The Legendary Leaders Podcast

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the cycle of trying to be the "perfect" leader (always switched on, always in control) only to end up burned out and disconnected? In this solo episode of Legendary Leaders, Cathleen O'Sullivan shares what happened when she finally let go of performing leadership and started showing up as herself.   From moments of self-doubt to the awkward reality of what she...

What does it really mean to lead with authenticity and move from "I" to "We" in today's ever-evolving workplace? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, host Cathleen O'Sullivan is joined for a second time by Kyle McDowell, bestselling author of Begin With We, speaker, leadership coach, and former Fortune 10 executive. They talk about what's changed since his book came out, how toxic cultures take h...

Get ready for a thoughtful and down-to-earth conversation with our host, Cathleen O'Sullivan and guest is Michael Frantl, Global Lead for Culture, Engagement, and Performance Solutions at Novo Nordisk about what really shapes strong leadership and why culture matters more than ever. With a career that's taken him across the US, UK, and Scandinavia, Michael shares his real-world experience of build...

Are you constantly busy? In this solo episode of Legendary Leaders, Cathleen O'Sullivan explores a powerful but often overlooked leadership principle: the importance of creating space. Drawing from her experience coaching leaders worldwide, Cathleen unpacks how stepping away from constant busyness and perfectionism can unlock greater clarity, impact, and presence. She introduces her signature SPAC...

What if your biggest career breakthrough came from breaking your own rules about what "success" is supposed to look like? On this episode of Legendary Leaders, Cathleen O'Sullivan sits down with serial entrepreneur Joe Zentmyer for an honest, wide-ranging exploration of pivots, reinvention, and leading with genuine passion.   With over two decades of experience spanning Fortune 500 sales, food man...

What if the working world wasn't designed for you, and following the rules held you back from the leadership and life you actually want? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Cathleen welcomes Nyree Ambarchian, co-founder of purpose-led communications agency Jack & Grace, for a bold and honest conversation about ditching outdated workplace norms and rewriting the "rules" of work.   Nyree shares he...

What if burnout wasn't a personal failure, but a sign that something bigger at the system level needs to change? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, host Cathleen O'Sullivan sits down with Kelly Swingler, the renowned "burnoutologist" and founder of the Burnout Academy, to uncover the truth behind today's burnout epidemic. With candour and compassion, Kelly challenges the norms that glorify stre...

What if your greatest legacy isn't what you build, but who you build with along the way? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, your host, Cathleen O'Sullivan, invites you into a candid conversation with Nick Peel, a leader whose career spans some of the world's most ambitious projects, from Arsenal Football Club to the cutting-edge NEOM "Line" project in Saudi Arabia. You'll hear how Nick's human-...

Is leadership about going it alone, or could sharing the load lead to even greater success? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, host Cathleen O'Sullivan welcomes the dynamic duo Clare Freshwater-Turner and Annabelle Richards to explore how job sharing could be the key to enhanced leadership and personal fulfilment. Clare and Annabelle, senior managers in sustainable business at Lloyds Banking Gr...

Are you merely enduring tough times, or are you truly thriving through them? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, army veteran and leadership expert Rachel McGill joins Cathleen to explore the nuanced art of resilience. Rachel unveils the clear difference between merely bouncing back and proactively moving forward. She shares her journey, from breaking a world record to creating Resilient Leaders...

What if you stopped waiting for the right time and started living fully right now? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Cathleen O'Sullivan welcomes the inspiring Keisha Hickson, a transformative thought leader and resilience advocate. Diagnosed with a rare incurable cancer multiple myeloma at a young age. Keisha's story isn't just about survival; it's about thriving and leaving a legacy on her o...

Are you still chasing the wrong kind of success? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Nancy Ho joins host Cathleen O'Sullivan to discuss the hidden struggles of high-performing professionals and the paradox of success. Nancy shares how defining success externally can lead to a void of stress and unfulfillment. She talks about turning pain into gain, redefining what you truly want, and the importa...

Are you living to work, or working to live? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Dr. Rana Al-Falaki joins host Cathleen O'Sullivan to share her incredible journey from being a successful but stressed professional to finding true joy and authenticity. She opens up about overcoming trauma, breaking through unhealthy patterns, and discovering genuine self-love - all while building a thriving career...

