“Success” isn’t always what it seems — especially when the cost is burnout, misalignment, and a broken workplace culture.

Meghan French Dunbar is an entrepreneur, speaker, and author of This Isn’t Working: How Working Women Can Overcome Stress, Guilt, and Overload to Find True Success. As the co-founder and former CEO of Conscious Company Magazine, Meghan interviewed over 1,000 of the world’s most values-driven business leaders, only to find herself facing the very burnout she was trying to solve.

In this episode, Meghan and Jean unpack the systemic causes of burnout and why it’s not an individual failure but a cultural one. They explore how shifting from shareholder supremacy to stakeholder capitalism can create healthier organizations, and why authentic leadership — not assimilation — is the key to building workplaces where people truly thrive.

We talk about:
🔹 Why burnout is a systemic issue, not a personal weakness
🔹 How misalignment with your values accelerates exhaustion and stress
🔹 Why women face harsher performance reviews and steeper leadership hurdles than men
🔹 The role of small businesses in reshaping capitalism
🔹 Why leaders impact employee mental health as much as a spouse
🔹 The danger of assimilated leadership and the power of authenticity
🔹 Simple but powerful leadership practices that build cultures of appreciation
🔹 How redefining success creates healthier leaders, families, and companies

Whether you’re a CEO, an emerging leader, or simply trying to navigate the demands of modern work, this conversation will challenge your view of success — and give you a path toward something healthier and more sustainable.

Quotes from the Episode:
💬 "Burnout isn’t a personal failure — it’s a systemic problem."
💬 "Leaders impact mental health as much as a spouse does."
💬 "Our jobs are actually killing us."
💬 "The woman who is even marginally productive in this system is a warrior."

Actionable Takeaways:
✅ Align your personal values with your workplace to prevent burnout
✅ Build a culture of appreciation through regular, specific feedback
✅ Protect your boundaries (and model them for your team)
✅ Practice authentic leadership instead of assimilating into toxic norms
✅ Remember: business is the largest aggregator of human potential — use it for good

Resources from this episode:
→ Learn more about Meghan: https://www.meghanfrenchdunbar.com 
→ Book: This Isn’t Working: https://www.meghanfrenchdunbar.com/book 
→Connect with Meghan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanfrenchdunbar/ 

Like what you heard?
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more leaders build for freedom, not just scale.

🎧 For more conversations on leadership, culture, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com

AI isn’t the enemy — it’s a mirror. And what it reflects back is forcing us to ask the deeper question: What does it really mean to be human?

Jeff Burningham is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, former Utah governor candidate, and now the author of The Last Book Written by a Human: Becoming Wise in the Age of AI. Having built billion-dollar companies and taught thousands of students, Jeff has spent the last few years reflecting on what matters most: moving from human doing to human being.

In this episode, Jeff shares why AI isn’t just a technological shift — it’s a transformation point for humanity. From disruption and reflection to transformation and evolution, Jeff lays out the hero’s journey we’re all being called into. He argues that business must return to its original purpose — serving human flourishing — and why slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and embracing presence are the most radical choices leaders can make in the age of intelligent machines.

We talk about:
🔹 Why AI is a cosmic mirror reflecting our humanity back to us
🔹 The shift from the “old game” (chasing money and speed) to the “new game” (purpose and awareness)
🔹 The 4-part cycle: disruption → reflection → transformation → evolution
🔹 How fear of AI can paralyze leaders — and what to choose instead
🔹 Why institutions like business, religion, and education must evolve for human connection
🔹 How to guide the next generation through uncertainty and change
🔹 Why slowing down is essential in a world that’s speeding up
🔹 What freedom means in the age of AI

Quotes from the Episode:
💬 "AI is a cosmic mirror. It reflects who we are — and who we’re becoming."
💬 "The old game of chasing money and speed is over. The new game is purpose."
💬 "As machines become more intelligent, it’s on us to become more wise."
💬 "The purpose of business is to serve humanity — not just profit."

Actionable Takeaways:
✅ Don’t resist AI — learn to see it as a mirror for your own growth
✅ Reframe business decisions through the lens of human flourishing
✅ Create space in your life for reflection: meditation, nature, stillness
✅ Recognize that disruption can be the doorway to transformation
✅ Step into your own heroic journey — and help others do the same

Resources from this episode:
→ Learn more about Jeff: https://www.jeffburningham.com/
→ Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-burningham-15a01a7b/
→ Get the book The Last Book Written by a Human: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Book-Written-Human-Becoming/dp/1637634560

Like what you heard?
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more leaders build for freedom, not just scale.

🎧 For more conversations on leadership, AI, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com

Your business will only grow as much as you do.
And if you’ve hit a plateau in revenue, fulfillment, or clarity — the answer probably isn’t a new strategy. It’s you.

Marina Suholutsky is the founder of Purpose Built and a former IBM executive who left the corporate world to help high achievers navigate major life and leadership transitions. From burnout to boredom, from “should” to self, she helps leaders uncover the inner shifts that unlock the next chapter.

In this episode, Marina shares why personal growth and business growth are inseparable — and how to move through the transition moments that test your courage. She unpacks her Four Directions model (mind, body, heart, spirit), the role of cultural context in leadership, and why vulnerability creates more capacity than grit ever will.

We talk about:
🔹 The “trust fall” moment that launched Marina’s business
🔹 Why burnout is your body telling the truth
🔹 The hidden blind spots created by trauma (big and small)
🔹 How to uncover your intrinsic drivers — and let go of “shoulds”
🔹 The Four Directions model for navigating growth
🔹 How cultural context shapes leadership styles
🔹 Why wholeness is the key to true freedom

Quotes from the Episode:
💬 “Your business only grows to the extent that you grow.”
💬 “The body tells the truth.”
💬 “Wholeness is freedom.”
💬 “Capacity starts with knowing where you’re at — and saying it out loud.”

Actionable Takeaways:
✅ Pause regularly to ask if what mattered 5 years ago still matters today
✅ Check in with your “capacity” before overcommitting
✅ Listen to your body as a source of truth, not an obstacle
✅ Identify and challenge “injected drivers” — the shoulds you’ve inherited
✅ Embrace wholeness as the foundation for lasting freedom

Resources from this episode:
→ Connect with Marina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-suho/
→ Learn more about Purpose Built: https://purposebuilt.io/
→ Sign up for Marina’s newsletter, The Pause for Entrepreneurs: https://purposebuilt.io/newsletter

Like what you heard?
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more leaders build for freedom, not just scale.

🎧 For more conversations on leadership, growth, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com

AI isn’t just a tool — it’s a leadership skill. And if you’re still treating it like a fancy assistant, you’re already falling behind.

Geoff Woods is the founder of AI Leadership and author of The AI-Driven Leader, the #1 bestselling book on strategic AI for executives. As former Chief Growth Officer of Jindal Steel & Power, Geoff helped grow the company’s market cap from $750M to $12B in four years — not by outsourcing AI, but by rethinking how leaders lead.

In this episode, Geoff breaks down why AI isn’t about tech — it’s about mindset. He shares a powerful daily habit that’s helping CEOs think bigger, lead smarter, and unlock new levels of strategic clarity. From creating an AI-powered “board of advisors” to reshaping how leadership teams think about growth, Geoff lays out a practical playbook for becoming an AI-driven leader.

We talk about:
🔹 Why most leaders are using AI wrong — and how to shift
🔹 The CRIT framework for writing smarter, more strategic prompts
🔹 How to use AI as your thought partner, not just a task-doer
🔹 The mindset shift from 10x to 250x growth
🔹 Why leaders can’t delegate AI — and what happens if they try
🔹 How to create your own AI board (and why Geoff put Steve Jobs on his)
🔹 Why AI is a liberator, not just a disruptor
🔹 The five human skills that matter more than ever in the age of AI

Whether you’re running a billion-dollar company or just starting to explore AI, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, growth, and your future.

Quotes from the Episode:
💬 "You are the thought leader. AI is your thought partner."
💬 "Most CEOs aren’t asking the wrong questions — they’re not asking any at all."
💬 "Don’t delegate the future of your company to IT. Lead it yourself."
💬 "What if the thing that’s holding you back isn’t the tech — it’s how you think?"

Actionable Takeaways:
✅ Use the CRIT framework: Context, Role, Interview, Task
✅ Write one AI prompt every day — even just on a sticky note
✅ Stop focusing on 80% tasks and start thinking strategically
✅ Surround yourself with thinkers who challenge your vision
✅ Remember: the leader, not the tool, creates the competitive advantage

Resources from this episode:
→ Connect with Geoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-woods-8534774
→ Learn more about AI Leadership: https://www.aileadership.com
→ Get the book The AI-Driven Leader: https://www.aileadership.com/book

Like what you heard?
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more leaders build for freedom, not just scale.

🎧 For more conversations on leadership, AI, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com

Kevin B. Jennings is a business coach, speaker, and personal brand strategist who helps creatives and leaders turn their ideas into impact. As the CEO of Junction 32, he’s worked with influential voices like Oprah Winfrey, Tony Robbins, Dave Ramsey, and more — helping them build trust, serve better, and scale smarter.

In this episode, Kevin breaks down how trust, reputation, and personal branding all stem from one thing: how you show up for people, day after day. From the way we repair mistakes to the moments we empower our teams, trust is the foundation of growth, especially in uncertain times.

We talk about:

Whether you're leading a team, growing your business, or refining your reputation, this conversation will challenge how you think about branding, marketing, and what it really means to build trust.

Quotes from the Episode:

Actionable Takeaways:

Resources from this episode:
→ Learn more about Kevin: https://www.kevinbjennings.com
→ Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbjennings
→ Explore the Small Giants Community: https://www.smallgiants.org

Freedom isn’t just about money — it’s about how you build the place you spend half your life. Most founders miss what true ownership can unlock until they’re already stuck.

Carl Erickson started Atomic Object after a failed startup imploded. He turned it into one of the most admired software consultancies out there by making employees owners from day one. Over twenty years, Carl pushed extreme programming, radical pairing, and direct ownership, building a company designed to last a century.

In this episode, Carl breaks down how Extreme Programming rewired their culture, why he rejected ESOPs for a more direct model, and how “Give a Shit” and “Own It” became more than just slogans — they transformed employees into real owners.

We talk about:
🔹 Why extreme programming transformed more than just software quality
🔹 How pairing goes beyond developers — even Atomic’s co-CEOs are a pair
🔹 The hidden cost of ignoring culture in fast-growing companies
🔹 How Carl created a direct employee ownership plan that builds wealth for non-founders
🔹 Why hiring for cultural fit is essential — and how Atomic avoided “cowboys” and prima donnas
🔹 What it takes to protect a 100-year vision in the face of outside offers
🔹 How freedom after exit means choosing how you spend your days with purpose

Whether you’re building a consultancy, scaling a startup, or planning your own exit, this conversation is a masterclass in creating a culture and ownership structure that outlasts you.

Quotes from the Episode:
💬 "Extreme programming isn’t just coding faster — it’s building trust, quality, and culture."
💬 "Give a shit. Own it. Those are the two most important things we look for in people."
💬 "Companies become reflections of their founders — for better or worse."
💬 "Freedom is flexibility: the ability to do what you care about, without worrying about money."

Actionable Takeaways:
✅ Don’t wait to codify your values — they’re already there in how your team behaves
✅ Consider direct ownership plans if you want employees to truly act like owners
✅ Focus on strategic principles like “Great, Not Big” instead of arbitrary growth targets
✅ Build your company’s culture intentionally — it’s easier than fixing it later
✅ Remember: growth should be a byproduct of excellence, not the goal itself

Resources from this episode:
→ Connect with Carl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-erickson
→ Learn about Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com
→ Carl’s blog “Great Not Big”: https://greatnotbig.com

Like what you heard?
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more founders build freedom-first companies.

🎧 For more conversations on culture, ownership, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com.

Purpose isn’t a destination — it’s how you show up. And most leaders are looking for it in all the wrong places.

Davin Salvagno is a bestselling author, speaker, and executive coach known for helping leaders reconnect with why they started — and who they’re becoming. He’s the co-founder of The Purpose Summit and author of Thieves of Purpose: Overcoming the 12 Mindsets Robbing You of Your Potential, a powerful guide to identifying what’s stealing your motivation.

In this episode, Davin shares how leaders can rediscover purpose in both life and business — and why reconnecting with your “why” starts with your “who.”

We talk about:
🔹 Why purpose is plural and momentary, not one big life goal
🔹 The difference between purpose and motivation
🔹 Why comparison, envy, and distraction rob us of fulfillment
🔹 How to reframe purpose to match the needs around you
🔹 What CEOs can do to reignite purpose in their teams
🔹 Why doubling down on purpose is the smartest move in a crisis

Whether you’re feeling stuck, scaling your company, or leading through uncertainty, this conversation is a reminder that purpose isn’t something to find — it’s something to live.

Quotes from the Episode:
💬 "Your purpose didn’t disappear. You just lost your why."
💬 "Purpose is who you are. Your why is what gets you moving."
💬 "Comparison invites envy. Gratitude brings you back to joy."
💬 "Ask your people why they chose to work for you — the answers will reignite everything."
💬 "Purpose is simple to pursue, but hard to sustain."

Actionable Takeaways:
✅ Stop chasing job titles — focus on your gifts and the needs around you
✅ Reflect on who inspired you to start (that’s your who)
✅ Replace comparison with gratitude to recover lost motivation
✅ Reconnect your team with why they joined, not just what they do
✅ In a crisis, lead with purpose, not fear

Resources from this episode:
→ Connect with Davin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvagno/
→ Get the book Thieves of Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/Thieves-Purpose-Overcoming-Mindsets-Potential/
→ Learn more about The Purpose Summit: https://www.thepurposesummit.com

Like what you heard?
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more business owners build freedom-first companies.

🎧 For more conversations on purpose, people, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com.

AI isn’t just another tool — it’s a multiplier. But most business owners are missing the mark completely.

Jeff MacPherson is a three-time tech founder, the creator of the first Instagram DM chatbot (yes, the one that handled nearly a billion messages), and now the co-founder of XnGen AI. He helps businesses turn their internal IP into scalable AI systems that drive real profit.

In this episode, Jeff shares how business owners can stop chasing shiny tools and start building real leverage — even if they have no clue where to begin with AI. 

We talk about:
🔹 Why AI is an intern, not a savior
🔹 The DNA framework: Data, Nurture, Automation
🔹 How to build your own internal “AI Cloud”
🔹 The mistake of plugging AI into broken systems
🔹 How to train AI to onboard your next hire
🔹 Where most founders get stuck (and how to break free)

Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already experimenting, this is the conversation to help you build smarter and buy back your time.

Quotes from the Episode:
💬 "AI is an intern, not a magic bullet."
💬 "Build your own AI cloud — not someone else’s tool."
💬 "Freedom isn’t working less. It’s working on what matters."
💬 "Most businesses don’t have an AI problem. They have a friction problem."
💬 "You can’t train AI without training your team first."

Actionable Takeaways:
✅ Start with your internal knowledge: SOPs, values, mission, strategy
✅ Centralize it in a simple tool like Airtable or build your AI cloud
✅ Train AI on real business data, not prompts off the internet
✅ Assign someone to own AI on your leadership team
✅ Focus on one workflow. Get results. Then scale.

Resources from this episode:
→Connect with Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmacai/
→ Learn about XnGen AI: https://www.xngen.ai/
→ Matt Farmer AI: https://www.instagram.com/mattfarmerai

Like what you heard?
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more business owners build freedom-first companies. 

🎧 If this episode made you rethink how to use AI in your business, subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more conversations on purpose, people, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com.

When your business disappears and the customer doesn’t blink, that’s a problem.

Bill Mills is the CEO of Executive Group and author of Breakthrough: The Power of Conscious Conversation. He’s helped countless business owners build companies their customers can’t live without.

In this episode, we talk about what separates good companies from great ones — and what it takes to become indispensable.

We talk about:
🔹 Why execution isn’t your real problem
🔹 The difference between vision and distraction
🔹 What conscious conversation looks like in practice
🔹 The power of role complexity in scaling
🔹 How to build a company no one wants to leave
🔹 Why culture drives customer loyalty

If you’re serious about building something that lasts — and creating freedom along the way — don’t miss this one.

