Leading Minds Revealed

Michael Apollo
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Leading Minds Revealed Podcast: Unlocking the Secrets of Mindful Executive Leadership Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed, a transformative podcast that dives deep into the intersection of mindfulness, mental fitness, and executive leadership. Hosted by industry experts, this thought-provoking series brings you exclusive conversations with C-suite executives, organizational leaders, and visionaries from industries navigating rapid change. Each episode explores how strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and mindful practices empower today’s top leaders to thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape. Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader, Leading Minds Revealed offers actionable insights to elevate your leadership game. Why Listen to Leading Minds Revealed? In today’s high-stakes business environment, effective leadership requires more than technical expertise—it demands mental clarity, resilience, and the ability to inspire teams through uncertainty. Leading Minds Revealed showcases real stories from seasoned executives who have faced complex challenges, driven strategic transformations, and built high-performance cultures. From navigating technological disruptions to fostering emotional intelligence (EQ) in the C-suite, our guests share the mental tools, frameworks, and strategies that have fueled their success. Our podcast is designed for forward-thinking leaders who want to: Master decision-making under pressure.Build resilient organizational cultures that preserve core values during change.Leverage emotional intelligence to influence and inspire teams.Adapt to market shifts, technological advancements, and evolving workforce expectations.Implement mindful leadership practices for sustainable high performance. With a focus on real-world applications, Leading Minds Revealed bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering listeners practical takeaways to sharpen their leadership skills and drive measurable results. What to Expect from Each Episode Every episode of Leading Minds Revealed is a masterclass in modern leadership. Our guests come from diverse industries—technology, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and more—bringing unique perspectives on what it takes to lead with confidence and foresight. Topics are tailored to each guest’s expertise, ensuring fresh, relevant content that resonates with today’s executives. Expect in-depth discussions on: Mental Fitness for High-Stakes Leadership: Learn how top executives maintain clarity and make sound decisions in high-pressure environments. Discover mindfulness techniques and mental frameworks that enhance focus and resilience.Building Resilient Cultures: Explore strategies for preserving organizational values while navigating mergers, restructurings, or market shifts. Hear how leaders foster trust and alignment in dynamic settings.Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: Uncover the role of EQ in driving influence, collaboration, and team performance. Learn how to cultivate self-awareness and empathy to lead with impact.Future-Ready Leadership: Stay ahead of the curve by adapting to technological disruptions, AI advancements, and changing market dynamics. Our guests share how they position their organizations for long-term success.Mindful Leadership Practices: From meditation to structured reflection, discover tools that promote sustainable high performance and prevent burnout at the executive level.Career Journeys and Lessons Learned: Hear inspiring stories of how leaders got started, overcame pitfalls, and honed their expertise. Learn from their successes, failures, and comebacks to accelerate your own growth.Decision-Making Processes: Gain insights into how top executives approach critical decisions, including the good, the bad, and the lessons learned along the way.Overcoming Leadership Challenges: From talent development to organizational culture, explore how leaders tackle complex challenges and drive meaningful c

