Listening With Leaders

Mark Reynolds, founder of The Reynolds Group LLC, spent seven years in the Army trying to become a pilot, but a string of setbacks sent him into accounting instead. In this episode, he tells Doug Noll how an unexpected encounter with an accounting-firm partner opened that door, and how he eventually traded a decade-long career advising nonprofits for coaching leaders. They explore why founders may...

At age 10 or 12, N3 Business Advisors' founder Nitin Khanna spotted a chance to buy pashmina shawls from his uncle and resell them to his teacher, a first deal that hinted at the entrepreneur he’d become. In this episode, he tells host Doug Noll why so many construction owners trying to sell are really trying to sell a job built around themselves, and how a seven-day break can reveal what the busi...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll welcomes Melissa Robinson-Winemiller, an empathy expert and former professional French horn player. Melissa shares her journey from performing with Ray Charles to pursuing a doctorate in leadership after experiencing workplace trauma. They explore empathy's definitions, distinguishing cognitive from affective empathy, and discuss resis...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders , your host Doug Noll speaks with Christa Quarles, CEO of Parallels, about her non-linear career spanning Wall Street, gaming startups, and enterprise software. Christa shares how curiosity and asking good questions have been her constant through line. The conversation explores the power of deep listening, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety i...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll interviews Anthony Trucks, a former NFL player turned transformational identity shift coach. Anthony shares his remarkable journey from a difficult childhood in foster care, marked by poverty and abuse, to earning an NFL career through relentless hard work. He discusses his concept of "dark work", the unseen effort behind success, and...

In this episode, Doug interviews Graeme Barlow, a serial entrepreneur who made his first million at 16 by selling virtual game currency on eBay. Graeme shares his journey through founding game development companies and scaling software businesses. He discusses his leadership philosophy, emphasizing simplicity, clarity, and focus for CEOs, outlining three core responsibilities: managing cash flow,...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Doug Johnston, a former corporate executive turned emotional researcher. Johnston shares how his daughter's struggle with depression sparked a decade-long journey documenting 272 emotional states through 8,000 quotes, culminating in a book. Together, they challenge cultural misconceptions about emotions, emphasizing that emotions...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Mark Divine, whose extraordinary journey took him from small-town upstate New York to becoming a top Navy SEAL graduate. Starting as a CPA in Manhattan, Mark discovered martial arts and Zen meditation, which sparked a profound personal transformation. These practices led him to pursue becoming a Navy SEAL, where visualization and...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll interviews Bobby Humes, Lead Consultant and CEO of BH Consultancy. They discuss Bobby’s journey from Army HR roles to leading Seattle’s HR department during COVID-19, and now running the consultancy BH Consultancy. The conversation explores the value of emotional intelligence, overcoming resistance to "soft skills" training, and scienc...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Ben Gaddis, Partner and Co-founder of Superstep Capital, and author of Embracing Irrationality . They discuss Ben’s journey from marketing to private equity, investing in SaaS companies, and the impact of AI on software. The conversation explores leadership assessment, effective board meetings, and the vital role of empathy in bu...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll and guest Chip Higgins, Founder of Bizzics, discuss how leadership and communication are evolving in the age of digital technology, remote work, and AI. They explore the challenges and opportunities of building genuine connections without physical presence, the impact of generational differences, and the role of listening in effective leade...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Vidar Hokstad, Founder and Consultant at Hokstad Consulting, about his journey from early computer fascination to leading startups and venture-backed companies. The conversation explores lessons learned from product failures, the importance of emotional intelligence in engineering teams, and the challenges of adopting AI. An unid...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders , host Doug Noll and guest Maria Garaitonandia, Founder of Global Bridges Training, explore the complexities of communication in leadership and cross-cultural settings. Maria shares how her international upbringing shaped her passion for “untangling” communication challenges, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy. The discussion...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Joe Zentmyer, Founder and CEO of Snaggletooth Goby. Joe is a Chicago-based serial entrepreneur who transitioned from 18 years at Kraft Foods to founding multiple businesses, including a rock climbing gym and an aquarium service company. Joe shares insights on leadership, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of l...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll and guest Terri Lonowski explore the transformative power of “soulful listening.” Terri shares her personal journey and introduces her five-element framework for deep, empathetic communication. The conversation highlights how unmet needs to be heard often fuel conflict, and how self-care and presence are essential for genuine listening. Ter...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Theo Harvey, the CEO and Co-founder of SynsorMed, a healthcare technology company transforming remote patient care. Theo shares his journey from big tech to healthcare entrepreneurship, inspired by his daughter's health challenges. They discuss building a remote-first team, leadership lessons, and the integration of AI to persona...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Megan Boveri, Chief Media Officer of Pinnacle Advertising. They discuss her journey from rural Illinois to leading a large media team near Chicago, her accidental entry into advertising, and the evolving role of AI in the industry. She shares insights on empathetic leadership, developing future leaders, and balancing people manag...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll talks to Anita Nayak, Founder and CEO of ClinDCast, shares her inspiring journey from a small village in India to leading a successful healthcare IT consulting firm in Florida. She discusses her company’s work in EHR integration and data migration for hospitals and insurers, her leadership philosophy rooted in trust and integrity, and her c...

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll welcomes Tom Gegax, a successful CEO and cancer survivor, who shares his journey from corporate arrogance to empathetic, spiritually connected leadership. Tom discusses overcoming personal and professional struggles, including business failure, divorce, and throat cancer, and how these challenges led to profound self-awareness and transform...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Master Certified Executive Coach, Kristen Boss. Kristen shares her journey from hairstyling to leadership consulting, the impact of nervous system responses on behavior, and why traditional leadership strategies often fall short. She discusses the importance of emotional awareness, ethical leadership, and practical tools for nervous system regulation, encouragi...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Principal and Aviation Section Leader at Mancini Duffy, John Anthal. He discusses the complexities of designing airport lounges, the importance of collaboration and trust among stakeholders, and the challenges of building in active airports. John highlights the role of technology, emotional intelligence, and meticulous planning in delivering successful projects...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CFO at Riley Construction, Vince Montemurro. Vince discusses his leadership style, the importance of listening, and his commitment to developing people and fostering teamwork. He also reflects on the company’s values, the role of skilled trades, and his aspirations for the future. Vince highlights how empathy, authenticity, and strong relationships drive both p...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO of ChurchCandy Marketing, Brady Sticker. Brady shares his journey from seminary student to entrepreneur, explains how ChurchCandy connects people to churches using targeted ads and authentic video invitations, and highlights the company’s mission-driven culture. He discusses leveraging AI for efficiency, the importance of listening in leadership, and practi...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Founder and CEO at Rwazi, Joseph Rutakangwa. Joseph shares his journey from hardship in Tanzania—where his family lost everything—to building a successful tech startup in the U.S. He discusses overcoming adversity, the challenges of launching Rwazi, and how their AI systems help enterprises make smarter, data-driven decisions. Joseph highlights his leadership p...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Owner of Peterman Design Firm, Ian Peterman. Ian shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting with a childhood greeting card business, and discusses how early business lessons and his father’s influence led him to product design. He explains Peterman Design Firm’s approach to innovation, commercialization, and remote teamwork. Ian explores the importance of emp...