Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

Want a behind-the-scenes look at how real leaders make ethics practical on a day-to-day basis? In this conversation with Noreen Fierro at Principal Financial Group®, you’ll hear how, as Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, she builds trust by asking questions, owning mistakes, and keeping teams aligned to values, not just outcomes. You’ll also get an insider’s view of the rigorous Ethisphere “World’s Most Ethical Companies” applica...

What if you had to step into a CEO role at just 22, with no formal business training? That’s exactly what Thiago Da Costa did, and he quickly discovered that leadership is best learned on the job. In this episode, Thiago shares what it was like to build and grow a company that Autodesk later acquired, leading teams of up to 300 people and adapting to constant organizational change. He reflects on the lessons learned about authentic...

What if you realized you’re already creating every moment of your life—yourself, others, and the world around you? In this milestone 350th episode, I reflect on what it truly means to be a creator in all three areas. Drawing inspiration from master coaches Steve Hardison and Steve Chandler, I explore how daily intentions, conscious thoughts, and deliberate actions shape who we become and how we experience others. You’ll be inspired...

What does it take to lead with both speed and heart? Danielle Fette shares how her leadership in regenerative medicine is shaped by trust, courage, and a relentless focus on impact. She reveals why running a lean company allows for faster decisions, more agility, and better outcomes—and how these same principles apply to anyone leading a team or organization. You’ll hear how she built a culture that clears roadblocks quickly and pu...

What’s the real difference between managing and leading? Mark Hinderliter, former C-suite executive, business owner, and consultant, explains how shifting from managing processes to inspiring people can transform both your leadership and your organization. Drawing from his book From Manager to Leader: 6 Practices that Accelerate Transformation and his own journey, he shares practical lessons on growing through mistakes and focusing...

What would change if you paused before reacting? In this conversation, you’ll discover how mindfulness can transform both your leadership and your daily life. Anita Barbero shares her journey from running a fitness business to leading wellness initiatives at ESPN, where she partnered with senior executives to embed wellbeing practices across the organization. She explains how listening deeply to employees and integrating mindfulnes...

What does it look like when leadership is rooted in genuine care for people? In this conversation, you’ll hear how Peter Bissonnette’s experiences in a monastery and in the corporate world shaped a philosophy of service, humility, and trust. His journey shows that caring isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the foundation for lasting impact with employees and customers alike. 

With stories, Peter illustrates how leaders can bring humanit...

Keith brings these concepts to life with stories, tested practices, and simple tools you can start using right away. He explains how methods like “stress testing,” candor breaks, and energy checks transform group dynamics, helping teams shift from avoidance and silence to openness and trust. This episode is full of strategies that don’t just improve collaboration—they create lasting bonds and higher performance. 

Keith is the best-s...

What if the most powerful thing you could do as a leader is to see greatness in others that they can’t see in themselves? That’s the philosophy that has guided Ken Crenshaw, longtime Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Drawing on values learned from his small-town ranch upbringing and a pivotal mentor in high school, Ken has built a leadership approach centered on service, humility, and love. H...

What does it take to lead in a world where the odds are stacked against you? Jennifer Langton’s remarkable journey from being the only girl on an all-boys lacrosse team to becoming the NFL’s first Vice President of Player Health and Safety is filled with lessons on courage, authenticity, and strategic visibility.  

Her early sports experiences taught her the value of letting your work speak for itself and knowing when to step forwar...

What do you do when one person’s behavior is quietly eroding the trust and teamwork of your group—and no one wants to speak up? In this episode, I share a true story from my own leadership journey where I faced that exact challenge. You’ll hear how I guided four frustrated team members through a structured, respectful process to share their concerns directly with a colleague—and how that meeting became one of the most transformativ...

Are you holding back in ways you don’t even realize? In this candid and inspiring conversation, Dr. Tom Olson invites you to take a hard look at how fear of change and a need for safety can quietly run your life. He shares powerful stories from his own journey, including the leap that led to his PhD, and offers practical ways to shift from playing it safe to making bold, intentional choices. 

We talk about what it really means to le...

What can you do to set up your frontline leaders for success from Day 1? This episode with Matt Gjertsen explores the essential skills and strategies new managers need to transition smoothly from individual contributor to effective leader. Find out how to help them shift from being the “answer person” to empowering their teams, asking better questions, and building trust that leads to stronger results. 

Matt shares specific ways to ...

How can you effectively manage stress and stay composed in high-pressure situations? In this episode, Dr. Susan Bernstein dives into the power of somatic leadership, offering insights on how you can use body signals to transform your responses to time pressures and unexpected changes. Drawing from her extensive experience working with top companies like Cisco and Google, Susan shares practical techniques that foster self-awareness,...

What if everything you experience—stress, conflict, even judgment—is not about what’s happening out there, but what’s going on within you? That’s the powerful lens Townsend Wardlaw offers as he guides us into a deeper understanding of consciousness and how it shapes every aspect of our lives. Through personal stories, vivid metaphors, and hard-won lessons, he shares how shifting your perspective can completely transform how you lea...

What if delegation wasn’t about getting tasks off your plate, but about helping your people grow? This episode explores a powerful reframe of delegation as a leadership tool for development. Brad Federman shares insights from his book Never Delegate Again, challenging outdated models like the Eisenhower Matrix and offering a modern, growth-oriented approach that builds both people and performance. He introduces the Growth Matrix, a...

What if you could navigate even the most challenging conversations with calmness, clarity, and confidence? This in-depth conversation with David Wood explores just that, diving into how to communicate more effectively in high-stakes moments, whether at work or in life. David shares his unique approach to coaching and communication, combining emotional awareness with practical tools. His latest innovation, WhisperLead AI, helps lead...

What happens when a mother and daughter build a business grounded in legacy, love, and leadership? 

June Perry-Stevens and Krystle Rogers share the powerful story of their mother-daughter business partnership, rooted in a family lineage that dates back to ancestors who were enslaved. Their bond is built on mutual respect, deep trust, and a shared commitment to community, excellence, and generational leadership. Their company, Best E...

What does it mean to lead without fanfare or recognition? In this solo episode, I reflect on the life and legacy of my beloved mother, Doris Melancon—a woman whose quiet strength, unwavering love, and deep wisdom shaped generations. Though Doris never saw herself as a leader, her influence was undeniable and profound. 

I honor my mother’s legacy by highlighting the qualities that defined her: humility, generosity, patience, and a st...