In this episode, I share a surprising moment after a guest lecture that made me rethink what people really want from leaders. The students didn’t care about my turnaround frameworks - they wanted to know how careers actually unfold: the choices, the pivots, the regrets, the risks. It pushed me to consider shifting the podcast slightly toward those deeper, practical questions about building a meaningful work life. I also talk about the future of the show... audio, video, or both... and invite your feedback as I chart the next chapter.

In this episode, I wrestle with a question that’s become increasingly real for me: Does faith fit in our professional lives? For most of my career, I kept my faith and my work in separate rooms, door firmly shut. But lately, that door has been opening... through podcast guests, LinkedIn engagement, and the growing cultural hunger for something deeper and more enduring. I share what I’m noticing, why these conversations resonate, and I invite listeners to weigh in as I explore whether there’s more room for faith in the workplace than many of us may have once believed.

In this episode of Leading Organizations That Matter, I dig into the myth of multitasking and how modern technology has rewired our brains. From the constant pull of screens to the illusion of productivity during Zoom meetings, I explore why we feel busier yet less present. I also highlight the growing cultural backlash... from vinyl records to dumb phones...  and offer a simple, powerful practice to reclaim focus: batching. It’s a call to intentionality, mindfulness, and choosing presence over digital distraction.

I’ve seen more harm come from avoiding conflict than from facing it. Leaders who fear tension often create cultures where silence becomes the norm... and that silence slowly corrodes trust, mission, and morale.

In my book, Saving Organizations That Matter, I talk about why learning to disagree well is essential for any team that wants to grow. Disagreement, offered respectfully, is a gift. It sharpens thinking, strengthens relationships, and keeps the mission at the center.

If you’re a leader who struggles with conflict - or you work in a culture that avoids it - I walk through a simple seven‑part framework that can help you rethink what disagreement is for.

In this episode, I look at what leaders can learn from one of aviation’s simplest but most transformative tools: the pre‑flight checklist. After a fatal 1935 crash, Boeing realized that even expert pilots need more than confidence - they need a system. And leaders are no different.

I break down how a checklist helps us reduce avoidable mistakes, anticipate turbulence, align our teams, and define success before we ever “take off.” And I share why consistent note‑taking and reflection are the foundation for building your own leadership checklists.

Are you the pitcher… or the catcher?

In this episode of Leading Organizations That Matter, I share a simple lesson from a 1990s golf pro that reshaped how I think about leadership.

In this episode of Leading Organizations That Matter, I dive into the strange, fascinating rise of Eddie Dalton — the soulful, chart‑topping singer.

Here, I explore why Eddie’s success leaves us feeling both outraged and oddly indifferent, what’s at stake for human creativity, and why the “blank sheet of paper” still matters more than ever.

Bottom line: If creativity becomes effortless… do we lose something essential about being human?

What if the clearest way to think isn’t in your head at all... but on the page? In this episode, I explore why writing isn’t just a creative act, but a leadership discipline. Drawing on Flannery O’Connor, the rise of AI‑generated text, and my own unexpected path into journaling, I makes the case that putting pen to paper might be the most powerful tool you have for decision‑making, clarity, and growth. If you’ve been stuck, scattered, or second‑guessing yourself, this episode might just change how you think... by changing how you write.

What if the way you see the world is shaping the way you lead - without you even realizing it? In this episode, I draw on a surprising source - photography - to explore why some leaders naturally zoom out to the big picture while others instinctively focus on the smallest details. And more importantly, why the most effective leaders learn to do both. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re seeing too wide… or too narrow… this conversation might just change the way you look at your organization.

What does it take to lead a mission‑driven health care organization with clarity and heart? In this episode, I sit down with Renee McInnes, CEO of Croí Health, to talk about purpose, culture, and the real work of caring for both patients and the people who serve them. It’s an honest, energizing look at leadership in a time when health care needs it most.

During this episode, I reference an earlier one on the topic of Medicare Advantage. Please see here for that episode.