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Leading Minds Revealed
Leading Minds Revealed episodes
- Leading Through Urgency Without Panic | Jordan Redshaw | EP 136
In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Jordan Redshaw, Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Communications at NATIONAL Public Relations, about how leaders can navigate crisis, urgency, and rapid change without creating unnecessary panic.
We discuss how to distinguish between a true crisis and an urgent issue, why a clear North Star helps teams stay focused under pressure, and how trust, empathy, decentralized leadership, and clear communication support stronger decision-making.
Drawing on Jordan’s experience in crisis response, stakeholder relations, high-pressure client advisory, and the Fort McMurray wildfire response and recovery, this conversation offers practical insight for leaders, executives, teams, and organizations seeking to lead with greater clarity, calm, and confidence during uncertain times.
Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcastNewsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114Guest Jordan Redshaw
Vice President, Strategy and Corporate CommunicationsNATIONAL Public RelationsEmail: [email protected]Website: https://www.national.ca/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanredshaw/Timestamps00:00 Introduction: Leading Through Crisis, Urgency, and Change
02:00 Why Leadership Feels Harder in an Age of Urgency03:00 The Importance of Clear Outcomes and Simple Communication04:30 Why Organizations Lose Their North Star06:00 Calm, Confidence, and Clarity from Senior Leaders08:30 How a Clear Mission Enables Decentralized Leadership10:30 What Happens When Teams Lack Direction12:30 Crisis vs. Urgent Issue: How Leaders Can Tell the Difference14:00 Why Long-Term Trust Matters More Than Short-Term Reputation Management16:00 Preventing Reactivity and Emotional Contagion in Leadership Teams17:00 Building Trust Before Problems Escalate18:30 Giving Teams Visibility Into What’s Ahead20:00 Listening to Loud and Quiet Voices in the Room23:30 AI, Change, and the Need for Humble Leadership24:30 Supporting the Next Generation of Talent26:00 Why Attitude Matters in Hiring and Development29:30 How NATIONAL Builds Leadership Skills Through Training and Exposure32:00 Breaking Down Silos and Aligning Communications Around Business Outcomes35:00 Lessons from the Fort McMurray Wildfire Response36:00 Leading with Empathy Under Extreme Stress38:00 Selflessness, Service, and Human Behaviour in Crisis39:30 The Power of a Clear Mission During Emergency Response41:00 How Listening to Frontline Insight Shaped Recovery Support44:00 What High-Performing Teams Have in Common45:00 Empowerment, Trust, and Fast Decision-Making48:30 Jordan’s Closing Advice for Leaders Facing Pressure49:00 Look Inward First: What Environment Are You Creating?49:30 Prioritization, Control, and Influence50:30 Helping People Grow Through Leadership52:30 How to Connect with Jordan Redshaw53:00 Closing Reflections#LeadingMindsRevealed #Leadership
55 min - Lead People Through AI Change | Vincenzo Ciampi | EP 135
In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Vincenzo Ciampi, MBA, ICD.D, Senior Vice President at iA Financial Group, about what it takes to lead people through rapid technological transformation, AI-driven change, and organizational complexity. We discuss the shift from command-and-control leadership to servant leadership, how executives can stay grounded while navigating uncertainty, and why leaders need to stay close to the front lines to hear the truth from employees and customers.
Vincenzo also shares practical insights on AI adoption, the importance of judgment and discernment, and why focusing on people, culture, and retention can ultimately strengthen performance. This conversation is highly relevant for executives, senior leaders, founders, and organizational decision-makers who want to lead transformation with clarity, humility, and human connection.
Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcastNewsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114Vincenzo Ciampi
SVP, iA Financial GroupCompany Website: https://www.ia.ca/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincenzociampi/Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to leading through rapid technological change02:00 How leadership has changed over time02:45 Moving beyond command-and-control leadership03:30 Why servant leadership matters today05:00 Leading through accelerated change and AI disruption06:30 When command-and-control leadership can still be useful08:30 Balancing urgency with culture and inclusion10:00 Staying focused during overwhelm and uncertainty11:00 Why leaders need a flexible plan12:00 AI, productivity, growth, and governance14:30 Staying open while grounded in strategy16:00 The AI leadership paradox17:00 Why humility matters for senior leaders adopting AI18:00 How organizations can prioritize AI initiatives20:00 Building successful AI teams and business ownership22:30 Why leaders need to stay close to the front lines23:30 Listening beyond the senior leadership team24:00 What leaders learn from call centres and customer conversations25:30 Presence, authenticity, and making time for people27:00 Building connection through informal conversations28:00 The basketball story and breaking hierarchy29:30 Collective intelligence and knowing people beyond work31:30 Why AI cannot replace human judgment32:30 Discernment as a leadership skill33:30 Why focusing on people improves performance35:00 The risk of only caring about results36:30 Servant leadership, motivation, and development38:00 Culture, retention, and the cost of neglecting people40:00 Why employees stay when leaders invest in them42:00 Leading with presence through future uncertainty43:00 How to connect with Vincenzo44:00 Closing reflections#LeadingMindsRevealed #Leadership
45 min - The Leadership Advantage of Empathy | Jennifer Quaglietta | EP 134
In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Jennifer Quaglietta, CEO and Registrar of Professional Engineers Ontario, about leading with empathy, accountability, and humanity in complex organizations. Jennifer shares insights from her leadership journey across healthcare, government, insurance, and regulation, including how she has helped modernize PEO through digital transformation, cultural change, and a more human-centred approach to regulatory excellence.
We discuss why empathy is essential in times of disruption, how leaders can balance efficiency and human connection in the age of AI, and how systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and reflective practice can help organizations build trust, resilience, and long-term impact. This conversation offers practical insight for executives, senior leaders, teams, and organizations seeking to lead change with clarity, compassion, and accountability.
Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcastNewsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114Jennifer Quaglietta, P.Eng, MBA, ICD.D
Website: https://www.peo.on.ca/Company: Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO)LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-quagliettaTimestamps00:00 — Introduction to Leading Minds Revealed
01:00 — Jennifer Quaglietta’s role at PEO and leadership transformation02:00 — Why leaders cannot succeed without empathy03:00 — Empathy as the bridge between accountability and humanity04:00 — Building trust through listening, transparency, and presence05:00 — How empathy strengthens accountability and innovation06:00 — Empathy as a competitive advantage in complex times07:00 — Efficiency, AI, and the risk of dehumanizing work08:00 — How PEO is approaching AI with caution and purpose09:00 — Lessons in empathy from government and healthcare leadership10:00 — Why emotional intelligence cannot be replaced by AI11:00 — Risk, resilience, and leading through crisis12:00 — Regulating with people, not to people13:00 — Why empathy requires more skill than authoritarian leadership14:00 — The importance of deep listening during change15:00 — The risks of moving too quickly with AI transformation16:00 — How overreliance on AI can reduce ownership and creativity17:00 — Using AI for routine work without losing joy in work18:00 — Systems thinking and the need for a learning organization20:00 — Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline, and leadership development21:00 — A defining leadership question from Jennifer’s early career22:00 — Seeing patterns, not silos23:00 — Emotional intelligence and sustainable influence24:00 — Learning loops, feedback culture, and reflective practice25:00 — Bringing structure to compassion and compassion to structure26:00 — How leaders cultivate self-awareness and responsiveness27:00 — Kindness in regulation as a modernization strategy28:00 — Why every regulatory decision affects a person29:00 — Transparency, fairness, and building public trust30:00 — Learning from mistakes instead of assigning blame31:00 — Accountability and compassion as partners32:00 — How PEO develops leadership capability internally33:00 — PEO Academy and investing in people’s growth34:00 — Leadership development, certifications, and micro-learning35:00 — Creating flexible learning opportunities for teams36:00 — How family and lived experience shape leadership37:00 — Jennifer’s father, quiet leadership, and the dignity of work38:00 — Disability, inclusion, and lessons in resilience39:00 — Empathy as a leadership responsibility40:00 — Compassion as a skill leaders can develop42:00 — A first step toward human-centred leadership43:00 — Moving beyond directive leadership44:00 — Why people follow leaders who see them45:00 — How to connect with Jennifer Quaglietta46:00 — Closing reflections on empathy, trust, and transformation#LeadingMindsRevealed #HumanCentredLeadership #EmpatheticLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveLeadership
48 min - How People-Centered Leaders Build Stronger Teams | Jason Khan | EP 133
In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Jason Khan, Regional Director at Myo, about the shift from technical expertise into people-centered leadership. Drawing from his journey as a physiotherapist, clinic director, and regional leader supporting multiple clinics, Jason shares how self-awareness, clear feedback, mentorship, personal development, and human connection shape high-performing teams.
We discuss what it takes to build a culture of openness and transparency, how leaders can support growth while maintaining high standards, and why the future of leadership depends on strengthening trust, purpose, and face-to-face connection.
