What if you survived a devastating rock climbing accident that doctors said would leave you unable to walk—yet ten years later, you broke speed records on the world’s volcanic seven summits and stood atop Mount Everest?

This episode of Thrive Loud with Lou Diamond is the awe-inspiring story of Caroline Leon, an adventurer, speaker, and psychologist whose journey from a near-fatal fall to conquering the world’s highest peaks redefines the limits of human resilience.

Caroline takes us through the harrowing details of her accident and the grueling physical and emotional recovery that followed—14 surgeries, years of immobility, and a battle with despair so deep she could barely read a sentence. She shares candidly how listening to audiobooks and memoirs in her darkest moments planted seeds of hope, eventually inspiring her to reclaim her life by climbing again.

Listen as Caroline reveals:

• The micro-victories that built her comeback—learning to roll over, crawl, and take her first steps again
• How mountains became her sanctuary and teachers, restoring her spirit one summit at a time
• The spark that ignited her return to adventure, from a “simple” hike up Mount Kosciuszko to becoming one of the few to summit Everest, just ten years after nearly losing everything
• The unexpected aftermath of Everest—her passion to give back by cleaning up the world’s most majestic peaks, and her views on preserving nature’s wonders

Plus, hear Caroline’s strategies for overcoming the voice of doubt, her favorite sources of inspiration, and the hope that comes from sharing and receiving stories of resilience.

If you need a boost of determination, a reminder of the power inside each of us, and a reason to chase your own mountains—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Episode Timeline Overview:

• [00:00:07] Lou welcomes Caroline Leon & introduces her incredible story
• [00:01:29] Caroline vividly describes her life-altering climbing accident
• [00:03:22] The brutal road to physical recovery—surgeries and relearning basics
• [00:07:17] The psychological toll and Caroline’s mental strategies for survival
• [00:10:09] Finding hope through audiobooks and inspirational stories
• [00:13:47] The unpredictable “logic” that drove her to climb again
• [00:16:08] How the mountains transformed her inside and out
• [00:18:06] Caroline on pain, healing, and progress after injury
• [00:19:52] What giving her story gives back: the power of hope
• [00:21:13] Climbing Everest and the new frontier: mountain conservation
• [00:24:14] How to connect with Caroline and follow her adventures
• [00:24:46] Caroline’s favorites: movies, music, food, and more fun facts

Prepare to be moved—press play for a story of defiance, discovery, and relentless human spirit.

What do luxury fashion, planetary sustainability, and a late-night knock from counterfeiters have in common? They’re all part of Julie Wainwright’s extraordinary story.

In this compelling episode of Thrive LouD, host Lou Diamond sits down with trailblazing entrepreneur Julie Wainwright—the powerhouse behind The RealReal and now founder of Ahara, a precision nutrition venture. Julie pulls back the curtain on how she turned an unconventional idea into a billion-dollar company that rocked the fashion industry, championed sustainability, and faced off against both luxury titans and the dark world of high-stakes counterfeiting.

Julie dives deep into the sparks and pivots that shaped her career, revealing the real-life “aha moment” that launched The RealReal and the tough venture capital battles she endured. She reflects on the personal and environmental impacts of her work, how she defines success beyond the bottom line, and shares some truly wild stories—including one that might just make you rethink what it means to challenge an industry’s status quo.

The episode also touches on Julie’s writing journey with her new book Time to Get Real, her latest health-tech startup, and the leadership secrets she’s learned through decades of scaling and innovating in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Key Highlights:

• How Julie spotted an untapped goldmine in luxury consignment (and outpaced the competition)
• The operational nightmare—and innovation—behind processing millions of unique fashion items a year
• The double-edged sword of disrupting an industry: sustainability wins, investor skepticism, and threats from counterfeiters
• The emotional and surprising process behind writing her no-punches-pulled memoir
• Julie’s latest mission: revolutionizing nutrition and preventative health with Ahara
• Candid advice on leadership, new ventures, and why success is more than just a financial number
• Fun insights into Julie’s personal tastes, from her favorite movies to pickleball matches and coleslaw cravings

Timestamped Overview:

• [00:00:02] – Lou introduces Julie Wainwright and sets the stage for her impressive career
• [00:01:28] – The RealReal: how it rewrote the rules of luxury fashion resale
• [00:03:00] – The surprising shopping trip that sparked the business idea
• [00:05:02] – Moving fast, executing harder, and venture capital realities
• [00:07:17] – Scaling operations, overcoming skepticism, and the AI advantage
• [00:08:43] – Shifting definitions of success—impact, planet, and profit
• [00:10:03] – Julie’s book journey: catharsis, legal battles, and a sign from London
• [00:16:28] – Face-offs with counterfeiters and luxury brands
• [00:17:32] – What’s next: launching Ahara and the future of nutrition tech
• [00:20:16] – Leadership hats, the IPO high, and why collaboration matters
• [00:23:06] – Where to find Julie and her work
• [00:24:28] – Fun Street: movies, food, hiking, and more personal favorites

Don’t miss this energetic, inspiring, and sometimes jaw-dropping conversation with one of Silicon Valley’s true originals!

