Expressions of Leadership

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with Maya Persaud, founder of Espero Atelier in Paris, and Sanam Hasan, documentary filmmaker and media professional, for a conversation about leadership, human dignity, confidence, trust, and the power of meaningful work. Maya shares how Espero evolved from its origins during the refugee crisis into a social enterprise connecting refugee artisans with luxury fashion, while helping people rebuild skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Sanam shares what compelled her to tell this story through her documentary Fabric, and the leadership lessons she and director Annabelle Marshall learned while earning the trust of the artisans and bringing their stories to the screen. Together, we explore leading across cultures, creating environments where people can thrive, challenging narratives about refugees and migration, and what it means to lead with dignity, hope, and purpose. We also look ahead to what's next for Espero, Fabric, and the legacy they hope to create.Fabric is the winner of the Social Impact Award at the LA Shorts International Film Festival.Learn more about Espero Atelier at esperofrance.org and follow them on Instagram @esperoatelier.Learn more about Tiny Circus Productions at https://tinycircusproductions.com/ and follow them on Instagram @tinycircusproductions.Follow the documentary Fabric on Instagram @fabric_shortdoc
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In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry welcomes Linda Smiley, a researcher, educator, speech-language pathologist, and community leader whose career has centered on helping people communicate, connect, and create meaningful change. Linda shares lessons from an academic career that included more than 200 peer-reviewed research publications, work with children and adults with language impairments, and the co-founding of Wings On Words Preschool at the Child Language Center, supported by the University of Arizona Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences and the Scottish Rite Foundation.
After moving to Magdalena, New Mexico, Linda began a new chapter of leadership by creating MagEboard, a volunteer-run community communication network that now reaches more than 700 people in a town of roughly 850 residents. Michele and Linda explore leadership, the power of partnership, building sustainable organizations, communication and trust, and what it means to lead without a title. Linda's story is a powerful reminder that leadership can be as simple and as impactful as seeing what your community needs and choosing to show up.
Sign up for MagEboard emails by emailing Linda Smiley at mageboard@icloud.com
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

What does it take to lead under extraordinary pressure, and how do our greatest setbacks become the catalyst for becoming a better leader? In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, writer, entrepreneur, and inventor Ethan Prochnik for a captivating conversation about curiosity, courage, and continuous reinvention. From reporting in Afghanistan after 9/11 and producing Deadliest Catch to documenting Hurricane Katrina, creating groundbreaking virtual reality experiences, and launching an innovative yoga company, Ethan shares the remarkable experiences that shaped both his career and his leadership philosophy.
Together, they explore what it means to earn trust in high-stakes environments, lead teams through uncertainty, recover from the collapse of a successful business, embrace an ADHD diagnosis later in life, and discover that the most effective leadership begins with knowing yourself. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, creative professional, or simply someone navigating your own next chapter, this conversation offers powerful insights on resilience, storytelling, self-awareness, and the courage to keep evolving.Learn more about Kinshe Yoga at www.kinsheyoga.com. Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry welcomes Nona Bayat, fitness entrepreneur, content creator, and host of the Her Health Podcast. What began as sharing workout videos during college has evolved into a global platform dedicated to helping women build strength, confidence, and lifelong health through evidence-based information. In this conversation, Nona shares her journey from aspiring physician to trusted voice in women's health, why strength training is one of the most important investments women can make, and how she earned the trust of a worldwide audience by putting science before trends.
Together, Michele and Nona explore the leadership behind influence, the responsibility of communicating credible health information, the myths surrounding women's fitness, and the gaps that still exist in women's health research. They also discuss leading a growing team with integrity, navigating boundaries and burnout, and Nona's vision for empowering women with the knowledge, confidence, and habits that create lasting health for every stage of life.
Follow Nona on Instagram and TikTok @nonabayat, and on YouTube @thenonabayat. You can also watch her streaming podcast on YouTube @herhealth_podcast or find it on your favorite podcast app. 
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.
 

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Emmy-nominated writer-producer, showrunner, author, and podcast host Melinda Hsu to explore her remarkable journey from growing up as an aspiring storyteller in Bangor, Maine, to leading some of television's most acclaimed series, including Lost, The Vampire Diaries, Nancy Drew, and FOX's The Interrogator. Melinda reflects on the influence of her immigrant parents, the unexpected opportunities that launched her career, and what it was like finding her voice in Hollywood as an underrepresented writer.
The conversation explores what leadership really looks like inside writers' rooms and on production sets, where trust, transparency, accountability, and kindness can shape both the creative process and the culture behind it. Melinda shares lessons from her book and podcast, Lead With Kindness, discusses the changing landscape of the entertainment industry, and offers thoughtful insights on mentoring the next generation, building healthier workplaces, and creating environments where both people and great storytelling can thrive.Learn more about Melinda at www.melindahsu.com. Connect with Melinda on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindahsula/ and on Instagram at http://instagram.com/melindahsuLA
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.
 
