UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders

In this episode of the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders podcast, Dr. Troy and Ben-Jamin Toy are joined by Matan Cohen-Citron, a movement expert and hypnotist who shares a harrowing UH-OH moment that transformed his approach to life and business. After a near-death experience left him in a state of trauma and misalignment, Matan had to confront the hard truth that he was prioritizing his business at the expense of his family and his own well-being.

Matan discusses the importance of "play" as a tool for exploration, the role of the unconscious mind in driving our behavior, and why we must develop a deep intimacy with our own somatic signals. Whether you are a high-achieving leader teetering on the edge of burnout or an emerging professional looking to align your career with your core values, this conversation offers a masterclass in emotional intelligence and self-regulation.

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What happens when a Six Sigma Black Belt realizes her processes are working, but her people are walking? 

In today's episode of UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders, co-hosts Dr. Troy and Ben-Jamin Toy chat with Hanna Bauer, founder of Heartnomics and faculty member at the Maxwell Leadership team. 

Hanna shares her honest journey through the 2008 publishing disruption, a time marked by the rise of e-books and the paralyzing fear of the unknown. She opens up about the isolation leadership trap, the danger of saying yes to everything when you’re uncertain, and the epiphany she had while watching a front-line employee find purpose where she had only found stress. 

Tune in to learn why hope is a concrete strategy and how to ensure your pursuit of excellence doesn't cost you your best talent. 

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In today's episode of UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders, Dr. Troy and Ben-Jamin Toy chat with Walter Dusseldorp, also known as the Dutch Mentor.

Walter shares his incredible journey from a high-stakes career as a flight paramedic to becoming a seasoned hospital administrator and C-suite executive. He reveals a critical UH-OH moment from his early transition into management: the realization that outworking everyone else makes you an island, not a leader.

Walter discusses the leading edge of leadership, the necessity of 360-degree feedback, and how to ensure your team is soaring with you rather than stalling out behind you. Whether you are an emerging manager or a veteran executive, Walter’s insights on leading for connection rather than control are essential for anyone looking to build a cohesive culture. 

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In this episode of UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders, hosts Dr. Troy and Ben-Jamin Toy chat with coach and parkour enthusiast Garrett Wood. Garrett shares a vulnerable look into his time leading a 100-person team in the high-stakes hospitality industry, where he fell into the trap of living and dying by the spreadsheet.

We explore the chilling UH-OH moment that acted as his wake-up call: seeing a 20-year veteran of the company replaced in just two weeks, leading to a tragic loss of identity. Garrett discusses the physical and emotional toll of burnout and the unorthodox path he took, including hypnotherapy and parkour, to regulate his nervous system and transition from transactional management to transformational leadership.

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In this episode of UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders, hosts Dr. Troy Hall and Ben-Jamin Toy chat with executive coach and relentlessly positive business owner Jill Avey.

Jill takes us behind the scenes of her own career-defining UH-OH... a time when she was juggling a high-travel corporate job, a side business, and multiple nonprofit board roles. She shares the reality of how being stretched too thin impacts personal relationships and professional quality, and why we often mistake a packed calendar for success. We discuss the science of Essentialism, the ADHD dopamine hit of productivity, and how to master the art of the strategic No. Whether you're an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, this conversation is a  reminder that to grow, you often have to let go.

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In this episode of UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders, Dr. Troy Hall and Ben-Jamin Toy chat with Wes Towers, founder of the Australian digital agency Uplift 360. Wes dives deep into a harrowing UH-OH moment from a decade ago when he accepted a massive, out-of-scope dating website project specifically to keep a bored lead developer engaged. The plan backfired when the developer resigned just weeks into the project, leaving Wes to manually navigate a complex software stack he didn't fully understand.

Wes shares the grueling reality of taking it on the chin, including the sleepless nights, the $80,000 in lost opportunity costs, and the importance of shielding his team from the chaos. Join us as we discuss the fine line between healthy stretching and overextension, the power of niche focus, and why who you serve is just as important as what you do.

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We are reaching into the archives to bring back a conversation that resonates just as strongly today as it did during its first release. Join Dr. Troy and Ben-Jamin Toy at the Cohesion Corner™ headquarters as they chat with Davin Salvagno, a leader dedicated to the art of discovering and amplifying human potential.

In this episode, Davin openingly discusses how his creative outlets in music and cooking influence a leadership style built on empathy, energy, and an unwavering belief in people. From his early days at Costco, including a pivotal interaction with founder Jim Sinegal, to the inevitable UH-OH moments that tested his grit, Davin shares how setbacks often serve as the ultimate stepping stones.

In this episode, we explore
- The importance of identifying and nurturing untapped talent in others.
- Why leadership thrives on the foundation of trust and genuine connection.
- Actionable insights for building a Cohesion Culture™ through a purposeful infusion of cohesion.
- How a Philly passion and a creative spirit create a dynamic, authentic leadership approach.

Whether you missed it the first time or need a refresher on building cohesive teams, this conversation is a front-row ticket to honest storytelling and leadership excellence.

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Join Dr. Troy Hall and Ben-Jamin Toy at the Cohesion Culture™ headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina, for a masterclass on leadership and feedback. In this episode, our special guest Liz Weber shares her journey from a childhood in a family of 13 to navigating the global stage as an intern at the U.S. Department of State.

Liz reveals a pivotal UH-OH experience where a lack of courage led to blindsiding an employee during a termination. This lesson shaped her no-nonsense approach to consulting, where she emphasizes her candidness with all employees from CEOs to interns. We call this the difference between being nice and being kind.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• The "Fair-ability" Factor: Why straightforward communication and fairness are more important than being liked in a leadership role.
• Intentionality vs. Entitlement: How to act like the career you want by fulfilling job responsibilities 100% independently and competently.
• Leading Through Challenges: Addressing the current tidal wave of exits and the loss of historical knowledge within organizations.

Listen in to learn why feedback is a gift and how to ensure your team is prepared for the shifting priorities of today's business landscape.

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In this inspiring episode, Katie Blomquist, founder of Going Places, reveals a leadership lesson about the importance of asking. 

Learn how her initial hesitation to seek sponsorships nearly cost her nonprofit valuable opportunities, and discover the mindset shift that transformed her approach to fundraising. Katie shares her unique journey of providing new bikes to low-income elementary school children, and explains why sometimes the most significant barriers are the ones we create in our own minds. 

Packed with energy, humor, and actionable insights, this episode will challenge listeners to overcome their fears and embrace the simple strategy of just asking. 

Whether you're a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to advance your career, Katie's story offers a refreshing perspective on growth, community impact, and the unexpected rewards of stepping out of your comfort zone.

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What happens when your best leadership trait becomes your biggest liability? In this episode of UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders, hosts Dr. Troy Hall and Trevor Crunelle sit down with Andrew Brümmer, a fractional executive, international mentor, and former stunt double for Robert Downey Jr!

Andrew shares a raw and insightful UH-OH moment from his career: the time his commitment to team autonomy accidentally birthed "Golden Child Syndrome," alienating an entire department and creating a deep organizational rift.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How servant pleasing can inadvertently damage your professional brand.
• The danger of "Command and Control" vs. "Autonomous" cultures clashing within the same company.
• The bold strategy Andrew used to face 17 disgruntled employees and clear the air through radical vulnerability.
• How to identify when team members are perpetuating a victim identity instead of seeking solutions.
• The power of critical thinking in transforming your most vocal critics into your most loyal allies.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, Andrew’s house on the hill perspective provides a masterclass in navigating toxicity and reclaiming the truth.

Check this out: https://www.thecohesiveleader.com/Community

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