Podcasts about Strategic thinking

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Gary Stephens Jr. Executive Summary Gary Stephens Jr. discussed how individuals and organizations can unlock their potential through disciplined leadership, strategic thinking, financial literacy, and sound business planning. Drawing on more than two decades of consulting experience, he emphasized creating sustainable success rather than chasing short-term wins. He also highlighted the importance of resilience, economic empowerment, and helping others build generational wealth and meaningful legacies. Key Takeaways 1. Leadership Drives Long-Term Success Stephens stressed that effective leadership is essential for both personal and organizational growth. Success is not simply about making money; it requires vision, accountability, and the ability to guide others toward a common goal. 2. Strategic Thinking Matters A recurring theme was the need to think beyond immediate opportunities and focus on sustainable growth. Business owners should create systems, processes, and long-range plans that can withstand challenges and changing market conditions. 3. Financial Empowerment Creates Freedom Through his consulting work and foundation efforts, Stephens advocates financial literacy and wealth-building strategies that help individuals move toward economic independence. 4. Adversity Can Fuel Purpose Stephens' personal journey includes overcoming significant family loss, which deepened his commitment to helping others achieve financial freedom and personal growth. He presents adversity as a catalyst for purpose-driven leadership. 5. Legacy Is More Important Than Immediate Success The conversation highlighted the importance of building something that outlasts individual achievements—whether that is a business, community impact, family wealth, or mentorship of future leaders. Notable Quotes and Themes "Helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential." "Creating sustainable success." "Empowering others to build lasting legacies." Helping people build financial freedom by sharing lessons from personal and professional experiences. Delivering practical solutions that promote economic empowerment. Bottom Line The interview served as a master class on leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and wealth-building. Gary Stephens Jr. encouraged listeners to think strategically, practice financial discipline, lead with purpose, and build legacies that create lasting impact for future generations. Rushion McDonald's questions helped translate those principles into actionable lessons for entrepreneurs, executives, and aspiring business owners. #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Gary Stephens Jr. Executive Summary Gary Stephens Jr. discussed how individuals and organizations can unlock their potential through disciplined leadership, strategic thinking, financial literacy, and sound business planning. Drawing on more than two decades of consulting experience, he emphasized creating sustainable success rather than chasing short-term wins. He also highlighted the importance of resilience, economic empowerment, and helping others build generational wealth and meaningful legacies. Key Takeaways 1. Leadership Drives Long-Term Success Stephens stressed that effective leadership is essential for both personal and organizational growth. Success is not simply about making money; it requires vision, accountability, and the ability to guide others toward a common goal. 2. Strategic Thinking Matters A recurring theme was the need to think beyond immediate opportunities and focus on sustainable growth. Business owners should create systems, processes, and long-range plans that can withstand challenges and changing market conditions. 3. Financial Empowerment Creates Freedom Through his consulting work and foundation efforts, Stephens advocates financial literacy and wealth-building strategies that help individuals move toward economic independence. 4. Adversity Can Fuel Purpose Stephens' personal journey includes overcoming significant family loss, which deepened his commitment to helping others achieve financial freedom and personal growth. He presents adversity as a catalyst for purpose-driven leadership. 5. Legacy Is More Important Than Immediate Success The conversation highlighted the importance of building something that outlasts individual achievements—whether that is a business, community impact, family wealth, or mentorship of future leaders. Notable Quotes and Themes "Helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential." "Creating sustainable success." "Empowering others to build lasting legacies." Helping people build financial freedom by sharing lessons from personal and professional experiences. Delivering practical solutions that promote economic empowerment. Bottom Line The interview served as a master class on leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and wealth-building. Gary Stephens Jr. encouraged listeners to think strategically, practice financial discipline, lead with purpose, and build legacies that create lasting impact for future generations. Rushion McDonald's questions helped translate those principles into actionable lessons for entrepreneurs, executives, and aspiring business owners. #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Gary Stephens Jr. Executive Summary Gary Stephens Jr. discussed how individuals and organizations can unlock their potential through disciplined leadership, strategic thinking, financial literacy, and sound business planning. Drawing on more than two decades of consulting experience, he emphasized creating sustainable success rather than chasing short-term wins. He also highlighted the importance of resilience, economic empowerment, and helping others build generational wealth and meaningful legacies. Key Takeaways 1. Leadership Drives Long-Term Success Stephens stressed that effective leadership is essential for both personal and organizational growth. Success is not simply about making money; it requires vision, accountability, and the ability to guide others toward a common goal. 2. Strategic Thinking Matters A recurring theme was the need to think beyond immediate opportunities and focus on sustainable growth. Business owners should create systems, processes, and long-range plans that can withstand challenges and changing market conditions. 3. Financial Empowerment Creates Freedom Through his consulting work and foundation efforts, Stephens advocates financial literacy and wealth-building strategies that help individuals move toward economic independence. 4. Adversity Can Fuel Purpose Stephens' personal journey includes overcoming significant family loss, which deepened his commitment to helping others achieve financial freedom and personal growth. He presents adversity as a catalyst for purpose-driven leadership. 5. Legacy Is More Important Than Immediate Success The conversation highlighted the importance of building something that outlasts individual achievements—whether that is a business, community impact, family wealth, or mentorship of future leaders. Notable Quotes and Themes "Helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential." "Creating sustainable success." "Empowering others to build lasting legacies." Helping people build financial freedom by sharing lessons from personal and professional experiences. Delivering practical solutions that promote economic empowerment. Bottom Line The interview served as a master class on leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and wealth-building. Gary Stephens Jr. encouraged listeners to think strategically, practice financial discipline, lead with purpose, and build legacies that create lasting impact for future generations. Rushion McDonald's questions helped translate those principles into actionable lessons for entrepreneurs, executives, and aspiring business owners. #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you spot a problem at work, how quickly does your mind start coming up with solutions?Welcome to Day 4 of The Strategic HR Sprint, a free five-day experience to help you build your confidence and skills in being strategic in your HR role.Join the sprint for free and access all five episodes, worksheets and resources here: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/sprintOne of the most important parts of being strategic is taking the time to understand what is really driving a challenge before deciding how to respond.It is easy to assume that the answer is training, a new policy, more people or better pay. But if you have not explored what is really causing the challenge, you could invest time and energy in an idea that only treats the symptoms.Getting to the root cause helps you make better decisions about where HR can have the greatest impact and identify actions that are more likely to create lasting improvements.In this episode, you'll learn how to stay curious for longer and use a simple technique called the Five Whys to explore the challenge you identified during Day 3.In This Episode, You'll Learn:Why understanding the root cause is an important part of being strategicHow to use the Five Whys techniqueHow to avoid treating a symptom instead of the underlying causeWhy involving people who are close to the challenge can lead to better insightsHow to ask “why” without sounding critical or pushyYour Day 4 ActivityToday's worksheet will help you explore the challenge you chose during Day 3 and identify what may be causing it.You'll work through the Five Whys, think about where HR could have the biggest influence and note down your first ideas for how the challenge could be addressed.You might also find it helpful to talk the challenge through with someone who sees or experiences it day to day, as they may notice things that are easy to miss from your perspective.Once you have completed the worksheet, you can also use the optional AI prompt to suggest practical HR and People initiatives, including quick wins and longer-term ideas.Before using the prompt, remember to remove or change anything that could identify your organisation or the people involved.Access all the sprint resources here:https://brightskyhr.co.uk/sprintChapters[00:00] – Welcome to Day 4 of The Strategic HR Sprint[01:09] – A recap of the sprint so far[01:42] – Why we jump straight to solutions[02:41] – Staying curious for longer[03:03] – How the Five Whys works[03:37] – Finding the right starting point[04:45] – The employee turnover example[06:10] – Your Day 4 worksheet[07:18] – Involving other people[07:43] – How to ask “why” without sounding critical[08:51] – Using the optional AI prompt[09:34] – Protecting confidential information[10:42] – What to expect from Day 5Useful LinksJoin the free Strategic HR Sprint: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/sprint/Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faywallis/The Essential HR Planner: https://essentialhrplanner.co.uk/Learn about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme: https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-leadership-course/Helpful Episodes to Listen to NextEp 174 | Free 5-Day Strategic HR Sprint (Struggling to Be Strategic? This Will Help)Ep 176 | (Day 1) The Strategic HR Sprint - Building Your Strategic ConfidenceEp 177 | (Day 2) The Strategic HR Sprint - Seeing the Bigger PictureEp 178 | (Day 3) The Strategic HR Sprint - Finding Your Strategic FocusEp 179 | (Day 4) The Strategic HR Sprint - Look Beneath the SurfaceEnjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One!Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.Mentioned in this episode:Kara Connect - Help When It's Needed MostMenopause, grief, ADHD, relationship breakdown... Every day, employees dealing with these situations are turned away by their EAP because they didn't qualify for counselling. When someone finally asks for help, they deserve better. Visit Kara Connect, where no employee is ever turned away. Kara Connect

