As we wrap up an incredible Season One, join us for a special countdown of the Top 5 most-chosen songs that shaped the journeys of our leaders! This episode goes beyond the rankings to explore the common musical threads that connect incredible leaders across business, culture, creativity, and community. We revisit the powerful stories behind the anthems of resilience, joy, strategy, and strength that resonated most deeply with our phenomenal guests.

Season Two drops January 5th! 🚀

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Key Takeaways:

• Season one has been nothing short of phenomenal.

• The podcast ranked in the top 5% globally out of 3.6 million podcasts.

• The stories shared resonated deeply with listeners.

• The top five songs represent key leadership lessons.

• Music serves as a powerful connector in storytelling.

• Different genres can convey similar themes of empowerment.

• Confidence is crucial in leadership and presence.

• Choosing joy is essential for resilience and creativity.

• Perseverance is key when facing challenges.

• Identity and strength are central to personal narratives.

Thank you for being part of this phenomenal first season. We can’t wait to share new voices, new lessons, and more amazing songs when Season Two drops on January 5th. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast! 

Check the blog for all the mentioned guests at www.noboxesjustverses.com 

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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

🎶 The Unboxed Anthem: The Top 5 Songs That Defined Leadership in Season One

The Music Behind the Moves

For one phenomenal season, we’ve gone beyond the bios and titles, uncovering the life lessons of inspiring leaders through the songs that moved them. As we wrap up Season One, we noticed a powerful trend: no matter the industry, our guests kept reaching for the same musical themes.

This article breaks down the Top 5 most-chosen songs that became the soundtrack for resilience, joy, strategy, and unboxed living. These anthems teach us that true leadership isn't quiet; it's a full-volume experience!

5. 🥳 The Power of Collective Wins (Multiple Songs Tied for Number 5)

This category is all about forward motion, resilience, and unapologetic success. The lesson here is clear: Stay in motion, own your space, and celebrate your hard-earned wins—out loud.

Leaders frequently chose "Unstoppable" by Sia, as Lakecia Gunter did, because it took time to learn to trust that you have earned your seat and don't have to prove anything to anyone else. Lisa Shalett chose this powerful song for the EWOB summit because it always reminds her that anything is possible.

The inspiring "Girl on Fire" was chosen by Melonie Parker as she feels she is "at the apex" of her career and is ready to pour her experience back into the community. Lisa DeCarlo chose it as her essential inspiration song, fueling her pivot to entrepreneurship and purpose-driven work. Other songs, like "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," represented realizing that self-doubt is a barrier, and the only way past it is to use your personal power and not wait to be invited.

4. 🔊 Blow the Whistle (Too $hort)

This anthem is for those who refuse to lead quietly. It’s the song you play when you walk into the room knowing you belong there.

• The Lesson: Confidence means announcing yourself. When you've been underestimated, sometimes you have to "blow the whistle" to remind people, "I belong here".

Christiane Pendarvis adopted this as a personal hype song from her "Oakland days," noting that sometimes, leadership isn't quiet, and the song makes her push forward and go faster. It’s a necessary anthem for unapologetic presence.

3. 😊 Happy (Pharrell Williams)

The choice to be happy is a strategic move. This song showed up in moments where guests talked about protecting their energy and finding light, even in hard seasons.

• The Lesson: Happiness is intentional. It’s the kind of joy you choose on purpose that fuels creativity, leadership, and longevity.

Shaun Robinson always turns this song up in the car because it makes her happy and is a powerful reminder that happiness is a journey. Maud Arnold chose it because it makes her want to "clap and dance and feel free," proving that intentional joy is a key component of an unboxed life.

2. ⚡ Don't Stop Believin' (Journey)

This classic became the emotional soundtrack for perseverance, staying the course when the odds feel long, and when belief is the only thing truly carrying you forward.

• The Lesson: Perseverance is non-negotiable. Keep going, trust your worth, and never give up on yourself.

Barbara Adachi chose this after being told she couldn't be on the Management Committee because "people don't see you as a leader." Her lighthearted, courageous response turned the conversation around, proving the power of belief. Ravi Kumar connected the song to his surgical study habits for passing grueling exams like the CPA. Ultimately, as David Chun demonstrates in his 25-year journey, the message is to stay excited and "not lett[ing] up at all" on the massive goals ahead.

1. 👑 I'm Every Woman (Chaka Khan / Whitney Houston)

The most talked-about song of the season embodies the core mission of this podcast: refusing to be boxed into a single narrative.

• The Lesson: This song is about range, strength, and identity. Your fullness is your power; you can be many things, and you don't have to choose.

Felicia Mayo chose the song because she had to become her own self-motivator, pushing through barriers to secure her funding for college with the mindset, "I'm every woman and she gonna make this happen." Debbie Allen chose it as an expression of the power of women. Finally, Kelly Richmond Pope chose it as a song of resilience, using the music to find strength to keep going after profound personal loss.

Your Next Steps: Stay Unboxed

This Season One playlist is a powerful reminder that the key to unboxed leadership isn't a textbook; it's owning your entire story—the confidence, the joy, and the resilience.

We can’t wait to bring you new voices and new lessons when Season Two drops on January 5th!