The MIC With Paul Leon

David Babcock, a Will Ferrell impersonator, shares his unique approach to sales and marketing through comedy and improvisation, emphasizing the importance of character, timing, and engagement at trade shows and events. Discover how humor and authenticity can transform sales strategies and build genuine connections

Follow David/Will As: 

Ron Burgundy

Ricky Bobby

Chapters

00:00 Meet Ron Burgundy

12:06 Finding my calling as a Will Ferrell impersonator

25:21 Do Improv Skills Matter?

36:20 Starting a marketing agency

48:25 David Babcock's Favorite Success Story

Legal Disclaimer

Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.

Good intentions do not always lead to good leadership. Your team may experience your words and actions differently than you expect.

In this episode of The Manager’s Mic, Paul Leon, MBA, talks with Jenny Catalano, founder and CEO of Impact Events Collective. Jenny is a former chief operating officer with more than 20 years of leadership experience.

Jenny explains the Impact Gap™: the difference between what leaders mean to do and what employees actually experience. She shares how everyday conversations and decisions can build trust—or cause people to pull away.

Follow Jenny

Website

LinkedIn

Forbes Article That Refrences Her Expertise

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jenny Catalano

01:28 Defining leadership in practical terms

03:17 Impact events and leadership solutions

04:36 Disconnects between leaders and employees

05:14 Common denominators in leadership misses

07:11 The importance of employee voice and listening

08:35 Diagnosing organizational disconnects

12:15 Employee and leadership diagnostic process

14:48 Interpreting diagnostic results

16:44 Creating a culture of trust and integrity

18:20 Addressing leadership blind spots

20:02 The future of leadership in an AI-driven world

22:22 Building resilient and engaged teams

24:16 Challenges of leadership in organizational change

27:24 Decision-making in complex leadership scenarios

31:56 The importance of authenticity and values

Legal Disclaimer

Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.

In this episode, James Robbins shares his journey from a shy kid to a leadership expert, emphasizing the importance of authentic leadership, overcoming limiting beliefs, and practical strategies for growth. Discover how to move people, handle rejection, and lead with purpose in both corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Get to know James

Website

Nine Minutes to Monday

The Call to Climb

Key  Topics

James Robbins' leadership journey from ranch to boardroom

The universal principles of effective leadership

Challenges of short-term thinking in corporate environments

The importance of authenticity and self-awareness in leadership

Strategies to overcome fear of rejection and limiting beliefs

The role of daily habits and rituals in personal development

The significance of being present with others at work and at home

The impact of modeling behavior and leading by example

The power of exposure therapy to conquer fears

The importance of purpose and intrinsic motivation in leadership

 Sound Bites

"Stories we tell ourselves hold us back"

"The fastest way to overcome rejection is exposure"

"The best leader is an authentic version of you"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to James Robbins and his leadership journey

04:08 Short-term thinking in corporate leadership

08:45 The Call to Climb: the metaphor and the book

09:40 Internal work and limiting beliefs

12:03 Encouragement for those feeling low or rejected

14:16 Reframing fear and rejection through stories

17:27 Exposure therapy and overcoming fears

19:16 The importance of the authentic self in leadership

22:01 Fear of being seen and the courage to be vulnerable

24:11 The impact of confidence and belief in leadership

26:11 The role of leadership frameworks and models

28:01 Motivating others through purpose and autonomy

32:22 The power of being present with others

37:01 End-of-day rituals for leadership and life balance

42:45 Lessons from successful and unsuccessful leaders

In this episode of The Manager's Mic, Paul Leon sits down with Marc Hildebrand—founder of Modern Leadership Coaching, retired 20-year LAPD sergeant, and international best-selling author of Mastering Your Life Through Self-Coaching.

Drawing from two decades in high-stakes law enforcement, losing 100 pounds, and scaling a coaching business, Marc reveals why tactical leadership advice fails without internal self-leadership. Discover how to reprogram your brain’s mechanisms.

Follow Marc

Website

Book

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mark Hildebrand and his background

03:10 The importance of leading oneself first

04:41 Hindsight lessons: focusing on controllables

05:38 Understanding the brain's protection mechanism

08:04 Overcoming fear and self-doubt in leadership

09:49 The influence of environment and mentorship

11:33 Handling high-pressure situations calmly

14:22 Self-awareness and internal dialogue

16:01 The journey of losing 100 pounds

20:56 Balancing work, family, and self-care

22:09 The ripple effect of leadership training

23:23 Modeling behavior for children

26:36 The importance of curiosity in leadership

36:31 Connecting the dots: challenges and growth

44:58 The impact of ripple effects in leadership

47:14 The significance of internal dialogue and stories

49:20 The power of curiosity and understanding others

51:52 Redemption stories and transformation

54:45 Building trust and connection through curiosity

Sound Bites

"Leadership starts with leading yourself."

