What do Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, AI-powered design, and 3D denim all have in common? They are at the forefront of fashion’s evolution—led by today’s guest, Kirsten Lee, Chief Marketing Officer of One Jeanswear Group.

In this episode of (un)conversations, Dr. Alison sits down with Kirsten to explore what it means to lead with both tech and soul. From breaking away from the "written path" of medicine to becoming a Korean American trailblazer at Parsons School of Design, Kirsten shares how she balances innate creative passion with the sharp business acumen required to lead a global brand.

Key Takeaways

• The (Un)written Path: Creating your own lane when the traditional roadmap doesn't fit.

• Unfiltered Leadership: The power of owning your voice and leading with transparency.

• The Future of Denim: How AI and 3D design are revolutionizing the industry.

• Unlearning to Win: Why letting go of "perfection" makes you a more effective leader.

Chapter Guide

00:00 – Who Is Kirsten Lee?

01:54 – The (UN)word Effect

03:12 – Cultural Identity: Growing up Korean-American in Fashion

04:44 – Choosing an (Un)written Path: Science vs. Design

07:29 – Overcoming Early Career Challenges

14:10 – Career Pivots: Reinvention & Growth

21:05 – Authentic Leadership & Unfiltered Communication

28:22 – The Future: AI-Powered Design & 3D Denim Tech

35:10 – Advice for Founders: Balancing Art & Strategy

42:30 – Sustainable Success: Avoiding Burnout

50:15 – Final Leadership Lessons52:38 – Ask Dr. Alison

55:45 – Wrap Up

Connect with the (un)movement

🌐 Website: unconventionllc.com

📸 Instagram: @dralisonschmidt | @unconversationspodcast

💼 LinkedIn: Dr. Alison Schmidt

📺 YouTube: Subscribe Here

Connect with Kirsten Lee

💼 LinkedIn: Kirsten Lee

Special thank you to DJ Doug Jackson for the official (un)conversations theme song @ https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson

#KirstenLee #OneJeanswearGroup #Leadership #FashionInnovation #AI #3DDenim #WomenInLeadership #CareerPivot #ExecutiveCoaching

How do leaders use energy—not strategy—to gain a true competitive edge?
Dr. Alison sits down with energy strategist Faryl Moore to explore emotional capacity, boundaries, and embodied leadership in high-pressure environments.

In this episode of the (un)conversations® podcast, Faryl shares insights from more than 20 years of guiding corporate executives through burnout, misalignment, and energetic overwhelm. Together, they unpack how leaders can expand emotional capacity, cultivate embodied presence, and create energetic clarity that supports sustainable success.

You’ll also hear the three (UN)words shaping Faryl’s leadership journey— uncontainable, unwavering, unveiled—and how these principles help leaders release draining energy, set self-compassionate boundaries, and lead with grounded intention.

Whether you're a CEO, founder, or soul-curious seeker, this episode will help you understand the energetic side of leadership and step into your next level with clarity and confidence.

In This Episode

• How the (UN)word Effect supports deep self-discovery
• Why energy—not strategy—is often the missing leadership edge
• Breaking internal limitations and expanding personal capacity
• Why unwavering belief in purpose fuels transformation
• Understanding your unique energetic gifts
• Emotional awareness as a foundation for well-being
• Rethinking work-life balance and what true balance looks like
• Creating joyful, energetically supportive work environments
• Why each person’s leadership journey is deeply individual

Timestamps

(00:00) Welcome
(01:21) Meet Faryl Moore
(02:24) The (UN)word Effect
(03:45) How Faryl discovered her (UN)words
(07:53) Uncontainable
(10:41) Unwavering
(15:45) Unveiled
(26:05) Faryl’s journey to founding Moore Energy
(43:52) The role of energy in corporate leadership
(58:32) A new perspective on work-life balance
(1:03:42) Why awareness matters
(1:13:06) Tools for getting centered
(1:16:58) Final reflections
(1:25:45) Ask Dr. Alison
(1:37:10) The (UN)wrap up

