Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

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...

Have you ever noticed how two people can experience the same event but walk away with entirely different perspectives?  

In this episode, I share a striking contrast between two individuals on a birdwatching trip.  

Their reactions caused me to reflect on how our attitudes shape our experiences and the energy we bring to those around us. 

I’m the co-founder and president of Grow Strong Leaders. We’ve created online resources that help...

Change can be daunting, no matter what size your organization is. Our guest Dr. Mary Lippitt sheds light on the common fears—fear of the future, fear of the process, and fear of unintended consequences—that often accompany new initiatives.  

Mary shares how organizations can address complexity through holistic strategies that emphasize listening, collaboration, and adaptability. We also discuss the power of asking the right question...

Not everyone has equal access to mentoring and sponsorship opportunities. Ayana Carroll is on a mission to change that for Black mid-level managers. In her work with clients and in our conversation for this interview, Ayana shares valuable tips that can help those managers as well as those who make decisions around promotions. 

Ayana is the Founder of ARC Consulting, and she’s dedicated to elevating Black mid-level professionals int...

What causes companies to experience rapid top-line revenue growth? Philippe Bouissou, PhD, provides the answer in this impactful conversation. His framework is brilliantly simple. Identify the four possible areas of misalignment between the company and the customer, then make changes to create alignment. 

Philippe outlines the four areas and provides concrete examples of each. He also describes one of the world’s most successful com...

Over the course of his career, Ethan Evans reviewed 10,000+ resumes, conducted over 2,500 interviews, and made more than 1,000 hires. He knows a thing or two about finding, onboarding, AND developing the right people. 

In this high-energy conversation, Ethan shares the qualities he looked for and the aspects of character he believes are most important for leaders. You’ll find great value in reflecting on the lessons he learned from ...

Have you ever taken on a project that you thought would be straightforward…and then discovered it wasn’t? 

Sometimes that occurs because of the expectations we put on ourselves to perform at a certain level. 

That’s what happened to me when I tried to record a headshot video. 

In this solo episode I describe the situation, how I handled the setbacks, and what I learned from the experience that might be helpful for you, too. 

I’m the co...

Have you thought about how your words create you and your world? No matter what you answer, Trevor Timbeck will help you gain a better understanding of this power we all have if we choose to use it well.  

Trevor co-authored The Power of Systems with Steve Chandler. You’ll recognize the book and Steve’s name from episode 300 of the podcast. In this episode, we discussed the book and how it ties in with who you are BEING and what you...

Do you ever have thoughts that could be called “head trash”? Very likely, you’ve experienced them, and those thoughts may even keep you awake at night. In this conversation, Dr. Robyn Odegaard provides a concrete, practical tip for getting back to sleep if you wake up at 3:00 am. She also shares her approach to questions and conversations with her clients that you can use yourself for your long-term happiness and success. 

Dr. Robyn...

Leading people who aren’t like you can be challenging. In this episode, Stephanie Chung provides important insights and tips to help you be more effective in this critical area. You will love the passion and stories she brings to our conversation. 

For the past 30 years, Stephanie has been a force of strategic innovation, a beacon of change, and a titan in the world of business growth and human capital management.   

Stephanie blazed...

Here’s a startling statistic. Harvard published the results of a survey of 17,000 managers, and one of the questions asked was this: When did you experience your first formal leadership training? The average age was 42.  

What would happen if we started with children instead of waiting until someone is so far into their career? You don’t have to wonder what would happen because our guest, Dr. Alan Nelson, has focused on teaching lea...