"Focus on what you can control."

"Your brain's protection mechanism is normal."

Grab Your Free 90-Day Leadership Roadmap⁠

Legal Disclaimer

Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.

In this episode of The Manager's Mic, Paul Leon explores the intersection of plant medicine and consciousness. Daniel Yepez and Sarah Lynn Thomas are Co-CEOs of Behold Retreats. Behold Retreats is a world-renowned retreat featured in the Netflix docuseries Aaron Rodgers: Enigma.

Discover why high-performing leaders turn to sacred plant medicines like ayahuasca. This helps dissolve mental blocks, unlocking creative problem-solving.

What You’ll Learn:

• The founding journey of Behold Retreats: bridging corporate leadership and ancient plant medicine

• How ayahuasca, altered consciousness, and ego dissolution reshape leadership decision-making

• The truth behind Aaron Rodgers’ Costa Rica retreat featured in Netflix’s Aaron Rodgers: Enigma

• Strict medical protocols, screening, and why "set and setting" dictate psychological safety

• The 7-week framework: Why post-ceremony integration matters more than the ceremony itself

• Practical tools to practice presence, regulated nervous system states, and conscious leadership in daily business

👉 Visit our website for more FREE resources on people leadership: https://www.themanagersmic.com/ 

🔗 Connect with Behold Retreats:  https://www.behold-retreats.com/

📌 Timestamps:

00:00 — Introduction: Meet Daniel Yepez & Sarah Lynn Thomas of Behold Retreats

01:32 — Daniel's Transition from Corporate Entrepreneurship to Plant Medicine

02:50 — The Mission & Philosophy Behind Behold Retreats

04:01 — Co-Founding a Business as a Couple: Navigating Roles & Relationships

07:09 — Communication Frameworks for High-Stress Business Partnerships

09:48 — What is Ayahuasca? (Science, History, & Ceremony Explained)

11:01 — Altered States of Consciousness & Lasting Personal Transformation

12:23 — Inside the 7-Week Preparation & Post-Ceremony Integration Program

14:04 — Why Elite Athletes & High Performers Choose Plant Medicine

15:24 — Navigating Identity Shifts, Emotional Healing, & Ego Dissolution

18:54 — The Critical Difference Between Being "Kind" vs. "Nice" in Leadership

20:23 — Behold Retreats Featured in Aaron Rodgers: Enigma on Netflix

21:21 — Protecting Client Privacy, Lineage, & Sacred Traditions Under Media Scrutiny

23:09 — Managing Viral Demand After Global Netflix Exposure

25:26 — Core Leadership Lessons from Managing Retreat Facilitation Teams

26:47 — Embracing Responsibility & Stepping Up Before You Feel Ready

27:12 — Why Strong Leaders Must Learn to Ask for Help

27:49 — Staying Grounded & Present After Reaching the Pinnacle of Success

29:30 — Psychedelic Safety: Set, Setting, & Medical Vetting Protocols

33:48 — Can Psychedelics Unlock Breakthrough Creativity & Innovation?

35:47 — Reframing Emotional Trauma, Gaining Perspective, & Healing

38:51 — How to Elevate Consciousness & Presence Without Plant Medicine

42:38 — Practical Presence Tools for High-Stakes Workplaces

45:13 — Long-Term Visions for Executive Wellness Over the Next Decade

46:31 — Consciousness Expansion, AI, & Personal Data Sovereignty

💬 Key Sound Bites:

• "Let the content dictate the format, not the structure."

• "Everybody receives a new perspective on something."

• "Everything we need is already inside of us."

⚖️ Legal Disclaimer:

Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.

You can review the Netflix trailer for Aaron Rodgers: Enigma to see how the documentary highlights Aaron Rodgers' healing journey and retreat experience featured in the series.

In this episode of The Manager’s Mic Podcast, Kevin Williams, CEO of Ascend, shares insights on how organizations can leverage AI to boost productivity, build infrastructure, and prepare for the future of work. We explore practical strategies, the importance of policy, and the evolving role of AI in business and society.

Follow Kevin

Website - https://www.ascendlabs.ai

Podcast - https://ascendlabs.ai/podcast 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ascendlabs.ai 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinguywilliams/ 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kevin Williams and AI in Business

02:01 Kevin's Background and Successes in AI

05:02 Current State of AI Adoption in Organizations

08:04 AI Infrastructure and Data Integration Strategies

12:08 The Rise of Agentic Harnesses and AI Tools

16:02 Practical Use Cases of AI in Daily Work

19:58 AI Policy, Security, and Ethical Considerations

23:55 Building an AI-First Company and Organizational Change

30:00 Kevin's Journey as an Entrepreneur in AI

39:50 Future Trends in Robotics and AI

50:04 Impact of AI on Jobs and Economy

54:02 Next Steps for Leaders and Organizations

Legal Disclaimer

Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.

