RISE TO LEAD

Navid Nazemian – based in UAE – shares what sparked his deep dive into executive transitions: after working inside some of the world’s most admired companies, he noticed a critical gap—leaders were stepping into high-stakes roles without a truly effective transition process. What followed was years of research, driven by a surprising discovery: nearly 40% of executives fail within the first 18 mon...

Kevin Gaskell shares how early experiences in the mountains of North Wales and competitive cricket shaped his understanding of leadership, teamwork, and performance under pressure. From playing in senior leagues as a teenager to learning from strong captains, he developed an early belief that leadership is about how teams operate together, especially when conditions get tough. He shares a defining...

What happens when you stop following the expected path—and trust what pulls you instead? Richard shares how a short trip to Costa Rica turned into a 25-year entrepreneurial path, built from the ground up by leaning into instinct, language, and real human connection. This conversation goes beyond business—it’s about stepping out of comfort, creating something that reflects who you are, and leading...

From Hollywood stunt work and Guinness World Records to deep inner transformation, Curtis Rivers shares what happens when outward success no longer matches who you are becoming inside. As his life in film grew further away from his evolving values, the disconnect became impossible to ignore, ultimately leading him through depression, divorce, bankruptcy, and rebuilding his life while creating his...

Shane Barker started out as the operator in his business—hands-on in every decision, every task, every detail—because that’s what survival and early growth demanded. Over time, that same approach turned into a bottleneck: longer hours, slower execution, and a business increasingly dependent on him being everywhere at once. In this episode, Shane breaks down the shift from operator to leader and wh...

Leadership isn’t broken because of strategy—it’s broken because of disconnection. In this conversation, Scott Doggett shares how a lifetime of observing and practicing leadership—from watching his father lead a small school to running hotels and training leaders—shaped his belief that people are not resources, but individuals with intrinsic, “priceless” worth. A pivotal moment came when he experie...

Angel Tuccy didn’t grow up wanting to be on stage or behind a mic—she was terrified of public speaking and nearly didn’t graduate because of it. Fast forward: a casual podcast turned into a professional production that got picked up by radio without a single audition. From behind-the-scenes admin to prime-time host, she built a national presence by doing one thing consistently—showing up. But when...

Rachel Garcia-Kessel shares how a serious health crisis disrupted her cognitive abilities and forced her to question her identity and capabilities. During recovery, she began building Legacy Bunker as a personal, unfiltered space to capture ideas, stories, and perspectives in her own way. What started as a tool to regain her thinking evolved into a collaborative platform for storytelling and share...

After navigating divorce, single fatherhood, and building multiple businesses, Mark Aylward from Florida shares what it truly means to lead yourself when life hits hard. He reflects on how adversity sharpened his listening, deepened his empathy, and forced him to let go of judgment and victimhood. With a clear focus on what mattered most—his children—he made intentional choices daily, leaning on d...

John Petrocelli, a pioneer in livestreaming and founder of Bulldog DM, shares how he helped shape the digital media landscape by operating ahead of the curve. From collaborating with Prince on one of the first direct-to-consumer music platforms to building and scaling companies acquired by AEG, Google, and Akamai, he reveals the mindset behind spotting—and acting on—what’s next before it becomes o...

Most leadership problems aren’t about competence. They’re about leaders performing a version of leadership that isn’t real—and over time, the organization quietly learns to depend on it. This is what we unpacked in this episode. Many leaders feel an unspoken pressure to project perfection — to have the answers, move quickly, and appear confident at all times. In this conversation with Jim Brown fr...

Rich LaMonica dives into how mindset, grit, and resilience have shaped his approach to challenges and leadership. He shares powerful stories of navigating impossible situations and unexpected setbacks, revealing how persistence and focus can transform obstacles into opportunities. Rich emphasizes the importance of self-leadership, showing how leading yourself effectively is the foundation for guid...

