Podcasts about executive leadership

In this compelling episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos sits down with empathy strategist and bestselling author Maria Ross for a conversation that challenges outdated leadership myths and reframes what it truly means to lead in today's world. With sharp insight, real-world perspective, and an energizing presence, Maria invites listeners into a deeper exploration of how modern leaders earn loyalty, navigate tension, and build organizations people actually want to follow. This episode doesn't preach - it provokes, stretches assumptions, and leaves you leaning in for what comes next.Maria Ross is the founder of Red Slice, helping organizations drive growth through empathy-driven leadership, branding, and culture. For nearly 20 years, she has worked with startups, nonprofits, and enterprise brands - including Splunk, GSK, Salesforce, and LogicGate - to sharpen messaging, elevate brands, and build strong cultures, leading clients to acquisitions and IPOs.A sought-after speaker and the author of The Empathy Edge and The Empathy Dilemma, Maria also hosts The Empathy Edge podcast. Her insights have appeared on MSNBC, NPR, Forbes, and Newsweek. She lives in Northern California with her family and a lively mix of pets - and a deep love for British crime dramas and Jeopardy!00:00 Intro02:25 A two-year old gave her the idea!05:03 What is the definition – for business?08:05 What are the five pillars?11:31 Last pillar is not what you think, keep listening….14:55 Powerful, powerful quote, you may need to rewind and really listen!22:01 This is your competitive edge. 27:37 This is the misunderstanding… 28:20 And here it is!32:20 I don't check emails until I complete this.https://www.red-slice.com/https://red-slice.com/podcast/Book:  https://red-slice.com/the-empathy-dilemma-book/https://www.instagram.com/redslicemaria/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mariajross/https://www.facebook.com/redslicehttps://www.youtube.com/user/mariajross===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:

In Episode 123, we talked about Reveal—the courage it takes to finally look at what's already shaping your behavior, your decisions, and your results. Today, we move into Part 2: Reclaim. Because once you can see your narrative identity, you don't get to stay neutral anymore.   Not choosing… is still choosing. And that choice always comes with consequences. In this episode, I explore why reclaiming your narrative identity is fundamentally about making intentional choices—especially as teams and organizations that want to create something new, meaningful, and lasting. In this episode, we explore: Why avoiding a decision doesn't protect you from consequences—it guarantees them How passive choices quietly shape team culture and outcomes What it really means to reclaim your narrative identity (hint: it's not about keeping everything) Why teams that don't choose their narrative identity end up being driven by shadow identities How unspoken assumptions sabotage alignment, strategy, and innovation Why narrative identity work must be done together and out loud In Episode 125, which is the final episode of this 3-part series, I'll walk you through Reframe—the step where you intentionally reconstruct a new narrative identity that sets you up to create and innovate in power. Reveal shows you what's there. Reclaim helps you choose what stays. Reframe is where the future gets built. Are you ready to do this work now?  If you're ready to reclaim your creating power and help your team reveal, reclaim, and reframe its narrative identity, email me at:

Senior leaders often focus on strategy, execution, and results, but the real differentiator at the executive level is self awareness and trust.In this episode of The Executive Appeal, Alex D. Tremble sits down with Brad Eckerdt, Fractional Corporate Development Officer at Emerson Consulting, LLC. Brad brings decades of experience across military leadership, investment banking, M&A strategy, and corporate development, with over $20 billion in capital markets experience.Together, they explore how executive mindset, personal accountability, and emotional intelligence shape team performance. Brad shares lessons from his upbringing, his time as a Naval aviator, and his work advising leadership teams navigating complex decisions and high pressure environments.This conversation dives into why bad situations rarely fix themselves, how leaders must address misalignment early, and why professionalism and expectations matter more than personality conflicts. Brad also explains how leaders can balance high standards with empathy, motivate teams without lowering the bar, and create cultures where people take ownership rather than escalate every issue.If you are a senior leader who wants a team that thinks critically, communicates clearly, and operates with trust and accountability, this episode offers grounded, real world insight on how leadership presence and mindset shape results.

Campbell Mitchell, M.B.A., is Head of Food Safety and Compliance for Kraft Heinz North America. He has more than 30 years of international experience in food safety, quality management, and risk mitigation. Prior to joining Kraft Heinz, Campbell served as Vice President of Quality and Safety at Fairlife LLC, a $4-billion Coca-Cola-owned dairy brand. He has also held senior leadership roles with Kerry Group and Almarai in the Middle East. Additionally, he founded a consultancy that supported Tiger Brands in Africa. A microbiologist by training, Campbell holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from Massey University in New Zealand. He frequently speaks at industry events on the topics of food safety culture and sustainability. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Campbell [38:24] about: His childhood experience of growing up in different parts of the world and how it prepared him for an international career working in cross-cultural environments What led Campbell from an education in microbiology to a profession in food safety, which he describes as "more of an art than a science" What his role at Kraft Heinz entails, such as communicating that food safety is more than just lab testing—it's about every decision made within the organization The drivers behind and work involved in Kraft Heinz's decision to phase out synthetic food colorings from its U.S. product portfolio How Campbell manages high-level leadership responsibilities with the task of meeting technical and regulatory requirements for food safety and quality The difference between food safety professionals' and consumers' concepts of "food safety" and how consumer demand influences business decisions Kraft Heinz's near-term objectives for strengthening organizational food safety culture and compliance, starting with an enterprise-wide food safety culture survey Examples of how digital tools can be used to proactively address food safety in complex supply chains, such as artificial intelligence (AI) for predicting when clean-in-place (CIP) needs to be conducted. News and Resources Eat Real Food: New U.S. Dietary Guidelines Name and Shame 'Highly Processed Foods' [6:29] USDA-FSIS Describes Vision for Science-Based Approach to Reducing Salmonella in Poultry [14:35] GAO Identifies Areas in Which FDA Has Yet to Fulfill FSMA [24:40] Journal Retracts Hallmark Glyphosate Safety Study, Increasing Cancer Concerns [28:33] EU Provides Guidance on Shelf-Life Studies to Reflect New Listeria Criteria for RTE Foods [35:09] Sponsored by: Michigan State University Online Food Safety Program We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

I am hooked! I can't stop watching and listening @TarynSmithMovement on Instagram.She is rowing across the Atlantic all by herself... she's on roughly, Day 44. What can a 24-year-old rowing solo across the Atlantic teach seasoned corporate leaders about courage, endurance, fear, and leadership?More than you think.In this episode, we explore leadership through an unexpected but powerful lens: crossing an ocean alone. This is not an adventure story—it's a leadership case study on how to lead when certainty disappears, fear shows up, and endurance matters more than intensity.If you're navigating ambiguity, pressure, burnout, or high-stakes decisions, this episode will challenge how you think about strength, courage, and what leadership actually requires today.⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Opening  Leadership when the horizon disappears02:10 – Why an Ocean Is a Leadership Classroom Uncertainty, isolation, and sustained effort04:45 – Leadership vs. Management Why leadership must work without clarity07:30 – Endurance Over Intensity Why you can't sprint leadership (or an ocean)11:15 – Burnout and Corporate Myths Why exhaustion is not a credential14:20 – Fear as Data, Not Danger How leaders misuse fear—and how to use it properly18:30 – When Fear Becomes Taboo The innovation cost of fear-based cultures22:10 – Beginner's Mind and Adaptability Why leaders must become students again25:40 – Solo Doesn't Mean Alone Vulnerability, support, and leadership trust28:45 – Practicing Courage Daily You don't need an ocean to lead boldly31:00 – Final Reflection & Call to Action What's the ocean you're facing right now?FREE BONUS - Start assessing your leadership capability with our free Powerhouse Communication Assessment. DOWNLOAD HEREKEY TAKEAWAYS• Leadership isn't proven by certainty—it's revealed by consistency under uncertainty • Endurance beats intensity in long-term leadership effectiveness • Burnout is not a leadership credential • Fear is information; suppressing it kills innovation • Cultures that shame fear create cautious leaders, not bold ones • Beginner's mind is a strategic advantage, not a weakness • Vulnerability builds trust without eroding authority • Courage is a daily practice, not a personality trait

On a cold January day in South Carolina, Jamie and Matt Staub unpack why focus is one of the most underrated leadership skills—especially in healthcare, where everything can feel urgent. They break down how leaders decide what deserves attention, how to “push pause” on non-emergencies, and why coaching people through problems is often more effective than absorbing them. The conversation also explores decision fatigue, the difference between being busy and being focused, the role of habits (including insights from Atomic Habits), and how boundaries protect the work that actually moves the mission forward. Along the way, they normalize attention struggles, reframe “failure” as part of growth, and offer practical ways to stay aligned to goals without losing empathy or accessibility.

