To Lead Is Human

In Part 1 of 2, Jane Chen, co-founder of Embrace, shares how creating a lifesaving incubator company shaped her leadership. She reflects on values over outcomes, the toll of burnout, the power of vulnerability, and why psychological safety must begin within a leader before it can be grown in teams.

This is To Lead Is Human — listen to learn how you can uplevel your leadership and shape cultures of accountability, respect, and candor.

Guest Bio:

Jane Chen is a globally recognized entrepreneur, inventor, and speaker. She is the co-founder of Embrace Global, which developed a groundbreaking infant incubator that has helped to save nearly a million babies. She has been a TED Fellow, an Echoing Green Fellow, and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum. Jane was recognized as a Forbes Impact 30 and Schwab Social Entrepreneur of the Year by the World Economic Forum and was a recipient of the Economist Innovation Award. She received her MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and her Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Host Bio:

For more than 30 years, Sharon Richmond has partnered with C-level executives from mid-size and small, fast-growing companies who want to up-level their leadership and build companies they are proud of. Clients accelerate their leadership by embracing mindset and behavior changes, building self-awareness and self-management skills, and focusing on the three things all leaders must ensure: focus, energy and delivery.

Sharon’s purpose as an executive coach is to help leaders 10X their impact by leveraging the power afforded by their roles to build organizations that are forces for good, both economically and socially. She also advises CEOs on shaping organization culture and leading change.

Sharon has taught leadership at Stanford GSB, where she now helps leaders increase influence, manage conflict, and prepare to build high-performing teams.

To see a list of Sharon’s clients, please visit LeadingLarge.com.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Sharon’s website: LeadingLarge.com
Jane’s website: www.JaneMarieChen.com
Jane’s new book, Like A Wave We Break: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/736801/like-a-wave-we-break-by-jane-marie-chen

Credits:

Host: Sharon Richmond
Producer: Andrew Chapman
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Escaping Light
Artist: Aaron Sprinkle
Writer: Aaron Sprinkle
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Bright Future
Artist: Be Still The Earth
Writer: Marshall Usinger
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer: Matthew Wigton
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Grace
Artist Name: Shimmer
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

To catch the great episodes coming up on To Lead Is Human, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channelor your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.

Episode transcript: Why Inner Work Is the Foundation of Effective Leadership - Part 1 (Jane Chen) coming soon.

As a preview of our upcoming special compilation called Small Moments, Big Transformations, we’re replaying Spencer Sherman’s remarkable story of losing everything in a fire, discovering Buddhist practices, and building a 70-person B-Corp that puts values, mindfulness, and client well-being first.

This is To Lead Is Human — listen to learn how you can uplevel your leadership and shape cultures of accountability, respect, and candor.

Spencer Sherman is a Certified Financial Planner,® co-founder of the B-Corp financial advisory firm Abacus, author, spiritual teacher, and an advocate of developing a mindful money mentality.

Guest Bio:

Spencer Sherman has been sharing the powerful tools of mindfulness with financial advisors for 20 years. He leads Mindful Advisor Retreats where attendees learn how to have more engaging and creative client conversations. Spencer’s philosophy is that when advisors cultivate equanimity, focus, compassion, and self-awareness, they can have significantly more impact.

He is the co-founder and former CEO of Abacus, a founding B Corp with Buddhist values. Abacus helps people expand what's possible with their money and experience a sense of “enough” here and now, not just in the future.

Spencer is the author of The Cure For Money Madness (Random House, 2009), a guide to overcoming our inherited money beliefs, which undermine our ability to earn, share, invest, save, and enjoy money. He also teaches a course called “The Dharma of Money,” helping people transform their relationship with money regardless of their economic circumstance.

He holds an MBA from the Wharton School and is a Certified Financial Planner.®

~~~~~~
This podcast is for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed are not the opinions of Abacus Wealth Partners (the firm that Spencer founded). Should you wish to connect with a financial advisor, we welcome you to schedule a free introductory 15-minute phone call. Once your financial needs are understood, we will be happy to help you find the best fit.
~~~~~~

Host Bio:

For more than 30 years, Sharon Richmond has partnered with C-level executives from mid-size and small, fast-growing companies who want to up-level their leadership and build companies they are proud of. Clients accelerate their leadership by embracing mindset and behavior changes, building self-awareness and self-management skills, and focusing on the three things all leaders must ensure: focus, energy and delivery.

Sharon’s purpose as an executive coach is to help leaders 10X their impact by leveraging the power afforded by their roles to build organizations that are forces for good, both economically and socially. She also advises CEOs on shaping organization culture and leading change.

Sharon has taught leadership at Stanford GSB, where she now helps leaders increase influence, manage conflict, and prepare to build high-performing teams.

To see a list of Sharon’s clients, please visit LeadingLarge.com.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Sharon’s website
Spencer’s website
Abacus
Google’s Project Aristotle
Dr. John Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Credits:

Host: Sharon Richmond
Producer: Cynthia Lamb
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Assembled by: Andrew Chapman
Audio Post Supervisors: Evan Miles and Christopher Martin
Audio Post Production: Post Office Sound
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Escaping Light
Artist: Aaron Sprinkle
Writer: Aaron Sprinkle
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Bright Future
Artist: Be Still The Earth
Writer: Marshall Usinger
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

If you don't want to miss future episodes of To Lead Is Human, please subscribe to Apple podcasts, our YouTube chanell, Spotify, or wherever you're listening right now. And if you liked the show, please leave us a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.

Episode transcript: How a Catastrophic Fire Sparked a Leadership Awakening (Spencer Sherman) coming soon.

Host Sharon Richmond tackles the art of giving feedback. She explores why it’s vital for employee engagement and mentorship — and growth for both parties. Bonus: Sharon provides top tips that she coaches leaders to use when giving feedback, so team members walk away inspired instead of discouraged.

Welcome to To Lead Is Human. Envision how you can uplevel your leadership and shape cultures of accountability, respect, and candor.

Sharon Richmond helps C-level executives from mid-size and small, fast-growing companies up-level their leadership and build companies they are proud of.

For more than 30 years, Sharon Richmond has partnered with C-level executives from mid-size and small, fast-growing companies who want to up-level their leadership and build companies they are proud of. Clients accelerate their leadership by embracing mindset and behavior changes, building self-awareness and self-management skills, and focusing on the three things all leaders must ensure: focus, energy and delivery.

Sharon’s purpose as an executive coach is to help leaders 10X their impact by leveraging the power afforded by their roles to build organizations that are forces for good, both economically and socially. She also advises CEOs on shaping organization culture and leading change.

Sharon has taught leadership at Stanford GSB, where she now helps leaders increase influence, manage conflict, and prepare to build high-performing teams.

To see a list of Sharon’s clients, please visit LeadingLarge.com.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Sharon’s website: LeadingLarge.com
Sharon’s email: [email protected]

Credits:

Host: Sharon Richmond
Producer: Cynthia Lamb
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Escaping Light
Artist: Aaron Sprinkle
Writer: Aaron Sprinkle
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Bright Future
Artist: Be Still The Earth
Writer: Marshall Usinger
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

To catch the great episodes coming up on To Lead Is Human, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channelor your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.

Episode transcript: Special Replay: Sharon Richmond on Feedback as a Leadership Superpower coming soon.

Behind the bohemian image of the famous Burning Man festival is a well-oiled, well-run international organization. Learn from its Director of Government Affairs, Marnee Benson, how they maintain their internal ethos and culture while interacting with numerous agencies overseeing strict regulations.

This is To Lead Is Human — listen to learn how you can uplevel your leadership and shape cultures of accountability, respect, and candor.

