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. 2 DAYS AGO

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Augusto Giacoman

    Summary In this episode of "Still Evolving," Dr. Amy interviews Gus, a strategic advisor and former U.S. Army infantry officer. Gus shares his journey from military service to consulting, highlighting the problem-solving skills he developed in the Army. He discusses the importance of staying calm in chaos, a lesson learned during his deployments in Iraq. Gus emphasizes the value of meditation and breathing exercises in managing emotions and stress. He also talks about the significance of having a purpose, which helps build internal resources to handle external demands. The conversation touches on leadership, resilience, and the evolving nature of personal purpose. Today’s GuestAugusto “Gus” Giacoman is a strategic advisor based in NYC and former U.S. Army infantry officer with more than fifteen years of experience designing enterprise operating models that drive agility, innovation, and scale. Based in New York, Gus has advised Fortune 500 organizations across industries on global business services, organizational design, cost transformation, and large scale operating model change. He previously served as a Partner at PwC Strategy, where he led complex transformations focused on digital enablement, global capability centers, and measurable cost efficiency. His work includes building and scaling global business services models across multiple continents, designing governance and performance systems, and delivering 20 to 30 percent cost improvements through disciplined operating model redesign. A graduate of the United States Military Academy and NYU Stern, Gus brings a rare combination of military leadership, analytical rigor, and future-focused thinking. He is passionate about helping organizations navigate ambiguity and adapt to a generative AI-powered future while building teams that are clear, capable, and resilient. Tune In! 0:01 Introduction and Welcome 0:09 Gus’ Background and Military Experience 0:58 Transition to Consulting and Nonprofit Work 2:02 Lessons from Military Leadership 2:49 Staying Calm in Chaos 6:24 Meditation and Breathing Techniques 7:48 Mental Models for Emotional Regulation 16:27 Purpose and Internal Resources 18:58 Overcoming Burnout and Finding Meaning 21:25 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

    21 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Lisa Steelman

    Summary In this episode of Still Evolving, Dr. Amy sits down with Lisa Steelman, government affairs strategist and founder of GovStrat™, to explore resilience, reinvention, and leading through uncertainty. Lisa shares her journey from state government to building an AI-enabled public affairs platform, offering insights on entrepreneurship, mentorship, and navigating high-stakes environments. The conversation explores the power of aligned coaching, the importance of separating identity from outcomes, and the grounding practices that help leaders stay focused amid complexity. At its core, this episode is a reminder that sustainable success is built through reflection, community, and the courage to evolve. Today’s GuestLisa Steelman is a senior government affairs and business strategy executive with more than two decades of experience operating at the intersection of policy, regulation, and growth. She has advised Fortune 4 and Fortune 50 companies, national trade associations, healthcare and life sciences organizations, and high-growth service firms navigating complex regulatory and legislative environments. After years leading government affairs inside large enterprises and associations, Lisa founded GovStrat™, an AI-enabled strategic public affairs platform designed to help executives and government affairs leaders make faster, decision-ready moves without adding headcount. The platform supports organizations seeking scalable, repeatable capabilities in public affairs strategy and risk assessment. Throughout her career, Lisa has translated political and regulatory dynamics into measurable business outcomes—protecting revenue, securing major government contracts, resolving regulatory impasses, and aligning government affairs with enterprise growth strategy. She has led multi-state government affairs operations, rebuilt and scaled teams, and partnered closely with CEOs and boards during periods of transition and risk. Lisa holds an MBA and is a certified executive leadership coach, trainer, and keynote speaker. She splits her time between Washington, DC and Florida. Tune In!00:00 Lisa’s Journey03:00 The Role of Mentorship and Coaching10:47 Challenges of Entrepreneurship17:16 Grounding Practices and Community Support