What if the key to sustained happiness and abundance isn’t just about manifesting your desires—but about mastering your energy so you stay in the flow, even when life throws you curveballs?

On this can’t-miss episode of Thrive LouD, host Lou Diamond welcomes back the electrifying Christy Whitman—two-time New York Times bestselling author and renowned energy mastery coach. Christy unveils her latest book, Flow Factor, and drops some mind-blowing truths about what it really means to find—and stay in—the flow state. From personal “aha!” stories to practical exercises, she shares her powerful insights on why feeling good is the ultimate indicator of true alignment, how to navigate life’s inevitable contrasts, and her simplest hacks for getting—and staying—in flow.

Episode Highlights:

• Why “flow” isn’t just for artists and athletes—and how everyone can access it in daily life
• The difference between lack, abundance, and the neutral zone of “flow”
• How resistance to life’s challenges pulls us out of joy, and the three crucial questions that can help you snap back into alignment
• Christy’s personal routines, guilty pleasures, and what gets her truly lit up these days
• The surprising truth about writing books, productivity, and staying connected to your core genius
• Fun Street: Christy’s love of Pilates, dancing all night to 80s bands, her favorite guilty-pleasure show (hello, Emily in Paris), and the food she can’t resist in Italy

Plug in and turn up your energy—because this episode will make you rethink the way you move, work, love, and live.

Timestamped Overview:

• [00:00] Introduction—Christy’s return and unveiling of Flow Factor
• [00:02:00] Why she wrote the new book & the deeper message behind staying in flow
• [00:04:52] Christy’s definition of flow, energy mastery, and dealing with life’s “contrast”
• [00:10:10] The necessity of not always being in flow (and why resistance is also valuable)
• [00:14:20] What activities put Christy in her best flow state today?
• [00:18:40] Christy’s writing process and how she harnesses inspiration
• [00:21:32] The “avatar” she had in mind while writing Flow Factor
• [00:22:35] Where to find Christy & her resources for energy mastery
• [00:23:44] Fun Street rapid-fire: guilty pleasures, music, food, and dream destinations

Ready to surf the current of success instead of paddling upstream? Dive into this episode and get inspired to master your own flow!

What do a brothel in Thailand, ancient Egyptian tombs, and Hollywood’s lightsabers have to do with the world’s most successful innovators? More than you’d ever imagine.

In this jaw-dropping episode of Thrive LouD with Lou Diamond, host Lou sits down with the remarkable Susan Lindner—global keynote speaker, founder of Innovation Storytellers, and a woman whose journey to innovation storytelling began in the most unexpected of places.

Episode Highlights:

• From Brothel to Boardroom: Susan shares her origin story as an HIV educator in 1990s Thailand, working with brothel owners and sex workers to reimagine their roles as heroes of their own stories—a lesson that transformed how life-saving innovations can change behavior and lives.
• The Real Role of Storytelling in Innovation: Discover why most innovators fail at storytelling, focusing on their inventions instead of the impact they have on actual people. Susan reveals the secret: make the listener the hero, not the creator.
• Hollywood, Prophets, and Going Viral: What can innovators learn from religious prophets and Star Wars? Susan breaks down how innovations (just like lightsabers) are only as good as the stories told about them—and those stories must be simple, repeatable, and transformative.
• Overcoming Ego & Building Empathy: Explore the practical exercises Susan uses to help scientists, executives, and even Air Force leaders shift from ego-driven narratives to human-centered stories of struggle, triumph, and transformation.
• The Power of Distribution: It’s not just about telling your innovation’s story—it’s about getting others to tell it for you. Learn Susan’s “prophets’ playbook” for building a tribe of storytellers inside and outside your organization.
• Keep Learning: Subscribe to Susan’s newsletter (innovationstorytellers.com) and check out the Innovation Storytellers podcast for weekly inspiration and how-tos from global innovation leaders.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, scientist, exec, or just someone trying to make your idea stick, this conversation will forever change how you see—and tell—the story of innovation.

