Lonely at the Top

The podcast for high-level leaders carrying the invisible weight of the world.If you’re a founder, executive, or high-ranking leader, you already know this truth: the higher you rise, the fewer people you can safely talk to.Lonely at the Top is a sanctuary in the storm—a space where the emotional cost of leadership is named, and where relief, clarity, and grounded support are always on the table.Hosted by Soul Medic and former psychotherapist Rachel Alexandria, this podcast dives into the unspoken realities of high-level decision-making: the pressure, the isolation, the doubt, and the fatigue. Each episode offers insight, emotional tools, and conversations with seasoned leaders who’ve learned to navigate the weight of responsibility without losing themselves.

Lonely at the Top is a business podcast hosted by Rachel Alexandria, with 38 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Rachel Alexandria hosts Lonely at the Top, a business show with 38 episodes published.

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  Episode #12

  Leaving Corporate to Find Self-Compassion with Fernanda Brasileiro

  Sep 24, 202650 minS2

  Fernanda Brasileiro spent 20 years in global operations leadership , working in corporate supply chain planning for companies like Krispy Kreme, and serving major clients including McDonald's, Starbucks, and Chick-fil-A. After leaving her full-time corporate role, Fernanda now offers consulting, workshop facilitation, and coaching for supply chain analytics and leadership development. This episode of Lonely at the Top is about the hidden costs of corporate leadership, the challenge of psychological safety, and learning to build self-trust after years of chasing external validation . Fernanda opens up about leading teams that ranged from 20 to 50 people, the thankless, unmeasured work of being a nurturing leader, and a psychological safety workshop that fell apart so badly it felt like an episode of The Office . She also shares candidly about the zero boundaries she held with work at the height of her career, the toll it took on her health, and how she's since redefined success through self-compassion and internal validation rather than proving her worth to others. Episode Highlights Fernanda's experience leading teams of 20 to 50 people across corporate supply chain planning and the invisible, thankless labor of being a nurturing leader Why she pushed for psychological safety training at a company where leaders were quietly criticizing employees in real time during meetings, and how the resulting workshop fell apart The zero boundaries she held during the peak of her career, working 50 to 70 hours a week while managing her household, three kids, and her hobbies How chasing external validation and trying to "prove herself" led to declining health, and what shifted once she discovered IFS (Internal Family Systems) Why she now tells corporate employees to invest in their own development rather than waiting for their company to approve or pay for it Connect with Fernanda Brasileiro Website: Fernanda Brasileiro Newsletter: Passion for People Development (on LinkedIn) Have thoughts on this episode or the overall show? Email podcast@rachelalexandria.com (No guest pitches please) Want your own breakthrough? Discounted Magic Breakthrough session for listeners: https://rachelalexandria.as.me/magicbreakthrough100 ★ Support this podcast ★

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  Episode #11

  Finding Happiness in the Middle of a Toxic Workplace with Ricky Powell

  Sep 9, 202644 minS2

  Ricky Powell is a Happiness Architect, executive happiness coach, and culture transformation strategist who spent 25 years inside NBC Universal , including nine years working under a supervisor whose behavior left him questioning who he could trust. Behind his successful corporate career, Ricky faced workplace toxicity, betrayal, isolation, and the pressure of protecting his career while navigating a deeply difficult relationship. This episode of Lonely at the Top is about standing up for yourself, finding strength through personal development, and how to respond when circumstances are outside your control . Ricky opens up about the nine-year experience with a toxic supervisor that ultimately changed the direction of his life, the meticulous records he kept to protect himself , and the moment those records became critical to saving his career. He shares how discovering the study of happiness, meaning, purpose, and personal development helped him move through an incredibly difficult period and eventually led him toward his work helping others create happier, healthier workplaces. Episode Highlights Ricky's experience navigating nine years with a toxic and manipulative supervisor Why he began documenting lies, sabotage, and workplace incidents and how those records ultimately protected him How personal development and the study of happiness helped Ricky survive an incredibly difficult chapter The difference between feeling pain and practicing toxic positivity Ricky's philosophy that life is 10% what happens and 90% how we respond Why language matters , and how changing “I have to” into “I get to” can shift our perspective Connect with Ricky Powell Website: Lifelong Happiness Cellphone: 805-279-4222 Have thoughts on this episode or the overall show? Email podcast@rachelalexandria.com (No guest pitches please) Want your own breakthrough? Discounted Magic Breakthrough session for listeners: https://rachelalexandria.as.me/magicbreakthrough100 ★ Support this podcast ★

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  Episode #10

  Decolonizing Power and Finding ALOHA with Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell

  Aug 26, 202648 minS2

  Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell is a native Hawaiian scholar, wayfinder, oral historian, and founder of Co3, Co-Creating Cohesive Communities . Grounded in ALOHA and guided by purpose, she helps leaders and communities navigate complexity while honoring people, place, culture, and relationships . But behind her accomplishments and years of leadership, Dr. Gerry has also faced isolation, imposter syndrome, burnout , and the painful realization that carrying more does not necessarily mean leading better. This episode of Lonely at the Top is about redefining leadership, finding your way back to who you are, and learning that you don't have to carry everything alone. Dr. Gerry opens up about leaving a position of power that was taking a toll on her, the pressure to constantly prove her value , and the process of decolonizing herself and reconnecting with her Hawaiian identity. She shares how a painful moment with her grandson forced her to confront the impact of her words , leading her to develop a deeper understanding of ALOHA, self-regulation, accountability, and relationship-centered leadership . Episode Highlights What it means to choose yourself when a position of power is no longer sustainable Moving beyond imposter syndrome and the need to constantly prove your worth Dr. Gerry's journey of decolonizing herself and reconnecting with her culture and identity How a powerful moment with her grandson changed the way she thought about her words and leadership The meaning of ALOHA and how asking, listening, observing, having heart, and adapting can transform relationships Why self-regulation and embodied leadership matter when navigating difficult conversations The difference between leadership that "powers over" people and leadership that empowers people Why taking accountability is an essential part of true leadership Learning that your capacity to carry something does not mean you're responsible for everything Why not every problem is yours to solve, not every person is yours to save, and not every room deserves your energy or your aloha Connect with Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell Website for Co3 Consulting Dr. Gerry's Linkedin Dr. Gerry's Email: gerri@co3consulting.net Have thoughts on this episode or the overall show? Email podcast@rachelalexandria.com (No guest pitches please) Want your own breakthrough? Discounted Magic Breakthrough session for listeners: https://rachelalexandria.as.me/magicbreakthrough100 ★ Support this podcast ★

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  Episode #9

  Leading in Public Health Through COVID with Shivani Mehta Bhatia

  Aug 6, 202640 minS2

  Shivani Mehta Bhatia has spent her career helping leaders navigate conflict , power , and organizational change . A facilitator, advisor, and writer, she works with senior leaders, particularly women of color , queer leaders , and mission-driven organizations , to transform conflict into insight, strengthen relationships, and build healthier organizations. Drawing on her background in public health , crisis response , and health equity , Shivani brings a deeply human perspective to what it means to lead when the stakes are high. This episode of Lonely at the Top is about the courage to stay human in positions of power , and why conflict , when approached with care, can become a pathway to deeper trust rather than division. Shivani shares how leading through the COVID-19 pandemic shaped her understanding of leadership , moral injury , and the emotional weight carried by those responsible for difficult decisions. Together, Rachel and Shivani explore accountability , public criticism , the fear of causing harm, and the relational skills every leader needs to steward power with wisdom instead of simply wielding it. Episode Highlights How conflict resolution can become an invitation to deeper trust and stronger relationships The difference between accountability , shame , and genuine repair Navigating leadership criticism while discerning what feedback to receive, and what to let go Lessons from facilitating public health leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic What is moral injury and what to do about it Why sustainable leadership requires protecting your own humanity Connect with Shivani Mehta Bhatia: Website: https://shivani.co Newsletter: Intimate Practice (available through her website) Have thoughts on this episode or the overall show? Email podcast@rachelalexandria.com (No guest pitches please) Want your own breakthrough? Discounted Magic Breakthrough session for listeners: https://rachelalexandria.as.me/magicbreakthrough100 ★ Support this podcast ★

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  Episode #7

  Leading Through Criticism and Mental Health Challenges with Sebastian Martinez

  Jul 13, 202644 minS2

  Sebastian Martinez has dedicated his career to serving communities through advocacy, art, and leadership. As the Executive Director and CEO of Culture Shock San Diego and Deputy Executive Director of Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance, he has spent years building spaces where people can thrive. But when public criticism, cyberbullying, and the pressures of leadership collided, Sebastian found himself facing one of the most difficult seasons of his life. This episode of Lonely at the Top is about navigating public scrutiny and learning how to ask for help when the burden becomes too much to carry alone. Sebastian opens up about stepping into a beloved organization with a 30-year legacy, the backlash that came with leading change, and the emotional toll of feeling responsible for everyone around him while struggling privately. He shares his experience with isolation, burnout, and a mental health crisis that forced him to rethink everything he believed about strength, vulnerability, and leadership . Episode Highlights The challenges of leading change in organizations with deep community roots How public criticism and cyberbullying impacted Sebastian's mental health Why leadership can feel incredibly lonely, even when you're surrounded by people The danger of believing you always have to be the strong one Learning to ask for help and accept support during difficult seasons How vulnerability became a turning point in Sebastian's leadership journey The difference between living in service to others and valuing yourself Why being "the fullness of your humanity" is essential for sustainable leadership Connect with Sebastian Martinez Sebastian Martinez's Instagram ★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★

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