The Freedom Experience with Jean Moncrieff

Jean Moncrieff
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Build a business that thrives without you and discover the freedom you dreamt of creating as an entrepreneur.

  1. 4 NOV

    65: From Fighter Jets to Boardrooms: The Power of Debriefing with Christian “Boo” Boucousis

    From Fighter Jets to Boardrooms: The Power of Debriefing Most leaders say they want freedom. But as Christian “Boo” Boucousis puts it, freedom doesn’t come from doing less; it comes from leading better. Boo is a former Australian fighter pilot turned CEO of Afterburner, a global leadership consultancy trusted by Microsoft, McDonald’s, Pfizer, Zurich, Lenovo, and even the NBA. Diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that ended his flying career, Boo rebuilt his life by transforming the fighter pilot mindset into a blueprint for high-performing teams and intentional leadership. In this episode, Boo and Jean explore what happens when military precision meets purpose-driven leadership. They unpack the OODA loop and how it helps leaders move from chaos to clarity, and dive into the art of debriefing, a simple but powerful practice that turns mistakes into learning and teams into problem-solvers. You’ll walk away seeing leadership through a new lens, one grounded in structure, reflection, and freedom. We talk about: 🔹 How Boo went from fighter jets to boardrooms 🔹 The OODA loop and what it teaches leaders about decision-making 🔹 Why debriefing is the secret to continuous growth and accountability 🔹 How intentionality shapes culture and performance 🔹 Why most meetings are broken and how to turn them into debriefs 🔹 What “freedom” really means for today’s leaders 🔹 How small, daily improvements compound into big results 🔹 The three dimensions of leadership: mindset, method, and moments Quotes from the Episode: 💬 “Freedom isn’t doing whatever you want. It’s knowing your team can deliver, even when you’re not in the room.” 💬 “Discipline creates freedom, not the other way around.” 💬 “Most leaders don’t need more people. They need more clarity.” 💬 “Debriefing is where growth happens. It’s where we learn how to lead better tomorrow.” Actionable Takeaways: ✅ Turn every meeting into a 15-minute debrief ✅ Start asking “What are we trying to deliver?” instead of “What are we doing?” ✅ Build a culture where reflection is routine, not rare ✅ Use the OODA loop: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act ✅ Remember, intentionality is your greatest competitive edge Resources from Boo: → Learn more about Afterburner: https://www.afterburner.com  → Connect with Boo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianbooboucousis  → Get Boo’s book The Afterburner Advantage: https://www.amazon.com/Afterburner-Advantage-fighter-transformed-companies/dp/1600052908 Resources from Jean: → Visit Jean’s website for all episodes: https://www.jeanmoncrieff.com  → Connect with Jean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanmoncrieff  → Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jean.moncrieff  → Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.jeanmoncrieff.com/newsletter  → Explore Jean’s masterclass: https://emerge.scoreapp.com  → Join the Small Giants Community: https://smallgiants.org  Like what you heard? Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more leaders build for freedom, not just scale. 🎧 For more conversations on leadership, growth, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com .

    58 min

  2. 19 OCT

    #64 Employee Ownership, Open-Book Management, and Culture Change with Deanna Walker

    Building a purposeful culture isn’t something that happens by accident — it’s built through intentional leadership, transparency, and trust. Deanna C. Walker, CEO of Venturity , has spent over 35 years in finance, from investment banking to leading one of the most culture-driven accounting firms in the U.S. Under her leadership, Venturity has embraced open-book management, employee ownership, and a people-first approach that’s transforming how accounting firms think about culture and growth. In this episode, Deanna and Jean dive into what it takes to lead with purpose, create a culture of ownership, and empower teams to think — and act — like leaders. From navigating leadership transitions to aligning values in hiring and feedback, Deanna shares how intentional culture work builds both stronger teams and better businesses. We talk about: 🔹 How to build a vibrant, people-first culture in accounting 🔹 Why employee ownership fuels engagement and accountability 🔹 The power of open-book management in driving transparency 🔹 Navigating leadership transitions with clarity and communication 🔹 The role of mentorship in developing future leaders 🔹 How values alignment shapes hiring and performance 🔹 What freedom means from the CEO’s seat Quotes from the Episode: 💬 “We are the people business.” 💬 “We have to model the way.” 💬 “It’s a work in progress.” Actionable Takeaways: ✅ Foster transparency through open-book management ✅ Encourage employees to think like owners ✅ Align hiring and performance around core values ✅ Communicate openly during leadership transitions ✅ Invest in mentorship as a driver of culture and growth Resources from this episode: → Learn more about Venturity: venturity.com  → Connect with Deanna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/deannacwalker  Like what you heard? Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review — it helps more leaders build for freedom, not just scale. 🎧 For more conversations on leadership, ownership, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com

    47 min

  3. 28 SEPT

    #63: The Fourth Wave of Disruption with Thales Teixeira

    Startups don’t beat giants by inventing new technology — they win by focusing on one sliver of the customer value chain and doing it better than anyone else. Thales Teixeira is a former Harvard Business School professor, co-founder of Decoupling.co, and author of the bestselling book Unlocking the Customer Value Chain. His groundbreaking research shows how companies like Uber, Airbnb, and Dollar Shave Club disrupted entire industries — not by building flashy tech, but by solving the specific customer frustrations incumbents ignored. In this episode, Thales and Jean unpack what he calls the “fourth wave of disruption.” From unbundling to disintermediation to decoupling — and now AI — he explains why customer dissatisfaction is the true driver of disruption, and how leaders can use AI to enhance real value instead of chasing shiny tools. We talk about: 🔹 Why customer dissatisfaction — not technology — drives disruption 🔹 The three waves that shaped modern business (and the fourth wave powered by AI) 🔹 How startups succeed by focusing narrowly on one activity in the customer value chain 🔹 Why established companies struggle to innovate and scale new ideas 🔹 How to apply AI strategically to enhance customer value drivers 🔹 The biggest mistake leaders make with AI (hint: it’s not about chatbots) 🔹 Why freedom in business — and life — comes from having options Quotes from the Episode: 💬 "Freedom is the ability to choose." 💬 "Customers, not technology, disrupt markets." 💬 "Focus on one use case — prove it first." 💬 "Don’t try to scale too soon. Build the system before you automate." Actionable Takeaways: ✅ Map your customer value chain and identify weak links ✅ Narrow your focus to one “sliver” and do it better than anyone else ✅ Apply AI only to core value drivers, not side tasks ✅ Test manually before scaling or automating ✅ Remember: innovation is incremental — small wins compound into disruption Resources from this episode: → Learn more about Thales: www.decoupling.co  → Read Unlocking the Customer Value Chain: www.amazon.com → Connect with Thales on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/thalesteixeira  Like what you heard? Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more leaders build for freedom, not just scale. 🎧 For more conversations on leadership, disruption, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com

    56 min

  4. 7 SEPT

    #62 The Truth About Work, Burnout, and Success | Meghan French Dunbar

    “Success” isn’t always what it seems — especially when the cost is burnout, misalignment, and a broken workplace culture. Meghan French Dunbar is an entrepreneur, speaker, and author of This Isn’t Working: How Working Women Can Overcome Stress, Guilt, and Overload to Find True Success. As the co-founder and former CEO of Conscious Company Magazine, Meghan interviewed over 1,000 of the world’s most values-driven business leaders, only to find herself facing the very burnout she was trying to solve. In this episode, Meghan and Jean unpack the systemic causes of burnout and why it’s not an individual failure but a cultural one. They explore how shifting from shareholder supremacy to stakeholder capitalism can create healthier organizations, and why authentic leadership — not assimilation — is the key to building workplaces where people truly thrive. We talk about: 🔹 Why burnout is a systemic issue, not a personal weakness 🔹 How misalignment with your values accelerates exhaustion and stress 🔹 Why women face harsher performance reviews and steeper leadership hurdles than men 🔹 The role of small businesses in reshaping capitalism 🔹 Why leaders impact employee mental health as much as a spouse 🔹 The danger of assimilated leadership and the power of authenticity 🔹 Simple but powerful leadership practices that build cultures of appreciation 🔹 How redefining success creates healthier leaders, families, and companies Whether you’re a CEO, an emerging leader, or simply trying to navigate the demands of modern work, this conversation will challenge your view of success — and give you a path toward something healthier and more sustainable. Quotes from the Episode: 💬 "Burnout isn’t a personal failure — it’s a systemic problem." 💬 "Leaders impact mental health as much as a spouse does." 💬 "Our jobs are actually killing us." 💬 "The woman who is even marginally productive in this system is a warrior." Actionable Takeaways: ✅ Align your personal values with your workplace to prevent burnout ✅ Build a culture of appreciation through regular, specific feedback ✅ Protect your boundaries (and model them for your team) ✅ Practice authentic leadership instead of assimilating into toxic norms ✅ Remember: business is the largest aggregator of human potential — use it for good Resources from this episode: → Learn more about Meghan: https://www.meghanfrenchdunbar.com  → Book: This Isn’t Working: https://www.meghanfrenchdunbar.com/book  →Connect with Meghan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanfrenchdunbar/  Like what you heard? Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more leaders build for freedom, not just scale. 🎧 For more conversations on leadership, culture, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com