Guest Bio:

Marnee Benson is Burning Man Project’s Director of Government Affairs. Her work focuses on permitting and relationships with the Nevada Legislature, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Pershing County, and multiple other Nevada agencies. She helps Burning Man navigate Nevada politics and federal issues affecting the Burning Man main event. Marnee’s first trip to Black Rock City was 2001, and in 2007 she worked with the Department of Public Works and the Communications team, writing and photographing content for the Burning Blog “Building Black Rock City.” From 2009 to 2013, she served as the Deputy Director at Black Rock Solar. She loves the way Burning Man expands her world and flips ideas upside down.

Host Bio:

For more than 30 years, Sharon Richmond has partnered with C-level executives from mid-size and small, fast-growing companies who want to up-level their leadership and build companies they are proud of. Clients accelerate their leadership by embracing mindset and behavior changes, building self-awareness and self-management skills, and focusing on the three things all leaders must ensure: focus, energy and delivery.

Sharon’s purpose as an executive coach is to help leaders 10X their impact by leveraging the power afforded by their roles to build organizations that are forces for good, both economically and socially. She also advises CEOs on shaping organization culture and leading change.

Sharon has taught leadership at Stanford GSB, where she now helps leaders increase influence, manage conflict, and prepare to build high-performing teams.

To see a list of Sharon’s clients, please visit LeadingLarge.com.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Sharon’s website: LeadingLarge.com
The Burning Man Project website: BurningMan.org/
Marnee’s LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/marnee-benson-07950b6/

Credits:

Host: Sharon Richmond
Producer: Andrew Chapman
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Escaping Light
Artist: Aaron Sprinkle
Writer: Aaron Sprinkle
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Bright Future
Artist: Be Still The Earth
Writer: Marshall Usinger
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer: Matthew Wigton
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Grace
Artist Name: Shimmer
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

To catch the great episodes coming up on To Lead Is Human, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channelor your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.

Episode transcript: Inside Burning Man Leadership: Navigating Culture, Compliance, and Community (Marnee Benson)  coming soon.

In this solo episode, Sharon digs into the core principles of human-centered leadership based on clarity, feedback, and vulnerability. She explores how leaders build trust, empower teams, and foster a culture of learning — and shares tips for overcoming leadership challenges and navigating change.

This is To Lead Is Human — listen to learn how you can uplevel your leadership and shape cultures of accountability, respect, and candor.

Host Bio:

For more than 30 years, Sharon Richmond has partnered with C-level executives from mid-size and small, fast-growing companies who want to up-level their leadership and build companies they are proud of. Clients accelerate their leadership by embracing mindset and behavior changes, building self-awareness and self-management skills, and focusing on the three things all leaders must ensure: focus, energy and delivery.

Sharon’s purpose as an executive coach is to help leaders 10X their impact by leveraging the power afforded by their roles to build organizations that are forces for good, both economically and socially. She also advises CEOs on shaping organization culture and leading change.

Sharon has taught leadership at Stanford GSB, where she now helps leaders increase influence, manage conflict, and prepare to build high-performing teams.

To see a list of Sharon’s clients, please visit LeadingLarge.com.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Sharon’s website: LeadingLarge.com

Credits:

Host: Sharon Richmond
Producer: Andrew Chapman
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Escaping Light
Artist: Aaron Sprinkle
Writer: Aaron Sprinkle
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Bright Future
Artist: Be Still The Earth
Writer: Marshall Usinger
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer: Matthew Wigton
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Grace
Artist Name: Shimmer
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

To catch the great episodes coming up on To Lead Is Human, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channelor your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.

Episode transcript: The Four Pillars of Human-Centered Leadership (Sharon Richmond) coming soon.

Sharon returns with a new preface to this hidden gem featuring Brian Danzis, President of North America at Seedtag. He shares how joy, consistency, and team accountability drive leadership—and how he builds trust and optimism in high-pressure, fast-moving environments.

This is To Lead Is Human — listen to learn how you can uplevel your leadership and shape cultures of accountability, respect, and candor.

Guest Bio:

Brian Danzis is the President, North America for Seedtag, the global leader in contextual advertising. His responsibilities include revenue, publisher partnerships, and management of all on-the-ground operations.

Prior to joining Seedtag, Brian served as EVP, Agency Solutions for VideoAmp where he was responsible for managing the national sales team. Previously, he was Global Head of Video & Live Event Sales at Spotify, in which he was charged with developing and aligning strategies across Spotify’s 70+ markets. Under his leadership, Spotify’s video ads business grew to represent more than one-third of the free business unit’s revenue.

Before Spotify, he served as Global CRO for the programmatic video platform Virool. At Virool he helped expand the self-service platform, originally built for musicians and SMBs, to deliver earned media solutions for Fortune 100 brands.

Before Virool, he was Head of Sales & Sales Strategy for Videology in the Americas. As the company’s first sales person hired in 2008, he spent the next 6 years building a multi-faceted sales organization that pivoted three times: first, from destination site to video network, then from video network to platform, and again to a multi-channel SaaS focusing on

addressable video convergence.

Earlier in his career, Brian was VP of National Sales for the MCN Ripe Entertainment; East Coast Director for the launch of the first professionally produced video platform Joost (later acquired by Adconion); and the first sales person hired at in-game advertising company Massive, Inc. (acquired by MSFT during his tenure). Previous to his digital media career, Brian spent five years in various sales roles at Comcast and CNN.

Host Bio:

For more than 30 years, Sharon Richmond has partnered with C-level executives from mid-size and small, fast-growing companies who want to up-level their leadership and build companies they are proud of. Clients accelerate their leadership by embracing mindset and behavior changes, building self-awareness and self-management skills, and focusing on the three things all leaders must ensure: focus, energy and delivery.

Sharon’s purpose as an executive coach is to help leaders 10X their impact by leveraging the power afforded by their roles to build organizations that are forces for good, both economically and socially. She also advises CEOs on shaping organization culture and leading change.

Sharon has taught leadership at Stanford GSB, where she now helps leaders increase influence, manage conflict, and prepare to build high-performing teams.

To see a list of Sharon’s clients, please visit LeadingLarge.com.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Sharon’s website: LeadingLarge.com
Brian’s website: Seedtag.com
Brian’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdanzis/

Credits:

Host: Sharon Richmond
Producer: Andrew Chapman
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Escaping Light
Artist: Aaron Sprinkle
Writer: Aaron Sprinkle
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Bright Future
Artist: Be Still The Earth
Writer: Marshall Usinger
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

To catch the great episodes coming up on To Lead Is Human, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channelor your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.

Episode transcript: Joy and Leadership: What Drives Success at SeedTag (Brian Danzis) coming soon.

In this special replay from two years ago, Dr. Maureen O'Connor talks about her academic leadership, dealing with imposter syndrome, and the role of shared governance. She also explores the balance between being liked and respected as a leader, plus adapting leadership styles to different audiences.

Welcome to To Lead Is Human. This show helps you up-level your leadership to shape cultures of accountability, respect, and candor in your organization.

Key Takeaways:

• Imposter syndrome arises from outdated standards.
• Clarity in goals and values is essential for leadership.
• Empowering others is more effective than just delegating tasks.
• Shared governance involves collaboration among all stakeholders.
• Social justice is a key focus in leadership roles.
• Transitioning to new roles requires openness to change.
• The dilemma of being liked vs. respected is common for leaders.
• Standards for success should be relevant to current contexts.
• Understanding human behavior is crucial for effective leadership.
• Managing stress and uncertainty is vital for leaders.

Guest Bio:

Maureen O’Connor, Ph.D., J.D., is the president of Palo Alto University (PAU), which specializes in Psychology and Counseling.

