Let's Get Real
92 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsHi, I'm Nina Simonds, a leadership and relationship coach, and Let's Get Real is about having REAL (relevant, engaging, authentic leadership) conversations with people who inspire me. My guests are business leaders, learning professionals, and social impact entrepreneurs who are working toward a more inclusive and equitable world. We explore personal experiences that have been catalysts for their growth and share some of the key concepts and tools that support effective and inclusive leadership to give you the confidence to lead and love well.
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Episodes
Staying Optimistic with Lilly Tong
November 01, 2021 04:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBFor the Season 3 Opener, Nina interviews Lilly Tong, climate creative and activist and host of Make Peas Not Beef. Lilly is passionate about building smart cities that leverage sustainable practices and technological innovation to combat climate change. In this conversation Lilly and Nina talked about the importance of optimism to being a climate activist. They also riffed on veganism, reducing use of plastic and the privilege of clean drinking water. Finally, Lilly shared the three thin...
Collective Liberation with Robin Lacambra
August 30, 2021 13:00 - 50 minutes - 34.5 MBRobin Lacambra is a social justice advocate and movement educator and the founder of GOODBODYFEEL, a studio that offers accessible, inclusive and decolonized movement classes that build self-awareness, strength and community. Robin shared how inclusivity informs both her parenting and her leadership. Nina and Robin talked about how essential embodiment is to our collective liberation. Robin spoke eloquently about the difference between true joy and what she calls "toxic positivity." Th...
Listener Questions with Nina and Andy
August 16, 2021 00:00 - 12 minutes - 8.87 MBNina and Andy chat about how to protect and improve voter rights here in the United States and why it matters now more than ever to get involved. They also talked about how they choose guests for the pod and whether the format is more interview or conversation. They also shared some BIG personal news before announcing the theme for Season Three. Contact your U.S. Senator Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! Instagram Linked In
The Expansive and the Absurd with Rebecca Scott
August 02, 2021 12:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBRebecca Scott is a leadership coach and catalyst with Cultivating Leadership. She also brings humor, vulnerability and grace to her daily struggles with Multiple Sclerosis through her blog Stumblr. In this episode Rebecca shared the mindsets and habits she uses to deal with MS and how she applies what she is learning to her work with leaders. Nina and Rebecca also geeked out about adult development theory and how it has helped both of them grow. They also came up with a new definition fo...
The Expansive and the Absurd with Rebecca Scott
August 02, 2021 12:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBRebecca Scott is a leadership coach and catalyst with Cultivating Leadership. She also brings humor, vulnerability and grace to her daily struggles with Multiple Sclerosis through her blog Stumblr. In this episode Rebecca shared the mindsets and habits she uses to deal with MS and how she applies what she is learning to her work with leaders. Nina and Rebecca also geeked out about adult development theory and how it has helped both of them grow. They also came up with a new definition fo...
Shared Responsibility with Richard Hurt
July 19, 2021 16:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBRichard Hurt was elected to Aliso Viejo City Council in 2020, the first black person to be elected to local office in South Orange County, California. Nina and Richard talked about their hopes for racial equity in the United States and the importance of staying in the conversation. Richard about his early experiences getting things done for Aliso Viejo and what gives him hope for the future. Kathryn Finney Leadership and Self Deception Clint Smith Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mai...
From Ally to Accomplice
July 04, 2021 15:00 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBSeena Hodges is the founder of The Woke Coach, an organization that helps clients have a deeper understanding of how the legacy of racism and injustice affect us all. Ms. Hodges and her team engage with clients to facilitate conversations that live at the intersection of equity, diversity, inclusion, antiracism, and empowerment. She shared the specific distinctions between being an ally and an accomplice. Nina and Seena also got real about what it will take for friendships between white ...
From Ally to Accomplice
July 04, 2021 15:00 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBSeena Hodges is the founder of The Woke Coach, an organization that helps clients have a deeper understanding of how the legacy of racism and injustice affect us all. Ms. Hodges and her team engage with clients to facilitate conversations that live at the intersection of equity, diversity, inclusion, antiracism, and empowerment. She shared the specific distinctions between being an ally and an accomplice. Nina and Seena also got real about what it will take for friendships between white ...
Behind the Scenes, Season 2
June 21, 2021 02:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBIn this episode Nina shares more about Season 2 and interviews a very special guest, her daughter Layne Bower. Layne is a Senior at the University of Minnesota and is the president of the College of Liberal Arts Student Board. Layne asked her mom the five questions that Nina has been asking each guest this season. Nina and Layne also talked about what makes their relationship unique and how Nina came up with the title for the show. Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! Instagr...