Dayna Gowan reveals how she went from being paralyzed by public speaking to leading with total confidence. She breaks down the exact mindset shifts, breathing techniques, and unexpected improv skills that help people leaders beat their nerves, connect through storytelling, and build real psychological safety within their teams.

Follow Dayna 

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/danagowan 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/improvlyspeaking/ 

Podcast - https://improvlyspeaking.buzzsprout.com/

Key Topics

• How to conquer the fear of speaking in front of your team

• The surprising way improv builds instant leadership presence

• Exact breathing techniques to kill your nerves before you speak

• How to use storytelling and humor to connect with any audience

• The real secret to creating psychological safety at work

• Why the best leaders use play to boost professional growth

Chapters

00:00 Meet Dayna Gowan and her leadership journey 

02:13 Dayna's early struggles with public speaking fear 

03:57 Joining Toastmasters to finally conquer nerves 

05:59 How improv completely changes your stage presence

 07:59 The mindset shifts required to lead with confidence 

10:59 Coaching teams and stepping into leadership roles 

13:53 Why play and fun are critical in team workshops 

16:57 Using humor and storytelling to build connection 

19:53 Breathing techniques to instantly calm your nerves 

23:08 Dayna's exact coaching approach for better communication 

27:04 How to foster true psychological safety in your team 

29:55 Dayna's podcast and what she is learning right now 

32:59 Final thoughts on storytelling and leading with confidence

Legal Disclaimer: Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.

Paul Leon shares sales leadership tips from his experiences at networking events, emphasizing the importance of clear messaging, alignment, and mental toughness in sales and communication. He discusses how to handle rejection, craft compelling value propositions, and develop resilience to succeed in sales and leadership.

 Key  Topics

The importance of clear messaging in networking

Aligning sales and marketing messaging

Handling rejection and criticism

Developing mental toughness and resilience

Crafting effective CTAs and value propositions

The role of authenticity and permission in sales

The significance of preparation and alignment

Overcoming fear and living in your purpose

Sales Leadership Tips

Most people struggle to formulate a clear one-sentence problem statement in 15 seconds.

Misalignment between sales and marketing messaging causes distrust.

Preparation and clarity in messaging increase conversion and trust.

Rejection is part of the process; resilience is key.

Living in your purpose and faith provides strength in rejection.

Consistent effort and mental toughness reduce the pain of rejection.

 Sound Bites

"The less I do, the more it hurts."

"Wouldn't it be nice if people were kind and did the right thing?"

"Pray for them and bless them, even in rejection."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and overview of networking challenges

15:12 The importance of clear messaging in 15 seconds

21:59 Misalignment between sales and marketing messaging

15:33 Examples of poor messaging and how to improve

22:25 The role of preparation and alignment in success

22:39 Handling rejection and building resilience

22:48 The power of permission and clear CTAs

Legal Disclaimer

Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.

This episode is a culmination of past guests I have had on The Manager’s Mic Podcast as we begin our journey to have more guests in 2026. Thank you for being a loyal listener or watcher of the show. Follow these past guests featured in this leadership replay: 

Melanie Borden - https://www.themanagersmic.com/guests/melanie-j-borden/ 

Dr. Stephanie Duguid - https://www.themanagersmic.com/guests/dr-stephanie-duguid/ 

Emily Green - https://www.themanagersmic.com/guests/emily-green/ 

Terry Brock - https://www.themanagersmic.com/guests/terry-brock/ 

Sean Patton - https://www.themanagersmic.com/guests/sean-patton/ 

Melissa Coloton - https://www.themanagersmic.com/guests/melissa-coloton/ 

Travis Cormier - https://www.themanagersmic.com/guests/travis-cormier/ 

Robert Armstrong and Sanford M. Fisch -  https://www.themanagersmic.com/guests/robert-armstrong-and/ 

Joe Pici - https://www.themanagersmic.com/guests/joe-pici/ 

Legal Disclaimer

Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.

Paul Leon, MBA, breaks down the habits that quietly erode trust, rapport, and psychological safety within a team. Paul draws on his experience interviewing more than 20 leaders, working with over 500 teams, and studying organizational leadership to explain what to stop doing and what to do instead. In this episode, he focuses on five common leadership mistakes and offers practical replacements, from how you give feedback to how you talk about change to how you protect work-life balance.

Visit our website for more FREE resources on people leadership

https://www.themanagersmic.com/ 

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

01:17 - Criticizing Everything

02:52 - Don't Let People See You Sweat

03:31 - Working With People Who Are Only Like You

04:49 - Expecting People to Work While Away.

6:08 - Believing You Cannot Learn Leadership  

Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.