Episodes

  • Melissa Grady Dias (Cadillac, MetLife, Motorola) Navigating Motherhood, Prioritizing Self-Care and Building Life's Mosaic #009
    Sep 17 2025
    In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Melissa Grady-Diaz, former CMO of Cadillac, to explore the complex intersection of motherhood, career ambition, and personal growth. Melissa opens up about the challenges of maternity leave and the emotional transition of returning to a high-powered role while raising her first child. She shares why bedtime became a sacred ritual, how she learned to set boundaries to protect family time, and why self-care is a non-negotiable for sustainable leadership. Together, Kevin and Melissa unpack the lessons of parenthood, from navigating exhaustion to redefining purpose, and reflect on how personal experiences shape leadership at the highest levels. Melissa also reveals how she thinks about career progression, exercise as a form of self-care, and her belief that life is a mosaic—where professional milestones and family moments come together to create meaning. Whether you’re a working parent balancing career and home, or a leader seeking to align ambition with presence, Melissa’s story offers candid insights and practical wisdom for every stage of life. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why returning to work after maternity leave is a deeply emotional journey • The importance of protecting family time—especially bedtime rituals • How motherhood can transform leadership style and priorities • Why self-care is essential for balance and resilience • The value of setting personal and professional boundaries • How flexibility and adaptability drive both parenting and leadership • Why reflection on past experiences creates growth and clarity • How finding purpose in work leads to fulfillment beyond achievement • Why life is best seen as a mosaic of personal and professional experiences Top Takeaways: • Parenthood reshapes leadership in powerful ways • Bedtime routines and rituals are worth protecting at all costs • Boundaries are the key to sustaining balance • Self-care fuels both parenting and career success • Reflection and adaptability lead to lasting personal growth • Purpose, not just progress, creates fulfillment in career and family About Melissa Grady-Diaz: Melissa Grady-Diaz is the former Chief Marketing Officer of Cadillac, where she led brand transformation at one of America’s most iconic companies. A seasoned marketing executive, she has been recognized for her leadership, creativity, and ability to drive results in high-pressure environments. Beyond her career, Melissa is a proud mother whose experiences of parenthood have shaped her perspective on leadership, presence, and purpose in life. Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Introduction
    • (00:07:39) - Balancing A C-Suite Role and First-Time Parenthood
    • (00:09:31) - The Importance of Presence and Quality Time
    • (00:14:21) - Adjusting Back Into Work Post Maternity Leave
    • (00:15:54) - Holding Personal Boundaries and Self Care
    • (00:20:24) - Transformational Leadership
    • (00:24:35) - Growing in Your Career and Staying Present for Family
    • (00:28:15) - The Importance of Exercise in Self Care
    • (00:33:53) - Defining Moments: Before and After in Life
    • (00:36:48) - Building Your Life: The Power of Choice
    • (00:42:09) - The Mosaic of Life: Integrating Personal and Professional
    • (00:44:59) - Finding Purpose in Your Career
    • (00:51:38) - Creating a Lasting Legacy
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    53 mins
  • Kyle Lacy (Lessonly, Seismic, Docebo) Sobriety, Fatherhood, Burnout and the Power of Owning a Revenue Number in Marketing #008
    Sep 8 2025

    In this insightful and deeply personal conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Kyle Lacey, CMO of Docebo, to explore the realities of leading in high-growth marketing while navigating the demands of fatherhood and family life.

    Kyle opens up about the early lessons that shaped his career in B2B marketing, including why “presence, not balance” has become his guiding principle. He reflects on the concept of “head trash”, the inner dialogue that often holds leaders back, and how sobriety, exercise, and intentional choices helped him reshape both his personal and professional life.

    Together, Kevin and Kyle unpack the challenges of building a thriving career while showing up fully at home. Kyle shares how becoming a father transformed his perspective on leadership, the importance of open communication with family, and the courage it takes to step back when life demands it. He also reveals what it really means to own a revenue number as a marketer, and how he hopes to pass on lessons of hard work, passion, and resilience to his children.

