What if the best leaders aren’t the ones who always have the answers, but the ones who know how to ask the right questions?

Learn from the incredible Angela Pappas in this unforgettable episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast! This conversation will leave you rethinking everything you know about career growth, team building, and what real leadership looks like today.

Angela’s journey is anything but ordinary. From leading software developers in cold data centers to building high-performing teams at Tesla and Palo Alto Networks, she’s seen firsthand how empathy, emotional intelligence (EQ), and vulnerability aren’t just “soft skills.” They’re the foundation of servant leadership, high-performing teams, and long-term success.

Angela believes trust-based relationships empower people to embrace autonomy, find inspiration, and hold themselves accountable to deliver results. From diversity and inclusion to onboarding, leadership development, and performance management, Angela works to engage employees and leaders in learning, growing, and accelerating individual, team, and organizational performance.

Angela has led technical training, cybersecurity training, and professional development teams at Thomson Reuters, Tesla, and Palo Alto Networks. She’s thrilled about her current role at Lumen Technologies, using her learning and organization development skills to support the company’s transformation to a next-generation tech company, redefining what’s possible beyond telecom.

Angela lives in Minnesota with her husband, daughter, and the dog that rules their home. She enjoys being in nature and speaks gratitude fluently.

Introductions aside, this episode is packed with authentic stories, leadership strategies that actually work, and candid moments that will make you rethink your role as a leader. You’ll hear how Angela helped launch talent initiatives in some of the world’s top tech companies, turned setbacks into leadership superpowers, and why creating positive Ripples in your organization matters more than ever.

Sometimes, all you need to do is admit that you can’t possibly know everything, listen with curiosity, and use what you’ve learned to face challenges with a brave face.

Make sure to listen until the end!

Connect with Angela Pappas: linkedin.com/in/angelapappas-learndevelop

Ripple with Steve Harper

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#therippleeffect #leadership #organizationaldevelopment #talentdevelopment #companyculture #careergrowth #careeradvancement #learningjourney #learningvideos

Get ready for an inspiring conversation with Blair Channing Rae. She is a Navy veteran, social worker, writer, and social media influencer who is seriously lighting up the world one Ripple at a time. Today, we dive into Blair’s incredible journey from serving in the military to becoming a powerful voice for mental health awareness. She shares her experiences living with bipolar disorder, opening up about how vulnerability and honesty have fueled her mission to connect, inspire, and empower others.

Blair’s story is a beautiful example of how authentic connections can happen across social media platforms like Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, and beyond. From her first posts that caught my eye to the incredible spark of friendship that grew across the miles, Blair has shown what The Ripple Effect really means. It is through creating positivity, building real community, and showing up with light even on the hardest days. She has been a lifestyle influencer since 2023, and her content focuses on mental health, identity, pop culture, and relationships. She is also currently working on a book of essays entitled Being Social: The Psychology of Social Media.

If you’ve ever wondered how a mental health advocate and a social media influencer could roll all that into one unstoppable force, Blair Channing Rae is your answer. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this conversation about resilience, friendship, purpose, and the power of a single Ripple to change lives.

Listen until the end and Ripple On!!!

Ripple with Blair Channing Rae: @iwritergirl

Ripple with Steve Harper

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To inquire about Steve's availability for conference keynotes, corporate training, or performance coaching, please contact info@ripplecentral.com.

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Ready to level up your brand and tap into the future of marketing?

Natalie Micale is a dynamic founder who goes all in—whether leading her company, mentoring entrepreneurs, or redefining what it means to build a personal brand in the digital age.

A proud Latina entrepreneur, Natalie started her career as a TV anchor and reporter in the Midwest, where she honed her ability to craft compelling narratives that captivate audiences. Her transition from television to the agency world was a strategic one. While serving as Head of Business Development at Evol Empire Creative, she gained a deep understanding of the ROI companies demand from their branding and marketing efforts.

That experience laid the foundation for Oh Hello Agency, a creative powerhouse she built from the ground up. What started as a brand innovation lab quickly became a full-scale creative firm, crafting high-impact brand strategies for clients across industries. Known for her bold, cutthroat approach to brand growth and her unwavering commitment to authenticity, Natalie has helped countless businesses and entrepreneurs elevate their influence through a multimedia-first approach.

In 2025, Oh Hello Agency was acquired by The Big Smoke Media Group, an Australian agency, solidifying Natalie’s reputation as a visionary in the branding and media landscape.

Natalie discussed what’s next for creative agencies, the rise of human-centric branding, and how AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini transform content creation and marketing strategy. Whether you’re working in a creative agency or just AI-curious, listen up! She also shares real talk on imposter syndrome, entrepreneurial mindset, and how content creation (3–4 posts a week) builds trust and visibility.

If you’re all about future-forward branding, this is a must-watch for crushing the marketing trends of 2025 and beyond. Hit play and get inspired!

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Follow Natalie on Instagram: @nataliemicale

Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliemicale/

Visit Oh Hello's website: https://oh-hello.co

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Ripple with me!

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