The Insight Interviews - Powered by Rewire

Richard Boyatzis is a Distinguished University Professor at Case Western Reserve University and a Professor in the Departments of Organizational Behavior, Psychology, and Cognitive Science. He holds a BS in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT and a PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard University. His more than 200 scholarly and 50 practitioner articles examine sustained, desired change in leadership, emotional intelligence, coaching, neuroscience, and management education. He is ranked in the top 2% of scientists worldwide by PLOS Biology and the top 0.05% by ScholarGPS. He is the author or coauthor of 10 books, including the international bestseller Primal Leadership, Helping People Change, and The Science of Change.

In this episode, Steve and Richard discuss:

• The origins of coaching and how it predates modern certification bodies
• Emotional and social intelligence as predictors of leadership effectiveness
• Why early goal-setting can activate stress and limit creativity
• The neuroscience behind coaching, vision, and sustained behavior change
• How relationships, resonance, and compassion drive engagement and innovation

Key Takeaways: 

• Coaching is not a modern invention. Its practice is grounded in decades of scientific research and historical application, long before formal credentialing systems existed.
• When predicting effectiveness, emotional and social intelligence matter more than technical expertise. Across roles and industries, these competencies consistently emerge as stronger indicators of performance.
• Vision and purpose play a critical neurological role in change. By activating neural networks associated with openness and creativity, they support deeper learning and sustained transformation.
• No model can compensate for a weak relationship. The quality of the connection between coach and client is just as influential as any framework or methodology used.
• The real ROI of coaching goes beyond solving immediate problems. It can be measured through increased engagement, creativity, and long-term impact on how people approach their work and lives.

“If you spend time in a coaching conversation, and if you make the context of the coaching conversation not solving a problem, not setting a specific goal, but if you make the context helping the person articulate and move closer to their dream, their vision, their sense of purpose, that you actually help them to repeatedly activate the neural networks that make us open and allow us to continue to be open to people.” - Richard Boyatzis

Connect with Richard Boyatzis:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-boyatzis-401822a/

Connect with Steve:

LinkedIn: Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Cameron Bishop is a seasoned executive and entrepreneur with decades of experience leading growth and transformation. He is a Managing Director and Partner at Raincatcher, a FINRA-compliant investment bank specializing in the sale of privately held companies. With over 70 M&A transactions completed as both buyer and seller, Cameron brings unmatched expertise in guiding business owners through the complex process of maximizing value in a sale. Previously, he served as CEO of Intertec Publishing, scaling it into a $400 million enterprise, and co-founded Ascend Media, a PE-backed startup that grew to $120 million in just three years.

In this episode, Steve and Cameron discuss:

• Cameron’s journey from journalism student to serial entrepreneur
• How one failed acquisition shaped his leadership approach
• The role of servant leadership and listening in building strong teams
• Adapting leadership styles to motivate diverse teams
• The value of lifelong learning and reinvention

Key Takeaways: 

• Failure is often the best teacher. The lessons gained from setbacks can shape resilience, sharpen decision-making, and influence leadership style far more deeply than success ever could.
• People matter more than processes. True business success comes from understanding, motivating, and valuing individuals, not just checking boxes on technical diligence.
• Servant leadership is about humility. By hiring people smarter than themselves, listening to their insights, and adjusting when necessary, leaders unlock greater wisdom than they could achieve alone.
• Motivation is never universal. Every person is driven by something different, and leaders who take time to uncover those drivers can inspire their teams to perform at the highest level.
• Lifelong learning fuels reinvention. Staying curious, adaptable, and willing to evolve ensures both leaders and their organizations remain relevant and thriving in a changing world.

“My goal is always to be the dumbest person in the room. I loved hiring smart people. I never tried to hire people in my own image, which so many senior-level people do. I wanted a very eclectic mix of senior-level executives and employees in general. For that matter, they came from different experiences and different walks of life, because they all add a different kind of value, and the sum of the parts is greater. You know, one plus one equals three is what you get out of that.” - Cameron Bishop

Connect with Cameron Bishop:

Website: https://raincatcher.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-bishop-19b6804/ 

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Patrick Palmer has 30 years of experience in the mortgage banking industry, developing retail origination sales, marketing, and operational platforms. Patrick currently serves as Executive Vice President with CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. Prior to joining CrossCountry, Patrick was the President of National Sales for RPM Mortgage and Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Alpine Mortgage Planning in Lake Oswego, Oregon. He has spent his career helping hungry, humble, smart originators crush their barriers and scale their business to new heights.

