Bonafide Leaders

Leaders, Back from the Brink - From Bus Stations to Boardrooms: Leading with the "G" Factor

Tim welcomes Dr. Monica G. Williams, the inaugural president of Texas Woman’s University’s Houston campus. Tim continues his conversation about Leaders From the Brink, exploring how Dr. Williams navigated significant life challenges and developed her approach to leadership. She shares candid stories from her upbringing, including her experience as a teenage mother and the support systems that helped her redefine her path. Dr. Williams discusses the influence of family, mentors, and community in her development as a leader. She covers mistakes she made early in her career, especially around not demanding the resources needed for her teams, and how these lessons have shaped her current leadership style. The episode also features insights into her work in various educational institutions, the importance of nurturing those who are often overlooked, and her commitment to kindness, grace, and student-centered leadership. Resources Discussed in this Episode: Texas Southern University: https://www.tsu.edu/ [https://www.tsu.edu/] (her alma mater) Prairie View A&M University: https://www.pvamu.edu/ [https://www.pvamu.edu/] (her alma mater) UNICEF (where she worked) https://www.unicef.org/ [https://www.unicef.org/] Rice University (where she worked) https://www.rice.edu/ [https://www.rice.edu/] Bob Mong, Former University of North Texas At Dallas President (former boss referenced and still prominent in DFW today) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Mong [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Mong] University of North Texas at Dallas https://www.untdallas.edu/ [https://www.untdallas.edu/](where she worked) Texas Woman’s University Main Campus https://twu.edu/ [https://twu.edu/] (125-year anniversary in 2026, educating women for the workforce since 1901) Where Dr. Monica serves as the inaugural President: Texas Woman’s University, Houston Campus https://twu.edu/houston/ [https://twu.edu/houston/] To learn more about Tim and his work, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com [www.BonafideLeaders.com] Key Topics Discussed * Dr. Monica G. Williams’ early life, family background, and experiences growing up * Becoming a teenage parent and the impact on her personal development * Importance of mentors, family, and community support * Lessons learned from leadership failures, particularly not advocating for necessary resources * The role of grace, kindness, and empathy in effective leadership * Experiences at different educational institutions, including historically black colleges and international non-profits * The mission and impact of Texas Woman’s University, particularly in empowering women and underserved communities * Encouragement for leaders to meditate, reflect, and give themselves grace during challenging moments

Leaders, Back from the Brink - Reclaiming the Mind When the System Claims the Body

Tim sits down with Richard Miles to hear his powerful story of wrongful conviction, survival through incarceration, and his commitment to helping others re-enter society. Richard recounts his arrest at age 19 for a crime he did not commit, the 15 years he spent in the Texas prison system, and the persistence required—emotionally and legally—to eventually prove his innocence and regain freedom. The conversation explores the psychological toll incarceration takes, particularly on those who are innocent, and highlights the role of hope and community. They discuss the importance of support systems both inside and outside prison, and Richard describes how his experience led to the founding of Miles of Freedom, an organization dedicated to supporting formerly incarcerated individuals. The discussion also touches on broader themes of faith, perspective, leadership, and how small acts of empathy can transform lives. Resources: The Richard Miles Act https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/pdf/HB01125I.pdf [https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/pdf/HB01125I.pdf] Movie - Shawshank Redemption summary on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shawshank_Redemption [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shawshank_Redemption] Movie - Just Mercy summary on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Mercy [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Mercy] Miles of Freedom Non Profit Website https://milesoffreedom.org/ & Facebook page [https://milesoffreedom.org/%20&%20Facebook%20page]https://www.facebook.com/milesoffreedomorg/ [https://www.facebook.com/milesoffreedomorg/] Key Topics Discussed: * Richard's wrongful conviction and arrest at age 19 * The pre-trial and trial process and challenges of the criminal legal system * Emotional impact and psychological survival during lengthy incarceration * The importance of support, hope, and mindset while navigating prison life * Turning points: discovering exculpatory evidence and regaining hope * The long legal process toward exoneration and release * Experiences readjusting to society after release * The founding and mission of Miles of Freedom * The role of faith, self-worth, and active hope in overcoming setbacks * Advice to listeners facing adversity

