Owning Your Legacy

Most entrepreneurs think scaling a business requires millions in venture capital and high-pressure sales quotas. Rich Lyons proved the exact opposite. In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, host Laurette Rondenet interviews Rich Lyons, founder of Lyons Consulting Group (LYONSCG) and author of Life Is Sales. Rich shares the unvarnished story of growing a bootstrapped digital commerce agency to $55M, surviving the 2008 banking collapse, standing up to abusive clients, and making the difficult decision to sell when tech giants consolidated the market. Key topics covered: • Moving from a scarcity mindset and quota panic to consultative service and trust • The reality of bootstrapping — personal checks for payroll, home equity lines, and betting the farm • How a 2008 bank loan recall forced the agency to shed non-core services and master e-commerce • The dinner 'feelings game' that helped a stoic executive open up to his daughters Resources & books mentioned: • Life Is Sales by Rich Lyons — lifeissales.com • Rich Lyons official site — richlyons.com • Good to Great & Turning the Flywheel by Jim Collins • Traction (the EOS system) by Gino Wickman • Dr. Gertrude Lyons on Owning Your Legacy (episode archive) Connect: Rich Lyons — linkedin.com/in/richardblyons/ Laurette Rondenet — linkedin.com/in/laurette-rondenet-82064911/ Subscribe to Owning Your Legacy for weekly conversations on leadership, authentic entrepreneurship, and leaving a lasting mark. Chapters: 0:00 The Reality of Scaling a Business 1:22 Is Service the Heart of Sales? 3:35 The Core of Trusting the Process 6:07 Research, AI, and the Human Connection 8:06 Mindset vs. Talent in Sales Success 10:53 Using Anger Intentionally 15:53 The Hard Lessons of Entrepreneurship If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

Season 13 of Owning Your Legacy goes deeper into what it takes to lead, grow, let go, and build something that lasts. Host Laurette Rondenet sits down with Dr. Avanti Kumar Singh , author of The Longevity Formula , for a conversation about Ayurveda, healthspan versus lifespan, stress, connection, and learning to trust your own inner wisdom. Rich Lyons , entrepreneur and author of Life Is Sales , shares hard-earned lessons about putting customers first, building trust, navigating imposter syndrome, and creating a culture that can withstand the pressures of leadership. And returning guest Brooke Foley , founder of The Jayne Agency, opens up about one of the hardest transitions for any founder: realizing when you are the person standing in the way of your company’s growth. She shares what it took to give up control, empower her team, scale Clarity University, and build a business capable of existing beyond its founder. Season 13 also expands the conversation beyond the traditional interview, bringing members of the Owning Your Legacy team into the discussion and exploring what legacy looks like while you’re still actively building it. Because legacy isn’t something that simply appears at the end of your life. It’s something you build every day. If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

In this special Season 12 compilation of Owning Your Legacy , leaders, founders, innovators, and changemakers reflect on the impact they hope to have on their teams, industries, communities, and the people around them. Their answers are different, but a common theme emerges: legacy is built through the choices we make, the people we support, and the way we show up every day. This episode brings together some of the most powerful reflections from Season 12 and returns to the question at the heart of the series: What will your legacy be? Watch, reflect, and share the legacy you hope to leave behind. If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

What happens when the career you built for decades starts to change around you? In this episode of Owning Your Legacy , award-winning food journalist Steve Dolinsky shares how he turned decades of experience in journalism, storytelling, and food into an entirely new chapter—without starting over. Best known to Chicago audiences as the Hungry Hound and The Food Guy, Steve built his career by following his curiosity, developing deep relationships across the food industry, and becoming one of the city’s most trusted voices on food. But as television journalism changed, he recognized that his next opportunity might not look anything like the career he had known. Steve shares how he identified the skills and relationships he had spent years building, created a one-page pitch around the value he could bring, and ultimately transitioned into a new role with Levy—where his food knowledge, storytelling ability, industry connections, and eye for trends now help shape experiences across hundreds of venues. The conversation explores why reinvention does not mean abandoning everything you have built, the importance of maintaining relationships long before you need them, and how the skills you may take for granted can become your greatest advantage. Steve also dives into his lifelong obsession with pizza, the creation of Pizza City USA, what makes Chicago one of the world’s great pizza cities, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind: proving that Chicago-style pizza is about much more than deep dish. If you are navigating a career transition, questioning what comes next, or trying to understand the value of everything you have already learned, this conversation is a reminder that your experience may be exactly what opens the next door. If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