Cindy Esliger looks into why being the most reliable, hardest-working person in the room can quietly become one of the biggest obstacles to career success. While overfunctioning often earns praise and makes us feel indispensable, it also keeps us trapped in tactical work and limits opportunities to develop the strategic thinking and leadership skills needed for career advancement. Cindy examines why the cycle of constantly fixing problems is so appealing, why it's especially common for women in technical fields, and how tying self-worth to productivity creates an exhausting pattern that ultimately leads to burnout and career stagnation. Cindy explains how overfunctioning becomes self-reinforcing through perfectionism, expectation escalation, and the belief that constantly saying yes is what makes someone valuable. She outlines three major consequences of staying trapped in this pattern: 1. Burnout, 2. Career stagnation, and 3. Erosion of confidence. She also challenges several limiting beliefs, including the idea that boundaries are a sign of weakness, that being the gold-star employee leads to leadership, and that burnout is always a personal failure rather than a signal that something needs to change. Rather than focusing on what can't be controlled, Cindy shares five practical strategies for starting small in breaking free from the overfunctioning trap: 1. Single-tasking as opposed to multitasking, 2. Set small boundaries when saying no, 3. Dedicate one hour per week to mental well-being and career reflection, 4. Create a system to manage workload that isn't simply keeping everything in our heads, and 5. Audit internal standards regularly. By stepping away from playing the role of everyone else's safety net, we create space to lead more strategically, build genuine confidence, and pursue careers that are both successful and sustainable. Resources discussed in this episode: Guide to Breaking Free from the Overfunctioning Trap Astronomic Audio Confidence Collective — Contact Cindy Esliger  Career Confidence Coaching: website | instagram | facebook | linkedin | email Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Some podcast conversations stand the test of time, and this is definitely one of them. Originally recorded in 2018 for my previous podcast, It's No Secret with Dr T, this discussion with marketing strategist Patrick McFadden is packed with practical business wisdom that's just as relevant today.Patrick explains why "Rise and Grind" isn't about working longer hours. It's about focusing on meaningful work, bringing value to every interaction, understanding how markets evolve, and building a business around a clear strategy rather than endless activity. We also dive into networking, delegation, measuring results, and why diagnosis should always come before prescription in business.Whether you're growing a podiatry clinic or any service business, this episode will challenge the way you think about marketing, leadership and creating long-term success.For more detailed Show Notes, please visit the Podiatry Legends WebsiteDo you want to make more money in podiatry?If you want to make more money from your podiatry business and have more time off with your family, please visit my website at tysonfranklin.com to learn how I can help you make this a reality. Otherwise, feel free to email me any questions you may have about your business at  tf@tysonfranklin.com.Ten Key Takeaways Rise and Grind means taking meaningful action, not just staying busy.  Bringing value should be the goal of every interaction.  Diagnose business problems before choosing marketing solutions.  Markets change, so businesses must adapt with them.  Clear business goals help every department work together.  Measure everything that matters.  Results reviews build long-term client relationships.  Delegate tasks outside your strengths.  Build relationships before you need them.  Focus on your strengths instead of copying others.

