Becoming Unshakable With Heather R. Younger

What happens when a leader blends deep operational structure with genuine human care? That's the question at the heart of my latest conversation on the Leadership with Heart podcast, where I'm joined by Sarah Mazzocco, Chief People Officer at Americare Senior Living. We first met when I was invited to speak at Americare's annual leadership conference. Even before I hit the stage, I could tell Sara...

Dean Wegner is a former Army Ranger, a West Point graduate, and now the CEO and co-founder of Authentically American, an apparel brand rooted in purpose. But more than that, he's a husband, a dad of four, and someone who truly understands what it means to lead with heart. We started this episode by connecting over something very personal. As many of you are aware, my son is currently attending the...

In this solo episode, I open up about one of the most emotional experiences of my life after dropping my son off at the United States Naval Academy. It stirred something profound within me, and I felt compelled to share what I learned about self-leadership, emotional resilience, and staying grounded during life's most significant transitions. I discuss what it means to be truly unshakable, not by...

In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Laura Chevalier, Chief Growth Officer at Optomi Professional Services, for a conversation that explores the powerful intersection of data, grace, and self-leadership. Laura shares her remarkable journey from teaching and sports to building a thriving IT consulting startup and leading a division focused on uplifting rural communities and mil...

In this episode, I sit down with Lorna Little, President and CEO of St. Anne's Family Services in Los Angeles. Lorna leads an organization that touches the lives of thousands of families facing housing insecurity, young mothers seeking stability, and children who need a safe start. Our conversation goes deep into what it means to lead from both lived experience and professional training. Lorna sha...

On this episode of the Leadership with Heart podcast, I'm joined by someone very special to me, Andy Boian, founder of Dovetail Solutions and a longtime friend and collaborator. Andy first joined me on the show back in 2020 and was also featured in my book The Art of Caring Leadership . Since then, a great deal has changed, both for him and his company, and I was thrilled to bring him back to disc...

In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Tracy Nolan, Senior Vice President of MarketPoint at Humana, for a candid and powerful conversation about what it truly means to lead with both strength and compassion. Tracy has spent her career guiding large teams through complex transformations, including overseeing 14,000 employees during the merger of Sprint and T-Mobile at the height...

In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with someone I genuinely admire, both professionally and personally. Kevin Eikenberry joins me to discuss his newest book, Flexible Leadership , and together, we explore what it truly means to lead with flexibility during times of constant change.   As someone who believes deeply in the power of self-leadership, this conversation is significant....

What does it take to lead with heart in one of the most demanding, misunderstood public service sectors? In this episode of the Leadership With Heart Podcast, I spoke with Billie Jo McCarley, Deputy Director of Operations at the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department.  From the moment I saw her speak on a panel, I was drawn to her clarity, purpose, and grounded approach to leading in a system that...

What does it take to grow a business from 3 million to over 350 million dollars without losing sight of your purpose, people, or principles? In this Leadership With Heart Podcast episode, I reconnect with Ron Alvesteffer, President and CEO of Service Express, who returns with even more perspective, humility, and wisdom than when we first spoke years ago. Ron shares what it means to lead a fast-gro...

What does it take to go from the mail room to the C-suite? And how does someone stay grounded in empathy while holding one of the highest positions in a global firm? In this episode of Leadership with Heart, William McKinley Washington II, Global CFO at Baker McKenzie, shares a journey that challenges assumptions about leadership, success, and what it means to rise. His story begins far from corne...

What does it mean to lead from the heart, and what happens when we admit we do not have all the answers? In this episode, I speak with Brian Brault, founder of Legacy of Significance and a globally respected leadership teacher and entrepreneur.  Brian has built and sold two companies and dedicates his time mentoring leaders worldwide. His work is rooted in humility, curiosity, and a deep belief in...

In this episode, I'm joined by Marc Koehler, a former U.S. Navy submarine officer. His unique perspective, gained from leading in a nuclear submarine where every action has consequences and complacency can be catastrophic, offers some of the clearest thinking on leadership I've heard in a long time. Marc shares how his experiences taught him lessons about accountability, emotional influence, and s...

What happens when a scientist decides to lead from the heart? In this Leadership of the Heart podcast episode, Heather welcomes Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M.  Jayshree's journey challenges traditional leadership narratives, proving that influence and impact do not require a title or permission. Her path from technical expert to global science ambassador is an...

In this episode of Leadership with Heart, Shawn Hanks, CEO of Premiere Speakers Bureau, reflects on his evolution from sales leader to CEO. He shares the pivotal lessons that shaped his leadership, including when he learned that offering his opinion too soon in meetings unintentionally stifled the voices around him.  Rather than leading with answers, Shawn now leads with questions and listens firs...

In this Leadership with Heart podcast episode, I welcome Kevin Kruse, Founder and CEO of LEADx. Kevin shares how his introverted nature and deep sense of purpose led him to build a platform designed to democratize leadership development and bring coaching and emotional intelligence tools to every leader through AI and digital innovation.  Our conversation goes far beyond leadership tech. It's a pe...

What happens when the CFO leads a company's social responsibility efforts? And what if that initiative not only improves company culture but strengthens the bottom line? In this episode of the Leadership With Heart podcast, we hear from Sandra Torre, Co-President and CFO at Lavidge, a full-service advertising agency based in Phoenix, Arizona. Sandra challenges conventional expectations of the CFO...

In this episode of Leadership With Heart, I sit down with Kirstin Guptill, Chief People Officer at HopeWest, to explore how leadership is evolving beyond administration into deeply human, strategic, and transformative work. Kirstin shares her experience stepping into a brand new CPO role at a nonprofit that supports people through some of life's most challenging moments. With a background in HR le...

What does it mean to lead with both heart and results? How do strong leaders build teams that thrive while ensuring business success? In this episode of Leadership With Heart, I have the pleasure of speaking with Susan Valverde, Brand President of Sylvan Learning, whose leadership journey is nothing short of inspiring. From starting as a franchisee to leading a national organization, Susan's path...

How do great leaders inspire confidence, even in the most challenging moments? What impact do body language, tone, and presence have on the people we lead? In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Tracy Nolan, Senior Vice President of MarketPoint at Humana, to explore the art of leading with strength and compassion, often without saying a word. Tracy shares her journey from retail...

What if your most incredible pain could become your most significant purpose? In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Eric Newman, Founder and CEO of Roc Solid Foundation, to talk about the defining moments that shaped his leadership journey. As a pediatric cancer survivor, Eric could have let his past define him. Instead, he turned his pain into a mission—building playsets for c...

Have you ever wondered what truly empowers someone to speak up, especially when their voice challenges the norm? In this engaging episode, we explore the transformative power of using your voice with Ashley Rivera. She's a go-getter Gen Z entrepreneur who shares her journey of self-leadership and confidence in the workplace.  Ashley's story began when she joined the team straight out of college, b...

How do you navigate your leadership journey while staying true to yourself? And what happens when you decide to stop waiting for permission and take control of your path? In this Leadership with Heart podcast episode, Heather sits down with Erika Whyte, Vice President and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC. Erika's story is one of resilience, vision, and u...

What if the biggest barrier to your success wasn't external—but internal? What if the way you frame challenges, setbacks, and even opportunities determines how far you can go? Today is a special day—February 11th, the official launch of my new book, The Art of Self-Leadership: Discover the Power Within You and Learn to Lead Yourself. This book isn't just another leadership guide—it's a call to act...

What does it mean to show up—not just as a leader, but as an advocate for those who rely on us? In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Alex Allen, Senior Director of Inclusion and Collaboration at Cisco, to explore how his leadership journey has been shaped by one of the most important roles in his life: being a father to his incredible son, Bryce. Alex opens up abo...