    Whether you’re managing burnout, climbing the next rung in your career, or striving to be more intentional with your family, Kyle’s story is full of honesty, reflection, and practical wisdom you can apply today.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • Why presence matters more than balance in work and life
    • How “head trash” affects leaders and how to move past it
    • The role sobriety and exercise can play in sustaining personal growth
    • Why taking time off can make you a stronger parent and leader
    • The value of owning a revenue number in marketing
    • How open communication at home strengthens leadership at work
    • Why it’s okay to love what you do, even when it’s hard
    • What lessons Kyle hopes his children carry into adulthood

    Top Takeaways:

    • Leadership starts with presence and self-awareness
    • Burnout can be a turning point for growth if managed with intention
    • Family time becomes meaningful when it’s protected and planned
    • Sobriety and healthy habits are game changers for resilience
    • Teaching children the value of hard work and passion is part of legacy

    About Kyle Lacey:

    Kyle Lacey is the Chief Marketing Officer at Docebo, a leading learning platform redefining enterprise education. With a career spanning high-growth SaaS and B2B marketing, Kyle is passionate about building brands, owning revenue, and developing high-performing teams. Beyond the office, he’s a dedicated husband and father who believes leadership isn’t just about business, it’s about showing up with presence, honesty, and intention in every aspect of life.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Introduction
    • (00:02:17) - Navigating Career and Fatherhood
    • (00:07:06) - Understanding Head Trash and Emotional Intelligence
    • (00:12:17) - Managing Burnout and Post Burnout Recovery
    • (00:14:39) - Navigating Life Changes and Giving Up Alcohol
    • (00:17:57) - Coping Mechanisms and Personal Development
    • (00:21:20) - Maintaining Boundaries At Work and Whilst Travelling
    • (00:26:08) - Balancing Career and Home Life
    • (00:30:23) - Career Progression and Executive Insights
    • (00:35:51) - Creating Intentional Family Time
    • (00:37:56) - Lessons for Your Children and Future Generations
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    43 mins
  • Lydia Smith (Victoria's Secret, Kohl's) Transformational Leadership in Marketing and Creating Legacy through Authenticity and Open Conversations #007
    Sep 1 2025

    In this inspiring and heartfelt conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Lydia Smith, a transformational leader in inclusive marketing, to explore what it means to lead with authenticity while balancing family, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.

    Lydia opens up about her transition from Chief Diversity Officer at Victoria’s Secret to building a business alongside her daughter, a venture rooted in both legacy and love. She shares the lessons she’s learned about the loneliness of leadership, the importance of community support, and how journaling became a powerful tool for clarity and self-discovery.

    Together, Kevin and Lydia discuss the role of rest, reflection, and self-care in navigating career transitions, why listening to diverse consumer voices is essential in marketing, and how parenting has shaped Lydia’s leadership style. She also highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for children to communicate openly, and the legacy of passion and authenticity she hopes to leave for her daughters.

    Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a parent striving to balance career and family, or a leader seeking to create more inclusive spaces, this episode offers wisdom on resilience, leadership, and the power of building with intention.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:
    • Why rest and reflection are essential in career transitions
    • How journaling supports clarity, self-awareness, and growth
    • The challenges and joys of building a business with family
    • Why community support matters in leadership
    • How listening to diverse perspectives strengthens marketing
    • The parallels between parenting and leadership
    • The importance of creating safe spaces for open communication
    • Why supporting your leaders helps teams thrive
    • The legacy of authenticity Lydia hopes to leave for her daughters


    Top Takeaways:
    • Leadership requires both strength and vulnerability
    • Self-care is not indulgence, it’s strategy for sustainable success
    • Inclusive marketing starts with truly listening
    • Parenting teaches the same lessons that make great leaders
    • Legacy is built on authenticity, not accolades

