Iron and Empathy

What happens when the very habits that made you successful start working against you? In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer sits down with Nicole Anderson, founder of Audacious Leadership, to explore the hidden cost of high performance. Drawing from their personal experiences with burnout, they discuss why the earliest warning signs can be easy to miss, how stress can manifes...

What if the secret to connecting with others starts with understanding yourself? In this episode of Iron and Empathy , Drew Moldenhauer sits down with communication expert and bestselling author Sandy Gerber to explore why even successful people struggle with communication and relationships. Sandy shares the personal turning points that transformed her approach to emotional intelligence and reveal...

What if getting older actually makes us happier? In this episode of Iron and Empathy , Drew Moldenhauer sits down with psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Deborah Heiser to challenge common assumptions about aging, happiness, and finding purpose. Deborah shares the personal experience that changed her career and explains why some of life's most meaningful chapters may still be ahead. They also...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , Drew Moldenhauer sits down with retired FBI Special Agent Eric Robinson, whose career took an unlikely path from the pulpit to the Bureau. After 12 years in Christian ministry, Eric spent 24 years with the FBI working cases involving white-collar crime, counterterrorism, crimes against children, gangs, drugs, and public corruption, while also serving as a SWAT...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , Drew Moldenhauer sits down with Chad Malmberg, CEO of Storm Training Group, to discuss how law enforcement training has evolved and why realistic, practical instruction matters in critical incidents. Drawing from his military, law enforcement, SWAT, and combat sports experience, Chad shares what shaped his approach to training and examines gaps in traditional...

What separates leaders who keep growing from those who start coasting? In this episode of Iron and Empathy , Drew Moldenhauer sits down with executive and business performance coach Aaron Trahan to explore the difference between a growth mindset and what Aaron calls a performance mindset . Drawing from his own rise into executive leadership and the difficult feedback that changed how he led, Aaron...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer speaks with Sarah Strommen , Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, about leading an agency responsible for protecting Minnesota’s wildlife, forests, waters, public lands, and outdoor spaces. Sarah shares how her background in conservation, local government, and public service shaped her approach to balancing scien...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer sits down with leadership consultant, executive coach, and author Julia C. Rock to explore why great leadership isn't complicated—it's simply difficult to practice consistently. Drawing from her experience in finance, executive coaching, and organizational leadership, Julia shares how leaders can reduce burnout, improve workplace culture,...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer sits down with performance psychologist, speaker, and bestselling author Cindra Kampoff to explore the mental habits that separate high performers from everyone else. Drawing on more than two decades of experience coaching elite athletes, executives, and teams—including the Minnesota Vikings and U.S. Olympic athletes—Cindra shares practic...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer welcomes entrepreneur, consultant, and Intrinsic Mindset podcast host Paul Nelhart for an honest conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, and the journey from working alone to building meaningful collaboration. Paul reflects on his experience as a self-described "lone wolf," sharing how independence can foster resilience and creat...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer sits down with leadership expert, bestselling author, and CEO of the Trust Edge Leadership Institute David Horsager to explore why trust isn't just a leadership buzzword—it's the foundation of every successful team. Drawing from decades of research, David explains how trust influences everything from employee engagement and innovation to...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer sits down with international keynote speaker, bestselling author, and leadership expert Anne Bonney> to explore why courage isn't about being fearless—it's about learning to navigate discomfort. Drawing from a lifetime of embracing change, Anne explains how the stories we tell ourselves shape our emotions, our relationships, and ultima...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer sits down with endurance coach and Toro Performance founder Jason Lentzke to explore what sustainable excellence really looks like. Drawing from nearly two decades of coaching athletes, executives, and professionals, Jason explains why long-term success isn't built through heroic efforts or extreme training sessions, but through consisten...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer sits down with employment lawyer, speaker, and coach Natalie Holder to explore what happens when the career you've built no longer aligns with the life you want. Drawing from her experiences in employment law, leadership, government, and academia, Natalie shares how unexpected career pivots can reveal opportunities that were there all alo...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer sits down with Naomi Asher to unpack a mindset many leaders quietly carry: if you’re not exhausted, you’re not doing enough. Drawing from nearly two decades in nonprofit leadership, Naomi shares how high-performing leaders often push themselves to the brink—confusing burnout with commitment—until something forces them to stop and rethink...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer speaks with Kari Morrissey , Director of the Anoka County Emergency Communication Center, about the reality behind the headset. With more than 30 years in 911, Kari pulls back the curtain on what telecommunicators actually face—constant decision-making, high call volume, and the responsibility of being the true first point of contact in s...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer sits down with Scott Medlin , a Marine Corps veteran, former police officer, and mental performance speaker, to explore burnout, identity, and mental fitness in high-stress careers. Drawing from his own experience in law enforcement, Scott shares how losing his sense of identity and operating in constant “survival mode” led him to rethink...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer sits down with retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Mike Oster to explore leadership, trust, and decision-making under pressure. Drawing from decades of military leadership, Mike shares lessons on building high-performing teams, empowering others, owning mistakes, and why the strongest leaders prioritize people first while maintaining acco...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy, Drew Moldenhauer speaks with Ernie “Ernest” Stevens, a 28-year law enforcement veteran, about how crisis intervention training transformed his approach to policing. A pivotal moment early in his career—hearing a mother describe her son’s mental illness—pushed him to take mental health seriously and ultimately help build a mental health unit within the San Anton...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer sits down with Alison Feigh , Director of the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center , to discuss what real prevention looks like when it comes to child abuse and exploitation. Drawing from more than 20 years of experience, Alison challenges common misconceptions—especially the idea that harm comes from strangers—explaining that abuse is most o...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy , host Drew Moldenhauer is joined by Rich Webb to answer listener questions about workplace safety, de-escalation, and communication during difficult situations. Drawing from their law enforcement backgrounds and training experience, they discuss how leaders and frontline employees can respond when concerns arise about weapons in the workplace, how to handle sta...

In this episode, Taylor Wencel, an intelligence specialist for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office in Minnesota, discusses the alarming realities of human trafficking and online exploitation. She emphasizes the importance of awareness, community involvement, and open communication between parents and children to prevent exploitation. Taylor shares her journey into this work, the d...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy, host Drew Moldenhauer speaks with Denise McLennan about the critical concept of psychological safety in the workplace. They explore how psychological safety is not just a leader's responsibility but also an individual endeavor. Denise explains the layers of psychological safety, the importance of safety intelligence, and how individuals can regulate their respo...

In this episode of Iron and Empathy, Aaron Stark shares his harrowing journey from a traumatic childhood filled with violence and neglect to becoming a mental health advocate. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to the brink of committing a school shooting and how the kindness of a friend ultimately saved his life. Stark emphasizes the importance of empathy, early intervention, and the p...

This conversation delves into the complexities of workplace terminations, emphasizing the emotional and security risks involved. Drew Moldenhauer and Rich Webb outline best practices for managing these situations, including the importance of preparation, emotional awareness, and security measures. Key strategies include creating a multi-option response plan, recognizing the signs of potential thre...