(un)conversations®

About (un)conversations®

Not just another leadership podcast — we explore the turning points, failures, and unexpected decisions that shaped today’s most influential leaders. Hosted by Dr. Alison Schmidt, (un)conversations delivers unfiltered talks with CEOs, founders, executives, and global business leaders. Each week, we dive into pivotal moments, defining choices, and unconventional moves that drive real growth. Learn what works, how disruption fuels success, and the three words shaping each leader’s evolution. 🎧 Follow (un)conversations for weekly actionable leadership insights and join the (un)movement.

Publisher

(un)conversations with Dr. Alison Schmidt

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Oct 2024

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 47 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   Built on ADHD: Building a Business Around Your Brain

   ADHD entrepreneur Stephanie Scheller, founder of Grow Disrupt, shares how she built a business around her ADHD brain, and why it became her biggest differentiator. What if ADHD isn't something to work around, but the blueprint? Stephanie joins Dr. Alison to talk about her 2016 ADHD diagnosis, why it felt freeing instead of defining, and how she stopped following business advice that never worked for her. In Season 2, Episode 23 of (un)conversations, Stephanie shares her experience with The (UN)word Effect and her three (Un)words: (Un)raveled, (Un)masked, and (Un)boxed. You'll also hear about her 7-day Sprint Kits and how a small identity shift can make a new habit stick. In this episode: - Why an ADHD diagnosis can be freeing instead of defining - How to build a business around your brain, not despite it - Why Stephanie says 29% of entrepreneurs have ADHD, compared with 4 to 5% of the general population - What "breakthrough and structure" means at Grow Disrupt - How identity-based habits stick in 7 days - Why "watch me" can be a business strategy Timestamps: 00:00 Episode teaser 01:16 Welcome and meet Stephanie Scheller 03:07 Finding your (Un)words 04:01 The 2016 ADHD diagnosis 10:49 (Un)raveled: removing threads that weren't yours 25:02 (Un)masked: owning your ADHD, vivid hair color, and the violin on stage 29:28 How Grow Disrupt got its name 41:07 Entrepreneurs and the ADHD brain 42:43 (Un)boxed: refusing to fit the shape 51:49 No pitching allowed: the Grow Retreat brand promise 01:00:11 CLIMB goals and 7-day Sprint Kits 01:02:12 Identity-based habits: "I'm a person who walks" 01:09:27 Ask Dr. Alison and the Tin Man ABOUT STEPHANIE SCHELLER Stephanie is an ADHD entrepreneur, bestselling author, professional speaker, and the founder of Grow Disrupt, a business growth company and community built for entrepreneurs whose brains don't work the way the business world expects them to. She is the bestselling author of Marketing That Works for Small Business Budgets and Stop Guessing At Your Marketing. Website: https://growdisrupt.com/collections/all LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniescheller/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestephscheller/ ABOUT THE HOST: DR. ALISON SCHMIDT Dr. Alison Schmidt is an executive strategist and coach, podcast host, and CEO of UNCONVENTION LLC. She hosts (un)conversations, which spotlights (un)conventionally excellent leaders who aren't afraid to show their vulnerable side. Every episode opens with The (UN)word Effect, where guests share the words that define who they are and how they lead. Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/ Follow (un)conversations so you never miss an episode. Theme song produced by DJ Doug Jackson: https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson ©2026 by UNCONVENTION LLC - all rights reserved

2. 

   1 Oct 2026

   It's Not the Money: Why Good People Quit, with Kathy Eastwood

   Are we expecting leaders to succeed without giving them the proper tools? In this episode of The (un)conversations podcast, Dr. Alison welcomes Kathy Eastwood Chief People Officer of E Equals Why to discuss the missing human element in business. Kathy breaks down her framework for effective leadership—Expressing vision, Engaging people, and Executing—while sharing personal stories on choosing freedom over fear and leaning into uncomfortable conversations. Tune in to discover how emotional intelligence, empathy, and an unwavering drive can elevate your leadership and build lasting trust in the workplace. Kathy opens with her (un)words: (un)deterred, (un)comfortable and (un)wavering, and through The (UN)word Effect™ shares the personal stories behind them, from growing up in a fear-based household to choosing freedom over fear. In this episode: - Impostor syndrome, "the mold" of leadership, and why hiding your true self is exhausting - What "freedom" really means beyond financial freedom - The lesson from her father: treat everyone with dignity and respect - Why "buy-in" is really sales - Leading layoffs humanely, and the survivor guilt no one talks about - Why trust, empathy and influence drive retention - Why you can't prioritize performance first and people second - Where to start: know yourself Ask Dr. Alison: How do you help people who don't know they need help? Kathy's answer: she doesn't take everyone on, because sustainable change requires someone willing to do the work. ABOUT THE HOST Dr. Alison Schmidt, Ph.D., BCC, is an executive strategist, leadership coach, and CEO of UNCONVENTION LLC. As host of The (un)conversations podcast, she spotlights (un)conventionally excellent leaders who share their vulnerable, authentic sides. Every episode opens with The (UN)word Effect, where guests share the defining words behind who they are and how they lead. Connect with Dr. Alison: • Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/ • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unconversations?sub_confirmation=1 ABOUT THE GUEST Kathy Eastwood is the CEO of E Equals Why, a leadership strategist, executive advisor, and author of The 3E Leadership Code. Connect with Kathy Eastwood: • Book: https://www.kathyeastwood.com/book • Website: https://www.eequalswhy.com/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyeastwood/

3. 

