In this episode of the Bet on People Podcast, Keegan Evans, executive coach and AI Consultant at Euda and Limited Partner at Beyond Earth Ventures, sits down with Van Lai-DuMone, Founder and CEO of worksmart Advantage, Creative Keynote Speaker and Author of What If Pigs Can Fly: A Practical Guide to Follow Your Curiosity. They explore how creativity and curiosity function as essential leadership capabilities, and how organizations can unlock innovation by creating environments where people feel safe to experiment, contribute ideas, and think differently.

Van shares her journey from a highly creative childhood in a Vietnamese refugee family to building a leadership development consultancy rooted in “creative integration.” Through stories spanning early corporate experiments that didn’t land, pivotal mentorship moments, and her work with Navy SEALs using Lego Serious Play, she illustrates how creativity becomes a practical tool for solving real business challenges. The conversation also explores how leaders can move beyond control-based management, why curiosity is critical in the age of AI, and how small shifts in behavior can meaningfully transform organizational culture.

Expect to Learn:

• Why creativity is a core leadership skill, not just an artistic trait
• How curiosity drives innovation and better decision-making in organizations
• What “creative integration” looks like in leadership development
• Why psychological safety determines whether ideas surface or disappear
• How leaders often fail by abandoning creativity during “messy” phases

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Teaser
[00:01:07] – Introduction: Creativity, leadership, and human-centered work
[00:03:21] – How culture and education suppress creativity
[00:05:29] – Reclaiming creativity in adulthood and its impact on work
[00:07:26] – Building Work Smart Advantage and creative integration approach
[00:11:10] – Founder misalignment and learning from customer needs
[00:15:30] – Lego Serious Play and military transition work
[00:23:15] – “Creative chaos” and why leaders abandon new approaches too early
[00:27:49] – Curiosity framework: pause, ask, act
[00:34:44] – What is Lego Serious Play and why it works
[00:37:47] – Leadership lesson: you don’t need all the answers
[00:40:01] – Worst advice: never discount your work
[00:43:07] – Audacious networking and closing thoughts 

If you'd like to dive deeper into today's conversation, check out What If Pigs Can Fly? Available now on Amazon.
Link: https://www.amazon.com/What-Pigs-Can-Fly-Possibilities/dp/1953183433 

🔗Connect with Guest Van Lai-DuMone:
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanlaidumone/
👉 Email: [email protected]  

🔗Connect with worksmart Advantage:
👉 Website:  http://www.worksmartadvantage.com/
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/worksmartadvantage/ 

🔗Connect with Host Keegan Evans:
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeganevans/

🔗 More from Euda:
👉 Website: https://www.euda.io/
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/euda-io/

🔗 Follow the Podcast on:
👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bet-on-people/id1882863281
👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HgXTMbgkDsmuqzUiDGcXc
👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Euda-io

In this episode of the Bet on People Podcast, Keegan Evans, executive coach and AI Consultant at Euda and Limited Partner at Beyond Earth Ventures, sits down with Al Dea, Keynote Speaker, Advisor and Founder & CEO of The Edge of Work. They explore the principles of human-centered leadership, emphasizing how investing in people drives both individual growth and organizational success. Al shares insights from his career spanning Deloitte, Salesforce, and founding The Edge of Work, discussing how leaders can navigate change, develop trust, and maximize potential in their teams.

Expect to Learn:

• How human-centered leadership principles apply in a changing, AI-influenced workplace.
• The role of feedback, curiosity, and empathy in developing high-performing teams.
• Strategies for spotting and nurturing talent even amid systemic and structural challenges.
• Lessons from early leadership experiences that shaped Al’s approach to trust and people development.
• How to balance competence, warmth, and relational trust as a leader.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Teaser
[00:01:22] – Introduction: Keegan welcomes Al Dea and highlights his background in consulting and leadership thought leadership.
[00:04:43] – Navigating Change: Al explains the concept of the “liminal space” and how leaders face uncertainty in transitional periods.
[00:08:16] – Foundational Leadership Lessons: Al shares an early career example of prioritizing comfort over giving constructive feedback and the lessons learned.
[00:15:56] – Coaching Through Feedback: The importance of two-way feedback conversations and curiosity to support growth in employees.
[00:18:46] – Recognizing Potential Amid Structural Challenges: How Al helped a high-performing team member find the right role to fully realize her potential.
[00:28:34] – Early Leadership Experience: Managing a caddy program at age 14–15, learning empathy, context, and understanding before acting.
[00:35:37] – Advice to His Younger Self: Focusing on the present moment and the long-term perspective on growth and leadership.
[00:43:27] – Lightning Round: Al reflects on his first job, leadership skills he wishes he learned earlier, leadership myths, and worst professional advice he ever received.
[00:48:21] – Personal Insights: Favorite media outside of work, showing how curiosity and balance in life inform leadership.
[00:50:00] – Closing & Resources: Where to find Al Dea and The Edge of Work Podcast, and connecting with UTA Executive Coaching.

