Ep. 63 Why Working Harder Isn't the Answer: The Power of Clarity and Focus | In the Groove

From the Senate to Service: Leadership, Legacy & Lasting Impact

What does it take to turn a dream into a life of purpose and service? In this inspiring episode of In the Groove with Todd & Jackie, we welcome Mona Das—former Washington State Senator, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and changemaker—for a powerful conversation about leadership, resilience, and creating lasting impact. Mona shares the story behind her journey into public service, the lessons she learned while serving in the Washington State Senate, and the meaningful legislation she championed to help strengthen communities. She also reflects on how her mission has evolved beyond public office, using entrepreneurship, storytelling, and collaboration to continue empowering people and organizations to create positive change. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, aspiring public servant, or someone pursuing a purpose-driven life, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration to help you lead with courage, authenticity, and service. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER: ✨ How one dream led to the Washington State Senate 💡 Leadership lessons from public service 🌍 How meaningful legislation can transform communities ❤️ Why great leadership always starts with people 🚀 How Mona continues creating positive change beyond public office > "Everyone has a different goal, but it's about living your dream and making it a reality." > — Mona Das If this conversation inspires you, please like, subscribe, and share to help us reach more leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers around the world. ABOUT MONA DAS Mona Das is a former Washington State Senator, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and changemaker dedicated to helping people, empowering communities, and leading with purpose. Learn more: https://www.monadas.com CONNECT WITH IN THE GROOVE WITH TODD & JACKIE 🌐 Website: https://www.toddandjackie.com [https://www.toddandjackie.com] 🌐 The Speak Feed Lead Project: https://www.speakfeedlead.org [https://www.speakfeedlead.org] 🎧 Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and other major podcast platforms. #Leadership #MonaDas #PublicService #Entrepreneurship #Changemaker #Legacy #LeadershipDevelopment #Podcast #InTheGroove #ToddAndJackie #PurposeDrivenLeadership #CommunityImpact #Storytelling #Inspiration

Ep. 64 The Speaking Skills Every Entrepreneur Actually Need | In the Groove

Why Great Speakers Are Trained—Not Born | Donna Riccardo on In the Groove with Todd & Jackie What does it really take to become a confident, authentic speaker? In this episode of In the Groove with Todd & Jackie, we're joined by Donna Riccardo, Founder of Red Stiletto – Get to the Point!™, public speaking trainer, speaker, and best-selling author. With more than 30 years of experience helping entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals communicate with confidence, Donna shares practical strategies that empower people to find their voice and speak with purpose. Together, Todd, Jackie, and Donna explore: ✨ Why great speakers are trained—not born 🎤 How public speaking builds confidence, credibility, and business growth 💡 The importance of discovering your authentic voice 🚀 Practical techniques to overcome fear and communicate with clarity 🌟 How speaking with purpose creates meaningful opportunities in business and life Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, aspiring speaker, leader, or someone looking to communicate more effectively, this conversation is filled with practical insights and encouragement you can begin applying right away. If this episode inspires you, please Like, Comment, and Subscribe to help us continue sharing conversations that empower people to grow, lead, and make a difference. About Donna Riccardo Donna Riccardo is the Founder of Red Stiletto – Get to the Point!™, where she helps professionals craft compelling presentations, develop signature talks, and become confident, authentic communicators who inspire action and build lasting connections. #InTheGroovePodcast #ToddAndJackie #DonnaRiccardo #PublicSpeaking #CommunicationSkills #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #PersonalDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #Confidence #AuthenticSpeaking #Storytelling #ProfessionalDevelopment #SpeakWithConfidence #Podcast

Ep. 63 Why Working Harder Isn't the Answer: The Power of Clarity and Focus | In the Groove

What does it take to create a workplace where people feel valued, engaged, and empowered to do their best work? In this insightful episode of In the Groove with Todd and Jackie, we welcome Todd Krause, Founder and Principal Consultant of Silver Sun Consulting, for a conversation about leadership, workplace culture, and the human side of organizational success. Drawing from years of experience helping organizations strengthen leadership, improve communication, and build thriving workplace cultures, Todd shares practical strategies leaders can implement to create environments where both people and businesses flourish. ✨ In this conversation, you'll discover: ✔️ What it takes to build healthy, high-performing workplace cultures ✔️ Why leadership starts with people, not processes ✔️ How organizations can create environments where employees thrive and contribute their best work ✔️ The connection between purpose, engagement, and long-term business success ✔️ Practical strategies leaders can use to strengthen teams, improve communication, and navigate change effectively ✔️ Why investing in people is one of the most powerful drivers of organizational growth Whether you're a business owner, executive, manager, entrepreneur, or someone passionate about leadership and personal development, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable takeaways you can apply immediately. Todd's message is a powerful reminder that successful organizations aren't built solely on systems and strategies—they're built by people who feel seen, supported, and inspired to contribute their best. 🌟 If this conversation resonates with you: 👍 Like this video 💬 Share your biggest takeaway in the comments 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 👤 About Todd Krause Founder & Principal Consultant Silver Sun Consulting Todd helps organizations create stronger workplace cultures, develop effective leaders, and build environments where people and businesses can thrive together. 🌐 Website: silversunconsulting.com ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎙️ About In the Groove with Todd and Jackie Where good vibes meet great conversations—and changemakers take center stage. Each week, Todd and Jackie bring you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and practical wisdom from leaders, authors, entrepreneurs, athletes, speakers, and everyday people making a difference in the world. 🌐 Website: [www.toddandjackie.com](http://www.toddandjackie.com) 📺 Subscribe: @inthegroovewithtoddandjackie #InTheGrooveWithToddAndJackie #ToddKrause #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #BusinessLeadership #OrganizationalDevelopment #TeamBuilding #Communication #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment #Podcast

