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Inside the C-Suite

Inside the C-Suite

Written by: WRKdefined
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 Energy, Influence and Innovation in the C-Suite Join Christy Honeycutt for an unfiltered look into the minds of influential leaders as they share their untold stories. If you want to know how top leaders manage their energy, expand their influence and transform vision into action, this is for you. Christy and her guests dive deep into the intersection of leadership, impact and innovation, revealing the practices and mindsets that empower them to show up as their most authentic, effective selves. At its core, Inside the C-Suite is more than just leadership tactics; it’s about the energetic exchange that drives real influence and change. Whether it's navigating chaos, overcoming adversity or building the resilience to lead with clarity, the podcast uncovers the personal and professional journeys of those who are redefining what it means to lead. If you're ready to go beyond the surface and tap into the deeper currents that shape leadership, this podcast is your invitation to listen, learn and lead differently.All rights reserved by WRKdefined Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Leading With Trust: Human-Centered Leadership in a Time of Change | EP63

    Leading With Trust: Human-Centered Leadership in a Time of Change | EP63
    Feb 16 2026
    In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, I sit down with Dr. Tana M. Session — psychologist, DEI strategist, leadership advisor, and now… law school graduate (yes, Dr. Tana added a law degree to the résumé — because why not?). We talk about what leadership actually requires right now. Not theory. Not buzzwords.Trust. As AI accelerates, generational expectations shift, and political and social climates spill into the workplace, leaders are being asked to hold more complexity than ever before. And most aren’t prepared for the emotional weight of that responsibility. Dr. Tana shares her journey from corporate HR to national thought leader — and why empathy, community, and continuous learning aren’t “soft skills.” They’re survival skills. We unpack: Why trust is the currency of modern leadership How generational shifts are reshaping culture What AI will change — and what it won’t How to lead people through uncertainty without minimizing their reality Why belonging and psychological safety aren’t optional anymore Technology will keep evolving. Systems will keep shifting. But the leaders who win?They’re the ones who build trust, regulate their energy, and choose humanity — even when it’s harder. This one is honest, timely, and necessary. 00:00 – Why Trust Is the Leadership Currency of Now01:32 – From Corporate HR to National DEI Voice: Dr. Tana’s Evolution06:15 – Generational Shifts Are Rewriting the Workplace Rules08:38 – Building Trust at Work10:59 – Reinvention at Any Stage: Law School & Lifelong Growth13:23 – The Personal Stories That Shape Powerful Leaders16:12 – Leading Through Political Tension & Collective Uncertainty18:24 – Advice for Youth & Future Leaders24:17 – AI is her Now What33:59 – Navigating Job Insecurity Without Losing Humanity40:48 – The Leadership Standard We Choose Moving Forward | Connect with Us | Follow Dr. Tana M. Session: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtanamsession/Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tanamsession-com/Website: OD & People Strategy Consulting | Dr. Tana M. Session, Founder/CEO of TanaMSession.com (Dr. Tana M. Session is a nationally recognized psychologist, DEI strategist, and leadership advisor who helps organizations uncover unconscious bias, foster inclusive cultures, and lead with greater self-awareness and accountability. Her work centers on equity, belonging, and empowering leaders to make more intentional, human-centered decisions.) Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • The CEO Myth: Confidence, Control, and Learning as You Go | EP62

