Thank you so much to The Prime Today, what I wonderful experience. I can’t really explain how grateful I am that this is my life. The first half of my journey was bit rocky and a tad reckless; to be able to now share my story and the perspectives and lessons that have brought me here, is an absolute honor.
Behind The Scenes:
Interview Questionnaire | The Prime Today
Featuring: Torie Smith
Your career uniquely combines hospitality leadership, brand strategy, creative communications, and consciousness-based advisory work. How has this multidisciplinary journey shaped your leadership philosophy?
Firstly, it’s important to note that there is no compartmentalization. Even though I have gained experience and knowledge through individual facets of my experience, they are all integrated into who I am, and the lens in which I view humanity, The Universe, and my work.
I was born an artist, fascinated be every genre and medium under the sun. I graduated from a private art school with a BA in Visual Communications. I recently received an Honorary Doctorate in Advanced Studies of Psychology based on my contributions to humanity in the field of Consciousness, which came by my writing about consciousness after I was unexpectedly approached by Source Frequency one evening and started channeling information, in 2018.
I’ve been a hospitality professional for almost 20 years. I’m also an athlete and a mom, wife; which greatly effects how I move, operate and relate to the physical world and the heart beat of existence.
With all that, how I lead today is filtered through a very specific lens and internal knowing. Galactic Law is my base line; every dynamic and situation processes through that knowing first.
Looking back on your professional evolution, what pivotal experiences inspired you to bridge traditional business leadership with deeper human connection and transformational thinking?
I’ve always been a “different” type of thinker, a very specific seer. My organic perspective has always been incredibly zoomed out, even as a kid.
I noticed early on that my heart prioritizes the human spirit; my relationship with friendship, seemed to be different, deeper than other generations were expressing.
I find it interesting that those I have connected with though out my life have resonated with my hearts frequency in that specific category (the prioritization of Soul felt friendship).
The evening I started channeling transformed my entire reality; the things that once confused my being and created volcanic frustration, were dissolved. The lens in which I once viewed this reality was replaced and ungraded with a Galactically accurate one.
The encoded truths in which I discovered within a 4 year immersive channel (that continued and followed the initial communication) was information that I could not keep to myself, nor could I delete from my conscious awareness.
It’s not just a professional evolution, it’s a Soul evolution that is taking place.
EMPATHIC GANGSTER® has become a distinctive platform and personal brand. What inspired its creation, and what mission drives its continued growth today?
Firstly, my whole life I have been that friend, that community resource, people came to, to share their Self with, for non judgmental, straight forward feedback.
EMPATHIC GANGSTER® started birthing itself through me shortly after I began channeling. I started channel writing daily, started a YouTube channel and began sharing my perspective on what it meant to be an Empath.
I had never heard of the term “empath” before it was being revealed, that, “I am that”. When I went online to understand more, all I found was the victim stance within it’s meaning. Never in my life have I resonated with being a victim of anything. I knew immediately that I would be redefining and laying a new path and paradigm for these encoded capabilities.
Today, the clarity and accuracy in which Galactic Law provides me, drives all forward. Sharing who I am organically, while being a neutral sounding boarding (for humanity); who will hold you in unconditional love.
I view myself as neutral mirror for others to perceive themselves through; honoring their specific uniqueness and individuality.
My next phase entails creating a boutique hospitality community experience that will duly support other artists and their work. A place humanity can come to experience a version of themselves they have never accessed before.
As a visionary leader, how do you define authentic leadership in an era where organizations are navigating rapid change, uncertainty, and evolving workforce expectations?
The encoded Universal constant truths of this reality are foundational.
As a hospitality leader, I ground myself in humanity-centric ways of operating. I have been in “their” position for 20 years, I treat people the way I would like to be treated; holding individuals to a level of heart-known competence and capability.
A lot of companies expect their employees to sacrifice for their job; give up their lives, time, energy… I don’t function that way. My goal is to support their lives; to ensure their health, wealth and vitality.
I want their cup and excitement pouring over.
I’m consciously aware that an employees time with a company is momentary, temporary, a stepping stone upon their journey; I want to make sure that time spent together is valuable, supportive and collaborative for the both of us. If it’s not a win-win, it’s not my definition of success.
You have spent more than two decades in hospitality and customer-facing leadership roles. What key lessons from the hospitality industry continue to influence the way you lead and advise others?
Humanity is the greatest mirror; people are beautiful, funny and full of life.
People impress me every single day; their openness, unique personality corks, their hearts and minds are brilliant. I can’t help but see the impressiveness and magnificence in all of us.
Even those who’s social programming runs strong, their hearts shine through, like beckons of light.
Your work often focuses on communication, emotional intelligence, and human dynamics. Why do you believe these qualities are becoming increasingly critical for modern leaders?
