CEO School with Suneera Madhani

What happens when leaders design cultures around safety and trust?

This episode will challenge you to rethink what success really means and how impact is created. Suneera sits down with Erika Sinner to explore building eight-figure businesses, leading with empathy, and turning profit into purpose.

Erika Sinner is the CEO of Directorie and the Chief Empathy Officer of TinySuperheroes. She is also the author of the book Pets Are Family and a passionate advocate for empathy-driven leadership and generational impact.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

(02:25) How creating your own opportunities early in your career can change everything.

(04:39) Why financial safety is a powerful motivator for building scalable businesses.

(06:45) How leading with empathy and accountability fuels sustainable growth.

(08:19) Why grief, vulnerability, and leadership are deeply connected.

(10:22) How pet bereavement policies can transform workplace culture.

(15:24) How reframing childhood illness through mindset creates resilience and hope.

(18:25) Why mindset work matters just as much for children as it does for CEOs.

(26:15) How business success creates the freedom to pursue passion-driven impact.

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit

Thank you to Erika Sinner for being on our show!

Learn more about Erika: https://www.erikasinner.org/

Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikasinner/

Erika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika_sinner/

Learn more about Directorie: https://tinysuperheroes.com/

Learn more about TinySuperheroes: https://www.directorie.com/

Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat.

Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that:

* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1

Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

* Website: https://theceoschool.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life.

* Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

How do you build meaningful relationships without treating networking like a transaction?

If you want to grow your business through deeper relationships instead of chasing quick wins, this episode will shift how you think about networking. In this episode, Suneera Madhani talks with Kristina Bartold about community building, podcasting, events, and the long game of influence.

Kristina Bartold is the CEO of Social Snippets, a podcast and launch agency helping founders grow their influence. She is also the founder of High Vibe Women, a community that brings female entrepreneurs together through events and experiences.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

(02:21) How Kristina built her business by prioritizing relationships over immediate ROI.

(03:31) Why podcasting is one of the most powerful networking tools for business owners.

(06:16) How in-person events can dramatically accelerate community and brand growth.

(07:44) How to choose the right rooms and leaders before investing time or money.

(09:25) Why proximity and smaller, more intimate settings often lead to better connections.

(15:28) How to create systems that make follow-up intentional instead of overwhelming.

(17:30) What podcast and content trends matter most heading into 2026.

(28:33) How to start building a community.

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit

Thank you to Kristina Bartold for being on our show!

Learn more about Kristina: https://www.instagram.com/kristina.bartold/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinabartold/

Learn more about The Social Snippet: https://www.thesocialsnippet.com/

You’re invited to attend Kristina’s High Vibe Women event in Toronto on March 7: https://www.highvibewomen.ca/march-2026-event Use the code PODCAST50 for a discount.

Subscriber to Kristina’s podcast: https://communitypodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat.

Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that:

* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1

Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

* Website: https://theceoschool.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life.

* Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit

If you’re the CEO of a creative business, how do you stop being the bottleneck? What mindset shifts are required?

Stepping into the world of luxury design requires more than just a good eye; it demands a strategic business mindset. In this episode, Suneera Madhani and Sabah Mansoor discuss the journey of building a high-end interior design firm from the ground up.

Sabah Mansoor is the founder of Sabah Mansoor Design, where she helps brands translate vision into thoughtful, strategic design while building a business rooted in clarity and sustainability.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

(03:12) How Sabah transitioned from hands-on designer to business owner with a long-term vision.

(07:45) Why creative founders often struggle to step into true CEO leadership.

(12:30) How setting boundaries improves both client relationships and profitability.

(18:05) The role perfectionism plays in keeping businesses stuck at a certain size.

(23:40) How to price your work confidently without tying it to self-worth.

(29:10) What systems and structures unlock sustainable growth for creatives.

(34:55) How to recognize when it’s time to step out of execution and into strategy.

(40:20) Why building a business that supports your life is the ultimate success metric.

Thank you to Sabah Mansoor for being on our show!

Learn more about Sabah: https://www.sabahmansoordesign.com/

Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat.

Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that:

* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1

Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

* Website: https://theceoschool.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life.

* Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at
https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit

Who is in your inner circle, and are they helping you grow?

This episode is a deeply personal reflection on growth, boundaries, and alignment through different seasons of leadership. Suneera Madhani shares eight powerful lessons learned from her 38th year, offering insights into saying “no” without guilt, protecting energy, and finding joy along the way. If you’re building, leading, and balancing ambition with life, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and realign with what truly matters to you.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

(02:25) Why saying “no” without guilt protects your peace and focus.

(06:48) How shrinking your circle can strengthen your growth and confidence.

(10:53) Why boundaries are an act of love rather than a way to push people away.

(12:42) How embracing the courage to be disliked creates true alignment.

(15:41) Why prioritizing family builds a foundation for meaningful success.

(17:38) How movement supports mental clarity, energy, and leadership stamina.

(19:10) Why clear communication prevents resentment in business and life.

(20:40) How finding joy in the journey makes long-term success sustainable.

Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat.

Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that:

* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1

Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

* Website: https://theceoschool.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life.

* Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://theceoschool.com/ceo-school-summit

How could publishing your story create impact beyond business success?

In this episode, Suneera and her guest, Deepika Sandhu, unpack the realities of traditional publishing, hybrid models, and the courage it takes to share your lived experiences. If you’ve ever wondered whether your story is worthy, how to write without permission, or how legacy is built beyond business wins, this conversation will help you think differently about what you carry and what the world still needs from you.

Today’s guest is Deepika Sandhu, a visionary author, mentor, and founder of Soul Sparks Press, a fast-growing hybrid publishing house dedicated to inspirational stories. A former Silicon Valley executive and six-time award-winning author, she helps leaders turn lived experiences into books that create lasting impact.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

(03:16) Why every lived experience has the potential to become a soul-sparking story.

(08:40) How traditional publishing gatekeeping discourages powerful stories from being shared.

(09:29) Why follower count should never determine whether you write a book.

(12:05) How being seen for your story creates impact beyond book sales.

(17:23) The important differences between self-publishing, traditional publishing, and hybrid models.

(22:10) Why legacy is built through storytelling, not just business success.

(26:20) How first-time authors can write books without being “natural writers.”

(32:00) Why AI can support the writing process but can never replace human truth.

Lock in your spot for the Unicorn CEO Summit today at https://mntr.ai/unicorn-ceo-summit-early-invite

Thank you to Deepika Sandhu for being on our show!

Learn more about Deepika: https://deepikasandhu.co/ and https://www.instagram.com/deepikasandhu.co/

Submit a book idea or manuscript to Soul Sparks Press for editorial review: https://soulsparkspress.com/

Join the CEO School’s Millionaire Founders Club: https://theceoschool.com/join. We're building a table where every female founder has a seat.

Subscribe to the CEO School podcast because only 2% of female founders ever break $1 million in revenue, and we’re changing that:

* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast//id1525261018

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06KIvFFJP0yJv67N9ugigU

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CEOSchoolPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1

Learn more about CEO School because nothing bad ever happens when women make more money:

* Website: https://theceoschool.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

Learn more about how Suneera Madhani is paving the way for badass female CEOs like you to take center stage not just in your industries but in your whole life.

* Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/