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

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306: How Parents Can Raise Future Leaders Today

Are you holding back in ways you don’t even realize? In this candid and inspiring conversation, Dr. Tom Olson invites you to take a hard look at how fear of change and a need for safety can quietly run your life. He shares powerful stories from his own journey, including the leap that led to his PhD, and offers practical ways to shift from playing it safe to making bold, intentional choices.

We talk about what it really means to lead—at work, at home, and in your own life. Tom explains how to stop giving away your power, how to support others without fixing them, and why emotional intelligence makes all the difference in leadership. You’ll walk away thinking differently about risk, responsibility, and what’s truly possible when you take the helmet off.

With over 30 years of global experience, Tom is a highly sought-after coach, trainer, and researcher who has transformed lives through his dynamic, innovative approach to personal and professional development. He’s affectionately known as Dr. Tom by his clients throughout the world, with a stellar reputation for providing impactful coaching and training to leaders and teams. His work empowers clients to unlock their potential and overcome their greatest challenges.

Tom is the author of the acclaimed book, Don’t Die With Your Helmet On, which has inspired leaders and professionals to embrace purpose, resilience, and action.

You’ll discover:

• What Tom means by “don’t die with your helmet on” (and why it matters)
• Why fear often shows up looking “reasonable”
• The questions that help you take back control
• A healthy way to challenge team members stuck in victim thinking
• How strong leaders build engagement through shared power

Watch the episode:

Connect with Tom

Tom’s Book

Don’t Die with Your Helmet On

Related Podcast Episodes

149: Becoming a Highly Effective Leader

Some personal development programs focus on digging into your past to uncover what might be holding you back. Others emphasize getting over your past and focusing exclusively on your future. In this conversation Moustafa Hamwi makes a compelling argument for giving attention to both. He shares practical tips from his book, SLINGSHOT: The Practical Guide to Becoming a Master of Your Destiny, Not a Victim of Your History, that you can begin implementing immediately.

Moustafa is a bestselling author, international speaker, and mindset coach. His background spans diverse disciplines—from executive coaching, hypnotherapy, yoga, and meditation to adventure sports and nature healing.

Moustafa’s unique lifestyle as an executive nomad has him traversing the globe, often spending months living out of a campervan, immersing himself in diverse cultures, and forging a deep connection with nature.

His quest for self-discovery leads him to learning and meditation centers worldwide, exploring the intricacies of mind, body, and soul. He’s globally recognized as a foremost expert and thought leader in reigniting passion within organizations and teams.

You’ll discover:

• The story behind the book and what’s unique about Moustafa’s methodology
• Why it’s important to go through your past and not try to get over it
• How to rewrite your story so it serves you and doesn’t limit you
• Why courage, humility, and discipline are critical elements of effective leadership
• Tips for mastering your mindset so it frees you to master your destiny

Watch the episode:

Connect with Moustafa

Moustafa’s Resources

Website

Moustafa Hamwi

Book

SLINGSHOT: The Practical Guide to Becoming a Master of Your Destiny, Not a Victim of Your History

NOTE: As a gift from Moustafa, fill in the form and in the field for Code enter GSL to receive the bonus pack without buying the book!

You can’t predict which career and life experiences will serve you in the future. Yet each one can prepare you for your next adventure if you become skillful in handling change. Terry Yoffe gives a masterclass in describing events from her early years and from her various jobs that helped prepare her to be an extraordinarily effective coach with her clients.

Terry Yoffe is an Executive, Business and Career Coach. She has been coaching for over 20 years, after many years in both corporate and entrepreneurial roles. She brings an impressive breadth and depth of knowledge to her coaching and specializes in global business relations, which is critical to her work with international clients.

Terry helps her clients maximize their talents and achieve their full potential. She employs a two-step process: having the client clarify their goals and then developing a focused strategic plan.

Terry is also the host of the Extraordinary Work Podcast: Conversations about Creating Change.

You’ll discover:

• The varied experiences that prepared Terry for her coaching career
• How she learned to deal with fear when stepping into the unknown
• Tips for speaking up and advocating for yourself
• What Terry does to guide clients to create changes in their lives

Watch the episode:

Connect with Terry

Terry’s Resources

Website

TRY Coaching

Podcast

Extraordinary Work Podcast

What if you could change the way you look at fear? Jacqueline Wales has a deep understanding of what’s behind fear…and the questions you can ask yourself to break through limiting beliefs and stories that may be causing you to play small in life. You’ll discover how to reframe your ideas about fear and failure so they serve you instead of hold you back.

