IDEAS+LEADERS

In episode 305 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Liam Cole, relationship-building specialist, entrepreneur, startup advisor, and Director of a creative agency. Liam has built his career around a simple belief: meaningful relationships are the foundation of extraordinary business outcomes.  We explore why networking is often misunderstood, how authentic relationships create long-term succ...

In episode 304 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Randy Lyman, leadership coach, serial entrepreneur, and author of The Third Element . After building multiple successful companies through logic, discipline, and relentless execution, Randy experienced a personal turning point that completely changed his understanding of leadership and performance. He discovered that the emotions leaders i...

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Angela Finlay, Chief Human Capital Strategist, former CHRO, educator, and author of Skill Stacking: Taking Ownership of Your Career in Changing Times . As organizations embrace AI and the pace of change accelerates, careers are becoming less linear and more dynamic. Angela shares why relying on a single expertise is no longer enough and h...

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m speaking with my friend Daniel Kovari, technology leader, speaker, community builder, and manager at Siemens, where he works at the intersection of industrial automation, cybersecurity, and leadership. Daniel shares his journey from studying International Relations in Budapest to leading global teams in the technology sector and explains why commun...

In episode 301 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Cem Atik , founder of Harucon Ventures, growth operator, and one of LinkedIn’s Top 25 Most Impactful PPC Professionals for 2025 and 2026. Through Harucon Ventures, Cem partners with companies generating $1–5 million in revenue, taking an equity position and assuming full responsibility for marketing operations to help them scale sustainabl...

In this special 300th episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, Elena Pawęta takes you behind the scenes and shares what's next for the global IDEAS+LEADERS community. She talks about the launch of the IDEAS Women project, the vision of building international acceleration and leadership programs for female entrepreneurs, the growth of IDEAS+LEADERS events following successful summits in New York a...

In episode 299 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Jeff Wetherhold , Harvard-trained behavioral scientist, change leadership expert, and faculty member with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Jeff has spent more than 20 years helping leaders engage people in meaningful change through the principles of Motivational Interviewing, bringing evidence-based communication strategies from h...

In the episode 298 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by entrepreneur, investor, and martial artist Benjamin Chen, author of Lessons from the Mat . Benjamin has raised more than $500 million in investment capital, helped lead multiple companies to successful exits, and spent decades training in martial arts — including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, and Hapkido. We talk about what martial...

In episode 297 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Wendy Valentine, speaker, reinvention expert, and author of Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose, and Play . After experiencing divorce, grief, career burnout, financial pressure, and major life changes in her mid-forties, Wendy made a radical decision to completely redesign her life. Today, she helps others break fr...

In episode 296 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Lujain Alzahrani, leadership and women’s empowerment coach, program designer, and communication expert working at the intersection of voice, presence, and impact. Through her work in Saudi Arabia, Lujain helps women build confidence, develop their voice, and step into leadership with clarity and purpose. We talk about why voice is such a p...

In episode 295 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Laura Kriska, Harvard Business Review contributor, TEDx speaker, and author of The Business of WE. Laura has spent over 30 years working with global organizations, helping leaders close the “us vs. them” gaps that quietly undermine trust, collaboration, and performance. We talk about why division inside organizations is growing across cult...

In episode 294 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Federico Malatesta, founder of FM Transformational Coaching, executive and transformational coach, and former CIO of a $40B energy portfolio. Today, Federico works with executives and high-achievers navigating complex transitions, helping them make sense of uncertainty, understand real trade-offs, and act with intention when the old story...

In episode 293 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Bryce Batts, certified career coach, AEC recruiting expert, and co-founder of Career Collective. With over 15 years of experience and more than 800 professionals placed, Bryce brings a practical and honest perspective on how careers really evolve and what it takes to grow with intention. She is also the host of the Wine After Work podcast,...

In episode 292 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Benoy Tamang, executive coach and leadership advisor with nearly 40 years of experience building companies, leading executive teams, and coaching founders and CEOs globally. Having worked with public companies as well as multiple startups, Benoy now focuses on helping leaders scale their organizations by evolving their leadership, building...

In episode 291 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, executive communication coach, Harvard Business School PhD, and founder of Talk About Talk. Andrea works with ambitious professionals and executives at companies like Deloitte, JPMorgan, MasterCard, EY, and PwC, helping them communicate with clarity, confidence, and credibility. Her Harvard Business Review article, A S...

In episode 290 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Sandra Crespo, executive coach, speaker, and mental health professional specializing in neurodiversity and leadership. Sandra works with organizations to build environments where “neurospicy” talent can thrive, combining insights from mental health, systems thinking, and leadership development. She is the creator of the S.P.I.C.Y. Framewor...

In episode 289 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Larry Weidel, entrepreneur, leadership mentor, investor, and bestselling author of Serial Winner: 5 Actions to Create Your Cycle of Success . Over four decades, Larry built one of North America’s most successful financial services organizations, scaling from 56 people to more than 25,000 and opening over 500 offices nationwide. We explore...

In episode 288 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Mary J. Nestor, leadership consultant, executive coach, and author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Say It Now! Say It Right!: How to Handle Tough or Tender Conversations . With more than 25 years of experience in organizational development and communication, Mary has helped thousands of leaders and teams, including those at Coca-Cola, Coach, a...

In episode 287 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Nikhil Raval , leadership and learning expert, bestselling author of Target Gen Z and Generational Fusion , TED speaker, and host of the globally listened podcast Working with Gen Z . After nearly a decade in financial services in the US, Nikhil transitioned into leadership consulting and went on to serve as Managing Director and Board Mem...

In episode 286 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Thanos Diacakis, Software Delivery Coach, Fractional CTO, and business growth expert. With more than 25 years in software development, Thanos has worked with startups and global tech companies like Uber, where he led the integration of the JUMP Bikes acquisition, scaling the platform to 45,000 vehicles and over 2 million monthly trips. We...

In episode 285 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Katy McFee, executive coach and founder of Insights to Action. After 18 years in biotech and tech, driving nine-figure revenue while repeatedly being passed over, Katy cracked the code, landed a VP role, and was soon recruited as an EVP. Today, she helps high-performing women do the same without burning out or waiting for permission that n...

In episode 284 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Stefan Feuerstein, founder of ABC Delegation, author of A-B-C Delegation: The Manager’s Guide to Effective Delegation , and one of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100 leaders. With experience leading humanitarian operations and managing teams of thousands, Stefan brings a rare, real-world perspective on leadership under pressure. We explore why leaders...

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Anthony Cudjo, Founder of Human Optimization 3.0 (H3O), performance expert, and widely known as the “Teacher of Teachers.” With more than 37 years of experience in business consulting, executive coaching, NLP, and professional athletics, Anthony has helped thousands of leaders and individuals unlock their full physical, mental, and emotio...

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Sid Jashnani, founder of Rekruuto, Certified EOS Implementer®, and holdco entrepreneur. Sid scaled his first company from $4M to $35M after transforming the way he communicated, delegated, and aligned his team. Today, he helps founders and leadership teams create clarity, accountability, and empowered cultures using the Entrepreneurial Op...

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Dain Dunston, acclaimed author of Being Essential and one of the most respected leadership advisors working today. For more than four decades, Dain has coached Fortune 100 executives, visionary founders, and CEOs on how to lead with presence, clarity, and radical self-awareness. We dive into what it truly means to shift from performing le...