  1. Leading Digital Transformation Without Losing Humanity | Aamer Hasham | EP 115

    2025-12-24

    Leading Digital Transformation Without Losing Humanity | Aamer Hasham | EP 115

    In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Aamer Hasham, Vice President of Client Partner at Bits In Glass, to explore what it really means to lead digital transformation without losing the human element. As organizations race to adopt AI, automation, and new technologies, Aamer challenges a common assumption: that transformation is purely digital. Instead, he reframes transformation as a deeply human process — one that requires clarity of purpose, empathy, conscious leadership, and the courage to slow down in order to move forward. Together, they explore leadership blind spots in AI adoption, the importance of understanding why before how, and how mindfulness, reflection, and human connection can actually accelerate performance in complex, fast-moving environments. This episode is a thoughtful conversation for leaders navigating uncertainty, scale, and change — and for anyone asking how to balance efficiency, innovation, and humanity in the age of AI. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed 00:32 – What this podcast is about 00:45 – Today’s focus: digital transformation & humanity 01:15 – Introducing Aamer Hasham, VP at Bits In Glass 01:58 – Business fads vs human-centered leadership 02:54 – The tension between efficiency and humanity 03:27 – Why “digital transformation” misses the human 03:51 – Understanding the why before acting 04:47 – Leadership responsibility & creating safe spaces 05:55 – Clear thinking in complex initiatives 06:18 – How AI can create space for deeper thinking 07:01 – Organic leadership vs rigid methodologies 08:06 – Mechanics vs meaning in transformation 09:21 – Asking “why” repeatedly 10:24 – Qualitative vs quantitative value 11:42 – Alignment before acceleration 12:45 – Leadership blind spots in digital change 13:34 – “Failing forward” and cognitive overload 14:27 – Slowing down thinking vs slowing operations 15:33 – Time as a leadership variable 16:45 – Fixed mindsets & unconscious habits 17:19 – Mindfulness and awareness in leadership 18:13 – Meditation, biking & conscious detachment 20:22 – Slower speed as growth 21:47 – Deep thought as productivity 22:43 – Creating human connection in fast teams 23:34 – Getting to know your people 24:25 – Modeling wellbeing as a leader 25:49 – Airline transformation case study 27:14 – Communication breakdowns vs technical issues 28:28 – Reducing chaos through clarity 29:54 – Burnout, flexibility & team awareness 31:14 – Relationships as the core of leadership 32:20 – Productivity vs happiness research 33:28 – Finding balance between efficiency & empathy 34:09 – Lessons from entrepreneurship & legacy 35:30 – Innovation driven by listening 37:14 – Empathy, honesty & difficult conversations 38:58 – Humanity as a leadership advantage 41:03 – AI freeing time for human connection 43:13 – Data, insight & reducing stress 45:01 – Automation enabling better collaboration 46:22 – Using AI for responsiveness, not reactivity 47:31 – Measuring trust and team sentiment 48:52 – Reflection, impermanence & leadership growth 49:57 – Loss, learning & mindset 51:23 – Presence, purpose & relationships 54:10 – Where to find Aamer 56:31 – Closing & subscribe Get in touch with Aamer: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aamer-hasham-66ab543/ 🎧 CALL TO ACTION 👉 If this episode resonated, subscribe for more conversations on mindful leadership. 👍 Like the episode and share your thoughts in the comments. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. 📩 Share this with a leader navigating digital change.

    57 min
  2. Founder-Led Culture, Rapid Change & People Strategy in the Age of AI | Jo Knowler | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 114

    2025-12-10

    Founder-Led Culture, Rapid Change & People Strategy in the Age of AI | Jo Knowler | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 114

    In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Jo Knowler, Head of People & Talent at SBE Media Group, to explore how leaders can build resilient teams in fast-changing, founder-led and AI-driven workplaces. From team culture to learning environments, neurodiversity, adaptability, and leadership under rapid growth — Jo brings deeply human insights from the front lines of scaling brands like Supercar Blondie and SBX Cars. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed 00:32 – Introduction & episode setup 01:11 – Meet Jo Knowler: Head of People & Talent 02:10 – Frank the office dog joins the conversation 02:57 – Building teams in the age of AI 03:24 – Why long-term planning is disappearing 05:09 – AI reshaping roles and recruitment 06:09 – No AI experts: test, learn, evolve 07:12 – Rethinking hiring & CVs 08:35 – Gamification and neurodiversity in recruitment 09:18 – Human-centered talent strategies 10:14 – Skills & attributes leaders look for 11:07 – Feedback, adaptability & being thick-skinned 12:22 – Why stubbornness slows growth 14:06 – Rapid change & agility 15:42 – IT and People merging under one leader 16:48 – Founder-led businesses: why Jo thrives 18:09 – Trust, strategy & leadership partnership 19:33 – Where founders get stuck 20:48 – Balancing vision with stability 22:00 – Finding the “adult in the room” 23:21 – Structuring communication 24:19 – Culture, training & growth 25:29 – Transparency from day one 27:04 – Weekly communication rhythms 28:23 – Cross-functional collaboration 29:46 – Clarity & psychological stability 30:34 – Recruiting with honesty 31:35 – Engagement, happiness & retention 32:38 – Listening, empathy & solving problems 33:56 – Coaching & career development 35:17 – Creating learning pathways 37:07 – Rapid innovation & knowledge sharing 39:15 – Turbo Talks & internal learning 41:00 – AI tools, law, and internal education 42:11 – Keeping teams aligned across regions 43:46 – Masterclass in internal learning 45:30 – Leadership lessons from bad managers 47:47 – Showing up consistently as a leader 49:18 – Presence over reactivity 50:52 – Repairing relationships after conflict 51:49 – Support systems & recharge 53:20 – Boundaries, parenting and switching off 55:07 – Book club, community & self-care 57:00 – Intentional wellbeing for leaders 59:39 – How to connect with Jo 01:01:30 – Window-shopping luxury cars 01:02:31 – Closing & next episode preview 01:03:04 – Subscribe for more 🎧 CALL TO ACTION 👉 If this episode inspired you, subscribe for more leadership conversations. 👍 Like the video, leave a comment, and tell us what resonated most. 🔔 Hit notifications so you never miss an episode. 📩 Share it with someone who needs it today.

    1h 3m
  3. From Political Thug to Mindful Fellow: Resilience Lessons from a UK Member of Parliament | Chris Ruane | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 113

    2025-11-26

    From Political Thug to Mindful Fellow: Resilience Lessons from a UK Member of Parliament | Chris Ruane | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 113

    In this powerful episode of Leading Minds Revealed, former UK Member of Parliament Chris Ruane joins host Michael Apollo for a rare and deeply personal conversation on leadership, humility, service, and the lifelong journey of self-transformation. From being labeled a “parliamentary thug” to becoming known as a “mindful fellow,” Chris offers a compelling look at what it means to lead with clarity, compassion, and purpose in an increasingly chaotic world. 🎧 Join us as Chris opens up about his evolution, the role mindfulness played in reshaping his leadership, and the wisdom he gained from decades in public life. ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed 00:45 — Introduction to the episode 01:21 — Guest introduction: Chris Ruane 02:21 — Catching up with Chris 03:07 — Defining power and leadership 04:36 — Chris’ upbringing and political foundations 06:26 — Serving with humility 07:14 — Leadership styles in times of crisis 08:41 — Authoritarian vs. democratic leadership 10:13 — Citizens assemblies and democracy 11:11 — Human-focused leadership 13:20 — Ego, intention, and authentic leadership 15:12 — Staying connected to the people 16:47 — From “Parliamentary Thug” to “Mindful Fellow” 20:21 — Mindfulness inside Parliament 23:21 — Retaining your spark while transforming 25:46 — Practical impact of mindfulness for leaders 27:55 — Responding vs. reacting 28:53 — Nourishment vs. depletion 29:41 — Gratitude and inner stability 30:31 — The importance of silence 34:04 — Mindfulness and resilience through loss 36:41 — Working on your parachute 38:19 — Navigating uncertainty and overwhelm 40:59 — Why equanimity is essential for modern leaders 41:33 — Learning from great leaders like Mandela and MLK 43:02 — Finding stillness amid pressure 44:46 — Creating space despite commitments 45:55 — The cost of distraction 48:47 — Breaking free from the societal treadmill 50:12 — Are we “wired” to stay the same? 52:38 — The lifelong journey of self-awareness 53:59 — Mindfulness as a creative act of living 56:26 — Values, upbringing, and modern pressures 58:33 — Why mindfulness must start early 59:59 — Polarization and bridging divides 01:01:27 — Mindfulness inside governments globally 01:02:51 — Vulnerability in leadership 01:05:46 — Seeing humanity in others 01:07:11 — Institutionalizing mindful leadership 01:08:33 — Global best practices 01:10:29 — Mindfulness in Canada 01:11:34 — Additional resources and links 01:12:00 — How to reach Chris Ruane 01:13:21 — Closing reflections 01:14:39 — Final message & episode close 01:15:12 — Outro 📣 Call to Action If this conversation inspired you: 👍 Like the video 💬 Comment with your biggest insight 🔔 Subscribe for more transformative leadership conversations 📤 Share this episode with someone who needs it today

    1h 16m
  4. The Role of Diversity and Psychological Safety in Effective Leadership | Gabriela Loureiro | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 112

    2025-11-12

    The Role of Diversity and Psychological Safety in Effective Leadership | Gabriela Loureiro | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 112

    Welcome to another enlightening episode of Leading Minds Revealed! Join host Michael and global HR leader Gabi Loureiro as they delve into the transformative power of diversity and inclusion in organizational culture. Gabi shares her extensive experience building inclusive cultures, including her tenure as Vice President of HR at Rose Life Science. They discuss the importance of embracing diverse perspectives, generations, and cultures to unlock high performance and foster innovation. Learn how leading with vulnerability, empathy, and understanding can create a safe and thriving workplace. Tune in for rich storytelling and actionable insights on effective leadership in today's dynamic environment. 00:00 Introduction to Leading Minds Revealed 00:51 Meet Gabi Loureiro: A Global Leader in Diversity and Inclusion 01:17 The Importance of Embracing Diversity in Leadership 04:16 Challenges and Misconceptions in Diversity and Inclusion 08:02 Generational Perspectives on Work and Diversity 11:42 Developing Leaders to Foster Diversity and Inclusion 22:58 The Role of Psychological Safety in the Workplace 28:33 The Power of Diverse Perspectives in Decision Making 30:44 The Importance of Empathy in Leadership 34:12 Building a Positive Workplace Culture in a Stigmatized Industry 41:09 Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership 45:56 The Immigrant Experience and Leadership 53:47 Launching Arise: A New Consulting Firm 56:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1h 2m
  5. Building Strong Teams: Balancing Strategy, Heart, and Growth | Jennifer Paxton | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 111

    2025-10-15

    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

    52 min
  6. A Spartan's Secret to Leadership | Daniel McDonald | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 110

    2025-10-01

    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 committingThe critical shift from traditional training methods to immersive, conversation-based leadership developmentHow to have difficult conversations with team members who aren't meeting expectationsThe difference between following your passion and doing what gives you energyWhy today's leaders need mentorship moments, not just information downloadsHow 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.

    53 min
  7. The Future of High-Performing Cultures | Lauren Dunn | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 109

    2025-09-18

    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 Subscribe, rate, and review to stay updated with more transformative leadership insights.

    48 min
  8. Leading with Authenticity: The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership | Mark Fam | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 108

    2025-09-05

    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 Subscribe, rate, and review to stay updated with more transformative leadership insights.

    44 min
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About

Leading Minds Revealed Podcast: Unlocking the Secrets of Mindful Executive Leadership Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed, a transformative podcast that dives deep into the intersection of mindfulness, mental fitness, and executive leadership. Hosted by industry experts, this thought-provoking series brings you exclusive conversations with C-suite executives, organizational leaders, and visionaries from industries navigating rapid change. Each episode explores how strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and mindful practices empower today’s top leaders to thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape. Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader, Leading Minds Revealed offers actionable insights to elevate your leadership game. Why Listen to Leading Minds Revealed? In today’s high-stakes business environment, effective leadership requires more than technical expertise—it demands mental clarity, resilience, and the ability to inspire teams through uncertainty. Leading Minds Revealed showcases real stories from seasoned executives who have faced complex challenges, driven strategic transformations, and built high-performance cultures. From navigating technological disruptions to fostering emotional intelligence (EQ) in the C-suite, our guests share the mental tools, frameworks, and strategies that have fueled their success. Our podcast is designed for forward-thinking leaders who want to: Master decision-making under pressure.Build resilient organizational cultures that preserve core values during change.Leverage emotional intelligence to influence and inspire teams.Adapt to market shifts, technological advancements, and evolving workforce expectations.Implement mindful leadership practices for sustainable high performance. With a focus on real-world applications, Leading Minds Revealed bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering listeners practical takeaways to sharpen their leadership skills and drive measurable results. What to Expect from Each Episode Every episode of Leading Minds Revealed is a masterclass in modern leadership. Our guests come from diverse industries—technology, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and more—bringing unique perspectives on what it takes to lead with confidence and foresight. Topics are tailored to each guest’s expertise, ensuring fresh, relevant content that resonates with today’s executives. Expect in-depth discussions on: Mental Fitness for High-Stakes Leadership: Learn how top executives maintain clarity and make sound decisions in high-pressure environments. Discover mindfulness techniques and mental frameworks that enhance focus and resilience.Building Resilient Cultures: Explore strategies for preserving organizational values while navigating mergers, restructurings, or market shifts. Hear how leaders foster trust and alignment in dynamic settings.Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: Uncover the role of EQ in driving influence, collaboration, and team performance. Learn how to cultivate self-awareness and empathy to lead with impact.Future-Ready Leadership: Stay ahead of the curve by adapting to technological disruptions, AI advancements, and changing market dynamics. Our guests share how they position their organizations for long-term success.Mindful Leadership Practices: From meditation to structured reflection, discover tools that promote sustainable high performance and prevent burnout at the executive level.Career Journeys and Lessons Learned: Hear inspiring stories of how leaders got started, overcame pitfalls, and honed their expertise. Learn from their successes, failures, and comebacks to accelerate your own growth.Decision-Making Processes: Gain insights into how top executives approach critical decisions, including the good, the bad, and the lessons learned along the way.Overcoming Leadership Challenges: From talent development to organizational culture, explore how leaders tackle complex challenges and drive meaningful c

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  • Creator
    Michael Apollo
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
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