Leaders, Back from the Brink - The Harvard Letter: When Success Meets Its Limit

Tim sits down with Michael Horne, President and CEO of Parkland Health Foundation. Michael shares his upbringing in New York, highlighting the influence of family, the arts, and early experiences with educational inequities that shaped his passion for service and leadership. They discuss Michael’s early professional roles, his transition from education to healthcare, and the key lessons that he’s carried throughout his journey. In line with this season's theme, the conversation focuses on a major setback Michael faced during his doctoral studies—a near-dismissal from Harvard due to difficulty balancing a full-time job, family, and academic research. Michael explains how he confronted the challenge, leaned on his support network, especially his wife, and developed a disciplined plan to finish his dissertation. Michael also shares reflections on transparency in leadership, the value of failure, and his current work at Parkland Health Foundation, including a call to action for community involvement. Resources Mentioned: Parkland Health - https://www.parklandhealth.org/home [https://www.parklandhealth.org/home] Parkland Health Foundation - https://parklandhealthfoundation.org/ [https://parklandhealthfoundation.org/] KIPP Texas - https://kipptexas.org/ [https://kipptexas.org/] Key Topics Discussed: * Michael Horne’s upbringing in New York and family influence * The role of arts and culture in shaping leadership values * Experiences with educational inequity and tracking in schools * Career journey: from education to healthcare leadership * Setbacks faced during doctoral studies at Harvard * Importance of support systems and transparent communication * Turning failure into leadership growth * Practical advice for leaders facing setbacks * Overview of Parkland Health Foundation’s mission and community impact * How listeners can support or get involved with Parkland

Leaders Back from the Brink – The High Cost of All Gas, No Brakes

Tim welcomes Brian Williams, CEO of Perspectivity International, to discuss resilience, personal setbacks, and the journey through crisis during the tumultuous year of 2020. Brian shares his story, beginning with his upbringing in San Antonio, the lessons he learned from his environment, and how these experiences shaped his drive and approach to life and work. Brian and Tim discuss how the convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd, caused a significant personal and professional crisis. Brian speaks openly about the emotional toll of losing business, navigating deep fear for his and his family’s safety, battling stress-induced health issues, and the humbling experience of seeking help. They also talk about humility, truth, and self-awareness as essential pillars for overcoming life's valleys, especially for leaders accustomed to winning. To Learn More and Connect with Brian: https://www.perspectivityintl.com/ [https://www.perspectivityintl.com/] linkedin.com/in/brianwilliamsurl [http://linkedin.com/in/brianwilliamsurl]  Resources Mentioned In the Episode: Toastmasters International: https://www.toastmasters.org/ [https://www.toastmasters.org/]  Texas A&M University https://www.tamu.edu/index.html [https://www.tamu.edu/index.html] Alma mater INROADS - https://inroads.org/ [https://inroads.org/] High school and college internships Panic attack resources: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms [https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms] The Seven Primal Questions book by Mike Foster: https://www.mikefoster.tv/book [https://www.mikefoster.tv/book] Key Topics Discussed * The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his business and family life * The emotional and psychological strain after the murder of George Floyd * The physical effects of chronic stress, can lead to a health crisis * The challenge and importance of seeking help, including therapy and support * Learning from mistakes driven by fear, including financial decisions * The process of pivoting his business from in-person to virtual during COVID * The power of humility and living in truth, especially during hardship * The significance of community, self-care practices, and spiritual grounding * Reflections on losing, self-worth, and breaking through old ways of coping

Leaders Back from the Brink - Navigating Dreams and Disappointment

Tim kicks off season 4 alongside co-host Erin Gregor, focusing on the valuable lessons that setbacks, failures, and challenges can teach leaders at every stage of their journey. Tim opens up about his personal experiences, taking listeners through a difficult four-year stretch in his late teens and early twenties when his dream of becoming a professional basketball player unraveled despite his hard work and ambition. He describes the disappointment and emotional toll of missed opportunities and false promises, highlighting how these valleys in his life ultimately led to deeper resilience, self-awareness, and a new direction in business and leadership. They also discuss how leaders can benefit from reframing their perspective during hard times. Instead of asking "why me," Tim encourages people to ask, "what can I learn from this?" This shift in mindset, he explains, helped him process setbacks and eventually led to breakthroughs in his career and personal growth. Key Topics Discussed: * The importance of authentic leadership and focusing on real impact, not just titles * Tim's personal story of pursuing a basketball dream, facing repeated setbacks, and learning from disappointment * The transition from athletics to a business career, and how those lessons shaped his approach to leadership * The value of reframing how we process setbacks—asking what instead of why * Insights into resilience, emotional growth, and owning your path, even when it strays from your original plan * The intention for season 4: to share candid stories of failure and resilience in leadership