Making the Choice to Lead Brave Conversations | Nicole Bianchi on Tough Talks, Courage & Leadership What if your biggest breakthrough was one brave conversation away?

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Nicole M. Bianchi — Chief Bravery Officer, Tough Talk Expert, and bestselling author — to explore how courageous conversations can transform your leadership, your relationships, and your results.

Nicole is the founder of Nicole M Bianchi Inc. and the creator of Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks: How to Lead Brave Conversations for Exceptional Results. With a Fortune 300 background and decades of experience coaching high-performing leaders and teams, she’s known for her no-fluff, human-first approach to leadership transformation. Her work has empowered countless organizations to rebuild trust, increase resilience, and create cultures where people actually thrive — all by leaning into discomfort with courage and compassion.

💬 In this episode, we dive into: How to turn tough talks into powerful leadership tools Why brave conversations are the key to trust, alignment, and growth Nicole’s personal journey and what led her to challenge leadership norms Her 5-framework approach to handling hard conversations at work Why “Small Brave Moves” can change your life — and your team Whether you’re a leader navigating change, a team builder seeking real connection, or someone just trying to speak up more — this conversation will leave you inspired, equipped, and ready to be brave in your own life.

📕 Learn more about her new book Five Tough Talks and her online course that helps leaders and teams practice bravery together every day.

👇 Connect with Nicole Bianchi:

Website: nicolembianchi.com

LinkedIn: @nicolembianchi Instagram: @nicole.m.bianchi

Facebook: Nicole Bianchi Presents

Get a copy of my book "YOU ARE ENOUGH" 📚 https://charlenewheeless.com/bookshop

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Book me here! ➡️ https://bit.ly/SpeakWithCharleneWheeless

Charlene's Socials: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charlenewheeless

Instagram: / charwheeless

Facebook: / charlene.wheeless

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In this episode of Underrated to Unstoppable, Charlene Wheeless sits down with Rashad Rayford—actor, spoken word artist, and corporate speaker—for a powerful conversation about voice, vulnerability, and choosing to believe you’re enough.

Rashad shares:

• How improv and poetry helped him find his purpose

• What he learned from fear and failure

• Why your story is your power—and how to use it

• A live, improvised spoken word poem that will stay with you long after the episode ends

Whether you’re searching for your next move, your voice, or your sense of self—this episode is your reminder that everything you need is already in you. 🎙️

Listen now. Be moved. And remember: You are enough.

Rashad Rayford is an award-winning speaker, actor, and poet featured at TEDx, on NPR, and in The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. As the founder of Elevate Your Vibe, he collaborates with top companies like Tractor Supply, Best Buy, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield to deliver impactful keynotes and workshops. A MOTH Story Hour GRANDslam champion, Rashad is known for his high-energy presentations that blend storytelling, spoken word, and actionable insights. Rashad’s mission is to inspire teams to harness the power of their stories, driving engagement, authenticity, and success across industries.

🔗 Subscribe for more conversations like this. New episodes weekly.

Get a copy of my book "YOU ARE ENOUGH" 📚 https://charlenewheeless.com/bookshop

Charlene's Speaking: Learn more about Charlene's speaking here! ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Z7gOsf

Book me here! ➡️ https://bit.ly/SpeakWithCharleneWheeless

In this episode of Underrated to Unstoppable, Charlene sits down with Anne Marie Chaker — veteran Wall Street Journal journalist turned professional bodybuilder and author of the upcoming book LIFT (Penguin Random House, June 2025).

Anne Marie shares her powerful journey from burned-out reporter with a drinking problem to discovering strength training in her late 40s — a shift that transformed her body, identity, and purpose. Her viral WSJ article, “I Am a Female Bodybuilder,” sparked a movement and inspired her book exploring the harmful “skinny ideal,” the history of women’s physical power, and why muscle is the missing key to confidence and agency.

