Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

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...

What if the secret to success is giving more? In this episode, Meredith Bell speaks with Bob Burg, co-author of The Go-Giver, about why shifting your focus to consistently providing value leads to greater fulfillment and profitability. Bob explains the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success and how they apply to entrepreneurs, leaders, and teams. 

You'll come away inspired by Bob’s deep insights on value-based leadership, the true ...

Are your leadership habits helping you adapt…or holding you back? Kevin Eikenberry shares highlights from his new book, Flexible Leadership, and explores what it truly means to lead with confidence in uncertain times.  

Using the powerful image of a tree, deeply rooted yet able to bend, Kevin offers a fresh take on how leaders can stay grounded in their values while adapting their approach. The discussion covers the essential elemen...

What if the only thing standing between you and stronger leadership is the way you see and lead yourself? In this conversation, Ben Albert shares how losing his job during the pandemic became the catalyst for his growth as an entrepreneur and podcaster.  

We explore why self-leadership matters, especially when no one else is steering the ship, and how habits, relationships, and honest feedback can help you grow. Ben also explains ho...

What if the real secret to great leadership isn’t found in strategy or skill, but in the strength of your character? This conversation with Dane Deutsch explores how character forms the true foundation of leadership, shaped by his own family values, military service, and years of leading diverse teams.  

Through stories from the Air Force and his own experience as a CEO, Dane reveals why caring for people and building trust matter m...

What if the real key to powerful leadership is tuning in to your inner wisdom? Coco Sellman brings this idea to life by sharing how listening to that quiet inner voice and acting with integrity can transform not just your own journey, but also the lives of those you lead. Through stories of founding multiple companies and guiding teams through challenges like the pandemic, Coco highlights how self-leadership, reinvention, and daily...

Curious how LinkedIn can actually help you build real business relationships—not just rack up connections? In this episode, LinkedIn expert Bill McCormick shares his journey from traditional sales to becoming a trusted advisor on the platform. Bill reveals why authenticity, curiosity, and genuine engagement are the keys to standing out and building trust, whether you’re networking, recruiting, or growing your business. 

We dive into...

When you hear the word authenticity, you might think of it as being your true self around other people. Actually, it’s much more than that. In our conversation, Erin Hatzikostas shares her bold and refreshing perspective on authenticity in leadership and life.  

As a former corporate CEO turned authenticity advocate, Erin opens up about her journey from a rocky start as an actuary to leading a company with a culture rooted in trust ...

How can leaders use AI to unlock new levels of strategic thinking and team collaboration? Meredith sits down with Geoff Woods, author of The AI Driven Leader, to explore how AI is transforming leadership and decision-making. Geoff shares his personal journey from fear of AI to embracing it as a powerful tool for growth, offering practical examples of how leaders can use AI to tackle challenges like restructuring debt or addressing ...

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your workload, unsure how to delegate effectively, or hesitant about bringing new people onto your team? Erin Bradley shares her powerful journey from burnout and anxiety to finding true freedom and fulfillment in her work. She opens up about the common leadership fears around hiring, delegating, and trusting others, and how shifting her mindset changed everything. 

Whether you're leading a tea...

What if your introverted nature wasn't a limitation but a powerful strength in leadership? Dr. Nicole Bryan shares her personal journey as an introverted leader, debunking common misunderstandings and myths about introversion and highlighting its unique strengths. She emphasizes that introversion is not about being shy but about deriving energy from internal sources, which can be a powerful asset in leadership roles. Nicole&ap...

Have you ever wondered how your childhood experiences shaped your work ethic today? In this solo episode, I share personal stories about growing up in a household where chores, responsibility, and initiative were non-negotiable—and how those lessons have carried over into my adult life. I reflect on how these early habits built the foundation for a strong work ethic that continues to influence my life. 

But this isn’t just about chi...

Have you ever felt like certain patterns in your life keep repeating, no matter how much you try to change? Rich Habets shares the concept of “scripts”—deeply ingrained, unconscious behaviors shaped by past experiences that influence how we see ourselves and interact with the world. By recognizing and rewriting these scripts, we can break free from limiting beliefs and create more empowering, fulfilling experiences in both our pers...

In this powerful episode, Dr. Beth Kaplan returns to discuss her groundbreaking book, Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point. She opens with her personal journey through workplace trauma. Beth reveals the critical distinction between inclusion and belonging—explaining that while others determine inclusion, belonging is an internal decision that requires staying true to yourself without compromising your values.  

You...

Conflict is inevitable, but how leaders handle it makes all the difference. In this episode, vicki abadesco! shares a real-world example of a well-known organization struggling with team conflict and how small miscommunications can escalate when left unresolved. She explains how our upbringing shapes our approach to conflict and why developing emotional intelligence is essential for effective leadership. Through her work with both ...

Company culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of an organization’s success or failure. Brad Federman shares how businesses can create a culture that balances people and results. He explains where many organizations go wrong when developing their values and why culture must be designed to outlast leadership changes. Brad also reveals how companies can avoid common pitfalls, such as tolerating bad behavior and adopting tr...

Have you ever found yourself not speaking up, whether it’s in a 1:1 situation or in a group? For a variety of reasons, women often hold back instead of using their voice. Jennifer Wilkov, founder and CEO of Speak Up Women, learned to speak up in a powerful way herself and now teaches other women to do the same. Whether you're looking to build confidence, advocate for yourself, or become a more effective leader, you’ll take awa...

In this eye-opening episode, we're joined by Erica Salmon Byrne, a leading expert in business ethics and compliance. Erica shares her fascinating journey from litigation attorney to becoming a key figure in shaping ethical business practices worldwide at Ethisphere. We dive deep into the upcoming announcement of the 2025 World's Most Ethical Companies, exploring what sets these organizations apart and why ethical behavior...

What wisdom could you extract from someone who’s had over 40 years of experience as a leader? An amazing amount, if that leader is Oakland McCulloch. You’ll hear practical ideas and stories that will inspire you to elevate your own leadership. 

Better known as Oak, our guest’s 40-plus years of leadership experience includes 23 in the U.S. Army, followed by various civilian positions. While in the Army, he was deployed overseas multi...