What does it really mean to have power—and to use it ethically?

Cult survivor, CEO, and leadership scholar Shanna Francesca joins Dr. Alison to share how she reclaimed her life from a high-control environment and transformed trauma into clarity, confidence, and ethical leadership.

Shanna unpacks the three (UN)words that reshaped her identity—Unfettered, Unleashed, and Unveiled—and reveals how unlearning psychological control becomes the foundation of authentic, human-centered leadership. Together, they explore why real power exists beyond control, how ego sabotages performance, and why curiosity, respect, and accountability drive meaningful change.

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 agency• The role of community, healing, and unapologetic self-expression• Why ethical leadership is rooted in relationship, not hierarchy

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Timestamp

(00:00:00) Introduction to the (un)conversations® Podcast

(00:01:41) The (UN)word Effect: Shana's Defining Leadership Words

(00:02:47) Setting the Stage: The Process of Choosing the "Un" Words

(00:03:25) Life inside the cult

(00:07:54) (UN)word 1: Unfettered – Breaking Free from Bonds

(00:10:40) The Decision to Leave and The Challenges of The Outside World

(00:17:18) (UN)word 2: Unleashed – Abandoning Control and Finding Power

(00:18:49) (UN)word 3: Unveiled – No Longer Hidden, Building Safety

(00:21:15) Reclaiming Personal Agency and Defining Leadership

(00:26:00) The Childhood Environment: Growing Up in a High-Control Cult

(00:35:01) From Survivor to Successful CEO

(00:36:50) Challenging Ideology: The Problem with Defining "Normal"

(00:41:06) From "Broken" to Empowered: The Journey of Healing

(00:57:55) The Meaning Behind the Company Name: Concinnate

(01:05:47) Concinnate's Work: Ethical Leadership, Culture, and Innovation

(01:17:16) Collaboration Over Competition: Changing the Business Paradigm

(01:22:51) Final Thoughts, Recommendations, and Shana's Upcoming Book

(01:24:24) Ask Dr. Alison

(01:28.37) The (UN)wrap up & Podcast Outro

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Founder and host of (un)conversations®, Alison L. Schmidt, Ph.D., empowers leaders and organizations to unlearn what no longer serves them—and lead with authenticity, courage, and purpose.

Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/

Shana Francesca is the Founder & CEO of Concinnate LLC. and identifies herself as a cult survivor. scholar and change-maker. Shana transformed trauma into triumph - from surviving childhood abuse and cult indoctrination to pioneering a leadership revolution built on Curiosity, Respect, and Accountability.

Website: https://www.concinnate.world/shanafrancesca

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