The Growth Blueprint

In this episode, host Tabitha May Tolub engages with past guests Nate Meleo, Adam Westbrook, and Dr. Nicole Rich-Byrne to explore the complexities of leadership, particularly in challenging environments. The conversation delves into the values leaders must unlearn, the importance of mutual respect, and the balance between authenticity and strategy. The guests share personal experiences of navigating values clashes and leading in br...

In this episode, hosts Tabitha May-Tolub and Chris Rappold welcome back Dr. Max Klau, a developmental psychologist and author, to discuss the intersection of inner development and systems change. They explore the importance of shadow work in leadership, the balance of humility and ambition, and the risks associated with idealism in servant leadership. Max shares insights from his new book and emphasizes the need for courageous whol...

In this episode of the Growth Blueprint, host Tabitha May Tolub and co-host Chris Rappold engage with Lina Cañon, a dynamic leader and social entrepreneur. They discuss Lina's journey in the social impact sector, her definition of leadership, and the importance of vulnerability and character in effective leadership. Lina shares her experiences as a woman of color in a male-dominated field, the challenges faced by nonprofit lea...

Join hosts Tabitha May-Tolub and Chris Rappold as they welcome Sara Cowey, a lifelong educator and community leader, to discuss the transformative power of leadership and character development in schools. With over three decades of experience, Sara shares her journey from a high school educator to a leadership mentor, highlighting the importance of authenticity, inclusivity, and continuous growth. Discover how Sara's innovativ...

In this episode of the Growth Blueprint podcast, hosts Tabitha May-Tolub and Chris Rappold engage with Leshundra Robinson, a seasoned nonprofit executive, to explore the intricate relationship between leadership and character. Leshundra emphasizes that true leadership transcends titles and is rooted in authenticity, integrity, and the ability to uplift others. The conversation delves into the importance of prioritizing character in...

Join us for an inspiring episode of the Growth Blueprint podcast, where we welcome Cathy L. Andreozzi. Cathy shares her powerful journey of advocacy and resilience following a life-altering event involving her daughter, Tori. Discover how Cathy transformed personal tragedy into a mission to inspire change and empower others through the power of choice. This episode delves into themes of empathy, courage, and the impact of our decis...

In this episode of the Growth Blueprint, hosts Tabitha May-Tolub and Master Christopher Rappold welcome Andreea Parc, an author and empowerment counselor, who shares her transformative journey from a high-pressure legal career to becoming a guiding light for early-career attorneys. Andreea opens up about her personal experiences, including the challenges she faced and the frameworks she developed to help others build sustainable an...

Join us as we welcome Kirk George, a martial artist and community leader. Kirk shares his inspiring journey from a successful tech career to full-time martial arts instruction, emphasizing leadership, character development, and community engagement. Discover how Kirk and his wife foster growth and confidence at Personal Best Karate, and learn about the principles that guide their teaching philosophy. This episode is packed with ins...

In this conversation, Adam Westbrook discusses the challenges and importance of engaging across differences in civic education and community building. He emphasizes the need for radical openness in dialogue, understanding diverse perspectives, and the role of citizens in a democracy. Adam shares personal experiences that shaped his views on civic engagement and the necessity of fostering a culture that embraces differences. He high...

In this engaging conversation, Robin Adelson, a health coach and podcaster, discusses the intersection of leadership and character, particularly in the context of women in midlife. The dialogue explores the importance of internal leadership, self-care, and the role of coaching in personal growth. Robin emphasizes the need for acceptance, the power of female friendships, and the balance between structure and spaciousness in fosterin...

In this episode of the Growth Blueprint, hosts Tabitha May Tolub and Christopher Rappold engage with Kinita Schripsema, a global leader in empowerment and coaching. The conversation explores the importance of self-leadership, the role of strengths in personal growth, and the nuances of leadership and character across different cultures. Kinita shares her journey of fostering leadership in women, the challenges of vulnerability, and...

 In this powerful episode, Chris Rappold sits down with his co-host Tabitha May- Tolub, Principal and Founder of TMT Consulting, for an honest conversation about what it truly means to lead with authenticity. Together, they dive into the heart of today's leadership challenges — from navigating ego and embracing conflict, to the transformative impact of creating real belonging. Tabitha shares hard-earned insights and inspiring ...

In this powerful episode, we dive into the heart of what it means to lead with vulnerability, authenticity, and connection. Penny shares a deeply personal story about the transformative power of seeing people as humans first—and how that shift can create lasting change in relationships, teams, and entire organizations. We explore the myth that there's no time for humanity in leadership, debunking the idea that care and connect...

In this inspiring episode of Growth Blueprint, we sit down with DeAndre Brown — a powerful voice for reentry, redemption, and community leadership. DeAndre takes us on his remarkable journey from incarceration to becoming a catalyst for change, sharing how acceptance, grace, and authentic leadership transformed not only his life but the lives of countless others.

Through his work with Lifeline to Success and the Shelby County Office...

In this episode, we dive into the messy, meaningful space where true leadership lives—the gray area. Join us for a candid conversation with Kelly as she reflects on what it really means to lead with compassion without enabling, the importance of boundaries and early intervention, and why being an expert isn’t a prerequisite for great leadership.

We explore the misconceptions of perfection in leadership, the value of trusting yo...

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of equine-facilitated learning with Bridgit Wald, an integral coach, organizational development consultant, and somatic leadership expert. Bridgit shares how working with horses offers profound insights into leadership, integrity, and collaboration, helping individuals develop greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Through real-life examples, she explains how horses r...

 In this episode, we welcome Jon Simons—a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in nonprofit and for-profit organizations—who shares his wisdom on leadership, character development, and fostering authentic growth. As Executive Vice President at DBD Group, Jon oversees product development, training, and strategic direction while mentoring consultants and clients alike. 

We explore the power of earned permission in giving a...

 In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie, founder and CEO of Fair Schools, to discuss her work transforming school environments through research-based instructional practices, social-emotional learning, and family partnerships. With experience as a school leader, instructional coach, and special education teacher in historically marginalized communities, Stephanie shares insights on leadership, influence, and the importance of ...

In this episode, we welcome the incredible Jess Vann, a Chicago-based actor, vocalist, speaker, entrepreneur, and host of Tom Foolery and Shenanigans with Jess Vann. With over 15 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, Jess is known for building community and fostering leadership on and off the stage. As the founder of Creative Spaces Consulting, she leads play-based leadership workshops that empower professionals a...