About this episode:

What if ambition didn't have to mean striving, burnout, or compromise? What if it could be a joyful, purpose-driven expression of who you truly are? In this inspiring conversation, Rha Goddess — entrepreneurial soul coach, author, and founder of Move The Crowd — joins Chris Cooper to explore how to align purpose, prosperity, and impact through her concept and new book Intentional Ambition. Also to discuss how she is galvanizing a movement of 3 million entrepreneurs reimagining work as a vehicle for creative expression, financial freedom, and societal transformation.

For over three decades, Rha has helped changemakers, cultural visionaries, and social entrepreneurs stay true, get paid, and do good — redefining success at the intersection of values and vitality. In this interview we discuss how to find joy, freedom, and fulfilment in your work while contributing meaningfully to the world around you.

If you're ready to lead, create, and live with greater intention, this conversation will help you reclaim ambition as a force for good.

More about Rha Goddess:

Rha Goddess is the entrepreneurial soul coach behind hundreds of breakthrough changemakers, cultural visionaries, and social entrepreneurs. From New York Times bestsellers to multimillion-dollar social enterprises, her pioneering methodology has empowered a new generation of conscious entrepreneurs to stay true, get paid, and do good.

A cultural innovator, social impact strategist, and creative change agent for over 30 years, Rha has harnessed the power of creativity, culture, and community to advance issues of racial justice, equality, mental health, and women's empowerment—impacting millions of lives worldwide.

In 2011, she founded Move The Crowd, an entrepreneurial training company helping creative and cultural leaders thrive at the intersection of values, profitability, and social impact. As CEO, she is galvanizing a movement of 3 million entrepreneurs reimagining work as a vehicle for creative expression, financial freedom, and societal transformation.

In 2020, Rha co-founded nFormation with Deepa Purushothaman—a first-of-its-kind community by and for women of color that reimagines traditional power structures to change not just who gets a seat at the table, but how the table is formed.

A sought-after speaker and acclaimed performance artist, Rha's work has been featured in Time, Essence, Forbes, Fast Company, and Variety. Her book, The Calling (St. Martin's Press), offers a step-by-step blueprint for discovering purpose and making your most profitable contribution.

About This Episode:

In this special encore interview, we meet Dr. Rachel Morris, a seasoned former GP and speaker who intimately understands the pressures of feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and teetering on the brink of burnout.

With a deep belief that it is possible to thrive both in work and life, Rachel advocates for the idea that happiness and a fulfilling career should not be mutually exclusive.

As the host of the widely acclaimed podcast You Are Not A Frog, Rachel has been a guiding voice for many professionals struggling to maintain balance in their lives.

In addition to her podcast, she created the Shapes Toolkit Programme, which helps doctors and other healthcare staff in high stress, high stakes jobs beat burnout and work happier. Her courses are lauded for helping healthcare workers navigate the challenges of their roles while preserving their well-being.

She has served as the Director of Leadership Courses for Red Whale (GP Update Ltd), where she co-authored and delivered their flagship course, Lead. Manage. Thrive! aimed at empowering GPs and primary care professionals across the UK. Rachel also spent 15 years as Assistant Director for GP Studies at the University of Cambridge's School of Clinical Medicine and set up and led the 'Doctor as Professional' Curriculum.

In this conversation, we discuss how to stay mentally healthy at work, fostering happiness in professional settings, and navigating conflict without unnecessary drama.

Listen to discover how to help manage your stress and the stress of others and thrive in your work and life.

More about guest Dr Rachel Morris:

Dr Rachel Morris is a GP who knows what it is like to feel overwhelmed, exhausted and on the edge of burnout. She believes that it should be possible to thrive both in work and life and that you shouldn't have to choose between working and being happy.

Rachel hosts the popular podcast You Are Not A Frog and is also Director of Leadership Courses for Red Whale (GP Update Ltd), a national Primary Care training organisation. She co-authored and delivers their flagship Leadership course, Lead. Manage. Thrive! for GPs, and those working in primary care and travels around the country delivering these courses to diverse groups of Primary Care Professionals

She has a wide experience in education having worked for 13 years as Assistant Director for GP Studies at the School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge. She then developed and led their new Professionalism Course until 2017. Having left to concentrate on post-graduate leadership development, she continues at Cambridge University as a Tutor for the PG Certificate in Medical Education.

She regularly speaks at conferences on topics such as 'How to be happy at work', 'Staying mentally healthy at work' and 'How to conflict without the drama' and runs workshops and training days around the Shapes Toolkit.

About this episode:

In every area of life and leadership, the ability to persuade with integrity is essential. Whether inspiring a team, influencing change, or sharing an idea that matters, persuasion done well can be a force for good. If we are seeking to deliver more good initiatives, we need to master the art of persuasion — as it can make all the difference between success and failure.

