In episode 256 of IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Johaina El Boujaji,  HR and Employer Branding expert, international recruiter, and passionate advocate for DE&I.Originally from France and Morocco, Johaina built her career in the UK and now leads recruitment and inclusion initiatives across Europe at American Express Global Business Travel. She’s also a university lecturer and a voice for young professionals navigating international careers.

Tune in as we explore:

• The journey of building a career as an expat woman leader

• How to thrive authentically in multicultural, high-performance environments

• Keys to inclusive leadership and building diverse teams

• Advice for young professionals starting international careers

• What leaders should focus on today to create meaningful impact

  
  

Follow Johaina on LinkedIn Johaïna Elb (Assoc CIPD) | LinkedIn

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 255 of IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast I am speaking with Martine Cohen, transformative coach, speaker, and author of No More Layers: Discover Your Inner Power and Reclaim True Freedom from the Inside Out.

After a life-changing car accident, Martine found a new path blending intellect and intuition to help high achievers overcome fear, limiting beliefs, and old patterns, and live with authenticity and joy.

Tune in as we explore:

• What it means to peel back our “layers” and why it’s key to personal freedom

• How to recognize and shift mindset patterns shaped by fear

• The difference between decision and choice  and why it matters

• Tools to break the “Fear Loop” and redefine success on your terms

Learn more at martinecohen.com 

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 254 of IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, we sit down with Whitney Elkins-Hutten, personal finance expert, wealth strategist, and author helping people build and protect their wealth with confidence.Whitney shares practical advice drawn from years of experience in real estate, syndications, and financial education, guiding listeners at every stage of their wealth journey.

Tune in as we explore:

• Why “budgeting is dead” and what to do instead

• The main pillars of wealth creation

• Simple steps to move from saving to smart investing

• How the wealthiest structure their finances

• Actionable tips to overcome overwhelm and start investing today

  
  

Learn more at passiveinvesting.com

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 253 of IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast I am speaking with Gaëlle Deschamps, leadership expert, executive coach, TEDx speaker, and founder of G Force. Gaëlle brings over 20 years of corporate leadership at L’Oréal, SABMiller, and Coca-Cola, where she trained thousands of leaders globally. Now, she’s on a mission to empower the next generation of female leaders through her signature programs and youth initiatives.

Tune in as we explore:

• The essential skills young leaders need for the future

• The difference between coaching executives and Gen Z leaders

• How to engage young minds who learn faster and think differently

• What parents and educators should stop and start doing to raise confident leaders

  
  

Gaëlle’s work is reshaping leadership at every level - from boardrooms to classrooms. You can connect with her here: gforceco.co.uk

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In episode 252 of IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, we sit down with Piers Fallowfield-Cooper - executive coach, former CEO and Chairman, and author of Are You Still The Future?

Piers has led businesses across continents and industries, mentoring over 130 senior leaders, and challenging the conventional wisdom of what it means to lead in today’s world.

Tune in as we explore:

• How to turn challenges like dyslexia into leadership strengths

• What the future of leadership looks like in an AI-driven world

• How to build authentic executive presence

• Why success doesn’t always bring fulfillment and how to find meaning

  
  

Whether you’re a rising leader or an experienced exec, this episode is full of powerful insights on staying relevant and leading with impact.

Learn more at Piers Fallowfield-Cooper | CEO Mentor - Welcome

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

What does it take to lead, scale, and sustain a thriving business - and grow as a person while doing it? In the episode 251 of IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, we’re joined by Mark Musselman, a seasoned CEO turned executive coach who now guides top leaders through transformative breakthroughs at MX5 Consulting.

With over 30 years of leadership experience and a proven assess-align-accelerate methodology, Mark shares:

• His biggest leadership lessons from the CEO seat

• How self-awareness fuels real transformation

• Strategies for overcoming blind spots and getting unstuck

• What it takes to align people, systems, and purpose—especially during uncertainty

  
  

Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring leader, this episode offers actionable insights for leading with clarity, resilience, and impact.

