I Loud Quit: Why Artist Lisa Congdon Stopped Being “Nice”

Are you stuck on the "hamster wheel" of obligation? In S2 | E6, world-class artist Lisa Congdon joins Dr. Alison Schmidt to discuss "Loud Quitting," the secret to avoiding burnout, and why "half-assing" is a creative superpower.

In this episode, we explore:

• The "Loud Quit": Why Lisa stopped performing for others to find her true voice.

• Permission to be Human: Embracing the "messy middle" and creative ADHD.

• The Athlete Mindset: How competitive cycling at 58 fuels studio discipline.

• Repetition vs. Perfection: The real key to building a world-famous brand.

Connect with our Guest:

• Website: lisacongdon.com

• Instagram: @lisacongdon

• Essential Reading: Art Inc. and Find Your Artistic Voice

Connect with Dr. Alison Schmidt:

• Instagram: @dralisonschmidt

• Work with us: unconventionllc.com

TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) - Music Intro(00:02) - Episode Teaser: Getting off the Hamster Wheel(01:32) - Welcome Lisa Congdon, World-Class Artist(02:25) – The Bivo Bottle: Art on Consumer Products(06:00) – The "(UN)word Effect": Lisa’s 3 Powerful Words(08:40) – The Educator’s Mindset: Transitioning to Illustration(13:10) – "Monkey Brain": Navigating a Late-in-Life ADHD Diagnosis(23:06) – The Irony of Being (Un)cluttered: Simplifying Life & Friendships(41:15) – Avoiding Burnout through the Secret of "Half-Assing"(53:11) – Bridging the Gap: Getting Comfortable in the "Messy Middle"(59:02) – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & "The Story We Invent"(1:02:08) – The Art School Dropout (Who Gave the Commencement Address)(1:07:46) – Building a Brand through Repetition(1:12:13) - Ask Dr. Alison: Listener Q&A(1:17:32) – The Power of 50+: Embracing an Empowering New Chapter(1:18:03) - The (un)wrap up

🎵 Music by DJ Doug Jackson: https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson

Support the Show:If this episode helped you give yourself "permission to be human," please leave us a 5-star rating and a review! It helps other unconventional leaders find the show.

Stop waiting until you’re "ready." Bevin Mahon (CEO of Dentaltech Group) did the opposite—and built Ireland’s largest dental provider for nursing homes.

In this episode of (un)conversations (S2 | E5), Dr. Alison sits down with Bevin to discuss her journey from "winging it" to leading a digital transformation that turned 4-hour technical headaches into 3-minute wins.

🔔 Follow (un)conversations on Spotify to never miss an episode: https://open.spotify.com/show/5xkI3Kg3e4VCUY5hXFGUaS?si=xUdMhFRrQyyR1wHbaIkWDQ&nd=1&dlsi=47c2f501c0f54948

Inside the Episode (The "WIIFM"):🚀 Stop Overthinking: Why saying "yes" before the "how" is a massive competitive advantage.🛠️ The "Stuck" Fix: A framework to use frustrations as a roadmap for your next pivot.✨ The 3-Minute Miracle: How to use digital shortcuts to collapse time and scale.📢 Panic-Proofing: High-frequency communication strategies for crisis leadership.

Timestamps:(01:15) Welcome Bevin Mahon(06:36) The "Winging It" Philosophy(33:13) Transforming a traditional family business(53:40) Mastering digital scanning: 4 hours to 3 minutes(01:11:37) Ask Dr. Alison

Connect with our Guest:Bevin Mahon: https://dentaltech.ie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevinmahon/

Connect with Dr. Alison:Work With Us: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageusLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/

⭐ Love the show? Leave us a 5-star rating on Spotify! It helps more unconventional leaders find these conversations.

🎵 Music by DJ Doug Jackson: https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson

Former Nike VP Dirk Van Onsem reveals why the "Scaling" system is failing and how he moved from corporate burnout to regenerative leadership. 🌍

Are you stuck in a "scaling" trap that’s destroying your returns? Most leaders are trapped in a mindset that wastes talent and resources.

