Expressions of Leadership

Michele Kawamoto Perry

Leaders emerge from every walk of life. Whether you’re defining your leadership style or evolving it, learning from others can be transformative. Join leadership consultant and coach Michele Kawamoto Perry as she sits down with a diverse range of leaders—from startup CEOs pioneering new technology, to teachers challenging the status quo, doctors delivering compassionate care, and artists pushing creative boundaries. Together, they explore leadership styles, philosophies, and breakthrough practices. Discover fresh perspectives and actionable insights to help you lead with greater impact. Michele Kawamoto Perry is the founder of The Forward Project, a consultancy focused on leadership development and cultural transformation. As a corporate coach, she helps organizations cultivate stronger foundational leadership skills, empowering individuals who are ready to create change. Michele believes in the power of personal leadership and is on a mission to help build a more inclusive, engaging, and innovative world—one leader at a time. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also listen every weekend at noon Pacific Time on Radio Evolve.

  1. Leadership Through Storytelling: Filmmaker Meredith Yinger on Media, Resilience and Change

    1D AGO

    Leadership Through Storytelling: Filmmaker Meredith Yinger on Media, Resilience and Change

    On this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with award-winning filmmaker and SheTV Media founder Meredith Yinger to explore how storytelling becomes a powerful act of leadership. Through documentaries like Scars Unseen, now used in hundreds of educational institutions nationwide, Meredith spotlights domestic violence survivorship, resilience, and the power of shifting narratives to spark real-world change. Meredith shares the creative, emotional, and logistical challenges of bringing taboo topics to the screen, what it takes to build a female-led production company that amplifies marginalized voices, and how her upcoming documentary Vulva La Revolution aims to ignite a movement in women’s sexual health equity. Together, they explore mentorship, resilience, accessibility in entertainment, and how to move audiences from awareness to action. Meredith’s leadership offers a blueprint for leading with conviction, compassion, and lasting impact. Connect with Meredith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithyinger/ Learn more about her documentaries: Scars Unseen on Kinema - for community screenings and individual downloads -    Vulva La Revolution Website  Vulva La Revolution Donation Link (all donations are tax deductible!!) Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

    56 min
  2. Leading in Wine and Life: Amy Christine, Master of Wine

    FEB 3

    Leading in Wine and Life: Amy Christine, Master of Wine

    Host Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with Amy Christine, Master of Wine and winemaker, to explore her unexpected journey from performer to winery co-owner, and how leadership can emerge through curiosity, creativity, and courage. In this episode, Amy reflects on how acting, wine sales, and the rigorous Master of Wine program shaped her leadership style, from listening deeply and reading the room to knowing when to pivot. She also shares the realities of running a small winery, the discipline behind creative branding, and her vision for storytelling across wine, television, and writing. This conversation is a thoughtful look at leading authentically—without chasing trends—and trusting that your tribe will find you. Learn more about Amy Christine and the wineries: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-christine-mw-9ab58914/ Instagram @holusboluswine @acloveswine @amys_tasting_room_diaries @heywineslut   Websites www.holusboluswine.com www.wineslut.com   YouTube Wineslut https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHsXB2WN7m53EM1MWx2QuxQ Holus Bolus and The Joy Fantastic https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkBwNaQdsPkfNmgW6NIjaGg Pairing with Prince https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUQTkWYhOTas7PBvMXAoCXA   Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

    59 min
  3. Leadership On and Off the Air with Radio Host Jeremiah Higgins

    JAN 20

    Leadership On and Off the Air with Radio Host Jeremiah Higgins

    In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry explores leadership through storytelling, trust, and creative courage with Jeremiah D. Higgins—radio host, executive producer, and director of programming at Radio Evolve Santa Barbara. With more than 20 seasons behind the microphone and a global audience through Radio Evolve Santa Barbara and the Evolve Entertainment Network, Jeremiah shares how deep listening, meaningful conversation, and a willingness to take creative risks have shaped his career. They discuss building trust with guests and audiences, and creating spaces—on air and beyond—where people feel seen and heard. Jeremiah also reflects on bringing a people-centered leadership philosophy to hospitality, having led the design and management of more than 200 music venues, hotels, restaurants, and retail concepts worldwide through Evolve Hospitality Advisors. Learn more about Jeremiah D. Higgins at: https://linktr.ee/jeremiahdhiggins www.TheJeremiahShow.com   Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

    55 min
  4. Creative Leadership in Practice: Artist Flora Kao on Risk, Resilience, and Reinvention

    JAN 13

    Creative Leadership in Practice: Artist Flora Kao on Risk, Resilience, and Reinvention

    In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with artist Flora Kao to explore a nontraditional leadership journey shaped by courage, persistence, and creative risk. From studying environmental science and public policy to working in strategy consulting—and ultimately choosing a life rooted in art—Flora reflects on redefining success, navigating rejection and personal upheaval, and grounding decisions in inner clarity rather than external approval. Together, they examine leadership as an active, evolving practice: the role of mentorship, balancing intention with serendipity, and using art, public installations, and teaching to create spaces for healing, connection, and shared human experience. Flora also shares her vision for community-centered collaborations that invite reflection, beauty, and deeper relationships with nature and one another. Learn more about Flora Kao at http://floratkao.blogspot.com and follow her at http://www.instagram.com/florakaoart Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

    52 min
  5. Leading with Joy: Leadership, Resilience, and Well-Being with Scientist of Happiness Health Edie Higby

    12/23/2025

    Leading with Joy: Leadership, Resilience, and Well-Being with Scientist of Happiness Health Edie Higby

    In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry talks with Edie Higby, Scientist of Happiness Health, author of Joy by Design, and founder of Practicing Joy, to explore where joy and leadership intersect. Edie shares her powerful journey from profound personal loss to resilience, reframing happiness not as a fleeting feeling, but as serious, intentional work. She introduces her Joy by Design framework, along with accessible practices that help leaders cultivate presence, trust, and emotional well-being. Together, they discuss how leaders can support mental health, model vulnerability, and design small, meaningful interventions that create lasting change for individuals, teams, and organizational culture. This conversation offers practical insight for anyone seeking to lead with greater humanity, courage, and joy. Learn more about Edie Higby and Practicing Joy: Website: https://www.practicingjoy.net/ Instagram: @practicingjoy2day Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/practicingjoy/                   https://www.facebook.com/edie.higby/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edie-higby-m-a-in-happiness-studies-a14aa493/ Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

    55 min
4.9
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

Leaders emerge from every walk of life. Whether you’re defining your leadership style or evolving it, learning from others can be transformative. Join leadership consultant and coach Michele Kawamoto Perry as she sits down with a diverse range of leaders—from startup CEOs pioneering new technology, to teachers challenging the status quo, doctors delivering compassionate care, and artists pushing creative boundaries. Together, they explore leadership styles, philosophies, and breakthrough practices. Discover fresh perspectives and actionable insights to help you lead with greater impact. Michele Kawamoto Perry is the founder of The Forward Project, a consultancy focused on leadership development and cultural transformation. As a corporate coach, she helps organizations cultivate stronger foundational leadership skills, empowering individuals who are ready to create change. Michele believes in the power of personal leadership and is on a mission to help build a more inclusive, engaging, and innovative world—one leader at a time. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also listen every weekend at noon Pacific Time on Radio Evolve.

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