In this episode of Lonely at the Top, Rachel sits down with John Valencia, President and CEO of the Good for Others Foundation. John has raised nearly $1 billion for education and community initiatives, but behind his impressive resume is a leader who understands both the thrill and the isolation of being a visionary.

From childhood entrepreneurship to leading multimillion-dollar nonprofits, John has always carried the weight of responsibility. He shares candidly about the loneliness of being “the idea guy,” how charisma and storytelling help bridge gaps when others can’t see the vision, and why trust and authentic relationships are at the center of his leadership.

This conversation shines a light on the private ledger of a leader who has spent decades innovating, creating, and caring deeply for his teams — while finding out how to stay authentically true to himself.

✨ Episode Highlights:

• John shares how leadership has been part of his DNA since childhood — from selling lollipops at age eight to running multiple nonprofits and education institutions.
• His natural drive for accomplishment is balanced by a love for meaningful, soul-feeding work that often keeps him going beyond the typical nine-to-five.
• John describes himself as a “maverick” and visionary — someone who thrives on bold, creative ideas but relies on strong achievers on his team to bring them to completion.
• He opens up about the isolation of being a leader with unconventional ideas, and how charisma and storytelling have been both coping tools and leadership strengths.
• We explore how he hires people he trusts — often friends — and what that means for balancing deep care with organizational needs.
• John reflects on the importance of having even one person at work who truly “gets you” as an antidote to the loneliness of leadership.

Connect with John's work at GoodForOthers.org

“All my jobs have been relationship-based, and the success has come from those authentic connections. You spend so much time with people you work with — you should love them.” - John Valencia

Trailer for Lonely at the Top

What happens when you’re married to a powerful, high-stakes leader—and your own emotional labor is quietly consuming you?

In this episode, Temi Ayodeji, stress-reduction artist, author, and wellness coach, joins Rachel to share the truth about being the partner behind the leader. From homeschooling a son with special needs while being offered a director role… to quietly donating a kidney to save her husband’s life… to discovering a scientifically grounded form of healing through fractal-infused art—Temi’s journey is one of grit, grace, and a relentless commitment to peace.

Together, they explore the emotional weight of supporting high-level leadership while carrying invisible burdens, and the power of creating calm—without needing to retreat from life.

🔑 Highlights:

• [03:45] The moment Temi turned down a leadership promotion to care for her son
• [11:10] Donating a kidney to her husband—and the emotional toll of keeping it private
• [21:30] The double silence: what happens when both partners operate in isolation
• [31:50] “Peace of mind is not a luxury. It’s a leadership requirement.”
• [39:00] How fractal-based artwork rewired her family’s nervous system
• [48:25] The private ledger: peace lost, faith gained, sleep reclaimed
• [56:10] The truth most leaders won’t say out loud—but deeply need to
• [01:01:40] Art as a healing tool for high-stress homes and leadership environments

🧭 Connect with Temi:

• Learn more about Temi’s healing artwork: TemiFineArts.com
• Join her newsletter and stories on Substack: temiayodeji.substack.com

In this episode of Lonely At the Top, host Rachel Alexandria sits down with Susana Perczek, a corporate stylist and former advertising executive, whose mission is to armor women leaders with both strength and style. Susana shares how she rose through the ranks in a demanding industry, only to face the emotional and relational costs of leadership, especially after starting a family.

Through heartfelt stories and rich metaphors (including Dungeons & Dragons references!), this conversation unpacks how clothing can be more than just fabric—it can be a shield, a strategy, a ritual, and a revelation of identity. Together, Rachel and Susana explore what it means to bring your full, feminine self to powerful spaces, and how style can be a gateway to alignment with purpose, confidence, and joy.

This episode is a must-listen for any woman in leadership who’s tired of blending in and ready to stand out—unapologetically.

✨ Interview Highlights

• Susana shares how the birth of her daughter forced a reckoning—she chose to walk away from a powerful executive role to prioritize presence over productivity.
• She opens up about the emotional and relational cost of leadership, especially in a high-demand advertising culture where “5 PM was basically lunch.”
• We talk about feminine presence in masculine-dominated rooms—and how clothing can be used to express, protect, and empower.
• Susana describes how accessories can become modern-day amulets, helping women feel grounded and radiant during high-stakes moments.
• She reflects on dreaming bigger as an asset she didn’t fully realize she had—and how now she’s building a business, envisioning a book, and even eyeing a TED Talk.

🔗 Connect with Susana

• Website: https://www.susanaperczekstyling.com/
• Style as Strategy on Substack - https://susanaperczek.substack.com/

Angela Quach, founder of Destiny Lab, gets real about what it took to leave corporate comfort and launch a multi-million dollar, purpose-driven marketing agency. In this candid conversation, Angela shares the invisible costs of leadership — from imposter syndrome to identity shifts — and the resilience it takes to build something bigger than ego. She and Rachel explore what it means to lead with both purpose and pressure, and why creating a relationship-first life has made all the difference.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to own your vision, this episode will leave you seen and stirred.

🌟 Highlight Moments

• Angela shares how growing up with working-class immigrant parents shaped her hunger for success.
• She describes her leap from corporate to building a multi-million dollar marketing agency during the pandemic.
• Angela opens up about how lonely and vulnerable it was to hold a vision that no one else could see yet.
• She reflects on the ego sacrifice required to lead and how delegation changed her identity as a leader.
• Angela discusses shifting from profit-driven work to purpose-driven leadership that centers DEI and authenticity.
• She reveals her private struggles with imposter syndrome and how she learned to become her own biggest cheerleader.
• Angela and Rachel discuss the hard truth that leadership means taking full responsibility — and how isolating that can be.
• The episode closes with Angela’s message to her younger self: “You don’t need someone’s permission to be great.”

🔗 Connect with Angela

• Website: www.thedestinylab.co
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angieyquach/