Life + Leadership

The COO role is one of the most powerful, misunderstood, and shape-shifting seats in the C-suite. In this episode, Tegan and Maggie unpack why the role looks so different from company to company, how it flexes around the CEO, and what makes a great COO far more than an "operator." They dig into COO archetypes, the emotional and strategic labor of the role, and the common mistakes CEOs make when th...

Tegan and Maggie break down what separates modern, world-class Chief Human Resource Officers and Chief People Officers from traditional HR leaders, from business acumen and AI readiness to culture leadership and executive influence. They unpack why people strategy is business strategy and what CEOs and boards should really be looking for in this role.  Resources Grab all the links and resources me...

The conflict you're avoiding at work? It probably started long before you ever had a job. Tegan and Maggie dig into what actually causes conflict in teams, in the executive suite, and between two people who just can't seem to get on the same page. From unclear roles and accountability gaps to ego dynamics, misaligned incentives, and the CEO behaviors nobody talks about, they cover the full picture...

How many layers does it really take to lead well? And when does structure start slowing everything down instead of moving it forward? In this episode, Tegan and Maggie dig into why teams are getting bigger, why organizations are flattening out, and why that shift is forcing leaders to operate in a completely different way. They get into the real tension behind it all, from speed and efficiency to...

Most executive development sounds good on paper, but how much of it actually changes the way leaders show up when it counts? In this episode, Tegan and Maggie talk honestly about why not all coaching firms are the same, how flashy platforms and boxed programs can miss the real work, and what it takes to find a partner who truly understands the pressure and complexity of executive life.   Grab all...

Most executive "teams" aren't really teams - they're high performers sharing airtime and reporting up. In this episode, Tegan and Maggie Gough unpack what actually makes a leadership team a team: shared enterprise goals, clear decision rights, and the ability to work through conflict without splintering. They talk about why so many strategies die after the deck is delivered, and how team coaching...

Ever feel like your plans look great on paper but don't survive contact with real life? Tegan and former co-host Katie Rasoul reunite to talk about how their approach to annual planning has softened, simplified, and become far more intuitive. They share what's changed, their Words of the Year for 2026, and why easing up on structure can actually create more meaning. It's a warm, grounded reset for...

Some of the best leaders you know are running an invisible obstacle course every day. In this episode, host Tegan Trovato talks with Bright Arrow coach Cara Wilson about what it really means to be a neurodivergent leader - and how workplaces can do better. Cara opens up about discovering she's both ADHD and autistic later in life, the toll of masking at work, and the surprising rituals that help h...

Feeling off your game and can’t figure out why? In this refreshingly honest episode, Tegan sits down with Dr. Amy Moon, founder of the New Moon Center for Women’s Health, to talk about how hormones, metabolism, and menopause affect focus, energy, and mood. Dr. Moon debunks myths about hormone therapy, opens up about what women really need to know at midlife, and reminds us that thriving in leaders...

What if the real edge in leadership isn’t about pushing harder, but about learning how to think, reset, and show up with clarity? In this episode, Tegan and Maggie’s focus is on the practices that help leaders get into flow, manage energy, and keep burnout at bay. From carving out real thinking time to working that fine line between pressure and performance, it’s an honest look at what it takes to...

What happens when “good enough” no longer cuts it? In this episode, Tegan Trovato and Bright Arrow’s COO, Maggie Gough, dive into how AI is shaking up leadership at every level. From McKinsey’s overhaul to the pressures facing mid-sized companies, they explore what leaders must do to balance speed with wisdom, adapt faster than ever, and protect the distinctly human skills of creativity, collabora...

What if the real challenge isn’t the chaos, but how you hold it? In this episode, Tegan gets real about leading through overwhelm, making high-stakes calls without all the data, and the quiet power of intuition. You’ll hear practical, human strategies for staying grounded, protecting your energy, and building the kind of support every leader needs but rarely talks about.   Grab all the links and r...

Is your executive team aligned - or just assuming they are? Tegan unpacks why even the best-laid strategic plans often stall after the boardroom - and what to do about it. From misaligned leadership approaches to the common failure to connect big goals to day-to-day operations, we break down what truly effective enterprise goal-setting looks like. Real stories, honest insight, and simple shifts th...

Ever screwed up at work and thought, “Well, that’s it for me”? This episode is for you. Tegan is talking about what happens after a leadership misstep - and how owning your mistake can actually build more trust than pretending it never happened. From tough apologies to rebuilding relationships, it’s a real look at how leaders recover, learn, and keep moving forward. Grab all the links and resource...

Why are so many top executives stepping away from their roles - and what kind of ripple effect does that create? This episode looks at the growing trend of C-suite turnover and the disruption it leaves in its wake. You'll hear what's pushing leaders to make their exits, how their departure impacts the wider team, and what kind of support is most needed during these transitions. There’s also practi...

Ever noticed how tension between team members can slowly shut things down - even when no one’s talking about it? In this episode, Tegan looks at how conflict shows up in executive teams, how it affects the wider organization, and why emotional intelligence is just as important as brainpower in leadership. You'll hear real examples of how unresolved issues can hold teams back, and how learning to h...

What if innovation isn’t just a buzzword, but a leadership responsibility—and one you’ve been approaching the wrong way? In this episode of the Life and Leadership Podcast, Tegan Travato challenges leaders to reimagine innovation not as a top-down initiative, but as a cultural mindset that must be built, defined, and lived at every level of the organization. From the emotional weight of leading th...

What if your leadership team isn't as aligned as you think—and it's costing more than you realize? In this episode, Tegan explores what truly sets high-performing teams apart, revealing why alignment is the backbone of efficiency, reduced conflict, and tangible results. She unpacks the pitfalls of one-off workshops and the power of real-time team coaching to drive lasting change. For leaders ready...

When was the last time you paused to check how uncertainty is affecting your leadership, not just your workload? In this powerful episode of Life and Leadership Podcast, Tegan unpacks the essential habits that help leaders stay composed, communicate clearly, and make sound decisions when the path ahead is foggy. It’s a sharp reminder that resilience starts within - and ripples outward. Grab all th...

What happens when a brilliant tech mind is asked to lead people, not projects? This episode unpacks the real-life journey of a highly technical leader who transformed into a trusted C-suite executive—with the help of coaching, curiosity, and a whole lot of growth at the edge of discomfort. Grab all the links and resources mentioned in this episode at:  https://www.brightarrowcoaching.com/leading-p...

What if the key to thriving isn't doing more, but being more—more present, more authentic, more aligned? In this episode, executive coach and author Marvin Chambers joins Tegan Trovato to explore intentional leadership, especially for men of colour navigating pressure to conform and perform. They unpack Marvin’s new book Awakening the Onyx Spirit, which offers mindful practices to reconnect with p...

Think executive coaching is just for underperformers or when you’re in crisis mode? It’s a common misconception. In this episode of Life and Leadership Podcast, Tegan Tovaro busts the biggest misconceptions about executive coaching and reveal why it’s a power move for high-performing leaders. From onboarding to growth strategy, you'll learn when coaching delivers the most impact — and how to make...

Can leaders truly harness AI’s potential without losing the human touch? In this episode of The Life + Leadership Podcast, Oliver Smith, founder and director of Deadalus Futures - a consultancy specialising in responsible AI. He shares how senior executives can integrate AI into their workflows while staying rooted in human connection and emotional intelligence. He emphasizes the importance of fir...

Whether or not the language around DEI evolves, the need for organizations to create environments where employees feel valued, engaged, and supported isn't going away. The companies that get this right will not only attract top talent but will also sustain performance and innovation in a rapidly changing world. With over fifteen years of experience in design thinking and social innovation, Nicole...

At first glance, it may seem as though civil interventions and the corporate sector have nothing in common. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Dr. Kelly Firesheets joins us today to share critical leadership lessons she learned after being tasked with solving the opioid epidemic in her community. She shares innovative solutions she put to the test, the most impactful investments she made...