Leading Conversations

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Margaret J. Wheatley, Ph.D., co-founder of Berkana Institute, a global charitable foundation dedicated to serving life-affirming leaders. Meg writes, teaches, and speaks about radically new practices and ideas for organizing in chaotic times. She is author of Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World and Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time. Meg says there is “a call to fearlessness for gentle leaders.” Is there a way of leading in these times of fear that call for different qualities and behavior? Is fear really a bad thing? Is it safe to be fearless? What are the bold moves we can make that don't produce yet more fear? Join Cheryl & Meg to explore your own call to leadership in these times.

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Michael Toms CEO and co-founder of New Dimensions Radio and the New Dimensions World Broadcasting Network. For more than a quarter century, Michael has been engaging in dialogue with the world's leading-edge thinkers, social architects, creative artists, scientists and spiritual teachers. Called the Socrates of radio, he is acknowledged by guests and listeners alike as one of the premier interviewers in media today. His legendary dialogues have helped to bring innovative ideas into the mainstream culture. Michael is an accomplished writer, seminar leader, communications, marketing, fundraising consultant and master dialogue coach. One of his most successful books, An Open Life: Joseph Campbell in Conversation with Michael Toms is nationally acclaimed. We turn the table and ask Michael the questions, exploring his journey in making a difference through media, past, present and future. Join the conversation!

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Gail Larsen, author of Transformational Speaking: If You Want to Change the World, Tell A Better Story. Gail is founder of Real Speaking, designed to support people in mining the deep well of their life experience and self-expression to become powerful platform speakers. We all have a story. How we tell it matters. Gail says: “I have learned there is no art in speaking without heart, and heart is present only in what is real. It is the gift of authenticity - yours and mine - that affirms my trust in life's journey and our collective capacity to create the world to which we want to belong.” Is it time for your voice to be heard? Join the conversation to learn how to bring heart and meaning to your story!

Cheryl welcomes Isabelle St-Jean, author of Living Forward, Giving Back and co-author of the award-winning anthology Einstein’s Business: Engaging Soul, Imagination and Excellence in the Workplace. Pursuing her passion for human development and authentic leadership in the midlife journey, Isabelle has launched a calling to the “baby boomer’s” generation to rethink this stage in life as an opportunity for re-engagement. Isabelle says, “It is time to be participants in the vital transformation of our world.” Her words of wisdom are not only for the boomer generation- she speaks to all generations to empower them to lead their life with passion and purpose in order to lead their legacy. Join the conversation to learn the path to purpose!

Cheryl Esposito welcomes John Renesch, a businessman-futurist, and author of Getting to the Better Future: A Matter of Conscious Choosing. What does this futurist do when the economy is in meltdown mode? He looks on the bright side with a systemic perspective (of course). Renesch sees economics as the most dominant system on the Earth, so powerful that all other choices and policies bow to its influence. It’s not only our economic system that is in trouble, John says, but “every human system is in an earthquake: economic, climate, politic, legal, education, medical.” And it is time for new choices. What is the way through this? Renesch says, there is hope for us as a species, for our society, for our planet if we are willing to awaken spiritually and see life in a sacred context, connected to the “whole.” Join us as we explore getting to a better future!

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Robert White, author of Living an Extraordinary Life and co author of the award winning photo essay book, One World, One People. He is Founder and Chairman of Extraordinary People. Robert has spent over 30 years in the personal effectiveness industry, including as founder and former President of Lifespring, Inc. Robert says: “We need to discover our purpose and vision then live them fully, knowing that within our stand is the opportunity to contribute our unique gifts and create a better world for ourselves, our children, for all of us ... one world, one people.” In keeping with his commitment to contribute toward a world that works for all people, Robert serves on the Board of Directors of Plant It 2020 and the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation. He believes that we all have everything it takes to live an extraordinary life – if we are willing to take charge of our lives and discover the true meaning of personal responsibility.

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Darcy Winslow, a pioneer and practitioner of sustainability frameworks and principles, and Founder of Designs for a Sustainable World Collective. The collective focuses on the development of practical yet aggressive strategies for organizations to create sustainable & regenerative business practices. Her expertise developed through years as a leader at Nike, a global organization, and her deep connection to nature. Today, Darcy is about to embark on an expedition to Antarctica hosted by British Petroleum. She and other thought leaders, including Peter Senge, will be introducing systems thinking, sustainability principles & science to 50 global youth leaders from around the world. She says, “The goal is to power up these next generation leaders around the issues we face due to climate change, collapse of systems, and declining natural resources… but the power will come through dialogue, building relationships and the interconnected networks.”

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Michael Ray, author of The Highest Goal: The Secret That Sustains You in Every Moment. He is Professor of Creativity and Innovation, and of Marketing at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. His books, Creativity In Business and The Path of the Everyday Hero, have influenced people in organizations all around the world--not only in their work, but all areas of their lives. Michael writes, “To be of service and make a contribution only you can make to the universe, you must become a generative leader-no matter what your role in life. You can be a leader to yourself, to one other person or to the world. But if you start right now with an intention of being generative, of letting your creativity create creativity around you, of giving and receiving, you’ll see remarkable things happen.” Join the conversation to learn how you can tap into your highest goal and inspire that in others!

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Dr. Lyly Rojas, a university professor, international humanitarian, and co-founder of the European Institute of Collaborative Law. She specializes in the teaching the culture of Peace (inner and outer) and Corporate Social Responsibility, and Multicultural Intelligence. Lyly was born in Nicaragua, a country of conflict with a long history of turmoil, and ultimately her family had to flee because of their political beliefs. She has worked with and consulted to the United Nations; as an advisor to the Vatican in the trafficking of human beings; in war zones training diplomats, human rights workers, the military, and tortured women & children. The unifying theme for her work: compassion and dignity for self and others. Lyly says that we cannot begin to help others heal if we cannot heal ourselves. “How can you teach peace if you are not peaceful within yourself?” Her current book project is titled: From Inner Peace to Outer Peace and All the Pieces In Between.

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Alan Lurie, author of Five Minutes on Mondays. Alan’s path leading to this new book is in itself a good story. Following a 25-year career as an architect, he is now a Managing Director at Grubb & Ellis, a national real estate investment firm. He is also a non-denominational ordained Rabbi, leading prayer services, and writing on issues of faith and religion. Upon joining his new firm, he was asked to open the weekly Monday morning meetings (of roughly 100 RE professionals) by delivering a short message. “Something about business and ethics. Something inspirational and informative,” his boss said. And so, Five Minutes on Mondays was born. Today many are asking, “How can I keep going and maintain optimism in the face of challenges and setbacks?” Alan believes you can. Join the conversation as we explore how to unify work with personal life, access new currents of creativity, develop persistence and face our fears.