The Rising Leader

Understanding one's limitations, fears, and capacities and turning them into opportunities for growth and service are crucial elements in the constant journey of personal and professional development. In this episode, I delve into these transformative processes with the phenomenal Steven Chandler, who brings decades of insight from his expansive career in coaching and writing. We explore embracing...

Have you ever been caught off guard, struggling to respond effectively in a heated moment? That sudden spike of anxiety when you can't recall a vital piece of information—it's something we've all encountered. In today's episode of The Rising Leader, I dive into the importance of mastering the art of pause, an indispensable tool in any leader's arsenal. We'll explore why taking a moment to collect...

    In this week’s episode, we delve into the evolution of leadership from a rigid, old-school approach to one that embraces empathy, compassion, and authenticity. My conversation with Will Keiper, an accomplished author and thinker, uncovers the transformative power of being present and aware of one's own thoughts and emotions, and how these principles are crucial for effective leadership both in...

  Leadership is often discussed regarding its impact on organizations, teams, and the larger world. However, in this episode, I explore the dimension of leadership that I believe is the foundation for all other aspects: personal transformation through leadership. I share my insights into how stepping into leadership roles can be a catalyst for personal growth and can expand one’s own power and fre...

In today's episode, I delve into a topic that is seldom talked about yet significantly impacts countless lives: the damaging effects of pornography on the brain and life. Our discussion with Devin McDermott sheds light on his personal journey through addiction and the powerful strategies he's developed to overcome its grip, alongside the profound benefits he's observed in his life post-recovery. W...

  In this episode, Mark delves into the unspoken truth about being overwhelmed in the workplace. As we follow the preparation for a workshop on mastering overwhelm for a software company, we come to the realization that the inability to take on everything alone is a universal issue that needs to be addressed in today's fast-paced work environments.   Mark Silverman is an experienced leadership coa...

  In this episode, I'm thrilled to bring a deep dive into the often unspoken nuances of workplace relationships with my esteemed guest, Michael Bungay Stanier. We explore the critical importance of communication, the power dynamics at play between a boss and their underlying, and the significant impact these dynamics can have on the willingness to engage in open, vulnerable conversations. As we un...

  In this episode, I share my personal struggle with the constant drive to improve and the overwhelming feeling of trying to keep up with the ever-changing demands of my coaching business, writing, and personal life. I discuss the importance of incremental improvement and share insights from a recent mastermind session with James Whitaker, host of the Win the Day podcast, on how to elevate the pod...

  Today, we're diving into the realms of leadership development and self-discovery with the phenomenal Valari Jackson. Drawing from her significant transition from an aerospace engineer to a certified leadership coach and licensed type practitioner, Valari shares her invaluable insights on embracing vulnerability and adopting a growth mindset to harness one’s full potential.   With over 25 years o...

Today, Mark reads the Introduction to The Rising Leader Handbook. The Rising Leader Handbook captures the essence of living life to the fullest, creating robust relationships, and savoring a satisfying life daily. Mark explores how high achievers can transition into effective leaders and provides essential insights for those rising through the ranks. "Your inability to let go of details is holdin...

Today, I'm honored to have Laurie Arron join me for an in-depth exploration of leadership development and emotional resilience. We delve into the philosophies detailed in my book, "Rising Leader Handbook," and discuss how these strategies can be implemented daily. Laurie shares her insights and experiences, reinforcing the idea that empowering yourself with the right tools and mindset is critical...

In this eye-opening conversation, Ivan Chocron shares his insights into the powerful transformation that can occur through plant medicine journeys and leadership coaching. As a passionate facilitator and teacher, Ivan's dedication to helping others unlock their true potential and find their life's purpose is nothing short of inspirational. Programs like the one he guided me through reinforced my l...

Today we delve into the crucial topic of effective communication and influence in important conversations. I share one of the greatest communication tools I've ever learned—time, place, and space. This insightful concept has significantly impacted my personal and professional relationships and has made a noticeable difference in my enrollment and influencing skills. Diana Bonici, a brilliant angel...

