North Star Leaders – Details, episodes & analysis

Some leaders chase certainty. Others chase challenge, purpose, and the uncomfortable edge where real growth happens. In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay sits down with Amanda Kahlow, CEO of 1Mind, for a grounded, honest conversation about leadership in the age of AI - where ambition, humanity, and self-awareness all have to coexist. Amanda shares how personal mission, spiritual grounding, and radical clarity shape the way she builds companies, makes hard calls, and shows up as a leader. You’ll hear them discuss: Why Amanda is drawn to unachievable goals, challenge, and the highs and lows of entrepreneurship How her upbringing shaped her resilience, values, and the way she thinks about success and family Creating a personal mission statement and using it as a compass for leadership and life Showing up as an authentic leader without conforming to traditional or male-dominated leadership norms The discipline of self-reflection, including learning to pause and choose your second reaction Rethinking go-to-market teams with AI by starting from a clean slate instead of fixing old processes Being honest about AI replacing jobs, and how that shift could allow humans to reconnect with what makes them human Resources: Amanda Kahlow on 1mind | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

How does a founder stay deeply hands-on without slipping into micromanagement? And what really happens when you build a company around something the world has been taught not to talk about? In this episode, Lindsay and Ridhi Tariyal - CEO and co-founder of NextGen Jane, dive into the reality of leading a precision-medicine company in a space shaped by stigma, silence, and an explosion of new science. Ridhi brings a refreshingly candid look at writing, leadership, fundraising myths, and the changing landscape of women’s health - all while building a company that asks people to rethink what menstrual blood can teach us. You’ll hear them discuss: Why she insists on drafting everything herself before AI comes anywhere near it What has (and hasn’t) changed about the stigma around menstruation over the past decade The surprising ways investors used to redirect her pitches simply because she was a woman founder in femtech The role menstrual blood could play in understanding the menopause transition far earlier and more precisely How she balances being “in the mud” with letting her team actually own their work The moment she knows she’s crossed from helpful to too involved The work norms she refuses to adopt, even in Silicon Valley Why raising more capital doesn’t magically reduce a founder’s stress The emotional and practical realities of leading a company that’s creating an entirely new product category Resources: Ridhi Tariyal on NextGen Jane | NextGen Jane Instagram | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

Can company culture be engineered as intentionally as a product roadmap - and should it be? In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Robert Wahbe, CEO of Highspot, to explore how purposeful leadership, clear guiding principles, and a bias toward action fuel both performance and purpose. Robert shares how Highspot created a culture that values speed, detail, and humanity - and why having more values, not fewer, might be the secret to making them stick. You’ll hear them discuss: How Highspot built its culture through 11 guiding principles - and why quantity matters Why vague company values are "great for a poster" but useless in daily decision-making What it means to lead with urgency while still inspiring trust and deep respect How to balance bold innovation with attention to detail - and why those ideas often clash The real reasons product launches fail, and how to close the gap between vision and execution Why constraints drive creativity, and how purpose can act as a powerful constraint How AI powers insight at Highspot by helping companies amplify what works and fix what doesn’t Resources: Robert Wahbe on the Highspot | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

What does it really mean to build a business where purpose and profit don’t just coexist—but actively fuel each other? Can you scale without selling out, especially in a creative industry being disrupted by AI? In this episode, Lindsay speaks with Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice, a leading platform used by music creators worldwide. Drawing from her experience at values-driven companies like Flickr and GitHub, Kakul shares how she leads with clarity, protects artistic integrity in the age of AI, and makes space for creativity in both product and culture. This conversation explores what it really takes to build a purpose-centered business that scales without losing its soul. You’ll hear them discuss: How Splice’s subscription model creates mutual accountability with users and reinforces the company’s commitment to quality and trust Why Kakul and her team drew a clear ethical line when integrating AI - training only on content they have rights to, out of deep respect for creators What makes music a uniquely visceral art form, and how it shapes the raw, emotional nature of the music creators Splice serves How Kakul leads with care, high standards, and an obsession with data - not for metrics alone, but as signals of customer needs and behaviors The identity struggle many artists face balancing creativity with commercial demands, and how Splice supports both personal expression and livelihood Why scaling a purpose-driven company demands just as much internal growth from leaders as it does from teams, products, and systems The shift from simply providing creative tools to becoming a true partner in the music-making process - and why that’s where the magic happens Resources: Kakul Srivastava on Splice | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

