What does great leadership have to do with luck, communication and knowing when to say yes?

In this episode, Juliet and Susan sit down with Phil Grosse to explore his winding career, from wholesale distribution to occupational injury prevention, nonprofit leadership and community organizing.

Phil shares lessons from decades of leadership, including how commitment-based communication can transform teams, why a small group of people often drives meaningful change, and how hard work, preparation and relationships can create your own kind of luck.

** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating to help others discover the podcast. We’re so grateful to each and every listener!

——— Connect with your hosts ———

Email Juliet: julietclothier@gmail.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.julietclothier.com

Email Susan: susan@susanasutherland.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.susanasutherland.com

Secrets of the C-Suite is both a podcast AND a leadership consultancy. Learn more about our offerings.

In this unplugged episode, Susan and Juliet explore why we’re often waiting to feel ready before taking the next step — and why readiness might actually be a decision, not a feeling.

They talk about creating space to pause, finding perspective when everything feels urgent, and how the skills we use to navigate work can also help us navigate the messy realities of life.

Plus, Susan shares what’s evolving with her 2026 South Africa Leadership Retreat and why sometimes the next step is simply to take the action and trust that you’ll figure it out along the way.

More about the Retreat: www.susanasutherland.com/retreat

** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating to help others discover the podcast. We’re so grateful to each and every listener!

——— Connect with your hosts ———

Email Juliet: julietclothier@gmail.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.julietclothier.com

Email Susan: susan@susanasutherland.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.susanasutherland.com

Secrets of the C-Suite is both a podcast AND a leadership consultancy. Learn more about our offerings.

Listen back to this episode with Mark Cederborg, who shares with us his extensive experience in the construction industry, particularly Ecological Restoration Construction in Northern California. Mark started in the industry by doing and learning ALL the jobs (using his words) and ending up as CEO! His views of leadership are evident and articulate, and we loved our conversation.

Mark is now CEO of Outset Advisors, a company focused on improving the relationship between construction and nature, and ensuring the right people and information get input to major construction projects We could also have titled this episode "the one where we learn about the difference between green and grey infrastructure!". You'll know why when you give it a listen.

You can reach Mark at m.cederborg@outsetadvisors.com

** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating to help others discover the podcast. We’re so grateful to each and every listener!

——— Connect with your hosts ———

Email Juliet: julietclothier@gmail.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.julietclothier.com

Email Susan: susan@susanasutherland.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.susanasutherland.com

Secrets of the C-Suite is both a podcast AND a leadership consultancy. Learn more about our offerings.

Leadership is rarely about having all the answers. More often, it's about creating space for better conversations and focusing on what really matters.

In this episode, Juliet and Susan are joined by leadership strategist and consultant John Newsome, founder of Public Equity Group. Drawing on decades of experience advising nonprofits, foundations and social impact organisations, John shares his perspective on leadership, organisational culture, equity and what it really takes to create lasting change.

Together, they explore leading with love, navigating complexity, focusing on meaningful outcomes and why everyone deserves a seat at the table.

Whether you're leading a team or simply curious about leadership, this episode offers plenty of thoughtful insight and practical wisdom.

Find Public Equity Group at www.publicequitygroup.org

** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating to help others discover the podcast. We’re so grateful to each and every listener!

——— Connect with your hosts ———

Email Juliet: julietclothier@gmail.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.julietclothier.com

Email Susan: susan@susanasutherland.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.susanasutherland.com

Secrets of the C-Suite is both a podcast AND a leadership consultancy. Learn more about our offerings.

In this episode, Susan and Juliet sit down with flower farmer and entrepreneur Katie Specht, founder of Moonlight Blooms Farm.

Katie shares how she turned a love of growing flowers into a thriving business, why building community has been just as important as building revenue, and the lessons she's learned about trusting her instincts along the way.

From navigating setbacks and outgrowing mentors to creating beauty with purpose, this is a conversation about resilience, self-belief, and having the courage to grow on your own terms.

Plus, the unexpected story behind Katie's flowers appearing in Vogue—and why she still believes the best things happen when people come together.

Follow Moonlight Blooms Farm on Instagram: @moonlightbloomsfarm, or visit the website: www.moonlightbloomsfarm.com

** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating to help others discover the podcast. We’re so grateful to each and every listener!

——— Connect with your hosts ———

Email Juliet: julietclothier@gmail.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.julietclothier.com

Email Susan: susan@susanasutherland.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.susanasutherland.com

Secrets of the C-Suite is both a podcast AND a leadership consultancy. Learn more about our offerings.

In this week's conversation on Secrets of the C-Suite, Susan and Juliet sit down with entrepreneur, healthcare professional, and advocate Sarita Parikh.

After spending years helping others navigate healthcare, disability rights, and community support systems, Sarita found herself on the other side of the equation when a traumatic brain injury and breast cancer diagnosis turned her world upside down.

She shares how those experiences reshaped her understanding of leadership, vulnerability, and healing, why traditional approaches to leadership don't work for everyone, and how she's reimagining her work to help people build the support systems they need to thrive.

Plus, the surprising role that joy, belonging, and even a little vulnerability can play in helping people lead more authentically.

Follow Glow + Gather on Instagram: @glowandgather. Visit Mind, Body & Play website to learn more: www.mbptherapies.com

** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating to help others discover the podcast. We’re so grateful to each and every listener!

——— Connect with your hosts ———

Email Juliet: julietclothier@gmail.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.julietclothier.com

Email Susan: susan@susanasutherland.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.susanasutherland.com

Secrets of the C-Suite is both a podcast AND a leadership consultancy. Learn more about our offerings.

Season 4 is here, and to celebrate, Susan and Juliet are looking back on two years of conversations that have reshaped how they think about leadership.

From unexpected lessons to unforgettable guests, they reflect on the quality that kept surfacing in some of their most impactful conversations, why so many leaders underestimate the value of their own stories, and how the podcast has evolved in ways they never anticipated.

Plus, an exciting behind-the-scenes look at what's changing this season and where they hope the podcast goes next.

** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating to help others discover the podcast. We’re so grateful to each and every listener!

——— Connect with your hosts ———

Email Juliet: julietclothier@gmail.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.julietclothier.com

Email Susan: susan@susanasutherland.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.susanasutherland.com

Secrets of the C-Suite is both a podcast AND a leadership consultancy. Learn more about our offerings.

In this 'Best of S2' episode, Juliet & Susan welcome Shireen McSpadden, Executive Director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing for the City & County of San Francisco, California.

In a city where homelessness has become a hot button issue, Shireen brings extensive experience and remarkable calm to her role in finding solutions to a complex issue. There's no question, her job in City government is a really hard one, and she's had big and difficult jobs her whole career. Her style is relaxed, focused and unflappable, which has no doubt repeatedly served her and the team she leads.

Shireen shares with us the observations, insights and satisfactions of her career, one that has been devoted to service and to social justice.

At the time of the recording, Shireen was anticipating the uncertainties that come with inauguration of a new mayor in San Francisco.

You can reach Shireen through her LinkedIn.

** Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating to help others discover the podcast. We’re so grateful to each and every listener!

——— Connect with your hosts ———

Email Juliet: julietclothier@gmail.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.julietclothier.com

Email Susan: susan@susanasutherland.com
LinkedIn / Instagram / www.susanasutherland.com

Secrets of the C-Suite is both a podcast AND a leadership consultancy. Learn more about our offerings.