Explore every episode of the podcast Chief Change Officer
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #420 Adaira Landry MD: From Mentorship to Micro Skills—Tools for Thriving at Work — Part Two | 06 Jul 2025 | 00:18:35 | |
In Part Two, Adaira Landry goes beyond storytelling and gets strategic—explaining how to stop saying yes to everything, avoid burnout, and take back control of your time. She shares how the original title of her book almost became Chisel, why Micro Skills isn’t meant to be read cover to cover, and what FOMO vs. JOMO really means in your career. This episode is a mindset shift for anyone who’s overcommitted, overextended, or overdue for some clarity. Her message is simple but powerful: just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. Key Highlights of Our Interview: The Book Almost Had Another Name “We wanted to call it Chisel. But it didn’t land the way we hoped. Micro Skills captured it better—it’s about precise, meaningful action.” Ambition Without Boundaries Isn’t Sustainable “I used to say yes to everything. Then I realized—none of it was helping me grow upward. It was just clutter.” Say No to Say Yes “JOMO—the joy of missing out—is real. You don’t need to chase every opportunity. You need to choose the right ones.” The Burnout Trap “If you’re always working horizontally, you never move vertically. That’s not growth. That’s noise.” Fast Impact, Not Magic “You don’t need a new degree or a big life change. You just need to start—small, now, and with purpose.” _____________________ Connect with us: Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Adaira Landry MD
--Chief Change Officer-- Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself. Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence for Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep, Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts. EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. 20 Million+ All-Time Downloads. 80+ Countries Reached Daily. Global Top 1% Podcast. Top 5 US Business. Top 1 US Careers. >>>200,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #419 Adaira Landry MD: From Mentorship to Micro Skills—Tools for Thriving at Work — Part One | 05 Jul 2025 | 00:26:43 | |
Before she became a physician, educator, and mentor to hundreds, Adaira Landry felt out of place in nearly every professional room she entered. In Part One, she opens up about entering college at 16, watching a man collapse on campus, and how that moment -- and a painful accident -- pulled her toward medicine. She reflects on growing up without access to mentors, and why that made her even more intentional about creating useful, inclusive career tools later on. This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what shaped the voice behind Micro Skills. Key Highlights of Our Interview: When Life Said “Step In” “He collapsed right outside my class. And I just walked toward him. I didn’t know what I was doing—but I knew I had to do something.” The moment on campus that first pulled her toward medicine. Burned and Alone “I remember laying on the floor thinking—this isn’t how it’s supposed to be. I couldn’t even call for help.” A personal injury that left her with pain—and perspective. No One Called It Mentorship “We never used that word growing up. It wasn’t until grad school that someone even explained what a mentor really does.” Why finding guidance felt so unfamiliar at first. The Confidence Gap “I had to teach myself to stop over-explaining—to just say the thing.” On growing into her voice in high-pressure environments. Why Micro Skills Mattered “I was tired of career advice that was abstract. I wanted to write something people could actually use Monday morning.” The motivation behind a book built for practicality, not prestige. _____________________ Connect with us: Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Adaira Landry MD
--Chief Change Officer-- Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself. Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence for Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep, Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts. EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. 20 Million+ All-Time Downloads. 80+ Countries Reached Daily. Global Top 1% Podcast. Top 5 US Business. Top 1 US Careers. >>>200,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #410 Sande Golgart: Climbing the Wrong Mountain — Part Two | 12 Jun 2025 | 00:41:42 | |
After decades of chasing external wins, Sande Golgart decided to stop running. In Part Two, he shares the uncomfortable, intentional work of stepping back—what it took to unplug from achievement addiction and start redesigning a life that fits from the inside out. This isn’t a story about reinvention through ambition. It’s a blueprint for growth through subtraction: less noise, more clarity; fewer roles, deeper connection; no hustle, just truth. From mending his marriage to redefining success, Sande opens up about what he calls “Life Peels”—and why letting go is the new way up. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Listening Over Learning “I wasn’t trying to fix anything. I just got quiet and listened.”** Sande explains how stepping back from self-optimization gave him the clarity he had missed for years. The Life Peels Method “David was always in the marble. Michelangelo just removed what wasn’t him.”** He introduces his philosophy of growth by subtraction—peeling away the excess to uncover what truly fits. When Growth Isn’t More “I’ve had enough of strategy decks and hero stories. I want to feel ease in my own skin.”** Why he redefined ambition not as stacking wins but as feeling aligned, grounded, and whole. Relearning Partnership “When the noise died down, we both realized we’d never had stillness before.”** How the transition to an empty nest revealed unspoken gaps in his marriage—and led to new connection. Letting Life Lead “I used to control everything. Now I just pay attention—and things unfold better than I planned.”** What happened when he stopped pushing for outcomes and started trusting the process. _____________________ Connect with us: --Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #320 Resa Lewiss MD: Micro Skills for Moments That Actually Matter – Part Two | 24 Apr 2025 | 00:29:05 | |
In Part 2, Resa explains why she and Adaira started their book MicroSkills with the most overlooked chapter: self-care. From emotional and civic health to better rest and boundaries, she unpacks how showing up well starts before you speak. She also shares practical tools for navigating hard moments—like having a failure buddy—and reveals why thoughtful email etiquette isn’t just about manners, but about professional respect. Why Micro Skills Start with Self “We opened the book with self-care—because everything else depends on it.” Physical, civic, emotional, and financial health are non-negotiables. Support Isn’t Optional “Have a failure buddy. Or a personal board of directors. Someone you can call when things go wrong.” What Real Rest Looks Like “Rest isn’t just sleep. It’s knowing what recharges you. And choosing to protect it.” Respect Through Email “BCC isn’t a trick—it’s about being thoughtful.” Communication is a reflection of how much you value someone’s time and dignity. Small Language, Big Impact “Even experienced professionals said, ‘I didn’t think I’d learn anything from a book on communication—but I did.’” Thoughtful communication isn’t about polish. It’s about presence. _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #319 Resa Lewiss MD: Micro Skills for Moments That Actually Matter – Part One | 24 Apr 2025 | 00:31:16 | |
In Part 1, Dr. Resa Lewiss shares how growing up in Rhode Island, challenging gendered assumptions at home, and studying the liberal arts all shaped her path to medicine. She opens up about the moment emergency medicine clicked for her, and how her love for procedures and working with her hands helped her find her place in a specialty that sees everything, all at once. Why She Chose Medicine “It was always in me. Nobody in my family was a doctor, but medicine was the path.” Breaking Gender Roles Early “When my dad asked the girls to clear the table, I said, ‘Why not the boys?’ I wanted to take out the garbage.” When Emergency Medicine Clicked “I did a rotation and thought—where have I been? This is what I was looking for.” Studying Outside the Sciences “Literature, religion, sociology—those made me a better doctor. They helped me understand my patients.” Teaching Ultrasound Globally “I practiced and prepared so I could show up and teach people in different parts of the world—nurses, midwives, physicians.” _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #318 Edward & Tricia: Collaborate to Compete—The Human Advantage | 23 Apr 2025 | 00:34:34 | |
In the second half of their conversation, Edward J. van Luinen, Ed.D. and Tricia Cerrone reveal the system behind their decade-long collaboration—and the framework that became their book, Collaborate to Compete. But this isn’t just theory. It’s a Gen X playbook for how to lead, design, and scale collaboration that actually sticks. Grounded in five core behaviors—generosity, resourcefulness, co-creation, action, and gratitude—and powered by a noble purpose, their method flips the script on outdated workplace thinking. For Gen Xers who’ve quietly led with trust and integrity, this episode validates everything you’ve practiced—and gives you the language to teach it forward. >>Start With Self, Scale With Systems “Collaboration isn’t a team sport—it’s an individual practice.” They explain why collaboration isn’t about tech or tools, but behaviors—and why it must be designed into people first, not platforms. >>Five Behaviors, One Noble Purpose “Generosity. Resourcefulness. Co-creation. Action. Gratitude.” Edward and Tricia walk through the five behavioral anchors of collaboration—and why the ‘how’ must come before the ‘what.’ >>Why the Old Workplace Models Are Failing “We’re still running on 1900s bonus structures—and wondering why collaboration breaks down.” They unpack how outdated incentive systems kill trust and team performance—and how leaders can redesign for shared wins. >>The Disney Story That Brought It Home “I watched a father put his arm around his son—and almost cried.” Tricia shares the moment that reminded her why collaboration must be human-centered—because when it’s done right, it doesn’t just produce results. It heals. >>From High Concept to DIY “Take the five behaviors and run a self-check. Which ones are you already living?” They offer tangible steps for leaders, founders, and managers to assess and apply collaborative behaviors today—without waiting for a reorg. _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #317 Edward & Tricia: The Gen X Way to Build Trust That Lasts | 23 Apr 2025 | 00:33:56 | |