Is being the smartest person in the room holding you — and your business — back? What if the biggest leadership flex isn’t personal brilliance, but building a team that outshines you? In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay Pedersen sits down with Joe Davy, CEO of Banzai — a high-growth SaaS company giving marketers AI-powered “superpowers” through tools like Demio, OpenReel, and Create Studio. Joe opens up about his evolution from an ambitious solo founder to a leader who believes the smartest move is surrounding yourself with people who are better than you. From organizational behavior to AI-driven marketing, Joe shares candid insights on how he learned to let go of ego, embrace complexity, and scale both his company and his mindset. You’ll hear them discuss: People-first leadership  - Why building a team you enjoy and trust is more powerful than being the hero with all the answers. Letting go of ego - How Joe stopped trying to outsmart people problems and started hiring people who outsmarted him. Soft skills supremacy - Why emotional intelligence, motivation, and communication aren’t “nice to have” — they’re mission-critical. The education gap - How traditional schooling trains us to win alone - and why that’s a dangerous setup for future leaders. Learning through fire - Joe’s belief that the best way to grow is to get thrown into the rapids — and sometimes fall in. Athletics and leadership - The surprising ways team sports prepare you better for leadership than most MBA programs. AI in marketing - How Banzai is creating seamless, scalable tools that give marketers an edge in an attention-fractured world. Resources: Joe Davy on the Banzai | LinkedIn | X (Twitter) Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

What if Olympic-level care wasn’t just for athletes—but for every woman navigating midlife health? In this energizing episode, Lindsay speaks with Olympic gold medalist turned tech entrepreneur Jennifer Heil, founder and CEO of Rya Health. From standing at the top of a ski slope under global pressure to building a health platform set to revolutionize women's care, Jenn shares the mindset shifts and lived experiences that fuel her mission. They talk resilience, redefining success, and how AI can unlock a more empowered healthcare future for women everywhere. You’ll hear them discuss: • Courageous decision-making as Jenn took a full year off from elite skiing at 19, despite national criticism • Burnout and heartbreak as powerful signals for transformation—not failure • Systemic gaps in women’s healthcare and how Raya Health is designing a new paradigm • Self-advocacy as a skill honed in Olympic sport—and critical for women managing their health • AI and accessibility in scaling elite care to every woman, not just the privileged few • Redefining success by shifting from outcomes like medals to being fully prepared and regret-free • Leadership balance between bold vision and daily execution, and the power of complementary co-founders • Midlife health challenges from fatigue to hormonal shifts—and the medical system’s current blind spots • Working in your superpowers and the goal of spending 70% of your time where you're at your natural best Resources: Jenn Heil on the Rya Health | LinkedIn Amazon: The Red-Haired Woman by Orhan Pamuk Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

What if sticking to your guns—not chasing the buzz—was the boldest, and most successful, strategy of all? In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay talks with Doug Winter, CEO and co-founder of Seismic, the category-defining sales enablement platform. Doug shares what it takes to build something enduring in a world obsessed with fast wins—revealing why commitment, clarity, and consistency are more than just leadership traits; they’re competitive advantages. Whether you're creating a category, scaling a team, or building a brand that customers swear by, this conversation will recalibrate your view on what sustainable success really looks like. You’ll hear them discuss: The uphill battle of category creation — how Doug and the Seismic team turned “enablement” from a fuzzy buzzword into a widely respected discipline Why staying consistent builds trust — and how resisting the urge to rebrand or chase trends can actually create lasting market leadership How leaders serve as emotional counterweights — showing calm through chaos and perspective through celebration to keep teams grounded and resilient Why Seismic chose San Diego over Silicon Valley — and how that decision helped attract the right talent, shape company culture, and signal long-term thinking How customer obsession built Seismic’s brand — from million-dollar multi-year deals to customers who bring Seismic with them to every new job What makes culture stick when you scale — and how Seismic evolved from “unwritten values” to rituals that reinforce what matters most The growth edge Doug’s navigating now — shifting from a startup mindset to running a mature, efficient business without losing the spark Resources: Doug Winter on the Seismic | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