Listen now and start transforming how you share your ideas, influence others, and make your innovation go viral.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Fighting HIV in Thailand's Brothels

03:47 Transforming Brothels: Heroes and Change

10:02 Overcoming Ego in Innovation

11:45 "Understanding Innovator's Humanity"

16:38 "Shifting Perspectives: Gaining Early Adopters"

19:58 High Risk, High Innovation

23:20 Training Air Force Storytellers

24:20 Innovation Storytelling Tips

28:26 "Innovation Storytelling Podcast Launch"

What if disappearing for six months to reinvent yourself is the worst advice you could follow?

On this electrifying episode of Thrive LouD with Lou Diamond, we dive into personal branding and reinvention with powerhouse strategist and CEO of Built to Impact, Maya Elious. Recorded in her vibrant Atlanta studio, Maya reveals how she accidentally stumbled into branding by creating custom MySpace pages in college—and how that fun side hustle became the foundation for a thriving business helping entrepreneurs pivot, realign, and build brands with deeper meaning.

Key Highlights:

• Reinvention in Real Time: Maya shatters the myth that you have to “disappear and come back better.” She explains why taking your audience on your journey—not isolating yourself—is the most authentic way to grow and evolve your brand.
• Messaging is Queen: Hear how Maya’s superpower (her clients dub it "MayaGPT") lies in extracting and refining the true message at the heart of a business, making it resonate authentically and powerfully.
• AI vs. Authenticity: Lou and Maya discuss leveraging AI tools while maintaining the genuine voice and mission that make a brand unique—plus the three foundational questions every entrepreneur must answer: who are you, who do you serve, and how do you serve them?
• Platform Paralysis Solved: With social media changing daily, Maya shares her approach to testing different platforms, learning where your ideal audience lives, and focusing on meaningful engagement instead of chasing every algorithmic trend.
• Consistency Over Cookie Cutter: Learn why entrepreneurship is a dance of testing, pivoting, and consistent effort, not a formula you can set and forget.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 "Thrive Loud with Lou Diamond"

03:41 Reinvent Without Isolation

08:17 Aligning AI with Personal Voice

10:15 Focus on Content's Purpose

14:34 Rotating Focus Across Platforms

17:34 Adapting Videos for Short Attention

21:43 "Creature of Habit"

23:31 "Maya Elias: Thrive Loud Feature"

Did you know that your dog photos might be sabotaging your business’s social media success?

In this eye-opening episode of Thrive LouD with Lou Diamond, host Lou Diamond sits down with Lindsay Anderson—CEO of the BAM Agency, best-selling author, and powerhouse social media sales strategist—to uncover the subtle mistakes business owners make on social media that tank their authority (even when their engagement is skyrocketing).

Key Highlights:

• Influencer vs. Business Owner: Lindsay reveals why focusing on one social platform—where your ideal customers actually hang out—beats spreading yourself thin trying to “be everywhere.”
• The Engagement Trap: Learn why your most-liked posts (think dogs, babies, and memes) may have nothing to do with monetizing your brand, and what kind of content actually builds trusted authority (even if it gets fewer likes).
• Cracking the Algorithm: Hear actionable tips to ensure YOUR content slices through the noise—even up against viral trends that dominate today’s feeds.
• Consistency that Pays: Discover Lindsay’s secret rhythm for posting, batching, and showing up—so you gain traction without burning out.
• Personal Brand vs. Podcast Promotion: Get clear guidance on whether to separate accounts for your podcast, business, and personal brand, plus how to strategically streamline your efforts.

Ready to build real business leads—not just likes? Hit play and learn how to turn content into revenue, one strategic post at a time.

Connect with Lindsay Anderson:

Follow Lindsay on LinkedIn and Instagram (@the.lindsayanderson), and check out her site at lindseya.com for more resources and her Social Media Sales Machine framework.

Want more actionable insights? Subscribe, review, and share this episode with a friend who needs to stop chasing social media trends—and start owning their authority!

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Choosing the Right Social Media Channel

05:43 Balance Social Media and Authority

08:46 "Social Media Success: Consistency Key"

11:34 Podcast vs. Brand Goals

15:01 Social Media & Netflix Opportunity

16:24 "Embracing Long-Term Business Mindset"

22:02 Exploring Breathwork and Cold Plunges

23:06 "Follow Thrive Loud Podcast"

What if the key to reigniting your passion, relationships, and career lies in embracing — not just wellness — but vitality in every part of your life?

In this energizing episode of Thrive LouD, host Lou Diamond goes on location to Miami and sits down with the dynamic Micol Bok, VP of Marketing at Gainswave and host of the Vitality Lounge podcast. Micol shares the riveting story behind Gainswave’s transformation from a leader in sexual wellness to a wider mission of helping people everywhere “embrace vitality.” You’ll get a behind-the-scenes peek at what it takes to reposition a successful brand, create an inspiring internal culture, and expand impact without losing consistency or clarity.

Episode Highlights:

• The inside scoop on how Gainswave evolved from just sexual wellness to revolutionizing vitality in health, recovery, and more
• Micol’s personal journey: from Europe, to Miami, to the host’s seat — and what salsa dancing and horseback riding have taught her about energy and connection
• How grounding yourself in presence, nature, and honest self-reflection can help you thrive, especially when life gets overwhelming
• Practical branding advice for startups and entrepreneurs: the importance of flexibility, deep listening, and making sure internal alignment drives external success
• “Fun Street” revelations: Micol’s favorite foods, travel dreams, and why she’s always looking for her next partnership challenge

Next Steps for Listeners:

• Check out the Vitality Lounge podcast and connect with Micol on social media for daily inspiration.
• Visit Gainswave to learn about their approach to holistic vitality and innovative therapies.
• Try introducing a new “vitality” ritual into your week: whether it’s a dance class, a nature walk, or simply focused breathing by the water.

Ready to rekindle your energy for life and business? Hit play, connect with your own vitality, and take on the world — one present moment at a time!

TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW

00:00 "Gainswave: Revolutionizing Erectile Treatment"

06:00 Brand Strategy Development Process

08:07 "Guest Host Experience in Lounge"

12:39 Balancing Energies: Horse Riding & Dance

16:09 Nightlife Stroll & Music Preferences

19:36 "Thrive Loud Podcast Promotion"

What if the #1 thing your team—and YOU—crave at work isn’t more perks, better tech, or flexible hours…but RESPECT?

In this eye-opening episode of Thrive LouD, Lou Diamond welcomes back renowned communication and relatability expert Rachel DeAlto for a powerful “comeback visit” you won’t want to miss. As her new book The Relatable Leader: Create a Culture of Connection hits the shelves, Rachel pulls back the curtain on the startling truth her research uncovered: Across generations and industries, RESPECT is the most desired (and most lacking) quality in today’s leaders.

Key Highlights:

• Research That Surprised Even Rachel: Hear how a proprietary study revealed that the real foundation for effective leadership and workplace culture isn’t just authenticity or emotional intelligence—but deep, mutual respect.
• Why We’re STILL Missing the Mark: Despite decades of progress, respect remains a missing link, and Rachel unpacks why—along with powerful stories from her own journey (including what she learned speaking to New Jersey’s judges!).
• Actionable Leadership Insights: Rachel shares simple-yet-game-changing ways leaders can infuse respect and better communication into daily interactions, assess their teams more effectively, and move from managing to truly connecting.
• Fun + Relatable Moments: From lobster rolls and ice cream parfaits to Mumford & Sons jams and the struggle for better sleep, get to know the relatable side of Rachel in Lou’s signature “Fun Street” segment.

ACTION STEPS

1. Get The Book: Dive deeper into actionable frameworks by picking up Rachel DeAlto’s The Relatable Leader—available everywhere books are sold.
2. Stay Connected: Follow Rachel and Lou on social media for more inspiration on building real, thriving connections at work (and maybe some ice cream tips, too).

Don’t forget: Share your biggest leadership “aha moment” from this episode and tag @LouDiamond and @RachelDeAlto for a chance to win a copy of The Relatable Leader!

Timestamped Overview

00:00 "Thrive Loud: Rachel Dialto Returns"

06:42 Respect and Communication in Leadership

08:55 Leadership Challenges: Time and Ego

11:13 "Judges Apply Keynote Insights"

15:51 Boston Accent Experience

19:50 "Rachel: The Relatable Leader"

20:36 "Thrive Loud Contact & Follow"

What if over 60% of employees in your office felt so lonely, they were already planning their exit—and this problem actually began long before the pandemic?

Welcome to an eye-opening episode of Thrive LouD with Lou Diamond, where we reunite with dynamic keynote speaker and workplace culture thought leader, Jason Lauritsen. Together, Lou and Jason dive deep into the pressing crisis of disconnection in today’s society and the workplace—going far beyond the usual surface-level chatter about remote work and social media.

Inside this Episode:

• You’ll discover the staggering reality behind the “loneliness epidemic” that’s been quietly brewing for years—even before COVID-19.
• Jason shares firsthand insights from his brand new Human Connection Study, exploring why so many feel isolated at work, what’s really driving this disengagement, and why old solutions just aren’t working anymore.
• Find out why “more meetings” might not be the enemy after all, and learn the undervalued power of authentic appreciation and recognition in the remote era.
• Jason and Lou unpack why basic relationship skills—like asking meaningful questions and checking in with each other—are more essential than ever, yet largely missing from leadership development.
• Plus, you’ll hear how inclusion and feeling seen for who you truly are may be the ultimate unlock for real engagement.

Key Takeaways & What You Can Do:

• Recognize that loneliness at work is not a new phenomenon—and that technology alone didn’t cause it.
• Prioritize authentic connection: Start small by genuinely checking in on your coworkers, offering specific recognition, and creating space for people to bring their whole selves to work.
• Leaders: Rethink team activities and invest in building fundamental relationship skills, not just business acumen.
• Everyone: Take 10 minutes to participate in Jason’s Human Connection Study (http://Humanconnectionstudy.com), and share it with your network to drive powerful change in workplaces everywhere.
• Tune into Jason’s podcast, “Check In with Jason Lauritsen,” to keep learning from leaders who are modeling real human connection at work.

Your Challenge:

Reflect on your own workplace: Where are connection gaps hiding? When did you last make someone feel truly seen or appreciated? Use the lessons from this conversation to start bridging those gaps—one authentic interaction at a time.

Listen now, and let’s build a connected workplace together.

TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW

00:00 Promote Connection and Relationships

05:24 The Importance of Workplace Connection

08:09 Exploring Social Norms Post-Pandemic

14:04 Counterintuitive Findings on Remote Connection

15:47 "Impact of Authentic Workplace Inclusion"

21:00 College World Series Tradition in Omaha

22:14 Summer Plans and Pool Time

25:38 Human Connection Study Participation

What if the secret to your business’s survival isn’t about working harder or hustling more, but simply asking the right questions—ones you don’t even know you should be asking?

In this eye-opening episode of Thrive Loud, Lou Diamond sits down with Eric Eager, serial entrepreneur, CPA, and founder of For Impact Data, to pull back the curtain on why businesses keep failing—even when we already “know better.” Eric dives into the surprising reality that, despite decades of available business data, entrepreneurs across the globe are still making the same costly mistakes over and over. Why? Because of what Eric calls "experience gaps"—the things we don’t know we don’t know.

Key Highlights from the Episode:

• The “Experience Gap” Trap: Eric shares his journey through six startups (not all successful!) and reveals why seasoned business leaders keep repeating mistakes—and how to finally break this cycle using “codified wisdom.”
• Three Fundamental Business Models: No matter your industry or size, Eric boils it down to manufacturing, distribution, or services, and explains how focusing on a handful of fundamental business questions (like “Do we have enough cash?” or “Who are our best customers?”) can radically change your trajectory.
• The Business GPS Revolution: Learn how For Impact Data acts as a “business GPS,” using AI and collective wisdom to monitor the right metrics, predict risks, and recommend pivots before disaster strikes.
• From Wisdom Hoarding to Wisdom Sharing: Discover why so much valuable business knowledge gets lost in books and keynotes—and how Eric’s new podcast, Codified Wisdom, is making it accessible and actionable for everyone.
• Inspiration, Action, and Making an Impact: Eric opens up about the loneliness of entrepreneurship, the importance of sharing failures and lessons, and his mission to help save jobs and support thriving communities—one insight at a time.

Ready to change your odds of thriving in business? Dive into this episode, and discover how simple questions (and collective wisdom) can transform your business and your life.

Connect with Eric Eager:

• 4IMPACTDATA.COM
• Tune into Codified Wisdom anywhere you get your podcasts and on YouTube

Let’s make failure the exception—not the rule. Listen now and join the conversation!

TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW

00:00 "Common Entrepreneurial Mistakes Persist"

07:25 Entrepreneurial Journey: Success and Challenges

09:33 Transforming Businesses with Key Questions

14:35 Entrepreneurial Persistence and Vision

16:13 "Business Analytics: A GPS Guide"

18:39 "Effective AI: Asking the Right Questions"

23:30 Inspiring Entrepreneurial Survival Stories

26:01 "Codified Wisdom Podcast Launch"

30:37 Regret Missing Hiking Adventures

34:36 "Eric Eager's Impactful Business Tools"

35:17 "Onward: Be Brief, Be Bright"