The Leadership Mind

In today’s episode, Massimo is joined by Ricky Singh, leader of Software AG’s IoT business for the Americas region. Bringing together deep industry knowledge and business acumen, he is focused on developing and executing a winning strategy that aligns customer needs and market trends with the best-in-class Cumulocity IoT platform. Ricky is a results-driven digital business leader with a track reco...

In today’s episode, Massimo is joined by Waleed Bekheet, Founder & CEO at Protagona. Waleed moved to the United States from Egypt to Dallas at 16 and became a tireless learner from his experience. He was a tenacious participant in Massimo’s leadership program a few years ago and joins us today to discuss his journey from landing in Dallas and learning a new language and getting acclimated to a...

In today’s episode, Massimo is joined by Shawna Schuh. A lifetime adventurer, entertainer, and leadership expert, Shawna is an innovative thought-leader who can help you unpack the pesky problems you encounter when you lead people. With a curious mind, herself, and a Master’s Certificate in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Shawna is exceptionally skilled in the art of uncovering leadership blind spot...

In today’s episode, Massimo is joined by Greg Witz. Greg’s sole mission in life is to challenge all of us to be better. MAKING HUMANS BETTER HUMANS has been at the foundation of his leadership training company, Witz Education, for over 30 years. As an entrepreneur, thought leader, author, mentor and father, Greg creatively blends psychology and communication skills with street smarts and a no BS a...

In today’s episode, Massimo is joined by Mike Buccialia. His career has been in the travel and technology fields, and he has leveraged job opportunities as a catalyst for change and adventure. In order to explore new places and challenges, he has often taken a different path when the opportunity arose. Since 2000, he has been a lifeguard at Disney World; worked as a call center agent in Las Cruces...

In today’s episode, Massimo is joined by Therese Huston, a cognitive scientist at Seattle University and the author of three books. Her latest book, Let’s Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower, was recently published by Penguin Random House. Therese received her BA from Carleton College and her MS and PhD in cognitive psychology from Carnegie Mellon University. She completed a prestigious...

In today’s episode, Massimo is joined by Michael Condren, an organizational development and leadership development practitioner and researcher. In the past Michael has worked internally and as a consultant in OD, talent management, coaching and leadership development at F250 companies in technology, healthcare, retail and marketing. His work now focuses on people and organizations that are working...

In today’s episode, Massimo is joined by James Hereford who joined Fairview in 2016 bringing extensive experience in strategically guiding organizations, strengthening core operations and bringing teams together to drive cultural change.  Prior to joining Fairview, James served as chief operations officer at Stanford Health Care. Previous roles included chief operations officer at the Palo Al...

In today’s episode, Massimo is joined by Matthew E. Porter, a father to three amazing kids, a husband to a phenomenal woman, a geek, a trail runner, an ultramarathoner, a sponsored athlete, an MS warrior, and an entrepreneur. He currently serves as Founder and Vice Chairman of Contegix. He is also a board member for a select group of companies - from startup to the established. Porter founded Cont...

In today’s episode, Massimo is joined by Jess Almlie. Jess has worked in the talent development field for more than 20 years in nonprofit, for-profit, and higher education organizations. She is currently serving as Vice President of Learning Experience in the Benefits Division of WEX, a leading financial technology service provider with over 5,000 associates around the world. In this role, she is...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Taryn Laakso, the founder of UnLaaking Your Potential. Taryn is passionate about igniting the spark in her audience and clients so they play a bigger game in their business. She speaks on topics such as positive mindset, mental well-being, leadership, and overcoming limiting beliefs based on the Positive Intelligence ™ model. She is a contributing author to...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Juan Cortés, a leading emotional intelligence workshop facilitator. Juan has been building and shepherding inclusive cultures for world-class brands for 25+ years. As Co-founder of MatterOfCulture, he helps organizations become exceptional places to work. Highlights from today's podcast include: How to define emotional intelligence What people get wrong abo...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Rebecca Weaver, the Founder and CEO of HRuprise, an online marketplace that flips traditional HR on its head by providing independent, unbiased HR coaching directly to employees. After 20 years in HR leadership at Fortune-50 companies and startups, she became disillusioned with her own profession in the wake of #MeToo, and realized just how much is stacked...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Kevin Campbell, who helps organizations acquire, develop and retain their most valuable asset: their people. Kevin also helps people manage an aspect of their lives that plays a key role in their happiness: their work. He’s spent the last decade of his career building leaders at every level and creating scores of engaged, high-performing, strengths-based te...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Matthew who has a background in applied learning and behavior science with specific focus in individual, team, and organization development through process coaching and performance consulting. He has spent the last decade developing and managing workforce learning and transformation initiatives and currently works as the Head of DEI for Amazon's Student Pro...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Mike, a men's transformation coach, founder of the Living Fearless coaching programs, and host of the Living Fearless Today podcast. His decades of experience with overcoming failures, setbacks, and struggles, fuels his clients to overcome their own self-doubt. With his personal journey through overcoming childhood trauma, dyslexia and loss of loved ones, M...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Tim, a consultant at RAC Leadership that specializes in leadership assessment and development, especially within large multi-national organizations. Leveraging his experiences with different leadership challenges and successes, he has become a valued contributor at RAC while offering insight on assessment, coaching, and client relations. Tim has a specific...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Greg, a 25 year self-proclaimed "healthcare nerd" who has spent a career making healthcare more impactful for the patient. Recent experience includes helping launch the telemedicine provider Doctor on Demand and he is currently the head of strategy and growth for Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Greg has also recently launched a new company, Rhythm Desi...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Valarie, the Founder and CEO of Valiant Coaching.  Her coaching practice includes supporting chief counsels, university deans, as well as senior technology leaders in the  hi-tech industry.  Valarie seeks to empower her clients to be both resilient and confident, helping them to develop leadership and communication skills that build high perf...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Chris Sallquist, an artist and consultant based in Seattle, Washington. His professional experience spans over 25 years in professional services leading teams and businesses, with a focus on curating ideas and experiences that connect people to themselves, others, and the universe. Highlights from today's podcast include: The importance of the maxim, "Know...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Loree Draude, an ICF-certified executive coach, leadership consultant and professional speaker. She is the host of the Supersonic Leaders & Teams podcast, in which she interviews inspirational leaders. Loree has spent the past twenty years in Silicon Valley, most recently leading a team of content designers at Facebook. Prior to Facebook, she led the on...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Adam Piandes, the founder of The Art of Masterful Communication, a leadership coach and mentor, consultant, and Forbes columnist, as well as an avid surfer, world traveler, and huge fan and supporter of the Girls Athletic Leadership School. As a former collegiate athlete, outwardly thriving in high pressure athletic environments came easy, while managing hi...

In this solo podcast episode, host Massimo Backus gets vulnerable to share more about himself and his story with the audience. Get to know him better in this episode and how we got to where he is today. He opens up about: His fundamental philosophy of surrender and abundance How he overcame his struggle with dyslexia How being a college drop out led him to find his passion How he was humbled in th...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Alex Yates, a high-energy, high-impact neuroscience-infused business leader bringing inspirational approaches for transformational work with over 25 years of experience --which means he graduated college before he sent his first email #GenX. He's grew up in San Diego where he started his career doing market research for a top 40 radio station, sales trainin...

In today's episode, Massimo is joined by Sarah Cannistra, an L&D Career and Executive Coach, and founder of The Overnight Trainer, specializing in helping aspiring and existing L&D professionals create and built the L&D career of their dreams. Since beginning her career in L&D over a decade ago, Sarah has created hundreds of learning and development programs for over 5,000 learners...