Listening With Leaders

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll welcomes Melissa Robinson-Winemiller, an empathy expert and former professional French horn player.

Melissa shares her journey from performing with Ray Charles to pursuing a doctorate in leadership after experiencing workplace trauma. They explore empathy's definitions, distinguishing cognitive from affective empathy, and discuss resistance to empathy in leadership. Both agree empathy will become increasingly vital as AI reduces human connection. Melissa also previews her upcoming books and dissertation defense, while the conversation closes on a personal note, revealing Melissa's talent for baking Boston cream pie from scratch.

Check out Melissa's work HERE.

Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll speaks with Christa Quarles, CEO of Parallels, about her non-linear career spanning Wall Street, gaming startups, and enterprise software.

Christa shares how curiosity and asking good questions have been her constant through line. The conversation explores the power of deep listening, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety in leadership. Christa also reflects on leading Parallels through a complex corporate separation, emphasizing that authentic, empathetic leadership, rooted in vulnerability rather than positional authority, is what truly inspires people to follow.

Check out Christa's work HERE.

Connect with Christa on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll interviews Anthony Trucks, a former NFL player turned transformational identity shift coach.

Anthony shares his remarkable journey from a difficult childhood in foster care, marked by poverty and abuse, to earning an NFL career through relentless hard work. He discusses his concept of "dark work", the unseen effort behind success, and the "dominator" mentality that helps overcome adversity. Anthony also opens up about personal struggles, including divorce and reinvention, and explains how he now coaches executives to identify blind spots, embrace discomfort, and achieve meaningful growth.

Check out Anthony's work HERE.

Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

In this episode, Doug interviews Graeme Barlow, a serial entrepreneur who made his first million at 16 by selling virtual game currency on eBay.

Graeme shares his journey through founding game development companies and scaling software businesses. He discusses his leadership philosophy, emphasizing simplicity, clarity, and focus for CEOs, outlining three core responsibilities: managing cash flow, setting a clear vision, and building effective teams. Graeme also introduces Founder Link, his community initiative supporting nearly 2,000 founders worldwide in reaching their first million in revenue. Both speakers share personal ambitions, with Doug aiming to teach 10 million people effective listening skills.

Check out Graeme's work HERE.

Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Doug Johnston, a former corporate executive turned emotional researcher. Johnston shares how his daughter's struggle with depression sparked a decade-long journey documenting 272 emotional states through 8,000 quotes, culminating in a book.

Together, they challenge cultural misconceptions about emotions, emphasizing that emotions are fundamental to rational decision-making. They introduce "nervous system leadership," highlighting how naming emotions regulates the brain and transforms leadership. Drawing on neuroscience and personal stories, they advocate for expanding emotional vocabulary as a practical tool for healthier lives and more effective leadership.

To learn more about Doug's work, click HERE and HERE.

Connect with Doug on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Mark Divine, whose extraordinary journey took him from small-town upstate New York to becoming a top Navy SEAL graduate.

Starting as a CPA in Manhattan, Mark discovered martial arts and Zen meditation, which sparked a profound personal transformation. These practices led him to pursue becoming a Navy SEAL, where visualization and mental training proved crucial to his success. He later founded SEALFIT and the Unbeatable Mind program, integrating physical, mental, and spiritual development to help others achieve their full potential through what he calls the "Five Mountains" approach.

To learn more about Mark's work, click HERE.

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll interviews Bobby Humes, Lead Consultant and CEO of BH Consultancy.

They discuss Bobby’s journey from Army HR roles to leading Seattle’s HR department during COVID-19, and now running the consultancy BH Consultancy. The conversation explores the value of emotional intelligence, overcoming resistance to "soft skills" training, and science-based coaching methods. Personal stories, including Bobby’s theater background and Doug’s jazz violin passion, add depth to this engaging discussion on leadership, self-awareness, and the power of listening.

To learn more about Bobby's work, click HERE.

Connect with Bobby on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Ben Gaddis, Partner and Co-founder of Superstep Capital, and author of Embracing Irrationality.

They discuss Ben’s journey from marketing to private equity, investing in SaaS companies, and the impact of AI on software. The conversation explores leadership assessment, effective board meetings, and the vital role of empathy in business. They also examine the challenges of fostering connection in virtual work environments and the importance of diverse personalities in leadership and team success.

To learn more about Ben's work at Superstep Capital, click HERE.

Check out Ben's book, Embracing Irrationality, HERE.

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll and guest Chip Higgins, Founder of Bizzics, discuss how leadership and communication are evolving in the age of digital technology, remote work, and AI.

They explore the challenges and opportunities of building genuine connections without physical presence, the impact of generational differences, and the role of listening in effective leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of empathy, personal attention, and adapting to new tools, while sharing personal stories and insights on maintaining human bonds in a rapidly changing world.

To learn more about Chip's work, click HERE.

Connect with Chip on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Vidar Hokstad, Founder and Consultant at Hokstad Consulting, about his journey from early computer fascination to leading startups and venture-backed companies.

The conversation explores lessons learned from product failures, the importance of emotional intelligence in engineering teams, and the challenges of adopting AI. An unidentified third speaker adds thoughtful questions. Vidar shares insights on bridging technical and interpersonal skills, his preference for consulting, and his hobby of writing science fiction novels, offering listeners a well-rounded view of leadership in today’s tech world.

To learn more about Vidar's work, click HERE.

Connect with Vidar on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com