The Charismatic Leader

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott shares a pivotal story from his career as a New York City real estate agent—how two communication skills saved a $4.25 million penthouse deal overlooking Central Park. When faced with a high‑stakes client who demanded certainty, Brett leaned on downward inflection and strategic silence to project confidence and earn trust....

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Dr. Tracy Christopherson and Michelle Troseth , co-hosts of the Burnout Proof Leadership Podcast . Together, they reveal why the secret to avoiding burnout isn’t doing more—it’s how you open and close your day. Brett, Tracy, and Michelle explore the concept of polarity intelligence —the ability to balance se...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Ben Morton , former British Army officer turned leadership coach, who has spoken at organizations like Google and Samsung. Ben shares the pivotal moment in Iraq when two soldiers followed his request without hesitation—a moment that shaped his belief that human connection is the true currency of leadership ....

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott explores the deeper reason behind charisma—why it’s not just about being popular or entertaining, but about unlocking your ability to influence and serve others. Brett explains why communication skills like eye contact, storytelling, verbal pausing, and active listening are not taught early in life, yet they make up half o...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott dives into the science of affirmations—why the classic “positive thinking” approach can backfire, and how to use affirmations in ways that truly build confidence and resilience. Drawing on research from psychology and neuroscience, Brett explains why unbelievable statements trigger self‑doubt, and how to reframe affirmatio...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Joel Schwartzberg , former national champion public speaker, bestselling author of Get to the Point , and communications coach to companies like Meta and American Express. Joel reveals why smart people often bury their best ideas, and how to sharpen your message so audiences don’t just hear you—they act on w...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott explores why the most magnetic person in the room isn’t always the loudest—it’s often the calmest. Charisma isn’t about big energy or big personality; it’s about presence. And presence is a skill you can train. Brett reveals how meditation builds charisma by lowering reactivity, regulating your nervous system, and making y...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast: Top Episode Revisited. In this episode, Brett McDermott breaks down the three simplest, most practical techniques you can use immediately to project confidence in any conversation, meeting, or presentation. Too often, leaders find themselves overlooked or talked over—not because they lack ideas, but because they don’t project their presence with authority...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott unpacks one of the most overlooked skills in leadership and sales: stillness . Nervous energy doesn’t stay hidden—it leaks out as filler words, rushed pacing, or fidgeting. And while prospects may not consciously notice, they register it as discomfort, which erodes trust. Brett explains why stillness is the quiet signal of...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Fred Garcia , communication coach to more than 400 Fortune 500 CEOs. With decades of face‑to‑face experience guiding the world’s most magnetic leaders, Fred reveals what truly separates them as communicators. Together, Brett and Fred explore the habits that make CEOs so compelling in the boardroom and beyond...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Ashley Stahl , former Pentagon speechwriter turned career coach, TEDx speaker, and founder of Wise Whisper. Ashley shares the exact framework she’s used to help more than 100 people land talks on stages like TEDx and South by Southwest—and explains how one viral talk changed her life and business forever. To...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with David Burkus , organizational psychologist, Columbia University professor, and best‑selling author whose research has been featured in Harvard Business Review , The Wall Street Journal , and The New York Times . David makes the case that talent doesn’t make the team—the team makes the talent. Together, Brett...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Angela Howard , founder of Call for Culture and former people and culture leader with 15 years of experience. Angela makes the case that most companies aren’t building culture—they’re building compliance. She explains why the phrase “not a culture fit” is often a cover for deeper issues, and how leaders can...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Donald Kelly , widely known as The Sales Evangelist . Donald shares the modern playbook for building a pipeline of leads that actually close in today’s marketplace. From cold calling to cold emailing to LinkedIn prospecting, he breaks down how sellers can cut through the noise and connect with decision-maker...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Marc Hildebrand , former LAPD sergeant turned self-leadership coach. After 20 years in law enforcement, Marc realized the biggest threat to his potential wasn’t external—it was the narrative in his own head. He shares how rewiring our inner dialogue can transform health, relationships, and leadership. Togeth...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Amanda Gulino , founder of A Better Monday , coach, facilitator, and truth teller who has spent nearly a decade inside teams uncovering why some leaders earn instant trust while others never do. Amanda shares her journey from burnout to building a company designed to make Mondays something people look forwar...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Alain Hunkins , leadership expert and author who has spent nearly three decades inside companies like Microsoft and Marriott. Alain reveals why the very skills that get you promoted often become the ones that hold you back—and how leaders must shift from “doing” to truly leading. Together, Brett and Alain ex...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Lyndsay Dowd , who spent 23 years climbing the ranks at IBM before turning a career collapse into two best‑selling books, a top 2.5% global podcast, and a worldwide speaking brand. Lyndsay shows us what reinvention really looks like—and how leaders can do it too. Together, Brett and Lyndsay explore why cultu...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott breaks down why charisma isn’t just charm or confidence—it’s also warmth. Warmth is the quality that makes people trust you before they even know why, and it’s half of the charisma equation. Brett shares three practical strategies leaders can use immediately to project more warmth in their communication: presence, curiosit...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Dr. Tracy Christopherson and Michelle Troseth , co-hosts of the Burnout Proof Leadership Podcast . Together, they reveal why the secret to avoiding burnout isn’t doing more—it’s how you open and close your day. Brett, Tracy, and Michelle explore the concept of polarity intelligence —the ability to balance se...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Vaso Vardaki , leadership advisor with degrees in speech therapy, human communication, and business, who has spent two decades leading teams inside multinational companies. Vaso reveals why most leadership teams are silently failing—and the framework she uses to fix them. Together, Brett and Vaso explore the...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Karen Laos , known as the Confidence Cultivator, who has spent 25 years advising C‑suite leaders and speaking on the world’s biggest stages. Karen reveals why the most expensive habit in leadership is staying quiet—and how the courage to ask for what you want changes everything. Together, Brett and Karen exp...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Erik Dominguez , communication coach and speaker with over 25 years of experience helping leaders transform fear into fuel. Erik breaks down why confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a skill you can build, test, and strengthen every single day. Together, Brett and Erik explore how confidence and c...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Tracy Goodwin , the world’s leading voice identity expert and founder of Captivate the Room . Tracy reveals how your voice communicates far more than your words—and why your audience believes the voice every single time. Together, Brett and Tracy unpack the psychology of the voice, exploring the seven layers...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Monique Russell , executive coach, communication expert, and founder of Clear Communication Solutions . Monique has helped leaders at the CDC, Verizon, Intel, and beyond show up and communicate with real impact. Together, Brett and Monique explore why self‑awareness is the true foundation of charisma and exe...