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The Leadership Podcast

The Leadership Podcast

We Study Leaders

TLP473: Leading Those Who’ve Served with Barry Jesinoski

August 20, 2025

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Barry Jesinoski is the National Adjutant and CEO of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), leading an organization with over one million members. In this episode, Barry shares his unconventional journey from a young Marine who needed help to leading one of America’s most respected veteran service organizations, despite never completing a college degree.  He explains why…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: advocacy, Barry Jesinoski, collaboration, communication, Darley, DAV, Disabled American Veterans, entrepreneurship, integrity, Jan Rutherford, Jim Vaselopulos, leadership, lobbying, Marines, mentorship, military service, Patriot Boot Camp, Rafty Advisors, remote work, Self Reliant Leadership, service-disabled veterans, The Leadership Podcast, veteran benefits, veteran employment, veterans, volunteerism, workplace culture

TLP468: The Power of Doing Nothing with Jim and Jan

July 16, 2025

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In this episode, Jim and Jan explore the power of doing nothing and why it might be the most strategic move a leader can make.  They begin with a discussion on Jan’s Crucible® expeditions, and the consistent lesson is that you have to slow down to speed up.  For Jim, it means intentional time without…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: adaptability, character, coaching, Conviction, Crucibles, discipline, Efficiency, Jan Rutherford, Jim Vaselopulos, Leadership Podcast, Quiet Time, reflection, solitude, strategy, Veteran Transition

TLP467: Navigate Uncertainty with Kevin Eikenberry

July 9, 2025

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Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert with decades of experience and author of “Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence”.  Kevin explores what it takes to lead effectively in a constantly changing environment. He shares why being a “remarkable” leader isn’t about charisma or titles. It’s about intentional actions, self-awareness, and the ability to…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: balance, coaching, delegation, engagement, flexibility, Intentionality, Jan Rutherford, Jim Vaselopulos, Kevin Eikenberry, leadership, management, outcomes, self-reflection, The Leadership Podcast, trust

TLP428: What Makes A Good Leadership Book with Jim and Jan

October 2, 2024

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Jim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford discuss what makes a great leadership book including the value of storytelling in making concepts relatable for the audience. They also discuss the importance of evidence-based concepts, and the significance of lasting and practical advice that transcends time. The best leadership books aren’t necessarily leadership books. “The books that help…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Books, Curiosity, Evidence-Based Leadership, Jan Rutherford, Jim Vaselopulos, leadership, Leadership Books, Leadership Insights, learning, Pablo Neruda Quote, Personal Growth, Storytelling in Leadership, Timeless Leadership Advice

