The Charismatic Leader

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Kate Waterfall Hill , executive coach, leadership expert, and creator of the viral character Linda the Bad Manager . Kate breaks down why getting promoted is one of the most dangerous transitions for leaders—and what to do about it. Together, Brett and Kate explore the common pitfalls of accidental managers,...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Vanessa Cuddeford , strategic communications advisor and speaker coach, who spent years as a TV news anchor for global broadcasters including BBC and NBC. Vanessa knows firsthand what it takes to connect with people, and today she shares how leaders can master the art of making others feel truly seen, heard,...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Chaz Wolfe , serial entrepreneur and founder of Gathering the Kings , who built and sold multiple seven‑figure businesses. Together, Brett and Chaz break down how leaders can defeat daily resistance before 9 a.m. using affirmations, visualization, and radical accountability. Chaz shares how identity‑driven r...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. Today we sit down with Brett McDermott along with Kate Perkovic , 7-figure founder, CEO of KLMP Consulting, and a force behind empowering women into high-power earners. From her early days as a server to leading a thriving consulting business, Kate walks us through the mindset shifts, routines, and retention-first strategies that redefined her path to suc...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Zoe Fragou , leadership coach and psychologist, to explore why most leaders don’t suffer from strategy problems—they suffer from clarity problems. Zoe helps executives cut through the noise, align their teams, and make decisions with precision and confidence. Together, Brett and Zoe break down how unclear le...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott breaks down the three simplest, most practical techniques you can use immediately to project confidence in any conversation, meeting, or presentation. Too often, leaders find themselves overlooked or talked over—not because they lack ideas, but because they don’t project their presence with authority. Brett shares actionab...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott breaks down a game-changing truth: confidence isn’t a personality trait—it’s a loop you can trigger on demand. In this episode, Brett reveals how physiology, self-talk, and behavior form a feedback system that creates unshakable presence. He shares practical resets and scripts you can use before any meeting, pitch, or presentation to step...

Welcome back to The Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott takes us beneath the surface of techniques and behaviors to explore the foundation of true influence—the charismatic mindset. In this episode, Brett reveals why charisma doesn’t start when you walk into the room—it starts in your mind. He breaks down three pillars that shape how leaders project presence, confidence, and connection: in...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with John Bowe , acclaimed author, journalist, and communication expert, to explore how the timeless wisdom of Aristotle can transform the way we speak and lead today. John shares his unlikely journey from investigative journalism to studying public speaking, sparked by a family story that revealed the life‑chang...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Dr. Matt Paden , president of Great Days Leadership and author of The Core: Eight Principles for Building Strong Authentic Leadership . Matt brings decades of experience helping leaders and organizations move from where they are to where they need to be by focusing on authenticity, influence, and value creat...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Mike Robbins , acclaimed author, speaker, and expert on emotional intelligence and workplace culture. Mike has spent decades helping leaders and teams build trust, connection, and resilience through authenticity and appreciation. Together, Brett and Mike explore the critical difference between recognition (p...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Ron Tite , founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Church+State , one of Canada’s fastest‑growing agencies helping brands navigate the intersection of advertising and authentic content. Ron is also a globally recognized keynote speaker known for his sharp insights on leadership, creativity, and communication....

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott challenges the myth that charisma is something you’re born with. Instead, he reveals why charisma is a skill—a muscle—that grows stronger through repetition, not performance. And the best training ground isn’t the stage or the boardroom, but the ordinary interactions you have every single day. Brett walks through practical...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott explores why presence—not performance—is the most underrated form of charisma. People don’t remember every word you say, but they never forget how it felt to be around you. And nothing creates trust, connection, and influence more than making others feel fully seen. Brett breaks down why availability is the true signal of...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Sarah Elkins , workplace storytelling expert, Gallup‑certified StrengthsFinder coach, and author of Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will . Sarah has spent years helping executives, teams, and professionals harness the power of story to build trust, connection, and influence. Together, Brett...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Robin Dreeke , former head of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program. With decades of experience understanding, predicting, and influencing human behavior in high‑stakes environments involving spies, criminals, and hostile actors, Robin brings unparalleled insight into the mechanics of tru...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this special conversation, Brett McDermott sits down with Julian Treasure—international speaker and author of one of the most viewed TED Talks of all time—to explore why true influence begins not with speaking, but with listening. Julian introduces his “pyramid of communication,” where listening forms the base, speaking builds on it, and presenting sit...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott explores one of the most underrated tools of influence—your voice. Two people can say the same words, but one feels magnetic while the other fades into the background. The difference isn’t the message—it’s how the message lands. In this episode, Brett breaks down how tone, pace, volume, pitch, and pauses quietly determine whether people le...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott unpacks one of the most underrated communication skills: projecting certainty—even when you don’t have all the answers. This episode isn’t about faking expertise. It’s about becoming the emotional anchor in the room by delivering clarity, calmness, and confidence when people look to you for direction. Brett shares practical tools like the...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott breaks down a game-changing truth: confidence isn’t a personality trait—it’s a loop you can trigger on demand. In this episode, Brett reveals how physiology, self-talk, and behavior form a feedback system that creates unshakable presence. He shares practical resets and scripts you can use before any meeting, pitch, or presentation to step...

Welcome back to The Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott takes us beneath the surface of techniques and behaviors to explore the foundation of true influence—the charismatic mindset. In this episode, Brett reveals why charisma doesn’t start when you walk into the room—it starts in your mind. He breaks down three pillars that shape how leaders project presence, confidence, and connection: in...

Welcome to The Charismatic Leader Podcast . Brett McDermott kicks off this new era with a practical deep dive into the science of influence—because success isn’t just about working harder, it’s about communicating better. In this episode, Brett reveals three levers you can pull today to transform how people experience you: eye contact, verbal pausing, and listening without interruption. These aren...

Today we sit down with Scott D. Clary, former C-suite executive turned podcast powerhouse with tens of millions of downloads under his belt to talk about what really separates high performers from highlighters. We unpack the hidden cost of information overload and how even the smartest minds can get stuck in the cycle of constant consumption. We get into the difference between learning and doing,...

Today we sit down with Brett McDermott for a deceptively simple but game-changing episode of Persistence Playbook . If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t just talk productivity—he gives you frameworks that make discipline inevitable. This time, he breaks down how to turn your to-do list from a pile of vague wishes into a powerful daily playbook. If you’re new here, get ready to lear...

Today we sit down with Brett McDermott for a powerful episode of Persistence Playbook on what it really takes to supercharge your influence. If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t just share ideas—he gives you communication techniques you can practice today. This time, he reveals three deceptively simple skills that shift how people respond to you and open the door to deeper connecti...