Unapologetic Leadership

What separates leaders who build extraordinary companies from those who never move beyond a great idea? In this thought-provoking episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Boris A. Zhukov, applied economist, TEDx speaker, CEO of LetYouKnow, inventor, and former Assistant Professor at Ball State University, to explore the mindset required to innovate, lead through uncertainty,...

What do wealth management, leadership, and rugby have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Russ Lazaruk, Managing Director at NCP Capital Partners, to explore why the strongest portfolios and the strongest organizations are both built on trust, empathy, and meaningful relationships. With more than 35 years of experience in wea...

What if the greatest measure of success isn't the company you build, but the life you create? In this inspiring episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Robert Imbeault, Founder and CEO of Backboard.io, serial entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and former co-founder of Canadian SaaS unicorn Assent Compliance, to explore what happens when you redefine success bey...

Will AI replace great leaders? Not if leadership remains human. In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Abbas Alimorad, executive leader, board member, AI and strategy advisor, and project management expert, to explore why the future of leadership isn't about choosing between technology and people. It's about mastering both. Drawing from more than 20 years...

What's the secret to building high-performing teams that deliver results without burning people out? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Jill Trotta, Managing Director of One Guard Inspections, a Repairify company, to explore what it really means to lead people instead of simply managing numbers. With more than 30 years in the automotive and mobility industr...

In this inspiring episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Dr. Kimberly Terry, consultant, nonprofit leader, and humanitarian, to discuss what it means to lead with compassion, humility, and faith. Dr. Terry shares her journey from corporate America to building a mission-driven consulting business and nonprofit organization serving women and children in Sierra Leone. Together...

What do you do when there is no clear path forward? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with entrepreneur, email marketing expert, and business owner Annett Forcier, Founder of EmailBoutique.io, to discuss the realities of building a business, embracing uncertainty, and creating opportunities where none seem to exist. About Annett Forcier Annett shares her journey fro...

What do mortgages, marketing, and skateboards have in common? More than you think. In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with entrepreneur, CEO, and sales leader Russell Warner to explore the leadership principles that transcend industries. From building businesses and leading teams to creating strong cultures and navigating rapid growth, Russell shares lessons learned...

What if business ownership didn't mean starting from scratch? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with entrepreneur, franchise consultant, and multi-business owner Richard Potter to explore how professionals can transition from corporate careers into business ownership with greater confidence and less risk. Richard shares how he helps burned-out executives and ve...

What happens when organizations chase funding instead of purpose? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with nonprofit consultant, brand strategist, and ethical business advocate Sharmon Lebby to discuss leadership, mission drift, collaboration, and building organizations that create lasting impact. Sharmon shares why many nonprofits and businesses struggle when they lo...

Is AI helping businesses grow, or is it quietly destroying the relationships that drive revenue? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Mike Reardon, Founder of Be Effective and Fractional CRO, to explore the intersection of leadership, sales, AI, trust, and human connection. Mike shares why relationships, communication, culture, and genuine human intelligence remai...

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Todd Stender, Managing Director of Leste's Real Estate Net Lease Strategy, for an insightful conversation about leadership, real estate investing, personal growth, community, and overcoming the fear of rejection. Todd shares his journey from a successful career as a public market real estate analyst to the private investme...

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with founder, investor, and business advisor Prashant Agrawal for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, investing, leadership, and the hard truths many founders avoid. Drawing from his own journey of building and losing businesses starting at just 17 years old, Prashant shares what separates businesses that create real val...

In this inspiring episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Rebecca Altounian, founder and CEO of SWICK Medical Solutions and inventor of the SWICK device, for a deeply personal conversation about faith, grit, resilience, and building something meaningful from the ground up. What began as Rebecca’s own health struggle eventually became a mission to help millions of patients su...

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Kyle Doran, founder and CEO of The Net VR, for a fascinating conversation about virtual reality, meaningful human connection, gaming culture, AI, leadership, and the future of digital interaction. What begins as a discussion about gaming quickly evolves into a much deeper exploration of how technology is reshaping relationships...

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with business consultant Tia Milder to explore what truly drives sustainable growth inside modern organizations. From leadership evolution and operational scaling to AI, trust, collaboration, and change management, Tia shares why human-centered companies consistently outperform organizations stuck in outdated leadership models. Toge...

What happens when a doctor decides the future of healthcare needs more courage, more technology, and more heart? In this inspiring episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Isaac Isiko shares his journey from medical school in Uganda to AI, engineering, and public health innovation in Canada, while building life changing initiatives that support vulnerable women, youth, and underserved communities. From...

What if failure isn’t the problem… but the path forward? In this episode, Jonathan Pickering shares how bold thinking, resilience, and sustainable innovation are shaping the future from agriculture to advanced technology. From building with his hands to leading cutting-edge R&D, Jonathan breaks down what it really takes to move ideas forward when you don’t have all the answers. This conversati...

You’re not meant to do this alone… no matter how strong you are. In this powerful episode, Jereè Black shares how faith, obedience, and community can pull you out of your lowest moments and realign you with your purpose. From seasons of struggle to stepping fully into your calling, this conversation reveals why even leaders need support, mentorship, and people who will walk with them through the p...

What if AI could help you grow faster… without losing who you are in the process? In this powerful episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Felecia Harris, Founder of The AI Career Shift and Air Force veteran, to break down how professionals and entrepreneurs can use AI as a tool not a crutch to level up their careers, businesses, and freedom. Felecia gets real about the bigg...

What if the real key to growth, impact, and innovation isn’t what you know but who you connect and how you show up?  In this powerful episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Colin Doylend, a strategic growth leader working at the intersection of Indigenous partnerships, AI infrastructure, cleantech, and real-world economic development. With over 25 years of experience bridgi...

What if selling your business wasn’t just about getting the highest price but about protecting your legacy, your values, and everything you’ve built?  In this powerful episode of Unapologetic Leadership , Cory Dunham sits down with Karl Sigerist, a mergers and acquisitions advisor who has helped generate over $4 billion in transactions, to reveal what most business owners get completely wrong when...

Annika shares her incredible journey of starting her business at just 18 years old with a folding table and a simple espresso machine during the pandemic, and how faith, resilience, and “convicted obedience” led her to build a growing coffee brand, multiple locations, and a nonprofit ministry impacting lives far beyond the cup. This conversation dives deep into overcoming imposter syndrome, naviga...

What if AI could save lives—not someday, but right now? In this powerful episode of Unapologetic Leadership , Sailesh Pattnaik shares the deeply personal story that led him to build a healthcare AI company after experiencing a tragic loss during COVID that exposed critical gaps in hospital systems. From doctors overwhelmed with administrative work to life-saving patient data trapped in disconnecte...

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or burned out in your career—even though you’re doing everything “right”?  In this powerful episode, Ashley Powell reveals why burnout isn’t always about working too hard—it’s often about lacking clarity, alignment, and direction. She breaks down how to reconnect with your purpose, identify what truly fulfills you, and build a career path that actually fits your life—no...