Executive Summary AI strategic thinking for women executives is no longer optional — it's the dividing line between leaders who get exposed and those who get elevated. Executive coach Sabrina Braham and author Barry O'Reilly reveal how to build your judgment system, accelerate decisions, and think strategically at the highest level. Quick Takeaways Barry O'Reilly's defining insight: "AI is not going to replace leaders — it's going to expose them." Most executives have never documented their judgment system — and AI makes this gap impossible to hide. Decision velocity + decision advantage are the two metrics separating leaders who accelerate from those who stall. Misty Schaefer, VP at American Airlines, uses AI voice notes and scenario planning for orders-of-magnitude better decisions. The biggest missed opportunity in AI leadership is not learning together — yet the fastest learners do exactly that. There's a line on the back of Barry O'Reilly's new book that every woman executive needs to sit with: "AI is not going to replace leaders. It's going to expose them." AI strategic thinking for women executives is no longer a competitive edge — it's fast becoming the baseline expectation at the director, VP, and C-suite level. I'm Sabrina Braham, executive leadership coach (MA, MFT, PCC) with 30+ years of experience, and host of the Women's Leadership Success Podcast — top 1.5% globally with almost 900,000 downloads. My clients include leaders at Stanford University, Ernst & Young, and Autodesk. And what I see in my coaching practice right now is a clear divide emerging: women executives who are building AI-enhanced judgment, and those who are still relying on invisible, inarticulate intuition they've never made explicit. AI is about to make that gap impossible to hide. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Barry O'Reilly — author of Artificial Organizations: Build Better Judgment, Speed, and Results with Machine and Human Intelligence, keynote speaker at Gartner's CFO Conference, and one of the most sought-after AI leadership advisors in the world. In Part 1, we covered how women leaders can use AI to build personal career confidence and grow into bigger roles. Here, we go deeper — into the strategic leadership capabilities that will define who rises at the executive level in 2026 and beyond. New research from Chief and The Harris Poll (2026) confirms that 85% of senior women leaders are now active players in their organization's AI strategy — and 68% are focused on using AI to amplify human talent, not replace it. The leaders pulling ahead are those who've moved beyond productivity tools into something more fundamental: AI-enhanced judgment systems. The Uncomfortable Truth: AI Will Expose Leaders Without a Judgment System When Barry walks into executive rooms around the world, he asks a deceptively simple question: "Show me your system for making this decision." The silence that follows is telling. "Often, a lot of the time, they just don't have a system," he explains. "They've never systematically written down all the steps they're going to go through to make an actual decision." For most leaders, the judgment system — the internal algorithm for weighing options, prioritizing inputs, and reaching decisions — has never been made explicit. It works. But it has four critical limitations: It's not visible — others can't observe or learn from it. It's not repeatable — it can't be consistently applied by or handed off to others. It's not challengeable — if it's in your head, no one can push back on its blind spots. It's not improvable — you can't deliberately tune what you can't see. In my 30+ years of executive coaching, this is one of the most consistent patterns I see in women leaders who are passed over for promotion despite exceptional performance: their judgment is excellent — but it's invisible. They can't teach it, transfer it, or demonstrate it in the way boards and senior leaders need to see. AI strategic thinking for women executives forces this reckoning, and the leaders who embrace it rather than resist it will define the next decade of leadership. Here's what my Leading Before You're Ready playbook addresses directly: building the judgment, presence, and strategic clarity that precedes you into every room — before you hold the formal title. AI doesn't change that mission. It accelerates it. What Is a Judgment System — and Do You Have One? A judgment system is the explicit process and criteria you use to make leadership decisions: the information you seek first, the variables you weigh, the sequence you follow, and the principles that guide your final choice. For most leaders, this system exists — but it lives entirely in their heads, accumulated through years of experience and pattern recognition. It works. But it has critical limitations that AI strategic thinking for women executives can directly address. The Judgment System Exercise Barry Uses With Executive Teams Here's the exercise Barry runs at the opening of his executive engagements — and one I now recommend for every leader I coach: Name a key decision coming up for your team. Be specific: a resource allocation decision, a product investment, a market expansion choice. Draw out your judgment system for making that decision. What information do you look for first? What criteria matter most? What's your sequence of evaluation? What would make you say yes — or no? Share your judgment system with your peers. This is where the transformation happens. A VP of Marketing and a VP of Finance, both making the same type of decision, suddenly realize they weight customer behavior and market size differently — and neither has ever made that explicit in shared decision-making. Identify the gaps. Where is your information current and reliable? Where is it outdated, incomplete, or missing entirely? What would better information change? "Suddenly you have groups of people sitting around going, 'I've never done this before,'" Barry explains. "And they're right. Most executive teams have never made their collective judgment infrastructure explicit." From a coaching perspective, I want to highlight what this exercise does beyond improving decision quality: when you can articulate how you make decisions — not just what decisions you make — you demonstrate the executive presence that earns trust and bigger responsibilities. This is exactly what I teach in the Leading Before You're Ready playbook. Judgment Infrastructure: The Data Ecosystem That Feeds Your Decisions Once leaders map their judgment systems, Barry introduces a second connected concept: judgment infrastructure — the data ecosystem that feeds your decision-making algorithm. Barry asks leaders: "Across your company, how are you getting the information you need to run your judgment system?" The answers reveal how fragile most leadership data environments actually are. "I have a spreadsheet I get once a month." "Our customer records are three months out of date." "I usually get that information from a conversation with someone else, so it depends on who I ask." The principle is clear: the output of any system is determined by the quality of its inputs. Poor-quality, delayed, or incomplete information fed into even an excellent judgment system produces poor decisions. For women executives in tech leading AI-adjacent organizations, understanding how to design and govern your information ecosystem — not just receive reports — is a defining capability for 2026. Decision Velocity + Decision Advantage: The Two Metrics That Define Executive Performance Barry's work with high-performing organizations has surfaced two metrics that consistently predict which leaders — and companies — pull ahead: Decision velocity: How fast can you move from problem identification to a well-reasoned decision? Not impulsive speed — calibrated speed supported by quality process. Decision advantage: How current, accurate, and comprehensive is the information available to you when you need to decide? Real-time — or three months stale? "That is how companies, startups, businesses power ahead," Barry explains. "They learn faster, they make decisions at a high velocity, and the information to support those decisions is to hand in real time."   AI dramatically accelerates both metrics. A meeting co-pilot that captures and synthesizes every conversation means you're never walking into a decision without full context. Barry describes his own routine: "I run a process either the day before, the morning of, or even five minutes before I meet someone. It runs all the last conversations we've had against my judgment system for the meeting I'm about to have." He shows up to every conversation with full context, clear priorities, and the calm that comes from genuine preparation. That calm is not incidental. As I always tell the executives I coach: your cognitive and emotional state in high-stakes situations is a performance variable. Anything that reduces cognitive load — like AI capturing your meeting context — directly improves your effectiveness in those moments. AI strategic thinking for women executives isn't just a professional tool. It's a confidence tool. Case Study: How Misty Schaefer Uses AI to Lead American Airlines Strategically The most vivid example Barry shared of AI strategic thinking in action involves Misty Schaefer Sern, VP of Consumer Technology at American Airlines — responsible for AA.com, the mobile app, and every digital touch point the world's largest airline uses to serve customers. Misty's natural trait: she has her best ideas on the move — walking the terminal, talking to ground staff, observing what's happening at the gate. The traditional problem: those ideas used to evaporate between the inspiration and the desk. ...

