HEARTset Leadership Podcast

Lisa Virtue

Leadership is demanding. And for many leaders, it can feel isolating, overwhelming, and constant. Especially leading humans, as a human, in this age of AI. The HEARTset Leadership Podcast is for managers, executives, and emerging leaders who want to lead with clarity, confidence, and emotional intelligence—without burning out in the process. Hosted by executive leadership coach and founder of HEARTset Studio, Lisa Virtue, this show explores what it really takes to lead people in today’s workplace, especially when you care about your people and your priorities are constantly shifting. Each episode focuses on real leadership challenges like difficult conversations, trust, decision making, team dynamics, accountability, psychological safety, burnout, and leading effectively through change. Lisa brings over 20 years of leadership experience and coaching insight to help leaders navigate the pressure of performance while staying human. Through solo episodes and expert guest conversations, you’ll learn practical tools, coaching frameworks, and mindset shifts that you can apply immediately in your work. At the core of the show is the HEARTset Leadership Framework™. Be Human — build self-awareness and lead with authenticityElevate Others — give feedback, empower growth, lift others upAct — make clear, timely decisions without overthinking or rushingRelate — strengthen trust and connection across your team and organization to create psychological safetyBe Transparent — communicate clearly, honestly, and with intention, sharing what you can with your team without breaching confidentiality or giving them TMI (too much information) This podcast is designed to be your weekly leadership reset—helping you step into your week with intention, clarity, and a stronger connection to how you lead. Each episode provides actionable tips. If you’re a leader who cares deeply about people, wants to improve your leadership skills, and is committed to building a healthy, high-performing team culture, this podcast is for you. New episodes are released weekly to support leaders in navigating workplace challenges with clarity, confidence, and humanity. Let's crush your goals without crushing your soul - or your team! Show notes can be found here: https://heartsetstudio.com/podcast

  1. 14h ago

    Ep 21: The ADHD Leadership Paradox: High Performance, Hidden Cost & Inclusive Teams w/Roxana Tascu

    Can embracing ADHD unlock exceptional leadership—and what does it really take to harness neurodivergence for high-impact results? Visit: https://heartsetstudio.com/podcast for full show notes. In this episode of the HEARTset Studio Leadership Podcast, we dive headfirst into the nuanced reality of ADHD in the workplace, guided by renowned ADHD coach and business psychologist, Roxana Tascu. Whether you’re a leader managing a team, an entrepreneur seeking your edge, or someone striving to make your unique brain work for you, this conversation offers practical and deeply human insights you won’t find anywhere else. Episode Highlights: Leadership strengths of neurodivergent professionals: Discover how traits like creative problem-solving, high empathy, and nonlinear thinking can drive innovation—when properly supported—and why these qualities make many leaders with ADHD uniquely effective. But there’s a catch: Without the right structure, these same traits can cause overwhelm and missed opportunities.Late diagnosis and what it means for your career: Hear Roxana Tascu's honest account of receiving an ADHD diagnosis as a seasoned consultant. Her revelation: so many high achievers—especially women—go undiagnosed, missing out on key self-awareness that can transform their work and wellbeing.Practical strategies for leaders: Learn Roxana’s actionable advice for managing time blindness, leveraging accountability, and engineering your environment to maximize strengths and minimize burnout. Explore real-world tools for achieving “CEO and employee harmony” within yourself—essential for sustainable leadership.AI as a double-edged sword for productivity: Can technology help ADHD professionals deliver on their potential? Roxana unpacks her hands-on experiments with AI for verbal processing and strategic planning, outlining how it can fuel creativity and become a distraction if not used intentionally.Navigating conversations around ADHD in the workplace: For organizations striving for diversity and inclusion, Roxana outlines how leaders can support team members with ADHD, and how employees can effectively advocate for the support they need—moving beyond labels to real solutions.Why Listen? If you’re seeking neuroscience-backed leadership tips and crave honest talk about leveraging neurodiversity for team performance, this episode delivers. You’ll gain clarity on: Recognizing ADHD’s hidden advantages and pitfalls in leadership rolesBuilding personalized systems to convert potential “weaknesses” into unique superpowersHow to foster psychologically safe, high-performing teams inclusive of neurodivergent thinkersAbout the Guest: Roxana Tascu is a PCC-certified ADHD coach and business psychologist (MSc, UCL) with 1,600+ hours coaching entrepreneurs and senior professionals. She brings both personal experience and professional insight to help leaders unlock their ADHD advantage. Don’t miss this essential listen for leaders wanting innovative, actionable, and empathetic approaches to neurodiversity in business. Whether you have ADHD, manage neurodiverse teams, or simply want better self-leadership tools—this episode is packed with wisdom designed for today’s workplace. Keywords: ADHD leadership podcast, harnessing neurodiversity, leadership tools for ADHD, workplace inclusion, executive function strategies, productivity for entrepreneurs, AI tools for ADHD, time management, emotional intelligence, Roxana Tascu, HEARTset Studio

  2. Sep 28

    Ep 20: Leading on the Edge: Advancing Leadership With Heart, Integrity, and Innovation w/Judi Neal

    For full show notes, visit https://heartsetstudio.com/podcast What does it truly mean to lead with heart in times of uncertainty and change?Step into a transformative conversation on the HEARTset Studio Leadership Podcast, where Lisa Virtue welcomes Dr. Judi Neal, renowned author, scholar, and founder of Edgewalkers International. With a PhD from Yale and decades spent pioneering the field of workplace spirituality, Judi Neal brings unparalleled insight into the intersection of leadership, creativity, and the authentic self. In this episode, leaders and change agents will discover: What is an "Edgewalker"? Learn how having one foot in the mainstream and one in the realm of creativity or “weirdness” drives authentic innovation and impact in organizations.Real-world leadership lessons from whistleblowing at a major defense manufacturer—how one’s heart and integrity can shape courageous choices in the face of systemic wrongdoing.The shift from top-down to collective leadership: Explore groundbreaking examples of companies and communities, like the Fetzer Institute and Rockport Shoes, that are embracing shared leadership models and heart-centered practices to increase collaboration, trust, and innovation.Five Archetypes of Change: Discover Judi Neal’s new model for navigating transformation—Edgewalkers, Flamekeepers, Hearth Tenders, Placeholders, and Guardians—and how leaders can use these archetypes to build effective teams and lead change with compassion.Actionable tips for leaders: From harnessing intuition and spirituality at work to practical strategies for creating psychological safety, authentic communication, and fostering true inclusion. You’ll also learn about the “Edgewalker” self-assessment and how embracing your natural change archetype—alone or with your team—can unlock higher performance, resilience, and meaning in your organization. If you’re seeking: Leadership podcasts about heart-centered and authentic leadership in businessHow to drive organizational change while supporting wellness and innovationPractical frameworks for collective leadership, psychological safety, and team engagementHow to integrate workplace spirituality without religious overtonesTools and insights for navigating rapid change, AI disruption, and workplace transformation—this episode provides the fresh perspectives, real stories, and expert frameworks leaders are turning to for inspiration and true impact. Be ready to walk the edge, lead with heart, and discover your unique role in transforming the future of work. Don’t miss this essential episode with Dr. Judi Neal and Lisa Virtue—your roadmap to courageous, connected, and conscious leadership starts here.

  3. Sep 21

    Ep 19: AI Acceleration and HEARTset Leadership: Keeping People First Through Change w/Lisa Duerre