This episode of Start With a Win is a no-nonsense wake-up call for leaders who refuse to drift into the future unprepared. Adam frames a bold close to 2025 and a decisive launch into 2026, he blends hard data, lived experience, and unfiltered conviction to challenge how leadership is actually practiced when the pressure is real. It's not motivational fluff or distant theory - it's a sharp, energizing look at what separates those who gain momentum from those who get left behind. If you're ready for a candid, high-octane perspective that will make you reassess how you lead, work, and show up when it counts, this is an episode you'll want to hear all the way through and even need to re-watch!⚡️FREE RESOURCE:

It's time for us to leave our ostrich ways behind. In Part 1 of this three-part series, I'm calling us in to stop avoiding the things we don't want to see. Because what we refuse to look at doesn't disappear. It quietly works against us—undermining our creativity, momentum, strategy, and our ability to create real impact together. This episode is about revealing your narrative identity: making the invisible visible, giving voice to what's been assumed, and naming what's already shaping (and sabotaging) what you're trying to build. In this episode, I explore: Why "not looking" is one of the most common and costly patterns for individuals and teams How narrative identity silently determines how far we can create, build, and innovate The critical difference between thinking something and saying it out loud or writing it down Why making the implicit explicit is a lost art and essential leadership work How avoidance shows up as "spinsville" in teams, strategy, and planning Why clarity requires contrast (and why that discomfort is necessary) The Reveal Work: 6 Questions I Invite You (and Your Team) to Ask This first step—Reveal—is grounded in six foundational questions. I especially want you to do this work with your team, organization, or movement: Who are we? Who do we belong to? Why do we exist? What are our values—lived, not laminated? What do those values mean for what we will and won't do? What do we believe—and invite others to believe with us? These questions don't create a mess. They reveal the mess that's already there so we can finally do something about it. Why this work matters I've learned (sometimes the hard way) that: We can't fix what we won't see. We can't create beyond who we believe we are. Teams divided on identity will always pull apart, not together. Strategy, vision, and goals fail when identity work is skipped. Asking these questions doesn't cause misalignment. It exposes what's already working at cross-purposes. A note on support If you're thinking, "This feels too messy to do on our own," you're probably right. I share why facilitated space, patience, and structure matter when teams do this work and how I support groups through Revealing, Reclaiming, and Reframing their narrative identity so they can move forward with real momentum. Coming next in the series Part 2: Reclaim — Choosing the parts of your narrative identity that are lost that you want to keep, and which ones you want to get rid of  Part 3: Reframe — Rebuilding a narrative identity from the parts that work and which will let you create what you're here to create

Send us a textIn this episode of The Frustrated CEO Podcast, hosts Patrick Lyons and Patsy Feeman sit down with Mohammad Anwar, CEO of Softway and co-founder of Culture+, for a candid conversation on leadership, company culture, and business transformation.Mohammad shares his powerful origin story, how rapid success left him “power drunk,” and how Softway's once-strong culture turned toxic—nearly driving the company into bankruptcy. He reveals the pivotal turning point that sparked Softway's turnaround: hearing a coach describe the company's comeback as being driven by love as a business strategy.In this episode, you'll learn what love in leadership really means (and why it's neither romantic nor soft), why behaviors—not values—define culture, how to build change-ready organizations, and why sustainable culture change requires leaders to own mistakes, apologize, and seek forgiveness, not just roll out new policies or processes.This conversation is a must-listen for CEOs, founders, and leaders navigating culture change, leadership burnout, and the real work of building resilient, human-centered organizations.

In this episode of the Your Health University Podcast, Jamie sits down with Matt Whitehead, Chief Ancillary Officer at Your Health, to unpack one of leadership's hardest realities: you rarely have all the information you want when decisions matter most.Drawing from decades of healthcare leadership experience, Matt explains how early decisions were driven almost entirely by gut, ethics, and urgency—long before real-time data existed. Together, they explore the balance between data and instinct, confidence and humility, decisiveness and recklessness.This conversation tackles real leadership tension: when waiting causes harm, when momentum matters more than perfection, and why doing nothing is often the most dangerous choice. Matt also shares a candid leadership failure, what it taught him, and how Your Health built a culture where mistakes are learning tools—not career-ending moments.If you lead people, teams, or systems—especially in healthcare—this episode reframes uncertainty not as a weakness, but as the proving ground of great leadership. www.YourHealth.Org

What You'll Learn: In the first half of the episode, the conversation focuses on the foundations of effective change and project success. Dave shares insights on the importance of executive support, strong project management, and understanding the real problems teams are trying to solve. The discussion highlights why improvement efforts often stall and how leaders can create clarity by engaging the right stakeholders early.Key Takeaways:Why executive support can make or break improvement effortsHow a clear problem definition sets the foundation for successLinks: Click Here for Dave Kippen's LinkedInHuman, Pet, and Animal Nutrition Company: WebsiteLean Solutions Website

n this powerful episode, Lucas Mack sits down with Jeremy Nulick, founder of Boulder Futures, to explore what most leaders avoid talking about: emotion, identity, and the deeper human story behind business strategy.Jeremy shares his journey from journalism to strategic foresight, and challenges the modern assumption that business is purely analytical. Instead, he argues that business is a creative act—built on narrative, meaning, imagination, and the courage to make decisions that shape the future.Together, Lucas and Jeremy dive into:Why storytelling isn't just marketing — it's strategyThe hidden struggle many executives face: emotional suppressionWhat happens when your identity becomes your titleTrauma, recovery, and the way pain can distort visionHow hope is a discipline that leaders must reclaimWhy vulnerability and human connection are essential for building lasting organizationsThis conversation is for founders, executives, creatives, and anyone who feels the tension between success on paper and emptiness inside.Because the future won't be built by people who numb themselves.It will be built by people who are brave enough to be human.

Premise For decades, the standard leadership playbook has been built upon an ironclad, yet increasingly fragile, triad: vision, strategy, and execution. While these pillars are foundational, they are no longer sufficient to navigate the complexities of the modern knowledge economy. A significant, transformative chapter is missing from the manual—one that addresses the human engine of performance. We have been conditioned to believe that leadership is exclusively "serious work" and that joy is a frivolous activity, which is at best emerges as after work activities and at worst considered a liability to be checked at the door.   This cultural perception has architected a structural deficit in our organizations. Leaders and their teams find themselves "drudging to work," trapped in a cycle of professional survival rather than creative thrive-states. This has led to a significant percentage of of employees having checked out at work and just going through the motions.   We treat fun as a distraction, something reserved for after-hours or relegated to the periphery of "real" work. This is one of the most damaging assumptions in modern business. It creates a false dichotomy that suggests one must choose between delivering results and experiencing joy. As an Executive Leadership coach, I contend that this dichotomy is not only false but strategically dangerous. Treating play as a distraction rather than a performance engine directly degrades a team's capacity for innovation.  In an era where the primary differentiator is the quality of thought, the traditional leadership playbook is suffering from a cognitive bottleneck. To remain competitive, we must dismantle this outdated view and recognize that play is a competitive necessity, a high-performance engine designed to galvanize teams and produce superior outcomes. The High-Performance Definition of Play To leverage play as a strategic asset, we must first strip away the superficiality that often surrounds the concept in corporate circles.  Strategic play is not found in the aesthetics of Silicon Valley—it is not about installing ping-pong tables, stocking breakrooms with board games, or the hollow performance of "mandated fun" events that often feel more like an obligation than an escape. These are mere pastimes; they do not drive performance. Instead, we must adopt an operational definition: play as an intentional, high-performance psychological and physiological state.  It is about architecting an environment where teams can achieve a state of "flow" while tackling their most rigorous and demanding objectives. In this state, the traditional friction of work evaporates and teams end up doing a lot more work with a lot less stress.  This lack of stress, despite the immense workload proves that play is not the absence of work; it is the absence of the psychological friction that usually accompanies work. When work is operationalized as play, the team doesn't just work harder; they work with a clarity and resilience that "serious" drudgery can never replicate. Six Elements of Play To move from theory to tactical application, we must look at the structural components of play. Organizational researcher Scott Eberle identified six core elements that define a playful mindset.  When leaders intentionally weave these elements into the cultural fabric of their teams, they transform the very nature of the work being produced. 1. Anticipation: The Catalyst for Engagement Anticipation is the palpable excitement that arises from looking forward to a challenge. In a professional context, this is the antidote to "initiative fatigue." Just as an athlete anticipates the opening whistle, a high-performing team thrives when the challenge ahead is framed not as a burden, but as an opportunity for discovery. Anticipation acts as the mental "hook." In modern business environments, specifically those utilizing Agile methodologies, anticipation transforms a "backlog" from a list of chores into a series of upcoming hurdles to be cleared. It primes the team to be mentally "in the game" before the first line of code is written or the first slide is designed. 2. Surprise: Disrupting Cognitive Entrenchment Surprise involves the novelty and unexpected discoveries encountered during a project. Significant challenges naturally produce new insights, both positive and negative. Surprise is the primary catalyst for innovation. In a "serious" environment, the unexpected is often viewed as a risk to be mitigated. In a playful environment, surprise is welcomed as a means to break routine thinking and force the brain to make new, non-linear connections. It disrupts "cognitive entrenchment"—the tendency for experts to rely on outdated mental models—and opens the door for genuine breakthroughs. 3. Pleasure: Sustaining the Performance Loop Pleasure is the intrinsic satisfaction derived from the activity itself. When the reward is the work, the team is in the process of achieving a sustainable loop of high performance. In many organizations, motivation is extrinsic—driven by bonuses, titles, or fear. Pleasure, however, provides a more durable fuel. It ensures that high-quality output is driven by internal satisfaction, which significantly reduces the attrition and burnout associated with high-pressure environments. 4. Understanding: The Currency of Progress Understanding is the "aha!" moment—the specific point in time when a complex problem is seen from a fresh perspective and the mental gears finally click into place. In the knowledge economy, these moments of insight are our most valuable currency. By fostering a playful environment, leaders lower the "cognitive load" and reduce the pressure that often blocks insight. This makes these "clicks" of understanding more frequent and more profound. 5. Strength: Architecting Mastery Strength is the feeling of competence and mastery that follows the process of overcoming a challenge. It is the psychological "high" of knowing one is capable, skilled, and efficacious. Mastery builds the confidence necessary for calculated risk-taking. When a team feels "strong" in their capabilities, they are more likely to push boundaries and explore unconventional solutions. This sense of mastery is the foundation of a "growth mindset" within the organization. 6. Poise: The Buffer Against Crisis Poise is the sense of grace, composure, and confidence that comes from operating at one's peak performance. It is the hallmark of a leader who is fully present. Poise is the ultimate defense against the "amygdala hijack"—the stress response that shuts down higher-order thinking during a crisis. A team operating with poise can remain calm and effective under extreme pressure, ensuring that they bring their "A-game" to high-stakes situations without being paralyzed by the fear of failure. The Chemical Formula for Peak Performance These six elements are not a buffet from which to choose from. They function as a unified chemical formula. When orchestrated correctly, they prime the brain for engagement and move the team toward a state of "effortless mastery or FLOW".  The formula functions through specific pairings that build a narrative of performance: Anticipation and Surprise (The Priming Phase): These two elements work in tandem to prime the brain for engagement. Anticipation focuses the attention, while surprise keeps the brain plastic and receptive to new information. This combination prevents the stagnation that occurs when work becomes predictable and monotonous. Pleasure (The Fuel Phase): Pleasure provides the intrinsic motivation necessary to sustain high effort over the long term. It is the cooling system for the high-performance engine, allowing for "immense hard work" without the friction of stress. Understanding and Strength (The Immersion Phase): These elements build the confidence required for deep immersion. When a team feels they understand the problem space and possess the strength to navigate it, they can commit fully to the task. This eliminates the "imposter syndrome" and hesitation that often slow down innovation. Poise (The Flow Phase): Poise is the result—the effortless mastery that defines a "flow state." It is the pinnacle of performance where the individual or team operates at maximum potential, moving through complex tasks with a sense of grace and composure. In an economy where the primary differentiator is the "quality of thought," the ability to architect an environment for consistent flow is the single greatest lever a leader possesses. If the brain is stressed, it is physiologically incapable of producing high-quality thinking. By using this chemical formula, you are literally optimizing the neurochemistry of your organization. Quantifying the ROI of Play or Joy The integration of play is not a "soft" initiative; it is a cold, calculated investment in Cultural Resilience.  For the strategist, the ROI of play or joy is measurable, when looked through three distinct lens: Personal Impact: The Executive Shield For the individual leader, the benefits of a playful mindset are immediate. It enhances the ability to solve complex, "wicked" problems by unlocking new creative connections that are inaccessible in a state of drudgery.  More importantly, it acts as a critical defense against burnout. By reducing work-related stress, play builds individual resilience, ensuring that the leader's productivity remains top-notch even during periods of extreme volatility and work under high pressure situations.  Team Impact: The Trust Foundation When play is integrated into a team, the impact is transformative. It allows for a level of bonding that traditional "team-building" exercises, which often feel artificial, cannot match.  Play strengthens communication and forges a powerful sense of togetherness through shared challenges and shared insights.  It builds a foundation of psychological safety where team members feel comfortable being vulnerable and taking risks. As the principle states: "Teams that play together stay together." Organizational Impact: The Strategic Asset At scale, this approach defines the entire organization. A culture where joy is expected is a culture worth belonging to.  This manifests as higher employee engagement, a free flow of creative ideation, and a measurable increase in overall productivity. It turns the organization into a "fulfilling place to work," a powerful differentiator in the war for talent.  When play is a core component of the culture, the organization becomes more agile, more innovative, and more capable of enduring market shifts. The Leader's Mandate - Be a Role Model The evidence is no longer anecdotal; it is a proven strategy for high performance. Therefore, the responsibility for integrating play falls directly on the shoulders of leadership.  It is time to dismantle the false dichotomy between results and joy and acknowledge that play is a non-negotiable component of delivering high-quality work. However, this cannot be mandated through policy. You cannot "order" a team to be in flow.  Instead, leaders must model the behavior. This is the Leader's Mandate: you must demonstrate through your own actions that fun is not only "okay" but is expected. What does this look like in practice? It means: Tactical Transparency: Openly celebrating a "Surprise" or an "Understanding" moment during a high-stakes meeting. Auditing Drudgery: Regularly asking, "Which parts of our current process have become mere drudgery, and how can we re-inject Anticipation or Surprise into them?" Celebrating Process, Not Just Outcome: Acknowledging the brilliance and the growth of the team even when a project doesn't reach the market or is seen as unsuccessful.  Projecting Poise: Demonstrating composure and a "playful" curiosity during a crisis, rather than signaling panic. When a leader brings their "A-game" with poise and visible enjoyment, they create the psychological safety necessary for their teams to do the same.  They signal that the work is important enough to be enjoyed. Conclusion The legacy a leader builds is ultimately defined by the environment they create. We are moving past the era of professional drudgery and into an era where the most successful organizations will be those that have operationalized joy through integrating the elements of play.  Exceptional results and genuine joy are not mutually exclusive—they are one and the same. By intentionally fostering a playful mindset and engineering an environment for flow, you do more than just build a successful organization - you create a space where teams can do their best work while actually thriving in the process.  You move from being a manager of tasks to being an architect of fulfillment. And when you integrate your AI agents into the flow of things by calling on them in each element of play and sharing their perspective, in addition to the team, you are now becoming a leader who understands how to leverage the strengths of both human and AI agents who are now part of your team. As you look at your own leadership style and the culture you are currently cultivating, ask yourself the most fundamental question of all: "Are we having fun working together?" https://youtu.be/FF7NIt0PFw8  

If you've got your eye on an executive leadership title (whether in the near term or further down the road) today's episode is for you. What most people don't realize is that the traits that make you successful as an individual contributor or middle manager aren't the same traits that will help you land (and thrive in) an executive role. In this episode, I'm sharing the advice I wish someone had told me sooner, so you can position yourself for growth into higher-level roles within your organization. From tactical pivots to mindset shifts, we're covering it all.  Let's dive in. Links mentioned in today's episode: Free Five Phrases Worksheet: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/phrases/  One-on-One Coaching: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/coaching/  My group program, The Art of Speaking Up Academy: https://jessguzikcoaching.com/academy/  

Looking for more DTP Content? Check us out: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Leadership Forged in War: Drones, Ukraine & Combat Medicine with Travis Kaufman What does leadership look like when courage, skill, and purpose are tested in real combat? In this episode of Disaster Tough, host John Scardena sits down with combat medic, warrior-educator, and humanitarian leader Travis Kaufman—a professional who deliberately went downrange into Ukraine to train combat medics operating under constant Russian drone warfare and frontline pressure. Travis didn't observe from a distance. He embedded with Ukrainian forces, teaching lifesaving combat medicine in one of the most complex warfighting environments on earth—where FPV drones, AI-enabled targeting, electronic warfare, and prolonged field care are reshaping how wars are fought and how leaders lead. His mission: multiply capability, build confidence, and ensure medics could save lives when evacuation was impossible and every movement carried risk. This episode explores leadership as action, not theory: ·      Leading and teaching under live drone threat in active war zones·      How modern warfare in Ukraine has changed training, trust, and command·      The mindset required to mentor warriors in austere, high-risk environments·      Building resilient teams when technology, terrain, and tempo collide·      Why leadership rooted in purpose and service outlasts fear and fatigue·      What the Russia–Ukraine war reveals about the future of combat leadership  This is a story of service, courage, and responsibility—of a leader who chose to step forward, share hard-earned knowledge, and risk his own life so others could go home alive. It's a rare, firsthand look at leadership where preparation, humility, and moral clarity matter more than rank or title. If you're searching for insight into leadership in war, drone warfare, Ukraine, Russia, combat medicine, modern conflict, resilience, and warrior mentorship, this episode delivers unmatched perspective straight from the field.

