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
39 episodes
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
David Chun on Korean and New Jersey Roots, Investment Banking, and Building Equilar Into a Governance Leader
Do you feel defined by a major career setback? Are you questioning your path after a pivotal layoff or a venture that didn't take off? In this powerful episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we go beyond the bios, beyond the titles to explore the un...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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37:26
Ravi Kumar on Humble Beginnings and the Discipline of Water Polo to Big 4 Journeys at KPMG & EY and Leading at Connor Group
In this dynamic crossover event on No Boxes: Just Verses, we're joined by finance expert, CPA, and podcast host, Ravi Kumar. Are you a leader trying to pivot your career, find passion outside of public accounting, or build a powerful global net...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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43:40
Felicia and Mica Mayo on Sisterhood, Family, and Building Community and Generational Wealth After Journeys at Nike, Tesla, and ServiceNow
In this dynamic Verses in Service episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we're joined by sisters-in-law, sorority sisters, and business partners, Felicia Mayo and Mica Mayo. Are you a leader trying to align personal values with wealth creation, navi...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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1:07:56
Debbie Taylor Moore on Cybersecurity, Quantum Computing, and Her Journey From ExxonMobil, IBM, and Microsoft to Leading Quantum Crunch
In this critical Verses in Service episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with cybersecurity pioneer and quantum expert, Debbie Taylor Moore. Are you a leader trying to manage the security risks of the future, balance a demanding career ...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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42:23
Kelly Richmond Pope on Fool Me Once, All the Queen’s Horses, and Her Journey as Professor, Board Director, Tech Exec, and Filmmaker
In this empowering Verses in Service episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope, CPA, documentary filmmaker, and fraud expert. Are you a leader trying to understand risk management, curious about how fraud works,...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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34:12
Panya Lei Yarber-King on a Journey Rooted in Reading, Faith, and Therapy — From South Side Chicago to Stanford, Harvard, and Meta
In this incredibly insightful episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with technology executive and operator, Panya Lei Yarber-King. Are you a leader trying to manage high-pressure situations, advocate for your worth, or find a deeper con...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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30:17
Lakecia Gunter on Her Journey From a Small Florida Town to Leadership at Intel and Microsoft
In this powerful Verses in Service episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with visionary global CTO and corporate board director, Lakecia Gunter. Are you a leader battling imposter syndrome, seeking to master the calculated risk, or look...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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47:05
Elicia Pegues Spearman on Shattering Ceilings From FBI Lawyer and CHRO to Girl Scouts CEO and Alpha Kappa Alpha Regional Leader
In this inspiring Verses in Service episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we celebrate the journey of Elicia Pegues Spearman, CEO of Girl Scouts of Connecticut and a true trailblazer. Are you a leader trying to make a bold career pivot from law to ...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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45:26
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Nichole Jordan: Grief, Resilience, and the Journey to Wharton MBA, Tech Executive, and Servant Leadership as Alpha Kappa Alpha Regional Director
In this special Verses in Service miniseries episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with powerhouse operator and servant leader, Nichole Jordan. Are you a leader battling imposter syndrome, navigating traumatic personal loss, or looking ...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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50:40
Steven Wolfe Pereira on Dominican Roots, Fulbright Scholar, and His Big Pivot from Wall Street to tech CMO and AI Leader
In this electrifying episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with AI governance expert and founder, Steven Wolfe Pereira. Are you a leader trying to navigate the complex world of AI transformation or looking to make a bold career pivot? S...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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1:05:11
Martha's Vineyard Leadership Lessons: Recharge, Equity, and Unboxed Careers
In this special on-the-go compilation of No Boxes: Just Verses, recorded live from Martha's Vineyard, we share powerful leadership insights from leaders who believe in recharge, community, and equitable futures. Are you a leader battling...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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14:37
Vishal Verma On Being 2 Legit 2 Quit: Indian and Silicon Valley Roots, Family Office Growth, And The Rise Of Sidebar Summit
In this inspiring episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with the influential investor and entrepreneur, Vishal Verma. Are you a leader trying to navigate the high-risk world of venture capital, overcome self-doubt, or find a deeper miss...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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58:09
