The Perkins Platform

In this episode, I sit down with Betsy Kauffman, author of The Fix , for a compelling conversation about why so many of our solutions fail to solve the problems they're intended to address. We explore the human tendency to rush toward answers, the dangers of treating symptoms instead of root causes and why curiosity, careful diagnosis and systems thinking are essential leadership skills. Bets...

In this episode, I sit down with Christine Miles, author, entrepreneur and founder of The Listening Path®, to explore why listening may be one of the most overlooked leadership skills. Drawing on her research and experience, Christine challenges the assumption that listening is a passive activity and argues that many of us are not truly listening to understand, but rather listening to respond, sol...

In this episode, I sit down with Yasar Ahmad, leadership coach, people leader and one of social media's most influential voices on career growth and workplace success. Known for his engaging content on TikTok and LinkedIn, Yasar has helped millions of professionals better understand topics such as executive presence, strategic thinking, influence, workplace dynamics and leadership effectivene...

In this episode, leadership advisor and executive coach Dr. Julie Staggs joins me for a practical conversation about one of the most important realities of leadership: teams follow behavior, not intention . Drawing on her experience coaching executives and advising organizations across the corporate, nonprofit and higher education sectors, Julie explains why even well-intentioned leaders can strug...

In this episode, leadership author and thought leader, Mark C. Crowley joins me to discuss why the future of leadership may depend less on managing performance and more on supporting human well-being. Drawing on lessons from his books Lead From The Heart and The Power of Employee Well-Being, Mark shares how his experience in the high-pressure world of financial services challenged conventional lea...

In this episode, I sit down with David C. Banks, former Chancellor of New York City Public Schools, to unpack what it really takes to lead a large, complex organization. Drawing on his experience leading New York City Public Schools, we explore decision-making under pressure, managing competing priorities, and building culture at scale. This is a candid conversation about leadership when the stake...

In this episode, I sit down with Andy Rotherham, co-founder and senior partner at Bellwether and the longtime voice behind Eduwonk, for a conversation about the uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence and its potential impact on education. Drawing on a recent essay, Andy compares the current moment with AI to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when signals of major disruption were eme...

In this episode, I sit down with cybersecurity expert Suresh Sankaran Srinivasan to unpack what today’s organizational leaders need to understand about digital risk. We explore the different levels of the internet (what exists on the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web) and how those layers shape real-world threats. We discuss who should be concerned about cybersecurity breaches, why no or...

In this episode, Punya Mishra joins me to discuss his chapter, “Beyond Boundaries: Transdisciplinary Creativity with Generative Artificial Intelligence,” from the edited volume Generative Artificial Intelligence and Creativity: Precautions, Perspectives, and Possibilities. We explore what the rise of generative AI means for human creativity, moving beyond simplistic utopian or dystopian narratives...

In this episode, psychologist and researcher Dr. Brett Waggoner joins me to explore his work on legacy motivation.  Legacy motivation is defined as the psychological drive to leave a meaningful and lasting impact. We discuss why the desire to be remembered shapes decision-making, purpose, and identity, and how this motivation influences leaders across disciplines. Drawing on his research, Dr. Wagg...

Podcast Description In this episode, I sit down with acclaimed children’s nonfiction author Tanya Lee Stone to explore the power of telling the truth about history and elevating voices too often left out of the narrative. Known for uncovering little-known stories of extraordinary people, Stone shares how she approaches writing narrative nonfiction that is as gripping as fiction while remaining gro...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Soren Kaplan, bestselling author of Experiential Intelligence and one of today’s leading voices on innovation and leadership. We begin by exploring how life experiences shape a powerful form of intelligence that leaders can use to navigate complexity, strengthen culture, and drive meaningful change. The conversation then shifts to the psychology of influence, w...

In this episode, Dina Denham Smith , executive coach, leadership advisor, and author of Emotionally Charged , joins me to explore how understanding and harnessing emotion can transform the way we lead. Drawing on her work with leaders at Google, Netflix, and Adobe, Dina shares insights from emotional science that help leaders navigate pressure, build stronger teams, and shape healthier cultures. W...

In this episode, Dr. Shivam Dubey and Dr.  Salil Gupta join me to explore the neuroscience of the true self  and why authentic leadership begins from within. Drawing on their groundbreaking work in mental health education and resilience, they explain how the brain responds when leaders operate from alignment versus performance mode, and what happens when we lose touch with our inner authenticity....

In this episode, Dr. Gordon M. Sayre, Assistant Professor of Management at Emlyon Business School in Lyon, France, joins me to discuss his research on emotional dissonance and what happens when leaders feel one thing but must display another. We explore the difference between surface acting and deep acting in leadership, the toll emotional regulation can take on well-being, and how leaders can bre...

In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer, psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author, joins me to discuss his groundbreaking research on how habits form and how we can change them. We explore what the science reveals about breaking unhelpful patterns and creating lasting change.  These insights are especially relevant for leaders seeking to shift behaviors, improve focus, and lead with greater awareness. Dr....

In this episode, Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig joins me for a candid conversation about the real costs of changemaking in leadership. We explore the emotional toll, professional isolation, and personal challenges that often accompany the work of pushing for equity and transformation. Drawing from his own experiences as a scholar, advocate, and education leader, Dr. Heilig reflects on what it means to...

In this episode, Dr. Janet Ahn joins me to discuss the complexities of power and influence in leadership, a conversation sparked by her viral post on LinkedIn. We explore how, in the age of social media, a single moment can overshadow a lifetime of work, and why it’s important to resist letting one’s worst moment define them. Janet also shares insights from her book Learning that CLICS!

In this episode, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum reflects on her journey in higher education, from her early career as a professor and author to her leadership as president of Spelman College. A nationally recognized authority on race relations and identity, she is the bestselling author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? , a groundbreaking book that has shaped national conv...

In this episode, Dr. David Creswell, Professor of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, shares insights from his research on stress and the role of mindfulness in promoting resilience and well-being. Drawing on studies that link mindfulness training to reductions in stress-related inflammation, improvements in emotional regulation, and greater cognitive flexibility, Dr. Creswell explains how t...

This episode features a conversation with Salman Chowdhury , a student who was recently admitted to Harvard and took the time to chat in the middle of his orientation week. He reflects on the critical role his parents played in supporting his journey, the discipline and daily practices that helped him stay focused, and the unexpected ways technology shaped his preparation and opportunities (and it...

Jack Barsky, former KGB undercover agent, IT executive and bestselling author, joins us to share the leadership lessons he gained through years in intelligence and a lifetime of observing people. Born Albrecht Dittrich in East Germany, Jack was recruited by the KGB after graduating summa cum laude in chemistry and was sent to the United States as an undercover agent. A decade later he severed ties...

Dr. Kentaro Fujita, a leading expert on motivation, self-regulation, and decision-making, joins us to talk about the science behind willpower. He is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Decision Sciences Collaborative at The Ohio State University, and earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard and his PhD in Psychology from NYU. His research explores why some people are better than others...

Jay Heinrichs, the New York Times bestselling author of Thank You for Arguing and Aristotle’s Guide to Self-Persuasion , has spent his career helping organizations from NASA to leading universities understand how to use the art and science of persuasion. He is joining us to explore how the timeless techniques of rhetoric can change the way we communicate, influence, and even the way we think about...

Renowned psychologist and NYU professor Joshua Aronson, PhD, joins us to explore how research on stress, mindfulness, and mindset can transform how we learn and thrive. As director of NYU’s Mindful Education Lab, Joshua leads a team dedicated to helping students, teachers, and schools flourish under pressure. Known for his pioneering work on stereotype threat and Growth Mindset, his research has s...