Explore every episode of the podcast Owning The Room

In this episode, Phillip Holmes, leadership development coach, consultant, and speaker unpacks what it looks like to lead from your seat, keep your composure, and avoid crashing out when the culture around you gets toxic.

With a background that spans writing, college recruitment, and executive leadership, Phillip has helped countless professionals detox their careers and rebuild their confidence. His work centers on helping people discern when to transform the room they’re in and when it’s time to walk away with courage and clarity.

This episode dives into:

• What it really means to lead without a title.
• How to get what you need from a space without leaving on bad terms.
• The difference between transforming a culture and knowing when to move on.

If you’ve ever felt silenced, overlooked, or stuck in a culture that doesn’t honor your voice, this conversation will remind you that you don’t need permission to lead. You just need presence, discernment, and courage.

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In this episode, creative strategist, speaker, and founder of HEART Convos, Kristen “KB” Newton, unpacks what it means to connect deeply, pivot boldly, and rebuild beautifully after loss.

From spinning tracks as a DJ for the Indiana Pacers to founding a movement that’s helped thousands master the art of human connection, KB’s journey is a masterclass in reinvention. She’s lived the full creative spectrum as an artist, coach, conference creator, wife, and mom. Through it all, she’s learned that real influence starts where authenticity meets empathy.

In this conversation, KB and Erin dive into:

• How to pivot when what used to work no longer fits.
• Why failure can be the most fertile ground for transformation.
• The art of connection—how to see the gaps and fill them.
• What it means to be a connector who turns presence into power.

If you’ve ever wondered how to rise again, show up differently, or create impact in the spaces that test you most, this episode is your reminder: you don’t have to have it all together to own the room.

Listen now and turn your presence into purpose.

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What if the most powerful form of  influence isn’t about commanding attention, but rather standing in the gap for others?

In this episode, community leader and luxury real estate advisor Alton Cryer shares how owning the room for others can be just as powerful as owning it for yourself. From negotiating deals to mentoring youth, Alton shows that success rooted in service multiplies impact far beyond personal wins.

As the Co-Founder of STS Enterprise Corporation and a Top 20% real estate advisor at Keller Williams, Alton has built his career at the intersection of excellence and empathy. His background spans community development, banking, and lending, each experience shaping the way he now serves clients. 

Beyond business, Alton’s heart for people shows in his commitment to STS Enterprise Corporation, where he empowers youth and college students through leadership and economic development programs in Memphis, TN. As a devoted husband and proud father to three boys, Alton models what it means to build legacy through both family and community.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why advocacy is one of the highest forms of presence.
• How service-first leadership transforms influence and results.
• The power of winning because you put others first.

Listen now and discover what it looks like to own the room for others.

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Some things in life become exponentially better when multiple minds refine them. Like a melody finding harmony when new instruments join in. Professional coaching works the same way, what feels good and natural on your own becomes unstoppable when others help shape and strengthen it.

That’s what happened for my guest, Kinah Burks.

Kinah was already full of energy, personality, and presence onstage. But when she stepped into the Master Connector Bootcamp (a program I designed to help communicators create more opportunities by owning the room), she discovered the “why” behind the “what” she’d been doing naturally. With principles to anchor her talent, everything shifted. Suddenly, opportunities didn’t just come to her, she began creating them.

Kinah has gone on to leverage her natural gift, her leadership background, and the coaching she received into a career as a dynamic emcee, leadership strategist, and emotional intelligence expert. With over 15 years of leadership experience and a certification with the John Maxwell Team, she’s now building experiences that are structured, soulful, and life-changing.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How to turn personality into principle (and why this unlocks your next level)
• What happens when you shift your perspective from just delivering a message to creating opportunities. 

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On this very first episode of Owning The Room, host Erin Cole sits down with Daniel Willis, acclaimed Hollywood director and filmmaker, for a conversation about how presence and influence extend far beyond the spotlight. From shaping narratives to directing some of television’s biggest hits, Daniel shares how the decisions made behind the camera can transform what audiences feel in front of it.

This episode is a must-listen for current and aspiring producers, storytellers, filmmakers and anyone who wants to understand how to create impact in the spaces they occupy.

About Daniel Willis

Daniel Willis is a writer/director who draws on his experiences growing up on Chicago’s south side. His TV directing credits include Matlock and So Help Me Todd (CBS), Cruel Summer (HULU), The Rookie and Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), and The Blacklist, Chicago Fire, and Chicago Med (NBC). On the writing front, Daniel served as Writer/Producer for the comedy series Twenties and Boomerang. His short films and television projects have screened at festivals around the world, with his latest work named a finalist in the HBO Short Film Competition and later licensed by HBO Max.

Owning the Room  from Behind The Scenes Notes - Episode 1: Daniel Willis

1. What does it really mean to own a room while playing the background? 
2. How can storytellers, producers, and filmmakers shape presence, impact, and influence, without ever stepping on stage?
3. And what lessons can leaders and entrepreneurs learn from those who bring stories to life behind the scenes?