My guest, Paul du Toit, is one of Africa's most respected professional speakers, coaches, and authors, and the author of the new book The Book of Persuasion. Paul was the first speaker on the African continent this century to be awarded the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association (USA) in 2008. He later became Southern Africa's CSP Liaison Officer, helping others achieve the same recognition.

A founder member and past president of the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa, Paul was inducted into the Southern African Speakers Hall of Fame in 2017. Having inspired tens of thousands globally with his signature blend of humour, insight, and humanity, Paul brings a deep understanding of what it takes to influence with authenticity and purpose.

Join us as we explore The Book of Persuasion and discover how persuasion, when rooted in authenticity and goodwill, becomes a powerful catalyst for elevation — in business, relationships, and the way we show up in the world.

More about Paul du Toit:

Paul du Toit is the first speaker on the African continent this century to be awarded the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association (USA) in 2008, thereafter serving as Southern Africa's CSP Liaison Officer, helping and encouraging over a dozen other Southern African speakers to achieve their CSPs.

In 2013 he became a Global Speaking Fellow along with 21 other inaugural recipients at the Global Speakers Summit in Vancouver, Canada.

Born in Cape Town in 1958, his grounding in theatre and entertainment provided an ideal springboard for a career in facilitation, coaching and professional speaking. He founded Johannesburg based Congruence Training in 1995 which he runs to this day.

He is a founder member and Past President of the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa receiving their Founders award at the Global Speakers Summit in Cape Town in April 2009 for exceptional service to the speaking industry. He has since served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Global Speakers Federation. In 2017 he was inducted in to the Southern African Speakers Hall of Fame.

He has spoken to tens of thousands of people at conferences and corporate events globally. He is a business speaker, coach and authority on customer experience and business presentations, and author of two books including "You Can Present with Confidence" released internationally in 2011. Paul continues to blog on speaking, presenting and customer experience and sends a regular email newsletter on presenting to thousands of opt-in subscribers. His content-rich and often humorous interviews related to remote presentation during lockdown have been well received by the business and speaking community.

He runs several marathons (and at least one ultra-marathon) a year to keep in trim and whilst in training frequents the hills of Sandton in the mornings with his dog Samuel. He knows a fine wine when he smells it – his favourite reds finding temporary resting in his cellar, and appreciated a good single malt. He keeps an eye open for suppliers of excellent coffee beans and establishments that can match his home brew, which he enjoys with a block of dark chocolate. He plays guitar and hums a tune for relaxation, a pastime that once earned him a living, and occasionally posts a tune online.

He has 2 grown up daughters, Chanel and Jenna and lives in Sandton with his wife Trudi.

About this episode:

In this Special Encore episode, we explore Fueling Dreams with Shay Hoelscher, CEO of privé products, and Sabré Cook, trailblazing racing driver and engineer, as they break new ground for women in motorsport.

As the first female driver in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America Series, Sabré defies the odds in a male-dominated field, inspiring a wave of female fans and aspiring racers alike. Supported by Shay and privé, her journey isn't just about competition; it's about redefining representation and championing equality on and off the track.

With backgrounds that span engineering, motorsport, and business, both Shay and Sabré share stories that highlight the transformative power of women supporting women. Together, they embody the mission of Fueling Dreams—encouraging women to pursue their passions with determination and grace.

Sabr�'s lifelong passion for racing, shaped by her early karting successes and grounded in a career across top racing series, finds its perfect partnership with Shay's commitment to fostering an inclusive culture for women in sports and business.

In this conversation, we'll explore how they navigate challenges, celebrate victories, and break boundaries, all while paving the way for future generations through Shay's unique sponsorship of Sabré.

Join us as we delve into the inter-section of racing, representation, and resilience with these remarkable women, united by a shared drive for excellence and empowerment.

About Shay Hoelscher & Sabré Cook:

Shay Hoelscher is a veteran of the Professional Beauty Industry with more than 37 years of professional beauty experience. Currently, she is the CEO and Owner of privé products.

Prior to privé, Shay held senior leadership positions across the industry including Sebastian International, Wella International and Nioxin Research (now all owned by COTY), TIGI (now owned by Unilever), Alterna Haircare (now owned by Henkel) and Cezanne Hair.

Her experiences span a wide variety of channels of distribution, sales leadership, and cross-corporate functions in the US and internationally.

Shay is dedicated to making privé products a force for good. She brings that vision into reality with 3 core pillars:

• Empower women as a women-led company.
• Make a strong social impact by giving 1% of all revenue to a nonprofit to help women in need.
• Produce natural and clean products that are good for you and good for the planet.

Sabré Cook is a professional racing driver and mechanical engineer originally from Grand Junction, Colorado but now residing in Indianapolis.