Three years in, the team behind Owning Your Legacy steps out from behind the camera for an intimate, candid conversation about fear, leadership, and what it truly takes to build a meaningful movement. In this special behind-the-scenes episode, host Laurette Rondenet (CEO & Owner of Edlong Flavors) is joined by team members Gail Scott (Integrator at Owning Your Legacy & Edlong) and Denise Senter (Brand Manager & CMO at Ever Fresh Fruit Company). Together, they peel back the curtain on the "Passion Project Paradox"—balancing demanding executive careers while building a podcast and community dedicated to empowering leaders . From confronting imposter syndrome and stepping into the spotlight, to the exact moment Laurette almost threw in the towel, this raw discussion explores what happens when you decide to stop leading someone else's legacy and start claiming your own . 00:00 – Introduction 01:08 – How “Owning Your Legacy” Began 03:31 – Meet the Team Behind the Podcast 05:43 – Overcoming the Fear of Being Visible 09:44 – Making an Impact One Person at a Time 14:10 – Balancing a Passion Project with Full-Time Work 18:06 – The Moment We Almost Gave Up 25:14 – Lessons Learned from the Journey and Our Guests 32:29 – Redefining Success Through Community and Connection 38:07 – Advice for Pursuing Your Passion Project 40:59 – Closing 💡 Key Takeaways from This Episode Claiming Your Space: How Laurette realized she was living in her father's shadow and took the brave step to own her own leadership identity . The Pendulum Myth of Work-Life Balance: Why work-life integration isn't about perfect 50/50 equilibrium, but knowing how to manage heavy seasons . The Importance of "Belief Partners": Why you can't build a legacy alone—and how having a team that believes in the vision keeps you going through self-doubt . Grit over Perfection: Why missteps, setbacks, and pivots are necessary ingredients for personal and professional growth . If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

What makes a strawberry taste like a strawberry—and does it matter whether a flavor molecule comes from a fruit or a laboratory? In this episode of Owning Your Legacy , Laurette Rondinay speaks with Michael Colangelo, founder of Nota Bene Flavors, about the chemistry, creativity, and communication behind the foods and beverages we consume every day. Michael shares his journey from analytical chemistry to flavor development, building innovation laboratories, working with beverage startups, and eventually launching his own consulting business. He also explains how finding his voice on LinkedIn transformed his career and allowed him to make complex flavor science accessible to a much wider audience. Throughout the conversation, Laurette and Michael explore: Why “natural” does not automatically mean safer or more sustainable How dosage changes conversations about ingredient safety The science behind strawberry flavor and sensory perception Why the same flavor performs differently across beverages and food products The rise of non-alcoholic beverages and moderation How misinformation contributes to consumer mistrust Why marketing and R&D need one another The importance of mentorship, experimentation, and failing forward How scientists can communicate with greater confidence and clarity Michael’s work demonstrates that science does not have to be intimidating. When complex ideas are communicated in relatable ways, consumers can make more informed decisions and innovators can create products that are healthier, more enjoyable, and better for the planet. If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

What does it take to build a thriving business, lead with integrity, and create spaces that truly reflect the people who live in them? In this episode of Owning Your Legacy , Laurette Rondenet sits down with Lakesha Rose, Owner/Designer of L Rose Interior Design , a Chicago-based full-service design-build and interior design firm celebrating 10 years in business. Lakesha shares her unconventional path into interior design, from sending out 40 resumes with no formal experience to building a respected firm known for thoughtful design, strong project management, and deeply personal client relationships. With more than two decades in the industry, Lakesha explains why great design is about far more than color palettes and furniture. It is about listening, intuition, trust, and understanding how a client wants to feel in their home. This conversation explores: • Building confidence before you feel fully qualified • Growing a business through relationships, trust, and reputation • Why project management is essential to creative success • Leading a team without ego • Creating homes that tell a complete story • Setting boundaries, minimums, and finding the right clients • Balancing ambition, marriage, travel, and personal freedom • The power of character in leadership and business Lakesha also reflects on the legacy she hopes to leave behind: a life and business rooted in character, integrity, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Whether you are an entrepreneur, creative professional, interior design lover, or leader building something meaningful, this episode is a reminder that success is not only about what you create—it is about how you serve people along the way. Learn more about Lakesha Rose and L Rose Interior Design: https://lroseinteriordesign.com/ If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