Behind the Scenes, Season 2
June 21, 2021 02:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBIn this episode Nina shares more about Season 2 and interviews a very special guest, her daughter Layne Bower. Layne is a Senior at the University of Minnesota and is the president of the College of Liberal Arts Student Board. Layne asked her mom the five questions that Nina has been asking each guest this season. Nina and Layne also talked about what makes their relationship unique and how Nina came up with the title for the show.
Being a BADASS with Eric Kohner
June 07, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutes - 35.7 MBEric Kohner is an internationally recognized executive coach and keynote speaker. He founded EKCOsystem, a global corporate training company dedicated to bringing the human being into business. He brings heart skills to high-level executives in global organizations such as the US Navy, Capgemini, and ING and is a pioneer of the coaching profession. Eric shared candidly about how he is learning to work with his own privilege in his work with emerging talent. Nina and Eric explored some of ...
Being a BADASS
June 07, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutes - 35.7 MBEric Kohner is an internationally recognized executive coach and keynote speaker. He founded EKCOsystem, a global corporate training company dedicated to bringing the human being into business. He issuccessful in bringing the heart skills to high-level executives in global organizations such as the US Navy, Capgemini, and ING and is a pioneer of the coaching profession. Eric shared candidly about how he is learning to work with his own privilege in his work with emerging talent. Nina and ...
Witnessing for One Another
May 24, 2021 12:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBCalifornia activist Celeste Pewter is an upcoming journalist with bylines in Teen Vogue and Thrillist. Most recently she has been speaking out about the increased profiling of people of Asian American descent. In this conversation, Celeste shared candidly about recent harassment she experienced near her home as a Taiwanese American. Nina and Celeste also explored the power of witnessing for one another and how the term microaggression may minimize the toxicity of racist comments. Fina...
Witnessing for One Another with Celeste Pewter
May 24, 2021 12:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBCalifornia activist Celeste Pewter is an upcoming journalist with bylines in Teen Vogue and Thrillist. Most recently she has been speaking out about the increased profiling of people of Asian American descent. In this conversation, Celeste shared candidly about recent harassment she experienced near her home as a Taiwanese American. Nina and Celeste also explored the power of witnessing for one another and how the term microaggression may minimize the toxicity of racist comments. Fina...
Thriving Together with Grace Churchill and Joanna Cotton
May 10, 2021 10:00 - 41 minutes - 28.7 MBToronto-based executive coaches Joanna Cotton and Grace Churchill are the founders of the Do Good Collective, a community for women who want to create meaningful connections and change the world. Grace and Joanna shared their insights about what professional women need most right now. Nina also found out what helps them thrive as a partnership, and they got real about their reactive patterns. Grace and Joanna were also candid about what it's like to face another lockdown just as the Unite...
Thriving Together
May 10, 2021 10:00 - 41 minutes - 28.7 MBToronto-based executive coaches Joanna Cotton and Grace Churchill are the founders of the Do Good Collective, a community for women who want to create meaningful connections and change the world. Grace and Joanna shared their insights about what professional women need most right now. Nina also found out what helps them thrive as a partnership, and they got real about their reactive patterns. Grace and Joanna were also candid about what it's like to face another lockdown just as the Unite...
Thriving Together with Grace Churchill and Joanna Cotton
May 10, 2021 10:00 - 41 minutes - 28.7 MBToronto-based executive coaches Joanna Cotton and Grace Churchill are the founders of the Do Good Collective, a community for women who want to create meaningful connections and change the world. Grace and Joanna shared their insights about what professional women need most right now. Nina also found out what helps them thrive as a partnership, and they got real about their reactive patterns. Grace and Joanna were also candid about what it's like to face another lockdown just as the Unite...
Accessing Presence with Kvon Tucker
April 26, 2021 12:00 - 52 minutes - 36.1 MBKvon Tucker heads up leadership development for Google’s Staffing organization. He is also the founder of Consciously, a purpose-driven Executive and Leadership Coaching firm. Kvon and Nina dove into the topic of leadership presence and what it means to balance the masculine and the feminine. Kvon shared specific practices he uses with clients to help them develop presence. The two of them also explored the connection between personal transformation and working for the greater good, and...
Accessing Presence with Kvon Tucker
April 26, 2021 12:00 - 52 minutes - 36.1 MBKvon Tucker heads up leadership development for Google’s Staffing organization. He is also the founder of Consciously, a purpose-driven Executive and Leadership Coaching firm. Kvon and Nina dove into the topic of leadership presence and what it means to balance the masculine and the feminine. Kvon shared specific practices he uses with clients to help them develop presence. The two of them also explored the connection between personal transformation and working for the greater good, and...
Feminine Rising with Tina Meyers
April 12, 2021 12:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBTina Meyers is a former environmental and social justice attorney turned coach and spiritual warrior. She coaches high-performing women advocates and leaders, designs and leads feminine leadership programs for nonprofits, and is the founder of Women Advocates Rising and Warrior School. Tina and Nina explored what feminism means to each of them. They also spoke candidly about what it would be like to live in a world where women were fully empowered to bring their full selves and where leade...
