Unlocked with Madelyn Blair

Story pioneer Paul Andrew Costello explores why the futureis not something we predict but something already emerging around us—and how changing the stories we tell ourselves allows us to recognize it, shape it, and live into it. "You can't use an old map to explore a new world." Most of us hear that quote and immediately think about change. This conversation asks a deeper question. W...

What are the options to remain strong, capable, and independent as we age? My guest this week is Beth Leasure-Hudson, a Masters National Champion cyclist, World Championship competitor, and elite coach who has spent decades studying what creates peak performance. But this conversation isn't just for athletes. It's for anyone who wants to continue living life fully. It’s for those who want...

How diplomacy’s quiet presence can shape lives, communities, and even the course of nations along with ordinary Americans . What does diplomacy actually look like from the inside? Most Americans never see the work diplomats do on behalf of the country. Yet diplomacy touches everything from trade and economic prosperity to conflict prevention, disaster response, public health, and the protection of...

The surprising relationship between intention andemergence—and why understanding both may be one of the most important leadership skills of our time. #Unlocked #MadelynBlair #Resilience #Leadership #SystemsThinking #Complexity#OrganizationalDevelopment #Culture #ChangeManagement #AdaptiveLeadership#Learning

What it means to devote your life to a voice that exists only in the moment it is shared with Dr. Jolie Rocke. #Unlocked #MadelynBlair #Resilience #MusicEducation #Opera #ArtsEducation #Leadership #Creativity #PerformingArts #HBCU #VocalPerformance

What if the conversations we avoid most are the very ones that determine the quality of our relationships, leadership, and confidence? #Unlocked #MadelynBlair #Resilience #Leadership #Communication #Relationships#EmotionalIntelligence #Negotiation #SelfAwareness #HumanConnection

Agatha Award–nominated author K.L. Borges talks aboutreinvention, mystery writing, dog rescue, and the unexpected journey from mathematics teacher to bestselling novelist. Also check out the 7 minute video of Kathy talking how she helps her students really learn math https://youtu.be/aouGqoQMfB0 #Unlocked #MadelynBlair #Resilience #RetirementReinvented #DogRescue #WomenWhoWrite

In a world obsessed with control and predictability, Dr. Oliver Schlake reveals why creativity is the real strategic advantage even as AI begins to reshape how ideas are generated. #Madelynblair #Unlocked #Resilience #AI #Creativity

The final steps of death and what it takes to achieve a good life so that our death can be dignified, peaceful, and gentle. #unlocked #madelynblair #resilience #endoflife #griefsupport #meaningfullife #deathanddying #lifetransition #greenburial

Advocate with clarity and courage, without damaging relationships, by shifting from reactivity to responsiveness and balancing conviction with genuine inquiry. #unlocked, #madelynblair, #resilience, #leadership, #advocacy, #communication, #teambuilding

What if your own story could become your compass in uncertain times? #madelynblair #unlocked #resilience

A powerful conversation on why we cry, why we resist it, and how reclaiming our emotional lives—especially in turbulent times—can restore agency, clarity, and resilience. #madelynblair #resilience #unlocked #crisis #stress #currentevents

What if preparing for death is one of the most powerful ways to live? In this episode of Unlocked, Madelyn Blair sits down with author, filmmaker, and end-of-life advocate Chris Palmer to explore what it truly means to live—and die—well. Drawing from his book Achieving a Good Death, Chris shares why death is not just a medical event, but a deeply human and relational experience. Together, they dis...

Fashion reveals who we are, how we’ve evolved, and why what we wear still shapes our identity and choices today. #Madelynblair, #unlocked, #resilience, #fashion, #vintage  

In this second conversation with author and hospice volunteer Chris Palmer, we move beyond preparation and into the lived reality of the dying process. What support is needed? Who should be on your team? How do advance directives, healthcare agents, and different forms of care — palliative, hospice, and doulas — shape the experience for both patients and families. Thankfully, you are not at this s...

   Executive coach Bianca Riemer reveals how nervous system regulation, presence, and strategic visibility help leaders—especially women—build calm authority and influence when the pressure is highest. #MadelynBlair #Unlocked #Resilience #ExecutiveInfluence #Coaching

SWAG and merch are more than giveaways—they’re strategic tools for visibility, loyalty, and revenue. Madelyn Blair talks with merch strategist Barbara Hobart about how leaders can use branded products wisely in today’s digital world. #Resilience, #MadelynBlair, #Unlocked, #Merchandise, #Brand, #Marketing

International storyteller Noa Baum explores  how stories—spoken, lived, and shared—can heal, bridge divides, and help leaders grow connection, meaning, and impact  through narrative. #madelynblair #unlocked #resilience #Communication #Storytelling #Healing

What does it mean to achieve a “good death” —and how does preparing for the end of life reshape how we live today? Emmy-winning filmmaker and end-of-lifeadvocate Chris Palmer joins Dr. Madelyn Blair to explore aging, choice, legacy,and the conversations we must have with those we love. #AchievingAGoodDeath #EndOfLifePlanning #LivingWellToDieWell #DeathAndDying #HospiceCare #AdvanceDirectives #Lega...

Executive recruiter Carol Ann Wentworth joins Unlocked to decode today’s job market, the mental wellness that supports career success, and practical guidance for those starting out or navigating transition. #Madelynblair, #Unlocked, #Resilience, #MentalWellness, #Careers

In today’s complex, always-on world, professionals move through many roles each day. In this episode of Unlocked ,Madelyn Blair explores what authenticity means when identity is shaped by context, expectation, and change. Joined by Kelly Cresap , Lynne Feingold , and PatriciaMartin , the conversation examines personas, adaptability, and how leaders can remain grounded while evolving. #Unlocked #Ma...

Many people are drawn toe-commerce by the promise of “passive income.” But very few build businesses that actually last. On this episode of Unlocked , I’m joined by Neil Twa—CEO andCo-Founder of Voltage Holdings—for a grounded, real-world conversation about almost automated income through Amazon FBA. Neil’s entrepreneurial journeybegan with bankruptcy—and led to building and scaling multiple eight...

The central relationship in selling. #Madelynblair #Unlocked #resilience #sales #coaching #leadership

Burnout is only part of what leaders are facing today. Beneath it lies a deeper sense of dis-ease. #Unlocked #Madelynblair #Resilience #Leadership #shinrinsuko #Naure

How presence, curiosity, and trust build knowledge. #Unlocked #madelynblair #resilience #learning #education