imperfect: The Heart-Centered Leadership Podcast

Want to become more heart-centered? There’s a new playbook in town! Deb has released her first book The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook: How to Master the Art of Heart in Life & Leadership. Available in ebook 📱 , paperback📚, and audiobook🎧.

Get now your official copy at www.amazon.com and www.audible.com💜

In this episode, we’ll have the pleasure of meeting Jamie Graceffa, a seasoned HR professional who advocates bringing kindness into workplace culture. Jamie shares his inspiring journey from a learning and development career to leading initiatives emphasizing inclusion, culture, and the business case for kindness. Through his “kindness factor,” Jamie highlights how treating colleagues with dignity and respect can transform workplace dynamics, improve collaboration, and boost employee engagement.

Jamie’s approach stands out with his down-to-earth honesty about leadership. He opens up about learning to listen more deeply and navigating tough conversations with empathy. Jamie reminds us that kindness isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about showing up authentically and treating people with respect, even in difficult moments. This episode is packed with real-world wisdom for anyone striving to create workplaces where people feel valued, heard, and inspired.

Connect with Jamie at:

* https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-graceffa/

* https://getkindcards.com/

* https://www.instagram.com/getkindcards/

* https://www.facebook.com/careercontrol/

* https://x.com/jamiegraceffa

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit debcrowe.substack.com

Want to become more heart-centered? There’s a new playbook in town! Deb has released her first book The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook: How to Master the Art of Heart in Life & Leadership. Available in ebook 📱 , paperback📚, and audiobook🎧.

Get now your official copy at www.amazon.com and www.audible.com💜

In our latest episode, we’re joined by Mark Briesacher, co-founder of Lore Health, to discuss how their new online platform is making a meaningful difference in mental health and workplace culture. Dr. Briesacher, drawing from his years as a healthcare leader, shares insights on how mental health impacts daily life and work, especially in a post-COVID world. His platform’s ability to offer support for employees across diverse backgrounds, providing them with a safe space to enhance self-awareness, resilience, and connection.

Beyond the platform, Dr. Briesacher opens up about his own leadership journey, where heart-centered leadership and generosity play central roles. He highlights the importance of empowering his team, nurturing supportive networks, and encouraging small daily actions for mental well-being. Suppose you're looking to foster a culture of trust, compassion, and actionable wellness in your workplace. In that case, this conversation is full of powerful insights and strategies for creating a supportive and engaged workforce.

Connect with Mark at:

* https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-briesacher-388811108/

* https://www.lore.co/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit debcrowe.substack.com

Want to become more heart-centered? There’s a new playbook in town! Deb has released her first book The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook: How to Master the Art of Heart in Life & Leadership. Available in ebook 📱 , paperback📚, and audiobook🎧.

Get now your official copy at www.amazon.com and www.audible.com💜

In this episode, we’re excited to introduce Alysia Christiaen, a lawyer and advocate whose passion project, Child-Free Women in the Workplace, is reshaping the conversation around inclusivity. Alysia’s mission is simple yet profound: to challenge the stereotype that a woman’s life is incomplete without children. Through her initiative, she advocates for workplaces that respect diverse life choices, ensuring that child-free professionals are not overlooked or expected to carry additional burdens simply because they do not have children. Her journey began with a viral LinkedIn post, and since then, she’s been on a path to create awareness and change.

Alysia’s approach to leadership is deeply rooted in authenticity, patience, and honesty. This conversation is a powerful reminder that effective leadership isn’t about conforming to societal expectations but embracing who we are and respecting each individual’s choices. If you’re interested in fostering an inclusive environment or simply want to lead with a little more heart, this episode offers a refreshing look at leadership, self-respect, and standing up for one’s beliefs.

Connect with Alysia at:

* https://www.lerners.ca/alysia-christiaen/

* https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysiachristiaen/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit debcrowe.substack.com

Want to become more heart-centered? There’s a new playbook in town! Deb has released her first book The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook: How to Master the Art of Heart in Life & Leadership. Available in ebook 📱 , paperback📚, and audiobook🎧.

Get now your official copy at www.amazon.com and www.audible.com💜

We're excited to bring you a fresh, new conversation featuring the inspiring Dr. Diana Londoño. As a urologist and advocate for physician wellness, Diana shares the critical lessons she’s learned from her personal experience with burnout. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing self-care—not as a luxury, but as a necessity. In our discussion, we explore how giving yourself permission to rest can transform your well-being and your ability to lead with compassion and authenticity.

