The Courage Effect

#86: In this episode, Emily Parkhurst talks with Suzanne Weller about her inspiring journey from classical musician to Founder and CEO of Formidable Media, an organization dedicated to amplifying women's voices in media, leadership, and healthcare. Discover how she challenges industry norms and advocates for more inclusive, impactful storytelling.  Main Topics: The origins and mission of Formidabl...

#85: Suzanne Weller sits down with Brent Robertson, founder of Be Generative and TEDx speaker, for a conversation about courageous leadership, storytelling, and challenging the status quo. Brent shares why “blasphemy” is his word for what happens when someone questions the prevailing truth — and why that friction is often the start of real progress. He and Suzanne explore how leaders can create en...

#84: Discover how intentionality in creating your personal and professional environments can cultivate courage and lived leadership. In this episode, Kat Kibben talks with Suzanne Weller about their transformative journey into van life, insights on leading through uncertainty, and practical ways to build healthier, more resilient teams and communities. Main Topics: ➡️ How choosing discomfort foste...

Think about the last environment you walked into — a meeting, a family dinner, a conversation with someone you manage or someone who manages you. Did you create that environment? Or did it just happen to you? Most of us spend a lot of time thinking about what we're in. What we don't always do — and what takes far more courage — is turn the lens around and ask: What am I creating? That's what the 2...

What does it really take to be a woman at the top — not just to get there, but to stay? In this listener favorite, Suzanne Weller sits down with global technology executive Fumbi Chima for an honest conversation about directness, equity, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to stop shrinking your truth. Dr. Fumbi Chima is an executive coach at The ExCo Group and has held CIO and senior executi...

In this episode, Suzanne Weller engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Jeremy Nobel about the complexities of loneliness. They explore the different types of loneliness (psychological, societal, and existential) and emphasize the importance of acknowledging and addressing these feelings. Dr. Nobel shares insights from his book, 'Project Unlonely,' and discusses how the arts can serve as a pow...

Michael Hudson moved to rural Vietnam at 22 and stayed through the hard parts. Now CEO of the Hudson Institute of Coaching, he shares what he learned about courage, identity, and the disruptions that force us to grow. Key Themes: Naive Courage vs. Cultivated Courage Naive courage gets you on the plane. Cultivated courage keeps you there at the six-month mark when you want to quit. The real transfo...

What happens when we avoid the hard conversations? Dr. Julie Pham, Founder/CEO of Curiosity Based and author of "Seven Forms of Respect," shares the messy truth about when she got it wrong—and what changed when she finally chose directness over avoidance. Julie opens up about quitting a job through manufactured martyrdom rather than honesty, workplace gossip that spectacularly backfired, and the u...

#83: The Courage Effect: 2025 Season Finale Suzanne reflects on this season's powerful conversations and asks: What are you waiting for permission to do? Season Themes: Speaking the Unspeakable From menopause ( Jill Angelo ) to family secrets ( Susan Liu ) to standing in gaps others won't ( Andrea Anderson ) — courage means saying what needs to be said. The Courage to Bear Witness Ashley Gilbertso...

#82: In this raw and personal mini episode, Suzanne opens up about a month of grief and disruption — losing her aunt to aggressive cancer and having a massive tree crash through her dining room skylight on her wedding anniversary. She reflects on what it means to feel safe and secure when life reminds us how fragile everything is. This episode is an invitation to examine our own lives: What are we...

#81: Andrea Anderson , CEO of Girl Scouts of Western Washington, discusses the courage to stand where others won't, lead authentically, and embrace not fitting in. From sex education to running one of the country's most progressive Girl Scout councils, Andrea shares why being an outsider is her superpower. Key Topics: Standing in uncomfortable spaces and calling out injustice Why "we've always don...

#80: Massimo Backus, author of "Human First, Leader Second," shares his transformative journey from high-achieving "sage on the stage" to authentic leader through the power of self-compassion. Key Moments: The Wake-Up Call - Massimo was running global leadership development when devastating 360 feedback revealed he was defensive, didn't create psychological safety, and was even described as a bull...

