Unfiltered with Rhea Toles

Rhea Toles
  • 4.2 (5)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Bimonthly

Unfiltered with Rhea Toles is the no-spin, no-fluff show for women and minorities building something of their own in business. Entrepreneur and leader Rhea Toles pulls back the curtain on the real journey of ownership — the wins, the wreckage, and everything in between — dropping hot takes and hard-won lessons along the way. If you're tired of polished success stories that skip the messy middle, this is your show.

  1. Oct 27

    I Didn't Build a Business to Be Liked: Rhea Toles on Customers, Reviews & Boundaries

    She's not apologizing for having standards — and she's not here to be liked.This week on Unfiltered with Rhea Toles, Rhea flies solo for an unfiltered rant on what it actually takes to run a business without losing your dignity. She tears into the idea that "the customer is always right," asks when a single 1-star Google review started outweighing years of hard work, and calls out the social-media playbook where an unhappy customer's first move is a public takedown instead of a conversation. Her line in the sand: boundaries aren't bad customer service — they're what keeps a business, and the people behind it, standing.And before any of that — Rhea and Brian open with a rage-bait rant on paid networking groups and "pay-to-play" business awards, asking whether any of it is about real relationships or just ego.In this episode:Cold open: are networking groups the modern "cool kids club"?Paying hundreds of dollars a year to join a group — and paying again for an awardThe "Top 40 Under 40" style awards racketWhen networking turns into ego instead of communityA shoutout to community give-back over paid memberships"I didn't build a business to be liked" — Rhea's core thesis for the episodeWhen did a 1-star review get more powerful than years of hard work?Rejecting "the customer is always right"Saying no to a customer, accountability without fear, and why integrity beats a perfect ratingTimestamps:0:00 – Cold open: networking groups & pay-to-play awards rant1:44 – "There's more networking groups than businesses"2:17 – Networking groups as the modern-day "cool kids club"7:20 – Paying for an award you already deserve7:55 – The "Top 40 Under 40" awards racket9:01 – When networking becomes about ego, not community14:17 – A better way: give-back over paid membership (Adopt a Street)16:13 – Show intro17:43 – Welcome back: "I didn't build a business to be liked"20:17 – When did a 1-star review get more powerful than years of hard work?24:52 – Rejecting "the customer is always right"48:41 – There's a human being — and a family — behind that business51:15 – Closing thoughts: dignity over ratingsThis Episode's Sponsor:Snohomish Film Company — a people-first, production-second video agency. #UnfilteredWithRheaToles #SmallBusiness #CustomerService #GoogleReviews #Boundaries #Podcast

  2. Oct 13

    Celine Williams on Mom Guilt, Marriage & the Real Estate Market Shift No One's Talking About

    Ever been trapped next to a stranger's entire FaceTime call at Costco? Rhea has — and she's not holding back about it. This week on Unfiltered with Rhea Toles, top-producing real estate agent Celine Williams joins the show for an honest conversation about what it actually takes to balance a thriving career with marriage, motherhood, and her own sense of self. They get into mom guilt, the moment Celine's marriage had to adapt to her career taking off, losing friendships that no longer fit, and why she finally stopped people-pleasing her way through client relationships. Celine also breaks down what's really happening in the real estate market right now — pricing, days on market, and the rate environment — and doesn't shy away from the harder, less glamorous side of the job. And before any of that — Rhea kicks things off with a full-throated rant about people having loud, private conversations on speakerphone in public, sponsored by BCI Construction. In this episode: Rhea's rage-bait rant on public speakerphone conversations (and a shoutout to BCI Construction) Celine's path to becoming a top real estate producer Does "balance" actually exist? Family and faith priorities Mom guilt, marriage, and adapting to a growing career Breaking the people-pleaser habit and setting boundaries with clients A real talk on the current real estate market: pricing, timelines, rates Losing friendships that no longer serve her — and being okay with it The hard, ugly side of real estate nobody posts about Financial pressure: income, taxes, and healthcare costs as a business owner Advice for moms who feel like they're running on empty Rapid-fire questions to close it out Timestamps: 0:00 – Cold open: Rhea's rage bait on public speakerphone conversations 6:35 – Show intro 8:06 – Welcome back, Celine Williams 11:28 – Does balance really exist? 16:09 – Mom guilt, deep dive 18:55 – Marriage adapting to a growing career 23:49 – Breaking the people-pleaser habit with clients 28:41 – Real estate market analysis: pricing, days on market, rates 33:01 – Friendships, boundaries, and letting go of ones that don't fit 37:07 – Staying authentic on social media 40:21 – The hard, ugly side of real estate 42:50 – Family dinner routine and hockey-mom life 44:34 – Letting go of the past and moving forward 47:01 – Financial pressure: income, taxes, healthcare costs 48:36 – The biggest lesson real estate has taught her about people 49:35 – Quieting the negative self-talk 51:18 – Advice for exhausted, overwhelmed moms 53:41 – What she hopes her kids remember 56:45 – Rapid-fire questions