Edward J. van Luinen, Ed.D. and Tricia Cerrone didn’t build a personal brand around collaboration—they lived one. In this first of a two-part series, they reflect on the working relationship that began at Disney and slowly evolved into a business, a book, and a model for how Gen X builds enduring trust. Forget quick team-building hacks and shallow LinkedIn takes—this is collaboration done the Gen X way: built slowly, refined over time, and grounded in shared values. If you’re tired of performative partnerships and want to know what staying power really looks like, this is your episode. >>The Relationship That Didn’t Expire “Most work relationships fade. This one evolved.” Edward and Tricia share how a three-year collaboration at Disney grew into a decade of trust, business, and a co-authored book on leadership. >>No Hierarchy, No Ego “We weren’t assigned roles—we built the rules together.” They reflect on leading a global initiative without clear power dynamics, and how mutual respect became the real structure. >>The First Coffee Was the Turning Point “That coffee wasn’t about a project—it was about character.” Tricia recalls how her initial skepticism melted when Edward showed up with presence, empathy, and zero pretense. >>Why It Worked: Five Behaviors, One Blueprint “We didn’t write the book first—we lived it.” They walk through five consistent behaviors—generosity, gratitude, grace, curiosity, and accountability—that made their team the one others wanted to be on. >>Tech Can’t Fake Trust “You can’t app your way into a good relationship.” Edward and Tricia challenge today’s obsession with productivity tools, arguing that collaboration starts with who you are—not what you use. _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #316 John Gates: Stop Leaving Money on the Table | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:43:12 | |
John Gates has been on the inside of more salary negotiations than most of us will see in a lifetime—over 75,000 offers across industries and levels. From a scrappy upbringing in Oregon to global recruiting roles at Capital One and beyond, John learned how the game works. And now, he’s helping jobseekers stop lowballing themselves and start playing smarter. In this episode, he debunks the biggest salary myths, shares the scripts that work, and explains why salary negotiation starts long before the offer lands. For Gen Xers navigating job transitions or prepping for the next big move, this episode is both a wake-up call and a negotiation playbook. >>From Pizza Delivery to Pay Negotiation Powerhouse “I worked 30 hours a week at Domino’s and crammed two degrees into two and a half years.” John shares how a scrappy start built the systems thinking and urgency that now powers his work with jobseekers and executives alike. >>Recruiter, Interrupted “I was laid off before my first job even started.” He reflects on the early career shock that forced him into recruiting by accident—and the surprising skills he found along the way. >>The Capital One Lightbulb Moment “I got the offer, the bonus, the relocation bump—and still felt I’d left money on the table.” That one regret launched his obsession: learning how recruiters really build offers and how much most candidates are missing out on. >>The Salary Lies That Get Recycled on LinkedIn “Know your worth and demand it? That’s how you get ghosted.” John unpacks the worst advice online and explains why collaboration—not confrontation—is the smarter way to negotiate. >>When to Talk Money (and What to Say) “Most people wait until the offer. By then, it’s too late for the Mercedes—you’re getting the Beetle.” He reveals the step-by-step strategy that builds leverage from the first click, not the final call. _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #315 Jason Bloomfield: From Survival Mode to Systems Change | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:44:07 | |
Jason Bloomfield didn’t learn change in an MBA program—he learned it through real life. As a teenager, he became the de facto head of household. Now, as Global Head of People Change and Experience Design at Ericsson, he leads transformation across 180 countries. In this episode, Jason shares how active listening, design thinking, and human-first systems have helped him move organizations from dysfunction to alignment. From M&A integrations to HR tech failures, from -83 NPS scores to user-designed wins, his work proves one thing: change only sticks when it’s built with—not for—the people it’s meant to serve. For Gen Xers who’ve lived through chaos and are now leading through it, this episode is a blueprint in action. >>From Family Collapse to First Acquisition “I was the only one with income. So I had to figure it out.” Jason opens up about his early years, navigating a broken home while building stability from scratch—and how that experience shaped his instincts in business. >>Career by Constraint “They asked if I’d move to 1 Madison Avenue. I said yes—and just kept saying yes.” From wiring cables to managing a global acquisition across 13 countries, Jason shares how constraints—and curiosity—turned into growth and global opportunity. >>Change Starts with Listening “Active listening sends a signal: you care.” Jason breaks down why empathy is not a soft skill—it’s the hardest one. Especially when leading transformation across 100,000 employees and 180 countries. >>Turning a -83 NPS into a Shared Win “The tool was hated. But people started feeling heard.” He recounts how a globally despised HR tool became usable—through co-creation, honesty, and building feedback loops that actually changed things. >>From Paper to Trust “They didn’t hate digital. They didn’t trust institutions.” Jason explains how assumptions kill adoption—and how design thinking and diverse input helped his teams shift deeply entrenched behaviors. ______________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #314 Erika Ayers-Baden: Grit, Goals, and the Generational Advantage | 21 Apr 2025 | 00:28:49 | |
In the second half of her conversation, Erika Ayers Badan—CEO of Food52, former CEO of Barstool Sports, board leader, media powerhouse, and author of _No One Cares About Your Career_—lets us behind the curtain. From negotiating screen time as a kid to rewriting the rules as a high-profile executive, she reflects on how grit, autonomy, and unfiltered curiosity shaped everything—from her parenting to her management style. She shares why she no longer chases titles, what failure really teaches us, and why today’s “toxic culture” talk often needs more clarity than cancellation. For Gen Xers raising kids, leading teams, or just trying to keep their values intact in a noisy world, this episode is the deep breath you didn’t know you needed. >>The Original Streaming Negotiation “My brother and I shared one hour of TV a week. That’s how I learned to negotiate.” Erika reflects on the creative, disciplined upbringing that shaped her independence—and how it made her a better leader, dealmaker, and parent. >>Titles Are Overrated. Impact Isn’t. “I cared about titles in my 20s. Now I care about purview.” She explains why chasing titles is a trap—and why real career growth is measured in responsibility, resilience, and reach. >>Fail Always Mode “If you feel like you’re failing, it means you care—and you’re trying something new.” Erika breaks down why failure isn’t just tolerable—it’s necessary. And why she rewards effort over perfection every time. >>Culture > Buzzwords “I’m allergic to gossip, inertia, and pontificating.” From toxic culture to real collaboration, Erika shares her no-BS filter for building teams that do the work and actually like doing it. >>Gen Alpha, Gen X, and the Parenting Gap “I worry their advantages are actually disadvantages.” She gets honest about parenting kids in a hyper-stimulated world—and why she’s racing the clock to instill resilience before the clay hardens. _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #313 Erika Ayers-Baden: No One Cares About Your Career—So Build One That Works for You | 21 Apr 2025 | 00:32:46 | |
Erika Ayers Badan isn’t here to polish the truth—she’s here to say it louder. In this first of a two-part series, the current CEO of Food52 and former CEO of Barstool Sports breaks down the raw realities behind her debut book, No One Cares About Your Career. From writing on commuter trains to fielding hundreds of workplace questions a week, Erika shares why her advice hits different—because it’s honest, hard-earned, and hyper-relevant for a Gen X audience still rewriting the rulebook. This isn’t a pep talk. It’s a reset. >>The Title That Says It All “It’s not just a title—it’s the truth.” Erika reveals how No One Cares About Your Career went from a casual comment to the book’s heartbeat—and why it resonates across industries, generations, and inboxes. >>When Creativity Gets Crushed “I went from running wild to daily reforecasts and regulatory meetings.” She opens up about the moment corporate structure smothered her spark—and how writing a book on the train became a lifeline back to creative energy. >>The Mid-Chapter Career Book “This isn’t for the lost or the legends. It’s for the people in the messy middle.” Erika explains who the book is for—and why it’s not another glossy manifesto or three-step self-help trick. >>The Five Things That Actually Matter at Work “Who you are. What you offer. How you show up. What you do with your time. And how much you care.” Forget the buzzwords. Erika distills 25 years of media, tech, and executive leadership into five brutally simple career rules. >>Mentoring at Scale “I get 200 questions a week—and I try to answer every one.” She shares how social media became her advice desk, what Gen Z is most worried about, and why transparency—not perfection—is the new leadership currency. _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #312 Mark Bayer: From Research to Relevance—Helping PhDs Get Heard (and Hired) — Part Two | 20 Apr 2025 | 00:28:31 | |
Mark Bayer spent 20 years in the U.S. Congress shaping major policies and managing high-stakes communication for senior lawmakers. In Part Two, Mark gets practical—breaking down the actual tools and mindset shifts PhDs need to thrive in the private sector. From his 11 Keys to Translating Complexity (complexitymadeclear.com) to why metaphors matter more than models, he shows how scientists can go from overlooked to unforgettable. Plus, what AI can’t do—and why your human voice still matters more than ever. This one’s for anyone who’s been told their skills are “too academic.” Turns out, they’re your superpower—if you know how to use them. Key Highlights of Our Interview: The “11 Keys” Framework “Shakespeare said, brevity is the soul of wit. But it’s also the start of strategy.” Wake Words and Brain Wiring “Our brains tune into the unexpected. Use that to your advantage.” Crossing Cultures & Languages “Being bilingual helps you distill ideas—and respect your audience’s world.” The Real Meaning of Connection “You have to connect before you communicate. That’s not soft—it’s strategy.” AI Can’t Replicate Your Voice “AI pulls from old ideas. Your job is to bring something new, human, and surprising.” _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #311 Mark Bayer: From Research to Relevance—Helping PhDs Get Heard (and Hired) — Part One | 20 Apr 2025 | 00:29:15 | |
