Episodes

  • Tackling Brain Health: Nick Greenhalgh with LUCA's Innovative Approach to Concussion Management (MDE623)

    Tackling Brain Health: Nick Greenhalgh with LUCA's Innovative Approach to Concussion Management (MDE623)
    Sep 13 2025
    This podcast features Nick Greenhalgh, co-founder of LUCA Health, discussing his journey from professional rugby player to entrepreneur. Nick shares insights into LUCA Health's innovative approach to concussion management in sports, particularly focusing on schools and grassroots clubs. The conversation covers the challenges of diagnosing concussions, the use of technology in assessment, and the importance of objective data in brain health monitoring. Nick also reflects on the difficulties and rewards of running a mission-driven startup. Key points: 1. LUCA Health uses smartphone technology to provide objective data for concussion diagnosis and management. 2. The company aims to make concussion diagnosis more accurate and accessible, particularly in school and grassroots sports settings.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Lizzie Asher: Balancing Entrepreneurship, Motherhood, and Social Responsibility (MDE622)

    Lizzie Asher: Balancing Entrepreneurship, Motherhood, and Social Responsibility (MDE622)
    Sep 6 2025
    This podcast is with Lizzie Asher, a remarkable woman with an inspiring life story. Lizzie shared her journey as an immigrant from Peru, her experiences as a competitive swimmer, and her near-death experience during childbirth. She spoke passionately about the importance of perseverance, the power of the mind, and the value of sports in shaping character. Lizzie's commitment to making a positive impact on the world was evident throughout our conversation. She discussed her involvement with various charitable organizations, including City Squash and Safe Venice, emphasizing the importance of finding causes that resonate with one's heart. We also touched on her family's spirits company, Machu Pisco, and her husband Daniel's entrepreneurial ventures. Lizzie's story is one of resilience, determination, and a deep-seated desire to give back to society. Our conversation ended with a powerful call to action, encouraging listeners to find what they care about and take small steps towards making a difference in the world.
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Awakening from the Meaning Crisis: John Vervaeke's Philosophical Journey (MDE621)

    Awakening from the Meaning Crisis: John Vervaeke's Philosophical Journey (MDE621)
    Aug 9 2025
    This podcast features a thought-provoking conversation with guest, John Vervaeke, exploring the concept of meaning in modern life. Vervaeke, a cognitive scientist and philosopher, discusses the 'meaning crisis' - a widespread sense of disconnection and lack of purpose in society. He delves into topics such as the importance of wisdom, the nature of self, and the role of spirituality in addressing this crisis. The dialogue touches on historical perspectives, contemporary challenges, and potential paths forward for individuals and society. Key points: 1. The need to reconnect with a sense of belonging and mattering in a world that has become increasingly individualistic and disconnected. 2. The importance of facing reality, including our limitations and 'negative' aspects, as part of cultivating genuine meaning and wisdom.
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    57 mins
  • Triple Win Leadership: Unlocking Potential Through Coaching (MDE620)

    Triple Win Leadership: Unlocking Potential Through Coaching (MDE620)
    Aug 2 2025
    This podcast explores leadership challenges in today's complex business environment. Will Linssen, author of "Triple Win Leadership Coaching," discusses the state of leadership, emphasizing that only 5-8% of leaders are considered effective. He delves into the impact of ego on leadership and the importance of humility. Linssen introduces his coaching methodology, focusing on co-creating change with coworkers and building trust. The conversation covers topics such as authenticity, transparency, and the balance between personal and professional aspects in leadership. Linssen also explains his approach to assessing coachability and the paradox of structure creating freedom in coaching. Key points: 1. Ego is the main obstacle to effective leadership, while humility acts as a catalyst for improvement. 2. Co-creation with coworkers is essential for successful leadership in diverse, international environments.
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    53 mins
  • Beyond Marginal Gains: Rob Mugglestone's Quest for High Performance (MDE619)

    Beyond Marginal Gains: Rob Mugglestone's Quest for High Performance (MDE619)
    Jul 26 2025
    Rob Mugglestone, author of "Beyond Marginal Gains," discusses high performance strategies in sports and business. He explores the limitations of traditional marginal gains approaches and introduces his OMIT and ATC models for accelerating improvement. Rob shares insights on prioritizing high-impact changes, distinguishing between optimal and maximal performance, and the importance of resilience in leadership. Using examples from sports and the music industry, he illustrates how unconventional thinking can lead to breakthrough results. The conversation delves into the challenges of fostering high performance cultures while avoiding burnout, and Rob reflects on how writing the book evolved his own views on achieving excellence.
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    1 hr
  • Cultural Forces with Mykolai Sierga: Ukraine's Secret Weapon in International Relations (MDE618)

    Cultural Forces with Mykolai Sierga: Ukraine's Secret Weapon in International Relations (MDE618)
    Jul 19 2025
    For this special episode, I sat down with Mykolai Sierga, the founder of Cultural Forces, a Ukrainian organization using art and culture to address wartime challenges. We explore how Mikolai rapidly pivoted from artist to soldier to cultural ambassador after Russia's invasion. He shares insights on masculinity in crisis, the power of storytelling in war, and using music to bridge divides. We discuss Cultural Forces' innovative approach to maintaining support for Ukraine internationally, including performances at NATO and Cannes. Mykolai offers a unique perspective on the transformative impact of war and the vital role of culture in shaping societal values and political landscapes.
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    53 mins
  • Pete Steege: Transforming Accidental CEOs into Purposeful Leaders (MDE617)

    Pete Steege: Transforming Accidental CEOs into Purposeful Leaders (MDE617)
    Jul 12 2025
    In this episode, I sit down with Pete Steege, author and expert on helping accidental CEOs uncover meaning and lead with purpose. We explore the concept of radical clarity and how it reveals true business meaning. Pete shares insights on his CMP framework (Clarity, Meaning, Purpose) and discusses why meaning is essential for business success. We delve into the challenges faced by accidental CEOs, the importance of shared meaning, and how to take calculated risks. Pete offers valuable advice on finding your company's truth and standing out in the market. We also touch on the unbounded potential of meaning and how leaders can evolve by making room for it in their lives and businesses.
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    53 mins
  • From Jeans to Padel: Joe Middleton's Journey in Crafting Brand Culture (MDE616)

    From Jeans to Padel: Joe Middleton's Journey in Crafting Brand Culture (MDE616)
    Jun 21 2025
    I had the pleasure of interviewing Joe Middleton, a seasoned professional in the apparel industry who's now making waves in the world of paddle tennis with his brand, Pulco. Joe shared his journey from playing cricket and field hockey to working for Levi's and Canterbury, before retiring and then unexpectedly diving into the paddle tennis market. He identified a gap in the sport's apparel and set out to create a brand that reflects the unique culture of paddle tennis. Joe emphasized the importance of understanding consumer needs, developing innovative fabrics to address sweat issues, and crafting a distinct brand identity separate from traditional tennis wear. He discussed Pulco's global expansion strategy, focusing on key cities worldwide rather than a country-by-country approach. Joe's passion for the sport and his commitment to creating a brand that embodies the addictive nature of paddle tennis shone through our conversation, leaving me excited about the future of both Pulco and the sport itself.
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    1 hr and 2 mins