Discover the inimitable wave of leadership on Unleashed, where we dive deep into the heartbeat of organizations—its people. You'll learn how to champion a human-centered approach to growth, and redefine leadership by focusing on what truly matters: the people driving change. Change leadership is about guiding people through transformation in a way that inspires them to embrace change because they believe in it. Unleashed is for those who are open, honest, and ready to confront what's holding them back in life and business. If you're willing to take actionable steps and embrace genuine transformation, this podcast is your guide to leading with heart and unleashing your potential.
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Eileen Vélez-Vega: Breaking Barriers with Self-Initiative
Season 1 · Episode 26
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 • Duration 01:09:18
Eileen Vélez-Vega is a trailblazing civil engineer and leader who has broken barriers throughout her career. She made history as the first woman to lead the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works, bringing her expertise in transportation, resiliency, and emergency response to the forefront. A passionate STEM advocate and two-time cancer survivor, she continues to inspire the next generation—especially Latinas—by proving that perseverance and leadership can drive meaningful change.
In this episode, Wendi and Eileen discuss:
Overcoming obstacles to become Puerto Rico’s first female transportation secretary
Gaining engineering experience through internships at Disney and NASA
Leading infrastructure investments and establishing a maintenance program
Navigating resilience, self-care, and advocating for women's health awareness
Mentoring in STEM, fostering employee accessibility, and embracing authenticity in leadership
Key Takeaways:
A powerful message emerges about embracing challenges and conquering fears, revealing untapped potential that leads to greatness.
Failure is reframed as a stepping stone to success, emphasizing the importance of self-care, goal-setting, and perseverance in combating imposter syndrome.
A structured approach to achievement, where focus, preparation, and intentional planning pave the way for progress while maintaining a balance between present joy and future aspirations.
The necessity of adaptability—expecting change, learning from setbacks, and fostering resilience through shared experiences and empathy.
Individuals are urged to take initiative, uplift other women, build strong networks, and drive success through tenacity, commitment, and authenticity.
“I believe in self-initiative and drive—you have to have that for yourself. You cannot wait for others to care about your success. You are the one who will care the most about it, and you are the one responsible for it. Do not blame anybody else or rely on someone else to make your dreams come true. They can help you, and I have so many mentors and amazing people in my life, but you are the one who is responsible first. You're the one. And that self-initiative has to be there.”
Wendy Cocke: Engineering Leadership for the Modern Workplace
Season 1 · Episode 25
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 • Duration 53:48
Wendy Cocke is a best-selling author, workplace strategist, and the founder of Engineering Leadership Solutions LLC. She helps high-achieving professionals and organizations rethink how work gets done. As the author of Making Flex Work and Reimagine Your Work, Wendy provides practical strategies for balancing career growth, workplace flexibility, and business success. With over 20 years of experience leading tech teams in Fortune 500 companies, she brings a results-driven, pragmatic approach to helping individuals and businesses thrive in the modern workplace.
In this episode, Wendi and Wendy discuss:
The future of work embracing flexibility and career growth
Strategies for assessing value-added expectations and making incremental changes
Balancing flexibility, efficiency, and compensation without sacrificing benefits
Effective leadership and team culture in an evolving work environment
Challenges and opportunities of hybrid work and fostering collaboration
Key Takeaways:
The evolving workplace demands a balance between flexibility and career growth, requiring individuals and organizations to adopt pragmatic strategies that foster long-term success amid constant change.
A closer look at work-life balance reveals that true efficiency stems from understanding individual needs, optimizing processes, and making incremental, data-driven improvements that enhance both productivity and well-being.
Intentionality and negotiation emerge as critical skills, empowering employees to set boundaries and shape work arrangements that align with their professional aspirations and the shifting dynamics of the job market.
Leadership in the modern era is no longer about rigid authority but about adaptability—understanding team members' unique goals, fostering engagement, and cultivating a culture of trust and productivity.
Hybrid work is cementing its place in the future, not just as a reaction to market forces but as a strategic shift driven by employment laws, commercial real estate trends, and leaders prioritizing retention through flexibility.
Therese Markow: Look Deeper, Stay Critical, Question More
Season 1 · Episode 24
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 • Duration 43:50
Dr. Therese Markow is an award-winning geneticist who has held prestigious academic positions at major universities in the U.S. and abroad. As the host of the Critically Speaking podcast, she is passionate about translating complex scientific concepts into everyday language, empowering audiences to make informed decisions about their health, communities, and the planet. She also serves as the president of Sin Fronteras, a nonprofit supporting arts and science, and is a dedicated champion for women, bringing her expertise and commitment to equality to every conversation.
In this episode, Wendi and Therese discuss:
Transition from mentoring to hosting "Critically Speaking" on societal and health issues
Challenges of misinformation spreading faster than peer-reviewed publications
Links between underarm treatments, breast cancer, and autism prediction in fetal brain imaging
Impact of obesity, endocrine disruptors, and chemical exposure on rising health conditions
Sin Fronteras nonprofit supporting scientists, collaboration, and artistic innovation
Key Takeaways:
The podcast "Critically Speaking" emerges as a platform bridging societal and health concerns while addressing the lag in combating misinformation, underscoring the importance of timely, factual communication.
Scientific insights reveal startling links between chemically-treated underarms and breast cancer, as well as autism prediction through fetal brain imaging, pushing for deeper exploration of health and environmental impacts.
Amid systemic challenges like mansplaining and gender discrimination, there’s a powerful call to champion female scientists, advocate for their contributions, and inspire the next generation of women in biological sciences.
Emphasizing informed decision-making, the discussion highlights the risks of chemicals like glyphosate, the value of organic food, and the need for tools like the EWG app to guide safer lifestyle choices.
Rooted in perseverance and self-belief, the narrative inspires action—urging individuals to embrace opportunities, critically evaluate contrasting evidence, and champion publicly funded science for a better future.
Ramin Jahedi: People-First Leadership and Legacy of Impact
Season 1 · Episode 23
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 • Duration 01:11:04
Ramin Jahedi is a visionary entrepreneur, consultant, and talk show host who rose from being an immigrant dishwasher to a successful CEO. As the founder of Black Ops Agency, he embodies people-first leadership, guiding businesses to strengthen connections and empower their teams. Through his podcast, Talk2Rami, he shares stories of resilience and success, inspiring listeners to embrace determination and the right mindset to create their own paths to success.
In this episode, Wendi and Ramin discuss:
Learning every aspect of a business and taking bold risks to achieve goals
Prioritizing people over work to create a family-like workplace culture
Empathy, gratitude, and family support as pillars of leadership and entrepreneurship
Measuring success through positive impact rather than material possessions
Encouraging open dialogue, questioning, and creativity to foster ownership and innovation
Key Takeaways:
The transformative power of self-belief, visualizing goals, and taking bold risks as fundamental steps toward achieving success.
Prioritizing human connections and relationships over profits, fostering genuine care and intentionality to build trust and loyalty.
Leadership principles focus on cultivating empathy, gratitude, and selflessness while maintaining accountability through clear boundaries and disciplined practices.
Success is redefined as the positive impact made on others, shifting away from material possessions or status symbols toward a legacy of meaningful connections.
The value of creating judgment-free environments, encouraging open dialogue, and embracing creativity to inspire innovation and collaborative growth.
“My existence in this world has a purpose. I am here for some reason—we’re all here for some reason. My reason is to help as many people as possible because legacy is everything. You’re not going to be defined by how much money you made; you’re going to be defined by how many people you helped.”
