Lead and Lift

Hosted by Chabidaye Jaglal Ramnath

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157

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May 2026

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About the show

Leadership, Communication, and Confidence are must-have skills in your personal toolbox! Each Tuesday, join Chabidaye Jaglal Ramnath, as she interviews expert guests who are leading in business and life and lifting others along the way! Whether you lead yourself; lead a team or lead your business, this podcast is for you!

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May 22, 202630 min

Riunita Martin: The Leadership Gap: Why Most People Get Promoted But Never Actually Learn How to Lead

Leadership isn’t about your title or your metrics; it’s about the impact you have on people when it matters most. In this episode, you’ll learn why teams can look “high-performing” on paper while silently disengaging, and what it really takes to build trust, loyalty, and lasting culture. In this episode, Chabidaye and Riunita discuss: Hidden disengagement in “high-performing” teams Dangers of hands-off and ego-driven leadership The gap between leadership titles and true responsibility Why is a people strategy essential in change management The LEI (Lead, Engage, Inspire) framework for modern leaders Key Takeaways: A team can hit its targets while still lacking trust, engagement, and real connection with its leader. Leaders who rely on a hands-off, “just get it done” approach eventually burn out their people and damage long-term performance. Treating leadership as a title instead of a responsibility leads to command-and-control behavior instead of development, empathy, and relationship-building. Any operational or strategic change that ignores people strategy and communication will face resistance, disengagement, and brand damage. Effective leadership starts with self-leadership, building your own identity, alignment, and integrity, then engaging others, and ultimately leaving a legacy that continues without you. "Leadership is not about outcomes... it's about impact, it's about how you show up in the moments that matter most, and it's also about how people experience you and what they become because of how you lead." — Riunita Martin About Riunita Martin: Riunita Martin is a Director-level Human Resources Business Partner with over a decade of progressive HR leadership experience and more than 20 years in corporate operations. She is a trusted advisor to senior and executive leaders, known for aligning human capital strategy with enterprise objectives to drive organizational effectiveness, performance, and cultural alignment. Riunita brings deep expertise in workforce planning, organizational design, change leadership, and leadership development within highly regulated, matrixed environments, including manufacturing, financial services, telecommunications, law enforcement, and government contracting. Her approach is grounded in disciplined business acumen and data-driven decision making, enabling leaders to translate strategy into executable people solutions. Throughout her career, Riunita has led initiatives supporting significant business growth, branding strategies, and guided executives through complex organizational change. She partners closely with leaders to deliver integrated, risk-aware HR solutions while championing a high-performance, inclusive employee experience. Riunita holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), a Certified Change Management Professional, holds a certificate in The Psychology of Leadership from eCornell, and is currently a candidate for Maxwell Leadership Certification. Connect with Riunita Martin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riunita-martin/ CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chabidaye/Website: https://leadandlift.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

May 12, 202642 min

Marielle Melling: How to Stay Close When Emotions Run High

When tension rises at home or work, most of us either explode or shut down. In this episode, you’ll learn how to turn those hard moments into powerful opportunities for connection using a practical, grace-filled approach to conflict and emotion. In this episode, Chabidaye and Marielle Melling discuss: Pivotal parenting moment that reshaped conflict Self-compassion and “continuing education” in parenting Turning conflict into connection Partnering with emotions and processing anger The High Five framework for handling conflict Key Takeaways: You don’t need to have it all figured out; treating parenting and relationships as “continuing education” creates space for growth instead of shame. Conflict can become a powerful opportunity for deeper bonding when you see yourself on the same team as the other person instead of trying to fix or fight them. Suppressing emotions doesn’t make them disappear; they tend to grow louder or explode later, so learning to listen to and process them is crucial. Simply naming what you’re feeling and using deep, intentional breathing can calm your nervous system and bring your thinking brain back online during conflict. Choosing grace, self-compassion, and curiosity, especially when others disagree or behave poorly, helps transform ordinary relationships into extraordinary ones. "Every emotion is good because it's a message, and the point of it is to receive that message." — Marielle Melling About Marielle Melling: During a crazy season of life, Marielle Melling found peace by radically prioritizing deep relationships. Now she helps parents get on the same page as their kids, so they exchange closed doors and battles for closeness and cooperation, and everyone wins. Marielle uses her degree in health education, genuine care, and relatable teaching style to transform family relationships from ordinary to extraordinary. She’s the founder of Extraordinary Family Relationships and the Mom Spot Membership and the author of Peace amidst the Mayhem and The BUT Book. As a mom of five and her own best guinea pig, Marielle is committed to lifelong learning and doing life on purpose. The Ultimate Guide to Connection: https://yourefr.com/ultimateguide/ Connect with Marielle Melling: Website: https://yourefr.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacefulhome.info Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peacefulhome.info CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chabidaye/Website: https://leadandlift.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

