99 Humans

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...

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...

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...

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—...

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, R...

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 was...

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 en...

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 executiv...

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 leadershi...

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 authent...

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 he...

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 ...

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 g...

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,...

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 ...

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 ...

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 interest...

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 b...

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 m...