Wired to Lead

Why you should listen:   Most leaders obsess over the "what." What goals? What metrics? What strategy? Damon Young argues we're missing the real work: discerning the "why" and the "how." In this season premiere, Damon shares how journaling, shedding old beliefs, and building learning cultures (not knowing cultures) changed everything for him. If you've ever felt depleted by your own ambition, this...

Why you should listen:   Julia and Michael met in a process group. He was the one who stopped calling her "Julie" and started calling her "Julia." That small act of recognition became a turning point in her leadership journey. In this deeply personal episode, they pull back the curtain on identity, CliftonStrengths, and why the nervous system matters more than any strategy deck. If you've ever fel...

What if HR leadership wasn't about compliance but about building belonging, trust, and psychological safety? Jennifer Golynsky has spent decades in HR leadership, and her approach goes far beyond compliance. In this episode, she and Julia explore the neuroscience of belonging, the power of curiosity as a practiced skill, and how to build workplaces where people feel safe enough to fail. From hybri...

Ever been told you're "too different" for your industry? Brandon Stanchok turned that feedback into his leadership superpower. He joins Julia to explore how childhood permission to be himself shaped his contrarian style, why he intentionally seeks failure for perspective, and how understanding the neuroscience of insecurity can unlock breakthrough performance. From two years of imposter syndrome t...

Summary In this conversation, Julia LeFevre speaks with Heather Howell, CEO of Greater Than, about her journey in leadership, particularly in male-dominated industries like beverages and banking. They discuss the importance of innovation, authenticity, and the unique perspective women bring to leadership roles. Heather shares her experiences at Jack Daniel's and her transition to a health-focused...

Bennett Maxwell scaled Dirty Dough from one cookie shop to over 450 franchises in under three years, while learning that success without inner peace is hollow. In this conversation, he shares how he lost 130 pounds, rewired his relationship with work, and discovered that the best leaders don't work the most hours. If you've ever wondered whether there's more to leadership than grinding harder, thi...

You can't think your way into better leadership. Robert Feeney, creator of Ring-a-Ring habit formation technology, explains why information alone fails to create transformation and what actually works instead. After losing two brothers to suicide, Robert dedicated his life to understanding what causes someone to take action in the heat of the moment. This raw, science-backed conversation explores...

What if the real engine of your company's growth wasn't strategy or sales, but the people who make it run? Shelley Maas Hernandez has built her career proving exactly that. As a senior HR executive, Shelley has transformed workplaces by designing people-first strategies that increased retention by over 50% and saved organizations hundreds of thousands of dollars. But her journey started in an unus...

What happens when a top-arresting police officer realizes handcuffs aren't solving homelessness? Meet Officer Nate Schwiethale, whose radical shift from enforcement to empathy created a national model for community policing. After watching the same people cycle through jail day after day, Nate pioneered the Homeless Outreach Team, helping 1,500 people find housing and reducing arrests by 84%. In t...

What if the real engine of organizational success isn't strategy, it's people? In this transformative episode, seasoned HR leader Laura Golembieski shares 20+ years of wisdom about what truly drives performance: genuine human connection. From managing retail teams 30 years her senior at age 22 to partnering with C-suites at global brands, Laura has discovered that the most successful organizations...

The Four Types of Leaders – And Why You Can't Be All of Them What happens when your greatest strength as a founder becomes your biggest leadership blind spot? And how do you scale a company without losing yourself – or your team – in the process? In this episode, Julia sits down with Matt Watson, a Kansas City-based serial entrepreneur who's built and exited three companies, created over 1,000 job...

What if leading change didn't have to burn out your team? Nissi Ozigbu has spent 15 years as a change management expert helping organizations transform without losing their people. In this conversation, she reveals why most change initiatives fail, how motherhood reshaped her leadership style, and what it takes to build change capability from the inside out. You'll discover: What change management...

Hari Gopu's journey from the son of Indian immigrants in 1980s Australia to leading infrastructure and energy companies across three continents wasn't about climbing a ladder—it was about learning to read the room, watch for truth in actions not words, and never stop asking "why?" In this episode, Hari shares hard-won lessons about transformational leadership, including: Why explaining "the why" o...

