“Self-awareness is the foundation of strength.”

Lynn Coleman speaks with Rhonda Parker Taylor — academic, entrepreneur, and author — about life balance, leadership, and the practical power of emotional intelligence. Growing up around her father’s steel manufacturing plant, Rhonda learned early that leadership requires both resilience and care. Now on her book tour, she shares why self-awareness, empathy, and stress management are not “soft skills,” but essential tools for business and life.

This episode explores how power isn’t about doing more, but about balancing who you are with what you do. Rhonda shows us that emotional intelligence isn’t optional if we want to grow without burning out — it’s the real foundation of leadership.

Topics

Introduction to Rhonda Parker Taylor (0:00)
From Steel Manufacturing to Academia (5:48)
Discovering the Power of Emotional Intelligence (6:18)
Mentorship and Resilience in Early Education (10:20)
Leadership Lessons from EQ and Manufacturing (12:53)
Stress, Decision-Making, and Team Buy-In (18:28)
The Role of Self-Awareness in Power (29:18)
Practical Ways to Balance Life and Leadership (30:44)
The Influence of Kindness and Compassion (32:10)
Books, Crossroads, and Workbooks for Life Balance (36:17)

About the Host:
Lynn Coleman hosts essential conversations about power for coaches and healers: inner, outer, and how it affects our businesses and lives. These conversations are lovingly created to help you help more clients. Lynn's guests all have something intriguing, useful, and personal to share with you.

How to Connect with Rhonda:
https://rhondaparkertaylor.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondaparkertaylor/

https://www.instagram.com/rhondaparkertaylor/

https://www.facebook.com/rhondaparkertaylor/

Podcast Website:

👂 LISTEN to more episodes here: https://yourepicbusiness.com/podcast/

👁️ WATCH this episode here: https://youtu.be/iF5EV3GbfAs

Community & Calls to Action

✅ Rate & Review our Podcasts – Help others discover the show!
✅ Follow & Subscribe – Stay updated on new episodes by following us on your favourite podcast app or on our YouTube channel.
✅ Want to learn about the art of heart-powered communication with me? Start here: https://yourepicbusiness.com/quiz/

✅ Find Lynn at https://yourepicbusiness.com/
https://www.facebook.com/magnificanamethod
https://www.instagram.com/your.epic.business
and lynn@yourepicbusiness.com

✅ Share this Episode – If this resonated with you, tag us on social media and let us know your biggest takeaway!

Thank you for tuning in! See you next time.

Want to discover your epic writing power? Take the quiz. https://yourepicbusiness.com/quiz/

Want to set up a writing practice for your coaching or healing business. Get the Heart-Powered Writing Journal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9082049511

Want to support this podcast? Leave us a 5 star review and subscribe. Or buy me a cup of coffee (creating podcasts is thirsty work!).
https://buymeacoffee.com/conversationsaboutpower

War gave him camaraderie; healing gave him power.

Lynn Coleman speaks with Michael Allison, former US Marine, leadership coach, and founder of The University Academy, about resilience, camaraderie, and the discipline that saved his life. In this gripping conversation, Michael shares his journey from surviving natural disasters in Jamaica to serving on the frontlines in Fallujah, and how healing transformed his leadership. During this conversation, we talk about sensitive mental health topics.

This episode explores what it means to lead under pressure — and how the lessons forged in adversity can inspire and empower others. Michael reveals why discipline is the highest form of self-love, how camaraderie can create unshakable bonds, and why staying vigilant matters in every area of life. It’s a must-listen for anyone seeking to grow as a leader, especially if you’ve ever wondered how to turn personal trials into powerful tools for change.