About the Guests

Dr. Alison L. Schmidt, Ph.D.
Founder and host of (un)conversations®, Dr. Alison helps leaders and organizations (un)learn what no longer serves them and embrace authentic, courageous, purpose-driven leadership.
Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/

Faryl Moore
Energy strategist and founder of Moore Energy, supporting CEOs, founders, and soul-led leaders in expanding emotional capacity and cultivating energetic clarity.
Website: https://mooreenergyhealing.com/

Connect with Dr. Alison, CEO of Unconvention

Instagram: @alsphdbcc | @unconventionllc | @unconversationspodcast

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/
TikTok: @alschmidtphd

Podcast: https://www.unconventionllc.com/podcast

#LeadershipDevelopment #ConsciousLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #EnergeticLeadership #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetMatters #SelfAwareness #HighPerformanceLeadership #WomenInLeadership #PodcastEpisode

🎙️ What Does It Really Mean to Have Power—and Use It Ethically?

With Shanna Francesca | Cult Survivor, CEO & Leadership Scholar

What happens when you break free from a high-control environment—and rebuild your identity from the inside out?
In this powerful episode of (un)conversations®, Dr. Alison sits down with Shanna Francesca, a cult survivor turned CEO, leadership scholar, and change-maker. Together, they explore how unlearning psychological control becomes the foundation of ethical, human-centered leadership.

Shanna shares the three defining (UN)words—Unfettered, Unleashed, Unveiled—that reshaped her life, leadership, and sense of agency. From escaping indoctrination to challenging ego-driven cultures, this conversation reveals why real power exists beyond control and how curiosity, accountability, and respect drive meaningful change.

Perfect for leaders, survivors of high-control systems, innovators, and anyone committed to healing and leading with integrity.

✨ In This Episode

• How Shanna’s journey from cult survivor to CEO redefined her leadership

• Why trauma shapes leadership style—and how to rebuild with clarity and agency

• What it means to be Unfettered, Unleashed, and Unveiled

• How ego, hierarchy, and psychological control undermine performance

• The role of community, healing, and unapologetic self-expression

• Why ethical leadership is rooted in relationship—not authority

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Intro to the (un)conversations® Podcast
(00:01:41) The (UN)word Effect: Shanna’s Leadership Framework
(00:02:47) Choosing the “Un” Words
(00:03:25) Life Inside the Cult
(00:07:54) UNword #1: Unfettered
(00:10:40) Leaving the Cult & Reentering the World
(00:17:18) UNword #2: Unleashed
(00:18:49) UNword #3: Unveiled
(00:21:15) Reclaiming Personal Agency
(00:26:00) Childhood in a High-Control Environment
(00:35:01) Survivor → CEO
(00:36:50) Challenging Ideology & “Normal”
(00:41:06) From Broken to Empowered
(00:57:55) The Meaning of Concinnate
(01:05:47) Ethical Leadership, Culture & Innovation
(01:17:16) Collaboration Over Competition
(01:22:51) Final Thoughts + Shanna’s Upcoming Book
(01:24:24) Ask Dr. Alison
(01:28:37) The (UN)wrap Up & Outro

About the GuestsDr. Alison L. Schmidt, Ph.D.

Founder and host of (un)conversations®, Dr. Alison helps leaders and organizations unlearn what no longer serves them—and lead with authenticity, courage, and purpose.
Website: unconventionllc.com

Shanna Francesca – Founder & CEO, Concinnate LLC

A cult survivor, scholar, and leadership innovator, Shanna transformed trauma into a framework for ethical leadership built on Curiosity, Respect, and Accountability.
Website: concinnate.world/shanafrancesca

#shanafrancesca #concinnate #cultsurvivor #changemaker #authenticleadership #theunwordeffect #dralisonschmidt #unfettered #unleashed #unveiled #unconversationspodcast #unconvention #ceo #neurodiversity #personalgrowthjourney #ethicalleadership #consciousbusiness #trauma #workplaceculture #healingjourney #accountability #curiosity #organizationalchange #psychologicalcontrol