Smart People Think Podcast

TeachRock is built on a powerful idea: music can help students learn, connect, and engage in new ways. On a recent episode of Let's TAWK Leadership, Bill Carbone, Executive Director of TeachRock, shared insights that reminded me what leadership looks like at its best: curiosity, humility, and empathy. A willingness to understand different perspectives while staying focused on the people you serve....

Meet Kevin Deasy, Fractional Director and Senior Management Consultant in IT Digital Transformation. To Kevin, leadership is the art of influencing and guiding a group toward a shared destination, standing in stark contrast to the "command and control" nature of managers. He believes true leaders don't need a title; instead, they rely on deep self-awareness and the wisdom to surround themselves wi...

Meet Dr. Stewart Desson, CEO of Lumina Learning, a leader who sees leadership in layers: strategy and vision plus the ability to inspire purpose and meaning. Dr. Desson believes leaders must celebrate humanity so people can connect to a cause and give unrestricted energy to make an impact. His leadership approach blends self-awareness with purpose and authenticity — claiming who you are so others...

Meet Emma Weaver: Founder of Mental Wealth International. Emma strongly believes that true influence begins with the courage to be your authentic self. For Emma, leadership is an active, values-led journey—one that requires the bravery to "go first" while viewing every challenge as an opportunity for organizational growth. She advocates for a leadership style that rejects the pressure of having al...

Meet Kevin Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO of Graphene. For Kevin, leadership is about creating clarity, having conviction, and owning decisions—even when you don’t have all the answers. It’s about accountability and bringing people along the journey with honesty and purpose. His leadership is grounded in clear values: accountability with no excuses, candid and respectful truth-telling, and momentum—...

Meet Marsha Clark, Owner of Marsha Clark and Associates. For Marsha, leadership is a mindset—one rooted in accountability for both intended and unintended consequences. She believes trust is built by giving first, leading with clarity, and balancing toughness with grace. Kindness, in her view, is not softness; it’s the discipline to care deeply while holding high standards and driving meaningful r...

Meet Jackie Gilna-Turton, Founder and CEO of We Are Global Irish. For Jackie, leadership is deeply personal—it’s about who you are, the values you stand by, and how you evolve over time. At her core, she is a bridge-builder, bringing people together through shared purpose and mutual respect. Her work centers on community development, connection, and collaboration, fostering spaces where others can...

Meet Maryann Pagano, CEO of BlackHawk Data. For Maryann, leadership begins with authenticity—“I am just me.” As CEO, she focuses on guiding and mentoring others, drawing on her own experiences to help employees develop and grow.. At BlackHawk Data, values fuel every decision—from hiring to culture to giving back. Maryann encourages employees to think about their legacy, recognizes them in ways tha...

In this candid conversation with Dr. Janet L. Walsh, Karen Colligan dives into what it really means to lead—starting with yourself. From owning your leadership identity to stepping up in your career, we share real-world insights and actionable tips to help you grow with clarity, confidence, and impact. Birchtree Global - https://www.birchtreeglobal.com/ PeopleThink - https://www.peoplethink.biz/

Meet President and CEO of Birchtree Global, LLC – Dr. Janet L. Walsh. Dr. Walsh defines leadership as the ability to inspire a vision—to coach, educate, and guide others toward it. She leads with transparency, clear communication, and a deep belief in listening and helping others grow. In times of change, she believes in staying focused on the end goal while providing the support teams need to suc...

Meet the visionary and dynamic Founder and CEO of Luminary – Cate Luzio. Cate Luzio believes leadership starts with standing up for what you believe in—and for others. She values listening, trusting your talents, and finding your own leadership style while adapting to your audience. Cate encourages people not to second-guess themselves. You’re in the role for a reason—own it, make the most of it,...

Dr. Jean Oursler believes leadership starts with you—understanding your strengths, identifying gaps, and continuously learning and growing. She knows that before you can motivate, inspire, and create a vision, you must first understand yourself. Guided by the philosophy, “I need to leave you better than I found you,” Dr. Jean leads with action, inspiring teams to find their own way to achieving go...

Meet Rebecca Osam, Managing Director of Bexx Group Ltd. Rebecca Osam leads Bexx Group Ltd. with a visionary approach, charting a clear path toward success while embracing innovation and adaptability. As the captain of her ship, she believes in the power of teamwork, open communication, and empathy, fostering a collaborative environment where her team thrives. Rebecca’s dynamic and assertive leader...