    About Lydia Smith:
    Lydia Smith is a transformational leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for inclusive marketing. Formerly the Chief Diversity Officer at Victoria’s Secret, she now channels her passion into building her own business with her daughter, merging family and professional purpose. With a deep commitment to authenticity, equity, and creating safe spaces for dialogue, Lydia continues to inspire leaders and parents alike to balance ambition with heart.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Balancing Career and Family Life
    • (00:00:59) - Transitioning from Corporate to Consulting
    • (00:08:02) - Self-Care and Personal Growth
    • (00:15:49) - Leadership Lessons from Personal Experiences
    • (00:19:11) - Influencing Change in Corporate Environments
    • (00:19:25) - Influencing Without Authority
    • (00:21:32) - Evolving Parenting Roles
    • (00:26:20) - The Power of Consumer Voices
    • (00:30:09) - Reflections on Parenting and Personal Growth
    • (00:36:50) - Balancing Career and Family Life
    • (00:40:48) - Supporting Leadership and Team Dynamics
    • (00:43:12) - Legacy and Authentic Leadership
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    47 mins
  • Brandon Coleman III (Cotton Patch Cafe, TGI Fridays, Dave & Buster's), A Conversation in Leading Turnarounds, Culture and the Importance of Presence in Parenting
    Aug 26 2025

    In this thoughtful and grounded conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Brandon Coleman, a leader in the hospitality industry, to talk about navigating leadership through crisis while staying deeply committed to family and personal values.

    Brandon shares his journey through the fast-paced world of hospitality, reflecting on pivotal career moments—including leading through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He opens up about the lessons learned from failure, the importance of culture in business turnarounds, and why empowering teams through ownership leads to stronger accountability and results.

    Together, Kevin and Brandon explore what it means to balance an ambitious career with family life, the role of emotional presence in parenting, and how a balanced stakeholder approach can shape sustainable business growth. Brandon reflects on the leadership insights he hopes to pass on, both to his teams and to his children, highlighting that the legacy he wants to leave is one of love and support.

    Whether you’re an executive in the middle of a career transformation, a leader striving to empower your team, or a parent working to show up more fully at home, this episode offers lessons in leadership, humility, and heart.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • Why a balanced stakeholder approach leads to healthier businesses
    • How empowering teams creates accountability and ownership
    • The leadership lessons that only failure can teach
    • Why culture is the foundation for successful turnarounds
    • How communication supports balance between work and family life
    • The difference between being physically present and emotionally engaged as a parent
    • Why humility and adaptability are critical in leadership
    • How personal values shape long-term career decisions
    • The legacy Brandon hopes to leave for his children
    • Why leadership is a lifelong learning process

    Top Takeaways:
    • Balanced leadership means considering guests, team members, and shareholders equally • Empowerment builds stronger, more accountable teams
    • Failure is an essential teacher in leadership growth
    • Culture is the heartbeat of any successful transformation
    • True presence in parenting goes beyond time—it’s about emotional engagement
    • Humility and adaptability define sustainable leadership
    • Communication is the bridge between family and career balance
    • Legacy is not built on accolades, but on love and values passed on

    About Brandon Coleman III:
    Brandon Coleman III is the CEO of Cotton Patch Cafe, where he is leading the 48-unit Texas comfort-food brand through a bold growth plan to become the state’s largest by 2030. Previously, Brandon served as CEO of TGI Fridays, and held senior leadership roles at Dave & Buster’s, Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, and Romano’s Macaroni Grill. An Ad Age “40 Under 40” honoree, Brandon is recognized for driving brand turnarounds, operational growth, and people-first cultures. Passionate about community impact, he has led Cotton Patch initiatives donating to Giving Kitchen and Kerr Country Relief Fund. A devoted husband and father, Brandon believes leadership is measured as much at home as it is in the boardroom.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Introduction and Career Lessons
    • (00:00:39) - Balancing Family and Work Life
    • (00:03:43) - Passions and Outdoor Adventures
    • (00:05:27) - Leadership Lessons from Failure
    • (00:11:26) - Balanced Stakeholder Approach in Leadership
    • (00:17:54) - From Competition to Contribution
    • (00:20:52) - Navigating Change in Leadership
    • (00:22:47) - Transformations and Turnarounds
    • (00:26:42) - Balancing Ambitious Careers
    • (00:32:35) - The Dance of Family and Work
    • (00:41:17) - Legacy of Leadership and Love
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    45 mins
  • Jenna Bromberg (Pizza Hut, Carter's and Papa Johns) on Momentum, Motherhood and Creating Legacy Campaigns #005
    Aug 18 2025

    In this open and empowering conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Jenna Bromberg, Chief Marketing Officer at Papa John’s, to talk about building a career you love while staying deeply rooted in family and personal values.