    22 min

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Paul Lavery

    Summary In this insightful interview, Paul Lavery shares his journey of personal growth, leadership lessons, and the power of relationships in achieving lasting success. Discover practical strategies for self-awareness, humility, and building meaningful connections that drive performance and fulfillment. Today’s Guest Paul Lavery is a Managing Director at Accenture with more than thirty years of experience leading large scale technology transformations and complex public sector programs. He has built a reputation for pairing strategic vision with disciplined execution, guiding multimillion dollar portfolios while developing high performing teams and trusted client relationships. Known for his calm and pragmatic leadership style, Paul believes the toughest challenges are solved through collaboration, creativity, and trust. He is passionate about building organizations that value both results and relationships, mentoring leaders as they grow and balancing innovation with operational excellence. Outside of work, he enjoys sailing, golf, and traveling with his family, reflecting his commitment to teamwork, perspective, and lifelong learning. Tune In!02:47 Lessons Learned from Challenges06:08 The Importance of Relationships10:53 Navigating Personal and Professional Relationships15:49 Mindset Shifts and Growth17:22 Actionable Strategies for Sustaining Growth

    19 min

  4. 27 FEB

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Allyson Carr

    Summary In this insightful interview, Allyson Carr, Head of People at Cyber Reason, shares her journey through career transitions, overcoming adversity, and cultivating resilience. Discover practical strategies for managing change, the power of mindset, and the importance of community and reflection in personal and professional growth. Today’s Guest Allyson Carr is the Head of People at Cybereason. Allyson is a seasoned HR executive with nearly 20 years of experience delivering people and culture solutions across multi-billion dollar organizations in the biotech and tech sectors. Allyson graduated with a BA from Oakland University and an MBA from Michigan State University. She is passionate about personal development and accountability. You can follow her 2026 personal experiment about "energy management" via Substack and Instagram, @femininefieldnotes.   Tune In! 02:49 Facing Adversity and Lessons Learned 06:44 Navigating Change in a Fast-Paced World 07:52 Mindset and Control in Uncertain Times 10:40 The Power of Community and Connection 15:42 Daily Practices for Grounding and Gratitude

    20 min

  5. 25 FEB

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Matthew Sheldon

    Summary In this episode, Matthew Sheldon shares insights from his extensive career in growth strategy and consulting, emphasizing the importance of simplicity, focus, and human elements in navigating complex challenges. Discover practical tips on resilience, micro-recovery, team building, and maintaining high performance in demanding environments. Today’s Guest Matthew Sheldon is a Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, where he advises organizations on growth, strategy, and performance improvement, with a focus on Life Sciences and Technology. With more than 30 years of experience, he has worked across industries including media, finance, and consumer products, helping companies translate insight into measurable results. Matthew began his career at Monitor Group, founded by Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter, where he helped Fortune 500 companies harness early big data and growth analytics. He later joined boutique advisory firm Axia Limited, contributing to its breakout success and eventual acquisition by Accenture Strategy. Today, he continues to guide organizations in leveraging advanced analytics and practical AI to drive sustainable growth. Tune In! 03:00 Navigating Adversity in Consulting 08:13 Building Resilience and Team Dynamics 11:12 The Importance of Recovery and Mental Breaks 17:03 Holistic Approaches to High Performance

    20 min

  6. 24 FEB

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Desiree Talley

    Summary In this episode of Still Evolving, Dr. Amy sits down with Desiree Talley, legal creative and entertainment business thought leader, to explore the intersection of adversity, innovation, and grounded leadership. Desiree shares her journey from Vallejo, California, to becoming a trusted advisor at the crossroads of law, culture, and emerging technology. She reflects on the challenges she faced along the way, the role of intentional reflection in navigating burnout, and how resilience is built through self-awareness rather than relentless grind. The conversation also dives into her perspective on embracing AI tools without losing humanity, staying adaptable in a rapidly shifting landscape, and evolving with clarity instead of pressure. This episode is a powerful reminder that sustainable success is not about pushing harder, but about growing wiser. Today’s Guest Desiree Talley is a legal creative, entertainment business thought leader, and trusted advisor working at the intersection of law, culture, and innovation. As the founder of POPLAW, she translates complex legal and business concepts into accessible insights that empower creatives, founders, and public figures to navigate music, film, television, sports, and digital media with clarity and intention. An accomplished attorney and senior media executive, Desiree advises at the highest levels across entertainment and brand partnerships. She is also an emerging voice in the responsible use of AI within creative industries, helping leaders leverage technology strategically while protecting integrity, ownership, and identity. Tune In! 00:00 Introduction to Lasting Performance and Resilience 00:23 Desiree Talley: A Legal Creative's Journey 00:51 Navigating Entertainment Law and AI in Creativity 01:21 Desiree's Journey: From Vallejo to LA 04:05 Navigating Adversity: Growth Through Challenges 06:33 Recalibration: Finding Balance in a Busy Life 09:16 Burnout: Recognizing and Addressing the Signs 11:52 Setting Boundaries: The Importance of Saying No 14:36 Embracing Change: The Role of AI in Modern Work 17:08 Final Thoughts: Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

    19 min

  7. 20 FEB

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Alexis Feinberg

    Summary In this insightful interview, Alexis Feinberg shares her journey from fashion merchandising to healthcare PR, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adaptability, and self-care. Discover practical strategies for balancing high-performance activities with recovery and mental well-being, and learn how to embrace life's setbacks as opportunities for growth. Today’s Guest Alexis Feinberg is a strategic communications leader with more than a decade of experience guiding public and private companies through high-stakes moments, including IPOs and mergers and acquisitions. She specializes in healthcare and technology storytelling, helping organizations translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with investors, media, and key stakeholders. Her work has earned placements in outlets such as Business Insider, Forbes, Good Housekeeping, and CNBC. Currently at ICR Healthcare, Alexis leads client program strategy and synthesizes scientific data for diverse audiences, ensuring credibility without losing clarity. Earlier in her career, she directed national B2B programs at Matter Communications and developed public relations campaigns at Boston PBS station WGBH, building a foundation that blends rigor, creativity, and results. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Relations from Boston University with a minor in Research Communications. Outside of work, Alexis is an avid reader, rugby player, budding baker, and competitive powerlifter, bringing the same discipline and curiosity to her personal pursuits that she brings to her clients. Tune In! 00:07 Embracing Resilience and Growth 01:32 Passions Beyond the Profession 07:28 Finding Harmony in Work and Life 11:09 Power of Rest and Reflection 18:19 Inspiring Growth and Change

    20 min

  8. 18 FEB

    Still Evolving with Dr. Amy and Tracy Brown

    Summary In this engaging conversation, Dr. Amy and Tracy Brown explore the themes of resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Tracy shares her unique journey from a working-class background to becoming a Chief of Staff in cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in navigating challenges. They discuss the significance of self-care and lifelong learning in sustaining high performance, and how personal experiences shape motivation and the desire to make a difference in the world. Today’s Guest Dr. Tracy Celaya Brown, known as Dr. Tre, is a strategy implementation specialist and serves as Chief of Staff and Head of the Project Management Office at Stream Data Centers. With more than twenty five years of experience in IT, information security, and emerging technologies, she is a trusted advisor to executives on strategy, change management, and complex program execution. An Air Force veteran with a background in electronic intelligence, Dr. Tre brings a disciplined and strategic approach to leadership and risk management. She holds CISSP and PMP certifications, along with executive certifications from MIT in AI, machine learning, IoT, and operations. A co author of You Can Stop Stupid and an internationally recognized speaker, she is passionate about securing the digital world and mentoring the next generation of technology and security leaders. Tune In! 00:00 Tracy's Journey: From Military to Tech and Beyond 03:42 Leading Through Adversity: The Importance of Mentorship 06:10 Mastering the Art of Generalism: Embracing Diverse Skills 08:59 Fueling the Fire: Motivation and Giving Back 11:21 Self-Care Strategies: The Balance of Introversion and Performance 13:30 Lifelong Learning: The Key to Sustaining High Performance

    19 min
See All (41)

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Amy Athey
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Dr. Amy Athey