In a world where AI is rapidly automating everything from emails to artwork, what does it mean to stay fully human? In this rich and timely conversation, Micah Voraritskul unpacks the themes of his new book Human is the New Vinyl.

From handwritten thank you notes to Blackwing pencils and vinyl records, this episode challenges leaders, creatives, and students to rethink their relationship with innovation, presence, and trust.

Micah shares stories of cooking 300 meals from scratch, writing exclusively in pencil for a year, and resisting the urge to automate our most meaningful work. You’ll hear why creativity needs constraints, how trust is the foundation of leadership, and how to build a future that includes - not replaces - our humanity.

Key Quotes

• “Presence is the price of connection.”
• “AI is a tool. But it cannot have a broken heart.”
• “We lead with trust or we live in suspicion. One builds flourishing. The other builds fear.”

Resources

• Human is the New Vinyl by Micah Voraritskul — Buy on Amazon
• VerifiedHuman.info — Micah’s creative integrity consortium
• Blackwing 602 Pencils on Amazon

Show Outline (Timestamps)

• 00:00 – Welcome + Word association: kitchen tables, pencils, vinyl
• 06:45 – Why Micah wrote Human is the New Vinyl
• 13:00 – What AI gets wrong about creativity
• 19:00 – How AI can be a tool without taking our soul
• 23:10 – Leadership trust and the ethics of creation
• 29:00 – The danger of drifting into dishonest creation
• 35:00 – Why trust should be our filter
• 42:00 – Micah’s dream for this book’s impact on students
• 46:00 – Where to find the book and connect with Micah

Hey friends, it's been a while.

Last spring, our team decided to launch a company podcast, which we launched in June. We're eight episodes in with our ninth scheduled to release soon. Follow along at LeadersRisingNetwork.com/Podcast.

When we launched the podcast, I honestly thought I would shut down the New Generation Leader podcast for a bit. But after the summer, I realized I had more guests I wanted to interview. So this week, we start releasing new episodes.

Season 9 of the New Generation Leader kicks off this week, and I'm excited for you to hear those conversations.

Sit down with Sophie Hudson for an extraordinary exploration of leadership, personal growth, and the power of human connection. Sophie is a "pure delight" - which sets the stage for an inspiring dialogue about leadership, relationships, and finding one's true potential.

Sophie Hudson is an author, podcast host, and former educator, and she shares profound insights into modern leadership, challenging traditional approaches and emphasizing the importance of empathy, understanding, and genuine human connection.

Dive into a rich discussion about leadership styles, generational differences, and how we can create more meaningful professional and personal environments.

We cover:

• Innovative leadership approaches
• Generational workplace dynamics
• Personal growth and self-discovery
• The power of relationships in leadership

Follow Sophie Hudson

• Buy A Fine Sight to See [Amazon]
• Connect on Instagram @BooMama205
• Listen to Big + Boo Podcast

Epispde 76 Transcript

Coming soon!

In this inspiring episode of the New Generation Leader podcast, we explore powerful leadership insights through the lens of March sports championships. Key takeaways include:

🏀 Leadership Lessons from Unexpected Moments:

• How the George Washington Women's Basketball team demonstrated resilience after a sudden coaching change
• The importance of team unity during organizational transitions
• Strategies for maintaining team morale during unexpected challenges

🔑 Critical Change Management Principles:

Five essential ingredients for navigating organizational change:

1. Hope
2. Vision
3. Compassion
4. Empathy
5. Trust

💡 Inspirational Coach Quotes:

• "The worst thing you can do is quit" - Coach Tammy Reese
• "We've had a lot of wins in the locker room" - Coach Dan Burt

🏆 Highlight: ACC Gymnastics Championship moment featuring Lily decannoidza's perfect 10.0 score

Powerful Takeaway: Success isn't about avoiding challenges, but how you show up, invest in yourself and your team, and maintain hope during difficult moments.

Perfect for leaders, coaches, and anyone seeking inspiration during times of change.

#LeadershipLessons #MarchMadness #TeamResilience

The gymnastics program Danna Durante is building at UNC Chapel Hill is truly impressive. Danna and her daughter, Sami, who is also a coach on the staff, dive into how they coach a team of gymnasts through the ups and downs of a meet, a season, and prepare them for a life beyond the gym.

It's a wide-ranging conversation with leadership lessons that any of us can apply, whether we're in the gym, in the office, or at home, and as a mother-daughter duo, Danna and Sami have a lot to teach us.

Show Outline

• 3:20 - Working as a Mother-Daughter Duo
• 5:27 - Developing Athletes Beyond Gymnastics
• 10:19 - Sami on Navigating the Role of a Young Coach
• 12:24 - Preparation and Encouragement on Meet Day
• 15:31 - Danna on Leading a Team of Coaches
• 20:14 - Handling Failure and Growth
• 26:22 - Developing Consistency in Performance
• 29:06 - Personal Development and Life Lessons
• 32:09 - Connecting with Student-Athletes

Quotes from the Show

"I get to not just invest in the student athletes, but invest in the coaches and make sure they have what they need." - Danna (14:25)

"Looking back, if I would just give myself a little bit more grace, I feel like it would have taken me a little bit further." - Sami (24:04)

"I've always been really comfortable with the work ethic piece, but the connection piece and understanding how valuable relationships are and how to work. For me, it is work." - Danna (35:21)

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The New Generation Leader Podcast: Powered by the 5 Voices

In Episode 74, Sami references developing her Voice and speaking up, while Danna mentions building her focus on relationships.

What is your growing edge? That's the power of the 5 Voices.

Find Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

[ Take The Assessment ]

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Full Transcript - Episode 74

Coming soon!

Anna and Dan lead one of the most impressive teams I have ever met.

They lead with passion and from the heart, and their staff's dedication to their shared mission is evident. They are committed, and their drive to lead with both the head and the heart is unmatched.

We regularly discuss their business challenges, the transitions their team experiences, and the hardships they overcome. Despite all these challenges, their team continues to persevere and grow stronger.

In this episode, Anna and Dan dive into their Soccer Shots franchise, what they've built, and how they, as a married couple:

• got into this entrepreneurship journey
• launched their business
• what they are building for a brighter future

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The New Generation Leader Podcast: Powered by the 5 Voices

Discover the power of the 5 Voices. Find Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

[ Take The Assessment ]

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Show Outline

• 0:00 - Soccer Shots Franchise Journey and Entrepreneurial Beginnings
• 2:42 - Early Life Experiences and Entrepreneurial Influences
• 6:13 - Developing People and Team Growth
• 10:17 - Soccer Shots Program Overview
• 14:14 - Learning and Complementing Each Other
• 18:59 - Building a Strong Team
• 23:43 - Lessons Learned and Leadership Insights
• 27:06 - Support and Challenge Balance

Quotes from the Show

"If you want to see certain leadership qualities or values in others, you have to model them because they're looking up to you and you have to pour into other people."

"Great leaders want to be held accountable. Right? When you want to get better, you hire the life coach, the fitness coach, the business consultant, because you want to be held accountable to a higher potential, and I think you need to instill that in your organization as well."

Tools from the Show

1. Provisional - Plan - Promise
2. 70:30

Episode 73 – Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Patricia Bradby Moore has leveraged her natural people skills to navigate a diverse career path. From the music industry to the tech world, Patricia shares her insights on the power of building meaningful connections in the digital age.

Patricia has turned her gift for networking into a platform to guide others - from young professionals to corporate teams - to overcome networking anxiety and maximize opportunities from solid relationships.

We explore the intersection of technology and human connection, offering strategies for using digital tools to facilitate in-person interactions.

Whether you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert, this conversation is packed with practical tips and inspiring stories that will have you rethinking the role of connections in your personal and professional life.

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Lead Local Presented by Leaders Rising Network

Discover the power of the 5 Voices. Find Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

[ Take The Assessment ]

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Show Outline

• 0:00 - Connections and Networking Insights
• 2:37 - The Role of Connectors in Teams
• 6:19 - Patricia's Career Journey
• 16:26 - The Intersection of Technology and Human Connections
• 21:37 - Encouraging Networking and Overcoming Fear
• 23:12 - The Future of Work and AI Integration
• 29:48 - Social Media and Networking Tools
• 34:14 - Final Thoughts

Quotes from the Show

• "I spend a good amount of time in my current role having one-on-ones with people in other departments...I want to understand when someone new comes into our company, are they having a good experience? Do they feel like they've really connected with people, or do they feel like they've just come into a place where they're just another number and they're given tasks to do, because the staying power is in feeling connected to other people."
• "The thing about tech is it now allows us to connect with so many more people than we would be able to otherwise. Instagram is technology, right? I wouldn't have the job I have now if technology hadn't connected me to a person who was somewhat in my social circle."

Connect with Patricia

• LinkedIn @PatriciaBMoore
• Instagram @patricia.b.moore

Episode 71 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

In this captivating episode, Aaron sits down with Rachel Anderson, the visionary behind The Human Centric Leader, to uncover the transformative impact of prioritizing people over profits.

Dive deep into Rachel's journey, exploring how her experiences shaped a revolutionary approach to leadership that delivers both business success and employee fulfillment.

Discover the eye-opening statistics that reveal the staggering financial costs of neglecting human-centric practices, and learn how small, intentional shifts can unlock unprecedented growth and engagement.

Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this conversation will equip you with the tools and mindset to create a thriving, purpose-driven culture that empowers your team to reach new heights.

