What if the “long game” of leadership isn’t about knowing the perfect playbook or chasing the next quick fix, but about the discipline to choose, practice, and recommit, week after week, for years on end? What if the most profound growth you’ll ever experience as a founder or leader is not a moment of sudden insight, but the slow compounding of self-awareness, responsibility, and everyday choices over decades?

This episode of What’s the Big Idea features Rand Stagen, seasoned entrepreneur, founding member and former board chair of the Conscious Leadership community, and for more than twenty-five years, the driving force behind the Stagen Leadership Academy.

Widely known for his insistence that culture and leadership can’t be separated, and for helping organizations play the “infinite game,” Rand brings decades of experience in guiding high-performing teams, family businesses, and visionary founders beyond short-term tactics to something deeper, stickier, and far more meaningful.

Andrew sets the stage for an organic, candid conversation that cuts to the core of what makes responsible leadership both liberating and daunting. The two dive into Rand’s own journey, from a clueless 23-year-old publisher thrown into the fire, to a leader deeply shaped by years of coaching and reflection, and unpack the difference between traditional training (short, episodic, skill-based) and the kind of long-term development that actually transforms capacity, character, and results.

Inside this episode, Rand lays out foundational frameworks and practices, delivered with humility, hard-won stories, and a deep respect for paradox. He challenges Fortune 50 CEOs (and every ambitious founder) to grapple with the tension between short-term fires and the decades-long arc of impact, revealing why the real work isn’t about saying “yes” to every shiny opportunity but about developing the discernment to say “yes” to your deepest priorities, over and over.

You’ll walk away with practical insights, including:

Why does this conversation matter right now? Because in a noisy, high-velocity world, the leaders who thrive aren’t the ones with the fastest answers, but with the deepest roots, the ones who can steward themselves and their teams through both turbulence and triumph, with clarity, humility, and rigor. For founders, CEOs, or anyone aspiring to lead with more relational integrity and long-term impact, this episode is a compass for building not just better organizations, but better humans.

Settle in for a wise, grounded, and refreshingly candid conversation. Let Rand and Andrew remind you: transformation isn’t a sprint; it’s a compounding journey of daily responsibility. Listen in, and remember, what you practice today becomes who you (and your company) will be in ten, twenty, even fifty years.

After climbing the “success mountain” of Princeton, Forbes 30 Under 30, a successful exit to SalesForce, Scott found himself cracked open by a spiritual awakening that forced him to build a bridge between rapid inner growth and a life of high achievement. Today, that bridge looks like writing, a vibrant online community, and honest conversations about integrating self-realization with contribution, prosperity, and adventure.

When I was a lost 21-year-old with no idea what I wanted to do with my life, service saved me. I didn’t know where to find fulfillment or a sustainable, financially viable career, but I remembered the joy of supporting young people with disabilities to play sports in college. My dad said simply, “Why don’t you just do more of that?” With nothing else to hang on to, I took his advice and started my first nonprofit, Dreams for Kids DC.

Running that organization, I realized that marginalized communities—like folks with disabilities—are often only seen as recipients of service, not as people who can give. We evolved our programs so that the kids we served also had opportunities to serve others, showing them they were capable of contribution.

For me, service has always been one of the most direct pathways to purpose. That’s why I’m so excited to have Dan Doty on the podcast today. Dan is a founder of Everyman, one of the men’s work facilitators I respect most in the world, and an excellent father, husband, and deeply good man who genuinely cares about people. He’s in it for the right reasons.

After helping bring on the second wave of men’s work with Everyman, Dan has launched a new initiative called Manpower, which brings men together around community-driven service projects nationwide. I felt so aligned with his mission that I joined as an inaugural board member to help in a small way.

This conversation dives into men’s work, the loneliness epidemic, and the power of finding purpose through giving back.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

Why listen, and why now? Because the loneliness and confusion facing so many men isn’t just abstract, it’s showing up in rising suicide rates, isolation, and a hunger for leadership that actually serves. For founders, leaders, and anyone working on themselves, this episode is a reminder: fulfillment, and real growth, don't happen in isolation. The real medicine might just be found, together, in the service of others.

Tune in for a wise, grounded, and deeply hopeful conversation. Let Dan and Andrew remind you: it’s not just about “doing the work,” it’s about getting to work, side by side, building the world (and the selves) we most want to see.

Listen in. The next big idea may start right down the block, with a pair of gloves and a group of guys, ready to serve.

What if business could be as human, and as messy, as life itself? What if being an ethical leader wasn’t about hitting some mythical state of perfection, but rather about showing up, getting a little lost, and finding your values again and again along the way?

On this episode of What’s the Big Idea, Andrew sits down with David Gelles, New York Times reporter, bestselling author, and one of the most thoughtful chroniclers of modern leadership and capitalism. If you’ve grappled with questions about doing “good business” or wondered whether it’s really possible to put planet and people on equal footing with profit, David’s the guy you want in your corner. His latest book, Dirtbag Billionaire, tells the wild and often contradictory story of Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, who not only built a world-class company on his own weird, gritty values, but ultimately gave the whole thing away.