In this episode of (un)conventionally excellent, Dirk Van Onsem (founder of Beyonders Collective) shares his vulnerable transition through "The Unknowing" to build resilient, planet-positive communities.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• 👧 The Daughter's Question: The moment a child’s question about climate change forced a Nike VP to quit.
• 🇧🇷 The Brazil Shift: Transitioning from European boardrooms to a biohub in Brazil.
• 👤 Shadow Leadership: Why the "perfect executive" image is a barrier to real innovation.
• 📉 The Scaling Myth: Why expanding large businesses is often the opposite of regeneration.
• ❓ Unassuming Leadership: Moving from "having answers" to "asking the right questions."
• 🌿 The Bioeconomy: How Dirk is building a Biohub in Mallorca to restore local ecosystems.
• 💰 Regenerative Finance: Prioritizing resilience over exit-based growth.

Timestamps:

00:00 – "We are running out of time"

03:00 – The “(UN)word” Effect: Personal leadership evolution

07:08 – Unassuming: Leading by asking questions

11:01– Traditional vs. Participatory Leadership

14:30– 25 Years of Nike Leadership Lessons

25:39– Walking Away: Leaving a global giant

28:45– Unknowing: Navigating burnout and the "empty space"

31:15– Applying Corporate Skills to Climate Action

52:10 – Building a Regenerative Business Ecosystem

55:10- The Challenges of Nature-Based Funding

01:01:00- Collaborative Purpose: Finding investors passionate about sustainability

01:07:18- The Critical Question: "What happens if we don’t do this?”

01:08:24- Starting Something New: ‘Our time is now.”

01:10:46 - Ask Dr. Alison: Guest Q&A

01:16:00- The (UN)wrap

Connect with Dr. Alison Schmidt:

• Website: www.unconventionllc.com
• LinkedIn: Dr. Alison Schmidt
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/

Connect with Dirk Van Onsem:

• Website: Beyonders Collective
• LinkedIn: Dirk Van Onsem
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyonderscollective/

🎵 Special thanks to DJ Doug Jackson for the (un)conversations theme song.

What does it cost to lead at the highest level? Jess Bass Bolander (SVP at Lockton) joins Dr. Alison to discuss the "unhealed eight-year-old," the weight of leadership, and why staying at the table is the only way to impact change.

If this episode resonated with you, please Follow the show and Save this episode to your library.

In Season 2, Episode 3 of (un)conversations, we explore the mental load of high-stakes leadership. Jess shares her journey from a "scrappy" start in the insurance industry—pivoting from a path in law—to becoming a Senior Vice President. She reveals how childhood survival triggers show up in the C-suite and why emotional intelligence is a leader's most critical tool.

Topics Explored

• The (UN)word Effect: Exploring (UN)breakable, (UN)relenting, and (UN)afraid.

• Executive Leadership: Managing high-stakes responsibility and burnout.

• Women in the Workforce: Why we must stay in the game to move the needle.

• Mentorship & Advocacy: The power of having a champion in the room.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

• Why "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu."

• Navigating childhood survival triggers (The Unhealed 8-Year-Old) in the office.

• The transition from Law to Business: Lessons from a major career pivot.

• How to manage the mental load of executive decision-making.

• Real-world lessons on building trust-based cultures at Lockton.

Timestamps00:00:00 The Reality of Executive Pressure: Why Leadership Has Weight 00:00:02 Episode Teaser: Childhood memories and financial independence. 00:01:06 Introduction & Welcome: Jessica Bass Bolander, SVP of Lockton. 00:01:52 The (UN)word Effect: Reflecting on the leadership journey. 00:04:49 (UN)word #1: (UN)breakable – Overcoming childhood turbulence. 00:07:53 The Pivotal Moment at Age 13: A commitment to self-reliance. 00:09:10 Early Career Hustle: From waitress to SVP. 00:09:27 Leadership Philosophy: Treating everyone like a star. 00:12:01 (UN)word #2: (UN)relenting – Persistence in adversity. 00:15:18 Pivoting from Law to Business: The "scrappy" start in insurance. 00:29:43 (UN)word #3: (UN)afraid – Motherhood and career risk. 00:30:46 Balancing Executive Roles and Motherhood. 00:33:15 Building Culture at Lockton & with clients. 00:39:09 Mental Health in the Workplace: Breaking the taboo. 00:44:50 The "Unhealed Eight-Year-Old" in the Workplace. 00:46:30 Advocating for Women in the Workforce. 00:55:34 Ask Dr. Alison: Guest Q&A. 00:58:45 Final Thoughts: Defining your own success. 01:00:56 Closing Remarks & DFW Community Impact.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Alison Schmidt

