The Marcel Podcast

By Marcel SchwantesBusiness Management

The Marcel Podcast episodes

July 24 Unlocking Your Full Leadership Potential with Dusty Holcomb
If you are a champion of human-centered leadership and want to see your people flourish, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnership opportunities. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02

In this episode of The Marcel Podcast, Marcel talks with Dusty Holcomb, founder and CEO of The Arcqus Group, about leadership in the age of AI. Dusty shares why leaders must not let AI distract them from the fundamentals: clear outcomes, self-leadership, accountability, and communication that keeps people connected to the work that matters.

Bio:
Dusty Holcomb is CEO of Arcqus Group, a keynote speaker, an executive advisor, and a catalyst for growth-focused executives.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Welcome back & podcast rebrand
02:05 – Meet Dusty Holcomb & The Arcqus Group
04:57 – Dusty's leadership journey and early influences
08:26 – The leadership lesson that changed everything
10:41 – Leaving corporate to launch Arcqus
12:30 – Leading in the age of AI
14:05 – Advice for first-time CEOs
15:49 – Why reflection is a leadership superpower
16:37 – Blind Spot #1: Lack of clarity
20:31 – Blind Spot #2: Chasing AI tools instead of outcomes
22:10 – Five questions every team member should answer
23:58 – From mercenaries to missionaries
25:03 – Why self-leadership comes first
29:56 – Two simple self-leadership practices
32:51 – Redefining accountability
36:10 – Why great leaders repeat themselves
40:31 – Living your organization's values
40:57 – A leadership habit that builds trust
43:40 – Leadership fundamentals in the AI era
45:46 – Give yourself grace and space to think
47:20 – Dusty's free leadership resource
48:21 – Where to connect with Dusty
49:22 – Final thoughts & closing

About the Show:

The Marcel Podcast (previously the Love in Action podcast) is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts globally and is distributed to 160 countries. The show features deep conversations with the world's top leadership experts, authors, scientists, and thought leaders about what it means to flourish as leaders and human beings. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

Free tool:

Discover how much employee turnover may be truly costing your organization. Get your free employee turnover cost calculator here: https://marcel-schwantes-zvbpnt.subscribepage.io/

Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors:

If interested in sponsoring an episode, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/

52 min
July 22The Hidden Cost of Employee Turnover That Is Draining Your Profits with Marcel Schwantes
If you are a champion of human-centered leadership and want to see your people flourish, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnership opportunities. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02

In this solo episode of The Marcel Podcast, I unpack one of the biggest profit leaks hiding in plain sight: employee turnover. Most leaders know turnover is costly but underestimate its true financial toll. I explain why turnover isn't just an HR issue but often a leadership problem caused by poor management, limited growth, and toxic workplace cultures that drive away good people. This episode helps leaders see team turnover differently and shows that reducing it begins with better leadership.
Don't guess what turnover is costing your organization. Download my free Employee Turnover Cost Calculator using the link below and discover the real financial impact of employee turnover in your business:
https://marcel-schwantes-zvbpnt.subscribepage.io/

Bio:
Marcel Schwantes is a leadership coach, speaker, author, and advocate for more humane workplaces. Marcel’s work includes:
Leadership coaching
Leadership development courses
Keynote speaking and workshops
Executive roundtables and culture strategy sessions

Marcel is the author of Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss. Whether coaching a CEO or training a leadership team, Marcel’s #1 goal is the same: To help leaders become the kind of people others want to follow.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Welcome & why human flourishing matters in business
0:25 – How leaders feel turnover (quiet teams, lost employees, stressed managers)
1:20 – The hidden costs of turnover (recruiting, onboarding, training, lost productivity)
2:20 – Emotional and physical “tax” on the people who stay
3:00 – Why leaders underestimate turnover (looking at the wrong scoreboard)
3:40 – Turnover as a leadership problem, not just a market problem
4:20 – Real reasons people leave (micromanagement, overwork, lack of growth/support)
5:10 – The “look in the mirror” question: What is turnover really costing you?
6:14 – Retention, engagement, and leadership development as business strategies
6:40 – Introducing the free “What’s Turnover Really Costing You?” calculator
7:20 – Closing: Helping organizations and people flourish