May 5, 202643 min

Renae Fieck: What If Your Cycle Is The Reason Your Income Isn’t Growing?

Discover why grinding harder is sabotaging your body, your business, and your confidence, and how syncing your work with your hormonal and seasonal rhythms can unlock easier productivity, more income, and a life you actually enjoy. In this episode, Chabidaye and Renae discuss: Burnout, hustle culture, and the wake-up call Differences between male and female hormones and productivity Menstrual cycle phases and business planning Seasons, natural rhythms, and redefining productivity Pleasure, play, and nervous system care as a business strategy Key Takeaways: Chasing future success while sacrificing the present often backfires; aligning daily life with what truly matters now can be a powerful catalyst for change. Many popular productivity systems are built around male hormonal rhythms, which makes women feel like they’re failing when their monthly energy and focus naturally fluctuate. Understanding and tracking the menstrual cycle allows women to match high-visibility tasks with high-energy phases and build in intentional rest without guilt. Rest is not laziness but an essential part of a powerful “slingshot” effect, pulling back to regenerate so you can accelerate farther and faster with less effort. Infusing pleasure, play, and enjoyment into everyday life, work, and even mundane tasks not only supports the nervous system but also leads to more sustainable, magnetic success. "The learning journey is the goal." — Renae Fieck The Self-Made Mom Digital Masterclass: https://www.theselfmademom.com/masterclass If you’re a working mother carrying the mental load, the emotional load, and everyone else’s needs but your own, Julia Sewell has created something powerful for you. Her brand-new Digital Masterclass takes the twelve core chapters of The Self-Made Mom and turns them into heartfelt, candid lessons filled with practical tools to help you recapture your power, intention, and joy. Each module is short, real, and designed for the actual pace of a mother’s life. If you’re ready to feel like yourself again, visit Julia’s Digital Masterclass and step into the support you deserve. About Renae Fieck: Renae Fieck is a mom of 3 and a feminine leadership coach, cycle-syncing expert, and business strategist helping high-achieving women scale their businesses without burnout or overworking. After her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor, seizures, and 3 kids under 6, she decided to build a business that allowed her to live the life of her dreams NOW, not one day in the future. To then complete burnout from the hustle. With a background in occupational therapy, somatic healing, and breathwork, she now blends science-backed productivity, feminine wealth energetics, and cyclical business strategy to help women build the life of their dreams without having to hustle so hard to make it happen. As the founder of Your Cycle Advantage and The Flow Collective and the author of Cycle Sync Your Business, Renae teaches women how to align their business with their body’s natural rhythms, so they can work less, make more, and lead with confidence. Whether speaking on cycle-synced business, wealth energetics, or feminine leadership, Renae’s mission is clear: help women find the permission to build the life and business of their dreams in a way that works for THEM. Connect with Renae Fieck: Website: https://renaefieck.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renaefieck/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/risingmoms YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RenaeFieck Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renaefieck CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chabidaye/Website: https://leadandlift.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

