354: Tilting Futures: Empowering Young Adults to Lead

354: Tilting Futures: Empowering Young Adults to Lead

354: Tilting Futures: Empowering Young Adults to Lead

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

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331: How Self-Leadership Shapes Your Personal Brand

331: How Self-Leadership Shapes Your Personal Brand

331: How Self-Leadership Shapes Your Personal Brand

What if the only thing standing between you and stronger leadership is the way you see and lead yourself? In this conversation, Ben Albert shares how losing his job during the pandemic became the catalyst for his growth as an entrepreneur and podcaster.

We explore why self-leadership matters, especially when no one else is steering the ship, and how habits, relationships, and honest feedback can help you grow. Ben also explains how self-care, personal branding, and seeking out mentors can transform your impact on others and yourself.

We also discuss overcoming fears, turning weaknesses into strengths, and the power of empathy and curiosity in personal development. Ben describes building a supportive community of growth-minded leaders and why genuine connections are the foundation of lasting success. Whether you’re looking to lead more effectively or become a better version of yourself, you’ll find practical ideas and inspiration in this episode.

Ben hosts a network of 5 podcasts called “Real Business Connections,” ranked in the top 1% globally. He also runs a massively successful marketing firm, Balbert Marketing. Ben is on a mission to move the needle on one million lives, one conversation at a time.

You’ll discover:

  • How self-leadership can empower you during times of uncertainty and change.
  • The role of self-care in supporting both personal growth and your ability to lead others.
  • Why personal branding matters and how to shape the way others perceive you.
  • Practical ideas for overcoming fears and turning past weaknesses into strengths.
  • The benefits of joining a growth-minded community for networking and ongoing development.

Watch the episode:

 

Connect with Ben

      

Ben’s Website

Real Business Connections

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076: Create a Powerful Personal Brand for Your Business

 

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Leader-team communication and character skills

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Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

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328: Building Real Relationships on LinkedIn

328: Building Real Relationships on LinkedIn

328: Building Real Relationships on LinkedIn

Curious how LinkedIn can actually help you build real business relationships—not just rack up connections? In this episode, LinkedIn expert Bill McCormick shares his journey from traditional sales to becoming a trusted advisor on the platform. Bill reveals why authenticity, curiosity, and genuine engagement are the keys to standing out and building trust, whether you’re networking, recruiting, or growing your business.

We dive into practical tips for optimizing your profile, engaging with others in a meaningful way, and using LinkedIn’s premium features (like Sales Navigator) to your advantage. Bill also shares his thoughts on AI and automation, and why the human touch still matters most. If you want to make LinkedIn work for you—without feeling salesy or inauthentic—this episode is packed with actionable advice you can use right away.

Bill is the Founder of Digi-Sales, a Digital Selling training company, and Digi-Sales Academy, an online video training platform where he shares his passion for helping professionals leverage the power of LinkedIn. Bill first started using digital sales techniques after he and his wife, Sue, started their own promotional product business.
By using social platforms, especially LinkedIn, they were able to build a very successful business. Bill then began to help other business owners, entrepreneurs and sales professionals learn how to use LinkedIn to increase sales.

Bill has conducted training for companies worldwide and specializes in helping to ‘make LinkedIn Human’ – explaining the platform in easy-to-understand ways, and recently launched the All Selling Is Social Podcast.

You’ll discover:

  • How to create a value-driven LinkedIn profile
  • The right way to connect and engage
  • Why curiosity builds trust on LinkedIn
  • Tips for using Sales Navigator effectively
  • The pitfalls of AI and automation on LinkedIn

Watch the episode:

Connect with Bill

  

Bill’s Resources

Website

Digi-Sales

Course

Social Selling Compass Course

Podcast

All Selling Is Social

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Leader-team communication and character skills

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Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D.

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302: Becoming a Generous Leader

302: Becoming a Generous Leader

302: Becoming a Generous Leader

When you think of the key qualities of an effective leader, what words come to mind? Did you include the word GENEROUS? If not, you will add that word to your list after you listen to this conversation with guest Joe Davis. 

Joe is the author of a fantastic new book, The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain. This important book is a must-read for every leader because it touches on so many areas that the best leaders learn and practice. Joe exemplifies the type of leader Meredith is always eager to have as a guest: he’s focused his entire career on growing strong as a leader and helping others realize their potential. 

Joe is a Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group or BCG. In The Generous Leader, Joe shares a performance review he received that was a game-changer for him: He was told he was not the best at problem-solving solo; but with others, he could solve any challenge. His manager identified his key strength—a person who could connect with others. 

Joe has leveraged that strength in his 35+ years at BCG in roles such as co-founding the Washington, DC, office and leading BCG North America. He is currently Chair of BCG’s Center for Inclusion and Equity and the Board Chair at Whitman College.

You’ll discover:

  • What leaders can do to help others feel seen
  • Why Joe recommends leaders adopt the “practice of perspective taking”
  • How Joe pushes people to be more than they believed possible and addresses times when they diminish themselves
  • How to be an Action Ally and not a Performative Ally
  • Ways to show vulnerability so others more easily connect with you

Watch the episode:

Connect with Joe

    

Joe’s Resources

Website

Joe Davis

Book

The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain

 

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297: Astonish Others with Unexpected Acts of Generosity

297: Astonish Others with Unexpected Acts of Generosity

297: Astonish Others with Unexpected Acts of Generosity

In this episode, I talk about different ways you can uplevel the way you serve others in your world. When you apply these ideas, you won’t just surprise or delight them, you’ll actually ASTONISH them.

I share specific examples of things I’ve done. As you listen, consider how you can incorporate some of them in your own unique way with the people in your life.

I’m the co-founder and president of Grow Strong Leaders, a company that publishes software tools and books to help people build strong relationships at work and at home.

You’ll discover:

  • The one question to ask yourself before every conversation that’s important to you
  • What another person feels from you when you express genuine curiosity in them
  • How to make introductions that stand out
  • Ways you can use social media to acknowledge people in your world
  • Why expressions of appreciation are so powerful

Watch the episode:

Connect with Meredith

        

Meredith’s Resources

Website

Grow Strong Leaders

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Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on YouTube
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Pandora
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Spotify
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Amazon
Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on iheartradio

Connect with Your Team

Mastering the Top 10 Communication Skills

Order from Amazon

Peer Coaching Made Simple

How to Do the 6 Things That Matter Most When Helping Someone Improve a Skill

Order from Amazon