In this episode, Dr. Gordon M. Sayre, Assistant Professor of Management at Emlyon Business School in Lyon, France, joins me to discuss his research on emotional dissonance and what happens when leaders feel one thing but must display another. We explore the difference between surface acting and deep acting in leadership, the toll emotional regulation can take on well-being, and how leaders can break the cycle of inauthentic expression. Drawing on his research featured in CNN, BBC, NPR, Forbes, and Fortune, Dr. Sayre offers practical, evidence-based insights on leading with authenticity while sustaining personal and organizational health.

In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer, psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author, joins me to discuss his groundbreaking research on how habits form and how we can change them. We explore what the science reveals about breaking unhelpful patterns and creating lasting change. These insights are especially relevant for leaders seeking to shift behaviors, improve focus, and lead with greater awareness. Dr. Brewer offers practical tools for understanding the brain’s reward systems and using curiosity and mindfulness to build healthier, more effective habits.

In this episode, Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig joins me for a candid conversation about the real costs of changemaking in leadership. We explore the emotional toll, professional isolation, and personal challenges that often accompany the work of pushing for equity and transformation. Drawing from his own experiences as a scholar, advocate, and education leader, Dr. Heilig reflects on what it means to lead with conviction when the work itself can come at a price and how true leadership requires both courage and resilience.