In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Rachel Edmondson Clark to explore how identity, lived experience, and internal patterns shape how we lead—especially under pressure.

Rachel shares a deeply personal journey, from growing up observing human behavior in her mother’s salon to quickly rising through corporate leadership roles—and eventually experiencing burnout that forced her to pause and rethink how she was showing up in her work and life.

Through this conversation, we explore how intersectionality shows up not only in visible identities but also in internal drivers like high standards, people-pleasing, and the pressure to perform.

A central theme in this episode is the distinction between capability and capacity.

Many leaders focus on building skills and doing more—but often overlook the importance of restoring energy, recognizing internal signals, and creating the conditions for sustainable leadership.

Rachel offers a powerful reframe:

"Sustainable leadership isn’t just about what you can do.
It’s about how well you can continue to show up."

• How early life experiences shape emotional awareness and leadership
• The connection between high performance, people-pleasing, and burnout
• What happens when leaders ignore their internal signals
• The difference between capability (skills) and capacity (energy + resilience)
• Why pushing through works—until it doesn’t
• The role of nervous system awareness in leadership
• How small daily practices impact long-term performance
• What leaders can do to create cultures where people feel energized and supported
• How the way people feel at work directly impacts performance and culture

Rachel Edmondson Clark is a UK-based executive coach, facilitator, and founder of Elevar, a leadership development consultancy focused on sustainable high performance that serves people, performance, and the planet.

With over two decades of experience, her work sits at the intersection of energy, identity, and behavior—helping leaders understand how their nervous system, lived experience, and internal narratives shape their leadership.

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace.

Through conversations and reflections, Dr. Lola Adeyemo uncovers the insights and leadership lessons that help professionals not just survive—but truly thrive.

Each episode invites leaders to reflect on how their layered identities shape how they navigate, lead, and build impact within organizations.

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• Leave a review to help others discover the show
• Continue the reflection on Substack for a deeper dive

In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Yosi Kossowsky to explore how identity, lived experience, and internal belief systems shape how we lead.

Yosi shares a deeply personal journey—one shaped by early experiences of being labeled as “not enough,” navigating limiting beliefs, and ultimately transforming those experiences into a foundation for curiosity and growth.

Through this conversation, we explore how intersectionality extends beyond visible identity—into the internal narratives we carry about ourselves, our capabilities, and what we believe is possible.

From his early career in technology to executive leadership roles and eventually into coaching, Yosi’s journey highlights how technical expertise, emotional awareness, and behavioral understanding intersect to shape leadership.

A central theme in this episode is curiosity.

What happens when we shift from assuming we understand—to questioning what we might be missing?

This conversation challenges leaders to rethink how assumptions, communication styles, and cultural differences influence workplace dynamics—and how greater awareness can transform how we lead.

• How early labels and belief systems shape leadership identity
• The intersection of technical expertise and people leadership
• Why knowledge alone doesn’t translate into behavior change
• The role of curiosity in leadership and communication
• How assumptions impact workplace relationships and conflict
• Insights from working across global teams and cultures
• Why “what if I’m wrong?” is a powerful leadership practice
• The difference between knowing something and embodying it

Yosi Kossowsky is a seasoned executive coach with over 18 years of experience, complemented by more than 30 years in executive leadership roles, including Chief Technology Officer and Senior Director of Talent Management.

He specializes in leadership development, personal growth, and effective communication, integrating neuroscience and organizational development principles to help leaders navigate complex challenges, build high-performing teams, and drive meaningful change.

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace.

Through conversations and reflections, host Dr. Lola Adeyemo uncovers the insights, challenges, and leadership lessons that help professionals not just survive—but truly thrive.

Each episode invites leaders to define intersectionality in their own words and reflect on how their layered identities shape how they navigate, lead, and build impact within organizations.

• Share with a colleague or leader
• Leave a review to help others discover the show
• Continue the reflection on Substack for a deeper dive

In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, host Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Dr. Julie Pham to explore how identity, lived experience, and leadership are shaped across cultures, systems, and personal history.

Julie shares her journey as a Vietnamese-born refugee raised in the United States, and how that experience continues to shape how she understands belonging, communication, and opportunity in the workplace.

Through her story, we explore the intersection of refugee identity, culture, and leadership—and how these layers influence the way professionals navigate environments that are not always designed with them in mind.

This conversation also introduces a powerful shift in how we think about migration through the lens of “push and pull” factors, offering a deeper understanding of how and why people move—and how those experiences show up in the workplace.

Julie also reframes code-switching as strategic communication, and shares insights from her work on the “Seven Forms of Respect,” highlighting how respect is not universally defined—but shaped by lived experience.

• The difference between refugee and broader immigrant experiences
• “Push vs. pull” factors and how they shape identity and opportunity
• How code-switching can function as strategic communication
• Why success should be defined by how it feels—not just how it looks
• The importance of asking for help in career growth
• Managing energy vs. managing time
• Why respect is experienced differently across identities and cultures

Julie Pham is a Cambridge-trained social scientist, TEDx speaker, and founder of CuriosityBased. She works with organizations to build stronger workplace cultures through curiosity, communication, and a deeper understanding of respect.

Her TEDx talk: Curiosity as a Practice

Video Resource: 15-min overview on 7 Forms of Respect

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace—helping professionals move from navigating systems to shaping them.

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• Continue the reflection on Substack — where I share a deeper perspective on this conversation