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Kevin Rice sold his company for nine figures. The Kevin Rice sold his company for nine figures.The deal closed. The wire hit. And he felt almost nothing.Not because the work was not real. It was. But he had been in robot mode for years. Performing at the highest level while suppressing every emotion just to keep functioning.When the victory arrived, there was nothing left to feel it with.He had been so focused on passion that he lost sight of purpose entirely.The rest of Kevin's story is the part most people never talk about. Go listen. https://bit.ly/TLP-512?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershipdevelopment #entrepreneur #purpose #theleadershippodcast #fulfillment #CEOmindset #personalgrowth #worklifebalance #executiveleadership
Karen Doll helps executives rebuild their psycholo Karen Doll helps executives rebuild their psychological fitness for a living. And for years she was quietly running herself into the ground.The belief buried so deep she did not know it was there.Self care is selfish.What finally broke it was not a book or a breakthrough. It was looking at her daughters and deciding she did not want to pass that on.Familiarity is one of the hardest things to walk away from.Full conversation with Karen on The Leadership Podcast. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-514?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershippodcast #leadership #burnout #selfcare #leadershipdevelopment #mentalhealth #psychologicalfitness #podcast #womenleaders
Your people spend more hours with you than with th Your people spend more hours with you than with their families.That's not a business metric. That's a moral obligation.David Gray sees it as both privilege and responsibility. You're not just developing workers. You're developing humans—their skills, their confidence, their sense of purpose.Most leaders treat people like resources. David treats them like people entrusted to his care for a significant portion of their lives.It changes everything about how you lead.Explore David's complete philosophy on servant leadership. https://bit.ly/TLP-520?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershipphilosophy #servantleadership #peopledevelopment #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast #teamleadership #managementphilosophy #compassionateLeadership
Most people treat networking like a numbers game. Most people treat networking like a numbers game.Donnie Boivin treats it like a business model.The shift from collecting contacts to building other people's success is what actually opens doors.Hear how he built an entire company around it in this week's episode. https://bit.ly/TLP-521?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#networking #leadership #businessdevelopment #relationshipbuilding #salesmindset #entrepreneurship #leadershippodcast #b2bsales
Patrick Ryan names the practice most leaders never Patrick Ryan names the practice most leaders never do. Before you decide. Before you send that email. Before you justify it to yourself. Take a step back. Ask: What would a knowledgeable, impartial observer think of this? That's the impartial spectator. It's not philosophy. It's a daily tool. One question. Applied consistently. It changes everything.Watch the full episode. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-519?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #ethics #decisionmaking #adamsmith #leadershippodcast #corporateethics #executiveleadership #virtuouscapitalism
Most leaders think the biggest threat to their tea Most leaders think the biggest threat to their team is performance.Missed targets. Wrong hires. Bad culture.Nick Black watched some of America's greatest warriors fall — not to the enemy, but to silence.Not because they were weak.Because no one was checking on them.Isolation is the enemy. And it does not announce itself.Listen to the full conversation. https://bit.ly/TLP-513?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders #leadershippodcast #leadership #mentalhealth #isolation #veteranleadership #leadershipquotes #podcast #selfreliantleadership #militaryleadership #leadershipdevelopment
Jim Brown spent 30 years with CEOs. Here's what he Jim Brown spent 30 years with CEOs. Here's what he keeps seeing:Leaders got promoted because they were great at doing. Now they're stuck trying to do everything.You can't scale yourself. You scale by equipping others.The shift from doer to leader isn't about working harder. It's about working differently.Listen to Jim Brown on episode 517. https://bit.ly/TLP-517?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershipmindset #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipaccountability #organizationalhealth #executiveleadership #theleadershippodcast #ceoinsights #westudyleaders
The scariest moment isn't when things are bad. It' The scariest moment isn't when things are bad. It's when everything is fine and you're asking: is this enough? Jill Schulman spent 24 years in a good career. Safe. Stable. Unfulfilled. The day she decided bravery meant leaving good for great changed everything. Most people don't fail because they quit. They fail because they stay at comfort. Challenge yourself to ask the hard question. Listen here https://bit.ly/TLP-518?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#bravery #personalgrowth #courage #careergrowth #leadership #mindset #fulfillment #lifepurpose
Murshad Chowdhury just exposed what most leaders g Murshad Chowdhury just exposed what most leaders get wrong.They think communication is about being heard.It's actually about hearing.The biggest conflicts in teams? Someone didn't listen to what the other person meant to say.Not what they said. What they meant.That's the gap that costs leaders their credibility.Watch how to master this: https://bit.ly/TLP-515?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#communicationskills #leadershipdevelopment #listeningskills #theleadershippodcast #executiveleadership #teambuidling #leadershiplessons #conflictresolution
You think debate teaches people to fight harder. You think debate teaches people to fight harder.Murshad Chowdhury says it actually teaches them to listen better.In competition format, you learn how to refute without destroying.You learn to ask questions instead of defending positions.And here's what changes everything: the goal isn't winning. The goal is understanding.That's the skill that transforms workplaces.Watch the full episode: https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-515?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#debateskills #leadershiplesons #communicationskills #listeningskills #teamleadership #conflictresolution #theleadershippodcast #workplaceculture
