Hire Learning with Oz Rashid

In this episode of Hire Learning, host Oz Rashid sits down with Stephanie Perry, Head of Finance and Administration at Project Equity, to talk about the art and science of investing in talent.

Stephanie shares her approach to ensuring employees are set up for success from day one, and the critical role leaders play in creating an environment where people can thrive.

From her trailblazing career in media with Essence, Fortune, and Dictionary.com to her mission-driven work at Project Equity, Stephanie brings a wealth of insights on leadership, work-life balance, and why every hire is an investment worth making.

💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why it’s on leaders to ensure their teams succeed.
• How Stephanie's "invest upfront" philosophy transforms teams.
• The surprising connection between Oklahoma City and great Thai food.
• Practical tips for managing work-life balance (even during budget season!).

🎙️ Episode Breakdown:

• [00:00] Intro: Who is Stephanie Perry?
• [05:45] From New York to Oklahoma City: Finding work-life balance.
• [10:30] Why setting employees up for success starts on day one.
• [15:20] Investing in talent: Stephanie’s leadership philosophy.
• [21:00] Navigating change: From media to nonprofits.
• [26:15] The power of real-time feedback and honest conversations.
• [33:00] Work-life balance tips that actually work.
• [40:00] Why leaders need to promote vacation as a right.
• [48:10] Stephanie’s journey from hard work to transformative leadership.

📢 Don’t miss this episode—it’s packed with actionable advice and candid stories that will inspire leaders, managers, and anyone passionate about team success.

In this episode of Hire Learning, host Oz Rashid sits down with Kevin Bailey, CEO and co-founder of Dreamfuel, to explore the untapped power of mental performance coaching.

Kevin shares how neuroscience-based tools can help founders, executives, and teams thrive under pressure. From practical hiring advice to unlocking flow state, Kevin reveals the secrets to building resilient, high-performing teams.

If you’re a leader looking to elevate your mindset or a hiring manager searching for game-changing talent, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can’t afford to miss.

What You’ll Learn:

• [0:00] Kevin’s journey from burnout to building Dreamfuel.
• [6:25] What is mental performance coaching, and why is it critical for leaders?
• [12:45] The difference between mental health and mental fitness.
• [18:30] How flow state boosts productivity by 5x—and how to tap into it.
• [24:00] Hiring hacks: The surprising question to gauge a candidate's focus.
• [31:15] The "Six Pillars of Mental Fitness" every great hire needs.
• [38:50] How to create a culture that fosters resilience and performance.
• [45:30] Visualization techniques used by elite athletes and CEOs.
• [52:10] Kevin’s advice to his 20-year-old self and his powerful philosophy on chasing dreams.

Mental performance isn’t just for athletes—it’s the edge every leader needs in today’s high-pressure environment.

Kevin breaks down the science and strategies that help you choose your state of mind, build high-performing teams, and turn adversity into opportunity.