Conversations That Grow

Fear plays a bigger role in leadership than most of us want to admit. In this episode, Mike Konrad shares the conversation that revealed his fear-based decision making — and how that moment became the turning point that reshaped his leadership, his business, and ultimately, his life. From being dismissed by his employer to building a company that has lasted more than 30 years, Mike opens up about...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Nigel Cumberland — leadership coach, co-founder of The Silk Road Partnership, and author of several bestselling books including 100 Things Successful Leaders Do . Nigel and I get into: The pivotal conversation that helped him redefine who he was His early career as a very young finance director Why mistakes became his greatest teachers Imposter syndrome & how...

In this episode of Conversations That Grow , Sadaf Beynon sits down with Anastasia Ristovska , co-founder of Next Generation and Books At Ease, to explore the deeper conversations that helped her shift from control to trust—and from doing everything herself to building high-performing, empowered teams. Anastasia shares two pivotal conversations: one that forced her to stop thinking like an employe...

In this episode, Sadaf Beynon is joined by Shelley Rosetta , a sales and business development leader with more than 30 years of experience. Shelley opens up about the mentors, conversations, and experiences that shaped her leadership — the good, the painful, and the transformative. We explore: The leaders who believed in her when she didn’t Why great performers often struggle as new leaders The mi...

Guest: Mike Kelly | Executive Coach & Founder of Right Path Enterprises In this episode, Mike Kelly shares the kinds of leadership conversations that have shaped his life and work — and why the best leaders often do their most important work behind the scenes. From his early days in corporate to founding two mission-driven businesses, Mike brings wisdom, warmth, and clarity to what it means to...

We’re back! After a short pause to rebuild Conversations That Grow with more intention, this episode sets the tone for everything ahead. In this deeply reflective conversation, David Lapin shares: The pivotal conversation he had with Nelson Mandela The surprising insight that dignity is something you give What your “Spiritual Fingerprint” is—and why it matters more than personality tests How to le...

I’m taking a short break from publishing new episodes of  Conversations That Grow, but it’s not goodbye. This podcast has become a personal passion project, and I’m using this time to reset, record new conversations, and shape the next chapter with fresh intention. If you’ve been listening, thank you. Truly! And if you’d like to be a guest or know someone with a story to share about leadershi...

What if the critical voice telling you "you're not good enough" isn't actually yours? In this raw and transformative conversation, emotional mastery coach Lenora Edwards reveals how she discovered that her decades-long eating disorder and crippling self-doubt were driven by inherited voices from her past - not her authentic self. She shares her breakthrough moment in a dentist's chair that led to...

One conversation changed everything for Jim Carlough. Fresh out of college and newly elected to city council, he expected the usual political favours. Instead, he got life-changing advice that would shape his entire leadership philosophy. In this episode, Jim shares how a simple question asked every night for over 40 years became his compass through challenging business turnarounds, difficult deci...

Carly Pepin thought moving from LA to Australia would solve her problems. She was wrong. In this raw conversation, she reveals the moment she realised geography wasn't the issue – her internal world was. From blaming her environment to discovering authentic leadership, Carly shares how facing personal trauma unlocked massive business growth. We explore why some people will always hate your leaders...

The principal theme of this podcast episode centres on the notion that mere job performance is insufficient for career advancement. I engage in a dialogue with Andrea Wasserman, founder of Executive Express, who elucidates the invisible rules that govern professional progression, particularly for new graduates. Andrea emphasizes the critical importance of communication and executive presence, asse...

This podcast episode revolves around the crucial distinction between one's identity and the business they operate, with a particular emphasis on the necessity of dissociating personal worth from business performance. I elucidate the pivotal realisation that many entrepreneurs conflate their self-esteem with their business success, leading to emotional turmoil during challenging times. By learning...

In this revealing episode of Conversations That Grow, serial entrepreneur Jose Berlanga shares 40 years of hard-won business wisdom. From surviving a childhood accident that left him with third-degree burns to building and losing multi-million dollar companies, Jose's candid insights on leadership, growth pains, and finding purpose will change how you think about business success. Connect with Jos...

