Originally aired: May 2024

Episode Number: 164

Fear often appears at the exact moment we're about to step into something bigger, whether it's a difficult conversation, a major decision, or an opportunity that pushes us beyond our comfort zone.

In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, America's first female fighter squadron commander Martha McSally reveals why courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act despite it. Discover how embracing discomfort, trusting your preparation, and choosing action over hesitation can help you expand your capabilities, build confidence, and achieve things you once thought were beyond your reach.

Listen to the full episode here:

https://kite.link/marthamcsally

Originally aired: May 2024

Episode Number: 162

Success is often attributed to strategy, hard work, and talent, but the environments we create and the people we surround ourselves with can have an equally powerful impact on our growth.

In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, Founder of Recognized Freddie Pullen explores how our physical spaces and personal relationships subtly shape our habits, mindset, and performance. Discover why creating the right environment may be one of the most overlooked drivers of personal and professional success.

Listen to the full episode here:

https://kite.link/freddiepullen

Originally aired: April 2024

Episode Number: 160

Many of the biggest challenges facing businesses, governments, and society today cannot be solved with the same thinking that created them. Yet many organisations continue to rely on outdated systems and linear approaches that struggle to keep pace with an increasingly complex world.

In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, Founder and Author of The Wicked Company Marcus Kirsch explores the concept of wicked problems and why traditional models of problem-solving are no longer enough. Discover why embracing uncertainty, adopting iterative approaches, and rethinking how we tackle complex challenges may be essential for creating meaningful progress on issues ranging from organisational change to global challenges like climate change.

Listen to the full episode here:

https://kite.link/marcuskirsch

Originally aired: April 2024

Episode Number: 158

Many aspiring entrepreneurs know what they want to build, but self-doubt, uncertainty, and limited resources often stand in the way of taking the next step.

In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, co-founders of The Biskery Lisa Shepherd and Saskia Roskam share the realities of starting and scaling a business from the ground up. Learn about the power of "sweat equity," the importance of trusting your vision before the evidence fully arrives, and why consistent action can create the clarity needed to turn a small idea into a thriving business.

Listen to the full episode here:

https://kite.link/lisaandsaskia

Originally aired: March 2024

Episode Number: 157

Emotional intelligence isn't just about understanding yourself. It's about recognising where your perceptions end and genuine connection begins.

In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, writer, therapist, and Director of Georgetown University's Center for Personal Development Patrick Kilcarr explores the fine line between empathy and projection, and how our own emotions, beliefs, and experiences can shape the way we interpret others. Discover how deeper awareness, presence, and emotional attunement can transform the way we relate to both ourselves and the people around us.

Listen to the full episode here:

https://kite.link/patrickkilcarr

Originally aired: March 2024

Episode Number: 156

The biggest obstacles in life are often not the goals themselves, but the hidden emotional patterns formed long before we even understood them.

In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, Psychologist, Hypnotherapist, and Coach at Hey Dr. MJ Dr. Barbara Morris Jensen delves into how unresolved childhood experiences can shape the beliefs, fears, and limitations that hold people back later in life. Find out how revisiting the deeper roots of emotional pain, reframing past experiences through adult awareness, and reconnecting with neglected parts of yourself can create profound healing, clarity, and personal growth.

Listen to the full episode here:

https://kite.link/drbarbarajensen

Originally aired: March 2024

Episode Number: 155

Workplace culture is rarely shaped by one big moment—it's built through the everyday behaviours, conversations, and values people experience over time.

In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, founder of Happier at Work Aoife O'Brien shares how unhealthy work environments develop, why many leaders fail to recognise the warning signs early enough, and what both business owners and employees can do to create positive change. Learn why recognising the problem is often the first and most important step toward creating an environment where people can genuinely thrive.

Listen to the full episode here:

https://kite.link/aoifeobrien