  3. Sep 29

    New Chamber CEO Cami Anthony on Leadership, Capoeira & Women Supporting Women

    She just stepped into the CEO chair at the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce — and she's bringing capoeira, twin boys, and a no-nonsense take on "women's competitiveness" with her.This week on Unfiltered with Rhea Toles, Cami Anthony joins the show for her third appearance to talk about taking over as interim President/CEO, the mentor who prepared her for it, and why she thinks the "catty women" stereotype in business is mostly nonsense. Plus: her love of Brazilian martial art capoeira, the Chamber's partnership with the Tulalip Tribes, and a rapid-fire list of ways to support local businesses without spending a dime.And before any of that — Rhea kicks things off with a full-throated rant about tailgaters, because "your bad attitude doesn't come with an airbag."In this episode:Rhea's rage-bait rant on tailgating drivers (and a shoutout to the Marysville Tulalip Chamber)Cami's path from nervous newcomer to Chamber CEOBalancing new leadership responsibilities with raising twin boysWhy capoeira keeps her grounded, physically and mentallyDebunking the "women don't support women" myth in businessThe Chamber's mission and its partnership with the Tulalip TribesFree ways to support small businesses (reviews, referrals, shares)A full rundown of upcoming Chamber events — mark your calendarTimestamps:0:00 – Cold open: Rhea's tailgater rant6:16 – Show intro7:46 – Welcome back, Cami Anthony19:00 – Capoeira, family life, and staying grounded28:40 – Women supporting women in business37:15 – The Chamber's mission & small business advocacy47:50 – Partnership with the Tulalip Tribes52:45 – Upcoming eventsUpcoming Chamber Events (mentioned in this episode):Veterans Social — first Thursday of every month; this month Oct 1, 9 AM, Reboot Recovery. Latino Leadership Community Council networking event — Oct 8, Realty One (hosted by Jose Zaragoza). Mega Mixer — Oct 15, 5:30 PM, the Opera House. Oktoberfest themed — wear your lederhosen/dirndl. $25. Engage Marysville — Oct 20, Sherwood Community Services (Lake Stevens).October BBH Breakfast: "State of the Station" — Tulalip Resort Casino, focused on Naval Station Everett.December Gala — White Christmas themed. Sponsors and table hosts needed — contact Cami to reserve a table. Whole-basket donations and gift cards ($25–$100) needed for the live auction.The Chamber holds 4 networking events a month, and you don't have to live in Marysville or Tulalip to join — events run in Everett, Marysville, Lake Stevens, and Arlington too. Full calendar (Chamber Events + Community Events, open for anyone to post) at marysvilletulalipchamber.com.Connect with the Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce:marysvilletulalipchamber.com#UnfilteredWithRheaToles #MarysvilleTulalipChamber #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusiness #Leadership #Podcast

  4. Sep 8

    A Title Gives You Authority. It Can't Give You Influence. | Unfiltered S2E1

    This episode opens with Rhea's Rage Bait — a hiring manager's honest take on what's actually wrong with resumes and interviews right now (spoiler: don't show up drunk, don't call yourself "overqualified," and don't tell her you're a hustler — show her). Then it gets into the real conversation: what influence actually is, why it has nothing to do with your title or your follower count, and why showing up for people — mentorship, referrals, celebrating someone else's win — is the only version of it that lasts. Rhea closes with this week's challenge: help one person this week through a referral or an introduction, then come back and tell her how it went. If your title, your money, your business, and your following disappeared tomorrow — would you still be influential? Real conversations. Raw stories. Unfiltered truth. --- LEADERSHIP / BUSINESS / COMMUNITY IMPACT Drop your weekly challenge story in the comments below.

  5. Aug 25

    Start With Yourself: Accountability, Ambition & Letting Go | BioClean Unfiltered Ep. 29

    In this solo episode, Rhea Toles dives into Emma Grede's book Start With Yourself and shares how its message transformed the way she thinks about accountability, failure, and personal growth. From blaming circumstances to taking ownership, Rhea gets real about the mindset shifts that changed her life and business — including why the common denominator in your life is always you.Topics covered:Why accountability is the most empowering thing you can doThe "old thoughts" holding you back (and how to challenge them)Stop waiting for someone to save youYou can be grateful AND still want moreA 5-question challenge to start your next chapterRhea's 5-Question Challenge:What do I really want, truly?What am I currently tolerating that I know needs to change?What old thought about myself is holding me back?Where do I need to take more accountability?What's one action I can take this week instead of waiting?Book mentioned: Start With Yourself by Emma Grede

  6. Aug 11

    Building Community Through Authenticity | BioClean Unfiltered Ep 28

    In this episode of Bio Clean Unfiltered, host Rhea Toles sits down with Kendra Montgomery — mother of four, Spanish interpreter, community leader, and co-founder of Community and Beyond, a networking group built to connect and uplift Snohomish County's diverse communities.Kendra opens up about growing up in foster care and how that experience shaped her drive to create spaces where people feel welcome without barriers. She shares the story behind Community and Beyond and Pitch Black Entertainment and Events, why she believes intentionality and authenticity matter more than being "business ready," and how she balances entrepreneurship, motherhood, and community work while still making time for self-care.This conversation covers:✨ How Community and Beyond started and its mission to connect the community✨ Building a business rooted in accessibility, not profit✨ Navigating entrepreneurship as a mom of four✨ The importance of mentorship and support systems✨ Making space for rest and self-care as a community leaderConnect with Kendra Montgomery:🔗 Community and Beyondhttps://www.instagram.com/thecommunityandbeyond/🔗 Pitch Black Entertainment and Eventshttps://www.facebook.com/PitchBlackEntertainmentLLC/Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Bio Clean Unfiltered for more real conversations with the people shaping our community.#BioCleanUnfiltered #CommunityAndBeyond #SnohomishCounty #WomenInBusiness #PodcastClips #Entrepreneurship #CommunityLeader

  7. Jul 7

    People Pleasing Is Expensive | BioClean Unfiltered Ep. 27 with Rhea Toles

    In this solo episode of BioClean Unfiltered, Rhea Toles gets real about the hidden cost of people pleasing — and why it's one of the most expensive habits we carry into business, leadership, friendships, and family.Rhea breaks down how growing up in an immigrant household shaped her need to be liked, why saying "no" is a complete sentence, and the difference between a leader who serves and a people pleaser who saves. If you've ever lost sleep replaying conversations, said yes when you meant no, or carried someone else's emotional burden — this one's for you.#PeoplePleasing #BioCleanUnfiltered #RheaToles #Leadership #Boundaries #Podcast #BusinessOwner #WomenInBusiness #SetBoundaries #SelfWorth

  8. Jun 23

    Leadership, Motherhood, and the Arbonne Journey with Christie Thompson

    Episode 26 | BioClean Unfiltered with Rhea TolesGuest: Christie Thompson, Regional Vice President, ArbonneIn this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Rhea sits down with friend and Arbonne Regional Vice President Christie Thompson — just before Christie embarks on a major life move from the Pacific Northwest to Franklin, Tennessee. What starts as a sendoff conversation quickly turns into one of the most honest, practical, and motivating conversations on the podcast yet.Christie shares her full journey — from skeptical product user to full-time network marketing leader — and breaks down exactly what it took to walk away from a traditional career to build a flexible, faith-driven life on her own terms.In this episode, you'll hear about:- Why Christie almost dismissed Arbonne entirely — and what changed her mind after 22 months- The real "why" behind leaving corporate: the boss who couldn't guarantee her one weekday evening off for her daughter's swim lessons- How to borrow someone else's belief when you don't yet believe in yourself- What authentic leadership actually looks like — and why humility is where it starts- The qualities Christie looks for when identifying future leaders (hint: it has nothing to do with appearance, age, or existing income)- Her "Snickers vs. mortgage" framework for women on the fence about starting a business- How she manages mom guilt, phone-free presence, and intentional time-blocking as a single mom- Why setbacks aren't signs to quit — they're lessons preparing you for the next level- The Miracle Morning habits that set up her mindset every single day-Her powerful advice on auditing your inner circle: "If you're the most successful person in the room, that room won't take you any higher."Whether you're a working mom looking for more flexibility, someone curious about Arbonne or wellness entrepreneurship, or just a woman who needs a reminder that change is possible — this episode will meet you right where you are.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Unfiltered with Rhea Toles is the no-spin, no-fluff show for women and minorities building something of their own in business. Entrepreneur and leader Rhea Toles pulls back the curtain on the real journey of ownership — the wins, the wreckage, and everything in between — dropping hot takes and hard-won lessons along the way. If you're tired of polished success stories that skip the messy middle, this is your show.

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