This conversation will challenge everything you think you know about leadership identity. Deborah Fell sits down with powerhouse CEO Ticki Favaroth, a faith-driven leader who has mastered the art of showing up authentically while building multiple successful enterprises.

Ticki doesn't mince words: "People don't get to choose my life" - and in this raw, transformative conversation, she explains exactly what that means for leaders who want to build a lasting legacy rather than just temporary success.

From her journey through 20 years in corporate America to founding HR&Co and leading The BOW Enterprises, Ticki shares the hard-won wisdom about identity, boundaries, and the courage to let things burn when they're meant to transform.

This isn't your typical business strategy episode - it's a masterclass in becoming the leader you're meant to be, complete with practical frameworks for navigating change, building authentic relationships, and focusing on what you can actually control.

Perfect for CEOs, founders, and leaders ready to move from pleasing everyone to leading with purpose.

About Ticki Favaroth

Ticki Favaroth is a faith-driven CEO, founder, and strategic advisor known for empowering leaders and building legacy-focused ecosystems. As Senior Partner & Managing Director at HR&Co., she delivers people-first solutions that drive sustainable growth. She also serves as President of The BOW Enterprises, Vice President & COO of The BOW Collective, and founder of The ADISA Institute. With an MBA from Texas Woman’s University and a BBA from Texas Tech, Ticki’s impact spans Fortune 500s, government, and nonprofits. Rooted in faith and authenticity, she equips others to confront hard truths, redefine success, and lead with purpose

Ticki's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ticki/

What if I told you the most successful CEOs I've interviewed this quarter share one counterintuitive trait? They don't try to be the smartest person in the room. From architecture to military leadership to digital transformation, the pattern is unmistakable.

Looking back at this quarter's most listened-to episodes—featuring Jonathan Moody (Moody Nolan), Rear Admiral Brian Luther (Navy Mutual), Ryan Frederick (Transform Labs), Harold Green (Global Emissionary), Eddie Solomon (Net at Work), Joe Yaccarino (MTF Biologics), Jeff Ostenso (Ironmark), and James Hyman (serial turnaround CEO)—I discovered something remarkable.

The golden thread connecting every transformative leader: They refuse to be the smartest person in the room.

From Jonathan's "create more footprints, not bigger shoes" philosophy to Brian's "reflected light leadership," from Ryan's embrace of "continuous not knowing" to Eddie's insight that "entrepreneurship belongs in psychology," these leaders share seven powerful traits:

→ Anti-ego leadership - Building teams instead of thrones → Vulnerability as strength - Admitting what they don't know → Empowerment over control - Creating conditions for others to succeed → Psychological wisdom - Understanding leadership is about mindset → Radical transparency - Building trust through openness → Purpose-driven growth - Companies that matter, not just profit → The learning advantage - Staying curious regardless of expertise

Whether it's Harold at 69 still having daily learning conversations, Joe asking "is that even legal?" and building from curiosity, Jeff realizing his company "feeds 500 people," or James discovering that Hollywood leadership doesn't work—the pattern is clear.

The most successful leaders amplify their impact by avoiding being the bottleneck.

Join me as we unpack the strategies that turn good companies into thriving communities where everyone succeeds together.

Some of the episodes in this list:

EP105: Reflected Light: Leading Through Your People

EP103: The Power of Humble Listening in Leadership

EP96: Making Carbon Reduction Measurable and Meaningful

EP87: Why This Successful Family Business Said No to Nepotism

EP83: Heroes at Every Level of Healthcare Innovation

EP81: How Teaching the Game of Business Built an Empire

EP63: A CEO’s Competitve Edge - Mastering the Art of Corporate Turnarounds

In this powerful commentary episode, Deborah Fell reflects on her recent conversation with Jeff Grass and the stark reality facing mid-market businesses today. Drawing from hundreds of CEO conversations, she reveals why some companies thrive during crisis while others struggle for years—or don't survive at all.

The Three Types of Companies in Crisis:

• Those that thrive (like Jeff's Hungry Marketplace)
• Those still struggling five years later
• Those that didn't make it

Deborah unpacks the counterintuitive truth that the key to rapid growth is subtraction—eliminating the activities that cloud real results. When every department shows green but business growth shows red, it's time to focus on what truly matters: your customers' biggest pain points.

What separates thriving CEOs from the rest?

• They clarify direction and required outcomes
• They make 2-3 big strategic decisions per year
• They lead with inspiration, not just management
• They ensure every team member understands their role in the bigger picture

This episode includes powerful excerpts from Jeff Grass's interview, highlighting how culture built in good times becomes your lifeline during the storm. As Deborah puts it: "Where the eyes are focused, the mind and body go. Get your team looking up and to the right."

This episode is perfect for CEOs facing current market headwinds, leaders struggling with focus amid distractions, and executives who want to understand why some businesses defy market trends while others wait it out.

Listen to Jeff's full episode here - #110.

About HUNGRY Marketplace

HUNGRY’s mission is to deliver happiness & wellbeing to the workplace by providing amazing food and food experiences. HUNGRY has a comprehensive platform for office catering, group order, special events, pantry, markets & snacks which enables complete customization to client need. HUNGRY now operates in 19 major cities across North America. and is rapidly disrupting the $60 billion office food industry. Learn about HUNGRY at www.TryHungry.com