About the Show:
The Marcel Podcast (previously the Love in Action podcast) is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts globally and is distributed to 160 countries. The show features deep conversations with the world's top leadership experts, authors, scientists, and thought leaders about what it means to flourish as leaders and human beings. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

Free tool:
Discover how much employee turnover may be truly costing your organization. Get your free employee turnover cost calculator here: https://marcel-schwantes-zvbpnt.subscribepage.io/


Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors:
If interested in sponsoring an episode, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/
9 min
July 10Treating Your Mental Health Challenges with Psychedelic Therapy with Keith Kurlander
If you are a champion for human-centered leadership and workplaces, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnerships. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02
In this episode of The Marcel Podcast, Marcel talks with Keith Kurlander, a psychotherapist, entrepreneur, and author, about psychedelic therapy's potential to transform mental health treatment. Keith shares his personal journey into mental health, explains why traditional methods often fail to address core issues, and discusses the science, history, and clinical use of psychedelics. They cover trauma, depression, PTSD, the benefits and limits of psychedelics, and emphasize the importance of guidance, preparation, and integration for lasting healing. It's a thoughtful, evidence-based discussion on a key development in mental health care.

Bio:

Keith Kurlander, MA, LPC, is a licensed psychotherapist, coach, speaker, and author, recognized as a leader in mental health, trauma, and human potential. He co-founded the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, training over 10,000 clinicians in innovative treatments. As co-author of Psychedelic Therapy and a speaker, Keith combines clinical expertise and clarity to help people understand themselves and their potential.

Quotes:
“We need new tools, and we need them fast, because we have a global mental health crisis.”
“Psychedelic therapy is a clinical experience. It has structure around it to produce the highest probability that you're going to have a healing experience.”
“Any problem inside ourselves is likely solvable. The problems we create are likely healable—you just have to commit to finding the answer, and you likely will if you're really committed.”

Takeaways:
Recognize that trauma is a process in the body—a nervous system stuck in a chronic threat response—not simply an event, and consider where that pattern may be showing up in your own life.
Seek a licensed mental health professional who is also trained in psychedelic therapy rather than navigating these powerful medicines on your own, especially if you have a mental health condition.
Prioritize integration after any psychedelic experience so insights become lasting behavior change instead of fading into just a cool memory.
Resist making impulsive, life-altering decisions in the days immediately following a breakthrough insight—give big realizations time to settle.
Approach microdosing claims with healthy skepticism; the evidence so far is largely anecdotal, and it reflects a fundamentally different philosophy of use.

Timestamps:
[00:00] Welcome to the 300th Episode and the Marcel Podcast Rebrand
[02:00] Today's Topic: Psychedelics and Mental Health
[04:00] Introducing Keith Kurlander
[05:20] What's Your Story? Keith's Turning Point at 19
[07:52] A Values Crisis and a New Calling
[10:49] The Big Idea Behind Psychedelic Therapy
[12:36] What Trauma Really Is
[16:11] The History and Evolution of Psychedelics
[21:01] Schedule One and the Stigma
[23:07] What Happens During a Psilocybin Experience
[25:11] Does Psychedelic Therapy Work for Everyone?
[27:48] The Risks of Going It Alone
[32:05] What a Guided Journey Looks Like
[33:47] Ego Dissolution and Dosing Sessions
[35:32] Integration and Its Pitfalls
[37:42] Understanding MDMA
[39:25] Reframing Psychedelics in 2026
[40:42] The Truth About Microdosing
[42:27] Final Thoughts and Keith's Biggest Hope

Conclusion:
Real healing asks us to look beneath our symptoms to the trauma that drives them—and to be open to new tools when the old ones fall short. Psychedelic therapy isn't a shortcut or a cure-all; it's a structured, clinical approach that works best with skilled guidance, honest preparation, and committed integration afterward. The difference between a transformative experience and a harmful one often comes down to context, support, and intention. As research accelerates and access expands, staying curious—while keeping a healthy dose of skepticism—may be the wisest posture of all. The problems we carry inside ourselves are likely healable, but only for those willing to commit to the work.
Links/Resources:
Book: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/book/
Website: https://keithkurlander.com/
Integrative Psychiatry Institute: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/
47 min
May 22Becoming The Kind Of Leader People Wish They Had Growing Up with Marcel Schwantes
Episode recap

If you are a champion for human-centered leadership and workplaces, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnerships. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02

In this solo episode, Marcel explores a question that cuts deep: Why do so many leaders struggle to create emotionally safe environments where people can thrive?
Drawing from a striking study highlighted in Harper’s Magazine, Marcel unpacks the reality that only 35% of Americans grew up knowing a compassionate, non-judgmental adult, and only 5% identified their father as that person. He examines how generations of men were conditioned to suppress emotion, prioritize performance over presence, and equate vulnerability with weakness, patterns that continue to shape leadership behavior today. Most importantly, this episode challenges leaders to rethink what people truly remember about them. Not their charisma. Not their intelligence. But whether they created an environment where others felt safe enough to grow. This is a conversation about becoming the kind of leader many people wish they had growing up.

Bio:

Marcel Schwantes is a leadership coach, speaker, author, and advocate for more humane workplaces. He works with organizations struggling with disengagement, and cultures that lack high performance — and who are ready to build something better. Marcel’s work includes:
Executive coaching
Leadership development programs for managers
Keynote speaking and workshops
Executive roundtables and culture strategy sessions

Marcel is the author of Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss. Whether coaching a CEO or training a leadership team, Marcel’s #1 goal is the same: To help leaders become the kind of people others want to follow.

Quotes:
"We're asking today's leaders to create experiences they may have rarely experienced themselves growing up."
"A lot of leaders are navigating with what I call an incomplete emotional map."
"People rarely remember the smartest leader in the room. They remember the leader who made them feel safe enough to become better."

Takeaways:
Your early experience (or lack) of a compassionate, non-judgmental adult directly shapes how emotionally safe people feel around you as a leader today.
Many leaders operate with an “incomplete emotional map,” defaulting to control, defensiveness, and avoidance because vulnerability was never modeled for them.
Psychological safety is one of the strongest predictors of high-performing teams, making emotional safety a core business imperative—not a “soft” extra.
Humane leadership is built through daily micro-moments—pausing before reacting, listening without fixing, asking curious questions, and staying fully present.
Regardless of your past, you can break the cycle and become the compassionate, non-judgmental leader others remember as a turning point in their lives.

Timestamps:
[00:00] Why Leadership Wellbeing Must Be a Priority
[01:12] Podcast Rebrand and Future Direction
[02:14] The Shocking 35% Compassion Statistic
[03:08] Why Emotional Safety Wasn’t Modeled for Many Leaders
[04:12] The Leadership Challenge of Psychological Safety
[05:20] What an “Incomplete Emotional Map” Looks Like at Work
[06:33] How Childhood Conditioning Shapes Leadership Behavior
[07:24] Research Behind Psychological Safety and High-Performing Teams
[08:22] Caring Leadership Is Built Through Daily Human Moments
[09:34] The Small Habits That Permanently Change People
[10:22] What Employees Actually Remember About Great Leaders
[11:09] Becoming the Compassionate Leader Many Never Had
[12:01] Breaking the Cycle and Building Better Leadership Cultures
[12:48] Closing Remarks and Podcast Outro

Conclusion:
In a world obsessed with metrics, strategy, and performance, Marcel's message is a powerful reminder that the real work of leadership is emotional. Only 35% of people say they knew a compassionate, non-judgmental adult growing up-and that deficit shows up every day in how leaders react, control, or shut down when things get hard.
But this isn't a story of blame; it's a story of possibility. By recognizing our incomplete emotional maps and choosing small, daily acts of care, curiosity, and presence, we can rewrite the script. We can create teams where people feel safe enough to speak up, grow, and take risks-and become the kind of leaders others remember not just for what we achieved, but for how we made them feel.
Ultimately, the real opportunity in front of us isn't only to build better businesses-it's to become part of the "other 65%" of leaders: the compassionate, non-judgmental adults the next generation desperately needs.

