IN EPISODE 256:
In Episode 256, Kelli Thompson explores the cost of overestimating others and underestimating ourselves. We discuss ways to align decisions with values, how to stay grounded as a leader, why we should treat AI with white gloves, and the importance of mentorship.
ABOUT KELLI THOMPSON:
Kelli Thompson is an award-winning author, keynote speaker, and executive coach who is on a mission to help more women advance to the rooms where decisions are made. She is theauthor of Closing The Confidence Gap, and her work has been published in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Marketwatch, Quartz, Business Insider. Her TEDx talk on fulfilling your leadership potential was a 2025 Editor’s Pick.
LINKS:
Episode #80: How to grow sideways in your careerTEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVbsZ52jgLs
IN EPISODE 255:
What looks like “good fortune” is often the result of understanding — and leveraging — the hidden markets that govern access to opportunity. Judd Kessler is here to help us understand them. Whether it’s the algorithms behind dating apps, the psychology of lotteries and waitlists, or the structure of modern hiring, we can design our own luck — as long as we know the rules and are prepared to play.
ABOUT JUDD KESSLER:
Judd B. Kessler is the inaugural Howard Marks Endowed Professor at the Wharton School, where is he a professor in the Business, Economics, and Public Policy Department. His work and research has appeared across the popular press, and he's the author of LUCKY BY DESIGN: The Hidden Economics You Need to Get More of What You Want.
LINKS:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juddkessler/
Website: juddbkessler.com
IN EPISODE 254:
Can you collaborate with people you don't like, agree with, or trust? In Episode 254, Adam Kahane shows how it's possible to collaborate even when we can't pick our partners. We explore the limits of traditional collaboration and how "stretch collaboration" can allow us to better embrace conflict, experiment with solutions, and recognize our personal agency.
ABOUT ADAM KAHANE:
Adam Kahane is the co-founder of Reos Partners, a global social impact company that helps people move forward together on their most important and intractable issues - from executives and politicians to generals and guerrillas, civil servants and trade unionists, community activists and United Nations officials, even clergy and artists. Adam is also the author of six books and was named a Schwab Foundation Social Innovation Thought Leader of the Year at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
LINKS:
Website: http://www.adamkahane.com
Book: https://reospartners.com/resource-library/collaborating-with-the-enemy
Reos Partners: https://reospartners.com/
IN EPISODE 253:
The truth about high-achieving teams is that they engage in honest talk. In Episode 253, Steven Gaffney shows us how to get the unsaid said through more honest team communication. We discuss ways leaders can create stronger feedback cultures, why accountability measures often backfire, and how to screen for candidates who align with your values.
ABOUT STEVEN GAFFNEY:
Steven Gaffney is a speaker, author and advisor who has helped develop high-achieving teams at Fortune 500 companies, recognized brands, and government and military agencies.
In this solo episode, I share my complicated relationship with feedback - and why I'm now thankful it's a major part of my life. A Thanksgiving edition of things I wish you knew.
In this solo episode, I share the power of adopting the "silver rule" in our everyday feedback. Learn why having a to-don't list can help you improve your feedback message and delivery, and why "right sizing" and "bite sizing" feedback can produce stronger outcomes.
IN EPISODE 250:
Are you looking to create the "new you"? In Episode 250, Nataly Kogan drops by to discuss her framework for personal reinvention. We talk about letting go of limiting beliefs, getting in tune with our passion and purpose, and uncovering the dimensions that bring us closer to who we want to be.
ABOUT NATALY KOGAN:
Nataly Kogan is a globally recognized expert in transformation and leadership. She’s an international keynote speaker, artist, and former tech CEO, and the bestselling author of three books. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, HarvardBusiness Review, Forbes, and hundreds of other outlets.
IN EPISODE 249:
Minimalism isn't about doing or having less - it's about doing the right things with more intention. In Episode 249, Shira Gill explores the importance of making intentional choices in our work and lives, emphasizing the impact of minimalism on personal growth and goal setting. We discuss the power of a having a clean space, how leaders can create a culture of prioritization and focus, and how to co-exist with someone who loves clutter.
