THE BOLT Podcast

Why do smart, capable people overthink, avoid difficult conversations, resist change, and sometimes become ineffective leaders? According to psychologist and executive coach Dr. Jamie Lewis Smith, it's because our brains aren't designed to make us successful—they're designed to keep us alive. In this episode of The BOLT Podcast, Todd Bertsch sits down with Dr. Jamie Lewis Smith (aka the NeHRd Lady...

What makes someone stand out in a crowded job market, competitive industry, or rapidly changing world? In this episode, we explore how personal branding, resilience, and intentional action can help people create new opportunities and build meaningful careers. The conversation covers overcoming setbacks, navigating career transitions, building trust, creating memorable customer experiences, and why...

In this episode, we explore why leadership is one of the most important skills people are rarely taught. The conversation covers burnout, difficult conversations, work-life harmony, self-awareness, and practical habits that help people lead more effectively at work and at home. Listeners will learn how to improve communication, build stronger relationships, avoid common leadership mistakes, and cr...

This episode explores how leaders can navigate personal hardship, career pressure, identity shifts, and rapid technological change without losing themselves in the process. The conversation covers resilience, empathy, women in leadership, intentional living, and the future of AI in the workplace. Listeners will learn practical ways to lead with more humanity, build confidence through difficult sea...

What if the real issue isn’t burnout—but misalignment? In this episode of the BOLT, I sit down with Megan Leasher, organizational psychologist and executive coach, to explore why high achievers often feel stuck when what made them successful stops working. Together, they unpack how workplace disruption creates internal shifts, how to spot early warning signs, and how to realign with purpose and gr...

Leadership doesn’t break down during the easy moments—it breaks down under pressure. In this episode of The BOLT, Todd Bertsch sits down with emotional intelligence and communication expert Christopher Salem to unpack what really drives performance when things get hard. From the inner critic and imposter syndrome to communication breakdowns and culture challenges, this conversation goes deep into...

Empathy is often dismissed as “soft” until you see its impact on trust, retention, and performance. In this episode, Todd sits down with Dr. Melissa Robinson to explore why empathy is one of the most overlooked yet powerful leadership skills. After experiencing toxic leadership firsthand, Melissa rebuilt her career around understanding human connection and helping leaders create environments where...

You don’t forget the moment everything changes. Drew Norton shares the night he walked into sirens, panic, and his six-month-old son barely breathing—and how that single moment rewired how he leads himself, his marriage, and his life. What follows is a raw, honest conversation about identity, presence, and the truth about success: it’s not what looks good on paper, it’s how you show up when it mat...

In this episode of The BOLT Podcast, Todd sits down with Kathy Sullivan—organizational development consultant, executive coach, and author of Moms Eat First—for a powerful conversation on leadership, emotional intelligence, and the human side of change. Kathy shares how her personal journey, professional experience, and hard-won lessons shaped her approach to sustainable growth, both at work and a...

In this episode, Todd Bertsch sits down with Michael E. Krumpak to challenge the myth that “smart” leadership is enough. Together, they unpack a practical, story-driven roadmap for building legendary leaders through psychological safety, empathy, growth mindset, disciplined decision making, and intentional delegation. If you’ve ever seen a “perfect on paper” leader struggle when pressure rises, th...

The hardest part of change isn’t the plan or the platform—it’s leadership. In this episode, Todd sits down with Leslie Ellis, CEO of Meaningful Change Consulting, to unpack why transformations stall and how leaders can turn constant disruption into a durable advantage. Drawing from work across dozens of organizations and nearly a million stakeholders, Leslie shares a powerful truth: change doesn’t...

Burnout is rising, trust is fragile, and the old playbook of perks over people is running out of steam. In this episode, we sit down with David Noe, a trusted voice in HR, to unpack what actually drives engagement today, and what leaders must rethink as we head into 2026. We name the tension leaders feel every day: caring for people while still hitting targets. David shares the reset question ever...

Season Two launches with Harvey Nelson, entrepreneur, mentor, and lifelong explorer, as we walk through the SPARK Framework (Curiosity, Mindset, Action, Growth, Impact) using stories that are funny, raw, and immediately practical. From hitchhiking across America to leading through real business crises, Harvey shares how small, repeatable choices build resilience, how focus and priority beat busyne...