Meet Manish Patel, CMO of SentryBay. Manish Patel leads with a strong vision, inspiring his teams through empathy and a shared sense of purpose. He believes leadership is rooted in trust, which is built by valuing and engaging individuals, empowering them to achieve collective goals. By celebrating small wins and embracing adaptability, Manish encourages innovation and resilience, equipping his te...

Meet Meryl Simmons, EOS Implementer at Outpace and Business Coach. Meryl Simmons champions a vision of unity and purpose. She believes trust is built through consistent, transparent actions and must be earned over time. Meryl ignites a sense of purpose within teams, empowering them to make decisions while fostering accountability. Her leadership style embraces clarity, adaptability, and resilience...

Meet Alyssa Nolte, CEO of TruVue and Principal Consultant for Ology. Alyssa Nolte believes trust is built through a series of actions and is a natural byproduct of consistent, trustworthy behavior. She emphasizes that trust must be earned. Passionate about teamwork and collective success, she believes it's crucial to see the team performing at their highest level rather than relying on one superst...

Meet Rob Blasi, Partner and Chief People Officer at Riviera Dining Group. Rob believes that leaders must constantly evolve their leadership styles to stay effective. Passionate about education and development, he thrives on inspiring, motivating, and guiding individuals to grow into their next roles. One of his favorite quotes is, "Don’t confuse leadership with power," reflecting his val...

Meet Danielle Hughes, Chief Personality Officer for More Than Words Marketing, as she shares what inspires her to be a great leader. Danielle leads through action and inspires others to keep motivating themselves. She believes in the importance of capability, execution, and taking charge. Danielle’s core values rest on honesty, being a truth-teller, loyalty, and authenticity, emphasizing that deli...

Meet Jason Cone, Chief Public Policy Officer at Robin Hood, and Co-Founder of BlueCheck Ukraine as he shares what inspires him to be a great leader. Jason believes Leadership is about taking risks, finding yourself every day, and embracing change to lead through uncertainty. Jason talks about three critical components of leadership – Healing, Listening and Questioning, and how great leaders need g...

Welcome Joel Greenwald, ESQ, the Founder and Managing Partner of Greenwald Doherty LLP Counsel for Employers. Joel underscores the significance of decisiveness, leading by example, and effective communication, even in the face of necessary pivots. Over 26 years in business, he's faced numerous challenges but his approach has remained consistent: listen to people, gather information, and invest in...

Meet Jerry Gibson, Executive Director of Systems that Work, LLC. Jerry defines leadership as investing in PEOPLE! Lead your team with integrity, consistency, and honesty. Find a mentor and then be a mentor. Embrace mistakes, fuel continuous growth through learning, and master the art of mentorship. As a seasoned leader, he finds the biggest joy in empowering his team to succeed.

In this podcast episode, meet Brian Rowley, Chief Marketing Officer of BrightSign. Hear him talk about how Leaders must embrace empathy by revealing vulnerability, acknowledging the unseen, and including diverse perspectives. He emphasizes values like respect and fairness towards guiding a decision. He advises to focus on the controllable, give your 100%, and leave the rest to unfold gradually.

Meet Alexandra McDermott, International Book Publisher, Global Leader, and Motivational Coach at Pen Crown Publishing. As a leader, she emphasizes stepping into your power unapologetically and inspiring followership. Leadership transcends age or position—you can lead from any chair. Resilience and adaptability are the keys to converting challenges into opportunities.

Leadership is driven by a visionary mindset! Meet Suhaiba Neill, Founder of The Full Circle. Suhaiba talks about how leaders are essential support systems, providing guidance to businesses, teams, employees, customers, and vendors. They inspire big dreams! Effective leaders prioritize security, honesty, and clarity for their employees and maintain consistency in their actions. Adaptability and Lea...

Leadership is not a title or position; It is a Behavior! Meet Carrie Graham, PhD, CEO of Learning Strategist talk about taking a humanistic approach towards building trust. Her advice is to take initiative, do your best and try to support your team members with love, compassion, and empathy. Always be kind to yourself, for it is an essential part of your journey toward becoming a leader!