Do Better with Debra

Do Better with Debra

Do Better with Debra is a podcast rooted in real stories about becoming, choosing yourself, and living into your purpose with courage. Through thoughtful, honest conversations, host Debra Griffith sits with leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and change-makers to explore the moments that shape who we become, at work, in leadership, and in life. Episodes touch on topics like leadership, psychological safety, identity, boundaries, purpose, and growth, not as theories, but as lived experiences. This is a space for reflection, clarity, and courage, for anyone navigating change and learning how to show up more fully without losing themselves.

Episodes

February 19, 2026 41 mins

Episode Description

What does it really cost to lead in systems that were never built with you in mind and why do some leaders choose to stay anyway?

In this episode of Do Better...

Mark as Played

What does it really mean to be first-generation after college ends?

In this episode of Do Better with Debra, I'm joined by Dr. Bryan Rojas-Araúz for a powerful, deeply human conversation about what it means to be first-gen forever. Together, we explore the reality of moving through professional and leadership spaces without a b...

Mark as Played

In this episode, I'm joined by two incredible women, Monica Varela, owner of The Brow Foundry in Old Pasadena, and Kalei Mahi, Chief Legacy Officer of NextGen Legacy NIL. Both of them took the leap from stability into the unknown, building businesses rooted in integrity, purpose, and a deep commitment to the people they serve.

Read more

Mark as Played

So many of us hold ideas we love, a script, a podcast, a book, a creative project that keeps tapping us on the shoulder but something gets in the way of actually beginning. Fear. Perfection. Comparison. Not knowing the "how." Or simply believing we need everything in place before we take the first step.

Read more

Mark as Played
October 22, 2025 33 mins

Jasmine Brett Stringer, MAPP, is a dynamic keynote speaker, award-winning author, television personality, and Founder & CEO of Carpe Diem with Jasmine LLC. Known for her vibrant presence and grounded wisdom, Jasmine blends the science of positive psychology with real-world experience to help individuals and organizations flourish.

Read more

Mark as Played
September 30, 2025 37 mins

Rodolfo "Rudy" Elizondo is an equity-driven leader who has spent more than two decades in public education and the nonprofit sector. Recently appointed Chief of Education at College Track, Rudy brings deep experience as a system-level strategist, a champion for first-generation scholars, and a leader whose philosophy centers real-world problem solving, collaboration, and trust.

Mark as Played

Dr. Jonathan Grady is an influential leader, scholar, and equity strategist whose work centers transformative justice, radical imagination, and leading with love. As Senior Associate Vice President for Equity & Belonging at Cal Poly Pomona, he brings more than 17 years of experience driving systemic equity strategies, cultivating holistic workplace cultures, and building communities where people c...

Mark as Played
September 2, 2025 47 mins

Anna Malaika Tubbs is a bestselling storyteller and truth-teller whose work pulls back the curtain on the erasure of Black women and the systems never built for us. Her latest book, Erased: What the American Patriarchy Has Hidden From Us, is part manifesto, part mirror, helping us see the system clearly and reminding us that our stories matter.

Read more

Mark as Played

The Courage to Choose You with Maria Elena De Guevara (Part 2)

In Part 2 of our conversation, Maria Elena introduces the ACE framework a powerful tool she's used throughout her life and leadership journey to navigate hard choices with clarity and intention.

Mark as Played

The Courage to Choose You with Maria Elena De Guevara (Part 1)

My friend and former colleague, Maria Elena De Guevara, is someone I've admired for years. She's a brilliant HR leader whose career spans higher ed, government, and county leadership but what...

Mark as Played

Don't Wait to Hit Empty with Lindsey Fuller: Burnout, Boundaries & Microdosing Wellness

What if you didn't wait until you were completely depleted to take care of yourself?

In this episode of Do Better with Debra, Lindsey Fuller, Executive Director of Te...

