The Luminary Lens

Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff
  • 5.0 (2)
  • CAREERS

Where heart meets strategy and stories spark transformation. Host Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff—corporate marketing leader, salon curator, and champion of emotionally intelligent leadership—invites executives, artists, athletes, and innovators to share the pivotal moments that reshaped their lives and work. In relaxed, salon-style conversations, Rebecca uncovers the “why” behind each guest’s journey, exploring how they cultivate community, navigate change, and lead with empathy in demanding environments. Expect: •  Candid dialogue that blends real-world business insight with soulful reflection•  Diverse voices from boardrooms, design studios, stables, and stages•  Practical takeaways for building purpose-driven careers, teams, and lives•  Short “Reflection” minisodes to help you turn inspiration into actionNew episodes release every other Wednesday. Pull up a chair, join the conversation, and discover how intentional conversations can transform you—professionally and personally—one story at a time.

Episodes

  1. 10/08/2025

    Speaking Different Truths: Messaging, Empathy, and the Art of Political Translation with Kevin Perez-Allen

    In this episode of The Luminary Lens, host Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff sits down with Kevin Perez-Allen, Senior Vice President at Signal Group, for a revealing conversation on political communication, emotional intelligence, and the nuance of narrative-building in polarized environments. From his early fascination with politics to advising foreign embassies and advocacy groups, Kevin’s journey bridges personal resilience with a deep understanding of how messaging shapes our realities. Together, they explore how language and identity can either build walls or open doors, and why effective communication is less about persuasion and more about translation. Drawing on Maslow’s Hierarchy and real-world diplomatic strategy, this conversation offers a roadmap for leaders, marketers, and everyday citizens who want to move past division and toward meaningful connection. In this episode: How a childhood shaped by poverty and political curiosity led Kevin into public affairsThe overlooked power of communication strategy in policy and leadershipWhat foreign governments get wrong (and right) about messaging to AmericansWhy fear is dominating political discourse—and what to do about itThe danger of leading with identity in divided spaces, and how to find common groundHow to communicate from the “bottom of the pyramid” to reach real peopleThe difference between performative activism and transformational changeWhy curiosity, empathy, and shared humanity are the only sustainable strategyIf you believe business needs more curiosity, courage, and humanity, this conversation is just the beginning. Join the conversation using #LuminaryLens.

    45 min

  2. 07/30/2025

    Saddles, Strategy, and the Spirit of Polo with Megan Judge

    Welcome to The Luminary Lens, where heart meets strategy and stories spark transformation. In this episode, host Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff speaks with Megan Judge—Owner of Central Coast Polo and Head Coach of Cal Poly Polo, one of the most successful collegiate programs in the U.S. In this episode, Rebecca and Megan explore how polo goes far beyond horses and mallets—it becomes a training ground for life. Megan shares how she builds an open, development-focused culture that welcomes complete beginners and turns them into confident athletes. From the fundamentals of horsemanship to coaching philosophies that blend grit, adaptability, and community, Megan’s perspective offers lessons for leaders and learners alike. In this episode: Coaching students with no prior polo or riding experienceWhy early exposure and family inclusion are essential to growing the sportBuilding a sustainable polo ecosystem: roles beyond playersHorsemanship, safety, and how many horses it takes to competeThe power of polo for leadership development and mental focusWomen’s rising presence in the sport and the shifting demographics of playWhy youth programs and instructor development are critical to polo’s futureIf you believe sports can build character, community, and courage, this episode is for you. Join the conversation using #LuminaryLens.

    17 min

  3. 07/16/2025

    Embodied Creativity: Movement, Meaning, and Leading Through Art with Dana Genshaft

    Welcome to The Luminary Lens, where heart meets strategy and stories spark transformation. Host Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff—a corporate marketing leader, salon curator, and founder of the Luminary Society—sits down with Dana Genshaft, choreographer, educator, and Artistic Director of SF Danceworks. In this layered and insightful conversation, Dana reflects on a lifetime shaped by motion—from early training at the Kirov Academy to dancing on the stages of San Francisco Ballet, and now leading one of the most forward-looking contemporary repertory companies in the country. She shares how dance serves as a language of connection, what it means to build culture with intention, and why investing in emerging artists is essential for the future of the arts. Rebecca brings her signature style of intentional conversation to uncover how Dana’s approach to leadership blends discipline with empathy, structure with stretch, and vision with community. In this episode: How Dana’s artistic lineage shaped her identity as a dancer and leaderThe difference between discipline and perfection in the creative processWhy contemporary repertory dance matters—and how SF Danceworks is reimagining itThe role of trust, play, and negotiation in artistic collaborationBuilding administrative and emotional infrastructure to support working artistsWhat empathetic leadership looks like inside a values-driven arts organizationDreaming future collaborations across tech, architecture, and immersive experienceIf you believe business and the arts need more curiosity, courage, and humanity, this conversation is just the beginning. Join the conversation using #LuminaryLens. For upcoming performances and more, visit sfdanceworks.org.