Feminine Rising with Tina Meyers
April 12, 2021 12:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBTina Meyers is a former environmental and social justice attorney turned coach and spiritual warrior. She coaches high-performing women advocates and leaders, designs and leads feminine leadership programs for nonprofits, and is the founder of Women Advocates Rising and Warrior School. Tina and Nina explored what feminism means to each of them. They also spoke candidly about what it would be like to live in a world where women were fully empowered to bring their full selves and where leade...
Season 2 Trailer
April 02, 2021 01:00 - 2 minutes - 1.79 MBJoin internationally recognized facilitator and leadership coach Nina Simonds for the second season of Let's Get Real, an exploration of what it means to be a leader and activist in a world of increasing complexity and ambiguity. This season Nina continues to have REAL (relevant, engaging, authentic, leadership) conversations that illuminate how our experiences shape who we are and what matters to us. She also speaks with colleagues about the practice and evolution of leadership and pers...
Season 2 Trailer
April 02, 2021 01:00 - 2 minutes - 1.79 MBJoin internationally recognized facilitator and leadership coach Nina Simonds for the second season of Let's Get Real, an exploration of what it means to be a leader and activist in a world of increasing complexity and ambiguity. This season Nina continues to have REAL (relevant, engaging, authentic, leadership) conversations that illuminate how our experiences shape who we are and what matters to us. She also speaks with colleagues about the practice and evolution of leadership and pers...
Season One Recap
March 08, 2021 18:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBNina and Andy chat about surprising moments and highlights of Season One. Nina also gives a sneak preview of Season Two. They had a surprise guest in the studio. Season Two launches on April 12, 2021. Zoey's Instagram Nina's Instagram Andy's Instagram
Season One Recap
March 08, 2021 18:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBNina and Andy chat about surprising moments and highlights of Season One. Nina also gives a sneak preview of Season Two. They had a surprise guest in the studio. Season Two launches on April 12, 2021. Zoey's Instagram Nina's Instagram Andy's Instagram Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! Instagram Linked In
José Trinidad Castaneda on Climate Justice
February 22, 2021 12:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MBJosé Trinidad Castaneda (he/they) is a rising star in fighting for climate change and clean energy in Orange County. He is the Orange County Policy Manager with Climate Action Campaign and currently serves on the City of Fullerton Planning Commission. He is also the Communications Director for the Lavender Democrats of Orange County. José opened up about early experiences that shaped his passion for climate action and social justice. Nina and José also talked about the intersection betw...
José Trinidad Castaneda on Climate Justice
February 22, 2021 12:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MBJosé Trinidad Castaneda (he/they) is a rising star in fighting for climate change and clean energy in Orange County. He is the Orange County Policy Manager with Climate Action Campaign and currently serves on the City of Fullerton Planning Commission. He is also the Communications Director for the Lavender Democrats of Orange County. José opened up about early experiences that shaped his passion for climate action and social justice. Nina and José also talked about the intersection betw...
Veronica King on Becoming Unapologetic
February 08, 2021 05:00 - 57 minutes - 39.8 MBVeronica King is a master facilitator, executive coach and social justice advocate based in Johannesburg. She is the founder and CEO of Emuthini Consulting which she established in 2002. She draws on her extensive organizational experience at the senior executive level to work primarily with issues of inclusion and diversity with both private and public sector clients. She shared what it was like to begin her career under Apartheid and how she found her authentic self by letting go of nee...
Eldra Jackson III on Choosing Life
January 25, 2021 12:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBEldra Jackson III is the co-director of Inside Circle, an organization that empowers people who have been affected by the criminal justice system to lead change from within. They provide opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people to heal and serve both themselves and others. Eldra shared how his choices as a teen led to the gangster life and eventually a life sentence in New Folsom state prison. He talked about what it took to survive in these subcultures and his tran...
Eldra Jackson III on Choosing Life
January 25, 2021 12:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBEldra Jackson III is the co-director of Inside Circle, an organization that empowers people who have been affected by the criminal justice system to lead change from within. They provide opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people to heal and serve both themselves and others. Eldra shared how his choices as a teen led to the gangster life and eventually a life sentence in New Folsom state prison. He talked about what it took to survive in these subcultures and his tran...
Melanie Ramil on Electing More Women
January 12, 2021 14:00 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MBMelanie Ramil is Executive Director of Emerge California, a non-profit organization that identifies and helps women and minorities in California be elected to public office. Emerge America was praised by Hillary Clinton as a group that has impressed her since the 2016 election at helping get Democrats elected to office Ramil is a superstar in her field and has dedicated her career to ensuring that institutions embrace and reflect the diversity of the constituencies they serve. Melanie has...