Mark as Played

In this episode, I sit down with muralist, creative visionary, and founder of Artfully United, Mike Norice, someone whose message stopped me in my tracks when I first heard him speak to a group of high school students about purpose and staying true to your dreams.

We talk about legacy, discipline, joy, and what it means to choose alignment over approval. Mike sha...

Mark as Played

In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Debra sits down with artist, author, and youth advocate Lawrence Carroll to talk about identity, legacy, and the complicated relationship many of us have with our hair. From childhood messages to cultural expectations, Lawrence shares the story behind his poetic love letter, My Dear Queen, originally written for his ...

Mark as Played

Episode 10

In this episode, we're honored to have Dr. Regina Stanback-Stroud, an accomplished leader who has held numerous titles including Dean, Chancellor, and President, in various educational institutions. She discusses the nuances of her leadership journey, which is a combination of intentional efforts and unforeseen opportunities. Dr. Stanback-Stroud shares invaluable lessons on leadership, sacrifice...

Mark as Played

In this solo episode, I  reflect on my top five lessons from 2023, a year I label as one of growth and discovery. Join me on a journey of introspection, learning, and potential transformation as I share my insights and experiences from the past year.

In this episode I share 

Embracing New Beginnings: My big move to Los Angeles and transition to a new sector, emphasizing the importance of embra...

Mark as Played
November 29, 2023 22 mins

Episode 13 

In this engaging episode, we delve into a captivating conversation with Kamelle Mills, Senior SoulCycle Instructor. We explore his remarkable journey, highlighting the transformative effects of his unwavering passion, steadfast perseverance, and commitment to self-empowerment. The episode delves into Kamelle's multifaceted career and life experiences, exploring themes of diversity, personal gro...

Mark as Played

Episode 11: Harnessing the Power of Manifestation and Taking Proactive Steps Towards Your Goals

In this episode, I have an inspiring conversation with Niki, where we delve into the fascinating techniques she employs to manifest her dreams. Niki has a unique approach, blending the realms of the right brain and left brain, creating a holistic vision for her life. What's remarkable is that Niki constantly kee...

Mark as Played
September 4, 2023 14 mins

In this deeply personal episode, I share the harrowing tale of an accident that threatened to take my brother from us, leaving him with a mere 5% chance to live. This isn't just a story of tragedy; it's a testament to, the miracles that can happen against the odds, and the profound lessons I learned about love, resilience, and the power of being there for others. Journey with me as I recount the impact of his a...

Mark as Played

What if I told you that you don't give yourself enough credit? This common problem affects many of us, especially when we encounter unappreciative bosses, inadequate compensation, or societal pressure to conform. These negative experiences can make us feel small and undervalued, causing us to shrink away from our true potential. However, it's crucial to remember that your value begins with you - the one living, working...

Mark as Played

In this episode, I sit down for a discussion with two inspiring leaders in the world of education, Dr. Jenn Wells and Sharon Chia Claros. Be prepared to take notes, friends. This is a meaty conversation where we excavate leading edge approaches and insights on cultivating a truly equitable and inclusive workplace. We also lift up an absolutely essential conversation around building a community where women of color are ...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    The Dan Bongino Show

    The Dan Bongino Show delivers no-nonsense analysis of the day’s most important political and cultural stories. Hosted by the former Deputy Director of the FBI, former Secret Service agent, NYPD officer, and bestselling author Dan Bongino, the show cuts through media spin with facts, accountability, and unapologetic conviction. Whether it’s exposing government overreach, defending constitutional freedoms, or connecting the dots the mainstream media ignores, The Dan Bongino Show provides in-depth analysis of the issues shaping America today. Each episode features sharp commentary, deep dives into breaking news, and behind-the-scenes insight you won’t hear anywhere else. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dan-bongino-show/id965293227?mt=2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sftHO603JaFqpuQBEZReL?si=PBlx46DyS5KxCuCXMOrQvw Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/bongino?e9s=src_v1_sa%2Csrc_v4_sa_o

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.