Redefining Ambition and Impact with Rha Goddess

In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, I’m joined by Rha Goddess – renowned entrepreneurial soul coach, author, and founder of Move the Crowd, a company that empowers changemakers to align their work with their values, build profitable businesses, and drive lasting social impact. For over three decades, Rha has helped cultural visionaries and mission-driven entrepreneurs step into their purpose without compromising their principles or prosperity.

With a client roster that includes organizations like Google, Lululemon, the Ford Foundation, and Girls Who Code, Rha’s work sits at the powerful intersection of culture, consciousness, and commerce. Her unique approach helps individuals and organizations bridge the gap between doing well and doing good.

In our conversation, we discuss the concept of intentional ambition, how to create a business that reflects your deepest values, and the mindset shifts needed to thrive as a leader in today’s purpose-driven economy. Whether you're navigating a transition, seeking more fulfillment in your work, or aiming to scale with integrity, this episode is filled with wisdom to inspire your next bold move.

REAL NEGOTIATION STARTS WITH RECLAIMING YOUR POWER

Rha shares a powerful tool called CPR: Context, Purpose, and Results, to help you show up with clarity and confidence in high-stakes situations. Whether you're pitching an idea, giving a big talk, or navigating a tough exit, CPR helps you stay grounded in your truth.

What makes her approach unique is how she redefines negotiation. Instead of seeing it as a power struggle, she frames it as an act of reclaiming your voice. It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about showing up with self-respect and knowing what matters to you.

She also encourages thinking beyond the immediate conversation - consider how your choices impact the bigger picture. That way, you create outcomes that feel good not just for you, but for everyone involved.

THE MOST POWERFUL DEALS START WITH A MINDSET SHIFT

Rha reminds us that negotiation isn’t just about getting better terms. It’s about changing the whole vibe of the conversation. If you walk in feeling powerless or afraid, you’re already behind. But when you shift the context (that’s the “C” in CPR), and show up rooted in your worth, everything changes.

She brings self-love and dignity into the business world - not typical, but totally necessary. Because you can’t make deals that truly honor you if you’re not honoring yourself first. This shift helps you move from just making a transaction to creating a real transformation, where everyone wins and the relationship gets stronger, not just the agreement.

REAL NEGOTIATION PUTS PEOPLE FIRST

Rha flips the script on traditional negotiation. Instead of a win-lose power play, she sees it as a chance to lead with self-respect, empathy, and a bigger-picture mindset.

It’s not just about you and the other person. It’s about the ripple effects on your community, team, or system. She brings in ideas like William Ury’s “third side,” reminding us that every deal impacts more than just who’s at the table.
When you negotiate with compassion and clarity, you create outcomes that feel good, do good, and last.

DON’T JUST RUN, KNOW WHERE YOU’RE HEADED

It’s tempting to leave a job, partnership, or business because you’re burnt out, over it, or chasing a shiny new opportunity. If you don’t have a clear idea of what you’re moving toward, you’re more likely to feel lost, stuck, or even regretful afterward.

Exiting just to get away might solve a short-term problem, but it can leave you drifting without direction. Instead, anchor your exit in something that excites and energizes you - a bigger vision, a meaningful goal, or a new way of working and living. When you leave with clarity and intention, you’re not just escaping something painful—you’re stepping into something powerful. That’s the difference between short-term relief and long-term fulfillment.

KNOW YOUR “WHY” BEFORE YOU NEGOTIATE

Before jumping into “What do I want?” Rha Goddess suggests asking a deeper question: Who do I want to be in this moment and why does it matter?

Using her CPR framework (Context, Purpose, Results), she encourages you to get clear on your mindset and values before you sit down at the table. Context is about how you want to show up- grounded, bold, generous. Purpose is about what this moment really means for you beyond just the deal.

When you're clear on those things, your goals shift from just money or status to something more meaningful, like growth, impact, or legacy. And that’s when negotiation becomes something bigger than a transaction, it becomes a turning point.

IS YOUR AMBITION REALLY YOURS?

