In this powerful return to Heliona Insight, Dr. Michael Maclin—Superintendent of the Special School District of St. Louis County—joins us once again to dive deeper into the conversation that started it all: Inclusion.

Last time, Dr. Maclin left us with a message that resonated across industries: “DEI is not a department; it’s a mindset.” In this follow-up conversation, we explore what that mindset looks like in action—especially now, when Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs are facing scrutiny, burnout, and resistance across the professional landscape.

So what does it look like to prioritize inclusion when it’s no longer “trending”? Why should leaders double down, not back out? And how can we reshape our systems, conversations, and leadership styles to create workplaces where people truly belong?

From education to executive leadership, Dr. Maclin’s experience helps us reframe inclusion as ongoing work, not a policy or a PR checkbox. It’s about belonging. It’s about access. And it’s about the brave decisions leaders need to make even when it’s hard.

If you’re a leader, executive, or changemaker trying to understand what inclusive leadership looks like today—this is the episode for you.

🎧 Listen now and be reminded: inclusion isn’t an initiative. It’s the foundation for the future of work.

Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired, it’s about feeling empty. And yet, in workplaces everywhere, we continue to push ourselves past our limits, treating exhaustion as a badge of honor.

In this special episode of Heliona Insight, I’m doing something different. I’m sharing a short clip from a documentary I produced about burnout in the workplace and diving into what it really means, why it happens, and what we can do to stop it.

If you’ve ever felt drained, detached, or like you’re just going through the motions, this episode is for you. It’s time to have a real conversation about burnout, and more importantly, how we can create workplaces that don’t push people to their breaking point.

What does it take to get unstuck and lead bold transformation? In this episode of Heliona Insight, we’re joined by Monica Cohen, newly appointed CEO of the American Cider Association and a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience, including C-suite leadership at a $20 billion global food and beverage company, Dairy Farmers of America.

Monica shares her journey as a fearless innovator and bold decision-maker, from managing an innovation accelerator to empowering teams to break through barriers and embrace their potential. Her core message, “You have the power,” is a powerful reminder that leadership starts with mindset and the willingness to challenge the status quo.

Tune in as we dive into Monica’s strategies for helping individuals and organizations get unstuck, ignite transformation, and lead with confidence. This episode is packed with inspiration and actionable takeaways for leaders at every level.

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