The Leadership Operating System Every leader develops an internal operating system. It's built from experience, reinforced by success, and often becomes invisible to the person running it. In this episode, Allison explores: Why the habits that created success may eventually create limitations How early-stage leadership instincts differ from scaling-stage leadership needs The hidden ways leaders become organizational bottlenecks Why recurring problems are often systemic rather than isolated The challenge of recognizing your own leadership patterns How authority limits honest feedback Why perspective is often more valuable than advice The role trusted peers play in helping leaders see blind spots How leaders can upgrade their operating system as they grow Key Question: What recurring pattern in your organization might be connected to how you operate as a leader? Resources: Think First: Stop Being the Bottleneck, Start Building Thinkers Deliberate Directions Executive Coaching & Leadership Development Think First

Most managers know they should spend more time thinking strategically. The problem is that strategy often gets crowded out by urgent tasks, endless decisions, and the pressure to solve today's problems.But strategic thinking isn't just about setting long-term goals. It's about creating the space to explore possibilities, challenge assumptions, and help your team think beyond what's immediately in front of them.Fortunately, this week's guest shares a practical approach to developing strategic thinking, creating compelling visions of the future, and leading conversations that generate better ideas rather than rushing to premature solutions.Howard Teibel is the founder of Teibel Education and an expert in leadership development, organizational strategy, and team effectiveness. For decades, he has helped leaders and organizations build cultures where people communicate more effectively, think more strategically, and navigate change with greater confidence.In this conversation, we discuss why strategic thinking is often misunderstood, how leaders can create a compelling vision that inspires action, and why slowing down conversations is often the key to generating better ideas. We also explore how moods influence team performance and what managers can do to help teams stay productive when emotions threaten to derail progress.Conversation Topics(00:00) Introduction(02:12) Why strategic thinking is more than long-term planning(05:41) Creating a compelling vision of the future(10:06) How vision shapes what organizations believe is possible(16:38) Helping teams think strategically together(18:47) Why strategic conversations often collapse into action planning(22:14) The difference between debating ideas and exploring them(25:06) What great leaders and partners do differently(28:31) [Extended] Why knowing what to do isn't enough to change behavior(29:30) [Extended] The hidden role moods play in team performance(32:44) [Extended] How to recognize and shift unproductive moods in meetings(35:40) [Extended] A simple exercise to create more intentional team conversations

Why Your Team Stops Telling You the Truth As companies grow, leaders often face an invisible challenge: they hear less of what's really happening. This isn't because employees are dishonest. It's because people naturally filter information when speaking to someone who holds authority over their career, compensation, and future opportunities. In this episode, Allison explores: How growth changes a leader's information environment Why teams begin filtering information The role power plays in workplace communication How leadership blind spots are created Why people stop raising concerns The hidden cost of operating on incomplete information Why asking for honesty isn't enough How to create psychological safety inside organizations The importance of trusted peers outside your business Key Question: When your team gives you an update, do you believe you're getting the full picture? If not, what have you done to make honesty truly safe? Resources: Think First: Stop Being the Bottleneck, Start Building Thinkers Deliberate Directions Leadership Development & Executive Coaching Think First

The Loneliness That Grows With Success Success often brings opportunities, influence, and growth. It can also bring something leaders rarely discuss openly: loneliness. In this episode, Allison explores: Why leadership often becomes more isolating as organizations scale How the gap between leaders and their teams naturally widens over time Why people stop telling leaders the full truth The hidden cost of carrying leadership challenges alone How isolation impacts decision-making and strategic thinking The role of trusted peers in preventing leadership blind spots Why honest feedback becomes harder to access as your authority increases How to create relationships where truth can be shared without fear The importance of building support systems outside your organization Key Question: When was the last time someone told you something genuinely difficult to hear? If you're struggling to answer that question, it may reveal more about your leadership environment than you realize. Resources: Think First: Stop Being the Bottleneck, Start Building Thinkers by Allison Dunn Learn more: Deliberate Directions Think First

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're replaying a conversation with Michael Bailey, Deputy Director of Leadership Programs for the George W. Bush Institute. We talk about some of the initiatives of the Bush Institute, including the Veteran Leadership Program, the Democracy is a Verb initiative and the Bush Institute's efforts to celebrate America 250.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestMichael Bailey serves as Deputy Director, Leadership Programs, for the George W. Bush Institute. In this role, he manages the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program, which focuses on developing the leadership skills of veterans and those who serve them and their families. Bailey also supports alumni engagement efforts for the Institute's international leadership programs.Prior to joining the George W. Bush Institute, Bailey provided operations, media, and communications support to The American Choral Directors Association, a music organization dedicated to the excellence and advancement of choral music.Bailey is a native of Arlington, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music (Voice) from The University of Oklahoma, and he holds a Master of Business Administration with concentrations in finance and real estate from Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business. He has a passion for running and enjoys racing in half and full marathons.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeGeorge W. Bush InstituteStand-To Veteran Leadership ProgramAmerica 250Democracy is a Verb initiative  PsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is The PsychArmor course The Myths and Facts of Military Leaders. This course identifies four of the most popular myths about military leaders and how they don't align with the reality of working alongside Veterans and Service members. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/The-Myths-and-Facts-of-Military-Leaders Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

In this episode, Dr. Geffner recounts her groundbreaking journey from being the only woman in a boardroom to coaching CEOs worldwide. She reveals how she turned seemingly insurmountable challenges into opportunities for growth, and explains why understanding the nuances of credibility, influence, and strategic relationships is vital for women seeking to lead at the highest levels. You'll discover practical frameworks for navigating microaggressions, overcoming self-doubt, and influencing systemic change — all while staying true to your authentic leadership style.Want to deepen your leadership journey?You'll find two FREE mini-courses designed to elevate your leadership skills and a powerful leadership quiz to help you understand how you show up in the world, personally and professionally. Explore now: www.wilempowered.com, www.wilempowered.com/free-mini-course/ 

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova. I'm thrilled to welcome you back to a series I did with my dear friend, Roger Martin. He's the author of the amazing book, Playing to Win. In this episode, we're talking about the four key characteristics of strategic thinking.   THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone who wants to strengthen their strategic thinking and make better decisions in complex, uncertain environments.   TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…many people think strategy is about making plans, setting goals, or controlling outcomes. Roger argues that strategic thinking starts by accepting the opposite: the most important variables are often the ones you don't control. Customers, competitors, and markets will ultimately do what they want to do. The strategist's job is to influence those outcomes by thoughtfully configuring everything within their control. In this conversation, Roger breaks down the four key characteristics of strategic thinkers. Together, he and Tiffani explore how these skills can be developed and why strategic thinking is less about innate talent and more about deliberate practice.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: Strategic thinkers focus on influencing outcomes they cannot directly control. The best decisions come from combining quantitative and qualitative information. Strong strategies emerge when multiple variables are considered simultaneously. Strategic thinking is a learnable skill that improves through practice and training.   WHAT I LOVE MOST…Roger's reminder that strategic thinking is not something you're born with. Too often, people assume strategy is reserved for a select few with a natural gift for seeing around corners. Instead, Roger reframes strategic thinking as a set of skills that anyone can develop.   Running Time: 31:02   Subscribe on iTunes     Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X    Find Roger Online: LinkedIn Website   Show Summary on Substack  

