The Leader Brew Podcast

Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and his guest Martha Marroquin as they discuss her experiences from the classroom to the real world. Martha spoke about her journey and how the global leadership classroom provided the perfect space for gaining cross-cultural skills, interacting with fellow students, and understanding different perspectives on team projects with global relevance. She found ways to leverage these experiences that ultimately landed her a role with Holman, a global automotive services company, where she leads the Department of International Operations-Mexico. Her insight into adapting during a pandemic, finding a healthy work-life balance, and breaking barriers offer listeners fresh perspectives on how to use positive thinking to gain the trust of others and effectively lead globally.  Martha's authenticity shines as she describes the importance of tearing down walls, building bridges, and being open and nonjudgmental.  

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Live from Pakistan, I sit down with former student Fazeel Tariq Mughal in the major city of Lahore for an interview discussing family business dynamics,  insights on politics, leading in a global environment, and his family's remarkable charitable work.  Fazeel's engineering background and leadership skills make him an effective director at Pakistan's largest steel-producing company.  This megaplex of steel production is the foundation for many charitable activities, including a state-of-the-art eye hospital and several medical laboratories. On average, the eye hospital sees more than 1,000 patients each day and performs 70 surgeries without any requirement for payment.  

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Join Co-Hosts Dr. Rick Arrowood and Dr. Leslie Hitch along with today's guest, Tilka Farzana. Tilka is a graduate of the global leadership program, entrepreneur, and lecturer.  She shares her remarkable story of transitioning leadership theories from the classroom to the real world. Her story is an incredible journey that spans from Bangladesh to Boston to Melbourne, Australia back to Bangladesh. This episode gives insight into ways others can lead across cultural and geographical borders, even in these challenging times.

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Join today's Host Dr. Rick Arrowood as he journeys down memory lane with Dr. Leslie Hitch and Jane Edmonds. These two global leadership faculty pioneers, also known as the dynamic duo, traveled 10,000 miles to Australia to do what they do best--teach, nurture, and inspire leaders worldwide.  Both relive memories of the global classroom, share stories of travel experiences, and fondly recall their interactions with students from more than 20 countries. Their humor, authenticity, and genuine love of teaching, as well their behind-the-scenes recollections, offer unique insight for faculty interested in teaching abroad in multi-cultural classrooms. 

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Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and his guest, Peter Cameron, as they catch up and talk about life, career, and the newest addition to Peter’s family, Hugh. Peter talks about his experiences after attaining a dual master’s degree in Melbourne and later working abroad in London. He shares the importance of family support for individual decisions, particularly when going to another country to work or study. When asked what it was like to uproot himself and what the inner voice was saying, Peter responded, “well, it was more like a scream…I needed to make myself uncomfortable to grow.” He reflected on the experiences that many international students—and foreign workers—must have from leaving their families, learning a second language, and adapting to a new culture. Peter shares his work with Vanguard’s program “Women’s Initiative for Leadership Success (WILLS).” At first glance, Peter wondered what role he could play. Soon after, he realized that as a male and from a leadership perspective, he could be a part of the solution to changing the status quo by improving opportunities for women in leadership. Peter shares that we should focus on finding something we love to do, and then everything from work to life to the community aligns.  

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Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and guest Tatiana Klimova as they explore nonprofit topics, including how international students can benefit from volunteering with local nonprofit organizations. Tatiana shares her approach to "getting out of [my] comfort zone and really immersing my curiosity for learning to enhance my learning." She talks about the challenges facing many NGO's in Moscow, particularly during the current crisis. She worries about the short- and long-term impact on established NGO's given the reality that some major donors have fled Russia, or have been sanctioned and can no longer support these NGO's. She offers her insight on how leaders need to keep leading, especially more so in times of crisis. She believes "life is more important than death" and "we have to fight for it every day in the NGO space."

For more information on how you can help the Medicine Solutions Foundation “Ne Naprasno” please visit https://nenaprasno.ru/

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Join Co-Hosts Dr. Rick Arrowood and Dr. Leslie Hitch as they catch up with their former student, Ishaku Haruna, now Dr. Ishaku Haruna. A Molecular Biologist, Dr. Haruna fondly reflects on his time in the classroom and shares his amazing journey of remaining connected to rural communities in Africa. His passion for helping young people--whether improving the school facilities or activating a 'can-do' personal attitude--inspires rippling effects among village chiefs, religious leaders, and the community at large. Ishaku shares an important lesson in practicing leadership: "It's ok for a leader to take a step back and let others lead-especially those with established power and influence. Leaders don't always have to be the "one" in the spotlight. Spend your time enabling them with your message of change so that they can get the job done more effectively." 

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Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and guest Laura Prado, who shares her story of coming from Argentina to Melbourne, Australia, and then settling in British Colombia, Canada. She's the Regional Manager of Virtual Care at Island Health - Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health | Island Health).  Laura talks about finding herself after a career in finance through leadership studies. She reflects on her journey and shares her openness for exploring opportunities, honing in on skill sets, and searching for meaningful contributions that add something special to the world. Laura's advice to immigrants: don't give up, don't let others stop you, follow your dream, and stay true to yourself.   

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Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and guest Marc Vermouth. Marc is the Director at Rise Against Hunger (https://www.riseagainsthunger.org). He brings a breadth of leadership experience to this global organization that aligns with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal. In his work, Marc leads a team focused on four pathways: nourishing lives, empowering community, responding to emergencies, and growing the movement.  Marc shares remarkable stories of leading in challenging times, navigating ambiguity, and tapping into his leadership skills. Marc shares his advice to nonprofit leaders on maintaining a healthy lifestyle amid the unmet global nourishment needs of people that can--sometimes--feel overwhelming. During COVID, Marc maintained his purpose but recognized the need to balance life and work. He suggests that leaders should invoke humor and empathy during challenging times, find motivation outside the workplace, and listen to self.   

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Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and Co-Host Professor Ifa Khan for this exciting interview with leadership alumn Charles Awodu. In this fascinating discussion, Charles describes what it was like to transition from a leadership classroom to the community. His inspirational story is sure to ignite your passion and purpose. As Founder and Leader of the World Leadership and Inspirational Foundation (World Leadership and Inspirational Foundation – WOLI Foundation), Charles nurtures the minds of young people to become world leaders.   

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