Prior to joining PAU, Dr. O’Connor held multiple roles at the City University of New York (CUNY) in New York City. Dr. O’Connor completed a Ph.D. and J.D. in a dual-degree program in psychology, law, and policy at the University of Arizona. Prior to launching her academic career, she clerked for the late Honorable Patricia Wald, then-Chief Judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, and worked on the famous Oliver North case.

An American Psychological Association (APA) Fellow, Dr. O’Connor has held numerous governance roles in APA, including as Chair of its Task Force on Human Rights. She has been active in the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI/APA Division 9) for many years, including serving as its President.

Her recent work has focused on evidence-based pedagogy development for doctoral students and on innovative mentoring strategies. Her 2019 book, Teaching Psychology: An Evidence-Based Approach (2019), with co-authors Drs. Jill Grose-Fifer and Patricia Brooks, was published by Wiley Press. She is a member of the 39th class of the American Leadership Fellows program in Silicon Valley and serves on the Executive Committee of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities.

Host Bio:

For more than 30 years, Sharon Richmond has partnered with C-level executives from mid-size and small, fast-growing companies who want to up-level their leadership and build companies they are proud of. Clients accelerate their leadership by embracing mindset and behavior changes, building self-awareness and self-management skills, and focusing on the three things all leaders must ensure: focus, energy, and delivery.

Sharon’s purpose as an executive coach is to help leaders 10X their impact by leveraging the power afforded by their roles to build organizations that are forces for good, both economically and socially. She also advises CEOs on shaping organization culture and leading change.

Sharon has taught leadership at Stanford GSB, where she now helps leaders increase influence, manage conflict, and prepare to build high-performing teams.

To see a list of Sharon’s clients, please visit https://LeadingLarge.com.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Sharon’s website
Dr. O’Connor’s website: PaloAltoU.edu/staff/oconnor
Dr. O’Connor’s email: [email protected]

Credits:

Producer: Cynthia Lamb
Assembled by: Andrew Chapman
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Audio Post Supervisors: Evan Miles and Christopher Martin
Audio Post Production: Post Office Sound
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music and SFX credits:

Track Title: Escaping Light
Artist: Aaron Sprinkle
Writer: Aaron Sprinkle
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Bright Future
Artist: Be Still The Earth
Writer: Marshall Usinger
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Special effects credits:
24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

To catch the great episodes coming up on To Lead Is Human, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.

Blending creativity and finance, Jonathan Ankney went from solo entrepreneur to leading a small business by blending grace, accountability, and faith-based principles. He explores leadership challenges and scaling with purpose—offering insights for small business owners and nonprofit leaders alike.

This is To Lead Is Human — listen to learn how you can uplevel your leadership and shape cultures of accountability, respect, and candor.

Guest Bio:

Jonathan Ankney is the Founder and CEO of Small Business CFO, Inc., a financial consulting firm dedicated to helping small businesses and nonprofit organizations build financially resilient operations. Since 2004, Jonathan has led his team of eight in delivering CFO-level insights, accounting systems design, forecasting, and financial strategy to organizations with revenues up to $8 million. His clients—ranging from creative firms and tech startups to nonprofits—rely on his ability to translate complex financial data into practical, forward-looking decisions that drive growth and stability.

With a background in both finance and arts administration, Jonathan combines technical expertise with strategic vision. He’s personally managed more than 100 client engagements, supporting capital planning, business modeling, cash flow optimization, and financial clean-up projects. His team also specializes in managing clients’ books, multi-entity reporting, payroll, and review of financial records. A problem-solver at heart, Jonathan is known for stepping into high-stakes situations—such as audit preparations and turnaround scenarios—and bringing clarity and structure to the financial side of the business.

Jonathan holds an MBA in Finance from Binghamton University and is a sought-after speaker and educator on small business finance. His work has been featured in podcasts, webinars, and conferences, and he authored Freedom to Serve, a financial guidebook for ministry leaders. When he’s not advising clients or building systems, Jonathan is an endurance cyclist, active church leader, and Distinguished Toastmaster, passionate about helping others communicate their vision and stay financially focused.

Host Bio:

For more than 30 years, Sharon Richmond has partnered with C-level executives from mid-size and small, fast-growing companies who want to up-level their leadership and build companies they are proud of. Clients accelerate their leadership by embracing mindset and behavior changes, building self-awareness and self-management skills, and focusing on the three things all leaders must ensure: focus, energy and delivery.

Sharon’s purpose as an executive coach is to help leaders 10X their impact by leveraging the power afforded by their roles to build organizations that are forces for good, both economically and socially. She also advises CEOs on shaping organization culture and leading change.

Sharon has taught leadership at Stanford GSB, where she now helps leaders increase influence, manage conflict, and prepare to build high-performing teams.

To see a list of Sharon’s clients, please visit LeadingLarge.com.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Sharon’s website: LeadingLarge.com
Small Business CFO’s website: www.SBCFO.com
Jonathan’s LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/sbcfo
E-Myth Revisited (book): MichaeleGerberCompanies.com/product/the-e-myth-revisited

Credits:

Host: Sharon Richmond
Producer and Editor: Andrew Chapman
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Escaping Light
Artist: Aaron Sprinkle
Writer: Aaron Sprinkle
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Bright Future
Artist: Be Still The Earth
Writer: Marshall Usinger
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer: Matthew Wigton
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Grace
Artist Name: Shimmer
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

To catch the great episodes coming up on To Lead Is Human, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.

Episode transcript: Scaling Leadership from Solo to Team: Lessons for Small Businesses (Jonathan Ankney) coming soon.

Revisiting her show’s most popular episode, Sharon adds new context to start. We then hear Arvind KC as he explores the evolving landscape of leadership in the AI era — blending technology, empathy, and service. He highlights the importance of self-management and fostering human-centered workplaces.

Welcome to To Lead Is Human. This show helps listeners envision how they can uplevel their leadership and shape cultures of accountability, respect, and candor.

Arvind KC is the Chief People and Systems Officer at Roblox.

Guest Bio:

As the Chief People and Systems Officer of Roblox, Arvind KC leads the internal organization chartered with evolving the Roblox’s processes, systems, experiences, and culture so that its people and teams flourish, grow, and reach their highest potential.

KC has more than 25 years of executive leadership experience focused on leading internal product development teams. The first half of his career was focused on building supply chain systems in semiconductor companies. At Facebook, he went deep in understanding what enables exceptional performance in organizations and teams and how technology can accelerate it. Then as CIO and head of People Ops at Palantir and most recently as the VP of Engineering at Google, his teams built products that shape culture and people processes.

KC holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and holds an MBA from Santa Clara University.

Host Bio:

For more than 30 years, Sharon Richmond has partnered with C-level executives from mid-size and small, fast-growing companies who want to up-level their leadership and build companies they are proud of. Clients accelerate their leadership by embracing mindset and behavior changes, building self-awareness and self-management skills, and focusing on the three things all leaders must ensure: focus, energy and delivery.

Sharon’s purpose as an executive coach is to help leaders 10X their impact by leveraging the power afforded by their roles to build organizations that are forces for good, both economically and socially. She also advises CEOs on shaping organization culture and leading change.

Sharon has taught leadership at Stanford GSB, where she now helps leaders increase influence, manage conflict, and prepare to build high-performing teams.

To see a list of Sharon’s clients, please visit LeadingLarge.com.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Sharon’s website: LeadingLarge.com
Roblox: Roblox.com
KC’s LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/arvindkc
KC’s blog, “KC Musings”: https://blog.ArvindKC.com

Credits:

Host: Sharon Richmond
Producer: Cynthia Lamb
Assembled by: Andrew Chapman
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Escaping Light
Artist: Aaron Sprinkle
Writer: Aaron Sprinkle
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Bright Future
Artist: Be Still The Earth
Writer: Marshall Usinger
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

To catch the great episodes coming up on To Lead Is Human, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channelor your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.