In this episode of Conversations That Grow, we speak with Meredith Walker, founder of Fortifying Roots and strategic consultant. Meredith shares her extraordinary journey from becoming a caregiver at 23 for her quadriplegic mother to developing leadership expertise that transforms businesses. Meredith reveals how this profound personal experience shaped her approach to authentic communication and...

In this episode of Conversations That Grow, Chris Vaughan shares how his father's simple advice—"happiness is the goal"—transformed his entire approach to business and life. After climbing the corporate ladder and "flying high" in consulting, Chris realized he was achieving everyone else's goals but his own. This powerful conversation explores how Chris applied his philosophy background to create...

In this conversation with Michael Davis, founder of Speaking CPR, we explore how truly listening can transform your business and leadership. Michael reveals how he discovered that clients valued him most for his listening skills, not his expertise, changing his entire approach to business. We dive into practical techniques for becoming a better listener, including the power of seeking clarity, emb...

This episode centers on the essential role of meaningful dialogue in leadership and the impact of personal experiences on professional development. We delve into the insights shared by Mike Schentrup, a retired police captain and founder of Advanced Police Concepts, who reflects on his extensive career in law enforcement and the lessons learned throughout his journey. Notably, Mike emphasizes the...

In this powerful episode of Conversations That Grow, we speak with Terry Tucker, a former SWAT team hostage negotiator, cancer warrior, author, and speaker whose life is a masterclass in resilience and leadership. Terry shares his extraordinary 13-year journey battling a rare form of melanoma after being told he had just two years to live. He reveals how finding "meaning in misery" has helped him...

In this eye-opening conversation, host Sadaf Beynon sits down with Christina Langdon, a former media executive who spent two decades climbing the corporate ladder, including 19 years at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and as CRO at Fast Company. After facing a life-changing leukemia diagnosis just as she was pivoting to a new career path, Christina's perspective on success underwent a dramatic tra...

In this episode of Conversations That Grow, we chat with Drew Donaldson, strategist and founder of GroHaus. Drew shares why building relationships trumps talking business, revealing his unconventional sales approach that lets clients speak uninterrupted for the first 15 minutes. He takes us through buying out his business partners while his wife was six months pregnant, and how he immediately turn...

In this episode, we dive deep with Matt Blair, COO and founding partner of REI Capital Growth. Matt shares how a single rainstorm conversation with his father in an empty Dallas apartment sparked a business that's revolutionizing how small balance investors access commercial real estate opportunities. We explore how conversations have shaped both Matt's business and personal life - from the month-...

In this episode of "Conversations That Grow," Dr. Ken Gembel reveals how a single conversation with an automotive CEO completely changed his career trajectory. The founder of Luck Unlimited (which stands for "Laboring Under Complete Knowledge") shares powerful leadership insights from manufacturing trenches to motocross tracks. Ken unpacks his unconventional approach to problem-solving, why he val...

🚀  Big news!   Push to Be More  is transforming into something new—welcome to  Conversations That Grow ! After three years of deep conversations with business leaders, Matt Edmundson reveals why it’s time for a change. In this special episode, Matt sits down with Sadaf Beynon to share the surprising insights he’s gained about  vulnerability, connection, and the magic that...

Ever wondered why everyone else seems so confident when you don't? Join Sadaf Beynon as she speaks with Therese Gopaul-Robinson, who reveals the shocking truth that 78% of leaders struggle with confidence issues. From crying in her car before work to transforming organizations with her "security stacking" method, Therese shares the three-step framework that helped one company improve performance m...

When transplants move to Greenville, South Carolina, they often find a beautiful city but struggle to find connection. Enter Hunter Patrick, a former geometry teacher turned real estate agent who engineered an unconventional solution to urban loneliness. In this conversation, Hunter reveals his deliberate approach to building happiness in a city of strangers, sharing how his community has grown fr...