Leading Minds Revealed

Building Strong Teams: Balancing Strategy, Heart, and Growth | Jennifer Paxton | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 111

Building a Resilient Team Culture During Hyper Growth with Jen Pax
In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, Michael sits down with Jen Pax, Vice President of People and Talent at Roofer, to discuss strategies for shaping and maintaining a high-performing company culture during times of significant change. Jen shares her unique insights on emotional regulation in leadership, the importance of clear communication, and how to foster a cohesive team environment even during rapid growth. Additionally, she provides actionable advice for leaders navigating high-growth phases, all while maintaining their own sense of groundedness and self-awareness. Tune in to learn how to effectively manage change, retain talent, and cultivate a positive company culture.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:55 The Importance of Emotional Regulation in Leadership
02:26 Navigating Emotional Responses During Change
03:39 Building Effective Communication Strategies
10:06 Balancing Leadership and Personal Life
14:27 Team Building and Organizational Growth
32:08 Handling Leadership Challenges and Feedback
46:49 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

A Spartan’s Secret to Leadership | Daniel McDonald | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 110

In this transformative episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Daniel McDonald, Head of HR and Chief of Staff at Spartan Race, to explore how embracing discomfort becomes the ultimate catalyst for leadership growth.
From restaurants to manufacturing to leading HR at one of the world's most challenging endurance events, Dan's journey exemplifies the power of saying "yes" before you're ready. In this candid conversation, you'll discover:
Key Takeaways:
Why "the answer is always yes" - and how to build the roadmap after committing
The critical shift from traditional training methods to immersive, conversation-based leadership development
How to have difficult conversations with team members who aren't meeting expectations
The difference between following your passion and doing what gives you energy
Why today's leaders need mentorship moments, not just information downloads
How physical and mental fitness routines create the foundation for resilient leadership
00:00 Introduction to Leading Minds Revealed
00:50 Meet Daniel McDonald: From Restaurants to Spartan Race
02:09 Embracing Discomfort for Growth
04:25 The Journey to Spartan: A Leap of Faith
07:21 Building a Resilient Team at Spartan
14:32 Training and Mentorship at Spartan
25:48 The Importance of Immersive Experiences
29:18 Lessons from Leadership Mistakes
31:26 Understanding and Motivating Your Team
39:10 Personal Practices for Mental and Physical Health
41:45 Finding Passion and Energy in Work
47:58 Embracing Discomfort for Growth
50:03 Special Offer and Final Thoughts
Whether you're a seasoned executive or emerging leader, this episode will challenge you to stop waiting until you're "ready" and start building your capacity for growth through intentional discomfort. Dan's insights on creating psychologically safe environments while pushing teams beyond their comfort zones offer a masterclass in modern leadership development.

The Future of High-Performing Cultures | Lauren Dunn | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 109

In this transformative episode, Lauren Dunn, Chief People Officer at WISS (a progressive accounting firm), shares her journey of reimagining workplace culture in an industry known for burnout and high turnover. With a background in hospitality and a passion for human potential, Lauren reveals how WISS is breaking the mold by prioritizing culture first, then performance - creating a workplace where employees are valued for who they are, not just what they do.
From mindfulness practices with accountants to navigating AI adoption with empathy, Lauren brings practical wisdom on building resilient, high-performing teams during times of rapid change.
00:00 Introduction and Lauren's Background at WISS
02:00 What Drew Lauren to WISS and the Culture Transformation
05:00 The Importance of Female Leadership and Representation
08:00 Defining Resilience Through Mindfulness and Presence
13:00 Supporting Employees Through Life Changes
16:00 The Philosophy: "Why Does an Accounting Firm Have to Be a
Crappy Place to Work?"
21:00 Culture First, Performance Second - The WISS Approach
25:00 Introducing Performance Metrics with Transparency
30:00 The Power of Seeing Potential in Others - Restaurant Industry
Story
35:00 Helping People Embrace AI and Technological Change
40:00 Learning and Development Through Mindfulness and DEI
44:00 Advice for Leaders Building Culture and Performance
47:00 Where to Connect with Lauren and Learn More About WISS
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Leading with Authenticity: The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership | Mark Fam | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 108

