In this episode of People First , Morag is joined by Meredith Waters—high-performance coach, transformational strategist, and founder of Thriving at Water’s Edge . With over two decades in high-stakes global leadership, including post-conflict zones and climate-vulnerable regions, Meredith has developed the Resilient Ambition Framework to help individuals and mission-driven teams move through disruption with clarity, adaptability, and purpose. From the concept of “ambition disruption” to embraci...
Aug 11, 2025•35 min•Ep. 147
This week, we welcome award-winning global learning executive and author Jeanine Mathó to People First . Jeanine shares her deeply personal journey from the height of corporate success through burnout and loss — only to emerge with a powerful new vision for what lasting success can truly look and feel like. In this conversation, Jeanine introduces her new book Live Your Opus: Reclaim Your Energy, Redefine Success, and Create a Life That Truly Matters , written for high-achieving professionals wh...
Aug 01, 2025•32 min•Ep. 146
We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Bobbi Wegner—psychologist, Harvard lecturer, and founder of GROOPS—to People First! . With her unique blend of clinical and organizational psychology, Bobbi shares how leaders can evolve from taskmasters to team coaches by leveraging simple psychological tools that drive connection, performance, and well-being. In a world where workplace disconnection is at an all-time high, Bobbi’s insights are a timely reminder that relationships are not just a “nice to have”—they...
Jul 14, 2025•25 min•Ep. 145
This week, Morag sits down with Sabina Nawaz—executive coach, former Microsoft executive, and author of You Are the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be and Others Need . Sabina brings a sharp, compassionate lens to the messy reality of leadership—especially how pressure, not power, causes even the best bosses to behave badly. From lessons learned in Microsoft’s high-stakes executive suites to real-world tools for becoming a better boss (without burning out), Sabina shares insight with warmth...
Jun 30, 2025•34 min•Ep. 144
We’re excited to welcome Suzie Bishop, Vice President of Product Development at the Center for Leadership Studies and member of the Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches community. In this episode, Suzie shares how the timeless model of Situational Leadership is being reimagined for today's workplace—and why trust, adaptability, and honest feedback loops are essential for thriving teams. From her early mentors to her current work co-authoring two major leadership books (yes, two!), Suzie brings clarity...
Jun 23, 2025•27 min•Ep. 143
We’re thrilled to welcome back Garry Ridge, Chairman Emeritus of WD-40 Company and author of Any Dumb Ass Can Do It . Known for his bold authenticity and signature Aussie wisdom, Garry dives into how embracing “dumbassery” is actually the key to unlocking great leadership, building cultures of belonging, and sending people home happy. With stories ranging from riding a horse in a suit of armor through Times Square to redefining what it means to coach a team, this episode is packed with insight, ...
Apr 21, 2025•31 min•Ep. 142
In this episode of the People First Podcast , we sit down with executive coach Dina Denham Smith to explore the power of emotional agility in leadership. Dina shares how leaders can navigate change with confidence, break free from stress patterns, and foster genuine emotional awareness at work. From managing toxic positivity to understanding the mind-body connection, this conversation is filled with actionable insights to help leaders cultivate resilience and authenticity. Here are some key take...
Mar 31, 2025•31 min•Ep. 141
This week on People First , we’re joined by Dr. Joey Faucette, a culture architect, certified executive coach, and best-selling author of Work Positive in a Negative World: Team Edition . Dr. Joey helps organizations shift from a toxic “Kevin Culture” to a positive work culture that fuels engagement, productivity, and profits. His insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal , CNBC , Fox Business News , and Entrepreneur Media , and he hosts the Work Positive Podcast . Here are some key...
Mar 17, 2025•31 min•Ep. 140
This week on People First , we welcome Dave MacDonald, Owner and President of Better Together Group. Built on Zig Ziglar’s philosophy—"If you help enough other people get what they want, you will get what you want"—Better Together Group helps businesses increase productivity and profitability by hiring the right people while ensuring job candidates can feed their families and fulfill their ambitions. Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to miss: 02:00 From Maple Syrup to People-First Leade...
Mar 03, 2025•28 min•Ep. 139
This week on People First , we welcome Mindy Honcoop, a seasoned people leader, HR advisor, and the founder of Agile in HR. With over 24 years of experience optimizing organizational success, Mindy helps leaders align culture with revenue strategy through advising, workshops, and speaking engagements. Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to miss: 02:00 The Power of Possibility: Mindy shares how she helps people shift from “I can’t” to “I can” and why that fuels her passion for leadership a...
Feb 17, 2025•26 min•Ep. 138
This week on People First , we welcome Stephen George, a seasoned voice actor, audio professional, and broadcast producer with more than a decade of experience in the field. As a key member of Twin Flames Studios, Stephen has helped countless authors bring their words to life through expertly produced audiobooks. His mission? To guide authors through the recording process, ensuring their message is heard authentically and powerfully. Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to miss: 04:00 The ...
Feb 03, 2025•22 min•Ep. 137
This week on People First , we’re thrilled to welcome back Robert Glazer, founder and chairman of Acceleration Partners, a global leader in partnership marketing, and a best-selling author. Robert’s new book, Rethinking Two Weeks Notice: Changing the Way Employees Leave Companies for the Better , reimagines how professional relationships can end with dignity, mutual respect, and better outcomes for all parties. Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to miss: 02:00 The Inspiration Behind the ...
Jan 20, 2025•29 min•Ep. 136
This week on People First , we’re thrilled to welcome Heather Younger back to the show! Heather is the CEO of Employee Fanatix, a TEDx speaker, a three-time best-selling author, and a LinkedIn Learning course partner. Her latest book, The Art of Self Leadership: Discover the Power Within You and Learn to Lead Yourself , is a guide to uncovering your intrinsic worth, embracing self-leadership, and showing up as the best version of yourself. Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to miss: 04:0...
Jan 06, 2025•28 min•Ep. 135
This week on People First , we welcome Nathalie Sabourin and Ron Cheshire, co-authors of the groundbreaking book Co-Development Action Learning for Business . Drawing from decades of leadership and coaching expertise, Nathalie and Ron share how their CAL (Co-Development Action Learning) methodology is transforming the way leaders and teams innovate, solve problems, and collaborate in an ever-changing business environment. Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to miss: 02:00 From Dreams to G...
Dec 16, 2024•32 min•Ep. 134
This week on People First , we’re joined by Julie Winkle Giulioni, a workplace growth champion and best-selling author. Julie helps leaders and organizations unlock talent and potential through meaningful career development. Her latest work, Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go: Career Conversations Organizations Need and Employees Still Want (now in its third edition), redefines how managers can support their teams in today’s fast-changing workplace. Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to mis...
Dec 04, 2024•23 min•Ep. 133
This week on People First , we sit down with Jonathan Bennett, an advisor and executive coach specializing in helping purpose-driven leaders navigate their toughest challenges. With career-spanning roles as a CEO, board member, and founder, Jonathan brings a wealth of experience in social purpose, governance, strategy, and communications. His unique ability to listen deeply and craft breakthrough solutions makes him a trusted partner for leaders seeking clarity and impact. Here are some key take...
Nov 18, 2024•31 min•Ep. 132
This week on People First , we welcome Mary Ostafi, executive coach, speaker, and author of Coming into Consciousness: Living with Purpose, Loving with Passion, and Leading with Presence. Mary’s journey spans architecture, sustainability, and leadership, guiding people toward intentional lives rooted in authenticity and alignment. Her mission is to help individuals embrace conscious leadership for transformational growth, combining her systems approach with compassion and creativity. Here are so...
Oct 28, 2024•26 min•Ep. 131
This week on People First , we’re joined by Mary Olson-Menzel, the founder and CEO of MVP Executive Development. With over 30 years of leadership experience across industries like media, tech, and healthcare, Mary is an expert in helping individuals and organizations unlock their potential. She’s also a member of the Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches and the author of What Lights You Up? Illuminate Your Path and Take the Next Big Step in Your Career . Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to m...
Oct 14, 2024•25 min•Ep. 130
This week on People First , we welcome Lee Itzhaki , a seasoned professional with over 25 years in the high-tech industry. Lee has transitioned from product management and business development to a new passion—helping people forge stronger workplace relationships. As the founder of Loops, a groundbreaking platform, Lee aims to transform how we connect and collaborate at work, blending technology with the human element. Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to miss: 05:00 The Manager Learnin...
Sep 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 129
This week on SkyeTeam’s People First , we sit down with the incredible Caroline Stokes, author of Elephants Before Unicorns and an expert on leadership development, technology, and sustainability. Caroline supports technology leaders in addressing relational and strategic challenges for organizational, societal, and environmental impact. In this episode, Caroline discusses her journey from Singapore to a global career helping leaders embrace emotionally intelligent strategies and navigate the fa...
Sep 09, 2024•30 min•Ep. 128
In this episode of SkyeTeam's People First, we have a compelling conversation with Russel Lolacher, an international speaker and the founder and host of the podcast Relationships at Work . With nearly 25 years of experience in leadership and communication, Russell shares his deep insights into building meaningful relationships within organizations. Here are some key takeaways you won't want to miss: 03:00 Presentations vs. Reporting: Russel emphasizes the importance of viewing presentations as p...
Aug 26, 2024•35 min•Ep. 127
This week on SkyeTeam's People First, we sit down with HR veteran Vanessa Patrick, Associate Dean for Research, Executive Director of Doctoral Programs (PhD and DBA), Professor of Marketing, and lead faculty member of the Executive Women in Leadership Program at the Bauer School of Business at the University of Houston. In her new book, The Power of Saying No, Vanessa delves into the new science of saying no and introduces the ground-breaking concept of “empowered refusal”—a proven framework for...
Aug 12, 2024•27 min•Ep. 126
This week on SkyeTeam's People First, we sit down with HR veteran Joan Hobdin, founder of jdhInsights, LLC. With over 25 years shaping HR strategies across global organizations, Joan is a master at tailoring coaching to individual needs. Her focus on awareness, purpose, intent, and action has driven countless successes. Joan's new book, The Leader’s Guide to Mastering Feedback , is the focus of our conversation. We delve into creating a feedback-friendly environment, navigating tough conversatio...
Jul 29, 2024•25 min•Ep. 125
Welcome to SkyeTeam's People First! This week, we're joined by two exceptional leaders: Paul Savardi, Chairman and CEO of Insperity, and Dr. Eli Jones. In their new book, Making Differences Work , they combine their extensive experience to provide a powerful roadmap for building a company culture that drives extraordinary results. Their concept of Commonality, Equality, and Cohesion expands on the core principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). It offers a practical framework for lead...
Jul 08, 2024•37 min•Ep. 124
This week, we're joined by Dr. Jennifer Nash, a leadership consultant and executive advisor who helps leaders and organizations prioritize people to power performance. Dr. Nash advocates for a radical shift in leadership thinking and practice in her new book Be Human, Lead Human, How to Connect People and Performance. With only 12% of employees expressing confidence in their leaders, Nash identifies the need for leadership that fosters trust, creates connection, and drives performance. Episode C...
Jun 17, 2024•35 min•Ep. 123
This week, we welcome Scott Mautz, an expert in mental strength, peak performance, change, employee engagement, and leadership. In his book, The Mentally Strong Leader , Scott discusses how to regulate emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to achieve exceptional outcomes. Scott describes mentally strong leaders as a calm presence amid chaos, exercising self-discipline and endurance to thrive under adversity. They excel across six essential leadership tests linked to exceptional achievement. Episode ...
Jun 03, 2024•25 min•Ep. 122
This week, Morag interviews Jeffrey Shaw, a leading voice for self-employed business champions! Jeffrey is a bestselling author (LINGO and The Self-Employed Life: Business and Personal Development Strategies That Create Sustainable Success), a TEDx speaker, and a guiding light for entrepreneurs. Drawing from his own journey, Jeffrey shares business and personal development strategies to help you, the self-employed and small business owner, take control even when things feel out of your grip. Epi...
Apr 22, 2024•42 min•Ep. 121
This week on People First!, Morag chats with Moustafa Hamwi, a bestselling author who's an expert in a wide range of fields, from executive coaching to yoga and adventure sports. They delve deep into the world of the "passionpreneur," exploring how passion + purpose unleashes the entrepreneurial spirit of a true leader, why so many people struggle to find their spark, why passion and skill go hand-in-hand, and how you can discover what truly ignites your fire. Episode Chapters: 04:30 - Why do so...
Apr 01, 2024•31 min•Ep. 120
Tired of unproductive meetings? This week, we're joined by Steven Rogelberg, a leading expert on meeting effectiveness from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Steven shares research-backed strategies to transform your meetings from time-wasters to efficient, engaging, and inclusive experiences for everyone. While achieving meeting nirvana might be a stretch, Steven will show you how to leverage science to make your meetings significantly better. Episode Chapters: 06:55 - In meetings ...
Mar 25, 2024•30 min•Ep. 119
This week, Morag and Jennifer McCollum, CEO of Linkage, a SHRM company, discuss her career journey, research, and her book In Her Own Voice: A Woman's Rise to CEO: Overcoming Hurdles to Change the Face of Leadership. Episode Chapters: 5:28 - Why this book; why now? 10:20 - Understanding clear roles people play in leadership 16:59 - How the inner critic shows up for women 20:12 - Biases and limiting beliefs 23:50 - Getting humble to say I need help Welcome to SkyeTeam's People First! In this seri...
Mar 04, 2024•27 min•Ep. 118