 

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with Corey Brown, entrepreneur, technologist, musician, and author of The Expert Prompt, to explore a career built on curiosity, continual reinvention, and a passion for helping others succeed. Corey shares how growing up in a third-generation graphic arts family, teaching himself HTML in the early days of the internet, working alongside Seth Godin, and launching multiple ventures shaped his unique approach to leadership, learning, and innovation.
The conversation dives into the human side of artificial intelligence, challenging the notion that AI replaces expertise. Corey explains why AI is most powerful when it amplifies human talent, how leaders can build trust and curiosity around new technology, and why mentorship, experimentation, and servant leadership remain essential in a rapidly changing world. Whether you're leading a team, navigating change, or exploring AI for the first time, this episode offers practical insights for leading with confidence in the future of work.
Learn more about Corey Brown at www.coreybrown.me.
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.
 

Award-winning photographer Timothy White has spent more than four decades creating iconic images of some of the world's most recognizable figures. In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry explores the remarkable journey behind the camera, discussing Timothy's new memoir, Life Through My Lens, his unconventional path into photography, and the creative mindset that has shaped his extraordinary career. Together, they explore the power of curiosity, trust, and embracing uncertainty in the pursuit of meaningful work.
Beyond the photographs, Timothy reflects on the deeply personal experiences that transformed his perspective, from building lasting relationships and leading collaborative creative teams to navigating loss, reinvention, and life's unexpected challenges. Through stories from Hollywood and beyond, he shares timeless lessons on resilience, authenticity, leadership, and the courage to keep creating, no matter where life leads.
Learn more about Timothy White at https://timothywhite.com/. Follow him on FB @TimothyWhitePhoto and on Instagram @timothywhite. You can also purchase his books at: https://timothywhite.com/collections/books
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.
 

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with Certified Sommelier Erika Parjus to explore her remarkable journey from a painfully shy child to a respected leader in the hospitality and wine industries. Erika shares how curiosity became her greatest strength, leading her from working in restaurants at fifteen to building award-worthy beverage programs, working harvest in Oregon's Willamette Valley, and earning recognition as a trusted educator and leader in the world of wine.
Together, they discuss the leadership lessons found in hospitality, the importance of staying curious as your expertise grows, and how community can transform careers. Erika also shares the inspiring story behind co-founding Vin.Vitalité, a nonprofit dedicated to elevating women in wine through mentorship, education, and scholarships, while offering her vision for the future of an industry she believes is ready for reinvention.
Follow Vin.Vitalité on Instagram @womenofwinedc and connect with Erika Parjus on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/erikaparjus.
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.
 

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Saurabh Narain, President and CEO of the National Community Investment Fund (NCIF), to explore his journey from a successful career in global banking to leading an organization dedicated to strengthening underserved communities through innovative finance. Saurabh shares the values that shaped him, the pivotal lessons he learned during the Asian financial crisis, and why he believes capitalism and social impact can work hand in hand.
Together, they discuss the critical role of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), how NCIF has deployed more than $550 million to create jobs, housing, and economic opportunity, and why leaders must learn to see potential where others see limitations. Saurabh also shares insights on building mission-driven teams, balancing financial discipline with compassion, his vision for the future of community investment, and the surprising reason he recently started taking singing lessons.
Learn more about NCIF at www.ncif.org. Connect with Saurabh Narain at https://www.linkedin.com/in/saurabhnarain/
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.
 

Content Note: This episode includes candid discussions about men's sexual health, vulnerability, relationships, and family dynamics. It also references the title of Kristina Denton's memoir, You Don't Know D**k: How I Healed My Daddy Issues Fixing Broken D***s. Listener discretion is advised.
In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry welcomes Kristina Denton, author, actress, and wellness entrepreneur, to explore the unexpected career journey that took her from acting and exercise science into the highly specialized world of men's sexual health. What began as an unlikely professional opportunity became a front-row seat to conversations about vulnerability, shame, identity, and trust, ultimately transforming not only her clients' lives, but her own.
Together, they discuss the leadership lessons that emerge from listening deeply, leading with empathy, and creating spaces where people feel safe to be vulnerable. Kristina also shares how working with hundreds of men reshaped her understanding of relationships, forgiveness, and her own complicated relationship with her father, experiences that inspired her memoir, You Don't Know D**k: How I Healed My Daddy Issues Fixing Broken D***s. Whether you're a leader, coach, parent, or simply someone interested in personal growth, this conversation offers meaningful insights into compassion, connection, and healing.Learn more about Kristina at: https://kristinadenton.com/
Connect with Kristina on Instagram: @kristina7denton and on LinkedIn @kristinadenton
Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT.
Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.