A leaders ability to ground into the human heart and bypass programming is crucial.
When a leader is guiding someone they have to be able to cut through everything that isn’t the heart beat of the situation; while simultaneously ensuring the proper execution of the task at hand.
A great leader has to be able to successfully finesse and support not just the physical but the energetic spirit of situation’s.
Leadership requires a significant level of self mastery and self awareness. It’s not just a physical experience, its energetic, it’s relationships, communication, organization, being in flow, substantial muscle memory is involved, multi-tasking with your head on a swivel, paying attention to subtle cues and fine detail.
It’s like being an athlete. One also has to prioritize their own rest, nutrition and physical strength.
Leadership life can be demanding; you still have to have enough left over for yourself and your loved ones.
A leaders energy, effects everyone around them; they have to know how to manage and maintain it with precision.
One of my favorite quotes: “If your manager is having a bad day, but chooses not to make everyone feel it too. They’re not a manager, they’re a leader.”
A leader who doesn’t function from a baseline of neutrality and heart — stillness within, will most likely unravel and burnout.
Throughout your journey, what has been the most significant challenge you have faced, and how did overcoming it strengthen your perspective as a leader?
I’ve gone toe-to-toe with Presidents, GM’s and Owners; calling them on their bullshit; requesting change, illuminating idiocracy and illegal practices; going as far as reporting them to the BBB and sending Corporate, full-blown feedback letters.
Something with in me, feels the need to leave places better than I found them. Leave co-workers in a more supportive environment.
Organically, I’ve found myself in leadership positions and roles, most likely because I prioritize health, safety, liability and humanity.
I’m kind of like a walking confessional, people tell me their qualms and concerns, their desires and requests; I make sure they are heard and addressed.
I can’t stand it when those at the top look down on their staff, rather then across at them, as equals. Like everyone that works for them isn’t the reason they are even able to pull off every single day.
As a keynote speaker, what are the most important leadership messages you aim to leave with audiences across industries?
Dissolve energetic hierarchy. Look at your staff, not down on them. Treat them like the competent adults that they are, and watch what happens.
You frequently discuss consciousness, transformation, and self-awareness. How can leaders cultivate greater self-awareness while still maintaining strategic focus and business performance?
Stillness and raw-transparent self reflection. As a leader you have to be able to hold yourself to radical accountability; not judging, shaming or beating yourself up but taking full responsibility and accountability for your results.
Your results are a reflection of your efforts, you can’t pass the blame or play the victim; you must sit with yourself and that honesty and humility, and figure it out.
Your heart has to be a part of the conversation, if you’re bypassing it; you’re probably missing the mark.
* If you are incredibly stumped, never hesitate to ask your staff for transparent feedback; don’t argue, simply listen. Then, take off your shoes, go lay in the grass, let the sunshine kiss your cheeks, listen to the birds chip, feel the wind, open your heart and your mind, and listen for guidance.
In your experience, what are the common leadership blind spots that prevent organizations from achieving sustainable growth and meaningful culture transformation?
The moment a management looks at a people like “shifts”, they’ve already lost.
Leaders who get to know their staff; their skills, strengths, passions, interests, goals, family members… have a different kind of team.
Knowing all of this information about a person, not only creates a deeper cohesive working relationship but also allows leadership to position people properly.
The goal is to work together — collaboration.
Great coach’s learn the idiosyncrasies of their players; so that they know how to position, support and train them, to become the best player they can be, for the team. They know how to empower the individual and the group to be self sustaining and high performing, on and off the court/field.
How do you help businesses align their brand identity, organizational culture, and leadership vision to create lasting impact?
Interestingly enough, I’ve found that those who create real lasting impact, rarely have the goal or conscious intent of creating lasting impact.
Functioning from ones heart space is key; creating something that honors and empowers creativity, the heart and human spirit — people remember how you made them feel, how presence and energy effected theirs.
That energy, intention and organic way of operating fuels the heart beat of the brand; the foundational frequency in which we build upon.
It typically comes down to defining motivations. If the brands sole motivator is to simply make money, that’s not sustainable. There has to be a heart beat, a purpose that supports and excites people in some way.
Then it’s about ensuring quality, integrity, ethical sourcing, setting up systems that are efficient and borderline effortless to maintain.
* In all reality, all trickles down from the top. It can be the coolest venue/product, great menu/offer but if everyone who works there, and or clientele doesn’t respect the owner — that overshadows the brand, that will inevitably be the leak in the ship.
As one of the featured leaders in Top 20 Leadership Stories of Visionary Icons – 2026, what legacy do you hope to create, and what message would you like to share with aspiring leaders seeking to make a meaningful difference in the world?
I just want people to remember that we are infinite divine beings, that to be here is a special and rare opportunity; have fun with it, make the most of it.
EMPATHiC GANGSTER 