    What Does It Take to Lead with Heart in the Age of AI?For full show notes, visit: https://heartsetstudio.com/podcast Are you a leader feeling the pressure to keep up with AI and digital transformation—while still caring deeply about your people? In this transformative episode of the HEARTset Leadership Podcast, host Lisa Virtue sits down with Lisa Duerre, CEO and co-founder of RLD Group, a renowned expert in leadership alignment and AI readiness, to unpack one of the most urgent questions facing organizations: How do you thrive amid rapid AI integration without crushing your company’s culture or your own soul? Episode HighlightsHuman-Centered AI Leadership: Discover why “crush goals without crushing souls” isn’t just a tagline but a proven roadmap. Learn from Lisa Duerre, a former Fortune 500 executive and AI workforce capability consultant, how organizations that prioritize people—and not just bottom-line results—outperform and outlast their competitorsBreaking Down Burnout: Hear firsthand stories about overcoming leadership burnout, the rise of exponential AI adoption, and the essentials of rebooting your leadership drive for sustainable impactResearch-Driven Insights: Benefit from the latest applied research on why AI transformations stall—and how under-designed conversations, organizational silos, and lack of psychological safety for exploration can sabotage even the best strategies.Practical Tools for Leaders: Gain actionable strategies, including diagnostic tools and conversation frameworks, that help bridge the human and tech divide—no matter where you are on your AI journey.Why Heart Matters: Explore the neuroscience of creativity, the hidden power of taking pauses, and how fostering genuine curiosity and psychological safety can boost innovation (and performance) in high-pressure environments.Top Questions Answered: How should leaders respond if worried about AI disrupting their workplace? What’s the first conversation overwhelmed executives should have with themselves to create clarity and regain agency?Exclusive Sneak Peek: Get an insider look at the upcoming quick start guide co-created by Lisa Duerre and the authors of “Conversations Worth Having”—gear up to lead your team through the evolving landscape of AI-human partnership.Why Listen?If you’re searching for top leadership podcasts on AI, organizational transformation, burnout prevention, or the future of work, this episode delivers unmatched value. Learn why heart-led leadership is your organization’s differentiator in an era when machines are getting smarter, but only humans can inspire, connect, and build trust. Keywords: AI leadership, organizational culture, burnout, digital transformation, leadership podcast, future of work, leadership alignment, psychological safety, creativity, executive coaching, conversations worth having, AI readiness, RLD Group, Lisa Duerre, HEARTset, human-centered leadership. Ready to unlock the power of heart in AI-driven leadership? Listen now—and discover the edge your team needs to thrive, not just survive.

  4. Sep 14

    Ep 18: Get Curious About How Curiosity Can Help You Lead Better w/Debra Clary

    For full show notes, visit: https://heartsetstudio.com/podcast What if the key to unlocking your team's full potential isn't having all the answers—but asking bolder questions and being more curious? In this inspiring episode of the HEARTset Studio Leadership Podcast, host and executive coach Lisa Virtue sits down with Dr. Clary, author of the Amazon #1 bestselling book The Curiosity Curve, to explore why curiosity is the most overlooked—and most essential—leadership skill for today's rapidly changing world. Discover how Dr. Clary's unconventional journey—from Frito Lay route driver to senior executive at Fortune 50 companies like Coca-Cola and Humana—shaped her transformational view on leadership, growth, and organizational culture. Hear candid stories about embracing humble beginnings, the lessons learned in places as unexpected as a Detroit delivery truck, and why "curiosity killed the cat" is only half the original saying. Key Topics Covered: Why high-performing leaders with all the "right" answers often struggle with team engagementThe science-backed relationship between curiosity, engagement, and performance in the workplaceHow certainty shrinks possibility, while curiosity drives innovation and belongingPractical ways leaders can foster a culture of curiosity, ask better questions, and build trustWhat Dr. Clary's research revealed about millennial disengagement—and what leaders can do about itHow to personalize your leadership approach for each team member to maximize growthThe reality that curiosity is not an innate trait, but a contagious, learnable state Whether you lead a team of five or five thousand, this episode is packed with actionable insights for leaders and managers seeking to: Boost employee engagement and retentionBuild stronger individual and team relationshipsShift from transactional to transformational leadershipMaster change management in complex, fast-paced environmentsCultivate more innovative, resilient, and high-performing organizations Perfect for executives, new managers, HR professionals, and anyone invested in leadership development, and offers a roadmap to "crush goals without crushing souls"—starting with one powerful question at a time. Ready to move from certainty to curiosity? Tune in, get inspired, and learn how embracing a HEARTset can change the way you lead forever. SEO Tags: leadership podcast, curiosity in leadership, transformational leadership, employee engagement, workplace culture, Dr. Debra Clary, The Curiosity Curve, leadership development, change management, crisis leadership, team performance, manager coaching, building trust at work, leader skills for the future, HEARTset Studio Podcast