ABOUT SHIRA GILL:
Shira Gill is a world-renowned organizing expert and the bestselling author of three books: Minimalista, Organized Living, and LifeStyled. She’s been featured by Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, TIME, People, Forbes, goop, Architectural Digest, Oprah Daily, Vogue, and The New York Times. She also offers business strategy, support, and mentorship to female founders across the globe.
IN EPISODE 248:
Some people manage by default. The good ones manage by design. In Episode 248, Ali Merchant highlights the ways "all in" managers stand out, especially when it comes to sharing feedback. We discuss practical strategies for improving feedback conversations and positive communication in the workplace. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned vet, there's a lot of useful tips here that can help you make your next feedback conversation your best one yet.
ABOUT ALI MERCHANT:
Ali Merchant is the founder of All-In Manager, a leadershipdevelopment company. He's trained thousands of managers and coached hundreds of senior leaders worldwide and is the author of, The All-In Manager: Be a Better Leader Today, Not Someday.
IN EPISODE 247:
There's nothing wrong with showing some emotion at work - as long as we do it right. In Episode 247, Claude Silver, the Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, talks about the importance of emotional expression in the workplace. We discuss why showing up authentically can lead to a more human and productive work environment. Claude introduces three pillars of emotional engagement: emotional optimism, emotional bravery, and emotional efficiency, and emphasizes the significance of good citizenship within teams.
ABOUT CLAUDE SILVER:
Claude Silver is the Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX where shepartners with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to drive their success. She's the recipient of several awards, including AdWeek's "Changing the Game Award," and has helped organizations like Meta, Google, and the US Armed Forces improvetheir talent and workplace culture. Claude is the author of Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart.
IN EPISODE 246:
Humble leaders don't see themselves as better than others - they try to make others better. In Episode 246, former NATO commander Urs Koenig explores the beliefs and behaviors of radical humility and why humble leaders stand out with their approach. We cover lots of ground here, including how to lead relationally and focus on strategy, not tactics; how to build a leadership factory where we train people to leave us; and how to get honest feedback from others without creating fear or friction. Humble leaders are less involved but more relevant - and after listening to Urs, you'll be ready to start practicing radical humility as well.
ABOUT URS KOENIG:
Urs Koenig is a former United Nations military peacekeeper and NATO military peacekeeping commander, a highly accomplished ultra-endurance champion, a widely published professor, bestselling author, and a seasoned executive coach and keynote speaker. His new book is Radical Humility.
IN EPISODE 245:
The best leaders bring out the best in others - something they do by choice, not chance. In Episode 245, Matt Tenney shares a systematic and scalable way to inspire greatness in your team. We discuss the three most important needs of employees; why frequent feedback is more effective than occasional surveys; and how to approach someone who doesn't seem inspired to grow. This episode is packed with practical tips and powerful insights that will inspire you to unlock the greatness in others - and yourself.
ABOUT MATT TENNEY:
Matt Tenney is the author of three leadership books, including the national bestseller, "Inspire Greatness: How to Motivate Employees with a Simple, Repeatable, Scalable Process." His TED talk on leading with love has been viewed over 1 million times, and he's developed leadership programs for companies like Salesforce, T. Rowe Price, Marriott and United Airlines.
IN EPISODE 244:If you want to lead others, start by managing yourself. In Episode 244, Margaret Andrews drops by to explore the practice of self-leadership. We discuss why a lack of self-understanding can derail our career, how to close the knowing-doing gap with feedback and coaching, and how to set and adapt to an organization's cultural beat.
ABOUT MARGARET ANDREWS:
Margaret C. Andrews is a seasoned executive, academic leader, speaker, and instructor. She has created and teaches a variety of leadership courses and professional and executive programs at Harvard University and is the founder of the MYLO Center, a private leadership development firm. She's worked with Amazon, Citi, Continental, Walmart, Wayfair, and the United Nations, and is the author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others: Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Understanding.
IN EPISIDE 243:
It's time to change the focus of how people feel at work to how they feel about work. In Episode 243, Mark C. Crowley drops by to discuss the importance of employee well-being in the workplace. We explore the limitations of traditional employee engagement strategies, the role of managers in fostering a supportive environment, the need for organizations to measure well-being effectively, and why having friends at work is a crucial driver of employee satisfaction.
