Conflict is inevitable, but how leaders handle it makes all the difference. In this episode, vicki abadesco! shares a real-world example of a well-known organization struggling with team conflict and how small miscommunications can escalate when left unresolved. She explains how our upbringing shapes our approach to conflict and why developing emotional intelligence is essential for effective leadership. Through her work with both executives and young children, vicki highlights the importance of clear communication, emotional awareness, and accountability in building strong teams and relationships.

vicki also introduces practical tools like the “emotional balloon” and the “cleanup process” to help individuals recognize their emotions, take responsibility for their actions, and repair relationships when mistakes happen. Whether you’re leading a team, raising a family, or simply striving to communicate better, this episode will provide insights and strategies to help you lead with empathy, transparency, and authenticity.

vicki is a nonprofit leader and mentor renowned for her unwavering commitment to growth and lifelong learning. Through her organization, Soul Shoppe, she and her team have touched the hearts and minds of over one million elementary school students with their conflict resolution and peacemaking curriculum. vicki has created a lasting impact, nurturing a generation of emotionally intelligent individuals who can build strong relationships and foster inclusive communities.

You’ll discover:

• Why conflict resolution is a critical leadership skill
• How early life experiences shape communication habits
• The “emotional balloon” metaphor for managing emotions
• A 5-step process for acknowledging mistakes and making amends
• How teaching emotional intelligence to kids can inspire better leadership in adults

Watch the episode:

Connect with vicki

vicki’s Website

Soul Shoppe

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147: How to Transform Conflict into Connection

We don’t often hear the word LOVE used when describing the workplace. That’s about to change in this conversation with Jeff Ma and Chris Pitre, as we discuss their Wall Street Journal best-selling book, Love As a Business Strategy.

Written with two other senior leaders at Softway, the four authors identified six core pillars as a result of their journey to create a positive culture in their own company. Each chapter begins with a compelling story about one of the authors and what that individual learned. It’s truly a guidebook for developing the values and related behaviors that empower people to thrive.

Chris and Jeff are both senior leaders at Softway. Chris is Vice President, supporting sales, delivery, HR, and other back office operations. Jeff is Director of Project Management and Quality.

Together, they are co-founders of Culture+, a company with a mission to bring humanity back to the workplace. They teach companies how to create a positive culture based on the pillars described in their book.

You’ll discover:

• The unforgettable incident that served as a wake-up call to the leadership team at Softway
• The 6 pillars that form the foundation of a thriving workplace
• Why they go beyond Reflection and recommend Introspection
• How to empower someone from a place of vulnerability
• Why Forgiveness is essential to resolving hurts, disappointments, and other negative emotions

Watch the episode:

Connect with Jeff Ma

Connect with Chris Pitre

Resources

Website

Love As a Business Strategy

Book

Love As a Business Strategy: Resilience, Belonging & Success

It can be devastating to lose a close family member to a disease like cancer. Carrie Verrocchio talks about the inspiration she received to use her true gifts because of messages she received from her beloved brother before and after he died. Since then, she’s been on a mission to wake others up to their true potential.

CarrieVee, as she is affectionately known to all her fans, is an international speaker, international best-selling author, podcast host, and Certified Transformation, Forgiveness, and Grief Coach.

After going from burned out corporate general manager to seizing opportunities and creating the life she had been dreaming of, Carrie now uses her experiences to lead others on a journey of Radical Empowerment and Radical Change. 

She is the founder of the Radical Empowerment Method, an online program designed to walk people through the exact method she herself used to move from a life of feeling invisible to a life of empowered success and action. Carrie is the author of two very special books, The Radical Empowerment Method and 30 Days to Gratitude Journal.

You’ll discover:

• How “Life is Short, Choose Wisely” came to be Carrie’s mantra
• What are “Pow Pow Shoes” and how can you identify yours?
• Why forgiveness is one of the most powerful choices you can make
• The benefits of adopting and maintaining gratitude as a way of being
• Why Carrie says Happiness is a choice and not a destination

Watch the episode:

Connect with Carrie

Carrie’s Resources

Website

CarrieVee

Books

The Radical Empowerment Method

30 Days to Gratitude Journal

Podcast

Coffee and Tea with CarrieVee

Have you known anyone who went from millionaire to bankrupt to multi-millionaire? That describes the journey of my guest, David Meltzer, Co-founder and CEO of Sports 1 Marketing. We discuss what he’s learned along the way, and why his company today is committed to teaching others to make a lot of money, help a lot of people, and have a lot of fun. You’ll learn about the five daily practices that can assist you in accomplishing these three things on an ongoing basis.

Before founding his company, David served as CEO of the renowned Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment Agency, which was the inspiration for the movie Jerry Maguire. David has been recognized by Variety Magazine as their Sports Humanitarian of the Year. He’s the author of Connected to Goodness, Compassionate Capitalism with Blaine Bartlett, and his latest, Game-time Decision Making. David’s mission in life is to empower OVER 1 BILLION people to be happy! This simple yet powerful mission has led him on an incredible journey to provide one thing…VALUE. In all his content and communication, that’s exactly what you’ll receive, as you’ll see in our conversation.

You’ll discover:

• Why those who love you most aren’t always the best ones to give you career or business advice
• The distinction David makes between things happening to or for him vs through him
• The perspective David has about the word “NO” that allows him to welcome each one he gets
• What it means for a leader to be an intelligent follower
• Why gratitude is the secret sauce for happiness in life

Watch the episode:

Connect with David

David’s Websites

David Meltzer

Free Training

David’s Books

Game-Time Decision Making

Connected to Goodness

Compassionate Capitalism

Are some of your existing beliefs about yourself or about the world holding you back? If so, you’ll love the many gold nuggets Darren Gold shares in this interview! This is a man who faced serious, adverse situations while growing up yet was determined to prevail and make his life a success. Today Darren is Managing Partner of The Trium Group, where he serves as an executive coach to the CEOs of many of the world’s most influential companies. His excellent book, Master Your Code: The Art, Wisdom, and Science of Leading an Extraordinary Life, explains how to identify old programs that are holding you back and invites you to adopt new approaches that serve you better.

You’ll discover:

• Why all our beliefs are made up…and how you can expand them
• What it really means to take 100% responsibility for your own choices
• The power of forgiveness to release old resentments and hurts
• The most important thing you can do to connect deeply with another person
• How Darren uses Identity Reconstruction to help leaders increase their effectiveness

Watch the episode:

Connect with Darren

Darren’s Website

DarrenJGold.com

Darren’s Book

Master Your Code: The Art, Wisdom, and Science of Leading an Extraordinary Life

Do you ever wish for more than you have in life but don’t allow yourself to believe it’s really possible? My guest Barbara Daoust is a success coach who helps clients break through limiting beliefs around money and their ability to achieve higher levels of performance. In this interview, she shares specific, practical ideas for expanding your self-image so to increase your income and achievements. Barbara’s unique background includes 25 years in Theatre Arts, Film and Television as a director, acting coach, writer, and producer.

You’ll discover:

• What’s required to identify past beliefs that have interfered with your success
• How to take control of your negative thoughts and feelings
• How to use positive affirmations to engage your mind and emotions
• What you can do to get in a perpetual state of gratitude
• A powerful exercise for releasing judgments and forgiving yourself or others

Watch the episode:

Connect with Barbara

Barbara’s Websites

Barbara’s coaching programs

Her Brainwave Frequency Program