Rita Ramakrishnan ~ Founder and CEO of Iksana Consulting

What if the very things you’ve seen as challenges are actually your greatest strengths?

Rita Ramakrishnan was diagnosed as neurodivergent and autistic as a young adult, but she always knew she was different. Getting her diagnosis proved to be the proverbial light bulb, explaining much of what made Rita wonder about how she functioned in the world.

But labels like neurodivergence and autism can be scary--at least at first. The idea of a brain that operates differently can be difficult to understand by those who are neurodivergent as well as others, who may see different as a liability, especially in the workplace.

As founder of Iksana Consulting, Rita works with neurodivergent leaders as well as corporations and shares her powerful perspective that neurodivergence is not a flaw but a different operating system—one that often brings extraordinary gifts like creativity, rapid problem-solving, and unique pattern recognition. She reminds us that resilience isn’t about bouncing back, but about “bouncing forward” by experimenting, adapting, and embracing flexibility--a message relevant to us all. (In Sanskrit, "Iksana" means thoughtful observation, including a mindful and attentive presence to truly see and understand the needs and potential of a person or situation.)

Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know that Brilliance and Resilience come in all shapes and sizes--and there's room for everyone. Rita reminds us that brilliance doesn’t come from sameness—it comes from authenticity, diversity, and the courage to rise in your own way.

As we recognize differences and treat them with openness and respect, we become open to sharing the knowledge and wisdom of others, expanding our tribes, and our power to solve problems and build a better world, opening the door to grace and possibility rather than shame.

Find out more about Rita's important work at Iksana Consulting here, and tune into this week's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Rita's wisdom. Be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance:

• “For a lot of neurodivergent folks, you spend a lot of your life feeling like a square peg in a round hole… and getting a diagnosis or some understanding is really helpful to put that into context.”
• “I like to think of most neurodivergence as an operating system that processes inputs differently, and therefore the outputs look different too.”
• "I want us to stop labeling these things as different. Let's have a holistic view about how you process information."
• “Resilience for a neurodivergent person isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about bouncing forward.”
• “To me, the resilient aspect of neurodivergence is acknowledging that you’re not broken. We are brilliant in our own respect. I love my brain.”
• “My clients have gifts that are going to be transformative for their organizations… this isn’t something to be tolerated, it’s something to be harnessed.”
• “Neurodivergent brains often see patterns much faster, process information more quickly, and generate creative alternative solutions.”
• “Half the time, all people want is to be understood… simply saying, ‘Tell me more,’ creates room for brilliance to emerge.”
• “The best definition of happiness I’ve seen is the intersection of peacefulness and productivity. Imagine if workplaces valued both equally.”

Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!

XO,

Mary Fran

P.S. I just LOVED this episode! Thank you, Rita!!!

Ursula Taylor ~ Founder, Conflict Reimagined

The legal profession is basically founded on conflict. One side tries to prove the other wrong in order to "win."

A former commercial litigator with 17 years of experience, Ursula Taylor has seen her share of conflict, and she's committed to changing the idea of conflict as a battle to be won into an opportunity to clarify values, adjust perspective and focus on solutions instead of blame. By working with corporations and individuals through Conflict Reimagined, Ursula helps resolve conflicts with holistic strategies not found within traditional dispute resolution.

In this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, Ursula Taylor invites us to reframe the way we view conflict, redefining it as an opportunity uncover what truly matters. Conflict, when met with resilience, then becomes a tool for clarity rather than battle and chaos.

When we focus less on blame and more on solutions, we can lean into our strengths, involving our supportive tribe, and taking even small, imperfect steps toward understanding other points of view. We can turn disagreements into pathways for growth where conflict becomes less about winning and losing, and more about building momentum, connection, and deeper resilience.

