Unapologetic Leadership

What if the secret to confidence, leadership, and overcoming fear… started with trying something new? In this episode, Derek Wallace shares how using food as a gateway to curiosity can help build courage, connection, and confidence—not just in kids, but in all of us. From walking away from a successful corporate career to building a purpose-driven movement, Derek reveals how growth begins the mome...

Can you embrace AI… without losing trust, integrity, and human connection? In this powerful episode of Unapologetic Leadership , Cory Dunham sits down with global executive Martin Stadelmeyer to unpack what truly builds trust across cultures, industries, and leadership levels. From leading inside companies like Mercedes and Volkswagen to navigating tough decisions, Martin reveals why respect, auth...

What if the life you want is on the other side of trusting yourself? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Hannah Peterson to explore how identity, self-trust, and storytelling shape the way we lead and live. From stepping into the unknown to rewriting your own narrative, this conversation dives into how confidence is built through action, courage, and embracing wh...

What happens when success isn’t enough anymore? In this powerful episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with entrepreneur, author, and leadership expert Ian Watts to explore the shift from chasing success to living a life of true significance. Ian shares his journey from growing up in poverty in Detroit to achieving financial success at a young age—only to realize that money alo...

In this episode, Cory Dunham sits down with marketing leader Kyle Turk to explore what truly builds brand trust, authentic human connection, and lasting perception in today’s rapidly evolving digital world. As AI reshapes marketing and communication, Kyle shares why authenticity, clarity of purpose, and real human connection are becoming the most valuable assets a brand can have. The conversation...

In this powerful episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with speaker, entrepreneur, and culture strategist Abagail McKiernan for a conversation about bold leadership rooted in compassion, faith, and intentional action. Abby shares how a simple moment, hearing a woman say “because I can” while helping someone in need, sparked a movement that grew into a community connecting more...

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership , Cory Dunham sits down with Jacob Soter, Director of Swim Smart Technologies, to unpack why trust, humility, and resilience are essential when leadership decisions carry real-life consequences. Jacob shares his journey from engineering student to leading nationwide water safety innovation, revealing how listening first, collaborating deeply, and owning m...

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership , Cory Dunham talks with Renée Heywood, Ph. D., about what modern leadership is missing and why humility, mentorship, and faith matter now more than ever. Renée shares insights from decades in education and leadership on moving beyond fear, imposter syndrome, and performance-driven mindsets to lead with purpose. They discuss the loss of mentorship, faith-...

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership , Cory Dunham sits down with Tris Hussey to explore why empathy is the leadership skill AI can’t replace. As organizations rush to adopt AI, many leaders are seeing rising burnout, quiet quitting, and loss of trust. This conversation breaks down what’s really happening and what to do instead. Together, they unpack ethical AI use, human-centered decision-m...

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership , Cory Dunham sits down with Rachel Ngom, Christian entrepreneur, podcast host, and ministry leader, to explore faith-driven decision-making in business and life. Rachel shares her extraordinary journey of building a million-dollar program, hearing a clear message from God to shut it down, and navigating the wilderness season that followed. She dives into...

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership , Cory Dunham sits down with Jaitesha Hanson, a licensed mental health counselor, neurodiversity specialist, and geek therapy certified clinician. They explore how faith, journaling, and self-leadership empower neurodivergent and autistic individuals to thrive in life and work. Jaitesha shares her personal journey of overcoming imposter syndrome, embracin...

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership , host Cory Dunham welcomes Francisco J. Quevedo to explore how experiential learning at Rutgers Business School bridges classroom theory with real‑world impact. Francisco an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the Marketing Department, Executive Director of the Center for Marketing Advantage, Advancement, and Action, and Senator for the 2025–...

In Episode 15 of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Alexander Jones-Thomas CEO, philanthropist, and founder of Alpha and Omega, LLC to explore courage, calling, and Christian confidence. Alex shares his journey from a challenging upbringing and foster care to creating a community-driven organization that empowers students to thrive academically, professionally, and spiritually. Li...

In this powerful episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Dr. Nishtha Sareen, an interventional cardiologist and national leader in women’s heart health, to explore why heart disease remains the number one killer of women, and why access to care must be a right, not a luxury. Dr. Sareen shares how she built and scaled Women’s Heart Programs focused on meeting women where they...

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Sandeep Singh to explore what it means to build AI and automation that truly serve humanity. Together, they unpack why technology without values can create harm, how faith and ethics act as an inner compass for innovation, and why human-centered leadership matters more than ever in an AI-driven world. This conversation challeng...

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with technology executive, entrepreneur, and digital transformation leader Dr. Hollie Blagg to explore how systems thinking and presence shape effective leadership at work, at home, and in faith. Together, they unpack why slowing down in a fast-paced world leads to better decision-making, how leaders can stay grounded amid constant...

In this episode, Cory talks with storytelling and podcasting expert Jon Goehring about how leaders can use podcasting to build trust, connect authentically, and communicate with purpose. Jon breaks down why long-form content builds credibility, how to show up confidently, and why leaders should focus on serving... not performing. A simple, powerful conversation for anyone who wants to share their...

In this episode, Cory Dunham shares a surprising leadership lesson born from an unexpected one-night stay in a San Diego hostel. What began as a simple change of plans turned into a powerful reminder about surrendering control, embracing discomfort, and trusting God’s guidance in unfamiliar spaces. Through stories of bunk beds, missed expectations, and quiet moments of reflection, Cory reveals how...

In this episode, Dr. Antoinette shares how faith, obedience, and learning to ask for help led her to build Michigan’s first fully mobile DNA and genetic testing company. She opens up about shifting from nursing and finance to entrepreneurship, trusting God’s timing, overcoming pride, and serving communities through accessible, on-the-go healthcare.

In this episode, Cory Dunham gets real about “purposeless productivity” — that feeling of being busy yet deeply unfulfilled. He shares how even high-performing leaders can lose their way when work outgrows identity and purpose fades. Discover how to slow down, realign your vision, and lead with true intention instead of just motion. 

In this episode, host Cory Dunham reveals how introverted executives can lead with confidence, calm, and conviction—without pretending to be extroverts. He shares his personal transformation from quiet self-doubt to commanding presence on stage, and unpacks how introverts actually drive 28% higher team productivity through reflection, depth, and thoughtful decision-making. If you’ve ever felt “too...

Speed without alignment leads to chaos. In this episode, Cory Dunham unpacks the vital principle of “alignment before action” — showing why executive teams must first seek God’s wisdom before moving forward. He shares practical insights, personal experiences, and biblical truths that emphasize how spiritual and organizational alignment create clarity, cohesion, and efficiency in leadership. 

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership , host Cory Dunham breaks down the hidden “trust gap” that quietly kills team performance. He reveals how a lack of trust turns commitment into compliance, how silence in meetings, sugarcoated updates, and missed deadlines are red flags, and why leaders often mistake authority for trust. Cory shares real-life stories and practical ways to rebuild credibil...

When the stakes are high and the pressure’s on, clarity isn’t optional—it’s your greatest asset. In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership , host Cory Dunham dives deep into the art of making clear, confident decisions when chaos threatens to take over. Through personal stories and powerful analogies—from aviation to executive leadership—Cory breaks down what happens when fear hijacks our judgmen...

Introverts aren’t weak—they’re wired for clarity, presence, and influence. In this episode, we explore how to lead with quiet strength, shift from fear to faith, and redefine leadership on your own terms.