    The CEO Myth: Confidence, Control, and Learning as You Go | EP62
    Feb 9 2026
    What actually happens when you step into the CEO seat for the first time—before you feel “ready”? In this episode, Ritu Mohanka, first-time CEO of VONQ, breaks down the myth of the all-knowing, perfectly confident CEO. We talk real leadership: the messy first 90 days, learning in public, and why control is overrated but clarity isn’t. Ritu shares how AI can open doors in hiring instead of shutting them, why bias has to be designed out—not trained away—and what it really takes to build products around people, not process. We also go there—motherhood, imposter syndrome, boundaries, and why women can’t keep waiting for perfection to raise their hands. This is an honest conversation about leading with empathy, building healthy teams, and leaving a legacy rooted in trust, not ego. If you think leadership is about having all the answers—this episode will change your mind. The first 90 days as a CEO can be both intimidating and liberating. AI should open doors in hiring, not close them. Screen people in. The future of work isn’t defined yet—leaders must build for what’s coming. Women should not wait for perfection to raise their hands for opportunities. Balance is a myth; it's about finding harmony in different seasons of life. Boundaries aren’t optional—they’re a leadership requirement. Imposter syndrome is common among executives and can be managed. Great cultures are designed, not left to chance. Legacy isn’t power—it’s trust. The best teams and products stay obsessively close to the customer. 00:00 Becoming CEO: What No One Tells You02:43 Learning in Public: From Challenges to Triumphs11:20 Motherhood, Leadership, and Letting Go of “Balance”14:20 Imposter Syndrome at the Top17:05 Designing Healthy Workplaces on Purpose19:40 Boundaries, Burnout, and Self-Leadership22:18 Legacy: What Actually Lasts25:01 Mistakes, Growth, and Leading Without a Script27:52 The Future of Work: AI and Employee Development31:00 Unlearning the CEO Myth | Connect with Us | Follow Ritu Mohanka:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritumohanka/Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vonq/posts/?feedView=allWebsite: Homepage (Ritu Mohanka is a forward-thinking HR and people analytics expert focused on AI-driven coaching, personalized development, and the future of work. She champions solutions that help individuals grow in real time and organizations unlock meaningful performance gains.) Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Hiring with Hope: Designing Systems That Actually Work for Frontline Workers | EP61

    Hiring with Hope: Designing Systems That Actually Work for Frontline Workers | EP61
    Feb 2 2026
    Frontline workers keep the global economy moving—yet the systems built to hire them are often anything but humane. In this episode, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Sean Behr, CEO of Fountain, to unpack what’s broken in frontline hiring and what it really takes to fix it. Sean shares how Fountain is reimagining high-volume hiring by balancing speed with quality, expanding access, and designing experiences that treat hourly workers like humans—not transactions. Together, they explore how AI is changing recruitment in real time, why old hiring assumptions are collapsing under pressure, and what leaders are getting wrong about “efficiency.” Sean offers a powerful reframe for leadership in moments of disruption: trust gets people in the door, but hope is what keeps them moving forward. This conversation goes beyond technology. It’s about designing systems that work with people, not against them—and why the future of hiring depends on leaders willing to challenge outdated beliefs, listen to frontline realities, and build for resilience, dignity, and scale. Key Takeaways Why frontline hiring systems are the backbone of the global economy—and where they fail most How speed without quality breaks trust (and businesses) Why AI works best when it removes friction, not humanity What today’s job-seeking behavior reveals about broken assumptions in hiring Why hope—not just trust—is a leadership necessity in times of change How expanding access creates better outcomes for workers and employers Chapters00:00 Why Frontline Hiring Systems Matter02:12 Leadership in High-Velocity Hiring Environments04:05 AI, Scale, and the Reality of Modern Job Seeking21:33 Trust vs. Hope: What Actually Sustains Workers25:03 Expanding Access Without Sacrificing Quality26:25 Workforce Resilience in a Shifting Economy27:45 Challenging Outdated Hiring Beliefs30:34 Final Thoughts: The Future of Frontline Hiring | Connect with Us | Follow Sean Behr:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbehr/Website: Fountain - Your Frontline Workforce Management Platform (Sean Behr is the CEO of Fountain, a hiring technology platform focused on opening opportunities for the global frontline workforce. He is passionate about building systems that balance speed with quality, expand access to meaningful work, and help organizations hire and retain talent at scale.) Follow Inside the C-Suite:LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-SuiteSubscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
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