Still Evolving

Dr. Amy Athey

Hosted by Dr. Amy Athey, Still Evolving explores the truth behind lasting high performance and resilience. Rather than relying on perfection or superhuman ability, the podcast highlights how real strength emerges through simple, intentional habits, grounded in self-compassion, adaptability, and the ability to grow through life’s inevitable setbacks. Each episode features stories and insights from leaders in sport, the military, and business. Through their journeys, listeners see the shared humanity behind exceptional achievement and the foundational practices that help them keep “Still Evolving” both at the height of success and in moments of challenge.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Dave Collins

    Summary This episode of Still Evolving explores the themes of resilience, personal growth, and the power of intentional habits. Dr. Amy and Dave Collins discuss how real strength is not about perfection but about adaptability and self-compassion. Dave Collins, the COO of BNI Global, shares his journey from being the first in his family to graduate high school to becoming a leader in the franchise industry. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance, core values, and continuous learning. The conversation highlights the significance of connection, preparation, and taking action towards one's dreams. Dave shares personal anecdotes about overcoming challenges, the influence of mentors, and the importance of staying true to oneself. Today’s Guest David Collins is the Chief Operating Officer of BNI Global, the world’s largest business networking and referral organization. With more than 35 years of experience, he specializes in driving growth and operational excellence across global franchise systems. A Certified Franchise Executive and recognized leader in the industry, David is known for his commitment to high-performance leadership and the Givers Gain® philosophy—emphasizing the power of contribution, connection, and community to drive meaningful business outcomes. Tune In! 03:20 The Power of Connection and Fortitude 05:43 Next Play: Embracing Challenges and Moving Forward 07:55 Preparation: The Key to Success 10:06 Consistency and Authenticity in High Performance 12:36 Taking Action Towards Your Dreams

    17 min
  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Jennifer Johns

    Summary Jennifer Johns, vice president at Elevate Marketing Research, shares her journey of career pivots across industries, emphasizing the importance of resilience, self-compassion, and authentic leadership. She discusses how evidence-based decision-making and positive self-talk have been pivotal in overcoming fear and embracing change. Jennifer highlights the role of mentors, therapists, and authentic connections in personal and professional growth, while also sharing practical routines for recovery, such as nature walks and team wellness practices. Her insights encourage leading with authenticity and sharing one's true voice to foster genuine connections and high performance. Today’s Guest Jennifer Johns is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Elevate, a division of SmithGeiger Group, where she helps brands use consumer insights to make confident, high-impact marketing decisions. With a background as a business operator, Jennifer works directly with leadership teams to design research that answers critical questions around growth, positioning, and investment. She partners with organizations across industries, with a focus on home services, legal, and retail, helping them better understand customer behavior and what drives purchase decisions. Known for her collaborative and consultative approach, Jennifer translates complex research into clear, actionable direction—enabling leaders to navigate market challenges and make smarter, more strategic decisions. Tune In! 00:00 Journey Through Career Pivots 03:31 Lessons from Challenges and Adversity 06:00 The Power of Self-Talk and Asking for Help 08:18 Navigating Fear and Embracing Change 10:34 The Role of Recovery and Nature in Leadership 13:05 Authenticity in Leadership and Performance

    20 min
  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Emma Hutchens

    Summary In this episode of "Still Evolving," Dr. Amy and Emma Hutchens delve into the intricacies of leadership and high performance. Emma shares her unique journey from HR in the spirits industry to founding Barrington and Company, a consulting consortium. The conversation explores the importance of self-awareness, the challenges of decision-making in leadership, and the power of celebrating small wins. Emma emphasizes the need for leaders to understand their values and motivations to effectively contribute to their teams. This insightful discussion offers valuable takeaways for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills and sustain high performance. Today’s Guest Emma Hutchens is a strategic advisor to founders, family enterprises, and private equity investors, specializing in navigating moments that significantly impact enterprise value. With extensive executive leadership experience across global consumer brands, high-growth startups, and corporate turnarounds, Emma excels in bringing clarity to complexity and discipline to decisive inflection points. Her expertise lies at the intersection of governance, leadership, capital, and operations, ensuring businesses emerge stronger and more valuable from transitions. Emma is renowned for her work in crisis strategy, generational transitions, and value protection during ownership changes and growth equity investments. As a certified coach and trusted board advisor, she is known for her ability to diagnose quickly, surface hard truths with precision, and build trust across divided stakeholders. Through her company, Barrington and Company, she advises a select group of clients at high-stakes moments where reputation, capital, and legacy intersect. Tune In! 02:48 Emma's Diverse Career Journey 04:24 Navigating Leadership Challenges 07:08 The Importance of Team Dynamics 09:31 Making Tough Decisions as a Leader 12:16 Personal Growth and Recovery Practices 14:56 Celebrating Small Wins

