In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Charlie Cichetti shares an honest look at leadership, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and legacy. From being laid off during the 2008 recession to co-founding multiple companies and working at the intersection of green buildings and technology, Charlie reflects on the moments that shaped his leadership philosophy.

The conversation explores what sustainability really means beyond certifications, how leaders can stay coachable through growth and exits, and why long-term impact matters more than short-term wins. Charlie also opens up about mentorship, managing stress as an entrepreneur, building companies with intention, and the mindset shift required to move from success to significance.

This episode is a grounded, thoughtful discussion for leaders, founders, and anyone navigating a career pivot while trying to build something that actually matters.

Learn More About Charlie Cichetti:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliecichetti/
• skema.ai: https://www.skema.ai/

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
• Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell: https://www.buybackyourtime.com/
• U.S. Green Building Council: https://www.usgbc.org/
• LEED: https://www.usgbc.org/leed
• Green Building Matters Podcast (featuring Angela Gill Nelms): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4x6238kGvPCnH7lkFGVJRp?si=rOuq7RPJSsi8HqS-lAB9Aw
• John Maxwell levels of leadership: https://www.maxwellleadership.com/co/the-5-levels-of-leadership/
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey: https://www.franklincovey.com/courses/the-7-habits/

Produced by: The AGN Group

Host: Angela Gill Nelms

Producer: Katie Hart

Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.

Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com

About The AGN Group:

At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.

Social Media Channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/

Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2

Want to be a Podcast Guest?

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@angelagillnelms.com.

The discussion also tackles questions…

• What does sustainability really mean in commercial buildings and business today?
• How can leaders shift from chasing success to creating long-term significance?
• What’s the difference between management and true leadership?
• How do entrepreneurs handle stress, overwhelm, and anxiety without burning out?
• What role does mentorship play in leadership growth?
• How do you evaluate board members, investors, and co-founders wisely?
• Why is staying coachable essential at every stage of a career?
• How can leaders think about legacy while still building and growing?

Themes:

• Leadership vs. management
• Sustainability beyond greenwashing
• Entrepreneurship and career pivots
• Mentorship and coaching
• Legacy and long-term impact
• Stress, overwhelm, and resilience
• Building values-driven companies
• Personal growth and self-awareness

What happens when growth stops shouting and intuition finally gets a voice?

In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, host Angela Gill Nelms sits down with serial entrepreneur, investor, and founder advisor Phil Neil for a raw, deeply human conversation about leadership, courage, and the inner work required to scale without breaking yourself or your company.

Phil shares his journey from growing up poor in Quebec to scaling Neobex Medical to a $70M revenue business and achieving an eight-figure exit — and what happened after the success, when identity, burnout, and fear quietly crept in. Together, they unpack why most founders don’t fail because of bad strategy, but because their internal capacity doesn’t evolve with the business.

This episode explores the real difference between leaders and managers, how to handle conflict without destroying culture, and why “letting the world burn” can sometimes be the most responsible leadership move. Phil introduces concepts like fear-based vs. courage-based decision-making, founder psychology, and why intuition — not hustle — is often the missing ingredient in high-stakes leadership.

Learn More About Phil Neil:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippe-neil/
• Website: philneil.com

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Emergenetics: https://en-gb.emergenetics.com/emea/
• Working Genius: https://www.workinggenius.com/
• Diary of a CEO podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDiaryOfACEO
• Neobex Medical: https://neobex.ca/en?srsltid=AfmBOoquMMfsaCeKK31l4IJaHklGc6-y33SZk__lkMsFFVc3cXLgEQg2
• Founders Compass: https://www.linkedin.com/company/founders-compass-company/

Produced by: The AGN Group

Host: Angela Gill Nelms

Producer: Katie Hart

Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.

Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com

About The AGN Group:

At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.

Social Media Channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/

Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2

Want to be a Podcast Guest?

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@angelagillnelms.com.

The Discussion Also Tackles Questions Like…

• What is the difference between a leader and a manager in real-world practice?
• How do successful founders handle failure without letting it define them?
• How do you make high-quality decisions under extreme pressure and uncertainty?
• How do you handle conflict resolution when culture and trust are on the line?
• Why do fear-based decisions feel productive but often stall long-term growth?
• How can founders avoid burnout while still scaling aggressively?
• What role does intuition play in leadership and strategic decision-making?
• How do you know when it’s time to pivot — or to pause?
• Why do so many founders outgrow their businesses, or break them entirely?
• What does it actually mean to leave a legacy as a leader?

Themes

• Founder psychology and identity shifts
• Fear-based vs. courage-based decision-making
• Leadership vs. management
• Conflict resolution and culture fit
• Entrepreneurial failure and reinvention
• Intuition, stillness, and decision quality
• Scaling businesses without burning out
• Building trust and cognitive diversity on teams
• Redefining success beyond growth metrics
• Legacy, purpose, and teaching the next generation

Episode 50 of the Badass Leaders Podcast marks a major milestone and the kickoff of Season Two. In this unscripted Q&A episode, host Angela Gill Nelms answers real questions submitted by listeners about leadership, burnout, trust, career pivots, and navigating uncertainty at work and in life.

This episode goes beyond theory and tackles leadership as it actually shows up. Messy. Personal. Uncomfortable at times. Angela shares hard-earned lessons from executive leadership, motherhood, career reinvention, and years of managing people through change.

If you are a first-time manager, an experienced leader feeling burned out, or someone trying to build a career with intention instead of fear, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and practical guidance you can apply immediately.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/frequency-illusion
• Cathleen Quigley’s episode: https://youtu.be/A1FVVQ1hmi4
• Brian Rowe’s episode: https://youtu.be/sMWZ5bhTZ0M
• More about Angela: https://youtu.be/DgawGLVRPgw
• For podcast production services: brave@badassleaderspodcast.com
• North American Honey Bee Expo: https://www.nahbexpo.com/
• Conflict montage: https://youtu.be/6fQVyixxrpI
• https://www.angelagillnelms.com/a-blueprint-for-success-without-burnout-6-easy-steps/
  
  

Produced by: The AGN Group

Host: Angela Gill Nelms

Producer: Katie Hart

Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.

Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com

About The AGN Group:

At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.

Social Media Channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/

Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2

Want to be a Podcast Guest?

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@angelagillnelms.com.

The discussion also tackles questions…

• How do you become a trusted leader instead of trying to be liked?
• What should first-time managers focus on to avoid common leadership mistakes?
• How do you deal with burnout without guilt or fear of appearing lazy?
• How do you manage a negative or demoralizing team member without making things worse?
• Can you have a successful career and still prioritize family and personal life?
• How do you know when it’s time to say no and let go of commitments?
• Should you start a podcast or business, and how do you know if your “why” is strong enough?
• How do you celebrate wins without ego while avoiding burnout?
• What advice would you give your younger self about career decisions and life pressure?

Themes:

• Trust and authenticity in leadership
• First-time manager anxiety and confidence
• Burnout, rest, and sustainable success
• Career pivots and nonlinear paths
• Leading through curiosity instead of control
• Setting boundaries without guilt
• Building community and feedback-driven leadership
• Redefining success beyond titles and productivity