This world can be a hard place to live in, and staying true to yourself in the face of adversity is one of the greatest tests we face. In this raw and resonant episode, Melinda Lee sits down with Masada Ellis -poet, founder of Not Apologetic Studios, and advocate for radical authenticity- to explore how embracing your truth transforms leadership, art, and everyday life. From surviving military prison to teaching chess to kids, Masada shares hard-won wisdom on turning pain into purpose.In This Episode, You Will Learn:The "Not Apologetic" Mindset (Spoiler: It’s Not What You Think)“We don’t need a leader of the people. We need a leader with the people, for the people.”Masada unpacks the profound difference between being unapologetically selfish and authentically self-honest, flipping the script on ego-driven leadership.How to spot (and survive) toxic leadership“A lot of leaders want the team to lose so they can win individually.”Masada’s raw military prison story (after trusting the wrong superior post-9/11) becomes a masterclass in discernment. Exposing why frenemies sabotage success.Parenting as the ultimate leadership training ground“Kids haven’t been tainted yet. They’ll tell you your breath stinks… and still ask you to play.”From his viral "group hug" ritual (30 seconds to reset family tensions) to teaching his sons to disarm bullies with compassion, Masada's approach blends ancestral wisdom with the resilience of anime heroes.Why inclusion is the only path forwardHow DNA testing revealed his global roots, a 'fun fact' that helped him sum up his purpose and why 'inclusion, not exclusion' drives his work. Connect with Masada EllisLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masada-ellis-7172a89b/ About the Guest: Masada Ellis is the secret weapon behind fearless leadership, proving kindness and strength aren’t opposites. With a Master’s in Business Administration and a heart for service, he’s spent years scaling impact instead of ego, from advocating for Head Start programs on Capitol Hill to teaching chess as a tool for respect in San Diego schools.Fun-facts:🎤 Signed artist & TV songwriter: Penned tracks for Storage Wars while mentoring local musicians.✈️ Adrenaline junkie: Sky dives and rides motorcycles, but says "parenting twins is the real thrill."🏆 Award-winning kindness: He is still proudest of his high school honor for "respect toward all people."About Melinda:Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results.She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence.Website:

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