April 28, 202636 min

Kristen David: Stop Being the Bottleneck in Your Business

What if the very thing keeping your business from growing is you being in it every day? Learn how to stop being the bottleneck, start thinking like a true CEO, and use systems, AI, and smart hiring to build a business that thrives beyond you. About Kristen David: Kristen David, a former trial lawyer who built and sold a million-dollar-plus firm that ran without her, now helps owners of professional service businesses implement the CEO Operating System. She transforms companies into self-managing, hyper-efficient organizations by training teams to leverage AI and strategic decision-making frameworks. This allows owners to finally step out of the day-to-day and lead a thriving, profitable business. Kristen’s #1 bestselling book, Uplevel Your Business, Uplevel Your Life, was named in Forbes as one of the Top 21 Business Books of 2021. Kristen’s no-nonsense approach and results-oriented methodology have allowed her to help more than 1,500 business owners better manage their businesses. She also walks the walk and practices what she preaches. In her first year in her new business, she went from $0 to $10k in month 1 to $100k in month 12 while growing an incredible team. She runs her virtual business from around the world, living 1/3 in Seattle, WA, 1/3 in Paris, France, and 1/3 traveling all thanks to the help of SYSTEMS! In this episode, Chabidaye and Kristen David discuss: Cost of founders being the bottleneck Documenting and building systems in real time Using AI for admin, marketing, and client delivery Prioritizing CEO responsibilities: sales, marketing, cash flow Hiring, team fit, and the CEO self-assessment Key Takeaways: A business becomes scalable when its knowledge, decisions, and workflows are captured in systems instead of living solely in the founder’s head. You don’t need days of free time to document processes; you can “build the bike as you’re riding it” by capturing what you’re doing in real time. AI can quickly claw back hours a day by triaging email, sharpening marketing messages, and creating reassuring, automated onboarding experiences for clients. A CEO’s top priorities are sales, marketing, and reliable payment. Everything else (including much of service delivery and admin) should be delegated or automated as soon as possible. Hiring people who are aligned with your mission and hungry to learn will transform your business far more than simply filling seats with people who just want a job. "The first thing you want to do is [ask yourself]: 'How could we either automate or get someone else trained up to do like 80% of the delivery?’" — Kristen David Connect with Kristen David: Website: www.uplevelingyourbusiness.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheKristenDavid Facebook - Personal Page: https://www.facebook.com/The.Kristen.David Facebook - Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/UplevelingYourBusiness Instagram - Personal Page: https://www.instagram.com/thekristendavid/ Instagram - Business Page: https://www.instagram.com/uplevelingyourbusiness LinkedIn - Personal Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristendavid CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chabidaye/Website: https://leadandlift.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

April 21, 202628 min

How to Keep Moving When Everything Falls Apart: A Founder's Guide to Maintaining Momentum Through Chaos

You start strong, and then life happens. A crisis, a curveball, an overwhelming week that blows up everything you planned. Learn how to keep your momentum alive even when the unexpected hits. In this episode, Chabidaye discusses: Difference between schedule and structure Identifying non-negotiables and a minimum viable week Naming chaos to prevent identity spirals Designing a re-entry protocol after disruption Protecting and managing energy as a business asset Key Takeaways: Momentum is built on structure and rhythm, not on a perfectly executed schedule, so chaos can disrupt your calendar without destroying your progress. Small, imperfect actions taken during hard weeks compound over time, while doing nothing guarantees you lose ground. When you name what’s happening and give it clear boundaries, chaos becomes a temporary event instead of a permanent judgment about who you are. Instead of repeatedly starting over from zero, a simple re-entry protocol lets you intentionally pick up where you left off after a disruption. Treating your energy like an emergency fund, protected and replenished in good times, gives you the capacity to navigate inevitable chaotic seasons. "Energy is not the reward at the end of the productivity race. Energy is the entry fee." — Chabidaye Jaglal RamnathFree tool: Founder's Weekly Focus Map: One page under ten minutes, and it gives you the clarity and structure to keep moving forward, even in the weeks when everything around you is pulling you off course. Download your free copy right now at leadandlift.com/focus CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chabidaye/Website: https://leadandlift.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

