Elevate Your Leadership

In this most sobering, yet fascinating episode of the Elevate Your Leadership podcast, Ukrainian Air Force Colonel Hennadiy Kovalenko (Colonel H) discusses the current state of affairs regarding the war with Russia and the potential outcomes, including a total collapse of Russia. He has served Ukraine in uniform for 32 years and is highly experienced and educated. Colonel H discusses how President...

In this episode of the Elevate Your Leadership podcast, Michelle Ellis Young, Chief Executive Officer of YWCA South Hampton Roads, discusses her leadership journey culminating in her current role serving people in need in the Hampton Roads community. Michelle shares how her upbringing in New Orleans LA helped shape who she is today. She tells a story of how the YWCA helped save a woman from an abu...

What is a Navy EOD Technician and what is it like to become one? Who was the father and founder of Navy EOD and Navy SEALS? In their book Unsung, Joseph Shaffer III and Dr. Paula Kapp Greene share their in-depth interviews with the dedicated men and women of the US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community, who quietly undertake some of the most dangerous missions performed by members of th...

In this episode of The Elevate Your Leadership Podcast, Holly Duckworth defines mindfulness as we discuss what it means to leaders at work, and at home. Hallmark Holly (explained in this episode) tells us how Google uses mindfulness to allow a moment for arrival at the beginning of meetings and how you can use the same technique to begin any event throughout your day. She shows us how mindfulness...

In this episode of the Elevate Your Leadership podcast, NASA Astronaut Susan Kilrain and I discuss her life and career. Commander Susan Kilrain is a renowned astronaut, a distinguished navy test pilot and aerospace engineer, and a world traveler. She is the youngest person, and one of only three women, to pilot the space shuttle. She served twenty years in the navy paving the way for women. She ha...

Why do people come to work at your organization? What is personal vested interest (PVI) and do you know the PVI of those you lead? In this episode of the Elevate Your Leadership podcast, Chad Brown and I discuss organizational leadership to include culture, ego, fulfillment on and off the job, and how your priorities are where you spend your time and money. Chad Brown is a leadership engagement ex...

What is hyperbaric oxygen and what can this medicinal treatment do for you? In this episode, Cara Mae Melton and I discuss the use of hyperbaric oxygen to heal wounds, reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and even counter the effects of aging. Cara Mae Melton is a dynamic executive who has been applying expertise in business oversight, operations and development over the last 18 years for early sta...

Does seeing more clearly help you be a better leader? In this episode, Dr. Alison Tendler discusses her upbringing in South Dakota, experience in medical school, and what it is like to lead her team of 14 people. I called her green eyes blue. You may remember Dr. Tendler from the Restasis eye drop commercials that ran from 2008-2015 or so, with her striking green eyes, which I called blue during o...

Coach David Greenwalt has consulted with Fortune 500 CEOs, Academy Award winners, and people from all walks of life. Start 2023 with the motivation and information (intelligence) you need to focus on your health and wellness. David will meet you where you are and improve your focus, gratitude, worry control, and other aspects of what David calls emotional fitness. Dave develops your Why Power whic...

In this fascinating discussion, Eric Maddox shares why he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, a jumpmaster, and graduate of Ranger School. In 2003, he was sent to Tikrit, Iraq where he joined a Delta Force team who was searching for high value targets on the infamous Deck of Cards. After five months and over 300 interrogations, Eric was able to track...

In this episode of The Elevate Your Leadership podcast, former Blue Cross Blue Shield Chief Executive Rod Collins discusses futuristic concepts of leadership that are being employed today by highly successful companies. Applying his concept that no one is in charge, Rod details his process for conducting collective intelligence workshops to advance company initiatives based on the collective intel...

In this episode of the Elevate Your Leadership podcast, Alexis Gerdes discusses her run for the Virginia Beach school board first as a parent with “skin in the game" as two of her children currently attend Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Alexis shares details of her upbringing including her K-12 schooling within the Virginia Beach Public School System. Alexis talks about her views on leadershi...

In this episode of the Elevate Your Leadership podcast, Navy veteran and entrepreneur, Allie Stephens, discusses how her work ethic served her in the restaurant industry and the US Navy. Allie put her leadership skills to work when she established her uniquely branded restaurant, Anchor Allie's, in Virginia Beach VA nine years ago, and has since opened a second location. Anchor Allie's is a US mil...

Will the dome site project really happen? What is the TIP Fund? In this episode of the Elevate Your Leadership podcast Linwood Branch discusses life as a representative of Virginia Beach as an appointed member of City Council, up for election next month. Linwood was appointed to council one year ago upon the resignation of James Wood, the 6th district councilman and Vice-Mayor. "You are never as b...

In this episode, Ross discusses what a Navy Master Diver is and what a Navy Master Diver does. He shares his experiences leading various military diving operations including the recovery of victims and the removal of bridge debris to restore the commercial waterway following the collapse of the Interstate Highway 35 Bridge into the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ross was ins...

In this episode of The Elevate Your Leadership Podcast, Nanette Miller discusses her career as a US Navy Intelligence Officer, family life in and out of the Navy, and why she believes she can win Virginia Beach's Second District, City Council seat. Bringing people together is one of Nanette's unique skills, and she believes she can bring greater unity to the council. Project management, communicat...

In this episode of The Elevate Your leadership podcast, Brad McDonald, former Commanding Officer of the USS L. MENDEL RIVERS (SSN686) discusses his seven principles of being a leader. As the Commanding Officer of the USS L. MENDEL RIVERS, he successfully hosted and transported SEALS and their SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDV) on missions around the world. Brad also talks about the trepidation of being...

This is the second installment of a masterclass on business. In this episode of the Elevate Your Leadership podcast, Author Marty Strong discusses his second business book titled "Be Visionary, Strategic Leadership in the Age of Optimization." Are KPIs replacing common sense? Does the corporate vision still matter? How do you recognize opportunities in business and in life? Are confident leaders f...

In this episode of the Elevate Your Leadership podcast, Senator Jen Kiggans and I discuss her upbringing in Orlando FL to include her first job at Disney World. Jen reveals what led her first to a military career, then to a career in the medical profession, followed by her interest in politics. Jen Kiggans is quite an accomplished woman with big goals including positively impacting the US Economy,...

Retired US Navy Special Operations officer Hung Cao is running for the 10th Congressional District of Virginia. Hung discusses how he developed as a leader and how his leadership is still evolving. Hung shares his viewpoint on education, the border, the US economy including the effect of inflation on military budgeting, and how he will lead as Congressman Hung Cao. Hung's story of immigration to t...

Hone your craft of leadership. In this episode of the Elevate Your Leadership podcast Olivia Wagner and Bob Jordan discuss the four prevalent leadership styles that they identified in the many highly successful leaders they have worked with over the past 13 years. When a company is in chaos or decline, it's time to call a Fixer. Need a creative jolt? Call an Artist. If you are seeking new markets...

Nicole Wipp is an expert in helping business leaders get even better results through personal and performance development. Nicole is passionate about helping individuals and teams break the cycles of pervasive energy problems that keep people, teams, and their businesses stuck, so that they can scale their time and freedom. In this episode Nicole and I discuss the lessons we have learned in starti...

In this episode of the Elevate Your Leadership podcast Bryan Stephens discusses how his foundation in leadership was developed throughout his 28-year career in the US Army. Vision, motivation, and standards of excellence are the foundation of Bryan's approach to leading. Leading self is equally important as leading the organization. Since taking the helm of the Hampton Roads Chamber, Mr. Stephens...

Congressional candidate and retired US Navy Captain Hung Cao discusses his journey from Vietnamese refugee to a recently retired 25-year Navy Special Operations Officer. Hung's personal story is compelling. He shares his critical concepts of leadership including the importance of being decisive, being humble, and recognizing that we answer to the people we lead. Hung discusses how wrong is wrong,...

In this episode of The Elevate Your Leadership Podcast, Tricia Benn and I discuss various aspects of C-Suite level leadership including outcomes vs checklists, trust, the fun factor, and the fact that everyone on the team is highly useful to an engaged and aware leader. Tricia Benn is the Chief Community Officer of the C-Suite Network and the General Manager of The Hero Club, an invitation-only me...