In times of overwhelming challenge and uncertainty, the ability to silence the noise, listen deeply, and connect with something larger than ourselves – whether through faith, values, or inner wisdom – is what carries us through and reveals the path forward, transforming our struggles into purpose and our pain into the power to help others.

Ronel Hentschel’s work has been deeply influenced by her personal experience as the mother of a son diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a toddler. This shaped her career path towards supporting other families facing similar challenges, and led her to found Washing Parent, a digital publishing platform serving families in the Washington DC area with resources for education, support, and activities.

Ronel’s unshakeable faith has guided her through multiple personal challenges, and it creates for her a deep sense of trust that things will be OK, and the storm will settle.

This conversation will help you

• Quieten the noise during crises so you can hear the guidance that's already there
• Transform personal pain into purpose by channelling your hard-won knowledge and experience into meaningful support for others
• Create inner peace during turbulence by stepping back, abiding in what matters most to you, and trusting that clarity will emerge when you stop forcing solutions

Highlights

• [00:08:52] Silence the storm
• [00:12:32] The healing power of helping
• [00:17:40] Living a faith-based life
• [00:20:16] The conspiracy of improbabilities
• [00:22:16] How Ronnel sees God
• [00:29:36] When doors close, there is a reason
• [00:32:25] What it takes to trust unconditionally
• [00:38:07] Do you choose to be a victim or a warrior?
• [00:41:03] Forgiveness
• [00:45:48] What Fearless Forward means for Ronel

Resources

• Connect with Ronel via LinkedIn
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn
• The Seven Spiritual Laws Of Success, by Deepak Chopra

Humans are wired to fear uncertainty and the unknown, and we often avoid potential opportunities because they seem too risky or uncomfortable. We cling to familiar patterns even when they no longer serve us, worried about what might happen if we let go.

This week’s guest, Stephen Burt, suggests embracing uncertainty as a path to growth and creativity. By saying "yes, and" to our fears – acknowledging them while still moving forward – we can discover possibilities we might otherwise miss. This approach transforms fear from an obstacle into a doorway to new experiences.

Living in constant resistance to uncertainty constrains our potential and prevents us from using all that we have. We risk looking back with regret at opportunities not taken and parts of ourselves left unexplored.

So instead of automatically saying "no", you might try saying "yes, and what might be possible here?"

This conversation will help you

• Learn how embracing uncertainty can transform fear into a catalyst for growth and creativity instead of an obstacle
• Discover practical techniques for saying "yes, and" to your fears while still moving forwards towards new possibilities
• Explore how improvisational thinking can help you respond authentically without self-censorship in both professional and personal situations

Highlights

• [00:11:22] How to listen
• [00:16:32] Self-leadership through curiosity
• [00:20:20] When to hold on, and when to let go
• [00:24:40] Being as much as you can
• [00:29:33] Discovering
• [00:38:20] When fear meets improv
• [00:46:27] What Fearless Forwarwd means to Stephen
• [00:48:17] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Connect with Stephen via LinkedIn
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn

Rigid hierarchies can stifle innovation and create environments where employees wait for permission rather than taking initiative. In these cultures, people are afraid to contribute ideas, fearing rejection or overstepping boundaries.

Kate Davies demonstrates how transformative leadership comes through relationships, not titles. By breaking down hierarchical barriers and creating genuine connections with her team, she enables people at all levels to contribute meaningful solutions. This means building trust through authentic relationships, being present where the actual work happens, normalising experimentation, and celebrating both successes and instructive failures.

This conversation will help you

• Break down hierarchical barriers by building relationships across organisational levels
• Create an environment where innovation thrives by enabling team members to experiment with ideas without seeking permission first
• Invest time in frontline work alongside your team to build authentic relationships, gain valuable insights, and demonstrate that everyone's contribution matters

Hihglights

• [00:04:29] Staying one step ahead
• [00:06:22] Why being "purely professional" isn't the answer
• [00:09:24] Empowerment vs enablement
• [00:12:12] "Don't come to me for permission"
• [00:17:02] What it means to muck in
• [00:21:15] What if this doesn't work?
• [00:23:00] The case for imposter syndrome
• [00:28:03] The future of the ONS
• [00:35:29] What's front-of-mind in Kate's leadership
• [00:36:32] What Fearless Forward means to Kate
• [00:40:13] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Connect with Kate via LinkedIn
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn