Genius Leadership: Overcoming Everything Podcast

After an incredible four-year journey, 205 episodes, and listeners from over 60 countries, it’s time to close the chapter on the Genius Leadership Podcast. In this deeply personal and reflective final episode, the tables are turned as I step into the guest seat to be interviewed by my friend and fellow podcaster, Rob Napoli. Together, we explore the origins, milestones, and the powerful impact of...

What does it take to build a thriving business from scratch while navigating the challenges of bootstrapping? In this episode, I sit down with Pavlo Pedenko, founder of Mathema.me, one of the biggest STEM tutoring marketplaces in the CEE region, serving families across 62 countries. Pavlo shares his inspiring journey of creating a platform that prioritizes both tutors and families, emphasizing the...

What if the most profound lessons from a massive global event had little to do with technology and everything to do with human connection? In this solo episode, I reflect on my time at this year’s Web Summit, the world’s largest tech conference, where I found more inspiration and insights in the unexpected moments of connection than on the stages and at the booths.  I’ll share four powerful takeaw...

What does it take to lead a team with authenticity, resilience, and a deep commitment to collaboration? In this episode, I sit down with Helgi Hrafn Halldórsson, CEO of Maven, a consultancy company built on the foundation of teamwork and psychological safety. Helgi shares how his company fosters a culture that celebrates collaboration, prioritizes shared goals, and supports individuals in their pe...

Have you ever wondered how the strengths and skills you excel at in one area of your life could be applied to another? In this solo episode, I dive into the concept of transferable skills—those talents and mindsets that we’ve mastered in one context but often overlook when facing challenges in another. Using real-life examples from my mindshifting practice, I share how clients have taken powerful...

What is neurodiversity, and why is it so critical for fostering inclusive workplaces and educational environments? In this milestone 200th episode, I sit down with Grischa Liebel, an expert in computer science, diversity, and neurodiversity, who also happens to be my husband. We dive deep into his research on ADHD, discussing its impact on both education and the workplace, and how leaders can fost...

What if there was a simple tool that could drastically improve your team’s collaboration, productivity, and overall well-being? Sounds utopic, but such tool does exist! In this solo episode, I introduce you to a brilliant tool called "Guide to Me"—a personal owner's manual designed to enhance self-awareness, communication, trust, and effectiveness within teams. This tool is so powerful that I beli...

What does it mean to approach life with a beginner’s mindset, and how can this philosophy shape your personal and professional growth? In this solo episode, I take you through the benefits AND challenges of embracing a beginner’s mindset. We’ll explore how staying curious and open to learning can improve your adaptability, creativity, and even cognitive health. But it’s not all smooth sailing—main...

How do you balance the pressure to achieve long-term goals while also focusing on short-term wins that help you stay energized? In this solo episode, I tackle a common struggle for leaders and founders—the interplay between pain and gain, and how to strategically redefine your journey toward success.  We often hear phrases like "no pain, no gain," but what does that really mean in the context of p...

In today’s solo episode, we’re celebrating a big milestone—10,000 downloads! Thank you for being a part of the Genius Leadership community and for your continued support. While we’re on the topic of growth, I want to dive into something that might challenge you: the idea that you may be consuming too much knowledge and not taking enough time to implement it. Are you constantly reading, listening t...

What does it take to lead a company through challenging times while fostering a culture of trust and resilience? In this episode, I sit down with Oleksandr Mykolaienko, CEO of Tallium, a company focused on crafting top-notch mobile and web applications for both startups and enterprises. During the episode, Oleksandr shares his journey from founding his company in Ukraine to managing a distributed...

How do you balance strong leadership with vulnerability? What does maintaining harmony in a team full of diverse opinions take, especially when everyone is passionate about the mission?  In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the world of Evolytes, the innovative math learning platform that’s changing the game in education. I’m joined by Mathieu Skulason and Iris E. Gisladottir, the brill...