Andrew Colombini, sales expert and biotype specialist, shares how understanding human wiring can transform the way we sell, lead, and connect. Drawing from his work with high-level sales professionals, Andrew explains why most “personalization” falls short—and what it actually takes to truly meet someone where they are. He breaks down his biotype influence system, a method rooted in biology and be...

Simon de los Rios, former operations leader turned life and career coach, shares his journey from high-pressure logistics and operations roles to discovering the power of inner peace. Simon opens up about experiencing repeated burnouts, the turning point that led him to coaching, and why reconnecting with yourself is the ultimate productivity tool. We explore why high-performing leaders often lose...

The shift that changed everything? Moving from “I hope I’m chosen” to “I choose.” Shauna Wu shares how stepping out of waiting mode—and into ownership—redefined how she shows up: as a peer, a builder, and a strategic partner. When you stop asking for permission and start acting with intent, opportunities stop feeling scarce—and start becoming something you create. This conversation goes deeper, as...

From motorcycles to Formula 1, Shauna Wu turned passion into a global career by owning her value and building powerful, non-transactional relationships. This episode reveals how clarity, long-term vision, and intentional choices shift you from chasing opportunities to choosing them. From scaling high-growth marketing engines to building global partnerships in motorsport, Shauna Wu operates at full...

Stories shape people and teams. James Moffat shows how storytelling fosters confidence, connection, and engagement for kids and adults alike. In this continuation with storytelling expert James Moffat, we explore how storytelling shapes people and teams from the inside out. James shares how the true value of any business lies in its people, and how guiding their stories builds connection and engag...

Great teams don’t just share goals. They share stories. James Moffat explains how leaders use storytelling to create alignment and trust. In this conversation with storytelling expert James Moffat, we explore how storytelling goes far beyond marketing and branding. We discuss how leaders can use stories inside their organizations to create alignment, clarity, and shared direction across teams. Jam...

Stories shape how people listen, remember, and decide. This conversation explores how leaders can use storytelling to communicate value, connect emotionally, and turn real client experiences into messages that convert. A former engineer turned global sales leader, James Moffat makes a compelling case that storytelling is one of the most practical leadership tools available. Drawing on decades in t...

You can be successful and still feel flat inside — this episode is about reclaiming aliveness without burning your life down. You can build a successful life and still feel like something is missing. This episode is for leaders, entrepreneurs, and high-performing professionals who’ve achieved a lot, yet sometimes feel flat, restless, or quietly disconnected from themselves. When your days run on r...

Ridiculous Practicality for Unleashed Leaders with Garland Vance & Dorothy Wood Vance Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Portia Ntsele’s return home to KwaZulu-Natal wasn’t an escape — it was a conscious way to reset, reconnect, and recalibrate. After years of building businesses, raising a family, and navigating corporate and entrepreneurial worlds, she reached a moment where the old rhythm no longer fit. Instead of forcing outcomes, she chose to listen: to the inner voice; to the knowing; to the quiet redirection...

John Munsell’s path into AI leadership didn’t start with hype — it started with pattern recognition. After decades in software and digital marketing, he saw early on that AI would become the next defining shift in how businesses operate. When ChatGPT launched publicly, he knew this was more than just another tech trend — it was a full-scale transformation. He sold his agency, rebuilt his company f...

Awakened, authentic leadership starts with self-connection. Anja Žibert from Slovenia explores how true leaders guide energies rather than control people, recognizing that everyone is a sovereign being. She explains how triggers and perceived weaknesses are invitations for self-reflection, and how embracing both light and shadow fosters authenticity. Anja shares how expanding perspective—asking “w...

Leaders want to energize their teams while offering honest feedback that truly helps people grow. Yet many avoid difficult conversations or soften the message so much that clarity gets lost. Emma Collyer explains why clear, kind communication is the real driver of growth, and how intention, tone, and simple phrases set the right stage. She highlights cultural nuances, curiosity, and self-observati...