What does it really take to build a food company from the ground up, raise capital, scale a team, and make difficult decisions when the market changes? In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Brittany Chibe shares the honest story behind her journey from corporate food sales to entrepreneurship, including the launch and sale of Paleo Scavenger and her work as co-founder of Aquacultured Foods. Brittany discusses building a paleo snack brand from her home kitchen, growing into national distribution, learning the realities of co-manufacturing and retail margins, and why she chose not to bootstrap her next company. She also shares how Aquacultured Foods was created around a mission to develop sustainable alternative seafood, the process of raising pre-seed and seed capital, navigating food-tech regulation, working with acclaimed chefs, and bringing a novel product to market. But this is also a conversation about the harder side of entrepreneurship: fundraising in a difficult market, leading a team through uncertainty, managing runway, making layoffs, and deciding when it is time to wind down a company responsibly. Brittany reflects on the lessons she is carrying into her next chapter, including the importance of customer connection, clear accountability, sustainable leadership, and separating your identity from the business you build. Topics in this episode include: • Food entrepreneurship and CPG startups • Bootstrapping versus raising venture capital • Paleo Scavenger and building a brand from a home kitchen • Alternative seafood and food-tech innovation • Startup fundraising, investors, and pitch strategy • Leadership during uncertainty and company closure • Building accountable teams and reducing operational burn • Founder mental health, resilience, and life after a startup If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

What if AI is not here to replace creativity, but to expand it? In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Laurette is joined by Justin Shimek, CEO of Mattson, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping food and beverage innovation. Justin shares his journey from food science to leadership, the role of curiosity in building a career, and how Mattson helps companies imagine what is coming next in food. The conversation dives into AI as a creative thought partner, not an answer machine, and how tools like Mattson’s AI persona “Leo” are helping teams generate ideas, understand consumers, and rethink innovation workflows. Together, they discuss the fears and opportunities surrounding AI, how companies can begin integrating it responsibly, and why the future of innovation still depends on real human intelligence, judgment, and creativity. This episode is for leaders, innovators, food scientists, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about how AI can help teams do their highest and best work. Learn more about Justin Shimek and Mattson: www.mattsonco.com If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

Season 12 of Owning Your Legacy brings together leaders, founders, creators, innovators, and storytellers who are building something meaningful through courage, curiosity, and intention. This season explores what it takes to step into your next chapter, trust your instincts, build the right team, embrace change, and keep moving forward even when the path is uncertain. From food, design, entrepreneurship, AI, sustainability, personal reinvention, and the power of community, these conversations remind us that legacy is not something we leave behind someday. It is something we build every day through the choices we make, the people we support, and the stories we choose to tell. Featuring conversations with Steve Dolinsky, Lakeisha Rose, Justin Schimmick, Brittany Chibe, Denise Senter, and Gail Scott. Watch Season 12 of Owning Your Legacy and join the conversation. If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

What does it really mean to leave a legacy? In the final episode of Season 11 of Owning Your Legacy , guests reflect on one of the most meaningful questions of the series: What is the legacy you would like to leave behind? Their answers reveal that legacy is not only about achievement, status, or recognition. It is about the people we inspire, the love we put into the world, the courage to be ourselves, and the way we help others grow into who they are meant to become. This Season 11 finale brings together powerful reflections on family, mentorship, authenticity, purpose, resilience, and staying committed to what truly matters. If you are thinking about the life you are building, the people you are shaping, or the impact you want to leave behind, this episode is a reminder that legacy is created through the choices we make every day. If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

