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In this global episode of LeaderSips, I'm joined by Cynthia Lai, remotely from Hong Kong. Cynthia is a governance leader, board advisor, and executive coach with 20+ years of experience leading transformation across Asia Pacific. Formerly an Executive Director at OCBC Bank, she led multi-market teams through complex change —proving that trust, ethics, and transformation can coexist.

Today, as a Board Advisor, Executive Coach, and Co-Founder of MetaOptix, a deep-tech venture with 15 patents, Cynthia helps leaders build credibility, presence, and connection in a world increasingly shaped by AI.

Her personal leadership journey—from a perfectionist manager who lost team members to a leader who intentionally develops others—captures the evolution from control to empowerment. Together, we explore the Human Advantage in the Age of AI and why empathy, ethics, and clarity of presence will define the leaders who truly stand out in an era of automation.

So pour yourself a cup and join us for a cross-continental conversation that’s equal parts grounded wisdom and future-forward insight—because even in an AI-driven world, the best leadership still starts with how we show up for people ☕️

Connect with Cynthia Lai on LinkedIn 

For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

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In this episode of LeaderSips, I sit down with longtime friend and former Disney colleague Matt Ebeling, a servant-hearted leader whose journey spans Disney stages to university leadership. Matt shares lessons from a career that includes serving as a Disney Ambassador and now as Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Affairs at Pepperdine University. With humility, heart, and humor, Matt offers thoughtful insights on leading with purpose, building community, and staying grounded while guiding teams and people you care deeply about.

Pour yourself a cup and join us for a conversation rooted in relationships, legacy, and leadership that lasts.

For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

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Eric Rogell isn’t just interesting—he might actually be the most interesting man in the world. Move over, Dos Equis man.

He’s a two-time bestselling author, award-winning documentary filmmaker, journalist, and in-demand global speaker featured in Forbes, NPR, Discovery.com, Miami Herald, New York Daily News, and many more leading media outlets.

After more than 20 years mentoring ambitious executives and interviewing hundreds of world-class leaders—from celebrities and athletes to entrepreneurs and military veterans—Eric has gathered rare insights into what truly shapes great leadership. His work has inspired thousands to accelerate their careers, uncover their purpose, and find mentors who change the trajectory of their lives.

And just some of his incredible adventures:

• Two days on Easter Island hiking Maunga Terevaka volcano and walking among the Moai
• Kayaking the waters of Bora Bora, Moorea, and Fakarava, collecting black pearls
• Stock car racing certified, driving legendary tracks across the U.S.
• Learning to pour the perfect pint at St. James Gate in Dublin from Rory Guinness himself

And yes… doing shots 150-feet above the crowd at Wacken Open Air heavy metal festival in Germany (you have to hear that one)

In this episode, Eric brings the wisdom and inspiration for leaders to step into a life of passion, purpose, and unapologetic authenticity.

If you’re ready to trade hesitation for conviction, lamb-mindset for lion-courage, and start the new year with transformational leadership —this sip is for you.

⸻

Connect with Eric: 

https://ericrogell.com/

http://linkedin.com/in/ericrogell

Buy his latest book

https://www.amazon.com/Lions-Raised-Lambs-Passionate-Successful-ebook/dp/B0CJDPQC8J

Take the Lionheart challenge 

https://thelionheartchallenge.com/

For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

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That’s a wrap, Sippers!

31 days. 31 coffees. 31 leadership lessons poured out one cup at a time.

Thank you for tuning in, sharing, saving, and sipping along with me all month.
Growth like this isn’t instant — it’s intentional, consistent, and caffeinated.

Because the best leaders never stop improving…
they just keep hitting brew again ↓

✨ LeaderSips Podcast — your coffee break for smarter leadership, bolder influence, and tips while you sip a cup of coffee.

👉 Join me all year long at @leadersips podcast ☕

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.”
— Brad Paisley

For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

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Day 30 of 31 days of Leadersips where we continue to prepare our hearts for a new year ahead with unlimited possibilities ☕️

“New Year’s Day is every man’s birthday” - Charles Lamb 

“You’re never too old to dream a new dream.” - C.S. Lewis 

Your morning coffee fuels the day. LeaderSips fuels the leader. Thanks for tuning in today and all year long to brew up our leadership growth together! 

For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

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Day 29 of 31 days of Leadersips where we continue to prepare our hearts for a new year ahead 💖

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” - Henry David Thoreau 

Leadership isn’t instant. It’s slow-brewed, sip by sip ☕️ Join me all year long @leadersips podcast 

For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

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Day 28 of 31 days of Leadersips where we continue to prepare our hearts for a new year ahead ☕️

Time to declutter every aspect of your life! 

"Clutter is anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living" – Peter Walsh 

For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

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Day 27 of 31 days of Leadersips where we continue to prepare our hearts for a new year ahead ☕️

“We pour and pour, never taking time to refill, recharge, refuel. We deplete ourselves to the point of exhaustion and anxiety and convince ourselves that this is what it takes to be successful…we must pour into ourselves so we can pour into others.” - Jenna Kutcher 

For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

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Day 25 of 31 days of Leadersips and Merry Christmas 🎄

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart." – Helen Keller

For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

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Happy Boxing Day! (My cat’s fav holiday) 

Let’s countdown to 2026 with a new sip and tip through Dec. 31 

What will you box up from 2025 and leave behind you? We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners. 

“Learn from the past, but don't live there." - Harvey Mackay 

For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com