    50 min

  5. 23 AUG

    #61 Jeff Burningham: What It Really Means to Be Human in the Age of AI

    AI isn’t the enemy — it’s a mirror. And what it reflects back is forcing us to ask the deeper question: What does it really mean to be human? Jeff Burningham is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, former Utah governor candidate, and now the author of The Last Book Written by a Human: Becoming Wise in the Age of AI. Having built billion-dollar companies and taught thousands of students, Jeff has spent the last few years reflecting on what matters most: moving from human doing to human being. In this episode, Jeff shares why AI isn’t just a technological shift — it’s a transformation point for humanity. From disruption and reflection to transformation and evolution, Jeff lays out the hero’s journey we’re all being called into. He argues that business must return to its original purpose — serving human flourishing — and why slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and embracing presence are the most radical choices leaders can make in the age of intelligent machines. We talk about: 🔹 Why AI is a cosmic mirror reflecting our humanity back to us 🔹 The shift from the “old game” (chasing money and speed) to the “new game” (purpose and awareness) 🔹 The 4-part cycle: disruption → reflection → transformation → evolution 🔹 How fear of AI can paralyze leaders — and what to choose instead 🔹 Why institutions like business, religion, and education must evolve for human connection 🔹 How to guide the next generation through uncertainty and change 🔹 Why slowing down is essential in a world that’s speeding up 🔹 What freedom means in the age of AI Quotes from the Episode: 💬 "AI is a cosmic mirror. It reflects who we are — and who we’re becoming." 💬 "The old game of chasing money and speed is over. The new game is purpose." 💬 "As machines become more intelligent, it’s on us to become more wise." 💬 "The purpose of business is to serve humanity — not just profit." Actionable Takeaways: ✅ Don’t resist AI — learn to see it as a mirror for your own growth ✅ Reframe business decisions through the lens of human flourishing ✅ Create space in your life for reflection: meditation, nature, stillness ✅ Recognize that disruption can be the doorway to transformation ✅ Step into your own heroic journey — and help others do the same Resources from this episode: → Learn more about Jeff: https://www.jeffburningham.com/ → Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-burningham-15a01a7b/ → Get the book The Last Book Written by a Human: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Book-Written-Human-Becoming/dp/1637634560 Like what you heard? Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more leaders build for freedom, not just scale. 🎧 For more conversations on leadership, AI, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com

    1h 5m

  6. 9 AUG

    #60 Breaking Through Plateaus with Marina Suholutsky

    Your business will only grow as much as you do. And if you’ve hit a plateau in revenue, fulfillment, or clarity — the answer probably isn’t a new strategy. It’s you. Marina Suholutsky is the founder of Purpose Built and a former IBM executive who left the corporate world to help high achievers navigate major life and leadership transitions. From burnout to boredom, from “should” to self, she helps leaders uncover the inner shifts that unlock the next chapter. In this episode, Marina shares why personal growth and business growth are inseparable — and how to move through the transition moments that test your courage. She unpacks her Four Directions model (mind, body, heart, spirit), the role of cultural context in leadership, and why vulnerability creates more capacity than grit ever will. We talk about: 🔹 The “trust fall” moment that launched Marina’s business 🔹 Why burnout is your body telling the truth 🔹 The hidden blind spots created by trauma (big and small) 🔹 How to uncover your intrinsic drivers — and let go of “shoulds” 🔹 The Four Directions model for navigating growth 🔹 How cultural context shapes leadership styles 🔹 Why wholeness is the key to true freedom Quotes from the Episode: 💬 “Your business only grows to the extent that you grow.” 💬 “The body tells the truth.” 💬 “Wholeness is freedom.” 💬 “Capacity starts with knowing where you’re at — and saying it out loud.” Actionable Takeaways: ✅ Pause regularly to ask if what mattered 5 years ago still matters today ✅ Check in with your “capacity” before overcommitting ✅ Listen to your body as a source of truth, not an obstacle ✅ Identify and challenge “injected drivers” — the shoulds you’ve inherited ✅ Embrace wholeness as the foundation for lasting freedom Resources from this episode: → Connect with Marina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-suho/ → Learn more about Purpose Built: https://purposebuilt.io/ → Sign up for Marina’s newsletter, The Pause for Entrepreneurs: https://purposebuilt.io/newsletter Like what you heard? Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more leaders build for freedom, not just scale. 🎧 For more conversations on leadership, growth, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com

    49 min

  7. 27 JUL

    #59 How to Use AI for Strategic Leadership (Not Just Tasks) with Geoff Woods

    AI isn’t just a tool — it’s a leadership skill. And if you’re still treating it like a fancy assistant, you’re already falling behind. Geoff Woods is the founder of AI Leadership and author of The AI-Driven Leader, the #1 bestselling book on strategic AI for executives. As former Chief Growth Officer of Jindal Steel & Power, Geoff helped grow the company’s market cap from $750M to $12B in four years — not by outsourcing AI, but by rethinking how leaders lead. In this episode, Geoff breaks down why AI isn’t about tech — it’s about mindset. He shares a powerful daily habit that’s helping CEOs think bigger, lead smarter, and unlock new levels of strategic clarity. From creating an AI-powered “board of advisors” to reshaping how leadership teams think about growth, Geoff lays out a practical playbook for becoming an AI-driven leader. We talk about: 🔹 Why most leaders are using AI wrong — and how to shift 🔹 The CRIT framework for writing smarter, more strategic prompts 🔹 How to use AI as your thought partner, not just a task-doer 🔹 The mindset shift from 10x to 250x growth 🔹 Why leaders can’t delegate AI — and what happens if they try 🔹 How to create your own AI board (and why Geoff put Steve Jobs on his) 🔹 Why AI is a liberator, not just a disruptor 🔹 The five human skills that matter more than ever in the age of AI Whether you’re running a billion-dollar company or just starting to explore AI, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, growth, and your future. Quotes from the Episode: 💬 "You are the thought leader. AI is your thought partner." 💬 "Most CEOs aren’t asking the wrong questions — they’re not asking any at all." 💬 "Don’t delegate the future of your company to IT. Lead it yourself." 💬 "What if the thing that’s holding you back isn’t the tech — it’s how you think?" Actionable Takeaways: ✅ Use the CRIT framework: Context, Role, Interview, Task ✅ Write one AI prompt every day — even just on a sticky note ✅ Stop focusing on 80% tasks and start thinking strategically ✅ Surround yourself with thinkers who challenge your vision ✅ Remember: the leader, not the tool, creates the competitive advantage Resources from this episode: → Connect with Geoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-woods-8534774 → Learn more about AI Leadership: https://www.aileadership.com → Get the book The AI-Driven Leader: https://www.aileadership.com/book Like what you heard? Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. It helps more leaders build for freedom, not just scale. 🎧 For more conversations on leadership, AI, and building companies that last, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com

    56 min

  8. 13 JUL

    EP 58: How to Win Trust (Even When You Mess Up) with Kevin B. Jennings

    Kevin B. Jennings is a business coach, speaker, and personal brand strategist who helps creatives and leaders turn their ideas into impact. As the CEO of Junction 32, he’s worked with influential voices like Oprah Winfrey, Tony Robbins, Dave Ramsey, and more — helping them build trust, serve better, and scale smarter. In this episode, Kevin breaks down how trust, reputation, and personal branding all stem from one thing: how you show up for people, day after day. From the way we repair mistakes to the moments we empower our teams, trust is the foundation of growth, especially in uncertain times. We talk about: Why marketing is an act of service, not persuasion The difference between a personal brand and a platform How “bids” — small signals of connection — are the true currency of trust What leaders can do when trust breaks down Why consistency and clarity matter more than being perfect How empowering employees builds faster trust with customers What to focus on during times of uncertainty Kevin’s powerful definition of freedom — and why it’s tied to impact Whether you're leading a team, growing your business, or refining your reputation, this conversation will challenge how you think about branding, marketing, and what it really means to build trust. Quotes from the Episode: "Perfection's not the goal. Trust is." "People buy your reputation before they buy your product." "A brand is just a reputation that scales."  "Empower your team to meet the bids — that’s where trust lives."  "Freedom is using your gifts to make the world better." Actionable Takeaways: Shift your view of marketing from selling to serving Build your personal brand by earning trust, not attention Watch for “bids” — those small signals that matter most to customers and teams When things go wrong, don’t panic — repair with care Double down on what works instead of chasing new trends Lead with credibility, clarity, and courage during uncertainty Empower your team to act without waiting for approval Resources from this episode:→ Learn more about Kevin: https://www.kevinbjennings.com→ Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbjennings→ Explore the Small Giants Community: https://www.smallgiants.org

    1h 3m
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