The NeuroLeadership Edge is a leadership podcast for executives, founders, and senior leaders who carry real responsibility and make decisions under constant pressure.
Hosted by neuroscience-based leadership expert Claire Hayek, the show examines what actually happens when leaders are under stress, managing uncertainty, and navigating high-stakes moments that shape teams, culture, and results.
Through a mix of solo episodes and candid conversations with experienced leaders, you’ll hear how decisions are made when the pressure is real, how emotional load impacts performance, and what it takes to lead with clarity, authority, and resilience over time.
If you’re a leader navigating change, pressure, or reinvention, and you want an edge that actually translates into action, this podcast is for you.
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How to build intuitive leadership through heart-based practices
A practical 60-second reset to shift from survival to clarity
How to get out of mental loops and access decision-making power
The physiological connection between breathing and focus
The role of intention in anchoring presence
Training your team to self-regulate under pressure
Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction: What does it mean to have a second brain? 2:14 – The physiological link between your brain and your heart 4:50 – Coherence vs. calm: What leaders need to know 6:31 – The 60-second reset (Inhale 4, exhale 6, add intention) 9:25 – How to use this tool before meetings, decisions, or feedback 11:11 – How to train your nervous system to respond instead of react 13:03 – What elite performers (and everyday humans) get right about regulation 14:55 – Final insight: Don’t just regulate your team. Start with you. 16:40 – Subscribe and explore more tools
What You’ll Learn
How your heart acts as a second brain—and why leaders ignore it at their own risk
The neuroscience behind heart-brain coherence and how it impacts clarity, presence, and decision-making
How to use the 60-second heart reset Claire teaches to instantly calm the nervous system under pressure
Why logic fails during high-stakes moments—and what to anchor to instead
How to shift from cognitive overload to embodied leadership in the middle of your day
The truth about emotional regulation: why dismissing emotion actually weakens leadership
How to build a simple daily ritual that rewires your leadership presence over time
Mentioned in This Episode
Claire’s 60-second coherence ritual (inhale for 4, exhale for 6, + ask: What would the most aligned version of me do?)
Research on heart-brain interaction
Mental Fitness practices from Claire’s masterclass
🔬 Science Note:
Research in Neurocardiology (Oxford University Press) shows that the heart’s intrinsic cardiac nervous system contains around 40,000 neurons—enough to sense, feel, and remember independently of the brain.
Similarly, studies published in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology estimate that the gut’s enteric nervous system houses about 500 million neurons, more than the spinal cord.
Together, these findings confirm what ancient wisdom always knew: your body thinks, feels, and decides right alongside your brain.
📢 Subscribe to The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast for brain-based strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and impact.
The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast is produced by Claire Hayek. All opinions are those of the host and guests. For more leadership resources, visit clairehayek.com
The Feedback That Changed Everything with Jessie Novey
Episode 22
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 • Duration 27:05
Topics Covered:
The neuroscience of feedback
Feedback as a growth accelerator
Authenticity and self-awareness in leadership
“Clear is Kind” and giving tough feedback well
Avoiding ambiguity to reduce stress and quiet quitting
Empathy, credibility, and building trust with executives
How to shift from reactive to resilient leadership
Emotional regulation and the power of naming emotions
Saying it out loud: the neuroscience of the production effect
Timestamps:
00:00 — Intro: The feedback that changed everything 01:30 — Neuroscience of feedback: Why it feels like a punch 03:00 — Jessie's gut-punch moment as a new leader 05:20 — How feedback rewired her leadership style 07:10 — Authenticity, credibility, and executive trust 10:00 — “Clear is kind”—what most leaders get wrong 13:00 — Giving feedback with empathy 15:30 — The cost of avoiding feedback (and quiet quitting) 17:00 — Neuroscience: Ambiguity = cortisol = disengagement 18:30 — Claire’s 3S Tool: Scan. Shrink. Shift. 21:00 — Rapid-fire with Jessie 24:00 — Final tip: Say it out loud to regulate emotions 26:00 — Connect, share, subscribe CTA
What You’ll Learn:
How feedback activates the brain’s threat response—and how to train your brain to handle it
Why “clear is kind” might be the most important leadership rule you’re not using
A neuroscience-backed 3-step tool (Scan. Shrink. Shift.) to regulate your reaction to feedback
How Jessie Novey transformed her leadership style after one piece of unexpected criticism
The link between ambiguity, cortisol, and disengaged teams (aka “quiet quitting”)
How to give feedback that builds trust instead of fear
Mentioned in this Episode:
The Say It Out Loud Rule (TEDx talk by Claire Hayek)
HR Executive Forum, Minneapolis
“Clear is Kind” – Brené Brown
Future-Proof Your Career - With Laureen Knudsen
Episode 13
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 • Duration 29:04
Topics Covered:
How to handle layoffs and reorgs with clarity
The neuroscience behind career identity and fear of change
Why your brain resists stepping into the unknown
Aligning values with work: what Laureen learned post-exit
What it really means to “future-proof” your career
Leading others through transformation
Claire’s brain tools to rewire fear-based thinking
A reframe that helps leaders navigate difficult transitions
Timestamps:
00:00 – Claire’s opener: your career is not your identity
01:02 – Meet Laureen Knudsen: transformation leader, systems thinker, author
03:12 – What happens when the reorg comes for you
06:40 – Letting go of title-driven identity
08:22 – “I didn’t know who I was without the job”
10:10 – Claire on the neuroscience of fear, uncertainty, and the frontal lobe
13:55 – Future-proofing starts with one hard question
16:40 – What to do when your values and job no longer align
18:32 – Rebuilding a new vision of success
20:14 – Advice for leaders navigating layoffs or team changes
22:00 – Listener challenge: the “identity gap” question
23:50 – Closing reflections from Claire
What you’ll learn:
The neuroscience behind career identity and resistance to change
How to navigate layoffs, reorgs, and life pivots with courage
The mindset shift that helped Laureen realign with her values
Brain-based tools to stay calm and focused in uncertainty
Imposter No More with David Brennan
Episode 12
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 • Duration 29:50
Topics Covered:
Why smart people fall into imposter syndrome
How cancer became a gift for rewiring David’s mindset
The neuroscience of fear and the negativity bias
Why your brain says “you don’t belong” (even when you do)
How action reprograms your self-belief
The power of reframing challenges as growth triggers
What to look for when imposter syndrome shows up in your team
A tiny experiment to shift from fear to courage
The #1 thing to remember when your brain tells you you're not enough
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome + Claire’s neuroscience teaser: “Stop trying to be right. Focus on getting it right.”
01:08 – Meet David Brennan: from cancer to MBA courage
03:00 – How a life-threatening diagnosis changed everything
04:50 – Imposter thoughts: what held David back before chemo
06:30 – Rewiring begins: applying to top MBA programs step by step
08:15 – When imposter syndrome returned—inside the MBA classroom
09:50 – The neuroscience of fear: your brain sees ambition as threat
13:16 – “Even the brain surgeons felt it”: how David normalized imposter syndrome
17:00 – The self-doubt trap: “If I thought of it, everyone must know it”
18:30 – Action over anxiety: the brain's real rewiring mechanism
21:00 – How David thinks about doubt today—and what changed
24:00 – How to spot imposter syndrome in your team
25:45 – The book that rewired David’s leadership mindset
26:54 – Listener Challenge: Tiny steps to rewire self-belief
28:00 – Claire’s closing: “Your brain is neuroplastic. Rewire it.”
Out of Comfort, Into Courage — with Jen Belongia-Barak
Episode 11
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 • Duration 29:58
Topics Covered:
Comfort zones and leadership courage
How fear shows up in our brains (and how to manage it)
Adapting to global leadership roles
Listening as a leadership superpower
How to build trust across cultures
Why belonging matters more than fitting in
Tools to navigate uncertainty with clarity
Claire’s neuroscience-backed 3-point Change Brief
Jen’s “be confident in what you don’t know” mindset
The power of journaling and self-affirmation in high pressure moments
Timestamps:
00:00 – Claire introduces Jen’s bold move to Austria and the courage behind it 01:30 – What changed in Jen’s leadership after taking a global role 04:00 – Facing uncertainty: language barriers, culture shock, and fast adaptation 07:00 – How not belonging helped Jen lead with empathy 09:30 – The difference between fitting in and creating belonging 11:00 – Claire explains how fear and uncertainty hijack the brain 14:00 – Neuroscience tool: Claire’s “3-point Change Brief” 16:00 – Jen’s biggest leadership lesson: change yourself to lead others 18:30 – Listening to words and body language 21:00 – Why reading the room matters more than ever 23:00 – Jen’s advice: authenticity and transparency are non-negotiable 24:00 – Rapid Fire: • First sign your team is in fear • Jen’s pressure ritual • Book that rewired her leadership 28:00 – Claire’s listener challenge: The “Comfort Ladder” 29:00 – Final words: lead boldly, stay human, find the gift
What you'll learn:
How to transform fear into focus
Why listening (not talking) builds trust fast
How to read a room—when you don’t speak the language
Brain-based tools to rewire your response to change\
Mentioned in this episode: • Claire’s “3-point Change Brief” tool for uncertainty • Journaling as a mental fitness strategy• The science behind fear and the brain• Jen’s favorite mindset-shifting book: Let Them by Mel Robbins
We Didn’t Break — We Rebuilt: A 3-Act Story of Transformation with Jeff Eschliman
Episode 10
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 • Duration 29:42
Topics Covered:
Act 1: The lasting impact of military training and perspective
Act 2: Leading through tragedy—how a fatal accident reshaped Jeff’s leadership
Act 3: Purpose-driven reinvention through coaching
Mental fitness tools for leading under pressure
How to hire for character and retain top talent
The power of daily huddles and communication rhythm
Using breathing as a nervous system reset
Owning your voice and stepping into your North Star
Timestamps:
00:00 – Claire introduces the “3-act” theme of resilience and reinvention 01:30 – Jeff’s Gulf War story and how it rewired his perspective 04:00 – Claire’s own war-child story from Lebanon 06:30 – Military mindset: falling back on training under pressure 07:45 – Box breathing and daily nervous system resets 09:00 – The job-site fatality that changed Jeff’s life 12:30 – Grief, memory, and turning pain into purpose 15:45 – Why stories (not rules) shift safety behavior 16:30 – Recruiting with values: how to hire for character 19:00 – Retention starts with vision and communication rhythm 21:00 – Why daily huddles change everything 23:15 – Jeff’s pivot: Why he left corporate to coach leaders 25:00 – Claire’s journey from engineer to speaker and mental fitness coach 26:30 – Rapid fire: resilience, leadership books, and North Stars 28:00 – Final takeaways and listener call-to-action
Mentioned in this episode:
Five Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell
Endurance by Alfred Lansing (story of Ernest Shackleton)
Box breathing technique
Rockefeller Habits (Daily Huddles)
Subscribe to The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast for brain-based strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and impact.
Stop Saying “I’m Not Creative”—Lead Like One with Betty Zhang
Episode 9
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 • Duration 29:17
Guest: Betty Zhang, Head of Innovation Operations at Kids Help Phone
Claire and Betty explore:
The surprising moment that transformed Betty’s leadership
Why creativity is a mindset—not a job title
How leaders can harness creativity during pressure
Simple neuroscience tools to shift from panic to presence
Creative warm-ups that boost smarter, more engaged meetings
How leaders can reclaim their full identity—beyond the job title
Topics Covered + Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Patagonia, Pressure & One Step at a Time 02:20 – Betty’s climb and the leadership lesson it taught her 05:10 – What “small” feels like (and why it matters) 06:00 – Claire on neuroscience: panic, pause & the power of the breath 08:30 – Redefining creativity beyond the job title 10:10 – From art school to innovation strategy 13:00 – The neuroscience of creativity in leadership 14:00 – LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and why CEOs freeze 15:30 – Why work is not your identity 17:00 – Claire on panoramic leadership 19:30 – How to spark team creativity fast 21:00 – Betty’s go-to creative leadership tip 22:00 – Rapid Fire: Myth, Mindset & Meeting Hacks 25:00 – Books that changed how Betty leads 27:00 – Listener challenge: #LeadCreatively 28:30 – Final thoughts + webinar invite
🎧 Subscribe to The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast for brain-based strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and impact.
Your Highest ROI Posts Aren’t Yours — with Jacki Lutz
Episode 8
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 • Duration 29:38
Topics Covered:
What Employee-Generated Content (EGC) actually is—and why it matters now more than ever
Common fears from leadership and how to address them (e.g. legal, brand risk, control)
Step-by-step guide to launch EGC from scratch
What to train your people on (and what to leave alone)
How to handle negative comments like a pro
Why employee content builds psychological safety and performance
Real metrics that track ROI (spoiler: not vanity numbers)
A simple rule for first-time posters
LinkedIn’s latest algorithm changes and what to avoid
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro: Would anyone care more if your people posted instead of your company? 1:00 – What is EGC, really? 3:00 – Why people trust people more than companies 5:30 – Where to start if you're a leader 7:10 – Don't force it: let interest be organic 9:00 – The neuroscience of trust and visibility 10:30 – What to post vs what not to post 12:30 – Guidelines, training, and avoiding legal pitfalls 14:50 – Why bad content isn't necessarily bad 17:00 – Dealing with negative comments online 20:00 – Measuring success (hint: not likes!) 22:00 – Surprising LinkedIn algorithm tips 24:00 – The two biggest mistakes companies make with EGC 27:00 – Bonus tip: Don’t forget your comment strategy 28:40 – Wrap up and final gold nuggets
Subscribe to The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast for brain-based strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and impact.
“You Have No Empathy.” Now What? — with Ed Locher
Episode 7
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 • Duration 28:15
Ed Locher, a seasoned executive with over 25 years in tech and cybersecurity, joins Claire Hayek for a raw, honest conversation about emotional intelligence, feedback, and what it really takes to grow as a leader.
Ed shares how one moment—being told he had no empathy—pushed him to shift from reactive defensiveness to self-reflection. Claire adds brain-based tools around the Default Mode Network and how language becomes a mirror for what the brain repeats. Together, they break down why empathy is a trainable skill and why humility under pressure is a leader’s greatest unlock.
Topics Covered:
What to do when you're hit with brutal feedback
The trap of performance-based leadership
Claire explains the Default Mode Network and how thoughts loop
Self-awareness vs. self-shame: the brain difference
Language as data: how words reveal mental patterns
Ed’s strategies for staying grounded in conflict
Why ego-resistance can derail team culture
Timestamps (HH:MM): 00:00 – Cold open: “You have no empathy” 02:00 – Ed’s background + what happened in that pivotal moment 04:30 – Claire explains DMN and brain loops during stress 06:00 – Performance vs. presence in leadership 09:30 – Ed on managing internal resistance and staying grounded 12:00 – Words as neural commands + the RAS 15:00 – Vulnerability vs. control: Ed’s learning curve 18:00 – Listener challenge: Tune into your reactive phrase this week 20:00 – Closing reflections + connect with Claire
In this bold and powerful conversation, Claire and Perla dive into the neuroscience of leadership presence, the emotional intelligence it takes to lead with both kindness and clarity, and the rarely discussed topic of how hormones influence how we show up in the room. Perla shares how she transforms underestimation into fuel, and how she consciously resets her mind before every high-stakes moment. From personal stories to brain science to real-time tools, this episode is a masterclass in human-centered leadership.