Mark Bayer spent 20 years in the U.S. Congress shaping major policies and managing high-stakes communication for senior lawmakers. In Part One, he reflects on what those years taught him about messaging, persuasion, and why most PhDs—despite their brilliance—struggle to translate their value. From Capitol Hill to Harvard Medical School, Mark now helps scientists and researchers communicate like insiders. This episode is a masterclass in what PhDs get wrong—and what they already have right. Key Highlights of Our Interview: The First “R&D” Mix-up “I thought they were talking about research and development. But it was Republicans and Democrats.” The 8% Problem “Only 8% of PhDs stay in academia. But nearly all are trained as if that’s the only path.” Misunderstood Advantage “PhDs are analytical, resilient, focused—yet many don’t see those as selling points.” Beauty vs. Relevance “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Importance is in the eye of the stakeholders.” Your Message Has 10 Seconds “Lead with the punchline. Or your audience will drift.” Why Communication ≠ Dumping Data “Scientists want to show everything they know. But that’s not the job. The job is to answer the question.” _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #409 Sande Golgart: Climbing the Wrong Mountain — Part One | 12 Jun 2025 | 00:34:17 | |
Before he became a coach and founder, Sande Golgart was addicted to acceleration. He said yes to every challenge, thrived in high-stakes boardrooms, and made a name for himself as a relentless performer. But behind the energy and accolades, something didn’t sit right. In Part One, Sande retraces his early life as a dunk contest champion, his rise through the corporate ranks, and the moment he realized the game he was winning wasn’t one he wanted to keep playing. What started as hustle became habit. What looked like progress felt like pressure. And what came next was a reckoning. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Playing to Win—Even in a Suit “I approached sales the same way I approached dunk contests: high energy, no fear, go all in.” How a competitive spirit helped Sande rise fast—but also masked the cost. Yes Man Syndrome “I never said no. I didn’t even know what no sounded like.” Why overcommitment isn’t ambition—it’s avoidance in disguise. Movement as a Mask “As long as I kept moving, I didn’t have to think. Stillness scared the hell out of me.” When action becomes a coping mechanism, not a strategy. The Wrong Summit “You keep pushing for the top, then get there and realize… it’s not your mountain.” Sande explains the disorienting moment that sparked his pivot. Forgotten Self “I knew my job title. I knew my revenue targets. But I couldn’t tell you what I liked.” How busyness blurred his sense of identity—and what came next. _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #310 Jevon Wooden: From Cell Block to C-Suite — Part Two | 19 Apr 2025 | 00:27:44 | |
From facing seven years in prison at 17 to leading soldiers in Afghanistan, Jevon Wooden’s story is more than a redemption arc—it’s about owning your power the moment you realize you’ve still got one. In Part 1, Jevon, the author of "Functional to Phenomenal" and "Own Your Kingdom", opens up about growing up in one of America’s poorest cities, learning to survive, and ultimately discovering his worth had nothing to do with money. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Veterans Day, Forever Changed “I watched six people die. A year later, my daughter was born on the same day.” When trauma and hope collide. From Pain to Purpose “That red flash in my nightmares? It stopped the day I forgave my father.” The invisible work behind healing. Coaching the “A-hole Executive” “He said, ‘I care—I just don’t know how to show it.’” Helping leaders reconnect with their team, and themselves. Empathy ≠ Weakness “It’s not about being soft—it’s about being smart.” Why emotional intelligence is the hardest and most essential leadership skill. Watch Your Patterns “Triggers tell the truth. Learn what sets you off—before it costs your team.” The self-awareness most leaders skip. _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #309 Jevon Wooden: From Cell Block to C-Suite — Part One | 19 Apr 2025 | 00:26:08 | |
From facing seven years in prison at 17 to leading soldiers in Afghanistan, Jevon Wooden’s story is more than a redemption arc—it’s about owning your power the moment you realize you’ve still got one. In Part 1, Jevon, the author of "Functional to Phenomenal" and "Own Your Kingdom", opens up about growing up in one of America’s poorest cities, learning to survive, and ultimately discovering his worth had nothing to do with money. Key Highlights of Our Interview: The Wrong Crowd, the Right Wake-Up Call “I wasn’t guilty that night, but I was heading there fast.” How one arrest changed everything. A Mother’s Sacrifice “She offered to put up her house to get me a lawyer.” The first lesson in love, empathy, and accountability. From Janitor to Army Leader “I worked two full-time jobs before choosing the military.” Why service gave him more than stability—it gave him purpose. Not Just Discipline, But Discovery “In the Army, I learned I was a leader—and I didn’t need rank to prove it.” The Value Shift “I realized value isn’t what you wear—it’s what you give.” How he redefined self-worth from the ground up. _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #308 Chris Hare: Tools to Rewrite Your Story—and Live It Better | 18 Apr 2025 | 00:24:19 | |
In Part 3 of this series, narrative strategist Chris Hare leaves us with a gift: the tools to take control of our own stories. Whether it’s envisioning your future in a quiet theater, asking loved ones for feedback through a meaningful 360, or identifying the patterns that shaped your past, Chris’s methods are built for reflection and action. This isn’t productivity advice or LinkedIn bait—it’s practical wisdom for designing a story you can live with. For Gen Xers rethinking legacy, reinvention, and what success actually looks like, this episode is a toolkit with a soul. >>The Movie Theater Exercise “What would your life movie look like if it played tomorrow in an empty theater?” Chris walks us through a powerful future-visioning tool: a quiet, internal exercise that helps you feel the trajectory of your life—and decide if it’s headed where you want. >>The Real 360 “Ask people who love you: what’s my superpower?” Chris explains how to gather stories and values from people who know you best—not for a performance review, but for a pattern breakthrough. >>How One Story Sparked a LinkedIn Flood “A fighter pilot shared his lowest moment. Hundreds told him who he really was.” Chris shares how a client’s vulnerable storytelling post turned into a cascade of unseen feedback—proving that the stories we live often matter more than we realize. >>Inputs, Not Absolutes “Be careful—feedback reflects the version of you people saw, not who you’re becoming.” Chris and Vince dig into the risks of misaligned input, and why choosing a diverse, thoughtful, and intentional group for feedback is everything. >>Why Machines Can’t Replace Meaning “If AI read our transcript, it’d miss the one moment that mattered.” Chris explains why storytelling—and coaching—can’t be fully automated. Because the spark is often in the tone, the pause, the shift. And only humans catch that. _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #307 Chris Hare: Rewrite the Story Before It Wrecks You | 18 Apr 2025 | 00:36:18 | |
In Part 2 of his three-part series, narrative strategist Chris Hare shares the stories he used to survive. From a near-suicidal season while working at Amazon to a healing moment years later in a record store, this episode unpacks how internal stories—if left unchecked—can become prisons. But when named, challenged, and re-authored, they can also become paths to freedom. For Gen Xers who’ve spent decades carrying stories they didn’t choose, this is a masterclass in taking your story back—and choosing what to build next. >>When the Narrative Turns Against You “I repeated ‘I’m stuck’ like a mantra—for hours, every week.” Chris reveals how one toxic narrative nearly ended his life, and how a shift in story—triggered by a tragic moment—gave him just enough room to survive. >>From Mental Health Crisis to Narrative Recovery “I believed I was going to die. That became my story.” He shares his journey through depression, chronic pain, and burnout—and the slow, uncomfortable work of rewriting that internal tape. >>The Most Powerful Story He Ever Felt “It started with my boss’s tattoo and ended with Eddie Vedder hugging me in a record store.” Chris tells the full-circle story of how a Pearl Jam song became the turning point in his healing—and why storytelling doesn’t just change businesses, it changes people. >>Storytelling Is a Risk—and a Return “Most of us tell curated stories. The raw ones? That’s where the power is.” He makes a case for telling the stories that aren’t polished. Because those are the stories that truly shift our futures—and invite others to shift with us. >>From Blame to Responsibility “I had to stop blaming everyone else for my unhappiness.” Chris opens up about how his marriage nearly ended, and how rewriting his personal narrative—through new inputs and radical honesty—brought him back. _____________________ Connect with us: --Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #306 Chris Hare: Strategy Starts with the Story You Believe | 17 Apr 2025 | 00:23:28 | |
In Part 1 of this three-part series, Chris Hare shares how a single founder story sparked a strategy pivot inside Amazon—and why storytelling isn’t fluff, it’s infrastructure. As a behind-the-scenes strategist for some of tech’s biggest companies, Chris has spent decades shaping narratives that align people, purpose, and performance. But his real power lies in his Gen X sensibility: low drama, high pattern recognition, and deep alignment between what’s said and what’s done. This episode explores how narrative becomes strategy—and why the most powerful shifts often start quietly, from the edges. >>From Ad World to Strategic Narrative “I started in marketing, but I got tired of talking at people.” Chris shares how his path from advertising to Amazon and Microsoft led him to discover a deeper kind of storytelling—one that doesn’t sell, but aligns and activates. >>Stories Fuel the Narrative—But Don’t Confuse the Two “Stories are time-bound. Narratives are ongoing.” He breaks down the difference between stories and narratives using a flywheel model—and why most companies misuse both. >>When a Story Shifts a Billion-Dollar Business “One conversation in Brooklyn rewrote the future of Amazon Marketplace.” Chris recounts how a single founder story changed the internal narrative at Amazon, sparking a strategic shift toward supporting brand owners—not just resellers. >>Narrative Isn’t a Department—It’s the Operating System “Everyone thinks they own the narrative. The CMO. The CEO. The team.” He unpacks why narrative must be rooted in strategy, and why trying to split it between brand, marketing, and product only creates confusion. >>How Change Starts with Listening “Storytelling isn’t a hero’s journey framework. It’s a pattern recognition discipline.” Chris explains how real narrative work starts with deep listening and curiosity—and how companies can design strategy around human insight, not hype. _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #305 Sara Lobkovich: Strategy Is Not a Suit—It’s a Skill | 17 Apr 2025 | 00:34:26 | |