April 14, 202627 min

How to Take Back Your Week When Everything Feels Urgent

Your week gets hijacked by everyone else's priorities. Learn how to reclaim control and focus on what actually drives growth. Feeling like your week is constantly hijacked by other people’s demands, dings, and “quick questions”? This episode breaks down the neuroscience behind distraction and urgency and gives you a simple, actionable system to take your week (and your business) back. In this episode, Chabidaye discusses: Priority hijack vs. time management Urgency addiction and attentional bias Boundaries, interruptions, and cognitive switching cost Weekly architecture, decision fatigue, and Sunday planning Saying “not yet,” present bias, and the weekly close ritual Key Takeaways: Feeling out of control is often a sign that your week is being run by other people’s agendas, not that you’re not working hard enough. Your brain is wired to treat anything urgent and noisy as important, so you must consciously define one non‑negotiable task each day and do it before the “car alarms” start. Constant interruptions carry a heavy cognitive switching cost, silently killing hours of deep, revenue‑generating work unless you intentionally build and enforce boundaries. Without a clear weekly architecture and pre-decided blocks for key activities, you spend your days in reactive mode and burn precious energy on endless micro-decisions. A simple weekly close, such as reviewing what moved you forward, what got in the way, and your top three priorities for next week, turns chaotic, repeating weeks into a compounding engine of clarity and progress. "At the start of every single day before you open your email or your phone, write down your one non-negotiable task for that day and do that first before any of those car alarms go off." — Chabidaye Jaglal Ramnath Free Focus Tool: Download The Founder's Weekly Focus Map. One page. Ten minutes. And it will give you more clarity than a two-hour planning session ever could. You can grab your free copy at leadandlift.com/focus CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chabidaye/Website: https://leadandlift.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

April 7, 202633 min

The Gap Between Knowing and Doing: The Neuroscience Behind Founder Paralysis (And How to Fix It)

You already know what to do, so why aren’t you doing it? Here’s how working with your brain instead of against it can help you follow through.In this episode, Chabidaye discusses: Understanding the knowing-doing gap Acting before feeling ready Reducing mental overload from open loops Focusing on real progress over busywork Key Takeaways: The struggle to take action is not about laziness or lack of discipline. It is rooted in how your brain is wired to respond to uncertainty and pressure. When you understand this, you can stop blaming yourself and start working with your brain. That feeling of “I’m not ready” is often just your brain reacting to perceived risk. It treats visibility and uncertainty like real threats, even when they are not. Learning to move forward despite that feeling is key to making progress. Unfinished tasks quietly drain your focus and energy in the background. Writing everything down helps your brain release that tension and regain clarity. This creates space to focus on what actually matters. Not all tasks move you forward, even if they feel productive. It is easy to get stuck doing low-impact work that gives quick wins but no real results. Shifting toward actions that create real outcomes is what drives growth. "You don’t need to do more. You need to do what matters." — Chabidaye Jaglal Ramnath You know what matters, but you still don't do it. Discover why this gap exists and how to close it without overwhelm. Free Focus Tool: Download The Founder's Weekly Focus Map and get the clarity, the structure, and the specific instructions your prefrontal cortex needs to actually execute in under 10 minutes. You can grab your free copy at leadandlift.com/focus CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chabidaye/Website: https://leadandlift.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

March 31, 202620 min

Founder Fatigue: Why Your Week Starts Exhausted and How to Stop It

Feeling exhausted before your week even starts? In Founder Fatigue: Why Your Week Starts Exhausted and How to Stop It, discover why founders burn out, how decision overload and reaction mode drain your energy, and actionable strategies to regain focus, energy, and traction. What if you could get more done without running on empty? Master your energy, not just your time, and watch your week shift. In this episode, Chabidaye discusses: Resetting the week Reducing decision fatigue Starting the day proactively Focusing on energizing work Key Takeaways: Unfinished tasks and mental clutter from Friday roll straight into Monday. A simple Friday reset means listing what’s left, deciding what to schedule or delegate, and picking your top three priorities, giving your mind a clean slate. Every small choice, from emails to scrolling, eats away at your focus. Planning your week, time-blocking priority work, and standardizing recurring tasks frees your energy for what matters most. Jumping straight into notifications puts you on defense. Protect the first hour for planning and tackling one high-impact task. This helps you start the day with control and momentum. Some tasks drain you while others lift you up. Identify what energizes you and reshape your schedule to spend more time on the work that matters. This keeps your energy high and your week moving forward. "Don't carry chaos forward. That just adds to unnecessary stress." — Chabidaye Jaglal Ramnath CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chabidaye/Website: https://leadandlift.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

