Unconventional Leaders

Hosted by Heather Parady

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Episodes

171

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

If you feel like the misfit, the one who thinks differently, or the one who never quite fit the mold, this show is here to help you take the parts of your story you once felt unsure about and turn them into your greatest advantage.

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60 recent

June 10, 20261 hr 2 min

Fantasy Self VS. Future Self | Ana Urban | ADHD + Mindset Coach

Ana Urban is an ADHD coach, educator, and creator who helps people better understand their minds and build lives that work with their brains instead of against them. After being diagnosed with ADHD at nineteen, Ana spent years navigating procrastination, perfectionism, shame, and self-worth struggles before discovering a more sustainable approach to growth and personal transformation.In this conversation, we explore one of the most thought-provoking ideas I've heard in a long time: the difference between your fantasy self and your future self. We talk about why so many people get trapped chasing an imaginary version of themselves, how perfectionism disguises itself as self-improvement, and why lasting change comes not from fixing yourself, but from learning to trust the person you're becoming.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:The difference between your fantasy self and your future selfHow perfectionism and self-criticism keep us stuckWhy small identity shifts create lasting transformationCONNECT WITH ANA URBAN:Website: https://www.anaurban.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhd.untamed/ Untamed: https://www.anaurban.com/untamedCONNECT WITH HEATHER:Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/170

June 3, 20261 hr 0 min

God, Sex, and Rich People (& the Courage to Tell Your Story) | Mattie Jo Cowsert

Mattie Jo Cowsert is a New York-based actor, author, and storyteller whose work explores the stories we inherit (and what happens when they no longer fit). Raised in a conservative evangelical home near Branson, Missouri, where her father was a pastor, Mattie Jo spent years untangling the narratives she was handed about faith, sexuality, identity, relationships, and what it means to live a meaningful life.In this conversation, we explore her memoir, God, Sex, and Rich People, but what fascinated me most wasn't simply her story of leaving evangelical purity culture. It was the way she used storytelling to make sense of it. We talk about the courage it takes to question inherited beliefs, why our most personal stories often resonate the deepest, and how examining our own narratives can become a catalyst for growth, healing, and impact.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:How inherited narratives shape our identity, beliefs, and life choicesThe role of storytelling in healing, self-discovery, and personal transformationWhat it takes to rewrite a narrative that no longer serves youCONNECT WITH MATTIE JO COWSERT:Buy the Book: https://www.mattiejocowsert.com/bookInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattiejocowsert/ CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/169

May 19, 202652 min

The Story of God in the Garden | Ciarra Jones (The Garden Theologian)

Ciarra Jones, known online as The Gardening Theologian, blends theology, ecology, and storytelling to help people untangle inherited beliefs and cultivate a more liberated, life-giving spirituality. Drawing from her experiences in Pentecostal Christianity, academia, queerness, and gardening, Ciarra explores how systems of power shape the way we understand God, identity, belonging, and collective care. Through the wisdom of plants and natural systems, she invites people to imagine faith beyond rigidity, certainty, and perfectionism.In this episode, Ciarra shares how gardening became a pathway toward a gentler understanding of God, why ecosystems reveal the limits of individualism, and how uncertainty can become a form of liberation rather than fear. She unpacks the tension between conviction and mystery, the loneliness of leaving harmful systems, and the possibility of rebuilding community, identity, and faith from the ground up.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:Why ecosystems challenge individualism and “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” cultureWhat plants teach us about suffering, flourishing, death, and transformationWhy certainty can become a form of control—and how mystery creates space for growthHow the earth, plants, and the garden challenge ideas of hierarchy and white supremacy RESOURCES MENTIONED:Lessons from Plants by Beronda L. Montgomery: https://amzn.to/3P87SSVStand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God Kelly Brown Douglas https://amzn.to/4tK4rjtThe Four Vision Quests of Jesus Steven Charleston https://amzn.to/4nvQi7QAztlán and Arcadia: Religion, Ethnicity, and the Creation of Place https://amzn.to/3PsCQ87Matters of the Heart by Thema Bryant Ph.D. https://amzn.to/4drJdk8Homecoming by Thema Bryant Ph.D. https://amzn.to/4dRd7QcCONNECT WITH CIARRA JONES:Website: https://ciarrajonesconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegardeningtheologian Substack: https://sacreddissent.substack.com/ The Community Garden Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NJ90Dwrlky75Olr7dvROG?si=cd32effe3534483b CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/168

May 12, 202653 min

Rituals For Heretics | Jeremy Steele

Jeremy Steele creates space for folks recovering from religious trauma to rediscover ritual, spirituality, and connection on their own terms. An ordained pastor and creator of the “Not Church” community, Jeremy works with skeptics and spiritual outsiders searching for connection without rigid dogma or fear-based theology.In this episode, Jeremy and Heather explore the psychology behind ritual, the mental health benefits of sacred practices, and why reclaiming labels like “heretic” can become part of the healing process.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:Why rituals still matter even outside organized religionThe psychological benefits of sacred practices and meditationReclaiming the “heretic” identity after religious traumaCONNECT WITH JEREMY STEELE:Website: https://jeremy-steele.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skeptic.pastor/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skeptic.pastor Buy ‘Rituals for Heretics’: https://a.co/d/0c4YsDd7 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/167

