Mental Stillness

Kevin Konopasek (pronounced like Coo-No-Pah-Zick), former Indiana Director of Athletic Performance, was hired as the University of Kentucky’s Director of Strength & Conditioning and Athletic Performance for Women’s Basketball on June 26, 2024. He enters his third season with the Wildcats’ women’s basketball program in 2026-27. Konopasek arrived in Lexington after spending 11 seasons at Indiana...

Dr. JonRobert Tartaglione is a psychologist and behavioral scientist. He's worked with leadership teams at organizations like McDonald's, Visa, Nintendo, Boys & Girls Clubs, and more and holds a Ph. D. in Psychology from the University of Cambridge. His work focuses on the question: "What moves people to think, behave, or decide differently?" He is the Founder and CEO of Influence 51, a specia...

Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey (aka Nell 3D) is a leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and Forbes Leadership contributor who helps ambitious, big-hearted leaders build success that feels as good as it looks. As founder of a certified B Corporation and creator of the Lead in 3D™ framework, she works with leaders across Fortune 500 companies, global nonprofits, and universities to subtract what'...

Eric Robinson spent a dozen years in Christian ministry before leaving the pulpit of his Baptist church to join the FBI, where he worked drugs, gangs, crimes against children, national security, and other violations. Eric served for 15 years as a SWAT operator and firearms and tactics instructor. Eric has written a book recounting his move from “preacher to breacher” as well as many of the remarka...

Alberto Uncini Manganelli is a global sports and consumer goods executive who has spent more than two decades shaping some of the world’s most recognizable brands. After 20 years at Procter & Gamble in marketing and senior management roles, he went on to lead major global sports business units at Adidas, serving for eight years as Global General Manager and Senior Vice President. Throughout hi...

Dr. Vinatieri is a clinical psychologist and organizational development psychologist who has spent nearly two decades treating PTSD and holding various leadership roles within healthcare systems. Currently serving as Chief Well-Being Officer at a large Level 1A healthcare system, she helps medical leaders combat clinical staff burnout using evidence-based frameworks that empower staff. Recognizing...

Ryan Murray is a professional golf caddie who walked away from a traditional corporate career to pursue life on the tour. He’s worked inside high-pressure competitive environments where preparation, trust, and emotional control separate average rounds from elite performance. Ryan brings a unique perspective on risk, reinvention, and what it actually takes to bet on yourself when the outcome isn’t...

Megha Parekh is the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and she has been with the Jaguars since 2013. As a key member of the team’s executive leadership, she is responsible for a variety of legal and business matters, including transactions, acquisitions, investments, compliance, dispute resolution, risk management, employee growth and development, governm...

Fred Turner co-hosted this episode with me. He heads up our training at Abridge Leadership and is an incredible person & leader. The guest in this episode is Brandon J. Hurst! Brandon is a visionary entrepreneur, investor, and business strategist recognized as the operator of two thriving Brooklyn Chick-fil-A locations, including the borough’s first across from the Barclays Center—distinguishe...

Josh Teater is a seasoned PGA Tour professional whose career reflects perseverance, resilience, and a deep love for the game. A Lexington, Kentucky native and graduate of Morehead State University, Josh turned professional in 2001 and spent years competing on mini-tours and developmental tours before breaking through and earning his PGA Tour card. Over his career, Josh has recorded multiple top fi...

Sebastien Page is the Head of Global Multi-Asset at T. Rowe Price and one of the most respected voices in modern investing and risk management. He leads a global team of portfolio managers, analysts, and researchers responsible for more than $350 billion in assets, and his work sits at the intersection of behavioral finance, macro strategy, and disciplined decision-making under uncertainty. In thi...

In this episode of Mental Stillness , host Derek Sloan sits down with William Salvi — creator of The Executive House and an talented interviewer of CEOs and executives. Together, they unpack what it really means to lead with humanity in high-pressure executive environments. From boardrooms to brand vision, William shares insights from conversations with world-class CEOs on why authenticity, empath...