Show Summary On today's episode, we're having a conversation with Army Veteran Ramon Salazar, Senior Manager of Learning and Experience Design for PsychArmor, as well as Executive Director for Warriors At Ease, an organization dedicated to empowering the military and veteran community with the tools and knowledge to harness the transformative power of yoga and meditation.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestRamón Salazar is a US Army Veteran with a diverse background in education and wellness. Holding a Master's degree in Education and experience in instructional design, he currently serves as an instructor at the University of Arizona. As an E-RYT 500 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher that has completed at leased 500 hours of advanced yoga teacher training and logged a minimum of 2,00 hours of teaching experience), Ramón brings a deep understanding of yoga practice, skillfully tailoring his approach to the specific needs of the military community. He incorporates trauma-informed techniques and mindful movement to foster healing and resilience. Ramón also holds various certifications in other wellness areas. His commitment to education and holistic well-being reflects his belief in yoga's power to positively impact individuals and communities.Links Mentioned in this Episode Ramon on PsychArmorWarriors At Ease websitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is PsychArmor's online course library, including many courses designed and led by Ramon. PsychArmor offers trusted, expert-led training for anyone who wants to better understand and support service members, Veterans, and their families. Whether you're a health care provider, educator, employer, caregiver, or simply someone who wants to make a difference — these courses are designed for you.You can find the resource here:https://learn.psycharmor.org/collections Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Bryce Hoffman, the bestselling author of 'Red Teaming: How Your Business Can Conquer the Competition by Challenging Everything', helps companies plan more effectively by applying systems learned from business and the military. He became the first and only civilian to graduate from the U.S. Army's Red Team Leader Program at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Red Team Thinking is a systematic approach to making critical and contrarian thinking a part of any team's strategic planning process, providing a robust set of tools to challenge assumptions, expose hidden threats, and stress-test your plans and strategies. Red Teaming is an important discipline for any company owner, senior executive and strategist.   LINKS   Bryce's website https://brycehoffman.com   Book on Amazon Red Teaming: How Your Business Can Conquer the Competition by Challenging Everything   The Mojo Sessions website www.themojosessions.com   The Mojo Sessions on Patreon www.patreon.com/TheMojoSessions Full transcripts of the show (plus time codes) are available on Patreon.   The Mojo Sessions on Facebook www.facebook.com/TheMojoSessions   Gary on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/gary-bertwistle   Gary on Twitter : www.twitter.com/GaryBertwistle   The Mojo Sessions on Instagram www.instagram.com/themojosessions   If you like what you hear, we'd be grateful for a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Happy listening!   © 2026 Gary Bertwistle. All Rights Reserved.

Show Summary On today's episode, we're having a conversation with Licensed Clinical Social Worker Amanda Noyes, the founder of Finding Freedom Therapy and member of the DFW First Responders Support Network. We talk about Trauma therapy and mental health networks for service members, veterans and first responders Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestAmanda Noyes is the founder of Finding Freedom Therapy. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker–Supervisor with over 25 years of experience, she has had the opportunity to work in numerous crisis situations where she witnessed firsthand the gravity of trauma and grief. It was in these situations that she realized there were not enough opportunities to heal from trauma and loss after the initial crisis. With this knowledge, she formed Finding Freedom Therapy, PLLC, in 2014 with the vision of providing specialized treatment to those who have endured (or are continuing to endure) horrific traumas and unspeakable losses.After earning her degree in psychology and international studies from Texas A&M University, Amanda pursued her Master of Science in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. Throughout her career, she has had the unique opportunity to gain notable hands-on experience, much of which was working in conjunction with the military, first responders, and frontline workers. She has worked alongside probation and parole officers in the field, with police officers on-scene, supported doctors and nurses in the ED and ICU departments of level-one trauma centers, counseled families of the recently deceased at the moment of loss, and worked next to the U.S. National Guard when assisting during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike, and Harvey.Amanda's experience with veterans and military service members began early in her career with her graduate internship at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Hospital, and later continued with her work as lead trauma therapist for an inpatient military program, Freedom Care, where she worked with active-duty combat military and veterans suffering from PTSD. She is trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Written Exposure Therapy (WET). Each and every step of her career has shaped and strengthened her ability to better assist clients through the most difficult times in their lives.Links Mentioned in this Episode Finding Freedom Therapy WebsiteDFW First Responders Support NetworkPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Trauma Informed Interactions with Veterans. This course defines trauma and how it presents itself and is specifically designed to help volunteers interact with Veterans dealing with trauma that affects their health and/or ability to function.You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/trauma-informed-interactions-with-veterans Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

What you'll learn in this episode: ● The key difference between leading and managing ● How your words can carry more weight than you realize ● Why great leaders attract people seeking guidance ● How to empower your team through influence, not authority ● The mindset shift that transforms management into leadership

