The Collective Corner with Elena Armijo Elena Armijo

In this podcast episode, Elena Armijo speaks with Carolyn Swora, a leadership consultant, team coach, and author, about her journey into coaching and her focus on social justice and trauma-informed leadership. Carolyn shares her passion for working with leaders and organizations committed to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, highlighting the importance of connecting with the body and nervous system as a leader.
Check out Elena’s website to learn more about how she can support you in seeing and using the power that resides within you.
Carolyn emphasizes the somatic aspects of leadership and transformation, discussing how the body stores emotional wounds and trauma that can impact cognitive and physical performance. She encourages leaders to listen to and partner with their nervous systems in order to regulate their states and show up more fully. Carolyn provides practical suggestions for individuals to explore somatic practices, such as community connection and grounding exercises.
Ultimately, Carolyn's vision is for more people to understand the power of the nervous system and somatic wisdom, in order to address systemic challenges and create positive change in the world. She believes that by disseminating this knowledge widely, especially to the next generation, we can build the internal resources and collective capacity needed to make a difference. This podcast episode offers valuable insights and practical tips for leaders looking to incorporate somatic practices into their work.
 
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Carolyn Swora:
Instragram  |  LinkedIn  |  YouTube  |  Website  |  Podcast | Amazon
 
This podcast was produced by the following amazing team:
Alan Meaney, Audio Engineer
Aaron Boykin, Musician & Artist (Get updates about Aaron’s music via Instagram)
Jo van Eeden, Project Manager

In this episode, Elena Armijo and Jason Frazell dive deep into the concept of blind spots and how they affect our daily lives. Blind spots are not just limited to driving situations, but exist in all aspects of our lives, including communication, decision-making, and self-awareness. By understanding the psychological mechanisms behind blind spots, individuals can start recognizing and addressing them.
Check out Elena’s website to learn more about how she can support you in seeing and using the power that resides within you.
Jason shares his personal journey from a sales-focused career to becoming an executive coach and facilitator. He opens up about the challenges he faced when starting his own business and the need to separate his identity from the work. Jason also expresses his desire to delve deeper into men's work, exploring vulnerability, emotional expression, and the importance of men connecting with their spirituality and plant medicine. He envisions a world where men feel seen, heard, and validated, breaking free from societal pressure to conform to traditional masculine norms.
Providing a thought-provoking conversation on blind spots, self-awareness, and the evolving landscape of identity and masculinity, this episode emphasizes the importance of creating a more inclusive and empowered world for individuals of all genders. Jason recommends resources such as the "Anti-Racism Daily" newsletter and books like "Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People" and "How to Be an Anti-Racist".
 
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Want to hear more from Elena? Click here!
Learn more about The C-Suite Collective
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Jason Frazell:
Instragram  |  LinkedIn  |  Facebook  |  Website  |  Podcast
 
This podcast was produced by the following amazing team:
Alan Meaney, Audio Engineer
Aaron Boykin, Musician & Artist (Get updates about Aaron’s music via Instagram)
Jo van Eeden, Project Manager

In this episode, Elena Armijo interviews Ned Hanlon, the president of AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists) union, about leadership and the future of the arts industry. Ned shares his journey to union leadership, starting with his involvement in negotiating his contract with the Metropolitan Opera. He found his calling in the legal and negotiation side of union leadership and has been actively involved for the past 10 years.
Check out Elena’s website to learn more about how she can support you in seeing and using the power that resides within you.
The pandemic has served as a wake-up call for artists, making them realize the importance of taking care of each other through unions. Companies cannot always provide stability, and artists need to rely on collective action to protect their interests. Ned's goals as AGMA president are to build solidarity through alliances with other unions, empower artists to speak up, and protect them from retaliation.
One of the key focuses of the union is diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This is addressed both internally within the union and during contract negotiations with companies. By addressing these important issues, the union aims to create a safer environment for artists, tackling problems like harassment and discrimination.
Ned sees his role as a facilitator rather than the sole leader. He believes in harnessing the collective power of union members and building consensus. Effective negotiations involve understanding all perspectives, finding common ground, and being willing to exert collective power if necessary. However, Ned emphasizes the importance of avoiding "scorched earth" tactics that can harm all parties involved.
Looking to the future, Ned's hope is for the arts industry to survive its current difficulties. He wants all artists to feel empowered to improve their work conditions without fear, and he believes the union can play a crucial role in creating a safe and supportive environment for artists to speak up and advocate for themselves.
 
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Want to hear more from Elena? Click here!
Learn more about The C-Suite Collective
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Ned Hanlon:
Instragram
LinkedIn
Facebook
 
This podcast was produced by the following amazing team:
Alan Meaney, Audio Engineer
Aaron Boykin, Musician & Artist (Get updates about Aaron’s music via Instagram)
Jo van Eeden, Project Manager

In this episode, Elena speaks with Brittany Cotton, an innovative leader in professional coaching. Brittany is the Head of Coaching at 7CTOs and also runs her own executive coaching business called Coach EXE. She shares how she stumbled into coaching after finishing her master's degree and feeling uncertain about pursuing a PhD program. Brittany talks about the fulfillment she found in coaching and how it allowed her to tap into something that was already inside her. She emphasizes that coaching is not about having all the answers, but rather supporting others to cultivate their own answers.
Check out Elena’s website to learn more about how she can support you in seeing and using the power that resides within you.
As the Head of Coaching at 7 CTOs, Brittany is responsible for creating leadership content and facilitating peer coaching groups. She discusses how her work focuses on helping tech leaders develop heart-based leadership skills in addition to technical skills. She also shares some trends she has noticed, highlighting that leaders are now more comfortable embracing discomfort and sitting with problems instead of running from them.
Brittany offers advice on developing courage, encouraging leaders to step out of their comfort zones, embrace vulnerability, and learn from setbacks. She believes that small steps over time can lead to significant personal growth. She also emphasizes the importance of difficult conversations and sitting with uncertainty, as personal growth can have a profound impact on organizations.
Brittany emphasizes the importance of personal growth in navigating professional challenges and global difficulties. She believes that leaders who prioritize their own development can bring about positive change in their companies from the inside out. She shares stories of clients who experienced unexpected transformations long after coaching ended. Overall, Brittany's holistic approach centers on the humanity of leaders, emphasizing the importance of personal growth over technical skills.
 
