In this powerful and heart-centered conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Derek Gaskins, Head of Guest Experience at BP and former CMO of Yesway, to explore what it really means to lead with authenticity, purpose, and intention across every season of life.

Derek opens up about the early career lessons that shaped him, including his rejection of code-switching and the long journey toward embracing his full, authentic self at work and at home. He shares how fatherhood transformed his leadership style and how the values instilled by his parents in Southeast DC still guide his decisions today.

Together, Kevin and Derek unpack the trade-offs of chasing big career goals while staying present for your family. Derek reflects on the power of saying no, what it meant to build a team and legacy at Yesway, and the emotional decision to step away for a new opportunity at BP. He also shares lessons from parenting adult children, the mindset that fueled his cross-country moves, and how his upbringing shaped his commitment to mentorship and inclusion.

Whether you're navigating a major career decision, leading a team, or trying to be more intentional at home, Derek's story is filled with grounded wisdom, lived experience, and practical insights you won't forget.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why bringing your full self to work is a leadership advantage
• How to balance seasons of hustle with seasons of presence
• The difference between keeping it real and being truly authentic
• How to create intentional boundaries to protect your time with family
• The power of strategic parenting and why weekends need a plan
• What legacy means to Derek and how he hopes his kids remember him
• How inclusion is about background and experience, not just checkboxes
• Why embracing discomfort and uncertainty creates growth
• How to build a family home your kids want to return to
• Why feedback is a gift, especially when it comes from your kids

Top Takeaways:
• Authentic leadership begins with self-awareness and evolves over time
• Strategic parenting requires the same intention as leading a team
• Family time only becomes meaningful when it’s planned and protected
• Career mobility often requires physical mobility
• Fatherhood sharpens empathy, patience, and self-reflection
• Legacy lives in how you show up, not just what you achieve
• Inclusion means creating space for people to be themselves

• (00:00:00) - CEO and ABCs: Real Stories from Execs
• (00:00:12) - CEO and ABCs
• (00:01:36) - Kevin McDermott on Life After Work
• (00:05:08) - Ex-Yes Way CEO on Leaving the Company
• (00:09:54) - The Rise of Yes Way
• (00:12:38) - Benefits of lifting others up
• (00:17:50) - How Fatherhood Has Changed How You Present Yourself
• (00:20:16) - How To Stuck Connect With Your Kids
• (00:23:30) - Kevin Hart on Having the Courage to Say No
• (00:30:13) - "I Should've Been There for My Daughter's Wedding"
• (00:32:11) - Bob Pinchin on His Legacy
• (00:35:15) - CEO and ABCs