In Part 2 of her conversation, Sara Lobkovich doesn’t just tell us what strategy is—she shows us who it’s for. Her book, You Are a Strategist, is more than a guide to OKRs or goal-setting. It’s a toolkit for people who’ve always felt misaligned, misunderstood, or mislabeled in traditional business environments. Drawing from her own experience as a trauma survivor, neurodivergent thinker, and late-diagnosed ADHD strategist, Sara offers business frameworks that finally include the rest of us. For Gen Xers who never fit the mold but always saw the system clearly, this episode is both validation and a user manual. >>From Law School to Strategy Misfit “I never got the interview. I didn’t have the right name on my résumé.” Sara reflects on being locked out of big-name strategy firms—and how that exclusion pushed her to build her own frameworks, grounded in human insight, not prestige. >>Strategy as Shared Language “The simplest tech in business? Words that mean the same thing to everyone.” Sara breaks down how misalignment over simple terms like ‘strategy’ or ‘goals’ can waste human energy—and how her frameworks give teams a shared starting point. >>The Book That Became a Love Letter “I wrote the book I needed—and cried when I read the proof.” She shares how You Are a Strategist evolved from a workbook on goal-setting into a deeply personal guide for people who feel unseen in traditional business culture. >>A Toolkit for the Misunderstood “This book is for introverts, ADHDers, trauma survivors, frustrated changemakers.” Sara explains why her audience matters—and how her tools were designed for people often left out of business conversations but full of unrealized insight. >>Leading Through Questions, Not Performances “Strategy is asking the question no one else is asking—then listening.” She closes by reframing leadership as a curiosity-driven practice, not a performance—and why the most powerful change-makers are often the ones who feel like outsiders. _____________________ Connect with us: --Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #304 Sara Lobkovich: When the System Doesn’t Fit, Rewrite the Operating Manual | 17 Apr 2025 | 00:35:17 | |
Sara Lobkovich didn’t pivot to be edgy. She adapted because the system never fit—and she refused to shrink herself to match it. In this first of a two-part series, Sara walks us through her nonlinear arc: from teen internet entrepreneur to lawyer, from burnout strategist to behavioral goal-setting expert. Along the way, she reveals how quiet defiance, early activism, and radical self-curiosity helped her rewire how she worked and lived. For Gen Xers tired of being told to “just fit in,” this episode hits like a guidebook wrapped in real talk. >>Port Townsend Roots, Strategy Brain Wiring “I was raised where being a writer or artist wasn’t a dream—it was a job.” Sara shares how growing up in a small creative town and fighting for chocolate milk equity in third grade foreshadowed a life spent rewriting systems that didn’t make sense. >>Corporate Doesn’t Like People Like Us “I gave 150% and learned they only wanted 25.” She opens up about being misread, underused, and professionally ghosted inside organizations that couldn’t make space for someone who thought faster than the hierarchy could handle. >>Law School, Big Agencies, and That One Job That Broke Her “I was the person on the plane with no life and a dog living with my parents.” Sara traces her journey through law, tech, brand strategy, and burnout—highlighting how her performance often outpaced her internal compass. >>Strategy as a Rebellion, Not a Resume “Strategy isn’t being the smartest in the room—it’s asking the best questions.” She unpacks how real strategy is built by misfits, introverts, and pattern-obsessives—not always the polished ones at the front of the pitch deck. >>Stuck ≠ Static “I made stuckness into a self-directed MBA.” For Sara, curiosity is the antidote to stagnation. She reframes “being stuck” as a training ground and offers a mindset shift for anyone feeling locked in place. Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #303 Holly Bond: Fixing Recruiting Without Losing the Human | 16 Apr 2025 | 00:34:01 | |
In this second half of her story, Holly Bond comes full circle—returning to the recruiting world she once left behind, this time to rebuild it from the ground up. At Facets, she’s proving that scaling a business doesn’t require sacrificing soul. From her pay structure to her candidate experience to her team’s human-first process, Holly is quietly leading a revolution in executive search. She also drops some of the best job-seeking advice on the show to date—especially for Gen Xers navigating reinvention in an AI-shaped job market. >>Why She Said No for Two Years “I wasn’t going back unless I could build it on my terms.” Holly shares how she turned down the offer to lead a recruiting division—until the company agreed to let her rewrite the model with empathy at the core. >>From Commission to Compassion “I spent 90 minutes with a man in crisis. And someone called it non-revenue-generating time.” That moment made her walk away. Now, she leads a team that’s paid to care—not just to close. >>Human-First Headhunting “We’re not built for speed. We’re built for connection.” Facets was founded to serve both candidates and clients—not just fill roles. The process is slow by design, and that’s the point. >>Can’t-Miss Advice for Job Seekers “Keep your resume on your desktop—like a living will.” From networking mindset to real-world resume tips, Holly offers grounded, no-BS advice for job seekers of all ages, especially those in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. >>What AI Can’t Replace “We use AI to be more efficient—so we can be more human.” Holly explains exactly where AI fits into her recruiting process—and where it never will. Emotional nuance, creativity, and human connection? Still 100% analog. _________________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #302 Holly Bond: From Mom on a Mission to Franchise Founder | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:31:58 | |
Holly Bond didn’t inherit a business or a playbook—she built her own, from the basement up. In this first of a two-part conversation, she shares how a late return to university, a family health wake-up call, and pure Gen X tenacity drove her to create a kids’ fitness franchise with national impact. Holly’s story is part entrepreneurship, part emotional reckoning, and full of hard-earned wisdom for anyone designing change from the inside out. If you’ve ever thought it was too late, too messy, or too uncertain—this episode proves otherwise. >>Seventeen Years and One Framed Diploma “My kids framed my degree—with notes saying ‘You’re the bomb.’” Holly recounts how she returned to college as a mom of two, taking one course at a time over nearly two decades—proving that starting late doesn’t mean finishing small. >>Sales from Scratch “I went from mall dumpsters to headhunter interviews.” Her first outside sales job was in waste management. The job was unglamorous—but it proved she could sell. And it led her, unexpectedly, to the world of recruiting. >>The Moment That Changed Everything “He said our son was overweight. I didn’t believe it—until I saw it.” A brutally honest conversation about her son’s health launched Holly into action. What began as a home gym turned into Bulldog Interactive Fitness, a children’s fitness franchise powered by gaming. >>From Basement Prototypes to National News “I said we’re franchising on TV—before we even had an application form.” She hustled media coverage, fielded 100+ franchise inquiries in 24 hours, and built the brand on the fly. It was messy. It was bold. And it worked—until the 2009 crash tested everything. >>The Lessons That Nearly Broke Her “I stopped listening to the advisors who warned me. Almost lost it all.” From overconfidence to near-collapse, Holly reflects on how she came close to losing her company—and what pulled her back just in time. _________________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #301 Sande Golgart: What If You’re Winning the Wrong Game? — Part Two | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:41:42 | |
In Part Two, Sande takes us into the quieter—but more honest—chapter that followed. He shares what happened when he stepped off the growth treadmill, redefined ambition, and began unlearning the beliefs that kept him over-performing and under-listening. From rebuilding marriage to carving out what he calls Life Peels, Sande shares what it means to grow by subtracting—not stacking. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Life After the Climb “What would happen if I just got really quiet and listened? Not learned—listened.” The Life Peels Method “We’re like Michelangelo’s David. You don’t need to add anything—you just need to carve away what’s not you.” Redefining Growth “I’m done with strategy decks and trying to prove something. I just want clarity, ease, and to feel good in my skin.” Marriage in the In-Between “When our last kid left for college, we both needed space. Not because it was broken—but because we hadn’t had it before.” How Less Became More “When I let go of trying to control everything, the right things started happening. On their own.” _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #408 Jodi Silverman: When the Kids Grow Up, But You’re Just Getting Started — Part Two | 06 Jun 2025 | 00:24:44 | |
Jodi Silverman never expected reinvention to arrive between carpools and client meetings. But once her kids left and the hustle paused, she realized success had masked something deeper: restlessness. In Part 2, Jodi shares the emotional (and practical) shift from parenting full-time to rediscovering your own interests. She walks us through her signature DARE Method and dishes out real talk on marriage, identity, and why your kids aren’t your best friends (even if you really, really like them). This isn’t just an episode about empty nests. It’s about refilling your own life—on your own terms. Key Highlights of Our Interview: “You’re always their mom—but not always their problem-solver.” Letting go means shifting from fixer to coach, giving your adult kids space—and yourself permission to grow. Best Friend? Nope. Mom Forever. “They have friends. What they need is a parent who actually knows when to walk away.” Jodi explains why clinging to closeness can backfire—and how healthy detachment brings deeper connection. The Real Empty Nest Challenges “It’s not just missing them. It’s not knowing who you are without them.” It’s not about quiet halls—it’s about a loud identity crisis. Jodi breaks down the emotional vacuum no one warns you about. The DARE Method “Decide. Awaken. Reimagine. Experience.” Jodi’s four-step formula to reclaim your identity—starting with a brain dump, not a five-year plan. Rediscovering You “What did you used to like—before you were someone’s plus one?” She urges listeners to list lost joys, try without judgment, and welcome failure as a doorway to rediscovery. Day Swaps, Not Date Nights “Plan a day around what lights them up. You’ll learn more than any heart-to-heart.” From partners to adult children, this method rebuilds connection through shared experiences and mutual curiosity. _______________________ Connect with us: --Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #300 Sande Golgart: What If You’re Winning the Wrong Game? — Part One | 14 Apr 2025 | 00:34:17 | |