🔗Connect with Guest Al Dea:
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/
👉 Email: [email protected]
👉 website: www.al-dea.com  

🔗Connect with The Edge of Work:
👉 Website: https://theedgeofwork.com/ 
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-edge-of-work-7051281049510686720

🔗Connect with Host Keegan Evans:
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeganevans/

🔗 More from Euda:
👉 Website: https://www.euda.io/
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/euda-io/

🔗 Follow the Podcast on:
👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bet-on-people/id1882863281
👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HgXTMbgkDsmuqzUiDGcXc
👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Euda-io

In this episode of the Bet on People Podcast, Keegan Evans, executive coach and AI Consultant at Euda and Limited Partner at Beyond Earth Ventures, sits down with Clara De Marco, Head of People & Talent at peoplepath.io. They explore the principles of human-centered leadership and the practical strategies leaders can use to prioritize people while achieving business outcomes. Clara shares her experience scaling organizations, leading HR transformations, and aligning talent strategy with organizational performance across the US and Latin America.

The conversation emphasizes that investing in people is not only the right thing to do, it’s essential for sustainable business success. From engagement surveys to warehouse expansions, Clara illustrates how leaders can balance business needs with the growth, well-being, and development of individuals.

Expect to Learn

• How prioritizing people in leadership decisions drives sustainable business performance.
• Lessons from engagement initiatives that transformed employee experience and business outcomes.
• The importance of ownership and accountability by leaders in shaping culture.
• Insights on navigating high-pressure situations, tough feedback, and organizational change.
• Stories of perseverance, problem-solving, and creating opportunities that impact both individuals and organizations.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

• [00:00:00] – Teaser
• [00:01:06] – Introduction & Welcome: Keegan introduces the podcast and guest Clara DeMarco.
• [00:02:33] – Philosophy of Building People to Build Companies: Clara shares her approach and the core of her leadership philosophy.
• [00:06:39] – Balancing People and Performance: Discussion of high-pressure environments, performance gaps, and development management.
• [00:16:56] – Prioritizing People in Engagement: Clara’s experience leading engagement initiatives at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
• [00:21:20] – Leadership Ownership and Culture: How leaders must take responsibility for culture, engagement, and outcomes.
• [00:29:23] – Case Study: Warehouse Expansion: Reframing financial and operational plans to focus on people and organizational impact.
• [00:34:02] – Impact of Small Actions: Stories of individual employee impact, empowerment, and building culture.
• [00:36:08] – Lightning Round: Personal Insights: Clara shares first job, lessons learned, leadership myths, and bad advice.
• [00:39:26] – Books, Practices, and Personal Development: Recommendations for reading, yoga practice, and continued learning.
• [00:40:11] – Closing & Resources: How to connect with Clara and People Path, and where to follow the podcast.

🔗Connect with Guest Clara De Marco:
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarademarco/
👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗Connect with peoplepath.io:
👉 Website: https://www.peoplepath.io/
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peoplepath/

🔗Connect with Host Keegan Evans:
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeganevans/

🔗 More from Euda:
👉 Website: https://www.euda.io/
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/euda-io/

🔗 Follow the Podcast on:
👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bet-on-people/id1882863281
👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HgXTMbgkDsmuqzUiDGcXc
👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Euda-io

In this episode of the Bet on People Podcast, Keegan Evans, executive coach and AI Consultant at Euda and Limited Partner at Beyond Earth Ventures, sits with Jason M. Blumer, Entrepreneur, CEO at Blumer & Associates, CPAs, PC  and Thriveal and co-author of the book Scale with Purpose. They discuss the principles of human-centered leadership and explore strategies that leaders can use to prioritize people, build trust, and scale culture within service-based businesses.

Jason M. Blumer shares his leadership philosophy, emphasizing intentionality, empathy, and servant leadership while making challenging business decisions. They also dive into effective hiring and team development, navigating the tension between freedom and structure, and aligning organizational goals with the growth, well-being, and development of individuals.

Expect to Learn:

• How early entrepreneurial missteps shaped Jason’s understanding of intentional leadership.
• Practical approaches to hiring and aligning people with mission and purpose.
• Strategies for balancing freedom, structure, and team expectations.
• Key principles for leading teams with empathy, clarity, and consistency.
• Lessons on scaling a business without sacrificing culture, integrity, or people.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00:00] – Teaser 
• [00:00:57] – Introduction & Welcome: Keegan introduces the podcast and guest Jason M. Blumer.
• [00:01:36] – Defining Intentional Leadership: Jason reflects on early missteps and the meaning of intentionality.
• [00:03:57] – Recognizing “Wrong” in Leadership: How decisions impacting people define right and wrong.
• [00:07:52] – Ownership vs. Leadership: Distinguishing owning a business from leading a team effectively.
• [00:20:35] – Holding Tension as a Leader: Balancing vision, resilience, and responsiveness while managing personal emotions.
• [00:30:37] – Do You Want What That Means?: Jason’s pivotal turning point on commitment to scaling and serving others.
• [00:42:47] – Empathy and Perspective in Leadership: How understanding team perspectives shapes promotion and leadership decisions.
• [00:46:03] – Key Leadership Lessons: Leadership is not about the founder; it’s about serving the team.
• [00:49:04] – Leadership Myths & Insights: Promoting people skills over technical skills; redefining “soft skills” as hard leadership skills.
• [00:53:49] – Closing & Resources: Jason shares where to connect, learn more about the book, and upcoming events.

🔗Learn from Jason M. Blumer’s Book: 

Scale With Purpose: https://read.amazon.com/sample/1774585634?clientId=share

🔗Connect with Guest Jason M. Blumer:
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonblumer/
👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗Connect with Blumer & Associates, CPAs, PC:
👉 Website: https://blumercpas.com/
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blumer-&-associates-cpas-pc/ 

🔗Connect with Thriveal:
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveal/

🔗Connect with Host Keegan Evans:
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeganevans/

🔗 More from Euda:
👉 Website: https://www.euda.io/
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/euda-io/

🔗 Follow the Podcast on:
👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bet-on-people/id1882863281
👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HgXTMbgkDsmuqzUiDGcXc
👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Euda-io

In this episode of the Bet on People Podcast, Keegan Evans, CEO, Executive Coach and AI Consultant at Euda and Limited Partner at Beyond Earth Ventures, hosts Sue Olson, a transformational leader and Fractional CHRO at Red Thread Consulting. They discuss the principles of human-centered leadership and the strategies leaders can use to build trust, scale culture, and drive organizational growth. Sue shares her leadership philosophy, emphasizing fairness, transparency, and empathy while making tough business decisions. They also explore how to navigate leadership transitions, prioritize people during challenging times, and create systems that align organizational goals with the well-being and development of individuals.

Expect to Learn

• How to implement human-centered leadership in high-stakes, fast-moving organizations.
• The importance of trust, transparency, and alignment between leadership vision and organizational culture.
• Practical strategies for conducting layoffs and organizational changes with empathy and respect.
• How to scale internal communication, processes, and cross-functional collaboration in growing companies.
• Lessons from real-world leadership experiences, including early career formative moments and executive consulting insights.

Episode Timestamps:

[00:00:00] – Teaser

[00:01:40] – Introduction to Sue Olson and early career experiences shaping human-centered     leaderships                          

[00:06:37] – Building trust and walking the talk as an HR leader

[00:15:33] – Prioritizing people over purely business outcomes

[00:19:06] – Aligning employer branding with company reality

[00:25:14] – Managing layoffs and reductions with empathy

[00:32:10] – Balancing emotional instinct with structured decision-making

[00:34:14] – Daily leadership check-in: treating people fairly and respectfully

[00:35:16] – Consulting and impact: restructuring and culture renovation

[00:39:29] – Leadership influence on collaboration and team alignment

[00:44:01] – Lightning-round: early jobs, leadership lessons, and myths

[00:46:05] – Media recommendations and mentorship insights

[00:48:34] – Closing thoughts and ways to connect with Sue 

🔗Connect with Guest Sue Olson:
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sueolson1/
👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗Connect with Red Thread Consulting:
👉 Website: https://www.redthreadhr.com/
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sueolson1/

🔗Connect with Host Keegan Evans:
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeganevans/

🔗 More from Euda:
👉 Website: https://www.euda.io/
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/euda-io/

🔗 Follow the Podcast on:
👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bet-on-people/id1882863281
👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HgXTMbgkDsmuqzUiDGcXc
👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Euda-io

In this episode of the Bet on People, Keegan Evans, CEO and Executive Coach at Euda, hosts Joseph (Joe) Bogdan, Human Resources Business Partner at JLL, a seasoned leadership educator, and an Air Force veteran. They discuss the importance of human-centered leadership and the continuous pursuit of self-mastery. Joseph shares his leadership philosophy, which focuses on developing world-class coaching trees and prioritizing the growth of individuals within organizations. They also explore how to align personal and professional goals, emphasizing that leadership is about coaching and serving others, rather than just mentoring.

Key Takeaways:

1. Leadership Is About Growth: Joseph highlights the importance of continuous self-improvement, both as a leader and as an individual. Leadership is not just about guiding others, but also about personal self-mastery.
2. Developing Leadership Trees: Joseph emphasizes the concept of building coaching trees, where the legacy of a leader is defined by how well they nurture and develop other leaders, rather than by their own individual accomplishments.
3. Balancing Work and Life: The conversation delves into the sacrifices made in leadership, reflecting on personal experiences in both the military and corporate settings. The importance of setting boundaries and balancing work with personal life for sustainable leadership is explored.
4. Value of Sacrifice: Leadership often requires personal sacrifices for the greater good, and while these sacrifices can be challenging, the long-term benefits usually outweigh the costs.
5. Leadership Isn’t Glamorous: True leadership involves taking on tough, unglamorous roles and making hard choices for the benefit of the team, rather than seeking accolades or recognition.

Episode Timestamps:

[00:00:00] – Introduction to Leadership Philosophy: Joseph discusses the critical role of leadership in any service industry and how it’s about continuously growing to pour into others.

[00:03:19] – World-Class Coaching Trees: Joseph explains his view on leadership as developing leaders who can coach others to success, focusing on creating long-term impact.

[00:05:16] – What Doesn’t Work in Leadership Development: Joseph talks about the mistakes leaders often make by trying to force their own methods onto others.

[00:08:13] – Self-Mastery and Leadership: How self-leadership, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness are foundational to effective leadership.

[00:10:35] – Learning from the Past: Reflecting on leadership and life choices and realizing the importance of prioritizing family and personal well-being.

[00:15:16] – The Cost of Leadership: Joseph reflects on his own sacrifices, including time away from family, during his career, and how they impacted his personal life.

[00:19:50] – Finding the Balance: The challenge of balancing personal sacrifice and leadership obligations while maintaining health and relationships.

[00:32:18] – Joseph’s Favorite Leadership Story: A reflection on how leadership is more about personal growth and less about achieving external markers of success.

[00:33:10] – The Power of Both-And Thinking: Joseph discusses how both accountability and compassion can coexist, challenging the idea of leadership being an either/or proposition

[00:46:35] – Final Thoughts: Joseph wraps up the conversation by emphasizing the continuous journey of leadership and the importance of leading from both the head and the heart.

🔗Connect with Guest Joseph (Joe) Bogdan:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jybogdan/

👉 To get a copy of Joe’s  book, or to get in touch directly, visit his official website: https://waypointbetter.com/ 

🔗Connect with JLL:

👉 Website: https://www.jll.com/en-us/

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jll/

🔗Connect with Host Keegan Evans:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeganevans/

🔗 More from Euda:

👉 Website: https://www.euda.io/

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/euda-io/

🔗 Follow the Podcast on:

👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bet-on-people/id1882863281

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HgXTMbgkDsmuqzUiDGcXc

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Euda-io

On this episode of Bet on People, Abby Queale joins host Keegan Evans.

Abby Queale is the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at MagCorp, a magnet technology development company she helped build from the ground up as its founding CEO. She's a registered patent attorney who previously served as Director of Innovation at San José State University, where she launched the Technology Transfer, Industry Research Alliances, the SpartUp Incubator, and the Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center. Before all of that, she began her career in tech transfer at Florida State University and somewhere along the way, she became a Disney Parks expert who will absolutely help you plan your trip.