In this powerful episode, Mark Fam, President and CEO of Oak Valley Health, shares his transformative journey from being perceived as a "machine" or "robot" in his early career to becoming a vulnerable, authentic leader who prioritizes human connection. Serving a community of over half a million residents with over 100,000 emergency visits annually, Mark reveals how vulnerability became his secret weapon for building high-performing teams and creating psychological safety in healthcare settings.
00:00 Introduction and Mark's Background
03:00 The Value of Vulnerability in Leadership
07:00 Mark's "Robot" Wake-Up Call
13:00 Building Team Connection Through Personal Stories
18:00 Creating Psychological Safety
25:00 Self-Care Practices for Leaders
32:00 Mindfulness and Daily Rituals
38:00 Building Culture at Oak Valley Health
42:00 Advice for Emerging Leaders
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Embracing Change with Empathy | Kristine Collins | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 107

In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Kristine Collins, the Dean of UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education. They discuss the importance of mindfulness in leadership, the impact of team-centered leadership during times of transformation, and how to navigate change with empathy and strategic precision. Dean Collins shares her personal journey, lessons from her athletic background, and experiences from her professional life that shape her leadership approach. She emphasizes the significance of self-care, trust-building, and keeping learners at the center of educational initiatives.
00:00 Introduction to Leading Minds Revealed
00:50 Meet Dean Kristine Collins
02:57 The Importance of Team Leadership
05:06 Navigating Uncertainty and Change
11:14 Building Trust and Communication
16:30 Personal Leadership Journey
25:02 Self-Care and Leadership
30:01 Cultural Differences and Leadership Styles
30:55 Work-Life Balance in Different Cultures
32:19 Kindness in Leadership
35:08 Trust and Safety in High-Performing Teams
38:40 Human-Centered Design in Education
43:48 Balancing Leadership Roles
47:59 Influence of Upbringing on Leadership
55:39 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Visionary Leadership in Healthcare | Hazim Hassan | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 106

Visionary Leadership in Healthcare with Hazim Hassan
In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Hazim Hassan, a visionary leader at the Ontario Hospital Association, to explore the indispensable roles of curiosity, adaptability, and innovation in leadership. Hazim shares his insights on building psychological safety within teams, navigating the complexities of the healthcare sector, and the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration. With over a decade of experience in healthcare system transformation, Hazim provides practical strategies for leaders to stay grounded and resilient in the face of uncertainty. This episode offers valuable wisdom for anyone passionate about innovation and looking to make a significant impact in their field.
00:00 Introduction to Leading Minds Revealed
00:50 Exploring Leadership Mindsets with Hazim Hassan
02:22 The Power of Curiosity in Leadership
07:31 Navigating Complexity and Adaptability
21:17 Balancing Present Awareness and Future Focus
28:23 Mindfulness and Personal Leadership
32:43 Fostering a Culture of Curiosity and Kindness
33:15 Navigating Personal and Professional Challenges
37:13 The Importance of Psychological Safety in Teams
43:57 Balancing Leadership Styles for Innovation
49:06 Lessons from a Father's Leadership
53:07 Advice for Aspiring Innovators
55:51 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

The Evolving Leader: AI, EQ, and the New CEO | Giovanni Farese | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 105