Sande Golgart was the guy who said yes to every opportunity, outran every challenge, and never sat still—until one day, the success story stopped feeling like his. In Part One, he opens up about going from slam dunk champ to corporate high-performer to someone questioning the very game he was winning. He talks about early ambition, the trap of nonstop action, and the moment he realized: “You climb, climb, climb… then realize the mountain isn’t even yours.” Key Highlights of Our Interview: From Slam Dunks to Sales Calls “I was competing in dunk contests all over the country. I used that same mindset in business.” The High Performer Trap “I just kept saying yes. I never said no. I kept moving, kept growing, kept stretching.” Action Over Inaction “Even if you take a wrong step, at least you’re moving. Inaction is a choice too—but it gives you nothing to work with.” The Wake-Up Line “You climb, climb, climb… then realized the mountain isn’t even yours.” No Off Switch “I didn’t even know what I liked. I never stopped long enough to ask.” _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #299 Chris Quek: Building the Next Gen, Starting With His Own | 14 Apr 2025 | 00:32:30 | |
Chris Quek isn’t just building startups—he’s building a generation. In this second half of his story, he shares how selling his inheritance became the launchpad for Thrive, a VC firm that invests in Southeast Asia’s overlooked next-gen entrepreneurs. From structuring value-aligned startups to teaching his kids the principles behind technology, Chris shows how legacy isn’t something you receive—it’s something you design. For Gen Xers navigating intergenerational tension, personal ambition, and regional impact, this episode delivers both hard-won wisdom and a hopeful blueprint. >>From Closure to Creation “I didn’t inherit a business—I shut it down.” Chris shares the emotional closure with his father, the sale of the family factory, and how he turned personal loss into a new professional beginning. >>Southeast Asia’s Family Business Wake-Up Call “We raised a generation of lawyers and bankers—but who’s left to run the businesses?” He explains how Singapore’s success came at a cost: the erosion of entrepreneurial drive—and why he’s now building the bridge back. >>Designing a VC That Feeds the Ecosystem “Our investors are second-gen family owners. Our startups solve their problems.” Chris outlines Thrive’s unique model: a purpose-built flywheel that connects capital, tech, and legacy businesses in Southeast Asia. >>Capital with a Conscience “We backed a ride-hailing company where drivers take home 40% more pay.” From AgriMax to Tata, Chris shares examples of startups Thrive has funded that combine profitability with real, human impact. >>Fatherhood, Values, and the Next Next Gen “I don’t teach my kids my methods—I teach them my values.” Chris opens up about parenting three children under 13, mentoring with intention, and why good values—not rigid playbooks—are what truly last. _____________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #298 Chris Quek: From Inheritance to Identity | 14 Apr 2025 | 00:27:51 | |
Chris Quek could’ve stayed in the family business and lived comfortably. Instead, he chose a life of uncomfortable clarity. In this first of a two-part series, Chris shares how he rejected expectations, fled the legacy he was born into, and built an e-commerce business in Malaysia with nothing but grit and guidance from mentors. Now 46, he reflects on what identity really means when you’re not handed a playbook—and how each phase of reinvention brings you closer to your core. For Gen Xers rewriting their lives mid-game, this is the kind of conversation that sticks. >>When Legacy Isn’t Your Story “I didn’t want to be the son of Mr. Quek. I wanted to be me.” Chris explains why he left his family’s manufacturing empire and fled to Malaysia—where he started over, with no plan, no capital, and no title. >>Courage Is Quiet “I lasted three days in China. Then I left. I couldn’t do it.” He unpacks the emotional and ethical discomfort that made him walk away from his father’s factory—and the fear he had to face to forge his own path. >>Lessons from the Streets of Malaysia “My startup wasn’t sexy. It was survival.” Chris shares how he built a cross-border e-commerce business using payment hacks, logistics hustle, and gut instinct—long before VC buzzwords existed. >>Mentorship Over Money “I didn’t inherit wealth. I inherited wisdom.” Raised around entrepreneurs and sharp thinkers, Chris reflects on how informal mentoring—from car rides to restaurant napkins—shaped his business thinking. >>Every Decade, Rediscover Yourself “At every stage, I found a new part of me I didn’t know existed.” Chris traces his 20-year journey through reinvention—from entrepreneur to advisor to VC—and why he believes identity isn’t found. It’s built, season by season. Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #297 Gagan Sandhu: Redefining Wealth, Reinventing Work | 13 Apr 2025 | 00:36:47 | |
In this second half of his conversation, Gagan Sandhu pulls back the curtain on what it really means to design financial independence. It’s not about the FIRE movement or early retirement—it’s about knowing your trade-offs and making conscious, math-informed decisions that align with your values. From career reinvention every 10 years to balancing ambition with family time, Gagan offers Gen Xers a refreshingly grounded take on money, identity, and midlife work design. >>Financial Independence Is a Design Decision “I didn’t quit to escape. I quit because I could—on my own terms.” Gagan redefines financial independence not as a finish line, but a framework for how to live, work, and choose with freedom. >>It’s Not About the Number. It’s About the Math Behind Your Life “I built a five-year runway—not a fantasy.” He walks through how he calculated his freedom, X + Y + Z style: long-term retirement, short-term burn, and real-life expenses like college. >>FIRE vs Philosophy “Desires evolve. So does your definition of freedom.” In a head-to-head with Vince, Gagan goes deep on the psychology of wealth—and why independence without self-awareness is just another trap. >>Ageism or Skill Gap? “Don’t blame age. Upgrade your playbook.” Gagan reframes mid-career uncertainty not as an HR problem, but a personal pivot point—and makes a sharp case for reinvention every 10 years. >>Teaching the Tool, Not the Trick “You don’t need financial content. You need clarity.” He explains how Zillion helps busy families and immigrants manage wealth like pros—not through advice, but through intuitive, data-backed modeling. _________________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #296 Gagan Sandhu: Engineer Your Independence | 13 Apr 2025 | 00:33:33 | |
Gagan Sandhu didn’t chase freedom. He calculated it. In this first of a two-part series, the Chicago Booth MBA, former tech exec, and founder of fintech startup Zillion shares how he redefined financial independence—moving beyond buzzwords and into practical action. From his immigrant roots to his pivot from mechanical engineering to Silicon Valley, Gagan shows how knowledge—not speed—builds real freedom. Whether you’re Gen X or Gen Z, this conversation reframes wealth not as a finish line, but as a tool for designing the life you actually want. >>From Engineering to Independence “I didn’t change careers at 22—I did it at 30, with a kid on the way.” Gagan shares how he shifted from mechanical engineering to tech—slowly, methodically, while balancing parenthood and late-night coding marathons. >>Knowledge Is Currency “Every leap I made came from learning, not luck.” He reflects on why knowledge—not connections, not titles—has been the key success driver in his nonlinear, global career. >>Financial Independence ≠ Retirement “I didn’t stop working. I stopped relying on someone else to fund my time.” Gagan breaks down the real math behind financial independence, and why it’s not about quitting your job—it’s about having options. >>FIRE Without the Hype “We turned it into a real-time calculator—so people can stop guessing and start acting.” Gagan explains how his company Zillion helps users understand their path to independence through clean logic, custom inputs, and grounded assumptions. >>Money, Math, and Meaning “Independence isn’t a destination—it’s a design challenge.” In a thoughtful back-and-forth with Vince, Gagan shares why financial planning must merge psychology, lifestyle design, and human behavior—not just numbers in a spreadsheet. _________________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #295 Jodi Silverman: Parenting, Purpose & the Dare to Begin Again — Part Two | 13 Apr 2025 | 00:24:44 | |
What do you do when the person you’ve been—mom, fixer, chauffeur, planner—is no longer needed in the same way? In Part 2, Jodi shares the emotional (and practical) shift from parenting full-time to rediscovering your own interests. She walks us through her signature DARE Method and dishes out real talk on marriage, identity, and why your kids aren’t your best friends (even if you really, really like them). This isn’t just an episode about empty nests. It’s about refilling your own life—on your own terms. Key Highlights of Our Interview: The Parenting Pivot “You’re always their mom—but not always their problem-solver.” How to shift from fixer to adviser. Best Friend? Nope. Mom Forever. “They have friends. What they need is a parent who actually knows when to walk away.” The Real Empty Nest Challenges “It’s not just missing them. It’s not knowing who you are without them.” The DARE Method Decide. Awaken. Reimagine. Experience. A four-step strategy for rebooting midlife. Rediscovering You “Start with a brain dump. What did you used to like—before you were someone’s plus one?” Day Swaps, Not Date Nights “Plan a day around what lights them up. You’ll learn more than any heart-to-heart.” _______________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #294 Jodi Silverman: Parenting, Purpose & the Dare to Begin Again — Part One | 12 Apr 2025 | 00:22:25 | |