We cap season one with a best-of collection on growth, resilience, and people-first leadership, stitching together the most impactful insights from several candid conversations. We share tools to clarify purpose, break free from restraints, recover well, and design a life you truly choose. Guests who were highlighted on this special episode: Dan Flanagan: Redefining success through small wins and...

We celebrate a season dedicated to growth and service with a curated highlight reel on mindset, habits, leadership, and fulfillment. Guests share tools for tiny wins, deeper listening, sober clarity, and the discipline that turns choices into lasting change. Guests that were highlighted on this special episode: Kristoffer Carter: Coaching As Heart Set And Meditation - View full episode Todd Blylev...

Sam Falletta went from a four-cubicle call center to president, owner, and leader of a values-driven sale. In this episode, he breaks down how he built an award-winning culture by focusing on what employees truly need: strengths-based leadership, real-life support, meaningful incentives, and coaching that shifts mindsets. We explore why most engagement efforts fall flat, how culture changes in a r...

In this episode of The BOLT Podcast, Dave Loomis, founder of Loomis Marketing and author of Customer Outsight, shares powerful lessons from conducting over 10,000 customer interviews. Drawing from decades of experience with Fortune 500 companies, Dave explores how curiosity, empathy, and active listening can transform leadership and organizational growth. Together, we unpack what it truly means to...

In this powerful episode, Leadership Akron President and CEO Justin Hilton joins host Todd Bertsch to explore what it truly means to be a trailblazer. From his journey as the first African-American architect intern under Robert P. Madison to his leadership across higher education, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, Justin shares lessons on courage, context, and curiosity. He opens up about vulnerab...

What if what looks like “bad behavior” is really a brain problem, not a character flaw? In this episode, I sit down with Eric Collett, CEO of A Mind For All Seasons, to explore how energy, inflammation, and brain health shape our focus, mood, and leadership performance. We unpack why fixing your “hardware” matters more than adding new “software,” and how small, science-backed shifts—like improving...

Kemp Boyd, executive director, pastor, coach, and community leader, shares how true leadership comes not from what we do, but from who we are. Through powerful stories of resilience, mental health advocacy, and his HOT philosophy (Humble, Open, Transparent), Kemp reveals how authenticity, vulnerability, and mentorship can transform families, teams, and communities.  Moving from a "doing" culture t...

Todd and Natalie dive into Positive Intelligence (PQ) as a practical operating system for mental fitness—using the pause to shift from negative reactivity to wise response. Natalie traces her journey from Silicon Valley and the Fortune 100 to entrepreneurship, shares the origin of her bestselling book Let Her Out, and explains how pausing, presence, and rediscovering what you loved as a kid unlock...

In this inspiring BOLT Podcast episode, Bob Burg—Hall of Fame speaker and coauthor of the international bestseller The Go-Giver—shares timeless lessons on leadership, influence, and success. From overcoming 24 publisher rejections to building a worldwide movement translated into 30+ languages, Bob emphasizes that sustainable success comes from authenticity, providing immense value, and leading wit...

In this episode, we uncover how perfectionism can be a major obstacle to authentic leadership and growth. We explore the psychology behind perfectionism, how a fixed mindset stifles innovation, and introduce Positive Intelligence’s saboteurs like the Controller and Hyperachiever. Learn the beauty of wabi-sabi and discover practical strategies to shift from perfectionism to progress, including less...

Carolyn Cooper shares her life-changing journey from young sales professional to love-inspired leadership expert, revealing how bringing authentic love to business transforms organizations and leaders. Her powerful approach integrates decades of wisdom into practical frameworks that help individuals unleash their true potential and lead from the heart. Highlights from this episode: Operating from...

In this episode, leadership expert Molly Ketcham explores how curiosity can be a transformative leadership skill, helping leaders build deeper connections and drive meaningful results. Molly shares her journey from corporate success to professional speaking, revealing how asking better questions, rather than having all the answers, can improve leadership effectiveness. She highlights the need for...