Small Brave Moves

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the transformative power of mindset, resilience, and reframing failure. I’m joined by the unforgettable Cam F. Awesome—12-time national boxing champion, former captain of Team USA, and now a dynamic speaker on positive self-talk, confidence, and resilience.  Cam’s story is one of extraordinary reinvention. From being bullied as a child a...

Uncertainty is inevitable—but how you handle it defines your leadership. In this episode of Small Brave Moves, we explore the power of embracing uncertainty in leadership and life. From navigating unexpected challenges to making bold decisions when the path ahead is unclear, I share personal stories (including my first time driving my dad’s semi-truck! 🚛) and practical strategies for building res...

Brave leaders don’t just imagine a better world—they take action to create it.  In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore what it truly means to be a hope-driven leader. Leadership isn’t just about strategies and decisions—it’s about inspiring resilience, creating pathways to success, and instilling belief in a better future.  I share a deeply personal story about how a simple y...

Leadership isn’t just about guiding others—it’s about navigating your own journey with bravery, resilience, and purpose. In this episode of Small Brave Moves, I sit down with Jesse Cody, founder of Hike the Good Hike, to explore the leadership lessons hidden in nature’s toughest challenges. Nearly a decade ago, Jesse found himself at a crossroads, struggling with mental health and questioning his...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I sit down with Lindsay White, a leadership coach, people strategy expert, and founder of High Voltage Leadership. With 15+ years in corporate HR, Lindsay and I share a common story—navigating toxic workplaces, making the bold decision to walk away, and building careers dedicated to transforming leadership and workplace culture. Together, we dive i...

Most leaders think they’re great listeners—until they realize they’re missing the most critical step.  In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I am joined by leadership expert Heather Younger to break down the 5-step framework for active listening that transforms team trust, communication, and engagement. Heather shares why active listening is a superpower every leader needs, how most of...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into the transformative power of relentless curiosity in leadership. Whether you’re navigating high-stakes negotiations, leading through uncertainty, or striving to build a more innovative team, curiosity is the secret weapon that unlocks better solutions and deeper connections. I share a high-pressure leadership moment where I worked on a...

What happens when you have to make one of the toughest leadership decisions—letting someone go? In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole Bianchi sits down with sales and leadership expert Mark Hunter, also known as The Sales Hunter , to dive deep into the realities of the "Moving On" conversation, from Nicole's best selling book and online course "Five Tough Tal...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the critical role of intentionality in leadership and life. Too often, leaders find themselves operating on autopilot—reacting to challenges instead of proactively shaping their path. But what happens when you pause, set clear intentions, and take deliberate action toward your goals? From a powerful leadership experiment with Fortune 500...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the transformative power of being there for others and how it can elevate your leadership to new heights. Through heartfelt stories, including a military leader who changed the course of a young soldier’s life and lessons from coaching executives through fear and transformation, we uncover how presence and support make all the difference...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the transformative power of leaning on your circle as a leader.  Brave leadership isn’t a solo act—it thrives in connection, trust, and collaboration. Through personal stories, like a pivotal conversation on a corporate jet and lessons from my daughter’s “A-Team,” we’ll uncover the importance of swim buddies—the people who support, chall...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into the art of failing, and how high performing leaders turn their slips, trips and falls into growth and success.  Failure isn’t just a setback—it’s a critical part of growth. From small slips that reveal areas for improvement to major falls that shake our confidence, each experience offers powerful lessons. Nicole shares candid stories f...

In this short but inspiring New Year themed episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole kicks off 2025 with a powerful focus: Conquer Yourself, Not Others.  Nicole dives into the essential mindset shifts needed to lead with more flow and ease—both professionally and personally. Through reflective prompts and actionable insights, you'll explore: ✨ How to identify the areas of your life a...

In this special holiday episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the profound power of alignment—both in leadership and in life.  Whether it's aligning your team around shared goals or creating harmony in your personal relationships, alignment sets the stage for clarity, connection, and meaningful progress. As we wrap up the year and look ahead to 2025, Nicole offers thoughtful re...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we sit down with Phillip James, Vice President of WEG Transformers USA, who leads nearly 600 employees across three manufacturing sites. Phillip shares how his decades-long career in manufacturing has been shaped by small, brave moves, intentional leadership, and navigating some of the toughest challenges in business. From leading through the 2008...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole dives into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of leadership: protecting your energy.  Tough conversations can be draining, but preparing your body, mind, spirit, and emotions ensures you show up as your best self and increases your chances of positive results.  Nicole shares practical strategies—from managing drainers and fillers to pract...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole breaks down the process of preparing for tough conversations in leadership.  From crafting a clear plan to managing emotions during the talk, she shares a proven three-phase framework for before, during, and after the conversation. Drawing from personal stories (like how hip-hop dance taught her the power of preparation!) and leadership expe...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves® podcast, Nicole is joined by Chris Dill, Vice President and CIO at Kiewit, to explore the leadership lessons and Small Brave Moves® that have shaped his remarkable 30+ year career in technology.  Chris shares stories of stepping into challenging roles, fostering team alignment, and building trust through genuine leadership. From taking on the challenge of...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle one of the toughest conversations in leadership—the “Moving On” talk.  This conversation is about establishing a new path forward when a project, position, or relationship is no longer working. Through personal stories and experiences, Nicole shares how to approach these conversations with empathy and clarity, transforming what can be a d...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into the “Being Better” conversation—one of the Five Tough Talks® every leader should be ready to have. When a team member isn’t showing up as their best self consistently, it’s essential to step in with compassion and clarity.  Nicole shares a personal story of her own “being better” moment, illustrating how these conversations can lead to...

 In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the importance of the “What’s Going On” conversation—one of the Five Tough Talks every leader must master. This conversation is essential for addressing subtle yet impactful shifts in behavior, performance, or relationships within your team before they escalate into larger issues.  Through a real-life story of navigating a high-stakes m...

When was the last time you asked for something important—help with a project, recognition for your work, or time off?  Asking can be daunting, but it's a powerful leadership skill. In this episode, I share a personal story about advocating for a salary adjustment and introduces the BRAVE framework (Background, Research, Advocate, Voice, End with Action) to help you make effective "asks&q...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the first of the Five Tough Talks every leader needs to master: the "How We Work" conversation.  I share personal stories, including how a simple conversation transformed a trip to Italy and strengthened my 25-year marriage, to illustrate the power of setting clear expectations. We dive into the importance of establishing rules...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I sit down with Joe Thornton, a powerhouse CEO, entrepreneur, and author with 40 years of experience in retail, executive management, and human resources. Joe shares his journey of leading growth at Scooters Coffee, now with over 800 locations across the U.S., and the small brave moves that shaped his impressive career. We explore his leadership ph...

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast I introduce the Five Tough Talks Online Certification Program , a self-paced leadership development course designed to help leaders at every level navigate difficult conversations with confidence and clarity. We dive into the five essential conversations that every leader needs to master, from setting team expectations to navigating tough departures...