Patrick attended Western Oregon University and George Fox University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in business and economics and his MBA with a focus in Finance. Patrick is the former Chairman of the Western Oregon University Foundation board of directors and serves many local charities.

In this episode, Steve and Patrick discuss:

• The impact of mentorship and having guides who shorten the learning curve
• Why emotional intelligence is essential for leadership and how it can be developed
• The role of failure as a requirement—not an option—for growth and leadership
• How fear of permanence and abandonment blocks trying new things
• The importance of shared vision and values in building effective teams

Key Takeaways: 

• True mentorship thrives on availability, willingness, and skill. Great mentors provide guidance freely, without expectation of return, and their generosity can change the entire trajectory of someone’s career.
• Emotional intelligence and empathy are not fixed traits. They can be developed and strengthened through practice, self-awareness, and intentional learning over time.
• Failure is not the end but a stepping stone. When reframed as part of growth, mistakes become powerful lessons that accelerate leadership and personal development.
• Fear often spirals into catastrophic thinking. Leaders who recognize this can reframe mistakes as temporary setbacks, helping themselves and others move forward with clarity.
• Shared vision and values unify teams. When leaders create alignment, they unlock collective energy and purpose that drives long-term success.

“The thing you have to get your mind around first is that failure is not final. Human mistakes, if I made a mistake, that doesn't define me for the rest of my life. Get up, brush yourself off, move on. There's no finality to it until our lives are over.” - Patrick Palmer

Connect with Patrick Palmer:

Website: https://crosscountrymortgage.com/lake-oswego-or-5403/patrick-palmer/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickrpalmer/ 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Donna Wright brings over 30 years of leadership experience in the mortgage industry, having held senior roles at top financial institutions, including Wells Fargo and Bank of America. She began her career as an originator and rose to become a regional sales manager and national production manager, where she built a reputation for recruiting, motivating, and coaching high-performing teams. Known for driving revenue, building markets, and enhancing profitability, Donna has led organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurial ventures. With expertise in Six Sigma, start-up growth, and franchising, she is both a seasoned sales executive and successful business owner. Donna holds a BA in Economics from the University of Dallas and currently resides in Austin.

In this episode, Steve and Donna discuss:

• How mindset drives resilience and success in tough times
• The value of learning something new every day about people, business, and yourself
• Why surrounding yourself with the right people can shift your outlook and energy
• The value of transparency and honesty in leadership and relationships
• How working with a coach can accelerate growth and keep you accountable

Key Takeaways: 

• Mindset is more than actions—it reflects who you choose to be when adversity strikes, shaping both resilience and long-term success.
• Embracing the idea of being “so wrong for so long” opens the door to fresh perspectives and lasting growth.
• Even small acts of daily learning create momentum; over time, they keep you sharp, adaptable, and ready for change.
• Surrounding yourself with people who lift you higher is essential because their energy and encouragement can break negative cycles.
• A coach doesn’t just guide you—they challenge your blind spots and hold you accountable, helping you reach levels you couldn’t achieve alone.

“The most important thing that any of us could focus on is mindset and what we do to set our minds right, because if our mind's not right, the rest isn't really right.” - Donna Wright

Connect with Donna Wright:

Website: https://republicstatemortgage.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-wright-4b59827/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donna.m.wright.37/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Andrzej Cetnarski is an award-winning cyber governance, national security, and corporate strategist, named CEO of the Year by CEO Monthly Magazine. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Cyber Nation Central®, a global cybersecurity protocol and advisory firm for Boards and C-Suites, and Chairman of the CNCDO™ Network. A former U.S. Congressional staffer, Forbes Contributor, and Wall Street banker with over $7B in closed deals, he also serves on the Cyber Defense Advisory Council and the Global Tech Security Commission. Andrzej holds degrees from Harvard, Wharton, Penn, and the University of Chicago, and is the author of The CEO & Board Chair Cyber Manuscript, advancing executive-level cyber readiness worldwide.

In this episode, Steve and Andrzej discuss:

• How resilience and mindset shaped Andrzej’s path from immigrant to cybersecurity leader
• Why cybersecurity is more about culture and behavior than technology
• The fiduciary responsibility of boards and executives across physical, digital, and cyber domains
• The $5.8 trillion gap between cybercrime and security solutions and its impact on business
• Strategies for maintaining optimism and leadership in a high-stakes security world

Key Takeaways: 

• Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT problem—it’s rooted in culture, behavior, and leadership. True protection begins when executives set the tone and drive a company-wide mindset of security.
• Boards and executives may not realize it, but they already hold fiduciary responsibility for cyber readiness. Ignoring this duty exposes both their organizations and their personal legacies to unnecessary risk.
• With cybercrime revenues projected to soar past defenses, companies cannot afford to be passive. Proactive deterrence and resilience must be treated as strategic priorities for survival.
• Thriving in today’s volatile world requires more than technical skill. Entrepreneurs and leaders need resilience, disciplined routines, and strong mindsets to lead effectively under constant pressure.
• The future of cybersecurity lies in sovereignty—whether for individuals, businesses, or entire nations. Achieving this digital self-defense is the only path to lasting protection in an interconnected world.

“Whether you're an investor, a board director, an entrepreneur, or simply an executive, in a venture or in a corporation, you have a fiduciary responsibility now already existing over three organizations, the physical, digital, and the cyber secure.” - Andrzej Cetnarski

Connect with Andrzej Cetnarski:

Website: https://cybernationcentral.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrzejcetnarski/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACetnarski 

Email:  [email protected] 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Rose Marie David is a seasoned mortgage industry leader with nearly 40 years of experience, recognized for building high-performing teams and driving extraordinary growth. She began her career as an underwriter and rose to become a broker/owner, top producer, and executive director, consistently closing over $100 million annually. Transitioning to executive leadership in 2010, she helped HomeStreet Bank achieve 400% organic growth and led Homebridge Financial Services through an acquisition with a 98% retention rate. Today, as Retail Sales Executive for CMG in the West, she has added $2B+ in annual volume and helped secure CMG’s #6 national ranking. A HousingWire Vanguard Award winner, she also serves as Chair of the Washington Mortgage Bankers Association.

In this episode, Steve and Rose Marie discuss:

• The role of gratitude and meditation in shaping leadership and daily focus
• Her personal journey from professional ballet training to mortgage banking
• Leadership lessons from decades of experience and industry change
• How authenticity, abundance, and detachment fuel effective leadership
• Guidance for newcomers: coaching, systems, and genuine care

Key Takeaways: 

• Starting the day with gratitude and meditation isn’t just a habit—it sets the tone for clarity, peace, and better choices throughout the day. Rose Marie shows how small practices can transform leadership presence.
• Her years of ballet training demanded discipline and rigor, and those traits later became the backbone of her resilience and success in finance and leadership.
• Trust and loyalty don’t come from titles; they come from authenticity and leading with an abundant mindset. Rose Marie’s career reflects how this approach inspires long-term followings.
• Success in mortgage banking is both an art and a science. Empathy and care matter just as much as technical knowledge and strong systems, and together they create consistent excellence.
• For those starting in the business, prioritizing learning, emotional intelligence, and genuine care for people is non-negotiable. These qualities separate the good from the great in this industry.

“When we are authentic about what we're doing and really there to serve and make a difference for people without any type of agenda or expectation… I really always felt first and foremost, what was important was to just be true to myself and my team and the people that I'm serving.” - Rose Marie David

Mentioned:

Books: Teach Your Mind to Change Your Brain by Sharon Begley 

Altered Traits by Daniel Goleman

Richard Rohr: The Center for Action and Contemplation

Connect with Rose Marie David:

Website: https://www.cmgfi.com/mysite/rose-marie-david/blog 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rose-marie-david-66b21018/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Steve Multer is the founder of Steve Multer. Corporate Storytelling, a strategic brand messaging partner for Fortune and midsize organizations to maximize their connection with customers, partners, and media analysts. As a spokesman and keynote thought leader, Steve has crafted and delivered over 20,000 onstage and onscreen presentations for more than 150 global brands, including Cisco, Fujifilm, Siemens, HP, Panasonic, Bayer, Intel, and NTT Data.

He trains global C-suites and sales teams in winning communication methodologies, and he’s coached thousands of executive and industry speakers to increase impact through value, passion, and human connection. Steve's new book is ‘Nothing Gets Sold Until the Story Gets Told.’

In this episode, Jason and Steve discuss:

• Evolution of corporate storytelling: from 1990s trade shows to today’s Fortune 500 strategies
• Building audience connection on a human-first level before introducing products or services
• Common brand storytelling mistakes and practical ways to correct them
• The balance between passion, profitability, and knowing when to pivot
• Communication frameworks like the Flow of Content Hierarchy and the COACH State

Key Takeaways: 

• The most powerful business storytelling weaves together facts and human emotion, creating narratives that feel both credible and personal. When people can see themselves in your story, they are more likely to engage and trust your brand.
• Too often, companies begin with a product pitch or corporate message, missing the chance to first connect on a human level. Leading with empathy and understanding opens the door for your audience to actually hear your message.
• For startups, passion and storytelling fuel momentum, yet lasting success depends on reading the market and adjusting when necessary. Adaptability ensures the story continues to resonate as the business grows.
• Failure is not the end of the journey—it can be the reset button that clears away clutter and sparks stronger ideas. Each setback sharpens your ability to tell stories that connect more deeply.
• True communication thrives on authenticity and service. When leaders genuinely focus on serving others, business growth naturally follows as a byproduct of trust and connection.

“Trust yourself to tell a value story for the benefit of other people, and the minute you start doing it, you’ll be amazed at how much clearer and how much more formidable, solid, and successful your daily engagements and communications become, both personally and professionally.” - Steve Multer

Steve's 5 Paths to Passionate Storytelling FREE eGuide - Password: soldtold23

Connect with Steve Multer:

Websites: https://corporatestorytelling.com/ , https://stevemulter.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemulter/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Are you prepared to lead with confidence when disruption strikes? In this episode, we share practical strategies for building leaders who can thrive in uncertain times. We explore why disruption is not a sign of failure, how vision and values provide stability, and the critical role of emotional intelligence in navigating change. You’ll also hear why creating safe opportunities for leaders to fail early builds resilience for high-pressure moments later. Whether you’re guiding a small team or an entire organization, this conversation delivers powerful insights to help you transform disruption into growth.

In this episode, Steve and Steve discuss:

• The reality of disruption in today’s organizations and why it’s unavoidable
• How dysfunctional communication and anxiety emerge during times of disruption
• The importance of returning to vision and values to guide teams
• Why developing emotional intelligence early prepares leaders for challenges
• Practical strategies for giving leaders agency and opportunities to grow

Key Takeaways: 

• Disruption should never be viewed as failure; it’s an inevitable part of business evolution, and organizations that acknowledge this reality are better positioned to adapt.
• When turbulence hits, leaders must rally their teams around a clear vision and core values, creating a stabilizing force that keeps everyone moving in the same direction.
• Poor communication and unmet expectations are common byproducts of disruption, and if left unchecked, they quickly snowball into organizational dysfunction.
• Emotional intelligence isn’t built overnight—leaders who cultivate it ahead of time are far more equipped to navigate uncertainty with calm and clarity.
• Allowing leaders to experiment and even fail in low-stakes environments early on fosters resilience, making them stronger and more confident when high-pressure challenges arrive.

“There's nothing wrong with you. You are going through a disruption. Your organization going through a disruption does not mean, in and of itself, that you have done anything wrong as a leader in your organization. That's the nature of doing business in 2025 in the world. Disruption happens, and that's why some organizations they'd rather be the disruptor than the disruptee. And that has its own problems, but you're going to be on either side of that equation. So that's just a natural byproduct of doing work in the world.” - Steve Longan

Connect with Steve and Steve:

LinkedIn: Steve or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Dr. Emma Sarro is a researcher at the NeuroLeadership Institute, where she translates cognitive and social neuroscience into practical strategies that help organizations improve leadership, collaboration, and innovation. Formerly a professor at Dominican College and New York University, she also conducted research at the Nathan Kline Institute. She earned her bachelor’s from Brown University and her PhD in neuroscience from NYU, focusing on sensory processing, brain plasticity, and the effects of early life trauma. At NLI, her work highlights how understanding and working within the brain’s capacity—while challenging it in the right ways—can boost creativity, trust, and team performance, all while reducing social threat responses and fostering meaningful growth.

In this episode, Steve and Dr. Emma discuss:

• The link between a growth mindset and improved performance
• How the brain’s plasticity fuels learning, adaptability, and resilience
• Practical strategies for fostering a growth-oriented environment in organizations
• Why moments of stillness and mind-wandering boost innovation and insight
• The impact of stress and cortisol on creativity, decision-making, and brain health

Key Takeaways: 

• Adopting a growth mindset actively redirects your brain’s resources toward setting and achieving goals, while easing the grip of fear-based, threat-focused thinking. This mental shift opens the door to greater creativity and resilience.
• Respecting your cognitive capacity isn’t just about avoiding overload—it’s about optimizing brain performance. Protecting your mental bandwidth helps you make sharper, more strategic decisions.
• Mind-wandering is a powerful tool for innovation. Stepping away from intense focus allows your brain to form new connections and unlock fresh, unexpected ideas.
• Chronic stress and prolonged cortisol levels act like roadblocks to creativity and problem-solving. Leaders who learn to manage stress effectively safeguard both their health and their innovative potential.
• Small, intentional changes—like adding the word “yet” to reframe challenges or regularly reflecting on mistakes—can gradually transform your mindset. These micro-adjustments often lead to long-term performance gains.

“Accepting that you can change and accepting that you can improve is completely different from accepting that you are, that you have a certain skill, and that whatever you put out is the best that you can do.” - Dr. Emma Sarro

Connect with Dr. Emma Sarro:

Website: https://neuroleadership.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-sarro-phd-in-neuroscience-4766784/ 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Beckie Moore is the Founder of Unlocked & Unlimited and an Executive Coach & Life Alchemist who specializes in 1:1 coaching for senior and mid-level leaders. A Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Beckie brings seven years of coaching experience and over two decades of leadership across the Department of Defense, private sector, and active-duty military service. Her powerful toolkit includes certifications in the Hogan Assessment System, Integrative Enneagram Solutions iEQ9, EQ-i, and Corentus Team Coaching—equipping her to unlock leadership potential through deep analytical insight and transformative coaching methodologies. In addition to her own business, Beckie is also an executive coach for Rewire.

In this episode, Jason and Beckie discuss:

• Defining a Life Alchemist and improving environments through intention
• Applying the Three Centers of Intelligence: head, heart, and gut
• How internal vs. external processing styles impact leadership and team dynamics
• Common leadership blind spots and how self-awareness enhances effectiveness
• Real-life examples from her coaching work with the Department of Defense and corporate leaders

Key Takeaways:

• Self-awareness lays the groundwork for effective leadership, but it’s only half the equation. True impact comes when leaders also seek to understand how others think, feel, and operate.
• Many leaders instinctively lean on one primary intelligence center—head, heart, or gut. When the other two are neglected, it can create blind spots that weaken team trust and collaboration.
• Internal processors may appear hesitant, while external processors may dominate with rapid thoughts. Recognizing these styles—and naming them—helps teams align expectations and avoid miscommunication.
• Over-reliance on a single intelligence center creates imbalance: the analytical may seem cold, the empath may fear confrontation, and the instinctive may act prematurely. Balance requires awareness and intentional adaptation.
• Sometimes, the most powerful coaching move is to say nothing at all. Holding space with quiet presence can unlock clarity that words might otherwise crowd out.

“When you understand how you process information, you can give yourself the tools that you need in order to be the best that you can be.” - Beckie Moore

Connect with Beckie Moore:

Website: https://www.unlockedandunlimited.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckie-moore/ 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.