Intentional Leader Podcast

Join Sean Olson on The Intentional Leader Podcast as he sits down with NFL veteran, entrepreneur, and author Andre Williams. From his journey as a Heisman finalist to transitioning out of the NFL, Andre shares invaluable leadership lessons on resilience, staying true to your identity, and building success after sports. Learn how creativity, mentorship, and intentional living fuel Andre’s entrepren...

Discover the transformative power of intentional leadership with Sean Olson and guest Vince Warnock. In this episode of The Intentional Leader Podcast, Vince shares his journey from overcoming adversity to becoming a bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, and thought leader. Learn how neuroscience, leadership, and authenticity can create high-performing teams and drive meaningful impact. Don't m...

 In this episode of The Intentional Leader Podcast, host Sean Olson welcomes personal branding expert and global speaker Lida Citroën. Lida shares her journey from a corporate marketing career to becoming an internationally recognized author and influence coach. They discuss key insights from her latest book, The New Rules of Influence, including building personal credibility, navigating reputatio...

In this episode of The Intentional Leader Podcast, host Sean Olson interviews author, entrepreneur, and leadership consultant Rhonda Parker Taylor. Rhonda shares her journey from a blue-collar upbringing to earning a PhD in leadership and discusses key leadership principles, including emotional intelligence (EQ), storytelling, and life balance. They explore how self-awareness, empathy, and motivat...

In this episode of The Intentional Leader Podcast, host Sean Olson interviews former NFL player, leadership coach, author, and motivational speaker Shawn Harper. Shawn shares his journey from professional football to business success, offering actionable leadership tips that empower listeners to achieve personal and professional growth. He highlights essential leadership principles, such as teamwo...

In this year-end episode of the Intentional Leader Podcast, Sean Olson shares insights on leadership and offers tips to help you thrive in 2025. He delves into key trends you must know about, including the rise of AI and automation. Sean emphasizes the enduring importance of human connection and intentional leadership in navigating the future of work, particularly in today’s ever-evolving digital...

True leadership is often shaped by resilience, and no one embodies this more than Tiran Jackson . In this episode, host Sean Olson welcomes Tiran, a life coach, author, and business owner, to discuss his incredible journey of trauma recovery and transformation. From surviving a devastating accident to rebuilding his life and purpose, Tiran shares valuable insights on how challenges can lead to pro...

The stage is where impact is made, and Stevie Johns, the visionary founder of Inkwell MGMT and a key player at Cicospace , knows how to own it. Get ready for a dose of inspiration! Stevie shares her hard-earned wisdom on authenticity, building a strong brand, setting expectations, and owning the stage. From her humble beginnings as a psychology major to becoming a powerful force in the speaking in...

In this episode of the Intentional Leader podcast, we embark on a captivating exploration of Gretchen Villegas's extraordinary mission to dismantle global poverty systems. As a dedicated global development executive, Gretchen collaborates with vulnerable communities worldwide, aiming to dismantle the ingrained structures that perpetuate poverty and empower these communities to thrive. Join us on t...

Business partnerships are like a chorus; harmonized voices create a powerful sound that resonates widely. Sean Olson welcomes Kim Walsh Phillips and Justin Guarini of the Elite Speakers Network as they discuss the power of business partnerships and overcoming challenges. Kim reflects on her career journey, overcoming her fear of disappointing her parents by switching majors. Justin also shares his...

In today’s episode, we dive deep into coaching culture with Susan Britton, founder and CEO of the Academies of Coaching. With a neuroscience-informed approach, Susan has trained thousands of coaches worldwide. We’ll explore her fascinating journey from a small-town farm girl to a global leader in coaching. Plus, you'll hear practical insights on leadership, resilience, and the impact of coaching o...

Leading with pizza is a slice of success, proving that a focus on quality, community, and compassion can lead to a thriving business and a fulfilling life. Sean Olson sits down with Jane Grote Abell, who shares how her dedication to family values and innovative leadership transformed Donatos Pizza into a cherished brand. Jane delves into the origins of Donatos, recounting how her father built the...

