For Our Edification

Real stories of transformation. Strategic insights for navigating change.

A personal leadership podcast that shares real stories about moments that transform people's careers. Eddie Francis reaches into his bag of strategic communications and leadership expertise, while Dr. Halima Leak Francis comes in with super cool sociological insights to help us be our best selves. forouredification.substack.com

  1. 3D AGO

    075 | Discovering His Sovereign Path with Rory Verrett

    Rory Verrett felt "rudderless" after being defeated early in his career—literally. The New Orleans native had returned from Harvard Law School and had a strong start to his career when he decided to run for public office. But he suffered a bitter defeat. It was a moment that Rory describes as feeling "devastated" and "embarrassed." That moment led to a series of career moves that have helped Rory discover a superpower that he didn't realize he had. This discussion is a lesson in coping with what happens when manifesting doesn't work, making room for what may be your real talent, and the power of introspection when you rely on your supporters. About Rory Verrett | mysovereignpath.com The founder of Sovereign Path™ and one of the most trusted executive coaches for purpose-driven leaders across industries and continents, Rory brings a rare combination of experience in executive search, leadership development, and succession strategy. He brings deep insight into what it takes to lead with clarity, conviction, and long-term impact. Rory has coached CEOs, general counsels, professional sports coaches, startup founders, nonprofit executives, finance leaders, and global entrepreneurs. His work draws on over two decades of advising senior leaders at critical inflection points in their careers and organizations. Rory developed Sovereign Path after leading succession planning for global corporations, managing the NFL’s leadership academy for emerging front office executives, and curating learning experiences for club executives at Stanford and Wharton business schools. He has presented talent strategy insights at the White House, testified before Congress, and lectured on leadership and equity in North America, Europe, and Africa. As founder of Protégé Search, Rory has recruited executive leaders for some of the world’s most mission-driven companies, nonprofits, and B Corporations. This unique vantage point—at the intersection of purpose, power, and placement—makes him a uniquely effective coach for those seeking to lead authentically and with legacy in mind. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Rory earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University and was selected as a Truman Scholar. Through Sovereign Path, he helps ambitious, values-driven leaders design the next chapter of their lives and careers—on purpose, with purpose. The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit forouredification.substack.com

    44 min
  2. JAN 23

    074 | Transformation Beyond Corporate Politics with Melinda Van Fleet

    What happens when a self-described workaholic hits a wall with corporate politics? For Melinda Van Fleet it was a sign that something had to change. Melinda visited For Our Edification to share her journey from successful retail buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue to empowerment and business coach. After years of thriving in Corporate America, regularly working 12-hour days because she genuinely loved what she did, Melinda discovered that loving your work wasn’t enough when corporate politics got in the way. Her turning point came in 2009 when both Melinda and her husband Ryan got laid off simultaneously. They moved to the Florida Keys without knowing anyone. But from that rock-bottom moment, they built three successful businesses. Melinda shares how her new reality has been built on her revolutionary view on leadership, uncovering the power of meditation vs. mind loops, radical self-awareness, and more. About Melinda Van Fleet | melindavanfleet.com An intuitive and energetic empowerment business coach/mentor, Melinda is also a business owner with her husband and a bestselling author. She helps people understand how to expand their conscious awareness and use their intuitive gifts so they can achieve their goals and live their best life possible. Melinda and her husband, Capt. Ryan Van Fleet have an inspiring story of how they moved to The Florida Keys in 2009 and created Good Karma Sportfishing and Educational Programs. In 2021, she wrote and self-published two bestselling non-fiction books, Confidence Master for Couples: Roadmap to a More Intimate Relationship and Life & Love Lessons: How to Develop Confidence Through Your Spiritual Journey. Both are available on Amazon, Audible, in paperback, and eBook. Melinda is currently working on her first fiction book series in the Sci-Fi worldview genre. Connect also at: * Instagram: @melinda_vanfleet * Patreon: Conscious Convergence- Your Most Purposeful Life * Facebook: melinda.vanfleet.31 * LinkedIn: melinda-van-fleet * TikTok: @melindavanfleet7 The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit forouredification.substack.com

    40 min
  3. 10/01/2025

    069 | The Fight for Critical Thinking with Dr. Esha Lovrić

    Dr. Esha Lovrić deeply believes that there is a need to widely promote critical thinking. She is so convinced of it that she has taken to Threads for a public commentary, even focusing on making the distinction between critical thinking and conspiratorial thinking. I was so excited about her posts that I invited Esha to join me for an episode of my weekly radio show “The Way Forward” on WBOK radio. This episode of “For Our Edification” is a replay of that conversation. Ending the episode with my Leadership for Good thoughts, I admit that this was supposed to be another episode entirely. But the ancestors said, “Ah-ah! Don’t do it.” About Dr. Esha Lovrić Raised in a region ripped apart by social and political upheaval, Esha is a social scientist dedicated to asking questions to give people more clarity about their relationship with society and society’s relationship with them. Her research and study quest begins with fundamental questions like: How do we perceive the world? Why do we perceive the world as we do? What can we control? How can we increase the chance of personal success? Over the past 15 years, Esha’s journey in the field of sociological discourse has primarily revolved around the Western context. She has taught, lectured, supervised, and mentored at universities in Australia and now in the European Union. She continues to research and write scientific publications, as well as uphold the requirements of her appointment as a visiting academic fellow. Esha teaches at the intersection of sociology and social structures, along with philosophy and other scientific evidence. She wholly rejects scientific dichotomies. Her research interests are studying what motivates human beings to work hard for their future selves and what pulls people backwards. Esha also researches rituals and social pollutants, and social constructions. The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit forouredification.substack.com

    34 min
  4. 09/09/2025

    068 | Creating Student Success from Access with Dr. James K. Winfield

    The first Higher Edification guest stepped in to share some great perspectives about the profound impact that higher education has on him. Dr. James K. Winfield is a student access and success leader who champions first-generation college students. Having been a first-gen student himself, James shares his higher education empowerment story. A current university administrator, he also talks about the importance of students having support in higher education, the growth that he seen from students on his journey, and how higher education can connect better with communities. About Dr. James K. Winfield James serves as the Associate dean for first year experience, general education, and retention strategies at Southern New Hampshire University’s Global Campus. His portfolio includes the implementation of holistic strategies and programs to improve the communication, orientation, and retention efforts for first-year students, along with developing policies and processes that support the general education experience of global campus students. James, a proud first-gen student, advocate, and researcher, has a multitude of administrative and teaching experiences at various institutions, including colleges that are flagship, land-grant, private, HBCUs, and online education. James has been actively involved with NASPA and First-gen Forward, serving on the Forward Thinkers Group and is a founding member and past co-chair for the Black First-gen Collective. He has extensive experience in TRIO Programs, first-year programs, specifically orientation and first-year seminars - teaching, designing curriculum, and leading faculty development. He has launched and managed early alert systems, peer mentoring, and tutoring programs. James’s dissertation focused on the career self-efficacy and academic major decisions of low-income first-generation college students in a TRIO SSS program. He earned his Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of South Carolina, an M.Ed. in higher education administration, and his B.A. in mass communication from Auburn University. James is also a pop culture enthusiast and consistently writes about college and first-gen narratives in TV and film. The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit forouredification.substack.com

    36 min
5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

A personal leadership podcast that shares real stories about moments that transform people's careers. Eddie Francis reaches into his bag of strategic communications and leadership expertise, while Dr. Halima Leak Francis comes in with super cool sociological insights to help us be our best selves. forouredification.substack.com