The Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast

Darryl Brown interviews Laurel Donnellan in a deeply personal and reflective conversation in Laurel's powerful conclusion to the "Meet the Co-Hosts" series on the Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast. Laurel opens up about her father’s declining health and the emotional complexity of anticipating grief while continuing to build a life of purpose. She shares how the profound experiences of love, loss, and reflection fueled her passion for creating Compassionate Leaders Circle, an organization that has become her life's work.

Laurel delves into the people who inspired the birth of Compassionate Leaders Circle and discusses the incredible gift of running her own company. As the founder and CEO, she has fostered compassionate leadership in organizations worldwide, all while staying true to her values. This episode is a touching exploration of the intersection of personal and professional growth, the resilience needed to lead through difficult times, and the inspiration that comes from turning pain into purpose.

Tune in for an emotional and inspiring episode that offers a window into Laurel's heart. Laurel’s story is a testament to the strength we find in embracing life's challenges and the incredible power of leading with compassion.

Laurel's father, Gene Donnellan, passed away two days after this was recorded. This episode is dedicated to him.

In this captivating episode of the Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast, co-host and founder Laurel Donnellan sits down with Darryl Brown to explore the remarkable journey that took him from an aspiring basketball player to an influential media professional.

Darryl shares his unforgettable experience trying out for the Boston Celtics, a dream moment that showcased his dedication and passion for the sport. When the path led him overseas, he embraced the adventure of playing basketball in Europe, including stints in Italy and Sweden, broadening his horizons both on and off the court.

Returning to academia, Darryl pursued a graduate degree in Communications at Fordham University. His first job out of grad school found him at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, a humble beginning that paved the way for greater opportunities. Thanks to a connection with a Fordham alumnus, Darryl landed a role as Manager of Special Projects at ABC. It was here that he got his big break interviewing the Bee Gees, marking the start of an exciting career in broadcasting.

Recognizing a gap in the market, Darryl was instrumental in bringing programming catered to Black and Latino listeners to ABC in the 1980s. His innovative approach not only diversified the content but also proved commercially successful. He wisely notes, “Once I showed them where the green was, there was no black or white.”

Throughout his journey, Darryl acknowledges the incredible women he hired to be part of his team, emphasizing that he couldn't have accomplished his achievements without their talent and support.

Join us for an inspiring conversation highlighting perseverance, innovation, and the power of inclusive leadership. Darryl’s story is a testament to the impact one can make by staying true to one’s values and uplifting others along the way.

In this episode of the Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast, co-host Darryl Brown sits down with other co-host Laurel Donnellan to uncover other chapters of her life that have shaped her into the leader she is today. From her high school days of bringing people together to her transformative years at Cornell University, Laurel shares how she thrived in a global culture different from her small-town roots in Upstate New York. She discusses the lasting bonds she formed during her college years and how these relationships continue to influence her life and work.

Laurel also opens up about her professional journey, highlighting her impactful work at Medallion Hospitality, where she honed her skills and commitment to excellence. A significant part of the conversation is dedicated to her personal struggles, leading up to a pivotal moment at 31 when she embraced sobriety. This beautiful wake-up call marked a turning point, inspiring her to lead with even greater empathy and resilience.

This episode delves into the themes of strong relationships, inspirational leadership, and the courage to face mental health struggles head-on. Join us as Laurel shares her journey of overcoming challenges and embracing a path of sobriety that has profoundly shaped her compassionate approach to leadership.

Welcome back to the Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast! In this heartwarming and insightful episode, I, Laurel Donnellan, have the pleasure of interviewing my co-host, Darryl Brown, as we continue our "Meet the Co-Hosts" series. This time, we delve into Darryl’s transformative college years at Fordham University in New York City.

Following up on his earlier reflections about childhood, Darryl highlights the importance of friendship during his formative years and how these bonds continued to shape his college experience. At Fordham, Darryl was recruited to play basketball, a journey that honed his skills on the court and developed his leadership abilities. He shares the excitement and challenges of playing at a collegiate level and how these experiences contributed to his growth as a compassionate leader.

In this episode, Darryl also opens up about falling in love during his college years, sharing the joy and profound impact of this relationship on his life. He reminisces about the thrill of discovering his passion for journalism, a field that allowed him to combine his love for storytelling with his desire to make a difference.

Darryl’s appreciation for receiving a Jesuit education is evident as he reflects on the values and principles that Fordham instilled in him. He talks about how the Jesuit emphasis on self reflection, service, and holistic education deeply influenced his personal and professional life.

Join us for a cozy, intimate conversation as Darryl takes us through his college days, filled with friendship, love, passion, and growth. His journey is a testament to the power of education, the importance of community, and the enduring impact of compassionate leadership.

Tune in to this episode for a warm and inspiring look at how Darryl’s college experiences shaped the leader he is today. Listen now and be inspired.

Join us for a beautiful journey into Laurel's life as she shares pivotal moments that shaped her into the compassionate leader she is today. In this special series, the podcast delves into personal narratives that illuminate the essence of leadership through compassion.

In this first chapter, Laurel unfolds her path, beginning with the transformative inspiration that led her to Cornell University's School of Hospitality. She reflects on how this experience sparked her passion for nurturing others and fostering inclusive environments. However, life's journey also brought profound challenges. Laurel bravely navigates through moments of deep grief and loss, revealing how these hardships sculpted her empathy and resilience.

Through intimate storytelling, Laurel invites listeners into her world, where warmth and inspiration abound. Her tale embodies the podcast's ethos of compassionate leadership, illustrating how personal growth and understanding can shape impactful leadership. Tune in to the podcast as Laurel's narrative unfolds, offering insights and encouragement for leaders and listeners alike.

CLC Podcast is kicking off a series where we dive deep into our lives, sharing the pivotal moments that have molded our paths. I’m your host, Laurel Donnellan, joined by my co-host, Darryl Brown.

In today’s heartfelt and inspiring episode, I sit down with Darryl as he opens up about his childhood in a predominantly black neighborhood in a predominantly white town just outside of NYC. Darryl’s story is one of resilience, community, and the powerful influence of family. From the earliest memories to the challenges and triumphs of his formative years, Darryl reflects on the experiences that have shaped his compassionate leadership style. 

Growing up, Darryl found strength in the close-knit bonds of his community. He shares poignant memories of family gatherings, neighborhood events, and the unwavering support of those around him. These moments, filled with love and solidarity, laid the foundation for his deep sense of empathy and commitment to others.

Despite facing hardships and navigating the complexities of a divided town, Darryl’s spirit remained unbroken. He recounts the lessons learned from overcoming adversity and the determination it instilled in him to rise above challenges. Through it all, Darryl discovered the joy of new and exciting experiences, from becoming a widely recognized athlete to embracing opportunities that broadened his horizons. 

Join us as we journey through Darryl’s early years, uncovering the profound impact of his upbringing on his leadership philosophy. This episode is a testament to the power of community, the importance of family, and the resilience that defines compassionate leaders. Tune in for a warm, intimate conversation that will inspire and uplift, reminding us all of the enduring power of compassion.

This is our fourth Compassionate Leaders Circle Awards Ceremony. The CLC Awards celebrate the brightest and boldest in their respective fields. Our Honorees acknowledge our universal interconnectedness and use their influence to make a positive impact on people and the planet. These leaders are courageous, contemplative, collaborative, and care about the world they will leave behind. The honorees this year are:

Gar Grannell, CEO, Mohawk Global

Comfort Dondo, Founder, Phumulani Minnesota, African Women Against Violence

Laina Raveendran Greene, CEO, Angels of Impact

Ish Orkar, Deputy Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer, ACLU (find out more here)

Jyl Feliciano, Global Vice President of DEI&B, Highspot

Devon Henry, CEO & President, Team Henry Enterprises

Geoffrey M. Roche, Director of Workforce Development (North America), Siemens Healthineers

Audree Grubesic, Founder, Offsite Dirt Media

Asia Pope, Director of DEI, The Buckeye Ranch

Listen to this episode to learn more about our amazing honorees!

This awards ceremony is sponsored by Angles, Inc, who do incredible work in content marketing.

In this episode, we interview Riley McCormack, President and CEO of Digimarc. Digimarc is leading the charge in digital watermarking and cloud-based product data. Part of what drives this incredible company is its incredible culture. 

When it started out, Digimarc had over 50 to 60 corporate values. Riley found this to be hectic and unrealistic, so he leveraged his employees to help him narrow it down into three: collaborative, curious, and courageous. Collaborative—the company works well together and with all of its stakeholders. Curious—everyone asks the question “why?” at least a couple of times a day. Courageous—take responsibility to deliver what the company says it’s going to deliver. 

To help guide the company’s employees as they embody these values, Riley has four principles:

1. Give employees cool things to do

2. Give employees the knowledge that they’re applying that technology to change the world

3. Surround employees with good, smart human beings

4. Recognize that employees are human

Learn more about Riley and Digimarc by listening to the full episode.

In this podcast, I explore the power of forgiveness with my dear friend Mark Anthony Lord. Mark’s passion for spiritual awakening led him to ordination as a Minister and has founded two successful spiritual communities. The Bodhi Spiritual Center in Chicago grew from a handful of members to thousands under his leadership, and Living The Course, a virtual, global A Course In Miracles community that he transformed into a 7-figure business in under three years. What Mark and I discovered through this conversation is that forgiveness is critical for a leader to be compassionate. “The leader always has the potential to change the game and change the story,” says Mark. Listen to learn more about how leaders find and practice forgiveness.

In this emotional podcast, our host Laurel speaks with Marina Aksyonova and Andrii Bezverkhyi of SOC Prime, an American enterprise cybersecurity company with Ukrainian roots founded in 2015. The company builds technology to support collective cyber defense. With about half of the company still based in Ukraine, Marina speaks to the company’s great ambition and values-based culture of strength during Ukraine’s difficult times. The company has grown immensely in the last five years. They work with an incredible amount of transparency to prioritize trust in their client relationships. SOC Prime only hires individuals whose values match the company’s values. We have a lot to learn about the power of compassion and curiosity from this incredible company.