Website: www.unconventionllc.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/

🔗 Connect with Jess Bass Bolander

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-bass-bolander-63213114/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessbassbolander/

A special thank you to DJ Doug Jackson for composing and producing the official (un)conversations theme song: https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson

WATCH NEXT: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KPvkdKXs5bRRUZfjMAhCF?si=qwJK0__UROGReRUazlELeQ

Tariffs, supply chain disruption, and global manufacturing chaos nearly shut down this hardware startup overnight.

If this episode resonated with you, please Follow the show and Save this episode to your library.

In this episode Season 2, Episode 2 of (un)conversations, Dr. Alison Schmidt sits down with Carina Hamel, founder of Bivo, to unpack how sudden tariffs, COVID-era supply chain shocks, and manufacturing realities in China forced real-time pivots—and nearly cost the company everything.

Carina shares how Bivo disrupted the $300M cycling and hydration industry by engineering a high-flow stainless steel bike bottle, solving long-standing problems like slow flow and plastic taste. This is a raw founder story about building a physical product, navigating global trade policies, hardware manufacturing challenges, and supply chain disruption.

From moving manufacturing operations across continents to making high-stakes decisions that defined the company’s future, this episode is a masterclass in hardware startup and consumer product brand, supply chain resilience, and founder leadership.

Whether you’re launching a physical product or managing global supply chains, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons.

Inside This Episode

🚴 The $3,500 Tariff Shock: How sudden international trade changes forced Bivo to pivot instantly
🚴 The (UN)word Effect™: Why being unbounded, unapologetic, and unrelenting is a founder superpower
🚴 Engineering “The Flow”: Designing a gravity-fed system to solve slow-flow and plastic taste problems
🚴 Global Manufacturing Reality: Scaling a brand from Vermont to a city of 16 million in China

Timestamps:00:00:04 Carina Hamel (Bivo): A $3,500 Tariff Nearly Killed Her Startup | Founder Story00:00:05 Episode Teaser00:01:14 Introduction to Carina Hamel & Bivo00:01:40 First look at the Bivo bottle: Design & collaborations00:02:48 The “(UN)word Effect” in leadership00:03:12 From Nordic skier to entrepreneur00:04:08 Running a global footwear agency00:04:24 Executive coaching & co-founder dynamics00:06:23 Why leadership coaching matters00:08:11 Growing a brand00:25:56 Losing the athlete identity — becoming a founder00:31:43 Manufacturing in China: risk, reality & tradeoffs00:32:19 Solving the “plastic taste” problem00:34:46 The 20% Rule & unbounded thinking00:42:07 COVID-19 & supply chain collapse00:50:56 Serendipity in Dallas00:55:18 The tariff that nearly shut Bivo down00:58:34 Quality vs. manufacturing hurdles00:59:00 Ask Dr. Alison01:04:12 Why choosing the harder route pays off

Connect with Dr. Alison Schmidt & Unconvention:

Website: www.unconventionllc.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/

Connect with Carina Hamel & Bivo:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carina-hamel-46787a11/

Shop Bivo: https://drinkbivo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkbivo/

A special thank you to DJ Doug Jackson for composing and producing the official (un)conversations theme song: https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson

🎧 Call to Action:
Love this episode? Follow (un)conversations on Spotify to never miss a founder story.
Save, share, or comment with a hard decision that paid off—Carina and Dr. Alison would love to hear it.

AI in fashion, 3D denim design, and sustainable fashion leadership are reshaping the future of the apparel industry.

If this episode resonated with you, please Follow the show and Save this episode to your library.

In this Season 2 premiere of (un)conversations, Dr. Alison Schmidt sits down with Kirsten Lee, Chief Marketing Officer of One Jeanswear Group, to explore how AI in fashion, fashion technology, AI-powered product development, and sustainable innovation are transforming iconic American brands.