    Jenna shares her journey through the fast-paced world of marketing, from early career moves to leading some of the industry’s most recognizable campaigns, including Carter’s “Hello Optimism.” She opens up about the pivotal career decisions that shaped her leadership style, the lessons learned from stepping into big roles, and the influence of mentors and family along the way.

    Together, Kevin and Jenna explore what it means to navigate motherhood while holding an executive title, the role of support systems in seasons of transition, and how to give yourself grace when life feels overwhelming. Jenna reflects on the power of emotional storytelling in marketing, the importance of designing your own career path, and how leadership lessons often come from parenting moments.

    Whether you’re an aspiring executive, a working parent, or someone seeking a more intentional career, this episode offers both the strategy and heart needed to grow without losing yourself along the way.


    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • How to create momentum in your career by taking initiative

    • Why attitude shapes opportunity and growth

    • The role of support systems during major life and career changes

    • Communication strategies for balancing work and family life

    • How to design a career path that’s true to you

    • Why emotional storytelling connects more deeply with audiences

    • How parenting can shape and strengthen your leadership skills

    • The importance of giving yourself grace in challenging seasons

    • Ways to stay open and adaptable when your career vision changes

    • How mentorship can transform your professional journey


    Top Takeaways:

    • Career growth is built on initiative and adaptability

    • Support systems are essential for thriving in motherhood and leadership

    • Grace is a leadership tool, both for yourself and others

    • Storytelling in marketing creates meaningful brand connections

    • Mentorship can accelerate both skill and confidence

    • Parenting lessons translate directly into leadership practices

    • Communication builds trust at home and at work

    • Career paths aren’t linear—own your unique journey


    About Jenna Bromberg:
    Jenna Bromberg is the Chief Marketing Officer at Papa John’s, where she leads brand strategy, creative campaigns, and marketing innovation for one of the world’s most recognized pizza brands. Previously, she held executive marketing roles at Carter’s, Hampton by Hilton, and Pizza Hut, driving award-winning campaigns such as “Hello Optimism.” A devoted mother and advocate for work-life balance, Jenna is known for her values-driven leadership, commitment to mentorship, and belief in the power of emotional storytelling to build lasting brand connections.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Creating Momentum in Your Career
    • (00:00:51) - Balancing Family and Career
    • (00:01:52) - Lessons from a Marketing Journey
    • (00:05:42) - Navigating Change and Growth
    • (00:13:14) - The Importance of Support in Motherhood
    • (00:20:32) - Campaigns with Heart: Hello Optimism
    • (00:25:08) - Leadership Lessons from Parenting
    • (00:28:49) - Advice for Aspiring Executives
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    36 mins
  • Jen Prince (LA Rams, Google, Twitter) on Leading with Heart and Inspiring Others #004
    Aug 11 2025

    In this motivating and energizing conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Jennifer (Jen) Prince, Chief Commercial Officer of the Los Angeles Rams and former leader at Twitter, Google, and YouTube, to explore how to lead boldly at work while staying grounded at home.

    Jen shares the career lesson she wishes she’d learned earlier: take smart risks and do the work you truly love, even if it means switching roles, changing companies, or choosing “less to do more.” She opens up about a pivotal moment as a young mom that reshaped her path from Google to Twitter so she could feel her impact, and how that conviction now fuels her work guiding the Rams’ commercial engine (including nearly $150M in partner revenue across the 2023-24 seasons) and building inclusive teams with women in key leadership roles.

    Together, Kevin and Jen dive into blending boardroom and bedtime: bringing kids to training camp and conferences, living near extended family in Los Angeles, and using simple rituals (no phones at dinner, “Team Prince” values, a 5-word family values exercise) to keep everyone aligned. Jen also talks candidly about thriving as a woman in male-dominated industries, creating a culture where values live on every desk, and why happiness, kindness, and health are the bedrock of the legacy she hopes her three daughters will carry forward.

    IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

    • Why “less is more” and intentional risk-taking can accelerate your career

    • How to design career moves around feeling your impact

    • Practical ways to blend work and family (yes, bring the kids to work)

    • The power of a supportive partner and a local village

    • Family rituals that reinforce values (no phones at dinner, inclusion, shared “value words”)

    • Why embracing change and reorgs can unlock opportunity

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Embracing Risk and Career Growth
    • (00:00:57) - The Importance of Family Support
    • (00:02:55) - Pivotal Career Moments
    • (00:07:44) - Blending Work and Family Life
    • (00:12:01) - Teaching Values Through Experience
    • (00:16:49) - Parenting and Business: Stages of Growth
    • (00:18:56) - Values in Work and Family Life
    • (00:23:08) - Rituals and Inclusion in Family Dynamics
    • (00:27:40) - Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry
    • (00:33:01) - Advice for Aspiring Female Executives
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    39 mins
  • Navigating Career Transitions, Balancing Family Life and the Importance of Faith with Wade Allen (Costa Vida, Chili's) #003
    Aug 2 2025

    In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Wade Allen, President of Costa Vida and former Chief Digital Officer at Brinker International, to explore what it means to lead with discipline, humility, and heart in both work and family life.

    Wade shares his journey from tech and marketing leader to the top seat of a fast-growing restaurant brand, opening up about the career transitions, daily routines, and spiritual grounding that have shaped his leadership. He reflects on fatherhood, the challenge of being present while growing in his career, and the lessons he learned from moving his family across the country.

    Together, Kevin and Wade unpack what it looks like to build a legacy that goes beyond job titles. Wade talks candidly about the impact of handing out bonus checks after a record-breaking year, the power of showing up for his family, and how faith and early morning routines help him manage stress in a high-pressure role.

    Whether you're navigating a big career leap, trying to stay grounded at home, or looking for a more meaningful way to lead, this episode offers practical wisdom and real-life insight from someone who has walked the path.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • Why humility is the foundation of strong leadership

    • How to balance faith, family, and a demanding career

    • The value of morning rituals for clarity and focus

    • What it takes to shift from functional leader to president

    • How Wade rebuilt connection with his kids after being on the road

    • The emotional power of recognition and genuine connection

    • How to lead with intention in every season of life

    • Why being present is more important than being perfect

    • How to use tough decisions as growth opportunities for your kids

    • What legacy really means and how to shape it through action

    Top Takeaways:

    • You can redefine your identity at any stage of your career

    • Legacy is about people, not possessions

    • Spiritual grounding brings clarity and compassion

    • Parenting well requires presence, not perfection

    • Handing out checks is more powerful than receiving them

    • Career growth and family growth don't have to compete

    • Culture is built through consistent, personal connection

    • Reconnecting with your kids is always possible

    • Routines are a powerful antidote to chaos

    • Leaders who serve leave a lasting impact

    About Wade Allen:
    Wade Allen is the President of Costa Vida, where he is leading the brand through one of the most successful chapters in its history. Before joining Costa Vida, he held executive leadership roles across marketing, technology, and digital at Brinker International, the parent company of Chili’s and Maggiano’s. He is a devoted husband and father of four, known for his values-driven leadership, commitment to faith and fitness, and passion for creating meaningful connections with his team and his family.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Navigating Career Lessons and Family Balance
    • (00:00:12) - The Importance of Personal Time and Boundaries
    • (00:01:16) - Life Beyond Work: Family and Personal Interests
    • (00:07:28) - Parenting Through Career Transitions
    • (00:10:43) - Career Evolution: From Marketing to Leadership
    • (00:12:42) - Navigating Career Transitions
    • (00:15:57) - Managing Leadership Challenges
    • (00:18:53) - The Role of Routine in Leadership
    • (00:23:12) - Faith and Spirituality in Leadership
    • (00:28:38) - The Importance of Meaningful Relationships
    • (00:34:32) - Legacy and Life Lessons
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    37 mins
  • Authenticity, Legacy & Leadership: A Conversation with Derek Gaskins (BP, ampm, Yesway, ) #001
    Jul 29 2025

    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

    Chapters
    • (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
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    36 mins