Links/Resources:
The book: https://www.amazon.com/Humane-Leadership-Lead-Radical-Kick-Ass-ebook/dp/B0CWG3PTL4/
Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/
X: https://x.com/MarcelSchwantes
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1
Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/
13 min
May 18The Case for Kindness to Make Our World a Better Place with Steven Sawalich
This episode is brought to you by Mitel. If you’re thinking about how communication impacts leadership and resilience in your own organization, Mitel works with more than 70 million users worldwide across critical industries to keep teams secure and connected. You can check them out at Mitel.com.

Episode recap:
In this episode, Marcel sits down with filmmaker Steven Sawalich to discuss his award-winning documentary, Case for Kindness, now streaming on Prime. Together, they explore the science behind kindness and its role in building trust and healing relationships in today’s polarized world. Featuring stories and insights from voices like Ben Affleck, Garth Brooks, and Daryl Davis, this conversation offers a hopeful and practical reminder that intentional kindness can transform both individuals and communities.

Bio:
Steven Sawalich merges humanitarian work with the capture of compelling human experiences on film. His award-winning documentary, Case for Kindness, explores the transformative societal impact of kindness and its role in shaping our future. The film has received over 75 awards globally.

Quotes:
“Kindness is a muscle, and you need to exercise it.”
“We can start seeing our commonalities as opposed to our differences.”
“Love and kindness win.”

Takeaways:
Practice intentional kindness daily instead of relying on random acts to create lasting behavioral change.
Replace judgment with curiosity by asking questions and seeking to understand another person’s perspective first.
Create cultures of kindness in workplaces by modeling empathy, accountability, and respect from leadership downward.
Use shared experiences like music, sports, art, or service projects to build bridges between people with opposing views.
When conflict arises, pause before reacting emotionally and process feelings without allowing negativity to take root.
Acknowledge that kindness is contagious—simply witnessing compassionate behavior can inspire others to act similarly.
Lead conversations with openness instead of certainty to foster trust, dialogue, and stronger human connection.

Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction
[06:20] Steven’s global travels and the inspiration behind A Case for Kindness
[09:45] Polarization, dialogue, and rebuilding common ground through kindness
[12:37] The story of a Black musician befriending KKK members
[17:11] Kindness in leadership, workplace culture, and emotional contagion
[19:32] How making the documentary personally transformed Steven’s mindset
[23:18] Ben Affleck’s powerful reflections on addiction and kindness
[26:08] Trust, suspicion, and why kindness matters more than ever
[30:42] Steven’s vision for the future impact of the film
[31:30] Practical ways to lead with love, patience, and curiosity

Conclusion:
This conversation is a reminder that kindness is not simply about being nice—it is about choosing connection over division, curiosity over judgment, and compassion over fear. Steven Sawalich’s journey demonstrates that even in the most difficult conversations and darkest moments, kindness can open doors that hatred and hostility never could. Whether in leadership, relationships, workplaces, or communities, small intentional acts of kindness have the power to spread far beyond what we can see. As Marcel and Steven emphasize throughout the episode, healing begins when we are willing to listen, seek understanding, and recognize our shared humanity. In a world increasingly shaped by outrage and polarization, perhaps kindness is not weakness at all—but one of the bravest choices we can make.

Links/Resources:
Case for Kindness website - https://caseforkindness.com/  
Watch on Amazon Prime 
Articulate Entertainment - https://www.articulusentertainment.com/home  
40 min
May 15The Case for Kindness to Make Our World a Better Place, with Steven Sawalich
This episode is brought to you by Mitel. If you’re thinking about how communication impacts leadership and resilience in your own organization, Mitel works with more than 70 million users worldwide across critical industries to keep teams secure and connected. You can check them out at Mitel.com.

Episode recap

In this episode, Marcel sits down with filmmaker Steven Sawalich to discuss his award-winning documentary, Case for Kindness, now streaming on Prime. Together, they explore the science behind kindness and its role in building trust and healing relationships in today’s polarized world. Featuring stories and insights from voices like Ben Affleck, Garth Brooks, and Daryl Davis, this conversation offers a hopeful and practical reminder that intentional kindness can transform both individuals and communities.

Bio:

Steven Sawalich merges humanitarian work with the capture of compelling human experiences on film. His award-winning documentary, Case for Kindness, explores the transformative societal impact of kindness and its role in shaping our future. The film has received over 75 awards globally.

Quotes:
“If Daryl can do that, we can certainly do that.”
“Kindness is a muscle, and you need to exercise it.”
“We can start seeing our commonalities as opposed to our differences.”
“You never know what somebody else is going through.”
“Love and kindness win.”

Takeaways:
Practice intentional kindness daily instead of relying on random acts to create lasting behavioral change.
Replace judgment with curiosity by asking questions and seeking to understand another person’s perspective first.
Create cultures of kindness in workplaces by modeling empathy, accountability, and respect from leadership downward.
Use shared experiences like music, sports, art, or service projects to build bridges between people with opposing views.
When conflict arises, pause before reacting emotionally and process feelings without allowing negativity to take root.
Acknowledge that kindness is contagious—simply witnessing compassionate behavior can inspire others to act similarly.
Lead conversations with openness instead of certainty to foster trust, dialogue, and stronger human connection.

Timestamps:
[00:00] Why kindness may be the solution to a divided world
[06:20] Steven’s global travels and the inspiration behind A Case for Kindness
[09:45] Polarization, dialogue, and rebuilding common ground through kindness
[12:37] The story of a Black musician befriending KKK members
[17:11] Kindness in leadership, workplace culture, and emotional contagion
[19:32] How making the documentary personally transformed Steven’s mindset
[23:18] Ben Affleck’s powerful reflections on addiction and kindness
[26:08] Trust, suspicion, and why kindness matters more than ever
[30:42] Steven’s vision for the future impact of the film
[31:30] Practical ways to lead with love, patience, and curiosity

Conclusion:
This conversation is a reminder that kindness is not simply about being nice—it is about choosing connection over division, curiosity over judgment, and compassion over fear. Steven Sawalich’s journey demonstrates that even in the most difficult conversations and darkest moments, kindness can open doors that hatred and hostility never could. Whether in leadership, relationships, workplaces, or communities, small intentional acts of kindness have the power to spread far beyond what we can see. As Marcel and Steven emphasize throughout the episode, healing begins when we are willing to listen, seek understanding, and recognize our shared humanity. In a world increasingly shaped by outrage and polarization, perhaps kindness is not weakness at all—but one of the bravest choices we can make.

Resources:

Case for Kindness website - https://caseforkindness.com/  
 
Watch on Amazon Prime 
 
Articulate Entertainment - https://www.articulusentertainment.com/home  
40 min
May 08The World’s First Chief Heart Officer on How to Embrace Being Yourself at Work with Claude Silver
This episode is brought to you by Mitel. If you’re thinking about how communication impacts leadership and resilience in your own organization, Mitel works with more than 70 million users worldwide across critical industries to keep teams secure and connected. You can check them out at Mitel.com.

Episode recap
Marcel sat down with Claude Silver to talk about her bold and practical debut, Be Yourself at Work. Silver argues authentic presence is today’s top business superpower and provides a human-centered guide to build trust, lead with heart, and foster cultures where people truly belong.

Bio:
Claude Silver is the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, working with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to drive success. She has spoken at Meta, Google, and U.S. agencies, and been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. Her new book is Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart.

Quotes:
“There is so much power when you are truly your authentic self, when you are not trying to fit in”
“You are the only person that can change the song in your head.”
“Belonging is our human birthright, and we all need it.”
“You don’t drain, you radiate.”
“The calmer we are, the clearer we can be.”

Takeaways:
Build self-awareness by understanding your values, patterns, fears, and strengths.
Replace fake urgency with intentional calm to reduce burnout and improve clarity.
Create belonging by helping people feel seen, heard, and psychologically safe.
Practice emotional bravery by having honest conversations instead of avoiding discomfort.
Leaders should listen deeply, acknowledge people often, and show their humanity.
In an AI-driven world, emotional intelligence and human connection matter more than ever.
Small moments of authenticity and appreciation can transform workplace culture.

Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction and Claude Silver’s background
[04:01] Personal story and Outward Bound transformation
[12:29] Origin of the Chief Heart Officer role
[16:00] Big idea of Be Yourself at Work
[17:30] Real meaning of authenticity at work
[19:55] The Three E’s: optimism, bravery, efficiency
[23:36] Benefits of an emotionally healthy culture
[25:38] Inner work and self‑awareness
[27:50] Fake urgency and running on calm
[32:59] Belonging, safety, and performance
[36:24] Building trust in remote, multi‑gen teams
[38:27] AI, efficiency, and human connection
[40:11] Practical advice for CEOs and leaders
[43:52] Speed round: personal side of Claude
[46:43] Leading with love and radiating energy
[47:06] Final takeaway: small actions to reconnect

Conclusion:
Authenticity, trust, and emotional courage are no longer optional in leadership—they are essential for building healthy, high-performing cultures. When leaders create spaces where people feel safe to belong and contribute fully, organizations become more resilient, innovative, and human. Claude Silver’s message is simple yet powerful: real leadership begins with self-awareness, grows through connection, and thrives when people choose to radiate instead of drain.

Links/Resources:
Website: https://www.claudesilver.com/
Book website: https://www.beyourselfbook.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casilver/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudesilver/?hl=en
Claude Silver on Episode #6: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/claude-silver/
51 min
May 01Five Core Values That Shape Who We Are and How We Think, with Andy Crocker
This episode is brought to you by Smarsh. AI is transforming how businesses communicate, and compliance can’t fall behind. Smarsh is helping global organizations build defensible, future-ready compliance programs powered by AI. To learn more, visit smarsh.com or download their 2026 AI Insights Report.

Episode recap:

In this episode, Marcel sits down with Andy Crocker—a former rocket scientist and author of The Unconditionals: Five Timeless Values to Live Without Limits and Ignite Your Superpower—to unpack the five core values that shaped both his leadership philosophy and personal transformation. Drawing from a pivotal career setback and personal reflection, Andy explains how practicing these values without conditions can reduce stress, strengthen relationships, and help leaders show up more authentically, even in high-performance, technical environments.

BIO:

Andy Crocker is an aerospace executive with three decades of experience building high-performance teams and leading ambitious projects, including NASA’s Human Landing System. He holds degrees in engineering, humanities, management, and leadership and is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. His multidisciplinary background and diverse career shaped his unique perspective that led to his new book, The Unconditionals.

Quotes
“You don’t discover who you are when everything works out—you discover it when the moonshot fails and you choose your values anyway.”
“Unconditional love doesn’t mean staying in a toxic place; it means caring for yourself and others enough to walk away when you must.”
“When you stop negotiating your behavior with circumstances, your values finally become who you are—not just what you believe.”
“Gratitude is not thanks for the tragedy; it’s thanks for what the tragedy cannot take away—the love, the lessons, and the strength you carry forward.”
“The most advanced systems on earth still run on human hearts; love and gratitude are not soft skills—they’re the core operating code of real performance.”

