How do you lead with humanity in the face of uncertainty? You ask for what you need.

From door-to-door sales in Texas to leading national teams in the luxury skincare space, Alessia Todde’s leadership journey is one of grit, transformation, and heart. But behind her impressive résumé lies a deeper story—one of learning from management mistakes (like all of us!), navigating the chaos of working motherhood, and most recently, facing a breast cancer diagnosis with courage and clarity.

In this episode, Alessia opens up about the evolution of her leadership style—from micromanaging to compassionate guidance—and shares how the concept of “situational leadership” helps her meet each team member exactly where they are. She reflects on how illness reframed her priorities, what it means to truly advocate for yourself, and why asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

Tune in to hear Alessia’s candid insights on self-compassion, work-life balance, and what it really takes to lead with humanity in the face of uncertainty.

linkedin.com/in/alessia-todde-a7305718

99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:

www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans

From playing collegiate soccer on a scholarship to leading global teams at Google, Juan Vallejo’s journey is defined by grit, heart, and an unshakeable commitment to his values. But behind the polished résumé lies a story of resilience—from rebuilding his life after losing a job and visa sponsorship, to facing major knee surgery and recovery with optimism and discipline.

In this episode, Juan shares how his guiding values—passion, growth, and legacy—shape not just his leadership style but his entire life. He opens up about navigating setbacks, the importance of taking action to honor your purpose, and why cleansing the relationships around you can be just as vital as any business strategy.

Tune in to hear how Juan lives the philosophy of “no losses, only lessons,” the surprising decision that brought him to Google over glitzier roles, and why he’s more focused on becoming a better father, teammate, and leader than chasing titles.

linkedin.com/in/juan-c-vallejo-27a6b8137/

99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:

www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans

Life can change in an instant. One moment you're planning a future, and the next, you're navigating a whirlwind of life-altering events.

Raman Khanna, VP at IPG media brands, shares his powerful and deeply personal story of facing a cancer diagnosis while his wife was pregnant with their second child and his mother was passing away. From the shock of a life-threatening illness to the joy of new life and the pain of loss, Raman reveals how these experiences reshaped his perspective on leadership, career, and what truly matters.

Tune in to hear how Raman found strength in the face of adversity, the importance of a supportive work culture, and why prioritizing family and community is essential for leading a more meaningful life.

linkedin.com/in/raman-khanna-a4539214

99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:

www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans

People talk about work addiction like it's a badge of honor. Like grinding yourself into the ground somehow makes you worthy of success.

Leadership coach Nicky Brown shares her powerful journey from corporate success to self-discovery, revealing how she broke free from work addiction and redefined achievement on her own terms. From her early influences in human-centric leadership to the pivotal moment she realized her worth wasn’t tied to accolades, Nicky offers deep insights on balancing ambition with well-being. 

Tune in to learn how to lead with purpose, break unhealthy patterns, and create lasting impact—without burning out.

linkedin.com/in/nickybrown-coachtogrowth/

coachtogrowth.com/

99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:

www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans

Can you remember a moment in your career that changed everything?

Nancy Hall, CEO of Mindshare North America, shares her remarkable journey—from faxing her first job application to becoming one of the most respected leaders in digital marketing and advertising. She opens up about the challenges of being a female leader in a male-dominated industry, the power of lifelong learning, and the importance of fostering diverse teams that encourage debate and creativity.

Nancy also reflects on the lessons learned from her early entrepreneurial venture in fashion-tech, the struggles of balancing career and motherhood, and how she leads through times of uncertainty—like during an acquisition. With her signature candor and insight, she reminds us why leadership is about listening, adaptability, and resilience.

linkedin.com/in/nancy-hall-ba71251/

99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:

www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans

When you want something, sometimes it requires taking a leap. What are you leaping to next?

From small-town India to the executive boardroom, Nandeeta Seth shares her journey of resilience, risk-taking, and redefining success. She opens up about moving to the U.S. with nothing but ambition (and a mountain of student debt), the challenges of leadership in a fast-changing world, and how being a mom actually makes her a better executive. 

Tune in for candid insights on career growth, emotional regulation, and setting boundaries—both in business and in life.

linkedin.com/in/nandeetaseth/

99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:

www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans

Who are the toughest negotiators in your world?

From navigating high-stakes decisions at Google and Facebook to advocating for her neuroatypical child, Alexis Hochleutner shares candid lessons on trust, resilience, and why four-year-olds might just be the toughest negotiators of all. 

Tune in for a refreshingly real take on leadership, advocacy, and embracing the chaos. Alexis Hochleutner dives into the messy, human side of leadership—both in the boardroom and at home. 

linkedin.com/in/alexishochleutner/

99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:

www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans

Who's your closest partner? What makes that partnership work?

Dive into the dynamic partnership between Sandra Muoio and Ryan Blum, two advertising leaders whose decade-long collaboration has weathered high-stakes challenges, heated debates, and plenty of laughter. From a fateful conversation on a stuck Chicago L train to transforming major client strategies, their story is a masterclass in trust, empathy, and authentic leadership.

Hear how they navigate disagreements, build creative solutions, and inspire their teams—all while staying true to themselves and each other. This is a conversation about the human side of leadership, where mutual respect and a no-BS approach make all the difference.

Sandra:
linkedin.com/in/sandra-muoio

Ryan:
linkedin.com/in/nothingsaid/
ryanblum.com

99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:

www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans

You’re the CEO of your own narrative. So, what’s your next chapter?

Kay Munday, a communications coach, NLP practitioner, and creative business leader at Google shares her journey from being a self-proclaimed “terrible communicator” to becoming a sought-after expert in helping people and brands own their narratives. Through her personal story of transformation, she reveals how overcoming her fear of communication taught her the importance of aligning your internal story before mastering external expression.

Kay’s relatable anecdotes and actionable insights make this episode a masterclass in reinvention, vulnerability, and the art of storytelling.

linkedin.com/in/kay-munday-14a8b039
kaymunday.com

99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:

www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans

How do you do it all and ENJOY THE RIDE?!

Max Traylor, a fourth-generation entrepreneur and independent consultant, shares his journey of redefining success. From the pressures of running a marketing agency to discovering a business model that puts personal life first, Max reflects on the lessons he’s learned about work-life balance, mental health, and building a fulfilling life.

Max offers practical insights for consultants and entrepreneurs on simplifying work, focusing on impact, and, above all, enjoying the ride. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about prioritizing what truly matters.

linkedin.com/in/maxtraylor/
maxtraylor.com/

99 Humans is a multimedia platform centered on humanizing leadership. Hosts Jeff Lakusta and Nadia Carta interview a group of cross-industry leaders, seeking stories about the human side of leadership. Join us and share your story:

www.99Humans.com | linkedin.com/company/99-humans