
The Empowered Series
Why did you begin? When you were ready to give up, why didn’t you? What is your biggest fear and what is your most powerful inspiration? The Empowered Series pulls the curtain back on the processes and lives of the creators, leaders, and thinkers who are currently making a difference by creating something new and asking the hard questions. Grab a cup of tea or open a bottle of wine and join me as I sit down with some of the most fascinating people I know who serve as a great source of inspiration for me. Together, we will dive in and talk about the lessons they’ve learned, the tools that continue to serve them, and be reminded that we too have the ability to hold space and reach heights unknown. Hosted by Ryan James Monroe. Music by Alec Michael Ryan. Cover Art by Maddie Franke.
Episodes
31 episodes
RJM x Liyia Wu: Peace With Failure
I can honestly say that this conversation is quite timely, it's incredibly bold, and I learned a TON. If you're thinking of starting a business, you're running one now, you're managing a team, or you're feeling stuck in your career, this conver...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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54:36

RJM x Mike Indursky: Halving It All
Today we are sitting down with Mike Indursky who, after spending the last 30 years in the beauty and wellness business, founded the new, indie skincare brand HEAR ME RAW. In addition to telling us about why he felt called to create this company...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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1:03:58

RJM x Thomas Hodges: Dreams
WE ARE BACK!!! We hope that your 2022 is off to a solid start and are so excited to be back in this incredible space. To kick off the rest of Season 2, we are sitting down with the incredible Thomas Hodges. In this conversation we discuss how T...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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1:16:08

RJM x Jimmy Monroe: A Father's Evolution
If you would've told me 15 years ago that I'd have the relationship I have today with my father, I wouldn't have believed you. If you would've told you a year ago that I'd interview him for my podcast? Same response. Well, here we go! I am trul...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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45:07

RJM x Erica Sutherlin: The Journey
Wow! It has been such a crazy week! How lucky to get to sit down with the brilliant Erica Sutherlin to discuss staying the course and trusting our journey on a week like this. If you are feeling stuck, uninspired, scared, or full of self-doubt,...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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57:53

RJM x Francesca V: The Stars
Today, Ryan James Monroe is sitting down with “fashion’s favorite cosmic queen," Francesca V. In this conversation, Francesca reminds us that we are all unique and connected—that there is a map in the sky for each of us and the energy of the st...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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1:12:03

A Communal Breath: A Reminder
As we move into the holiday season, we are going to move to bi-weekly episodes! Today, we're taking a quick moment to remind ourselves of where we are. If you are feeling overwhelmed by transitioning forward, this episode is for you. Short, swe...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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8:43

RJM x Hannah McCue & Gabby Roberts: Empowering Colleagues
Today we are sitting down with two of the most incredible women I've ever had the honor or working with, Hannah McCue and Gabby Roberts! We are sitting down for happy hour to discuss how important it is to have and be empowering colleagues. Som...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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1:15:11

RJM x LD Russell: Legacy
LD Russell's legacy is one of community, inclusion, empowerment, curiosity, and challenging. In this conversation, LD speaks openly about how he's had to walk through "the valley of darkness", how he continues to find the light and share it wit...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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1:11:57

RJM x Anthony Bruno: How We Show Up
SEASON TWO BABY!!!! I am so excited to be back in this space where we are going to sit down with some BRILLIANT leaders and INSPIRING humans! Kicking off Season 2, we are joined by one of my very best friends, Anthony Bruno! Together, Anthony a...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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1:33:07

Clarise Fearn x RJM: Leadership
Clarise Fearn is TAKING OVER THE EMPOWERED SERIES TODAY to mark the end of a brilliant inaugural season! For Part 2 of our Season Finale, Clarise is interviewing creator and host of The Empowered Series, Ryan James Monroe. Together they explore...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:30:25

RJM x Clarise Fearn: Feedback
SEASON 1 FINALE PART 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow! It has been an incredible first season of The Empowered Series and I cannot imagine a more empowering way to wrap up season 1 than sit...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:26:53

RJM x Carla Bianco-Biagini: Reinvention
I am sitting down with my dear friend and colleague, Carla Bianco-Biagini, to talk about reinvention. Carla has had multiple careers, she's seen some incredible times, and has persevered when life wasn't treating her so well. Please sit back, p...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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54:26

A Communal Breath: Presence
Today we are taking a moment to pause and begin to unpack the idea of presence. What does it mean to be an empowering presence? What does our presence FEEL like to US? How can we become a bigger and more expansive presence? I don't have the ans...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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19:35

RJM x Julian Burzynski: Creating Joy
I am so excited to be sitting down with my friend, Julian Burzynski, to talk about all things joy, community, and wigs. You'll hear me say it in the conversation but it can't be said enough: Julian is a beacon of authenticity and joy. In this e...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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54:22

RJM x Ashlei Hazell: Having Something to Say
We've all experienced a moment where we don't believe we have something to say or we don't think we have anything to offer into the conversation. Ashlei Hazell and I jump in together to try to uncover why that is and what we can do to feel that...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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1:04:37

RJM x Joshua Morgan & Mike Labbadia: Empowerment
It's not every day that you meet people for the first time and immediately feel your thinking expand. That's how I felt meeting with the leaders of Artist's Strategy, Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia. The wisdom they shared about what it m...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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1:27:05

RJM x Alec Michael Ryan: Balance
This week I am sitting down with my good friend and dear collaborator, Alec Michael Ryan! Alec not only wrote the wonderful music for The Empowered Series, but also his debut single comes out this Friday, July 9, 2021, wherever you buy...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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36:24

RJM x Michael Urie: Gay Representation
As a closeted Queer boy in middle school, I looked around me and knew I was different. I knew I was Gay and that made me incredibly afraid. My classmates didn't hesitate to remind me that I was different and my fear grew. It wasn't until I met ...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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1:07:31

RJM x Ariella Serur: Queer Dating Coach
For the fourth installation of our Pride Series, I am sitting down with Queer Dating Coach, Ariella Serur to discuss all things dating. If you're anything like me, just hearing the word "dating" makes you want to curl up in a ball. In my chat w...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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47:45

RJM x Marcus Shacknow: Sensuality
THIS IS THE 10TH EPISODE OF THE EMPOWERED SERIES! Thank you for coming along for the journey and for being such a beautiful part of this community! This week, I'm sitting down with my friend and collaborator, Marcus Shacknow. He is here to shar...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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1:15:05

RJM x Arnold Harper II: Transforming in NYC
NYC is the destination for so many dreamers... What they don't necessarily tell you is those dreamers are often met with challenges that either make or break them. Arnold Harper II is living proof that we can rise to meet any challenge thrown o...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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46:54

RJM x Emily Barnash: Growing Up Fat & Famous
Content Warning: Fatphobia, fat shaming, and eating disorders.Happy Pride Month! As promised, this month I am featuring LGBTQIA+ creatives and leaders!!!Emily Barnash was 10 years old when she first heard t...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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1:26:59

A Communal Breath: Grace & Starting Anew
EPISODE 7?! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!We are off to a solid start in building a community of expansive thinkers and incredibly courageous leaders. I wanted to take this moment to speak to you directly before we continue. A moment for us to pa...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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17:58

RJM x Willie Dee: Loving You & The Vision
Sitting down with Willie Dee was a dream come true and I am thrilled to be able to share his energy with you. In this episode we discuss Loving You Productions, Tea with Willie Dee: The Journey to Authentic Power, as well as holding and caring ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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59:08