Preteens are a whirlwind of emotions and rapid change; leading them requires a steady hand, a compassionate heart, and a strategic mind. In this episode, Sean Olson is joined by communication coach Marcus Higgs, who offers insightful guidance on parenting pre-teens. With a deep understanding of child development and communication, he empowers parents to build strong foundations for their children’...

Feeling lost and unfulfilled? In this episode, Randy Adkins joins Sean Olson to explore the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership and personal growth. Randy, the author of Produce on Purpose, shares insights from his diverse roles as a teacher, speaker, preacher, and transformative leader. From aligning with our core values to building a supportive circle, he equips us with practical t...

Various reports claim that bullying is rampant within the healthcare industry, especially among nurses, and this leads to instability and incivility. Renee Thompson has experienced this problem herself, and now she is taking a stand to get rid of the bullies once and for all. Joining Sean Olson, the author and owner of Healthy Workforce Institute discusses how to properly address bullying within t...

Whenever we experience failure, it is pretty easy to stay down and give up. However, Phebe Trotman begs to disagree: when having a bad day, the only solution is to get back up and continue moving forward. Joining Sean Olson, she shares valuable leadership lessons from her soccer career and explains how she applies them today in the entrepreneurship arena. Phebe offers practical advice on maximizin...

Today's conversation explores the journey of a leader who thrives on embracing the unexpected. Kieron James , CEO and Co-Founder of Wonderful, shares how his career path zig-zagged across industries, from teaching economics to web design and even domain name registration. Through it all, Kieron honed his skills in selling digital services and cultivated an adaptable mindset. This agility proved cr...

Think limiting beliefs are blocking your road to success? Buckle up, because this episode is all about shattering those barriers and overcoming limiting beliefs. Join Sean Olson as he chats with Colin Kingsmill , the cofounder of Whole Human Coaching , who helps leaders achieve fearlessness. From his early days in Swiss banking to navigating the complexities of international real estate developmen...

To be an effective leader who inspires instead of creating conflicts, one must know how to communicate the right way. Here is Patrick Donadio , communication strategist, author, and coach, who presents his six-step process for communicating with intentional IMPACT. Together with Sean Olson, he breaks down his recommended approach to leadership communication, as well as his greatest lessons from hi...

Ever dream of chucking your corporate job and chasing your comedy dreams? Leanne Linsky, founder of the innovative comedy platform Plauzzable, did just that – and she's here to share her hilarious and inspiring journey. From rising through the ranks at a Fortune 500 company to facing a life-changing layoff, Leanne found the courage to pursue her passion for stand-up, even starting late in life. Th...

Ever wonder why some leaders just seem to get it? This episode dives deep with Alan Lazaros, CEO of Next Level University. Alan shares his powerful story of overcoming a near-death experience and the shift it sparked towards personal growth. He unveils the four modalities of thinking (numbers, words, pictures, and energy) and how understanding these can revolutionize your communication and leaders...

Tune in to this episode of the Intentional Leader Podcast as host Sean Olson welcomes Debra Boggs , founder of D&S Executive Career Management . From first-generation college student to boardroom expert, Debra shares her inspiring journey and insights into becoming "board ready." Discover the qualifications needed for senior leaders seeking board roles, explore the diverse motivations driving...

Feeling like your leadership style is more "suffocating sweater" than "power suit"? This episode rips off the mask with communication expert and author of the bestselling "The Power to Speak Naked," Sean Tyler Foley . Tyler dives deep with host Sean Olson on how his unique childhood with multiple father figures shaped his leadership approach, and why finding the right mentors is crucial. But what...

Have you ever felt like you were on a completely different path than what you originally planned? In this episode, Sean Olson interviews Keith Minier , Lead Pastor at Grace Fellowship , about his surprising journey from the world of beakers and Bunsen burners to the pulpit. Keith shares his story across unexpected twists and turns that led him from being a chemist to a pastor, and the effective le...

There probably isn’t one person on this planet who doesn’t want a good life. It might mean different things to different people, but ultimately, we all want what we think is good for us and what we think we deserve to have. How does that happen? Today’s guest believes that it’s all about self-leadership. Lenny Richardson argues that to achieve “eudaemonia”, you have to hold yourself accountable fo...