Episodes

Ever feel like all the self-improvement advice out there is just noise—one source claims broccoli is a health hazard: another calls it a superfood? Today, I’m peeling back the layers on true holistic wellness with someone who believes transformation isn’t just physical, but mental, emotional, and even spiritual. In this episode, I sit down with Mark Anderson, a renowned personal trainer and biohacking expert, to explore the “diamond” of being human. Together, we dive into why people suffer, the ...

You’ve heard it before—your reputation precedes you. But how often do you really consider how your reputation is judged by everyone across your organization, not just your direct boss or team? In this episode, I dive into the critical connection between your reputation and your relationships, revealing why what others say about you when you’re not in the room can alter your career path. I unpack the art of being a trusted advisor, the importance of accessibility and warmth, especially for high a...

Have you ever found yourself butting heads with a peer at work, knowing you need to escalate the disagreement up the ladder, but unsure how to do it without leaving a trail of drama or broken trust? This week, I’m joined again by my close friend and leadership expert Helen Appleby for a candid conversation on “clean” and “dirty” escalations. We unpack what it means to disagree well, the cost of toxic escalation, and how true leaders keep the organization’s health front and center, no matter how ...

What if you're not at your best? We've all experienced those days where everything feels like an uphill battle, when no matter the effort, things don’t seem to fall into place. In this episode, I explore the challenges and essential strategies for handling those tough days with grace and introspection. Through personal stories, like my memorable encounter with a rushed and hungry surgeon, I reflect on the importance of self-care and understanding when it's crucial to pause, reassess, and adjust ...

In this episode of The Rising Leader, I had a conversation with Stephanie Chung, where we explored the challenges and strategies of modern leadership in today's rapidly changing environment. We focused on how leaders can effectively manage diverse teams, innovate strategically, and maintain composure in uncertain times. Stephanie shared practical advice on the importance of self-care, brain training for uncertainty, and the need for leaders to communicate transparently and consistently. Our disc...

Navigating the art of influence, this week, I delve into the delicate balance between being an influencer and being influenced. Drawing from recent experiences onboarding three new clients who share the same enneagram type, I explore the challenges faced by driven, goal-oriented individuals. I also discussed how energy in a meeting can be shaped by mood and how to maintain composure amidst differing opinions. Anecdotes from my journey allow us to explore strategies for emotional intelligence th...

You've been with us as we dive into tough conversations about resilience and navigating uncertain times. In this episode, I brought on Gregory Vetter, a revolutionary entrepreneur who transformed a family recipe into Tessa Mae's, the leading organic salad dressing brand in the US, and pioneered clean food manufacturing. Gregory shares his remarkable entrepreneurial journey, detailing how he handled the trials that came with scaling a successful brand, investor infighting, and eventual turmoil, a...

In this episode, I explore the profound connection between spirituality and leadership. Over the last 40 years, I've been on a deep spiritual journey that has greatly influenced my personal and professional life. From overcoming homelessness and addiction to writing "The Rising Leader," I've integrated my spiritual growth into understanding and teaching leadership dynamics. For the past few decades, my quest has been one of spiritual introspection, evolving significantly since turning 60. This ...

In today's episode of The Rising Leader, we're diving into the complexities of dealing with uncertainty in our ever-evolving world. We explore how to transform stressful situations into opportunities for growth and being our best selves, no matter the challenges we face. I had the privilege of speaking with Michael Neill, a transformational teacher known for his work on breaking down cultural myths around stress and pressure in both business and life. Michael Neill is an internationally renowne...

Have you ever thought about what truly drives effective leadership? For many, it isn't about wielding power with an iron fist; it's about creating a culture where people feel valued and safe. In this engaging episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Garry Ridge, former CEO of the WD40 Company, who transformed a household name into a global success story, not through authoritarian command, but by fostering an environment of care, safety, and engagement. Garry Ridge, a distinguished though...

Welcome back, leaders. Today, we're exploring how to adapt and thrive amidst uncertainty in the ever-changing landscape of 2025 and beyond. John Little joins me for a candid conversation on resilience, adaptability, and finding anchors in unprecedented times. We delve into introspection, community, and personal growth to help you confidently navigate, no matter what challenges arise. John Little is a business leader, entrepreneur, and consultant with over 25 years of experience. John is the pri...

Have you ever been so triggered that you lost your composure in a situation? In our latest episode of The Rising Leader, I delve into what happens when high achievers and leaders lose their calm and how they can navigate these turbulent moments. This episode explores the strategies I teach, grounded in emotional intelligence, to handle one's emotions when under pressure and maintain clarity and control. In today's episode, I recount a personal story involving my eldest son, sharing how I manage...

