What happens when an artist’s eye meets executive strategy? In this energizing conversation, Genein and Veronica explore Creative Intelligence (CQ)—the dynamic interplay of creative thinking, emotions, and strategic action—and how it powers adaptability, innovation, and leadership clarity. From inattentional blindness (👋🏽 “invisible gorilla”) to the magic of hands-on making, from journaling to forced metaphors, you’ll hear practical ways to grow your Brain Capital: curiosity, creativity, resilience, and foresight.

Veronica shares how her path from sculpture and found-object art to C-suite coaching revealed repeatable patterns anyone can learn. You’ll leave with frameworks for turning strong emotions into strategic action, using serendipity on purpose, and reframing problems by “turning the square just so…until you see the cube.”

Veronica Scarpellino is a Creative Thought Partner, leadership strategist, and the developer of the Creative Intelligence (CQ) framework, equipping professionals to navigate uncertainty, drive innovation, and lead through disruption. A formally trained coach and artist, she integrates creative sensibilities into executive coaching to help leaders, executives, and founders cultivate adaptability and strategic foresight. A Professional Certified Coach (ICF-PCC) and Board Certified Coach (BCC) with 20+ years of experience, Veronica’s clients experience an average 20% increase in creative thinking skills, directly enhancing problem-solving, leadership agility, and resilience. She’s the author of Second Draft: Rewrite Your Midlife Career with Creative Intelligence, challenging outdated career models and offering a proactive roadmap for reinvention. A recognized thought leader and member of Forefront: Powered by Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches, Veronica is a keynote speaker and trainer on the future of work, Creative Intelligence, and AI-augmented leadership.

What you’ll learn
* CQ in action: Move from survival mode → curiosity → creative options → strategic action
* Attention as a superpower: Why we miss what’s “missing,” inattentional blindness, and how to train observation
* Analog > autopilot: The value of tactile making (vinyl records, handwriting, LEGO-style building) for memory & insight
* Thinking styles: Internal vs. external processors, dot-connectors vs. analysts—how teams harness each
* Little c vs. Big C creativity: Everyday wins that compound into transformation
* Opposites & “break it” drills: Unstick problems by flipping assumptions (even “How would we make the customer mad?”)
* Metaphor workouts: Seed the default mode network to spark solutions from unexpected places
* Curiosity = care: Keep relationships, teams, and ideas vibrant by staying genuinely curious

Website home: www.goldfinchleadership.com/#
Book link: www.goldfinchleadership.com/second-draft-book.html#
LinkedIn profile: www.linkedin.com/in/veronicascarpellino

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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Olajide Williams to explore how stroke awareness, prevention, and treatment intersect with culture, equity, and the arts. He shares both personal insights and groundbreaking research that has saved lives in Harlem and beyond.

Together, we discuss:
* The urgent reality of stroke – why every minute counts (“time is brain”).
* Why stroke disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities—and tragically, at younger ages.
* The treatment window: from clot-dissolving medications like tenecteplase to advanced clot-removal procedures.
* The hidden barriers to timely stroke care—knowledge gaps, delayed responses, and reliance on cabs or waiting rooms instead of calling 911.
* The power of health literacy as the first pit stop on the road to health equity.
* How the Hip Hop Stroke Program quadrupled treatment rates in Harlem by engaging children, who then educated their parents and grandparents.
* Why music, art, and emotional connection are indispensable for learning and transforming community health.

Key Insights & Gems 💡
* “Time is brain.” Every minute of untreated stroke equals 1.9 million neurons lost.
* Community-driven solutions work. By equipping children with stroke knowledge, entire families became more prepared—and lives were saved.
* Stress and emotions are critical. Eight minutes of anger can reduce blood vessel relaxation by 50%, showing how closely our emotional health is tied to physical outcomes.
* Health literacy = health equity. Seeing yourself represented in health campaigns creates stronger connections and better outcomes.
* The arts as medicine. When logic, credibility, and emotion (logos, ethos, pathos) come together, change becomes possible.

Dr. Olajide Williams, MD, MS is the Vice Dean of Community Health at Columbia University and a world-renowned neurologist specializing in stroke and cerebrovascular disease. Known as the “Hip Hop Doc”, he has pioneered the use of music, storytelling, and culture to reduce healthcare disparities and improve health literacy.

He is the co-founder of Hip Hop Public Health with legendary artist Doug E. Fresh and has partnered with icons such as Chuck D, DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, and Ashanti to translate lifesaving medical knowledge into accessible, culturally relevant education. With multiple NIH-funded initiatives, Dr. Williams continues to transform how we understand, prevent, and respond to stroke while advancing equity in medicine and inspiring global movements in public health.

Memorable Quote from Dr. Williams
“Those who are closest to the problem are often closest to the solution.”

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

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In this joyful episode, Amy Graves shares her personal journey of developing food allergies later in life and how it inspired her to create Hidden Consumers Consulting. She discusses the often overlooked connection between lab created ingredients and brain health, explaining how nutrient poor, calorie dense additives can negatively affect both body and mind. Backed by peer reviewed research, Amy reveals why food companies need to rethink their ingredients and marketing strategies if they want to connect with the powerful, expanding market of health conscious consumers. This conversation shines a light on the intersection of food, health, and business innovation.

Three Main Points Listeners Will Learn

• The Hidden Impact of Lab Created Ingredients – How certain additives affect not only physical health but also brain health and cognitive function.
• The Power of the Hidden Consumer Market – Why individuals with allergies, sensitivities, and health concerns represent a rapidly growing demographic that brands cannot afford to ignore.
• How Companies Can Lead with Inclusion – Practical strategies for natural and organic brands to align messaging, marketing, and automation with the needs of health conscious consumers.

Amy Graves is a passionate advocate for health conscious consumers, a published author, and an expert in accessibility and inclusion. As the founder of Hidden Consumers Consulting, she helps brands in the natural and organic industries connect with the growing demographic of “hidden consumers”—individuals whose purchasing decisions are shaped by health concerns, allergies, and sensitivities. Amy is also the author of Hidden Consumers: Uncovering The Power of Health Conscious Consumers and a certified Business Analyst. She lives in Lake Elsinore, California, with her husband and two cats, Sheba and Ginger.

Check Amy Graves out:

thehiddenconsumer.com/home

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

In this episode, Dr. Reza shares his journey from cancer survivor and naval engineer to neuropsychiatrist, innovator, and founder of multiple healthcare startups. Drawing on his experience diagnosing over 1,000 families with dementia and building companies that push the boundaries of brain health and workflow automation, Reza brings a unique perspective at the intersection of medicine, technology, and human connection. Listeners will learn how AI enhanced tools, digital biomarkers, and creative clinical workflows are reshaping the future of psychiatry and patient care. With humor, insight, and hard won wisdom, Dr. Reza challenges us to rethink how we approach brain health, technology, and resilience in a changing healthcare landscape.

Dr. Reza is a neuropsychiatrist, engineer, and serial healthcare entrepreneur whose journey has been shaped by resilience and innovation. A cancer survivor at 22, he pivoted from naval engineering to medicine, training in biomedical engineering and neuropsychiatry. His career spans four health tech startups, including MedFlow, Frontier Psychiatry, and NeuroLex, a voice biomarker company acquired by Sonde Health. With expertise in neurodegenerative disorders and a proven track record in building clinical technologies, Dr. Reza combines medical insight with engineering creativity to transform healthcare delivery. Known for weaving humor into even the toughest conversations, he inspires patients, colleagues, and audiences to see both the science and humanity in brain health.

 Three Main Points Listeners Will Learn

1. The Power of Brain Health Innovation – How AI, digital biomarkers, and workflow automation are revolutionizing clinical care and supporting value based healthcare models.
2. Resilience and Perspective – How surviving cancer, pivoting careers, and balancing humor with medicine shaped Reza’s approach to patients, leadership, and life.
3. Strategies to Lower Your Risk for Dementia– Learn practical strategies to implement in your life in the areas of food, sleep and other areas to decrease your risk of dementia and increase your flourishing. 

Check out Dr. Reza:

medflow.care
www.linkedin.com/in/rezahg
rezahg.com

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

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In this episode, Dr. Linda Sasser explores the lifestyle practices that research shows are essential for maintaining brain health. As one of the speakers for our 2025 Brain Capital Conference in Phoenix, AZ on September 6th, 20205, she highlights modifiable risk factors that, if addressed, could reduce the incidence of dementia by up to 40 percent. Dr. Sasser also discusses the vital role of attention in memory function and reframes memory as a skill that can be improved rather than a fixed capacity. Listeners will come away with actionable insights on how to strengthen their memory, boost their cognitive skills, and protect their brain health for the long term.

Linda Sasser, Ph.D., earned her doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Colorado, where she conducted her research on memory. She has served on the faculty of both Wheaton College and Judson University, teaching courses in educational and cognitive psychology. During her sabbatical, she conducted a national survey on brain health, further fueling her passion for this critical area. Dr. Sasser is the author of BE! Brain Enrichment, a curriculum to help people build brain health and cognitive skills, and Brain SENSE: A Guide and Workbook to Keep Your Mind and Memory Sharp, which is available on Amazon.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Lifestyle choices matter: Research shows that adopting healthy lifestyle practices can significantly reduce dementia risk, with evidence suggesting up to a 40 percent reduction when modifiable risk factors are addressed.

Attention drives memory: Memory relies heavily on attention, and by strengthening our ability to focus, we can improve how we encode, store, and recall information.

Memory is a skill, not a limit: Rather than viewing memory as a fixed capacity, it should be seen as a trainable skill that can be improved with intentional strategies and brain enrichment practices.

Check out Dr. Linda Sasser:

brainandmemoryhealth.com,
www.amazon.com/Brain-SENSE-Guide-Workbook-Memory/dp/0578468735

The Lyric's 'N Leadership Institute teaches leadership, brain health and NeuroSomatic Creativity® inspired by the work of iconic artists! Learn more about our Lyrics ’N Leadership Institute at lyricsnleadereship.org.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

In a world obsessed with hustle, Dr. Natalie Nixon invites us to rethink what it truly means to be productive. Drawing from her latest book, Move. Think. Rest., she offers a fresh, human-centered framework for work—one that integrates motion, reflection, and recovery as the fuel for creativity, innovation, and sustainable success.
As burnout, remote fatigue, and digital overload rise, Dr. Nixon shares how leaders and teams can cultivate space for strategic thinking, resilience, and imaginative growth. This isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters, better.

🎯 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to create “liminal space” for deeper insight, creative problem-solving, and smarter decisions
• Why rest and recovery are essential leadership tools—not luxuries
• How to redesign productivity metrics for the Imagination Era, focusing on creativity, adaptability, and long-term impact

Dr. Natalie Nixon is a creativity strategist and the “creativity whisperer” to the C-Suite. As CEO of Figure 8 Thinking, she helps leaders unlock the ROI of creativity for meaningful innovation. She’s the author of Move. Think. Rest. and the award-winning The Creativity Leap, and has been named to the 2024 Thinkers50 Radar cohort and Top 50 Keynote Speakers by Real Leaders. With a background in anthropology, fashion, dance, and academia, Natalie brings a truly unique lens to the future of work. Her clients include Google, Salesforce, and Deloitte. She lives in Philly and loves dance and open water swimming.

Dr Natalie's Websites:
www.figure8thinking.com/move-think-rest, www.linkedin.com/in/natalienixonphd, /https://www.figure8thinking.com

The Lyric's 'N Leadership Institute teaches leadership, brain health and NeuroSomatic Creativity® inspired by the work of iconic artists! Learn more about our Lyrics ’N Leadership Institute at lyricsnleadereship.org.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

In a world where loneliness and disconnection are on the rise, humor stands as a powerful—and often overlooked—path to healing, joy, and reconnection. In this uplifting episode, performance artist and interfaith minister Barbara Ann Michaels, the Jester of the Peace, invites us into HumorVille, her imaginative pop-up town of participatory performances designed to help people feel seen, heard, celebrated, and connected.

Barbara explores how humor is more than entertainment—it’s a human right, a spiritual practice, and a vital remedy for our times. Get ready to reframe laughter not just as light-hearted fun, but as a transformative force for wellness, community, and creative expression.

🎯 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
* How humor can be a profound tool for healing and connection
* Why play and performance can combat loneliness and isolation
* The vision and magic behind HumorVille and its joyful participatory events
* How to embrace humor as both a spiritual path and a shared human right

Barbara Ann Michaels, known as the Jester of the Peace, is a performance artist and interfaith minister who blends humor, love, and art to foster human connection and wellness. She is the visionary behind HumorVille, a touring pop-up town of participatory performances that invite people to express themselves joyfully and feel truly seen. Through immersive experiences like Marry Your Self, #IVote4U, and #IDanceLikeU, she brings transformational play to cultural, corporate, and community spaces around the world.

Barbara has created interactive art for organizations such as Airbnb, The Hive at Claremont College, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Huffington Post, and Discovery Channel Australia. With degrees from Brown University and Massachusetts College of Art, and ordination through One Spirit Interfaith Seminary, Barbara champions humor as a human right, a spiritual practice, and a path to personal growth. 

Reach out to Barbara:

JesterOfThePeace.com IG: @JesterOfThePeace LI: www.linkedin.com/in/jesterofthepeace

The Lyric's 'N Leadership Institute teaches leadership, brain health and NeuroSomatic Creativity® inspired by the work of iconic artists! Learn more about our Lyrics ’N Leadership Institute at lyricsnleadereship.org.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

In this powerful episode, former pro golfer and podcast executive Matt Cook takes us inside The 5 A.M. Comeback—his personal journey to return to competitive golf while undergoing a full-body transformation: physically, mentally, and spiritually. But this is about more than the game. It’s about redefining what’s possible, even when life is full, careers are demanding, and doubts try to take hold.
Matt shares how podcasting has become a tool for amplifying purpose, deepening self-awareness, and building discipline. His story is a call to anyone wondering if their best days are behind them—because they’re not. From the greens to the mic, Matt is leading by example.

🎯 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
* How to balance a comeback pursuit with career and everyday responsibilities
* Why discipline, storytelling, and self-awareness are key to lasting growth
* How podcasting can fuel transformation and purpose-driven consistency
* Why "perfection" is overrated—and repeatable action wins in both golf and life

Matt Cook is a former professional golfer and the Director of Agency at Mission Matters, one of the fastest-growing podcast agencies in the U.S. He hosts the Pull Hook Golf podcast, delivering raw, real insights from the world of golf, and recently launched The 5 A.M. Comeback, a transformational series chronicling his return to elite competition. With a background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship, Matt blends storytelling with strategy to elevate authentic voices. Whether behind the mic or back on the course, he’s driven by purpose, discipline, and a passion for inspiring growth through podcasting and performance.

Reach out to Matt:

• Pull Hook Golf Podcast: pullhookgolf.com
• The 5 A.M. Comeback (YouTube Playlist): www.youtube.com/@PullHookGolf

The Lyric's 'N Leadership Institute teaches leadership, brain health and NeuroSomatic Creativity® inspired by the work of iconic artists! Learn more about our Lyrics ’N Leadership Institute at lyricsnleadereship.org.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

In a world where change is constant and ambiguity is the norm, leaders must go beyond traditional thinking. In this inspiring episode, we explore how applied improvisation offers powerful tools for navigating uncertainty, tapping into creativity, and leading with agility. Our guest, Michelle James, brings over two decades of experience guiding leaders, teams, and organizations through the dynamic world of improv-based learning.

Today, we’re joined by the brilliant Michelle James—a true pioneer in the world of applied creativity and improvisation. For over two decades, she’s worked with thousands across corporations, government, nonprofits, and universities to help unleash their innate creative power. Michelle is known for her dynamic, imaginative learning environments and her visionary work in creative emergence.

She’s collaborated with industry giants like Microsoft, PBS, and the World Bank, and is the founder of the Capitol Creativity Network in D.C. Michelle’s TEDx talk broke new ground on improv in the workplace, and her book Pattern Breaks is a must-read for creative leaders. Get ready to explore how improv isn’t just for actors—but for any leader who dares to think differently.

Listeners will discover how improvisational practices can break habitual patterns, unlock hidden talents, and foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and presence. Whether you’re leading a team, coaching clients, or facilitating transformation, these principles will open up new pathways for creative leadership.

🎯 In This Episode, You’ll Learn How To:
* Cultivate flexibility and confidence when leading through uncertainty
* Break out of limiting patterns to spark innovation and fresh thinking
* Use core improv principles to foster creativity in yourself and your team
* Strengthen skills like deep listening, co-creation, and responsiveness
* Apply real-time creative tools in leadership, coaching, and facilitation

Reach out to Michelle:

www.creativeemergence.com, patternbreaks.com, linkedin.com/in/creativeemergence

The Lyric's 'N Leadership Institute teaches leadership, brain health and NeuroSomatic Creativity® inspired by the work of iconic artists! Learn more about our Lyrics ’N Leadership Institute at lyricsnleadereship.org.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

What if the key to peak performance and fulfillment isn’t working harder—but tapping into your Flow State?

In this transformative episode, we welcome Diane Allen, a 15-year Concertmaster (lead violinist), international keynote speaker, and bestselling author of Flow: Unlock Your Genius, Love What You Do. Diane shares how her journey from the concert stage to the global stage led her to develop the Flow Strategy™, a powerful method that helps individuals and teams access their zone of brilliance—on demand.

Diane’s insights stem from her years of experience leading orchestras, where she was expected to show up fully engaged, perform flawlessly, and inspire those around her. Her solution? Learning to activate her own flow first—using it as the oxygen mask to lead herself, then others. Now, through captivating stories, live music, and neuroscience-backed techniques, she teaches others how to do the same.

Diane Allen, a 15-year Concertmaster (lead violinist), international keynote speaker, and bestselling author of Flow: Unlock Your Genius, Love What You Do. Diane shares how her journey from the concert stage to the global stage led her to develop the Flow Strategy™, a powerful method that helps individuals and teams access their zone of brilliance—on demand.

You’ll discover:
* What the Flow State is and how to harness it
* Why burnout often stems from misalignment, not overwork
* How leaders can create cultures of engagement, creativity, and purpose
* Simple ways to access your Flow and unlock your inner genius

Whether you're a leader, educator, creative, or changemaker—this episode will inspire you to reconnect with what lights you up and perform at your best, with joy and intention.

Diane's LinkedIn
dianeallen.com www.linkedin.com/in/dianeallenspeaker

Arizona’s first Brain Capital Conference is September 6th, 2025 in Phoenix/Avondale, AZ. Visit lyricsnleadership.org/bcc for more info. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Seats are limited. Register today!

The Lyric's 'N Leadership Institute teaches leadership, brain health and NeuroSomatic Creativity® inspired by the work of iconic artists! Learn more about our Lyrics ’N Leadership Institute at lyricsnleadereship.org.

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/