Ep. 121: The #1 Mindset Shift to Become a Great Leader w/ Dr. Nataliya Stone, PhD

<p>In this episode of the Rhymes with Odd Podcast, host Ryan Snaadt sits down with Dr. Nataliya Stone, Senior VP and Shareholder at Holmes Murphy, for a powerful conversation on resilient leadership, the human capital crisis, and what it truly means to lead with empathy.</p><p>Born in Ukraine, Nataliya moved to the United States alone at just 16 years old with two suitcases and a fierce determination to achieve the American Dream. Over the last 20 years, she has broken ceilings and built an incredible career in the insurance industry—all while committing to lifelong education, earning an MBA, a PhD, and becoming an adjunct professor.</p><p>Tune in as we deconstruct her 18-year climb to the top, the power of deep human connection in a disconnected world, and exclusive insights from her upcoming book, <em>When Life Disrupts Work</em> (coming Spring 2027).</p><p>If you want to know what real, empathetic leadership looks like today, lock in. This episode is for you.</p><ul><li><p><strong>00:06</strong> - Introduction: Meeting Dr. Nataliya Stone</p></li><li><p><strong>02:17</strong> - Is the American Dream Still Alive?</p></li><li><p><strong>03:07</strong> - What Does an Employee Benefits Market Leader Do?</p></li><li><p><strong>04:44</strong> - Growing Up in Ukraine &amp; Lessons from an Independent Mother</p></li><li><p><strong>10:33</strong> - The 14-Year-Old Exchange Trip That Changed Everything</p></li><li><p><strong>13:06</strong> - Moving to the U.S. Alone at 16 (and Packing Too Much Contact Lens Solution)</p></li><li><p><strong>17:48</strong> - The Trajectory of Chasing Fearless Dreams</p></li><li><p><strong>22:38</strong> - Meeting Mentors &amp; Navigating College Life at DMACC and Drake University</p></li><li><p><strong>26:56</strong> - The Journey to an MBA, a PhD, and Becoming a Lifelong Learner</p></li><li><p><strong>32:28</strong> - &quot;You Can&#39;t Read the Label From Inside the Bottle&quot; — The Importance of Network</p></li><li><p><strong>36:43</strong> - Why Job Hopping Wasn&#39;t for Me: 20 Years at Holmes Murphy</p></li><li><p><strong>39:38</strong> - Why True Leaders Must Be Plugged Into Their Community</p></li><li><p><strong>41:17</strong> - Treating Employees Like Human Capital, Not an Expense Line Item</p></li><li><p><strong>43:12</strong> - <strong>THE LIGHTNING ROUND</strong> (Favorite Ukrainian Dishes &amp; Best/Worst Career Advice)</p></li><li><p><strong>45:12</strong> - The #1 Trait of a Great Leader: Empathy</p></li><li><p><strong>51:40</strong> - The 3 Non-Negotiable Pillars of Leadership Psychology</p></li><li><p><strong>54:32</strong> - Transitioning from an Individual Performer to a Team Leader</p></li><li><p><strong>56:22</strong> - Sneak Peek: Nataliya’s Upcoming Book <em>When Life Disrupts Work</em> (Spring 2027)</p></li><li><p><strong>58:49</strong> - Doctoral Research: How Leaders Can Support Employees Through Personal Crisis</p></li><li><p><strong>1:01:34</strong> - How to Connect with Dr. Nataliya Stone</p></li><li><p><strong>1:02:09</strong> - Outro &amp; How to Support the Show</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Website: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=http://www.nataliyastone.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://www.nataliyastone.com</a> (Sign up for her newsletter and book updates!)</p></li><li><p>LinkedIn: Connect with Nataliya on LinkedIn for coffee or lunch.</p></li></ul><p>📌 <strong>Episode Timestamps</strong>🔗 <strong>Connect with Dr. Nataliya Stone</strong></p>