Jacqueline developed a fearless approach herself after enduring, and then breaking away from, a nightmarish family to establish new patterns and find peace. She is now an author, keynote speaker, and trusted advisor to successful, high-achieving women. And she is an unwavering champion for being fearless.

In this conversation we talk about key ideas and questions from her latest book, The Fearless Factor @ Work, which I highly recommend, especially if you’ve ever allowed your fears to get in the way of speaking up or taking courageous action.

You’ll discover:

• How Jacqueline defines fear and more specifically, fear in the workplace
• The distinction Jacqueline makes between the stories we tell ourselves and the evidence for those beliefs
• What she does to help clients play big when they’re used to playing small and holding back
• Some of the messages that girls receive when growing up that don’t serve them as adults
• The importance of self-compassion and self-love when you’re working to make a change

Watch the episode:

Connect with Jacqueline

Jacqueline’s Resources

Website

Jacqueline Wales

Transformational Strategies for Success Program

Books

The Fearless Factor

The Fearless Factor @ Work

When The Crow Sings (a novel)

What does it take to help people unlock their true potential? Peter Walmsley is masterful at doing this, and you’ll learn the key approaches he’s taken over the years. Peter has lived and breathed everything my podcast is about, so I know you’re going to value the insights and ideas he shares in our conversation.

Peter is the Senior Vice President of Organization Effectiveness at Scopely. He’s a highly committed leader with extensive experience in global organizations covering the U.S., Europe, Asia, and North Africa. He’s originally from London, and he’s lived and worked primarily for US companies in Paris, Madrid, Geneva, and San Francisco.

You’ll discover:

• Why Peter creates an environment for people to flourish
• What he does to convey his belief in an individual
• The role of courage in decision-making
• How Peter developed his own courage muscle
• What leaders can do to become more comfortable with uncertainty and help their team members with this, too

Watch the episode:

Connect with Peter

Scopely’s Website

Scopely.com

Want to find out how to act with more courage and connect with celebrities or other VIPs? Meet my guest, Laban Ditchburn. Laban has invited, and had as guests on his podcast, well-known authors and speakers like Les Brown, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Laban’s lack of fear is well-earned. He’s one of those people who has truly seen and done it all, especially when it comes to addictions—from alcohol, sex, gambling, drugs, and negative self-talk. Laban now embodies the word, “transformation.”

Today Laban is a motivational speaker, author…and the undisputed World’s Best Courage Coach. He’s passionate about health, well-being and personal growth. He uses his own experiences as fuel. Laban is the host of the Become Your Own Superhero Podcast and the author of a new book, Bet on You. You’re sure to be inspired and motivated by Laban’s story.

You’ll discover:

• Why it’s important to surround yourself with people who support your best self and growth
• Why Laban gave his podcast the name “Become Your Own Superhero”
• The encouragement Laban provides for those struggling with any kind of addiction
• How he learned to create a healthy, loving romantic relationship
• The role forgiveness has played in Laban’s journey to emotional and physical health

Watch the episode:

Connect with Laban

Laban’s Website

LabanDitchburn.com

Laban’s Podcast

Become Your Own Superhero Podcast

Laban’s Book

Bet On You

Want to know how you can live your life so you have no regrets? That’s the end-game for my guest David Wood, Founder of Focus.ceo, for himself and for his clients. David works with business owners to help them double revenue, achieve more in less time, and be a more extraordinary human being in every area of their life. You’ll want to take lots of notes because David is a source of amazing insights and tips. Our rich conversation covered topics like how to hold space for another person, exercise more courage to have tough conversations, and structure you day so you get better results in half the time. He’s a very special human being having a deep impact with all who know him.

You’ll discover:

• How David “holds space” for his clients who are dealing with a tough situation
• Ideas for handling twice as much of what matters in half the time
• Four things that keep us from being more productive
• The benefits of working in sprints of 25 minutes instead of 60 or 90 minutes
• How to move past your fears to have those difficult conversations

Watch the episode:

Connect with David

David’s Website

Focus.ceo

Free Gifts

Tough Conversations Podcast

David’s Book

Get Paid For Who You Are