Finding Your Inner Mister Rogers

"I have no desire to work with anybody to help other people get more wealthy. It's just not why we do this work at all. We do it to help non-profits and socially responsible companies share their stories so they can grow." — Jackie Herskovitz Russell In an industry often stereotyped by spin and corporate armor, Jackie built Teak Media Plus Communications with a strict mandate: only amplify the sto...

“If you put your heart on the table, lead with authenticity, decency, humanity, flaws and all... that's how you earn trust. That's how you build bridges between humans, not just governments.” — Ambassador Rufus Gifford What does it really take to earn someone's trust? Not perfection. Not a carefully polished public persona. And certainly not having all the answers. In this episode of Finding Your...

“We rely on immigrants to make our lives work”,  Jeffrey Thielman Think about the people who make your daily life possible. The people caring for your loved ones, keeping hospitals running, maintaining our buildings, and serving our communities. How often do we stop to think about their stories? When Jeffrey Thielman, President & CEO of the International Institute of New England, talks about i...

“My faith is for me and between me and the Creator. It’s secondary to the needs of someone who is starving or needs medicine.” -Qasim Rashid That single statement captures the essence of what it means to lead with active empathy. On the latest episode of Finding Your Inner Mister Rogers, I’m joined by human rights attorney, author, and public advocate Qasim Rashid for a deeply moving conversation...

“I believe in failure, I believe in failing forward.”  Melissa Hurrington, CFO & VP of Operations of Premier Claims Leadership isn’t about having every answer or getting every decision perfect.  As Melissa ( also Wife - Mom - Servant Leader - Keynote Speaker - Lifelong Learner - Fierce Advocate for Women) shares, it’s about doing the work, being honest when you’re  uncertain, and moving forwar...

“People will forget what you did. They’ll remember how you made them feel.” Bekah Salwasser The best leaders don’t just build winning teams. They make people feel seen, valued, and cared for. As Executive Director of the Red Sox Foundation and EVP of Social Impact for the Boston Red Sox, Bekah Salwasser carries a profound responsibility: turning the global reach, history, and magic of Fenway Park...

“I took it out of the market because it was wrong. I did the hard work of fixing it, which was no fun. I put it back in the market.” Steven Rosenbaum said the quiet part out loud: truth matters, even when owning the mistake is expensive. If you've ever had to rebuild trust, save this episode. This past spring, Steven's book, The Future of Truth , got hit with public errors. He didn't dodge it. He...

“Talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not”, Denella Clark That’s why arts education matters. Fred Rogers famously reminded us that every person has something inside them that is worthy of being shared with the world. In my conversation with Denella J. Clark, President and CEO of the Boston Arts Academy Foundation, she shared how access to the arts gives young people the tools to expres...

“ The best antidote to feeling stuck, lonely, in a downward spiral is to take action…I would either do one thing to help somebody else, or I would do one thing to ask for help.” Courage isn’t a big leap. It’s a small practice. I loved this conversation with Scott Simon of Scare Your Soul , especially his reminder that courage is not about becoming fearless. It’s about getting comfortable at the ed...

"What you try to teach is compassion. Compassion is the ability to care for the other, but then protect yourself so you are allowed to stand back, do everything you can, and then step away,because you’re going to protect yourself so you can work another day and not burn out." Jeff Walker What if the most powerful leadership skill isn’t having all the answers, but learning how to listen? Jeff Walke...

What if the strongest leader in the room is also the kindest, and that combination is precisely what helped build a global legal powerhouse? In this episode of Finding Your Inner Mister Rogers , I sit down with Miguel Zaldívar , Global Chief Executive Officer of Hogan Lovells Cadwalader , honored in our neighborhood as “The Global Architect.” Miguel shares a leadership philosophy that stands out i...

Jon Rubinstein: The Host — Summary In this episode, Todd Faber talks with Jon Rubinstein, founder of Joe Coffee Company, about how he built a New York institution by centering kindness, hospitality, and a genuine sense of community. What began as a single Greenwich Village storefront grew into a beloved brand with 24 cafes, a roastery, and a wholesale business, but the real product was always the...