This conversation offers practical insight for executives, founders, and organizational leaders who are scaling teams, navigating change, and looking to build cultures where people can perform, grow, and sustain themselves over time.
Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcastNewsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114Jason Khan
Website: http://www.myodetox.com/Company: MyoLinks: http://www.myodetox.com/
LinkedIn handle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-khan-4a8508123/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayptrehab/
Timestamps00:00 — Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed
01:00 — Introducing Jason Khan and Myo’s growth journey02:00 — Moving from clinical expertise to leadership03:30 — Learning how to lead beyond personal standards05:00 — The shift from practitioner to coach06:15 — What people-centered leadership really requires07:30 — Balancing care, feedback, and challenge09:00 — Why leadership growth requires humility11:30 — Building openness and transparency into culture13:00 — How Myo develops great humans, not just clinicians14:30 — Creating support systems for teams across clinics17:00 — Futureproofing people, teams, and the business18:30 — Why clinicians burn out and leave the field20:00 — Myo’s learning and development approach21:00 — Leadership training, mentorship, and the Evolve program23:30 — Retention, growth pathways, and peer learning24:30 — Leadership masterminds, book clubs, and executive coaching27:00 — Finding people who challenge your thinking29:00 — Longevity, wellness, and the future of movement31:00 — Whole-body wellness and executive performance34:30 — The biggest leadership challenge ahead35:30 — Why human connection is becoming a lost art38:30 — What leaders need to rebuild human connection39:30 — The value of feedback, coaching, and accountability41:30 — Purpose as a through line for leadership and life44:00 — Where leaders should start their growth journey46:30 — How to connect with Jason Khan and Myo47:30 — Closing reflections on growth, culture, and leadership#LeadingMindsRevealed #Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #TeamDevelopment #HumanConnection #WorkplaceWellbeing #PurposeDrivenLeadership
49 min - Build a Business That Can Scale Without You | Dr. Hany Demian | EP 132
In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Dr. Hany Demian, a leading pain management specialist, healthcare entrepreneur, and founder of Presentia Healthcare, BioSpine Institute, and PainCare Clinics, about the leadership lessons that come from building and scaling multiple healthcare organizations through uncertainty, growth, and personal transformation.
We discuss leading through COVID, defining a clear North Star, building a patient-centered culture, moving from micromanagement to empowered teams, and why continuous learning is essential for CEOs and executives.
This conversation offers practical insight for leaders, founders, and organizational decision-makers on how vision, focus, emotional intelligence, delegation, and personal resilience can support stronger teams, better decision-making, and more sustainable growth.
Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcastNewsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114Dr. Hany Demian
Company: Presentia Healthcare, BioSpine Institute, and PainCare Clinics
Links: https://drdemian.com, https://www.biospine.com, https://paincareclinics.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hany-demian-md-5b79b659/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drhanydemian/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drhanydemain
Timestamps00:00 — Introduction to Leading Minds Revealed
00:52 — Meet Dr. Hany Demian02:00 — Leading multiple organizations through uncertainty03:00 — Staying open during COVID and serving chronic pain patients05:00 — Keeping your eyes on the job to be done06:00 — Growth through adversity and executive education07:30 — Turning crisis into business transformation08:40 — Clarifying the North Star09:20 — Defining vision, mission, and values10:30 — Helping patients reach their maximum potential12:00 — Expanding services around patient needs13:20 — Would your organization leave a void?14:30 — Why leaders must keep learning15:10 — Learning as a CEO’s competitive advantage16:20 — AI, negotiation, finance, and closing leadership gaps18:30 — From command-and-control to emotional intelligence20:00 — The cost of micromanagement21:20 — Harvard, EQ, and self-awareness23:00 — Learning to let go as a founder24:00 — Scaling beyond founder dependency26:00 — Why companies rise or fall with leadership27:30 — Moving beyond top-down leadership28:30 — Building a team that can carry the vision30:00 — Direction, trust, and team freedom32:20 — Culture, retention, and avoiding the revolving door34:00 — Promoting from within and developing talent35:10 — Purpose, legacy, and executive influence37:00 — Protecting focus as a busy executive38:00 — Morning routines, reflection, and deep work39:00 — Protecting time and applying the 80/20 principle40:30 — Family, health, and personal sustainability42:00 — The regrets successful leaders often share43:10 — Practical focus strategies for leaders45:00 — The role of partnership and support systems46:30 — Choosing one focus and becoming the best at it48:00 — The BioSpine acquisition and the power of vision50:00 — Emotional support through entrepreneurial pressure51:30 — Advice for emerging entrepreneurs52:00 — Growth is uncomfortable: trusting yourself through change53:00 — Where to connect with Dr. Hany Demian54:00 — Closing reflections56 min - How to Use AI in Leadership and Social Media Without Losing the Human Edge | Petra Khan | EP 131
In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Petra Khan, a Social Media Strategist and Senior Marketing Leader at Sprout Social, about how leaders can navigate the intersection of AI, social media, brand authenticity, and human-centered leadership.
Drawing on her experience in social strategy, agency work, and leading teams in a fast-moving digital environment, Petra shares how AI can support more strategic and creative work when paired with human judgment, why authentic social media begins with a clear understanding of brand identity and audience, and how social platforms can serve as emotional data that helps leaders better understand culture, trust, and connection.
This conversation offers practical insight for executives, founders, marketing leaders, and teams seeking to adopt new technologies thoughtfully, build more resilient and creative cultures, and communicate in ways that remain grounded, intentional, and human.
Leading Minds Revealed with Michael Apollo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/
Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast
Newsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114
Petra Khan
Company: Sprout SocialWebsite: https://www.sproutsocial.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-khan/
Timestamps00:00 – Introduction to Leading Minds Revealed
00:55 – Leading at the intersection of social media, technology, and creativity02:00 – The mindset shift leaders need around AI adoption03:30 – What is AI clickbait, and what is actually changing work?04:45 – Why AI needs human judgment and leadership06:30 – Using AI as an assistant, not a replacement for people07:40 – What leaders need to understand before applying AI to social strategy08:20 – Why authenticity starts with brand clarity10:30 – What authenticity really means on social media12:10 – Social media as emotional data and a cultural pulse13:00 – Why diverse teams are essential for emotionally intelligent strategy14:20 – Moving from broadcasting to relationship-building on social15:20 – Building community, loyalty, and brand connection18:00 – How Sprout Social supports intentional culture and creative work19:00 – Why clear processes help teams focus and deliver better work20:00 – The role of onboarding, shared philosophy, and consistency23:00 – Creating environments where people can do their best work24:00 – Adapting leadership to different working styles and needs25:30 – Psychological safety, diversity, and collective intelligence27:00 – Small leadership practices that support trust and balance28:30 – Staying energized in an always-on digital industry30:00 – Being choiceful with content and protecting attention31:30 – Building professional relationships beyond your organization34:30 – What younger generations are looking for in work and leadership36:30 – Work-life balance, purpose, and changing expectations of corporate life39:00 – Social media as modern anthropology39:30 – How Petra’s multicultural upbringing shaped her leadership42:00 – Where leaders should start to foster creativity and innovation42:30 – Challenging biases and continuing to grow as a human being44:00 – How to connect with Petra Khan45:00 – Closing reflections#LeadingMindsRevealed #AI #SocialMedia #Leadership
47 min - Why Leaders Fake Vulnerability and How to Lead with Trust | Javeed Sukhera | EP 130
What happens when leadership becomes about proving your worth instead of serving others?
In this episode, Javeed Sukhera challenges traditional leadership thinking by exploring the internal drivers behind how leaders show up.
From fear-based decision making to performative vulnerability, this conversation reveals why many leadership behaviors are rooted in insecurity rather than intention.
You’ll learn how to shift toward a more grounded approach. One that prioritizes trust, self-awareness, and authentic leadership practice.
If you’ve ever felt pressure to prove yourself as a leader, this episode will change how you think about leadership.
54 min - Human-First Leadership at Scale: Culture, AI, and Growth | Natalie Ku | EP 129
In this episode, Natalie Ku shares how to scale an organization while protecting and strengthening its culture.
As CFO of a rapidly growing company with over 4,000 employees, Natalie explains how leadership decisions, language, and systems directly influence team behavior and performance.
The conversation explores:
- The role of language in shaping organizational culture
- How leadership presence impacts team decisions
- Why promoting from within leads to stronger outcomes
- How to introduce AI in a way that supports, not replaces, people
- The importance of aligning systems with human experience
Natalie also shares practical insights on training programs, leadership touchpoints, and how small operational decisions can have a major impact on customers and teams.
This episode is essential for leaders managing growth, transformation, and culture at scale.
50 min - Leading with Humanity Through AI and Restructuring | Meredith Kepron | EP 128
Meredith Kepron joins Michael Apollo on Leading Minds Revealed to explore what leadership looks like in a time defined by AI, uncertainty, and organizational change. Drawing from her experience leading large teams, including navigating layoffs at Amazon, Meredith shares a grounded perspective on how leaders can remain human while making difficult decisions.
This episode focuses on the intersection of technology and leadership. It unpacks how AI is changing workflows, where automation adds value, and why human judgment, empathy, and communication remain irreplaceable. Meredith explains how leaders can support teams during high-pressure moments, rebuild trust after disruption, and create environments where people feel seen and valued even when outcomes are tough.
The conversation also dives into how leaders evaluate new ideas in the AI era, how to avoid chasing trends, and why critical thinking is becoming one of the most important skills for teams and organizations moving forward.
If you are a founder, executive, or team leader navigating growth, change, or uncertainty, this episode offers practical insight into leading with clarity, responsibility, and humanity.
1 hr 2 min - Human-Centered Leadership in a Remote World: Building Trust, Teams, and Culture | Patrick Holland | EP 127
What does effective leadership look like in a remote-first world?
In this episode, Patrick Holland joins Michael Apollo to explore how leadership has evolved with distributed teams, digital communication, and constant information flow.
They discuss the importance of human connection, trust, and team alignment, along with practical strategies for managing across time zones, developing talent, and preventing burnout.
A grounded, real-world look at leadership that prioritizes people, not just performance.
1 hr 4 min
About Leading Minds Revealed
From the publisher's feed
Leading Minds Revealed Podcast: Unlocking the Secrets of Mindful Executive Leadership
Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed, a transformative podcast that dives deep…
into the intersection of mindfulness, mental fitness, and executive leadership. Hosted by industry experts, this thought-provoking series brings you exclusive conversations with C-suite executives, organizational leaders, and visionaries from industries navigating rapid change. Each episode explores how strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and mindful practices empower today’s top leaders to thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape. Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader, Leading Minds Revealed offers actionable insights to elevate your leadership game.
Why Listen to Leading Minds Revealed?
In today’s high-stakes business environment, effective leadership requires more than technical expertise—it demands mental clarity, resilience, and the ability to inspire teams through uncertainty. Leading Minds Revealed showcases real stories from seasoned executives who have faced complex challenges, driven strategic transformations, and built high-performance cultures. From navigating technological disruptions to fostering emotional intelligence (EQ) in the C-suite, our guests share the mental tools, frameworks, and strategies that have fueled their success.
Our podcast is designed for forward-thinking leaders who want to:
- Master decision-making under pressure.
- Build resilient organizational cultures that preserve core values during change.
- Leverage emotional intelligence to influence and inspire teams.
- Adapt to market shifts, technological advancements, and evolving workforce expectations.
- Implement mindful leadership practices for sustainable high performance.
With a focus on real-world applications, Leading Minds Revealed bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering listeners practical takeaways to sharpen their leadership skills and drive measurable results.
What to Expect from Each Episode
Every episode of Leading Minds Revealed is a masterclass in modern leadership. Our guests come from diverse industries—technology, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and more—bringing unique perspectives on what it takes to lead with confidence and foresight. Topics are tailored to each guest’s expertise, ensuring fresh, relevant content that resonates with today’s executives. Expect in-depth discussions on:
- Mental Fitness for High-Stakes Leadership: Learn how top executives maintain clarity and make sound decisions in high-pressure environments. Discover mindfulness techniques and mental frameworks that enhance focus and resilience.
- Building Resilient Cultures: Explore strategies for preserving organizational values while navigating mergers, restructurings, or market shifts. Hear how leaders foster trust and alignment in dynamic settings.
- Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: Uncover the role of EQ in driving influence, collaboration, and team performance. Learn how to cultivate self-awareness and empathy to lead with impact.
- Future-Ready Leadership: Stay ahead of the curve by adapting to technological disruptions, AI advancements, and changing market dynamics. Our guests share how they position their organizations for long-term success.
- Mindful Leadership Practices: From meditation to structured reflection, discover tools that promote sustainable high performance and prevent burnout at the executive level.
- Career Journeys and Lessons Learned: Hear inspiring stories of how leaders got started, overcame pitfalls, and honed their expertise. Learn from their successes, failures, and comebacks to accelerate your own growth.
- Decision-Making Processes: Gain insights into how top executives approach critical decisions, including the good, the bad, and the lessons learned along the way.
- Overcoming Leadership Challenges: From talent development to organizational culture, explore how leaders tackle complex challenges and drive meaningful change.