She progressed from a successful professional karting career (14x Championships) into car racing in 2017 and has raced in a broad spectrum of series such as SCCA, Road to Indy, F4, F3, W Series, NLS, MX5, WRL, Porsche Sprint Challenge, and now Porsche Carrera Cup North America as the first female to do so.

Alongside racing, Sabré earned her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 2017 and has gone on to work for companies like Infiniti (Nissan) Global, Renault F1 Team, Formula Mazda, and Paretta Autosport in INDYCAR.

About this episode:

What does it really take to create a workplace where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and perform at their very best?

In this episode, Chris Cooper is joined by Mehmet Baha, known simply as Baha, an international speaker, trainer, and author whose life's mission has been to make a positive difference in people's lives. With over 24 years of global experience across Europe, the USA, Turkey, and Central America, Baha has worked with organizations of all sizes—including being one of the first employees at Facebook in Europe.

A Fulbright Scholar with a Master's in Conflict Resolution and a graduate of Harvard Business School's Online Executive Programme in Organizational Leadership, Baha is passionate about helping leaders unlock the power of psychological safety. His new book, Creating Psychological Safety at Work—praised by Daniel Pink as "a timely book filled with fascinating case studies, robust research, and practical tools for driving change"—offers a roadmap for building high-performing, engaged teams.

Baha has delivered talks and training in more than 28 countries across 5 continents, speaking four languages fluently, and bringing a unique perspective shaped by his multicultural journey.

Beyond his professional work, he is a percussionist, an avid traveller, and a father who enjoys playing basketball with his young daughter.

Join us for this conversation to explore why psychological safety is not just a "nice to have," but an essential foundation for team performance, innovation, and wellbeing—and how you can begin creating it in your own workplace.

More about Mehmet Baha:

His full name is Mehmet Baha and everyone calls him Baha. Since his childhood, he has been fascinated by the question: "How can I make a difference in the lives of people?"

His interest leads him to win a scholarship from Fulbright and finish his master's in the USA on the topic of Conflict Resolution. He has lived and worked in Germany, Turkey, Ireland, Guatemala, and the USA with more than 24 years of work experience. Baha was one of the first employees of Facebook in Europe.

Throughout his life, he has realized the importance of having psychological safety to create high-performing teams. So far, he has delivered training and given talks in more than 28 countries across 5 continents. Recently, he completed Harvard Business School's Online Executive Education Programme "Organizational Leadership". He is fluent in English, Spanish, Turkish, and German. In his free time, he loves to play percussion, travel with his family, and play basketball with his 8-year-old daughter. "Playbook for Engaged Employees" is his first book. In September 2024, his second book "Creating Psychological Safety at Work" was published.

Daniel Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author, describes it as a "timely book filled with fascinating case studies, robust research, and practical tools for driving change."

About this episode:

In this special edition of The Business Elevation Show, I am joined by two extraordinary leaders—Tom Eddington and Jim Garrison—for a conversation on the State of the World Forum and its urgent mission for our times.

Tom Eddington is an author, executive coach, and business advisor whose work bridges leadership, media, and consciousness. As Vice President of the State of the World Forum, he is helping to shape a paradigmatic shift in how we live and lead, bringing more compassion, awareness, and flourishing into the world.

Jim Garrison is the President of the State of the World Forum 2025–2030, a revival of the groundbreaking initiative he co-founded with President Mikhail Gorbachev, Senator Alan Cranston, and Secretary of State George Shultz. Jim's remarkable career spans global leadership, diplomacy, education, and philosophy—from directing nuclear policy in Washington, DC, to leading the Esalen Soviet-American Exchange Program, to founding Ubiquity University and Humanity Rising.

Together, Tom and Jim will share the vision behind the re-emergence of the State of the World Forum (14-18th December in Washington DC) at a time of converging global crises and possibilities.

We'll explore how leadership, consciousness, and collaboration can help humanity meet this pivotal moment, and what it means for each of us to play our part in shaping a sustainable, flourishing future.

More about Jim Garrison:

Jim Garrison is President of the State of the World Forum 2025–2030, a revival of the original Forum he co-founded in 1995 with President Mikhail Gorbachev, Senator Alan Cranston, and Secretary of State George Shultz to build a global network of leaders committed to a sustainable civilization.

He is also the founding President of Ubiquity University (since 2005) and Convener of Humanity Rising, a global broadcast launched in 2020.

Over his career, Jim has combined leadership in education, diplomacy, spirituality, and social impact. Early roles included Director of Nuclear Policy for the Jesuit Conference in Washington, DC, and co-founder of the Radiation and Health Information Service in Cambridge, England.

In 1980 he co-founded the Christic Institute, working on nuclear policy and the Karen Silkwood case. From 1985–1990 he directed the Esalen Soviet-American Exchange Program, before co-founding the International Foreign Policy Institute with Eduard Shevardnadze in 1991. At President Gorbachev's request, he founded the Gorbachev Foundation/USA in 1992.

Most recently he served as Director of the Washington, DC Office of the New Paradigm Institute, focusing on government disclosure around Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. Educated at Santa Clara, Harvard, and Cambridge, Jim is the author of seven books spanning theology, politics, and power.

Born in China and raised in Taiwan, he grew up speaking Mandarin and brings a lifelong global perspective to his work.

More about Tom Eddington:

Thomas Eddington is an author, Executive Coach, Business Advisor, and media Producer.

As a scholar of Conscious Leadership, he is passionate about bringing more compassion, consciousness and flourishing into the world which he does through his coaching and advisory work, film and media projects, and Board positions.

He is the Vice President, State of the World Forum, an organization focused on creating a paradigmatic shift in human consciousness. Tom holds an M.S. in Organization Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from Ubiquity University.

About this episode:

How do you best navigate your career and the complex relationship between individuals and the workplace today?

Tessa White, known as the Job Doctor, exploded on social media in late 2020 with her expertise on careers and workplace dynamics, after 20 years leading human resources functions within the Fortune 50 to fast-growth start-ups.

With more than one million followers on social media, she was recognised on USA Today's list as one of the top speakers to watch in 2022.

Her first book, The Unspoken Truths for Career Success, and her podcast, The Job Doctor is In, are available on Spotify and Apple.

Tessa has also recently launched a free no-strings-attached mentoring platform called Career RX and is a valued member of The Elevation Collective.

Join us as we explore her forthcoming book, The 5 Stages of Career Growth, and uncover the insights you need to recognise where you are in your career journey, how to progress to the next stage, and how to build lasting success and fulfilment along the way.

More about Tessa White:

At a time when individuals are struggling with their job satisfaction, an unlikely ally was found in a former Fortune 50 executive turned employee advocate. Tessa White, known as the Job Doctor, launched a practice to help individuals better navigate the workplace, and help companies better unlock the potential of their people, just as the pandemic hit.

Tessa exploded on social media with her expertise on careers and how to navigate the complicated relationship between individuals and the workplace in late 2020, after 20 years leading human resources functions within the Fortune 50 to fast growth start-ups. Her insights struck a chord, garnering more than one million followers on social media and she is consistently ranked in the top 1% of similar creators on her LIVE career sessions on TikTok.

Her unique perspective on the modern workplace earned her a place on USA Today's list as one of the top speakers to watch in 2022.

Her book, The Unspoken Truths for Career Success, and her podcast, The Job Doctor is In, is available on Spotify and Apple. When she isn't working with companies or individuals about the modern workplace, she can be found on the river, where she flyfishes.

About this epsiode:

What if the toughest problems in your business aren't really about people at all—but about process? And what if the missing ingredient in leadership today is learning how to hold people accountable with both clarity and compassion?

In this uplifting conversation, Chris Cooper is joined by Lisa Bing, a sought-after leadership strategist, educator, and board leader whose career spans corporate boardrooms, NYU classrooms, faith communities, and the arts. Lisa has ad-vised executives across industries for over 20 years, drawing on unique methods that weave in movement, dance, and the performing arts to help leaders experience what trust, support, and connection really feel like.

Together they'll explore how to distinguish process problems from people problems and why getting this wrong causes unnecessary stress and failure, what true accountability looks like when it builds relationships rather than breaks them, the surprising leadership lessons from dance, movement, and the arts that can transform how teams collaborate, why diversity and inclusion aren't "initiatives" but core management responsibilities, and how Lisa's journey from Prudential to MOVE|NYC to mentoring senior executives reveals fresh ways to lead with humanity and impact.

Listen in for an inspiring and practical dialogue that will give you new tools for leading teams, building trust, and creating cultures where people thrive.

More about Lisa Bing:

Lisa A. Bing is a strategy and leadership expert with a unique profile.

Lisa has been dubbed an "avatar of adult learning" which combined with her keen business acumen positions her to both quickly diagnosis business needs and engage clients in their own learning to expand personal capabilities and organ-izational capacity.

Lisa has worked across a spectrum of industries and profes-sions as well as with both large and small companies…including religious lead-ers. Lisa simplifies the complex. She is both pragmatic and empathic. She creates just the right balance between people needs and business needs in ways that break down silos, clarifies goals, aligns expectations, and gets everyone rowing in the same direction for faster, better decisions and dramatically improved results.

Some of her typical results include reduced labour intensity, coalitions and collaboration, among diverse interests, faster, better decision making and dramatic productivity improvement.

One client, a commercial real estate CEO says, "Everything Lisa tells us to do works!"Born and bred in Brooklyn, Lisa loves theatre, dance, and absolutely delicious food.