Conversations That Grow – Details, episodes & analysis

Fear plays a bigger role in leadership than most of us want to admit. In this episode, Mike Konrad shares the conversation that revealed his fear-based decision making — and how that moment became the turning point that reshaped his leadership, his business, and ultimately, his life.

From being dismissed by his employer to building a company that has lasted more than 30 years, Mike opens up about the internal shifts behind his external success. He talks candidly about ego, bravado, revenge, approval, self-awareness, and the uncomfortable process of learning to lead differently.

If you’re navigating growth, change, or the uncomfortable realisation that what once worked no longer does, this conversation will speak to you.

• The surprising ways fear shows up in leadership decisions
• The mentor conversation that changed everything
• How fear-based thinking shapes cash flow, choices, and culture
• Making peace with the worst-case scenario
• Why early leadership traits often become later limitations
• The “starter fluid” analogy for ego, bravado, and urgency
• How Mike shifted from proving himself to serving others
• Why true leadership requires self-awareness and humility
• The mindset shift from doing everything yourself to trusting a team
• Redefining success as freedom — not validation
• What leaders at the early, frantic stage need to hear

01:26 The fear-based decisions hiding in plain sight

03:49 Becoming aware of the “lenses” shaping choices

09:50 Making peace with the worst to break decision paralysis

12:24 The conversation that sparked his business

19:50 How rejection triggered motivation and identity

23:54 The complicated emotional mix behind early leadership

30:39 When your strengths become your liabilities

33:06 The “starter fluid” metaphor for the early years

36:57 From smartest in the room to “stupidest in the room”

38:42 Redefining success as freedom

45:26 Leading less from proving, more from serving

47:03 Advice for leaders in survival mode

Mike Konrad is the founder and CEO of Aqueous Technologies, a global leader in electronics reliability solutions, and the host of two podcasts:

• Reliability Matters
• The Reluctant Entrepreneur

He writes and speaks widely on leadership, business growth, and the mistakes that shape us.

• Website: mikekonrad.com
• Podcast: reluctantentrepreneurpodcast.com
• Aqueous Technologies: aqueoustech.com

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by Nigel Cumberland — leadership coach, co-founder of The Silk Road Partnership, and author of several bestselling books including 100 Things Successful Leaders Do.

Nigel and I get into:

• The pivotal conversation that helped him redefine who he was
• His early career as a very young finance director
• Why mistakes became his greatest teachers
• Imposter syndrome & how he learned to handle it
• Culture clashes and the importance of understanding differences
• The evolution of leadership across decades
• Why leadership starts with self-awareness
• Leadership beyond titles — influencing in everyday life
• Why leaders today are more overwhelmed than ever
• His framework: Grounded • Connected • Purposeful
• The biggest thing leaders need to unlearn
• The one leadership principle he believes changes everything
• The hidden cost of poor leadership
• How leaders can stay human in a very digital world

This is an honest, insightful, deeply human conversation about leadership — the kind that helps you rethink the way you show up in your work and life.

Nigel’s Website

👉 https://nigelcumberland.com/

Nigel’s Books

👉 https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nigel-Cumberland/author/B0034P71X2

LinkedIn Learning Courses

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/nigel-cumberland

Speaking Enquiries

👉 https://www.wsb.com/speakers/nigel-cumberland/

00:00 Intro

01:04 The conversation that changed Nigel’s life

04:30 Resetting your identity after a big career shift

05:53 Mistakes that shaped him as a young leader

09:10 Imposter syndrome in early leadership roles

10:50 Culture clashes and understanding differences

14:05 Why self-awareness matters more than ever

16:40 Leadership beyond titles and formal roles

18:50 Role modelling at home and at work

19:22 The rise of empowerment in leadership

20:00 Helping people see themselves as leaders

23:00 Leadership in a disrupted, digital world

24:30 Grounded, Connected, Purposeful framework

29:44 What leaders struggle with most today

30:50 What people crave in leaders

34:21 Leading with a full tank: self-care and burnout

38:09 The most important principle healthy leaders live by

41:20 When bad leaders survive — and why they shouldn't

42:26 Closing thoughts

The best growth often starts with a meaningful conversation — thank you for being part of this one.