Topics
Introduction to Michael Allison (0:00)
From Jamaica to the United States (1:20)
Surviving Natural Disasters and Family Separation (3:35)
Joining the Marine Corps and Finding Camaraderie (11:50)
Deployment to Fallujah and the Realities of War (15:26)
The Impact of Trauma and Bottling Emotions (24:35)
A Breaking Point and the Path to Healing (28:47)
Discipline, Self-Love, and Sustainable Growth (38:05)
Leadership and Empowering Others (42:39)

About the Host:
Lynn Coleman hosts essential conversations about power for coaches and healers: inner, outer, and how it affects our businesses and lives. These conversations are lovingly created to help you help more clients. Lynn's guests all have something intriguing, useful, and personal to share with you.
Connect with Michael:
Website: https://michaelwallison.com/speaking/
Instagram: @iammichaelwallison and @iammikewallison

Podcast Website:
Listen to more episodes here: https://yourepicbusiness.com/podcast/

Watch episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/@ConversationsAboutPower

Community & Calls to Action
✅ Rate & Review our Podcasts – Help others discover the show!
✅ Follow & Subscribe – Stay updated on new episodes by following us on your favourite podcast app or on our YouTube channel.
✅ Want to learn about the art of heart-powered communication with me? Start here: https://yourepicbusiness.com/quiz/
✅ Find me at
https://yourepicbusiness.com/
https://www.facebook.com/magnificanamethod
https://www.instagram.com/your.epic.business and lynn@yourepicbusiness.com
✅ Share this Episode – If this resonated with you, tag us on social media and let us know your biggest takeaway!
Thank you for tuning in! See you next time.

Want to discover your epic writing power? Take the quiz. https://yourepicbusiness.com/quiz/

Want to set up a writing practice for your coaching or healing business. Get the Heart-Powered Writing Journal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9082049511

Want to support this podcast? Leave us a 5 star review and subscribe. Or buy me a cup of coffee (creating podcasts is thirsty work!).
https://buymeacoffee.com/conversationsaboutpower

“It was never about the crown. It was about finding my voice.”

Lynn Coleman speaks with Koya Bakare, national pageant winner and former school principal, about healing, visibility, and reclaiming personal power. In this powerful conversation, Koya shares the deeply personal story behind discovering her voice and purpose through pageantry. During this episode we talk about mental health issues.

This episode shines a light on the hidden strength behind the spotlight – how Koya turned pain into purpose, how therapy and community helped her reclaim her story, and why she now wears her crown as a symbol of resilience rather than beauty. It’s a must-listen for anyone walking the path of healing, especially if you’ve ever wondered what it truly means to ‘feel powerful’ again after trauma.

Topics

Introduction to Koya Bakare (0:00)

Pageantry and Purpose Beyond the Crown (1:45)

A Personal Journey Through Trauma and Healing (9:32)

Therapy, Self-Love, and the Power of Inner Work (24:10)

Reclaiming Little Coleman – A Story of Integration (34:56)

The Spiritual Power of Nature and Water (44:12)

Final Reflections on Power, Visibility, and Humanity (48:30)

About the Host: Lynn Coleman hosts essential conversations about power for coaches and healers: inner, outer, and how it affects our businesses and lives. These conversations are lovingly created to help you help more clients. Lynn's guests all have something intriguing, useful, and personal to share with you.

Connect with Koya:

Facebook: https://UnlimitedbyKoya.com@KoyaMaisha

Instagram: @KoyaM

Podcast Website:

👂 LISTEN to this episode here: https://yourepicbusiness.com/podcast/

👁️ WATCH this episode here: https://youtu.be/7PK5zrMYJ3U

Community & Calls to Action

✅ Rate & Review our Podcasts – Help others discover the show!

✅ Follow & Subscribe – Stay updated on new episodes by following us on your favourite podcast app or on our YouTube channel.

✅ Want to learn about the art of heart-powered communication with me? Start here: https://yourepicbusiness.com/quiz/

✅ Find me at

https://yourepicbusiness.com/

https://www.facebook.com/magnificanamethod

https://www.instagram.com/your.epic.business and lynn@yourepicbusiness.com

✅ Share this Episode – If this resonated with you, tag us on social media and let us know your biggest takeaway!

Thank you for tuning in! See you next time.

Want to discover your epic writing power? Take the quiz. https://yourepicbusiness.com/quiz/

Want to set up a writing practice for your coaching or healing business. Get the Heart-Powered Writing Journal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9082049511

Want to support this podcast? Leave us a 5 star review and subscribe. Or buy me a cup of coffee (creating podcasts is thirsty work!).
https://buymeacoffee.com/conversationsaboutpower