The Blind Spot Between Ambition & Prison with Rashmi Airan

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with bestselling author and now "recovering attorney and investment banker" Rashmi Airan to explore how good people can make life-changing mistakes—and how those same moments can become the foundation for stronger leadership, greater resilience, and lasting personal growth.

After a successful career in law and finance led to a federal prison sentence, Rashmi rebuilt her life with a mission to help organizations better understand ethical decision-making, human behavior, and the hidden blind spots that affect us all. She shares the practical framework she developed to help leaders pause, gain clarity, and make better decisions in today's fast-moving world.

Key topics in this episode include:

• How one ethical blind spot changed the trajectory of Rashmi's life
• Why pressure, speed, and ambition often cloud our judgment
• The four questions behind Rashmi's "Clarity Loop" decision-making framework
• The difference between performance and alignment in leadership
• The release of her new book, All Rise, and why "Rise" has become the foundation of her work
• How to recognize blind spots before they become costly mistakes
• The audiences and industries that benefit most from Rashmi's message
• Why pausing may be the most powerful leadership habit of all