Purpose Project

In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel sits down with Jeff Smulyan, a seasoned CEO and entrepreneur, to discuss the critical role of culture and purpose in the business world. Jeff reflects on a societal shift over the past 50 years towards individual self-interest. Jeff also shares his personal journey, the founding of Emmis Communications, and the company's guiding '11 Commandments' that embody its c...

In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel interviews Kristina Fattorusso, an entrepreneur and realtor who found her purpose in an unexpected way. Kristina shares her journey from corporate America to a thriving career in real estate, driven by her passion for helping others. The discussion explores the importance of aligning personal purpose with professional life, overcoming limiting beliefs, and maintaining a balanced...

In this episode of Purpose Project, Leslie Pagel sits down with Josh Plaskoff, a leader in employee engagement and a professor of leadership. They discuss the true essence of what brings a business to life—beyond products, numbers, or brands—and focus on the integral role of people, energy, and deeper purpose. Josh shares his personal journey, highlighting his extensive career in corporate leadership and academia. Together, they ex...

In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagle sits down with Adam Weber, an entrepreneur and executive coach. The discussion delves into the intersection of leadership, purpose, and business success. Adam shares insights from his journey in the high-stress world as a founder. They discuss the significance of aligning individual purpose with company mission, the role of rituals in achieving purpose, and how businesses can cr...

In this episode of Purpose Project, Leslie Pagel is joined by Angie Nuttle, founder of the VIP Center for Business Women. Angie shares her journey of how purpose has guided her in building a business aimed at empowering women. The conversation touches on the importance of mindset shifts, overcoming personal struggles, and listening to one's inner voice to align with their true calling. Angie provides deep insights into the sig...

In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel explores the role of purpose in the workplace with Jill Canada, a sales leader in healthcare. Jill shares her perspectives on how purpose fuels performance and the importance of being genuine and authentic. She emphasizes the concept of being a 'lifter' rather than a 'leaner' in both personal and professional settings. Jill discusses her professional journey,...

In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel kicks off season two by delving into the significance of purpose in the workplace. Joined by Cathy Ann Armour, CEO of the Better Business Bureau in Indianapolis, they explore how personal and professional purposes intersect. Cathy shares her journey, emphasizing the roles of self-awareness, intentional leadership, and the importance of aligning one's personal purpose with o...

In the final episode of Purpose Project's first season, host Leslie Pagel and her friend Amy Helene reflect on their year-long journey exploring life's purpose. They discuss the importance of accepting change, personal growth through meditation and journaling, and the impact of living a life aligned with one’s true self. They celebrate the lessons learned from their episodes, revealing how purpose manifests in responsibil...

In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel welcomes Marian Hodges to discuss her life's purpose and two emerging themes noticed in season one of the podcast. Marian shares her journey of discovering her purpose, emphasizing that living your life’s purpose doesn't mean one must be broke. They discuss the significance of self-understanding, tools like box breathing and journaling, and the concept of a three-legge...

In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel interviews Emily Mellentine, a recent college graduate and author who shares her deeply moving journey of battling depression and using writing as a therapeutic tool. Emily discusses how she found her life's purpose in helping others heal through writing and creating a supportive community. She delves into her personal story of dealing with anxiety, and other mental health ...

In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel interviews BT Gregson, a life coach who helps individuals discover and realize their life’s purpose through a method he calls 'peaceful progression.' BT shares insights into his daily rituals, the significance of grounding oneself in their values, and how this alignment can foster a more energetic and fulfilling life. He also discusses common challenges people face whe...

In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel welcomes Kylie Sullivan and her service dog, Finnegan on the show. Kylie shares her profound journey of discovering her life's purpose despite battling Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. Kylie narrates how her diagnosis at 16 upended her dreams of a dance career but eventually led her to teach dance and advocate for chronic illness awareness. Through pers...

In this episode of the Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel and guest Ethan Beute delve into the nuances of living without a singular life's purpose. They explore ideas on finding meaning, the significance of context, and the question of whether it's enough to live a life that role models integrity and the Golden Rule. They discuss the impact of society's individualistic view on the concept of purpose, and reflect on h...

In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel welcomes Brandi Combs, a social worker with extensive experience in hospice care. They explore the concept of purpose at the end of life through Brandi's compassionate lens. Brandi shares her personal journey, and the significance of connections and resources in end-of-life care. She also discusses the role of a life review in helping patients and families reflect on their ...

In this episode of Purpose Project, Leslie Pagel interviews Brittany Neu, who shares her inspiring journey of living out her life's purpose. Brittany's purpose was sparked by her early experiences with her grandfather and aunt in the hair industry. Despite facing challenges like moving to a new state and starting cosmetology school, she persevered. Brittany discusses her path from beauty school to owning her salon, highli...

In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel interviews Don Wettrick, founder and CEO of STARTedUP and a former teacher. Don discusses his transition from teaching to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among students. He shares how a TED Talk by Daniel Pink inspired him to integrate mastery, autonomy, and purpose into his teaching philosophy, leading to the creation of an Innovation and Open Source Learning class. T...

In this enlightening episode of Purpose Project, Leslie Pagel introduces Jiamia McCoy, a resilient woman who has navigated trauma to reclaim her power. Jiamia speaks about her role as a mother, her work with survivors of human trafficking, and her journey of self-discovery and healing. The episode delves into the importance of recognizing one's story, connecting with one's ancestry, and the transformative power of yoga in...

In this episode of Purpose Project, Leslie Pagel talks with guest Jenn Stephens about identifying and integrating her unique personal strengths into a fulfilling life of purpose. Jenn discusses how she balanced her creative, analytical, and empathetic abilities over time, navigating societal expectations and career challenges. Through personal and professional experiences, Jenn found her purpose in understanding and helping others,...

In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel interviews Rahma Diallo, who shares her impactful journey from growing up in Guinea, West Africa, to discovering her purpose in the United States. Rahma talks about her passion for education, inspired by the opportunities her father had received, and her unwavering dedication to helping young girls in Guinea pursue their dreams. The conversation delves into Rahma's efforts ...