Coaching is no longer just for executives behind closed doors. It’s now a personalized, tech-enabled lever for scaling leadership development across the enterprise. In this episode, Christine Tao, co-founder of Sounding Board, and Katrin Mulford, SVP and Global Head of Coaching at BTS, dive into what’s changed—and what’s possible. From navigating uncertainty to building mindset shifts that stick, they explore how modern coaching is accelerating readiness, driving retention, and evolving through ...
Jun 30, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 9
How do you lead in a world where roles are changing faster than people can adapt? In this episode, Rick Cheatham talks with Steph Peskett and Abi Scott about the second major trend from their recent research: human sustainability. The conversation covers everything from AI disruption to proactive talent strategies—and why the most forward-looking companies are rethinking how they grow, support, and retain their people.
Jun 17, 2025•14 min•Season 4Ep. 8
What happens when employees lose trust in their organizations? In part one of this two-part conversation, Steph Peskett and Abi Scott unpack one of the biggest trends reshaping talent development: the erosion of trust and power. Drawing on original research and real client stories, they discuss how even well-intentioned policies can backfire—and what leaders can do to rebuild confidence, clarity, and connection across the workforce.
Jun 17, 2025•17 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Rebecca Stern, Head of Learning at Udemy, discusses how her team is using AI to build a stronger learning culture . From skills mapping to hands-on experimentation, Rebecca shares how Udemy is helping employees get comfortable with AI, stay curious, and build the skills they need to grow . Listen now! For a transcript, click here .
Jun 17, 2025•17 min•Season 4Ep. 6
In the debut of our new Quarterly Fearless Thinkers CEO Mini-Series , BTS CEO Jessica Skon brings you inside the conversations she’s having with today's Fortune 500 executives on what it will really take to lead through the seismic shifts ahead. Join host Rick Cheatham for a peer-to-peer conversation you won’t want to miss.
Jun 02, 2025•29 min
In this episode of Undiscovered Country , host Peter Mulford is joined by Jenny Dearborn, Chief People Strategy Officer at BTS , to explore how data analytics is transforming leadership. Jenny shares how HR leaders can leverage insights from data to drive business outcomes, develop future-ready talent, and create a culture of agility. Tune in to learn how analytics can unlock untapped business potential and empower leaders. Listen now!
May 05, 2025•49 min
Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he talks with Richard Hargreaves, Managing Director at Corporate Research Forum (CRF) , about how HR leaders can build a future-ready workforce in times of uncertainty . They discuss the importance of focusing on critical roles, prioritizing impact, and staying agile amidst disruption. Tune in to hear practical advice on how HR can prepare organizations for the challenges ahead . Listen now!...
Mar 30, 2025•20 min
Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he sits down with Matt Tonken, a leader in BTS's Assessment practice, to explore the power of "future-back thinking" in creating frameworks for leadership success. They explore how organizations can build "success profiles" by imagining future scenarios and preparing leaders with the skills and mindsets necessary for those challenges. Tune in to learn how to create leadership frameworks that stand the test of time. Listen now!...
Mar 11, 2025•13 min
Tune into this exclusive repost of the HIKE2 webinar featuring Peter Mulford and Peter Coffee , VP for Strategic Research at Salesforce . In this insightful session, they dive into the game-changing role of AI in transforming industries. From the shift to edge devices and AI’s impact on the future of work , to the rise of quantum computing —discover how these groundbreaking technologies are fueling innovation and reshaping the business landscape . Don’t miss out—listen now!...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Join Rick Cheatham in this insightful episode of Fearless Thinkers as he talks with Peter about the transformational power of AI in business. They dive into the three key phases organizations go through when adopting AI—awareness, experimentation, and impact—and how they can successfully navigate each stage. From shifting mindsets to embracing AI as a virtual teammate, Peter shares how organizations can move from experimentation to scaling AI for real impact. Learn about the mindset shifts neces...
Feb 13, 2025•17 min
In this episode Peter speaks with Professor Alejandro Lozano Robledo . He is the Director of Future Mobility Design Lab at UC Digital Futures and Mobility Systems Design Professor University of Cincinnati. He’s a proven innovator with a record of successful collaborations, including with Boeing, NASA, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Hyundai, and MIT. During our conversation we discuss the future of cities and mobility, the shift from car ownership to a subscription-based models, the impli...
