Shows
99 HumansThat's a wrap! What we learned: Nadia and Jeff [100]In this wrap-up episode, Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta look back on the three-year experiment that became 99 conversations exploring the human side of leadership. They revisit the early days when fewer than ten people were listening, the joy of celebrating tiny signs of growth, and the deeper lessons that made the project sustainable.Along the way, they trace the themes that surfaced again and again: leadership grounded in values, the unexpected loyalty that follows honest accountability, and the simple truth that action outlasts perfection.The episode closes with the question asked to every guest: what...
2025-12-1043 min99 HumansThe power of stories and the myth of meritocracy: Gavin McMahon [99]Leadership isn’t just the strategy you announce—it’s the story people can believe long enough to live.In this conversation, Gavin McMahon, CEO of Fassforward and author of Story Business, traces his path from mechanical engineer to transformation guide, and reframes change as a human act before it’s a corporate one. What began as faith in logic, meritocracy, and clean answers evolved into something messier and more powerful: the recognition that organizations move when people’s inner narratives move.Gavin shares why emotions aren’t the enemy of good decisions, how hope, fear, and re...
2025-12-0539 min99 HumansBe a duck: Gila Wilensky [98]Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about learning how to stay steady when none seem to exist.In this conversation, Gila Wilensky, Chief Solutions Officer at WPP Media, shares what it means to lead with curiosity, composure, and a sense of humor in an industry that never stops reinventing itself. From her first lesson—“be a duck”—to her later discovery that tension and change can be creative forces, Gila reveals how she balances decisiveness with empathy and innovation with imperfection.We explore how AI is reshaping the marketing world, why curiosity is t...
2025-10-1031 min99 HumansBalancing intuition and analysis: Aysun Demircan [97]Behind every impressive career journey lies a set of values that quietly steer the course.In this episode, Aysun Demircan reflects on how core values evolve over time, why debating both sides of an argument taught her empathy, and how she navigates the tension between chasing growth and staying rooted with people she loves to work with. She opens up about building a decision-making framework that balances intuition with analytical rigor, the role of mentors and “kitchen cabinets” in career choices, and the surprising ways personal life and professional life intertwine.We explore the double-edged swor...
2025-09-2637 min99 HumansDone Beats Perfect: Building cultures of trust and speed: Sean Kingsbury [96]Leadership's truest test lies in how we treat our peers, own our mistakes, and invite others to run alongside us.From his early days in the U.S. Air Force to his role as a marketing executive at State Farm and pro bono advisor to the National VFW, Sean has spent his career building cultures where curiosity beats criticism, where failure fuels growth, and where meaning matters more than momentary happiness.In this episode, Sean shares why “done beats perfect” is more than a mantra—it’s a mindset that unlocks speed, psychological safety, and innovati...
2025-09-2441 min99 HumansRaising the Bar: Leadership, AI, and the Future of Human Agency: Shiv Singh [95]While technology rewrites the rules of work, creativity, and truth itself, hold fast to what makes us human by embracing uncertainty and showing vulnerability.From PepsiCo to Visa to the boardroom of a Fortune 200 company, Shiv Singh has spent his career navigating moments of massive transformation. In this episode, he shares why AI is not just another technological shift but a force as profound as the discovery of fire—and why the future of leadership will demand more humanity, not less.We explore the rise of followership in a world of contested truths, why vulnerability is...
2025-09-1152 min99 HumansPlaying to your inner algorithm: Nish Patel [94]What does it take to lead yourself—before you can lead anyone else? You start by knowing yourself, being yourself, and showing up as yourself.From scaling startups to stepping away for a “blank canvas” sabbatical, Nish Patel has spent his career reimagining what leadership can look like in an age of rapid change. In this episode, he shares how living with a rare neurological condition became his greatest teacher—shaping his perspective on resilience, perspective, and the human side of innovation.We talk about reframing limitations as circumstances, why friction is the new optimization, and how...
2025-08-1546 min99 HumansHappy accidents and bold moves: Vidya More [93]What does it take to lead with courage—when you’re the only one in the room who looks or sounds like you? You advocate for yourself, open the door for others, and build the future one brick at a time.From growing up in a 300-square-foot apartment in India to becoming a global tech executive, Vidya More has built a remarkable career at the forefront of AI and innovation. In this episode, she shares the winding journey that took her from soldering broken radios to leading data and AI strategy at Capgemini—and the quiet resilience it too...
2025-08-0741 min99 HumansLow fuel, high integrity: Patrick Lakusta [92]How do you lead in crisis when every protocol breaks down? You listen, adapt—and bring the volleyballs.From night landings in sandstorms to leading sailors mid-pandemic, Navy pilot (and Jeff's personal hero/brother!) Patrick Lakusta shares the messy, human side of leadership in high-stakes environments. In this episode, Patrick opens up about taking command of a Joint Strike Fighter Squadron, the emotional complexity of military transitions, and the unexpected ways transparency and humor sustained his team through COVID isolation.With wisdom forged in flight simulators, quarantine gyms, and desert skies, Patrick reflects on prioritizing wh...
2025-06-261h 1199 HumansAsk for what you need: Alessia Todde [91]How do you lead with humanity in the face of uncertainty? You ask for what you need.From door-to-door sales in Texas to leading national teams in the luxury skincare space, Alessia Todde’s leadership journey is one of grit, transformation, and heart. But behind her impressive résumé lies a deeper story—one of learning from management mistakes (like all of us!), navigating the chaos of working motherhood, and most recently, facing a breast cancer diagnosis with courage and clarity.In this episode, Alessia opens up about the evolution of her leadership style—from microman...
2025-05-0845 min99 HumansNo losses, only lessons: Juan Vallejo [90]From playing collegiate soccer on a scholarship to leading global teams at Google, Juan Vallejo’s journey is defined by grit, heart, and an unshakeable commitment to his values. But behind the polished résumé lies a story of resilience—from rebuilding his life after losing a job and visa sponsorship, to facing major knee surgery and recovery with optimism and discipline.In this episode, Juan shares how his guiding values—passion, growth, and legacy—shape not just his leadership style but his entire life. He opens up about navigating setbacks, the importance of taking action to honor your...
2025-04-1852 min99 HumansFinding strength in the face of crisis: Raman Khanna [89]Life can change in an instant. One moment you're planning a future, and the next, you're navigating a whirlwind of life-altering events.Raman Khanna, VP at IPG media brands, shares his powerful and deeply personal story of facing a cancer diagnosis while his wife was pregnant with their second child and his mother was passing away. From the shock of a life-threatening illness to the joy of new life and the pain of loss, Raman reveals how these experiences reshaped his perspective on leadership, career, and what truly matters.Tune in to hear how Raman...