Lisa Chastain: Permission Granted—Your Path to Wealth, Freedom, and True Success
Season 1 · Episode 22
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 • Duration 41:14
Lisa Chastain is a personal finance expert, best-selling author, and host of the “Real Money” podcast. After overcoming her own financial struggles, she has learned to live a life free from money stress. Drawing from her experiences, Lisa has dedicated her career to helping women overcome financial shame and take control of their finances. Through her unique Stop Budgeting system and focus on rewiring money mindsets, Lisa empowers individuals to build wealth, embrace financial freedom, and live life on their own terms. Featured in major outlets like CNBC, Fortune, and O, The Oprah Magazine, Lisa combines her expertise and personal insight to guide listeners toward lasting financial success.
In this episode Wendi and Lisa discuss:
Financial struggles shape money philosophy and highlight societal contrasts
Mindset rewiring leads to wealth building and financial freedom
Vulnerable storytelling empowers others to address personal struggles
Societal expectations and comparisons obstruct financial independence
Budgets become flexible cash flow plans aligned with individual goals
Key Takeaways:
Financial freedom requires questioning societal perceptions and comparisons, emphasizing personal desires and authentic financial goals.
Reframing budgets as empowering tools, such as "cash flow" or "roadmap to adventure," shifts focus from restrictions to joyful financial planning.
Societal norms highlight a disparity between women’s restrictive budgeting expectations and men’s encouragement to take financial risks.
Abundance is achieved by investing in oneself, even if it involves taking on debt, as this can lead to successful ventures and meaningful growth.
Women are encouraged to embrace imperfection, take risks, lead boldly, and fail forward to drive transformative change and achieve financial equity.
Jason Henderson: Financial Abundance Through the Infinite Banking Concept
Season 1 · Episode 21
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 • Duration 45:47
Dr. Jason Henderson brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and financial mastery to his work. With a Ph.D. from Purdue and years of groundbreaking research, Jason transitioned from academia to focus on empowering others through financial literacy. Inspired by the transformative Infinite Banking Concept, he developed a systematic approach to wealth-building. As the host of the Master Your Millions podcast, Jason is a passionate educator and mentor, sharing actionable insights to help listeners uplevel their financial understanding. Above all, he balances his professional achievements with his most cherished roles as a husband and father of six.
In this episode Wendi and Jason discuss:
Transition from academia to financial independence education through infinite banking
Lessons from a frugal mindset and the importance of avoiding debt
Principles of infinite banking using whole life insurance for financial leverage
Strategies for implementing infinite banking within families for long-term benefits
Advantages of whole life insurance for cash accumulation, business growth, and retirement planning
Key Takeaways:
Financial discipline emerges as a universal cornerstone of wealth-building, emphasizing the prioritization of profits over consumption regardless of income level.
Whole life insurance policies, when used strategically, can act as financing tools, offering lower-interest loans, tax-advantaged cash value growth, and access to policy loans for financial flexibility.
A well-designed whole life insurance policy requires curiosity, discipline, and a long-term outlook, proving effective for accumulating wealth over time.
By self-financing major purchases within the family, the infinite banking concept fosters wealth growth, strengthens retirement accounts, and creates opportunities for tax-free inheritance.
Embracing a mindset of abundance, coupled with learning sound financial principles and forming the right teams, can transform financial challenges into a life filled with enjoyment and purpose.
Eric Dyson: Seven Keys to Transformative Leadership
Season 1 · Episode 20
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 • Duration 48:57
Eric Dyson brings a truly one-of-a-kind leadership perspective. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a former nuclear-trained submarine officer, an ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) expert witness in numerous class action litigations, and now he offers unmatched insight into fiduciary processes and plan governance. With experience at Fidelity and as an ERISA Plan Advisor, his mission is to equip plan sponsors and advisors with actionable knowledge to strengthen their fiduciary responsibilities and navigate the complexities of the retirement plan landscape.
In this episode, Wendi and Eric discuss:
ERISA's role in governing retirement plans and the importance of compliance
Eric's "Swiss army knife" metaphor and unlicensed thought leadership freedom
Purpose-driven, servant leadership approach grounded in faith
Characteristics of great leaders and inspiring ethical followership
Developing a personal leadership philosophy as a guiding compass
Key Takeaways:
Purpose-driven servant leadership emerges as a cornerstone of effective leadership, emphasizing faith, finding good in people, and making a meaningful impact on others.
A guiding philosophy of leadership serves as a personal compass, aligning purpose with actions and ensuring ethical and inspired followership.
Success in leadership hinges on defining clear objectives, recruiting the right talent, providing essential tools, and setting uncompromising standards of excellence.
Recognizing and valuing contributors through intentional encouragement fosters a culture of appreciation, reinforcing team motivation and cohesion.
A leadership legacy is shaped by wholehearted dedication, love for faith-driven principles, and the intentional sharing of knowledge with future generations.
“Develop your own leadership philosophy, and there are seven key elements to it. First, define and continuously refine your purpose. Second, find the right people. Third, train them well. Fourth, give them the tools they need to do their job. Fifth, pat them on the back often enough. Sixth, set a standard for excellence. And seventh—while it's a little nebulous, it ties everything together—be an inspiration and an encourager.”
Maria Ross: Strength in Empathy
Season 1 · Episode 19
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 • Duration 01:04:39
Maria Ross is a dynamic speaker, author, business strategist, and empathy advocate who’s on a mission to prove that compassion and business success go hand in hand. Maria’s latest book, The Empathy Dilemma, and her acclaimed podcast, The Empathy Edge, explore how leaders can balance performance, people, and personal boundaries to achieve radical success. With a career-spanning keynote at TEDx and The New York Times as well as workshops for companies like Salesforce, Maria is here to share how empathy can transform leadership and fuel growth.
In this episode, Wendi and Maria discuss:
The transformative role of empathy in careers and leadership
Impact of near-death experience on researching empathy
Empathetic leadership during layoffs and tough decisions
Addressing employee issues through active listening and compassion
Communicating expectations and managing performance with empathy
Key Takeaways:
Empathy emerges as a transformative leadership tool, enabling tough decisions while maintaining compassion, ultimately fostering trust and connection within teams.
The pandemic heightened the demand for empathetic, human-centric cultures, demonstrating its role in enhancing employee engagement, innovation, and workplace adaptability.
By addressing underlying challenges rather than surface-level incidents, leaders can defuse tensions and drive team success through active listening and support.
Empathy's impact on business extends beyond interpersonal relationships, influencing customer loyalty, retention, and overall brand reputation, especially with Gen Z and millennials.
Intentional leadership requires balancing empathy with goal-setting and boundaries, ensuring resources and clarity are provided without emotional overreach.
“I think recognizing and acknowledging that empathy is a strength, not a weakness, and making sure that we take care of ourselves so that we can be there for other people. It's not selfish to know your boundaries. Express your boundaries. It's not selfish to take care of yourself. Like we're saying, take a time out because you're going to show up better for people if you do.”
Mahesh Guruswamy: Transforming Leadership, Crowdfunding, and Guided Chaos
Season 1 · Episode 18
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 • Duration 50:06
Mahesh Guruswamy is a tech industry powerhouse and current CTO of Kickstarter, with over two decades of experience turning bold ideas into reality. Known for his no-nonsense leadership style and knack for mentoring rising managers, Mahesh doesn’t shy away from tackling the tough stuff—his book, “How to Deliver Bad News and Get Away with It”, says it all. When he’s not shaking up the tech world, he’s running Orange County trails or exploring the eerie depths of cosmic horror fiction.
In this episode, Wendi and Mahesh discuss:
How crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter empower creators to raise funds and build audiences
Mentorship and teaching leadership skills to foster creativity and innovation
The influence of relationship building and aligning aspirations with company goals
Management style of "guided chaos" developed during a pivotal role at Smartsheet
Importance of honest communication and lessons from delivering bad news
Key Takeaways:
Crowdfunding platforms are celebrated as transformative tools that empower creators to maintain control, build engaged communities, and innovate outside traditional funding models.
