Smart People Think Podcast

Karen Colligan

Karen Colligan, an expert in People Development, shares what she has learned in her 20+ years of creating, delivering and leading innovative people initiatives. Karen’s matter-of-fact and inspirational style will motivate you to immediately put her tips and ideas into place.

  1. Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Kevin Deasy, Fractional Director

    May 18

    Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Kevin Deasy, Fractional Director

    Meet Kevin Deasy, Fractional Director and Senior Management Consultant in IT Digital Transformation. To Kevin, leadership is the art of influencing and guiding a group toward a shared destination, standing in stark contrast to the "command and control" nature of managers. He believes true leaders don't need a title; instead, they rely on deep self-awareness and the wisdom to surround themselves with people more talented than they are. Kevin views communication as the ultimate “differentiator” in the age of AI, prioritizing the ability to listen and maintain respect even when opinions clash. Outside of the digital world, he finds balance and joy in Irish history, hot yoga, and the stress-relieving power of the sea. A quote that resonates with him: A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, the group will say they did it themselves – Lao Tzu.

    40 min
  2. Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Dr. Stewart Desson, CEO of Lumina Learning

    Apr 13

    Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Dr. Stewart Desson, CEO of Lumina Learning

    Meet Dr. Stewart Desson, CEO of Lumina Learning, a leader who sees leadership in layers: strategy and vision plus the ability to inspire purpose and meaning. Dr. Desson believes leaders must celebrate humanity so people can connect to a cause and give unrestricted energy to make an impact. His leadership approach blends self-awareness with purpose and authenticity — claiming who you are so others feel invited to do the same. Grounded in science and curiosity, he dispels myths, welcomes challenge, and changes beliefs when evidence demands it. Dr. Desson uses coaching, retreats, and collaborative research to foster self-development and growth. His favorite guiding principle: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” — Viktor E. Frankl

    35 min
  3. Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Emma Weaver, Founder of Mental Wealth International

    Mar 2

    Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Emma Weaver, Founder of Mental Wealth International

    Meet Emma Weaver: Founder of Mental Wealth International. Emma strongly believes that true influence begins with the courage to be your authentic self. For Emma, leadership is an active, values-led journey—one that requires the bravery to "go first" while viewing every challenge as an opportunity for organizational growth. She advocates for a leadership style that rejects the pressure of having all the answers and favors an approach of openness, curiosity, and deep listening. At the heart of Emma’s philosophy is the power of community, mentorship, and delegation. She lives by the mantra that you can "have it all" without having to "do it all," emphasizing that you actively seek out what you need to stay on course. A lifelong learner dedicated to constant self-reflection, Emma empowers others with a simple but profound truth: Be all that you are so you become all that you can be.

    39 min
  4. Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Kevin Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO of Graphene

    Feb 6

    Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Kevin Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO of Graphene

    Meet Kevin Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO of Graphene. For Kevin, leadership is about creating clarity, having conviction, and owning decisions—even when you don’t have all the answers. It’s about accountability and bringing people along the journey with honesty and purpose. His leadership is grounded in clear values: accountability with no excuses, candid and respectful truth-telling, and momentum—because action, not perfection, drives progress. Kevin embraces chaos as part of the process, focusing less on what goes wrong and more on how leaders choose to respond. Through reflection—asking what worked, what was missed, and what can be done differently—Kevin continuously sharpens his leadership. His philosophy echoes a powerful truth: never fear the storm—learn to dance in the rain.

    22 min
  5. Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Marsha Clark, Owner of Marsha Clark and Associates

    Jan 9

    Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Marsha Clark, Owner of Marsha Clark and Associates

    Meet Marsha Clark, Owner of Marsha Clark and Associates. For Marsha, leadership is a mindset—one rooted in accountability for both intended and unintended consequences. She believes trust is built by giving first, leading with clarity, and balancing toughness with grace. Kindness, in her view, is not softness; it’s the discipline to care deeply while holding high standards and driving meaningful results. At the heart of Marsha’s leadership is service. Guided by courage, authenticity, and a clearly defined “why,” she brings people along a shared vision while never losing sight of relationships, customers, or outcomes. A lifelong learner with deep intellectual humility, Marsha points to a famous quote by Winston Churchill - Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

    56 min
  6. Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Jackie Gilna-Turton, Founder and CEO, We Are Global Irish

    11/14/2025

    Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Jackie Gilna-Turton, Founder and CEO, We Are Global Irish

    Meet Jackie Gilna-Turton, Founder and CEO of We Are Global Irish. For Jackie, leadership is deeply personal—it’s about who you are, the values you stand by, and how you evolve over time. At her core, she is a bridge-builder, bringing people together through shared purpose and mutual respect. Her work centers on community development, connection, and collaboration, fostering spaces where others can grow, lead, and thrive. Diplomacy underpins everything Jackie does. Guided by clear objectives and a well-defined “why,” Jackie helps others find focus and direction. Jackie reminds us to never underestimate the value of our roots and the power of our networks—because when people come together with intention and shared vision, meaningful transformation follows.

    31 min
  7. Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Maryann Pagano, CEO of BlackHawk Data

    08/20/2025

    Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast featuring, Maryann Pagano, CEO of BlackHawk Data

    Meet Maryann Pagano, CEO of BlackHawk Data. For Maryann, leadership begins with authenticity—“I am just me.” As CEO, she focuses on guiding and mentoring others, drawing on her own experiences to help employees develop and grow.. At BlackHawk Data, values fuel every decision—from hiring to culture to giving back. Maryann encourages employees to think about their legacy, recognizes them in ways that matter most, and leads with consistency that builds trust and drives performance. In a fast-changing market, she believes success comes from staying true to core values while pivoting quickly to adapt and thrive.

    23 min
  8. What is Leadership and How Do I Develop Leadership Skills?: A Conversation with Dr. Janet & Karen

    07/16/2025

    What is Leadership and How Do I Develop Leadership Skills?: A Conversation with Dr. Janet & Karen

    In this candid conversation with Dr. Janet L. Walsh, Karen Colligan dives into what it really means to lead—starting with yourself. From owning your leadership identity to stepping up in your career, we share real-world insights and actionable tips to help you grow with clarity, confidence, and impact. Birchtree Global - https://www.birchtreeglobal.com/ PeopleThink - https://www.peoplethink.biz/

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Karen Colligan, an expert in People Development, shares what she has learned in her 20+ years of creating, delivering and leading innovative people initiatives. Karen’s matter-of-fact and inspirational style will motivate you to immediately put her tips and ideas into place.

Information

  • Creator
    Karen Colligan
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Smart People Think Podcast