The Self Aware Leader with Jason Rigby

Your employees don't trust you. Not you personally — leadership in general. And most leaders have no idea how deep that distrust runs or what it actually takes to fix it. In this episode of The Self Aware Leader, Jason Rigby breaks down the employee trust crisis happening in 2026 — why your team walks in the door already suspicious, what toxic leadership looks like from the inside, and why servant...

You've already met the version of yourself you're trying to become. The conversation where you stopped managing yourself and just told the truth. The decision that cost you something but felt clean all the way down. The morning where nobody needed anything from you and for an hour you were completely, unmistakably yourself. That wasn't a fluke. That was the signal. In this episode, Jason digs into...

Self-awareness is not thinking about yourself all day. It is the ability to notice what is happening inside you before it leaks into your leadership. In this episode of The Self Aware Leader , Jason Rigby breaks down what self-aware leadership actually means in real life: the meeting where your tone changes, the feedback you do not want to hear, the hard conversation you keep avoiding, the moment...

You got promoted. You promised yourself you'd be different — the approachable boss, the one people actually want to work for. But six months in, your team likes you and doesn't respect you. You can feel it. You just don't want to say it out loud yet. This episode breaks down the people-pleasing trap that quietly destroys new managers. Jason Rigby explains why what feels like empathy is actually co...

Harvard Business Review ran a study where executives used ChatGPT to make predictions. They came out more confident, more optimistic — and significantly more wrong than the group that just talked to each other. That's the problem this episode is about. Most leaders are using AI as a validation machine — not a thinking tool. And there's a reason for it. Research shows that over 58% of AI interactio...

You already know you're too reactive. You just haven't named what's causing it. The average leader gets hit with a notification every two minutes during core work hours. That's 275 interruptions a day. Each one fires a cortisol stress response that takes 23 minutes to fully recover from. And the reflex to check — the phone grab, the inbox flip, the Slack tab — is driven by the same dopamine loop t...

How Childhood Trauma Secretly Fuels Your Success… and How to Turn It Into Real Power (with Michael Shaw) Most high-achieving leaders are running on hidden trauma. It drives them to win — but it also burns them out, leaves them empty, and creates a "hero complex" that keeps them addicted to saving everyone. In this raw episode, Michael Shaw (founder of Mastery Mindset Library) reveals how he surviv...

Most leaders think they're building wealth. Bay Street veteran Paul Musson says the system is quietly stealing it from them—and from future generations. After managing over $15 billion for one of Canada's largest investment firms, Paul pulls back the curtain on how central banks, housing policy, and inflation create fake prosperity, immoral wealth transfers, and a rigged game for emerging leaders....

What if everything you've been told about sales and leadership is backwards? In this conversation, Jason sits down with Luis Baez – a quiet Puerto Rican introvert from the Bronx who generated over $600 million in sales at Google, LinkedIn, Uber, and Tesla… not by being the loudest person in the room, but by doing the opposite of what most sales gurus teach. Luis shares how he turned his "otherness...

Former top creative executive Rafael McMaster had everything the corporate world promised: A-list celebrity clients, global brand campaigns, and the pinnacle of success. Yet, he describes feeling "emotionally bankrupt." His journey from climbing the wrong ladder to building a mission to empower 1 million conscious youth is the ultimate lesson in turning pain into profound, purpose-driven leadershi...

Most leaders think they're self-aware—but 87% are missing the critical skill that separates good leaders from exceptional ones. Dr. Joel Pérez, leadership development expert and author of "Dear White Leader," reveals how cultural humility and true self-awareness transform your leadership effectiveness. 🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - The listening test that immediately improves team dynamics and communica...

From Food Stamps to $50,000/Month: What Wall Street Doesn't Want You to Know About Building Real Wealth What if everything you've been taught about money, retirement planning, and wealth building is completely wrong? What if your 401k, the 4% rule, and traditional financial advice are actually keeping you trapped in financial mediocrity? In this eye-opening conversation, Chris Miles - "The Anti-Fi...

Leadership isn't about being right—it's about being real. Angie Lyon, Chief Soul Officer at Black River Performance Management and host of the Leader U Podcast, went from high-stakes operating rooms to transforming leadership teams. In this raw conversation, she reveals why 87% of leaders struggle with imposter syndrome and what to do about it. What You'll Learn: Transitional Intelligence (TQ) - T...