The importance of mentorship and leadership is highlighted, with a focus on fostering creativity through embracing human imperfections and leveraging unique strengths.
A "guided chaos" management style is explored, demonstrating how flexibility and clear boundaries can align team goals with organizational success.
Lessons from failure emphasize the need for honest and pragmatic communication, particularly in delivering difficult feedback to maintain trust and growth.
A strong drive for positive impact and relationship-building emerges, showcasing the value of aligning personal aspirations with company objectives to leave lasting team improvements.
Wayne Turmel: Leading from Afar – Building Trust and Connection
Season 1 · Episode 17
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 • Duration 01:00:12
Wayne Turmel is a pioneer in remote leadership and communication, shaping how we work for nearly 30 years. As the co-founder of The Remote Leadership Institute and the author of 15 books — including The Long-Distance Leader and The Long-Distance Teammate — Wayne helps teams excel in the virtual world. Get ready for an authentic, unfiltered discussion on RTO, hybrid, and work-from-home cultures. We’ll dive into fresh strategies for leading, connecting, and staying productive in today’s hybrid and remote workplaces.
In this episode, Wendi and Wayne discuss:
Challenges of building trust and connections in virtual teams
Risks of remote work becoming transactional and trust-deficient
Effective remote leadership through intentional communication tools
Leadership’s role in remote work success versus location dependence
RTO mandates and their conflicts with DEI goals and strategic planning
Key Takeaways:
The pandemic accelerated remote work, but its success hinges more on leadership quality than the physical location of employees. Effective leadership remains the backbone of trust, productivity, and connection in virtual environments.
Building trust in virtual teams requires consistent exposure and deliberate communication. Intentional interactions help foster meaningful relationships, preventing remote work from becoming purely transactional.
Using appropriate communication tools for different messages is key to effective remote leadership. Balancing the richness and scope of communication ensures clarity, engagement, and connection within teams.
Hybrid work thrives when workflows and outputs guide decisions on where and when tasks are completed. Strategic planning, rather than rigid policies, determines the success of hybrid models.
Leaders who prioritize engagement and flexibility foster trust and productivity in hybrid and remote settings. Strong leadership, not mandatory office presence, drives team cohesion and effectiveness.
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“Be open and honest with your team, because people want to work for a great leader. But in the absence of a great leader, they want to work for a leader who wants to be great. So if you don’t think you’re great yet, bring them along on your journey. Let them know you’re investing in yourself because you want to be great—they’ll keep following you.”
“I guess one of the most important things, I think, is that people look at the data. If they're going to believe something or they think, 'Oh, wow, I better be careful about that,' or, 'Did you hear this?' I think they should try to find a way to access the original information so that they can really make an informed decision and not just base it on what they heard or saw from some sound bite headline on social media. I think that's really important.”
“First and foremost, remember: this is your only life—your only time in this body, in this moment. So, what are you waiting for? If not now, when? And if you’re waiting for permission to take control, here it is: permission granted. Your freedom—whatever it means to you—is 1000% worth the journey. But let it be your freedom, your definition of success—not someone else’s.” - Lisa Chastain
“Well, you’ve got to have an abundance mindset versus a scarcity mindset. This truly allows you to open up and start thinking your way through it. The sky’s the limit, it truly is. There’s abundance around us, and if people simply start to believe that and make a mindset or team change, they can partake in it. Having the right person to guide you with solid financial knowledge or other areas is key. The first step is to be curious and lean in.”
“Management and leadership can be messy to navigate, but if you step into it for the right reasons, it’s incredibly fulfilling. You’re shaping people’s careers, transforming company trajectories, and creating lasting impact. As long as you go in with your eyes open, you’ll do great.” - Mahesh Guruswamy
“Good leaders and teammates understand that using the right balance of richness and scope allows us to build relationships to function as a team to do good work.”
