Podcast: The Germinate PodcastHost: Joe SamsonGuest: Jason KiesauLinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-kiesauIn the first episode of 2026, Joe Samson sits down with leadership consultant and social intelligence expert Jason Kiesau for a deeply personal and practical conversation about leadership, behavior, and human connection.Jason shares his powerful personal story, from growing up in a volatile household to struggling academically and professionally in his early years and how those experiences shaped his passion for understanding human behavior. Through adversity, self-awareness, and intentional growth, Jason found his calling in leadership development, emotional intelligence, and helping people navigate relationships more effectively at work and at home.The conversation explores why so many workplace challenges are actually behavioral challenges, how most of our communication patterns operate on autopilot, and why self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership. Jason breaks down the concept of social intelligence, explains how dominant behavior styles influence communication, and shares real-world examples of how misunderstandings between leaders often stem from unmet behavioral needs rather than poor intentions.Joe and Jason also discuss Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how stress, insecurity, and unmet foundational needs can quietly drive decision-making, performance, and conflict. Together, they unpack why leadership begins with leading yourself, why adaptability and versatility matter more than ever, and how understanding behavior can reduce stress while increasing trust, collaboration, and results.This episode blends vulnerability, psychology, leadership science, and lived experience into an honest conversation about growth, purpose, and what it really takes to work well with people in today’s complex world.