This conversation is a masterclass in modern fashion leadership at the intersection of creativity, technology, and business.

With over 20 years of experience across heritage and contemporary labels—including Gloria Vanderbilt, Jessica Simpson, Nine West, Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Old Navy, and Rocawear—Kirsten shares how she blends creativity with commercial strategy to drive measurable results. She discusses leading brand turnarounds, launching national campaigns, and integrating AI-driven design, 3D digital denim, and BCI cotton initiatives into modern fashion leadership.

Beyond the C-suite, Kirsten is deeply committed to mentoring emerging talent and shaping the next generation of leaders in the US fashion and retail industry.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

👖 How to build a nontraditional career path in fashion leadership
👖 How AI in fashion and 3D design are changing product development
👖 Leadership lessons from heritage and high-growth fashion brands
👖 How to balance creativity, sustainability, and business performance
👖 What the future of denim and fashion technology looks like

If you care about where fashion is headed next—AI, sustainability, and leadership—this episode is for you.

Timestamps:00:00:00 Episode Teaser00:00:55 Who Is Kirsten Lee? | Leading One Jeanswear Group00:01:54 Segment: The (UN)word Effect00:03:12 Cultural Identity: Growing up Korean-American in Fashion00:04:44 Choosing an (Un)written Path: From Science to Parsons Design00:07:29 Early failures that reshaped her leadership00:14:10 Career Pivots That Changed Everything | Reinvention & Growth00:21:05 Authentic Leadership: Identity and "Unfiltered" Communication00:28:22 How AI-driven design and 3D denim are changing fashion forever00:35:10 The art vs. business tension every creative leader faces00:42:30 Sustainable Success: Boundaries, Burnout & Personal Growth00:50:15 Kirsten Lee's Final Insights & Key Takeaways | Leadership Lessons00:52:38 Ask Dr. Alison00:55:45 That’s a wrap on this (un)conversation

Connect with Dr. Alison Schmidt, CEO of Unconvention

Website: unconventionllc.com

Instagram: @dralisonschmidt | @unconversationspodcast

LinkedIn: Dr. Alison Schmidt

Connect with Kirsten Lee

LinkedIn: Kirsten Lee

A special thank you to DJ Doug Jackson for composing and producing the official (un)conversations theme song: https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson

How do leaders use energy—not strategy—to gain a true competitive edge?
Dr. Alison sits down with energy strategist Faryl Moore to explore emotional capacity, boundaries, and embodied leadership in high-pressure environments.

In this episode of the (un)conversations® podcast, Faryl shares insights from more than 20 years of guiding corporate executives through burnout, misalignment, and energetic overwhelm. Together, they unpack how leaders can expand emotional capacity, cultivate embodied presence, and create energetic clarity that supports sustainable success.

You’ll also hear the three (UN)words shaping Faryl’s leadership journey— uncontainable, unwavering, unveiled—and how these principles help leaders release draining energy, set self-compassionate boundaries, and lead with grounded intention.

Whether you're a CEO, founder, or soul-curious seeker, this episode will help you understand the energetic side of leadership and step into your next level with clarity and confidence.

In This Episode

• How the (UN)word Effect supports deep self-discovery
• Why energy—not strategy—is often the missing leadership edge
• Breaking internal limitations and expanding personal capacity
• Why unwavering belief in purpose fuels transformation
• Understanding your unique energetic gifts
• Emotional awareness as a foundation for well-being
• Rethinking work-life balance and what true balance looks like
• Creating joyful, energetically supportive work environments
• Why each person’s leadership journey is deeply individual

Timestamps

(00:00) Welcome
(01:21) Meet Faryl Moore
(02:24) The (UN)word Effect
(03:45) How Faryl discovered her (UN)words
(07:53) Uncontainable
(10:41) Unwavering
(15:45) Unveiled
(26:05) Faryl’s journey to founding Moore Energy
(43:52) The role of energy in corporate leadership
(58:32) A new perspective on work-life balance
(1:03:42) Why awareness matters
(1:13:06) Tools for getting centered
(1:16:58) Final reflections
(1:25:45) Ask Dr. Alison
(1:37:10) The (UN)wrap up

