Episode 356: The Rare Gem Mindset: How Authentic Leaders Disrupt With Purpose and Foster Belonging

The strongest leaders aren’t defined by their titles—they’re defined by their ability to adapt, listen, and lead with humanity. 

In this episode, Michele Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture, reveals how she built a career on resilience, authenticity, and courage.

From her start in contract negotiation to international business development, to helping the Woodland Park Zoo weather the storm of COVID-19, Michele’s story shows that leadership is less about having the answers and more about practicing presence, empathy, and trust. At MoPOP, she continues to expand cultural conversations by highlighting marginalized stories and creating spaces of belonging.

Tune in to learn how to lead with authenticity, why resilience is a muscle you build over time, and what it takes to create cultures where people feel valued and included.

Visit our website where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with our special guest.

The key moments in this episode are:

[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast [00:27] The Importance of Authentic Leadership [01:25] Meet Michelle Smith: A Journey of Leadership [03:11] The Value of Understanding Contracts [08:28] Leading the Museum of Pop Culture [11:55] Navigating Leadership Challenges [23:26] Building Confidence and Resilience [27:35] The Role of AI in Nonprofits [28:52] Crawl, Walk, Run: A Strategy for Policy Implementation [30:46] AI's Role in Shaping Pop Culture [42:26] Effective Meeting and Mentorship Practices [44:47] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts