In this episode, I open up about what it truly means to become unshakeable. Not perfect. Not untouchable. But rooted in a steady strength that grounds you and steadies the people around you. I share why this evolution from Leadership with Heart to Becoming Unshakeable is not just about the world’s needs, but also about my own. Like many of you, I needed more clarity, more calm, more centeredness. Letting go of perfection and embracing purpose has given me freedom from anxiety, fear of judgment, ...
Sep 09, 2025•11 min•Ep. 423
Welcome to one of the first guest episodes of Becoming Unshakeable! If you’ve been a follower and fan of Leadership with Heart, you’re in exactly the right place. From here on out, Becoming Unshakeable will be the new name of my show—and I can’t wait to bring you invaluable insights on what it means to lead with clarity, compassion and courage. What does it really take to live bravely and lead with your whole self? In this heartfelt conversation, I sat down with my dear friend Kimberly Davis, Fo...
Sep 02, 2025•33 min•Ep. 422
Welcome to the second episode of Becoming Unshakeable! If you’ve been a follower and fan of Leadership with Heart, you’re in exactly the right place. From here on out, Becoming Unshakeable will be the new name of my show—and I can’t wait to bring you invaluable insights on what it means to lead with clarity, compassion, and courage. When I began planning the very first guest episode of Becoming Unshakeable, I thought carefully about who could help bridge the journey from Leadership with Heart to...
Aug 26, 2025•28 min•Ep. 421
Welcome to the very first episode of Becoming Unshakeable! If you’ve been a follower and fan of Leadership with Heart, you’re in exactly the right place. From here on out, Becoming Unshakeable will be the new name of my show, and I can’t wait to bring you invaluable insights on what it means to lead with clarity, compassion, and courage. In this opening episode, I share the personal wake-up call that shifted everything for me. From battling perfectionism and self-doubt to redefining success thro...
Aug 19, 2025•10 min•Ep. 420
After six amazing years, this is the final episode of the Leadership with Heart podcast. If you've been with me since the beginning, thank you. Truly. This journey has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career and my life. When I started this podcast in 2018, I felt the world needed more conversations about compassion in leadership. I believed that caring and connection were missing from too many workplaces, and I wanted to help change that. What followed was more than I could have imag...
Aug 12, 2025•11 min•Ep. 419
In this episode of the Leadership with Heart podcast, I sit down with Lorii Rabinowitz, the CEO of Denver Scholarship Foundation, for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about what it means to lead with empathy, clarity, and purpose. Lorii was referred to me by someone I deeply respect, and it quickly became clear why. Her approach to leadership is both profoundly human and boldly practical. We explore the power of honoring each individual's "you-ness," a term Lorii uses to describe the uni...
Aug 05, 2025•31 min•Ep. 418
On this week’s episode of the Leadership with Heart podcast, I sit down with Kurtis Strauel, Senior Director of Human Resources at Mark-Taylor Residential, to discuss the power of leading from the heart in a field that is often misunderstood. With over 30 years of experience in HR and more than two decades in leadership, Kurtis brings a deeply reflective, people-first perspective that cuts through the noise of policy, process, and performance metrics. What struck me most in our conversation was ...
Jul 29, 2025•25 min•Ep. 417
What happens when a leader blends deep operational structure with genuine human care? That’s the question at the heart of my latest conversation on the Leadership with Heart podcast, where I’m joined by Sarah Mazzocco, Chief People Officer at Americare Senior Living. We first met when I was invited to speak at Americare’s annual leadership conference. Even before I hit the stage, I could tell Sarah was a different kind of leader. She carried a quiet confidence rooted in clarity, process, and int...
Jul 22, 2025•35 min•Ep. 416
Dean Wegner is a former Army Ranger, a West Point graduate, and now the CEO and co-founder of Authentically American, an apparel brand rooted in purpose. But more than that, he’s a husband, a dad of four, and someone who truly understands what it means to lead with heart. We started this episode by connecting over something very personal. As many of you are aware, my son is currently attending the U.S. Naval Academy. That journey has opened my eyes to a whole new level of respect and awareness r...
Jul 15, 2025•28 min•Ep. 415
In this solo episode, I open up about one of the most emotional experiences of my life after dropping my son off at the United States Naval Academy. It stirred something profound within me, and I felt compelled to share what I learned about self-leadership, emotional resilience, and staying grounded during life’s most significant transitions. I discuss what it means to be truly unshakable, not by avoiding emotions, but by standing firm in our values and leading ourselves through difficult moment...
Jul 08, 2025•16 min•Ep. 414
In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Laura Chevalier, Chief Growth Officer at Optomi Professional Services, for a conversation that explores the powerful intersection of data, grace, and self-leadership. Laura shares her remarkable journey from teaching and sports to building a thriving IT consulting startup and leading a division focused on uplifting rural communities and military families. We talk candidly about how faith, humility, and a willingness to fail have shaped he...
Jul 01, 2025•40 min•Ep. 413
In this episode, I sit down with Lorna Little, President and CEO of St. Anne’s Family Services in Los Angeles. Lorna leads an organization that touches the lives of thousands of families facing housing insecurity, young mothers seeking stability, and children who need a safe start. Our conversation goes deep into what it means to lead from both lived experience and professional training. Lorna shares how her own journey as a young mother and adoptee fuels her mission to build programs that chang...
Jun 24, 2025•38 min•Ep. 412
On this episode of the Leadership with Heart podcast, I’m joined by someone very special to me, Andy Boian, founder of Dovetail Solutions and a longtime friend and collaborator. Andy first joined me on the show back in 2020 and was also featured in my book The Art of Caring Leadership . Since then, a great deal has changed, both for him and his company, and I was thrilled to bring him back to discuss where he stands now as a leader and how his journey has unfolded. We discussed what it means to ...
Jun 17, 2025•30 min•Ep. 411
In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Tracy Nolan, Senior Vice President of MarketPoint at Humana, for a candid and powerful conversation about what it truly means to lead with both strength and compassion. Tracy has spent her career guiding large teams through complex transformations, including overseeing 14,000 employees during the merger of Sprint and T-Mobile at the height of the pandemic. Her ability to remain focused on people, even in the most high-pressure environment...
Jun 10, 2025•52 min•Ep. 410
In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with someone I genuinely admire, both professionally and personally. Kevin Eikenberry joins me to discuss his newest book, Flexible Leadership , and together, we explore what it truly means to lead with flexibility during times of constant change. As someone who believes deeply in the power of self-leadership, this conversation is significant. Kevin and I share the belief that, while much about leadership remains the same, the context in which...
Jun 03, 2025•47 min•Ep. 409
What does it take to lead with heart in one of the most demanding, misunderstood public service sectors? In this episode of the Leadership With Heart Podcast, I spoke with Billie Jo McCarley, Deputy Director of Operations at the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department. From the moment I saw her speak on a panel, I was drawn to her clarity, purpose, and grounded approach to leading in a system that rarely gets the spotlight it deserves. Her words were honest, her tone firm, and her leadership style...
May 27, 2025•42 min•Ep. 408
What does it take to grow a business from 3 million to over 350 million dollars without losing sight of your purpose, people, or principles? In this Leadership With Heart Podcast episode, I reconnect with Ron Alvesteffer, President and CEO of Service Express, who returns with even more perspective, humility, and wisdom than when we first spoke years ago. Ron shares what it means to lead a fast-growing organization in today's business world without focusing only on numbers or scale. At the core o...
May 20, 2025•37 min•Ep. 407
What does it take to go from the mail room to the C-suite? And how does someone stay grounded in empathy while holding one of the highest positions in a global firm? In this episode of Leadership with Heart, William McKinley Washington II, Global CFO at Baker McKenzie, shares a journey that challenges assumptions about leadership, success, and what it means to rise. His story begins far from corner offices and executive meetings. William is open about being a high school and college dropout, a y...
May 13, 2025•25 min•Ep. 406
What does it mean to lead from the heart, and what happens when we admit we do not have all the answers? In this episode, I speak with Brian Brault, founder of Legacy of Significance and a globally respected leadership teacher and entrepreneur. Brian has built and sold two companies and dedicates his time mentoring leaders worldwide. His work is rooted in humility, curiosity, and a deep belief in helping people discover the leadership potential that already exists within them. Our conversation m...
May 06, 2025•34 min•Ep. 405
In this episode, I’m joined by Marc Koehler, a former U.S. Navy submarine officer. His unique perspective, gained from leading in a nuclear submarine where every action has consequences and complacency can be catastrophic, offers some of the clearest thinking on leadership I've heard in a long time. Marc shares how his experiences taught him lessons about accountability, emotional influence, and self-leadership that every leader on land needs to hear. What struck me most is Marc’s belief that le...
Apr 29, 2025•34 min•Ep. 404
What happens when a scientist decides to lead from the heart? In this Leadership of the Heart podcast episode, Heather welcomes Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M. Jayshree's journey challenges traditional leadership narratives, proving that influence and impact do not require a title or permission. Her path from technical expert to global science ambassador is an authenticity, resilience, and service masterclass. Jayshree reflects on how a role that had never ex...
Apr 22, 2025•20 min•Ep. 403
In this episode of Leadership with Heart, Shawn Hanks, CEO of Premiere Speakers Bureau, reflects on his evolution from sales leader to CEO. He shares the pivotal lessons that shaped his leadership, including when he learned that offering his opinion too soon in meetings unintentionally stifled the voices around him. Rather than leading with answers, Shawn now leads with questions and listens first, giving his team the space to bring forward their insights.This conversation is grounded in humilit...
Apr 15, 2025•37 min•Ep. 402
In this Leadership with Heart podcast episode, I welcome Kevin Kruse, Founder and CEO of LEADx. Kevin shares how his introverted nature and deep sense of purpose led him to build a platform designed to democratize leadership development and bring coaching and emotional intelligence tools to every leader through AI and digital innovation. Our conversation goes far beyond leadership tech. It's a personal and reflective look into why Kevin does what he does, including his intentional decisions to s...
Apr 08, 2025•36 min•Ep. 401
What happens when the CFO leads a company’s social responsibility efforts? And what if that initiative not only improves company culture but strengthens the bottom line? In this episode of the Leadership With Heart podcast, we hear from Sandra Torre, Co-President and CFO at Lavidge, a full-service advertising agency based in Phoenix, Arizona. Sandra challenges conventional expectations of the CFO role by spearheading a company-wide volunteer program called “Impact Giving and Caring with Passion....
Apr 01, 2025•27 min•Ep. 400
In this episode of Leadership With Heart, I sit down with Kirstin Guptill, Chief People Officer at HopeWest, to explore how leadership is evolving beyond administration into deeply human, strategic, and transformative work. Kirstin shares her experience stepping into a brand new CPO role at a nonprofit that supports people through some of life's most challenging moments. With a background in HR leadership and a passion for building cultures that prioritize connection, she walks us through her ap...
Mar 25, 2025•41 min•Ep. 399
What does it mean to lead with both heart and results? How do strong leaders build teams that thrive while ensuring business success? In this episode of Leadership With Heart, I have the pleasure of speaking with Susan Valverde, Brand President of Sylvan Learning, whose leadership journey is nothing short of inspiring. From starting as a franchisee to leading a national organization, Susan's path is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and people-centered Leadership. Throughout our convers...
Mar 18, 2025•26 min•Ep. 398
How do great leaders inspire confidence, even in the most challenging moments? What impact do body language, tone, and presence have on the people we lead? In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Tracy Nolan, Senior Vice President of MarketPoint at Humana, to explore the art of leading with strength and compassion, often without saying a word. Tracy shares her journey from retail to telecommunications and ultimately to healthcare, where she leads thousands of employees and agen...
Mar 11, 2025•33 min•Ep. 397
What if your most incredible pain could become your most significant purpose? In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Eric Newman, Founder and CEO of Roc Solid Foundation, to talk about the defining moments that shaped his leadership journey. As a pediatric cancer survivor, Eric could have let his past define him. Instead, he turned his pain into a mission—building playsets for children fighting cancer, ensuring they have a space to simply be kids in the midst of unimaginable h...
Mar 04, 2025•31 min
Have you ever wondered what truly empowers someone to speak up, especially when their voice challenges the norm? In this engaging episode, we explore the transformative power of using your voice with Ashley Rivera. She’s a go-getter Gen Z entrepreneur who shares her journey of self-leadership and confidence in the workplace. Ashley’s story began when she joined the team straight out of college, bringing with her a refreshing willingness to question ideas and offer counter-opinions—something not ...
Feb 25, 2025•44 min•Ep. 395
How do you navigate your leadership journey while staying true to yourself? And what happens when you decide to stop waiting for permission and take control of your path? In this Leadership with Heart podcast episode, Heather sits down with Erika Whyte, Vice President and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC. Erika’s story is one of resilience, vision, and unapologetic self-leadership. From her early days in financial services—when professional norms were ...
Feb 18, 2025•29 min•Ep. 394