    20 min
  4. 19 MAR

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Bill Maggio

    Summary Bill Maggio, CEO of Dualign, shares his journey from the tech industry to founding his advisory firm. He emphasizes the importance of integrity, empathy, and trust in leadership, discussing lessons from challenges like the dot-com bubble and company restructuring. The conversation highlights maintaining a growth mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities, and the role of personal well-being in sustaining high performance. Dr. Amy and Bill also discuss accountability, connection, and holistic leadership. Today’s Guest In this episode, Dr. Amy sits down with Bill Maggio, Founder and CEO of Dualign and former co-CEO of GP Strategies, to explore what it takes to lead through transformation at scale. With more than 30 years of experience across workforce transformation, global operations, and enterprise growth, Bill brings a rare perspective at the intersection of leadership, technology, and human performance. From leading a $450M global organization through financial and strategic transformation to advising CEOs and boards navigating AI adoption and operational complexity, his work is grounded in both strategic rigor and real-world execution. At the center of Bill’s approach is his Heart & Head leadership framework—aligning the human elements of trust, culture, and talent with the analytical discipline required to drive results. Tune In! 00:30 Bill Maggio's Background and Expertise 00:56 Heart and Head Leadership Framework 01:12 Bill Maggio's Journey: From Tech to Leadership 03:03 Lessons Learned: Adversity and Leadership 08:03 The Power of Connection in Leadership 11:47 Mindset Matters: Growth and Challenges 15:22 Sustaining High Performance: Balance and Well-being

    18 min
  5. 17 MAR

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Alfred Diez

    Summary In this episode, Dr. Amy hosts Alfred Diez, who shares his journey from a software developer to a senior leader in the FinTech industry. Alfred discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with change, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, curiosity, and maintaining composure in leadership roles. He emphasizes viewing change as an opportunity rather than a threat and shares personal strategies for staying grounded, such as engaging in hobbies like soccer and taking reflective walks. The conversation underscores the power of curiosity and continuous learning as tools for personal and professional growth. Today’s Guest Alfred Diez has been with Emburse for over a decade, serving in a range of senior leadership roles including Head of Customer Success, General Manager of a Business Unit, Chief of Staff, and most recently, Head of Global Renewals. Prior to joining Emburse, he spent 13 years in the Canadian healthcare industry, leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives for healthcare institutions across the country. Alfred is passionate about scaling and optimizing organizations through forward-thinking strategy and operational excellence. He is equally committed to empowering teams to think creatively, challenge conventional approaches, and continuously find smarter, more productive ways of working. Tune In! 03:46 Navigating Change and Adversity 07:12 The Importance of Self-Awareness 08:38 Mentorship and Learning from Others 11:48 Regaining Composure in Chaos 15:16 Recovery Practices and Staying Grounded 18:21 The Power of Curiosity

    20 min
  6. 16 MAR

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and David Fahey

    Summary In this insightful interview, Dave Fahey shares his journey from sports to executive coaching, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, mental resilience, and the power of coaching skills in leadership. Discover practical strategies for navigating adversity, the role of faith and visualization, and how to foster genuine connections in both personal and professional life. Today’s Guest Dave Fahey is a seasoned media and advertising executive with a track record of building and leading high-impact, scaled sales and partnerships teams in a complex, rapidly evolving landscape. As VP, Global Demand Partnerships at TripleLift, Dave partners with senior leaders and teams to drive growth, unlock strategic innovation, and foster performance cultures that thrive amid change; blending commercial vision with grounded execution across native, display, and CTV channels. Prior to Triplelift, Dave was a senior executive at Google where he spent nearly a decade leading US and Global sales teams.  Dave’s leadership philosophy is deeply shaped by his roots in college football, where the principles of mentorship, teamwork, and continuous coaching first took hold. That early experience taught him the value of preparation, visualization, resilience, and empowering others — lessons he carries into his work leading teams, scaling operations, and coaching leaders to do their best work. Outside the office, Dave is a passionate college football fan, an avid cyclist, and a weekend golfer. He lives in Glen Ellyn, Illinois with his wife, daughter, son, and their chocolate lab — always striving to stay still evolving both professionally and personally. Tune In! 02:12 The Evolution of a Career in Ad Tech 05:06 Discovering the Passion for Coaching 07:46 Navigating Adversity and Challenges 14:04 The Importance of Connection and Curiosity

    19 min

About

Hosted by Dr. Amy Athey, Still Evolving explores the truth behind lasting high performance and resilience. Rather than relying on perfection or superhuman ability, the podcast highlights how real strength emerges through simple, intentional habits, grounded in self-compassion, adaptability, and the ability to grow through life’s inevitable setbacks. Each episode features stories and insights from leaders in sport, the military, and business. Through their journeys, listeners see the shared humanity behind exceptional achievement and the foundational practices that help them keep “Still Evolving” both at the height of success and in moments of challenge.