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

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

Ready to stop playing small and step into your most powerful chapter?

In this (un)forgettable conversation, I sat down with Cathy Derksen, the Founder of Inspired Tenacity, who empowers midlife women to find their unstoppable confidence and reinvent their lives.

Cathy shares her deeply personal journey of having her conventional life “(un)ravel” in her mid-40s after a traumatic car accident served as a wake-up call. She reveals how she simultaneously left a toxic marriage and a high-stress career to start over from scratch, embracing the (Un)known and proving that your greatest adventure is still ahead.

If you are a midlife woman feeling stuck or seeking a career change after 40, this episode is your blueprint for moving forward with purpose and Inspired Tenacity. Learn how to unlearn societal expectations and leverage your personal story for entrepreneurial growth and personal transformation.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Unword Effect: Encouraging reflection on words with the prefix 'un' to inspire personal growth.

• Unraveling Toxic Situations: Why this is essential for deep personal transformation.

• The Unstoppable Mantra: How Cathy's mantra, 'chin up, keep moving,' helped her through her toughest times.

• Midlife Entrepreneurship: Transitioning from a career in medical genetics to founding Inspired Tenacity.

• The Power of Storytelling & Community: How collaborative author projects create a supportive network and legacy for women.

• Inspired Tenacity: Reflecting the courage and inspiration needed for change.

Connect with Host & Guest

• Dr. Alison Schmidt (Host)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/

• The (un)conversations podcast: https://www.unconventionllc.com/podcast

Cathy Derksen (Guest)Cathy Derksen is the founder of Inspired Tenacity, an international speaker, publisher, and a bestselling author. Through her multi-author book projects, retreats, and vibrant community, Cathy has helped over 200 women become published authors, amplifying their visibility, expanding their businesses, and building lasting legacies.

• Website: https://inspiredtenacity.com/

Thanks for watching S1.E22!

#CathyDerksen #InspiredTenacity #DrAlisonSchmidt #unconversationspodcast #midlifewomen #MidlifeReinvention #UnstoppableConfidence #FindYourPurpose #lifeafter40 #CareerChange #entrepreneurship #personalgrowth #storytelling #empowerment

What happens when you mix a pro triathlete, rock musician, and rebel brand builder who’s survived seven car accidents—but keeps coming back stronger?

In this episode of the (un)conversations® podcast, Dr. Alison Schmidt sits down with Michael Marckx, Chief Branding Officer at Digital Union Marketing, endurance athlete, musician, and visionary brand strategist. They explore how the “(UN)word Effect” fuels authentic leadership, creative risk-taking, and lifelong growth.

Michael shares his remarkable journey—from creating the world-famous Belgian Waffle Ride to leading global brand transformations at Spy Optic, Adidas, and Ocean Pacific. He unpacks what it means to be (un)usual, (un)reasonable, and (un)finished, and how these mindsets drive innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial success.

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🔥 In This Episode:

• 🚴 The origin of the Belgian Waffle Ride—one of cycling’s most unconventional events.

  💡 How being (un)usual builds real confidence and authentic connection.

• 👓 Why taking (un)reasonable risks sparks breakthrough ideas like Spy Optic’s Happy Lens.

  🗝️ How staying (un)finished keeps leaders and brands evolving.

  📘 Secrets behind the Brand Bible Method and iconic brand turnarounds.

  🛹 The guerrilla campaign at the Sydney Opera House that reshaped the skateboard culture.

  🧘 How flow, belief systems, and a metaphysical mindset fuel creativity and leadership.

  
  

  Michael also opens up about resilience and recovery—from surviving seven car accidents to rebuilding his purpose through mentorship, creativity, and authenticity.

  
  

  💬 A must-listen for marketers, entrepreneurs, creative leaders, and change-makers ready to embrace the power of being unusual, unreasonable, and unfinished.

  Defy the usual: subscribe, review, and rate—your voice fuels the (un)conversation.

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  Timestamps

  00:00 Introduction to Disruption and Innovation

  02:50 The (UN)word Effect: Embracing Unusual Paths

  06:11 The Power of Being Unusual

  09:04 Unreasonable Leadership: Challenging the Norms

  11:56 The Journey of Being Unfinished1

  14:46 Unconventional Excellence in Athletics and Business

  18:04 The Impact of Unreasonableness in Business

  20:59 The Psychic's Prophecy: A Shift in Career

  23:53 Guerrilla Marketing: Thinking Outside the Box

  37:09 Choosing Optimism in Adversity

  38:36 Unconventional Paths to Success

  42:06 The Importance of Branding

  45:28 Uncompromising Brand Integrity

  49:18 The Role of Personal Branding

  52:14 Thinking Big: The Sydney Opera House Story

  01:01:03 Finding Flow in Life and Work0

  01:05:36 Ask Dr. Alison

  01:13:52 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/

  
  

  Michael Marckx is the Chief Branding Officer of Digital Union Marketing. Michael specialize in resuscitating, transforming, and strategically guiding brands—whether they need a full reset, a repositioning, or the right roadmap for long-term success.

  Website: https://www.digitalunionmarketing.com/introduction

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  Follow Dr. Alison Schmidt

  🔗 https://www.instagram.com/alsphdbcc/

  🔗 https://www.instagram.com/unconventionllc/

  🔗 https://www.instagram.com/unconversationspodcast/

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

  🔗 https://www.tiktok.com/@alschmidtphd

  🔗 https://www.facebook.com/AlisonLSchmidt

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

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  Thanks for watching S1.E21!

  
  

  #Michael Marckx #DigitalUnionMarketing #BelgianWaffleRide #SpyOptic #guerrillamarketing #BrandStrategy #BrandingPodcast #MarketingPodcast #LeadershipPodcast #AuthenticLeadership #BrandTurnaround #unconventionalleadership #DrAlisonSchmidt #Unfinished #Unusual #Unreasonable #unconversationspodcast #Unconvention #cxo