What if everything you've been taught about self-discipline is backwards? In this transformative episode, we sit down with Jay Heinrichs, New York Times bestselling author of "Thank You for Arguing" and "Aristotle's Guide to Self-Persuasion," to uncover the ancient art that makes willpower obsolete. Jay shares his remarkable journey from debilitating hip pain and depression to running his age up a...

The Illusion of Success: Why We Feel Unfulfilled Even When We Have It All What if your greatest achievement was a trap? What if the success you've worked your entire life to achieve left you feeling more miserable than when you started? This isn't a hypothetical question. It's the shocking reality for countless high-achievers, entrepreneurs, and leaders. It's the central theme of a powerful conver...

APPLE PODCASTS EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Episode Title: How to Lead Through Economic Chaos: CFO's 5-Star Strategy for Business Resilience Episode Description: Discover the proven framework that helped one CFO double revenue at five companies while others struggle with economic uncertainty. In this episode of The Self Aware Leader, host Jason Rigby interviews Karl Maier, seasoned CFO, business advisor,...

Leaders spend $5-10K monthly on ads that disappear overnight. But what if there was a single asset that could instantly elevate your authority, attract ideal clients, and open doors to unparalleled speaking opportunities for YEARS to come? In this episode, Jason sits down with Everett O'Keefe, "The Book Whisper," who's behind over 200 bestselling launches. They dive deep into why authorship isn't...

🚨 WARNING: This conversation could fundamentally change how you think about success and leadership. Oli Johnson had everything most executives dream of: a multi-million dollar tech business, a beautiful home in Ibiza, a young family, and the respect of his peers. From every external measure, he was winning at life. So why was he sitting on a plane hoping it would crash? This raw, unfiltered conve...

"Unless you learn how to make money while you sleep, you'll work until you die." - Warren Buffett In this transformative episode, Bronson Hill reveals how he went from a $200K medical sales professional to raising over $50 million in real estate capital - and the mindset shifts that made it all possible. 🎯 WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER: - Why 90% of "passive income" strategies actually create more work -...

What's the real difference between working 80 hours a week and building a 7-figure business? According to David Price, who went from industry newcomer to insurance millionaire in just 36 months, it comes down to one critical mindset shift. In this episode, Jason Rigby sits down with David for a masterclass in resilient leadership and the power of simplicity. David shares the brutally honest story...

In this powerful episode of The Self-Aware Leader, Jason Rigby welcomes Ingrid Hu Dahl, author of "Sun Shining on the Morning Snow" and a renowned leadership coach. Ingrid bravely shares her raw story of navigating crushing racism and an identity crisis as a mixed-race "Hapa" child, growing up between white New Jersey suburbs and Taipei. This conversation delves into how her unique upbringing shap...

In this high-impact episode of The Self Aware Leader , host Jason Rigby sits down with elite executive coach Max Stephens —trusted advisor to top CEOs, pro athletes, and Hollywood creators. Max dismantles the myths behind traditional success and shares how high performers can finally find real fulfillment. Whether you're a founder, corporate leader, or entrepreneur on the edge of burnout, Max's Co...

What happens when a 20-year battle with bulimia meets ancient Stoic philosophy? In this episode, leadership coach Becky Schmooke shares how emotional intelligence, radical honesty, and core values helped her overcome addiction—and now empower elite NFL teams. Becky reveals her journey from anorexia at 13 to founding a mindful leadership practice that transforms chaos into clarity. You'll learn: Th...

Are you a new manager struggling to find your footing? The transition from top performer to leader is the most challenging in any career. This episode is your roadmap to success. Jason Rigby and leadership expert Bobby Powers dive deep into the essential leadership skills you need to thrive. Forget theory—this is practical advice you can use today. In this episode, you will learn to: Master Delega...

Are your people quietly quitting without ever handing in a resignation? In this powerhouse episode of The Self Aware Leader , host Jason Rigby dives deep with top leadership coach and strategist Dave Garrison , author of the highly anticipated book The Buy-In Advantage (June 3, 2025). Together, they expose the hidden disengagement epidemic costing companies billions—and unveil a clear path forward...