Welcome to No Boxes: Just Verses

Come for the stories, stay for the playlist. Subscribe now and join us as we redefine leadership, one verse at a time.

No Boxes: Just Verses is where inspiring leaders reveal the songs and stories that shaped their journey. Join host Shannon Nash, a global C-suite leader, attorney, and CPA, as she goes beyond titles and trophies to explore the moments that truly defined today's top executives, entrepreneurs, and artists.

Each episode is a deep dive into a guest's personal "Leadership Playlist," uncovering the pivotal lessons and life-changing moments tied to the music that moved them. From career breakthroughs to personal reinvention, we explore the authentic, unboxed stories behind extraordinary success.

Podcast Episodes

  • Feb 2, 2026

Calvin Harris Jr. on Maryland Roots and Morehouse to CEO of the NY State Society of CPAs and Social Media Influencer Putting the Cool Back in Accounting

Calvin Harris Jr.'s story is a reminder that your career is a marathon, not a sprint, and sometimes you have to lose your footing to find your stride.

  • Jan 27, 2026

Dr. Thane Kreiner on Scaling Biotech at Affymetrix, Serial Startup CEO, Social Entrepreneurship, and Co-Founding the Black Corporate Board Readiness Program

Dr. Thane Kreiner’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and making a plan to be someone.

  • Jan 19, 2026

Daryl Butler on LA Roots, HBCU and Finance Beginnings, a Transformative Switch to Marketing, and Leading Marketing and Brand Partnerships at Nike, Jordan, Beats by Dre, and Google

DB takes us on a masterclass journey through his "jungle gym" career—starting in finance and accounting before making a bold pivot to sales and marketing that led him to shape culture at iconic brands like Boost Mobile, Nike, Jordan Brand, and Beats by Dre.

  • Jan 12, 2026

Carrie J. Clark on Detroit Roots and Resilience Through Personal Loss to IT Leadership at Henry Ford Health, and Leading Globally with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

Carrie J. Clark shows us that you don't need a perfect life to have a great life. You can start with tragedy and end up with triumph.

  • Jan 8, 2026

Kelly Frye on Texas Roots, Hollywood Success on Criminal Minds and The Flash, and Reinvention as an Entrepreneur and Arts Advocate

Kelly Frye's story is a reminder that you don't have to fit into one box—you can be an actress, a realtor, an entrepreneur, and an art lover all at once.

  • Jan 5, 2026

Malinda Williams on Her Evolution from Soul Food’s "Bird" to Tech Innovator: Teaching Herself HTML and Empowering Women Through the Arise and Shine Foundation

Join us as we explore the incredible journey of a Hollywood icon who taught herself to code during a personal low point and emerged as a tech leader.

  • Dec 29, 2025

Top 10 Leadership Lessons from Season One [Part 2]

In the conclusion of our Season 1 Recap, No Boxes: Just Verses explores the five final pillars of leadership that separate good managers from world-class leaders.

  • Dec 22, 2025

Top 10 Leadership Lessons from Season One [Part 1]

Shannon Nash counts down the first five pillars of leadership that defined our debut season.

  • Dec 15, 2025

The No Boxes Just Verses Countdown: Season 1’s Top 5 Songs and the Journeys They Shaped

A special countdown of the Top 5 most-chosen songs that shaped the journeys of our leaders!

  • Dec 8, 2025

Lisa DeCarlo & Lisa Shalett on Wall Street Careers, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Big Pivots, Finding Purpose, and Co-Founding Extraordinary Women on Boards

Learn Lisa DeCarlo and Lisa Shalett's unconventional strategies for career entry, board service, and building the essential peer community needed to lead.

  • Dec 1, 2025

Melonie D. Parker on North Carolina Roots, Hampton University, HR Executive at Lockheed Martin, Sandia Labs, and Google — and Her Mantra to Add In Instead of Fit In

Melonie’s journey is a powerful demonstration that success is built one strategic move at a time, supported by a dedicated community.

  • Nov 24, 2025

Debbie Allen on Texas Roots, Howard, Fame, A Different World, Grey’s Anatomy, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Golden Globes, Emmys, an Oscar and Why Mentorship Is Her Greatest Production

Debbie Allen shares the courageous, unconventional journey—from facing segregation in Texas to tripling HBCU enrollment with A Different World.

Sign up now and get inspired to lead with purpose, wherever you are on your journey.

By signing up, you agree to receive email updates.