In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Giovanni Farese, CEO of Webidoo, a global tech company specializing in AI-powered digital marketing. Giovanni, recognized by Forbes as one of the 100 most innovative managers, offers a deeply reflective look at the evolving demands of leadership in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.
Together, they unpack the shift from old-school operational leadership to a more emotionally intelligent, human-centered approach. Giovanni shares powerful insights into how mindfulness, curiosity, and emotional clarity shape his leadership style, and why taking back your time is one of the most important strategies for modern executives. From challenging hustle culture and embracing intentional rest, to leading remote-first teams with empathy and structure, this episode is a masterclass in what it means to be a mindful and modern leader.
00:00 Introduction to Leading Minds Revealed
00:50 Meet Giovanni Farese: Skydiver, Surfer, CEO
02:10 Why Leadership Must Evolve
04:45 Emotional Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence
07:20 The Manager’s Mind vs. the Leader’s Mind
10:05 The Cost of Constant Connectivity
13:18 Creating Space for Clarity
16:44 Using AI to Get Time Back, Not Just Boost Productivity
20:01 Micro-Habits for a Balanced Leader
23:16 Why Leaders Need to Experiment and Reflect
26:30 The Power of Disconnecting from Devices
29:45 Redesigning Remote Work: Culture, Clarity & Connection
33:50 Building Emotional Connection in Distributed Teams
38:22 From Mistakes to Mindfulness: Leading with Humility
41:00 Developing Emotional Skills Across Your Leadership Team
44:58 Supporting Growth Through Personalized Tools
48:10 Real Talk: Burnout, Sleep, and Breaking Old Habits
52:05 Why Curiosity Is a Leadership Superpower
54:12 Connect with Giovanni & Final Takeaways
Connect with Giovanni Farese:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovannifarese1/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/giovanni.farese/
X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/gfarese

Leading with Truth & Authentic Leadership | Dr. Victoria Holt | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 104

Leading with Truth: Dr. Victoria Hoyt and Authentic Leadership
In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael interviews Dr. Victoria Hoyt, Vice President of Health, Safety, Environmental, and Corporate Social Responsibility at Colas USA. The conversation explores how values-driven leadership and inner alignment can impact corporate culture, especially in the construction industry.
Dr. Hoyt shares her journey from construction to executive, highlighting her focus on truth, passion, and authentic leadership. She discusses the importance of self-awareness, communication, and compassionate leadership in fostering a safer and more efficient work environment. Dr. Hoyt also delves into her methods for shifting safety cultures, the significant role of middle managers, and how personal values can drive leadership excellence.
00:00 Introduction to Leading Minds Revealed
00:22 Meet Dr. Victoria Hoyt: A Journey from Construction to VP
01:25 The Power of Values in Leadership
02:07 Aligning Personal and Corporate Values
03:28 Challenges and Rewards of Corporate Alignment
09:14 Transforming Safety Culture in Construction
16:55 The Importance of Authentic Leadership
19:18 Leadership Development for Middle Managers
26:21 Learning Effective Communication
28:04 The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership
29:17 Addressing Mental Health in Construction
30:23 The Role of Values in Leadership
33:24 Sustaining Leadership Development
36:57 The Business Case for Leadership Training
42:02 Personal Journey and Inspirations
45:42 Balancing Work and Personal Life
48:12 Staying Connected and Future Plans

Mastering Adaptability in Leadership | Jason Mullins | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 103

