Small Brave Moves

Nicole M. Bianchi
  • 5.0 (15)
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Learn how to be braver in leadership and in life for exceptional results with Master Certified Executive Coach, Best Selling Author, and Certified Speaking Professional, Nicole M. Bianchi. Small Brave Moves is a podcast for mid-level to c-suite leaders who own their growth and development, know there is always room for improvement, and are ready to start making the Small Brave Moves to achieve their goals, unlock their full potential, and lead with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. 

  1. 23H AGO

    The 5 Minute Daily Habit That Transforms Leadership Teams in 90 Days

    In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, leadership expert Nicole Bianchi explores why leadership avoidance quietly erodes authority, culture, and performance, and how disciplined micro-courage — just five intentional minutes a day — can radically transform how leaders and teams show up.  Drawing from years of executive coaching experience, she explains why the most effective leaders aren’t the loudest or most charismatic — they’re the most consistent in practicing daily courageous leadership habits.  Through the lens of neuroscience, identity formation, and culture building, Nicole breaks down how Small Brave Moves rewire the brain, strengthen executive presence, and normalize honest communication inside teams. This episode is a masterclass in leadership development, emotional regulation, executive presence, workplace culture transformation, and courageous communication. Nicole also shares the structure behind her Small Brave Moves Journal — a 90-day guided leadership courage practice designed to help leaders replace avoidance with aligned action. 👉 Get your copy of the Small Brave Moves Journal here If you’re a mid-level to C-suite leader who wants to strengthen authority, elevate culture, and lead with clarity instead of comfort, this episode delivers a simple but powerful daily framework. Work with Nicole Bianchi⬇️ 🎤Book Nicole Bianchi as your next keynote speaker 🏅Hire Nicole Bianchi to coach you or your leadership team 🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks 📖Check out Nicole Bianchi's books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks Find Nicole Bianchi👇 LinkedIn Small Brave Mondays Newsletter

    9 min

  2. FEB 25

    Train Your Brain to Be Braver: The Science-Backed Way to Be a More Confident Leader

    In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi explores the neuroscience of brave leadership and reveals why courage is not a personality trait — but a trainable skill rooted in brain science. Drawing on research around neuroplasticity, leadership development, and workplace transformation, Nicole breaks down what actually happens in the brain when leaders take a small brave move. She demystifies the science behind courageous leadership and explains why bravery becomes easier the more you practice it. With 70% of organizational change initiatives failing (McKinsey), this episode makes a compelling case: technical strategies don’t transform companies — brave leadership does. Nicole shares practical, real-world leadership examples showing how small, intentional acts of courage strengthen neural pathways, build emotional regulation, and prepare leaders for high-stakes conversations. She also introduces the Small Brave Moves Journal, a 90-day guided courage practice designed to help leaders build their “bravery circuitry” one intentional rep at a time. This isn’t inspiration for inspiration’s sake — it’s neuroscience-backed habit building. 👉 Get your copy of the Small Brave Moves Journal here If you’re a mid-level to C-suite leader looking to build confidence, lead change effectively, and create a culture of courageous action, this episode will show you how bravery becomes a leadership advantage. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why courage is a trainable skill, not a personality traitHow neuroplasticity strengthens your ability to regulate fear in high-stakes momentsWhy small, everyday acts of bravery prepare you for major leadership challengesHow to build “bravery circuitry” through intentional daily practiceIf you’re ready to lead with more confidence, clarity, and courage, this episode will help you start small while leading big. Work with Nicole Bianchi⬇️ 🎤Book Nicole Bianchi as your next keynote speaker 🏅Hire Nicole Bianchi to coach you or your leadership team 🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks 📖Check out Nicole Bianchi's books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks Find Nicole Bianchi👇 LinkedIn Small Brave Mondays Newsletter

    9 min

  3. FEB 18

    Why High-Performing Leaders Overfunction and How to Shift Before It Becomes Burnout

