No Boxes: Just Verses
No Boxes: Just Verses is where inspiring leaders reveal the songs and stories that shaped their journey. Join host Shannon Nash, a global C-suite leader, attorney, and CPA, as she goes beyond titles and trophies to explore the moments that truly defined today's top executives, entrepreneurs, and artists.
Each episode is a deep dive into a guest's personal "Leadership Playlist," uncovering the pivotal lessons and life-changing moments tied to the music that moved them. From career breakthroughs to personal reinvention, we explore the authentic, unboxed stories behind extraordinary success.
This isn't your typical leadership podcast. It's a rich blend of leadership development, personal storytelling, and musical discovery. Whether you're an aspiring leader, a seasoned executive, or simply a music lover, you'll find powerful insights and a vibrant community here.
Come for the stories, stay for the playlist. Subscribe now and join us as we redefine leadership, one verse at a time.
Episodes
51 episodes
Rod Cotton on Overcoming Cancer and Career Setbacks, Healthcare Leadership at Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, and Baxter, and Driving Impact in the Boardroom
How do you transition from a South Central bus program to the C-suite of a global healthcare giant, then survive a major health battle to find a new purpose? In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, I sit down with my dear friend Rod Cotton. R...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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53:50
Dolores Robinson [Part 2]: From Small Town America to Becoming a Trailblazing Hollywood Talent Manager, Guiding Iconic Careers, and Building a Lasting Legacy
How does a receptionist in a talent agency become the first Black female manager in film and television? In the conclusion of our talk with Dolores Robinson, we explore the rise of a powerhouse who refuses to accept the boxes of the entertainme...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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46:47
Dolores Robinson [Part 1]: From Small Town America to Becoming a Trailblazing Hollywood Talent Manager, Guiding Iconic Careers, and Building a Lasting Legacy
I sat down with Dolores Robinson for an encounter that unfolded into much more than a conversation. This session captures history, wisdom, and lived experience in real time. Quite honestly, her impact remains way too powerful to fit into just o...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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48:01
Sonita Lontoh on Starting at PG&E, Embracing the Unconventional Path, and Building a Global Career at HP and Siemens and Now Leading AI Governance and Innovation as a Public Company Board Director
How do you transition from a childhood in Jakarta to a seat on the boards of top public tech companies in the United States?In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, I sit down with Sonita Lontoh. We discuss her early culture shock at UC...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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44:41
Denise Froemming on Breaking Boundaries and Building Careers: From Wisconsin Roots to Leading the Largest State CPA Society in the U.S.
How do you go from assisting your parents with residential construction in rural Wisconsin to the top executive role at the largest state CPA society in the country?In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, I sit down with Denise Froemmi...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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59:21
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Dr. Lena Cheng on Leaving Life as a Physician, Reinventing Through Healthcare Marketing, Co-Founding Best Friend Jack, and Finding Strength in Midlife Through Powerlifting and Dance
How do you pivot from a demanding medical career to founding a healthcare marketing agency, and then discover your true physical power in your fifties?In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, I sit down with my friend Dr. Lena Cheng. Le...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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52:55
Ahmad Thomas on California Roots and Military Values, From Unpaid Intern on Capitol Hill to Investment Banker, and Leading the Future of Tech as CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group
How do you go from taking an unpaid internship and sleeping on a couch to leading the most powerful business association in Silicon Valley? In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, I am thrilled to sit down with my good friend Ahmad Thomas, CE...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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59:03
Suezette Yasmin Robotham on Jamaican Roots and Florida Upbringing, Pivoting from Pre-Med to Education Reform, Leading Global Talent at Google, Meta, and Salesforce, and Authoring Beyond the Titles
How do you go from being weeded out of pre-med to leading global talent strategies for the world's biggest tech giants? In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, I sit down with my dear friend Suezette Yasmin Robotham, a best-selling author and...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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1:09:23
Craig Kielburger on Starting a Global Movement at 12, the Oprah Effect, Rising Through a Pandemic, and Scaling Social Impact Through Legacy+ and the My Legacy Podcast
How does a 12-year-old boy reading the comics end up interrupting a Prime Minister, partnering with Oprah, and leading a global movement for child rights?In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, we sit down with Craig Kielburger, co-fou...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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51:06
Calvin Harris Jr. on Maryland Roots and Morehouse to CEO of the NY State Society of CPAs and Social Media Influencer Putting the Cool Back in Accounting
How does a shy kid from the DMV who hid behind his parents’ legs grow up to lead one of the most influential accounting organizations in the country? In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, we sit down with Calvin Harris Jr., CEO of the New Y...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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1:05:20
Dr. Thane Kreiner on Scaling Biotech at Affymetrix, Serial Startup CEO, Social Entrepreneurship, and Co-Founding the Black Corporate Board Readiness Program
From a difficult childhood marked by tragedy to leading a genomic revolution and championing diversity in corporate boardrooms, Dr. Thane Kreiner’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and making a plan to be someone. Thane takes u...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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54:58
Daryl Butler on LA Roots, HBCU and Finance Beginnings, a Transformative Switch to Marketing, and Leading Marketing and Brand Partnerships at Nike, Jordan, Beats by Dre, and Google
