Resilience isn’t built in moments of ease, it’s forged through challenge, curiosity, and the courage to grow.

In this episode, Heather Brilliant, CEO of Diamond Hill Capital Management, shares how 38 rejection letters early in her career became the foundation for a life of resilience, curiosity, and courageous leadership. With experience spanning Bank of America, Morningstar, and now Diamond Hill, she reveals how staying open to feedback, to failure, and to change has fueled her growth as a leader and innovator in investment management.

Her journey from aspiring lawyer to CEO is a story of perseverance and adaptability, proving that leadership isn’t about following a straight path, it’s about learning, evolving, and leading with both humility and conviction.

Tune in to learn how resilience is built through feedback, why curiosity drives clarity, and what it means to lead with openness in a world that never stops changing.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[00:27] The Importance of Resilience and Rejection
[01:16] Heather Brilliant's Career Journey
[04:20] Networking and Career Growth
[08:02] Leadership and Personal Development
[17:24] About Diamond Hill and Heather's Role
[19:16] Daily Habits and Success Rituals
[20:22] Balancing Internal and External Focus
[21:11] Embracing AI in the Workplace
[22:43] Effective Decision-Making Strategies
[34:21] The Importance of Curiosity
[38:30] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

Leadership doesn’t come with instructions, it’s created piece by piece.

In this episode, Chastity Lord, President & CEO of the Jeremiah Program, reveals how she has built a career by embracing uncertainty, dismantling inequities, and leading with courage.

From her early years as a first-generation college graduate raised by a single mom, to leadership roles at The Posse Foundation, Achievement First, and Color of Change, Chastity has shaped opportunity at every level. Today, she leads Jeremiah Program, one of the most impactful organizations for single mothers and their children, growing it by more than 300% in just five years.

Tune in to learn how to lead when no roadmap exists, why storytelling is a powerful lever for systems change, and what it takes to design leadership that thrives in a world without blueprints.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[01:17] Chastity Lord's Leadership Journey
[04:02] Early Life and Education
[07:14] Career Beginnings and Mentorship
[12:31] Joining the Jeremiah Program
[14:38] Navigating Uncertainty and Leadership
[25:10] Finding Comfort in Discomfort
[26:07] Parenting and Leadership
[26:46] Feedback and Public Leadership
[28:34] Navigating Messy Leadership Moments
[39:10] The Power of Community
[40:00] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

The strongest leaders aren’t defined by their titles—they’re defined by their ability to adapt, listen, and lead with humanity.

In this episode, Michele Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture, reveals how she built a career on resilience, authenticity, and courage.

From her start in contract negotiation to international business development, to helping the Woodland Park Zoo weather the storm of COVID-19, Michele’s story shows that leadership is less about having the answers and more about practicing presence, empathy, and trust. At MoPOP, she continues to expand cultural conversations by highlighting marginalized stories and creating spaces of belonging.

Tune in to learn how to lead with authenticity, why resilience is a muscle you build over time, and what it takes to create cultures where people feel valued and included.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[00:27] The Importance of Authentic Leadership
[01:25] Meet Michelle Smith: A Journey of Leadership
[03:11] The Value of Understanding Contracts
[08:28] Leading the Museum of Pop Culture
[11:55] Navigating Leadership Challenges
[23:26] Building Confidence and Resilience
[27:35] The Role of AI in Nonprofits
[28:52] Crawl, Walk, Run: A Strategy for Policy Implementation
[30:46] AI's Role in Shaping Pop Culture
[42:26] Effective Meeting and Mentorship Practices
[44:47] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts