• Home
  • Episodes
  • Books for Leaders
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • Our Sponsors
  • Blog
  • Our Newsletter
The Leadership Podcast

The Leadership Podcast

We Study Leaders

TLP150: Unstoppable Teams Do This First

May 15, 2019

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theleadershippodcast/TLP_150.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Alden Mills,​ author of ​Unstoppable Teams ​and ​Be Unstoppable, a​ three time Navy SEAL platoon commander, and a INC. 500 entrepreneur​,​ shares why starting a company may be even harder than SEAL training, why corporate cultures are often flawed, and how the best leaders may fail more times than they succeed. Key Takeaways [3:12] Alden…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: confidence, creativity, entrepreneur, entrepreneurial, leadership, military, teamwork

TLP147: Courage, Perseverance and Toughness

April 24, 2019

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theleadershippodcast/TLP_147.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Lieutenant General Robert L. Caslen Jr. served in the U.S. Army for 43 years, and he retired in 2018 as the 59th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He talks with Jim and Jan about the responsibility that came with his role as superintendent. They also discuss diversity in leadership, winning…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: leadership, military, perseverence, trust

TLP142: Grace – A Leadership Aspiration

March 20, 2019

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theleadershippodcast/TLP_142.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Jim and Jan start the show by paying tribute to Jan’s late mentor who exemplified the virtue of gratitude. Also discussed are ways to improve positivity, the power behind finding things to be grateful for, and practical suggestions for expressing gratitude. Key Takeaways [1:46] At the funeral of his mentor, MG Bud Ahern, Jan reflected…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: gratitude, honor, humanity, integrity, leadership, listening, mentoring, military, service, values

TLP141: Leading in Permanent Beta

March 13, 2019

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theleadershippodcast/TLP_141.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Professor Bill DeMarco (Retired Air Force Colonel) holds 3 Masters degrees, and holds fellowships at Stanford and Cambridge. He is a five-time commander and teaches leadership at Air University, Auburn and Michigan. Bill explains what he means when he says we are all just students in “permanent beta,” and ways in which we can be…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: leadership, military, philosophy, stoicism

TLP119: The Power of Story – from the Rooftop Leader

October 10, 2018

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theleadershippodcast/TLP_119.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann, a retired Green Beret, is an expert trust builder and master storyteller. He Joins Jim and Jan to discuss his work helping transition military veterans to civilian life, and the importance of supporting their personal story. Scott gives us a sneak peek into his new play that premiers on November 10th…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: culture, interview, leader, leadership, military, philosophy, speaker, stories, team development, teamwork, veterans

TLP111: When No One’s Watching…

August 15, 2018

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theleadershippodcast/TLP_111.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

Major Larry Moores, Retired Army Ranger recently inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame, and now Executive Director of the Three Rangers Foundation, talks with Jim and Jan about leadership in adverse environments, shared accountability and camaraderie within a unit. Larry talks about how an understanding of fundamentals can help teams succeed in the most…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: culture, interview, leader, leadership, military, stories, team development, teamwork, veterans

TLP109: You Have To Cut Out The Noise

August 1, 2018

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theleadershippodcast/TLP_109.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

In this episode, Mike Erwin, Founder of Team Red White & Blue (RWB), talks with Jim and Jan about how positive psychology and character affect leadership development. Whether it’s through his work at the Positivity Project, Team RWB, or teaching at West Point, Mike is clear on his purpose and serving others. He believes both…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: fitness, interview, leader, leadership, military, neuroscience, philosophy, positivity, productivity, solitude, team development, teamwork, time

TLP105: Amy McGrath’s 90th Mission

July 4, 2018

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theleadershippodcast/TLP_105.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

First Female Marine to Fly an F-18 in Combat – Now a Candidate for Congress Amy McGrath is on a mission to bring back servant leadership, civic responsibility and open discourse to Capitol Hill. As both a graduate and former teacher at the United States Naval Academy, Amy has committed herself to serve the country…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: culture, interview, leader, leadership, military, politics, teamwork, veterans

TLP101: General Stanley McChrystal on What Connects Us

June 6, 2018

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theleadershippodcast/TLP_101.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

General, Stanley McChrystal returns to The Leadership Podcast to share his thoughts and insights on leadership and service in the modern era. General McChrystal is the best selling author of “Team of Teams,” and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of The McChrystal group. He talks with Jim and Jan about the importance of a classical education,…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: business, corporate, culture, entrepreneur, interview, leader, leadership, military, practitioner, speaker, stories, team development, teamwork, thought leader, veterans

TLP100: What He Learned Studying Billionaires

May 30, 2018

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theleadershippodcast/TLP_100.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

The first guest on The Leadership Podcast was Preston Pysh – co-creator of The Investor’s Podcast – an immensely popular and highly engaged community. Preston returns in celebration of the 100th Episode, and talks about successful investor habits from a leadership perspective. He shares his recommendations for business owners in the current climate based on…

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: business, economics, entrepreneur, financial, interview, leader, leadership, military, podcaster, veterans

  • Prev Page...
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • …
  • 7
  • ...Next Page
iTunes
Spotify
Audible
SoundCloud
iHeartRADIO

Instagram Feed

westudyleaders

#leadership #leadershiptraining #leader #westudyleaders

Debate isn't about winning. It's about thinking cl Debate isn't about winning. It's about thinking clearly when it matters.Meet Murshad Chowdhury: founder of Tech Duels, LogiCoach AI, and the Veterans Technology Conference. He's spent years teaching brilliant people how to actually communicate.In this episode, you'll discover:Why structured debate builds communication skills faster than traditional trainingHow competition strengthens your ability to listen (not just talk)Why the future belongs to people who combine tech with human judgmentThe communication gap costing talented professionals their careersNew episode drops now. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-515?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersListen here - https://bit.ly/TLP-515?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershipdevelopment #communicationskills #debateskills #executivepresence #theleadershippodcast #criticalthinkingg #techleadership #aiandhumanskills
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
Your leadership team is waiting for you to solve e Your leadership team is waiting for you to solve everything.Jim Brown watched this pattern destroy ownership.A woman entrepreneur realized her team had stopped thinking. Everyone just looked to her for answers.So she tried something simple. Stop answering questions. Start asking them."What do you think we should do?"That one behavior change made her meetings louder. More ownership. Shared responsibility.If you're carrying the weight of all decisions, your team isn't really yours—they're dependent on you.See the full conversation on episode 517. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-517?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershipaccountability #teamownership #leadershipbehavior #organizationalhealth #leadershipdevelopment #theleadershippodcast #jimbrownorghealth #leadershipinsight
He was one of Kim Svoboda's best performers. He wa He was one of Kim Svoboda's best performers. He was also a bully.She tolerated it. The results were good. Then he quit in a rage.A week later, the truth came out. Team culture lifted almost overnight.Kim breaks down what tolerating bad behavior really costs a team.Ask yourself who's costing you culture. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-522?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#boldleadership #kimsvoboda #teamculture #toxicemployee #leadershipdevelopment #highperformingteams #leadershippodcast #accountability
Donnie Boivin doesn't work the room. He plants his Donnie Boivin doesn't work the room.He plants his feet and lets the room come to him.He calls it command presence, and it's a leadership skill, not a personality trait. The best leaders aren't controlling every conversation, they're guiding the room just by how they show up.Hear Donnie break down what that actually looks like in practice. Full episode is live now. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-521?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #networking #executivepresence #personalbranding #leadershipdevelopment #salesleadership #leadershippodcast #businessgrowth
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
After 9/11. After watching kids in his high school After 9/11. After watching kids in his high school cry not knowing if their parents at the CIA were alive. After his father disappeared into the agency for two weeks.Nick Black went to war. Survived 27 months of combat. Brought his soldiers home.Then lost one to suicide a week after returning.That moment revealed something no battlefield ever did.The most dangerous enemy is not always in front of you.Sometimes it is the silence you let someone disappear into.The full conversation is up now. https://bit.ly/TLP-513?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersWatch it on YouTube - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-513?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershippodcast #leadership #podcast #militaryleadership #stopsolidersuicide #selfreliantleadership #leadershipdevelopment #mentalhealth #veteranleadership #service
This is the line that separates coaches from probl This is the line that separates coaches from problem-solvers.Most leaders take the ball when it matters most. When the stakes are high, they jump in and solve it themselves.But Joth Ricci teaches. He shows. He develops capacity in his people instead of creating dependency on himself.That's why he's mentored 12 people who are now CEOs.Discover the coaching framework: https://bit.ly/TLP-516?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #coachingleadership #talentdevelopment #leadershiplessons #personaldevelopment #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast #jothricci
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 leaders treat growth like a race. Joth Ricci Most leaders treat growth like a race.Joth Ricci treats it like a marathon.When you scale too fast, something breaks. The question isn't IF—it's WHAT.He managed Dutch Bros from 27 locations to 92 in three years without losing the culture. Here's the principle that made it possible.See how he scaled: https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-516?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#scaling #leadership #organizationalculture #businessgrowth #leadershiplessons #dutchbros #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast
You're not bad at networking. You just haven't lea You're not bad at networking. You just haven't learned the skill yet.Murshad Chowdhury, founder of Tech Duels, breaks it down simply: most people think you need to be naturally outgoing. You don't.Introverts, extroverts, ambiverts — doesn't matter. This is trainable.The barrier isn't your personality. It's knowing how to do it.Once you learn the framework, everything changes. Opportunities expand. Careers transform.Your biggest career breakthroughs are waiting on the other side of this skill.Full episode: https://bit.ly/TLP-515?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#networkingskills #careerdevelopment #leadershipdevelopment #personalgrowth #theleadershippodcast #careeradvice #professionalnetworking #skillsbuilding
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
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
Jim Brown watches this play out in every organizat Jim Brown watches this play out in every organization.Leaders who have all the answers don't develop leaders. They develop followers.Your job isn't to be the hero. It's to build heroes.The moment your team stops thinking for themselves, you've become a bottleneck, not a leader.Watch episode 517 for the full story. https://bit.ly/TLP-517?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershipaccountability #leadershipdevelopment #organizationalhealth #teamleadership #leadershipcoaching #executiveleadership #theleadershippodcast #westudyleaders
Your instinct will be to take the ball. Resist it. Your instinct will be to take the ball.Resist it.When your team is struggling, when the pressure's on, your job isn't to score. Your job is to prepare them to score.Joth Ricci understood thisThe moment you solve it for them is the moment they stop growing.Learn the principle https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-516?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #coachingleadership #managementtips #leadershiplessons #teamdevelopment #executiveleadership #westudyleaders #theleadershippodcast
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
Kevin Rice was leading a growing company, adding o Kevin Rice was leading a growing company, adding over 100 people, navigating an acquisition, raising two boys alone, all during a pandemic.His coping mechanism was to shut everything off. No emotions. No processing. Just output.From the outside it looked like peak performance.His team and his kids were getting a version of him that was present in body but absent everywhere that mattered.That is the version of leadership nobody talks about enough.Episode 512 of The Leadership Podcast is a good place to start that conversation. Go find it. https://bit.ly/TLP-512?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadership #leadershipdevelopment #emotionalintelligence #theleadershippodcast #executiveleadership #CEOmindset #personalgrowth #parenting #entrepreneur #selfawareness
Over the last decade on The Leadership Podcast, Ji Over the last decade on The Leadership Podcast, Jim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford have spoken with CEOs, military leaders, entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, elite performers, and executives operating at the highest levels of responsibility.Across those conversations, several themes surfaced repeatedly:• Leaders aren't born. Leaders are learners.• Success always involves sacrifice.• Style without substance eventually gets exposed.• Adaptability matters as much as efficiency.• Great leadership begins with genuine interest in other people.One of the most striking observations across 500 plus episodes is that many of the leaders they respected were remarkably humble, reflective, and open about their mistakes. Not perfect, but intentional about growth.In Episode 511 of The Leadership Podcast, Jim and Jan reflect on what 500 conversations taught them about leadership, success, failure, relationships, and human behavior.Link to the full episode - https://bit.ly/TLP-511?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleadersLink to the YouTube episode - https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-511?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessLeadership #PersonalGrowth
Karen Doll has assessed hundreds of executives. An Karen Doll has assessed hundreds of executives. And the same two patterns keep ending careers early.Not lack of skill. Not lack of drive.Defensiveness. And a victim mindset.The first one she will not even give feedback on directly. Because the moment you tell someone they are defensive they prove your point.These are not just hiring red flags. They show up in how people lead every single day.Full episode with Karen is up now. https://bit.ly/TLP-YT-514?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=westudyleaders#leadershippodcast #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #executivecoaching #accountability #podcast #mentalhealth #psychologicalfitness
Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • TLP526: The Surprising Link Between Great Parents and Great Leaders
  • TLP525: When Complexity Becomes the Biggest Obstacle
  • TLP524: The Best Leaders Build More Leaders
  • TLP523: Tom Rath: The Daily Question That Changes How You Lead
  • TLP522: Stop Building a Life That Looks Good but Feels Wrong

Recent Comments

  • Anonymous on TLP519: The Leadership Idea We Missed for 250 Years
  • Anonymous on TLP513: The Leadership Cost of Isolation with Nick Black
  • Anonymous on TLP511: What 500 Top Leaders Taught Us — And Why It’s Not What You Think
  • Anonymous on TLP508: Your Scars Are Your Resume
  • Anonymous on TLP505: Why Leadership Coaching So Often Fails

Tags

adaptability assumptions athletics business change coaching communication corporate crucible culture Curiosity decision making education emotional intelligence entrepreneur Executive Coaching financial history humor innovation interview Jan Rutherford Jim & Jan Jim Vaselopulos leader leadership leadership development Leadership Podcast military neuroscience Personal Growth philosophy practitioner productivity relationships resilience speaker sports stories team development teamwork thought leader trust veterans workplace culture

Copyright © 2026 Rafti Advisors, LLC & Self-Reliant Leadership, LLC - All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy