What happens when leadership development is built on ethics, values, and genuine human dignity, not just performance metrics? Brian Peckrill, Executive Director, describes how the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund is investing in leaders who want to make a meaningful difference. You’re invited to look at your own leadership through the lens of impact, responsibility, and the kind of intentional choices that move organizations—and society—forward.

You’ll learn how the Fund’s Fellows Program develops high-potential MBA students into values-driven leaders who can influence entire industries. Brian shares the core elements of their leadership model—stretch experiences, strong support, and deep reflection—and how this approach builds self-awareness, courage, and character. You’ll also hear behind-the-scenes stories about the Ethical Leader of the Year Award and what today’s exceptional CEOs are doing to elevate people, uphold dignity, and lead with integrity.

Brian is the Executive Director at the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund. He previously served as the director of their Fellows Program, where he was responsible for designing and implementing a forward-thinking, ethics-focused experience for top MBA students. Brian was also responsible for fostering an active and engaged alumni community of young business leaders as they embark on and manage their careers.

You’ll discover:

• How values-based leadership transforms both leaders and the communities they serve
• Why metacognition and self-concept matter in developing future executives
• The powerful role of stretch experiences, coaching, and reflection
• How alumni mentoring strengthens leadership capability and confidence
• What the Ethical Leader of the Year Award reveals about great leadership today

Watch the episode:

Connect with Brian

Brian’s Website

William G. McGowan Charitable Fund

Related Podcast Episodes

273: A Real Commitment to Invest in People Development

289: Why Strong Character Matters

Are your team members clear about what you really expect from them? In this compelling conversation, you’ll hear Megan Robinson share how confusion and unspoken assumptions can erode trust and productivity—and what leaders can do to prevent that.

You’ll hear how Megan helps leaders transform vague expectations into specific, teachable behaviors that drive growth. She also reveals why “professional guilt” often holds leaders back and how to replace it with curiosity and compassion. If you’ve ever wondered how to give feedback that builds confidence instead of defensiveness, this episode will give you practical insights and stories you’ll want to remember.

Megan is the Founder at E Leader Experience and works with individuals and teams to develop self-leadership skills that grow companies. She started her career in marketing and climbed her way through the corporate ladder at advertising agencies and Fortune 500 companies. Then she caught the entrepreneur bug and started her own marketing company. 

After yet another “Business Therapy” session, Megan discovered her true passion was in coaching. Inspired by her own successful career in corporate and entrepreneurial environments, she makes leadership approachable for everyone, regardless of title, position, or experience. Megan is also the host of the Culture Connections Podcast and the Past President of ATD Chicago, the leading learning and development organization in Chicagoland.

You’ll discover:

• Why feedback fails when leaders assume understanding
• How to turn performance gaps into learning opportunities
• The role of clarity and language in setting expectations
• Simple ways to test assumptions and create shared meaning
• How self-awareness and intention make feedback transformative

Watch the episode:

Connect with Megan

Megan’s Website

E Leader Experience

Related Podcast Episodes

230: Trust & Inspire: Unleash Greatness in Others

What if love—not control—was the driving force behind your leadership? In this thought-provoking conversation, Trevor Timbeck invites you to explore leadership through the lens of “loving as a verb.” Co-author of The Power of Love with Steve Chandler, Trevor explains how viewing love as an action, rather than a static feeling, can transform the way you lead, parent, and connect with others. He shares how a simple question—“What would love do?”—can shift your mindset in moments of frustration, helping you respond with awareness and compassion instead of reaction or control.

You’ll hear Trevor and Meredith discuss what he calls “emotioning,” a way of understanding emotion as a domain of action rather than a feeling to be managed. Through personal stories of parenting and coaching leaders, Trevor reveals how genuine leadership emerges from acceptance and presence, not authority or demand. His insights challenge conventional thinking about power, control, and influence, offering a refreshing and deeply human perspective on what it means to lead with love.