March 27, 202618 min

Why Busy Founders Don’t Get Results (And How to Fix It)

Are you busy all day but still feel stuck? Learn why effort without focus is limiting your traction, and what to do instead.In this episode, Chabidaye discuss: Distinguishing busy work from high-impact productivity Shifting from reactive firefighting to deliberate execution Clarifying top priorities to focus growth efforts Establishing systems and a weekly rhythm for consistent progress Key Takeaways: Focus on 1 to 3 high-impact tasks daily to create momentum rather than checking minor items. Sharp prioritization drives measurable progress. Protect dedicated power blocks (60–120 minutes) for uninterrupted execution. Concentrated focus yields deeper work and results. Define weekly top priorities tied to growth, product, or efficiency to avoid scattered effort. Alignment keeps activities revenue-oriented. Build a repeatable weekly rhythm and review cadence so consistency beats motivation. Routine + measurement enables continuous improvement. "You don't get results by reacting. You get results by executing." — Chabidaye Jaglal Ramnath CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chabidaye/ Website: https://leadandlift.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/ Show notes by Podcastologist: Arlou Argoncillo Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chabidaye/Website: https://leadandlift.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

December 30, 202543 min

Bria Gadd - What Every Woman Needs to Know About Midlife

You don’t have to push harder to get through midlife. Learning to restore energy, reduce stress, and work with your body can help you feel strong, clear, and resilient again. About Bria Gadd: Bria Gadd is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner, holistic health coach, and certified personal trainer who specializes in female hormones, helping women with weight release and energy gain in pre- and post menopause, and finding clarity in hormonal chaos. Her podcast, The Period Whisperer, is a top 1% wellness podcast in the world with an Instagram following of over 17,000. Bria has been featured in Fox News, Women's Health, and top women's podcasts, such as The MidLife Makeover Show, to name a few. In this episode, Chabidaye and Bria Gadd discuss:Understanding the real difference between perimenopause and menopauseRecognizing health debt as the root issueAvoiding strategies that increase stress and backfireRebuilding health through foundational habits and informed testing Key Takeaways:Menopause is a single milestone reached one year after the final menstrual cycle. Perimenopause is the long transition leading up to that point, often beginning in the mid-30s. Most symptoms attributed to menopause are actually signs of perimenopause and hormonal transition.Health debt occurs when the body’s energy demands exceed its available energy supply. Sleep, nutrition, joy, and purpose determine whether the body thrives or enters survival mode. Many midlife symptoms stem from accumulated health debt rather than hormones alone.Eating less and exercising harder can worsen symptoms when the body is already depleted. Excess stress elevates cortisol and deepens survival responses like weight retention and fatigue. Recovery begins by restoring energy availability, not increasing pressure on the system.Consistent sleep, gentle movement, balanced meals, and stress discharge restore energy balance. When basics are solid, functional testing can reveal deeper root causes beyond standard labs. Perimenopause is a signal to lead the body with intention and build resilience for the decades ahead. "Care about your body, become that CEO, and be more in your life, and not just less on the scale." — Bria Gadd Connect with Bria Gadd: Website: https://www.briatheperiodwhisperer.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bria_period_whisperer/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriaThePeriodWhisperer/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briagaddYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bria_period_whispererPodcast: https://www.briatheperiodwhisperer.com/the-period-whisperer-podcast CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chabidaye/Website: https://leadandlift.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/  Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 