Dr. Londoño’s story is a reminder that leadership, especially in high-stakes environments like medicine, requires balancing the intellectual with the emotional. She passionately discusses the need for leaders to reconnect with their humanity, embrace imperfections, and foster a culture of love and understanding. If you’re looking for inspiration to lead with heart, embrace your vulnerabilities, and cultivate resilience, this episode is packed with powerful insights and heartfelt wisdom.

Connect with Diana at:

* https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianalondonomd/

* https://www.instagram.com/dianalondonomd/

* https://physiciancoachsupport.com/

* https://dianalondonomd.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit debcrowe.substack.com

Want to become more heart-centered? There’s a new playbook in town! Deb has released her first book The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook: How to Master the Art of Heart in Life & Leadership. Available in ebook 📱 , paperback📚, and audiobook🎧.

Get now your official copy at www.amazon.com and www.audible.com💜

Recently, leaders from all sectors gathered for The Heart-Centered Leadership Symposium, hosted by Deb Crowe and Dr. Kristen Woods, to explore the foundational role of trust in leadership. In this episode we’ll hear a powerful personal story, showcasing the importance of transparency, active listening, and consistency as the cornerstones of building trust within teams and organizations.

A key theme of the Symposium is that heart-centered leadership goes beyond achieving goals—it’s about putting people first. From fostering collaboration through open communication to leading with emotional intelligence, the event underscored how trust strengthens teams and enhances organizational well-being. If you’re a leader aiming to cultivate trust and inspire your team, this episode provides timeless lessons on elevating your leadership with authenticity and connection.

Connect with Deb at:

* https://debcrowe.com

* https://backnbalance.ca

* https://masteringtheheart.com

* https://twitter.com/Over40Wisdom

* https://www.linkedin.com/in/debcrowe

* https://www.youtube.com/@imperfecttheheart-centered5191

* https://www.facebook.com/executivecoachdeb

* https://www.instagram.com/heartcenteredleader

* https://www.tiktok.com/@heartcenteredleader

* The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook on Amazon

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit debcrowe.substack.com

Want to become more heart-centered? There’s a new playbook in town! Deb has released her first book The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook: How to Master the Art of Heart in Life & Leadership. Available in ebook 📱 , paperback📚, and audiobook🎧.

Get now your official copy at www.amazon.com and www.audible.com💜

In this Flashback Fridays episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Soundari Mukherjea, an expert in marketing, finance, and leadership. With over two decades of experience across various industries, Soundari shares her unique insights on the power of storytelling in leadership. Through her global career in Hong Kong, she explains how using stories helps teams connect, inspire, and influence—bringing an essential human element to the business world.

What makes this conversation stand out is Soundari’s embrace of imperfection. Using pottery as a metaphor, she shows how flaws and imperfections are what make our work uniquely ours. For leaders looking to build authentic connections and foster a deeper sense of community, this episode is packed with wisdom on leading with heart and embracing your own path, imperfections, and all.

Connect with Soundari at:

* https://www.linkedin.com/in/soundari-mukherjea/

* https://www.facebook.com/soundari.mukherjea/

* https://www.facebook.com/Potteringaround

* https://medium.com/@Soundbytes11/pottering-around-901e182d16ae

* https://twitter.com/Soundbyte11

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit debcrowe.substack.com

Want to become more heart-centered? There’s a new playbook in town! Deb has released her first book The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook: How to Master the Art of Heart in Life & Leadership. Available in ebook 📱 , paperback📚, and audiobook🎧.

Get now your official copy at www.amazon.com and www.audible.com💜

This flashback Friday episode is special, we shine a light on the remarkable story of Dr. Chris Stout, psychologist, global humanitarian, and founder of the Center for Global Initiatives. From his early leadership roles to spearheading life-changing humanitarian projects worldwide, Dr. Stout’s journey is a masterclass in servant leadership. He shares how his approach has always centered around helping others and creating impactful projects from the ground up, all while navigating the complexities of global service work.