Topics Covered:
How to win the room in the first 30 seconds
Emotional intelligence + tough standards: not mutually exclusive
Claire’s 2-minute reset technique
The neuroscience of presence and intention
Perla’s strategy for tracking hormonal cycles to protect workplace dynamics
Menopause, mental health, and creating safer spaces at work
Why kindness is a leadership power—not a weakness
Timestamps (HH:MM): 00:00 – Opening story: winning the room without raising your voice 02:15 – Perla shares how underestimation became her leadership fuel 05:00 – Claire’s neuroscience tool: breath + intention to regain presence 08:45 – The leader who brought Perla to tears—and shaped how she leads now 13:00 – Mirror neurons, team energy, and why leaders “bring the weather” 16:00 – Self-care as leadership: therapy, hormones, and pausing the email 20:00 – Hormonal awareness, menopause, and gender-inclusive compassion 22:30 – Perla’s 90-second strategy to win the room with intention 26:30 – Listener challenge: 2-minute presence reset before your next meeting 28:00 – Final reflections + QR code invite to Claire’s Sept. 10 webinar
📢 Subscribe to The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast for brain-based strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and impact.
The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast is produced by Claire Hayek. All opinions are those of the host and guests. For more leadership resources, visit clairehayek.com
Mentioned in this episode:
Laureen’s Insight: “When the role disappeared, I realized I didn’t know who I was without it.”
Claire’s Brain Tip: Fear of change activates survival-based thinking—and blocks vision for the future.
Listener Challenge: Ask yourself: “If I couldn’t use my job title, how would I introduce myself?”
📢 Subscribe to The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast for brain-based strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and impact.
The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast is produced by Claire Hayek. All opinions are those of the host and guests. For more leadership resources, visit clairehayek.com
What you'll learn:
The hidden survival instinct behind self-doubt
A brain-based reframe to calm imposter thoughts
A 1-minute pre-meeting move to boost clarity and confidence
How tiny actions reprogram your brain for growth
Mentioned in this episode:
Book: How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
Claire’s Rule: “Stop trying to be right. Focus on getting it right.”
Listener Challenge: Take one small action you’ve been avoiding due to imposter thoughts—within 48 hours
David’s Confidence Reframe: “Action over anxiety. Do it before you believe it.”
Brain Insight: How fear-based circuits distort self-worth and trigger imposter thoughts even in high performers
📢 Subscribe to The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast for brain-based strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and impact.
The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast is produced by Claire Hayek. All opinions are those of the host and guests. For more leadership resources, visit www.mspteambuilding.com.
The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast is produced by Claire Hayek. All opinions are those of the host and guests. For more leadership resources, visit clairehayek.com
📢 Subscribe to The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast for brain-based strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and impact.
The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast is produced by Claire Hayek. All opinions are those of the host and guests. For more leadership resources, visit clairehayek.com
📩 For free resources, upcoming masterclasses, or to join our next live webinar—click here: 👉 https://linktr.ee/clairehayek
📢 Subscribe to The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast for brain-based strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and impact.
The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast is produced by Claire Hayek. All opinions are those of the host and guests. For more leadership resources, visit clairehayek.com
The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast is produced by Claire Hayek. All opinions are those of the host and guests. For more leadership resources, visit clairehayek.com
The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast is produced by Claire Hayek. All opinions are those of the host and guests. For more leadership resources, visit clairehayek.com
The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast is produced by Claire Hayek. All opinions are those of the host and guests. For more leadership resources, visit clairehayek.com
The NeuroLeadership Edge Podcast is produced by Claire Hayek. All opinions are those of the host and guests. For more leadership resources, visit clairehayek.com
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