Leaders Lead Even When It Hurts

In this episode, I sat down with Mills Vautrot . He is a change consultant who brings a unique mix of strategy, energy work, and straight-up truth to the table.

Mills shared how a major business struggle became the turning point that led him to his purpose — helping individuals and leaders shift their perspective and create real, lasting change. We talked about what really holds people back, why most strategies fall flat without the right internal alignment, and how energy plays a bigger role in business than most people realize.

If you’re an entrepreneur, here’s what you’ll take away:

1. How to reframe failure into fuel
2. Why alignment often beats hustle
3. How to lead your team (and yourself) with more clarity
4. What happens when you shift the story you're telling yourself
5. And why integrating the intangible might be your secret advantage

If you’re in a season of transition or just looking for a deeper way to grow, this conversation will meet you where you are — and move you forward.

Subscribe to the show and share this episode with a founder, leader, or friend who needs to hear it. This is one of those conversations that can really shift something.

This episode is a raw reflection on anxiety, visibility, and what we lose when we chase success without slowing down.

Recorded in the car on a rainy Sunday morning, Please forgive me, the quality is not that good.

I talk about the quiet anxiety I’ve carried since childhood.... the kind that shows up before Monday hits, when you’re grinding hard but still feel invisible.

I share stories I’ve never said out loud, about fear, burnout, and the moment I looked through the glass door of my office and realized… I missed my wife.

Takeaways:

1. Why anxiety often shows up when we’re finally alone with our thoughts .... especially on Sundays
2. How early fears of being seen shaped my silence (and how that silence cost me connection)
3. What high-achievers miss when they stay too focused on the goal
4. A reminder that you can be visible in the world and still disconnected at home and how to change that
5. Why being heard isn’t just about speaking louder, but learning to feel safe enough to be seen

If you’ve been feeling stretched, unseen, or like you're building something at the cost of your own peace , this one’s for you.

BONUS: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Ready to build something that makes you visible, without losing yourself in the process? Visit tonytaylorinspires.com or speakuniversity.org.

This one right here… is special.

I sat down with one of the biggest influences on my journey — Alan Weiss, the author of Million Dollar Consulting. This is the guy who literally wrote the book on how to build a business around your expertise. I read this book 4 times.

If you're a coach, consultant, speaker or just someone trying to turn what you know into impact , you need to hear this.

We talked about everything from the truth behind Napoleon Hill to why you don’t need an office, a big team, or even a website to become a go-to authority.

Alan drops game on what it really takes to become a Million Dollar Consultant.

We get into:

• Why overhead is the enemy of freedom
• How to raise your fees without flinching
• The real reason most experts stay invisible
• How to position your value without overexplaining
• What “scope seep” is — and how it’s costing you

This conversation was an honor for me. If you’ve ever felt like you’re great at what you do but still not getting the recognition or income you deserve, this one’s for you.

If it resonates, I’d be super grateful if you shared it with a friend or dropped a rating. That’s what helps the show grow.

And if you want to talk more about the episode or ask questions, join my private group here:

👉 https://nas.io/leaders-lead

Want more from Alan Weiss?

Visit alanweiss.com for his latest books, resources, and upcoming programs. You’ll find free tools, videos, newsletters, and more to help you grow as a consultant, speaker, or entrepreneur.

What do you do when your world falls apart—and you still have to lead?

In this raw and emotional episode, Dave Champagne opens up about the tragic loss of his daughter, the emotional and financial breakdown that followed, and how he found his way back to purpose, peace, and leadership.

We talk about:

• Grief, guilt, and healing
• The pressure to hold it together while falling apart
• Rebuilding his business with vulnerability
• The power of telling the truth as a leader
• And the sentence he now speaks over his daughter’s memory:
• “You can only ever make me proud.”

This is a conversation about life behind the scenes of leadership—and what it means to keep showing up with heart.

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss episodes like this.

📩 Ready to build your own platform? Email [email protected] to join the waitlist for The Experts Blueprint™.

How Bad Do You Really Want It?

A lot of people say they want success. They want the million-dollar business, the dream career, the freedom. But when you start asking questions—What’s your plan? What’s your work ethic? Are you putting in the time?—things start to fall apart.

I’ve been there.

I used to listen to Eric Thomas talking about how you have to want success as bad as you want to breathe. That hit me hard—because when I was struggling with depression, I wanted to get better more than anything. I set an intention. I committed to the process. Meditation saved me.

And now, I think about that same level of commitment when it comes to business, personal growth, and every goal I set.

So I’ll ask you: How bad do you really want it?

✅ Are you setting intentions—or just hoping it happens?

✅ Are you treating it like a hobby or something you can’t live without?

✅ Do you want it as bad as you want to breathe?

This is exactly what I talk about in my latest podcast episode. If you’ve ever struggled with motivation, consistency, or pushing past obstacles—this one is for you.

🎧 Listen now!

