Secrets of the C-Suite: The Podcast

Roya Platsis, executive coach and leadership consultant, talks with Juliet and Susan about her career journey, which has unfolded hand in hand with her personal one.

She also reflects on her early years in HR doing what can only be described as a "shit role” (something Susan especially related to) and how she learned to stop settling for positions that didn’t offer her satisfaction or room to grow.

Roya is also co-founder of LadyCulture, a membership service offering support and community for women navigating midlife across work, home and self.

You can find...

In another Unplugged episode of Secrets of the C-Suite, Juliet and Susan get into the conversations most of us would rather avoid.

From workplace tension and gossip to boundaries, emotional intelligence and knowing when to let something go, they explore why uncomfortable conversations are such an important leadership skill, and why avoiding them can create bigger problems.

They also talk about triangulation, staying in your lane, and the difference between speaking up to create change and speaking up simply because something is bothering you.

** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear yo...

Listen agin to this powerful episode with Teja Smith, CEO and Founder of Get Social, a Los Angeles–based digital strategy and social media agency specializing in advocacy, culture, and impact-driven storytelling. With more than a decade at the intersection of social justice, politics, and pop culture, Teja shares how her upbringing, her grandmother’s legacy, and her commitment to equity shaped her mission to amplify underrepresented voices through digital media.

From her early work on the Schools Not Prisons campaign to founding Get Social during the pandemic, Teja reflects on leading through chaos, motherhood, and the ongo...

What does great leadership have to do with luck, communication and knowing when to say yes?

In this episode, Juliet and Susan sit down with Phil Grosse to explore his winding career, from wholesale distribution to occupational injury prevention, nonprofit leadership and community organizing.

Phil shares lessons from decades of leadership, including how commitment-based communication can transform teams, why a small group of people often drives meaningful change, and how hard work, preparation and relationships can create your own kind of luck.

** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Su...

In this unplugged episode, Susan and Juliet explore why we’re often waiting to feel ready before taking the next step — and why readiness might actually be a decision, not a feeling.

They talk about creating space to pause, finding perspective when everything feels urgent, and how the skills we use to navigate work can also help us navigate the messy realities of life.

Plus, Susan shares what’s evolving with her 2026 South Africa Leadership Retreat and why sometimes the next step is simply to take the action and trust that you’ll figure it out alon...

Listen back to this episode with Mark Cederborg, who shares with us his extensive experience in the construction industry, particularly Ecological Restoration Construction in Northern California. Mark started in the industry by doing and learning ALL the jobs (using his words) and ending up as CEO! His views of leadership are evident and articulate, and we loved our conversation.

Mark is now CEO of Outset Advisors, a company focused on improving the relationship between construction and nature, and ensuring the right people and information get input to major construction projects We could also have titled this episode "...

Leadership is rarely about having all the answers. More often, it's about creating space for better conversations and focusing on what really matters.

In this episode, Juliet and Susan are joined by leadership strategist and consultant John Newsome, founder of Public Equity Group. Drawing on decades of experience advising nonprofits, foundations and social impact organisations, John shares his perspective on leadership, organisational culture, equity and what it really takes to create lasting change.

Together, they explore leading with love, navigating complexity, focusing on meaningful outcomes and why everyone deserves a seat at the table.

In this episode, Susan and Juliet sit down with flower farmer and entrepreneur Katie Specht, founder of Moonlight Blooms Farm.

Katie shares how she turned a love of growing flowers into a thriving business, why building community has been just as important as building revenue, and the lessons she's learned about trusting her instincts along the way.

From navigating setbacks and outgrowing mentors to creating beauty with purpose, this is a conversation about resilience, self-belief, and having the courage to grow on your own terms.

Plus, the unexpected story behind Katie's flowers appearing...

In this week's conversation on Secrets of the C-Suite, Susan and Juliet sit down with entrepreneur, healthcare professional, and advocate Sarita Parikh.

After spending years helping others navigate healthcare, disability rights, and community support systems, Sarita found herself on the other side of the equation when a traumatic brain injury and breast cancer diagnosis turned her world upside down.

She shares how those experiences reshaped her understanding of leadership, vulnerability, and healing, why traditional approaches to leadership don't work for everyone, and how she's reimagining her work to help people build the support systems they...

Season 4 is here, and to celebrate, Susan and Juliet are looking back on two years of conversations that have reshaped how they think about leadership.

From unexpected lessons to unforgettable guests, they reflect on the quality that kept surfacing in some of their most impactful conversations, why so many leaders underestimate the value of their own stories, and how the podcast has evolved in ways they never anticipated.

Plus, an exciting behind-the-scenes look at what's changing this season and where they hope the podcast goes next.

** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to...

In this 'Best of S2' episode, Juliet & Susan welcome Shireen McSpadden, Executive Director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing for the City & County of San Francisco, California. 

In a city where homelessness has become a hot button issue, Shireen brings extensive experience and remarkable calm to her role in finding solutions to a complex issue. There's no question, her job in City government is a really hard one, and she's had big and difficult jobs her whole career. Her style is relaxed, focused and unflappable, which has no doubt repeatedly served her and the t...

In this 'Best of S1' episode, we sat down with Charles DeSantis, a passionate advocate for community wellness and humanitarian efforts. Charles shares his inspiring journey and motivations, emphasizing his commitment to his family, community, and those in greatest need. As Georgetown University’s Chief Benefits Officer, he leads initiatives that enhance employee wellbeing and support the university's mission of service.

Charles reflects on a transformative year when he and his husband adopted four siblings, expanding their family from two to six. He discusses his leadership roles at Georgetown and on various boards and advisory councils, us...

In this 'Best of S2' episode, Juliet & Susan welcome Janéa Jackson, CEO of HomeRise, a San Francisco-based non-profit whose mission is to provide supportive housing to unhoused people.

In less than 2 years since stepping into the role of CEO, Janéa has needed to assess and learn the people and business of the organization while overhauling it's finances and operating model. She's passionate about the mission, while being clear-eyed about the challenges for all mission-driven organizations to operate with solid systems and financial stability while being values-led. 

Janéa shared a lot of hers...

In this special season 3 finale of Secrets of the C-Suite, we take a step back to reflect on the conversations, themes and lessons that shaped this chapter of the podcast.

We revisit standout moments from our guests—from bold, fearless leadership and career pivots to navigating crisis, embracing creativity and redefining what success looks like. Along the way, we notice some common threads: saying yes to opportunity, trusting your instincts and building careers that align with who you are—not just what you do.

We also share a few honest reflections of our own, including what...

In this episode of Secrets of the C-Suite, Susan and Juliet are joined by HR expert and founder of Destination HR Consulting, Dena Grunt, for a candid conversation on leadership, growth and the human side of HR.

Dena shares her unexpected path into human resources, pivoting from speech pathology after discovering the work fit her strengths and desire to help people. Her career spans legal, hospitality and executive leadership, including running a hospitality business where she learned on the job in a way that felt like earning an MBA in real time.

Now a business...

In this episode of Secrets of the C-Suite, we sit down with Barb Gustafson, co-owner of Paul Mathew Vineyards, to talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, and what it takes to build a business from the ground up.

Barb shares how her career began in hospitality and restaurants in Vancouver, where a growing curiosity about wine turned into a passion that ultimately led her to California and into the wine industry full time. Along the way, she spent years in hospitality with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, before meeting her husband and business partner, Mat Gustafson.

Together...

In another "Unplugged" episode, we step away from guest interviews to explore a leadership concept we return to often in our work and in our own lives: the idea of your future self.

Sparked by a New York Times article—and an unexpectedly revealing conversation about parking strategies—we reflect on how small, present-day decisions can shape who we become as leaders over time. From doing the hard thing first to navigating career transitions, we talk candidly about exit strategies that aren’t necessarily about retirement, but about growth, relevance, and staying engaged.

We share person...

In this 'Best of Season 1' episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Melissa Hurrington, an unapologetic leader who has mastered the art of balancing personal and professional life. When her company turned to her for guidance during the pandemic in 2020, Melissa realized that no one truly has all the answers. This pivotal moment allowed her to show up authentically and highlight the often-unrecognized leadership roles women take on in times of crisis.

Today, Melissa is a sought-after speaker and panelist, an influential voice on LinkedIn, and continues to inspire others through her work with the...

In this episode of Secrets of the C-Suite, we’re joined by Pippa Parfait, strategist, business coach, and founder of The Disobedient Business Co—a business built for humans who don’t fit neatly into traditional models of work or leadership.

Pippa shares her winding, unconventional career journey, from leaving formal education at 16 to senior leadership roles in the public sector, before “noping out” of bureaucracy and retraining as a coach. She reflects on following the energy, recognizing when it’s time to leave a role, and how years of performing what leadership was “supposed” to look like eventually...

In this unscripted “Unplugged” episode, we reflect on leadership, work, and life at this stage of our careers—and what we're ready to let go of as we look ahead.

We dive into big, often unspoken questions: What does retirement really mean? What if we don’t actually want it? How do purpose, energy, money, and freedom evolve as our careers—and lives—change? Juliet shares the realization that retirement may not be the goal at all, while Susan reflects on burnout, soul-level exhaustion, and the need to rethink business models that no longer feel sustainable.

Along the...