About the Guests

Dr. Alison L. Schmidt, Ph.D.
Founder and host of (un)conversations®, Dr. Alison helps leaders and organizations (un)learn what no longer serves them and embrace authentic, courageous, purpose-driven leadership.
Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/

Faryl Moore
Energy strategist and founder of Moore Energy, supporting CEOs, founders, and soul-led leaders in expanding emotional capacity and cultivating energetic clarity.
Website: https://mooreenergyhealing.com/

Connect with Dr. Alison, CEO of Unconvention

Instagram: @alsphdbcc | @unconventionllc | @unconversationspodcast

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/
TikTok: @alschmidtphd

Podcast: https://www.unconventionllc.com/podcast

#LeadershipDevelopment #ConsciousLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #EnergeticLeadership #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetMatters #SelfAwareness #HighPerformanceLeadership #WomenInLeadership #PodcastEpisode

🎙️ What Does It Really Mean to Have Power—and Use It Ethically?

With Shana Francesca | Cult Survivor, CEO & Leadership Scholar

What happens when you break free from a high-control environment—and rebuild your identity from the inside out?
In this powerful episode of (un)conversations®, Dr. Alison sits down with Shanna Francesca, a cult survivor turned CEO, leadership scholar, and change-maker. Together, they explore how unlearning psychological control becomes the foundation of ethical, human-centered leadership.

Shanna shares the three defining (UN)words—Unfettered, Unleashed, Unveiled—that reshaped her life, leadership, and sense of agency. From escaping indoctrination to challenging ego-driven cultures, this conversation reveals why real power exists beyond control and how curiosity, accountability, and respect drive meaningful change.

Perfect for leaders, survivors of high-control systems, innovators, and anyone committed to healing and leading with integrity.

✨ In This Episode

• How Shanna’s journey from cult survivor to CEO redefined her leadership

• Why trauma shapes leadership style—and how to rebuild with clarity and agency

• What it means to be Unfettered, Unleashed, and Unveiled

• How ego, hierarchy, and psychological control undermine performance

• The role of community, healing, and unapologetic self-expression

• Why ethical leadership is rooted in relationship—not authority

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Intro to the (un)conversations® Podcast
(00:01:41) The (UN)word Effect: Shanna’s Leadership Framework
(00:02:47) Choosing the “Un” Words
(00:03:25) Life Inside the Cult
(00:07:54) UNword #1: Unfettered
(00:10:40) Leaving the Cult & Reentering the World
(00:17:18) UNword #2: Unleashed
(00:18:49) UNword #3: Unveiled
(00:21:15) Reclaiming Personal Agency
(00:26:00) Childhood in a High-Control Environment
(00:35:01) Survivor → CEO
(00:36:50) Challenging Ideology & “Normal”
(00:41:06) From Broken to Empowered
(00:57:55) The Meaning of Concinnate
(01:05:47) Ethical Leadership, Culture & Innovation
(01:17:16) Collaboration Over Competition
(01:22:51) Final Thoughts + Shanna’s Upcoming Book
(01:24:24) Ask Dr. Alison
(01:28:37) The (UN)wrap Up & Outro

About the GuestsDr. Alison L. Schmidt, Ph.D.

Founder and host of (un)conversations®, Dr. Alison helps leaders and organizations unlearn what no longer serves them—and lead with authenticity, courage, and purpose.
Website: unconventionllc.com

Shanna Francesca – Founder & CEO, Concinnate LLC

A cult survivor, scholar, and leadership innovator, Shanna transformed trauma into a framework for ethical leadership built on Curiosity, Respect, and Accountability.
Website: concinnate.world/shanafrancesca

#shanafrancesca #concinnate #cultsurvivor #changemaker #authenticleadership #theunwordeffect #dralisonschmidt #unfettered #unleashed #unveiled #unconversationspodcast #unconvention #ceo #neurodiversity #personalgrowthjourney #ethicalleadership #consciousbusiness #trauma #workplaceculture #healingjourney #accountability #curiosity #organizationalchange #psychologicalcontrol