And if you’re serious about building your own platform—one that actually helps you grow and make an impact—I’m teaching experts, entrepreneurs, and coaches how to do just that.

Click here to join the waitlist:

https://pre-enrollment-for-podcast-course-33348.gr-site.com/

How bad do you really want it? Drop a comment below.

#LeadersLeadPodcast #Mindset #Success #Entrepreneurship #Motivation #Intentionality #Commitment #Leadership #PodcastGrowth

This episode is personal.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt everything—other people’s pain, frustration, and sadness. If someone around me was struggling, I carried that weight too. I thought it was just part of being a good person, a good leader. But at some point, I realized… too much empathy can actually hold you back.

Recently, my daughter asked me a simple question that forced me to reflect: What are you proud of? Her follow-up question made me take an even deeper look at myself, my leadership, and how I handle emotions.

In this episode, I open up about:

• How extreme empathy has affected my leadership, decision-making, and personal growth
• Why we struggle to accept compliments and recognize our own worth
• How I’ve been learning to set emotional boundaries while still leading with heart
• The challenges of entrepreneurship, mental health, and personal struggles I rarely talk about

I know I’m not alone in this. If you’ve ever felt emotionally drained, struggled with setting boundaries, or taken on too much from others, I hope this episode helps you see that you’re not alone—and that it’s okay to take care of yourself too.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.

If this episode resonates with you, I’d love for you to subscribe and leave a review. It truly means a lot and helps the podcast reach more people who need to hear this.

What happens when you build a fortune, lose everything, and have to start over?

Rafe Furst went from selling a startup for millions, to winning a World Series of Poker championship, to investing in one of the biggest online poker platforms ever—Full Tilt Poker. Then, in 2011, it all came crashing down when the U.S. government shut down Full Tilt, freezing company funds and leaving him in legal and financial turmoil.

In this episode, Rafe opens up about:

• The high-stakes world of poker, startups, and venture capital
• How he made his first million—and what he’d do differently today
• The Full Tilt Poker collapse and its life-changing consequences
• His mental and emotional breakdown—and the road to recovery
• His new mission: helping entrepreneurs and investors beat the system

This is a raw, eye-opening conversation about risk, failure, and reinvention. If you’ve ever hit rock bottom (or feared it), this one’s for you.

Listen now!

Check out more from Rafe Furst and get his new book here: https://www.rafefurst.com/

#LeadersLeadPodcast #RafeFurst #Entrepreneurship #Poker #Startups #Resilience #VentureCapital #Storytelling

In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, host Tony Taylor steps into a raw and honest discussion about the challenges facing our world today.

From the political climate in America to immigration struggles, racial injustice, and attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion—Tony shares his personal experiences and reflections on why these issues matter.

This episode is about people, not politics. It’s about understanding the real impact of policies and societal shifts on communities, workplaces, and everyday lives.

Whether you agree or disagree, this is a space for open dialogue, growth, and leadership that truly makes a difference.

1. What role does leadership play in times of division?
2. How do we advocate for inclusion in a world that seeks to erase it?
3. Why is speaking up essential for true progress?

Join the conversation—share your thoughts at [email protected].

🎧 Subscribe & listen now to be part of this important discussion.

In this raw and unscripted episode of Leaders Lead, it’s just me—no guests, no script, just real talk from the heart.

I open up about why I started Leaders Lead after leaving corporate America, the personal battles I faced, and how those challenges shaped the direction of this podcast. From dealing with unexpected life changes and depression to finding purpose through podcasting, I share the journey that’s been hidden behind the mic.

This episode isn’t just about entrepreneurship—it’s about resilience, growth, and leading through adversity.

You’ll hear:

• The untold story of how Leaders Lead was born
• Lessons I’ve learned from conversations with billionaires, CEOs, and industry giants
• A major shift in the podcast’s focus, diving deeper into mental health, personal growth, and leadership beyond business
• The power of community, mentorship, and storytelling in overcoming life’s toughest moments

If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or on the verge of giving up—this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear this.

#Leadership #Resilience #Podcast #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealth

In this powerful and timely episode, I sit down with Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge, to discuss the realities of immigration in America, the humanitarian crisis at our borders, and the critical work being done to support refugees and immigrants seeking safety.

Krish shares her personal journey as an immigrant from Sri Lanka, her influential role as policy director for First Lady Michelle Obama, and the mission behind Global Refuge—one of the largest organizations dedicated to supporting refugee and immigrant families.

In this episode, we cover:

The evolving landscape of U.S. immigration policy

The challenges faced by newly resettled refugee families

How organizations like Global Refuge provide critical support

Leadership lessons from the Obama administration

The human stories behind immigration and why it’s America’s hidden superpower

This eye-opening conversation goes beyond politics—it’s about resilience, leadership, and the power of community.

🎧 Listen now to gain insights, challenge perceptions, and learn how you can be part of the solution.

Links & Resources:

🌍 Global Refuge: globalrefuge.org

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