    In this powerful episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, executive leadership coach and bestselling author Nicole Bianchi addresses a silent epidemic among high-performing leaders: overfunctioning.  Many mid-level to C-suite executives—especially women in leadership—don’t burn out because they’re incapable. They burn out because they’re highly capable. They step in early, smooth things over, anticipate problems, absorb emotional labor, and carry invisible responsibilities that never appear on their job description. From the outside, it looks like exceptional leadership. On the inside, it feels exhausting, lonely, and unsustainable.  Nicole breaks down:  What overfunctioning leadership really is—and why most leaders don’t recognize it in themselvesThe subtle signs of leadership burnout before it becomes a crisisHow emotional labor and invisible work disproportionately impact women leadersWhy overfunctioning unintentionally prevents teams from risingThe difference between control-based leadership and sustainable, calm authorityHow to shift from urgency and over-responsibility to clarity, boundaries, and flowDrawing from her work coaching senior executives in Fortune 500 companies, Nicole explains why nearly 60% of leaders report feeling burned out—and how releasing what isn’t yours to carry can dramatically improve clarity, confidence, decision-making, and team performance.   This episode is an invitation to redefine brave leadership. Because leadership development isn’t about doing more—it’s about choosing one small brave move that brings you back into alignment.   Listeners will walk away with practical insight into preventing burnout, setting leadership boundaries, empowering teams, and leading with steadiness instead of control.   🎁 Bonus Resource: Download the free Over-Functioning Leader Reset Workbook to identify what you're carrying, release what isn't yours, and lead with sustainable courage.   If you’re a mid-level to C-suite leader ready to own your growth, reduce burnout, and build a high-performing, empowered team—this episode is for you. Work with Nicole Bianchi⬇️ 🎤Book Nicole Bianchi as your next keynote speaker 🏅Hire Nicole Bianchi to coach you or your leadership team 🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks 📖Check out Nicole Bianchi's books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks Find Nicole Bianchi👇 LinkedIn Small Brave Mondays Newsletter

    12 min

  4. 11/26/2025

    Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Preventing Burnout, and Leading Authentically with Melissa Hurrington

    In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi is joined by Melissa Hurrington—CFO & VP of Operations at Premier Claims, LinkedIn Top Voice, keynote speaker, and advocate for women in leadership.  Melissa gets real about the unseen work of self-leadership—moving from “performing” to leading authentically. She shares how she traded the polished “CFO costume” for unapologetic authenticity, how she reframed imposter syndrome, set healthy boundaries to beat burnout, and why courage doesn’t come before action—it comes because of it.  We also get candid about emotional regulation, saying no without guilt, and practical ways to pause, reset, and lead with intention. This episode is perfect for leaders who want actionable strategies to lead bravely, show up authentically, and sustain high performance. If you’re ready to ditch the mask and lead with truth, heart, and results, this conversation is your catalyst. Work with Nicole Bianchi⬇️ 🎤Book Nicole Bianchi as your next keynote speaker 🏅Hire Nicole Bianchi to coach you or your leadership team 🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks 📖Check out Nicole Bianchi's books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks Find Nicole Bianchi👇 LinkedIn Small Brave Mondays Newsletter

    28 min

  5. 11/12/2025

    Why Being a People-First, Purpose Driven, Mission Focused Leader Requires Bravery with Nash Mahupete

    In this episode of Small Brave Moves, Nicole Bianchi sits down with Nash Mahupete, President & CEO of QLI, a nationally renowned leader in brain injury and spinal cord injury rehabilitation.  Nash shares his 25-year journey from CNA to CEO, revealing how purpose-driven leadership, mission focused leadership, and a deep passion for people development can transform organizations and lives.  Nash breaks down how QLI’s people-first culture sees and grows every team member, why mission alignment matters more than titles, and how leaders can make brave conversations and role realignment compassionate and effective.  Whether you’re growing as a new manager or steering an organization from the C-Suite this episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, culture building, and making Small Brave Moves that compound into extraordinary impact.  Follow along with Nash's journey👇 Website Linkedln Work with Nicole Bianchi⬇️ 🎤Book Nicole Bianchi as your next keynote speaker 🏅Hire Nicole Bianchi to coach you or your leadership team 🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks 📖Check out Nicole Bianchi's books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks Find Nicole Bianchi👇 LinkedIn Small Brave Mondays Newsletter

    23 min

  6. 10/29/2025

    Leading Through a War Zone: Uncertainty, Hope, and Conquering Yourself with Melanie Marshall