   22 Sept 2026

   How 60 Seconds of Intentional Listening Builds Executive Trust | Ruchin Kansal

   Discover how 60 seconds of intentional listening builds immediate executive trust. In this episode of (un)conversations, Dr. Alison sits down with former Siemens Healthineers executive and Seton Hall Professor Ruchin Kansal to unpack why modern leaders must master unwinning, unlearning, and understanding to escape high-pressure corporate metrics and build authentic influence. If you are a founder, executive, or high-performing leader looking to break free from perfectionism and detach your identity from workplace performance, this deep dive will redefine how you approach leadership and career growth. 💡 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: How 60 Seconds of Intentional Listening creates immediate executive trust Why "Unwinning" Isn't Giving Up—and how it redefines true success The "80% Confident" Rule to accelerate decision-making and overcome perfectionism How to Detach Your Personal Identity from corporate metrics and avoid burnout 3 Daily Leadership Habits: Ask why, sit in silence, and show radical kindness ⏱️ CHAPTERS:00:00 - Cold Open & Teaser01:04 - Podcast Introduction & Welcome03:20 - The Core "Unwords": Unwinning, Unlearning, Understanding05:01 - Redefining "Unwinning" in Business and Life08:26 - Shifting Metrics: From Corporate Bonuses to Real Impact12:03 - Navigating Discomfort and Evolving Personal Values16:52 - Unlearning the Critics: Who Are You Really Trying to Impress?21:47 - Adaptability, Life Shifts, and Managing Volatility25:58 - Advice for Entrepreneurs: Detaching Identity from Outcomes29:27 - The "80% Confident" Rule vs. Seeking Perfection38:53 - Unlearning Internal and External Expectations45:20 - Shifting Your Mindset from Fear to Curiosity49:30 - Dismantling Ego for a Purpose-Driven Career56:10 - Mentoring the Next Generation of Leaders58:45 - 3 Daily Routines for Maintaining Clarity1:01:00 - Advice for Mid-Career and Senior Executives1:08:30 - Synthesis: Unwinning, Unlearning, & Understanding1:13:40 - Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up 💬 NOTABLE QUOTE: "60 seconds in every conversation will create so much more winning than anything else in life." — Prof. Ruchin Kansal 👤 ABOUT THE HOST:Dr. Alison Schmidt, Ph.D., BCC, is an executive coach, podcast host, and founder of UNCONVENTION LLC. She guides top executives, elite athletes, and high-performing leaders through identity shifts, vulnerability, and intentional growth.🌐 Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus (https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus?utm_source=gemini)🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/?utm_source=gemini)📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/ (https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/?utm_source=gemini) 🎙️ MEET OUR GUEST:Ruchin Kansal serves as a Strategic Judgment Partner (SJP) to senior leaders facing high-stakes decisions. Drawing on over two decades of global healthcare leadership—including roles as SVP of Digital Strategy at Siemens Healthineers—Ruchin helps executive teams navigate critical inflection points.🌐 Website: https://ruchinkansal.com/ (https://ruchinkansal.com/?utm_source=gemini)🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchinkansal/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchinkansal/?utm_source=gemini) 🌟 Enjoying the podcast? Leaving a 5-star rating or review on Spotify takes less than 30 seconds and helps us bring you more world-class guests! 🎵 Theme Song: Produced by DJ Doug Jackson (https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson (https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson?utm_source=gemini)) #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #ActiveListening #PersonalGrowth #RedefineSuccess #WorkplaceCulture #Unlearning #ProfessionalDevelopment #CorporateMindset #PodcastEpisode ©2026 by UNCONVENTION LLC - all rights reserved

Inside a recent episode

Screw the "Startup Playbook." Do This Instead

Published 2 Jun 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And eventually we supplied the entire VA hospital in Minneapolis with a whole truckload of products that were sourced from all the, everybody that sourced it was from the local, local makers and they got paid for it. Somebody stepped up and paid for the product. So they weren't being asked to donate because they're already small. Makers were already, you know, they couldn't afford to do that. And, you know, that's one example. It was an unorthodox way to deal with this problem we were in and turn it into an opportunity. And then the other thing, I pivoted my product from being a gift box to being, how about a virtual event snack box? […]

Who has been a guest on (un)conversations®

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Alison Tetrick
• Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey
• Linda Roszak Burton
• Alex Sanfilippo
• Robin Toft

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

3,095

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

45

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

32

Contact (un)conversations®

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about (un)conversations®