How can game-based learning reshape the future of math education? What happens when a team of visionaries decide to challenge the status quo of traditional learning?  In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story behind Evolytes, a math learning platform that is taking Iceland by storm and expanding its impact globally. I’m joined by Mathieu Skulason and Iris E. Gisladottir, the innovative m...

What does it truly mean to be in control of your life? How do you navigate the complexities of modern living, set boundaries that protect your well-being, and channel your energy into pursuits that fulfil you? In this solo episode, I dive into the art of self-leadership, offering practical strategies that will empower you to take the helm and steer your life in the direction you desire. Throughout...

How do you stay resilient when faced with personal and professional hardships? What steps can you take to understand and manage burnout effectively? Imagine pushing through multiple business challenges while also dealing with stress, anxiety, and personal loss. How do you keep moving forward and stay passionate about your work? This week's guest is Haukur Gudjonsson, a seasoned entrepreneur with o...

What happens when a seasoned entrepreneur steps into a transformative program like the Mindkicker? How can this experience help professionals find new perspectives and deeper balance? In this episode, we explore the impactful journey of Håkan Mildh Svensson, another Mindkicker participant, who shares his journey of discovery and growth through the program. A dynamic and visionary entrepreneur, Håk...

How can a successful professional continuously push their boundaries and explore new horizons? What drives an individual to keep seeking growth and challenge even when life seems settled? How can the Mindkicker program transform your perspective and help you embrace the joy of continuous growth? In this episode, we delve into the transformative experience of another Mindkicker program participant,...

How do you manage the challenges and the demands of being a CEO while maintaining a fulfilling family life? What strategies can you use to optimize both professional and personal commitments effectively? Imagine leading a dynamic company and having two early teenagers at home, while your spouse also holds a high-pressure job that involves frequent travel. How do you keep everything balanced and ru...

Hey Genius Leader! In this short episode, I am sharing the podcast plan for July and the reasons behind it, along with giving you a sneak peek for what's to come in August. Follow me on LinkedIn to get hand-picked suggestions of episodes for July: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-liebel/ Learn more about Mindkicker in 2025: https://www.mindkicker.se/iceland25/ Join me for Mindshifting Year with th...

How can you transform your life from living paycheck to paycheck to running a multi-million dollar business? What drives an entrepreneur to push through insurmountable challenges and come out successful on the other side? Imagine facing the daunting decision of risking everything for a dream and the responsibility of providing for a child on the way. How do you find the strength to keep going when...

How do you choose which of your businesses to pay more attention to, especially if they perform and grow very differently? How can you let go of control in the business you have been running for years to let it outgrow you? These are not easy questions, but my today's guest, Serge Baidin, openly shares about his ups and downs of running two businesses simultaneously. Serge is a Ukrainian serial en...

How do you shift the whole market from taking a resource for granted to paying for it? Why would you celebrate it when your customers are angry? What can help you withstand the challenges associated with your bold business moves? These and other topics I discussed with Sigurdur Astgeirsson, the founder and CEO of Isorka, the only company in Iceland that does nothing but charge electric cars. In th...

Imagine you are running an international, impact-driven business, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (we are talking a multi-million-dollar deal with global impact) lands on your table. Imagine declining that offer because you want to focus on your family and your impact on your nearest and dearest. Are you then crazy? Or selfish? Or, actually, a very mature entrepreneur who walks his talk about...

Are you a leader who cares about employees? I bet no leader answers "no" to this question. But how many leaders DO care, in action? How do they work with employees' mental health and well-being? When is it time to work on that? And how do they measure their results? I invited Hrefna Sif Jónsdóttir, Managing Director of Tixly, and Helena Jónsdóttir, Founder of Mental ráðgjöf, to discuss how they wo...

How do you rebuild yourself after a serious injury that challenges your whole identity? How do you decide on your next step as a founder? How do you build something that your clients truly need and will actually use and value? These are some of the questions I discussed with my today's guest, Augusta Klingsten Peytz. Augusta is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Mental Health Tech start-up Aesel, which...