Get ready to rethink the traditional notions of leadership and unlock your true potential as a human-centric trailblazer. Let this episode catalyze your journey towards more meaningful, impactful leadership.

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Lead Local Presented by Leaders Rising Network

Discover the power of the 5 Voices. Find Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

[ Take The Assessment ]

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=================

Show Outline

• 0:05 - Influence of Leadership Styles on Career Development
• 1:35 - Challenges in Leadership Preparation
• 5:45 - Evolution of Work and Leadership
• 18:28 - Human-Centric Leadership and Business Impact
• 19:02 - Rebranding and Redefining Business Focus
• 24:47 - Implementing Human-Centric Leadership
• 40:18 - The Role of Human-Centric Leadership in Business Success
• 42:13 - Future of Leadership and Career Advice

Quotes from the Show

• "65% of employees say that their manager has more impact on their mental health than their therapist or their doctor."
• "We are not workers who go home, we are humans who go to work."
• "If you take an average-sized company in the US, which is about 100 people, and you take an average salary, there's about $1.2 million every year just replacing employees who leave for preventable reasons."
• "Making sure that you're human-centric and how you achieve those goals is really going to add to your bottom line."

Connect with Rachel + Links

• Download the Guide to Human-Centric Leadership at https://www.thehumancentricleader.com/giveaway
• Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn
• About the Johari Window

Episode 71 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!

Leadership expert Barry Labov shares game-changing insights from his new book "The Power of Differentiation." Dive into the transformative power of celebrating what makes you and your team uniquely remarkable.

Uncover the secrets to winning hearts, minds, and market share by fostering a culture of vulnerability, authenticity, and mutual respect. Barry's hard-earned wisdom will inspire you to redefine success and bring out the best in yourself and your people.

Get ready to break free from the status quo, amplify your impact, and lead with purpose like never before. Your true leadership potential is waiting to be unleashed!

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Lead Local Presented by Leaders Rising Network

Discover the power of the 5 Voices. Find Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

[ Take The Assessment ]

———————–

=================

Show Outline

• 0:05 - The importance of differentiation in leadership and business, with a focus on identifying and celebrating unique qualities.
• 5:46 - Importance of company culture and employee engagement.
• 11:52 - Leadership, culture, and marketing with a focus on vulnerability and respect. [Link to Relational Intelligence Matrix]
• 18:43 - Self-improvement, and employee engagement.
• 27:45 - Self-awareness, and the importance of recognizing and multiplying unique strengths.

Quotes from the Show

• "You don't try to create your uniqueness. You discover it."
• "Your brand is not for everybody. It should not be. In fact, it ought to be for as few people as possible, so that you're really special to them."
• "Leaders must be vulnerable. They must be they're not expected to have all the answers there, and that's not what we expect. They are not going to be perfect. We don't expect that. But you know what? I expect you to respect me enough to be honest."
• "Our people aren't there just to be entertained. They are there to be engaged."
• "Don't beat yourself up. Look at what you do well, work on those one, two or three things that you do well, because that's where you or me, whoever, that's where I am strong, and I need to stay there and get better at those things and not beat myself up in areas where I'm weak."

Connect with Barry

• The Power of Differentiation [Amazon]
• Labov.com
• BarryLabov.com
• Barry Labov on LinkedIn

Full Transcript - Episode 70

Coming soon!

Dr. Ryan Hall shares his authentic approach to leadership and fundraising, emphasizing the importance of building genuine relationships, embracing change, and passionately investing in the development of student-athletes at Rice University.

His insights inspire listeners to lead with purpose, adaptability, and a commitment to empowering those around them.

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Lead Local Presented by Leaders Rising Network

Discover the power of the 5 Voices. Find Your Leadership Voice today with the free assessment.

[ Take The Assessment ]

———————–

=================

Show Outline

• 0:01 - Adapting to change in college athletics, including NIL and leadership opportunities.
• 3:53 - Building relationships and authenticity in fundraising.
• 7:33 - Conference realignment and Rice University's current and future position in the American Athletic Conference.
• 12:43 - Investing in student athletes at Rice University.
• 17:13 - Rice University's unique approach to athletic scholarships and academic integrity.
• 21:07 - Passion, purpose, and leadership.

Quotes from the Show

"If you're passionate about what you do, and you get out there and you build those relationships, you're not selling anything as a fundraiser, right? You're having people come to be a part of the vision, and you get to know those people, and you, naturally, care about those people."

"I think being around bright guys, and, you know, learning from them, and really back to what I was kind of saying, not to get a dead horse, but sharing common goals, like, 'Hey, we could do this.'"

"I would say, don't ever doubt yourself. And you can do anything you want if you're passionate about what you do."

Connect with Dr. Ryan Hall

• Dr. Ryan Hall on LinkedIn
• Follow the Rice Owls

Episode 69 - Full Transcript

Coming soon!