#79: When Susan Lieu's mother died from a botched cosmetic surgery at age 11, her Vietnamese immigrant family did what they knew how to do: they never spoke about it again. For three decades, the silence persisted. But when Susan faced the question "How do I become a mother if I never knew my own?" everything changed.   In this deeply moving conversation, Susan Lieu – a Vietnamese American author,...

#78: In this conversation, Lisa Fain discusses the concept of developmental networks and the role of courage in creating intentional learning relationships. She emphasizes the importance of community, connection, and reciprocity in mentoring relationships, and how these elements contribute to personal and professional growth. Lisa also shares insights on navigating career transitions, the signific...

#77: George shares how a chance coffee shop conversation led to uprooting his family (three kids, ages 11-13) and moving to a small Spanish village for what became a two-year adventure. From navigating bureaucracy and language barriers to watching his children courageously walk into Spanish schools, this episode explores what it takes to "run toward the roar" of our biggest fears. Key Highlights:...

#76: Join host Suzanne Weller and Patricia Bravo (Founder of Bravo for You ) as they explore why empathy requires courage in today's workplaces and how leaders can use empathy strategically without sacrificing results. Key Topics: Empathy isn't a soft skill — it's a strategic leadership advantage that requires courage to implement effectively. Patricia defines empathy as "accurately identifying cu...

#75: In this conversation, Suzanne Weller interviews Michele Y. Smith , CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), discussing her journey of courage and leadership in the nonprofit sector. They explore themes of democratizing pop culture, the importance of community engagement, and the challenges faced during the pandemic. Michele shares her personal story, the influence of her mother, and her inno...

#74: Join host Suzanne Weller for an unflinching conversation with award-winning photojournalist and writer Ashley Gilbertson, who has spent over two decades documenting conflict, migration, and pivotal moments that shape our world. From the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan to the halls of the US Capitol on January 6th, Ashley brings us face-to-face with uncomfortable truths through his lens....

#73: In this conversation, Sharon Podobnik (leadership coach, facilitator, and founder of The Center for Conscious Leadership ) and Suzanne Weller explore the multifaceted nature of courage, emphasizing its inner and outer dimensions. They discuss personal experiences of courage, the evolution of what courage means over time, and the importance of somatic practices in understanding our bodies' res...

#72: In this engaging conversation, Pelumi Nubi shares her inspiring journey as a trailblazing travel content creator, adventurer, and the first black woman to drive solo from London to Lagos. She discusses the courage it takes to travel alone (especially as a woman!) and the importance of community support. Pelumi also opens up about her experience with dyslexia and how it shaped her perspective....

#71: Jill Angelo (a visionary leader in women's health in midlife, and one of Inc. Magazine’s 2020 Top 100 Female Founders) talks with Suzanne about her journey of founding Gennev , a clinician-built menopause care platform. She shares her challenges and triumphs of founding the organization, shepherding its acquisition by United Women’s Healthcare, and the importance of community in addressing wo...

#70: In this micro show, Suzanne announces our brand new season launching June 11th. From there, get ready for an incredible range of topics: We’re kicking off with a powerful episode on menopause — featuring a trailblazing woman who founded the first clinician-based menopause care platform.  Leadership & Courage: We’re diving into what it really means to be courageous, exploring empathy and l...

#24: Suzanne Weller engages with executive coach Michael Melcher to explore the themes of courage, growth, and the importance of networking. They discuss the discomfort that often accompanies personal change, the role of self-compassion, and how to navigate relationships that can either support or hinder our growth. Michael emphasizes the significance of taking courageous actions, the unpredictabi...

#43:  In this episode of The Courage Effect, Suzanne Weller explores the intricate relationship between creativity and overthinking. Drawing inspiration from Rick Rubin's book “ The Creative Act”, she emphasizes the courage required to embrace creativity and the detrimental effects of overthinking on our creative processes. Suzanne discusses the importance of self-reflection, understanding our tho...

#21: In this episode of The Courage Effect, Suzanne Weller engages in a deep conversation with Lenora Edwards (CEO Advisor for Business Growth) about the themes of courage, trust, and entrepreneurship. They explore the journey of starting a business, the importance of trusting oneself, learning from mistakes, and the balance between logic and creativity in business. The discussion emphasizes the s...