S2E6 - Fixin' Your Crown Boo! Podcast: Dr. Douglas Lewis

S2E6 - Fixin' Your Crown Boo! Podcast: Dr. Douglas Lewis

Did you know that Black men make up less than one percent of all psychologists in the United States? In Episode 6 of Season 2, we sit down with Dr. Douglas Lewis to discuss the realities of representation, the barrier of corporate gatekeeping, and why true leadership requires a willingness to share power. Episode Summary: Dr. Douglas Lewis is a distinguished forensic psychologist who evaluates justice-involved individuals across juvenile, state, and federal courts. He shares his incredible journey from earning a mathematics degree to working in psychiatric units and eventually navigating the complex intersection of mental health and the legal system. Douglas breaks down the exact reasons why the old guard of leadership often refuses to share their seats at the table. He explains how relying strictly on your network can lock out ambitious, highly qualified professionals. Whether you are dealing with a gatekeeper blocking your next promotion, struggling to feel seen in your industry, or trying to figure out how to be a better mentor to your team, this conversation gives you a clear path forward. Douglas also introduces his philosophy on why power is always better when it is shared. In this episode, we cover: * Why the lack of representation in highly specialized fields impacts the people being served. * How to handle industry gatekeepers who block access to career opportunities. * The massive difference between hoarding leadership power and sharing it to build a stronger team. * How to transfer analytical skills from one completely different industry into another. Resources & Links: * Connect with Dr. Douglas Lewis: LinkedIn: Dr. Douglas Lewis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-douglas-e-lewis-jr/] * Book a Strategy Call with JD: https://j2elevateconsulting.com/GM-Strategic-Audit-30-min-CoachJD [https://j2elevateconsulting.com/GM-Strategic-Audit-30-min-CoachJD] * Take the Leadership Identity Assessment: https://j2elevateconsulting.com/Leadership-Identity-Assessment [https://j2elevateconsulting.com/Leadership-Identity-Assessment] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jsquaredelevateconsulting.substack.com [https://jsquaredelevateconsulting.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Fixin' Your Crown Boo! Podcast - S2E5: Kadine Cooper

Are you exhausted from proving your worth to a new manager every year? In Episode 5 of Season 2, we sit down with Kadine Cooper to discuss why climbing the corporate ladder often leaves high achievers feeling completely unseen. Episode Summary: After years as a senior talent manager at a Fortune 500 company and navigating through four different managers in three years, Kadine hit a wall. She realized she no longer wanted to bring talent into an organization that did not match her personal values. She quit without a backup plan. Today, she runs her own successful coaching business by helping women become the "CEO" of their careers: Create Every Opportunity. Whether you are surviving another corporate reorganization or feeling stuck in a role that drains your energy, this conversation offers a clear path out. Kadine breaks down her specific rule for evaluating new opportunities and shares exactly how to ground yourself when the corporate environment feels chaotic. She also reminds us of the Maya Angelou rule: people will never forget how you made them feel. In this episode, we cover: - Why collecting corporate titles will never substitute for true self-leadership. - How to use the "Five Fs" (Faith, Family, Fun, Freedom, and Flexibility) as your decision filter. - The hidden human cost of constant corporate restructuring. - How to apply the "Control what you can control" mantra to stop anxiety and take action. Resources & Links: - Connect with Kadine Cooper: LinkedIn: Kadine Cooper - Book a Strategy Call with JD: https://j2elevateconsulting.com/GM-DiscoveryCall-CoachJD - Take the Leadership Identity Assessment: https://j2elevateconsulting.com/Leadership-Identity-Assessment This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jsquaredelevateconsulting.substack.com [https://jsquaredelevateconsulting.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Fixin' Your Crown Boo! Podcast - S2E4: Tiana Sanchez | Building Lego vs. Jenga Teams

Episode Summary: During a major recession, Tiana heard the four words everyone dreads: “We are letting you go.” But 90 days later, she launched a coaching firm that has thrived for over 14 years. She shares her journey from becoming a manager at a gourmet fast food restaurant at just 17 years old to advising top executives today. We dig into why 82 percent of managers are miscast. Often, companies promote people prematurely out of desperation without giving them the tools to handle the people side of leading teams. Tiana breaks down how to build dynamic Lego teams instead of single direction Jenga teams, and why we desperately need to change our relationship with making mistakes. In this episode, we cover: * Why 82 percent of managers lack the skills to handle the people side of leadership. * The difference between building a fragile Jenga team and an inclusive Lego team. * The three actual reasons we experience failure: inaction, distraction, or lack of direction. * Why you should view failure as an experience rather than a permanent identity. Resources & Links: * Connect with Tiana Sanchez: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tianasanchez/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tianasanchez/] | tianasanchez.com * Book a Strategy Call with JD: https://j2elevateconsulting.com/GM-DiscoveryCall-CoachJD [https://j2elevateconsulting.com/GM-DiscoveryCall-CoachJD] * Take the Leadership Identity Assessment: https://j2elevateconsulting.com/Leadership-Identity-Assessment [https://j2elevateconsulting.com/Leadership-Identity-Assessment] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jsquaredelevateconsulting.substack.com [https://jsquaredelevateconsulting.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Fixin' Your Crown Boo! Podcast - S2E3: Myrna Laine-Hyppolite

Are you relying on the traditional trifecta of success but still feeling financially unprepared? In this episode of Fixin’ Your Crown Boo, we sit down with Myrna Laine-Hyppolite, a Chief Financial Officer and wealth strategist, to uncover why working hard and getting a good job is no longer enough to build real wealth. Episode Summary: We dive deep into the critical financial gaps women face and how to overcome them by actively engaging in wealth-building. Myrna, the founder of Empower Financial Wellness, shares her journey from being a young manager of people twice her age to becoming the CFO for a massive network of charter schools. She explains why true independence requires taking charge of your financial future. Whether you are trying to figure out your unique investor persona, navigating a male-dominated corporate space, or building a business alongside a demanding executive career, this episode provides a clear strategic roadmap. Myrna also breaks down how to foster a collaborative team environment by setting clear expectations and asking your team for solutions instead of just presenting problems. In this episode, we cover: * Why the trifecta of success fails to teach us how to make our money work for us. * How to start investing with confidence and discover your personal risk tolerance. * The realities of leadership in a male-dominated field and the importance of elevating your team from within. * Why your money house must be in order before the rest of your life can fall into place. Resources & Links: * Connect with Myrna Laine-Hyppolite: LinkedIn: Myrna Laine-Hyppolite | empowerfinancialwellness.com * Book a Strategy Call with JD: ⁠https://j2elevateconsulting.com/GM-DiscoveryCall-CoachJD⁠ [https://j2elevateconsulting.com/GM-DiscoveryCall-CoachJD] * Take the Leadership Quiz: https://j2elevateconsulting.com/Unprepared-Manager-Quiz This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jsquaredelevateconsulting.substack.com [https://jsquaredelevateconsulting.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Fixin' Your Crown Boo! Podcast - S2E2: Sangeetha Dikshit

Do you know the difference between a leader and a boss? In Episode 2 of Season 2, we sit down with ICF Certified Leadership Coach Sangeetha Dikshit to explore why true leadership isn't found in a title, but in the internal quality of empowering those around you. Episode Summary:Are you listening to solve, or are you listening to understand? Sangeetha Dikshit joins JD Johnson to discuss the power of emotional intelligence in the workplace and why identifying your feelings is the first step toward acting with purpose. We explore the common misconception that introverts can't be powerful leaders, and how leading with "quiet confidence" and self-awareness can actually be a superpower. Sangeetha shares her insights on the difference between coaching and mentorship, the importance of asking difficult questions to trigger introspection, and why receiving constructive feedback should be viewed as a gift, even when it's hard to hear. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the "hustle" culture or struggled to communicate effectively with your team, this episode will help you navigate your triggers and move from reaction to thoughtful response. In this episode, we cover: - Why your emotions are the window to your underlying thoughts. - The crucial difference between putting on a "coaching hat" versus a "mentoring hat". - How to provide constructive feedback that actually helps, rather than just delivering a "sucker punch". - Why self-awareness and empathy are the foundational superpowers of effective leadership Resources & Links: - Connect with Sangeetha Dikshit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdikshit/ - Book a Strategy Call with JD: https://j2elevateconsulting.com/GM-DiscoveryCall-CoachJD - Take the Leadership Quiz: https://j2elevateconsulting.com/Unprepared-Manager-Quiz This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jsquaredelevateconsulting.substack.com [https://jsquaredelevateconsulting.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]