When tension spikes, leaders don't rise to the occasion; they fall to their default. Today we dig into those defaults with Bill Benjamin, co-author of The Last 8%, and unpack why smart, well-intentioned people either blow up or go quiet when it matters most—and how to do better without losing your edge.We start by naming the two patterns that quietly define culture under pressure: the messmaker who reacts with heat and the avoider who retreats to keep the peace. Bill explains the brain science behind both, from cortisol searing memories to the fear of social judgment that feels like physical pain. That lens changes everything: people remember you in the hard moments, not the easy ones. So we get practical. Bill shares SOS—Stop, Oxygenate, Seek information—as a simple, reliable way to step out of fight-or-flight, regain working memory, and turn certainty into curiosity. Small moves like a sip of water, open palms, or one deep breath can buy the six seconds you need to choose a better response.We then move into preparation for planned hard conversations. Clarify the exact last 8 percent you must say, set a positive intention that signals safety, and ask open questions so the other person talks first. You'll hear why many people self-diagnose if given space, how to draw out their last 8 percent, and how to model being coachable without giving up standards. We close with tactics to reset a reputation: share your growth edge with genuine vulnerability, invite real-time cues from your team, and follow up to measure progress. The result is a culture where people trade ego for empathy, certainty for curiosity, and silence for shared truth.If this sparked an insight, share it with one person who needs it. Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast app, and leave a quick review to help more leaders find the show. Which are you under pressure—messmaker or avoider—and what last 8 percent will you tackle this week?

In this 2026 edition of Experiencing Healthcare, we open the year with a deceptively simple leadership question: who's the hardest person to lead? The answer isn't a teammate—it's yourself. Through humor, real-world CEO moments, and hard-earned reflection, Matt unpacks why self-leadership is often overlooked, how boundaries are actually discipline in disguise, and why emotional regulation is the foundation for every decision you make—especially in a “heavy” industry like healthcare. The takeaway: if you want to lead others well this year, start by leading you with intention.

As you probably have already experienced, millennials have changed the rules of leadership.Sawubona Leadership can be the team development tool you've been looking for to elevate your connection and impact with your team. In this powerful episode, executive coach and bestselling author Susan Inouye joins Bernadette to explore Sawubona Leadership—an approach that moves beyond generational stereotypes and into truly human-centered leadership.Susan shares how leaders can shift from control to connection, recognize the gifts hidden in behavior, and build cultures of belonging that drive engagement, retention, and performance. Drawing from real-world leadership transformations, this conversation offers practical insights for leading millennials, Gen Z, and multigenerational teams through change.What You'll Learn: – Why “I see you” is a leadership skill – How to identify gifts beneath challenging behavior – The five leadership shifts required for today's workforce – Why belonging directly impacts productivity and profitability – How leaders can coach instead of commandChapters and Timestamps:Introduction to Modern Leadership Challenges — 0:00Meet Susan Inouye: A Journey of Transformation — 2:04Discovering Sawubona Leadership — 6:36Implementing Sawubona Leadership in the Corporate World — 9:51Transforming Gifts into Organizational Success — 19:50Recognizing and Leveraging Employee Gifts — 21:10Adapting Leadership for Younger Generations — 24:53Why Cutting Training and Coaching Hurts Growth During Challenging Times — 27:14About the Guest: Susan Inouye is an executive coach, bestselling author of Leadership's Perfect Storm. She has worked with over 600 organizations across 40 industries, helping leaders engage and inspire multigenerational teams worldwide.Resources & Links: – Susan Inouye: https://susaninouye.com – Book: Leadership's Perfect Storm available at https://susaninouye.com/book- Linkedin: @SusanInouyeSubscribe & Review: If you found value in this episode, subscribe and leave a review—it helps more leaders find these conversations. https://balloffirecoaching.com/podcast/Support the show

Send us a textWhat does real CEO confidence look like when everything feels uncertain?In this episode of The Frustrated CEO Podcast, Patrick and Patsy sit down with executive coach Rome Madison to explore how leaders can stay grounded, decisive, and confident while navigating chaos, pressure, and constant change. Rome shares a practical leadership framework built on self-acceptance, competence, and strategy, and explains why humility, staying close to customers, and embracing uncertainty are essential for building high-performing organizations.This conversation is designed for CEOs, founders, and senior leaders who feel stretched thin, stuck in complexity, or challenged by rapid change — and are looking for clarity, perspective, and practical guidance on leading through uncertainty.

Ready to trade quiet excellence for visible momentum? We're closing out the year with a practical, energizing roadmap for ambitious Black introvert women who want an executive promotion in 2026. The external market is slow and noisy, so we show you why internal positioning is the smarter, faster path—and how to make it work without pretending to be someone you're not.Inside From Invisible To In-Demand on January 14, 2026, I'll teach you the exclusive strategy that gets Black introverted women promoted to the executive level in 5 months or less.  Save your seat here.

What does modern leadership actually require—and why do toxic leaders continue to rise, even in companies that claim to value culture?In this episode of the Spartan Leadership Podcast, Josh Kosnick sits down with Lyndsay Dowd—former IBM executive, Harvard guest lecturer, bestselling author, and founder of Heartbeat for Hire—for a raw, honest conversation about leadership, power, burnout, and reinvention at any age.Lyndsay shares her personal leadership journey, the moment she was fired after 23 years in corporate leadership, and why that experience became the catalyst for building heart-led, high-performance cultures. Together, Josh and Lyndsay explore why top performers don't always make great leaders, how burnout is often a signal—not a weakness—and why leading with heart isn't soft, it's strategic.This episode is for leaders who are tired of performative culture talk and want leadership that actually works.Topics covered: • Why toxic leadership keeps getting rewarded • Power vs. responsibility in leadership • Reinventing yourself at any stage of life • Separating identity from title and performance • Burnout, trust, and psychological safety • What heart-led leadership really looks like in practice

As we reflect on 2025, this episode pulls together the most important themes shaping the year ahead — from the rapid acceleration of AI and automation, to the evolving realities of security, leadership, and trust in an increasingly complex world.What was once hidden behind the scenes is now accessible to everyone. AI has moved from the “Matrix” into daily workflows, forcing organizations to rethink efficiency, security, and human value. At the same time, rising geopolitical tension, information warfare, and emerging technologies like quantum computing are redefining what risk really looks like — both for businesses and for people.This conversation also explores the human side of 2025: leadership under pressure, the importance of culture, mentorship, and professionalism, and why kindness, trust, and preparation are no longer “soft skills,” but strategic advantages.From executive protection and estate management to corporate security, AI leverage, and career longevity, this episode highlights where leaders must adapt — and where getting it wrong even once can have lasting consequences.KEY HIGHLIGHTSAI has crossed a critical threshold — no longer theoretical, but operational, accessible, and increasingly powerfulAutomation and optimization are now survival tools, not optional efficienciesSecurity threats are no longer siloed — digital, physical, personal, and reputational risks are deeply interconnectedQuantum computing looms as a disruptive force that could render today's encryption obsoleteExecutive protection is expanding beyond the C-suite into broader personnel and brand securityLeadership today requires relationship capital, situational awareness, and long-term thinkingCulture, kindness, and mentorship deliver measurable performance and retention advantagesCareers are becoming less linear — leverage, adaptability, and mindset matter more than pedigreeTo hear more episodes of The Fearless Mindset podcast, you can go to https://the-fearless-mindset.simplecast.com/ or listen on major podcasting platforms such as Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc. You can also subscribe to the Fearless Mindset YouTube Channel to watch episodes on video. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textMost leaders say they want top talent. So why do so few actually hire it?In this episode, we explore the uncomfortable psychology behind why many B and C level leaders struggle to bring A-players onto their teams. Not because of budget. Not because of timing. But because hiring exceptional people quietly threatens identity, status, and control.We break down the hidden mental blind spots that shape hiring decisions, drawing from validated psychological research on ego threat, social comparison, cognitive dissonance, and status preservation. You'll hear why “culture fit” is often a mask for insecurity, why safe hires feel smart in the moment, and how leadership identity quietly dictates who gets hired and who doesn't.If you've ever wondered why talented people get passed over, why average teams stay average, or why some leaders seem allergic to being challenged, this conversation will hit close to home.This episode isn't comfortable. But it is clarifying.And for leaders serious about building exceptional teams, it might change the way you hire forever.

