The Courage of a Leader

Feel guilty for not joining the 5am club? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. In the latest episode of the Unfiltered Series, Amy and Daphna break down the myth that success has to start before sunrise. Explore why early wakeups aren’t a magic formula and how tuning into your natural energy leads to more focus, creativity, and confidence throughout the day. Morning routines aren’t abou...

In this episode of Unfiltered, hosts Daphna and Amy explore the complex and often hidden experience of imposter syndrome. They unpack its psychological roots, how it shows up across different identities and careers, and why it’s so pervasive, affecting up to 70% of people at some point in their lives. Drawing from the original 1978 research that identified the phenomenon among high-achieving women...

Kim Becker, President and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, is leading a bold transformation at the San Diego International Airport—starting from the inside out. We explored how she’s intentionally cultivating a culture that supports change, empowers leaders at every level, and aligns with a fast-evolving environment. Coming out of the pandemic, Kim knew the way they worked h...

We often talk about diversity in terms of background or culture, but age diversity plays just as big a role in team success. In this episode, we explore what happens when you bring together different generations at work and create space for all voices to be heard. Gary Danoff, a global leader at Google and an experienced executive coach, shares how he builds strong, multigenerational teams. He exp...

We all want teams that are energized, engaged, and operating at full potential. The key? Tap into what truly drives people. When we leverage strengths and give flexibility around how work gets done, we create an environment where people don’t just perform—they thrive. It starts with knowing our team members well and aligning their work with what lights them up. From there, we shift from rigid expe...

Mary Lynn Fayoumi, President and CEO of HR Source, brings a wealth of insight on how leaders can retain top talent in today’s evolving workplace. She reminds us that retaining great people isn’t about copying broad strategies—it’s about staying curious, asking the right questions, and creating personalized solutions that match each team and organization. From conducting spot surveys to simply chec...

The power has shifted from organizations to people. How do you meet the new expectations employees have? How do you retain your top performers? My guest today is El Lages, Chief People and Culture Officer at Flexera, and we talked about how she and her team are strategically and creatively planning for a flexible work environment, while also not forgetting the basics. I’m glad you’re here to liste...

In this solo episode, Amy challenges our thinking about how we can make virtual and hybrid meetings more productive, engaging, and worth everyone's time. She shares how to shift away from default routines and instead be more intentional about the purpose, structure, and flow of our meetings. Amy offers practical strategies that help create meaningful connections, foster collaboration, and reduce w...

In this encore episode from 2022, Gloria Everett, President and CEO of The Mutual, shares her forward-thinking approach to making hybrid work effective and sustainable. She challenges traditional workplace models by focusing on what truly works for employees and organizations rather than forcing a return to outdated norms. Gloria emphasizes the importance of listening, experimenting, and co-creati...

William “Bill” Himmelstein, founder and CEO of Tenant Advisory Group, shares how an abundance mindset and a focus on lifting others up leads to long-term success. He challenges the idea of transactional business and instead emphasizes collaboration, trust, and giving without immediate expectations. By intentionally supporting clients, colleagues, and team members, leaders create strong, lasting ne...

Hybrid work is here to stay, but are we approaching it the right way? In this episode, I take a fresh look at how leaders can align different types of work with the environments that best support them. Explore how intentional strategies, adaptability, and collaboration can make hybrid work more effective. Through real-world insights and practical approaches, I challenge you to rethink how to struc...

Pat Broe, best-selling author and mental health advocate, shares insights on how leaders can support their teams’ mental health while fostering trust and accountability. He emphasizes the importance of open communication, empathetic leadership, and creating safe spaces where employees feel comfortable sharing challenges. Pat also highlights the need for leaders to prioritize their own mental healt...

Genevieve Retzlaff, founder and CEO of Grow Better Together , shares her vision for leadership as an ongoing journey that has 3 distinct phases and starts with self-awareness. By understanding our triggers and developing emotional intelligence, we can create a foundation for growth that empowers teams and organizations. Genevieve emphasizes the importance of building trust, fostering psychological...