Jodi Silverman didn’t set out to lead a movement—she just wanted to figure out what came next. Whether you’re a parent or not, this is a story about transition, reinvention, and giving yourself permission to be more than one thing. Key Highlights of Our Interview: From Sales Rep to Accidental Entrepreneur “I didn’t know the word ‘entrepreneur’ back then. I just knew I didn’t want a boss—or a babysitter.” The Quiet That Changed Everything “Suddenly, I had free time… and I didn’t want to sell print anymore.” What happens when the kids leave and purpose takes a nap. A Guilty No, and a New Yes “Admitting I was unfulfilled felt selfish—but it was the start of everything.” Finding the Word That Fit “I was already doing it. I just didn’t know it was called daring.” How Moms Who Dare Was Born From a Facebook group to a full-blown movement, one post at a time. _______________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #293 Wayland Lum: From Booth to the Battlefield of the Mind | 12 Apr 2025 | 00:25:39 | |
Wayland Lum has built a leadership career that spans tech giants, global consulting, and top business schools—but his boldest move was walking away from all of it to build something from scratch. Now the founder of Copperbox, he coaches modern leaders through a philosophy that fuses deep psychology, personal courage, and timeless wisdom. In this episode, he shares the moment he chose purpose over prestige, the emotional realities behind true leadership, and why fear and courage are two sides of the same decision. For Gen Xers done with title-chasing and hungry for meaning, this is the episode to come back to—again and again. >>From Booth to Bold Moves “Would I keep relying on the building, the brand—or bet on myself?” Wayland shares the moment he realized he had to stop playing it safe and walk the walk. The leap from corporate prestige to personal practice was years in the making—and worth it. >>Coaching Is Not a Shortcut—It’s a Mirror “You push people to become who they could be—not who they think they are.” Wayland reflects on being coached early in his career, and how that shaped his fierce belief in holding leaders to their highest potential. >>Leadership Isn’t Status—It’s a Torch “Real leadership burns. If you’re not sacrificing, you’re not leading.” Through Copperbox, Wayland trains modern leaders using eight core principles—drawn from nature, history, and human psychology. His goal: transformation, not just transaction. >>Courage Only Comes After Fear “You don’t get to feel brave without first feeling scared.” He breaks down how the most meaningful leadership moments require discomfort—and how emotions like courage and fear, joy and grief, are always paired. >>Wisdom Over Hype “Leadership today is louder—but not always deeper.” Wayland’s work is about rewiring leaders to navigate not just business chaos, but emotional complexity. Because modern leadership demands more than charisma—it demands character. _________________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #292 César Couto Ferreira: Don’t Believe the Hype—Design the Legacy | 12 Apr 2025 | 00:23:35 | |
César Couto Ferreira spent over a decade deep in the world of global media—shaping MTV across Europe and Africa, working with stars, and riding the wave from analog to digital. But when Amy Winehouse died, something broke. Not in the headlines, but inside him. He saw how the industry treated artists as content—not people—and decided he couldn’t be part of it anymore. That moment became his call to redesign his life. In this episode, César shares how he left global prestige behind to build systems of real impact—helping governments, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and bringing Web Summit to Portugal. For Gen Xers questioning the legacy of their work, this episode is a gut-check: you can walk away from the machine—and build something that lasts. >>The Rise and the Reckoning “I was living on the same street as Coldplay. But something felt deeply wrong.” Cesar traces his rise from DJ to MTV exec—and the moment he realized proximity to fame doesn’t mean pride in the system. >>When Amy Winehouse Died, Everything Shifted “We prepped obituaries like playlists. And then Amy died. I couldn’t unsee it.” Her death wasn’t just tragic—it was Cesar’s breaking point. It made him question everything about the machine he helped run. >>Leaving the Bright Lights to Build Real Change “I chose to stop. Not because I failed—but because I wanted to design something better.” Cesar reflects on the long walk away from global media—and into tech, civic transformation, and mentorship across Portugal and Brazil. >>Legacy Over Likes “Media taught me how to influence. Now I’m using that skill for society.” From helping bring Web Summit to Lisbon to working with governments and young founders, Cesar is now designing systems with human value. >>Advice from a Media Veteran to the Always-Online Generation “Read more books. Touch more people. Don’t believe the hype.” Cesar leaves a timeless reminder: attention is power—and what you do with it matters more than who sees it. _________________________ Connect with Us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #291 Ryota Tanozaki: Escape the Trap, Redesign the Map | 11 Apr 2025 | 00:32:54 | |
Ryota Tanozaki didn’t pivot because of burnout—he pivoted to avoid a trap. While managing a turnaround project in rural Japan, he saw the writing on the wall: stay too long, and his world would shrink. Instead, he chose to bet on himself. He went global, earned an MBA from Chicago Booth, built a career across Facebook and Tabist (backed by Softbank Japan), and led a hospitality startup through one of the toughest periods in travel history. But his secret wasn’t speed—it was clarity. In this episode, Ryota shares how to spot when your career path is narrowing, why perseverance matters more than perfection, and how real reinvention often starts with one question: what if I don’t want this to be it? >>The Moment He Almost Settled “I started thinking—what if my career ends in this rural city?” While leading a department store turnaround in a quiet town, Ryota realized he might be stuck in a shrinking path. That moment of clarity sparked his move to go global—and never look back. >>Escape the Trap, Rebuild the Map “Challenge more. Risk more. Grow more.” Ryota didn’t just dream of a bigger life—he designed it. Earning an MBA at Chicago Booth gave him global exposure and the networks to shift from domestic roles to international leadership. >>Reinvention Isn’t Always Loud “Sometimes the biggest moves start with a quiet discomfort.” Ryota shares how he shifted from consulting to corporate roles—not in panic, but through steady recalibration and awareness of his evolving goals. >>Leading Through Crisis Without Losing Yourself “Three months in, COVID hit. We had to rebuild everything.” As CEO of Tabist, Ryota didn’t just navigate crisis—he rewrote the company’s mission, strategy, and structure. All while staying grounded in purpose. >>Mission Over Compensation “When they visit those hotels, they see the mission in action.” Ryota explains how he keeps his team motivated without big paychecks—by giving them something bigger than money: a mission they believe in. _________________________ Connect with us: --Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #407 Jodi Silverman: When the Kids Grow Up, But You’re Just Getting Started — Part One | 06 Jun 2025 | 00:22:25 | |
Jodi Silverman never expected reinvention to arrive between carpools and client meetings. But once her kids left and the hustle paused, she realized success had masked something deeper: restlessness. Key Highlights of Our Interview: The Accidental Entrepreneur “I had no business background. I didn’t even know what the word ‘entrepreneur’ meant.” What started as a favor to a friend turned into Jodi’s first business—and taught her that grit beats a business plan. The Silent Shock of an Empty Nest “Suddenly, I had all this time. And I didn’t know who I was without the doing.” With her kids grown, the quiet forced Jodi to confront the identity she had deferred for years. The Dare That Sparked a Movement “I dared myself to figure out what I wanted. And I didn’t stop until I did.” The origin story of Moms Who Dare wasn’t about strategy—it was about survival and self-permission. From Guilt to Growth “I felt guilty for wanting something more. But I also knew: guilt doesn’t mean you’re wrong.” Jodi confronts the emotional friction of wanting purpose beyond parenting—and what it took to say it out loud. Midlife Isn’t a Crisis—It’s a Crossroads “This stage of life? It’s not the end of the story. It’s the best chapter if you let it be.” Redefining the narrative around aging, purpose, and starting over—without the clichés. _______________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #290 Lora Chow: Reveries from the Trading Floor to the Concert Hall — Part Two | 11 Apr 2025 | 00:20:31 | |
In Part 2, Lora walks us through the why behind her return to music full-time. From co-founding Virtuoso Fiesta to launching her album Reveries on Ivories, she shares how composition became her storytelling tool—and how she sees music not just as art, but as a way to build peace, shift perspectives, and maybe even fix broken systems. This isn’t a story about following your passion. It’s a story about building the courage to lead with it. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Why She Finally Left Finance “The market felt irrational. Music didn’t.” When external chaos pushes you inward. Starting a Movement (Not Just a Company) “We wanted to make classical music feel joyful—not stiff.” How Virtuoso Fiesta became a playground for artistic freedom. Composing for Change “Music connects people—across language, across class. That’s its superpower.” Why she writes music that talks back. AI, Creativity, and Human Touch “AI can help me transcribe. But it can’t feel what I feel.” How she uses tech without losing the soul. Belief Beats Strategy “You need pen, paper, and confidence.” The advice that stuck—and how she teaches herself to trust her intuition. Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #289 Lora Chow: Reveries from the Trading Floor to the Concert Hall — Part One | 11 Apr 2025 | 00:27:42 | |
You don’t expect a hedge fund manager to also be writing operas. But Lora Chow has always done things differently. In Part 1, she shares how a childhood love of music led her to Yale, how she pivoted from potential math major to economics and music, and how the Hong Kong hustle—and one very lucrative offer—put finance ahead of passion… at least for a while. This episode isn’t about quitting your job on a whim. It’s about trusting the detours that make the next chapter possible. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Music and Math at 17 “My heart wanted music. But my mom majored in math—and Hong Kong wanted finance.” Why she chose Yale over Cambridge. Ivy League Dissonance “Everyone was applying to Morgan Stanley. I followed the crowd—and got the job.” When ambition meets expectation. Hedge Funds and Harmony “I loved music. But I also wanted a home with a grand piano.” Trading dreams for stability… and circling back. A Voice Silenced “I lost my voice for a year. That’s when I started composing.” How injury redirected her path. From Opera to Opportunity How a summer program in Bulgaria unlocked a deeper calling—and a new kind of creativity. Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #288 Richard H. Carson: The 39-Step Playbook for Change That Doesn’t Collapse — Part Two | 10 Apr 2025 | 00:25:06 | |