  I'm done, y'all. It's time to drop the idea that you have imposter syndrome for good. In this episode, I'm not helping you "fix" imposter syndrome. I'm helping you challenge and discard the entire idea. You'll learn where this concept came from, why it doesn't serve you, and how to understand your feelings without pathologizing your humanity. We explore: The real definition of "imposter" (and why it's NOT you) How your environment might actually be the culprit The history behind the "imposter syndrome" label Inner Blocks (GAILs) and how to reframe your emotional experience Five powerful reframes to replace this limiting narrative You're not an imposter. You don't have a syndrome. You're a human with gifts meant for service and this episode will show you how to come back to that truth. About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.   Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/

What You'll Learn:In this episode, host Patrick Adams interviews Natalie Howden, a new team member at Lean Solutions, about her career journey and the importance of standard work in Lean environments. Natalie shares her background in pharmaceuticals, lithium-ion, and office furniture, highlighting her transition from a scientist to a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. She emphasizes the value of standard work in achieving consistency and improving processes, using examples from her experience.About the Guest:As an Executive Lean Coach at Lean Solutions, Natalie Howden helps organizations transform how they operate by reducing waste, accelerating flow, and embedding continuous improvement into everyday culture. Lean Solutions' mission is to empower people through training, coaching, and talent solutions. Building the skills, systems, and culture needed for sustainable success.Partnering with organizations across manufacturing, healthcare, services, and professional industries, Natalie identifies inefficiencies and quality gaps and applies proven lean tools to redesign processes and deliver greater value with fewer resources. Through coaching leaders and teams, she builds lasting problem-solving capabilities and drives sustained performance by aligning systems, structures, and behaviors with lean thinking.Links:Natalie Howden's LinkedInLean Solutions 2026 SummitLean Solutions Website

What if one of the most overlooked leadership behaviors was also one of the most powerful drivers of engagement, performance, and retention?In this episode of Shedding the Corporate Bitch, we reframe gratitude from being “nice” to being strategic. Backed by research from Harvard, Gallup, and the University of Pennsylvania, this conversation breaks down why leaders who fail to recognize effort quietly erode culture — and how intentional gratitude can transform results, morale, and loyalty.Time Stamps & Key Talking Points00:00 – Why Gratitude Shapes Leadership Legacy People may forget what you say or do, but they never forget how you make them feel, Gratitude as an emotional leadership lever04:00 – The #1 Thing Employees Ask For Why employees just want to be seen, The underestimated power of “thank you”09:00 – A 50% Productivity Increase University of Pennsylvania research, Adam Grant's findings on gratitude13:00 – The Three Unspoken Employee Questions Do I matter?, Does my work matter?, Do you even notice?18:00 – Fuel the Climb, Not Just the Win Recognizing effort and progress, not just outcomes19:00 – Modeling Gratitude as a Leader Why leaders set the emotional standard, Behavior gets mirrored24:30 – The Real Question Leaders Must Ask Can you afford the absence of gratitude?26:00 – Leadership Reflection Challenge What went unnoticed?, What culture are you quietly building?28:00 – Final Takeaway Gratitude isn't changing who you are, It's changing what you noticeCall to Actions

Kellie Grutko, known as the "Spark Strategist," is a transformative leader dedicated to empowering accomplished women to navigate life's transitions with clarity, confidence and purpose. As the Founder and Chief Pivot Officer of Purposeful Pivot, LLC, she leverages her personal journey of reinvention—from a high-level corporate executive to a certified transition coach—to guide women through their own transformative journeys. Her mission is to help women move from burnout to brilliance, rediscover their passions and chart fulfilling paths beyond the boardroom.With over 35 years of executive leadership experience, Kellie has held key marketing and strategic roles across media, advertising and manufacturing industries. She served as Marketing Excellence Leader at Trane Technologies, where she championed innovative marketing training programs across the global marketing enterprise. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President of Marketing at Comcast Spotlight, the advertising division of Comcast Cable Communications, leading brand strategy, demand generation and multimillion-dollar marketing initiatives. She also honed her expertise in consumer engagement and experiential marketing as Director of Marketing at King of Prussia Coventry Malls.Kellie's impressive career has been defined by her ability to build high-performing teams, rebrand organizations and drive significant revenue growth. She has led customer engagement strategies, marketing innovation and brand transformations, making her a sought-after expert in strategic leadership and purpose-driven marketing.Despite her corporate success, Kellie found herself at a crossroads, questioning what's next in her own life. Determined to redefine her future with purpose, she pivoted from corporate leadership to certified life coach and founder of Purposeful Pivot, a coaching and retreat-based business that helps accomplished women transition into their next chapter.As a speaker, coach and strategist, Kellie is approachable, engaging and focused on human connection. She believes in the power of sisterhood, reinvention and authenticity, guiding women to embrace change with confidence.Beyond her business, Kellie is a dedicated community leader, actively involved with organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Healthy Heart Association and Make-A-Wish Foundation, where she has contributed to long-standing fundraising efforts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising from The Pennsylvania State University and has pursued continued education in life coaching, public speaking, Nonprofit Essentials and Women's Executive Leadership.Kellie's mission is clear: to help women navigate life's transitions with purpose, confidence and a bit of sparkle. Through her speaking engagements and coaching programs, she inspires audiences to embrace their next steps—one intentional and empowering move at a time.Learn more and follow Kellie:WEBSITE: www.purposefulpivot.netLINKEDIN PAGE: https://bit.ly/LinkedIn-PurposefulPivotLINKEDIN GROUP:  bit.ly/PurposefulPivotLinkedInGroup PERONAL LINKEDIN – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellie-grutko FACEBOOK PAGE: bit.ly/PurposefulPivot-FB

There's a predictable journey Black introverted women take on the path to executive leadership - and most get stuck at the same stage for years without realizing it. In this episode, Dr. Nicole reveals the 5 stages of the journey to executive leadership, helps you identify exactly where you are right now, and explains why you might be stuck there. If you've been at the same level way longer than you expected to be despite great performance, this episode will show you why and what needs to change._________LET'S CONNECT!* Work with me 1:1 to land your executive promotion, increase your impact, hone your executive presence and increase your salary by $50-100k. Book your call here to get your Elite Executive Experience.**Leave the podcast a 5-star review and help other introverted women find us and join our community.

Moving from individual contributor to leader isn't about authority, confidence, or even strategy. It's about alignment — and most leaders underestimate how brutal, complex, and consequential that shift really is.In this episode of The Business of Alignment, AJ breaks down what actually changes when you stop leading yourself and start leading others. Not just direct reports — but energy, trust, decision velocity, partner relationships, board confidence, brand perception, and long-term outcomes you may never immediately see.This is a candid, unfiltered look at leadership reality:• Why one missed conversation can unravel years of trust• How lack of transparency creates hesitation, attrition, and stalled decision-making• What it really means to “peer around the corner” as a leader• Why alignment is not a soft skill — it's a risk management disciplineFor CEOs, CHROs, CFOs, COOs, and senior leaders navigating scale, complexity, and pressure in 2025 and beyond, this episode introduces a practical mental framework to evaluate decisions before they ripple across people, partners, customers, and the business itself.Alignment isn't optional. It's the difference between momentum and quiet chaos.

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by Dr. Nick Barringer, a former U.S. Army performance leader, tactical nutrition expert, and human performance consultant, to explore how tactical training principles translate to success in business, leadership, and everyday life. With over two decades of experience working with elite military units, high-performance athletes, and executive leaders, Nick breaks down what it really takes to perform under pressure: from decision-making while sleep-deprived, to building resilience, discipline, and sustainable habits that carry over far beyond the battlefield. This conversation bridges the worlds of fitness, leadership, mindset, and strategy, offering practical insights that entrepreneurs, executives, and high performers can apply immediately. In this episode, we cover: Why executives should think of themselves as "corporate athletes." How sleep deprivation impacts decision-making and performance. Tactical principles that improve leadership under pressure. The role of fitness and conditioning in mental resilience. Nutrition and supplementation strategies for high-stress environments. What elite military training can teach us about business and life. Why embracing discomfort is essential for long-term growth.