  5. Jul 23

    Ep 17: Season 1 Recap w/host Lisa Virtue

    Sign up for the HEARTwire Newsletter here: https://theheartwire.beehiiv.com/ for heartfelt letters of leadership learnings, research, practical tips, and insights from Coach Lisa Virtue straight to your inbox. Check out all the show notes here: http://heartsetstudio.com/podcast The Heart of Leadership: Lessons from Season 1 of the Heart Set Leadership Podcast As we wrap up Season 1 of the Heart Set Leadership Podcast, it's a moment to reflect on the valuable insights shared by our incredible guests and the importance of human connection in leadership. This season has emphasized that in a rapidly changing world, particularly with the rise of AI and organizational restructuring, leaders must prioritize their humanity and the well-being of their teams. ### The Human Edge in Leadership In a world saturated with technology, the common theme throughout our discussions was the critical need for leaders to harness their human edge. As we dive deeper into the heart set leadership framework, we’ll explore how being human, elevating others, taking action, relating authentically, and maintaining transparency are essential for effective leadership. Key Takeaways from Season 1 of the HEARTset Leadership Podcast As we conclude this season, here are the key takeaways: - H - (be) Human; Prioritize your humanity: Stay connected to your values and authenticity. - E - Elevate others; Mentor and elevate others: Help your team members thrive. - A -Act; Find the right pace for action: Balance urgency with thoughtful decision-making. - R - Relate; Foster authentic relationships: Build trust through open communication. - T - (be) Transaparent; Practice transparency: Create a culture of safety and trust within your team. With Season 2 launching in September 2026, we invite you to join us again for more enlightening conversations. Don't forget to sign up for the Heartwire newsletter for updates and additional resources to support your leadership journey. For more insights on leadership, check out our previous episodes or leave us a review to let us know how we can continue to help you grow as a leader. Thank you for being part of our journey this season, and we look forward to what lies ahead!

  6. Jul 13

    Ep 16: Bringing Levity to Leadership: How Humor and Heartset Build Stronger Teams w/Stefano Iaboni

    Can You Lead with Laughter? Unlocking the Power of Levity and Connection at WorkShow notes can be found here: http://heartsetstudio.com/podcast  What if the secret to stronger teams, deeper connection, and unforgettable leadership wasn't just in strategies or spreadsheets—but in a good laugh? “The closest thing for  Join Lisa Virtue on the HEARTset Studio Leadership Podcast as she sits down with international keynote speaker, team-building facilitator, and comedic performer Stefano Iaboni, founder of Smile Solution LLC, to uncover the transformative impact of humor and heart in the modern workplace. In this episode, you’ll find: Why levity in leadership matters: Discover how laughter can foster psychological safety, boost morale, and improve team performance—especially in high-pressure, fast-changing environments.Real-world stories & actionable tips: Hear how Stefano Iaboni’s global comedy background translates into practical strategies for bonding teams, igniting creativity, and even landing your next job interview.How to create psychological safety: Learn simple, effective icebreakers and authentic self-disclosure techniques that make meetings and team-building sessions truly engaging—not awkward or forced.Navigating humor’s delicate side: Understand the difference between inclusive, self-aware fun and the pitfalls of sarcasm or inappropriate jokes that erode trust.The leader’s challenge: How to show vulnerability, embrace mistakes, and create an environment where everyone feels empowered to share ideas—even the “ridiculous” ones that just might be brilliant.If you’re a leader struggling to balance results with retention, or an HR professional searching for practical ways to strengthen workplace culture, this episode delivers what you need: Expert insights on why modern teams thrive with laughter and how authenticity is your leadership superpower.Immediately actionable methods—from icebreakers to gamification—for making meetings and workplace interactions more human, memorable, and effective.The neuroscience behind humor: Find out how laughter creates real neurochemical shifts, making work a place people want to be, not just have to be.Key topics and search intent for today’s leaders: How to build team trust with humorCreating psychological safety for innovationTeam icebreakers that actually workInclusive leadership and the power of self-deprecating storiesLeveraging workplace levity for better engagement and retentionOvercoming the fear of “not being funny” as a leaderWhether you’re leading a remote team, navigating rapid organizational change, or simply want to bring more joy into your company, this episode will inspire you to infuse your leadership with laughter—and see real results. Ready to start leading with heart, humor, and humanity? Press play and step into the art (and science) of memorable, meaningful leadership. Want to level up your own or your organization’s leadership heartset? Visit http://heartsetstudio.com.

  7. Jul 6

    Ep 15: Burnout, Bore Out, and Belonging: How to Keep Your Team Engaged w/Jasmine Fitzpatrick

    How Can Heartfelt Leadership Transform Global Teams in the Age of AI, Burnout, and Uncertainty?For full show notes, visit: http://heartsetstudio.com/podcast Dive into an eye-opening conversation between Lisa Virtue and global learning leader Jasmine Fitzpatrick on this HEARTset Studio Leadership Podcast episode, where the focus is on actionable heart-centered leadership in a fast-changing world. Are you a leader seeking to build resilient, inclusive, and high-performing teams, while navigating the complexities of AI, burnout, remote work, and diversity? This episode delivers powerful insights and real-world strategies to help you empower your people and thrive in the face of uncertainty. Key Topics and Takeaways: Leading with Heart Across Borders: Jasmine Fitzpatrick shares her journey from Google Dublin to leading global learning at FIFA—and now as the founder of Impact Mission, supporting nonprofits and individuals through coaching and training. Her unique perspective on scaling diversity and inclusion programs, like Google's Precise Language, underscores the power and challenges of building cultures of belonging in multinational environments.Battling Burnout, Boreout & Change Fatigue: Discover why burnout isn’t just about overwork—but also about values misalignment and lack of meaningful impact. Jasmine Fitzpatrick introduces the concept of “boreout” and details how she’s helping organizations address burnout by embedding well-being and work-life balance practices, such as Google’s “One Simple Thing” initiative, into team culture.The Leadership Power of Psychological Safety: Drawing on Google’s Project Aristotle and her own experience, Jasmine Fitzpatrick and Lisa Virtue discuss how vulnerability and psychological safety drive true team performance, innovation, and longevity.AI, Upskilling, and Women in Tech: Explore the fears and realities facing leaders as AI reshapes the workplace. Hear how Jasmine Fitzpatrick is championing women in AI through grassroots community-building in Switzerland, while combatting “technological burnout” and the increasing need for in-person connection and critical thinking as technological demands accelerate.Career and Coaching Wisdom for Modern Leaders: Whether you’re job-seeking or leading, get practical advice on aligning your work with your core values, building resilience, and designing environments where people can truly thrive—inclusive of specific resources like the 80,000 Hours nonprofit career board for purpose-driven opportunities.Creating Boundary-Respecting Cultures: The episode tackles the hard realities of “schedule creep,” overwork, and the vital importance of leaders modeling and enabling healthy boundaries. Hear candid stories from Jasmine Fitzpatrick and Lisa Virtue on how powerful permission and clarity from leaders foster not just productivity, but sustainability and loyalty.Who Should Listen? Leaders and people managers at any level navigating remote, hybrid, or global teamsHR, L&D, and DEI professionals looking for actionable strategies to reduce burnout and foster engagementAspiring and current women in tech and those interested in the human impact of AICoaches, career seekers, and those interested in purpose-driven workYou will walk away with: Concrete ideas for building connection and trust across your teamsCandid frameworks for addressing burnout and technological overwhelmNew inspiration to lead with heartLeadership is human. Start building your HEARTset today.