Are you ready to transform your approach to customer success and discover how aligning your leadership with customer needs can drive sustainable growth? In this captivating conversation on Legendary Leaders, Cathleen O'Sullivan sits down with Thomas Voigt, founder of TV Consulting and the Customer Success Academy. Thomas shares his remarkable journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship....

Have you ever wondered what it takes to lead effectively in an uncertain, ever-changing world? Your host Cathleen O'Sullivan sits down with Graham Wilson, a distinguished leadership expert and author of Wabi Zugi: The Art of Resilience for Everyday Warriors. Together they uncover the essential strategies and ideas that will help you thrive as a leader in complex environments. Learn why embracing u...

Join us to discover how to build a fulfilling encore career with purpose and adaptability. Cathleen is joined by Dr. Michelle Prince, a global leadership coach, human capital consultant, and author of "Creating Your Encore Career." Dr. Prince and Cathleen uncover the unique challenges and opportunities of navigating family-owned businesses, challenging generational stereotypes, and redefining reti...

Gain insights on how to be a mentally strong leader with your host Cathleen and her guest Scott Mautz. Scott is a former Procter & Gamble executive and renowned author, to explore the profound concepts of mental strength and resilience in leadership. Join them as they dissect the tools and strategies outlined in Mautz's latest book The Mentally Strong Leader, offering practical advice on overcomin...

How important is workplace well-being to you? Kelly Mackin, co-founder of the Motives Met platform and author of "Work Life Well Lived," joins Cathleen to talk about human-centred work environments. Kelly shares her understanding of unconscious commitments and the critical need to align our work motives with personal well-being. Drawing from her own challenges in toxic work environments and inspir...

Meet Dr. Chris Fuzie, a law enforcement professional turned consultant and educator. Today on Legendary Leaders, Cathleen sits down with Chris to learn about his transformative journey and his commitment to self-education and personal growth. With experience ranging from homicide investigations to hostage negotiation, Chris delivers us a vivid look into leadership dynamics within law enforcement....

Imagine reclaiming 20% of your time every week—time you never knew you could have but desperately need. In this episode of Legendary Leaders, your host Cathleen and her guest, the insightful Andy Brown, explore the transformative power of effective delegation and the hidden costs of emotional overdraft. Andy, a seasoned business advisor and author of the bestseller Emotional Overdraft, shares his...

How can overcoming your fears and doubts help you develop more authenticity in leadership? Cathy sits down with Kelly L. Campbell, a former CEO turned trauma-informed leadership coach, and author of "Heal to Lead, Revolutionising Leadership Through Trauma Healing." Together, they explore the crucial signs that indicate a need for change, discuss the impact of unresolved trauma on leadership and th...

How do you retain your top talent? Cathleen is exploring the world of talent attraction and retention with Gerry Gadoury. Join them to learn about the nuances of becoming a "destination employer" and cohesive approaches to hiring and retaining top talent. Gerry shares his incredible journey from a Marine Corps leader to a successful entrepreneur, and how he's overcome significant setbacks and a li...

Are you ready to revolutionise your approach to leadership and talent retention? Join host Cathleen O'Sullivan as she delves into transformative leadership strategies with Claire Chandler, president and founder of Talent Boost also known as the 'leadership therapist'. In this enlightening episode, Claire shares invaluable insights on aligning people strategies with business goals, creating sustain...

How do you handle setbacks and challenges? Do you struggle, or do you stay afloat? Cathleen sits down with Russell Harvey, known widely as the resilience coach. With a career spanning over two decades in learning and development, Russell brings a wealth of experience and personal anecdotes that illustrate the profound impact of balancing humanity, data, and processes within organisations. Tune in...

In a world where chaos often reigns, the power of maintaining a ready position can make the difference between success and failure. Cathleen O'Sullivan sits down to talk strategic planning and leadership with special guest Justin Bookey, author, marketing strategist, Emmy-nominated content creator, and global table ping pong player. Whether you're navigating high-stakes business decisions or seeki...