2025-04-0445 min99 HumansBreak free from your addiction to work: Nicky Brown [88]People talk about work addiction like it's a badge of honor. Like grinding yourself into the ground somehow makes you worthy of success.Leadership coach Nicky Brown shares her powerful journey from corporate success to self-discovery, revealing how she broke free from work addiction and redefined achievement on her own terms. From her early influences in human-centric leadership to the pivotal moment she realized her worth wasn’t tied to accolades, Nicky offers deep insights on balancing ambition with well-being. Tune in to learn how to lead with purpose, break unhealthy patterns, and create lasting imp...
2025-03-1331 min99 HumansFrom fax machines to AI: Nancy Hall [87]Can you remember a moment in your career that changed everything?Nancy Hall, CEO of Mindshare North America, shares her remarkable journey—from faxing her first job application to becoming one of the most respected leaders in digital marketing and advertising. She opens up about the challenges of being a female leader in a male-dominated industry, the power of lifelong learning, and the importance of fostering diverse teams that encourage debate and creativity.Nancy also reflects on the lessons learned from her early entrepreneurial venture in fashion-tech, the struggles of balancing career and motherhood, and ho...
2025-03-0748 min99 HumansTaking the leap: Nandeeta Seth [86]When you want something, sometimes it requires taking a leap. What are you leaping to next?From small-town India to the executive boardroom, Nandeeta Seth shares her journey of resilience, risk-taking, and redefining success. She opens up about moving to the U.S. with nothing but ambition (and a mountain of student debt), the challenges of leadership in a fast-changing world, and how being a mom actually makes her a better executive. Tune in for candid insights on career growth, emotional regulation, and setting boundaries—both in business and in life.linkedin.com/in...
2025-03-0148 min99 HumansTough calls and four-year-old terrorists: Alexis Hochleutner [85]Who are the toughest negotiators in your world?From navigating high-stakes decisions at Google and Facebook to advocating for her neuroatypical child, Alexis Hochleutner shares candid lessons on trust, resilience, and why four-year-olds might just be the toughest negotiators of all. Tune in for a refreshingly real take on leadership, advocacy, and embracing the chaos. Alexis Hochleutner dives into the messy, human side of leadership—both in the boardroom and at home. linkedin.com/in/alexishochleutner/99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta inte...
2025-02-0742 min99 HumansA partnership built on trust: Sandra and Ryan [84]Who's your closest partner? What makes that partnership work?Dive into the dynamic partnership between Sandra Muoio and Ryan Blum, two advertising leaders whose decade-long collaboration has weathered high-stakes challenges, heated debates, and plenty of laughter. From a fateful conversation on a stuck Chicago L train to transforming major client strategies, their story is a masterclass in trust, empathy, and authentic leadership. Hear how they navigate disagreements, build creative solutions, and inspire their teams—all while staying true to themselves and each other. This is a conversation about the human side of leadership, where mutual re...
2025-01-2855 min99 HumansOwn It. Reinventing Your Narrative: Kay Munday [83]You’re the CEO of your own narrative. So, what’s your next chapter?Kay Munday, a communications coach, NLP practitioner, and creative business leader at Google shares her journey from being a self-proclaimed “terrible communicator” to becoming a sought-after expert in helping people and brands own their narratives. Through her personal story of transformation, she reveals how overcoming her fear of communication taught her the importance of aligning your internal story before mastering external expression.Kay’s relatable anecdotes and actionable insights make this episode a masterclass in reinvention, vulnerability, and the art of storytelli...
2025-01-2142 min99 HumansBuilding business around life: Max Traylor [82]How do you do it all and ENJOY THE RIDE?!Max Traylor, a fourth-generation entrepreneur and independent consultant, shares his journey of redefining success. From the pressures of running a marketing agency to discovering a business model that puts personal life first, Max reflects on the lessons he’s learned about work-life balance, mental health, and building a fulfilling life.Max offers practical insights for consultants and entrepreneurs on simplifying work, focusing on impact, and, above all, enjoying the ride. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about prioritizing what truly matters.linkedin.com/in...
2024-12-1933 min99 HumansThe team will tell me: Alexia Palau [81]Trust and collaboration. Every team needs it, but how do you create it?Alexia Palau started a new role on March 20, 2020 just as things began unravelling for COVID. Alexia shares how the next few years challenged her with building trust and collaboration in her multi-national team. Applying lessons learned from startups and past roles, Alexia shares how she nurtures relationships that avoid the echo chamber and keep her grounded with what the team needs to succeed.For Alexia, success is a constant process of iteration, requiring a team of people who will tell you what...
2024-12-1237 min99 HumansLetting go to speed up: Dustin Riechmann [80]How often do you say no? It may be getting in your way.Dustin Riechmann is a serial entrepreneur, and since he's always juggling multiple businesses, he's had to learn the importance of letting things go. A 6-month deadline to make a profitable side business became the opportunity to give notice and pursue his passions.Dustin shares tricks of the trade from successes and failures of starting companies, now coaching other founders on making the 7-figure leap. linkedin.com/in/dustinriechmann/7figureleap.com99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on...
2024-11-0745 min99 HumansCompanies as fulfillment not family: Mailine Swildens [79]Companies are not families, but the people we work with can be lifelong friends. Mailine Swildens helps the largest companies in the world reimagine their digital marketing. Mailine shares how she learned that companies are not families without becoming disillusioned or pessimistic by their profit-driven nature.Mailine thinks that when leadership comes from a good place, it changes the world. Hear how she keeps a realistic perspective on corporations while still creating a fulfilling experience for herself and her teams. linkedin.com/in/545swi99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on...
2024-11-0447 min99 HumansGrowing through challenge: Annica Lin [78]The best way to grow is to get uncomfortable. From Taiwan to tech, Annica Lin's journey is a testament to the power of a growth mindset. In this inspiring episode, Annica reveals her secrets for overcoming challenges, building resilience, and achieving her goals. As the head of growth for Nagish, Annica interweaves her passion for challenge with her leadership in and out of the workplace. Annica shares how she's transformed her life through running marathons, speaking on the TEDx stage, and leading multiple technology companies. Listen and discover what it takes to embrace discomfort and...
2024-10-1734 min99 HumansMake time for what you love: Giorgio Suighi [77]Discover how to balance a demanding career with personal passions. Giorgio Suighi, a successful entrepreneur and corporate leader at Mindshare, shares his strategies for making time for what you love. From leveraging AI to cultivating personal discipline, Giorgio's insights offer practical tips for achieving a fulfilling work-life balance. Tune in to learn how to design your life around your unique interests and find the energy for both your career and personal pursuits.linkedin.com/in/giorgiosuighi99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta...
2024-10-1034 min99 HumansLearning done right: Pete Fullard [76]Tired of L&D initiatives (your own or your team's) falling flat?Join us as we chat with Pete Fullard, Founder & CEO of Upskill People, a company that has thrived in the learning space for nearly 30 years. Discover why measuring outcomes and building actionable plans are the keys to successful L&D.Pete shares his personal journey to becoming a CEO and offers practical advice for individuals and businesses looking to level up their learning and development strategies. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and actionable tips!upskillpeople.comlinkedin...
2024-10-0347 min99 HumansWhen passion project becomes life mission: EJ Kim [75]What does it take to lead with purpose?In this episode of 99 Humans, EJ Kim, Co-Founder & CEO of NNABI, shares her inspiring journey from corporate life to bootstrapping a wellness startup laser-focused on perimenopause. Guided by her passion and purpose, EJ is forging her own path with what she calls a “portfolio career.” Her drive to change how women experience perimenopause—with support, clarity, and community—makes this a must-listen for anyone looking to create meaningful impact.EJ dives into the unique challenges of perimenopause, how she’s transforming the conversation, and what it means to pursue...
2024-09-2638 min99 HumansWhat you have, not what you've lost: Cristina Nuti [74]When life changes in an instant, how do you build resilience to see the positive?Cristina Nuti is a marketing executive at Dell, an IronMan finisher, Paralympic Triathlete, and a Marathoner. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of thirty-six, Cristina shares her inspiring journey to building a rich life, which includes being one of the first ever IronMan finishers with MS. She is an inspiration, with a life perspective centered on acceptance and hard work which fuels incredible achievements and makes her a powerful example of being so much more than a disease.
2024-09-1938 min99 HumansOvercoming Career Inertia: Jing Suk [73]"Climb the ladder!" How do you foster the courage and self-awareness to get what you want out of your career, instead of what's obviously next?Jing Suk has held leadership roles in huge multinational corporations and smaller companies, most recently CEO at Skyrocket Studios. Jing shares stories about overcoming career inertia with deliberate steps to "move the ladder to a different wall" instead of just climbing to the next rung.From Computer Science to Digital Marketing, big corporations to smaller and back again... Jing shares what it feels like to take risks and be intentional...
2024-09-0937 min99 HumansComplementing Creativity: Valerio Cometti [72]How do you foster creativity at the core of yourself and your company?Valerio Cometti is Founder and Creative Director at Valerio Cometti+V12 Design, the home of Deep Design Thinking. Product design is such a creativity-forward business, and yet as founder of the studio Valerio shares how he has built a mix of skills (and people!) who make the company thrive.From the beginning where he studied Mechanical Engineering, Valerio was intentional in building a mixed skillset to help him pursue his childhood dream to run a design studio. With clients ranging from 6 to 160...
2024-08-0951 min99 HumansCater to your audience: Ted Fernandez [71]Why are you a people manager, and how do you react when the going gets tough?Ted Fernandez is the Global Head of Product Marketing at TikTok, with an illustrious career across Tech Companies in the social, video, and education space. Ted shares a specific time when the perception of his team's work was not what he wanted it to be, and how he navigated the situation by customizing messages to all angles: personal, stakeholder and individual contributors.Ted is a powerhouse of authentic leadership, beloved for his effectiveness and adaptability building high performance teams...
2024-08-0237 min99 HumansChange the face of leadership: Jennifer McCollum [70]You probably know that less than 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women. What's going on? Why isn't this changing despite it being a known inequity?Jennifer McCollum is a trailblazing leader, currently CEO at Catalyst Inc, she is making her life's work emulating authentic, human leadership while raising awareness and lifting women up through the leadership ranks. Women face a double (or triple!) bind when it comes to leadership positions, contorting themselves to fit surrounding perceptions and systems.How can women succeed in leadership, and what can allies do to help? Jennifer shares personal experience and...
2024-07-0834 min99 HumansMaking new habits a priority: Morris Martin [69]What could one new habit do for you?Morris has a knack for building new habits... waking up early (4am!), going to the gym, months fasting from alcohol and social media, studying leadership, and more! Morris uses discipline to design a dream life filled with family, friends, and career while staying humble enough to talk openly about lessons he's learned from mistakes along the way.As a Marketing Intelligence & Science Executive, Morris has held leadership positions at some of the largest ad agencies in the world (Wavemaker and Publicis), embodying how much discipline can matter...
2024-06-1249 min99 HumansExpress your genius: Tom Burke [68]What's the secret to expressing your personal genius? Tom Burke has coached TED speakers, C-suite execs, authors, Broadway singers and Hollywood actors for over 20 years as speech-language pathologist and voice coach. His job is to help people tap their passions, quirks, and sense of humor to find their voice, the raw ingredient for gorgeous language. Tom demonstrates human leadership as he unpacks his entrepreneurial journey and shares stories of the process he uses to help his clients find their authentic voice.linkedin.com/in/tomburkevoice/expressyourgenius.com99 Humans is a...
2024-05-3133 min99 HumansTranscendent Dining and Servant Leadership: Pasquale Martinelli [67]Service is selfless, but what's the most important ingredient in any meal?Pasquale Martinelli is the Founder and Executive Chef at Alloro New York Private Dining, brining authentic Italian experiences to his clients. It takes less than ten seconds to feel Pasquale's passion, an incredibly attractive leadership quality, amplified by his love for serving people.Pasquale shares his journey from Puglia to NYC, overcoming hardships to find success creating transcendent dining experiences. This is a human leader with a love for life, for people, and for good food, and it's a joy to hear how...
2024-05-0948 min99 HumansBuilding a career in AI: Enrico Santus [66]AI! It's everywhere, but how do you position yourself to take advantage of career opportunities? Enrico Santus has worked on, or advised for, AI work at companies like Bloomberg, Bayer, Hospitals, and the Women's Brain Project. So to say that his career is "having a moment" is an understatement. Enrico shares his story from a small Italian town to journalism to advising household names on the future of AI and human-AI collaboration.What does leading (people) "in AI" even mean? Hear Enrico's tips for positioning your career at the forefront of AI while learning what...
2024-05-0237 min99 HumansCultivating innovation through trust: Kathrin Holzfurtner [65]Do you give trust up, down, and sideways in your organization? What about to yourself?Kathrin Holzfurtner has been a Director of Talent Acquisition for companies like iDeals and Microsoft, making a career out of her ability to find, hire, and support high performance teams by leading them herself. Every high performance team wants to drive impact and to innovate, and Kathrin tells a powerful story about the role of trust in success.Employees trusting leaders; leaders trusting employees; earning vs. giving trust; the role of trust in motivation. Kathrin provides a masterclass in the...
2024-04-1934 min99 HumansCEO of your career: Nils Vinje [64]What's the last decision you made to drive your own career?Nils Vinje is the Founder of Leadership MBA, which helps people get promoted faster, save time, and build stronger teams. Before Nils could help others he first had to help himself, and that's the story he shares in this episode.From StengthsFiner to being the CEO of your own career, Nils shares what it was like to go from the "passenger seat" to the "driver seat" of his career. From there he became a successful founder and CEO and it all started with realizing t...
