In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer, psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author, joins me to discuss his groundbreaking research on how habits form and how we can change them. We explore what the science reveals about breaking unhelpful patterns and creating lasting change. These insights are especially relevant for leaders seeking to shift behaviors, improve focus, and lead with greater awareness. Dr. Brewer offers practical tools for understanding the brain’s reward systems and using curiosity and mindfulness to build healthier, more effective habits.

In this episode, Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig joins me for a candid conversation about the real costs of changemaking in leadership. We explore the emotional toll, professional isolation, and personal challenges that often accompany the work of pushing for equity and transformation. Drawing from his own experiences as a scholar, advocate, and education leader, Dr. Heilig reflects on what it means to lead with conviction when the work itself can come at a price and how true leadership requires both courage and resilience.

In this episode, Dr. Janet Ahn joins me to discuss the complexities of power and influence in leadership, a conversation sparked by her viral post on LinkedIn. We explore how, in the age of social media, a single moment can overshadow a lifetime of work, and why it’s important to resist letting one’s worst moment define them. Janet also shares insights from her book Learning that CLICS!

In this episode, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum reflects on her journey in higher education, from her early career as a professor and author to her leadership as president of Spelman College. A nationally recognized authority on race relations and identity, she is the bestselling author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, a groundbreaking book that has shaped national conversations for decades. Dr. Tatum also discusses her newest work, Peril and Promise, and explains why now is the critical moment to confront both the challenges and opportunities facing America’s multiracial democracy.

In this episode, Dr. David Creswell, Professor of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, shares insights from his research on stress and the role of mindfulness in promoting resilience and well-being. Drawing on studies that link mindfulness training to reductions in stress-related inflammation, improvements in emotional regulation, and greater cognitive flexibility, Dr. Creswell explains how these practices can help leaders manage the pressures of their roles more effectively. He highlights how mindfulness not only mitigates the harmful effects of chronic stress on the brain and body but also equips leaders to remain clear-headed, adaptive, and grounded when guiding others through challenging circumstances.

This episode features a conversation with Salman Chowdhury, a student who was recently admitted to Harvard and took the time to chat in the middle of his orientation week. He reflects on the critical role his parents played in supporting his journey, the discipline and daily practices that helped him stay focused, and the unexpected ways technology shaped his preparation and opportunities (and it's not what you think). Salman also shares practical advice for other teenagers who aspire to pursue ambitious goals, offering insights into how determination, family support, and consistency can come together to make a difference.

Jack Barsky, former KGB undercover agent, IT executive and bestselling author, joins us to share the leadership lessons he gained through years in intelligence and a lifetime of observing people. Born Albrecht Dittrich in East Germany, Jack was recruited by the KGB after graduating summa cum laude in chemistry and was sent to the United States as an undercover agent. A decade later he severed ties with the KGB and later cooperated fully with the FBI, eventually building a successful career in information technology. His remarkable story has been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, in his memoir Deep Undercover and in the acclaimed podcast The Agent, and today he reflects on what true leadership looks like under pressure and what he has learned about human nature in the highest stakes situations.

Dr. Kentaro Fujita, a leading expert on motivation, self-regulation, and decision-making, joins us to talk about the science behind willpower. He is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Decision Sciences Collaborative at The Ohio State University, and earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard and his PhD in Psychology from NYU. His research explores why some people are better than others at resisting short-term temptations in pursuit of long-term goals, and what enables people to stay aligned with their intentions. His award-winning work has shown that people with stronger self-control tend to think more abstractly about their goals, which helps them overcome distractions and impulses. He also challenges the idea that willpower is simply a depletable resource, framing it instead as a dynamic process shaped by mindset, motivation, and context.