The quiet power of leadership One of the best leadership lessons I’ve heard lately came not from a boardroom or a keynote, but a children’s museum.  On this week's episode of Finding Your Inner Mister Rogers, I talked to Carole Charnow about what it means to lead an institution built around play, access, and belonging, and one thing kept coming through: Real leadership is not just about what you b...

The most effective leaders I’ve known don’t lead with certainty. They lead with trust. On this week's episode of Finding Your Inner Mister Rogers I talked to Angelo Santinelli about mentorship, leadership, and what it really takes to build a culture people want to stay in. One line stayed with me: "Nobody cares what you know until they know that you care." That’s not soft leadership, that’s the fo...

The best leadership lesson I know is simpler than we make it Jane Steinmetz said something that stuck with me: When she tried to lead like the people already at the top, it didn’t work. When she stopped performing and started being herself, everything changed. That’s not just a career lesson. It’s a human one. Jane was the first woman to lead a Big Four office in Boston. She’s also helped build EY...

“If you don’t have time to play, you don’t have time to BE. Play isn’t what you do, but rather it’s the spirit and intention with which you do everything.” Steve Gross In my latest episode of Finding Your Inner Mr. Rogers I sat down with a man I like to call "Mr. Rogers in a hoodie", Steve Gross, Founder & Chief Playmaker at the Life is Good Playmaker Project. Steve is a clinical social worker...

In this deeply reflective conversation, Todd Faber sits down with Lawrence S. DiCara, longtime Boston civic leader, attorney, and author, to explore what it means to lead with empathy during moments of conflict and change. Larry shares firsthand memories from the busing crisis, Boston’s financial struggles in the 1970s, and the challenges of navigating public life while staying grounded in service...

10 episodes in, and I’m just getting started. 🎙️ Celebrating a milestone this week and reflecting on the powerful lessons these first ten episodes have revealed about leading with heart. When I set out on this journey, I wanted to find the real leaders walking among us. The ones in our own neighborhoods who lift others up, acknowledge their victories, and sit with them in their defeats. Turns out,...

How do tiny daily habits shape a happier life? In this episode of Finding Your Inner Mr. Rogers, I’m joined by Pam Garramone, M.Ed. , the award-winning positive psychology speaker, life coach, founder of Thrive Now Boston, and author of Be Happier — to explore the science of happiness, micro-habits, self-compassion, and why kindness is still one of the most powerful forces we have. Pam shares prac...

The most radical thing we can be right now? Kind. Here's why leads a community helper to truly connect. Drop a 💙 if you agree kindness is the secret to real leadership. Fred Rogers taught us that leadership isn't about control-it's about service to others' dignity. Tim Garvin exemplifies this daily. As the CEO of United Way, he's not just managing statistics; he's mobilizing neighbors, building t...

Ever wonder what honest, empathetic leadership really looks like? It’s simple: tell the truth, treat people like humans, and build trust. Drop a 🙌 if you believe kindness and honesty can change the workplace. In a world obsessed with policies, true leadership is about seeing people deeply, to recognize their struggles, celebrate their wins, and be transparent even through tough times. Dave Harmon...

Here’s the truth Fred Rogers would agree with — kindness is revolutionary in today’s world. Drop a 💙 if you believe a simple kind word can change a neighborhood. We often think leadership is about control, but real influence is about service and inclusion. Colette Phillips from Get Konnected reminds us that everyone deserves a seat at the table. Her insight? Breaking bread and showing genuine int...

In this episode of Finding Your Inner Mister Rogers, I chat with Shaheer Mustafa, the President and CEO of HopeWell, one of the most innovative social service agencies in New England. Shaheer’s work is the modern-day embodiment of Fred Rogers’ fierce advocacy for the forgotten child. He isn't just managing a non-profit; he is completely redesigning a system to ensure that children in transition st...

In a world racing with noise, Carolyn Jones , the market president & publisher of the Boston Business Journal reminds us that true influence comes from integrity and community. As Boston’s town square publisher, she emphasizes that stories should build us up, not divide us, whether through local news, business awards, or community initiatives. Her focus? Highlighting leaders who lead with kind...

In this insightful interview, Jurgen Wien shares how leaders can harness the power of self-regulation, groundedness, and emotional awareness to improve decision-making, foster safety, and lead with kindness. Drawing from his experience in life sciences and insights from Fred Rogers, this conversation explores practical techniques for managing stress and creating resilient leadership environments....