Best Meritage Leadership Podcasts (2026)

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Is Your Team Performing the Culture You Want? 34:58

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7d ago34:58

34:58

You may not think of yourself as a performer, but as a leader, your presence is always on stage. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm interviews culture and storytelling expert Mike Ganino on the hidden performance behind every company culture. From improv stages to executive boardrooms, Mike reveals how unspoken patterns and l…

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Unlocking Creativity: The Leadership Advantage You're Overlooking with Natalie Nixon 33:42

21d ago33:42

33:42

Most leaders double down on strategy when pressure hits, but what if the real competitive edge lies in creativity? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I speak with Natalie Nixon, creativity strategist and author of Move, Think, Rest, about why creativity, not control, is the next frontier in leadership. Natalie shares her human-centered f…

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When Smart Leaders Miss What's Right in Front of Them: A Conversation with Jacquette Timmons 30:14

2M ago30:14

30:14

You can be brilliant with numbers and still miss the pattern that's holding you back. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, financial behaviorist Jacquette Timmons shares the pivotal moment when her longtime CPA asked, "When are you going to stop mortgaging your life?" That one question revealed a blind spot that changed how she approached …

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The Midlife Remix: Petra Kolber on Resilience, Reinvention & Leading with Joy 34:00

2M ago34:00

34:00

What if your biggest life challenges became the catalyst for your boldest leadership chapter yet? Petra Kolber is no stranger to adversity. She's survived cancer twice, pivoted from global fitness icon to mindset coach, and now serves as VP of Mindset for the Daisie Foundation. In this powerful conversation, Petra joins host Susan Drumm to share ho…

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Courageous Authenticity: How to Lead with Wisdom, Not Just Boldness 34:52

3M ago34:52

34:52

What does it really mean to lead with authenticity—and how do you know when it's courageous vs. careless? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, host Susan Drumm sits down with Cindy Adams, executive coach and co-founder of The Enneagram in Business Network, to explore one of the most misunderstood leadership traits: authenticity. Together, …

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How to Lead Through Chaos with Crisis Expert Juliette Kayyem 32:49

3M ago32:49

32:49

What do you do when everything goes sideways? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I sit down with Juliette Kayyem, Harvard professor, former Assistant Secretary at Homeland Security under President Obama, and CNN Senior National Security Analyst. Juliette shares how today's leaders can build resilience before the crisis hits, and what it …

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The CEO Bottleneck: How to Build a Business That Runs Without You 30:19

4M ago30:19

30:19

What if your greatest strength as a CEO is also your biggest limitation? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Allison Maslan, aserial entrepreneur, author, and CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, to explore a critical challenge most high-performing leaders face: 👉 Becoming the bottleneck in their own business. Alliso…

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The Leadership Power of Forgiveness with Candice Mama 34:18

4M ago34:18

34:18

What would you do if you came face to face with the person who murdered your father? Candice Mama chose forgiveness and in doing so transformed her life and her leadership. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive Candice shares her journey from deep resentment to peace and the lessons leaders can use to navigate betrayal conflict and personal …

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Why Smart Leaders Make Bad Calls—and How to Avoid Them 33:55

6M ago33:55

33:55

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—a…

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Discomfort Is the Shortcut to Breakthrough Leadership 31:03

6M ago31:03

31:03

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 …

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Unlock Higher Performance With This Leadership Shift 32:55

7M ago32:55

32:55

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 strateg…

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How Personal Growth Drives Team Success 36:03

7M ago36:03

36:03

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, …

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The Secret to High Performance? Slowing Down. 30:33

8M ago30:33

30:33

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 h…

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The Power of Authentic Leadership 32:03

8M ago32:03

32:03

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. Ja…

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How Curiosity Drives Leadership Success with Brandon Fong 33:46

9M ago33:46

33:46

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 rec…

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Building World-Class Teams with Jay Rosenzweig 28:51

9M ago28:51

28:51

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 …

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The Neuroscience Behind Making Changes with Natalie McVeigh 30:19

10M ago30:19

30:19

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. Na…

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From Ego to Empathy with Justin Breen 31:41

10M ago31:41

31:41

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 th…

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The Power of Conscious Capitalism 30:50

11M ago30:50

30:50

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…

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Building a Culture of Belonging with Shasta Nelson 32:09

11M ago32:09

32:09

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 …

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Strategies for Combating Burnout with Jay Abbasi 29:53

12M ago29:53

29:53

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…

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Delivering Truth with Compassion with Matt Hudson 31:55

1y ago31:55

31:55

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…

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Fostering Deep Connections with Jennifer Hill 30:57

1y ago30:57

30:57

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 co…

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Unmuting Yourself: Rachel Druckenmiller's Challenge to Speak Up 32:57

1y ago32:57

32:57

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…

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Lessons in Resilience & Joy with Moshe Gersht 31:28

1y ago31:28

31:28

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 impor…

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Leading with Courage: Insights from Col. Martha McSally 31:15

1+ y ago31:15

31:15

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…

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Human Empathy in the Age of Automation with Bryan Kramer 28:27

1+ y ago28:27

28:27

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, an…

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Leading with Purpose Featuring Tim Lupinacci 29:41

1+ y ago29:41

29:41

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 sparke…

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Proximity: How Technology Brings Value right to your Door 30:07

1+ y ago30:07

30:07

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 Enlightene…

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Finding Peace in the Midst of Chaos with Jesse Israel 29:55

1+ y ago29:55

29:55

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 Isra…

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AI Blueprint for Improving Team Collaboration with Dan Chuparkoff 28:26