Rha Goddess encourages us to ask: Is my ambition coming from me or from someone else’s expectations?
She talks about the difference between “true ambition” and “wounded ambition.” Wounded ambition is fueled by outside pressure, what society, culture, or even family says we should want. Rha shares how trying to fulfill her parents’ dreams led her to burnout and exhaustion.

The big takeaway? If you don’t stop to reflect on where your ambition comes from, it can drive you in the wrong direction. Before chasing that next big thing, check in with yourself: Is this truly aligned with who I am and what I want? That’s how you build - a life and success - that actually feels good.

SUCCESS DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN SCALING

There’s a lot of pressure out there to grow fast, raise capital, and scale big - because that’s what we’re told success is supposed to look like. But Rha challenges that idea, encouraging us to define success on our own terms. The drive to constantly scale often comes from fear, comparison, or old survival patterns - not true alignment. When we chase growth just because we feel we “should,” we risk making decisions that burn us out or lead us away from what we really want.

The reminder here is simple but powerful: just because growth is possible doesn’t mean it’s the right next step. Before saying yes to more, pause and ask yourself: Is this in service of my values, my health, and my long-term happiness?

WORKPLACE TRAUMA IS REAL AND IT DOESN’T STAY AT YOUR LAST JOB

Let’s be real: toxic bosses, constant stress, or being overlooked at work can leave deep emotional scars. And just because you’ve moved on doesn’t mean that baggage stayed behind.

Rha Goddess explains that many of us carry old workplace wounds into new roles, without even realizing it. That’s why you might start a new job and still feel guarded, anxious, or out of place. You’re not just bringing your skills, you’re bringing your past experiences too.

The first step to healing? Name it. Acknowledge what hurt you. And if you’re a leader, help create a space where people feel safe, respected, and supported. That’s how we start to rebuild trust—and finally leave that old pain behind.

SUCCESS ISN’T WORTH SACRIFICING YOUR HEALTH

Rha Goddess talks about something a lot of us are finally waking up to, success means nothing if it costs you your health. For years, the “whatever it takes” mindset was praised. But now, more leaders are realizing that hustle without balance leads straight to burnout.

Your well-being isn’t optional. It’s essential. If your daily grind is leaving you drained, that’s a sign something’s off. It’s time to redefine success to include joy, health, and feeling like yourself again. Because building something great shouldn’t mean breaking yourself in the process.

WORKPLACE TRAUMA DOESN’T STAY AT WORK, BUT HEALING IT CHANGES EVERYTHING

Toxic jobs, messy business breakups, bad exits, those experiences don’t just fade when you move on. They shape how you show up in your next role or deal. Unhealed workplace wounds can leave you feeling guarded, disempowered, and stuck in that “win or lose” mindset.

The good news? When you do the inner work before stepping back into the game, everything shifts. Not just financially (think multi-7-figure exits and way better terms), but emotionally too. You show up clearer, stronger, and more connected, even with the folks across the table. It all starts with renegotiating from a place of integrity and intention, instead of reactivity.

THE NEW LEADERSHIP MODEL PUTS WELL-BEING FIRST

The old “grind at all costs” mindset just doesn’t cut it anymore. As Rha points out, more people, especially after the pandemic, are choosing a different path. They want:

• To prioritize their health and well-being
• To stay true to their values
• To actually enjoy their day-to-day life

And none of that is extra. It’s the new baseline for real success. Even the way Rha launched her book, through intimate dinners and community events, shows this shift. People aren’t chasing hustle. They’re craving connection, meaning, and growth. And when leaders live this way, they don’t just feel better, they help others reimagine what’s possible too.


Tune in as Rha Goddess invites you to reimagine ambition, power, and success - not as a hustle, but as a deeply personal and values-aligned journey. From redefining negotiation to healing workplace wounds, this episode is a masterclass in leading with purpose, integrity, and impact.

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Listen to the Full DealQuest Podcast Episode Here
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FOR MORE ON RHA GODDESS

Rha Goddess’s Website – Move the Crowd
Rha Goddess's LinkedIn
Rha Godness’s Facebook
Rha’s Book: Intentional Ambition

FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER

Corey Kupfer's LinkedIn
Corey Kupfer's Website

Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.

Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today!