You’ll discover:

• Why love is a powerful verb—not just a feeling
• How to shift from controlling to allowing in leadership
• What “emotioning” means and how it shapes your actions
• How asking “What would love do?” can change any situation
• Why true leadership begins with awareness and acceptance

Watch the episode:

Connect with Trevor

Trevor’s Resources

Website

Trevor Timbeck

Books

The Power of Love

The Power of Systems: How to Create a Life that Works

Related Podcast Episodes

309: Coaching at the Intersection of Love, Language, and Leadership

Did you know that 40% of executives fail in their new roles within the first 18 months…and it’s rarely due to lack of technical skills? In this insightful conversation, you’ll hear from Navid Nazemian, an executive transition coach and author of Mastering Executive Transitions. He shares the real reasons leaders derail during role changes and what can be done to dramatically improve their odds of success.

Navid describes the cultural, political, and interpersonal challenges that make or break new leaders. You’ll learn why transitions take far longer than the often-cited 90 days, and how his “Double Diamond Framework” helps executives cut derailment risk and accelerate productivity by more than half. Whether you’re moving into a new role or coaching others who are, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to make your next transition a true success.

Navid has been ranked as the #1 Executive Coach for 3 years by CEO Today. He’s a leading authority on executive transitions and leadership impact. Navid is the author of the international bestseller Mastering Executive Transitions: The Definitive Guide. His focus is on supporting senior leaders as they transition into new roles, and he’s a trusted advisor to C-level leaders worldwide. He brings to his work 20 years of HR leadership across five countries and six industries.

You’ll discover:

• Why 40% of executives fail in new roles—and how to avoid it
• The critical difference between executive coaching and transition coaching
• How the Double Diamond Framework shortens time to impact
• The five C’s every executive should master before day one
• Why pre-boarding is the secret weapon of successful leaders

Watch the episode:

Connect with Navid

Navid’s Resources

Website

Mastering Executive Transitions

Book

Mastering Executive Transitions: The Definitive Guide

Related Podcast Episodes

252: How to Help Transitioning Leaders Succeed

What if young people learned to lead by tackling real-world problems instead of waiting for “someday”? In this inspiring conversation, you’ll meet Erin Lewellen, CEO of Tilting Futures, an organization that empowers youth around the globe to step into leadership through immersive, purpose-driven experiences. Erin shares how her own background—as a coach, educator, and social entrepreneur—shaped her belief that true learning happens through action, reflection, and collaboration.

You’ll hear how Tilting Futures’ Take Action Lab program helps students engage with human rights or environmental issues through apprenticeships, academic learning, and community impact. Meredith and Erin explore how these hands-on opportunities give participants clarity about their purpose, confidence in their abilities, and the courage to take on global challenges. Erin also reveals how her team fosters healthy disagreement, emotional awareness, and curiosity—skills essential for every leader who wants to create positive change.

Erin has been with an exceptional organization called Tilting Futures for 11 years, and she has served as CEO for the past 3 years. Before joining Tilting Futures, Erin was Vice President of School Partnerships for Revolution Foods and served as Bay Area Director for Playworks. For 20 years, she coached the Varsity Girls’ Basketball team at Emery High, and she’s an avid supporter of girls in sports.

You’ll discover:

• How global immersion helps young people build resilience, empathy, and leadership skills
• Why “tilt moments” transform self-doubt into personal growth and confidence
• How to make education more relevant through experiential learning
• The power of emotional intelligence and healthy disagreement in team dynamics
• How curiosity fuels innovation and learning from mistakes

Watch the episode:

Connect with Erin

Erin’s Website

Tilting Futures

Related Podcast Episodes

306: How Parents Can Raise Future Leaders Today

What if you had to step into a CEO role at just 22, with no formal business training? That’s exactly what Thiago Da Costa did, and he quickly discovered that leadership is best learned on the job. In this episode, Thiago shares what it was like to build and grow a company that Autodesk later acquired, leading teams of up to 300 people and adapting to constant organizational change. He reflects on the lessons learned about authenticity, cultural alignment, and the compromises leaders must navigate to stay true to their values while driving results.