What does it really take to lead meaningful change in today's fast-moving world? In this episode, strategic consultant, leadership expert, and author Angnieszka Wolińska-Skuza shares insights from her journey working with global organizations including Google, IBM, Citi Bank and more. From developing the MasConsulting Delivery Framework and Design Thinking methodology to combining creativity, mindset and innovation in business transformation, she brings a deeply human perspective to leadership and growth. We also explore the role of emotional intelligence, human potential, and why sustainable success begins with inner balance. A thoughtful conversation on strategy, innovation and creating impact that lasts. https://awolinskaskuza.com/Episode streaming now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. [Angnieszka Wolińska-Skuza, Consultant, Leadership, Design Thinking, Innovation Strategy, Business, Strategic Thinking, Consulting Frameworks, Business Growth, Podcast, Melting Pot, Payal Nayar] #Leadership #DesignThinking #Innovation #Management #Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Empty space is not wasted time. It is where the biggest ideas are built. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down why strategic silence is one of the most profitable tools a founder can use. Let's be real… If your calendar is packed from morning to night… If every gap is filled with calls, emails, meetings, and noise… You are not scaling. You are surviving. In this episode, you'll learn: Why constant busyness destroys high-level strategy How empty space creates room for better thinking and better decisions Why CEOs need altitude, not just activity How silence, boredom, and reflection unlock massive breakthroughs The truth is simple: You cannot see the whole machine if you are buried inside of it. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is step away. No phone. No noise. No distractions. Just space to think. That is where the real leverage appears. The next offer. The next system. The next hire. The next move that changes everything. Most people are afraid of the void because it feels unproductive. But high-level operators understand this: Strategic silence is a weapon. Clear the schedule. Find your altitude. Do the deep thinking. And direct the business with sharper vision than ever. Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024 Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQ LinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see if we can help you: www.CashSwipe.com FREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Show Summary On today's episode, we're having a conversation with Marine Veteran Luke Urick, the Executive Director of the Montana Vet Program, an organization that takes Veterans into the Montana wilderness to rediscover strength, purpose, and camaraderie through therapeutic adventure and conservation. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestLUKE URICKLuke Urick is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and the Founder and Executive Director of the Montana Vet Program, where he has led transformative outdoor-based experiences for Veterans for the past nine years. Serving from 2003 to 2012 as a Scout Sniper, Mountain Leader, and Survival Instructor, Luke deployed in support of combat operations and earned numerous honors, including the Navy Commendation Medal with “V” for valor and the Purple Heart. His military service shaped a lifelong commitment to resilience, leadership, and helping others navigate adversity.After transitioning from the military, Luke earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Organizational Management, combining his understanding of human behavior with strong leadership expertise. Through the Montana Vet Program, he guides Veterans into the wilderness to rediscover purpose, strength, and camaraderie through shared challenge and therapeutic adventure. His work reflects a deep belief in the healing power of connection, nature, and service.Links Mentioned in this Episode Montana Vet Program WebsiteMVP TripsPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Slowing Down and One Pointed Attention. In this course, Dr. Jill Borman discusses the tools that make mantram repetition more effective and useful: slowing down and one-pointed attention.You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/slowing-down-and-one-pointed-attention Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show Summary On today's episode, we're having a conversation with Bill Birnie, a retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major, CEO of Frontwave Credit Union, and member of the PsychArmor Board of Directors. We have a great conversation about serving those who served, promoting financial stability, and brining his expertise in the financial sector to the board of PsychArmor. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestBill Birnie's lifelong dedication to serving the military community, coupled with his extensive leadership and financial expertise, makes him an outstanding candidate for our PsychArmor Board. A 25-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Bill retired in 1997 as a Sergeant Major, having served in combat operations during Operation Desert Storm and Operation United Shield. His military career also included assignments as a Marine guard and detachment commander at U.S. Embassies worldwide, where he cultivated a deep understanding of service, leadership, and teamwork.Transitioning from military service, Bill brought his strategic mindset to the credit union industry, where he has built a remarkable 26-year career. Currently, as President and CEO of Frontwave Credit Union, he leads a $1.4 billion institution dedicated to empowering military families and veterans. Bill's leadership, understanding of financial systems, combined with his ability to create sustainable growth, aligns with our strategic needs, and will support our long-term vision.   Bill has served on Boards that address the unique needs of military families and veterans, including as Chairman of the Defense Credit Union Council and Vice Chair of the Armed Forces Financial Network. His experience as a Western Credit Union Management School graduate and 15 years as a faculty member further underscores his ability to mentor and guide organizations toward financial and operational excellence. In his spare time, Bill enjoys golf, traveling and attending theater or concerts with family and friends.  With his unparalleled military and leadership experience, Bill Birnie brings the expertise and insight to strengthen PsychArmor's mission, ensuring it continues to create meaningful impact for the military and veteran community. Links Mentioned in this Episode Frontwave Credit Union WebsiteFrontwave Credit Union Military ResourcesPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the Preparing Your Finances for Transition.In this course, service members, Veterans and their families will learn about some major financial considerations associated with transition, as well as five useful tips for preparing their finances. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Preparing-Your-Finances-for-Transition Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

In this conversation, Minter Dial welcomes Tim Lewko, CEO of Thinking Dimensions, whose decades of strategic advisory work have spanned four continents and hundreds of organisations. With real-world experience working side by side with CEOs on growth and transformation, Speaker A brings an unapologetically practical approach to the complexities of strategic decision-making. In this wide-ranging exchange, Tim delves into the lessons he's drawn from both history and the boardroom, weaving in powerful stories—such as his uncle's harrowing experience as a World War II prisoner of war—to underscore why personal values, freedom, and purpose are the true drivers behind long-term success. The conversation moves from deeply personal perspectives on resilience to the pragmatic realities faced by today's leaders, connecting the dots between personal narrative and corporate stewardship. Minter and Tim explore the nuances of authentic leadership, with Tim outlining his MOVE framework—Making thinking Visible, Orienting around advantage, Visible bets, and Executing in rhythm—captured in his new book, "MOVE: AI-Powered Strategy for a Fast World." The discussion dives into why organisations falter when they chase after muddled strategies or become lost in the fog of too many priorities. Tim pulls no punches on the pitfalls of corporate jargon, instead showing what it takes to foster clarity, transparency, and true engagement in executive teams. Listeners will hear why framing purpose and criteria is the linchpin of strategic success, how leveraging AI as a thinking partner is transforming the speed and quality of decision-making, and why the ability to boil down complexity to its essentials separates thriving organisations from those that stagnate. Whether you're a CEO, a team leader, or simply curious about how to make strategic frameworks truly actionable, this episode offers a blueprint for building purposeful cultures and harnessing technology without sacrificing authenticity. Tune in as Minter and Tim challenge prevailing assumptions and provide an energising vision for strategy in a changing world.

Show SummaryOn today's episode, talking with comedian Brad Bonar, founder of One Degree of Separation, an organization that uses stand-up comedy to spark honest conversations about depression and suicide prevention. We discuss his lived experience, breaking the silence with comedy, and turning their live shows into official training for service members, Veterans and their familiesProvide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestBrad Bonar Jr. is the founder and creative force behind 1° of Separation. A seasoned stand-up comedian and magician by trade, Brad has spent nearly 30 years making people laugh around the world. He built a successful entertainment career headlining clubs and corporate shows, including a popular Dry Bar Comedy special that has garnered over 13 million online views. His comedy draws on everyday life and family, and is known for its clean yet keenly observant humor. But beneath the laughter, Brad quietly fought his own battles with depression since childhood.A turning point came a few years ago when Brad discovered an old keepsake: “I found a suicide note that I wrote in the 6th grade,” he recalls. “At first I kinda laughed about it, but then it became very sobering.“ Realizing that he had been struggling in silence for decades, and seeing so many others still doing the same, Brad felt compelled to act. He channeled his talents and insider knowledge of comedy into a deeply personal mission: “I've spent the past 25 years traveling the world making people laugh. Now I'm using my talents for something more personal. It's time to cast a spotlight that removes the stigma of mental illness.” With that, 1 Degree of Separation was born in 2019 as a project to fight depression with comedy.Brad immersed himself in learning about mental health, interviewing doctors and therapists to shape a show that was both funny and responsible in its messaging. He crafted the Five Questions after hours of writing and self-reflection one night. And he recruited fellow comedians (including his wife, Victoria, and others) willing to share their stories on stage. As a performer, Brad has a disarming, warm presence. Audiences often don't expect a comedian to talk about subjects like suicidal ideation, but Brad does so with authenticity and even hope. He frequently opens up about his own experiences – from that sixth-grade note, to a more recent mental health crisis that landed him in a 5150 psychiatric hold, to how “comedy saved me” when he learned to talk about his pain rather than hide it.Today, Brad Bonar Jr. serves as CEO of 1° of Separation, Inc., leading the nonprofit's growth while still touring as one of its headline speakers. Under his leadership, 1° of Separation has gained national attention for its innovative approach (featured on media from local news to podcasts and even military press.) Brad's ability to wear two hats – entertainer and mental health advocate – makes him a unique voice in suicide prevention. He often says, “Laughter changes your brain” and indeed, he's now leveraging laughter to change lives. Brad and his wife Victoria are based in Northern California, but travel constantly for training. When not on the road, he continues to perform traditional comedy and magic shows and is at work on a book about his journey and the intersection of comedy and mental health. In recognition of his efforts, Brad was invited to present at the Department of Defense/VA Suicide Prevention Conference in 2023, where 1° of Separation received a standing ovation from 2,500 professionals. Brad's personal mantra: “Comedy is universal… and if we can laugh at this, we can talk about it," encapsulates the spirit he brings to the cause. He proves that a comedian can change the world, one punchline and one life at a time.Links Mentioned in this Episode 1° of Separation websitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Supporting a Veteran in Crisis. This course is designed for businesses to educate them on the differences between their Veteran and civilian employees and ways to support them. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/supporting-a-veteran-in-crisis Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Andy Freed is Chairman of Virtual, Inc., advising global organizations including Microsoft, Meta, and Google and his company has been named a Best Place to Work for more than a decade. He is a leadership professional keynote speaker, and a business strategy consultant, leveraging my expertise to help organizations and people grow. In the last 35 years, Andy has guided candidates in their runs for state and national office, coached a Division I college sports team, and chaired a hospital board, all while finding the time to catch nearly 100 Bruce Springsteen shows around the world. He also brings a unique twist to leadership conversations in his book, Lead Like The Boss using Bruce Springsteen's leadership style as a framework for building trust, communication and momentum inside teams. For more information, visit https://www.andyfreed.com. 

