The Perkins Platform

In this episode, psychologist and researcher Dr. Brett Waggoner joins me to explore his work on legacy motivation.  Legacy motivation is defined as the psychological drive to leave a meaningful and lasting impact. We discuss why the desire to be remembered shapes decision-making, purpose, and identity, and how this motivation influences leaders across disciplines. Drawing on his research, Dr. Waggoner offers insights into how understanding legacy can help leaders align their values with long-term impact and build organizations that endure beyond any single individual.

Podcast Description

In this episode, I sit down with acclaimed children’s nonfiction author Tanya Lee Stone to explore the power of telling the truth about history and elevating voices too often left out of the narrative. Known for uncovering little-known stories of extraordinary people, Stone shares how she approaches writing narrative nonfiction that is as gripping as fiction while remaining grounded in rigorous research. We talk about celebrating the uncelebrated, challenging simplified versions of the past, and trusting young readers with complexity. Drawing on her experience as a writer, former editor, and educator, Stone reflects on why honest storytelling matters, how history gets constructed, and what it means to write books that empower the next generation to see themselves and the world more clearly.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Soren Kaplan, bestselling author of Experiential Intelligence and one of today’s leading voices on innovation and leadership. We begin by exploring how life experiences shape a powerful form of intelligence that leaders can use to navigate complexity, strengthen culture, and drive meaningful change. The conversation then shifts to the psychology of influence, where Soren breaks down how leaders can use psychological insight to pitch ideas more effectively, build credibility, and inspire action. Together, we connect the inner work of understanding yourself with the outer work of persuading others and offer a practical and compelling roadmap for modern leadership.

In this episode, Dina Denham Smith, executive coach, leadership advisor, and author of Emotionally Charged, joins me to explore how understanding and harnessing emotion can transform the way we lead. Drawing on her work with leaders at Google, Netflix, and Adobe, Dina shares insights from emotional science that help leaders navigate pressure, build stronger teams, and shape healthier cultures. We discuss how emotions (often dismissed as distractions) are powerful sources of data, energy, and connection when used with awareness and intention.

In this episode, Dr. Shivam Dubey and Dr.  Salil Gupta join me to explore the neuroscience of the true self and why authentic leadership begins from within. Drawing on their groundbreaking work in mental health education and resilience, they explain how the brain responds when leaders operate from alignment versus performance mode, and what happens when we lose touch with our inner authenticity. Together, we unpack practical, science-based strategies for reconnecting with the true self, breaking cycles of burnout, and leading with greater clarity, compassion, and purpose.

In this episode, Dr. Gordon M. Sayre, Assistant Professor of Management at Emlyon Business School in Lyon, France, joins me to discuss his research on emotional dissonance and what happens when leaders feel one thing but must display another. We explore the difference between surface acting and deep acting in leadership, the toll emotional regulation can take on well-being, and how leaders can break the cycle of inauthentic expression. Drawing on his research featured in CNN, BBC, NPR, Forbes, and Fortune, Dr. Sayre offers practical, evidence-based insights on leading with authenticity while sustaining personal and organizational health.

In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer, psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author, joins me to discuss his groundbreaking research on how habits form and how we can change them. We explore what the science reveals about breaking unhelpful patterns and creating lasting change.  These insights are especially relevant for leaders seeking to shift behaviors, improve focus, and lead with greater awareness. Dr. Brewer offers practical tools for understanding the brain’s reward systems and using curiosity and mindfulness to build healthier, more effective habits.

In this episode, Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig joins me for a candid conversation about the real costs of changemaking in leadership. We explore the emotional toll, professional isolation, and personal challenges that often accompany the work of pushing for equity and transformation. Drawing from his own experiences as a scholar, advocate, and education leader, Dr. Heilig reflects on what it means to lead with conviction when the work itself can come at a price and how true leadership requires both courage and resilience.

In this episode, Dr. Janet Ahn joins me to discuss the complexities of power and influence in leadership, a conversation sparked by her viral post on LinkedIn. We explore how, in the age of social media, a single moment can overshadow a lifetime of work, and why it’s important to resist letting one’s worst moment define them. Janet also shares insights from her book Learning that CLICS!

In this episode, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum reflects on her journey in higher education, from her early career as a professor and author to her leadership as president of Spelman College. A nationally recognized authority on race relations and identity, she is the bestselling author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, a groundbreaking book that has shaped national conversations for decades. Dr. Tatum also discusses her newest work, Peril and Promise, and explains why now is the critical moment to confront both the challenges and opportunities facing America’s multiracial democracy.