The Leadership Puzzle with Jeff Lupinacci

Engagement isn’t just about giving people what they want — it’s about accomplishing difficult things together. In this episode, we’re joined by Christian “Boo” Boucousis, bestselling author of The Afterburner Advantage and CEO of Afterburner, for a powerful conversation on performance, pressure, and leadership when the stakes are high. Drawing from his experience as a former Australian fighter pil...

Performance improvement doesn’t come from finding the perfect HR model — it comes from understanding how your people systems actually work. In this episode, we’re joined by Linde Grindle, CHRO of Spirit Airlines, for an honest conversation on performance, people strategy, and the evolving role of HR inside modern organizations. Together, we explore why there is no one-size-fits-all HR model, and w...

Vision without execution is just noise, and execution without vision is just motion. In this episode, we’re joined by Wendy Warner, a global business leader with 20+ years of driving multi-million-dollar growth across North & Latin America, Europe, and Asia, for a conversation on how organizations actually turn strategy into results. Together, we explore why bridging the gap between vision and...

Growth in hospitality and commercial real estate doesn’t come without pressure — and it never comes without change. In this episode, we sit down with William — NAACP Entrepreneur of the Year, Forbes-featured entrepreneur, and operator at the intersection of hospitality and commercial real estate — for a candid conversation on what it really takes to build and expand in today’s market. From the pri...

In this episode, we explore the power of your story and why it’s never just about you. Your experiences, challenges, and perspective exist to serve, connect, and invite others forward — not to be polished for perfection. Our guest, Bill Blankschaen, is the founder and Chief Story Architect of StoryBuilders and a New York Times bestselling author. Bill has spent his career helping leaders, organiza...

Change is never just about strategy — it’s about people, behavior, and the past we bring with us. In this episode, we’re joined by Georgia, strategic change advisor, behavioral scientist, and author of Master the Change Maze, for a grounded conversation on how leaders navigate change when history, resistance, and competing agendas are in play. Together, we explore what it really takes to move forw...

What turns a group of individuals into a true team? In this episode, Jeff Lupinacci sits down with Dan Winter, growth coach, leadership expert, and author of Growing Groups into Teams, to explore what it really takes to build teams that can grow, adapt, and perform under pressure. At the center of the conversation is a leadership idea many still resist: vulnerability is not a weakness — it’s a str...

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, for a timely conversation on storytelling with data, AI, and product strategy. Drawing on her experience building products across robotics and telecommunications, Radhika shares how leaders can move beyond short-term metrics and hype to create long-term value with intention. Together, we explore: - How storytellin...

Perseverance isn’t just a personal virtue — it’s a leadership advantage. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Bishop Kevin Foreman — author, philanthropist, founder, and pastor of Harvest Church — for a powerful conversation on why perseverance may be the most underrated leadership superpower. Together, they explore what it means to lead through uncertainty, pressure, and long seasons of challenge...

In this episode, Jeff talks with Carolyn Troyan, CEO of Leadership 360, about what it takes to lead teams through uncertain times with clarity, empathy, and intention. Carolyn shares practical insights on unlocking team potential, creating environments where people can perform at their best, and reframing feedback so it becomes meaningful, constructive, and aligned with growth. They explore how le...

In today’s episode, Jeff interviews Tim Lupinacci, CEO of one of America’s top 100 law firms and founder of Everybody Leads, a movement and book that redefines who leadership is for. Tim shares the hard-earned lessons from his own journey—failures, growth, and breakthroughs—and why he believes leadership is not reserved for a select few. Jeff and Tim explore how anyone, regardless of background or...

In today’s episode, Jeff interviews Betsy Campbell Barth, a seasoned C-suite HR and operations leader with global experience across startups, scaled enterprises, and pre- and post-IPO environments. With deep expertise in aligning HR strategy to business outcomes, Betsy has led talent development, organizational design, and transformation efforts across multiple continents. Jeff and Betsy discuss t...