Jan 24, 2025•43 min
Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he chats with Miguel Sequeira, an expert in sales leadership, about the five key mind traps holding back sales teams. As we kick off the new year, it’s a great time to reflect on how to drive a winning mentality in your teams. From the ‘victim mindset’ to the ‘lone wolf mentality’, Miguel uncovers the common barriers that can prevent high sales performance and how to overcome them. Discover strategies for leaders to recognize and ad...
Jan 24, 2025•16 min
Undiscovered Country - Preparing for the future now: how to lead your teams to thrive in uncertainty Join host Peter Mulford in this first episode of Undiscovered Country, a podcast about the future, and future back thinking at work. Here he speaks with Professor Rita McGrath, C-Suite advisor, professor at Columbia Business School, best-selling author of The End of Competitive Advantage, Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen, and Discovery Driven Gro...
Jan 22, 2025•50 min
Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he sits down with Zander Ross, a leader in Change and Transformation at BTS. Together, they explore why the biggest challenges leaders face often lie within—the habits, mindsets, and ways of working that no longer serve us. Zander shares five key shifts that leading organizations make to unlock growth, from customer-centric strategies to rethinking incentives and building new capabilities. Discover how small mindset changes can lead...
Dec 19, 2024•14 min
Join host Rick Cheatham in this week's episode of Fearless Thinkers as he welcomes Bowen Moody, CEO of Verity, the latest acquisition by BTS. In this insightful discussion, Bowen sheds light on Verity's innovative AI coaching tool, detailing its current applications among sales professionals and its transformative potential for the future of sales. Discover how AI is reshaping coaching strategies, empowering sales teams, and driving performance like never before. Listen now! For a transcript, cl...
Oct 29, 2024•16 min
In this episode of Fearless Thinkers , host Rick Cheatham sits down with Will Heard, Director at BTS, and Fredrik Schuller, Global Head of Coach at BTS, to explore their groundbreaking work in leadership and development. Learn about the unique, hands-on solution developed by BTS in partnership with the Corporate Research Forum (CRF) to address the persistent challenges L&D professionals face in delivering high-impact leadership development. Tune in to discover how this experience is reshapin...
Sep 17, 2024•17 min
In this episode of the Fearless Thinkers podcast, host Rick Cheatham sits down with Jenny Dearborn, Chief People Strategy Officer & Head of Talent Insights, to discuss her journey from teaching to senior leadership. They explore the pivotal career decisions that led her to BTS, the power of aligning with stakeholder goals, and the importance of a strong support system in achieving professional success. Tune in to learn how Jenny’s experiences and insights can guide leaders in navigating thei...
Sep 05, 2024•19 min
In this episode of the Fearless Thinkers podcast, host Rick Cheatham is in conversation with Kathryn Clubb, CEO of BTS North America, and Alex Amsden, Vice President of Change and Transformation at BTS, to explore the evolving landscape of strategic planning for senior leaders. They dive into the importance of engaging all levels of an organization in strategy formation and execution , the challenges of adapting to rapidly changing conditions, and the critical role culture plays in bringing stra...
Aug 22, 2024•20 min
Welcome to another episode of the Fearless Thinkers podcast! Host Rick Cheatham is joined by Tara Castaneda, Senior Director at BTS, to explore the concept of vertical development. Tara breaks down the stages of vertical development, from the diplomat stage to the strategist stage, and explains how these stages influence leadership styles and behaviors. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and continuous growth for effective leadership. Tune in for practical insights and tips on eleva...
Jul 31, 2024•14 min
Welcome to another episode of the Fearless Thinkers podcast! Host Rick Cheatham is joined by Teresa Yetano, Senior Director, and Emily Steigerwald, Senior Director, to explore Revenue Growth Management (RGM). In today episode, they discuss how RGM links strategic and tactical approaches to meet evolving consumer needs, emphasizing omni-channel shopping, cross-functional alignment, leadership involvement, and predictive analytics. Tune in to discover how top global brands implement effective RGM ...
