack of Authority14:02 When It’s Time to Walk Away15:27 Silos, Favoritism & Power21:45 Communication Risks in the Workplace25:29 The “Prism Effect”27:38 Humility in Leadership30:29 Human Connection in Leadership33:15 Final Advice & Closing
| Connect with Us |Follow Mark Shank:LinkedIn - Mark ShankCompany: Diamond McCarthy LLPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/markshank54/Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/markshank54/Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – Christy HoneycuttSubscribe on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2gk39EvNtXLVHuAbp7tr6bSubscribe on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-c-suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – https://docs.google.com/forms/ -
In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Mark Coscarello — a former recruiter, startup advisor, and a leader who believes business should be built with people in mind, not just profit.
Mark’s career began in talent acquisition, helping companies find the right people. Over time, he uncovered a deeper truth about leadership:
Great companies aren’t built by strategy alone.
They’re built through trust, empathy, and human connection.
As organizations navigate burnout, AI disruption, and a rapidly shifting workforce, many professionals are asking the same question:
What kind of leadership actually works today?
In this conversation, Mark shares his journey from recruiter to entrepreneur and explains why some of the most valuable leadership lessons don’t come from boardrooms — they come from relationships.
Because when leaders genuinely care about their people, something powerful happens.
Culture improves.
Trust grows.
And companies become stronger.
The discussion also explores the tension many HR and talent leaders face today — operating within systems that prioritize profit while advocating for people.
Mark explains why empathy in leadership isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom.
He also introduces a powerful concept he uses when making decisions:
The secret is two, not three.
By simplifying choices and focusing on what truly matters, leaders can create clarity — both for themselves and for their teams.
This episode explores:
• Why human connection remains the most valuable leadership currency
• The transition from recruiter to entrepreneur
• How trust is built — and how easily it can be broken
• Why empathy should be a core leadership trait
• The reality HR leaders face when profit becomes the primary priority
• How AI is reshaping business strategy and careers
• Why simplifying decisions can unlock better leadership outcomes
Technology will continue to evolve.
AI will continue to transform industries.
But leadership will always come back to people.
The leaders who succeed long-term won’t just build profitable companies — they’ll build trustworthy ones.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Leadership, Networking & Human Connection02:07 – Mark’s Journey From Recruiter to Entrepreneur05:57 – Why Human Connection Matters in Business08:29 – Building Trust in Leadership and Partnerships12:11 – When Trust Is Broken in Business16:59 – Nonlinear Thinking and Leadership Strengths20:39 – AI, Technology & Career Evolution22:32 – Simplifying AI and Go-To-Market Strategy27:34 – Transferable Skills from HR and Recruitment
| Connect with Us |
Follow Mark Coscarello:
LinkedIn – Mark CoscarelloInstagram: @markcoscarelloFacebook: Mark CoscarelloCompany: Home
Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – Christy HoneycuttSubscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast -
In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy sits down with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio — leadership educators, authors of Lead It Like Lasso and The Business of You, and advocates for human-centered leadership.
Their message is simple.
Leadership starts with you.
Before strategy.Before influence.Before authority.
Self-awareness.
Marnie and Nick spent years inside corporate leadership roles before realizing something many organizations overlook: the biggest leadership gaps aren’t technical — they’re human.
Communication.Self-reflection.Character.Accountability.Vulnerability.
And the willingness to admit when you’re wrong.
This conversation explores what happens when leaders stop chasing the credential ladder and start investing in the value ladder — the personal growth that actually shapes how we lead.
Because teams don’t follow perfection.
They follow authenticity.
Nick shares how his own leadership mindset shifted when he realized defending every decision wasn’t leadership — growth was. Marnie discusses the importance of building cultures where leaders model reflection, learning, and emotional intelligence.
We unpack:How leadership begins with self-reflectionWhy character skills outweigh technical skillsThe role vulnerability plays in building trustWhy hope can be more powerful than trust for followersThe importance of admitting when you're wrongHow failure can become one of leadership’s greatest teachersWhy investing in personal development changes leadership outcomesThe difference between the credential ladder and the value ladderHow leaders can align their values with the cultures they build
Marnie and Nick are also building Blue, an upcoming platform designed to help young adults develop life and leadership skills through guided, gamified self-reflection.
Because leadership development shouldn’t start in the boardroom.
It should start with understanding yourself.
As Nick says in the episode:
"Would you invest in you?"
The future of leadership belongs to those who can answer that question honestly.
00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Collaboration01:33 The Journey of Marnie and Nick05:15 Navigating Broken Systems08:35 The Importance of Self-Reflection12:06 Investing in Yourself15:45 The Shift from Expertise to Human Skills19:21 Vulnerability in Leadership22:39 Learning from Failures26:02 The Future of Leadership and Blue
| Connect with Us |
Follow Marnie Stockman:LinkedIn – Marnie StockmanWebsite – Lead It Like Lasso
Follow Nick Coniglio:LinkedIn – Nick ConiglioWebsite – The Business of You bridges the gap between personal and professional development with a toolkit.