    37 min

  4. 07/02/2025

    Empathy in Action: Rebuilding, Sales Leadership and Showing Up Human with Roderick Jefferson

    What happens when a high-powered executive is forced to pause—and begins to truly listen? In this deeply personal and inspiring conversation, Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff sits down with longtime friend and sales enablement leader Roderick Jefferson to talk about what it really means to lead with empathy, live with intention, and rebuild from the inside out. Roderick shares the story behind his life-altering stroke and the profound transformation that followed. Together, they explore the evolution from hustle-fueled success to values-led legacy, the fallacy of work-life balance, and why EQ—emotional intelligence—is no longer optional in today’s leadership landscape. This episode is a masterclass in perspective, vulnerability, and redefining impact on your own terms. In this episode, you'll learn: How Roderick reframed his definition of success through adversityWhy “give to give” has become his personal and professional mantraThe role empathy plays in high-performance leadershipWhy transformation is essential (and what it really takes)How younger generations are shifting the narrative on work and lifeWhether you're a seasoned leader, an emerging executive, or simply someone navigating big life shifts, this episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and lead with heart.

    34 min

  5. 06/26/2025

    The Edge of Possibility: Fear, Curiosity and the Future of Leadership with John Hagel

    Welcome to the premiere episode of The Luminary Lens, where heart meets strategy and stories spark transformation. Host Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff—a corporate marketing leader, salon curator, and founder of the Luminary Society—kicks off the series with John Hagel, acclaimed strategist and author of The Journey Beyond Fear. In this candid and thoughtful conversation, John shares why fear—not flawed strategies—is often the greatest obstacle to growth, and how emotional intelligence, curiosity, and community can unlock new potential in the age of AI. Drawing from decades of experience in Silicon Valley, he outlines what it means to lead with purpose in rapidly evolving environments—and why passion is often missing from the workplace. Rebecca brings her signature style of intentional conversation to explore the human side of transformation, making space for reflections that reach beyond business as usual. In this episode: Why fear is driving resistance in leadership and organizationsHow to cultivate the “Passion of the Explorer” to sustain impactWhy innovation demands emotional intelligence and creative riskA new model for strategy: Zoom Out to find the vision, Zoom In to make it realHow leaders can embrace transformation without triggering resistanceWhat it means to scale an “edge” and build toward a new core of growthIf you believe business needs more curiosity, courage, and humanity, this conversation is just the beginning. Join the conversation using #LuminaryLens.

    29 min

  6. 06/19/2025

    Introducing The Luminary Lens

    The Luminary Lens is a podcast where technology-marketing leader, salon curator, and champion of emotionally intelligent leadership Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff invites executives, artists, athletes, and other industry luminaries to share the “aha” moments that transformed their work and their lives. In this trailer, Rebecca previews relaxed, salon-style conversations that blend pragmatic business and marketing insight with soulful reflection. Expect candid stories from boardrooms, design studios, stables, and stages, plus practical takeaways for building purpose-driven careers, teams, and lives that turn inspiration into action. Pull up a chair, hit follow, and discover how intentional dialogue can transform you—professionally and personally—one story at a time.

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Where heart meets strategy and stories spark transformation. Host Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff—corporate marketing leader, salon curator, and champion of emotionally intelligent leadership—invites executives, artists, athletes, and innovators to share the pivotal moments that reshaped their lives and work. In relaxed, salon-style conversations, Rebecca uncovers the “why” behind each guest’s journey, exploring how they cultivate community, navigate change, and lead with empathy in demanding environments. Expect: •  Candid dialogue that blends real-world business insight with soulful reflection•  Diverse voices from boardrooms, design studios, stables, and stages•  Practical takeaways for building purpose-driven careers, teams, and lives•  Short “Reflection” minisodes to help you turn inspiration into actionNew episodes release every other Wednesday. Pull up a chair, join the conversation, and discover how intentional conversations can transform you—professionally and personally—one story at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Luminary Lens
  • Show Website
    The Luminary Lens