Shows
Leadership HorizonsYour Leadership Questions AnsweredReal leadership lives in the grey areas—where you don’t have perfect information, emotions run high, and the playbook doesn’t fit. We take audience questions head-on, from how to own mistakes without losing authority to navigating toxic cultures, selective vulnerability, and the sting of a boss who seems to be cutting you off at the knees.We start by dismantling the myth of the flawless leader. You’ll hear a simple framework for admitting errors with speed and integrity, turning a bad call into a credibility boost. Then we get practical about personal boundarie...
2025-11-2624 minLeadership HorizonsHybrid Working - The Leadership ChallengeBuilding Connection Across DistanceFeeling like you’re “leading ghosts” on Zoom while trying to keep culture alive across office days, home desks, and time zones? We dig into the real reason hybrid feels hard: it’s not a scheduling problem—it’s a leadership evolution. Across this candid, practical conversation, we break down the habits that no longer serve us and share the ones that do, so your team can feel connected, clear, and engaged wherever they work.We start by challenging the old belief that proximity equals connection. Those hallway cues and desk driv...
2025-11-1915 minLeadership HorizonsThe Power of RemembranceMost leaders can recite every misstep but struggle to name what they did right. That imbalance isn’t a personal flaw; it’s the brain’s negativity bias. We dig into how that bias distorts self-perception and culture, and we offer a practical, repeatable way to rebalance your attention so you can lead with clarity and confidence. Lois shares her path through 25 years of leadership coaching, including lessons from early mentors who shaped her belief that real growth depends on what we remember. Using the lens of remembrance, we explore why focusing only on mistakes creates...
2025-11-1211 minLeadership HorizonsAction Beats PerfectionPerfection promises safety, but it quietly drains momentum, frustrates teams, and lets faster competitors win. We pull back the curtain on the perfection trap and show how courageous action, not flawless planning, drives real results. From stress drivers that kick in under pressure to the subtle fears that keep smart leaders stuck, we map the patterns that stall execution and offer a practical path forward. Lois unpacks the critical difference between excellence and perfection. Excellence is doing your best with what you have when you have it; perfection waits for conditions that never arrive. You’ll h...
2025-11-0508 minLeadership HorizonsRegulating Your Nervous SystemStrategy doesn’t fail because the ideas are weak; it fails because our nervous systems spin up at the worst moment and pull us into reflex over reason. We pull back the curtain on the leadership advantage most people overlook: the ability to regulate your internal state so your best thinking is available when stakes are high.We start with a candid client story: a brilliant director who alternated between force and frantic pivots under pressure. His board lost confidence, his team felt whiplash, and he was burning out. The shift began with awareness—reading somatic signals like...
2025-10-2916 minLeadership HorizonsReconnecting With Your Sense of PurposeWhen the calendar is full and the title looks impressive, why can the work still feel empty? Lois digs into that uneasy gap between outward success and inner drive, sharing a candid story of a senior leader who looked unstoppable on paper but felt depleted in practice. The conversation moves from recognition to action, showing how small, practical shifts can restore meaning without blowing up your career.We start by getting honest about what changed. Early joy often came from learning, solving problems, and building relationships; over time, roles tilt toward managing up and mitigating risk.
2025-10-2207 min
Spilled MilkEpisode 720: Coffee JellyWhat is the deal with this and why are we talking about it? We're super trendy again as we get into the history of coffee jelly, try a store bought version and a homemade one all before Mr. Etymology stops by. We get into the age old agar vs gelatin debate before discussing non-funny cartoons and ... creamy stuff? Coffee Jelly recipeEpisode 550: BobaMatthew's Now but Wow! - The One Hundredth Thing about Caroline (1983), by Lois Lowry.
Support Spilled Milk Podcast!Molly's SubstackMatthew's B...
2025-10-1629 minLeadership HorizonsSelf Awareness Can Be Your SuperpowerWhat if the smartest move a leader can make is to stop solving first? We share a candid story from a senior executive who could out-think any business problem, yet couldn’t keep great people. His blind spot wasn’t strategy—it was impact. By noticing the reflex to jump in with answers and learning to pause, ask questions, and make space for his team’s thinking, everything changed. Attrition slowed. Engagement soared. Most importantly, the team felt trusted enough to bring real challenges, not just polished updates.We dig into why self-awareness is the rarest—an...
2025-10-1507 minLeadership HorizonsThe Importance of Pausing to ReflectSpeed feels productive—until it doesn’t. We open up a counterintuitive path to better leadership by making space for short, structured reflection that turns noise into insight and motion into meaningful progress. With a candid story about Fiona, a newly minted director drowning in 70-hour weeks, we trace how a 15-minute weekly ritual and three simple questions exposed learned helplessness on her team and sparked a shift from doing to leading.Across the conversation, we break down why reflection is where experience becomes wisdom and how the brain’s pattern recognition needs space to work.
2025-10-0809 minLeadership HorizonsThe Power of Making MistakesPerfection is a convincing mask—and a costly one. We explore how the fear of getting it wrong quietly caps performance, stalls innovation, and isolates leaders from the very insight they need most. Starting with a raw early‑career misstep during a high‑stakes change program, we trace the moment a blunt admission—“I got it wrong”—transformed a tense, silent room into a creative surge that rebuilt the plan and delivered a stronger outcome.From there, we break down why psychological safety is not a “nice to have” but the operating system for modern teams. You’ll hear...
2025-10-0108 minLeadership HorizonsTurning Fear into FuelFear lurks in the shadows of every leadership journey, yet it's rarely discussed in corner offices or leadership programs. What if the very fears holding you back actually contain the intelligence needed for your next breakthrough?Drawing from 25 years of executive coaching experience, this episode tackles the universal yet often unacknowledged challenge that even the most accomplished leaders face: transforming fear from a paralyzing force into a catalyst for exceptional leadership. We explore the profound choice leaders face when confronted with fear—to "Forget Everything And Run" or "Face Everything And Rise"—and how this decision shapes care...
2025-09-2410 minLeadership HorizonsManaging Stress-Pressure DynamicFinding the sweet spot between challenge and burnout is perhaps the most critical skill for today's leaders. In this deeply insightful exploration of what I call the "stress-pressure performance dynamic," I unpack a transformative leadership concept that emerged from my 25 years coaching executives through their most challenging periods.Pressure and stress are fundamentally different—a distinction that can revolutionize your leadership approach. Like a perfectly tuned violin string, the right amount of pressure creates beautiful music, while too much causes breakage. The most effective leaders understand this delicate balance, helping each team member discover their uni...
2025-09-1712 minLeadership HorizonsThe Joy FactorEver wondered why some leaders thrive through crisis while others burn out? The secret might surprise you. Leadership resilience doesn't come from gritting your teeth and pushing through hardship—it flourishes when you embrace joy, play, and curiosity as strategic leadership tools. I've spent 25 years coaching executives through their toughest challenges, and I've consistently found that the most resilient leaders have cracked a code that many others miss entirely: they've learned to harness the transformative power of what I call "strategic joy."The science behind this approach is fascinating. When we experience genuine moments of joy and pl...
2025-09-1008 minLeadership HorizonsThe Power of Strong RelationshipsWhat carries us through our most challenging moments? It's not our strategies or systems, but our people and the quality of our relationships with them. Welcome to the fifth episode in our resilience series where we dive deep into how strong working relationships form the foundation of resilience for both individuals and organizations.Through my work with hundreds of leadership teams, I've identified five critical elements that distinguish resilient teams from those that crumble under pressure. We explore each pillar in detail: active support during challenging times, where team members step in without be...
2025-09-0309 minLeadership HorizonsWho Do I Need to Become? Navigating Leadership Challenges with Lynn ScottWhat does it take to lead effectively in a world of constant uncertainty and rapid change? Lynn Scott, executive coach and international bestselling author of "Leader Unlocked," joins Lois Burton to tackle this pressing question through a deeply human lens.Leadership today requires navigating a perfect storm of challenges—from AI advancement and geopolitical instability to workforce fatigue and change resistance. The most profound question emerging from these complexities is deceptively simple yet profoundly difficult: "Who do I need to become to lead well in these times?" As Lynn astutely observes, "What got you here won...
2025-08-2728 minLeadership HorizonsThe Fourth Pillar of Resilience: Why Leaders Must Master Flexible ThinkingNavigating uncertainty demands more than resilience—it requires cognitive flexibility that transforms challenges into opportunities. After six months of podcasting, I'm diving deep into the fourth pillar of resilience: flexible thinking, the leadership capability that separates those who merely survive change from those who harness it to create something better.The neuroscience is fascinating. When stress hits, our brains default to rigid "system one" thinking exactly when we most need creative "system two" processing. This explains why many talented teams get stuck in tunnel vision under pressure. The leaders thriving today have mastered what I call "adaptive in...
2025-08-2018 min
Almost Good60 - Superman (+ Post Oscars Speed Run)We waited half a year to review the 2025 Academy Award nominees and winners just to prove that no one remembers them. But will anyone remember this conversation:
Weapon X Fade In
Reviewing Oscar Movies After The Oscars
ANORA Review
Inevitable A.I. Digression
"Organic" Movies
Writers and Professors Expediting Their Own Demise
A.I. Traffics Only In The Past
Cat Clocks Are Shrinking
Ode To Big Bites In Movies
BRUTALIST Review
Forgot To Complain About Brody's Oscar Speech
CONCLAVE Review
Al Pacino Has Some Weird...
2025-08-071h 27Leadership HorizonsThe Third Pillar: How Inner Drive Transforms Good Leaders Into Great OnesWhat propels exceptional leaders forward when everything around them says "stop"? After two decades coaching senior executives across sectors, I've discovered that thriving leadership doesn't stem from intelligence or experience alone—it comes from resilience, particularly the critical third pillar: inner drive.This episode unpacks the transformative power of inner drive through the story of Sadia, a senior executive whose major digital transformation project hit devastating setbacks. Despite budget cuts, team resistance, and technology failures, her inner drive not only saved the project but elevated her to become one of the most influential leaders in her...
2025-08-0610 minLeadership HorizonsFuture Focus: The Second Pillar of ResilienceHave you ever noticed how some leaders maintain clarity and direction even during the most chaotic circumstances? What separates those who get consumed by daily firefighting from those who transform challenges into stepping stones toward a compelling future?Welcome to an exploration of Future Focus – the second pillar of resilience that empowers leaders to see beyond immediate difficulties while remaining firmly grounded in present realities. Drawing from over two decades of experience coaching executive teams across industries, I share the personal story of how future focus sustained me through the early challenges of building my leadership coaching co...
2025-07-3009 minLeadership HorizonsEnergy Management: The Hidden Pillar of Effective LeadershipEver feel like you're running on empty while everyone expects you to be the energizer? You're not alone. After 24 years and 30,000+ hours coaching senior executives, I've discovered that even the most brilliant strategists and natural inspirers burn out because they've never learned to manage their most precious resource: energy.Energy management forms the foundation of resilient leadership – it's not just about personal well-being, but about effectiveness. When you walk into a room, your energy literally becomes your team's energy within minutes. The exhausted leader brings anxiety; the centered leader brings clarity. Your team is constantly rea...
2025-07-2310 minLeadership HorizonsThe Leadership Paradox: How Ambiguity Forges Exceptional LeadersFeeling like you're leading through fog so thick you can't see your hand in front of your face? You're far from alone. The most pressing leadership challenge today isn't the absence of clarity—it's learning how to navigate effectively when the path forward isn't obvious.Drawing from years of executive coaching experience, I share why ambiguity isn't the enemy of leadership but rather where exceptional leaders are forged. The truth that many miss? Your team's confidence during uncertain times doesn't come from you having all the answers—it comes from how you show up when you don't have...
2025-07-1610 minLeadership HorizonsWhy Today's Leaders Must Prioritize Continuous LearningAre you leading with yesterday's playbook in today's rapidly changing world? This question sits at the heart of our exploration into why continuous leadership learning isn't just advantageous—it's absolutely critical for survival and success.Drawing from 25 years of coaching experience, I've witnessed a concerning pattern among senior executives: as they climb higher, many delegate learning rather than continuing their own development. They approve training for teams but postpone their own growth until "things calm down"—a moment that never arrives. This mindset creates a dangerous leadership gap as the approaches that delivered success in the past fail...
2025-07-0909 minLeadership HorizonsLeading Through Fear and AnxietyFear isn't just an inevitable part of organizational change—it's a powerful indicator of what matters most to your team. Drawing from over two decades of executive coaching experience, I take you through the psychology of workplace anxiety and reveal why our brains interpret changing processes as potential threats.The heart of this episode introduces my CALM framework—a practical, human-centered approach that transformational leaders use to guide teams through uncertainty. You'll discover why transparency about incomplete information builds more trust than waiting for perfect answers, and why acknowledging emotions creates the psychological safety necessary for a...
2025-07-0208 minLeadership HorizonsAsking For Help Is A Crucial Leadership SkillEver noticed how the higher leaders climb, the more they feel they should have all the answers? This dangerous paradox creates isolation exactly when leaders need support most. Drawing from 24 years and over 30,000 hours coaching senior executives, I explore why asking for help isn't weakness—it's the cornerstone of exceptional leadership. Remember the CEO who lost a major contract because he was too afraid to ask questions? His painful realization became a powerful lesson: "I thought asking questions would make me look weak. Instead, not asking questions made me irrelevant." This leadership trap—believing authority means having all the answ...
2025-06-2511 minLeadership HorizonsBuilding Trust Through Action, Beyond The FundamentalsTrust forms the bedrock of exceptional leadership, but building deep, enduring trust requires more than basic reliability. In this revealing exploration of advanced trust-building practices, we dive into the sophisticated behaviors that truly separate transformational leaders from merely effective ones.At the heart of this advanced curriculum lies "courageous advocacy" - the willingness to stand up for your people even when personally costly. This powerful practice works both ways, requiring leaders to defend team members when appropriate while also supporting organizational decisions when necessary. Alongside this, "intelligent transparency" helps leaders navigate the delicate balance between e...
2025-06-1816 minLeadership HorizonsThe Courage to Change Course - When Should Good Leaders Change CourseEvery leader faces moments when the path forward becomes unclear. Should you stay committed to your current course or pivot to a new direction? This question lies at the heart of what I call "the consistency paradox" – a leadership challenge that has kept countless executives awake at night.Drawing on my 25 years of executive coaching experience across diverse sectors, I share the story of Sarah, a director who perfectly illustrates this dilemma. After two years building consensus for a major digital transformation and six months into implementation, market shifts made her strategy increasingly problematic. Like many leaders, sh...
2025-06-1109 minLeadership HorizonsHow Leaders Gain and Maintain TrustTrust might be a small word, but it carries enormous implications for leaders at every level. When trust flourishes, teams achieve remarkable outcomes and navigate challenges with remarkable resilience. When it falters, even the most brilliant strategies and innovative ideas wither on the vine.Drawing from decades of executive coaching experience, I explore the seven fundamental elements that allow leaders to build deep, sustainable trust with their teams. We begin with the critical alignment between words and actions - that space where trust either flourishes or dies. Through real-world examples, I demonstrate how leaders who m...
2025-06-0412 min