Most change efforts fail because they forget one thing: people. In Part 2, Richard breaks down The Book of Change, his 39-step model for leading transformation without leaving common sense behind. We get into the difference between showing up with a framework vs. showing up ready to listen—and what AI might never understand about real leadership. Key Highlights of Our Interview: What Most Consultants Miss “They deliver a binder and disappear. That’s not help. That’s homework.” Why Richard built his own model. The 39-Step Framework “Every step fixes something I’ve seen go wrong.” It’s not bloated—it’s built from battle scars. Empathy as Strategy “You can’t shortcut human trust.” Why listening well matters more than leading fast. AI Won’t Solve Culture “You can’t automate belief. You can’t code buy-in.” Where technology hits its limit. Advice That Changed His Career “I don’t need your answer—I need you to hear me.” His wife’s one-liner that became a leadership principle. _______________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #287 Richard H. Carson: The 39-Step Playbook for Change That Doesn’t Collapse — Part One | 10 Apr 2025 | 00:29:57 | |
Richard Carson’s career didn’t unfold by design—it unfolded by curiosity. From planning cities to fixing broken systems, he’s never been afraid to say, “This isn’t working—let’s figure out why.” In Part 1, he shares how a job he hated, a grocery store run, and one very weird time-tracking system helped shape his unconventional path to becoming a change consultant. Key Highlights of Our Interview: From Archaeology to Urban Planning “I thought I wanted to dig things up. Turns out, I just liked solving puzzles.” How he traded bones for blueprints. What They Say Isn’t the Real Problem “The issue they give you is rarely the one they have.” Why client work is part consulting, part detective work. The Grocery Store Test “If you can’t explain your plan in the produce aisle, it’s too complicated.” What small-town planning taught him about communication. The Micromanagement Disaster “They were tracking tasks every 15 minutes. People were losing their minds.” The worst system he ever saw—and why it failed. Becoming a Consultant by Accident “I hired consultants. They impressed me. So I quit and joined them.” When one audit changed his career. Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #286 Michael Levitt: Ditch the Phone, Reclaim Your Sanity | 09 Apr 2025 | 00:41:34 | |
Michael Levitt nearly lost everything to burnout—a heart attack, job loss, foreclosure, and total collapse. But what brought him back wasn’t a digital detox retreat—it was Gen X wisdom: learning to reset without relying on tech. As the founder of the Breakfast Leadership Network and burnout consultant to global execs, Michael now teaches others how to rebuild. In this episode, he explains why recovery starts with sleep, why analog habits like ditching your smartphone alarm matter, and why burnout is a system failure—not a personal flaw. For Gen Xers who straddle both worlds, this is a call to reclaim the best of both—and redesign a life that actually works. >>The Burnout Spiral That Changed Everything “In one year, I lost my job, my home, my car—and nearly my life.” Michael shares the full collapse that led him from healthcare executive to burnout survivor. But the real story is how he rebuilt—on his own terms. >>Gen X Wisdom: Unplug to Repair “Buy an alarm clock. Get your phone out of your bedroom.” Raised in the analog world, Michael draws on old-school logic to fix new-world problems. The simplest habit—sleep—might be your strongest defense. >>Burnout Isn’t Personal—It’s Structural “If your workplace is broken, no amount of yoga will save you.” Michael breaks down how leaders need to stop treating burnout as an individual issue—and start fixing the systems that cause it. >>Why the C-Suite Stays Silent “Some of my clients are CEOs. You’ll never hear their names.” Michael shares why the stigma around burnout runs deepest at the top—and how privacy, trust, and discretion are part of real recovery. >>You Don’t Need a New Life—Just a New Setup “Most people don’t need reinvention. They just need smarter defaults.” With tools from CBT and NLP, Michael explains how changing your inner programming can help you regain control—without blowing everything up. _________________________ Connect with Us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #285 Steve Monaghan: The Advantage of Age in the Age of AI | 09 Apr 2025 | 00:43:38 | |
Steve Monaghan flips the script on innovation culture: experience isn’t a relic—it’s a strategic edge. As General Partner at FinMir.ai, Limited Partner at True Global Ventures, Independent Non-Executive Director at RAK Bank, and former Chief Digital Officer at both AIA and DBS Bank, Steve brings a cross-industry view forged through decades of deep transformation. From aviation to fintech to AI, he shows how age fuels better questions, sharper pattern recognition, and global insight in a world obsessed with novelty. Whether he’s building Asia’s first unicorn or designing systems that could restructure entire economies, Steve makes one thing clear: for Gen Xers tired of being underestimated, age isn’t a liability—it’s leverage. >>Built to Learn, Not to Fit “I wasn’t hired for my experience. I was hired for the questions I knew how to ask.” Steve’s journey—from pilot to pricing guru to product architect—was never about titles. It was about learning faster than the system could teach him. >>From N-O to K-N-O-W “People don’t fear change. They fear not understanding it.” Steve shares his framework for flipping resistance into insight. At DBS, it became a model: learning, venturing, capital. The goal? Turn skeptics into innovators. >>Legacy Is Not a Headline “This isn’t my next startup. It’s my swing-for-the-fences play.” Steve’s current project could restructure economies by eliminating capital inefficiencies in payroll and supply chains. It’s big, bold—and designed to help the people most hurt by broken systems. >>The Advantage of Age in the Age of AI “Older workers know how to ask better questions. That’s the advantage.” Forget the ageist myth. Steve explains why mature employees are becoming AI’s secret weapon—and why experience, not just coding, is the multiplier. >>Mental Health Is Not a Risk Factor—It’s a Design Factor “You can’t build resilient companies without resilient founders.” As an investor, Steve supports founders with integrity, grit, and humility. That includes stepping back when needed—and being asked, not judged, for how you feel. _________________________ Connect with Us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #284 Katie Curry: Mentoring Gen Z Without Losing Your Gen X Soul | 09 Apr 2025 | 00:24:38 | |
In Part 2 of our conversation, Katie Curry flips the script—from navigating her own reinvention to mentoring the next generation through theirs. As a Gen X leader, she draws from both parenting and management to offer real tools for leading Gen Z with clarity, empathy, and pace. Katie doesn’t romanticize change—she makes it strategic. From book recs to career advice to community wisdom, this episode is a field guide for anyone navigating a multigenerational workplace—and still trying to grow on their own terms. >>Gen Z Doesn’t Want Hierarchy—They Want Honesty “We need to pick up the pace—and tell the truth.” Katie breaks down what Gen Z really wants at work: clarity, fairness, and feedback that isn’t sugarcoated. She shares how leaders must shift—fast—or get left behind. >>The Parenting Playbook That Works at Work “I don’t lead with answers. I lead with questions.” As a mom and a manager, Katie shares the same core strategy: focus, simplicity, humility, and curiosity. No, you don’t have to have all the answers. Yes, you still have to listen. >>Advice for the Anxious Overachiever “Find your superpower. Build the skill. Then learn how to pivot.” Katie offers Gen Z three rules for thriving in chaos: develop what makes you valuable, build a true community, and treat change as a skill—not a flinch. >>The Real Power of Community “Community isn’t a contact list. It’s people who remember you 20 years later.” Katie and Vince reflect on what lasting community really means—and how Gen X mastered long-haul relationships before the age of “likes.” >>The Art of Learning Without Losing Yourself “I consume books, podcasts, summaries—but reflection is where it all clicks.” Katie shares her three pillars of learning: exposure, synthesis, and solitude. She explains why quiet time is not indulgent—it’s essential. _________________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #283 Katie Curry: Risk by Training, Reinvention by Choice | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:22:06 | |
Katie Curry doesn’t follow a path—she redraws the map. In this first of a two-part conversation, we explore her journey from communist Bulgaria to the heart of Wall Street, from technical risk roles to creative leadership. Katie shares how she builds mental toughness, adapts across industries, and leads Gen Z with humor and humility. Through it all, she reminds us that reinvention isn’t something you do once—it’s a muscle you build. For Gen Xers who know how to change ambitiously, this is reinvention with purpose, not panic. >>From Bulgaria to the Big Apple “On that bus in Manhattan, I said—I want to work here one day.” Katie’s first reinvention wasn’t a job—it was a total life shift. Growing up in a small town under communism, she shares how dreaming big and thinking globally reshaped her trajectory. >>Credit, Creativity, and Everything in Between “I’ve led analysts, operators, and creatives. You can’t lead them the same way.” Katie breaks down how she adapted her leadership style across radically different teams—from rating derivatives to managing editors—and what each one taught her about people and power. >>Risk Isn’t a Concept—It’s a Practice “Some of my biggest breakthroughs came from the biggest pivots.” With a career built around risk—from Citi to S&P to insurance tech—Katie reveals how she balances data and gut instinct, logic and psychology, and why you should never expect certainty before you leap. >>Fail Fast, Learn Hard “If you’ve never failed, you’re playing too safe.” Katie redefines success through her personal KPIs: energy, impact, relationships, and learning. And she makes a strong case for post-traumatic growth—yes, even at work. >>Leadership with Presence and Punch “During COVID, my kids watched me lead from our kitchen table. That was my real resume.” Whether she’s coaching a Gen Z team or raising one at home, Katie leads with clarity, care, and curiosity—and she’s not afraid to be both the strategist and the student. _________________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #282 Impact Over Egos, Substance Over Soundbites: Josh Geballe’s Real Playbook | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:29:15 | |