In this episode of Secrets of the C-Suite, we’re joined by Lisa Amador, a leader whose career has been shaped by purpose, people, and community—and whose path shows that some of the most impactful leadership journeys are anything but linear.

Lisa shares how she moved from advertising and radio leadership into healthcare philanthropy at Sutter Health, taking on roles she’d never held before and learning to lead through trust, curiosity, and connection. We talk about the difference between selling and philanthropy, why relationship-building matters more than transactions, and how purpose anchors effective leadership.

She...

Secrets of the C-Suite: The Podcast is on a holiday break, as are Juliet and Susan. We thought you'd enjoy re-listening to this great episode with Valari Staab, Chairman of NBCUniversal, one of the 'best of' Season 2. 

We'll be back on January 5th with a new episode. 

All of us at Secrets of the C-Suite wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season!

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This episode with Valari Staab, Chairman at NBCUniversal Local, was such fun for us for us to record, and we know it will be an engaging, thought-provoking episode for you too.

This week, we sat down with crisis management expert and author Regina Phelps for a lively, wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to lead through chaos. Regina shares her unconventional path from oncology nursing to founding a global crisis consulting firm, including the moment she was fired (yes, fired!) and how that unexpected shock opened the door to the work she was truly meant to do.

We talk about why most crisis plans fall apart the moment they’re needed, how practice builds real confidence, and what history reveals about the long, messy arcs of pandemics an...

In this special “Unplugged” episode, we step away from our usual format and dive into a spontaneous, unscripted conversation about something that’s been showing up in our lives and leadership lately: the idea of your future self—who you’ve been, who you are today, and who you’re intentionally becoming.

Inspired by a story about a six-year-old navigating swim lessons, we talk about how even the smallest daily choices can shape the person and leader we’re growing into. From grounding rituals like making the bed to the harder moments when we have to make decisions we c...

Juliet and Susan had such fun on this episode as we interviewed our podcast producer (and Juliet's brother), Brian Clothier!

Brian is a multi-skilled, mostly self-employed partner and CXO for small businesses – he can slot into any C-suite role in the businesses he works with – as well as a producer and an inspired musician. He got his start coveting his sister's "cool" red guitar, and his management career kicked off when he managed his band, while also being in the band with friends. ("Managing friends"... an episode in itself!!)

Since those early years, Brian has work...

In this powerful episode of Secrets of the C-Suite, we welcome Teja Smith, CEO and Founder of Get Social, a Los Angeles–based digital strategy and social media agency specializing in advocacy, culture, and impact-driven storytelling. With more than a decade at the intersection of social justice, politics, and pop culture, Teja shares how her upbringing, her grandmother’s legacy, and her commitment to equity shaped her mission to amplify underrepresented voices through digital media.

From her early work on the Schools Not Prisons campaign to founding Get Social during the pandemic, Teja reflects on lead...

Welcome back to Secrets of the C-Suite: The Podcast!

After a fairly long summer break, Juliet and Susan are back, this season focusing in particular (but not exclusively) on entrepreneurs. We're excited to explore the leadership, creativity and innovation, and resilience many entrepreneurs bring to their businesses.

In this episode, we also share some reflections on our respective summers. Juliet started a new job, with all that brings, while Susan had a busy summer, including a cruise to Iceland with her 92-year-old mom, and helping her move within her retirement community (from the 9th to...

In this heartfelt Season 2 finale, Susan and Juliet sit down together to reflect on the conversations, insights, and unforgettable moments that shaped another powerful season of Secrets of the C-Suite. From inspiring guests doing the hard, often unsung work in their communities, to bold leaders taking big leaps into new ventures, the season has been packed with wisdom, courage, and real talk from the top.

They revisit standout moments from guests who are:

Episode 11 with Valari Staab, Chairman at NBCUniversal Local, was such fun for us for us to record, and we know it will be an engaging, thought-provoking episode for you too!

Both Juliet and Susan met Valari way back in the days when Valari worked for ABC in San Francisco and served on the Board of the United Way of the Bay Area,  where Juliet was CFO and Susan was also on the Board. All these many years later, now as Chairman at NBCUniversal Local, she had just moved into new offices in 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and we talked a...

In Episode 10 of Season 2 of Secrets of the C-Suite: the Podcast, we are delighted to welcome Elizabeth Husserl, Wealth Advisor, Financial Planner, Company Founder and Author. Our conversation went deep and wide as we discussed how humans make meaning, how we (and society) define wealth, and all the ways we can be more intentional about our choices, including the financial ones.

We highly recommend Elizabeth's recent book, "The Power of Enough: Finding Joy in your Relationship with Money". It is a layered, nuanced guide to understanding how our individual relationship with...

In this episode, Juliet's flying solo as Susan is traveling. Juliet talks with Jean Cooper—another inspiring alum of the Glide Foundation and a true force in values-driven leadership. Jean’s journey includes multiple leadership roles at Glide, where she served San Francisco’s most vulnerable communities as Chief of Staff, Chief Impact Officer, and Chief Financial and Operations Officer. Her experience spans deep programmatic leadership, executive strategy, and organizational transformation.

But Jean’s story doesn’t stop there. She’s also a seasoned consultant, a dedicated equestrian, and now, a practitioner weaving together spirituality and leadersh...

In this 'duo only' episode, using the first 100 days of the current Republican Administration as a benchmark, we talk about what we're excited and hopeful about, the leadership lessons we're seeing, and how we've changed over the last 100 days.

We talk about how we practice staying grounded and open while using our voices to greater effect, a key leadership skill. We agree that the last 100 days have been a lot—an understatement actually—and how much we've learned about the world, our power, and our necessary practices for continuing to evolve as leaders and humans.

...

Susan and Juliet are joined by Kris Clothier (Juliet's sister) who shares with us her career highs, lows and lessons as a doctor of veterinary medicine. Her journey starts with the knowing, at a very young age, that she wanted to be a vet! It  includes getting her degree, and then practicing as a vet - and a woman in a man's world - in the Central Valley of California, partnering with another vet to own and run their own practice and business, and later her decision to pursue her PhD in veterinary microbiology and immunobiology (making her a d...

In Episode 6 of Season 2, it's just the two of us again - Juliet and Susan - exploring the relationship between psychological safety, risk and growth. 

We know that humans learn and grow best when they are, and feel, safe. We also know that in order to grow, we need to stretch beyond comfort, and into activities, areas, mindsets that don't feel easy at all. Doing so carries risk, of course, but without that stretch into areas with risk, we can't develop our skills, our leadership, ourselves. 

In this episode Juliet describes a three-ring 'target': the ce...

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we sit down with Kim Bender, a visionary strategist and nonprofit leader with over two decades of experience advancing community health, economic justice, and the arts across California. From her transformational leadership at the Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County to her impactful fundraising roles at GLIDE, BAMPFA, and SFFilm, Kim has consistently led with purpose, compassion, and radical inclusivity.

We explore her journey through the nonprofit world, the evolution of community-centric fundraising, and how she’s championing trust-based philanthropy to build stronger, more equitable communities. Kim shares her in...

In Episode 4 of Season 2, Juliet & Susan welcome Janéa Jackson, CEO of HomeRise, a San Francisco-based non-profit whose mission is to provide supportive housing to unhoused people. 

(Note: if you're seeing a bit of pattern here, it's true that we've recently had two guests who work in the same field. We plan to keep mixing it up as we progress through the season.) 

In less than 2 years since stepping into the role of CEO, Janéa has needed to assess and learn the people and business of the organization while overhauling it's finances and operating mode...

In Episode 3 of Season 2, it's just the two of us - Juliet and Susan - delving into how unsettled 2025 has felt for us, and for so many. 

While the headlines have been carrying the day, we share how we try to keep ourselves both informed and sane, not an easy feat in an environment characterized by rapid change and norm-breaking. 

As leaders and podcast hosts, we're also trying to mine for lessons of leadership, including observing the impact of leadership by fear. Through it all, we've been asking ourselves what kind of leaders we want to...

In Episode 2 of Season 2, Juliet & Susan welcome Shireen McSpadden, Executive Director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing for the City & County of San Francisco, California. 

In a city where homelessness has become a hot button issue, Shireen brings extensive experience and remarkable calm to her role in finding solutions to a complex issue. There's no question, her job is City government is a really hard one, and she's had big and difficult jobs her whole career. Her style is relaxed, focused, and unflappable, which has no doubt repeatedly served her, and the team she leads.

After a several month planned recording hiatus, Juliet & Susan welcome you to Season 2 of Secrets of the C-Suite. 

We are both so happy to be back with each other and with you, holding ambitious goals for the next set of episodes focusing on women in leadership, and any and all issues to related to leadership and women. Which is pretty much everything! AND we'll be bringing our discernment to our discussions, topics and guests. For this episode, it's just us, talking about the New Year, intentions, the political climate, and navigating self- and professional leadership in 2025. 

In our final episode of the Season, we share and celebrate what we've learned along the journey of deciding to create this podcast to the lessons of our wonderful guests! We also celebrate our work and staying power - most podcasts don't even make it to 10 episodes! Most importantly, we recap the themes around leadership - how many of us came to positions of leadership by accident - personal and professional growth, not asking for permission, and standing in our own power, all of which came through so many of our conversations.

We also thank you, our...