2024-04-1135 min99 HumansLayoffs can still be human: Natasha Davidson [63]Ever been laid off? Led a team through layoffs? This episode reveals the raw emotions and tough decisions behind those moments and how to make them less devastating.Natasha Davidson, currently CMO at Group GTI, has an incredible background of executive leadership positions. Among amazing career highlights, Natasha shares an incredibly challenging moment managing reorganizations that lead to layoffs.Hear how Natasha navigated her personal journey managing layoffs, communicating them in the most human way possible, and helping those who weren't laid off process the changes and focus on the future. Incredible insight into the...
2024-04-0434 min99 HumansSuccess and more: Alfonso De Gaetano [62]What motivates you?Alfonso De Gaetano has succeeded in leadership positions at Consulting firms, at Google, and as a Founder of CRURATED. He credits this success to learning along the way... how to work hard; how to lead; and how to create. Alfonso shares how he creates a vision for where his life (and company) are going -- not necessarily how to get there.With a resume many strive to achieve, Alfonso opens up about the pros and cons of ambition. What's it like to look at the world, succeed, and want more? A fantastic...
2024-03-2855 min99 HumansSurround yourself with people you love: Julie Saxon [61]After learning that she hated law, Julie Saxon started her illustrious career as a temp Secretary at an Ad Agency. Since then, she's been the CRO at The Weather Company, VP at Verizon, and most recently followed her own advice to be Head of Consumer Sales at X where she is working with a mentor and people she loves.What you see is what you get, a mantra for authenticity tested by Julie's husband's cancer diagnosis. Juggling kids, a high visibility job, and her own journey Julie shares the choices she made in what authentic leadership can...
2024-03-2133 min99 HumansPublic school leadership through covid: Harold S. Henry, Jr. [60]Covid + School Districts = Complexity. How does human leadership help?Harold S. Henry, Jr. is the Chief of Schools at Baltimore Curriculum Project and spent six years as a principal in Baltimore City Public Schools. He's experienced the brunt of misperceptions about what leadership in school districts, and shares a powerful story of leadership through Covid to exemplify how empathy and human leadership made all the difference.Teachers, principals, and administrators in public school face a unique challenge re-humanizing leadership, but it resonates across all industries. In this episode, Harold shares how purpose was a secret...
2024-03-1445 min99 HumansFuture vision for today's success: Paola Marazzini [59]What do you really want? You won't get it if you don't spend time prioritizing your authentic goals.Paola thrives in difficult environments -- from influencing the Italian economy as one of few women in the space, to executive leadership in Big Tech. How? Resilience - having and focusing on the bigger picture, the bigger goal. Paola shares how human leadership principles/platitudes like "knowing yourself," actually helped her succeed in challenging times and thrive over the longterm. A masterclass in human leadership, Paola is fascinating to listen to and empowering to learn from.
2024-02-2936 min99 HumansLeadership without profit (or funds!): Neel Ghose [58]You've heard of a non-profit, but what about a Zero Funds organization?Enter Neel Ghose, the kind of "human leader" who takes the challenge of leading in the philanthropic world to a new level. Neel created Robin Hood Army, a Zero Funds organization connecting what would be "food waste" to those in need, a fully volunteer led effort that has grown to 237,197 "Robins" (volunteers), 403 cities, and 133,963,731 meals. Hear Neel describe how a purpose-driven organization (with all this success, Robin Hood Army sees their job still only 1% done) sparks his personal passion and allows him to...
2024-02-2230 min99 HumansThe language of leadership: Milena Koralczyk [57]What is leadership without language? What about leadership in language?Milena Koralczyk is founder and CEO of the language school, "L'Ecole Parisienne de Langues," a premiere language school based in Paris teaching French to executives and ex-patriots seeking to find their place in French culture. Milena shares why language is important but also what made it important to her.From AI's impact on language, to language's impact on leaders, Milena brings a fresh perspective to human leadership in her company and the people she teaches.99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing l...
2024-02-1628 min99 HumansThe Reinvention Formula: Craig Siegel [56]What would it take to reinvent yourself? What things would you need to lose in order to gain?Craig Siegel spent thirteen years as a gladiator in the wrong arena, pouring his energy and time into Wall Street before finally cutting the cord and becoming an entrepreneur. It was then that his passion for reinvention caught fire , he founded Cultivate Lasting Symphony (CLS) and inspired millions through his bestselling book, podcast, and speaking engagements.Hear Craig's tips for how to reinvent your career and your life. Find what lights up *your* soul. Set goals, because...
2024-02-0841 min99 HumansNetworking is worth the work: Kurt Schmidt [55]Do you cringe thinking about name tags and awkward conversations at “networking” events?Kurt Schmidt, Author and President of The Foundry, one of Inc Magazine’s fastest growing companies, shares how walking in ill prepared for one of his employee’s performance reviews sent him on a journey to sharpen his leadership toolset. Hear how he practices confidence in the face of natural uncertainty, by building an intentional network around him.Networking isn’t a personality trait, it’s work that pays back with personal growth and mutual value. That’s at least what Kurt says, and he l...
2024-02-0239 min99 HumansGenZ Entrepreneur: Celine Chai [54]Ever heard that GenZ doesn't want to work?Celine Chai busts that myth, sharing the story behind her co-founding of NightyEight and becoming a GenZ entrepreneur.Hear how Celine struggled through challenge to now embrace the mantra, "You can't plan life." Celine exemplifies human leadership as she works hard to lead a successful business without losing her passion for dance and a rich balanced life.linkedin.com/in/celine-chaininetyeightla.com99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of...
2024-01-1832 min99 HumansGraceful career moves to be yourself: Diana Agu [53]"We hire women, don't we. We hired you!" How would you respond in the moment?Diana Agu is a strategist, business leader and entrepreneur who studied Law & Criminology in the United Kingdom but climbed the corporate ladder working in Project & Business management. From Morgan Stanley to Capgemini to CEO of her own startup, Diana has proven herself in high pressure corporate settings, but it's her nonprofit and "extracurricular" impact that she says defines her.Born and raised in Nigeria, Diana shares how embracing authenticity may not always be easy but it's critical to building the li...
2023-12-2944 min99 HumansWe need to talk about mental health: Newton Cheng [52]"When I went on mental health leave..." Can you imagine saying that?Newton Cheng is the Director of Health and Performance at Google, and he said those words when he mustered the courage to prioritize himself. So long as mental health conversations are stigmatized, it's hard for leaders to do right for themselves, their family, and their teams. Newton is looking for new ways to approach the topic, better suited for the complexity of today’s world. Hear how Newton faced down the negative energy fueling his accomplishments inwork and in power lifting, to built a...