Forget hot takes and hustle porn—Josh Geballe has built a career on real outcomes, not optics. As a former IBM exec, startup CEO, crisis-tested public leader, and now head of Yale Ventures, he’s navigated every kind of system—and rewired more than a few. In this episode, Josh breaks down what it takes to lead without ego, make career moves without a roadmap, and support innovation without turning it into performance. “I never chased titles. I chased impact—and the challenge that came with it.” From IBM to a 16-person startup, Josh explains why logic alone doesn’t drive bold moves—and how gut instinct often knows best. >>Public Sector, Private Resolve “Nothing in my tech career prepared me for a global pandemic—but it helped me lead through one.” As Connecticut’s COO, Josh didn’t just manage state operations—he ran its COVID response. He reflects on balancing fear, facts, and forward motion in an impossible time. >>Yale Ventures: Innovation Without the Ego “PhDs know how to explain ideas to journals. I help them pitch to the real world.” Now leading Yale Ventures, Josh shares how he mentors faculty and students to translate research into startups—and how real innovation starts with learning to listen. >>Startup Lessons That Actually Scale “Startups taught me how to stretch every dollar. Government taught me how to stretch every second.” Josh draws on lessons from his software CEO days to modernize systems at scale—without turning leadership into theater. >>Advice for the Impatient Ambitious “Your first job? Work for someone you want to become.” Josh offers Gen X-flavored guidance to early-career MBAs: skip the shiny job titles and find mentors who challenge how you think, not just what you do. ____________________ Connect with Us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #281 Irina Filippova: Courage Is the Career Plan | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:41:31 | |
Irina Filippova is not here to perform change—she’s here to live it. From her early career as a Russian diplomat to her current role as COO of a BlackRock-backed energy transition venture, Irina has made a habit of rewriting the rules instead of following them. In this episode, she shares what it really means to be a self-starter in a world obsessed with shortcuts, how real leaders use courage to stay in integrity, and why the most meaningful change begins with inner work. For anyone who’s tired of career templates and startup posturing, Irina offers something better: a real-time masterclass in designing a life and legacy on your own terms. >>Built for Change—Literally “I’ve never inherited a job. Every role, I created from scratch.” Irina walks us through her journey from UN think tanks to BP’s rebrand to leading energy transition from the ground up—each step a reinvention by design. >>Courage ≠ Chaos “Leadership is courage. And courage means staying in integrity.” Forget the bravado. Irina breaks down why real courage isn’t about reckless risk-taking—it’s about showing up, following through, and walking away when the values don’t align. >>The Myth of the Unicorn “We glorify unicorns—and then wonder why leaders burn out.” Irina calls out the toxic myths in startup culture and shares a grounded vision for building businesses that last longer than a product cycle. >>Change Starts Inside “I thought I needed to change the world. Turns out, I needed to change myself first.” Before she could consult CEOs, Irina had to rewire her own beliefs—thanks to deep inner work at the Jung Institute in Zurich. This is change leadership with a soul. >>Electrifying a New Industry “We provide the electric fuel. You focus on logistics. Simple.” Now COO of Electrata, Irina explains her company’s mission to make clean energy logistics seamless for fleets—so the energy transition doesn’t get stuck in jargon or infrastructure nightmares. _________________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #406 Richard Carson: Diagnosing Dysfunction, One Broken System at a Time — Part Two | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:25:06 | |
Before Richard Carson wrote The Book of Change, he was writing letters to newspaper editors and fixing chaos in city hall. Key Highlights of Our Interview: The Model That Stuck “Every step in the 39 comes from something that broke.” Richard’s framework isn’t theoretical—it’s field-tested. You’re Not a Consultant. You’re a Doctor. “I borrowed from the NIH diagnostic model.” Why organizational dysfunction is more like illness than inefficiency. Don’t Skip the Kickoff “You don’t send an email. You sit down, answer questions, get buy-in.” The part of change most leaders rush—and shouldn’t. AI Isn’t a Leader “You can’t automate trust. You can’t outsource belief.” His biggest concern about the rise of artificial intelligence. How Change Shows Up at Home “I told my boss I was going back to school. He said no. I quit.” Why he applies his own model to life, not just work. Listen Like It Matters “I don’t need your advice—I need you to hear me.” The line from his wife that became a leadership principle. Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #280 Greg Morley, Author of Bond: Building Belonging in the Age of Burnout | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:41:35 | |
This episode dives into Bond, the new book by Greg Morley—former global DEI head at Moët Hennessy and veteran HR leader at Disney and Hasbro. Vince and Greg unpack the emotional undercurrent of modern work—how a broken culture can push people into burnout and how small moments of recognition can pull them back. With global insight and Gen X clarity, Greg shares what real inclusion looks like on the ground, from Asia to Europe to the U.S. If you’re ready to lead with depth, not just diversity metrics, this conversation is your blueprint. >>When Belonging Breaks “There’s a crisis of loneliness at work—and it’s costing us more than we know.” Greg shares why he wrote Bond and how companies miss the mark when they treat inclusion as a buzzword instead of a survival strategy. >>From Burnout to Breakthrough “Once that sense of belonging disappeared, I spiraled into burnout—and then depression.” Vince opens up about his own career-breaking experience with mental illness, triggering a candid dialogue about what happens when work becomes unsafe, and how fragile even top performers can be without support. >>Inclusion Starts With the Conductor “Inclusion isn’t HR’s job—it’s everyone’s job. Especially leaders.” Greg introduces the five “keys” from his book, including why leadership visibility, emotional presence, and shared stories are more powerful than any KPI. >>The Myth of a Global Template “You can’t cut and paste DEI from New York to Hong Kong.” Drawing from his years across Asia, the U.S., and Europe, Greg explains why inclusive cultures must start with listening, not imposing—especially in diverse regions like Asia where family and collective identity take center stage. >>Beyond the Culture Wars “Most people want to feel seen. That’s not woke—it’s human.” Greg offers a grounded perspective on how to lead through today’s politicized climate without losing sight of what DEI is really about: creating space for people to contribute, grow, and thrive. _________________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #279 Greg Morley: Built, Not Bought—The Gen X Playbook for Real Inclusion | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:31:13 | |
Greg Morley isn’t reinventing himself at midlife—he’s been reinventing all along. As a Gen X leader who’s shaped HR and DEI strategy at Disney, Hasbro, and Moët Hennessy, Greg represents the quiet force of a generation that never needed to go viral to make an impact. “80% of the calls were complaints. That’s how I learned to listen—fast.” Greg started in the trenches and never forgot what real work feels like. That early frontline experience now shapes how he has led global people strategies with heart and head. >>Gen X Leaders Don’t Wait for Playbooks—They Write Them “I didn’t plan to be in HR. I planned to understand people.” Whether designing HR strategy at Hasbro or rewriting DEI systems at Moët Hennessy, Greg leads with insight, not instruction manuals. >>Diversity Without the Optics “Rewiring beats rebranding—every time.” Greg breaks down how he rebuilt DEI from the inside out, ditching the optics for honest structures, tough conversations, and measurable change. >>Global Insight, Local Action “Diversity in Cognac, France doesn’t look like diversity in New York. That’s the point.” From Paris to Hong Kong, Greg’s work proves that inclusion isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. It’s a flexible framework built on understanding where you are—and who you’re there for. >>Bond: The Book That Calls BS on Performative Belonging “People don’t want politics. They want to be seen, heard, and valued.” In his new book Bond, Greg cuts through the noise and reframes inclusion as something human—not hype. This isn’t theory. It’s the Gen X guide to building meaningful connection in work and life. _________________________ Connect with us:
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| #278 Helen Hanison: Outgrowing the Career Everyone Else Envies — Part Two | 06 Apr 2025 | 00:28:29 | |
So you’ve figured out your career isn’t working—now what? In Part Two, Helen brings in the big guns: her framework for getting unstuck, redesigning with purpose, and navigating the messy middle of change. We unpack the real reasons people stay stuck, why perseverance isn’t always a virtue, and how to redesign a career that fits who you are now—not who you were five years ago. It’s part psychology, part strategy, and 100% relatable. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Three Acts of Career Redesign “You cannot skip alignment. That’s the inner work—and it’s where most people rush or skip entirely.” Helen breaks down the phases of Alignment, Redesign, and Transformation—and why each one matters. Why Strengths Aren’t Enough “If you only build around your strengths, you’re just building on sand.” Strengths are great—but without alignment, they won’t carry you through a real change. Hope Maps and the Myth of the Linear Path “We confuse a hard day with the wrong direction. That’s where Hope Mapping comes in.” How visualizing obstacles in advance helps you stick to the right path, not bail on it too soon. Letting Go of the Career Lie “We’ve been told perseverance is always noble—but sometimes, quitting is the smarter move.” A fresh take on what it really means to be “resilient” in your career. ________________________ Connect with us: Helen's website: https://www.helenhanison.com
--Chief Change Officer-- Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||