You’ll also hear how Thiago is now leveraging AI to shape the future of work. From hiring and skill development to automating routine tasks, Thiago offers a fascinating look at how AI can enhance—not replace—human leadership. He shares practical insights about using AI for personalized guidance, preparing for tough conversations, and freeing leaders to focus on what matters most: engaging meaningfully with people. His vision of AI as a partner in leadership offers a compelling roadmap for today’s leaders who want to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Thiago is a product visionary, an AI futurist, and a serial entrepreneur. He sold his first company to Autodesk and is now building the future of work with Datagrid, where he’s Founder and CEO. Datagrid is an AI platform that turns your company’s data into intelligent agents. These agents automate workflows, surface real-time insights, and supercharge decision-making.

You’ll discover:

• The hard-earned lessons Thiago acquired as a first-time CEO at 22.
• Why aligning with an organization’s culture and DNA is essential.
• How AI agents are transforming routine business tasks.
• Ways AI can enhance communication and feedback for leaders.
• The future of hiring in an AI-driven workplace.

Watch the episode:

Connect with Thiago

Thiago’s Website

Datagrid.com 

Related Podcast Episodes

326: Harnessing AI as a Strategic Thought Partner in Leadership

What’s the real difference between managing and leading? Mark Hinderliter, former C-suite executive, business owner, and consultant, explains how shifting from managing processes to inspiring people can transform both your leadership and your organization. Drawing from his book From Manager to Leader: 6 Practices that Accelerate Transformation and his own journey, he shares practical lessons on growing through mistakes and focusing on what matters most.

You’ll also hear why trust is the foundation of strong teams and how leaders can show character, competence, connection, and consistency. Mark shares practical insights on balancing accountability with support, giving clear feedback, and creating clarity through active listening. His stories and strategies will help you reflect on your own leadership and take steps to strengthen both relationships and results.

Mark is the creator of Diamond Quality Leadership©, a workshop designed to help managers lead today’s workforce. As a senior leader in the corporate arena, Mark has taught and coached hundreds of leaders at all levels in eight countries. In his own business, Mark has coached leaders from the Director level up to the CEO.

You’ll discover:

• The key distinction between managing tasks and leading people
• How trust impacts culture, engagement, and performance
• Why accountability is a vital part of servant leadership
• Ways to improve clarity in giving feedback and instructions
• Six practices that accelerate your growth as a leader

Watch the episode:

Connect with Mark

Mark’s Resources

Website

Third Way Inc.

Book

From Manager to Leader: Six Practices that Accelerate Transformation

What if the most powerful thing you could do as a leader is to see greatness in others that they can’t see in themselves? That’s the philosophy that has guided Ken Crenshaw, longtime Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Drawing on values learned from his small-town ranch upbringing and a pivotal mentor in high school, Ken has built a leadership approach centered on service, humility, and love. His stories remind you that even the simplest principles, when applied consistently, can transform lives and teams.

In this conversation, you’ll hear how Ken integrates self-awareness, vulnerability, and authentic listening into his work with athletes and staff. He explains how culture is a living, breathing force that requires daily care, and why crucial conversations rooted in love are essential for growth. Whether you lead a business, a sports team, or a family, Ken’s wisdom will inspire you to slow down, listen deeply, and commit to helping others reach their full potential.

You’ll discover:

• How a high school coach’s tough love shaped Ken’s leadership philosophy.
• Why self-awareness and feedback are game-changers for leaders.
• The role vulnerability plays in accelerating personal and professional growth.
• Practical ways to build a culture rooted in love, trust, and shared purpose.
• How to recognize and call out the hidden potential in others.