Learn more about their books:Lead It Like LassoThe Business of You
(Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio are leadership educators and authors who focus on helping individuals develop character-driven leadership through self-awareness, reflection, and human-centered skills.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast -
In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy sits down with Lauren Jackson — salon founder, hair loss specialist, and Mrs. Texas 2025.
Yes, crowned.And yes — navigating hair loss herself.
This isn’t a conversation about beauty.
It’s a conversation about leadership.
Because when your identity shifts — especially in a visible role — you’re faced with a choice: hide, harden, or lead through it.
Lauren shares how discovering a bald spot became more than a physical change. It triggered a reckoning. Depression. Fatigue. Questions about confidence and control. And ultimately — clarity.
What could have diminished her presence refined her leadership.
Her salon is no longer just a place for styling. It’s a sanctuary for people navigating identity disruption. She leads with empathy, not ego. With understanding, not assumptions. With boundaries, not burnout.
We unpack:
How identity loss can become identity expansion
Vulnerability doesn’t weaken authority - it deepens it
The invisible grief that comes with identity shifts
Why empathy in leadership is non-negotiable
How insensitive comments can quietly wound
Education begins at home — compassion must be modeled
Personal pain can become professional purpose
Creating boundaries to protect your mental health
What it really means to wear the crown — with or without hair
Lauren embodies a leadership strength we don’t talk about enough: visible resilience.
To wear a crown — literally or metaphorically — while navigating personal change requires grounded confidence. Not perfection. Not image control. Presence.
The crown isn’t the hair.
The crown is:Resilience.Self-awareness.Empathy under pressure.The courage to keep showing up.
This conversation is about what it means to lead when your identity is evolving in public — and how real strength is built when image gives way to authenticity.
Because leadership isn’t about appearance.
It’s about alignment.
00:00 Introduction to Hair Loss and Community Support02:30 Lauren's Personal Journey with Hair Loss05:16 Empathy and Support in the Salon Environment07:58 The Impact of Hair Loss on Identity and Confidence10:54 Support Systems: Family and Friends13:35 Navigating Insensitivity and Promoting Empathy16:28 Educating the Next Generation on Hair Loss19:37 The Impact of Stress on Hair Loss25:07 Transforming Personal Struggles into Professional Strength27:43 Navigating Public Scrutiny and Mental Health29:27 Empathy in Leadership and Self-Care32:54 Creating Safe Spaces for Healing and Connection
| Connect with Us |
Follow Lauren Jackson (Mrs. Texas):Instagram – @mrstexasFacebook – Mrs. Texas Lauren JacksonWebsite – Lauren Jackson
(Lauren Jackson is Mrs. Texas and an advocate for family, personal growth, and empowering women to prioritize what truly matters while balancing leadership and life.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast -
What does it really take to build a team that executes at a high level, adapts quickly, and genuinely cares about the work?
In this episode, Jason Putnam—CEO of Vetty—joins Christy Honeycutt to break down his Pirate Ship Methodology, a leadership framework designed to balance discipline, accountability, and fun while creating a culture rooted in trust and hope.
Jason shares how great leadership starts with being a good human first, why consistency and transparency matter more than charisma, and how leaders can empower their teams to take ownership—even when operating without formal authority. He also reflects on how parenting has shaped his leadership style, the importance of intentional communication, and why mistakes are essential to growth.
If you’re a leader who wants to build loyal teams, communicate more effectively, and create a workplace where people feel safe, valued, and motivated—this conversation is for you.
00:00 Introduction to Leadership and the Pirate Ship Methodology02:45 Navigating Different Leadership Styles05:34 The Importance of Trust and Hope in Leadership08:18 Building a Loyal and Effective Team11:15 The Role of Consistency and Transparency14:21 Addressing Leadership Challenges and Fostering Growth19:45 Building Trust in Leadership21:17 Wellness and Work-Life Balance for Leaders24:18 Parenting and Leadership: Lessons Learned28:27 The Importance of Intentional Time29:43 Taking Responsibility as a Leader31:35 Navigating Responsibility Without Authority32:49 Continuous Improvement in Leadership Communication
Takeaways
Leadership is about being a good human while holding people accountable.
Trust and hope are the foundation of team loyalty.
Clear, consistent communication drives execution.
Leaders must empower teams to make decisions.
Mistakes are part of growth—embrace them.
Consistency and transparency build credibility.
Prioritizing your well-being makes you a better leader
| Connect with Us |
Follow Jason Putnam:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonputnam/Website: Hiring at Scale | Vetty Background Checks & Onboarding
(Jason Putnam is a leadership practitioner and team builder known for his honest, responsibility-driven approach to developing people—helping leaders close the gap between motivation and capability through ownership, coaching, and collaboration.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast - Show more
