"In this episode of the Heart to Heart podcast series on leadership, Chuck Firlotte welcomes Dr. Michael Higgins, a Canadian scholar, distinguished professor, and author. Dr. Higgins is the author of the book Francis, the Jesuit Disruptor, a personal portrait of Pope Francis.

Dr. Higgins discusses his path to becoming a well-known Vatican scholar and expert, which began not by design, but by accident. His training in doctrinal studies was initially to be a Victorianist, specializing in 19th-century English literature. His interest in the Vatican grew partly because one of his thesis directors was a British Carmelite who wrote a book called The Vatican Oracle. Higgins also started working for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a documentarian, researching and narrating radio programs. He later became the chief consultant for the series Sir Peter Ustinov's Inside the Vatican. After all these experiences, he became an expert on the Vatican and a Vatican affairs analyst for The Globe and Mail.

The main topic of discussion is leadership. The conversation focuses on Pope Francis and his unique style of ""servant leadership"". Dr. Higgins explains that Francis took the papal title Servus Servorum Dei (""the servant of the servants of God"") very seriously, focusing on a pastoral, rather than jurisdictional, role. According to Dr. Higgins, Francis's goal was to move the Roman Catholic Church into a new era where its relevance is not diminished by its historical baggage. He humanized the papacy by not living in the Apostolic Palace, wearing simpler vestments, and cutting down the ceremony.

The discussion also covers:
* Pope Francis's life and background: Francis was a Jesuit who considered marrying a young woman before beginning his studies, which suggests he did not fear or disparage women. He was also a product of his Latin American culture, which led him to have a sentimental and romanticized notion of women.
* Francis and women in the church: Francis made significant changes by bringing women and their gifts into the governance structure of the church, including senior cabinet positions and the head of the Vatican City State. However, he did not pursue the ordination of women to the priesthood, fearing it would shatter the unity of the universal Roman communion.
* The new Pope Leo XIV: Dr. Higgins was surprised by the election of Pope Leo XIV, who he describes as a ""relatively obscure prelate"" to the larger public, but a prominent member of the Vatican Curia. Higgins believes Pope Leo XIV, a canon lawyer, is a consolidator and ""the Augustinian stabilizer,"" rather than a visionary like Francis.
* Words of wisdom for young leaders: Dr. Higgins emphasizes the importance of human solidarity, altruism, and serving others. He advises young people to follow the advice given to Pope Francis when he was elected pope: ""Don't forget the poor"".

SPONSORED BY: Aquarion Water Company, Bridgeport CT and Ganim Financial Management, Shelton CT

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In this episode of Heart to Heart, a podcast series on leadership brought to you by the Welch College of Business and Technology at Sacred Heart University, host Chuck Firlotte introduces sisters Gabriella and Victoria Nasto.

Victoria (Sacred Heart University graduate in finance) and Gabriella (Monmouth University graduate in marketing) are taking their family's 85-year-old ice cream business to the next level. Their great-grandfather, Frank Nasto, started the business with an ice cream cart in 1939 in Newark, New Jersey, after coming to America with his wife, Angelina. Frank's son (also named Frank) and his grandson (the sisters' father, also named Frank) continued the tradition.

They discuss their plans for modernization, branding, and marketing—including successful use of social media like TikTok—while staying ""true to their roots."" The sisters share how their parents instilled in them a strong work ethic and the value of loving what you do. They also offer advice for current university students preparing to launch their careers, emphasizing hard work, taking opportunities, and gaining confidence.

The original ""mothership"" location in Newark, where the family's 11 members once lived upstairs, still manufactures all the ice cream and desserts using original recipes and the freshest, natural ingredients.

Join us to hear about this incredible story of entrepreneurship, family legacy, and the pursuit of the American dream.

Heart to Heart is a podcast on leadership. Sponsored by Aquarion Water Company and Ganim Financial."

📺 Watch host Charles Firlotte on the Heart to Heart podcast for a must-see conversation with consultant psychologist Dr. George Gercken, Ph.D.

In this episode, Dr. Gercken argues that effective leadership is "all gray" and that "if you can't get right with that, you can't be a leader."

This is not your average leadership talk. Dr. Gercken shares his powerful journey from neuropsychology and surviving cancer to becoming a "professional irritant" who pushes leaders to grow.

You will learn:

- The true definition of intelligence:

- Why managers must serve: The shift from "table pounding" to collaboration and partnership.

- AI as a tool: How to use it for learning, not as a shortcut.

- The "Internal Fire": What separates high-growth individuals from the rest.

This episode from the Sacred Heart University Jack Welch College of Business & Technology is essential for anyone looking to stay relevant and effective in today's complex world.

Watch or listen to the full episode NOW! https://youtu.be/Hi4vszIrwr4?si=VhbXbQnbvaHZ9zIA

Sponsored by Aquarion Water Company and Ganim Financial.

#HeartToHeartPodcast #Leadership #Management #CareerGrowth

In this episode of Heart to Heart, recorded at Sacred Heart University, host Chuck Firlotte interviews author Charles Slack. Slack discusses his book on Hetty Green, the "first female tycoon of Wall Street," who was known as "the world's greatest miser" but was also a brilliant and courageous investor. They delve into Green's background, her unique investing philosophy which mirrored that of Warren Buffett, and her lasting legacy. Slack also shares insights into his own writing journey, his other books on inventor Charles Goodyear and the Sedition Act of 1798, and offers advice to aspiring writers.

Join Chuck Firlotte on "Heart to Heart," a leadership podcast from Sacred Heart University's Welch College of Business and Technology. In this episode, Chuck sits down with Ryan Hawk, host of "The Learning Leader" podcast, author, consultant, and motivational speaker.

Ryan shares insights into his early life, including his football career and the pivotal moment he learned the importance of adding value. He discusses his transition from sports to a career in sales, where he channeled his competitive drive and work ethic. Discover how Ryan's curiosity about leadership led him to launch his highly successful podcast, now with over 650 episodes, and how he uses it as his "personal leadership PhD program."

Learn about Ryan's three books, including "Welcome to Management," where he emphasizes "culture over command," and "The Score That Matters," which he co-wrote with his friend and mentor, Brooke Cupps. Ryan offers valuable advice for students and young professionals, highlighting the importance of excellent communication, proactivity, a bias for action, and self-awareness. He also reflects on the challenges and complexities of leadership, emphasizing the need for intentional development and a genuine care for people.

Join Chuck Firlotte on Heart to Heart, a podcast series on leadership from the Welch College of Business and Technology at Sacred Heart University, as he sits down with authors Ted Mann and Tom Gryta. They discuss their book, "Lights Out: Pride, Delusion, and The Fall of General Electric," offering a fascinating look into the complexities of GE's leadership transitions, corporate culture, and strategic missteps.

In this insightful conversation, Ted and Tom, both former Wall Street Journal journalists, delve into:

• Their journalism careers: Hear about their journeys in writing and how they came to cover General Electric.
  
  
• The challenge of covering GE: Understand the intricate and often intentionally complicated nature of reporting on such a massive corporation.
  
  
• The succession of leadership: Explore the transition from Jack Welch to Jeff Immelt and the differing leadership styles and challenges faced by each CEO.
  
  
• The role of pride and delusion: Discover how a culture of exceptionalism and an unwillingness to confront difficult truths contributed to GE's decline.
  
  
• The impact of external factors: Learn how events like 9/11, Enron, and Sarbanes-Oxley influenced GE's trajectory.
  
  
• The board's effectiveness: A critical look at the GE board's coziness and its role in oversight and decision-making.
  
  
• Lessons for corporate leadership: Gain valuable insights for aspiring and seasoned leaders on the importance of fundamentals, skepticism, and fostering open dialogue.
  
  
• GE today: An update on the company's current state and the reasons behind its breakup into distinct entities.
  
  

This discussion offers a compelling narrative of a corporate giant and provides essential lessons on leadership, governance, and the importance of adapting to a changing world.
SPONSORED BY: Aquarion Water Company, Bridgeport CT and Ganim Financial Management, Shelton CT

The wait is over! 🎉
The very first episode of the "Heart to Heart"*podcast from the Sacred Heart University Jack Welch College of Business & Technology is now live! Join host Chuck Firlotte as he sits down with Jeff Flaks, CEO of Hartford HealthCare, for an incredible conversation on leadership, innovation, and purpose.

In this powerful episode, Flaks shares his inspiring journey from a delivery boy to the leader of a massive healthcare system. He discusses the evolution of Hartford HealthCare from two hospitals to 540 locations, highlighting their commitment to community-based care and accessibility through initiatives like their 24/7 virtual care kiosk at Bradley Airport.

Jeff also delves into the challenges and rewards of leading a healthcare organization, the importance of fostering a supportive culture, and the critical need to address professional burnout. He concludes by sharing his personal leadership philosophy: **"the best at getting better."**

This is an episode you don't want to miss, packed with wisdom for leaders and young professionals alike.

A huge thank you to our sponsors:
* Aquarion Water Company, Bridgeport, CT
* Ganim Financial Management, Shelton, CT

WATCH the full episode now! https://youtu.be/5RIFunSh2Mk?feature=shared

Don't miss it! Coming Tomorrow, the first episode of the "Heart to Heart" podcast from the Sacred Heart University Jack Welch College of Business & Technology.

Our inaugural guest is Jeffrey Flaks, CEO of Hartford HealthCare, who shares his inspiring journey from a delivery boy to a healthcare system leader. The episode is hosted by successful business executive @Charles Firlotte, who explores the importance of leadership and how to align people, strategy, and resources for optimal performance.

In this teaser Laura Campbell of InspireCorps, an organization that works with executive leaders, shares her excitement for the new podcast. She believes that now more than ever, we need thought leadership on how executives can improve in today's world. Campbell praises Firlotte as the ideal host, noting his exceptional ability to uncover the subtle yet most important aspects of any conversation, which she believes will make his discussions on modern leadership both surprising and inspiring.

A big thank you to our sponsors:

Aquarion Water Company, Bridgeport, CT

Ganim Financial Management, Shelton, CT

Get ready to be inspired!

Stay tuned for our first episode!