Today, I have a conversation with James Whittaker—an award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and host of the "Win the Day with James Whittaker" podcast. In this insightful conversation, James will dive deep into his transformative "Win Method,” a powerful tool for living with intent and nurturing a fulfilling life. He’ll introduce us to the Win the Day Accelerator course aimed at helping...

  Do you feel stuck in a soul-crushing job? Maybe you work in a corporate office or are an entrepreneur trying to build a business, but you no longer have that drive and passion that once drove you to push forward. In the corporate world, there is a stigma that all corporate jobs are – or eventually become – soul-crushing.   But it doesn’t have to be that way.   In this episode, I discuss the stig...

  In this week's episode, I am thrilled to have my dear friend and frequent collaborator, Helen Appleby, join me once again. Helen is a New York-based executive coach with a remarkable leadership and commercial success track record. She has worked with CEOs, senior leaders, and senior women, focusing on women's leadership programs. However, her work has evolved to encompass the entire senior leade...

Today, Mark delves into the concept of cutting your problems in half, discussing how we can shift our perspectives and address challenges with a more constructive mindset. Drawing inspiration from spiritual teachings and personal growth experiences, Mark provides practical insights and tools to help listeners navigate their inner dialogue and handle challenges more effectively.   Mark is an execut...

  In this week's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Laurie Aron, the founder of Aron Coaching LLC and author of the book "Who Has Your Back? A Leader's Guide to Getting the Support You Need from the Chief of Staff You Deserve." We delved into the vital role of a chief of staff and how they can be a trusted advisor to CEOs. Laurie shared valuable insights on the qualities of a successful...

  In today's episode, I dive into the essential levers that can help us achieve sustainable success. I discuss the importance of caring for our energy levels and health, ensuring we have the vitality to tackle our responsibilities. I emphasize the significance of focus and concentration, allowing us to direct our attention where it matters most. I also explore the role of efficiency in our pursuit...

  In this week's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Henry Stoever, a principal at the Brentwood Advisory Group. Henry brings over 30 years of experience realizing growth at public companies and nonprofits. He is passionate about helping CEOs and CMOs provide value to their teams and customers. During our conversation, Henry introduced his TCPS model, which focuses on teams, customers, pr...

  In today's episode, I reflect on my journey from being a sales guy to a successful coach. I share how I started with no resume and faced rejection from every company in Silicon Valley due to my lack of experience. However, I persevered and eventually landed a position at NetApp, one of the fastest-growing companies in Silicon Valley. From there, I worked for other renowned tech companies, buildi...

  In this week's episode, I had the privilege of diving deep into the topic of self-acceptance and overcoming the never-ending pursuit of achievement with the incredible Dr. Mandy Lehto. We explored the journey of an overachiever, the struggles of not feeling enough, and the transformative power of self-compassion. Dr. Lehto shared her personal experiences and insights, shedding light on the impor...

  In today's episode, Mark shares a personal story of being scammed out of $300 and the valuable lessons learned from the experience. Delving into the destructive power of holding onto resentments and the importance of forgiveness in freeing up our energy and focus. Mark offers practical advice on how to let go of grievances and move forward with a clear mindset, ultimately becoming a more effecti...

Today, I sat down with Marques Ogden, former NFL player turned inspirational speaker and coach. Marcus shares his powerful journey from success to rock bottom and how he learned the importance of authenticity and teamwork in leadership. With valuable insights and personal anecdotes, Marques reminds us never to take our team for granted and always to listen and learn from others. Get ready to be in...

  Sometime around the 1920s or 1930s, Katherine Hepburn and her parents were lining up to go to the circus. In front of them was a family, and when the father didn’t have enough money to buy his family’s tickets, Katherine’s dad gave him $20. Because that $20 was the money they were going to use to buy their own tickets, Katherine and her parents had to go home—but, on the drive home, they were jo...