Russell Harvey, known as The Resilience Coach , shares valuable insights on building resilience as a mindset and a practical skill. He challenges us to see resilience not just as recovery from setbacks but as a way to grow, learn, and move forward with purpose. Russell explores how self-awareness, intentional reflection, and recognizing patterns in our behavior can help us better understand our em...

Melissa Lagowski, founder of Big Buzz Idea Group, shares her passion for helping people embrace their voices as leaders, regardless of their role. She believes that when we speak up with intention, we foster stronger, more inclusive teams and organizations. Melissa encourages a mindset of curiosity and reflection, showing how thoughtful dialogue and intentional actions can lead to meaningful impac...

Geoff Woods, best-selling author and founder of AI Leadership, joins us to discuss how leaders can harness AI to enhance strategic thinking and decision-making. He challenges us to move beyond viewing AI as just a tool for routine tasks and instead embrace it as a thought partner that can help solve complex problems and amplify results. By applying the 80/20 rule, Geoff encourages leaders to focus...

Rob Waddell, an experienced business coach and marketing consultant, shares insights on how to inspire and engage teams during new initiatives. He emphasizes the need for a clear vision that communicates the “why” and highlights each person’s role in achieving it. Rob advises leaders to use consistent communication, celebrate small wins, and conduct regular reviews to sustain momentum. His approac...

Walt Hampton, CEO of Summit Success International and author of The Power Principles of Time Mastery: Do Less, Make More, Have Fun, joins us to share his insights on reclaiming time, energy, and focus for leaders. In a world where many fall into the habit of saying "yes" too often, Walt highlights how this can lead to burnout and inefficiency. He stresses the importance of intentional time managem...

Meet Daphna Horowitz, a CEO coach, leadership expert, and author known for her bold approach to leadership and personal growth. Daphna believes that courage is essential in navigating the complexities and uncertainties leaders face today. She introduces the idea that true leadership starts from within, requiring self-awareness and the willingness to make bold moves, even in the face of fear. Daphn...

Our guest today is Therese Longo, an expert in Human Performance Technology (HPT), who has dedicated her career to enhancing how organizations develop their people. Therese’s approach shifts the focus from traditional competency and behavior-based models to accomplishment-focused strategies that drive real results. She realized that while training is often seen as the go-to solution for performanc...

Brian Bogert is a human behavior and performance coach known for helping people connect powerfully with others. He emphasizes the importance of authentic connection, particularly when facing personal and professional obstacles. Brian shares insights on how we can foster meaningful relationships by understanding the human need to feel safe, seen, and connected. He challenges us to recognize the bar...

Jessica Droste Yagan is the CEO of Impact Engine, and she has built a career based on her values and a clear demonstration of authenticity. We talk about how she did it, why it’s important, and how it benefits you and everyone around you. Jessica shares her journey from McDonald's to Impact Engine, where she manages venture capital and private equity strategies focused on sustainable and impactful...

Eric Lazar, President and Owner of SpeedPro, was not always the successful, respected, approachable leader he is today.  In this episode – Authority for Growth: Insights from the Military and the Courage to Transform Your Leadership – Eric tells us about taking in tough feedback, why he led in ineffective ways in the past, and what he now watches out for to ensure he’s a leader that truly eng...

Why do we drift away from our values and our integrity? Is it inevitable? Does it happen to everyone? And what can we do when it happens? John Blumberg joins me to answer these questions. John is a national speaker and author and his thought leadership on integrity deepens and broadens our understanding and experience the concept of integrity. This conversation will make you think!   About th...

How do you strategically and intentionally build your network and scale your impact, AND still have the connections feel genuine and natural? Damon Burton is genius at this and has been thinking about and working at achieving this balance for long time. He's an SEO Expert. He understands online algorithms. Yet, he gets that human connection is paramount. You'll appreciate his views and examples ab...