  8. Jun 29

    Ep 14: Leading With Heart: Ethical Influence and Building High-Performing Teams w/Dan Rochon

    Are you ready to transform your leadership by blending heart, logic, and results-driven ethical influence?Check out the show notes here: http://heartsetleadership.com/podcast In this episode of the HEARTset Studio Leadership Podcast, host Lisa Virtue sits down with Dan Rochon, author of Teach to Sell: Why Top Salespeople Never Sell—and What They Do Instead, to crack open the secrets of authentic, ethical influence for today’s leaders. Drawing from his journey from high-end steakhouse waiter coping with addiction to respected real estate entrepreneur and sales mentor, Dan Rochon reveals how leaders can create consistent, predictable success—while staying connected to their hearts. Key Episode Highlights:Heartset vs. Mindset for Leaders: Understand why “all-in” leaders often risk burnout, and how to tap into both empathy and action for sustainable impact.The True Meaning of Ethical Influence: Distinguish between genuine persuasion and manipulation. Discover why putting others first creates results—and lasting trust..Self-Influence and Awareness Practices: Learn Dan Rochon’s practical framework rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and NLP—plus a powerful daily hack to reset your mindset for peak performance.The 3-Step CPI Communication Model: Unlock the step-by-step process to master rapport, ask adept questions, and actively listen—transforming your team dynamics and sales interactions..Coaching Your Team to Influence: Why the best leaders train their teams to be listeners, not talkers, and how that translates to real-world sales and internal growth.Practical Approaches for Marketplace Influence: Gain actionable advice for founders, solopreneurs, and business owners to pinpoint their “first domino,” achieve product-market fit, and scale authentically.The Six Core Priorities for Leadership: Discover the essential activities every leader must master—recruiting, selecting, training, leading, motivating, and managing the money—to create high-performance, purpose-driven organizations.Leveraging AI for Human-First Leadership: Explore how delegating routine tasks to AI frees up space for leaders and teams to focus on relationship-building and human connection in the workplace. Whether you’re a founder searching for ethical sales frameworks, a corporate leader looking to inspire your team, or an organizational coach wanting practical, neuroscience-backed leadership tools, this episode is packed with hands-on strategies and mindset shifts. Explore how to move from inconsistency to confidence, and from self-doubt to being a heart-centered leader who motivates results. Perfect for searches like: how to lead with heart and logicethical leadership vs. manipulationconsistent sales frameworks for foundershow to influence teams authenticallycommunication skills for leadersactionable leadership podcastbest leader podcasts 2026 Unlock new confidence and create meaningful, sustainable impact—starting from the inside out. Listen now and discover your blueprint for HEARTset leadership.

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Leadership is demanding. And for many leaders, it can feel isolating, overwhelming, and constant. Especially leading humans, as a human, in this age of AI. The HEARTset Leadership Podcast is for managers, executives, and emerging leaders who want to lead with clarity, confidence, and emotional intelligence—without burning out in the process. Hosted by executive leadership coach and founder of HEARTset Studio, Lisa Virtue, this show explores what it really takes to lead people in today’s workplace, especially when you care about your people and your priorities are constantly shifting. Each episode focuses on real leadership challenges like difficult conversations, trust, decision making, team dynamics, accountability, psychological safety, burnout, and leading effectively through change. Lisa brings over 20 years of leadership experience and coaching insight to help leaders navigate the pressure of performance while staying human. Through solo episodes and expert guest conversations, you’ll learn practical tools, coaching frameworks, and mindset shifts that you can apply immediately in your work. At the core of the show is the HEARTset Leadership Framework™. Be Human — build self-awareness and lead with authenticityElevate Others — give feedback, empower growth, lift others upAct — make clear, timely decisions without overthinking or rushingRelate — strengthen trust and connection across your team and organization to create psychological safetyBe Transparent — communicate clearly, honestly, and with intention, sharing what you can with your team without breaching confidentiality or giving them TMI (too much information) This podcast is designed to be your weekly leadership reset—helping you step into your week with intention, clarity, and a stronger connection to how you lead. Each episode provides actionable tips. If you’re a leader who cares deeply about people, wants to improve your leadership skills, and is committed to building a healthy, high-performing team culture, this podcast is for you. New episodes are released weekly to support leaders in navigating workplace challenges with clarity, confidence, and humanity. Let's crush your goals without crushing your soul - or your team! Show notes can be found here: https://heartsetstudio.com/podcast