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A bold framework for successfully navigating complicated interactions at work, at home and in all of our relationships – by one of the first leadership coaches to infuse her work with an equity lens and create spaces for connection that require both accountability and generosity.

What if the very moments that feel like setbacks could become openings for transformation?
Aiko Bethea teaches that what holds us back is not the challenge itself, but how we meet it. The tension at work. The misunderstanding at home. The silence in the face of discomfort. She calls these experiences 'the bullsh*t' because they keep us out of alignment with who we aspire to be.
But the bullsh*t is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of choice. Each moment of misalignment can shrink us back into old habits, or it can call us forward into a different way of leading, loving and living. With a witty, engaging voice, Bethea invites us to choose connection over competition, empathy over pity and vulnerability over ego, guiding us toward evolving into the version of ourselves we most respect. As she reminds us, 'bullsh*t can’t be fought off, but it can be transcended.'
Through her Anchored, Aligned, Accountable framework, Bethea draws on real-life experiences from her work as a facilitator and leadership coach, offering journaling prompts and practical exercises to support readers' growth. In doing so, she shows us how to step into that transcendence. Grounded in truth. Connected to values. Committed to action that changes not just what we do but who we become.

© Aiko Bethea 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026