1+ y ago28:26

28:26

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, dai…

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Mastering Feedback with Joan Hibdon 25:36

1+ y ago25:36

25:36

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 globa…

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Rhythm and Music as a Tool for Effective Collaboration with Doug Manuel 25:11

1+ y ago25:11

25:11

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 trans…

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The Magic of Equine Coaching with Lucinda Vette 28:04

1+ y ago28:04

28:04

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 eq…

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The Path to Enlightened Leadership with David Meltzer 21:08

1+ y ago21:08

21:08

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 re…

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Managing a Multigenerational Workforce with Scott De Long 26:06

1+ y ago26:06

26:06

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 Executiv…

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The Connection Between Creativity, Leadership & Jazz with Josh Linkner 27:14

2y ago27:14

27:14

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 ent…

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Unleash the Power of Innovation with Carla Johnson 29:00

2y ago29:00

29:00

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 sch…

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Work-Life Harmony with Bo & Luke 30:44

2y ago30:44

30:44

Is the concept of "Work-Life Balance" outdated? Forget the balancing act; it's time for something more realistic. Bo Hale and Luke Carignan challenge the traditional notion of work-life balance. They argue "Work-life balance is a myth; it's harmony we should be after." As co-hosts of the globally acclaimed podcast "The Bo & Luke Show," they suggest…

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Embracing the Weird: Frankie Russo on Authentic Leadership 28:41

2y ago28:41

28:41

In our fast paced business world, where the only constant is change, letting your weird flag fly could be your ticket to staying ahead of the curve. I had the pleasure of discussing leadership innovation with Frankie Russo, a serial tech entrepreneur known for his groundbreaking approach to fostering innovation within teams and companies. Frankie R…

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Unconventional Leadership Strategies (feat. Shawn Dill) 32:58

2y ago32:58

32:58

The best business advice you'll receive is likely unorthodox. Do you ever feel like you hear the same ole' business advice over-and-over, perhaps just packaged in a slightly different way? Do you ever wonder if anyone is truly saying something new about how to approach enterprise growth? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Dr. Dill unveil…

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AI for Personal and Professional Development (feat. Mike Koenigs) 41:56

2y ago41:56

41:56

By now, you can't get help being bombarded with news of how AI is going to change everything. But what does that really mean for YOU? The power of AI in augmenting human capabilities and optimizing operations has launched businesses into a new era of efficiency and competitiveness. Joining me on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Mike Koenigs, sp…

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Empathy: The Essence of Digital Leadership (feat. Erik Qualman) 14:02

2y ago14:02

14:02

Digital innovation is most impactful when paired with a very human skill: empathy. Digital leadership involves integrating human-centered principles with a commitment to technological progress. The most successful leaders actively search out new tools that allow their business to empathetically connect with teams, customers, clients, and partners. …

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How Playing Small Actually Fuels Team Performance (feat. Liz Wiseman) 30:35

2y ago30:35

30:35

Leaders have the power to either expand or inadvertently inhibit the growth of those around them. Essentially, consider that you are either acting as a multiplier or diminisher of team performance. Multipliers operate under the belief that their team is intelligent and capable, fostering an environment where others can thrive. In contrast, diminish…

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Unlock Your Potential Through Healing Your Past (feat. Doug Dane) 31:04

2y ago31:04

31:04

Adverse experiences and childhood wounds filter into our careers and leadership, influencing our potential. Traumatic experiences may impose limitations on our personal and professional life. These limitations are often challenging to identify, and even more difficult to overcome. Intentionally dealing with the experiences of our past enables us to…

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Bridging the Generational Divide at Work (feat. Chris Tuff) 28:48

2y ago28:48

28:48

Generational differences impact workplace connection. Nothing exposes this truth like the generational divide we see between Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Zers in the workplace. Gen Zers roll their eyes in frustration with their older colleagues and Millennials and Gen Xers disappointedly shake their heads at the emerging workforce. Challenging as…

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3 Ways Music can Increase Team and Personal Effectiveness (feat. Jonathan Elias) 27:56

2y ago27:56

27:56

Music has the power to enhance our team and personal effectiveness. Wondering how? Certain songs have the ability to trigger powerful emotions and memories within us. By harnessing this power, we can intentionally use music to subconsciously boost our moods, productivity and motivation. Joining me on The Enlightened Executive podcast is Jonathan El…

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How Social Good is Good for Business (feat. Spring Washam) 29:24

2+ y ago29:24

29:24

If you're a leader who is only focused on profitability and productivity, consider that you might be doing just the bare minimum. The enlightened, modern leader is intentional about using their position to contribute to a more equitable organization. Joining me today on The Enlightened Executive podcast, Spring Walsham is a well-known meditation te…

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The Importance of Prioritizing Yourself (feat. Tommy Breedlove) 26:14

2+ y ago26:14

26:14

High achievers are primed to buy into common misconceptions around happiness and fulfillment. Traditional external markers of success – money, status, fame – cause leaders to focus on "more" and "when," which actively robs them of actual fulfillment and happiness. True fulfillment is a deep sense of contentment and well-being that comes from living…

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3 Leadership Investment Strategies to Secure Your Future (feat. Mark B. Murphy) 33:27

2+ y ago33:27

33:27

Do you have a leadership investment strategy? Are you investing in your people and yourself with the same level of care that you put into your financial investments? Successful leaders have more than a financial plan. They invest in themselves and their business with the same intentionality and consistency as they devote to their building a retirem…