• Why the “I'll just do it” habit feels productive but creates long-term leadership problems • The difference between being the fastest person to solve a problem and the right person to solve it • How leaders unintentionally train teams to become dependent • The hidden cycle of organizational bottlenecks and learned helplessness • Why stepping in too quickly limits strategic thinking across the organization • The shift from reactive firefighting to building thinkers • Coaching questions that encourage ownership and better decision-making • How to scale leadership by multiplying thinking capacity instead of personal effort • Insights from Allison Dunn's book Think First: Stop Being the Bottleneck, Start Building Thinkers • Reflection question: “Where am I stepping in too quickly, and what is that teaching my team?” Think First

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're replaying a conversation with conversation with playwright and producer Elizabeth Coplan, founder of the Greif Dialogues, a nonprofit theatrical movement that facilitates conversations about dying, death, and grief. We talk about her own connection to service and discuss how Grief Dialogues has developed a specific immersive experience of remembrance and reflection ahead of Memorial DayProvide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestElizabeth Coplan is a veteran of marketing and public relations with over four decades of experience. She began her professional journey as an aspiring actor in New York City in 1972 before pivoting to publishing, eventually becoming the managing editor of Chief Executive Magazine. After relocating to California, she climbed the ranks at Collins Foods International, ultimately serving as Director of Corporate Communications.In Seattle, Elizabeth became a trailblazer in professional services marketing, notably serving as the first Northwest marketing director for Touché Ross (now Deloitte). She later became Director of Client Service and Development at Davis Wright Tremaine, where she helped grow the firm from three to ten offices and pioneered strategic sponsorships in the legal sector. After six years, she launched her own consulting firm, advising major clients including Merrill Lynch and the University of Washington School of Law.Her service on nonprofit boards includes the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and the Intiman Theatre, where she chaired strategic planning. In 2013, after a series of personal losses, Elizabeth began writing to process her grief. This led to the creation of Grief Dialogues, a groundbreaking play and nonprofit initiative that fosters dialogue about death and grief through theatre.Her award-winning works include Hospice: A Love Story, Untold, The Choice, and Honoring Choices, the latter adapted into a film that premiered in Los Angeles and earned multiple festival awards. She also directed and produced Juntos Nos Ayudamos, a film addressing suicide in a Hispanic family, and co-hosts the podcast Out of Grief Comes Art.Elizabeth's writing appears in professional grief therapy publications, and her full-length play 'Til Death premiered Off-Broadway in 2023 with an acclaimed cast. She is currently working on The Book Club, a new play exploring the lives of senior women.Links Mentioned in this Episode Grief Dialogues WebsiteMy Guardian Angel MoviePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Good Grief. Grief is not only experienced with death, it can also occur with job loss or severe changes to physical well-being. The purpose of this course is to recognize loss and identify what is learned as a result of that loss. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/good-grief Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Confidence, clarity, and speaking when it matters.Confident communication isn't about being the loudest in the room. For Susie Wolff, it's about displaying assurance before you even open your mouth.Wolff is a former professional race car driver, managing director of F1 Academy, and author of Driven. Throughout her career in one of the world's most male-dominated industries, she's learned that confidence starts within. “If you want others to believe in you, you need to at least have confidence in your own abilities,” she says. By letting her capabilities speak for themselves, Wolff felt she didn't have to. “I was never the loudest voice in the room. But I made sure when I did speak that I really had something to say.”In this special episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, co-hosted by Matt Abrahams and Tiggy Valen, Wolff shares how inner drive creates outer clarity. From delivering hard truths with empathy to achieving buy-in for a bold vision, Wolff offers lessons on communicating with confidence, even in the face of stiff competition.Episode Reference Links:Susie WolffSusie's Book: DrivenTiggy ValenPaddock ProjectEp.235 Refine, Reframe, Repeat: Make Your Communication a Slam Dunk  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (03:06) - Early Motorsport Passion (04:01) - Finding Your Voice (05:33) - Building Confidence (06:28) - Becoming a Leader (08:48) - Cross-Cultural Communication (09:57) - Building F1 Academy (14:20) - Giving Tough Feedback (17:32) - Embracing Discomfort (20:01) - The Final Three Questions (26:18) - Conclusion  ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription.Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're having a conversation with Verenice Castillo, founder of the Military Spouse Advocacy Network, an organization dedicated to supporting military spouses through mentorship, leadership development, and community-building. Drawing from her own experience as an immigrant and longtime military spouse, Verenice has built MSAN into a global network focused on reducing isolation and empowering spouses to find purpose and connection.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestsVerenice Castillo is the Founder and CEO of the Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN), a nonprofit organization she launched to address the persistent challenges of isolation, lack of community, and limited professional opportunities faced by military spouses. Originally from Mexico, Castillo immigrated to the United States as a teenager and later became a military spouse, an experience that shaped her commitment to advocacy and peer support.Over more than a decade, she has grown MSAN into a nationally recognized organization providing mentorship, leadership training, and mental wellness resources to military spouses worldwide. Castillo has led initiatives such as the Leadership Institute for Military Spouses, in collaboration with institutions like Harvard University and University of Notre Dame, equipping hundreds of spouses each year with skills in leadership, crisis response, and ethical decision-making. Her work has positioned her as a leading voice in military spouse advocacy, particularly around issues of community connection, career development, and mental health.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeMSAN WebsiteLeadership Institute for Military SpousesPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Networking for Military Spouses. This course will help you define what networking means, demonstrate ways to incorporate social media into your networking task, and list tips for better networking results.You can find the resource here:https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Networking-for-Military-Spouses Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