Is your career a ladder or a jungle gym? How do you transition from reporting the numbers to being the one who drives them? In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, we sit down with Daryl "DB" Butler, Vice President of Global Partnerships and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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1:03:18
Carrie J. Clark on Detroit Roots and Resilience Through Personal Loss to IT Leadership at Henry Ford Health, and Leading Globally with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
How do you keep moving forward when life forces you to grow up at age 11? Can you maintain your integrity when your job conflicts with your values? In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, we explore the incredible journey of a leader who turn...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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1:07:10
Kelly Frye on Texas Roots, Hollywood Success on Criminal Minds and The Flash, and Reinvention as an Entrepreneur and Arts Advocate
Are you afraid to start over? Do you feel like it’s too late to pursue a creative passion or pivot your career because you didn't start young enough? Whether you are navigating a competitive industry, recovering from a personal setback, or simp...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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1:04:58
Malinda Williams on Her Evolution from Soul Food’s "Bird" to Tech Innovator: Teaching Herself HTML and Empowering Women Through the Arise and Shine Foundation
Are you feeling stuck in a wilderness season, unsure of your next move, or afraid to pivot? Whether you are navigating a career transition, facing financial uncertainty, or simply trying to rediscover your voice, this episode of No Boxes, Just ...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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1:02:42
Top 10 Leadership Lessons from Season One [Part 2]
Are you a high-level manager struggling to make the leap to "unboxed" leadership? Many professionals hit a plateau where they focus solely on vertical status rather than the diverse skills needed for the C-Suite. This common pain point can lead...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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47:26
Top 10 Leadership Lessons from Season One [Part 1]
Are you feeling stuck on a secure career path that no longer sparks curiosity? Do you feel like you have to wear a mask to be respected in the C-Suite? Many leaders face the grueling pressure of maintaining a perfect image while navigating pers...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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39:11
The No Boxes Just Verses Countdown: Season 1’s Top 5 Songs and the Journeys They Shaped
As we wrap up an incredible Season One, join us for a special countdown of the Top 5 most-chosen songs that shaped the journeys of our leaders! This episode goes beyond the rankings to explore the common musical threads that connect incredible ...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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45:18
Lisa DeCarlo & Lisa Shalett on Wall Street Careers, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Big Pivots, Finding Purpose, and Co-Founding Extraordinary Women on Boards
Are you an executive struggling with the isolation of high-level leadership? Have you faced a personal crisis that forced you to re-evaluate your entire career path? In this powerful Authentic and Strategic episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we ...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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1:00:11
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Melonie D. Parker on North Carolina Roots, Hampton University, HR Executive at Lockheed Martin, Sandia Labs, and Google — and Her Mantra to Add In Instead of Fit In
Are you feeling stuck in a predictable career path? Do you struggle to make a strategic lateral move because you're afraid to lose status? In this highly Strategic episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we go beyond the bios, beyond the titles with ...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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51:32
Debbie Allen on Texas Roots, Howard, Fame, A Different World, Grey’s Anatomy, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Golden Globes, Emmys, an Oscar and Why Mentorship Is Her Greatest Production
Are you a creative professional who struggles to gain control behind the camera or above the line? Do you need courage to pivot from performing to directing? In this unforgettable episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we go beyond the bios, beyond ...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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1:11:13
Chloé & Maud Arnold on DC Roots, Columbia University, Founding Syncopated Ladies, Emmy-Nominated Tap Choreography, the Beyoncé Effect, and Leading the Next Generation Through Philanthropy
Do you worry that pursuing a passion like the arts can't lead to stable, global success? Do you need inspiration to keep grinding through the long years of unemployed fun? In this highly Inspirational episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we go bey...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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1:05:56
Shannon Watts on PR Expert, Intentional Career Pause, and the Pivot That Led to Moms Demand Action, Bestselling Author of Fired Up and Firestarter University
Are you feeling guilty about taking a career pause? Do you wonder if you're too old or too late to make a major professional pivot? In this highly Inspirational episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we go beyond the bios, beyond the titles with Sha...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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48:11
Michelle Banks On California Roots, UCLA, The Golden State Warriors, Tokyo, Global General Counsel At Gap Inc., And A Hyper-Focus On Mentoring
Are you feeling stuck on the rigid corporate path? Do you need permission to define success outside of titles, prestige, and compensation? In this powerful episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we go beyond the bios, beyond the titles with legal tr...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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49:44
Desirée Rogers on New Orleans Roots, Harvard MBA, Chicago Powerbroker to the White House and CEO of Black Opal and Fashion Fair
Do you feel pigeonholed in your career? Do you struggle to see how your diverse experiences across corporate, government, and non-profit sectors connect? In this inspiring episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we go beyond the bios, beyond the titl...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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1:01:54