Ep. 62: A Healthy Mind Is A Healthy Body | In the Groove

What if the key to transforming your health, relationships, leadership, and overall well-being starts with one thing: your mindset? In this empowering episode of In the Groove with Todd and Jackie, we sit down with Nichole McLeod—Transformational Speaker, Mindset Mentor, Certified Fitness Coach, Founder of Nichole McLeod Coaching, and Host of The Comeback Season Podcast. With more than 30 years of experience helping individuals and teams build confidence, resilience, and consistency, Nichole shares powerful insights on what it truly takes to create meaningful and lasting change. ✨ In this conversation, you'll discover: ✔️ Why mindset is the foundation for growth and success in every area of life ✔️ How resilience is developed through challenges—not perfect circumstances ✔️ The powerful connection between self-trust, discipline, and personal transformation ✔️ Practical strategies to overcome burnout and break limiting patterns ✔️ How taking ownership of your mindset can positively impact your health, leadership, relationships, and daily life ✔️ Why lasting change begins from within Whether you're navigating a difficult season, pursuing personal goals, leading others, or simply looking for inspiration to move forward with confidence, this episode offers practical wisdom and encouragement you can apply immediately. Nichole's message is a powerful reminder that growth doesn't happen by accident—it happens through intentional choices, consistent action, and the willingness to believe in what's possible. 🌟 If this conversation inspires you, please: 👍 Like the video 💬 Share your biggest takeaway in the comments 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode 👤 About Nichole McLeod Transformational Speaker | Mindset Mentor | Certified Fitness Coach Host, The Comeback Season Podcast Founder, Nichole McLeod Coaching 🌐 Website: https://nicholemcleod.com 🎙️About In the Groove with Todd and Jackie Where good vibes meet great conversations—and changemakers take center stage. Each week, Todd and Jackie bring you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and practical wisdom from leaders, authors, entrepreneurs, athletes, speakers, and everyday people making a difference in the world. 🌐 Website: https://www.toddandjackie.com 📺 Subscribe: @inthegroovewithtoddandjackie #InTheGrooveWithToddAndJackie #NicholeMcLeod #MindsetMatters #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #SelfDevelopment #MentalStrength #Confidence #Transformation #Wellness #Motivation #Podcast

Ep. 61 You Have Power Over Your Happy Brain Chemicals | In the Groove

What if you had more influence over your happiness than you realize? In this thought-provoking episode of In the Groove with Todd and Jackie, hosts Todd Cudaback and Jackie Bailey welcome Loretta Graziano Breuning, PhD, Founder of the Inner Mammal Institute, Professor Emerita of Management at California State University, East Bay, and bestselling author of Habits of a Happy Brain. Together, they explore the fascinating connection between human emotions, brain chemistry, and the mammalian instincts that shape our everyday experiences. Loretta explains the natural role of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, endorphin, and cortisol, revealing how these powerful brain chemicals influence motivation, relationships, stress, happiness, and decision-making. She also shares practical strategies for building new neural pathways that support healthier habits, greater emotional resilience, and lasting personal growth. ✨ In This Episode, You'll Discover: • How dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphin influence emotions and behavior • Why happiness is not designed to be constant—and what that means for daily life • How the mammalian brain shapes habits, motivation, and decision-making • Practical ways to create new neural pathways and healthier emotional patterns • The role of cortisol and stress in the human experience • How understanding brain chemistry can help you build a more fulfilling life This conversation is filled with practical insights, fascinating science, and empowering perspectives that can help you better understand yourself and the emotions we all experience as human beings. 🎙️ Guest: Loretta Graziano Breuning, PhD Founder, Inner Mammal Institute Author of Habits of a Happy Brain Learn more about Loretta and her work: https://innermammalinstitute.org/ 🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring conversations about confidence, leadership, communication, personal growth, and living with purpose. 📺 Watch and listen to In the Groove with Todd and Jackie on YouTube and all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spreaker, and iHeartRadio. #InTheGrooveWithToddAndJackie #LorettaBreuning #HabitsOfAHappyBrain #InnerMammalInstitute #HappyBrainChemicals #Neuroscience #BrainChemistry #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalWellBeing #MentalHealth #SelfDevelopment #Dopamine #Serotonin #Oxytocin #Endorphins