    In this powerful episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole Bianchi sits down with Melanie Marshall — award-winning speaker, filmmaker, and former BBC journalist who spent two decades reporting from some of the most dangerous places on earth.  From war zones in Afghanistan to political unrest in Tripoli, Mel learned what it means to lead through chaos, regulate emotions under pressure, and find hope in uncertainty. Together, Nicole and Mel explore: Why emotional regulation and self-awareness is the foundation of strong leadershipThe link between hope, bravery, joy and high-performing teamsHow to balance courage with care in high-stakes momentsWhether you’re managing a crisis, leading a team through change, or simply trying to stay centered amid chaos, this conversation will remind you that bravery isn’t loud — it’s intentional, grounded, and deeply human. Tune in to discover how you can build the mindset, presence, and emotional resilience that define truly brave leadership. Follow along with Mel's journey👇 Website Linkedln Work with Nicole Bianchi⬇️ 🎤Book Nicole Bianchi as your next keynote speaker 🏅Hire Nicole Bianchi to coach you or your leadership team 🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks 📖Check out Nicole Bianchi's books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks Find Nicole Bianchi👇 LinkedIn Small Brave Mondays Newsletter

    35 min

  7. 10/15/2025

    Build a Team Culture That Embraces Learning and Bravery with Damon Lembi

    In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole Bianchi is joined by Damon Lembi, CEO of Learnit, three-time bestselling author, and host of the Learn It All podcast. With over 2 million learners served, Damon has proven that companies who outlearn, outlast. Nicole and Damon discuss: How to build a culture of learning and bravery in today’s uncertain workplaceWhy middle managers struggle most with brave conversations and how to support themWhat Hall of Fame coaches from his past as an athlete taught him about resilience, and overcoming imposter syndromeWhether you’re a CEO, people leader, or emerging manager, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you approach tough conversations, talent decisions, and leadership growth. Learn practical strategies to build confidence, foster alignment, and turn learning into action so your team doesn’t just survive, but thrives. Follow along with Damon's journey👇 Instagram Website Linkedln Work with Nicole Bianchi⬇️ 🎤Book Nicole Bianchi as your next keynote speaker 🏅Hire Nicole Bianchi to coach you or your leadership team 🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks 📖Check out Nicole Bianchi's books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks Find Nicole Bianchi👇 LinkedIn Small Brave Mondays Newsletter

    23 min

  8. 09/17/2025

    Why Authentic Leadership Matters More Than Ever

    Authenticity isn’t a buzzword - it’s the brave, human way of leading that today’s workplace craves. In this episode of Small Brave Moves, Nicole Bianchi explores what it really means to lead with authenticity instead of polished perfection and performance. You’ll learn: Why 75% of employees want more authenticity from their leadersThe hidden costs of drifting away from your true self in leadershipHow authenticity fuels trust, engagement, and team performancePractical Small Brave Moves to realign with your values and lead from your truthWhether it’s admitting a mistake, giving honest feedback, or showing up as the human behind the role, authentic leadership is one of the most generous and impactful gifts you can give your team.  Tune in to discover how to define your leadership philosophy, build your personal ethos, and model the realness your workplace needs most. If this resonated with you, Nicole has created something to help you go deeper. 👉Download the free workbook: “How to Lead as Your Authentic Self” It’s packed with guided reflection questions, prompts, and exercises to help you find your purpose, establish your personal ethos, and start living and leading as your bravest and most authentic self. Because the world doesn’t need more perfect leaders. It needs more real ones. And it starts with you. Work with Nicole Bianchi⬇️ 🎤Book Nicole Bianchi as your next keynote speaker 🏅Hire Nicole Bianchi to coach you or your leadership team 🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks 📖Check out Nicole Bianchi's books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks Find Nicole Bianchi👇 LinkedIn Small Brave Mondays Newsletter

    9 min
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About

Learn how to be braver in leadership and in life for exceptional results with Master Certified Executive Coach, Best Selling Author, and Certified Speaking Professional, Nicole M. Bianchi. Small Brave Moves is a podcast for mid-level to c-suite leaders who own their growth and development, know there is always room for improvement, and are ready to start making the Small Brave Moves to achieve their goals, unlock their full potential, and lead with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. 

Information

  • Creator
    Nicole M. Bianchi
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Small Brave Moves
  • Show Website
    Small Brave Moves