  If you've ever walked into a team meeting or strategy session and felt like the stories being shared weren't shifting anything…this episode is your reframe. Today I'm talking with David Hutchens, storyteller, author, organizational consultant, and creator of some of my absolute favorite tools for leaders who want to use narrative to build alignment in their teams.  David has worked with global organizations to help them move from merely telling stories to making meaning together, and that's exactly what we dive into today. David breaks down why: Storytelling is humanity's oldest sense-making technology The story itself is not the end, but the beginning of a deeper team conversation Alignment doesn't happen when one person tells a great story… it happens when the team talks about what that story means Groups who make meaning together actually become a community Story circles can transform a team's connection, coherence, and creativity "Emotional data" is just as real as any spreadsheet—and storytelling can reveal it He also introduces his beautiful "geography of meaning" framework, which helps teams explore a story from three different orientations: Behind the text – What did we notice about the storyteller, ourselves, or the room? Within the text – What images, moments, or messages stood out inside the story? In front of the text – What wisdom can we pull forward into our team's future? And the three listener roles that bring this alive: Witness. Harvester. Connector. This episode is the perfect companion to my earlier conversation with Brett Davidson, where we explored the shift from storytelling to storylistening, and how individual stories can accidentally silo us unless we build a collective narrative. If David gives you the "how" of sense-making, Brett gives you the "why" of collective storytelling for strategy. Together, these episodes are your starter kit for Reframe to Create 2.0, moving from "me" to "we," from solo creating to community sense-making, and from personal story to shared story. Because if we want to create together, we must reframe together.   About my guest:  David Hutchens has been exploring the intersection of narrative, leadership, and complex systems change for more than 20 years. A bestselling author, business writer and learning designer, he creates solutions for Accenture, Harvard Business Review, The Coca-Cola Company, Wal-Mart, IBM, The US Olympic Committee, and many others. His partnerships include a recurring instructor position with the globally renowned INSEAD School of Business in Fontainebleau, France. He speaks to organizations and leadership teams all around the world on the topic of storytelling as an organizational capacity. His new book is "Story Dash", was published August, 2021. It is his ninth book.  He is the author of "Circle of the 9 Muses: A Storytelling Field Guide for Innovators and Meaning Makers," (Wiley & Sons 2015). He created the innovative Leadership Story Deck — an innovative, card-based resource for developing narrative driven communications. The popular resource is now available on Amazon.com.  A nationally recognized developer of innovative learning products, David's work has been recognized with distinctions such as Training & Development's "Training Product of the Year" award; ASTD's prestigious "Excellence in Practice" award; Brandon Hall Gold award, and more.   Contact David:  Email: David@DavidHutchens.com Resources: www.StorytellingLeader.com/resources  Website: www.DavidHutchens.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhutchens/ About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.   Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/ Geography of Story Download

The Donkey Leadership Mindset Every Leader Needs From "I Don't Know: to Great Leadership Episode 284 (Gary is based in California) In this conversation with Gary Ridge we explore: how humility accelerates learning and strengthens leadership why saying “I don't know” unlocks collective intelligence what servant leadership looks like in practice inside WD-40 how leaders shift from managing to coaching why culture requires consistency, not charisma what it means to lead from the “stinky locker room” how clarity about “what an A looks like” transforms performance why purpose matters more than product how to protect culture by removing toxins early how great leaders help people step into the best version of themselves ----- About Our Guest, Gary Ridge: Garry has 25 years of experience as Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego, where he teaches the principles and practices of corporate culture in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program. He's the USA Today Bestselling Author of Any Dumb Ass Can Do It and co-author of Helping People Win at Work with Ken Blanchard. Learn more about Gary Ridge and his services at https://thelearningmoment.net/ Follow Gary on Linkedin    https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/ ----- Key Points from this Conversation with Gary Ridge: Leadership begins with humility and the willingness to say “I don't know.” Great leaders embrace the role of forever learner and forever teacher. Coaching, not managing, is the true work of effective leadership. Trust is built in the “stinky locker room,” not the corner office. Culture requires values, behavior, and consistency — not quick fixes. Purpose gives meaning beyond the product and unites people around impact. Clarity about “what an A looks like” prevents conflict and accelerates performance. Leaders must remove cultural toxins early, even when performance is high. Ego destroys leadership; empathy and awareness enable it. Leadership is not about the leader — it is about helping people step into the best version of themselves. ----- ----more---- Your Intended Message is the podcast about how you can boost your career and business success by honing your communication skills. We'll examine the aspects of how we communicate one-to-one, one to few and one to many – plus that important conversation, one to self. In these interviews we will explore presentation skills, public speaking, conversation, persuasion, negotiation, sales conversations, marketing, team meetings, social media, branding, self talk and more.   Your host is George Torok George is a specialist in communication skills. Especially presentation. He's fascinated by the links between communication and influencing behaviors. He delivers training and coaching programs to help leaders and promising professionals deliver the intended message for greater success.   Connect with George www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com https://superiorpresentations.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/ https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills  

This episode features a rare and powerful perspective: what it takes to lead one of agriculture's most respected family-owned companies — when you're not part of the family name.We sit down with Tom Mangan, Sukup Manufacturing's incoming CEO and the first non-family executive to hold the role in the company's history. Tom's background spans Fareway Stores, Endicott Clay Products, Deloitte Tax, and, since 2020, serving as Sukup's CFO. Beginning in October 2025, he'll step into the CEO role with Hank Norem transitioning back into the CFO seat to support the change.Tom shares his journey from Iowa State accounting major and CPA to guiding one of ag's most innovative, global, family-rooted brands. We explore the challenges and advantages of stepping into leadership in a multi-generational family company — from building trust, honoring legacy, and collaborating with family stakeholders to introducing new systems, tech, and approaches.Listeners will gain insight into how non-family leaders can thrive in family-owned operations, how to create alignment across teams, and how to balance culture, performance, and long-term vision. Tom breaks down his collaborative leadership philosophy, the lessons he's learned, and the strategies he believes matter for both large manufacturers and family farms alike. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don't forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.comCall/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ever feel like you're doing all the right things but still running on empty? In this conversation, Anna talks with Executive Leadership and Well-Being Coach Larisa Harrington about creating spacious, sustainable success without burning out. A 20-year Air Force veteran, Larisa brings deep insight into high performance, mindfulness, and the power of aligning your daily actions with your core values. You'll learn why perfectionism fuels exhaustion, how to use a simple morning clarity practice, and what truly helps high performers recover and stay resilient.  Apply for a free time management coaching session: freetimecall.com.  Full shownotes: abouttimepodcast.com/302

Are you ready to unlock the secret of storytelling and data? If you are, I'm ready to share it with you so you can finally learn how to use data to tell a powerful story and how to tell a story that leverages the right data. In this episode, I'm sharing with you the two reframes that have absolutely transformed the way I think about data and storytelling.  These are reframes I now share with leaders because they change everything about how you show up in front of a room. You'll hear why you are the storyteller (yes, you, not your slides, not your deck, not your one-pager), and why your real job isn't dumping numbers but bringing insights. I'm also sharing a powerful analogy that will help you rethink data completely, and you'll learn the simple storytelling with data pattern I call One. Many. Stat. I'm also sharing a personal example from my childhood of how to use One. Many. Stat.  This is the way I've seen data used most effectively, and once you learn it, you'll start seeing it everywhere. In this episode, you'll learn: How to transform raw data into meaningful insights How to avoid "data dumping" and step into your role as the insight-bringer Why PowerPoint is not a story (and never will be!) How journalists and great communicators weave story and data together How to choose the right data by uncovering the human story behind the statistic How to use the One. Many. Stat. framework to bring your audience into the meaning behind your numbers If you're tired of watching people glaze over when you present your data, then this episode is for you. See you inside, Creating Maven.   About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.   Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/