ABOUT MARK C. CROWLEY:
Mark C. Crowley, a pioneer in workplace leadership, speaker, and bestselling author of Lead from the Heart. He is the host of the acclaimed Lead from the Heart podcast and is the author of The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move Beyond Engagement to Build Flourishing Teams.
IN EPISODE 242:
The only person who can control your career...is you. In Episode 242, former Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers Badan shares stone cold career advice to help you thrive at work. From listening more and talking less, to staying in "fail always" mode, to embracing feedback and change (even when it hurts), you'll learn powerful tips for getting ahead on your own terms.
ABOUT ERIKA AYERS BADAN:
Erika Ayers Badan is the CEO of Food52, and wasformerly the CEO of Barstool Sports for eight years. She has been named one of Forbes' Most Powerful Women in the U.S. in Sports, and she's also the author of Nobody Cares About Your Career.
IN EPISODE 241:
Leaders who see around corners have more than good vision - they have a plan. In Episode 241, Rita McGrath drops by to share ways leaders can better prepare for significantchanges in their industries. We discuss the importance of recognizing change signals ("inflection points"), creating early warning systems, and fostering a culture of bottom-up innovation.
ABOUT RITA MCGRATH:
Rita McGrath is a best-selling author, a sought-after advisor and speaker, and a longtime professor at Columbia Business School. She's one of the world’s top experts on strategy and innovation and is consistently ranked among the top 10management thinkers in the world, including the #1 award for strategy by Thinkers50. Rita has worked with top executives at some of the world's most admired brands and organizations and is the founder of Valize, a platform that helps companies develop their capacity for innovation.
IN EPISODE 240:
With more than 3 billion global gamers, gaming is no longer a novelty - it's a necessity. In Episode 240, Bastian Bergmann explores the serious business of games. We discuss how gaming has become a strategic tool for brands to engageconsumers, enhance learning experiences, and even support mental health and wellbeing. The future belongs to games, and you need to develop a strategy now or risk getting left behind.
ABOUT BASTIAN BERGMANN:
Bastian Bergmann is the cofounder and COO of Solsten, a technology startup that empowers companies to create personalized content using AI and psychological data, and is also the founder of Technically Entertaining, a mediastrategy firm . Before that, Bastian was a strategy consultant at Boston Consulting Group and the founder and CEO of WATTx. His new book is Press Play: Why Every Company Needs a Gaming Strategy.
IN EPISODE 238:
We're told that plastics are a threat to our health and environment, but does the science back that up? In Episode 238, Chris DeArmitt shares the misconceptions surrounding plastics and microplastics. He discusses the actual impact of microplastics, the science behind plastic usage, and why bans on plastic products may actually cause more harm than good.
ABOUT CHRIS DEARMITT:
Dr. Chris DeArmitt is an internationally recognized scientist, author, and thought leader in material science. He's the founder of the Plastics Research Council and the author of two books, The Plastics Paradox, and his latest, Shattering the Plastics Illusion.
IN EPISODE 238:
Dr. Christopher Phelps discusses the art and science of ethical persuasion, emphasizing the importance of understanding Cialdini's principles of influence. He highlights common mistakes people make in persuasion, such as failing to secure commitments and the significance of the order of information presented. We also explore the ethical implications of persuasion versus manipulation, how to defend against manipulative practices and why the most persuasive people look for mutual wins. ABOUT CHRISTOPHER PHELPS:
Dr. Christopher Phelps is the US CEO of the Cialdini Institute, which trains leaders and organizations around the world in the art and science of ethical persuasion. Chris is general dentist and entrepreneur who built multiple companies focused on dental products and solutions, and is the bestselling author of two books.
IN EPISODE 237:
In Episode 237, Richard Simon, author of Unplug, drops by to share his year-long journey of disconnecting from his smartphone. We discuss the motivation behind this drastic decision, the impact on his personal relationships, and practical strategies for others looking to reduce their smartphone dependency.
ABOUT RICHARD SIMON:
Richard Simon directs website strategy for Georgetown Law School and is a former journalist. He's also the author of a Unplug: How to Break Up with Your Phone and Reclaim Your Life.