This episode goes way deeper than another pat case study in “purpose-driven business.” Andrew and David push into the real questions: What does it actually look like to build a values-driven company while wrestling with your own imperfections? Can you succeed in capitalism without losing your integrity? And why is holding steady to your purpose so hard, and so necessary, right now?

Here’s what you’ll take away:

Why does this matter? Because for founders, leaders, and anyone wanting to build something that endures and honors their deepest values, the path is rarely black-and-white. In a time when corporate activism, mission-washing, and burnout all mix together, it’s deeply heartening, and genuinely useful, to see that “doing it right” is mostly about staying present to your own messiness, learning as you go, and never mistaking profit for purpose.

If you want frameworks, real stories, and the unvarnished truth about leading with integrity in modern business, you’ll find all that and more here.

Listen in for a conversation that’s thoughtful, honest, and rooted in the idea that being an ethical leader is less about being a saint and more about coming back, again and again, to what matters most.

How do we turn love and intimacy into a living practice, one that transforms how we lead, connect, and show up in our romantic relationships?

On this episode of What’s the Big Idea, Andrew sits down with John Wineland, celebrated teacher, author, and guide to all things relationship, intimacy, and embodied masculine leadership. John is known for his transformative workshops and years of study with David Deida, as well as for helping thousands of people move past cliché ideas about intimacy toward something much deeper, kinder, and truly life-changing.

If you are curious about sacred intimacy, tantra, or what it means to lead from the heart, John brings these sometimes mystified topics down to earth. He clarifies that sacred intimacy isn’t a fixed state , but the practice of allowing the divine - love, consciousness, presence, to flow through your relationships. Drawing on stories from his own journey and decades working with men, women, and couples, John shares a toolkit for both cultivating connection and facing its challenges.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this conversation:

The Four Pillars of Sacred Intimacy: John introduces the central framework that has guided his work: intimacy (our shared humanity), devotion to the field of love, sexual polarity (understanding and honoring difference), and the commitment to deep personal work. Each is a cornerstone, and together they become the supports for a relationship not just to survive, but to thrive.

Making Love Safe and Alive with Ritual and Repair: Learn how simple weekly rituals like “temple nights” or structured praise sessions can shift a partnership from transactional to transformational. The episode outlines approaches for regular check-ins and explains why honest repair work is foundational to trust and emotional safety.

Nervous System Mastery for Modern Life: For men in particular, John goes deep on the value of cultivating embodied presence, emotional regulation, and clear intention. These are the building blocks not only of romantic connection, but also of authentic leadership and executive presence. You’ll hear concrete practices around structure, breath, and nervous system co-regulation.

Practical Intimacy Habits Anyone Can Try: From co-breathing with your partner, to establishing rituals of praise and play, to crisp strategies for moving through the storms of conflict, John offers tools that you can start using today.

Why does this matter now? In an era of chronic busyness, digital distraction, and surface-level connection, our ability to create depth and safety in our most important relationships is a fundamental skill.

Listen in for a conversation that’s both wise and immediately useful, blending frameworks, real stories, and the kind of honest reminders we all need.

Today’s guest is Carl Buchheit, transformational coach and Co-Founder of the lauded NLP Marin (A staple training ground for silicon-valley's best CEO's and executive coaches.) Carl brings a fresh, heart-centered take on leadership, communication, and Neuro-Linguisting programming. 

If you have been curious to learn more about NLP and why it is so popular amongst super coaches like Tony Robbins and high performing entrepreneurs, this episode will provide some helpful context. 

So, what is Transformational NLP?

At its core, NLP is about noticing and shifting the unconscious patterns in how we think, speak, and act. Transformational NLP takes it further, helping you rewrite old stories, dissolve limiting beliefs, and build more conscious, connected relationships. It’s about using language and awareness not just to perform better, but to live more authentically.

Carl walks us through a handful of simple, powerful practices:

Throughout the episode, Carl brings real-life examples, mindset shifts, and emotionally intelligent tools that apply to everything from leadership and conflict to love and self-worth. Whether you're navigating a difficult relationship, trying to lead with more empathy, or simply curious about how to rewire old mental patterns—this one’s for you.

It’s both a conversation and an invitation: to listen more deeply, speak more consciously, and create outcomes where everyone wins.

What if the biggest breakthroughs in your leadership had nothing to do with what you do and everything to do with the way you see?

In this episode of What’s the Big Idea?, I sit down with Diana Chapman, co-founder of the Conscious Leadership Group and co-author of The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership. If you’ve ever heard someone talk about “above and below the line” leadership, you’re already hearing her influence.

We break down the 15 Commitments framework, one of the most transformational tools I’ve encountered in my work as an executive coach. These commitments aren’t rules. They’re ways of seeing and being that fundamentally change how you lead, relate, and live.