Melanie Ramil on Electing More Women
January 12, 2021 14:00 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MBMelanie Ramil is Executive Director of Emerge California, a non-profit organization that identifies and helps women and minorities in California be elected to public office. Emerge America was praised by Hillary Clinton as a group that has impressed her since the 2016 election at helping get Democrats elected to office Ramil is a superstar in her field and has dedicated her career to ensuring that institutions embrace and reflect the diversity of the constituencies they serve. Melanie has...
Behind The Scenes
December 28, 2020 16:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBAndy Simonds, the audio engineer and co-producer of Let's Get Real (Nina and Andy also happen to be married,) is the guest for this episode. We have a quick chat and get real about the origins of the show and what it's like to work together in a more professional context. Nina also shares a bit what's coming in the second half of Season One.
Behind The Scenes, Season 1
December 28, 2020 16:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBAndy Simonds, the audio engineer and co-producer of Let's Get Real (Nina and Andy also happen to be married,) is the guest for this episode. We have a quick chat and get real about the origins of the show and what it's like to work together in a more professional context. Nina also shares a bit what's coming in the second half of Season One. Nina Simonds Coaching Join our mailing list! Instagram Linked In
Neil Edwards on Ownership and Belonging
December 14, 2020 14:00 - 59 minutes - 40.9 MBNeil Edwards is a soulful leader and perceptive coach who works at the intersection of leadership, relationships, wellbeing, and inclusion. As an executive coach, he supports leaders and teams, centering values and purpose, and sees mature leadership as an outgrowth of identity work. In this conversation Neil shared early experiences of racism from his move from the Bahamas to the U.S. Nina and Neil also explored how belonging is connected to ownership and ways black people are excluded i...
Neil Edwards on Ownership and Belonging
December 14, 2020 14:00 - 59 minutes - 40.9 MBNeil Edwards is a soulful leader and perceptive coach who works at the intersection of leadership, relationships, wellbeing, and inclusion. As an executive coach, he supports leaders and teams, centering values and purpose, and sees mature leadership as an outgrowth of identity work. In this conversation Neil shared early experiences of racism from his move from the Bahamas to the U.S. Nina and Neil also explored how belonging is connected to ownership and ways black people are excluded i...
Matt Lydon on Leadership and Vulnerability
November 30, 2020 04:00 - 58 minutes - 39.9 MBMatt Lydon is a former Microsoft executive who led the team that successfully launched Bing search. He is the recipient of the elite Founders Award given by Bill Gates for superior leadership and innovation. Matt joined Let's Get Real to talk about what it's like to navigate a disability that is invisible to others especially in the early stages. Matt and Nina also talked about what it was like for him to be a leader at Microsoft during it's cultural transformation under Satya Nadella. Th...
Matt Lydon on Leadership and Vulnerability
November 30, 2020 04:00 - 58 minutes - 39.9 MBMatt Lydon is a former Microsoft executive who led the team that successfully launched Bing search. He is the recipient of the elite Founders Award given by Bill Gates for superior leadership and innovation. Matt joined Let's Get Real to talk about what it's like to navigate a disability that is invisible to others especially in the early stages. Matt and Nina also talked about what it was like for him to be a leader at Microsoft during it's cultural transformation under Satya Nadella. Th...
Monica Chi on the Art of Transformation
November 17, 2020 14:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MBMonica Chi is a Managing Partner with The Trium Group, a consulting and leadership development firm committed to the practice of unlocking potential in people and organizations. Monica joins Let's Get Real to talk about growing up second-generation Korean American in multi-cultural Los Angeles and how the model minority myth influenced her own sense of self. Monica also shared what she learned about leading change at the FBI as a Special Assistant to Robert Mueller post 9/11. Monica and...
Molly Watson on Everyday Activism
November 03, 2020 14:00 - 58 minutes - 40 MBMolly Watson is the Senior Development Manager for Courage California, a graduate of Emerge California, and a Board member for the Black Women's Democratic Club of California. The daughter of a Haitian immigrant and a hippie from down south, she came back to Southern California after 7 years in Brooklyn, NY. In this episode Molly and I talked about her experiences growing up bi-racial in Huntington Beach . We also talked about her work holding our elected officials accountable and how ...
Season 1 Trailer
November 01, 2020 19:00 - 1 minute - 1.39 MBJoin Nina Simonds for the first season of Let's Get Real.
Jeff Jacobson on Creative Discipline
October 27, 2020 14:00 - 59 minutes - 40.8 MBJeff Jacobson is a professional coach, facilitator and author of a Young Adult Urban Fantasy series, the latest of which is called The Boy who Chased his Shadow. Jeff has been on faculty at the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI) since 1999, where he has taught thousands of students the inner workings of the coach approach to work and life. Jeff joins Let’s Get Real to talk about the art and craft of writing, and the two of us get real about what helps and hinders the creative process. We...