Jul 16, 2024•18 min
In this episode of Fearless Thinkers, Rick welcomes Martin Rahn, Director of Talent Development at Constellium, a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and recycling of aluminum products and solutions. Martin, highly experienced in HR and Talent Management, has closely partnered with BTS to implement a comprehensive leadership development program aimed at aligning leadership, strategy, and culture. Drawing from his extensive experience with global companies, Martin discusses how Const...
Jul 10, 2024•14 min
Join Rick Cheatham as he explores the evolving role of AI in education, learning, and leadership with Karim Hirani, Senior Director at BTS. Together, they compare AI and human coaching, discuss AI’s potential to democratize education, and dive into its impact on leadership development with a focus on the balance between AI’s capabilities and the importance of human relationships in coaching. Tune in for insights on the future of AI and the ethical considerations of its advancements. For a transc...
Jun 12, 2024•22 min
In this episode of Fearless Thinkers, Rick Cheatham, hosts Katy Young , Senior Vice President and Partner at BTS, and Emanuele Scotti , Co-founder and CEO of Yumi, a recent addition to the BTS family. Emanuele unveils the fascinating story behind Yumi’s evolution into a powerhouse of HR innovation, drawing inspiration from the collaborative spirit of Waze. Discover how Yumi, their groundbreaking tool, harnesses collective intelligence to empower individuals within organizations, making change no...
Apr 29, 2024•22 min
Join Rick Cheatham as he explores the intricacies of decision-making with Emma Nyström , Associate Director and Libby MacKenzi e, Director. Together, they dissect the four essential elements—authority, evidence, social dynamics, and committed action—and offer practical strategies for improving decision-making processes. From reframing authority structures to fostering psychological safety, this episode provides actionable insights for leaders navigating the complexities of decision-making in tod...
Apr 09, 2024•22 min
In the most recent episode of Fearless Thinkers, we feature Henrik Ekelund , innovative Founder and Chairman of BTS Group. He talks about his new ventures since transitioning from CEO to Chairman. Henrik shares insights of five current global macrotrends that are impacting every corporate’s success and resilience. Henrik also shares from his research on national prosperity – what are the key components that underpin thriving countries. For a transcript, click here ....
Mar 18, 2024•21 min
Effective decision-making has the power to accelerate growth and drive your organization forward, achieving key milestones and outcomes faster, while ineffective decision making can paralyze organizational progress altogether. In this episode of Fearless Thinkers, Abbey Bonham, Principal, and Libby MacKenzie, Director, sit down with Rick Cheatham, CMO, to unpack what decision-making looks like in organizations today, the impact of AI, and the key moves you can make to level-up decision-making fo...
Mar 07, 2024•20 min
"There's a premium here on meeting the customer where they are. We can understand their buyer's journey, but if we don't adjust the resources that we need to bring at specific points, then it's a miss," says Barbara Adey , VP, in this episode of Fearless Thinkers. Barbara and Jason Davis , Senior Director, sit down with Rick Cheatham , CMO, to discuss their customer-centric approach to sales methodology and process. For a transcript, click here ....
Dec 04, 2023•17 min
How can finance teams complement organizations' evolving priorities? "Be a partner in educating the rest of the business [about the] strategic trade-offs of their choices... Breaking through the complexity of finance for the rest of the organization is really powerful," says Katy Young , SVP & Partner, in this episode of Fearless Thinkers. Katy and Ignacio Vaccaro , Senior Director & Head of SABA Practice, sit down with Rick Cheatham , CMO, to discuss the evolving role of finance in stra...
Nov 10, 2023•17 min
What is executive coaching, and what makes it it a powerful development experience for leaders? In this special Fearless Thinkers episode , Jennifer Porter , Partner, and Jessica Skon , CEO, discuss how to help leaders develop, improve, and increase their effectiveness. Here's a transcript .
Nov 01, 2023•20 min
What makes a great go-to-market leader? “It’s about that consistency that you’re able to create for your team and for your clients — thinking about how you establish your operational cadence helps to reinforce those expectations when you’re not there all the time,” says Kyle Dean , Senior Director, in this episode of Fearless Thinkers . Kyle and Rick Cheatham , CMO, share ideas for all salespeople to consider as they progress both professionally and collectively. Learn more about our Go-to-Marke...
Oct 24, 2023•15 min
