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
63 episodes
Martin Blencowe on English Roots, USC, From NFL Agent to Co-founding the Tech Unicorn, Cameo and His Next Chapter with Endorse
True leadership requires an unrelenting willingness to step up to the plate, risk constant public rejection, and fundamentally alter your trajectory when your target market changes. For Martin Blencowe—co-founder of the tech unicorn Cameo and f...
Carole House on Global Leadership, From Army Brat to National Security Advisor and Pioneering Cyber Strategies at the White House
True leadership requires the courage to challenge the noise and step into high-stakes, ambiguous environments where the margin for error is zero. Carole House—strategic technology executive, former White House National Security Council advisor,...
Ron Silverman on New York Roots, Reinvention from Federal Prosecutor to Partner in Two Prominent LA Law Firms, Leaving the Law for Wealth Management and Co-Founding Bel Air Investment Advisors, and Turning Personal Loss into Purpose Through the Matthew Si
True leadership requires the courage to walk away from success when it no longer aligns with your passion. Ron Silverman—former federal prosecutor, multi-time law firm partner, and partner at Bel Air Investment Advisors—has redefined his trajec...
Julia Collins on San Francisco Roots, Stanford and Harvard, Building a Billion Dollar Unicorn Startup, and Blending Climate Tech and Creativity Through Planet FWD and PlanetHAUS
Serial entrepreneur and climate tech CEO Julia Collins joins Shannon Nash to discuss the milestones that led her to make history as the first Black woman to found a unicorn startup. From her deep roots as a fourth-generation San Franciscan to t...
Danny Guillory on AI-Driven Workforce Transformation, Stanford, Harvard Law, Studying and Living in Europe, a Pivot from Politics to People Leadership, Roles at Autodesk and Dropbox, and Chief People Officer at Glassdoor and GameTime
Leadership is not a static destination; it is a series of layers built through adaptation and personal choice. Danny Guillory has navigated a path that spans from the Philadelphia sound to the front lines of the AI revolution. In this episode, ...
Anita Lynch on a Childhood Fascination with AI, a Career from Startups and Financial Services to Bain and Data Roles at Yahoo, Amazon, and Disney, Becoming Chief Data Officer at New Relic, and Now a Board Director at Nasdaq
This special edition of No Boxes, Just Verses is part of a series featuring leaders from the Iconic Women Awards. These awards are powered by the Recharge Group, a community founded by Dr. Mark Spencer to bring together accomplished professiona...
Mary Stutts on Foster Care, Roots in TV and Public Affairs, a Pivot to Healthcare, and Building a Legacy in Healthcare at Genentech, Kaiser, Stanford, and UnitedHealth Group, and Now CEO of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association
This special edition of No Boxes, Just Verses is part of a series featuring leaders from the Iconic Women Awards. These awards are powered by the Recharge Group, a community founded by Dr. Mark Spencer to bring together accomplished professiona...
Tonya Pitts on St. Louis Roots and Law Aspirations to Becoming a Trailblazing Sommelier, Wine Director, and James Beard Finalist
In this special edition of No Boxes, Just Verses, powered by the Recharge Group, Shannon Nash sits down with Dame Tonya Pitts—a 2025 James Beard semi-finalist and a force of change in the wine industry. Tonya shares the specific moments that sh...
Dr. Nicole Barnett on Ohio and Nursing Roots, a Passion for Global Health Justice, Healthcare Leadership at Kaiser Permanente, and advancing health equity as CEO of Planned Parenthood Northern California
Many leaders believe they have to choose between clinical expertise and executive leadership. Dr. Nicole Barnett proves that the most effective leaders are those who stay grounded in their mission while navigating high-stakes organizational cha...
Evita Grant on Ghanaian Roots, MIT, Harvard JD and PhD, Wilson Sonsini, and Founding TechHustle at the Intersection of Science, Law, and Technology
Many professionals feel they must stay in one lane for their whole career. You might think that once you pick a field like engineering or law, you are stuck there forever. In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, Evita Grant shows you how to m...
Tanneasha Gordon on New York Roots, a Career in Management Consulting, Making Partner at Deloitte, Leading in Cyber, Risk, and AI Governance, and Becoming a Sci-Fi Author
Many leaders struggle to find their voice when moving between different worlds—whether transitioning from law to management consulting or navigating life as a first-generation American. In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, Tanneasha Gordon...
Bryan Neider on a Journey of Grit and Resilience from CPA Roots and Public Accounting to Building a Global Career at Electronic Arts, Rising to COO, and His Next Act as CEO of AbilityPath
Many leaders reach the peak of their corporate career only to find themselves asking what comes next beyond the bottom line. In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, Bryan Neider shares how he bridged the gap between scaling a global tech gian...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
