Fearless Thinkers
Most of us want to lead in a way that matters; to lift others up and build something people want to be part of. But too often, we’re socialized (explicitly or not) to lead a certain way: play it safe, stick to what’s proven, and avoid the questions that really need asking. This podcast is about the people and ideas changing that story. We call them fearless thinkers. Our guests are boundary-pushers, system challengers, and curious minds who look at today’s challenges and ask, “What if there is a better way?” If that’s the energy you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.
Episodes
In this episode of Undiscovered Country, host Peter Mulford is joined by Mickey Connolly, founder of Conversant and co-author of The Communication Catalyst, to explore why better conversations—not better tools—are the key to better business results. Mickey shares practical frameworks for aligning teams, building trust, and creating lasting impact in the age of AI and hybrid work. Tune in to learn how thoughtful communication can re...
Coaching is no longer just for executives behind closed doors. It’s now a personalized, tech-enabled lever for scaling leadership development across the enterprise. In this episode, Christine Tao, co-founder of Sounding Board, and Katrin Mulford, SVP and Global Head of Coaching at BTS, dive into what’s changed—and what’s possible. From navigating uncertainty to building mindset shifts that stick, they explore how modern coaching is...
How do you lead in a world where roles are changing faster than people can adapt? In this episode, Rick Cheatham talks with Steph Peskett and Abi Scott about the second major trend from their recent research: human sustainability. The conversation covers everything from AI disruption to proactive talent strategies—and why the most forward-looking companies are rethinking how they grow, support, and retain their people.
What happens when employees lose trust in their organizations? In part one of this two-part conversation, Steph Peskett and Abi Scott unpack one of the biggest trends reshaping talent development: the erosion of trust and power. Drawing on original research and real client stories, they discuss how even well-intentioned policies can backfire—and what leaders can do to rebuild confidence, clarity, and connection across the workforce...
Rebecca Stern, Head of Learning at Udemy, discusses how her team is using AI to build a stronger learning culture. From skills mapping to hands-on experimentation, Rebecca shares how Udemy is helping employees get comfortable with AI, stay curious, and build the skills they need to grow. Listen now!
For a transcript, click here.
In the debut of our new Quarterly Fearless Thinkers CEO Mini-Series, BTS CEO Jessica Skon brings you inside the conversations she’s having with today's Fortune 500 executives on what it will really take to lead through the seismic shifts ahead. Join host Rick Cheatham for a peer-to-peer conversation you won’t want to miss.
In this episode of Undiscovered Country, host Peter Mulford is joined by Jenny Dearborn, Chief People Strategy Officer at BTS, to explore how data analytics is transforming leadership. Jenny shares how HR leaders can leverage insights from data to drive business outcomes, develop future-ready talent, and create a culture of agility. Tune in to learn how...
Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he talks with Richard Hargreaves, Managing Director at Corporate Research Forum (CRF), about how HR leaders can build a future-ready workforce in times of uncertainty. They discuss the importance of focusing on critical roles, prioritizing impact, and staying agile amidst disruption. Tune in to hear practical advice on how HR can prepare organi...
Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he sits down with Matt Tonken, a leader in BTS's Assessment practice, to explore the power of "future-back thinking" in creating frameworks for leadership success. They explore how organizations can build "success profiles" by imagining future scenarios and preparing leaders with the skills and mindsets necessary for those challeng...
Tune into this exclusive repost of the HIKE2 webinar featuring Peter Mulford and Peter Coffee, VP for Strategic Research at Salesforce. In this insightful session, they dive into the game-changing role of AI in transforming industries. From the shift to edge devices and AI’s impact on the future of work, to the rise of quantum computing—discover how these groundbreaking technologies...
Join Rick Cheatham in this insightful episode of Fearless Thinkers as he talks with Peter about the transformational power of AI in business. They dive into the three key phases organizations go through when adopting AI—awareness, experimentation, and impact—and how they can successfully navigate each stage. From shifting mindsets to embracing AI as a virtual teammate, Peter shares how organiza...
In this episode Peter speaks with Pr...
Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he chats with Miguel Sequeira, an expert in sales leadership, about the five key mind traps holding back sales teams. As we kick off the new year, it’s a great time to reflect on how to drive a winning mentality in your teams. From the ‘victim ...
Undiscovered Country | Preparing for the future now: how to lead your teams to thrive in uncertainty
Undiscovered Country - Preparing for the future now: how to lead your teams to thrive in uncertainty
Join host Peter Mulford in this first episode of Undiscovered Country, a podcast about the future, and future back thinking at work. Here he speaks with Professor Rita McGrath, C-Suite advisor, professor at Columbia Business School, best-selling author of The End of Competitive Advantage, Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Infl...
Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he sits down with Zander Ross, a leader in Change and Transformation at BTS. Together, they explore why the biggest challenges leaders face often lie within—the habits, mindsets, and ways of working that no longer serve us. Zander shares five key shifts that leading organizations make to...
Join host Rick Cheatham in this week's episode of Fearless Thinkers as he welcomes Bowen Moody, CEO of Verity, the latest acquisition by BTS. In this insightful discussion, Bowen sheds light on Verity's innovative AI coaching tool, detailing its current applications among sales professionals and its transformative potential for the future of sales. Discover how AI is reshaping coaching strategies, e...
In this episode of Fearless Thinkers, host Rick Cheatham sits down with Will Heard, Director at BTS, and Fredrik Schuller, Global Head of Coach at BTS, to explore their groundbreaking work in leadership and development. Learn about the unique, hands-on solution developed by BTS in partnership with the Corporate Research Forum (CRF) to address the persistent challenges L&D professionals face in delivering high-impact leade...
In this episode of the Fearless Thinkers podcast, host Rick Cheatham sits down with Jenny Dearborn, Chief People Strategy Officer & Head of Talent Insights, to discuss her journey from teaching to senior leadership. They explore the pivotal career decisions that led her to BTS, the power of aligning with stakeholder goals, and the importance of a strong support system in achieving professional success. Tune in to learn how Jenny’s ...
In this episode of the Fearless Thinkers podcast, host Rick Cheatham is in conversation with Kathryn Clubb, CEO of BTS North America, and Alex Amsden, Vice President of Change and Transformation at BTS, to explore the evolving landscape of strategic planning for senior leaders. They dive into the importance of engaging all levels of an organization in strategy formation and execution...
Welcome to another episode of the Fearless Thinkers podcast! Host Rick Cheatham is joined by Tara Castaneda, Senior Director at BTS, to explore the concept of vertical development. Tara breaks down the stages of vertical development, from the diplomat stage to the strategist stage, and explains how these stages influence leadership styles and behaviors. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and continuous growth for effec...
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