Episodes

  • From Ice to Influence: Natasha Skolny's Journey Through Fear and Authenticity (MDE633)

    From Ice to Influence: Natasha Skolny's Journey Through Fear and Authenticity (MDE633)
    Nov 23 2025
    Leadership coach Natasha Skolny joins Minter Dial to explore authentic leadership through the lens of her figure skating background. Based in Toronto, Skolny works with high-achieving women seeking to lead on their own terms whilst shedding corporate armour. The conversation examines how sports cultivate self-knowledge, the challenge of balancing authenticity with professional expectations, and why genuine connection matters more than conformity. From navigating social media's impact on future leaders to understanding the difference between being yourself and truly knowing yourself, this episode challenges conventional leadership wisdom whilst emphasising the power of vulnerability and presence in creating meaningful impact. Key Points: 1. Corporate Armour and Authenticity: Women leaders often conform to masculine leadership styles to be heard, particularly in boardrooms. Dropping this protective armour and leading authentically—through vulnerability and genuine connection—creates more impactful leadership than maintaining a protective facade. 2. Conversation as Leadership's Highest Tool: Intentional, present conversations build trust and connection with teams. In an AI-driven world focused on efficiency, creating space for genuine human interaction—understanding what matters to people beyond their work output—distinguishes exceptional leadership from mere management.
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    55 mins
  • From Boundless to Autonomous: Salesforce Evangelist Vala Afshar and Henry King on AI-First Strategies and Digital Labour (MDE632)

    From Boundless to Autonomous: Salesforce Evangelist Vala Afshar and Henry King on AI-First Strategies and Digital Labour (MDE632)
    Nov 16 2025
    Henry King and Vala Afshar, co-authors of Autonomous, join me to explore how AI-first strategies are reshaping business fitness. Henry brings his unique journey from CIO to design thinking expert, whilst Vala shares insights from his decade as Salesforce's chief evangelist. We examine Salesforce's V2MOM framework—a radical transparency tool that aligns 80,000 employees—and discuss why the best implementations often mean resisting customisation. The conversation tackles uncomfortable truths about autonomous vehicles, digital labour, and the erosion of human agency, whilst exploring how companies can eliminate waste through agentic AI. Henry and Vala challenge the notion that relationships will diminish in an AI-driven world, arguing instead that they'll become more critical. We discuss enterprise fitness, the importance of identifying organisational blockages, and why trust—defined as competence plus character—remains the foundation for transformation in an age where we're the last generation managing only people.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Experiential Medicine: Dr. Jack Kreindler on Adventure as a Health Hack (MDE631)

    Experiential Medicine: Dr. Jack Kreindler on Adventure as a Health Hack (MDE631)
    Nov 9 2025
    Dr. Jack Kreindler, physician, entrepreneur, and physiologist, returns to my podcast to discuss his Antarctic expedition and insights on human resilience. We explore the differences between male and female physiology in extreme environments, the importance of communication and load-sharing in endurance challenges, and the value of embracing discomfort for personal growth. Jack shares his views on developing resilience in modern society, the entrepreneurial mindset, and his work in performance medicine. Our conversation touches on the balance between risk-taking and longevity, the richness of lived experiences, and the importance of creative problem-solving in both business and adventure. Jack's parting wisdom: "Don't die dull."
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Marcin Piróg: Embracing Risk and Discovery in Business and Life (MDE630)

    Marcin Piróg: Embracing Risk and Discovery in Business and Life (MDE630)
    Nov 2 2025
    This podcast features a conversation with Marcin Piróg, an investor, entrepreneur, and former CEO of several companies. Piróg shares insights from his career, including experiences at Carlsberg and LOT Airlines. He discusses the importance of self-discovery, risk-taking, and leadership in business. Piróg also talks about his passion for ultra-marathons and how they contribute to his personal growth. The conversation touches on topics such as corporate transformations, negotiating with major companies, and the challenges of managing state-owned enterprises. Key points: 1. The importance of building a strong team and being transparent as a leader 2. The challenges of managing and transforming state-owned companies
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • The Science of Cool: Cat Holt on Crafting Brand Identity in a Data-Driven World (MDE629)

    The Science of Cool: Cat Holt on Crafting Brand Identity in a Data-Driven World (MDE629)
    Oct 25 2025
    This podcast features a conversation between host Minter Dial and guest Cat Holt, founder and CEO of Coologee. They discuss the importance of branding in today's business landscape, exploring how it impacts company performance, employee engagement, and customer relationships. Cat shares insights from her experience in the insurance industry, particularly her work at Progressive. The discussion touches on the challenges of integrating brand strategy into data-driven organisations and the role of AI in marketing and branding. Key points: 1. Brand is crucial for companies to outperform competitors and create meaningful connections with customers. 2. The importance of maintaining humanity and intuition in branding decisions, even as data and AI play increasingly significant roles.
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    1 hr
  • Navigating Polarities: Edward Nelson on Change, Empathy, and Self-Discovery (MDE628)

    Navigating Polarities: Edward Nelson on Change, Empathy, and Self-Discovery (MDE628)
    Oct 18 2025
    This podcast explores the complexities of personal identity, change, and leadership through the lens of literature and storytelling. Edward Nelson, a lawyer and actor turned coach, discusses how archetypes and polarities can be used to understand ourselves and facilitate organisational change. The conversation delves into the challenges of authenticity, the power of empathy, and the importance of risk-taking in leadership. Edward shares insights from his work using Shakespeare's plays, particularly Henry V, to help leaders navigate difficult decisions and team dynamics. Key points: 1. Stories and archetypes provide a safe way to explore personal and organisational challenges. 2. Effective leadership requires balancing empathy with the ability to take risks and make unpopular decisions.
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    1 hr
  • The Hungry Mind: Balancing Ambition and Spirituality with Ravi Kathuria (MDE627)

    The Hungry Mind: Balancing Ambition and Spirituality with Ravi Kathuria (MDE627)
    Oct 11 2025
    This episode features my conversation with guest Ravi Kathuria, exploring spirituality, business, and personal growth. Kathuria shares his perspective on the universe, emphasising that we are all part of it. He discusses the importance of finding inner peace and experiencing one's life force as the essence of spirituality. The dialogue touches on balancing ambition with humility, the pitfalls of obsession, and the need to enjoy the present moment rather than constantly chasing future outcomes. Key points: 1. Spirituality is defined as experiencing one's own life force, accessible to everyone regardless of background or beliefs. 2. Success and happiness in both life and business stem from maintaining a peaceful and calm mind.
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    58 mins
  • Decoding Organizational Resistance: Jason Zimmerman's Four Types of Change Barriers (MDE626)

    Decoding Organizational Resistance: Jason Zimmerman's Four Types of Change Barriers (MDE626)
    Oct 4 2025
    I had the pleasure of interviewing Jason Zimmerman, a behavioral economist and strategy expert. We explored the fascinating world of organizational transformation and the challenges companies face in implementing change. Jason shared insights from his experience, including a case study of a 15,000-person transformation that was completed in just 2.5 years. We discussed the importance of informal networks in organizations and how they can be leveraged to accelerate change. Jason explained the concept of organizational network analysis and how it can identify influential individuals who may not hold formal leadership positions. We also delved into the psychology of resistance to change, exploring different types of resistance and how to address them. Jason emphasized the need for clarity and control in driving successful transformations. Throughout our conversation, we touched on the balance between maintaining a clear strategy and being adaptable, the role of trust and credibility in leadership, and the importance of creating meaningful work environments. Jason's insights provided valuable perspectives on navigating the complex world of organizational change and strategy execution.
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    59 mins