In today’s episode, Jeff interviews Nancy Keane, a transformational leader known for scaling digital platforms, aligning cross-functional operations, and creating thriving workplace cultures.  Jeff and Nancy discuss how to lead with intention, listen with a servant’s ear, and turn strategy into action. They explore the leadership habits that build trust, break silos, and elevate both people and pe...

In today’s episode, Jeff interviews Ed Muzio—engineer, author, and performance expert trusted by CNN, CBS, and The Washington Post. With over 20 years of evidence-based work improving team output, Ed helps leaders drive results without adding complexity or slowing down. Jeff and Ed discuss what really causes underperformance—and why blaming your team is usually the wrong move. Ed shares practical...

In today’s episode, Jeff interviews Ellen Raim, a global HR strategist and cultural transformation expert with a career spanning from startups to multinational enterprises. Jeff and Ellen dive into how to empower the next generation of leaders, specifically Gen Z. They explore what makes Gen Z tick, how they view leadership and purpose, and why traditional management approaches often fall short. W...

In today’s episode, Jeff sits down with Cortney Rothman, an award-winning corporate executive and leadership coach with over 25 years of experience in coaching, assessments, learning & development, and people management. With certifications in a wide range of tools, including the Enneagram, Hogan, Birkman, and Korn Ferry. Cortney brings a powerful blend of insight, empathy, and strategy to her...

In today’s episode, Jeff interviews Ingrid Hu Dahl, a certified executive coach and learning and development expert with over 20 years of experience helping leaders step into their full potential. Drawing from her work with work class organizations, Ingrid specializes in leadership development, inclusion, and belonging—guiding individuals and teams to clarify their vision, align with their values,...

In today’s episode, Jeff interviews David Fosgate, the Senior Vice President at Lockton, with over two decades of experience helping organizations build smarter, more sustainable employee benefits programs. David has worked with companies of all sizes to design benefits strategies that align with company culture, improve employee experience, and support long-term business goals. Jeff and David exp...

In today’s episode, Jeff interviews John Graham, a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer, activist, and author who has spent his life on the frontlines of global change. From dodging bullets in Vietnam and climbing mountains in the Yukon, to negotiating diplomatic tensions in the Middle East and advancing peace and justice causes around the world, John’s career has been defined by courage, service,...

In today’s episode, Jeff interviews Luis Luarca, a seasoned CFO with over 20 years of experience and a PhD in Leadership and Organizational Change. Luis brings a rare combination of financial expertise and deep insight into organizational psychology, offering a powerful perspective on how the interplay between people and process shapes the success of any business. Jeff and Luis explore how psychol...

In today’s episode, Jeff interviews Karen Sjoblom, an award-winning writer and communicator with nearly 40 years of experience crafting powerful narratives for organizations like American Express, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and many more. Karen’s career spans corporate communications, healthcare storytelling, non-profit leadership, and book authorship. This is all rooted in...

In today’s episode, Jeff interviews Marcelo Calbucci, a veteran technologist, serial entrepreneur, and startup ecosystem builder with a career spanning Microsoft, Amazon, and over $40M in venture-backed startups. Born in Brazil and now based in Seattle, Marcelo has spent the past two decades launching companies, building communities, and helping founders bring ambitious ideas to life. Jeff and Mar...

In today's episode, Jeff interviews Cydney White, an innovative HR leader with a proven track record of designing and driving high-impact talent strategies that align people, performance, and business outcomes. With hands-on experience across all facets of HR operations and a deep commitment to building trust-driven, performance-focused cultures, Cydney shares how artificial intelligence is t...

In today's episode, Jeff interviews Scott Holman, a dynamic HR and operations leader with over 35 years of global experience developing high-performance teams and building collaborative, results-driven cultures.  Our podcast is sponsored by Evolve HR Solutions, a global HR consulting, recruiting, and software company dedicated to meeting all of your HR needs. Find out more information on Evol...

In today's episode, Jeff interviews Jeff Yates, Vice President of S3 Management Group, an employee risk management company committed to the principle that employees are both an organization's greatest asset and its greatest risk. With nearly 15 years of experience helping organizations across the U.S., Jeff challenges conventional hiring practices, questioning why companies still rely on...