The principal theme of this podcast episode centres on the notion that mere job performance is insufficient for career advancement. I engage in a dialogue with Andrea Wasserman, founder of Executive Express, who elucidates the invisible rules that govern professional progression, particularly for new graduates. Andrea emphasizes the critical importance of communication and executive presence, asserting that individuals must actively showcase their achievements to cultivate recognition in increasingly competitive environments. Furthermore, we explore the concept of "style flexing," which entails adapting one's approach based on the dynamics of the workplace. This conversation serves as a vital resource for listeners seeking to enhance their influence and navigate the complexities of career development effectively.

Links referenced in this episode:

• theexecutiveexpress.com
• linkedin.com/in/andreawasserman
• instagram.com/theexecutiveexpress
• tiktok.com/@theexecutiveexpress
• substack.com/@theexecutiveexpress

Want help creating your own podcast? Visit us at podjunction.com or reach out to Sadaf directly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadafbeynon/

Do you think your organization could become more inclusive so your employees find it safe & easy to turn up to work everyday?

Tune in to today's episode of Push To Be More where Gloria Ewe from AU Consulting shares how they're redefining diversity and wellness in the workplace. Join us as we explore their philosophy and learn how she went from being a mother of two at the age of 17 to having a successful career in Aviation to co-founding her management consulting firm. You wouldn't want to miss out on this inspiring episode!

Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:

• Gloria discusses how becoming a mother at a young age shaped her into a resilient person and given her valuable life skills, surpassing any corporate role she's had, and suggests the idea of a "life experience resume" to highlight the importance and impact of personal experiences beyond a traditional career path.
• Gloria became a flight attendant at 18 while raising two children, choosing a career to build a future for her family. She attributes her success to surrounding herself with supportive family and having a structured, adaptable mindset.
• She explains that "Au" in AU Consulting means "about you, about us" in Maori, and represents the proverb "I'm you and you are me." The consultancy focuses on supporting companies and clients with their people's future needs in a holistic way, addressing the four pillars of wellbeing: physical, mental, spiritual, and family. The goal is to recognize which pillar needs support and take actions to bring it back up again.
• Gloria is drawn to creating safe spaces for the future generational workforce with diverse talent, and believes that businesses should allow their employees to be their full, authentic selves in the workplace. The key mistake that companies make is not creating an environment where people feel free to express themselves physically in language, dressing, and personal style.
• Gloria recharges her batteries by spending time with her family and learning new skills, such as riding a motorbike.
• She aims to partner with global organizations to have a greater impact on improving organizations' performance. The biggest barrier is restricting thinking to New Zealand and making connections with the right people. Making time to ensure the strategy keeps moving forward is essential.

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ABOUT GLORIA

Gloria Ewe is a passionate New Zealand entrepreneur, co-founder of AU Consulting, a trailblazing minority-owned management consulting firm. With over 20 years of experience in learning and development, Gloria has made a name for herself by helping clients transform their digital learning capabilities and fostering diversity and inclusion strategies. Drawing from her unique journey as a young mother, her successful career in aviation, and her unwavering resilience, Gloria champions innovative lifelong learning and cultural engagement practices. Her ultimate goal is to create a lasting legacy of social good and maintain a competitive commercial edge for her clients and the community.

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For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Did you know that your biological age can be much higher than your actual chronological age due to various factors? 

Tune in to today's episode of Push to be More where our special guest, Jack Latus from Latus Health shares his secrets to success. From gym-owner to 5th biggest provider in occupational healthcare, Jack shares his journey of resilience, persistence, and self-belief in overcoming industry naysayers. Join us as we explore his innovative approach to improving healthcare outcomes through a focus on employee well-being and his personal journey of reducing biological age through cutting-edge protocols.

Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:

• Latus Health is a tech-enabled B2B occupational health provider in the UK, Ireland, and Northern Ireland, focusing on health needs from a statutory and well-being perspective, and aiming to improve efficiency and healthcare outcomes through digital solutions. The company was founded by Jack and his brothers, who combined statutory requirements with proactive wellness and well-being offerings, which allowed them to become a disruptive player in a competitive market.
• Jack believes that the traditional way of delivering occupational health services is boring, but his company is disruptive and focuses on improving healthcare outcomes and making employees healthier. He is excited about being in the game of business and changing the way the world heals.
• He talks about his challenge in convincing others of his vision for occupational healthcare. He overcomes this challenge by recruiting key players, including a chief medical officer and tech experts from other industries, to help disrupt and improve the industry. Their goal is to deliver all of their services remotely, which requires finding and integrating the best technology.
• He emphasizes resilience, persistence, and self-belief as important qualities to deal with naysayers. He advocates for playing the long game and remaining focused on the end goal rather than engaging in arguments or getting over-leveraged. Bootstrapping may result in slower growth but can pay off in the long run, as evidenced by Jack's company becoming the 5th biggest provider in the UK in just a few years.
• Jack maintains his health by focusing on maintaining muscle mass and VO2 max, which are important indicators of longevity. He achieves this by doing resistance and CrossFit training, pure VO2 max work, and playing tennis.
• He reduced his biological age through a protocol involving intermittent fasting, cold and hot therapy, red light treatment, and a supplement stack, among others, that focused on improving his cell's mitochondria and epigenetic clock. While he was able to reduce his biological age by 4.6 years, he felt that the key benefit was the sustainable difference it made in how he felt and performed.

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ABOUT JACK

Meet Jack Latus - a disruptor and innovator in the healthcare industry, who has overcome significant challenges through bootstrapping and disrupting the heavily regulated healthcare industry. As CEO of Latus Health, he is changing the way the world heals, consolidating the market, and providing high-level health testing for executives. Jack is committed to living well and has a data-driven approach to his health, including a six-month longevity protocol that reduced his biological age by 4.6 years. Join us as we discuss his challenges, personal well-being, and vision for the future.

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For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Are you struggling with your brand marketing and distinguishing yourself from other brands? 

Tune in to this week's episode of Push To Be More where Matt is joined by guest Caroline Polson from TwoScoops, a purpose-driven advertising agency that helps clients move beyond selling products/services and embrace their role in shaping a better future. Caroline shares how a friend approaching her with the idea of branding with positivity led her to start TwoScoops. Caroline discusses how some of her clients have hidden stories that can be shared to bring out the positivity in their brand and how her team dig deep with their clients to find the angles that make them unique and stand out amongst the competition, even if they're tricky to find. Tune in now to learn how you can approach branding in a positive and unique way!

Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:

• Caroline left her job at the University of Canterbury and started TwoScoops with a friend who proposed a positive approach to marketing and advertising. They believe that promoting positivity and telling good stories about brands will naturally engage audiences. They have been successful so far and have received positive responses from clients.
• When starting a business, it's important to plan everything, including your company's purpose and brand positioning, financial needs, and support systems such as lawyers and accountants. Timing should also be considered, but being brave and willing to put in the work can lead to great rewards such as work-life balance and personal fulfillment.
• Caroline discusses how she has balanced running her business with family life post-COVID, explaining that her kids are resilient and supportive, and that running her own business has given her more flexibility to be present for her family. She highlights the benefits of being able to work from home and using new systems to be productive while also being able to switch off.
• Caroline manages her work life balance by planning and prioritizing her time. She utilizes the time she has as best as she can and makes it happen. She recognizes that there are busy seasons and takes time to recharge her batteries through exercise and family activities.
• TwoScoops helps businesses discover their unique positive stories and elevate them through workshops and exercises, even if it means identifying hidden stories that may have been overlooked. They work to find authentic ways to showcase diversity and inclusivity, ultimately helping businesses attract talent and grow.

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ABOUT CAROLINE

Meet Caroline Polson, a marketer-turned-purpose-driven-entrepreneur. She worked at WingNut Films for Peter Jackson on King Kong before moving to several advertising agencies and then client-side at the University of Canterbury. In 2022, she launched TwoScoops, a purpose-driven advertising agency that helps clients move beyond selling products/services and embrace their role in shaping a better future. When she's not running the business, she's a mom of two young boys who loves outdoor adventures like skiing, boating, and swimming around beautiful coast of her native New Zealand.

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For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Is money the real measure of a person's success or is there more to life than that?

In this episode of Push To Be More, Matt is joined by Chris George who debunks the misguided notion that success is solely based on financial gain. Chris reflects on how he shifted his mindset to find true passion and love in doing what he loves and shares the importance of identifying what success truly means for you. Tune in to discover Chris' insights into staying motivated and consistent to achieve true success!

Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:

• Chris discusses his passion for giving back by speaking at different universities and inspiring college students to identify what they're good at and move forward with that. He emphasizes the importance of finding true passion and love in your work and identifying what success means to you, rather than believing that making a lot of money equates to success. 
• Success for Chris is measured in four areas: health, career, friendships, and family. He checks in with these areas daily and if they are all in the green, he considers himself successful. He sees past experiences, even divorce, as learning experiences that have led him to where he is now in his career and personal life.
• Chris believes that giving back is the fifth element to his personal list of important values, and it is what fuels his heart the most. He believes in the importance of giving more than taking. 
• Chris says that staying motivated comes naturally to some people and they don't need external motivation. For others, it's important to find inspiration, but the key is to figure out what you're good at and double down on it. Consistency and building habits are crucial for staying motivated, and ultimately, if you want something, you have to go out and get it yourself.
• Chris recharges his batteries by spending time with people who have nothing to do with work or business. He also plays sports and loves to find peace in the moments when work is not on his mind.

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ABOUT CHRIS

Chris George is a successful serial entrepreneur who's launched and managed seven businesses, including Gentleman's Box and Subscription Trade Association (SUBTA). He's also the founder of Certified, a streetwear brand on a mission to donate 100M meals to Feeding America through its signature line of hoodies. Chris is a sought-after speaker who's shared his insights on entrepreneurship and business at events like Digital Summit and SubSummit, and he hosts a video series, No Excuses with Chris G., featuring notable guests like Gary Vaynerchuk and Ryan Hogan. Chris is passionate about giving back and regularly supports purpose-driven businesses and initiatives.

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For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Are you feeling weighed down by emotional baggage? Did you know that by acting out your thoughts and feelings, you can better understand and heal from past traumas?

In this episode of Push To Be More, our speical guest John Faisandier joins Matt to delve into the world of psychodrama - a powerful tool for working through emotional struggles. John, a former priest turned emotional expert, explains how this technique can help entrepreneurs become more spontaneous and creative. But psychodrama isn't just for business - John also emphasizes the importance of using this technique to strengthen personal relationships. Tune in now to find out more!

Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:

• John went from being a Catholic priest to a psychodramatist after experiencing a health crisis and feeling constrained by the structured environment of teaching. He found self-development through therapy with a priest and pursued psychodrama as a way to help himself and others. It took him 10 years to qualify and he eventually left the priesthood to work as a full-time psychodramatist.
• He talks about his experience of transitioning from a priest to a new identity and how the change in status brought newfound freedom and appreciation for serving others.
• He worked as a psychodramatist with drug and alcohol patients in a residential hospital setting, where he helped people deal with intense emotions from their past through corrective role-playing experiences. He learned how to manage himself and others in these intense moments, which led him to develop a course on Thriving Under Fire (TUF).
• John discusses the importance of connecting the body and mind in therapy, reframing past experiences instead of just "getting over" them, and learning emotional management skills to handle difficult conversations and manage one's own feelings. He emphasizes that the unconscious drives behavior, and that addressing emotional moments requires not only conscious effort, but also the right tools and training.
• Learning simple steps in emotional management can make a significant difference in customer service, business communication, and personal relationships. John's ultimate agenda is to help people have successful relationships at home.
• John recharges his batteries by doing his own work and dealing with his own demons. He allows his feelings to come and go, is non-judgmental about himself, and has someone he can talk to when needed. He focuses on good sleep & eating habits, appropriate workouts, fun activities with friends and maintaining good relationships.

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ABOUT JOHN

John Faisandier is a former Catholic priest turned entrepreneur, trainer, and author. His mission is to help people manage their emotions in the workplace and in life. With over 20 years of experience in this field, he's developed a successful program that's been recognized with training awards and is implemented globally. John's diverse career background, including teaching, counselling, and mediation, informs his work and his passion for storytelling. He is a frequent contributor to industry magazines and professional journals and has authored a book called "Thriving Under Fire: Turn Difficult Customers into Business Success."

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For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck and struggling with debt? Then don't miss out on this latest episode of Push to be More where our special guest Neil Morecraft from Digital Directive shares his personal journey of declaring bankruptcy to finally becoming financially educated. Neil reveals how he turned his life around with his "Power of Six",  a balanced approach to achieving success. Tune in now to discover his powerful insights and practical tips for transforming your life!

Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:

• Neil declared bankruptcy in 2015 and struggled with debt and a lack of direction in his career. After seeking mentorship and reevaluating his priorities, he created a system of categorizing and prioritizing his life and business goals, focusing on mindset and well-being before money. This approach has led to increased happiness, contentment, and productivity in his life.
• Neil shares his experience of fostering his nephew, who has ADHD and Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and how it has been a difficult yet rewarding experience. He discusses the challenges of fostering and the impact it has had on his family, but acknowledges the importance of providing love and affection to children who may not have had it before.
• Neil discusses his power of six, focusing on mind, body, personal, lifestyle, business, and money. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing these areas in order to achieve personal growth and transformation, and shares his own experiences of tackling each aspect through mindfulness, exercise, communication, and setting achievable goals. Taking action in these areas can lead to a compound effect and an overall feeling of improvement and success.
• Neil reflects on his journey of personal growth and transformation, which involved facing difficult truths, making tough decisions, and finding his true purpose. He emphasizes the importance of figuring out what you really want in life and having the courage to pursue it. Despite the challenges, Neil feels fulfilled and blessed with his current lifestyle and has no plans to retire.
• Being honest with yourself and having the courage to take bold actions can lead to personal and professional growth, even if it means taking a risk to pursue a new opportunity. The responsibility to make these choices ultimately falls on the individual.

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ABOUT NEIL

Meet Neil Morecraft, a high-energy Technology Entrepreneur and Performance Marketer who has been transforming businesses for over 25 years. He's the owner/operator of Digital Directive, a full-service digital agency and technical consultancy that serves high-growth businesses worldwide. Neil has experienced it all - raising, founding, exiting, dissolving, and liquidating seven companies, dealing with personal struggles, and declaring bankruptcy in 2015. But he bounced back and developed a methodical and straightforward approach to work-life balance that anyone can adopt. Neil's a strategic thinker who brings a big-picture perspective to every challenge, and he empowers people to reach their highest potential. Whether you're starting out or looking to grow your business, Neil can help.

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For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

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Are you struggling to build self-confidence and find your feet? Continuous self-improvement gives you the edge for optimal performance because you get to know your strengths and maximize them in all spheres of life.

Join us for this episode of Push To Be More where Manish Mak a.k.a Mak from Formula Media shares his journey of overcoming fear of judgment and gaining self-confidence to find his identity and establishing his own successful business! 

Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:

• Mak's biggest challenge was confidence, particularly in his early twenties when he entered the media and music industry. He overcame this challenge through pushing himself out of his shell and being in the limelight, despite his introverted nature. His entry into the BBC Asian Network was part of a deal with his record label, and he found the experience of being on the radio and connecting with millions of listeners to be both rewarding and emotionally challenging.
• Mak discusses the importance of believing in oneself and embracing feedback in order to overcome fear and build confidence, which is an evolving process that never stops. It is important to enjoy the journey and understand that different challenges require different approaches.
• Despite tough times and personal challenges, Mak launched his business Formula Media in 2019 and secured a pro bono project for the Prince's Trust, which became an award-winning campaign, by pulling together support from friends and colleagues and committing to seeing it through no matter what.
• Mak stays motivated and recharges himself through discipline and balancing two sides of himself - one that is always focused on growth and building, and the other that is more relaxed and calm. He practices hot yoga, goes to the gym, practices breathing techniques, does meditation, spends time with loved ones, and tries to minimize drinking to maximize his productivity.
• Mak plans to focus on utilizing AI to take away laborious tasks and open up time for creative thinking while applying media for good and diversity. He also aims to establish a bigger purpose for Formula Media.

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ABOUT MAK

Meet Mak, a media marketing expert with a passion for pushing boundaries and finding new and emerging media channels. With over 12 years of experience working with some of the world's largest advertising agencies and clients, Mak has overcome many challenges in his career, from making the decision to become an entrepreneur to navigating the relentless pace of the media industry. He's led global media strategy for brands like Coca-Cola, Sony, and Shell, and has won multiple industry awards for his work. 

Mak is also a DJ and music producer, with a love for music that has influenced his career in media. He is the Founder and CEO of Formula Media, a cutting-edge agency that's focused on using data-driven media advertising to make a positive impact in the world. Mak is passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is interested in the intersection of media and technology, particularly in areas like AI and machine learning.

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For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.