What happens when a military-trained leader learns that authority alone doesn't build great teams? Gabe Disbrow, President and CEO of Lever Supermarkets, shares his journey from top-down command in the military to connection-driven leadership in a 100% employee-owned company. From Command to Connection: Leading with the Umbrella ModelIn this episode, Gabe reveals his "umbrella leadership model"—a...

Carl Bowden made a decision that shocked everyone: after building a successful leadership coaching company for 4.5 years, he walked away to join someone else's team. But here's the twist—it might be the smartest career move he ever made. In this raw and revealing conversation, Carl takes us inside the brutal reality of entrepreneurship: the sleepless nights when he couldn't pay rent, the isolation...

In this episode of Wired to Lead, Julia LeFevre engages with Mike Fidgeon, a seasoned healthcare executive, discussing the complexities of leadership, resilience, and the importance of relational connections. Mike shares his journey from sports to leadership, emphasizing that leadership is a continuous learning process. They explore how past experiences shape our responses and the significance of...

In this engaging conversation, Julia LeFevre and Shelton Banks explore the transformative journey from traditional career training to innovative strategies that empower job seekers. Shelton shares his personal story of overcoming adversity, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, self-education, and storytelling in professional growth. They discuss the challenges faced in the nonprofit sector...

In Episode 13 of Wired to Lead, former MLB reliever Evan Marshall—who climbed from a fourth-round pick to a reliable bullpen arm for the Diamondbacks, Mariners, Indians, and White Sox—opens up about how a near-fatal skull fracture reshaped his approach to game and life. Tune in for an inspiring tale of grit, recovery, and the mental wiring it takes to lead under pressure. I hope you enjoy this epi...

In this conversation, Chris Weakly, founder of Logical A, shares his journey as an autistic professional dedicated to helping businesses attract and retain autistic talent. He discusses the high unemployment rate among neurodivergent individuals, the challenges they face in social interactions, and the importance of curiosity and connection in the workplace. Chris emphasizes the value of neurodive...

In this episode of Wired to Lead, Julia LeFevre interviews Christopher Swing, the president and CEO of Vantage Surgical Solutions. They discuss Chris's unique leadership journey across various industries, the importance of scaling in leadership, and the lessons learned from mistakes. Chris shares how his childhood experiences shaped his approach to risk management and leadership, and how his defin...

In this episode of Wired to Lead, host Julia LeFevre interviews Bridget Ferraro, CEO of iCopy Legal, who has led the company to remarkable growth through a people-first approach and innovative technology integration. Bridget shares her leadership journey, the importance of vulnerability, and how motherhood has influenced her personal growth. She discusses the impact of neuroscience on leadership a...

In this episode of the Wired to Lead podcast, Julia LeFevre interviews Roderick Abernathy, a strategic HR executive who shares his leadership journey, the importance of learning from mistakes, and the value of building relational connections in HR. Roderick discusses his experiences with leadership, the significance of feedback, and his pursuit of further education to enhance his strategic HR skil...

In this engaging conversation, Ron Diamond shares his leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of relationships, vulnerability, and authenticity in both personal and professional life. He reflects on his early experiences in the corporate world, the lessons learned from challenges, and how these shaped his values and approach to leadership. The discussion highlights the significance of livin...

In this conversation, Daniel Wachter, a transformational CEO and leader of the Colorado Symphony, shares his unique perspective on leadership through the lens of music and the arts. He discusses the importance of trust, feedback, and collaboration in leadership, drawing parallels between conducting an orchestra and leading a business. Daniel emphasizes the need for leaders to empower their teams,...

In this conversation, Julia LeFevre and Scott Makin explore the significance of relational experiences in personal and professional growth. Scott shares his journey from a shy individual to a leader who values deep connections and emotional intelligence. They discuss the challenges leaders face in providing feedback, the importance of building relationships in the workplace, and how accountability...