Join host Michael Apollo as he sits down with Jason Mullins, President and CEO of Forward Financing, to explore the critical role of adaptability in modern leadership and how self care becomes the foundation for navigating constant change.
🔵 Tune In Insights:
🔸 Adaptability as a competitive advantage in leadership
🔸 Self-care strategies for high-performing executives
🔸Building resilient teams through sustainable practices
🔸Decision-making with incomplete information
🔸When to pivot vs. when to persevere in business
🔸The neuroscience of continuous learning
🔸 Creating psychological safety in rapidly changing environments
🔵 Key Takeaways:
🔸Adaptability is no longer a nice-to-have skill—it's table stakes for modern leaders
🔸Self-care isn't selfish; it's essential for making better decisions under pressure
🔸 Sustainable high performance requires building systems, not just grinding harder
🔸Trust your gut intuition, but develop it through experience and self-awareness
🔸Create open dialogue about well-being within leadership teams
🔸Use "this too shall pass" as a guiding principle for both highs and lows
🔸 Continuous learning through podcasts and storytelling enhances leadership credibility
🔵 Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Leading Minds Revealed
01:30 - Jason Mullins: From Call Center to CEO
02:15 - The Role of Adaptability in Modern Leadership
04:00 - Self-Care as Leadership Foundation
09:00 - Building Adaptable Teams and Communication
12:00 - Navigating Constant Change Since 2020
16:00 -The Evolution of Personal Development
20:00 - Neuroplasticity and Mindful Information Consumption
24:00 - Case Study: Building New Customer Acquisition Channels
30:00 - The Art of Knowing When to Pivot
35:00 - Career Origins and Early Inspiration
37:00 - Life Philosophy: "This Too Shall Pass"
41:00 - Closing Thoughts and Contact Information
🔵 Quote of the Show:
"Adaptability is no longer something that you just can lean on as a strength and a nice to have. It's really table stakes now to be successful, to be confident, to perform at the highest level in whatever your chosen profession is."
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Purpose-Driven Leadership and Workplace Wellness | Jacqueline Perrault | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 102

In Episode 2 of the Leading Minds Revealed Podcast, host Michael Apollo is joined by Jacqueline Perrault, Corporate Wellness Director at Coral Isle Group Insurance, to explore the power of purpose-driven leadership and workplace wellness. This conversation delves into how a clear "why" can anchor teams through complexity and change, foster genuine connection, and create environments that champion health and engagement.
Jacqueline shares insights from her 15-year journey of spearheading transformative wellness initiatives, including integrating Blue Zones principles into corporate and community programs. From practical strategies for aligning daily tasks with a greater vision to the profound impact of purpose on mental health, this episode offers a roadmap for leaders looking to inspire their teams and cultivate a thriving, resilient workplace culture.
Tune in to discover:
Purpose-Driven Leadership
Anchoring Through Change & Complexity
Workplace Wellness & Corporate Culture
The Blue Zones Methodology
Fostering Team Connection & Engagement
Mindfulness for Leaders
The Power of "Why"
Key Takeaways:
Purpose serves as a critical anchor, providing stability and direction for teams navigating rapid change and uncertainty.
Leaders can help teams find meaning even in small tasks by connecting their contributions to a larger, shared vision, as inspired by the TV show The Bear.
A leader's personal involvement is key; "walking the talk" by participating in wellness programs and modeling healthy behaviors helps foster a thriving culture.
Building an environment that makes healthy choices easy and accessible—through initiatives like community farms, safe walking paths, and healthy food options—is fundamental to community and corporate wellness.
Lasting connection is built through consistent, day-to-day interactions, celebrating small contributions, and checking in (not just checking on) team members.
Chapters:
0:00 - Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed
0:56 - Exploring the Role of Purpose in Leadership
2:35 - What "Leading with Purpose" Truly Means
5:50 - How Purpose Acts as an Anchor in Times of Uncertainty
10:12 - The 15-Year Evolution of a Corporate Wellness Initiative
13:19 - Jacqueline's Path to Wellness Leadership
16:22 - Foundational Building Blocks for Resilient Leaders
19:33 - A Full Circle Moment: The Blue Zones Initiative in Bermuda
25:03 - The Role of Leadership in Fostering a Thriving Culture
26:58 - Key Insights from the Blue Zones & How They Apply to Wellness
34:10 - Does Your Purpose Evolve Over Time?
38:10 - Learn More About CG's Wellness & Blue Zone Work
38:50 - Thank You for Tuning In!
Quote of the Show:
"People need to feel like they matter in their job and what they're doing."
Hashtags:
#Leadership #PurposeDrivenLeadership #WorkplaceWellness #CorporateCulture #Mindfulness #BlueZones #TeamEngagement #LeadingMindsRevealed #EmployeeWellbeing #MichaelApollo
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