May 5, 20261 hr 0 min

Your Hero’s Journey | Awaken Your Myth with Erik Ireland

Erik Ireland is known online as “your queer mountain grandpa,” where he shares stories and mindfulness practices for folks who want a little more peace and purpose.I got to sit down with him to talk about his new book, Awaken Your Myth, where he moves beneath surface-level self-improvement into identity, shadow, and the deeper forces shaping what we create.In this conversation, you’ll hear about his journey as a content creator sharing his voice publicly, the inner work he has done to really own his story, and why self-compassion is the secret weapon for doing anything brave.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:How shadow work reveals both your wounds and your giftsNavigating criticism while sharing your story publiclySelf-compassion as a creative and leadership practiceCONNECT WITH ERIK IRELAND:Buy Awaken Your Myth: https://awakenyourmyth.com/book/Follow Erik: https://www.instagram.com/listentosleep/ CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/166

April 30, 202651 min

Quantum Theory and Spirituality | Keith Giles & Nish Dubashia

In this conversation, Keith Giles and Nish Dubashia explore the emerging idea of quantum theology, where modern physics, ancient mysticism, and religious tradition begin to overlap.They rethink what Jesus meant, they confront fear-based beliefs about salvation, they ask whether reality itself is interconnected in ways we can barely comprehend, and this episode stretches the boundaries of how we understand God, truth, and existence. WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:What quantum theology is and how science and mysticism overlapHow quantum physics challenges reality (observer effect, entanglement, time)Is the world ending? Or are we moving into a new level of human consciousness?Buy Quantum Theology: Https://A.Co/D/09r55zrx Connect With Keith Giles: Http://Www.Keithgiles.Com Connect With Nish Dubashia: Https://Integraldream.Com/Connect with Heather:Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/165

April 21, 202659 min

Drive Traffic WITHOUT Posting on Social Media | Cyndi Zaweski

Cyndi Zaweski is an award-winning journalist, storytelling marketer, and entrepreneur. A little over six months ago, she made a bold move: she stopped posting on social media (yes, as a digital entrepreneur). What happened next? Her sales jumped 176%.In this episode, she breaks down how it’s even possible…how leaning into search and her background in SEO drove consistent traffic to her offers. We also explore the mental shift that came with unplugging: from withdrawal and fear to clarity, creativity, and finally hearing your own voice again.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparadyTOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:How her sales went UP 176% after quitting socialHow SEO, email, and search-driven content bring in clients without socialThe shift from constant output to intentional, meaningful creationCONNECT WITH CYNDI ZAWESKI:Website: https://www.cyndizaweski.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyndizaweski/CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/164

April 16, 202658 min

The Confidence Lie: What No One Tells You About Success | Joshua Coburn

Joshua Coburn is a marketer, creator, and storyteller…but if you ask him what he does, his answer is simple: he makes people’s lives better.Joshua shares how years of success, setbacks, and personal battles reshaped his understanding of confidence, purpose, and what actually matters. From learning that confidence is earned through adversity, to navigating the tension between strength and empathy, to choosing connection in a world designed to divide us, this episode is a reminder that impact isn’t about scale…it’s about how you show up, one person at a time.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparadyTOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:Confidence is earned: why adversity is required, not optionalStrength + empathy: leading without losing your humanityThe algorithm vs. real life: choosing connection over divisionCONNECT WITH JOSHUA COBURN:Website: https://repputationmarketing.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuacoburn/CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/163

April 7, 202646 min

She Almost Died… Then Came Back With a New Purpose | Jesi Stracham

Jesi Stracham is an entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate who, after surviving a near-fatal motorcycle accident and paralysis, discovered the power of resilience, faith, and authentic self-expression.From a life-threatening injury and near-death experiences to writing her book Power in the Roll and founding the Wheel With Me Foundation, Jesi’s journey is about transforming trauma into purpose, honoring the body as a temple, and choosing to live with presence and intention. In this conversation, Jesi explores self-trust, embracing imperfection, and breaking cycles of shame so you can fully live…no matter your circumstances.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:Faith and near-death experiences as catalysts for spiritual growthThe body as a temple: fitness, nutrition, and overall wellnessRedefining self-identity and breaking cycles of shame, judgment, and self-doubtWatch my previous episode with Jesi: https://youtu.be/XbHVdmO8oVI CONNECT WITH JESI STRACHAM:Website: https://jesistracham.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesistracham/ CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/162

March 31, 202649 min

Dark Work | Anthony Trucks

Anthony Trucks is a former professional football player turned speaker, author, and transformational coach. Known for his “Dark Work” and “Identity Shift” frameworks, Anthony helps people overcome limiting beliefs, trauma, and past experiences to step into higher levels of performance. After growing up in foster care, navigating abuse, losing his NFL career to injury, and rebuilding his life from rock bottom, he now teaches others how to intentionally reshape who they are and create lasting success.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:Dark work vs. shadow work: doing the real work after awarenessIdentity shift: why you build who you become (not find it)Using adversity as fuel without being defined by itCONNECT WITH ANTHONY TRUCKS:Website: https://www.anthonytrucks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonytrucks/ CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/161