You've been thinking about bravery all wrong. It's You've been thinking about bravery all wrong. It's not a trait you're born with. It's a skill you build. Jill Schulman is a Marine Corps veteran, keynote speaker, and bravery scientist with a master's in positive psychology from UPenn. This episode breaks down the myths holding you back, the science of the comfort trap, and the exact three-stage framework to push your team toward extraordinary performance. Discover what builds real courage. https://bit.ly/TLP-518?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch it on YouTube - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-518?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#bravery #leadershipdevelopment #personalgrowth #stoicism #positivepsychology #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast #fearless #coachinglife #leadershiplessons
Most leaders think tension is toxic. Jim Brown say Most leaders think tension is toxic.Jim Brown says they're wrong.Tension is normal. Predictable. Necessary.The problem isn't that your team disagrees. It's that they don't know what you're aiming for.When people lack clarity around shared goals, disagreements turn into arguments. Someone stomps out. Trust breaks.But when everyone knows what you're actually trying to build together? That same tension becomes energy. Ideas get challenged. Better decisions emerge.Productive tension is anchored in clarity, not comfort.Hear the full conversation on episode 517. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-517?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#productiveconflict #leadershipteams #organizationalhealth #teamdynamics #leadershipdevelopment #conflictresolution #theleadershippodcast #jimbrownorghealth
Chasing success can quietly become the problem, no Chasing success can quietly become the problem, not the solution.Tom Rath argues usefulness matters more than achievement, and the shift changes how you spend every hour of your day.It's a simple reframe with a big payoff: less hamster wheel, more contribution.Listen to Tom Rath's full conversation on the show. https://bit.ly/TLP-523?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#tomrath #leadershippodcast #purposeoverperformance #leadershipmindset #executivecoaching #findingpurpose #workplaceculture #meaningfulwork
One question. Ask it every day. Tom Rath says the One question. Ask it every day.Tom Rath says the best leaders track one thing: what conversation did I start today that helped someone grow?It sounds small but it builds a career of impact.And Tom's reminder hits hard. You don't always get tomorrow.Listen to the full episode with Tom Rath now. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-523?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#tomrath #leadershippodcast #leadershipmindset #dailyhabits #peopledevelopment #executivecoaching #purposeatwork #leadershipdevelopment
Most leaders think accountability is someone else' Most leaders think accountability is someone else's problem.Jim Brown—author of The Imperfect CEO, founder of Org Health—spent 30 years with CEOs discovering the one behavior that rewires everything. One small question. One major shift.Leadership accountability isn't what you think it is.Listen to episode 517 now. https://bit.ly/TLP-517?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch it on YouTube: https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-517?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershipaccountability #leadershipdevelopment #organizationalhealth #teamculture #leadershipcoaching #executiveleadership #theleadershippodcast #westudyleaders
You have more technically qualified people enterin You have more technically qualified people entering the workforce than ever.You also have fewer people who know how to have a real conversation.This gap is costing you. It's costing every organization. It's being missed in every leadership development program.The most expensive credential in 2026 is something no degree can teach: the ability to actually connect with another human.Find what's missing: https://bit.ly/TLP-516?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershipdevelopment #talentdevelopment #workforcedevelopment #peopleskills #teambuilding #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast
Picture a sideline full of parents yelling instruc Picture a sideline full of parents yelling instructions nobody can follow.Now picture your last team meeting.Patrick Emmons says it's the same problem.Bosses talk, but only 3% of the room actually understands what was said.He learned to fix it by coaching kids, not running companies.Watch the full episode to hear how Patrick builds a vernacular his team actually understands. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-524?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #teamcommunication #coaching #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #teambuilding #businessleadership #patrickemmons
Culture isn't something you mandate from the C-sui Culture isn't something you mandate from the C-suite. It's built by the people doing the work.David built Fed Up Foods on this principle, and it's why his team stayed committed through disruption, crisis, and rapid growth.When you invite people to shape how you work together, they own it. When you tell them how to work, they comply.The difference is everything.Listen to David's full framework for culture-building that lasts. https://bit.ly/TLP-520?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#culturebuilding #leadership #teamculture #leadershipdevelopment #westudyleaders #peopleirst #theleadershippodcast #valuesdriven
Most leaders can scale. Almost none can scale with Most leaders can scale. Almost none can scale without breaking what they built.Joth Ricci—CEO of LYBL, founder of Rafti Advisors, former CEO of Dutch Brothers—scaled Dutch Bros from 27 to 92 locations in three years without losing culture. In this episode, Joth talks about what actually breaks first when you grow fast, how to keep people's systems moving with your growth, and why discipline matters more than ambition.Watch now: https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-516?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersListen now! https://bit.ly/TLP-516?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershipdevelopment #scaling #businessgrowth #dutchbros #organizationalculture #executiveleadership #westudyleaders
Most people overcomplicate leadership. Nick Black Most people overcomplicate leadership.Nick Black has six words he still reaches for every time he does not know what to do next."When in doubt, lead the way." That is his whole leadership philosophy.Not a framework. Not a model.Just something that has never steered him wrong — through combat, through loss, through building companies from scratch.When you don't know what to do next, you already know what to do.Hear the full conversation. https://bit.ly/TLP-513?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders #leadershippodcast #leadership #leadershipquotes #militaryleadership #podcast #service #selfreliantleadership #leadershipdevelopment #veteran #rangerschool
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