Echoing the Brilliliantly Resilient method, Ursula urges us to release outcomes and expectations while we lead with heart, allowing space for unexpected solutions and stronger relationships. She notes that conflict doesn’t just shape outcomes—it shapes us. By embracing that truth, we don’t just survive difficult conversations, we rise stronger and shine brighter.

Learn more about Ursula at Conflict Resolution For more of Ursula's wisdom, tune into this week's episode of the Billiantly Resilient podcast and be sure listen for these additional bits of Brilliance:

1. “Conflict doesn’t have to be destructive; it can be the spark that helps us see what really matters.”

2. “When we reset our perspective, we begin to see conflict not as chaos, but as a chance to clarify values.”

3. “Every disagreement is an invitation to pause, reflect, and reset before we respond.”

4. “Rising through conflict means focusing on solutions, not blame—and leaning into the strengths we bring to the table.”

5. “We build resilience in conflict when we take imperfect steps toward understanding instead of waiting for the perfect answer.”

6. “When you involve your tribe in resolution, you find support, perspective, and the courage to keep going.”

7. “The brilliance in conflict is revealed when we allow it to shape us—teaching flexibility, empathy, and new ways forward.”

8. “Letting go of rigid outcomes in conflict opens space for unexpected, brilliant solutions to emerge.”

9. “Conflict handled with heart and purpose doesn’t just solve problems—it strengthens relationships and resilience.”

Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!

XO,

Mary Fran

~ Sara Connell, Best-selling Author and Founder of Thought Leader Academy

Have you ever thought about writing a book but believe you have nothing to say?

For those of us living "ordinary" lives, it's easy to feel our stories have little meaning beyond our own lives. Yet Sara Connell holds the opposite to be true.

As founder of the Thought Leader Academy and a 5x Bestselling author, Sara knows that even everyday stories can have profound impact. In fact, the experiences that test us but which we often overlook as meaningless to others can be the very ones that inspire people to uncover their own resilience and reclaim their power.

Sharing our stories enables us to give voice to our own truth, find meaning, and heal as we rise from challenges. Each time we share our journey--the messy parts--the vulnerable parts, we strengthen our own resilience and provide a roadmap for someone else to rise.

Ultimately, Sara notes that Brilliance is not about a perfect story, but about sharing authenticity. Our stories, no matter their scope, hold the potential to heal, connect, and inspire, becoming catalysts for resilience, transformation, and brilliance that ripple outward into the world.

Learn more about Sara and the Thought Leader Academy where she helps coaches, experts and entrepreneurs scale impact + create 6-7 figures by becoming bestselling authors and in demand/TEDx speakers. Tune in for more of her wisdom on this week's Brilliantly Resilient podcast and be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance and check out Sara's FREE GIFTS BELOW:

• “Stories are the bridges that connect us—we heal ourselves and others every time we tell them.”
• “You don’t need a blockbuster story to make an impact. Your everyday story can be the light someone else needs.”
• “When we give voice to our story, we reclaim our power.”
• “Your story isn’t what happened to you—it’s the meaning you choose to create from it.”
• “Stories are proof that we survived, and they become roadmaps for others to rise too.”
• “The very thing you’re afraid to say is often what will inspire someone else to keep going.”
• “Sharing your story doesn’t just free you—it gives others permission to share theirs.”
• "Every time you tell your story, you expand the possibility of what’s available—for yourself and for others.”
• “Brilliance isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up in your truth, story and all.”
  
  

Check out these FREE GIFTS from Sara!

7 Steps to Write a Revenue Generating Bestselling Book
(in as little as 2 months even if you’ve never written before)
PLUS: Sara’s bonus templates and worksheets that have generated hundreds of bestsellers: https://www.saraconnell.com/7-steps-to-write-a-revenue-generating-bestselling-book

6-Step Pitch Power Training:
In this training, Sara shows you her 6-Step Pitch- which has resulted in thousands of podcasts, conferences, virtual events, and media appearances: https://saraconnellcoaching.lpages.co/pitch-process/

Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!

XO,

Mary Fran