The Accidental Leader

I am so thrilled to be welcoming Jason Vitug back to the podcast for this episode! As a reminder or in case you didn't hear that episode (if you didn't, I definitely recommend going back and giving it a listen), Jason is an author, entrepreneur, and former credit union executive, and our conversation today focuses on the financial struggles many people are facing due to the rising cost of...

This show is, of course, all about those of us who didn’t exactly set out to lead but just kind of looked up one day and realized that people were looking to us for direction. It’s humbling, it’s weirdly funny sometimes, and it’s full of lessons, and this week on the podcast, I am talking about one of my favorite topics: quality. It’s a word we all throw around. We want quality work. We stand for...

The Accidental Leader Episode 39 Join me this episode as I talk all about some of the challenges of leading through uncertain and challenging seasons as a leader. Acknowledging that I have been absent from the podcast for several weeks because I have not been feeling like a great leader myself, I explain the signs that indicate when a leader is not performing at their best such as becoming more re...

I am so thrilled to welcome back guest Nick Wodogaza on the show to discuss the influential book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig! Pirsig's 1974 philosophical book explores themes of quality, purpose, and the human experience through the lens of a motorcycle journey, and Nick shares his key takeaways from the book, highlighting Pirsig's emphasis on being presen...

I have a short but sweet episode to offer this week - as I recount an incredibly formative experience at 16 when I made a mistake during a traffic report and was rather harshly reprimanded by the station's general manager. The manager yelled at me on-air, berating me for mentioning an accident near a major sponsor's location, despite the fact that I was merely trying to provide helpful inf...

I am really happy to be welcoming a guest to this episode of The Accidental Leader ! Self-employed musician Valerie Sassyfras joins me to discuss her life and her career. She is truly a force of nature, a New Orleans legend who has had some incredible viral moments, from appearing on The Ellen Show multiple times to making it on America's Got Talent . Beyond the fame and the entertainment, tho...

I just finished reading an incredible book that I think every accidental leader needs to read - The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger. I was honestly truly captivated from the very first page by her powerful story and the profound insights she shares, and I hope that you'll tune in to hear what's so wonderful and inspiring about it! Dr. Eger is a Holocaust survivor and psychologist, and her per...

There is a word that has been on my mind a lot lately when it comes to leadership - quality . It's a word that gets tossed around so flippantly that it has practically lost all meaning. You’ve heard it in strategy decks, seen it on mission statements, maybe even mumbled it yourself after a decent cup of coffee, but what is quality, really? Could you define it, and if you could, would your defi...

Some of the best leaders never planned on being leaders at all. That is the whole idea behind this podcast, in fact, and I wanted to sit down with Nathan Cape , CEO of Minnequa Works Credit Union , for this conversation because Nathan is definitely someone whom I would call an “accidental leader” - someone who didn’t chase titles but found himself leading anyway, and I think that that’s where some...

Join me this episode as I sit down with Cynthia Campbell , the founder of Soul Path Leadership , to reflect on the twists and turns of leadership through her personal and professional journey. She opens up about some of her biggest missteps in her leadership journey, shedding light on how ignoring her gut instincts has come with a price, both for her and her team. We also touch on the concept of l...

Happy 2025, everyone, and welcome to the first episode of the new year! This year for 2025, I am not just making a list of tasks to check off but am also envisioning the life I want by December 31st, 2025! Inspired by my business coach, I am focusing on creating a vision rather than just tasks. It's a lot like planning a trip in that you need to know where you're headed before mapping out...

I am excited to be bringing you episode 30 of The Accidental Leader because even though all of my guests are amazing and bring something fresh and unique to the table, my guest today brings an incredible story of growth, resilience, and leadership transformation. Join me as I have a discussion with Reh Harvey , the VP of Digital Strategy right here at yourmarketing.co ! Reh’s journey is as inspiri...

Episode 29 of The Accidental Leader features Chris Lorence , whose extensive career in credit unions and banking offers a wealth of information on leadership, authenticity, and the evolving challenges of financial services! Our conversation isn’t one that I planned. Instead, a powerful LinkedIn post that Chris shared on leadership and risk caught my eye, sparking the need to bring him on. Chris&#3...

