Expressions of Leadership

Leaders emerge from every walk of life. Whether you’re defining your leadership style or evolving it, learning from others can be transformative. Join leadership advisor and coach Michele Kawamoto Perry as she sits down with a diverse range of leaders—from startup CEOs pioneering new technology, to teachers challenging the status quo, doctors delivering compassionate care, and artists pushing creative boundaries. Together, they explore leadership styles, philosophies, and breakthrough practices. Discover fresh perspectives and actionable insights to help you lead with greater impact.

Michele Kawamoto Perry is the founder of The Forward Project, a consultancy focused on leadership development and cultural transformation. As a corporate coach, she helps organizations cultivate stronger foundational leadership skills, empowering individuals who are ready to create change. Michele believes in the power of personal leadership and is on a mission to help build a more inclusive, engaging, and innovative world—one leader at a time.

Follow us on Instagram and YouTube @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also listen every weekend at noon Pacific Time on Radio Evolve.

What Happens When You Stop Waiting? Singer/Songwriter & Actor TT on Leadership, Resilience & Purpose 09/15/2026

What Happens When You Stop Waiting? Singer/Songwriter & Actor TT on Leadership, Resilience & Purpose What happens when you stop waiting and start pursuing what truly matters? On this episode of Expressions of Leadership, Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with TT for a deeply personal conversation about resilience, leadership, purpose, and finding the courage to follow a new path. From growing up in Colorado with a Broadway singer and actress as his mother, to facing a rare kidney disease at age six and the bullying and self-doubt that followed, TT shares how some of his earliest experiences shaped the person and leader he would become. His journey then took him from pursuing music in Los Angeles to building an extraordinary business career, including becoming one of the youngest vice presidents at News Corp and co-founding Overture, the company that pioneered paid search advertising. TT also opens up about how a second-stage 3 kidney disease diagnosis prompted him to return to music and pursue the creative work that had always been part of him. Today, he is building a career across music, songwriting, acting, and film, using storytelling to explore identity, resilience, connection, and choosing your own path. Throughout the conversation, he shares lessons on listening, empathy, helping people connect their work to a greater purpose, and why storytelling is such a powerful leadership tool. And as his definition of success has evolved from promotions and money to relationships, integrity, and family, TT offers a thoughtful perspective on what it means to create a life and a legacy that truly matters. Chapters 00:00 Intro to Expressions of Leadership & TT’s Journey of Leadership and Resilience 02:41 Childhood Illness, Resilience and Bullying 06:13 From Music Dreams to a Career in Business 11:54 Learning Leadership at News Corp 13:09 Overture: Building and Scaling a Breakthrough Company 18:53 The Power of Listening and Learning 23:48 A Diagnosis Sparks a Creative Journey 29:26 Music, Acting and the Power of Storytelling 37:53 Leadership Lessons That Transcend Industries 42:07 Rethinking Success, Growth and Purpose 44:47 Risk, Timing and the Mentors Who Matter 48:17 Future Projects, Purpose and Legacy 51:39 Wisdom & Whimsy Learn more about TT and everything he is up to at https://www.ttmusicstudio.com/. You can also follow him on Instagram @OffficialTT.music and on Facebook @TTMusic Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada. /episode/index/show/ca60e275-daf1-496a-8a87-2bab96e4485c/id/42901960

The Power of Reinvention: Sheila Cutchlow on Leadership, Creativity & Connection 09/08/2026

The Power of Reinvention: Sheila Cutchlow on Leadership, Creativity & Connection In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry welcomes Sheila Cutchlow, a producer, classically trained chef, business development executive, actor, and storyteller whose remarkable career has spanned entertainment, media, culinary arts, live event production, and entrepreneurship. Sheila shares how growing up in Iowa and stepping into student leadership at the University of Iowa shaped her, how a transformative trip to Howard University changed her perspective, and how her early career at BET taught her the importance of responsibility, teamwork, and bringing people together. She also opens up about balancing a corporate career with acting, the resilience she developed through years of auditions, and the experiences that shaped her approach to leadership. A cooking competition led Sheila into another unexpected chapter, opening doors to Food Network, national brands, and eventually Le Cordon Bleu. Today, she combines business development and live event production with her passion for food, storytelling, and healthy living. Sheila talks about trusting your instincts, embracing reinvention, moving forward before you're fully ready, and the power of storytelling and food to create meaningful connections. Learn more about Sheila Cutchlow at , follow her on Instagram and YouTube @ohhohhsheila and Facebook @Sheila.Cutchlow. Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on , , and . You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at . Chapters00:00 Welcome to Expressions of Leadership: Sheila Cutchlow 00:15 Growing Up Restless in Iowa 02:54 Trusting Yourself & Taking Risks 06:02 Finding Her Leadership Voice 09:46 The Howard University Turning Point 12:26 Breaking Into BET 16:16 Building a Career While Pursuing Acting 20:15 Learning to Keep Showing Up 21:42 Motherhood, Dreams & Determination 24:53 Leadership Lessons From The Wire 30:25 The Cooking Competition That Changed Everything 35:09 What Culinary School Taught Her About Leadership 39:44 From Business Development to Big Events 43:03 Food, Storytelling & Connection 47:16 The Future She Wants to Create 49:48 Wisdom, Whimsy & Crab Cakes /episode/index/show/ca60e275-daf1-496a-8a87-2bab96e4485c/id/42822445