Could a unicorn pillow or a spinning toy change the face of the tech industry? In this episode, Lindsay Pedersen talks with Debbie Sterling, founder and CEO of GoldieBlox, about how a simple idea to get more girls into engineering turned into a multimedia movement. Debbie shares the story behind building a brand that challenges gender stereotypes in toys, the decision to grow as a for-profit business, and what it takes to stay playful and purposeful as a leader. This is a conversation full of insight, honesty, and practical inspiration for anyone building something with heart. You'll hear them discuss: Representation - the moment Debbie realized how few women were in her engineering classes and how that sparked a mission to change the narrative. Stereotypes - why toys still fall into “pink” and “blue” aisles, and how GoldieBlox is working to redefine what’s seen as “for girls.” Evolution - how GoldieBlox has grown from building toys to creating videos, apps, and games that make STEM fun and accessible. Business model - what influenced the choice to go for-profit and how that decision has shaped the company’s impact and reach. Partnerships - how working with organizations like Black Girls Code is helping to expand access to high-quality, free STEM content. Culture - how the company has matured over time and what it looks like to stay focused without losing its creative spirit. Wellbeing - the simple but powerful habits Debbie relies on to stay energized, present, and effective as a leader. Resources: Debbie Sterling on the GoldieBlox | GoldieBlox Instagram | GoldieBlox YouTube | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

How can the way you treat your customers radically change your company's success? And, more importantly… What happens when customers become your partners, not just transactions? In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay sits down with Colin Zima, CEO of Omni, to dive into what it takes to build a company where transparency, trust, and real partnerships drive everything. Colin shares his thoughts on leadership, the power of treating customers like true collaborators, and why a culture of openness and authenticity can set you apart in a crowded market. You’ll hear them discuss: High trust culture: Why giving your employees the freedom to work independently without micromanagement can lead to a stronger, more empowered team. Customer relationships: How treating your customers as partners — not just clients — led to a major breakthrough during a critical moment for Omni. Leadership style: Colin’s “lead by doing” approach and why authenticity is at the heart of being an effective leader. Scaling culture: The hurdles and opportunities that come with scaling a high-trust, transparent culture as your company grows. Work-life balance: How Omni fosters an environment where people can work hard and still enjoy their personal lives, finding a healthy balance between getting stuff done and relaxing. Giving and receiving feedback: Why being more intentional with shout-outs and feedback is helping to reinforce Omni's culture and make it even stronger. Building strong foundations: How Colin’s previous experiences shaped his leadership at Omni, and the lessons he’s carried forward into building a successful company culture. Resources: Colin Zima on the Omni Web | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

What if your company’s culture is actually holding you back? Would you have the courage to change it — even if you were the one who built it? In this episode of North Star Leadership Podcast, Lindsay talks with Craig McLuckie - co-founder and CEO of Stacklok. They explore what it really means to lead — especially when it means rethinking your own assumptions. Craig brings a rare blend of technical depth, operational wisdom, and honest self-awareness as he unpacks how to build resilient, reality-based organizations in a fast-changing world. This is a candid, unvarnished take on leadership, culture, and how to survive the hype cycles — with your integrity intact. You'll hear them discuss: Culture replication vs. diversity – Why the only thing you should aim to replicate across your company is culture, and how to let everything else be diverse. Craig explains how culture acts as a “standard interface,” enabling variation while preserving coherence. Hypocrisy as a culture killer – The moment your implicit behavior contradicts your stated values, you lose trust. Craig shares how leaders must be honest about when culture needs to evolve — or risk becoming the bottleneck. Implicit vs. explicit culture – Every company has both, and they don’t always align. Craig discusses how a company naturally becomes a caricature of its founders, and what happens when that unspoken culture isn’t addressed. The camel vs. unicorn mindset – Why Craig believes it’s better to be durable than dazzling. He explains how being hype-resistant and focused on creating real value is a more sustainable path through volatile markets. Leadership at different scales – From zero to thousands of people, Craig shares the traps leaders fall into when they fail to adjust their style. He talks candidly about learning to “reset his operating model” depending on the moment. The evolution of developer work – With GenAI reshaping the landscape, Craig reflects on how it’s changing everything from workflows to security. He shares how he’s actively rebuilding his internal models to keep up. Personal capacity and rituals – How Craig structures his days for clarity, why he aims to work himself out of a job, and what assembling office chairs has to do with humility in leadership. Resources: Craig McLuckie on the Stacklok | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn