227. You Have a Choice | Take Your Ego Out of It with Charisse Fontes

2025-04-08

“A lot of the things I work on are not HARD problems, they’re HEART problems.” “If you name it, you can tame it.” “It is in our Unity that we can elevate our Humanity.” ___________________________________________________ This episode contains discussions of rape and sexual assault, which may be disturbing or triggering for some listeners. We encourage you to prioritize your well-being. If you or someone you know needs support, please consider reaching out to a trusted resource, such as: National Sexual Assault Hotli...

“A lot of the things I work on are not HARD problems, they’re HEART problems.”

“If you name it, you can tame it.”

“It is in our Unity that we can elevate our Humanity.”

___________________________________________________

This episode contains discussions of rape and sexual assault, which may be disturbing or triggering for some listeners. We encourage you to prioritize your well-being.

If you or someone you know needs support, please consider reaching out to a trusted resource, such as:

National Sexual Assault Hotline (U.S.): 1-800-656-4673 or rainn.org
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Please listen with care and take breaks if needed. 💙___________________________________________________

Episode summary |

In this episode of ROG, host Shannon Cassidy engages with Charisse Fontes, an accomplished author and thought leader in the culture industry. They explore themes of generosity, self-compassion, forgiveness, and the importance of understanding one's ego. Charisse shares her personal journey, including her experiences with motherhood and the challenges she faced, emphasizing the significance of heart-centered approaches in both personal and professional realms. The conversation also touches on the concept of high and low vibrations, the power of community, and the essence of humanity.

R.O.G. Takeaway Tips |

Generosity is not just financial; it includes time and respect.
Cultural understanding is essential for personal growth.
Self-compassion is crucial in navigating life's challenges.
Forgiveness is a powerful tool for healing.
The ego can be named and tamed for better self-awareness.
High vibrations lead to positive experiences and connections.
Community engagement fosters a sense of belonging.
Motherhood is a complex journey of identity and growth.
Unity is a core aspect of humanity.
Cultural expressions, like the Haka, transcend understanding and connect us.

Chapters |

00:00 Charisse Fontes: A Journey of Culture and Healing

04:29 From Struggles to Strength: The Birth of Culture Circle

07:48 Understanding Hard Problems vs. Heart Problems

10:26 The Importance of Self-Compassion

16:39 The Journey of Forgiveness

25:34 The Power of Compassion and Choice

27:51 Understanding and Taming the Ego

35:53 Navigating High and Low Frequencies

38:05 Humanity Power: Unity in Action

39:06 The Importance of Storytelling in Humanity

41:08 Curiosity and Community Engagement

46:00 Cultural Awe and the Haka

Guest Bio |

Charisse Fontes is the creator of CultureCircle, where she partners with startups on all things people and culture. She leads training for leaders and creates interactive workshops to assist leaders with leveling up and growing from within. If you’re passionate about building the best culture possible, Charisse’s consultancy skills make her a standout thought leader capable of helping all types of businesses.

Charisse is a culture expert that uses creative ways to empower people at work. Her methods result in improved employee retention, productivity, and a strong sense of belonging at work. She emphasizes personal and professional growth while renewing your workforce’s commitment and engagement to your business and cause. She frequently contributes to HR blogs and shares her thought leadership with the HR market.

Charisse has helped her clients with providing one-on-one or ongoing services for startups, developing dynamic workshops that focus on compliance in the workplace, and building programs and processes that anchor a company’s people and culture. Charisse is the author of How To Keep Your Culture From Going to :poop emoji:, a guide to creating a healthy startup culture.

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