Episode transcript: Special: Arvind KC on AI, Values-Driven Leadership, and Human-Centered Teams.

Len Forkas is now among the elite few who have summited the highest peak on every continent. In this re-release with a new preface by host Sharon Richmond, hear Len’s fascinating mix of business, nonprofit, athletics, and expeditions. He has led numerous teams to achieve extraordinary daring feats.

Welcome to To Lead Is Human. This show helps listeners envision how they can uplevel their leadership and shape cultures of accountability, respect, and candor.

Len Forkas is a dynamic figure known for his roles as an entrepreneur, endurance athlete, international explorer, and dedicated philanthropist. 

Guest Bio:

Len Forkas is a dynamic figure known for his roles as an entrepreneur, endurance athlete, explorer, and dedicated philanthropist. He founded Milestone Towers and currently serves as its President. Based in Reston, Virginia, Milestone Towers is a prominent developer of digital infrastructure across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States. Since its inception in 2001, the company has successfully developed and managed numerous wireless tower sites, fostering significant job growth in construction, engineering, and manufacturing.

As an author, Len Forkas has shared his insights and experiences from his endurance events and adventures in two books — What Spins the Wheel: Life and Leadership Lessons from the Race for Hope (2014) and Cold Hard Truth (2022), with all profits supporting HopeCam. This charity, which he established in 2003, aims to alleviate the social isolation experienced by children undergoing cancer treatment by leveraging technology. HopeCam has had a profound impact, connecting more than 5,000 children battling cancer to their peers across 50 states, in collaboration with more than 150 hospitals. Notably, 70% of the children assisted by Hopecam attend Title One schools, with half receiving treatment at St. Jude’s Hospital.

As a sought-after leadership speaker, Len has been featured on major media platforms including CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Fox and Friends, Wharton Sirius XM Radio, and the local affiliates of NBC, ABC, FOX, and CBS in the Baltimore/Washington DC area.

His athletic achievements are equally impressive, encompassing multiple Ironman races, marathons in all 50 states, 100-mile ultra-marathons, and the grueling Race Across America — a 3,000-mile solo bike race completed in just 11 days. In January 2024, he completed an ambitious expedition to ski to the South Pole. Len’s adventurous spirit has also led him to summit the tallest mountains on all seven continents, completing Mount Everest in 2025.

Host Bio:

For more than 30 years, Sharon Richmond has partnered with C-level executives from mid-size and small, fast-growing companies who want to up-level their leadership and build companies they are proud of. Clients accelerate their leadership by embracing mindset and behavior changes, building self-awareness and self-management skills, and focusing on the three things all leaders must ensure: focus, energy and delivery.

Sharon’s purpose as an executive coach is to help leaders 10X their impact by leveraging the power afforded by their roles to build organizations that are forces for good, both economically and socially. She also advises CEOs on shaping organization culture and leading change.

Sharon has taught leadership at Stanford GSB, where she now helps leaders increase influence, manage conflict, and prepare to build high-performing teams.

To see a list of Sharon’s clients, please visit LeadingLarge.com.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Sharon’s website: LeadingLarge.com
HopeCam: HopeCam.org
Len’s LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/LenForkas
Len’s book, What Spins the Wheel: https://a.co/d/8lwKZFX
Len’s book, Cold Hard Truth: https://a.co/d/h2JlcUg
Milestone Towers: MilestoneTowers.com

Credits:

Host: Sharon Richmond
Producer: Cynthia Lamb and Andrew Chapman
Assembled by: Melissa Deal and Andrew Chapman
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Escaping Light
Artist: Aaron Sprinkle
Writer: Aaron Sprinkle
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Bright Future
Artist: Be Still The Earth
Writer: Marshall Usinger
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

To catch the great episodes coming up on To Lead Is Human, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channelor your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.

Episode transcript: Leadership at the Edge: A Journey to Everest and Beyond (Len Forkas).