Imagining Bridges to Better Leadership

What if the most important leaders on campus don't have an executive title at all? Keymara Piquant, Student Affairs Coordinator at the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine, explains how influence, calm, and compassion help future doctors become confident leaders. In this episode, Kevin and Keymara Piquant discuss: Staying calm under pressure as a leadership superpower  Mentors who see pote...

Every organization loves the phrase "do more with less" — until the people become the resource being spent. This conversation digs into where that math breaks, why the hero leader is a single point of failure, and the one question that reveals whether your leadership is a strength or a liability. In this episode, Kevin and Phillip Bogolub discuss: The limits of "doing more with less" Burnout, down...

What if the key to stronger leadership isn’t control, but becoming a better neighbor? In this episode, Dr. David Docusen unpacks how curiosity, courage, and neighborliness can transform how we lead, love, and build diverse communities. In this episode, Kevin and Dr. David Docusen discuss: Origin and meaning of “neighborliness” Leadership as loving challenge and faithful witness Curiosity and coura...

Discover why leadership failures are costing the world trillions—and how everyday influencers, not just those with titles, can close the gap. This episode breaks down practical ways to build a culture of development, appreciation, and healthy influence across businesses, nonprofits, schools, and churches. In this episode, Dr. K.D. Neal discusses: Global leadership gap and “accidental managers” Dev...

When leadership is reduced to titles and corner offices, organizations quietly bleed money, morale, and talent. In this episode, discover what truly drives influence, how to spot the hidden costs of poor leadership, and practical strategies to close the leadership gap before it widens. In this episode, Dr. K.D. Neal discusses: Definition and impact of the leadership gap Financial and cultural cost...

Most organizations promote their best performers into leadership—and then wonder why morale, engagement, and results start to crumble. In this episode, you’ll discover the costly “leadership gap” between authority and influence, and what truly distinguishes a manager from a leader. In this episode, Dr. K.D. Neal discusses: Defining the leadership gap Authority vs. influence in organizations Manage...

Imagine a nonprofit that refuses to just “serve a neighborhood” and instead decides to belong to it—this conversation unpacks what that really looks like in Englewood. In this episode, Kevin and Janelle St. John discuss: Discovering purpose through public service and nonprofit work Defining “home” as community, identity, and connection Shaping organizational culture around Englewood and core value...

When your business depends on you for everything, growth hits a ceiling and legacy stalls. In this episode, you’ll learn how to shift from overworked owner to architect of a business that thrives without you—through vision, systems, and developing leaders at every level. In this episode, Kevin and Susan Thomson discuss: Transition from individual contributor to leader Owners letting go and buildin...

A tariff crisis that nearly shut the doors, hard conversations with people he cares about, and a relentless focus on positivity—this entrepreneur has seen it all and refused to give up. In this episode, you’ll hear how he leads with integrity, imagination, and resilience as he builds a family-centered business in an uncertain world. In this episode, Kevin and Bill McHenry discuss: Positivity as a...

A former substance abuser and two-time cancer survivor, Sir Charles Cary transformed his life into a masterclass on purpose, resilience, and leadership. In this episode, he shares how trusting yourself, serving others, and redefining success can help you overcome life’s “cancers” and lead with impact. In this episode, Kevin and Charles Cary discuss: Superpower of people and authentic creativity Jo...

In a world where AI, cloud systems, and constant disruption redefine how we work, how do leaders stay human, calm, and effective? In this episode, a CIO shares hard-won lessons on digital transformation, culture change, and the everyday habits that keep leaders grounded under pressure. In this episode, Kevin and Alan Schomaker discuss: Bridging technology expertise and people-centered leadership C...

Discover how one physician-turned-entrepreneur scaled her impact from individual patients to millions of lives—without losing the human heart of medicine. In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Archana Dubey discuss: Connection and empathy as a leadership superpower Journey from physician to global healthcare and AI innovator Building and funding responsible AI startups in healthcare Imagination, creativi...

In a time when colleges are closing and careers are constantly evolving, this conversation dives into what leadership in higher education must become: deeply human, radically student-centered, and courageously adaptive. Discover how aligning passion, purpose, and curriculum can transform both institutions and individual lives. In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Benjamin Rifkin discuss: Leadership as l...