Ever wondered what happens when you take the leadership lessons from flying military helicopters and apply them to corporate America? In this conversation with Carl Sharperson Jr., author of "Sharp Leadership" and former Marine Corps pilot, Cam and Otis explore the fascinating transition from military service to business leadership."The plant ran better with us not being there than it did when we were there," Carl reveals, sharing a powerful story about what happened when all the managers went on a two-day retreat. This counterintuitive insight highlights one of Carl's core leadership principles: when you truly empower your people with the right tools and resources, they'll often exceed your expectations.What makes this episode particularly valuable is Carl's candid reflection on his own leadership journey. "My team leader pulled me aside one day and said, 'Carl, you're micromanaging, you don't need to do that,'" he shares, explaining how this direct feedback helped him "flip the script" and transform his approach. From discussing the delicate balance of allowing people to fail without catastrophic consequences to exploring how he applied leadership principles as an entrepreneur, Carl offers practical wisdom drawn from his unique experience across military, corporate, and entrepreneurial settings.Whether you're transitioning from one leadership context to another or simply looking to elevate your team from mediocrity to excellence, Carl's insights on building relationships and taking care of your people provide a roadmap for authentic, effective leadership.More About Carl:Carl Sharperson Jr. is a renowned Leadership Innovation Strategist, speaker, and coach, celebrated for his ability to elevate leaders from mediocrity to their fullest potential in both professional and personal realms. He is the acclaimed author of Sharp Leadership: Overcome Adversity to Lead with Authenticity and Sharp Leadership: Parenting Principles for Rearing Young People. Carl's expertise lies in recognizing that many individuals operate at only 50% capacity due to inadequate leadership, development, or job fit. Through his proprietary Sharp Leadership coaching process, combined with his rich experiences in the military, corporate America, and entrepreneurship, Carl delivers transformative results for his audiences and corporate clients. A proud graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former United States Marine Corps pilot with a BS in Engineering, Carl has also documented his military experiences in Short Rations for Marines and For My Sons and Brothers. Following his distinguished military service, Carl held senior sales and operational positions at prestigious companies such as Procter & Gamble, Frito-Lay, and Colgate-Palmolive. He was Vice President of Manufacturing for an international sports company before answering the call to entrepreneurship in 2000, launching Sharperson's Executive Leadership. Carl has since worked with executives at major organizations, including Purdue Farms, Harley-Davidson, GlaxoSmithKline, Sara Lee, BMW, Edward Jones, Houston Independent School District, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, the University of North Carolina, and Chick-fil-A, among others. As a dynamic speaker, Carl travels nationwide, inspiring students to explore military training, sharing his triumphant journey of surviving Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Stage 1 Colon cancer, and empowering leaders with the principles of servant leadership. Dedicated to giving back, Carl actively participates in several community and faith-based initiatives, mentoring youth and helping them reach their maximum potential. He resides in the Upstate of South Carolina with his wife, and they are proud parents of a son and a daughter. If you are ready to elevate your team from mediocrity to excellence, book Carl Sharperson Jr. today.Chapter Times and Titles:From CH-46 to Corporate America [00:00 - 05:00

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What does it mean to lead through crisis—not just survive it, but transform through it? In this gripping and inspiring conversation, Zimbabwean pastor and global advocate Evan Mawarire shares how one simple video turned into a national movement that changed the course of Zimbabwe's history. As founder of the viral #ThisFlag campaign, Evan rallied 12 million citizens to stand up for justice in one of Africa's most oppressive regimes.Join us for a powerful conversation about courage, purpose, and becoming who you're meant to be through adversity.This is an episode for leaders, executives, and change-makers who want to understand how to act with conviction when the world feels out of control, and how crisis can be the very thing that unwraps your greatest potential.In this conversation, we explore:Why destiny isn't a destination, but something that unfolds from withinHow to take action when you don't have a full planWhy failure shapes us more than success ever couldHow to find courage and purpose in the middle of chaosEvan's story is a reminder that leadership is not about control, it's about presence, conviction, and compassion. Whether you're leading a team, a company, or your own life, this episode will help you see crisis not as a setback, but as the portal to your next level.—Evan Mawarire is a Zimbabwean pastor, speaker, and global advocate for human rights and democracy. In 2016, his heartfelt call for justice sparked the #ThisFlag movement, inspiring millions to take a stand against corruption and injustice in Zimbabwe. His courageous leadership led to multiple arrests and treason charges, but his unwavering commitment to non-violent activism made him an international symbol of resilience and change. A recipient of numerous global honors, including recognition as one of Foreign Policy Magazine's Top 100 Global Thinkers, Evan has held fellowships at Stanford, Yale, and Johns Hopkins University. His book, Crazy Epic Courage, captures his extraordinary journey from faith leader to political prisoner, offering powerful lessons on courage and leadership.Learn more and grab the book at www.evanmawarire.org. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram (@pastorevanlive).

Picture it. You're about to dive into yet another strategy planning session with your team. You've got the flip charts, the markers, the frameworks, the best intentions… and a sinking feeling that this is going to end up just like last time—disconnected, circular, and unclear. Somewhere along the way, you've probably heard that storytelling can help. But not so fast. My guest today, Brett Davidson, is here to turn that idea on its head. He's the founder and principal of Wingseed, where he helps foundations and nonprofits around the world use narrative, storytelling, listening, and creativity for social justice. He also serves as the Narrative Lead at IRIS (International Resource for Impact and Storytelling), a donor collaborative advancing narrative strategies for impact. Brett brings a powerful reframe for how we think about storytelling in organizations—and it's one that will completely reshape how you approach strategy, identity, and meaning-making on your team. Before my conversation with Brett, I was an enthusiastic promoter of individual storytelling in organizations. But Brett helped me see the limits of that approach and the need to move from me stories to we stories—from storytelling to storylistening.

You're Using AI Wrong (Do This Instead) Geoff Woods on ChatGPT and AI with Jeff Dudan #226 You're probably using AI wrong — and it's costing you time, focus, and real business growth. In this episode of Unemployable with Jeff Dudan, Jeff sits down with Geoff Woods, Co-Founder of The One Thing with Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, former Chief Growth Officer at Jindal Steel and Power, and author of The AI-Driven Leader. Geoff reveals why most people are majoring in the minors with AI — focusing on low-value tasks instead of high-impact strategy. He shares the CRIT Framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task) that turns ChatGPT into a true thought partner—helping leaders make faster, smarter decisions and unlock exponential results. They discuss how executives can 10x their productivity, transform meetings, and use AI for real strategic advantage — without becoming coders or data scientists. If you lead people, manage teams, or want to future-proof your business, this episode will completely change how you think about AI, leadership, and time.

You're Using AI Wrong (Do This Instead) Geoff Woods on ChatGPT and AI with Jeff Dudan #226 You're probably using AI wrong — and it's costing you time, focus, and real business growth. In this episode of Unemployable with Jeff Dudan, Jeff sits down with Geoff Woods, Co-Founder of The One Thing with Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, former Chief Growth Officer at Jindal Steel and Power, and author of The AI-Driven Leader. Geoff reveals why most people are majoring in the minors with AI — focusing on low-value tasks instead of high-impact strategy. He shares the CRIT Framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task) that turns ChatGPT into a true thought partner—helping leaders make faster, smarter decisions and unlock exponential results. They discuss how executives can 10x their productivity, transform meetings, and use AI for real strategic advantage — without becoming coders or data scientists. If you lead people, manage teams, or want to future-proof your business, this episode will completely change how you think about AI, leadership, and time.

We're joined by two special guests on this milestone episode. Please welcome Andy Pan (the only person who has previously co-hosted a show with us) and Greg Alderton, Virtual Economy's lead moderator! With 14,000 people laid off, studios shuttered, and projects abandoned, Amazon seems ready to give up on most or all of its gaming dreams. Also: EA earnings ride off into the sunset, Capcom posts a strong quarter, Remedy's in trouble, and Microsoft is inscrutable. Also: Sony responds to Tencent's request to dismiss the Light of Moritram lawsuit, Circana report on U.S. video game spending for September 2025, and Microsoft is a little too cozy with the U.S. government.  You can support Virtual Economy's growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME STAMPS [00:01:12] - Investment Interlude/Divestment Dinterlude [00:11:01] - Quick Hits [00:24:08] - Labor Report [01:06:11] - FAFO Award SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE NetEase divests Fantastic Pixel Castle as studio hunts for new publisher to avoid closure | GamesIndustry Neon Doctrine is Closing, Folding into Raw Fury | Iain Garner on LinkedIn Neon Doctrine is Closing, Folding into Raw Fury | Vlad Tsypljak on LinkedIn Warner Bros. Discovery Initiates Review of Potential Alternatives to Maximize Shareholder Value | Warner Bros. Discovery LABOR REPORT Amazon Makes 'Significant' Cuts In Video-Game Division | Bloomberg (Paywall) Ubisoft RedLynx Proposes Strategic Refocus on Small Screens | Redlynx Ubisoft Massive is Restructuring | Massive Open Letter to the Executive Leadership at Build A Rocket Boy | IWDB GameWorkers Grand Theft Auto made him a legend. His latest game was a disaster | BBC Netflix reportedly shutters studio behind Squid Game mobile spinoff | Engadget Rovio is laying off 36 staff, says Angry Birds Dream Blast has 'not been performing as expected' | VGC Testronic shuts down another studio, this time in Bucharest | Game Developer Report: Metroid Dread developer MercurySteamworks accused of retaliation and forced crunch | Game Developer "Si algo hace bien MercurySteam es jugar con el miedo porque no hay otro lugar donde ir": Así se ha degradado el ambiente laboral en uno de los estudios de videojuegos más grandes de España | 3DJuegos Krafton declares transformation into an "AI-first" company, investing over KRW 100 billion. | Kraton Heart Machine making layoffs and ending development on Hyper Light Breaker | Game Developer Outerloop Layoffs | Chandana Ekanayake on Bluesky 'Grand Theft Auto' Studio Accused of Union Busting After Firings | Bloomberg (Paywall) Battle.net Workers Unionize As Microsoft Neutrality Agreement Expires | Aftermath