We talk about:

The #1 thing that keeps leaders stuck (and how to shift it)

Why personal responsibility is the ultimate power move

How to use curiosity to dissolve conflict

The real cost of drama in teams and how to lead beyond it

If you’re searching for an introduction to the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership or want to deepen your understanding of the model, this episode is a masterclass from the source.

Whether you’re a founder, executive, or someone committed to living more consciously, this one’s for you.

Listen in and learn why commitment to consciousness might be the most powerful leadership move you can make.

Ep 55. Today’s guest is John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market and a pioneer of conscious capitalism. In this powerful conversation, John shares the personal stories and hard-earned wisdom behind his newest framework, Win Win Win, and what it truly means to lead with love.

From the start, John opens the door to a deeper kind of dialogue. He shares the psychedelic awakening at age 22 that cracked open his worldview and put him on a lifelong journey to integrate business, spirituality, and service. That experience sparked a series of realizations that shaped not only how he built Whole Foods, but how he now lives his life.

At the heart of our conversation is the big idea he recently brought to the TED stage: Win Win Win. It’s a simple but transformative concept. In every interaction, how can we create something that’s good for ourselves, good for the other person, and good for the larger whole? John believes this is the path to lasting impact, and he offers the tools to make it real.

Together, we walk through the three core shifts that make Win Win Win possible. First, a shift of mind: letting go of judgment and stepping into curiosity. Then a shift of heart: opening to empathy, listening more deeply, and showing up with compassion. And finally, a shift into creativity: expanding what we believe is possible and asking again and again, what’s the most beautiful outcome we can create here?

John doesn’t just speak in ideas. He lives this work. Throughout the conversation, he brings real-life stories, surprising metaphors, and clear practices that anyone can apply. From how to navigate conflict with openness to how to lead from the heart in business negotiations, his insights are both practical and profound.

We also talk about the deeper drivers behind human behavior. Why do so many leaders chase money, fame, and power when what they really want is love? What happens when we stop trying to win at all costs and start creating environments where everyone gets to flourish? John makes the case for a new kind of leadership that begins with listening and ends in connection.

This episode is a masterclass in emotional intelligence and applied philosophy. Whether you’re a founder, a team leader, or someone just trying to build a more meaningful life, John’s message will meet you where you are. His presence is calm and clear. His vision is big and human. And his challenge to all of us is simple: practice love, every day, with everyone. No exceptions.

Today's guest is Joe Hudson, one of the most sought after Executive Coaches in Silicon Valley and Founder of The Art of Accomplishment. He shares his insights into the art of making better decisions by developing emotional fluidity and living by principles. Drawing on years of experience coaching high-level leaders (including work with Sam Altman and OpenAI), Joe explores how our relationship with emotions directly impacts our decision-making clarity.

Joe reveals his approach to decision-making, emphasizing the importance of connection, wonder, and understanding the true nature of our emotional landscape. He outlines how great decisions don't come from avoiding difficult emotions or outcomes—they emerge when we welcome all possibilities and align with our deepest principles. Through captivating stories and practical frameworks like the VIEW methodology, Joe shares his core principles for effective decision-making.

Whether discussing parenting insights that transformed his relationship with emotions or exploring his vision for societal transformation, Joe offers a refreshing perspective on achievement that prioritizes enjoyment and alignment over "dirty fuel" like stress and fear. The conversation culminates in a powerful decision-making exercise: visualizing both best and worst outcomes while fully feeling all associated emotions—a practice that often reveals the clearest path forward.

No More Mr. Nice Guy - How to stop people pleasing and get the love, life and connection you want. 

Dr. Robert Glover, renowned psychotherapist, author of No More Mr. Nice Guy, and founder of Integration Nation, a men’s community fostering authentic masculinity and growth.

Authentic growth begins by breaking free from the "Nice Guy Syndrome," a deeply ingrained pattern of people-pleasing and self-sabotage rooted in toxic shame and unmet childhood needs. 

Transformation happens when men take responsibility for their needs, embrace boundaries, and cultivate relationships that foster mutual respect and genuine connection. Dr. Glover encourages men to pursue an integrated life by owning all aspects of themselves, both their light and shadow, and creating a community that empowers healthy masculinity.

Dr. Robert Glover, a leading voice in men’s personal development, shares his transformative insights on overcoming the Nice Guy Syndrome. Drawing on decades of therapeutic experience and his personal journey, Dr. Glover unpacks the origins of this syndrome and its impact on men’s relationships, careers, and overall well-being. He provides practical guidance on embracing conflict, setting boundaries, and cultivating meaningful connections that are free of manipulation and resentment.

Through engaging anecdotes, insightful theories, and actionable advice, Dr. Glover challenges men to reclaim their power by confronting their toxic shame, embracing their full selves, and stepping into the world as integrated, authentic individuals.

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