In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, I sit down with Aaron Trahan, a former corporate executive turned leadership coach who found himself running billion-dollar organizations long before he ever expected to. Along the way, he made just about every leadership mistake possible and discovered the power of coaching, reflection, and feedback in the process.

Aaron and I talk about why failure isn’t the opposite of success, how the right culture fit can unlock real potential, and why growth at all costs is often a dangerous illusion. We explore what it really means to scale yourself as a leader, how to build meaningful feedback loops, and why imposter syndrome might actually be a sign you’re doing something right.

We also dive into:

-Why comfort can be more dangerous than failure

-The difference between optics and real leadership

-How to grow without burning out your people

-Why the best leaders never stop learning

This conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t about protecting your image — it’s about staying curious, staying human, and choosing growth over ego.

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, I sit down with John Lees co-founder of Copay Technologies, a PhD physicist, five-time Ironman, volunteer firefighter, husband, and father whose leadership lessons come from far beyond the boardroom.

John and I talk about why pretending to have all the answers is overrated, how saying “we’ll figure it out” can actually build more trust, and why situational awareness matters more than rigid strategy. We explore how firefighting, endurance sports, and entrepreneurship all demand the same core skill: staying grounded while everything around you is changing.

We also dive into:

Why healthcare is intentionally complicated — and how transparency can change lives

The myth that great leaders must sacrifice everything else

What imposter syndrome really feels like behind the scenes

How knowing your North Star helps you pivot without losing yourself

This conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence, curiosity, and choosing impact over ego.

connect with me here:
Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com
Connect with me on Linkedin: / kmillerhershon
Subscribe to newsletter: https: //link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom about Conventional Wisdom, I sit down with Vivic, a former medical doctor turned business leader, for a fascinating conversation about leadership, decision-making, and what it really takes to scale a business responsibly.

Vivic shares his unconventional journey from practicing medicine including cosmetic surgery to building, scaling, and exiting multiple businesses. Today, he leads a growing network of cosmetic clinics across Australia, and he brings a rare perspective shaped by both clinical discipline and entrepreneurial risk-taking.

We talk about the critical mindset shift required when moving from medicine where risk must be minimized to business where calculated risk can drive growth. Vivic explains how the grit developed through years in healthcare prepared him for the unpredictability of leadership, and why being comfortable with uncertainty is essential for long-term success.

Throughout our conversation, we explore key topics such as:

-Why “new and shiny” isn’t always better in business or healthcare

-Making data-driven decisions instead of relying on gut instinct alone

-Hiring fast, firing faster, and what most leaders get wrong about interviews

-How to define success clearly so teams can actually meet expectations

-Leading through mission, not ego or hierarchy

Vivic also shares a simple but powerful framework for decision-making asking whether something is legal, has upside, and is reversible offering practical guidance for leaders facing constant uncertainty.

This episode is a thoughtful, grounded look at modern leadership, blending discipline with adaptability and wisdom with action. If you’re a founder, executive, or professional navigating complex decisions and rapid change, this conversation will challenge how you think and how you lead.

connect with me here:
Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com
Connect with me on Linkedin: / kmillerhershon
Subscribe to newsletter: https: //link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8

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