In this unforgettable episode of Roar, host Lakecia Gunter sits down with trailblazing leader Lieutenant General Gwen Bingham. A retired three-star general and the first woman to serve as the Army’s Quartermaster General, General Bingham reflects on her 38-year military career and the values that shaped her rise through the ranks—faith, family, grit, and service. From early lessons learned through adversity to leading large organizations with trust and empathy, her story is a blueprint for modern, purpose-driven leadership.

Together, Lakecia and General Bingham explore what it takes to lead with authenticity, uplift others, and remain grounded in integrity. Whether navigating institutional resistance, reimagining what leadership looks like, or championing mentorship as a lifelong mission, General Bingham offers powerful takeaways for anyone ready to chart their own path with courage and clarity.

• (04:03) – How her military roots and faith-based upbringing shaped her leadership
• (08:00) – Why she planned to leave the Army after 4 years—and what changed
• (13:30) – Two painful but defining moments that shaped her leadership style
• (21:27) – How her daily routine of positive energy transformed team culture
• (26:19) – Why confidence and competence were her secret weapons as “the only”
• (30:06) – The bold decision to restructure her executive team—and what happened
• (32:40) – Her advice to young women who don't yet see themselves in leadership
• (41:04) – Why building and sustaining relationships is key to career longevity
• (44:07) – How she continues to serve through board leadership and advocacy
• (51:43) – Her hopeful message for the next generation of changemakers

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In this dynamic episode of the Roar podcast, host Lakecia Gunter sits down with Laurel Mintz—marketing powerhouse, founder of Elevate My Brand, and General Partner at Fabric VC. Laurel shares her unexpected leap into entrepreneurship when she was called to take over her father’s business at just 26 years old, a moment that forever shifted her trajectory from corporate law to visionary leadership. Through candid storytelling, she unpacks how her early experience in crisis leadership shaped her understanding of brand-building, equity, and empowerment.

Laurel dives deep into her marketing-first approach to venture capital, the data-driven strategy behind backing diverse founders, and the importance of building intentional ecosystems. She offers practical insights for entrepreneurs—especially those underestimated or underfunded—on standing out in saturated markets, developing competitive branding, and building investor-ready networks rooted in authenticity and value.

• (01:43) – How Laurel became interim CEO of a national company at age 26 and what that taught her about herself and entrepreneurship
• (04:00) – Why soft skills and communication were pivotal in her leadership journey—and the foundation of Elevate My Brand
• (07:18) – What sets successful brands apart: the secret to balancing creativity with data
• (08:27) – How Fabric VC leverages marketing software as a second layer of investment diligence
• (10:39) – Why investing in diversity isn't just the right thing—it’s also smart business
• (13:01) – The most common blind spots founders face—and how to fix them
• (17:51) – How Laurel helps founders differentiate from pitch deck to brand positioning
• (20:09) – Why intentional relationship-building is critical to success in both branding and fundraising
• (22:41) – The #1 branding mistake most executives and founders make
• (26:32) – Laurel’s closing mindset shift: “It only takes one yes—just keep moving forward like a shark”

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In this enlightening episode of ROAR, host Lakecia Gunter sits down with organizational psychologist Dr. Laura Gallaher to explore how self-acceptance is the often-missing link in strong, effective leadership. Drawing on her work with NASA in the wake of the Columbia tragedy, as well as with leaders at Disney and high-growth companies, Dr. Gallaher explains how psychological safety, inner judgment, and cultural dynamics all shape the effectiveness of leaders—and their teams.

The conversation is a powerful reminder that true leadership begins within. Dr. Gallaher shares candid moments from her own journey of growth, including the impact of unexpected 360-degree feedback and how she used it to deepen her awareness. She offers practical tools like her self-acceptance quiz and the daily practice of "taking credit," illustrating how introspection and vulnerability can catalyze real change in organizations. If you’ve ever tied your worth to external success, this episode is your invitation to lead from the inside out.

• (04:55) – How a lack of psychological safety—not technical failure—was a major factor in the Columbia shuttle disaster
• (10:40) – Why even NASA, rated the best place to work, needed a cultural transformation
• (13:30) – The truth about defensiveness: how internal self-judgment impacts your leadership
• (16:35) – Dr. Gallaher’s raw story of feedback that changed how she led her team
• (20:40) – How radical self-acceptance is the antidote to perfectionism and fear-based leadership
• (23:15) – Why high-achievers often misunderstand self-acceptance—and how to shift your mindset
• (28:00) – The “taking credit” practice: a simple daily habit to boost confidence and growth
• (34:15) – How leaders who do inner work impact their team’s performance, trust, and collaboration
• (36:40) – Key takeaways from Dr. Gallaher’s book The Missing Links and how to build an intentional culture
• (38:45) – The Inside-Out Model: a framework for taking ownership of change as a leader

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