You’ll learn:

• Why the “skinny ideal” has held women back

• How strength training rebuilds identity, not just physique

• The forgotten truth that the original woman was strong

• How reclaiming physical power helps women reclaim their lives

🎧 Tune in and get ready to LIFT your mindset, your confidence, and your story.

Connect with Anne Marie Chaker: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-marie-chaker-62119317/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemariechaker/

Charlene’s Book “YOU ARE ENOUGH” https://charlenewheeless.com/bookshop

In this episode of Underrated to Unstoppable, Charlene sits down with Dr. Candace Steele Flippin — career strategist, multigenerational leadership expert, and bestselling author of Get Your Career in SHAPE.

Named one of the Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America, Dr. Candace has been featured in Forbes, CNBC, and The Today Show. She’s also the founder of the Global Career Advancement Institute, where she helps leaders and organizations strengthen their human capital strategies and build workplaces where everyone can thrive.

Together, Charlene and Candace dive deep into one of the biggest misconceptions in professional growth: the difference between confidence and self-efficacy.

Confidence may open doors—but self-efficacy determines whether women walk through them.

You’ll learn:

• Why “just be confident” is incomplete career advice.
• The science behind self-efficacy and why it’s the true foundation of success.
• Practical strategies from Candace’s SHAPE Career Framework® to build belief in your ability to succeed.
• How to navigate imposter syndrome, bias, and doubt without losing your power or purpose.

If you’ve ever felt like confidence comes and goes, this episode will help you replace that fleeting feeling with something stronger—the unshakable belief that you can figure it out.

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and start shaping your career on your terms.

About Dr. Candace Steele Flippin Dr. Candace Steele Flippin is a career strategist, multigenerational leadership expert, and founder of the Global Career Advancement Institute. A TEDx speaker and author of Get Your Career in SHAPE, she’s been recognized as one of the Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America and featured on Forbes, CNBC, and The Today Show.

🌐 Website: candacesteeleflippin.com 📘 Book: Get Your Career in SHAPE 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/candacesteeleflippin

Get a copy of Charlene’s book “YOU ARE ENOUGH” 📚 https://charlenewheeless.com/bookshop

Charlene’s Speaking: Learn more about Charlene’s keynotes ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Z7gOsf Book Charlene ➡️ https://bit.ly/SpeakWithCharleneWheeless

Connect with Charlene: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charlenewheeless Instagram: instagram.com/charwheeless Facebook: facebook.com/charlene.wheeless

In this episode of Underrated to Unstoppable, I sit down with Alain Hunkins: Leadership expert, speaker, and author of Cracking the Leadership Code: Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders. Alain shares a pivotal moment that reshaped his entire understanding of leadership, connection, and what it truly means to be human. It began when someone dared to be vulnerable in front of him, and for the first time, he realized he wasn’t alone in feeling “not enough.” In our conversation, we explore how authenticity breaks isolation, why vulnerability isn’t weakness, and how empathy can transform the way leaders show up for their teams.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to hold it all together, or that everyone else had it figured out but you, this episode is a reminder: you’re not the only one. And that truth might just be your greatest strength.

About Alain Hunkins

Alain is a leadership expert, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book Cracking the Leadership Code: Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders. He’s worked with over 2,000 organizations in 25 countries, helping leaders unlock performance through empathy, connection, and influence.

🌐 Website: alainhunkins.com

📘 Book: Cracking the Leadership Code https://alainhunkins.com/resources/#book

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alainhunkins

🐦 Twitter: @alainhunkins

🎥 Watch now and be reminded: leadership starts with being human.

Get a copy of my book "YOU ARE ENOUGH" 📚 https://charlenewheeless.com/bookshop

Charlene's Speaking:

Learn more about Charlene's speaking here! ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Z7gOsf

Book me here! ➡️ https://bit.ly/SpeakWithCharleneWheeless

Charlene's Socials:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charlenewheeless

Instagram: instagram.com/charwheeless

Facebook: facebook.com/charlene.wheeless