In this episode Abby and Keegan trace a career built on one consistent belief: you sell the person, not the business. Abby's decisions have always come back to betting on the people in the room. 

She also shares the story of building SJSU's SpartUp Incubator from scratch, including the paper plane exercise that revealed what students actually needed — and why she still wouldn't let anyone throw them.

In this Episode:

1. Why "if you put people first, the numbers will come" 
2. How Abby pushed back on investors who wrote off faculty entrepreneurs, and the argument she used to change their minds
3. The value of becoming a mentor once you've got the knowledge to give
4. & so much more

Connect with Abby and Euda:

MagCorp website: https://magneticscorp.com/

Abby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbyqueale/

Follow Euda at https://www.linkedin.com/company/euda-io/

Learn more about Euda at euda.io

Subscribe to The Euda Debrief: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7435041512645718017

In this episode of Bet on People we're joined by Matt Abrams.

Matt has spent over 30 years operating across government agencies, startups, enterprises, healthcare, and venture capital — with a throughline focused on building trusted information environments. 

He is the Co-Founder of $1 Billion for Trust, a non-profit building the community, infrastructure, and capital to fund solutions that strengthen trust in information, in one another, and in critical institutions. 

His motto — printed on his hat — is "leave it better," and when he's not working to solve the information crisis, you'll find him in the mountains of Oregon or at the Ben & Jerry's franchise he and his wife own in Bend, Oregon.

This episode we discuss:

1. That leadership is all about being in service to your team
2. The value of spreading bad news quickly inside an organization
3. How important intellectual humility is in leadership
4. Why keeping your North Start at the head of your decisions will serve you and those around you
5. & so much more

Connect with Matt and Euda:

$1 Billion for Trust: https://1billionfortrust.org

Leave It Better Project: https://leaveitbetterproject.com/

Matt Abrams website: https://www.mattabrams.org

Matt Abrams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattabrams/

Follow Euda at https://www.linkedin.com/company/euda-io/

Learn more about Euda at euda.io

Subscribe to The Euda Debrief: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7435041512645718017

On this episode of Bet on People we sit down with Triparna Chakraborty. We recorded this episode before we locked in our format so this conversation takes a bit of a different path. 

Triparna Chakraborty is a People Business Partner at Credo with 12 years of experience across the full spectrum of HR — workforce planning, hiring, and employer branding — and an engineering background she never left behind. 

Before moving into HR, she worked across multiple countries, and that global, cross-functional lens now shapes how she approaches AI: she works with both individuals navigating career change and organizations building AI strategy, helping bridge what the technology can do with what people actually need to trust and use it. She's one of the more grounded voices on what it actually means to center people in how new technology gets adopted.

In this episode we'll talk about:

1. The micro ways that individuals can use AI to help prepare for interviews
2. The macro ways leaders and organizations need to be thinking about AI adoption 
3. The important nuances leaders need to understand to navigate conversations around AI uncertainty
4. & so much more!

Connect with Triparna and Euda:

Follow Triparna Chakraborty at https://www.linkedin.com/in/triparnachakraborty/

Follow Euda at https://www.linkedin.com/company/euda-io/

Learn more about Euda at euda.io

Subscribe to Keegan Evans on Substack at https://eudaceo.substack.com/ 

In this episode of Bet on People, we sit down with Doug Krugman. 

Doug is a retired Marine infantry officer who led units in Iraq and Afghanistan, served as a foreign area officer across Southeast Asia, and spent his final assignment planning operations for 45,000 Marines on the West Coast focused on deterring Chinese aggression in the Pacific. In January 2025, he chose to retire rather than execute orders he believed were morally wrong and potentially illegal — and in October 2025, he published an OpEd about that decision that received national attention and landed him media spots across the country. He now serves as Senior Advisor to the Vet Voice Foundation, applying the same standard to himself that he held his Marines to.

In our conversation we talk about:

• The myths about military leadership
• Why we hold leaders to higher standards than incoming recruits
• How doing your job well means making yourself obsolete
• & so much moreConnect with Doug and Euda:

Doug Krugman on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/doug-krugman/

Doug Krugman on Substackhttps://substack.com/@dougkrugman

Vet Voice Foundation: https://vvfnd.org/

Follow Euda at https://www.linkedin.com/company/euda-io/

Learn more about Euda at euda.io

Subscribe to The Euda Debrief: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7435041512645718017