In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi is joined by Melissa Hurrington—CFO & VP of Operations at Premier Claims, LinkedIn Top Voice, keynote speaker, and advocate for women in leadership. Melissa gets real about the unseen work of self-leadership—moving from “performing” to leading authentically. She shares how she traded the polished “CFO costume” for unapologetic authenticity, how she reframed imposter syndrome, set healthy boundaries to beat burnout, and...

In this episode of Small Brave Moves, Nicole Bianchi sits down with Nash Mahupete, President & CEO of QLI, a nationally renowned leader in brain injury and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Nash shares his 25-year journey from CNA to CEO, revealing how purpose-driven leadership, mission focused leadership, and a deep passion for people development can transform organizations and lives. Nash breaks down how QLI’s people-first culture sees and grows every team member, why missi...

In this powerful episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole Bianchi sits down with Melanie Marshall — award-winning speaker, filmmaker, and former BBC journalist who spent two decades reporting from some of the most dangerous places on earth. From war zones in Afghanistan to political unrest in Tripoli, Mel learned what it means to lead through chaos, regulate emotions under pressure, and find hope in uncertainty. Together, Nicole and Mel explore: Why emotional regulation and self...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole Bianchi is joined by Damon Lembi, CEO of Learnit, three-time bestselling author, and host of the Learn It All podcast. With over 2 million learners served, Damon has proven that companies who outlearn, outlast. Nicole and Damon discuss: How to build a culture of learning and bravery in today’s uncertain workplaceWhy middle managers struggle most with brave conversations and how to support themWhat Hall of Fame coaches from his past as a...

Authenticity isn’t a buzzword - it’s the brave, human way of leading that today’s workplace craves. In this episode of Small Brave Moves, Nicole Bianchi explores what it really means to lead with authenticity instead of polished perfection and performance. You’ll learn: Why 75% of employees want more authenticity from their leadersThe hidden costs of drifting away from your true self in leadershipHow authenticity fuels trust, engagement, and team performancePractical Small Brave Moves to real...

Bravery isn’t a personality trait - it’s a skill. And when you develop it, the return on investment is massive. In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're discussing the impact of one of the most underestimated skills in leadership - bravery. Not the big, cinematic kind, but the everyday bravery that drives trust, innovation, alignment, and performance. Safe leadership feels comfortable, but it’s costly. Avoiding tough talks, delaying decisions, or playing small drains trus...

Feedback is one of the most powerful tools a leader has - and one of the hardest to use well. Too often, leaders avoid it, sugarcoat it, or deliver it so vaguely that it never lands. The result? Teams left guessing, disengaged, and missing out on their full potential. In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we unpack: Why most leaders struggle to give feedback (and how it holds teams back) The difference between empty praise, harsh critique, and feedback that actually hel...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore one of the most overlooked truths about leadership and culture: you don’t need a title to make an impact. When uncertainty is swirling - reorgs, layoffs, AI disruption, hybrid confusion - it’s tempting to shrink back and think "what difference can I make?" But the reality is, every Slack message, every meeting comment, every hallway conversation sends a signal that shapes your team’s energy and culture. Join me for an honest discuss...

What if your good intentions as a leader are actually holding your team back? It happens more often than you think. Many well-meaning leaders unintentionally stall their team’s growth by fixing problems too quickly, jumping in to save the day, or making decisions before their team even has the chance to try. While it feels helpful in the moment, it often creates dependence instead of development. In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we uncover: The surprising ways over-help...

Real employee engagement starts with how your team feels every day, not just during the annual survey. In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I’m sharing five powerful, no-cost ways to boost engagement that any leader can start using right now. These are practical, human-centered actions that build trust, spark motivation, and create a team culture people don’t want to leave. You’ll learn how to: Clarify team expectations with the How We Work conversationCelebrate micro wins to kee...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I’m joined by internationally experienced leadership coach and courage catalyst Noomi Melchior Natan for a conversation every leader navigating hard or busy seasons needs to hear. We explore what it means to thrive, not just survive, during the most demanding chapters of leadership, and how to stay connected to your courage, clarity, and conviction when the pressure is high. Noomi shares her signature framework—The Four Powers: Leading, Being,...

There’s a silent struggle happening behind the scenes of so many high-achieving leaders: they’re carrying too much, but feel like they can’t ask for help. In this episode of Small Brave Moves, we name the fear, break the stigma, and explore how “the ask” can transform your leadership, your team, and your energy. We explore: Why asking for help feels so vulnerable (especially for high-capacity leaders)How unspoken pressure to "have it all together" creates disconnectionWhat happens to cu...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're talking about one of the most overlooked yet powerful leadership practices - meaningful one-on-one meetings. Let’s be honest: most one-on-ones are either inconsistent, rushed, or overly focused on status updates. But when done right, they’re your secret weapon for building trust, boosting engagement, and retaining top talent. I'll teach you: Why most one-on-ones fall flat - and how to fix themThe real reason leaders avoid one-on-ones (hi...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we’re exploring something that might seem like a luxury—but is actually a leadership necessity: Flow and Ease®. If you’re a high-achieving leader who’s feeling overwhelmed, overbooked, or stretched thin, this conversation is for you. Because here’s the truth: hustle doesn’t equal impact. And letting go of control doesn’t mean letting go of your standards. We'll be discussing: What Flow and Ease® actually means in the context of brave leadershi...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're discussing one of the most relevant challenges in leadership today—how to lead remote and hybrid teams without falling into the trap of micromanagement. Because let’s be honest: working from anywhere can quickly turn into disconnected everywhere if we’re not intentional. We explore: How to create real connection without constant check-insWhy micromanagement is fear in disguise—and how to lead with trust insteadThree rhythms that build st...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into one of the biggest reasons leaders avoid hard conversations—the fear of emotional reactions. Whether it’s tears, silence, deflection, or defensiveness, these responses can make even the most seasoned leaders second-guess themselves. But brave leaders don’t avoid the discomfort—they prepare for it. We explore: The four most common emotional reactions during tough talksHow to respond with calm, clarity, and compassionWha...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast we’re diving into a non-negotiable for building high-performing, innovative teams: psychological safety. You’ve probably heard the term before, but let’s get one thing straight—it’s not just an HR thing. It’s a leadership thing. In fact, it’s the foundation of every courageous, collaborative, and high-impact team Nicole has ever worked with. Nicole breaks down exactly what psychological safety is (and what it isn’t), why it’s essential for perf...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we challenge the hustle culture myth that faster is always better—and explore why the bravest leaders are the ones who dare to slow down. We explore why brave leaders aren’t the ones burning the candle at both ends—but the ones carving out time to think deeply, act intentionally, and lead with clarity. You’ll learn how constant motion leads to misalignment, burnout, and poor decision-making, while strategic stillness unlocks innovation, ...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle a challenge that many powerhouse women in leadership quietly face: the constant tug-of-war between being seen as too much or not enough. We unpack the double standards women leaders often navigate—where authority can be labeled as “aggressive,” and warmth mistaken for weakness—and offer a new model: one where you don’t have to choose between being respected or relatable. From clarity without control to real talk and radical humanity,...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore one of the hardest but most necessary parts of leadership—recovering from failure. Whether it’s a misstep, a missed deadline, or a moment you wish you could take back, failure is inevitable for every leader. But here’s the truth: what defines your leadership isn’t the mistake—it’s how you respond. We break down the three types of leadership failures—slips, trips, and falls—and provide a clear, practical roadmap to bounce back with c...