Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

Episode Title: Convicted, Not Defeated: A Real Talk on Ethics and Redemption
Host: Joe Hart (CEO, Dale Carnegie)
Guest: Rashmi Aron (Keynote speaker, consultant, former attorney)
Date: September 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features an unflinching conversation with Rashmi Aron, a first-generation American and former attorney who turned her prison sentence for white-collar crime into a transformative story of ethical leadership and personal growth. Host Joe Hart explores the pressures that led to Rashmi's mistakes, her journey toward owning her actions, and how she now helps others rise through adversity by leading with vulnerability, humility, and resilience. The discussion delves deeply into leadership in the modern age, authenticity, personal responsibility, and how setbacks can plant the seeds for redemption and renewed purpose.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Rashmi’s Early Journey & Drive to Achieve

[02:37-03:42]

• Grew up as a first-generation Indian-American in Miami, striving for perfection and achievement under family and cultural expectations.
• Education and early career: UNC Chapel Hill, Morgan Stanley, Columbia Law, eventually starting her own real estate law practice.

Quote:
"One of my biggest lessons…is the understanding that so many of us root ourselves in achievement...all our self-worth and self-love and self-awareness...is rooted in achievement. So I was totally that kid." — Rashmi Aron, [02:37]

The Slippery Slope to Ethical Failure

[03:48-06:46]

• Pressures of entrepreneurship led to shortcuts and rationalizations.
• Describes unethical real estate buyer incentives and her flawed justification.
• Admits to ignoring her “inner voice” and not fulfilling her legal obligations.

Quote:
"It's very easy for us to shut down…It's almost like you can convince yourself by rationalizing and justifying…that, well, it's just this one time. And…that's what I did, and it's not OK." — Rashmi Aron, [05:00]

The Consequences—FBI Investigation and Indictment

[06:46-09:19]

• After leaving the questionable practice, years later, the FBI investigates, culminating in a grand jury subpoena and Rashmi realizing she was a target.
• Describes the “slippery slope”: one bad decision turns into many before realization hits.
• Emotional toll: family, reputation, fear, and the ego’s role in resisting responsibility.

Choosing Ownership: From Denial to Radical Honesty

[09:19-12:09]

• Rashmi’s attorney:
  "You knew enough. Not doing something is still doing something wrong."
• Decision to plead guilty and preempt public shaming by personally calling 200 people—including major community leaders—to admit her actions and take responsibility before sentencing.

Quote:
"I had to lose my freedom to gain freedom. And that's exactly how I feel." — Rashmi Aron, [12:09]

Quote:
"People are very forgiving of our humanity when we give them the opportunity to see their humanity in us." — Rashmi Aron, [00:00] [repeated in story]

Vulnerability, Leadership, and Redemption

[12:09-13:48]

• Rashmi and Joe discuss how leadership has shifted to value honesty, humility, and vulnerability over invincibility.
• Rashmi notes that true leadership today means admitting mistakes, seeking help, and embracing imperfection.

Prison, Loss, and Rebuilding

[13:48-16:18]

• Served six months in prison, lost her law license, financial stability, and marriage, but gained insight and a renewed mission.
• Started by speaking to law students to prevent similar mistakes; grew into a global voice on ethics and resilience.

The Four-Step RISE Process for Overcoming Struggle

[16:51-19:59] Rashmi’s framework for growth through adversity:

1. Reframe: Accept and move through pain to transform negativity.
2. Identify: Build a “constellation of stars”—truth-telling relationships that both support and hold you accountable.
3. Surrender: Let go of ego and control, embrace uncertainty, and allow self-discovery.
4. Evolve: Use experiences to become a better version of yourself and tune into your purpose.

Quote:
"When we let go of ego, we get enlightenment that otherwise we can't find…And we only get there by going through all of these moments of struggle." — Rashmi Aron, [18:23]

Dale Carnegie’s Impact

[21:14-24:05]

• Rashmi’s family legacy with Dale Carnegie principles: her parents found confidence and resilience through the course, which she attended at 16.
• Attributes her ability to cope, rebuild, and lead to seeds planted by Dale Carnegie teachings—confidence, self-determination, and relationship-building.

Quote:
"So much of how I run my business…is really rooted in those principles I learned as a young teenager…how I live my life, how I build relationships…comes from Dale Carnegie." — Rashmi Aron, [23:23]

Intergenerational Resilience & Mindset

[24:05-25:46]

• Family suffered bankruptcy in Rashmi’s youth; her parents modeled hope, honesty, and never giving in to self-pity, laying the foundation for her own response to adversity.

Sources of Inspiration & Looking Forward

[25:46-27:54]

• Parents (who started a nonprofit for mental health after losing their daughter), her children, and the belief in human goodness inspire Rashmi.
• Upcoming projects: new book (“All Rise,” pub. spring 2026), documentary, and possibly a feature film.
• Excited for family milestones and new personal chapters.

Final Reflections & Advice

[28:18-29:08]

• Encourages listeners to face pain rather than avoid it, using struggle as a catalyst for growth.
• Challenges the cultural narrative to “rise above”—suggests instead to “rise through” struggle, fully experiencing and learning from it.

Quote:
"Don't just rise above. Rise by going through it…feel the pain…when we commit to that, we become higher, better versions of ourselves." — Rashmi Aron, [28:18]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Owning Mistakes:
  "Not doing something is still doing something wrong." — Rashmi’s attorney, [09:19]
• On Breaking Free:
  "I had to lose my freedom to gain freedom." — Rashmi Aron, [00:00], [12:09]
• On Transparency:
  "People are very forgiving of our humanity when we give them the opportunity to see their humanity in us." — Rashmi Aron, [00:00], [09:19]
• On Leadership Change:
  "True leadership is recognizing when we've messed up...and having the humility to step into that type of leadership..." — Rashmi Aron, [12:51]
• On Parental Influence:
  "My parents never lost hope, they never lost faith…they told my sisters and I the truth." — Rashmi Aron, [24:05]
• On Moving Forward:
  "Don’t just rise above. Rise by going through it…" — Rashmi Aron, [28:18]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro & Rashmi’s Lesson in Humanity: [00:00–01:56]
• Background—Upbringing and the Achievement Trap: [02:37–03:42]
• Real Estate Pressures & Ethical Downfall: [03:48–06:46]
• FBI Investigation & Facing Consequences: [06:46–09:19]
• Pleading Guilty & Radical Accountability: [09:19–12:09]
• The Power of Transparency: [12:09–13:48]
• Rehabilitation & New Mission: [13:48–16:18]
• The RISE Process Explained: [16:51–19:59]
• Dale Carnegie Principles in Action: [21:14–24:05]
• Family Resilience and Mindset: [24:05–25:46]
• Inspiration & Next Steps: [25:46–27:54]
• Closing Wisdom & Advice: [28:18–29:08]

Resources & Contact

• Rashmi Aron’s Website: rashmiaron.com
• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok (@RashmiAron)
• Book: All Rise, Spring 2026

Summary by [Your Assistant] — For leaders ready to face the truth, transform regret, and use struggle as the stepping stone to authentic growth.