2023-12-2156 min99 HumansLife happens: Ashley Patel [51]Back-to-back meetings, pregnant, and contractions in the office.Ashley Patel shares a harrowing story when the demands of entrepreneurship collided with the birth of her child, highlighting the importance of making intentional choices with your life and career. Co-Founder of CurbWaste, Ashley is building a company on the forefront of waste management software, while growing her life and family alongside. In a conversation sparked by Ashley's emotionally challenging story, we discuss gender norms, cultural norms, country laws, and more as we explore how messy the human leadership journey can be.linkedin.com/in...
2023-12-1549 min99 HumansWho knew starting a podcast would be so hard... and rewarding! Jeff & Nadia [50]Happy 50th episode!On this special edition, Nadia and Jeff reflect on their 99 Humans journey: what we've learned from the incredible guests and from the journey of creating the show.How does a coaching background help and hurt being a podcast host? How do you create a podcast with no prior experience? How do you get the podcast out into the world, and what does it feel like to have mixed success?We are so thankful for the incredible ride 99 Humans has been; the skills we've learned; the challenges we've overcome; and the...
2023-12-0742 min99 HumansHigh stakes in healthcare: Pierre Monice [49]Leadership isn't life and death, right?Pierre Monice is President of MacNeal Hospital, and shares how important it is to listen to experts, in this case medical professionals working in the hospital, when making decisions. He sees his core role as a relationship builder, where everyone is a stakeholder. In the operations realm, Pierre has seen major capital improvement projects, managed costs and oversee HR operations with 99th percentile measurement in employee engagement.Before working in healthcare Pierre was a Pastor, and he shares how that experience shapes his leadership style while also honing the...
2023-11-3041 min99 HumansNon-profit boards accelerate your career: Ann Piccirillo [48]Being on a non-profit board is often thought of as a late-stage move, once you've mastered your career, arranged your life, and can finally give back. But what if it could be used to accelerate your career and life?Ann Piccirillo is an accomplished and data-driven People Operations and Strategy Leader, acting as Senior VP of People Strategy & Operations at JDA. Sharing a personal story of hardship which interrupted a previously smooth ladder-climbing career, Ann flips the script on volunteering to stand out, learn skills, and accelerate her career."It was the pain that drove me...
2023-11-2245 min99 HumansAbundant career, finance, and freedom: Adam Coelho [47]Career Abundance. Money Abundance. Financial Freedom. Adam Coelho manifested his dream job at Google as a Senior Data Transformation Lead, but this is only the tip of the iceberg as he also hosts the Mindful FIRE Podcast, a podcast all about achieving Financial Freedom. Adam shares how his journey towards financial freedom intersects with career highs and lows. Hear how Adam applies the tools of mindfulness to transform his life. From money to personal development to job growth, these are practical tips that can be applied to get what you want from your life.
2023-11-1655 min99 HumansLeading a cultural change: Giulia Redavid [46]"Work culture" is critical, but how do you change it?Giulia Redavid has 15 years of experience leading companies across different roles in innovative Supply Chains. At Luxottica she reorganized an entire office and supply chain from California to Milan. The most challenging part? Navigating the change in culture.From moving, changing roles, reorganizing teams, having a baby, and more Giulia shares what it takes to land a successful culture change at Luxottica and how that experience shapes her leadership today. linkedin.com/in/giulia-redavid-03b94a7/99 Humans is a multimedia platform c...
2023-11-0952 min99 HumansManaging without power: Joris Merks-Benjaminsen [45]The moment you become a leader people stop giving you feedback.Joris Merks-Benjaminsen knows, because he was a Google leader in EMEA for almost thirteen years before he wrote "Managing without power" and leaving to help managers become leaders. The difference is knowing how to harness strengths, not just force results. How do you overcome the echo chamber that only gets worse the more senior you are? How do you harness intrinsic motivation to avoid forcing actions and disengaging team members? Joris shares practical tips for managing without power. linkedin.com/in/joris-merks-benjaminsen-5673384/
2023-11-0245 min99 HumansSuccess Together: Brittan Bright & Michael King [44]Have you ever heard a real couple share how they navigate two successful careers while juggling parenthood, their relationship, and all the trimmings of a messy, beautiful partnership?Brittan Bright and Michael King are both successful. Entrepreneur. Intrapreneur. Author. Founder. All these words bedazzle their individual resumes. But how does that intersect with parenting? With being their for your significant other? And vice-versa with their leadership? This is the stuff of human leaders.Hear how Brittan and Michael juggle ambition, with compassion and peek behind the curtain of a more complex and beautiful reality than...
2023-10-2649 min99 HumansFail or work harder: Ben Jankowski [43]Sure, failing is learning, but what if it was also a measure of success.Ben Jankowski is starting his own practice after succeeding in countless global leadership roles at Mastercard, Omnicom, MPG, and more. Ben opens up about what sparked the move to do his own thing, what he anticipated, and what surprised him.Be helpful. Don't give it away for free. Don't hold on too long. Leverage relationships. This episode explores Ben's background of success leading multi-billion companies and lessons from going out on his own. Helpful to the intra- and entre-preneurs out there...
2023-10-2049 min99 HumansManaging the fire within: S Renee Smith [42]A leader is wronged; how do you navigate with strength and grace?S Renee Smith is a trailblazing leader, most recently overseeing Amazon’s Leadership and Executive development programs, while championing the Coach approach and literally writing the book on Self-Esteem (Self Esteem for Dummies!). Along the way she learned to manage her both herself and those around her to show up as a leader no matter what comes her way.In this episode, S Renee shares the tiresome challenges that come from being a strong, black woman leader. Jeff and S Renee reflect on an...
2023-10-1939 min99 HumansNavigating founder relationships: Paolo Privitera [41]How do you align the expectations of success between Founders before there's any success?Paolo Privitera has founded six companies, raising over $300M across startups and funds, engaging with a wide range of employees, partners, buyers, customers, and more. Paolo shares tips for navigating those early moments between passionate cofounders -- the beautifully messy and human reality of all new companies which starts with an idea and a dream of success that hasn't yet occurred..Hear what conversations Paolo recommends prioritizing, alongside personal experiences of the ups and downs along the journey to successful leadership of...
2023-10-0523 min99 HumansGrit rewires your brain: Madona Wambua [40]Grit rewires your thinking to know that things will always get better.Madona Wambua leveraged her expertise as a Google Developer Expert to founding, and now serve as CTO of, Jibu Labs product development. Madona is a trailblazer in a male dominated field, and shares how her first dream of aeronautics evolved into a curiosity for technology that became a successful career. Hear how Madona overcomes challenges by leaning into her strengths while pursuing a passion for creating things and helping others along the way.linkedin.com/in/madona-wambuajibulabs.com/
2023-09-2832 min99 HumansListening is THE skill that delights: David Tutera [39]Listening. David Tutera wishes we did it more, and says its helped him snag and delight clients like Elton John, Vanessa Williams, Shania Twain, The White House, Lil'Kim and Barbara Walters. David Tutera is a globally-lauded wedding & entertaining expert, a television personality, fashion designer, entrepreneur, author, husband, father, and so much more. Hailed as an artistic visionary his outstanding reputation has brought success in the lifestyle arena for over 30 years.In this episode, peek behind tremendous success to hear from a humble man whose pursuit of his passion brought opportunities and hilarious stories. Human skills a...
2023-09-2148 min99 HumansGet a better job: Alan Stein [38]You won't find a perfect job, but you can find a better one.Alan Stein shares his journey of leadership across some of the biggest companies in the world (Google, Facebook, AmEx, and more) in a no holds bar discussion about the ups and downs of corporate life. Alan keeps it real (even sharing his paystub publicly!), as a means to shock people into the driver seat of their own careers.Hear the difference that corporate culture can make to a leader's day-to-day, and how for Alan, that led him to his passion of helping...
2023-09-1453 min99 HumansYour work won't speak for itself: Eugina Jordan [37]We are told, be quiet, don't cause any issues, never lift your hand in meetings, just do the work, and the work will speak for itself. That's a lie.Eugina Jordan is an executive who has built her career from a secretary to chief marketing officer in telecom, where women represent only 12 percent of the C-suite. Eugina shares how she learned to navigate a culture not designed for her success, and now helps others do the same. This is a practical approach to taking the driver seat of your career to get what you want. A...
2023-09-0732 min99 HumansValues predict a leader's reaction: Marco De Carli [36]"My door is always open." It's what leaders say. But what happens when someone walks through to share feedback?Marco De Carli, Ceo & Co-Founder of DINN!, shares how leading from his core values creates helpful predictability for the team. "Failure doesn't exist; Learn from success; Feedback is a gift." These are a few examples of Marco's values as a leader, and they allow him to react to situations in ways his team can predict--a healthy, consistent drum beat to a strong company culture.Hear how value-centric, human leadership builds habits that build a strong team...
2023-08-3145 min99 HumansCreating space for women to thrive: Elise Birkhofer [35]What helps women thrive at a company like Google?Elise Birkhofer is the global head of women's community programs at Google, helping women thrive at the company. With a community and responsibility that spans more than 36,000 women, Elise shares the ups and downs of conquering personal hardships and big company dynamics to do amazing work.Hear how passion sparked by a shattering personal experience started her journey to help women thrive. From personal career management tips, to braving hard conversations with men, to concrete corporate responsibility... Elise shares the humanity behind her leadership of twists...
2023-08-2439 min99 HumansIdentity and leadership: Jewel Love [34]How does your identity impact your leadership? What if it was something you were proud of but unsure how others would react if they knew?Jewel Love, founder of Black Executive Men, is on a mission to help black men make 7-figures. Jewel shares how proud he is to lead a mission-driven organization, but also how hard it was for him to reveal his mixed race identity along the way. Can the founder of an organization empowering and employing black men be successful as mixed?Hear Jewel share the connection behind conquering self-doubt and success...
2023-08-1753 min99 HumansAfter you get kicked in the teeth: JiYoung Kim [33]Leaders get kicked in the teeth. It comes with the territory. What makes the difference is what happens the next morning.JiYoung Kim, President at GroupM Nexus, found passion and success in hard work and good ideas. As an immigrant, these were her secret weapons, and she shares how that competitive nature drove her to find opportunities where they would shine. Those opportunities, that growth - it turns out - is hard!When you wake up in the morning after a hard day do you look forward to doing it again, or are you unhappy...
2023-08-1051 min99 HumansTune into the universe: Dave Haskins [32]Even if you doubt where you fit into the picture, as a leader, you have a very significant role to play. Lean into the doubt, because your vulnerability is an opportunity to reach more people.Dave Haskins, an Astrologer and Coach, shares his journey discovering the importance of human leadership across his career at Siemens, Coca-Cola, and launching his own business helping leaders tune into Universal Signals. Connecting Astrology to human leadership is a unique perspective with wonderfully powerful, relevant insights into how to open yourself up to opportunities and impact.Dave asks leaders a...
2023-08-0346 min99 HumansShow up... it's more important than being perfect: Cathy Lanzalaco [31]Perfection is a secret weapon for execution, and a saboteur for leadership.Cathy Lanzalaco, owner of Inspire Careers, has evolved from Nursing to HR to Career Coaching. Along that journey she has been intentionally designing her own inspiring career and does the same for her client today. A key ingredient: avoiding perfection and prioritizing persistence.Filled with speed bumps and constant optimizations, Cathy's story demonstrates how human leaders don't worry about perfection -- they show up day after day.inspirecareers.comlinkedin.com/in/cathylanzalacoTwitter/X: CathyLanzalaco99 Humans...
2023-07-2736 min99 HumansTurn stress into strength: Dr. Amir Rashidian [30]Is stress really the enemy? What if instead of seeking to reduce it, we trained to handle it? Dr. Amir Rashidian shares how his story of building a successful chiropractic practice is the same as building his capacity for stress. From moving the practice in twenty-four hours to keeping up with patient volume without the necessary staff, Dr. Rashidian explores the relationship between capacity for stress and capacity for success.You will face stress pursuing the life of your dreams. This conversation explores tactics for increasing your ability to manage this inevitable part of human...
2023-07-2045 min99 HumansCommunity > Loneliness: Nyamekye Wilson [29]Community cannot be understated. It's the space that supports the choice to do hard things rather than quit.Nyamekye Wilson, founder and CEO of Black Sisters in STEM, shares the revolution she is building the largest database of black women tech talent now touching 30+ country and 9,000+ women. And yet with all this success, Nyamekye shares her journey that felt lonely until she found her community. Milestones may not always come exactly as you want, but you can relish in the progress. Nyamekye shares her emboldening stance of seeing a larger perspective, standing on the shoulders...
2023-07-1327 min99 HumansUncertainty is certain: Paolo Pironi [28]Leaders are unsure of the answers, but they make decisions anyway.Paolo Pironi, Advertising Executive turned Coach/Consultant, shares times when he was uncertain about the right path forward. He sees clarity as a decision, rather than a destination. And to him, the difference comes from a leader's ability to convey both clarity and honesty. Being uncertain doesn't make you weaker, it makes you relatable; it empowers the team; it makes you human and people are driven to work with human leaders.Leaders don't have to radiate absolute certainty all the time. Paolo shares examples...
2023-07-0651 min99 HumansYou drive your destiny: Rashelle Salimi [27]Nobody is going to hand you anything; you have to be driving in every aspect of your life. Find mentors, learn from people who've done things you want to do, but you drive your destiny.While Wall Street may not have a reputation for kind, gentleness it's a hell of a place to learn from and meet talented people. Rashelle Salimi shares her journey of competing and succeeding, often the only woman in the room feeling like she had to do twice what others did to prove herself.Balancing family, hyper competitive work environment, and...
2023-06-2936 min99 HumansDevelop yourself to grow the company: Jose Antonio Martinez (26)What is the secret to success for a founder who's gone from 1 to 1300+ employees?Founding a company is hard; so hard that the small percentage of success stories usually involve new leadership taking over. Jama is a rare breed: he's grown his company to 13 countries, with 20 offices and 1300+ people. How does he do it? He says it's about the people.Jama credits human leadership -- humility, caring for others, personal development, and authenticity. From one challenge to the next, Jama opens up about the realities of personally stretching and growing to meet the ever-changing demands...
2023-06-2251 min99 HumansNobody gets there alone: Jaime Bronstein Olson [25]You don't get if you don't ask. You can do anything, but you can't do it alone.Jaime Bronstein Olson was named the #1 relationship coach, she hosts a talk show, and she just published a book. Hear how her incredible success was built on a mountain of no's, diving deep into the story of becoming (manifesting!) a published author.Leave the office and go out "into the field" with Jaime, as we dive into the incredible world of relationship coaching where Jaime demonstrates how human leadership creates incredible possibilities.linkedin.com/in/jaime-bronstein-olson-9212026/
2023-06-1541 min99 HumansNever stop learning: Seb Hernoux [24]Do you know when you're not excited? Do you know what lights you up?Sebastien Hernoux, Chief Data and Technology Officer at OMD Ad Agency, stays in touch with how he feels about his day-to-day work as a compass for when and where to learn new things. Without development, things stagnate and work becomes boring, but how does that connect to the impact leaders have?Moving countries, changing industries, staying fresh - Seb shares his journey of constant personal development and the difference this has made in his career when it exists... and when it...
2023-06-0845 min99 HumansLeading with empathy: Kerri Jacobs [23]Are high performance cultures synonymous with one type of leadership? If not, then how does leading with empathy contribute to the bottom line?Kerri Jacobs founded "Leading with Empathy" to showcase the strengths of what some consider a "nice to have." Kerri shares how she went from feeling like a fraud to recognizing what made her role models so successful and leaning into authenticity to build greatness for herself and her team.Admit your mistakes. Talk about burnout. Don't let the swirl of busyness get in the way of doing the little things that show...
2023-06-0142 min99 HumansCultivating healthy impatience: Ed Essey [22]Your second life begins when you realize you only live once.Ed Essey shares his incredible journey of cultivating the right kind of impatience through a gut wrenching battle with cancer and an empowering career as an entrepreneur turned leader of entrepreneurs as the Director of Business Value at Microsoft Garage.Ed's story deals with contentment and ambition, struggle and success, and illustrates the incredible power of human leaders -- the ones we follow and the one we can be.Driven by determined impatience: The story highlights the importance of possessing the...
2023-05-2540 min99 HumansGhosted on day one: Filippo Rossi: [20]When you find yourself at the edge of the cliff, take a big breath and jump.Arriving to the US for a new job as CEO to find an empty office ... ghosted by the predecessor who was supposed to help with the transition, and left with a team wondering what's going on.. And then Filippo got to work.From psych safety to risk taking, Filippo's incredible story of handling the unexpected encapsulates how human leaders process emotions to show up as strong and humble ready to transform an organization.linkedin.com/in/frossigm/
2023-05-0425 min99 HumansLiving your purpose: Cindy Pereira Buser [19a]What would it look like if you lived your purpose today? How can you evolve living your purpose without waiting to live it?Cindy Buser left her home country of India for Dubai and South Africa leveraging entrepreneurship to build a life of leadership and of success. For Cindy, living her purpose means running three companies and a new non-profit focused on mentorship for women in South Africa.Cindy inspires with humble excellence, demonstrating how when passion meets action anything is possible.linkedin.com/in/cinderella-cindy-pereira-buser-2b997a16mirchee.co.za
2023-04-2724 min99 HumansLiving your purpose: Cindy Pereira Buser [19b]What would it look like if you lived your purpose today? How can you evolve living your purpose without waiting to live it?Cindy Buser left her home country of India for Dubai and South Africa leveraging entrepreneurship to build a life of leadership and of success. For Cindy, living her purpose means running three companies and a new non-profit focused on mentorship for women in South Africa.Cindy inspires with humble excellence, demonstrating how when passion meets action anything is possible.linkedin.com/in/cinderella-cindy-pereira-buser-2b997a16mirchee.co.za
2023-04-2737 min99 HumansPaving the way for others: Ekapat Chareonlarp [18]In a conversation around life, learning, role models and capitalism, Ekapat shares how studying chemical engineering and spending two years as a monk shaped his leadership principles. Values and Purpose are a must for modern leaders who serve and pave the way for others. Ekapat shares lessons he uses to set his team up for success, like dealing with the intangible while staying in control through faith and feelings.Twitter: @echareonlarplinkedin.com/in/ekapat99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a g...
2023-04-2025 min99 HumansTough conversations are worth it: Christie Barany [17]Giving tough feedback is not fun, but what's the cost of avoiding it?Christie Barany shares a time when she became a manager of a group of peers, a notoriously tricky transition exacerbated by a low performer who had never been given feedback. Hear how her confidence and sheer force of will in doing right by the company, the team, and the individual were tested by process and nepotism to result in a positive outcome.This episode reminds of the value of tough feedback. While it's not the fun part of leadership, it can be...
2023-04-1317 min99 HumansBuilding a career brick by brick: Federico Esu [16]Don't underestimate the value of transferable skills.Federico Esu works at the European Commission's Innovation Council supercharging European businesses. Federico sees its incredible capacity for impact, and the need for effective communication when working across such a wide array of cultures and disciplines.In this episode, the European Commission is a hyper-example of this leadership reality: teams are made up of individuals who have similarities and differences. Hear how Federico achieves success in balancing that reality by pulling from past experiences.linkedin.com/in/federicoesuITACA Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7...
2023-04-0634 min99 HumansYou are your rescue team: Nuria Sarah Pinder [15]Ever left waiting for backup? Wondering when the cavalry will arrive to bail you out? Don't wait; you are your rescue team.Nuria shares how she created her masterpiece life by refusing to wait for help. Mistreatment as the only woman in the room, divorce, self doubt... these things are human and, for Nuria, these things sparked life altering habits and a passion for empowering others.This episode has heart wrenching downs and inspiring highs, along with actionable tools to learn where and how to bring intentional action to your life.linkedin.com...
2023-03-3044 min99 HumansFailure builds character: Priya Bajaj [14]Where does grit come from? Failure. How do you know which inner voice to listen to? Experience. In both cases: perseverance and courage.Priya Bajaj left home at sixteen on a quest to find her voice. After an unfulfilling career as an engineer she found business and moved to the USA only to face incredible challenges in immigration. Hear Priya share how she found her courage and built grit that led her to found "It's Ok Yaar," a content platform for South Asians immigrants living abroad.Listen to a successful, servant leader humbly sharing challenges...
2023-03-2347 min99 HumansGratitude is the path: David Joshua [13]How do you exercise your gratitude muscle, and why does it matter?David Joshua, Director of Leadership Development for Resonance, shares his first experience as a people manager, which became a proof point for diverse teams and the spark for pursuing leadership development as student and teacher.This conversation is a crash course in human leadership filled with actionable tools and tidbits from top voices in the field of people development.https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-joshua/resonance.global99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff...
2023-03-1651 min99 HumansGet your stress in check: Masa Gong [12]What about humanity brings out the best in teams?Masa Gong, our personal Executive and Team Coach, shares the difference that perspective and love for humanity bring to teams. By sharing personal stories of times she thought she'd be fired, to patterns she sees across her Fortune 100 coaching clients, Masa breathes life into the idea of human leadership by attaching it to neuroscience, positivity, and real lived experience.Buzzwords: Empathy, friendship, trust, rapport...Reality: Minimize adrenaline and cortisol, maximize oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin.https://www.linkedin.com/in/masa-gong-positive-coach/https://masagong.com/
2023-03-0934 min99 HumansFinding enjoyment from work: Ricard Valero [11]What happens when your work doesn't align with your personal interests? All leaders face this challenge eventually, yet we don't talk about it.Ricard Valero, Executive Creative Director with an illustrious resume at big name ad agencies, shares how he's overcome moments where work doesn't spark zeal. From searching for the joy, to moving countries or changing jobs, Ricard shares how he identified what makes him happy and pursues it through the ups and downs of a successful career.Hear how a quest for finding enjoyment from work leads to happier days, more impactful teams...
2023-03-0236 min99 HumansTired of poor leaders: Kara Redman [10]"Just let us work!" Leaders can accelerate and they can decelerate. What might you be doing that gets in the way of your team just getting to work?Kara Redman started her own Agency after seeing one too many cases of cultures and leaders that don't truly want what's best for clients and employees. In this episode she shares that spark as a cautionary tale and a call to action for leaders to focus on what matters most: their people and their clients.Hear Kara share how she took big risks to cut through the...
2023-02-2334 min99 HumansGet inspired first: Roberto Croci [9]What if you started a new role by intentionally becoming inspired by the opportunity?Roberto Croci shares how his work with MEA Startups started with the choice to become inspired. Inspiration, it turns out, might not be a mythical thing to wish for, but a story to be told through grit and determination.Hear how Roberto turned that inspiration into a people-focused mission that changed the lives of the startups he worked with and the people on his team.https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertocroci/Twitter: @RobertoCroci99 Humans is a...
2023-02-1621 min99 HumansLet’s just hire the women: Sarah Jensen [8]From being an HP executive managing 400+ people to being a solotrepeneur woman in a world of men. Sarah Jensen has done it all. Even amidst tough life moments, Sarah makes decisions with bravery, confidence, and grace. In an industry with very little representation (only 2% of construction managers were women!) Sarah thrived, redefining protocol to build a company from 0 to 39+ offices. Hear defining moments in building her life and company, including “deciding to succeed.”This episode is a lesson in being a woman with priorities.As Sarah said: To serve is to rule99 H...
2023-02-0931 min99 HumansPay attention to you: Michael Kaplan [7]What kicks you into self awareness? What difference can mastering yourself make in your leadership?After relocating for an exciting new role, Michael Kaplan shares a crash course in self-awareness and focusing on what matters most as he found himself proving the value of a new role without a team or leadership to support him. What started as a successful execution of treating everyone like your client, became a career altering piece of feedback: "You need to get a better handle on yourself."Listen to Michael Kaplan share a human experience filled with big impact...
2023-02-0239 min99 HumansLiving without limits: Kimberly Pucci [6]What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? How do you build self confidence that tears down barriers while attracting others to work with you?Kimberly Pucci, founder of bespoke luxury and lifestyle brand, shares her path to getting her products showcased on the arm of Serena Williams and the world's fastest SuperYachts. In this episode, Kimberly tells stories of grit and determination that launched her brand to global success while juggling caregiving and being a mom. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlypucci/https://www.kimberlypucci.com/Produced...
2023-01-2636 min99 HumansKeep it real, keep it human: Bob Morris [5]Who makes a business successful? What would happen if we judged success through the lens of empathy, kindness, and support for those around us?Bob Morris is an Executive and Founder versed in creating and leading companies through good and bad times. Hear where he learned to aspire for "spark bitten suits," and what it feels like to care deeply for those around you through highs of enormous generosity and lows of selfish society. People want to work with people they like... life's too short not to.https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobmorris/...
2023-01-1956 min99 HumansRising Above: Monique Dawkins [4]To shield or share? Workplace politics is a reality of leadership, but how do you navigate when they become all consuming or toxic?Dr Monique Dawkins shares her experience as a leader, coach, and consultant, pulling across engagements from thousands of leaders to dive deeply into a personal challenge where an exciting new job opportunity turned into a toxic political experience. Tough lessons and a master class in rising above, Monique shares how to navigate surprises and look after yourself and your team.https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdawkins/https://www.betterequippedsolutions.com/
2023-01-1231 min99 HumansFriyays & wash ups: Jordan Richards [3]Put your people first. Sure, but how do you do it and can you ever go too far? All businesses balance the reality of making money with the development and support of the people who make it possible. Leaders, especially entrepreneurs, feel this burden of meeting human needs and sustainable profits. Hear practical tips, and some cautionary tales, on how to support your team during and after their time with you. Jordan Richards shares his experience as an entrepreneur building an agency where both he and his team can be successful in life and work.
2023-01-0533 min99 HumansLift off with culture: Nick Lindsay [2]Australian aerospace + Elon Musk + workplace culture = ? Listen to find out. “Culture” is a loaded word that means anything and nothing; yet how powerful is workplace culture when you’re launching rockets into space? Overcoming imposter syndrome, standing out from the pack, and striving to do things no one has done before can be achieved through an intentional culture.Nick Lindsay shares his experience in aerospace being a part of, and then building the culture at companies looking to the stars while facing challenges that are 100% human.linkedin.com/in/nickfliesfast99 Hu...
2022-12-2941 min99 HumansLeadership At a Cost: Alana Karen [1]We look at leadership as the pinnacle of what we can do, as success. People want to emulate leaders, they want to be those leaders, and we write it off as “They’ve reached the top.” It’s really interesting when you’re in the seat, how stressful it is, and how much it feels at the service of others and where you find that balance.Alana Karen, author of The Adventures of Women in Tech, shares the challenges women face in tech and a time where servant leadership became personal hardship. Tech layoffs and leadership sacrifice meet in th...
2022-12-1928 min