In the final episode of our special series, The Manager Crisis, I sit down with Ashley Kera, a workplace strategist, leadership coach, and former manager of 100+ early-career professionals to unpack what the data misses and what real managers are facing on the ground.

With a background in clinical psychology and a decade leading talent operations, Ashley brings clarity to the messy middle: the tension between performance expectations and actual human needs.

We talk about the limits of policy, why retention can’t be solved by perks, and how culture is felt in everyday interactions, not just all-hands slogans.

From burnout to bandwidth, Ashley shares practical insight for anyone tasked with leading people through pressure, change, and growth. If you’ve ever been the one “holding it all together,” this episode is for you.

Let’s close out this series with the honesty it deserves.

How do you put people first when you’re responsible for the bottom line?

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we sat down with Ryan Martin, CFO and senior executive, to tackle the uncomfortable truth many C-suite leaders face: managers are burning out at record rates and that burnout is quietly costing companies more than they realize.

Ryan shares his perspective on why people strategy and financial strategy are more connected than ever, how retention shows up on the balance sheet, and what every leader should understand about investing in workplace well-being.

This is Part 2 of our special Manager Crisis series, where we unpack what it really takes to support the people you rely on most. If you care about numbers and people, this episode is for you.

If managers are the bridge between strategy and execution, what happens when the bridge starts to crumble?

In this special second episode with returning guest Dr. Katie Gaebel, we kick off a new 3-part Heliona Insight series called The Manager Crisis. Katie, researcher, speaker, and culture strategist, joins me to unpack Gallup’s 2025 State of the Global Workplace report, with a focused lens on the manager crisis outlined between pages 7–25 and 94–98.

We explore what’s really driving disengagement, why burnout among middle managers is rising, and what organizations must do to support the people they rely on most.

Katie brings a powerful blend of data and humanity to this conversation, reminding us that behind every performance metric is a human being, often a manager, trying to hold it all together.

If you lead people, report to someone, or are simply curious about what’s breaking (and what could fix it), this conversation is essential.

How do you build a workplace people don’t want to leave?

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we sat down with Jon Hile, Executive Director of the Kansas City Public Schools Education Foundation, to explore what mission-driven organizations can teach the private sector about engagement, retention, and trust.

With a background spanning public education, social impact, and systems leadership, Jon shares how values-based decision-making, community-centered strategy, and long-term thinking have shaped how he leads. We also discuss why purpose—not just perks—keeps people connected, and how clarity of mission can be a powerful tool for culture.

If you’re in the business of building great teams, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to rethink what makes people stay.

If we’re going to build healthier workplaces, we have to treat culture as more than just a buzzword.

In this episode of Heliona Insight, I sit down with Dr. Katie Gaebel, Vice President of People & Culture & Co-founder at Iconoclast Advisors, and a leadership strategist with deep roots in higher ed, executive development, and organizational transformation.

Katie brings clarity to what workplace culture really is: a human science. Not a program. Not a ping-pong table. But a system of behaviors, emotions, and choices that either support people or slowly wear them down.

We explore what culture feels like at its best, what leaders often get wrong about engagement, and why emotional awareness isn’t a “soft” skill, it’s a necessary one.

If you’re building teams, leading change, or simply trying to make work more human, this episode is your blueprint.

What does it take to lead with purpose after life throws its biggest curveballs?

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we sit down with James Estes, a military veteran and former corporate leader who once managed a team of 750 at Verizon. Now the owner of a successful franchise with The Brothers That Just Do Gutters, James opens up about his journey—from military service to surviving a heart attack and PTSD, and becoming a foster parent to over 25 kids.

We explore the lessons he's learned about leadership, resilience, and rebuilding your identity after life-altering experiences. If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s too late to start over or too hard to lead with empathy, this conversation will inspire you to keep going.

This is more than a story about business. It’s about heart, grit, and the power of reinvention.

What does it take to rise through the ranks and lead with purpose?

In this episode of Heliona Insight, host Ebrima "Abraham" Sisay sits down with Matt Linski, Kansas City Market President for Bank of America, to unpack his journey from intern to executive. With over 21 years at the company, Matt shares how internal growth, talent development, and authentic leadership have shaped not only his own trajectory but the culture of one of the most recognized institutions in the world.

We discuss how Bank of America identifies and nurtures talent, why promoting from within creates stronger teams, and how Matt’s leadership style continues to evolve in today’s ever-changing business landscape.

Whether you're a manager, executive, or someone looking to grow within your company, this conversation offers key insights into building a leadership legacy rooted in trust, consistency, and opportunity.

Massage therapy isn’t just about relaxation, it’s about healing, trust, and human connection. But what if I told you that the same principles that make a great massage therapist also make a great leader?

My guest today, Celeste Aguirre, has built a thriving career in massage therapy over the last 17 years, working in spas, franchises, and chiropractic offices before launching My Massage Studios, a business designed not just to serve clients, but to help other massage therapists grow their own practices.

But beyond massage, Celeste has mastered something every executive, CEO, and business leader needs to understand: how to create lasting relationships, how to build trust in service-based businesses, and how to scale success without losing the personal touch.

In this episode, we’ll explore her journey, the lessons she’s learned about leadership and business, and most importantly, what executives and CEOs can take from the world of massage therapy to lead better, more connected organizations.

Find Celeste on:

mymassagestudios.com