Most misses in sales are baked into the plan before the year even starts.In this episode, Toni talks with Scott Domareck, a four-time VP of Sales who's been through every phase of growth, exit, and burnout imaginable. Together, they break down the hidden mistakes that ruin annual planning long before execution begins.From massaged Excel spreadsheets to unrealistic ramp times and compounding assumptions that look great to investors but kill execution, they get real about what actually happens inside revenue planning season, and how to build a plan you can actually hit.This episode is brought to you by Evergrowth  —  Their Agentic GTM Workspace enables revenue teams to collaborate and win with AI-powered teammates, breaking down silos and helping B2B teams grow smarter with fewer resources. Want to work with us? Learn more: revformula.io(00:00) - Introduction (04:16) - The Reality of Planning Season (07:22) - Transparency and Context in Planning (13:12) - Compounding Effects in Sales Planning (18:14) - Involvement of Go-to-Market Leadership (25:29) - Trust and Executive Leadership (28:43) - Top Mistakes in Hiring (30:49) - Staggering for Supply and Demand (34:02) - Challenges in Scaling and Execution (41:04) - The Reality of Adding New Elements to the Plan (43:34) - Risk Management and Buffers (46:31) - Planning for Attrition and Unexpected Events (49:13) - Final Thoughts and Future Discussions

Have you ever been part of creating something beautiful with others? Maybe it was a class project, a community event, or a team effort at work where everyone came together to bring one vision to life. When that happens, when everyone is aligned and moving toward a shared purpose, something extraordinary is created. But when that shared story breaks down, so does the ability to create together. Misaligned stories create competing identities and chaos, even among the most talented people. That's why it's time for a new conversation. For over four years, Reframe to Create has been about helping you—the individual—see your work differently: to create with your gifts, own what you create, and tell powerful stories that help you get paid to be you. But we don't create in isolation. We're embedded in teams, organizations, movements, and communities. And the stories we share (or don't share) shape what we're able to create together. So today marks a shift. This episode is the beginning of Reframe to Create 2.0 an expansion from me to we. Because now, the question isn't just about "What will I create?" It's also about "What will we create?" I'll still be talking to you as an individual and addressing your individual needs, but I'll be expanding that lens to see you as an embedded individual. An individual embedded in a broader community. Join me as we explore how reframing together allows us to create together—and how, in a world that often fractures, reclaiming "we" might just be our most creative act yet.

The Anatomy of A Product Page That Actually Sells: Boosting Converstions with Strategic Storytelling Most apparel brands think a product page just needs a few photos and a price tag, but that thinking is costing you sales. In this episode of The Business of Apparel, Rachel breaks down the real anatomy of a product page that converts, from visual storytelling to size guides that slash return rates.  She walks through exactly what makes a product page not only beautiful, but profitable. You'll learn how to strategically craft imagery, write descriptions that sell through emotion, and use tactics like bundling, reviews, and fit guides to reduce friction and increase conversion rates. Launching your store or looking to optimize for the holiday season? This episode is packed with expert advice you can apply immediately! In this episode, you'll hear: - The psychology behind why people buy from a product page - How to create shot lists for better photo & video planning - Writing descriptions that emotionally connect and sell - Sizing charts vs. fit guides — and why you need both - Increasing trust with customer reviews and testimonials - Strategic placement of CTA buttons and urgency messaging - Mobile vs. desktop design considerations for product pages   Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion Dollar Apparel Brands Masterclass here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/secrets Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/the-board   We can't wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.   

In this episode of Move the Ball, Jen Garrett explores how executives and leaders can leverage artificial intelligence to amplify their strategy, speed, and impact. Jen shares practical insights on reframing AI as a teammate, using it for strategic intelligence, and maintaining a strong leadership presence in the AI era. Tune in for actionable advice and a special executive edge challenge to help you stay ahead in a rapidly changing world. Episode Highlights: [1:35] – Jen reframes AI from a threat to a teammate, emphasizing that leaders who collaborate with AI will thrive. [5:30] – How AI enables executives to cut through data overload and make faster, smarter decisions. [6:30] – The importance of authentic leadership presence and emotional intelligence in an AI-driven world. [9:41] – Jen’s executive edge challenge: identify one recurring task to automate or accelerate with AI and reinvest that time into higher-impact work. IT'S TIME TO SHOW UP WITH CONFIDENCE, MAKE AN IMPACT, AND MOVE THE BALL:

In this episode of the Medical Sales Podcast, Samuel sits down with medtech strategist and creator Omar M. Khateeb to unpack how startups, reps, and leaders can win attention and turn it into revenue in 2025. Omar shares why LinkedIn is still the #1 starting point, when to expand to X, Meta, and YouTube, and how senior leaders at brands like Intuitive and Zimmer use storytelling to engineer markets. They dig into what actually gets attention (novelty, unpredictability, depth), why “goals” matter less than the systems behind them, and how to think about changing minds through desire, social proof, and early adopters. You'll hear practical content rhythms (start with 3 posts/week), ways to leverage AI without sounding generic, and how founders and reps can build trust with transparency, consistency, and real value. They also hit the creator mindset: stop over planning, start publishing, seek inspiration, and measure what moves the business not just likes. If you're trying to break in, become a top performer, or scale a medtech brand, this conversation gives you the playbook to create, engage, and convert. Subscribe and share with a colleague who needs the edge.   Connect with Omar M. Khateeb: LinkedIn Connect with Me: LinkedIn Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here's How »

I bet I know one of the biggest mistakes you're making right now. And I'm not even trying to shame you. You mean well. But it's a mistake nonetheless. You're creating — on your job, in your side hustle, or in your collaborations — but not even thinking about owning what you create. Most people don't.   We've been trained to think that being a “team player” means being invisible. That being helpful means erasing ourselves. That collaboration means disappearing. But that's not teamwork. That's self-erasure. In this episode, I'm reframing ownership — not as arrogance, not as ego, but as responsible stewardship of your gifts. You'll hear:

What happens when a CEO treats thought leadership as essential as strategy? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Des Hague, an acclaimed executive who has led global brands like PepsiCo, IHOP, and Centerplate, and now advises startups, nonprofits, and private equity firms. He's also the author of "Think Your Way to the Top" and "15 Minutes of Shame", with a third book on the way. Des doesn't see thought leadership as an optional side project. For him, it's the natural extension of leadership itself—codifying the models, frameworks, and mindsets that fuel success. He shares why talent is always the starting point, how leaders must prioritize relentlessly, and why making time for writing and reflection is a choice, not a luxury. We dig into the dangers of mediocrity and entitlement, the critical role of sacrifice, and how to stay focused in a world addicted to distraction. Des's mantra, NSL—Never Stop Learning—pushes leaders to reject complacency and demand excellence from themselves and others. He also opens up about resilience, accountability, and how leaders respond to their lowest moments. Through transparency and candor, Des reframes failure as a lesson, not a life sentence. His story challenges executives to hold themselves to higher standards, embrace growth, and remain relentless in their pursuit of impact. This is an episode for leaders who want more than buzzwords. It's about discipline, clarity, and the courage to lead with integrity—even when the spotlight is harsh. Three Key Takeaways: • Thought leadership is leadership. Codifying frameworks, sharing ideas, and investing in personal development are essential for leading organizations and people effectively. • Focus and sacrifice drive results. Great leaders prioritize ruthlessly, avoid distractions, and make deliberate trade-offs to create time for what matters most. • Resilience and accountability matter. Owning mistakes, learning from setbacks, and maintaining a growth mindset separate leaders who stagnate from those who continue to make an impact. If you enjoyed Des Hague's perspective on leadership, focus, and turning ideas into impact, you'll want to dive into our episode with Will Milano. Both conversations tackle the discipline behind thought leadership—how leaders move beyond inspiration to frameworks, focus, and execution. Des shows how personal accountability and clarity shape great leadership, while Will unpacks how organizations can build a repeatable engine that scales those ideas into measurable business results. Together, these episodes give you a 360° view: the mindset of the leader and the system that powers the enterprise. Listen to both, and you'll walk away with practical insights for making thought leadership not just personal, but organizational. Listen to Will's episode here.

Ep. 241: UC Irvine Volleyball shaped this longtime Pure Barre exec's belief in staying ready. She shares how being called off the bench during a game-winning point shaped her mindset as a Chief Marketing Officer. Don't miss: -Her two-question nightly ritual that sharpens focus and fuels growth -How to replace "cannot" with a growth mindset -How to lead with warmth without lowering expectations Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights.  Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/  Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness.  Special thanks to Alissa Pupich and Karson Hills for making this episode possible.