What sets Dr. Stout apart is his open and honest approach to imperfection. Whether it’s launching a nonprofit without prior experience or diving into global humanitarian work with little preparation, Dr. Stout’s leadership philosophy embraces the power of learning through experience and "failing forward." For anyone driven by purpose and service, this episode is a profound reminder that great leadership is about empathy, persistence, and being present—rather than being perfect.

Connect with Chris at:

* https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchrisstout/

* http://www.drchrisstout.com/

* http://www.centerforglobalinitiatives.org/

* https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisStout/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit debcrowe.substack.com

Want to become more heart-centered? There’s a new playbook in town! Deb has released her first book The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook: How to Master the Art of Heart in Life & Leadership. Available in ebook 📱 , paperback📚, and audiobook🎧.

Get now your official copy at www.amazon.com and www.audible.com💜

In this special Flashback Friday episode, we’re revisiting a great conversation with Dr. Paul Woods, the President and CEO of London Health Sciences Centre. With a background in both medicine and leadership, Dr. Woods has navigated the often turbulent waters of healthcare with a blend of empathy and resilience. He opens up about his transition from being a doctor to leading one of Canada’s largest hospitals, sharing the lessons he’s learned about connecting with people, making tough decisions, and maintaining heart-centered leadership in high-pressure environments.

But this episode isn’t just about leadership—it’s about embracing imperfections! Join us as we hear Dr. Woods reflect on his own impatience and the personal growth that comes with understanding diverse perspectives. He reminds us that great leadership in healthcare isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being present, listening deeply, and caring genuinely. Whether you’re in healthcare or simply looking to lead with more compassion, this episode can offer a reflective and engaging look at the real-life challenges of leading with heart.

Connect with Paul at:

* https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-woods-md-ms-150b6413/

* https://southlake.ca/news/introducing-southlakes-next-president-and-ceo/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit debcrowe.substack.com

Want to become more heart-centered? There’s a new playbook in town! Deb has released her first book The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook: How to Master the Art of Heart in Life & Leadership. Available in ebook 📱 , paperback📚, and audiobook🎧.

Get now your official copy at www.amazon.com and www.audible.com💜

Welcome to this Flashback Friday episode, today we dive into a fascinating conversation with Michael Netzley, founder of Extend My Runway. Michael blends his deep passion for neuroscience with cutting-edge artificial intelligence to address a critical issue: how do we redefine aging and extend the cognitive runway for workers over 50? Michael shares how his journey led him to create a platform that commercializes groundbreaking neuroscience to help individuals thrive beyond midlife, proving that our best years are often ahead of us.

As Michael explains, the idea that cognitive decline is inevitable after a certain age is a myth. In fact, research shows that skills like strategic focus, emotional intelligence, and innovative thinking often peak well into our 50s and 60s. But don’t take our word for it, join us and enjoy an episode made for leaders and professionals interested in the future of work, aging, and how to leverage the untapped potential of an experienced workforce.

Connect with Michael at:

* https://www.extendmyrunway.com/

* https://twitter.com/communicateasia

* https://www.instagram.com/profnetzley/

* https://www.facebook.com/DrMichaelNetzley/

* https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelnetzley/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit debcrowe.substack.com

Want to become more heart-centered? There’s a new playbook in town! Deb has released her first book The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook: How to Master the Art of Heart in Life & Leadership. Available in ebook 📱 , paperback📚, and audiobook🎧.

Get now your official copy at www.amazon.com and www.audible.com💜

In this special Flashback Fridays episode, we bring you back to an energetic and inspiring conversation with Jake Karls, co-founder of Mid-Day Squares. From the start, Jake and his partners set out to create more than just a functional chocolate bar—they wanted to build a community. Jake shares how "Crew Love" became the core of their brand, bringing transparency, authenticity, and a human touch to everything they do. From their raw and real social media presence to their unique customer experience, Mid-Day Squares is a testament to what happens when you lead with love.

Jake also opens up about his personal imperfections and how embracing them has made him a better leader. He says that true leadership means playing to your strengths and allowing your vulnerabilities to shine, so if you're interested in building a business that prioritizes relationships, authenticity, and heart-centered leadership, this episode is a must-listen!

Connect with Jake at:

* https://www.middaysquares.com

* https://www.facebook.com/MidDaySquares/

* https://www.instagram.com/middaysquares/

* https://www.instagram.com/jakekarls

* https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-karls-653106ba/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit debcrowe.substack.com