Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Rhonda OnThe Rhocks

Rhonda OnThe Rhocks shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Rhonda, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day set the tone for everything else. I start with movement — a workout first thing in the morning to wake up my body and clear my head. After that, I spend quiet time in prayer and reflection, centering myself and connecting with God before the day really starts. Those moments of fitness and faith ground me, fuel my focus, and keep me balanced no matter how busy things get.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Rhonda, the voice and heart behind Rhonda on the Rhocks, now in its third season. By day I’m an educator — this is my 18th year in education — and by night (or honestly any spare moment I can find!) I’m a podcaster creating bold, honest conversations about love, relationships, self-growth, and everything in between.

What makes my work unique is how those two worlds blend. As an educator, I’ve spent nearly two decades helping people grow, think critically, and find their voices. As a podcaster, I’m doing the same thing — just on a microphone and for a wider audience. I love creating spaces where people feel seen, challenged, and inspired.

Right now I’m celebrating one year of going LIVE with the podcast, building community both online and in real life, and developing new ways for my listeners to connect and grow. Whether it’s in the classroom or on the podcast, my mission is the same: to spark authentic conversations that help people heal, learn, and thrive.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My Auntie Shirley taught me the most about work — and about life. She was a lifelong teacher who introduced me to what it truly meant to be an educator. In fact, she gave me my very first job as a teacher in her childcare center. Beyond the skills of running a classroom, Auntie Shirley poured into me as a person. She showed me what it means to be an empowered woman: self-assured, compassionate, and committed to lifting others as you climb. Her example shaped not only my career in education but also the way I show up in my podcasting and my life.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life was surviving an abusive relationship with someone I never imagined could harm me. That experience shook my sense of safety, trust, and even my identity. But it also became the catalyst for my deepest healing.

I began to reclaim my power by speaking out — first privately to friends and mentors, and eventually publicly through my podcast. By telling my story, I’ve not only healed parts of myself but also created space for others to share their own experiences. Giving a voice to what so often stays hidden has been transformative, and it’s become part of my mission: to remind people that healing is possible and they are not alone.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I really admire KevOn Stage — not because of his power or influence, but because of his character. I don’t know him personally, but from what I see he’s always reaching back to help others. He stays humble despite his fame and lives and loves out loud. I especially admire the way he openly loves and praises his family, particularly his wife, and how he’s constantly putting others in position to win. That kind of integrity and generosity is rare, and it’s something I aspire to. I truly hope to work with him in some capacity one day.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing? 
I think my biggest regret would be not doing ‘it’ sooner — leaving a toxic relationship sooner, starting my podcast sooner, even having weight-loss surgery sooner. All of those things taught me that waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ can keep you stuck. Because of that, I no longer wait for perfect timing. I grab life by the horns and, like Nike says, just do it. That shift in mindset has been one of the most liberating lessons of my life.

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Nick Skillz

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