Rebel Mindset

Identity Flexing

This week on Rebel Mindset—formerly The Upshot—we’re exploring what it takes to break free from limiting beliefs with Vania Cao, a program manager at a major Bay Area philanthropy, startup consultant, career coach, and founder of Free the PhD. In this episode, we tackle the mental blocks that keep people stuck—imposter syndrome, analysis paralysis, and the fear of taking action before feeling “ready.” She breaks down why “fake it till you make it” is more than just a catchphrase—it’s a strategic mindset shift that builds confidence and momentum. Plus, she introduces identity flexing, a game-changing approach to embracing new opportunities with clarity and conviction. If you’re ready to stop second-guessing and start moving forward, this episode is for you. Tune in now!

Train Your Mind | Part 2

Manifestation has become a buzzword, but is it as mystical as we think?
In reality, manifestation is about bringing clear visions to life through intentional action. It’s the power of the mind to create—"Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve."
In this episode of The Upshot Leadership podcast, Buddhist monk Gen Kelsang Menla joins us in part two to explore how to train your mind, identify your values and goals, and practice patience in turning them into reality. It’s not about quick fixes or "three-step formulas," but about clarity, dedication, and daily effort.
As we approach 2025, we’ll also discuss how our individual actions shape the world we co-create, and how to set goals that lead to true, sustainable happiness. Tune in for a fresh perspective on goal-setting and leading yourself into the new year!

Stop Self-sabotaging! | Part 1

Is what you're believing beneficial? This month we have a special year-end podcast episode with Buddhist monk and leader, Gen Kelseng Menla. 
We hit on all aspects of mindfulness and service-based leadership. One topic we discuss throughout is ego and how your concept of yourself impacts how you lead. In psychoanalysis, ego is defined as "the part of the mind that mediates between the conscious and the unconscious and is responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity." In Gen Menla's practice of Kadampa Buddhism, clinging too tightly to the concept of ego can be explained as "self cherishing," or putting the self before others.  
So how does what you choose to believe about yourself, others, your organization, and the world create your reality? Is it a reality that is beneficial in supporting your goals and values, or is it a deterrent? What would it be like to believe something different, and how might that impact your actions? Are you aware of the beliefs driving your inner narrative? 
As we wrap up 2024, this is a great listen for reflection, but this podcast can be a great tune up for any season. Tune in: 
Part two with Gen Menla coming in Jan. 2025, stay tuned!

Reality is a Choice—Design Your Life

Have you ever paused to ponder what makes you feel alive? And, if so, how often are you actually doing those activities? If you're anything like the vast majority of people, you are probably just trying to survive most of the time. Making space for what makes you feel alive might be considered a luxury versus a necessity. Yet, without making space for self-understanding and intention, as Yogi Berra said, "If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up somewhere else."
Our next guest on The Upshot Podcast is Chris Coward, a professional Master Certified Coach with over 20 years of experience in executive coaching, preceded by 10 years of leadership in social work. She owns Coaching to Fulfillment and is the VP of Coaching Services at Apollo Health, a company that combines medicine and technology to optimize cognition and reverse dementia.
Beyond her professional titles, Chris is a member of two rock bands and frequently travels to festivals. She is an avid outdoorswoman and skier. She makes time to mentor others and to pursue what lights her up on a weekly, if not daily, basis.
So, what does it take to live this way? And how might fear and boundaries aid in succeeding or sabotaging your intentions? If you say yes to what you really want, what do you have to say no to? (If you find a way to have it all without saying "no" to anything, let us know...) And this is often the real kicker - how do you even know what you want? The process starts with intentional life design.
Tune in to learn about how to create a life with intention, aligned with your values, vs. being blown by the wind and following the herd.

Culture Eats Chaos for Breakfast

Raise your hand if you worked in retail at some point. Our next guest is a retail management professional with over 22 years of experience, Michelle Telkes. Like many in retail, Michelle was initially drawn in by the allure of fashion but gained so much more. Michelle is currently the Store Manager of Michael Kors in Dallas, TX, and typically leads a team of over 20. She is responsible for everything from people development, including recruiting, hiring, training, and performance, to all facets of store management, including inventory and operations management, strategic planning, sales and marketing, and customer experience. She previously worked for Tesla, All Saints, Swatch, and Betsey Johnson. Listen to how Michelle has created a supportive, agile, and intentional team environment that consistently achieves goals while prioritizing the individuals who make it happen.

Lead like a Champion

USA USA USA!!! If you're anything like us, you've been in a haze of Olympics magic this summer. The power of sports to inspire and bring diverse cultures, countries, and beliefs together is undeniable, but what about the role of sports in developing organizational leaders? In this episode, we welcome Vanessa Zink, Chief Communications Officer for the City of Colorado Springs - fondly known as Olympic City USA - to The Upshot Leadership podcast. Colorado Springs is home to the US Olympic Committee, which supports the National Governing Bodies of each sport and is home to a renowned training center where countless athletes come to live and train as they prepare for the ultimate competition.
 
Managing a team of 14 directly responsible for the Mayor's communications, city-wide initiatives, and internal communications for 3,000 employees, Vanessa serves in a high-visibility and high-impact executive role in Olympic City. Previously, Vanessa served in various roles at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the U.S. Golf Association, where she served media at major events, including three Olympic Games and several USGA Championships. Vanessa is a passionate sports enthusiast and former college athlete - competing as a gymnast and track & field athlete at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and going on to become a graduate assistant gymnastics coach at Ball State.
Tune in to learn how her background in sports shaped her career and made her the communications leader she is today. She will discuss building a high-performance team, finding mentorship, setting boundaries, and building a support network in and out of work.

Find the Edge To Drive Change - Ask Why

Ah, the good, bad, and ugly of politics. It can make some people run for the hills and others run into the burning flames. So, what is it that makes someone want to put themselves in the line of fire? And what can we learn from leaders that are so bold? Learn how sales leader & local politician Jacq O'Connell uses sales and EQ skills to collaborate and drive change as a City Council member in a small Texas town. Walk away with strategies to find common ground in any group, even when you're considered an outsider.

Tapping into AI...Purposefully

"What sets humans apart from AI - our intuition, unexpected flashes of inspiration, and the disobedience to think about and do things differently." Listen in as Technology Chief Growth Officer Elizabeth Kiehner explores leadership and work in the age of AI. The technology is here to stay - and evolve - but it doesn't have to be doom and gloom. When thoughtfully applied, it can enhance our work and lives. 

DEIB Matters!

Your first thought is shaped by society; your second thought reflects your true perspective. In this episode with Industrial Organizational Psychologist Dr. Alex Zelin, we'll explore how socialization plays a role in DEIB and the workplace and how to meet people where they are at.