🎙️ What Does It Really Mean to Have Power—and Use It Ethically?

With Shanna Francesca | Cult Survivor, CEO & Leadership Scholar

What happens when you break free from a high-control environment—and rebuild your identity from the inside out?
In this powerful episode of (un)conversations®, Dr. Alison sits down with Shanna Francesca, a cult survivor turned CEO, leadership scholar, and change-maker. Together, they explore how unlearning psychological control becomes the foundation of ethical, human-centered leadership.

Shanna shares the three defining (UN)words—Unfettered, Unleashed, Unveiled—that reshaped her life, leadership, and sense of agency. From escaping indoctrination to challenging ego-driven cultures, this conversation reveals why real power exists beyond control and how curiosity, accountability, and respect drive meaningful change.

Perfect for leaders, survivors of high-control systems, innovators, and anyone committed to healing and leading with integrity.

✨ 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 clarity and agency

• What it means to be Unfettered, Unleashed, and Unveiled

• How ego, hierarchy, and psychological control undermine performance

• The role of community, healing, and unapologetic self-expression

• Why ethical leadership is rooted in relationship—not authority

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Intro to the (un)conversations® Podcast
(00:01:41) The (UN)word Effect: Shanna’s Leadership Framework
(00:02:47) Choosing the “Un” Words
(00:03:25) Life Inside the Cult
(00:07:54) UNword #1: Unfettered
(00:10:40) Leaving the Cult & Reentering the World
(00:17:18) UNword #2: Unleashed
(00:18:49) UNword #3: Unveiled
(00:21:15) Reclaiming Personal Agency
(00:26:00) Childhood in a High-Control Environment
(00:35:01) Survivor → CEO
(00:36:50) Challenging Ideology & “Normal”
(00:41:06) From Broken to Empowered
(00:57:55) The Meaning of Concinnate
(01:05:47) Ethical Leadership, Culture & Innovation
(01:17:16) Collaboration Over Competition
(01:22:51) Final Thoughts + Shanna’s Upcoming Book
(01:24:24) Ask Dr. Alison
(01:28:37) The (UN)wrap Up & Outro

About the GuestsDr. Alison L. Schmidt, Ph.D.

Founder and host of (un)conversations®, Dr. Alison helps leaders and organizations unlearn what no longer serves them—and lead with authenticity, courage, and purpose.
Website: unconventionllc.com

Shanna Francesca – Founder & CEO, Concinnate LLC

A cult survivor, scholar, and leadership innovator, Shanna transformed trauma into a framework for ethical leadership built on Curiosity, Respect, and Accountability.
Website: concinnate.world/shanafrancesca

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