Takeaways
Your identity can’t be safely built on achievements. Andy’s lost “moonshot” with NASA forced him to separate who he is from what he does—and that shift is what unlocked deeper purpose and peace.
Values only transform you when they’re unconditional. Love, gratitude, integrity, accountability, and endeavor matter most when they don’t change based on who you’re dealing with or whether you’re winning or losing.
Unconditional love requires boundaries, not self‑sacrifice. Truly loving others starts with self‑respect and the courage to leave toxic situations—for your good and, often, for theirs.
Gratitude is a discipline for surviving hard things. Andy’s response to his mother’s sudden death shows that gratitude isn’t about approving the pain; it’s about honoring what can’t be taken away and finding steadiness in the middle of loss.
“Soft” values are the hard edge of performance. Even in hyper‑technical, left‑brain environments like aerospace, cultures of love, appreciation, and integrity create the psychological safety, motivation, and resilience that high performance actually depends on.

Timestamps

00:00:03 – Introduction and Andy’s rocket-scientist background
00:03:07 – Andy’s story: career, NASA moon mission, and heartbreak
00:08:54 – Why he wrote The Unconditionals for his kids
00:09:17 – Overview of the five unconditionals
00:13:34 – What unconditional love is (and what it isn’t)
00:17:59 – Why love matters in organizations and leadership
00:20:59 – Love in technical, engineering, and “left‑brain” cultures
00:25:43 – Unconditional gratitude and losing his mother
00:31:12 – Unconditional accountability and real ownership
00:38:06 – How engineering shaped Andy’s leadership philosophy
00:41:45 – Speed round: life, careers, and hopes for the future
00:43:40 – How to lead with practical love every day
00:45:32 – Final takeaway: living your values unconditionally

Conclusion

Love, gratitude, integrity, accountability, and endeavor aren’t abstract ideals—they’re the unconditional choices that define who you are when the dream falls apart, the contract is lost, or life doesn’t go your way. Andy Crocker’s journey from leading a moonshot bid for NASA to grieving its loss—and then writing The Unconditionals for his children—shows that real strength is refusing to let circumstances dictate your character. When you stop tying your worth to titles and outcomes, and instead anchor yourself in values that don’t move when the world does, you gain the freedom to lead, work, and live with clarity, courage, and compassion. This episode is an invitation to decide: Will you keep living conditionally—reacting to success and failure—or will you commit to becoming the kind of person whose values hold steady, no matter what happens next?

Links/Resources

Website and Book: https://andycrockerbooks.com/
Andy Crocker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andycrocker/
50 min
April 24The Mindset to Unlocking Leadership Excellence and Impact with Dr. Lilian Ajayi Ore
This episode is brought to you by Smarsh. AI is transforming how businesses communicate, and compliance can’t fall behind. Smarsh is helping global organizations build defensible, future-ready compliance programs powered by AI. To learn more, visit smarsh.com or download their 2026 AI Insights Report.

Episode recap

In this episode of the Love in Action podcast, Marcel interviews Dr. Lilian Ajayi Ore, co-author of The Power of the Learning Mindset with Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, exploring how leaders can stay relevant and effective in a rapidly changing, post-AI world. Dr. Ajayi-Ore shares her journey from the United Nations to academia and executive coaching, and introduces a practical framework built on three pillars—learning prowess, leadership prowess, and coaching prowess—designed to help leaders develop a “win mindset.”

Bio

Dr. Lilian Ajayi Ore is the founder and CEO of Global Connections for Women Foundation. An award-winning Chief Learning Officer, research scholar, and part of the Lead Faculty at Columbia University, she has over 17 years of experience working with Fortune 100/500 companies. A member of Marshall Goldsmith's 100 Executive Coaches, she mentors top professionals in uncovering their career paths.

Quotes:
“Leadership rooted in love creates spaces where people don’t just perform—they belong.”
“When people feel seen and valued, everything changes—engagement, trust, and results.”
“Leadership today isn’t about having answers—it’s about staying curious enough to keep learning.”

