February 18, 2025

Dr. Clarence Shuler: Threats to Successful Executive Marriage (Episode # 265F)

Dr. Clarence Shuler is the President of Building Lasting Relationships. He and his wife Brenda are the winners of the 2019 Family Life Speaker of the Year Award. Dr. Shuler, a marriage expert for Oprah’s 2020 Love Goals Reality show; speaker with New York Times Best Selling author, Dr. Gary Chapman for The Five Love Languages and Date Night Events; and author of more than ten books, shows how to affair proof your marriage. His book, “Keeping Your Wife Your Best Friend” is a favorite.  In this episode Dr. Karen speaks with Dr. Shuler about how to win at home and in marriage as a busy executive.

Contact Dr. Shuler at ClarenceShuler.com


February 11, 2025

Rafael and Nikita Ortiz: How Listening to My Wife Saved My Life (Episode # 379F)

When Rafael Ortiz—father, veteran, professional, and husband—began working at the Pentagon, he believed it was the opportunity of a lifetime. That’s why he was shocked when Nikita Ortiz—mother, veteran, professional, and wife to Rafael—flat out refused to join him. Ultimatums were not their style. They were a team in everything, so why was she making this call? Little did they know, her call would end up saving his life.

Today, Rafael and Nikita Ortiz join Dr. Karen to tell their story of a lifetime. They will unpack their secrets to a life and marriage steeped in authenticity, compassion, faith, and love.

Email: nikitaortiz21@gmail.com; rafprortiz@gmail.com; rafael.ortiz@blackmenrun.com

February 4, 2025

The Black Church Past and Present: Pastors Ben and Wanda Anderson (Episode # 328F)

The Black Church has a history of being a place of emotional refuge, leadership training, physical sustenance, the heartbeat of the civil rights movement, and a safe place to worship God with dignity. What relevance does the Black Church have today and into the future? Dr. Karen reviews the history of the official start of the Black Church in America.

She and her guests, Pastor Ben Anderson, Senior Pastor of Solid Rock Christian Center in Colorado Springs and his wife, Pastor Wanda Anderson also add their insights. This segment is Part I of a conversation with the Andersons. In Part II they will share more about the groundbreaking and innovative approaches to ministry they have started at Solid Rock Christian Center.

Reach the Andersons at solidrock-cs.org; Pastor@solidrock-cs.org

Pastor Ben Anderson Solid Rock Christian Pastor Wanda Anderson Solid Rock Christian

January 28, 2025

NASCAR and Other High Speed Brands: Interview with Mike Mooney (Episode # 334F)

FAB 500 Series

Mike Mooney was part of the executive ecosystem behind NASCAR. As an award winning executive, he built and protected the global reputations of such brands as Mercedes-Benz, 3M, NASCAR, Sunoco, Tylenol, and Walmart. Author of the breakthrough book, “Reputation Shift- Lessons from Pit Road to the Boardroom,” Mike speaks with Dr. Karen about the leadership lessons he learned from decades of working with championship NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula 1, and Roush Fenway drivers and teams.

Contact Mike at www.MikeMooney.com; Mike@mikemooney.com

Mike Mooney

January 21, 2025

Shundrawn Thomas: Top Executive, Wall Street Insider, and Man of Faith (Episode # 363F)

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Black Enterprise Magazine identified Shundrawn Thomas as one of the 75 most powerful Blacks on Wall St. and one of the most powerful executives in corporate America. Most recently President and Chief Executive of Northern Trust Asset Management and Management Group member, he also held key roles at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

Known industry wide as an innovator in investment management and a champion of socially responsible investing, Shundrawn is also the author of four books, including Discover Joy in Work: Transforming Your Occupation into Your Vocation.

Today he speaks with Dr. Karen about his unique brand of leadership, how he successfully navigated corporate America as a Black man in top financial services companies, and his new business venture.

Since the time of this original broadcast, Shundrawn Thomas has become Founder and Managing Partner of Copia Group, LLC, a company that provides capital solutions for lower middle market companies.

Reach Shundrawn Thomas at https://Copiagroupllc.com

January 14, 2025

Why Do People Follow Dictators: A Conversation with Jeff Rasley (Episode # 449F)

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Why do people follow dictators? What are the implications for business leaders? Guest Jeff Rasley, the author of fourteen books including “The 72 Wisdoms,” shares his insights and perspectives on how to use wisdom to interrupt the patterns of fascist leaders. Jeff is the President of Basa Village Foundation, Secretary of Scientech Foundation, board member of the Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center, Co-Founder of the Jeff and Alicia Rasley Internship program for the ACLU of Indiana, and a graduate of the Indiana University School of Law and the Christian Theological Seminary. Dr. Karen speaks with Jeff Rasley about the importance of critical thinking and love in preventing and overcoming fascism.

Reach Jeff Rasley and get his book, “72 Wisdoms” at www.jeffreyrasley.com

January 7, 2025

Brian Smith, Founder of UGG Boots: The Journey from Vision and Infancy to Billions (Episode # 438F)

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Brian Smith, The Founder of UGG Boots has charted his own course to become one of the great entrepreneurial success stories of our time. As a native Australian, his vision in 1978 was to put a pair of UGG sheepskin boots on every American. In each of the past five years, sales of UGG products have exceeded a billion dollars.

Brian calls his book, “The Birth of a Brand,” an entrepreneurial road map. Today, on The Voice of Leadership, Brian speaks with Dr. Karen about growing his company from vision to infancy, the toddler years, and beyond. In this insightful interview Brian shares important lessons on sales and marketing, raising capital, financial forecasting, manufacturing, competition, and how to ride the entrepreneurial waves to a billion dollar company. No matter where you are in your executive leadership journey, these insights are for you.

Book Brian Smith for Keynote speaking at BrianSmithSpeaker.com; Brian@BrianSmithSpeaker.com

Get his book, “The Birth of a Brand” at all major outlets

December 31, 2024

God Said, “Play for Me”: Conversation with Kirby Velarde, Lead Guitarist (Episode # 423R)

When Kirby Velarde started “Playing for God,” it catalyzed a process that included playing gospel music for Heritage Christian Center in Denver, Colorado, a congregation that has had up to 10,000 members, and playing for legendary gospel music great Kurt Carr.

Accomplished musician Kirby Velarde was born into a musical family. He elevated his artistic pedigree to new heights when he followed God’s call on his life. On today’s episode of The Voice of Leadership, Kirby plays his music and tells Dr. Karen about the expansion of his musical journey to include gospel music.

Kirby describes how he connects to God through music, and how corporate executives can also access God’s favor, embrace their unique talent, and leverage inspiration and preparation to serve at the highest levels.

Reach Kirby Velarde at kirby.velarde@yahoo.com

December 24, 2024

Happy Chanukah with Chad and Cantor/Spiritual Leader Laurel Barr (Episode # 210R)

The miracle of Chanukah, The Festival of Lights, lighting the darkness, and bringing hope to a hurting world is what guests Chad and Cantor/Spiritual Leader Laurel Barr share on today’s podcast episode. Listen as Dr. Karen explores both the historical and current day significance and celebration of Chanukah.

Also hear Chad and Laurel’s personal love story and their beautiful musical interlude on today’s show.

Since the time of original broadcast of this show in 2020, Laurel Barr now serves as Spiritual Leader to Temple B’nai Abraham in Elyria, Ohio.

Reach Cantor/Spiritual Leader Laurel Barr at LaurelBarr.com

Reach Digital Empire Creator Chad Barr at TheChadBarrGroup.com

December 17, 2024

Interview with Daphne Maxwell Reid from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air TV Show (Episode # 202 R)

Actor Daphne Maxwell Reid is best known for her role as Aunt Vivian on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air TV show starring Will Smith. Some of her other credits include starring roles on WKRP in Cincinnati, Hill Street Blues, Simon and Simon, and Frank’s Place, opposite her husband Tim Reid. Dr. Karen talks to Daphne about her experiences as a model, beauty queen, photographic artist, clothing designer, author, entrepreneur, and actor. Join Dr. Karen as she explores the beautiful tapestry of Daphne’s life experiences and extracts relevant business lessons for executive leaders.

Look for The Fresh Prince of Bel Air Reunion Show on HBO Max and The Business of Christmas on BET Plus

To learn more about Daphne Maxwell Reid’s Artistic offerings, go to DaphneMaxwellReid.com