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Want to hear more from Elena? Click here!
Learn more about The C-Suite Collective
Follow The C-Suite Collective on Instagram
Connect with Elena on LinkedIn
 
This podcast was produced by the following amazing team:
Alan Meaney, Audio Engineer
Aaron Boykin, Musician & Artist (Get updates about Aaron’s music via Instagram)
Jo van Eeden, Project Manager

In this final episode of 2023, Elena Armijo reflects on the year at The C-Suite Collective, the executive coaching company she founded, discussing the importance of slowing down in order to go fast. As a fast-paced leader, Elena realized that taking the time to ensure people were on board and understood expectations was crucial. Throughout the year, The C-Suite Collective intentionally focused on building strong foundations, including processes, values, and fostering community conversations.
Check out Elena’s website to learn more about how she can support you in seeing and using the power that resides within you.
Elena also shares her personal journey of working internally and from the inside out. She highlights the transformative power of working with a coach for an entire year, focusing on healing, boundaries, self-acceptance, and receiving support. By accepting herself more, Elena was able to effectively lead and serve others, encouraging them to also do their inner work.
The company's commitment to inclusion and belonging was another key lesson learned in 2023. The C-Suite Collective explored new approaches, engaged in difficult conversations, and emphasized the importance of everyone's right to belong. They prioritized connection over conflict and disagreement, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Elena also emphasizes the significance of celebrating the journey, not just the end goals. With the guidance of her coach, she practiced daily self-appreciation and joy throughout December. This shift in mindset allowed her to find fulfillment in the process rather than solely focusing on achieving outcomes.
Looking ahead to 2024, Elena plans to simplify her goals by narrowing them down to just five things. This strategic approach will allow her to fully immerse herself in each goal's journey and ensure their successful realization.
Finally, Elena expresses deep gratitude for the support she has received from her family, partner, friends, colleagues, clients, and listeners. She wishes everyone a peaceful and restful end to 2023, while also encouraging them to embrace the possibilities that lie ahead in the new year.
In summary, Elena shares the key lessons that guided her growth and The C-Suite Collective's development in 2023. These include the importance of slowing down, engaging in internal work, promoting inclusion, celebrating the journey, simplifying goals, and expressing gratitude. It has been a year of self-reflection, growth, and building a strong foundation for continued success.
 
Let’s Get Social! 
Want to hear more from Elena? Click here!
Learn more about The C-Suite Collective
Follow The C-Suite Collective on Instagram
Connect with Elena on LinkedIn
 
This podcast was produced by the following amazing team:
Alan Meaney, Audio Engineer
Aaron Boykin, Musician & Artist (Get updates about Aaron’s music via Instagram)
Jo van Eeden, Project Manager

In this episode, Elena speaks with Nomsa Khalfani and Amy Moy, the co-CEOs of Essential Access Health, to discuss their unique approach to co-leadership and their vision for transforming organizational culture. Nomsa and Amy have a long history together, having worked side by side in senior leadership roles for the past 10 years. When the previous CEO left, the board made the groundbreaking decision to appoint Nomsa and Amy as co-CEOs, recognizing their strong partnership and dedication to the organization's mission.
Check out Elena’s website to learn more about how she can support you in seeing and using the power that resides within you.
As co-CEOs, Nomsa and Amy prioritize the well-being of their staff. They lead by example, practicing mutual support, flexibility, rest, and vulnerability. This shift in mindset and focus on staff wellness has resulted in a more trusting, safe, and humane organizational culture. They also emphasize inclusion, community health, and freedom for all. Through coaching, fair compensation, and involving staff in decision-making, they empower their team to make a meaningful impact.
However, with this new style of leadership also come challenges. Nomsa and Amy stress the importance of being open to feedback, even when it's uncomfortable, and using it as an opportunity for self-reflection rather than defensiveness. They also recognize the need to embrace imperfection and allow for evolution in their leadership approach.
To measure their success, Nomsa and Amy look at metrics such as staff retention, feedback from employees about feeling valued, and recommendations of the organization. They believe that by creating an empowering culture, they can support their staff in doing their best work and ultimately make a significant impact.
Above all, Nomsa and Amy's vision for Essential Access Health is centered around respecting bodily autonomy and fundamental human rights and dignity for all. They believe that true freedom cannot exist as long as some individuals lack it. Their goal is to amplify voices and improve outcomes through courageous and pioneering leadership. Tune in to this enlightening episode to learn more about their journey and the transformative power of co-leadership.
 
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Want to hear more from Elena? Click here!
Learn more about Essential Access Health
Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.
Connect with Nomsa on LinkedIn , Facebook and Instagram.
 
This podcast was produced by the following amazing team:
Alan Meaney, Audio Engineer
Aaron Boykin, Musician & Artist (Get updates about Aaron’s music via Instagram)
Jo van Eeden, Project Manager