A Geek Leader Podcast - inspiring technical and creative leaders around the world

John Rouda: technical leader, author, speaker, educator
  • 4.9 (48)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The ultimate podcast for aspiring leaders in the creative or technology fields. John Rouda discusses leadership topics, interviews some of the greatest minds today and teaches you practical leadership tips, techniques, tricks and hacks to improve motivation, negotiation, and other much needed skills for leaders today.

  1. 3H AGO

    AGL 469: Fred Marshall

    About Fred Fred Marshall has spent decades helping companies like Apple, Pfizer, and Genentech navigate moments of rapid transformation. As founder and CEO of Quantum Learning, Inc., he’s trained more than 130,000 professionals across fourteen countries and helped launch dozens of major bio-pharma brands. His specialty is translating high-pressure change into clear, repeatable performance. In his new book, THRIVE: The Antidote to Future Shock (May 12, 2026), with a forward by Peter Diamandis, Fred argues that the real risk of AI isn’t automation – it’s human overload. Teams aren’t failing because the technology is too complex. They’re struggling because attention, energy, and judgment are being stretched past their limits.     Today We Talked About Background What jobs are at risk? AI Revolution Information Overload Uncertainty Attention Economy Screentime Self-improving technology Strategic and Curious Building the future you want Managing the Present moment Enjoy the moment Managing It Noise… 3 Bucket Model What are my priorities? What are my obligations? Noise… Use the power of compound growth Bring great people into your life simplicity and focus Focus mode – with your phone Be Mindful that it is disguised as a priority Schedule stuff in your calendar with another person Be obsessed Internal Journey External Journey Shared Journey Human-AI Symbiosis Robotics   Connect with Fred Book LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

    37 min

  2. MAY 8

    AGL 468: Dr. Henry Cloud

    About Henry Dr. Henry Cloud is a clinical psychologist, leadership expert, and New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold over twenty million copies worldwide. Named by Success magazine as one of the top 25 leaders in the field, his work spans executive coaching, organizational transformation, and personal growth. He holds a BS in psychology from Southern Methodist University and a PhD in clinical psychology from Biola University. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Today We Talked About Boundaries with Kids Boundaries for Leaders Necessary Endings Your Desired Future: The Five Essential Steps That Take You Where You Want to Go Simple Model for people to follow The Human Body as a metaphor Vision Talent & Resources Strategy & Plan Measurement & Accountability Adaptation & Problem-solving “What’s it like to be on the other side of me?”  Relationaly and Results. Accountability is your immune system Ask “Why or Why not?” Mutually agreed upon expectations Psychological Safety Connect with Henry Website Books Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

    45 min

  3. MAY 1

    AGL 467: Sabrina Parsons

    About Sabrina  Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software, would bring a striking perspective to your show. Sabrina has spent years not only innovating (with her team at LivePlan, supporting over a million entrepreneurs globally) but fiercely advocating for women in tech and in leadership. She’s shaped powerful initiatives in Oregon to broaden access to capital and opportunity, and she’s dedicated to democratizing entrepreneurship so every founder gets a fair shot, no matter their background. Her practical approach to strategy, her experience across civic leadership and her candid voice as ForbesWoman’s “MommyCEO” make her a natural fit for conversations on technical and creative leadership. Sabrina’s knowledge—from navigating Silicon Valley startups to empowering youth sports and growing nonprofits—is the kind of operational insight and human-centered philosophy your audience craves. Today We Talked About Background Palo Alto Software Culture deck We rely on data We solve for the customer We’re transparent We give you the autonomy to be awesome We’re picky about our peers We value community Culture will be there whether you like it / build it or not. Honestly Speaking Transparency Don’t ruin it for the rest of us Trust Allow people to fail Connect with Sabrina LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

    40 min

  4. APR 24

    AGL 466: Jim Vines

    About Jim Jim Vines grew up in Alabama, but for the past 25 years he has called New York City his home. His lifelong passion for magic was sparked at the age of 12, when a classmate vanished Jim’s milk money. Jim co-stars in New York City’s #1 family-friendly magic show, the Broadway Magic Hour, now in its second year of performances. Time Out NY rated the show one of the “Best Magic Shows in NYC,” as well as one of the “Best Off Broadway Shows for Kids and Families.” In 2017 Jim won the title of North American Champion of Close-Up Magic from FISM, the world congress of magic. When Jim recently performed his award-winning act on the hit TV show “Penn & Teller: FOOL US”, the legendary magic duo said, “Just brilliant! We loved every single second of it!” Jim has shared his magic throughout the US – at such venues as The Wonderground in Las Vegas, the Smoke and Mirrors Theater in Philadelphia, and the Magic Castle in Hollywood – and in 11 other countries around the world. Today We Talked About Background Communication Relating to others Learn a magic trick Closeup Magic Parlor Magic Stage Magic Stress Mentalism vs. Magic Butterflies are good… they are a sign you have something exciting to share What to do with your hands Celebrate wins Limit Negativity Connect with Jim LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

    36 min

  5. APR 17

    AGL 465: Erin Coupe

    About Erin Erin Coupe is an international keynote speaker, executive advisor, and bestselling author who advises high-performers and organizations on redefining how success is achieved and sustained. Her work equips leaders to strengthen clarity, expand capacity, and sustain high performance over time, enabling them to operate with greater discernment, presence, and effectiveness in today’s most demanding environments. She is the author of the bestselling book I Can Fit That In, named a 2026 NextList selection by J.P. Morgan, recognizing influential ideas shaping the future of leadership, culture, and performance. Her insights have been featured in Fast Company, Inc., Business Insider, Success Magazine, The Guardian, and leading media outlets. She is a trusted advisor to executives and leadership teams across Fortune 100 to Fortune 1000 companies, global associations, universities, and professional sports organizations. Erin is known for her rare ability to articulate the invisible pressures shaping modern leadership and translate them into practical, transformative shifts. Through keynote speaking, executive advisory, and immersive leadership experiences, she equips individuals and organizations to expand leadership capacity, strengthen clarity, and lead with grounded authority rather than constant urgency. Prior to starting her own business, Erin spent over 17 years inside publicly traded corporations, including Goldman Sachs, where she experienced firsthand the pace, expectations, and complexity leaders navigate at the highest levels. This lived experience, combined with her expertise in neuroscience, human behavior, and leadership development, allows her to bridge the gap between high performance and human sustainability in a way that resonates deeply with executive audiences. She lives on the North Shore of Chicago with her husband and two boys, where life beyond work serves as her source of ritual and perspective. Today We Talked About Erin’s background Turning Pain into Purpose Bad Leadership Put your oxygen mask on first Who do you want to model Healthy Boundries Leadership Fitting in the important things Invisible Loads… Outdated beliefs Always business Connect with Erin LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

    35 min

  6. APR 10

    AGL 464: Allison Shapira on AI for the Authentic Leader

    About Allison Allison Shapira is an executive advisor, Harvard lecturer, keynote speaker, bestselling author, and trained opera singer who helps senior leaders speak with confidence, clarity, and authenticity—especially in high-stakes, high-visibility moments. Since 2003, she has advised leaders from prime ministers to Fortune 50 executives and has designed leadership communication programs that drive trust, alignment, and measurable results. An entrepreneur and global expert in leadership and communication, Allison brings over two decades of experience to every engagement. Her practical frameworks integrate cutting-edge AI tools to help executives sharpen their message, amplify their voice, and Speak With Impact℠. An adjunct lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School since 2015, her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The New York Times, and Harvard Business Review. She is the author of three books: the Washington Post best-seller Speak with Impact: How to Command the Room and Influence Others (HarperCollins Leadership), the companion e-guide Speak with Impact VIRTUALLY, and her newest book, AI for the Authentic Leader: How to Communicate More Effectively Without Losing Your Humanity (Spa Creek Press). Today We Talked About Human side of genAI Authentic Leadership Speaking and Communication Building Trust and Influence Jargon – use AI as a Mirror Create a chatbot, grounded in your business. Aligning AI language models with values Measure the effectiveness of communication Proof your work (especcially with AI) Who is your audience, What is your Goal, Why you? AVI – Authentic Voice Intelligence AI Authenticity Loop – Link ACE Model of Communication Authenticity Clearity Energy Give your team opprotunities to speak How is AI helping me be a better human? Connect with Allison LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

    32 min

  7. APR 3

    AGL 463: Preston Zeller

    About Preston Preston Zeller sits at an unusual intersection: faith-tech founder, growth executive, documentary filmmaker, and abstract artist. As founder of Psalmlog, he’s building an AI-powered biblical guidance app that helps believers access relevant Scripture for any life situation—addressing the universal Christian challenge of knowing God’s Word has answers but not knowing where to look. His approach is informed by proprietary research with 200+ Christians and 15 years scaling companies from $25M to $300M ARR. As Chief Growth Officer at BatchService, he oversaw the GTM teams, leading to two successful exits. He previously led digital marketing and growth at A Cloud Guru (acquired by Pluralsight for $2B) and ZoomInfo (IPO’d). Preston brings equal depth to creative work. His documentary The Art of Grieving (2022) follows his year-long project of painting daily after his 35-year-old brother Colin died suddenly from a fentanyl overdose. The film explores grief through personal narrative, art therapy, and cultural history. It’s available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Tubi, and has won Best Documentary at the LA Film Awards, Bridge Film Fest, and Love Wins International Film Festival. Preston is based in Phoenix with his wife and children. Today We Talked about Faith and Tech AI and Faith Prompt engineering on models RAG – retrieval, augmented, generation Psalmlog Documentary 365 days of art grief Connect with Preston LinkedIn Website Psalmlog Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

    40 min

  8. MAR 27

    AGL 462: Will Linssen

    About Will Will Linssen has been recognized as a LinkedIn Top Executive Coaching Voice, serves as advisor to Harvard Business Review, has been ranked World’s#1 Leadership Coach by Global Gurus and World’s #1 Coach Trainer by Thinkers 50, and has attained the highest accreditation – Master Certified Coach from the International Coaching Federation. His latest book, Triple Win Leadership Coaching, is an international #1 Bestseller at Amazon. With 30 years of leadership experience across North America, Asia, and Europe, Will serves as CEO of the Global Coach Group, the world’s most renowned international leadership coaching network. Will has been ranked as the World’s # 1 Leadership Coach by Global Gurus (USA) and recognized as #1 Coach Trainer by Thinkers50 (UK). Furthermore, Will is a Master Certified Coach at the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and co-author of the Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching methodology. For over two decades, he has been working with executive teams to measurably improve their leadership and team effectiveness. He has held several positions in general management and business management at multinational companies in Europe, North America, and Asia, and he has served at the board of several multinationals in Asia. Will travels the globe training executive coaches and coaching business leaders using GCG’s highly effective methodology. Clients consistently commend his results-driven personality combined with his confident, energetic, and relatable style. A good listener and problem solver with in-depth business knowledge and cross-cultural understanding, he has been recognized for his creative and analytical skills, and most of his executive clients hold international positions in a wide range of industries at Fortune 500 Cos across the USA, LATAM, Europe, Asia, and Australia, a.o. AON, Allianz, BAT, Bayer, Coca Cola, GSK, ING, Kimberly Clark, LG, LinkedIn, McDonald’s, Novartis, Pepsi, Philips, Philip Morris, Sanofi, Standard Chartered Bank, Saudi Telecom, Saudi Institute of Public Administration, Syngenta, SC Johnson, and Uber. Will Linssen is a globally recognized leadership coach, international #1 Amazon bestselling author, and the creator of the Triple Win Leadership Coaching methodology. His publications focus on developing measurable leadership effectiveness and helping organizations thrive through proven coaching strategies. His books, available on Amazon and wherever books are sold, serve as essential resources for leaders, coaches, and HR professionals seeking to drive performance, engagement, and growth. Below is a selection of his most impactful published works: Triple Win Leadership Coaching: The Coach’s Guide to More Impact, More Coaching, and More Clients (2025) Pinnacle of Influence: How the World’s Greatest Thought Leaders Became Global Gurus (2024, Co-Author) Global Leadership Coaching – Coaching and Leader Guides (2021) Global Leadership Assessment – Coach and Leader Guides (2021) Taking the Stage: Breakthrough Stories from Women Leaders (2013, Co-Author) Today We Talked About Coaching Leadership Influence Future focused suggestion Action Plan Accountability Agile Coaching Communication properly Ask questions Becoming a coach – get certified first (ICF) Convert Know-how into Show-how Mashall Goldsmith AI and coaching Connect with Will Book LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

    33 min
See All (468)

4.9
out of 5
48 Ratings

About

The ultimate podcast for aspiring leaders in the creative or technology fields. John Rouda discusses leadership topics, interviews some of the greatest minds today and teaches you practical leadership tips, techniques, tricks and hacks to improve motivation, negotiation, and other much needed skills for leaders today.

Information