Takeaways:
Leadership becomes transformational when it moves beyond authority and centers on genuine care for people.
Creating a culture of belonging starts with leaders who intentionally practice empathy and connection.
Love in leadership is not passive—it requires courage, consistency, and daily action.
Impactful leadership is measured not just by outcomes, but by how people feel and grow under your influence.
Sustainable success comes from aligning business goals with human values.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction and episode overview
[02:30] Welcoming the guest and setting the context
[04:00] Guest background and personal journey
[07:00] Defining the core topic or problem
[10:30] Key challenges and common misconceptions
[14:00] Deep dive into main concept or framework
[18:00] Practical examples and real-life applications
[22:00] Obstacles, resistance, and lessons learned
[26:00] Leadership insights and mindset shifts
[30:00] Personal stories and turning points
[34:00] Broader impact on culture, business, or life
[38:00] Addressing audience questions or key concerns
[42:00] Actionable strategies and daily practices
[46:00] Final insights and key takeaways
[49:00] Future outlook or upcoming projects
[51:00] Where to connect and learn more
[52:30] Closing remarks and call to action

Conclusion:

This episode reinforces a simple but powerful truth: love is not a weakness in leadership—it’s the greatest strength. When leaders choose to act with empathy, intention, and authenticity, they create environments where people thrive and businesses flourish. As Marcel reminds us, love in action is the future of leadership. The question is—will you live it out daily?

Links/Resources:

Lilian’s website: https://www.lilianore.com/
Lilian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilianore
The Power of the Learning Mindset
58 min
April 17The Most Important Decisions CEOs Must Make When Stepping Into a New Position, with Mike Robinson
This episode is brought to you by Mitel. If you’re thinking about how communication impacts leadership and resilience in your own organization, Mitel works with more than 70 million users worldwide across critical industries to keep teams secure and connected. You can check them out at Mitel.com.

BIO:

Mike Robinson is a telecom and infrastructure veteran with extensive operating experience both as a CEO and CFO, leading business transformations across organic growth initiatives, mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings. He has held numerous leadership roles and served on the boards of technology and telecommunications companies. Mike joined Mitel’s Board of Directors in 2025 and shortly thereafter stepped into the role of CEO. With a strong focus on leadership, team building, effective communication, operational efficiency, and transparency, Mike and his leadership team guide Mitel with a collaborative, results-driven approach; aligning people, strategy, and purpose to drive impactful outcomes for customers and employees.

Quotes:
Leadership works best when people know they matter for more than a paycheck.
Culture becomes unstoppable when employees go home and tell a neighbor they genuinely like where they work.
The best strategy fails without the earned right to execute through trusted people and clear communication.
Customer loyalty is priceless because loyal customers will fight to keep you and look for new ways to grow with you.
Caring is not a side project; it is the operating system that drives top line, bottom line, and long-term relevance.
Takeaways:
Trust is built fastest through presence, transparency, and listening to employees, customers, and partners before making big moves.
Avoiding command and control leadership requires confidence in your people, a healthy capital runway, and data-driven, fair decision-making.
A strong culture is less about perks and more about belonging, recognition, development, and being heard.
Sustaining industry leadership demands relentless innovation, disciplined focus, and making it easy for others to do business with you.
Caring consistently, through small daily actions and genuine relationships, creates the discretionary effort that drives exceptional results.
Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction and Overview of Mitel
[05:27] Mike Robinson’s Background and Leadership Philosophy
[08:09] Building Trust and Culture at Mitel
[20:57] The Role of Culture in Business Outcomes
[27:20] Sustaining Success and Innovation at Mitel
[33:14] Personal Leadership Qualities and Practices
[36:41] Leading with Love in Action
[39:03] Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Conclusion:
At the heart of this episode is a simple but radical idea: caring is a business strategy. Mike Robinson shows that when leaders are present, transparent, and genuinely human, people do not just comply, they commit. We see how culture, when rooted in trust and love in action, becomes the engine of innovation, loyalty, and long-term growth. If you want better numbers, you do not start with spreadsheets; you start with how people feel when they walk through the door. Listen in, take notes, and then go lead in a way that proves, inside your own company, that love really does win.

Links/Resources:
Mitel - www.Mitel.com
Mitel on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mitel/
Mike Robinson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrobinson/
43 min