Watch the episode:

Website

Arizona Diamondbacks

Related Podcast Episodes

230: Trust & Inspire: Unleash Greatness in Others

What if everything you experience—stress, conflict, even judgment—is not about what’s happening out there, but what’s going on within you? That’s the powerful lens Townsend Wardlaw offers as he guides us into a deeper understanding of consciousness and how it shapes every aspect of our lives. Through personal stories, vivid metaphors, and hard-won lessons, he shares how shifting your perspective can completely transform how you lead and live.

You’ll walk away with a new awareness of how unconscious scripts and internal projections influence your decisions, relationships, and company culture. Townsend draws a clear distinction between traditional consulting and true coaching, where the goal is not to give answers, but to help others access their own wisdom. His insights offer practical ways to release control, lead from higher consciousness, and move from judgment to curiosity. This is a conversation that has the power to change how you see the world—and yourself.

Townsend began his professional journey at 27, rapidly rising from outbound cold-calling for a small, long-distance reseller to the role of vice president of a Fortune 500 technology company in under six years. In 2002, he ventured into entrepreneurship, founding a sales consulting and outsourcing company that grew to $3 million in revenue.

After closing the company in 2009, Townsend dedicated himself to serving founders on their journey to growth and exit. He has coached 100s of leaders, and his efforts have generated over $1.5 billion in revenue and created more than $1 billion in generational wealth for their founders. What Townsend holds in the highest regard is his role in mobilizing over $7.5 billion in capital and contributions towards social and environmental organizations.

Currently, Townsend serves as the trusted advisor to a select group of founders and the world’s top coaches. In his spare time, he leads The Coach’s Operating System, a community that serves the top 5% of coaches in the world.

You’ll discover:

• Why stress often comes from your perspective, not your circumstances
• How unconscious scripts quietly shape your choices and relationships
• The difference between giving answers and creating transformation
• How leaders can release control and build more resilient cultures
• A fresh way to see challenges as invitations for growth

Watch the episode:

Connect with Townsend

Townsend’s Websites

Substack

The Coach’s Operating System

Related Podcast Episodes

054: How to Be Resilient When Facing Stress and Adversity

320: How Unresolved Wounds Affect the Way You Lead

What if you could navigate even the most challenging conversations with calmness, clarity, and confidence? This in-depth conversation with David Wood explores just that, diving into how to communicate more effectively in high-stakes moments, whether at work or in life. David shares his unique approach to coaching and communication, combining emotional awareness with practical tools. His latest innovation, WhisperLead AI, helps leaders role-play difficult conversations, receive coaching prompts, and even get real-time support during live interactions.

Our discussion goes beyond mechanics to emphasize authenticity and vulnerability as leadership strengths. David unpacks common pitfalls in conflict—like poor framing, making assumptions, or avoiding others’ perspectives—and offers techniques for building trust and achieving shared outcomes. Whether you’re leading a team or seeking better communication in your personal life, this conversation delivers practical wisdom and fresh ideas you can start using immediately.

David left behind a high-powered career as a Consulting Actuary for Ford, Sony Music, and Chanel—trading Park Avenue boardrooms for a mission to transform lives and businesses. He didn’t just start a coaching business; he built the world’s largest coaching business at the time, ranking #1 on Google for “life coaching”, serving 150,000 coaches globally.

But David’s story is about more than success—it’s about resilience. He’s survived a paraglider collapse and a fractured spine, battled anxiety and depression, and most recently, took on acting in Hollywood! Today, he helps leaders 4X their clarity AND productivity, and to love their life.

You’ll discover:

• A powerful method for framing difficult conversations with positive intent
• Why asking for the other person’s perspective first can shift everything
• How AI tools like WhisperLead can coach you in real-time
• The link between vulnerability and stronger leadership
• A practical model for brainstorming solutions collaboratively

Watch the episode:

David’s Resources

Website

Focus.ceo

WhisperLead coaching tool

Free business/life assessment

Book

The Mouse in The Room—Because the Elephant Isn’t Alone

Related Podcast Episodes

100: Become More Focused, Fearless and Highly Productive