Leading Through Connection – Details, episodes & analysis

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Loren Greiff about how to deal with being told you’re overqualified and how to flip the conversation. Loren Greiff is the founder of PortfolioRocket, a career consultancy dedicated to helping executives over 40 break free from outdated job search systems and land roles that match their worth. After being PIP’d (to be placed on a Performance Improvement Plan) at 54 for being “too enthusiastic” at one of the world’s top executive search firms, she saw firsthand how the traditional system marginalizes experienced talent. Instead of shrinking, she launched a mission to flip the script—and a business that’s now helped over 430 leaders land faster and earn more by doing it differently, not traditionally. Her work unapologetically challenges age bias, toxic hiring practices, and the myth of "playing it safe." At PortfolioRocket, she helps VP-level and above executives reignite their value, stand out in crowded markets, and reclaim control of their careers. In addition to having an active LinkedIn community of followers, and a seat on Fast Company’s Executive Board, Loren is the host of the Top 100 Ranking podcast, Career Blast in a Half, where listeners get simple, powerful and actionable career fuel to keep their success track, no matter where they are in their. Loren has been featured in online publications such as Forbes and Business Insider as well as named Top Job Search Strategy Voice and listed as a Top Career Coach by JobScan, three years running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Lisa M. Sanchez about how leaders can positively impact employee experience. Lisa M. Sanchez is an author, life coach, and the vice president for Employee Experience and Engagement (HR) at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, CA. She leads a team dedicated to enriching the experiences and engagement for faculty and staff. Critical to this work is Sanchez’s direct work in ABIDE (or access, belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity) and organizational culture. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Sanchez received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Northridge, a master’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix, and is a Certified Professional Life Coach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Ab DeWeese about collaborative AI in the workplace.  Ab DeWeese is a a serial entrepreneur, AI educator, and author of Essential AI: Your All-in-One QuickStart to Using AI in Business and the Workplace. He’s also the creator of CollabChat AI, a platform designed to help teams work with AI—and each other—to produce better, more reliable results. In this conversation, we’re diving into what HR leaders need to know about collaborative AI: how it reduces risk, strengthens decision-making, and helps people stay at the center of innovation.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Tim Calise about the role of human capital leadership in organizational success. Tim Calise (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tcalise/), a versatile entrepreneur, finance expert, and podcast host, founded successful tech fitness ventures and raised $325mm for his first hedge fund by age 25. He co-developed ALAN, an AI-driven SaaS platform, achieving remarkable growth from $0 to $20M ARR in 6 months. Currently, he is the co-creator with multiple 7 & 8 figure service business owners - aligning product, pricing, and positioning in order to install profitable acquisition systems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth about "radical self-compassion" and why it is important in leadership. Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-hollingsworth-ph-d-0644058b/) is Founder and CEO of Hollingsworth Consulting, author of the bestselling book The Compassion Advantage: How Top Leaders Build More Humanizing Workplaces (2024), and a leading global expert on compassion and self-compassion in life and leadership.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with David Wentworth about the disconnect between employers and their frontline workforce. David Wentworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmwentworth) is vice president of learning and talent development platform evangelist at Schoox. Wentworth brings more than a decade of knowledge to the company, including a deep understanding of the workplace technology industry, with an emphasis on learning and development (L&D). Prior to Schoox, Wentworth served as principal learning and development analyst for Brandon Hall Group and was a senior research analyst with Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Divya Ghatak about the viability of hybrid work models and leadership approaches to sustain operational efficiency and team morale. Divya Ghatak (https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-ghatak-45b55a1/)is the Chief People Officer of SentinelOne, leading the organization’s People, Talent, Foundation, and Workplace functions. She has enabled the company’s hypergrowth and expansion plans while strengthening an amazing company culture through purposeful hiring that prioritizes talent, experience, diversity, and culture fit for all candidates. Prior to SentinelOne, Divya was Global VP of People at Nevro and CPO at GoodData. She has also held global HR leadership roles at a variety of tech companies, including Cisco and Tavant. Divya received her Master’s in Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration from Tata Institute of Social Science and her Bachelor of Arts in Economics with honors from Delhi University.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Daniel Oppong about the greatest challenges and obstacles to creating lasting DEI change in the workplace. Daniel Oppong (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-oppong/) is the Founder of The Courage Collective, a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultancy that takes a strategic, holistic and human centered approach to DEI work. He is also the Founder of Boundless, a platform designed to create access for Black & Brown folks pursuing career opportunities in Marketing, Consulting and Tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Amy Gilliland about how companies can be the solution to the loneliness epidemic. Amy Gilliland (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-gilliland-gdit/) is president of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics Corporation. GDIT is a $8.5B global technology enterprise with operations in 30 countries worldwide and 30,000 technologists and services professionals delivering critical mission capabilities across defense, civilian and intelligence agencies. Gilliland has more than 25 years of public sector experience including service in the U.S. Navy and nearly two decades in leadership positions at General Dynamics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jose Berlanga about wins, losses, and the raw truth about business growth. At only four years old, Jose Berlanga found himself at death’s door following a devastating accident that left his body covered in third-degree burns. Determined not to let tragedies solely define his life story, Jose set out to make a name for himself. Jose has achieved multimillionaire status four distinct times, in four separate industries: an import/export company for machinery for the Petrochemical industry, investments including a chain of Italian coffee bars, a residential construction company, and lastly, land development & construction. Each success was a feat of starting from ground zero and meticulously building his wealth anew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices