What if your biggest leadership mistakes aren’t due to poor judgment—but hidden assumptions? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive , Susan Drumm speaks with Dr. Alan Barnard, one of the world’s top decision scientists and a leading expert in the Theory of Constraints. Together, they unpack why even high-performing leaders make bad decisions—and how to avoid the most common traps that derail clarity and performance. You’ll discover: The 5 biggest decision-making mistakes (and how to avoid ...
Jul 14, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Discomfort Isn’t the Enemy: How to Lead Through Challenge with Sterling Hawkins What if the key to becoming a breakthrough leader isn’t more confidence or clarity—but more discomfort ? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive , Susan Drumm talks with Sterling Hawkins—author, keynote speaker, and founder of the “No Matter What” movement—about why the most effective leaders don’t avoid discomfort. They leverage it. Sterling shares his 5-step method for using discomfort to drive growth, from re...
Jun 30, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 104
The Power of Boundaries: Unlocking Innovation Through Constraints with Rachel Druckenmiller Episode Description: What do photographing polar bears in the Arctic and leading high-performing teams have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive , Susan Drumm sits down with Rachel Druckenmiller—leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and founder of Avenue M Group—to explore how boundaries and constraints can fuel creativity, drive innovation, and empower your...
Jun 16, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 103
What if the greatest leadership transformation doesn’t start with a new strategy—but with a shift in you? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Daniel McCollum joins Susan Drumm to explore how self-awareness, vulnerability, and intentional growth become the foundation for high-performing teams and thriving organizational culture. Together, they unpack why inner development is no longer optional for executives—and how simple, daily practices can help leaders move from reactivity to consci...
Jun 02, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 102
What if the secret to getting more done—and feeling better doing it—wasn’t about pushing harder, but pausing smarter? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive , I sit down with internationally recognized Qigong master and author Lee Holden to explore how strategic slowing down can unlock your highest leadership energy. Lee shares insights from his new book, Ready, Set, Slow , and breaks down why ancient wisdom and modern science agree: high performance starts with presence, not pressure. If ...
May 19, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Does this resonate? For years, I believed leadership was about pushing harder, working longer, and showing up no matter how depleted I felt. It seemed like success demanded constant resilience—never slowing down. But that old narrative, as my guest Jayne Warrilow shared, doesn’t create great leaders. It creates burnout. Isolation. Disconnection. Jayne is an entrepreneur and thought leader, and founder of Sacred Changemakers. a global community that hosts a school of human consciousness. In our c...
May 06, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 100
What if the secret to becoming a more effective leader lies not in developing a subject matter expertise and amassing years of experience, but in embracing a simple question: “Why?” In a world where innovation and forward momentum often define success, stopping to question why can be the difference maker for effective and enlightened leaders. I recently sat down with Brandon Fong, host of the globally ranked Beyond Curious podcast, to explore how curiosity shapes leadership and professional grow...
Apr 14, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 99
High-performing teams don’t happen by accident. You can hire the best people, offer competitive salaries, and set ambitious goals—but if you don’t intentionally build a strong, aligned culture, your team will never reach its full potential. So, what separates good teams from world-class teams? That’s exactly what I explored in my conversation with Jay Rosenzweig, an executive leadership strategist, social impact entrepreneur, and founder of Rosenzweig & Company. Jay has spent his career help...
Mar 31, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 98
Why does changing old habits always feel like an uphill battle, even when we genuinely want to change? Understanding the science behind our behaviors isn't just a nice-to-have; it's essential for growth. Natalie McVeigh, an executive coach specializing in neuroscience and conversational intelligence, and I dove deep into this enlightening topic. Natalie has dedicated her career to understanding the intricacies of human behavior and helping others break unproductive cycles. She believes that chan...
Mar 17, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 97
How does one measure the true value of a leader? Is it in strategy and profits or does it go deeper and look at empathy, followership and visionary thinking? I had the opportunity to dive into the world of conscious leadership with Justin Breen, an extraordinary visionary and CEO/Co-Founder of Epic F.I.T. Network, which was recently named one of the Top 5 Masterminds in the world by Business Traveler USA Magazine. Envisioning leadership through Justin Breen’s lens challenges us to rethink our pa...
Mar 03, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 96
What if the key to unlocking exponential growth lies not in (only) maximizing profits, but in genuinely caring for all stakeholders? In a world where businesses prioritize the bottom line, many overlook the transformative power of a mission that serves customers, employees, and the community. Recently I spoke with Philip Wilson, the founder and CEO of Ecofiltro, whose journey from personal crisis to impactful leadership is nothing short of transformational. Philip is the mastermind behind Ecofil...
Feb 17, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 95
How important is having your employees form friendships at work? Is there a decrease in productivity if employees are also friends? The answers may surprise you. In fact, fostering meaningful connections among team members can be the secret ingredient to thriving workplace success. Shasta Nelson brings her deep expertise, grounded in over 15 years of research on human connections, to discuss with us the pivotal role that work friendships and a sense of belonging play in organizational success. D...
Feb 03, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 94
Have you ever found yourself staring blankly at your computer screen, completely overwhelmed by a mountain of responsibilities, wondering if it’s time to reconsider your role as an executive? During my recent talk with Jay Abbasi, a former leader of people development at Tesla and current speaker and coach, we dug deep into the methods and mindsets necessary for preventing burnout and sustaining overall well-being. Jay's career and life transformed following the sudden passing of his father in 2...
Jan 14, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 93
Enlightened leaders are wholly candid, with themselves and their teams, and deliver that truth with compassion. Have you realized that power within yourself? I recently had the pleasure of hosting Matt Hudson on "The Enlightened Executive," a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to making a positive impact through truth, love, and leadership. Over time, this pursuit led him to a profound realization—true fulfillment lies not in the accolades or financial gain but in service to others and making a me...
Dec 04, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 92
How authentic are our connections, really? Genuine connection—both with ourselves and others—holds the power to transform not just our work lives but our well-being too. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer Hill, an entrepreneur who stepped away from her legal recruiting company in 2018 and now channels her energy into fostering connections through her SaaS company, Optimatch, and her podcast, "Regarding Consciousness." Inspired by her mission to connect 1 billion people deeply ...
Nov 20, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 91
What's holding you back from speaking up and letting your authentic self show up at work? Where are you keeping yourself on "mute" and what is that costing you? I had the pleasure of speaking with the inspiring Rachel Druckenmiller, a dynamic keynote speaker, leadership trainer, and the creative mind behind the concept of Unmuted. Rachel’s story of unmuting her authentic self—evolving from an unfulfilling corporate career to a full-time speaker who integrates singing into her keynotes—was full o...
Oct 29, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Are you able to see unexpected challenges as opportunities for new successes? By reframing “issues” as “possibilities” and finding the courage to seize them, Enlightened Leaders can reach new levels of prosperity. In my recent conversation with Moshe Gersht, a spiritual teacher and best-selling author, we tapped into invaluable lessons on the importance of resilience, intuition, and cultivating intentional joy. Through his teachings, Moshe emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with one's tru...
Oct 15, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 89
Fear and anxiety often feel like enemies to be vanquished...but what if instead we saw them as signals guiding us toward growth and expansion? This is the transformative message Colonel Martha McSally, the first female fighter pilot and former U.S. Senator, brought to our latest episode of "The Enlightened Executive." Join us as we explore Martha's journey, from overcoming early personal adversities to becoming the first woman to command a fighter squadron in combat, and her leadership insights....
Oct 02, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 88
How important is understanding and nurturing the human element in a world dominated by technology? I explored this concept on my podcast The Enlightened Executive with Bryan Kramer, renowned for his groundbreaking "H2H philosophy" on human-to-human connections. Bryan shared his inspiring perspective on the topics of human connection, leadership, and the future role of AI in the business world. We covered a lot of ground, from the importance of simplicity, empathy, and imperfection in business to...
Sep 03, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 87
An inspired and empowered team is a high-performing team. What are you doing as a leader to create that culture for your employees? I recently had the pleasure of speaking with a powerful enlightened executive, Tim Lupinacci, CEO of Baker Donelson, on The Enlightened Executive podcast. Tim shares his fascinating leadership journey, which was sparked by a difficult boss who saw his potential early on. That experience taught him the importance of being open to feedback and continually learning fro...
Aug 19, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 86
There is a “Proximity Revolution” sweeping through every industry. Have you considered what this means for your business? Simply put, we can move even closer to on-demand customer fulfillment in ways we could have only imagined before. This is *Proximity* and is a game changer for any forward-thinking leader. In the latest episode of The Enlightened Executive , I explored this idea with Rob Wolcott, an esteemed expert in innovation strategy and co-founder of Twin Global. Rob founded the seeds of...
Aug 06, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 85
In our fast-paced business world, where constant stimulation and pressure can lead to burnout, carving out moments of quiet might be the game-changer you need to thrive. I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Jesse Israel, a meditation leader and keynote speaker known for pioneering the mass meditation movement, the Big Quiet. Jesse Israel's Big Quiet is more than just a meditation event—it's a social movement designed to weave moments of collective quiet into our noisy lives. From sm...
Jul 15, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 84
Artificial Intelligence promises to revolutionize industries by enabling machines to mimic human cognition and perform tasks with unprecedented efficiency and accuracy. But what does that mean for you and how you collaborate with your team? I recently had a conversation with Dan Chuparkoff, an innovation expert who swears by the power of small, daily rituals with AI tools to unleash your team’s full potential. Dan is a visionary in Artificial Intelligence, with a particular focus on leveraging A...
Jun 25, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 83
Are you giving feedback that’s ultimately producing the results that you want from the team? Is your feedback changing behavior? I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Joan Hibdon, author of "The Leader's Guide to Mastering Feedback." Joan is a passionate and dynamic speaker known for her ability to inspire and empower audiences. With a global and diverse industry background, she brings a unique perspective to the stage, captivating listeners with her engaging storytelling and insightful w...
Jun 11, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 82
Rhythm and music are primal forces that can elevate awareness of both ourselves and others. But they can do more than just that… music and rhythm can be used to enhance collaboration and connectivity within teams. Doug Manuel, an inspiring documentarian, and rhythm enthusiast, shares his journey and the incredible ways he has used drumming to transform professional connections. In my recent conversation with Doug on The Enlightened Executive , we explored what we can learn from music and communa...
May 28, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 81
Imagine translating a horse’s sensitivity to human emotions into understanding, improving your leadership style. Fascinating, right? In today's volatile business environment, recognizing and harnessing the power of our emotions can revolutionize the way we lead. I had a transformative discussion with Lucinda Vette, a renowned equine coach, about equine-assisted coaching—a method that digs deep into understanding leadership energy and emotional intelligence through our connection with horses. But...
May 14, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Enlightened leadership is not reserved for ancient philosophers or yogis meditating in remote caves—it is crucial for today's leaders too. This week on The Enlightened Executive podcast, David Meltzer shares his personal journey from the brink of financial ruin to a life enriched with purpose, value, and service to others. As the former CEO of a renowned sports and entertainment agency, David is now on a mission that transcends beyond corporate confines: empowering over 1 billion people to find ...
Apr 30, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 79
Leading a multigenerational workforce is becoming increasingly complex. Each generation brings a unique set of skills, perspectives, and expectations to the table. Dr. Scott De Long, a serial entrepreneur with a doctorate in leadership, shares successful strategies to bridge the generational divide on this week’s episode of The Enlightened Executive. In today’s business world, effective leadership requires more than just issuing orders and expecting obedience. The command-and-control approach is...
Apr 15, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 78
Unlock your employees’ potential by harnessing their greatest asset: creativity! In a world where creativity is thought to be only for a chosen few, Josh Linkner emphasizes that everyone is inherently creative. They just need a way to unleash it in their everyday work to generate revenue-fueling innovation. Josh Linkner is far from your average entrepreneur. Alongside his successes as a bestselling author and the founder of five tech companies, which have created over 10,000 jobs and generated o...
Apr 01, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 77
The secret to groundbreaking innovation lies not in specialized teams, but in empowering every individual to think like an innovator. Carla Johnson is the world’s leading innovation Architect, and she is reshaping the way we think about creativity and problem-solving in the corporate world. She says, “You can't solve new world problems with old school thinking.” With a 20-year career dedicated to working with leaders and conducting extensive research, Carla is breaking down traditional barriers ...
Mar 19, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 76