Quotes from the Episode:
💬 "If 80% of your priorities get done, the 20% you missed probably held all the value."
💬 "When your business disappears and the customer doesn’t blink, that’s a problem."
💬 "Freedom is when you own the business — it doesn’t own you."
💬 "You don’t have an execution problem. You have a friction problem."
💬 "You can’t chase two rabbits. Focus is the difference-maker."

Links & Resources Mentioned:
🌍 Executive Group: https://executivegroup.com
📘 Breakthrough: The Power of Conscious Conversation 
🎓Elliot Jaques & Tom Foster on Complexity and Role Fit
📊Gallup & University of Toronto Research on Manager Impact
📈 The 10x CEO Study (via Inc. Magazine) 

Actionable Takeaways:
✅ Diagnose the Gap: Use a force field analysis to identify what’s driving results — and what’s holding your team back.
✅ Stop Being Replaceable: Build a business your customers can’t imagine living without.
✅ Share the Wheel: Real power-sharing builds trust and drives scale.
✅ Build Around One Problem: Nail the one thing you solve better than anyone else — and scale from there.
✅ Rethink Execution: It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing the right things — all the way through.

🎧 If this episode made you think differently about leadership, growth, or freedom, subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more conversations on purpose, people, and building businesses that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com.

In this episode of The Freedom Experience, I sit down with Elizabeth Glasbrenner — CEO of Smiley Technologies, a family-owned business providing core banking software to community banks and financial institutions.

Elizabeth’s story is one of courage, clarity, and people-first leadership. After co-founding the business in 2002 with her brother Vance and father Walter, she stepped into the CEO role in 2016 — not just to scale the company, but to rebuild trust, reshape the culture, and guide the business through a period of rapid growth.

In this conversation, Elizabeth opens up about what it took to make that transition. From navigating imposter syndrome to balancing extreme personal challenges — including her husband’s Everest expedition and her daughter’s life-threatening health issues — she shares what it really looks like to lead with empathy and authenticity, even when the stakes are high.

🎥 Watch this conversation on YouTube. And SUBSCRIBE!

Key Themes:

🔹 The Leadership Shift
Why the leader who starts the business isn’t always the one to scale it — and how Elizabeth found her own leadership voice.

🔹 Building Trust from the Inside Out
How Elizabeth rebuilt trust in the organization after stepping into her brother’s shoes — and why listening was her first strategy.

🔹 Leading Through Personal Crisis
Balancing high-stakes leadership with an intense family situation — and the strength that came from showing up fully in both.

🔹 Quiet Strength
Why vulnerability, empathy, and consistency became her edge — and how that reshaped the culture at Smiley Technologies.

🔹 Freedom and Leadership
What freedom means when you're responsible for others — and how Elizabeth learned to lead in a way that aligned with her values.

Quotes from the Episode:

💬 "You don’t need to know all the answers. You need to ask the right questions."
💬 "Trust is everything. Without it, nothing moves."
💬 "I thought I had to prove myself. What I really needed to do was show up as myself."
💬 "Listening was the most powerful thing I did as a new CEO."
💬 "Freedom is finding calm in the chaos."

Links & Resources Mentioned:

🌍 Smiley Technologies: https://www.smileytechnologies.com
📲 Connect with Elizabeth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-glasbrenner/

📚 Books Mentioned
– The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey
– Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
– Quiet by Susan Cain

Actionable Takeaways:

✅ Step Into the Role: You don’t need to be the same kind of leader as your predecessor — just the one your business needs next.
✅ Lead with Empathy: Listening is often more powerful than directing.
✅ Rebuild from Trust: Sustainable growth starts inside the team.
✅ Embrace Your Season: Life and business don’t happen in separate lanes — lead with full presence.
✅ Redefine Success: It's not about doing more — it's about doing what matters most.

🎧 If this episode made you think differently about leadership, growth, or freedom — subscribe, share, and leave a review.
For more conversations on purpose, people, and building businesses that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com.