Heliona Insight: Thriving in Leadership

What does it take to get unstuck and lead bold transformation? In this episode of Heliona Insight, we’re joined by Monica Cohen, newly appointed CEO of the American Cider Association and a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience, including C-suite leadership at a $20 billion global food and beverage company, Dairy Farmers of America.

Monica shares her journey as a fearless innovator and bold decision-maker, from manag...

How do you scale a business from 3 offices to 23 across four states while fostering a thriving culture of growth and empowerment?

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we sit down with Jeremy Fry, Owner and CEO of Fry Orthodontics and Catalyst Dental Partners, to explore his journey as a leader and entrepreneur.

Jeremy shares how he built a culture where long-term professional growth thrives, empowered his teams with Kaize...

Episode Description:

In this special kickoff episode of Heliona Insight for 2025, host Ebrima Abraham Sisay sets the tone for the year with a powerful theme: Presence.

In a world filled with distractions, being fully present—in conversations, at work, and with ourselves—has become a rare skill. Ebrima shares reflections, actionable tips, and a personal challenge to help leaders and teams embrace intentionality and clarity in every...

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we sit down with Damion "Coach D" Brown, Certified Mental Performance Coach and Co-Founder of Triumph Performance Institute, to explore the power of mental resiliency in navigating the future.

With over 20 years of experience coaching athletes, executives, and high performers, Coach D shares his strategies for building mental toughness, thriving under pressure, and unlocking peak performance.

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How do you create a healthy workplace culture that drives success while avoiding the common pitfalls of leadership?

Elizabeth McJimsey Souder, Founder and Principal Advisor of What’s Next Biz, brings her expertise as a corporate attorney and business advisor to explore the power of aligning values, managing conflict, and fostering transparency.

In this episode, Elizabeth unpacks the famous phrase 'Culture Eats Strategy for Brea...

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we sit down with Merideth Rose, President and CEO of Cornerstones of Care, to explore what it takes to lead a 150-year legacy into the future.

From managing a team of 1,300 during the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy to now transforming lives through compassionate leadership, Merideth’s journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and equity.

Join us as Merideth shares her insights on le...

In this special holiday bonus episode, host Ebrima "Abraham" Sisay takes a moment to reflect on the journey of Heliona Insight and express heartfelt gratitude to you—our incredible listeners.

Join us for a brief but meaningful message about the power of rest, reflection, and connection during the holiday season. Plus, get a sneak peek into what’s coming next for the podcast in the new year!

Thank you for being part of the Heliona...

What does it take to lead companies across 80 countries, manage over 40 acquisitions, and deliver four successful exits? Seth Deutsch, Founder and CEO of Samson Partners Group, joins Heliona Insight to share his incredible journey of scaling businesses from $25M to $2B in revenue.

In this episode, Seth reveals the grit and strategies behind his success, how he navigates high-stakes challenges, and the importance of building teams ...

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we sit down with Steven Patterson, founder of Journeys | Human Focused Engagements, to explore his vision for leadership that goes far beyond the typical “grind.”

With a career spanning industries from finance to healthcare IT to design, Steven shares how his experiences have shaped a unique approach to leadership—one that’s centered on authenticity, empathy, and human connection.

Discover ho...

In this special episode of Heliona Insight, I’m reflecting on the journey so far and the insights gained from each conversation.

From navigating workplace friendships and managing through conflict to the importance of clarity in leadership and breaking free from burnout, each episode has brought valuable lessons.

We’ll also revisit my discussion with Dr. Michael Maclin and his profound insight: “D.E.I is not a department; it’s a...

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we dive deep into the critical role Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access in the workplace with Dr. Michael Maclin, Superintendent at Special School District of St. Louis County.

Dr. Michael Maclin, a true leader in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, and someone who is deeply committed to transforming lives through equity, truth, and grace.

Dr. Maclin’s work is all abou...

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we discuss the pros and cons of forming friendships in the workplace.

Can personal connections help boost collaboration, trust, and team morale? Or do they blur the lines between professionalism and favoritism?

Ebrima Abraham Sisay explores both sides of the issue, offering strategies for maintaining a balance between professional boundaries and building meaningful relationships at work.

Tune ...

In this episode of Heliona Insight, Ebrima Abraham Sisay shares a recent experience where a team member’s politically charged comment sparked conflict during a group meeting.

He explains how he managed the situation, turned it into a learning opportunity, and provides strategies for handling conflict as a manager.

Tune in to learn how to create a respectful and inclusive environment, even in tense moments, and transform conflict ...

In this episode of Heliona Insight, Ebrima Abraham Sisay shares his personal journey of battling burnout as a former CEO of Alkamba Company, where he managed 60 team members across three entities.

He opens up about the toll burnout took on his health, leading to Bell's Palsy, and how prioritizing physical and mental well-being helped him turn things around.

Tune in to learn how you can break free from burnout, delegate effectivel...

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we explore what it means to be a Chief Empathy Officer, a role that emphasizes leading with heart. Ebrima Abraham Sisay, the world’s first Chief Empathy Officer, breaks down how leading with empathy transforms not just teams but entire organizations.

Discover how empathy enhances employee engagement, builds trust, and fosters a resilient work culture. Whether you’re a CEO or an emerging leader, ...

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we follow up on our previous discussion about overcoming burnout with a deeper dive into setting clear expectations as a manager.

Learn how to clarify roles, set milestones, encourage proactive communication, and address risks before they become problems.

Plus, we discuss how Heliona Elevate can equip managers with the tools they need to create a more engaged, productive team. Learn more at www...

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we explore how to turn burnout into a glow up. Discover the signs of burnout, practical steps to reclaim your energy and passion, and how to create a more fulfilling work-life balance.

We also introduce Heliona Elevate, a wellness program designed to support managers in preventing burnout and leading their teams with renewed energy.

Tune in for actionable insights and inspiration to transform y...

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we dive into the often-overlooked employee benefit that could revolutionize your workplace—well-being.

Discover why great managers are the real secret weapon in fostering a culture of growth, engagement, and loyalty.

We explore practical ways to integrate well-being into your Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and why this should be at the forefront of every leader’s mind.

Tune in for insights, ...