🔗 Connect with Mark at mx5consulting.com

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq. 

In episode 250 of IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Surace - a Silicon Valley trailblazer, AI visionary, and dynamic speaker who holds 93 patents and has reshaped industries from construction to tech. From pioneering the first AI virtual assistant to leading energy retrofits on the Empire State Building, Kevin brings a rare blend of technical genius and creative flair.

Tune in as we explore:

• Where AI is already transforming our lives and work

• What industries are ripe for disruption

• How leaders can build an “innovation DNA” in any company

  
  

Whether you're a founder, leader, or curious mind, this episode is packed with insights on embracing change and leading into the future with vision and creativity.

Learn more at kevinsurace.com

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In the episode 249 of IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Everett O’Keefe, a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and international #1 bestselling author and the founder of Ignite Press. With more than 200 bestselling book launches behind him, Everett is a leading voice in hybrid publishing - helping entrepreneurs and professionals turn their ideas into influence through authorship.

We dive into why publishing a book is still one of the most powerful tools for business growth and thought leadership. Everett shares how the right book can enhance your credibility, open doors to speaking engagements, attract ideal clients, and become a long-term business asset. We also go behind the scenes of what it really takes to launch a successful book - and how hybrid publishing offers an author-friendly alternative to traditional routes.

From choosing a strategic topic to building community and visibility around your book, this conversation is packed with practical insights for any leader ready to write their next chapter - literally.

Highlights include:

• Why books still matter in the digital age

• How to pick a topic aligned with your brand

• The truth about hybrid publishing vs. self-publishing

• How authorship builds community and influence

• First steps for business leaders ready to become published authors

  
  

Learn more about Everett’s work at ignitepress.us and connect with him through The AuthorMind and Book Publishers Network.

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In the episode 248 of IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I sit down with Chuck Wisner, renowned leadership advisor, communication expert, and author of The Art of Conscious Conversations. With decades of experience coaching Fortune 200 leaders, teaching mediation at Harvard Law School, and studying organizational learning at MIT, Chuck brings a rare depth of insight into how we talk, listen, and lead.

We dive into his transformative framework for conscious communication - starting with awareness, ego, and the silent “private conversations” we all have that shape our relationships and decisions. Chuck shares the four essential questions that can shift even the most difficult conversations toward clarity and connection, whether in the boardroom or around the dinner table.

You’ll walk away with powerful tools to break free from autopilot thinking, handle disagreement with curiosity instead of defensiveness, and repair communication breakdowns with grace and purpose. This is a must-listen for leaders who want to lead with greater empathy, intention, and influence - in every interaction.

Topics Include:

• What drives unconscious communication - and how to shift it

• The surprising power of saying “no”

• How to reduce misunderstandings in high-stakes conversations

• Building habits that support emotional intelligence at work and home

  
  

  Learn more at chuckwisner.com

  
  Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this thought-provoking episode of IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Kelly Winegarden Hall, a powerhouse leadership consultant with over 30 years of experience leading global teams and transforming organizational cultures. As the founder of Live L.A.R.G.E. LLC, Kelly is on a mission to help leaders shift their companies from survival mode to true human thriving.

Kelly’s new book, Love Works, makes a radical and timely argument: love - not control, fear, or pressure - is the new competitive advantage. Together, we explore what “love” really means in the workplace, how it drives performance and profit, and how leaders can start showing up with courage, care, and authenticity - starting today.

From leading through chaos to building deeply loyal teams, Kelly shares actionable insights on navigating uncertainty, cultivating resilient cultures, and creating organizations rooted in trust, purpose, and inclusion. If you’ve ever wondered whether empathy and performance can truly go hand in hand - this episode will expand your mindset.

💡 Key Themes:

• What love-driven leadership looks like in real business settings

• How to lead through crisis with authenticity and clarity

• The link between connection, culture, and long-term success

• Inclusion, self-management, and the future of DEI in organizations

  
  

Learn more about Kelly’s work at Home - Kelly Winegarden Hall

Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.