What if the future of food depends on better science, better communication, and a little more nuance? In this episode of Owning Your Legacy , Donna Berry shares how a lifelong curiosity about food and nutrition led her from an early internship at Edlong to becoming one of the dairy industry’s most trusted voices. As a food scientist, writer, and founder of Berry on Dairy and The Daily Dose of Dairy , Donna has spent decades translating complex food science into meaningful industry insight while championing transparency, education, and the value of dairy. This conversation explores the debates surrounding ultra-processed foods, sugar, food safety, and consumer trust, and why Donna believes the focus should shift toward nutrient density, affordability, and helping people better understand how food is made. Donna also shares her passion for mentorship, the importance of exposing young people to careers in food science, and how personal loss taught her to live fully, stay true to herself, and keep moving forward with purpose. Donna also shares her passion for mentorship, the importance of exposing young people to careers in food science, and how personal loss taught her to live fully, stay true to herself, and keep moving forward with purpose. Learn more about Donna Berry and her work with Berry on Dairy: https://www.berryondairy.com/ ✔ Food conversations need more science and less fear ✔ Nutrient density matters more than oversimplified labels ✔ Transparency builds trust with consumers ✔ Mentorship can shape the next generation of food leaders ✔ Staying true to your values is part of your legacy If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

In this special episode of Owning Your Legacy , Gertrude Lyons , author of Rewrite the Mother Code , joins Gail Scott , Director of Administration at Edlong and one of the producers of the podcast, for a powerful conversation on motherhood, identity, vulnerability, and the cultural expectations women inherit. Gertrude shares the personal journey behind writing Rewrite the Mother Code and how the process invited her into a deeper level of honesty, healing, and self-discovery. Together, she and Gail explore how motherhood has been shaped by history, why there is no single “right” way to mother, and what it means to rewrite the beliefs and roles that no longer serve us. This conversation is a thoughtful reminder that women are more than the expectations placed on them — and that legacy begins when we choose what we are willing to question, heal, and redefine. Topics discussed include: • Rewriting the Mother Code • Vulnerability and personal storytelling • Motherhood as a cultural construct • The pressure to parent perfectly • Women’s purpose beyond traditional roles • Healing inherited beliefs • Creating a more authentic legacy #OwningYourLegacy #GertrudeLyons #GailScott #RewriteTheMotherCode #Motherhood #WomenInLeadership #PersonalGrowth #Vulnerability #Legacy #WomenEmpowerment If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

What if the signs you keep ignoring are actually pointing you toward your purpose? In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Holly Garrard, founder of Fundae, shares how she walked away from a 25-year career in media to build a brand rooted in purpose, sustainability, and personal transformation. After years in corporate leadership roles at companies like iHeart and ESPN, Holly felt a deeper pull to create something of her own. What followed was a journey shaped by personal challenges, intuition, and a relentless drive to build something meaningful. From navigating a difficult divorce and a life-altering health scare to launching Fundae from scratch, Holly’s story is a powerful reminder that clarity often comes through action, not certainty. This conversation explores what it takes to trust yourself before you feel ready, how personal experiences can shape a mission-driven business, and why resilience is required to bring any vision to life. Holly also shares how she built Fundae, a sustainable footwear brand designed around modular design and personalization, and how she took it from an idea to the runways of Paris and Milan Fashion Week. If you are building something, questioning your path, or waiting for the right moment, this episode will challenge you to move forward anyway. Learn more about Holly Garrard and Fundae: https://fundae.com ✔ Purpose often reveals itself through hardship ✔ You do not need permission to start ✔ Intuition is a powerful guide in business and life ✔ Building something meaningful takes time and patience ✔ The journey is bigger than the product If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

What if leadership is not something you chase, but something that finds you? In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, Christie Tarantino-Dean shares how she stepped into a CEO role unexpectedly and what it really takes to grow into leadership over time. As CEO of the Institute of Food Technologists, Christie leads a global community of scientists, innovators, and industry leaders working to advance the science of food and address challenges around safety, nutrition, and sustainability. This conversation explores the reality of stepping up before you feel ready, the mentors who help shape your path, and how trust and relationships define long term success. Christie also shares how she approaches leadership in complex environments, builds alignment across diverse stakeholders, and helps guide an organization at the intersection of science, business, and global impact. If you are building something, leading a team, or figuring out your next step, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership and growth. Learn more about Christie Tarantino-Dean and her work with IFT https://www.iftexchange.org/about-ift/leadership/christie-tarantino-dean ✔ Leadership often comes before confidence ✔ Mentorship can shape your entire career ✔ Trust is built through consistency and relationships ✔ Self doubt is part of the process ✔ Build your network before you need it If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, we sit down with Mara Smith, founder of Inspiro Tequila, to talk about what it really looks like to start over and build something meaningful on your own terms. After stepping away from her career for 16 years to raise her family, Mara re-entered the workforce with no traditional roadmap, no network, and plenty of self-doubt. What followed was not a return to what she once knew, but a bold pivot into entrepreneurship. From her background in law and corporate strategy to launching Inspiro Tequila in a male-dominated industry, Mara shares the mindset shifts, risks, and decisions that shaped her journey. This conversation explores confidence, imposter syndrome, motherhood as leadership training, and why being an outsider can be a powerful advantage. This is not just a founder story. It is a story about reinvention, purpose, and building a legacy that extends beyond business. In this episode, we cover: ✔ Mara Smith’s journey from stay-at-home mom to founder of Inspiro Tequila ✔ Reinventing your career after time away from the workforce ✔ How motherhood builds leadership, resilience, and adaptability ✔ Navigating imposter syndrome and earning credibility in a new industry ✔ Why being an outsider can drive innovation ✔ Building a purpose-driven brand in a competitive market ✔ The importance of community, mentorship, and showing up If this conversation resonates, share it with someone who is thinking about starting over. #MaraSmith #InspiroTequila #OwningYourLegacy #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #CareerPivot #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #FounderStory If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, host Laurette Rondenet sits down with Katrina Markoff, founder of Violet Flame Chocolate and the original creator of the globally renowned chocolate brand Vosges Haut-Chocolat. Katrina shares the remarkable journey that took her from studying chemistry and psychology at Vanderbilt to culinary training in Paris and eventually building one of the most innovative chocolate companies in the world. Her entrepreneurial path was guided by creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to follow intuition even when it meant taking risks others would not. But success did not come without challenges. After years of building her company, Katrina experienced profound personal and professional setbacks and ultimately lost control of the business she created. Rather than giving up, she chose to rebuild. Now, as the founder of Violet Flame Chocolate, Katrina is creating a new vision for chocolate. Her new venture blends luxury craftsmanship, ritual, and creativity while encouraging people to reconnect with their inner voice and imagination. This conversation explores entrepreneurship, resilience, intuition, and the power of starting again. 📲 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations about leadership, entrepreneurship, and legacy. In this episode: ✅ The rise of Vosges Haut-Chocolat ✅ What it feels like to lose the company you built ✅ How intuition shapes entrepreneurial decisions ✅ The inspiration behind Violet Flame Chocolate ✅ Rebuilding identity, creativity, and purpose after adversity Credits IG: @rishi.productions IG: @gosiasimprint If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, host Laurette Rondenet sits down with Dr. Gertrude Lyons, author of Rewrite the Mother Code, for a transformative conversation on motherhood, identity, intuition, and the hidden cultural narratives that shape women’s lives. Dr. Lyons shares her personal awakening, from navigating fertility through a holistic lens to questioning deeply ingrained expectations around pregnancy, birth, and what it truly means to be a “good mother.” Together, they unpack the invisible “mother codes” that drive guilt, self-sacrifice, perfectionism, and burnout. This episode explores how women can rewrite outdated narratives and reclaim their power by integrating both masculine and feminine values, balancing productivity with process, structure with intuition, and achievement with self-nurturing. Dr. Lyons also discusses: ✅ Why self-mothering is essential, not selfish ✅ The myth of putting yourself last to be a “good mom” ✅ How guilt is culturally conditioned ✅ Feminine leadership in work and family life ✅ The importance of community, modeling, and support ✅ Rewriting your own personal Mother Code Whether you are raising children, building a career, leading a team, or nurturing a vision, this conversation will challenge you to examine the codes you are living by, and decide which ones need to be rewritten. 🌐 Learn more about Dr. Gertrude Lyons: https://www.drgertrudelyons.com/ 🎧 Listen to the Rewrite the Mother Code Podcast: https://www.drgertrudelyons.com/podcast 📲 Follow Dr. Gertrude Lyons on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgertrudelyons/ 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms 📲 Like, comment, and subscribe for conversations on leadership, love, and legacy Video and Photo Credits: IG: @rishi.productions IG: @gosiasimprint #RewriteTheMotherCode #DrGertrudeLyons #Motherhood #FeminineLeadership #WomenInLeadership #IntentionalParenting #SelfMothering #LeadershipDevelopment #OwningYourLegacy #PersonalGrowth If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy, host Laurette Rondenet sits down with Brittani Mack, host of Tech Me As I Am, for a powerful conversation on authentic leadership, personal branding, emotional intelligence, and staying grounded in the age of AI. Brittani shares the transformational moment that shifted her life after watching The Call to Courage by Brené Brown. What began as a wake-up call about vulnerability became a deep journey into self-love, identity work, and courageous authenticity. From navigating corporate leadership and corporate culture to building meaningful client relationships, Brittani explains how doing the inner work reshaped her leadership style, her parenting, and her purpose. This episode dives into how leaders can create psychologically safe workplace cultures, why personal branding is rooted in character rather than job titles, and how neurodivergence and ADHD can be leadership strengths rather than limitations. Brittani also speaks candidly about raising four boys, supporting men’s mental health, navigating modern masculinity, and breaking generational trauma through emotional awareness, vulnerability, and intentional parenting. The conversation also explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the workplace, why fear around emerging technology is natural, and how human connection, emotional intelligence, and core values remain irreplaceable in an increasingly digital world. Topics covered in this episode include: ✅ Authentic leadership and vulnerability in the workplace ✅ Personal branding beyond your job title ✅ Emotional intelligence and psychological safety at work ✅ AI, fear of technology, and staying grounded in a digital world ✅ Neurodivergence, ADHD, and creativity as leadership strengths ✅ Raising emotionally healthy boys and supporting men’s mental health ✅ Breaking generational patterns through inner child work ✅ Building trust, connection, and influence in corporate environments ✅ Human connection as a competitive advantage in the AI era Whether you are a corporate executive, entrepreneur, sales leader, working professional, parent, or someone navigating identity and career growth, this conversation offers practical leadership insights and mindset strategies for owning who you are — unapologetically. 🌐 Learn more about Tech Me As I Am: https://www.techmeasiam.com/ 🎧 Listen to the Tech Me As I Am Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCBxKJXlmMzqJZOABuG2vbIg 📲 Follow Brittani for updates on her executive branding agency launching in 2026: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanimack/ If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .

In this episode of Owning Your Legacy , host Laurette Rondenet sits down with Bela Gandhi , founder of Smart Dating Academy , for a powerful conversation on modern dating, emotional intelligence, and how to build healthy relationships at any stage of life. Bela shares her personal journey from heartbreak to global corporate leadership, and the pivotal decision to leave a successful career in finance and manufacturing to pursue her purpose: helping people date with clarity, confidence, and intention. Drawing on neuroscience, behavioral patterns, and real-world coaching experience, Bela explains why so many people repeat unhealthy relationship cycles and how to break them for good. This episode dives deep into dating advice for women and men navigating love after heartbreak, divorce, or long-term singleness. Bela explains why chemistry alone is not enough, how attachment hormones like oxytocin influence decision-making, and why emotional safety matters more than surface-level attraction. Topics covered in this episode include: ✅ Modern dating challenges and repeating relationship patterns ✅ Dating advice for women and men over 30, 40, 50+ ✅ Emotional safety and healthy conflict resolution ✅ Narcissism, gaslighting, and love bombing explained ✅ Why chemistry can be misleading in dating ✅ How to avoid losing yourself in relationships ✅ Attachment styles, oxytocin, and emotional bonding ✅ What makes love last long-term ✅ Building confidence, clarity, and self-awareness in dating Whether you are single, dating, married, divorced, or starting over later in life, this conversation offers grounded, practical guidance for building relationships rooted in respect, trust, and long-term compatibility. 🌐 Learn more about Smart Dating Academy: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com 🎧 Listen to the Smart Dating Academy Podcast 📲 Follow on Instagram: @smartdatingacademy 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms 📲 Like, comment, and subscribe for conversations on leadership, love, and legacy Video and Photo Credits: IG: @rishi.productions IG: @gosiasimprint If you enjoyed the episode please share it with others, and rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about me and how I am Owning My Legacy, you can find me on Instagram @LauretteRondenet and online at lauretterondenet.com .