I'm thrilled to bring you this inspiring conversation with Steve Schlafman, a former venture capitalist who has undergone a powerful transformation in his life and work. We dive into our complex relationship with success and how to thrive amidst the constant changes in today's world. Steve's journey from the high-paced world of venture capital to founding Downshift, a coaching firm that supports ambitious professionals through transition and transformation, provides a fascinating lens on redefin...

In today's episode, I dive into a powerful meditation technique I recently discussed with the incredible Michael Neal, author of Super Coach and the Inside Out Revolution. This meditation is designed to calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and bring us into the present moment, where we can tackle challenges with clarity and focus. I share my personal experience with this technique and how it has helped me overcome procrastination and anxiety in my own life. "One of the reasons we're good in a crisis ...

So, we're early in the new season of "The Rising Leader," today, we're diving deep into the themes of grounding, success, and transformational coaching with Michael McDonald. In light of the significant changes expected in 2025, it's vital to understand how to stay grounded and centered amid the chaos. Michael, a transformational coach with clients ranging from CEOs to other coaches globally, shares his evolved coaching philosophy, focusing on subtracting rather than adding to his client's lives...

You’ve probably heard me say a million times that when I feel resentment, it’s a sign of something more profound. Maybe it means I haven’t set a boundary, I haven’t asked for something I want, or maybe, just maybe, I’m jealous. In this episode of The Rising Leader, I dive deep into the goldmine hidden in our feelings of resentment and harsh judgment. By examining our emotions and reactions, we can uncover valuable insights about our unmet needs and desires. Whether dealing with colleagues at wor...

In this episode of The Rising Leader, I explore the profound connection between nature, stress, and leadership with my insightful guest, Sam Morris. We dive into how one can experience nature, from superficial encounters to profound, transformative engagements. We also discuss the cultural endorsement of stress and its impact on decision-making and team coherence, as well as how adopting a vitality-oriented mindset can lead to better outcomes in both personal and professional life. Additionally,...

Stepping into 2025 presents unique challenges and stressors unlike any we've faced before. In this first episode of the year, I address how AI, shifting business practices, political upheavals, and other pressures shape our lives and work environments. We'll explore effective strategies for staying grounded and becoming the best versions of ourselves amidst uncertainty. Over the coming months, I'll have insightful conversations with spiritual masters and thought leaders in positive psychology to...

Kim Scott is an author, speaker, and the Co-founder of Radical Candor, an enterprise dedicated to creating productive organizations where respect and collaboration combine. Before co-founding Radical Candor, Kim served as a CEO coach at Dropbox, Qualtrics, Twitter, and other tech companies, as well as a faculty member at Apple University. She also led AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams at Google. She is the author of Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity and Just W...

Matt Abrahams is a professor, keynote speaker, and martial artist. He is a leading expert in communication and serves as a lecturer in organizational behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, where he received the school’s Alumni Teaching Award. Matt teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. Additionally, he teaches public speaking and co-teaches improvisational speaking in the Stanford Continuing Studies Program. Matt is also a sou...

Larry Quinlan is a technology leader, public board director, and strategic advisor to private equity. He is the former Global Chief Information Officer of Deloitte, one of the world’s largest professional services organizations for over 330,000 people in more than 150 countries and territories. As Deloitte’s Global CIO, Larry led 10,000 IT professionals across the world and drove significant revenue as the lead client partner for several of the company’s global clients. In 2021, after more than ...

Garry Ridge is the Chairman and CEO of the WD-40 Company. Garry has been working with the WD-40 Company for nearly 40 years and, as its CEO, is responsible for driving the company’s culture and values. In addition to his role at the WD-40 Company, Garry shares his experience and insights as an executive coach, consultant, and speaker through his platform, the Living Moment. He has been instrumental in re-igniting excitement and cultivating cultures that foster breakthrough innovations in organiz...

Have you ever felt unheard or not respected? Perhaps you’ve been in a political conversation where you know with every fiber of your being that what the other person is saying is completely wrong, untrue, or they’re listening to the wrong sources – and it triggers you. Then you begin to get ‘wrapped around the axle’. Perhaps there was an experience you felt could have been avoided that triggered you to react in an emotional way rather than a calm, wise one. It can be hard to stay calm, cool, an...

Michael D. Robinson is the Vice President of Healthcare for North America at VMware, a leading provider of multi-cloud services for all apps—enabling digital innovation with enterprise control. A tech industry veteran, Michael has driven hundreds of thousands in revenue, created billion-dollar business divisions, and supported scores of sales careers. He formerly served as the Vice President for US Health and Life Sciences at Microsoft, where he worked for over 14 years before joining Year Up as...