Discover why the future of leadership is brain-friendly, not machine-run. What if the real competitive edge in a world overflowing with AI isn’t data or speed, but an ability to stay deeply, consciously human?

In this episode, Bernadette McClelland welcomes scientist, filmmaker, and author Dr. Silvia Damiano for an illuminating dive into the neuroscience of leadership, the rise of the Imagination Age, and actionable strategies to amplify performance—beyond just productivity numbers. From the secrets of mental readiness and emotional self-regulation, to the four pillars of her i4 NeuroLeader Model, you'll learn how to foster creativity, adaptability, and authentic human connection in uncertain times.

Key highlights include:

• Why true performance is holistic—and how the brain drives it
• The difference between productivity and genuine performance
• How AI will amplify great leaders and expose average ones
• The critical role of self-awareness and curiosity in future leadership
• Simple, science-backed tips to boost creativity, adaptability, and resilience in yourself and your team

Bring your leadership into the future by learning to create not just results, but a lasting, positive human impact.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Welcome, introduction to guest and episode theme

02:20 Launch of conversation: human potential and leadership

04:05 Dr. Silvia Damiano’s “epiphany” and the origins of her leadership model

05:49 Redefining performance vs. productivity

07:53 The impact of AI on leadership and work

11:18 Self-development’s role in leadership effectiveness

13:30 How pressure physically changes the brain

14:20 Imagination Age – why ideas create value now

16:12 What’s scarce & valuable in a world of limitless knowledge

18:32 Advice for the next generation and the power of versatility

19:11 Human connection’s revival in the business world

20:43 Adaptability and letting go of ego

23:24 The i4 NeuroLeader Model explained

26:48 How to develop imagination for creativity and innovation

29:07 Brain-friendly organizations in the age of AI

30:20 The leadership documentary “Make Me a Leader”

33:01 Leadership applies to all of us—not just those with titles

33:30 Insights from measuring brain activity during meditation

35:36 Dr. Silvia Damiano’s single piece of advice for leaders in the AI era

37:44 How to connect with Dr. Silvia Damiano and about her new book

38:33 Fast Five: quickfire answers on humanity, leadership, and the brain

40:02 Wrap-up and final thoughts from Bernadette McClelland

Buyers don’t just choose based on product and price—they decide based on trust, risk, and the quality of human interactions. Ever wondered what truly sways your buyer’s final decision?

In this episode, Bernadette McClelland sits down with win-loss analysis expert Cian McLoughlin to pull back the curtain on what buyers really think, the risks they weigh, and the subtle dynamics that separate the winners from the rest. You’ll learn why small differences add up, how leaders and salespeople overestimate their impact, and why sales success today means going beyond the spreadsheet to win both heart and mind.

Key highlights include:

• What happens when sales teams ignore post-deal intelligence
• The power of human connection versus technical solution
• Why feedback and listening are the most underestimated sales skills
• What buyers are thinking but rarely tell the sales team
• Strategies for aligning sales and buying cycles to avoid “ghosting”
• Why risk is now the #1 decision criteria for buyers—and how to respond

Episode Overview

00:00 Introduction and guest welcome

04:07 The origins of win-loss analysis and market need

07:48 Why honest buyer feedback is so hard to get

10:52 Common gaps between sellers’ perceptions and buyers’ experiences

13:19 What really tips deals: human connection, risk, and credibility

17:35 Where the “first domino” in winning or losing is tipped

21:03 Risk, inside advocacy, and new commercial models

23:44 Aligning selling with how buyers decide—and avoiding ghosting

24:48 The single message every sales leader should hear

25:57 Practical feedback: what to fix and how to win

28:00 B2B is human-to-human: authenticity, energy, and passion

29:16 Measuring impact of win-loss reviews in ongoing deals

32:28 Changing leadership attitudes on win-loss analysis

33:07 “Fast 5” sales insights and episode wrap-up

When community comes before trophies, culture becomes unstoppable—so what sustains unwavering loyalty when the wins don’t come?

In this episode, Bernadette McClelland sits down with Petrece Kesha, former Warriors executive and community builder, to explore how the only New Zealand team in the NRL has fostered fierce devotion, resilience, and meaning well beyond the scoreboard. Petrece Kesha shares insights on creating high-performing teams, the critical role of integrity, and what true leadership looks like—on and off the field. Discover practical takeaways about building connection, honoring values, and evolving your purpose, whether you’re an athlete stepping off the field or a business leader navigating new chapters.

Episode Overview

00:00 Introduction: Life after the spotlight

02:52 Petrece Kesha’s early sales journey

06:02 Getting into the Warriors: How Petrece Kesha broke in

09:14 Why rugby league, and family legacy

12:00 Building events and community programs

14:00 Launching the Warriors Women’s Team and supporting female athletes

17:26 COVID and keeping community alive

22:05 How the Warriors culture endures without a trophy

25:43 Fast team-building and creating connection under pressure

29:55 Integrity and leadership—learnings from Uncle Neville’s legendary moment

35:18 Athlete transitions: Purpose beyond performance

38:00 Advice for leaders in transition

41:03 What influence truly means

42:12 Rapid-fire questions

43:49 Closing: Building legacy through connection

Great leaders know that scaling revenue isn’t just about growth—it's about building the right operational flywheels and understanding when to pivot, adapt, and move with intention.

In this insightful conversation, Bernadette McClelland and Mark Roberge dig into the science (and art) of scaling, sharing real-world lessons from HubSpot, Harvard, and the frontlines of tech. Mark Roberge challenges old habits in sales leadership, reveals why most businesses misuse data, and explains how to avoid the most common pitfalls in scaling up, hiring, and aligning teams. They also tackle the essential—but often overlooked—human side of leadership, from burnout to mental health, and offer practical guidance for CEOs looking for sustainable success in the age of AI.

Key highlights include:

• The dangers of cut-and-paste go-to-market strategies
• A new way to think about product-market fit and leading indicators of retention
• What actually kills forecast accuracy
• The vital importance of coaching (and why it’s underestimated)
• How to outpace burnout and build healthier work cultures
• Why all proceeds from Mark Roberge's latest book support mental health research

Episode Overview:

00:00 Welcome, introductions, and Mark Roberge's background

02:21 Shifting careers: From engineering to sales and beyond

03:53 The serendipity of career evolution

04:33 Lessons from moving from operator to advisor and investor

06:20 Why “one-size-fits-all” scaling strategies fail

07:31 Reflecting on success and failure across multiple companies

09:17 Signs your company is (or isn't) ready to scale

10:49 The real definition of product-market fit

12:43 How to determine leading indicators of customer retention

15:06 The challenge of data-driven sales in an increasingly complex environment

17:12 The forever problem: Multiple stakeholders and decision-making units

19:24 Understanding team and buyer dynamics for better sales outcomes

21:24 The power of developing champions in enterprise sales

22:58 The underestimated emotional side of decision making

23:45 Data vs. humanity—what wins out in sales leadership

25:38 Burnout, pressure, and the limits of “996” work culture

28:54 Why all book proceeds support mental health, personal motivations

33:36 Advice for CEOs: Sustainable scaling and operational flywheels

38:37 Where to connect with Mark Roberge and get the book

39:14 Rapid-fire Q&A: Metrics, pitfalls, and the future of sales leadership

41:00 Closing thoughts and gratitude

What if the single biggest barrier to courageous leadership isn’t fear—but the stories we tell ourselves about it?

In this powerful episode of The Influence Gap, Bernadette McClelland sits down with bestselling author and behavioral science expert Dr. Margie Warrell to unpack why courage—not strategy or smarts—is the key to breakthrough results in business, sales leadership, and life.

Tune in for eye-opening insights into the real cost of avoiding tough conversations, how to transform fear into fuel for action, and why vulnerability in leadership is actually a sign of strength—not weakness. Dr. Margie Warrell also shares practical steps from her book "The Courage Gap," explores why embracing discomfort accelerates growth, and reveals how shifting your internal story is essential for true impact. This episode is packed with actionable wisdom for anyone ready to lead with more authenticity, bravery, and influence.

Timestamped Overview

[00:00] Introduction and guest welcome[02:23] The Courage Gap: Why courage matters[03:36] The gap between knowing and doing[04:16] Identity, uncertainty, and leadership behaviors[07:36] Sales leadership pitfalls and team trust[10:56] Inner mastery and family business challenges[13:50] Speaking truth to power and managing risk[16:43] The value and timing of difficult conversations[19:42] Respect, vulnerability, and honesty[22:46] Handling challenging personalities[25:34] Five steps to braver action[26:22] Challenging your limiting stories[28:12] Identity protection and growth[29:54] Choosing vulnerability as a leader[32:05] Humanity, humility, and connection[34:28] Leading through uncertainty and values[35:07] Collaboration in uncertain times[36:54] Book details and rapid fire wrap-up[37:48] Final thoughts on influence and leadership

In this energizing episode of The Influence Gap, Bernadette McClelland sits down with bestselling author Bob Burg, co-author of "The Go-Giver," to shatter common misconceptions around leadership, sales, and the real definition of value.

Discover why leaders often struggle the most with receptivity, and how mastering the delicate dance between giving and receiving can completely transform your influence, compensation, and authentic impact. Key insights include the difference between price and value, why discovery is the most critical phase of the sales process, and how to never sacrifice your authenticity under pressure. Tune in for rapid-fire wisdom, stories that stick, and practical steps to close your own influence gap.

Timestamped Overview

[00:00] Welcome and Introductions

[01:32] The Go-Giver's Origin Story

[04:54] The Five Laws: Value, Compensation, Influence, Authenticity, Receptivity

[06:14] Why Leaders Struggle with Receiving

[09:18] Value vs. Price: Real-World Examples

[14:30] Uncovering What Buyers Truly Value

[16:53] Linking Value and Compensation

[19:37] Authenticity vs. Congruence in Leadership

[23:17] Overserving vs. Inappropriate Giving

[26:32] Self-Value and Avoiding the Doormat Trap

[27:04] The Power of Value in Sales

[28:18] What Moves Good to Great in the Go-Giver Movement

[30:08] Rapid-Fire Leadership Questions

[32:33] Closing and Takeaways

What if everything you know—and have never said out loud—is actually your most valuable asset in the age of AI?

In this powerful solo episode of The Influence Gap, discover why differentiating your value has never been more critical, even as technology automates and commoditizes expertise. The discussion explores how your lived experiences, earned wisdom, and unique observations create a form of influence that AI can never replicate. Key themes include three actionable strategies to make your wisdom visible: building structured frameworks, harnessing the power of storytelling, and leveraging your voice through speaking. Tune in for an uplifting perspective on how to stand out and lead in a world of disruption.

Timestamped Overview

[00:00:00] Welcome and episode introduction

[00:01:38] What influence is—and what it is not

[00:03:36] The disruption of AI and its impact on leaders

[00:05:39] The irreplaceable human element: earned wisdom

[00:08:19] Why your value must be made visible

[00:10:54] The big question: what do you know that you haven't voiced?

[00:13:22] Three ways to make your influence visible

[00:17:33] Turning wisdom from valuable to visible

[00:18:58] Closing thoughts and call to action

What if one of the greatest NCAA gymnastics coaches of all time never actually did a cartwheel?

In this compelling episode, Bernadette McClelland sits down with Valorie Kondos Field, legendary UCLA gymnastics coach, to explore how she achieved extraordinary success—without ever being a gymnast herself.

You’ll discover how Valorie Kondos Field built a championship program on relationships, vulnerability, and the simple power of asking. She unpacks what it means to lead people (not just performances), why imposter syndrome can be a secret weapon, and how moments of failure can actually unlock lasting influence.

With powerful stories about the "art of the ask," learning from Coach Wooden, and coaching the human being—not just the KPI—this episode will change the way you think about leadership and what’s truly possible when you dare to step out of your comfort zone.

Timestamped Overview:

00:00 Welcome and Valorie Kondos Field’s accolades

04:45 How she became head UCLA coach without gymnastics experience

07:58 Lessons in saying yes without all the answers

11:44 Discovering her authentic leadership style

15:06 Coaching the human, not just the performance

20:30 The power of vulnerability and the need to "be enough"

22:38 The art of the ask: Dinners, mentors, and advocacy

28:01 Why you shouldn't "wait to dance"

29:34 Kids Alive International and championing healing through validation

30:00 Rapid fire leadership reflections

31:12 Closing remarks and takeaways

What if the way you think about winning in business—and even about money itself—is completely backwards?

In this electrifying episode, Joel Block blows the lid off conventional business wisdom, revealing how most organizations are programmed to "play not to lose"—and why that’s a surefire formula for mediocrity.

From his early days as a professional blackjack player beating the house, to making billion-dollar deals on Wall Street, Joel Block shares the real secrets of the "advantage player mindset" and how you can apply them to achieve winning results and outsmart the game—whether you’re running a startup, leading a team, or vying for a seat at the table.

Key highlights include:

• Why most leaders and companies play defense instead of offense—and how it kills growth
• What it really takes to become an elite performer (the answer will surprise you)
• The mathematics of risk, timing, and how wealthy people leverage the system differently
• The surprising advantage women have in business settings—and how to use it
• Rapid-fire truths on courage, leadership, and what separates winners from everyone else

Tune in to close the gap between intention and impact, and get ready to flip your thinking about business, risk, and winning.

Episode Overview:

00:00 What "beating the house" really means and intro to the advantage player mindset

05:20 How business is often stacked against you—and why most companies play not to lose

09:40 Money myths, courage, and why wealthy people see the system differently

13:32 Timing, risk, and making bold decisions as a leader

17:14 Why leaders fear risking their reputation more than capital

21:28 Speaking truth to power and the hidden cost of protecting your seat at the table

26:20 High performers vs. elite performers; actionable steps to go from good to world-class

30:22 Creating momentum and the power of a "killer strategy"

33:41 Concrete outcomes: what happens when high performers become elite

36:13 Rapid-fire: the market rewards the courageous, and parting advice

What if you discovered that the real reason your sales team is missing targets isn't lack of effort or weak tactics—but your stories are sabotaging your results?

In this episode, Bernadette McClelland welcomes the Emmy Award-winning branding expert and storytelling authority, Park Howell, to blow the lid off how most leaders unintentionally widen their "influence gap" by relying on logic and features instead of emotion and narrative.

Park Howell unpacks his core story framework—the ABT (And, But, Therefore)—and shows how it can transform sales conversations, emails, pitches, and brand strategy into powerful emotional connections that move audiences to action. Hear how a simple rewrite triggered a 400% increase in campaign engagement, why technical people can be the best storytellers, and how to stop "anding" your audience to death.

Whether you're a CEO, sales leader, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical tips for intentional storytelling, the neuroscience behind what truly influences, and a new way to approach AI as "artful intelligence." Plus, you'll learn what really differentiates branding powerhouses and how to tell memorable, business-changing stories—in 90 seconds or less.

Episode Overview

00:00 - Welcome, introductions, and why story is central to influence

02:22 - Park Howell's advertising background & personal story “aha” moments

05:14 - From intuitive to intentional storytelling (and why structure matters)

07:07 - The ABT framework explained and how it speaks to the buying brain

09:55 - What businesses lose by neglecting strategic storytelling

11:56 - Why people default to logic (and why it fails to create influence)

13:27 - The Amsterdam analogy: Where logic fits in your brand story

14:28 - Brand as the story people tell about you—and how to shape it

16:26 - From “winging it” to intentional narrative

18:09 - The digital marketing shift, AI, and “artful intelligence”

22:00 - Why most leaders stay stuck at “good” and not “great”

23:31 - Moments vs. epic stories—the small stories that move business

25:10 - Bernadette McClelland shares the moment behind launching The Influence Gap

27:24 - Closing the branding gap for smaller companies

30:20 - How to connect with Park Howell and access his tools

33:36 - Rapid fire questions and closing remarks