A department chair who never planned on academic leadership becomes a VP, shaping how an entire college defines success, belonging, and legacy. In this conversation, she opens up about leading with empathy, elevating students beyond the metrics, and why curiosity and kindness might be a leader’s greatest tools. In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Loretta Ovueraye discuss: Defining moments in an academi...

In a world obsessed with talent and polished résumés, this conversation dives into why tenacity and authenticity are what actually move lives, teams, and organizations forward. Discover how leaders who are real, resilient, and people-focused go farther than those who rely on ability alone. In this episode, Kevin and Phillip Bogolub discuss: Talent vs. tenacity in real-world success Ability as comp...

Talent might get you in the room, but only tenacity keeps you there when everything falls apart. In this episode, Kevin Neal and Phillip Bogolub unpack the tension between natural gifting and relentless persistence—and what that means for purpose-driven leadership. In this episode, Kevin and Phillip Bogolub discuss: Defining talent as natural, God-given gifting How leaders choose what to do with t...

A former US Army Special Forces commander unpacks why character, clarity, and real connection—not titles—separate average managers from transformational leaders. This conversation dives into self-leadership, hard feedback, and what it really takes to build high-trust, high-performance teams in a changing world. In this episode, Kevin and Sean Patton discuss: Superpower of listening and aligning pe...

Stepping into your true voice often requires letting old versions of yourself die. In this episode, leadership coach Maximos Lih unpacks how identity, culture, and courage intersect so leaders can stop playing small in rooms where they were meant to lead. In this episode, Kevin and Maximos Lih discuss: Navigating multiple identities and cultures as a leader Transitions as “resurrection moments” in...

From classroom simulations to real-world risk, explore a practical blueprint for building resilient, agile leaders who thrive on uncertainty. In this episode, Kevin and Todd Inouye discuss: Nonlinear journey into business and higher education Critical thinking is the core leadership skill Curiosity, risk-taking, and dealing with uncertainty Applying classroom learning to real-world business challe...

When leadership is rooted in faith, authenticity, and a clear sense of boundaries, it doesn’t just build careers—it changes lives. In this episode, you’ll hear how one leader moved from corporate to higher ed, learned to say no, and now champions students who never thought college was possible. In this episode, Kevin and Adria Chea discuss: Superpower of authenticity and self-awareness Corporate v...

What happens when you stop “selling” college and start telling real stories instead? In this episode, we explore how authenticity, people-first leadership, and intentional communication can transform higher education marketing and the lives it touches. In this episode, Kevin and Lisha Dunlap discuss: Authenticity, self-awareness, and personal growth Storytelling vs. traditional advertising in educ...

What if fear isn’t your enemy as a leader, but your greatest teacher? In this episode, we explore how to transform fear from a paralyzing force into a powerful guide that protects you, sharpens your decisions, and fuels courageous leadership. In this episode, Kevin and Phillip Bogolub discuss: Fear as protective instinct vs. paralyzing force Using fear as constructive energy in leadership and busi...

In a world obsessed with transactions and quick wins, what would happen if we rebuilt our networks around trust, generosity, and imagination? In this episode, discover a radically human approach to connection that turns relationships into lasting community, opportunity, and impact. In this episode, Kevin and David Homan discuss: Superpower of being a “super connector.” Curiosity, vulnerability, an...

What happens when leadership is grounded in 10,000 years of Indigenous knowledge and lived experience? In this episode, you’ll hear how one tribal college president uses curiosity, culture, and community to redefine what it means to lead for both people and place. In this episode, Kevin and Chris Caldwell discuss: Curiosity and seeking context as a leadership “superpower.” Leadership rooted in ind...

In this episode, Kevin and Rob Haynie discuss: Life settlements and how they work Why most life insurance policies never pay a death claim Life insurance as a flexible, controllable asset Using life settlements for retirement, philanthropy, and legacy When and how leaders should prioritize life insurance planning Key Takeaways: Life insurance is not just a death benefit; it is a financial asset yo...