6. Headline: Japan's Strategic Awakening and Regional Threats from China and Russia Guest: Lance GatlingSummary: The war in Ukraine has fundamentally altered Japanese strategic thinking, particularly regarding its northern borders with Russia. Japan is adopting a more hawkish stance toward China's ambitions in Taiwan while facing the logistical challenge of shifting its energy dependency from Middle Eastern crude to American alternatives. 61880 WIEN

In this episode of the YM Show, I sit down with Taylor Avakian to break down the evolving landscape of commercial real estate brokerage. We dive into what it really takes to build a successful career in this space—the persistence, the long game of relationship building, and how modern professionals are starting to leverage artificial intelligence to get ahead.----⏱️ TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're having a conversation with Dr. Carla Stumpf Patton from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a leading voice in supporting those impacted by military loss. We talk about TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a national nonprofit organization providing compassionate care and comprehensive resources to all those grieving a death in the military or veteran community. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestsDr. Carla Stumpf Patton, Ed.D., LMHC, NCC, FT, CCTP, an expert in grief, trauma, and suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, oversees TAPS' services for suicide-loss survivors. Carla consults with civilian providers and military leaders to provide effective outreach and clinical care to military personnel, veterans, and military families. She is certified as an ASIST trainer in suicide first aid and is qualified to conduct Psychological Autopsy Investigations through the American Association of Suicidology. Carla holds an Ed. D. in counseling psychology, an M.A. in clinical mental health counseling and school guidance counseling, and a B.S. in psychology. Carla is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Certified Fellow Thanatologist, a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, a Florida Qualified Supervisor, and a counseling educator. She is the surviving spouse of Sergeant Richard Stumpf, U.S. Marine Corps, who died by suicide in 1994. She is now married to a retired U.S. Marine, who was also a suicide-loss survivor, and they share five children.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeTragedy Assistance Program for Survivors WebsiteTAPS Postvention ModelPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Treating Grief in the Veteran Population. This course discusses how the TAPS' Suicide Postvention Model helped suicide loss survivor and Marine Corps Veteran Dana O'Brien address his grief.You can find the resource here:https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Treating-Grief-in-the-Veteran-Population Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Most leaders think negotiation begins when both sides sit down to talk numbers. By then, trust, incentives, timing, internal alignment, and first impressions have already shaped the outcome. That is why smart founders, executives, investors, and board members can have the right facts and still walk away with the wrong result.In this episode of Beginner's Mind, Stefanie Schubert explains why negotiation is not a last-minute performance at the table. It is a leadership capability that starts much earlier, in the way people prepare, build trust, frame value, listen, manage emotions, and understand what the other side truly needs.Stefanie is a Professor of Economics at SRH University Heidelberg, a Negotiation Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and ICF-certified Executive Coach. Her work combines behavioral economics, game theory, negotiation, executive coaching, and real-world business practice, with experience in complex business environments, alliance management, and biopharma. This conversation moves from the practical to the profound: why intelligent people still make weak decisions, why preparation often matters more than persuasion, why pushing people creates resistance, how ballroom dancing explains negotiation better than many textbooks, and why investors, scientists, founders, and corporate leaders often speak past each other without realizing it.We also explore John Nash, A Beautiful Mind, first offers, anchoring, emotional decision-making, AI-driven profiling, trust in virtual environments, and why rejection in fundraising is not necessarily the end of the negotiation.As Stefanie puts it:(01:50:33) “You bring in something. It's not that you beg for money with the investor.”That may be the core lesson of the episode.Good negotiation is not domination. It is not theatre. It is not a bag of tricks. It is the discipline of understanding value, shaping the game, and entering the room with enough clarity to build something useful with another person.Selected moments(00:00:00) Why smart people lose negotiations early(00:04:24) Negotiation starts before the table(00:07:57) Why smart people still decide poorly(00:13:25) Influence creates value not manipulation(00:18:21) Human shortcuts quietly kill opportunities(00:25:08) Ballroom dancing reveals negotiation resistance(00:28:44) Active listening creates leadership leverage(00:34:06) Authenticity beats dominance in leadership(00:37:05) How to de-escalate emotional negotiations(00:45:05) Game theory without mathematical intimidation(00:52:57) A Beautiful Mind and collaboration traps(01:00:47) First offers and anchoring pressure(01:06:37) Internal alignment before external negotiation(01:12:25) Why emotions can be rational(01:17:20) Fast thinking versus sustainable judgment(01:32:25) AI profiling can poison first impressions(01:40:59) Trust building before formal deals(01:45:04) Why investor rejection is not final(01:47:24) Designing negotiations from first contact(01:48:11) Create value before dividing value(01:50:28) Confidence before asking for Send us Fan Mail Join Christian Soschner for expert coaching. 50% Off - With 35+ years in deep tech, startups/scaleups, and public companies, Christian offers power video sessions. Elevate strategy, execution, and leadership. Book Now.Support the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're having a conversation with Karin Tanabe and Victoria Kelly, the creative team behind Atomic Echoes, a powerful documentary exploring the overlooked stories of American atomic veterans and Japanese survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Together, they unpack the human, historical, and intergenerational impact of nuclear war through perspectives that are rarely seen side by side.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestsKarin Tanabe is a novelist, journalist, and documentary filmmaker. The author of seven novels published by Simon & Schuster and St. Martin's Press, she is a former Politico reporter and frequent contributor to The Washington Post. Her writing has also appeared in the Miami Herald, Chicago Tribune, and Newsday. She has been a featured lifestyle and politics expert on CNN, E!, Entertainment Tonight, and CBS Early Show. Her 2025 documentary, “Atomic Echoes,” was broadcast nationally on PBS. A graduate of Vassar College, she lives in Washington, DC.Victoria Kelly is the producer of Atomic Echoes: Untold Stories of World War II and the author of three books of fiction and poetry. She is a graduate of Harvard and the Iowa Writers' Workshop and lives in Virginia. She was a 2025 George W. Bush Institute Veterans Leadership Scholar.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeAtomic Echoes Film websiteAtomic Echoes on InstagramPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Supporting Someone with Invisible Wounds. Not all wounds can be seen and invisible wounds are just as serious as visible ones. This course introduces the four main types of invisible wounds - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Substance Use Disorder, and Depression.You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/supporting-someone-with-invisible-woundsEpisode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com