In this episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore dive into the power of deep listening—the often-overlooked skill that transforms conversations, relationships, and leadership. Joined by Aaron Wilson, they explore why listening feels so difficult at work, how it’s commonly undervalued, and why it’s actually the key to trust, collaboration, and empowerment. Through humor, honesty, and examples from their coaching practice, they unpack their signature LAVA framework—Listen, Acknowledge, Validate, Ask—as a simple yet transformative approach to building authentic connection and reducing workplace friction.

From navigating tough conversations to creating empowered teams, Cristina and Alex show how deep listening redefines what it means to “win” in leadership: not by being right, but by creating understanding. Whether you’re a manager seeking to strengthen your team or someone tired of surface-level communication, this conversation will leave you rethinking what it really means to be heard—and to truly hear others.

What does it mean to truly lead yourself before you lead others? In this episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina and Alex explore the foundation of authentic leadership—beginning with self-awareness, values, and the courage to live in alignment with both. Joined by guest interviewer Aaron Wilson, they dive into what authenticity really means (and what it doesn’t), how to recognize the “shoulds” that keep us stuck, and why creating supportive environments helps us try new ways of showing up—without the masks.

Through humor, candor, and lived experience, they unpack the ongoing practice of authenticity: rediscovering the same lessons, refining your values until they become non-negotiable, and surrounding yourself with people who hold you accountable with compassion. This conversation invites listeners to reflect, recalibrate, and take the next courageous step toward leading—and living—with integrity.

Cristina and Alex kick off a mini-series around their book, The Authenticity Upgrade: Rebooting Leadership for Real Humans, arguing that culture and authenticity—not org charts and processes—determine whether change sticks. They move past theory into day-to-day practices: how leaders (and humans) can reduce friction, align to values, and create environments where people can show up fully. Along the way, they name the early signals of misalignment—dread, resistance, and over-functioning—and frame a “better way” anchored in flow, trust, and lived values.

In this lively and deeply reflective episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina and Alex dive into the “respectrum” — the full range of how respect and disrespect show up in our lives, workplaces, and society. They explore how easily we justify our own lapses in respect while condemning others, and how that double standard quietly erodes the social ecosystem we all share. With humor, honesty, and a few delightfully unplanned metaphors, they unpack why respect often goes unnoticed until it’s missing — and how small acts of awareness and courage can rebuild it.

The conversation moves from everyday moments, like driving or team meetings, to larger questions of culture, leadership, and moral responsibility. Cristina and Alex remind us that culture is defined not by our best intentions, but by the worst behavior we allow. They challenge listeners to reflect: when you witness disrespect, do you stay silent or step in? This episode is a call to remember that respect is contagious — and so is silence.

In this episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina and Alex dive into the messy, often overwhelming experience of navigating change. From workplace restructuring to global uncertainty, and even the rise of AI, they explore what it means to not just “thrive” in change but simply survive it. Along the way, they challenge the overused and weaponized idea of resilience, reframing it as something more human and grounded: acknowledging your true capacity, accepting that it’s limited, and focusing on what restores energy instead of forcing yourself to give more than you can.

With humor, honesty, and a bit of dark levity (think black holes, stampeding elephants, and wine), the hosts share strategies for staying afloat in chaos. They discuss tools like identifying non-negotiables, building a “dopa menu” of activities that replenish you, and leaning on empathy—both for yourself and others—as a way to quiet shame and self-judgment. The conversation offers a refreshing reminder that surviving change isn’t about superhuman toughness but about self-awareness, compassion, and choosing how you want to show up in the small moments that add up to your life.

In this episode, licensed therapist and organizational consultant Amanda Gilchrist joins us to explore what real support looks like in a hyper-stimulated world. Amanda flips the script on “helping” by reminding us that it’s not a leader’s—or a therapist’s—job to hand out answers. It’s to guide, facilitate, and create space so people can hear their own wisdom. We dig into self-investment, the difference between a state change and a trait change, and why trust in ourselves is the foundation for any lasting transformation.

We also get practical about presence: how to set boundaries without guilt, why “giving 100%” looks different on different days, and how attunement—not performance—builds healthier relationships at home and at work. If you’ve ever felt pressure to do it perfectly, this conversation is a permission slip to be intentional instead—show up with what you have, listen for what matters, and let authenticity do the heavy lifting.

In this episode of Uncover the Human, Alex and Cristina sit down with leadership coach Laura Shepherd for a rich conversation about following your internal compass. Laura shares her journey from corporate success to scuba instructor to coach, describing what it feels like when the compass spins, how she learned to recognize misalignment, and what it’s like to step into the “exciting discomfort” of growth. Together, they explore the power of weekly reflection, rewarding progress along the way, and the courage it takes to leap when the next step isn’t clear.

Listeners will hear how authenticity, reflection, and self-leadership intertwine to create alignment that fuels both personal energy and effective leadership. Laura explains how leaders who do their inner work show up more fully, set clearer expectations, and create safe, trusting environments where teams can thrive. With metaphors ranging from compasses and mirrors to buses and statues, this conversation invites you to reflect on your own path—and consider whether you’re moving toward possibility or simply checking boxes.

In this conversation, author and acupuncturist Connie Warden joins Cristina and Alex to talk about her book Speeding to Compassion—a project born from her surprising realization that her mindfulness practice didn’t extend to the driver’s seat. Connie shares candid stories of road rage, self-reflection, and the universal struggle of anger, showing how the car became her training ground for compassion. What starts as a book about driving quickly unfolds into a much bigger exploration of authenticity, inner critics, and how to process emotions without repressing them.

Together, they dive into the ways we invent stories about strangers on the road, the “fundamental attribution error” that makes us judge others more harshly than ourselves, and the small practices—like singing a song or reframing the moment—that can transform frustration into growth. This episode is equal parts humor and humanity, reminding us that compassion isn’t about being perfect. It’s about noticing our triggers, giving ourselves grace, and practicing empathy in everyday life—whether behind the wheel, with our kids, or in leadership.