Today’s guest, Willy Kuhene, is a global leader at Google overseeing a €0.5B program portfolio spanning North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. He’s the creator of the Standard of Consistency , a leadership framework that helps teams drive high performance through clarity, rhythm, and trust. In this episode, we explore how consistency becomes a competitive advantage in fast-changing environments,...

Dr. (Colonel) Josh McConkey is a best-selling, award-winning author and esteemed Emergency Physician with over 20 years of clinical experience. A former Duke University professor and Board-Certified Emergency Medicine physician, he currently commands the 459th Aeromedical Staging Squadron in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, where he continues to exemplify leadership and service. His acclaimed book Be...

Gary Noesner, retired FBI Chief Negotiator, bestselling author of Stalling for Time , and one of the world’s foremost experts in high-stakes negotiation and crisis communication. Over his 30-year career, Gary led some of the most complex and dangerous hostage and barricade situations, including prison riots, airplane hijackings, and international terrorism standoffs. We explore the psychology behi...

Jeremy Hurewitz is an espionage expert, corporate intelligence strategist, and author of Sell Like a Spy . In this episode, Jeremy takes us inside the world of spycraft, revealing how techniques used by CIA, FBI, and special forces operatives can dramatically improve the way we build trust, influence others, and communicate with impact. From the power of vulnerability to the subtle art of elicitat...

Jenn Donahue PhD is an author, retired US Navy Captain and former Commodore for an 1,800 personnel Regiment. While in Afghanistan, Jenn had an assassination attempt on her life. She is a civil engineer who works on large scale, high profile projects. Over her 27-year military career, Jenn has built a bridge across the Euphrates River in the midst of the Iraq war, commanded an 800-personnel Battali...

Dr. Dan Pelton is the author of  ⁠Rethinking Employee Resilience⁠  (APA, May 2025) and a speaker dedicated to fostering a culture of employee well-being and mental health. He challenges conventional wisdom with research-backed truths that drive behavioral change and workplace improvements. As a board-certified clinical psychologist, he served the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. For over a decade, he has...

After spending the first 22 years of his life pursuing a career in Major League Baseball, Damon made a pivotal shift in 1995. He joined his father, Walt Lembi—Founder of Learnit—and poured his heart into helping others gain the knowledge and confidence to reach their professional goals through the power of education. Damon has a deep commitment to the Learnit team past and present and the San Fran...

Jared Haslam brings over 18 years of experience in the automotive industry, having served as a Vice President of Product Planning and Strategy. Through his leadership journey, he recognized the profound impact of mental health on business success and saw a critical gap in resources to help professionals—especially leaders—manage their own well-being while fostering thriving workplace cultures. Sta...

Leadership isn’t just about guiding—it’s about remembering. Remembering where you started, the obstacles you faced, and the patience someone once had with you. Think back to when you were the one learning—when you doubted yourself, when the path forward wasn’t clear. Growth wasn’t instant. It took time, effort, and someone who believed in you. Now, you’re asking someone else to grow in ways you on...

Rising to fame in Russia in the 90s with a chart-topping song ("Our Generation") that became a symbol of freedom, Christian later shifted his focus to service—leading global initiatives in healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship. As a co-founder of Hollywood World and Third Drive, he mentors leaders, raises funds for startups, and empowers artists. Join us for an inspiring conversation on lead...

Tom Collins, MD is the Professor of Pediatrics & Vice Chair at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. In addition to his day job, he is the only person to have ever conducted a scientific study interviewing Four-Star Generals and Admirals about their most important leadership lessons. He has synthesized their insights into a unique framework that can elevate leadership capabilities fo...

As an adoptive mom and disability advocate, Kim Botto is passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces where every child can grow in faith. Through speaking, writing, and coaching, she equips leaders and families to build strong teams and supportive communities. Kim is the former Director of Training and Development at a Cincinnati nonprofit serving multi-system involved youth, has trained thou...

Maggie Olson is the Founder of Nova Chief of Staff, the premier and first-of-its-kind destination for Chief of Staff education, certification, and development. She has 20 years of experience in retail, food and beverage, and technology sectors and has held leadership roles at Nordstrom and T-Mobile. At T-Mobile, Maggie's impressive work led her to become the Chief of Staff to the President of the...