In this episode, creative strategist, speaker, and founder of HEART Convos, Kristen “KB” Newton, unpacks what it means to connect deeply, pivot boldly, and rebuild beautifully after loss.

From spinning tracks as a DJ for the Indiana Pacers to founding a movement that’s helped thousands master the art of human connection, KB’s journey is a masterclass in reinvention. She’s lived the full creative spectrum as an artist, coach, conference creator, wife, and mom. Through it all, she’s learned that real influence starts where authenticity meets empathy.

In this conversation, KB and Erin dive into:

• How to pivot when what used to work no longer fits.
• Why failure can be the most fertile ground for transformation.
• The art of connection—how to see the gaps and fill them.
• What it means to be a connector who turns presence into power.

If you’ve ever wondered how to rise again, show up differently, or create impact in the spaces that test you most, this episode is your reminder: you don’t have to have it all together to own the room.

Listen now and turn your presence into purpose.

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What if the most powerful form of influence isn’t about commanding attention, but rather standing in the gap for others?

In this episode, community leader and luxury real estate advisor Alton Cryer shares how owning the room for others can be just as powerful as owning it for yourself. From negotiating deals to mentoring youth, Alton shows that success rooted in service multiplies impact far beyond personal wins.

As the Co-Founder of STS Enterprise Corporation and a Top 20% real estate advisor at Keller Williams, Alton has built his career at the intersection of excellence and empathy. His background spans community development, banking, and lending, each experience shaping the way he now serves clients.

Beyond business, Alton’s heart for people shows in his commitment to STS Enterprise Corporation, where he empowers youth and college students through leadership and economic development programs in Memphis, TN. As a devoted husband and proud father to three boys, Alton models what it means to build legacy through both family and community.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why advocacy is one of the highest forms of presence.
• How service-first leadership transforms influence and results.
• The power of winning because you put others first.

Listen now and discover what it looks like to own the room for others.

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Some things in life become exponentially better when multiple minds refine them. Like a melody finding harmony when new instruments join in. Professional coaching works the same way, what feels good and natural on your own becomes unstoppable when others help shape and strengthen it.

That’s what happened for my guest, Kinah Burks.

Kinah was already full of energy, personality, and presence onstage. But when she stepped into the Master Connector Bootcamp (a program I designed to help communicators create more opportunities by owning the room), she discovered the “why” behind the “what” she’d been doing naturally. With principles to anchor her talent, everything shifted. Suddenly, opportunities didn’t just come to her, she began creating them.

Kinah has gone on to leverage her natural gift, her leadership background, and the coaching she received into a career as a dynamic emcee, leadership strategist, and emotional intelligence expert. With over 15 years of leadership experience and a certification with the John Maxwell Team, she’s now building experiences that are structured, soulful, and life-changing.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How to turn personality into principle (and why this unlocks your next level)
• What happens when you shift your perspective from just delivering a message to creating opportunities.

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