What if the greatest threat to your vision isn’t the world outside but the stories you’ve been programmed to believe? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Lydia Knight, a former cult survivor turned paradigm-shifting author, speaker, and executive coach. Lydia shares how she rewrote her own life story literally and neurologically by using neuroscience-based tools she calls the “Five Cs.” Her journey from trauma and indoctrination to leadership and liberation is nothing short of extraordinary. Lydia’s unique insights into how fear holds us back and how to deprogram perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and people-pleasing are a must-hear for anyone who feels called to create change in the world. Whether you’re launching a movement, starting a business, or just learning how to lead yourself first, Lydia offers a roadmap to your most powerful self.

What You Will Learn:

The importance of leading yourself first before attempting to lead others.

Why fear keeps us self-focused and how to rewire the brain for courage.

How internal “chatter” can sabotage growth and what to do about it.

How to access the visionary part of the brain using practical language-based hacks.

The truth about perfectionism and how it delays action.

A new understanding of story as a neurological tool for creating your future.

The difference between goal setting and being pulled by a vision.

How to identify and take your next five-minute action step toward your vision.

The origin and evolution of The SHE Center and how it serves women leaders today.

The neuroscience framework behind the “Five Cs” for transformation.

Why celebration is a powerful neurotool for motivation and change.

A powerful example of how small consistent action outpaces perfection.

How to spot and interrupt limiting beliefs rooted in fear-based programming.

Resource:

Lydia Knight The She Center

The She Center Podcast

Leading Visionaries Podcast

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Creative Age Consulting Group

What if every complaint in your company was actually a doorway to possibility? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with leadership strategist and founder of Elevated Talent Consulting, Traci Austin, to explore how HR can become a powerful tool for vision, alignment, and transformation. Traci shares her evolution from nonprofit HR leader to founder of a firm that partners with small and mid-sized trade businesses to redefine leadership, build future-ready teams, and develop people-first cultures that retain top talent.

Whether you're growing past the $3M or $10M mark in your business, or you're a mission-driven founder navigating growth with intention, Traci’s wisdom will help you reframe what’s possible. She dives deep into how to turn frustration into innovation, and how visionary leadership is as much about curiosity and enrollment as it is about structure and systems.

What You Will Learn:

How to transform common workplace complaints into clear, empowering requests.

The difference between urgent culture and visionary leadership.

The key indicators that your company needs leadership support or HR realignment.

Why HR doesn’t have to be the “organizational cop,” and what it looks like to lead from partnership.

How to move from compliance-heavy HR into people strategy and growth planning.

The impact of multi-generational dynamics in trade businesses and how to evolve them.

Why outlining talent pathway plans helps employees feel invested and aligned with company goals.

What business owners can learn from the trades about practical leadership development.

Resource:

Traci Austin Elevated Talent Consulting

The People Strategy Podcast

Leading Visionaries Podcast

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Creative Age Consulting Group