Join me for episode 28 of The Accidental Leader in which I have an insightful conversation with Christie Smith, CEO of Acclaim Federal Credit Union in Greensboro, North Carolina! Christie shares her remarkable leadership journey over the past ten months, offering a raw and honest look into the unexpected challenges which she faced transitioning into her CEO role. When Christie became CEO, she thou...

Welcome, everyone, to another episode of The Accidental Leader ! I, your host Bo, am excited to share my conversation with Frank Allgood, our VP of Brand Experience at YMC, as we dive into the intriguing world of flat leadership! Just days after emerging from a ten-day power outage caused by Hurricane Helene, I truly felt so ready to discuss how modern comfort can sometimes stifle our growth, havi...

I am back after the summer break and am discussing a tough but important topic. I reflect in this episode on the struggles that I have faced as an “accidental leader,” especially over this past summer. Leadership isn’t something I was trained for, and, like many, I have had to figure it out as I go. Early in my career, I followed the example of leaders before me, and to be honest, I wasn’t great a...

I had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Bill Partin for this episode. Although briefly retired, Bill is the CEO of Sharonview Federal Credit Union , and his journey from a brief retirement back into the game is a fascinating tale of leadership, resilience, and the power of continuous growth! Listen as Bill shares his story of starting an LLC and writing a book after retirement, a venture t...

I recently attended Jazzfest in New Orleans where I got to see The Rolling Stones, one of my favorite bands, and I wanted to spend some time on the podcast to talk about my experience as well as four important lessons that I learned from attending (actually five because I also have a bonus one to share)! Starting with the fifth bonus lesson, I reflect on the power and the importance of being a goo...

I am flying solo for this episode and am diving deep into a powerful email that hit my inbox. Join me as I unpack the wisdom it holds and its implications for leadership, culture, and tough conversations. As a leader wearing multiple hats, from president of a marketing company to serving on various boards, I often find myself navigating the delicate balance of nurturing a healthy culture while add...

I have really been looking forward to today’s conversation for a while! I am so excited to have former “retired” CEO Nick Wodogaza on the show this week to talk all about the awesome responsibility of being a leader and what it entails. Nick shares his journey from "retirement" to a passionate commitment to mentoring the next generation of credit union leaders, and we delve into the unique...

I am so thrilled to be sharing today's episode with you! I am joined today by special guest Dennis McIntee, CEO of the Leadership Development Group, author of Drama-Free Teams , and host of the Drama Free Living podcast. Dennis shares insights into creating self-directed, self-motivated work teams that yield great results. Our conversation delves into the challenges of leadership, overcoming o...

Welcome back to your favorite leadership podcast with your host, Bo McDonald! This episode is dedicated to the stutters of life, our self-imposed limitations and traumas that hold us in a vice - a tale intertwined with my journey and that of the unforgettable Scatman John! Scatman John's story's connection with my own reveals similarities and gems about embracing our authentic selves and o...

Welcome back to the show, everyone. Join me in this episode as I dive into the intricacies of leading through change and fear. Joined by first-time podcast guest Denise Hackendahl , Executive Director for Inspire Culture , we unpack the challenges leaders face while trying to navigate comfort zones and push into new territories. Denise also shares insightful thoughts on her experiences in managing...

Listen today as I take you on a journey back to episode 9 , going into a topic that resonates with all of us: the fear of change. Drawing from personal experiences and a powerful book I recently discovered, I explore the resistance many of us have towards change, even when it's inevitable. I share stories of individuals and organizations attempting to recreate past successes, clinging to famil...

A lot of times, founders adopt a mindsight of "my way or the highway". But one of the best things they can do is get out of the way. Randy Smith, the Co-Founder of CUInsight, joins me to have a candid conversation about how he went from a brokerage to owning his own marketing company. Randy shares how he was able to get out of his employees' way and let them succeed outside of his visi...