Because People Matter

This is Because People Matter, a podcast that explores the powerful intersection of emotional intelligence, the neuroscience of transformation, leadership theory, and intercultural mindset. Hosted by Dr. Helen Fagan, each episode features leaders who are creating high-impact organizations where every team member is able to bring their best to the table. This is the podcast for leaders who want to do business in a way that leverages and honors all stakeholders.  This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

  1. (#51) Finding Strength in Stillness: Breath, Movement, and Nervous System Healing

    3d ago

    (#51) Finding Strength in Stillness: Breath, Movement, and Nervous System Healing

    What if stillness wasn’t weakness—but one of the greatest forms of strength? In this episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Pilates instructor and movement specialist Wendy Samson for a deeply grounding conversation about breath, body awareness, nervous system regulation, and healing through movement. As part three of Helen’s special mini-series on leadership and well-being, this episode explores how reconnecting with the body can help leaders navigate stress, uncertainty, and emotional overwhelm. Wendy shares how movement became her passion after witnessing how disconnected many people were from their own bodies and emotions. Together, Helen and Wendy discuss fight-or-flight responses, the importance of feeling safe in movement, and why “movement only feels as good as your body feels safe.” This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t always require pushing harder—sometimes it begins with breathing, pausing, and learning to listen. Sign-up for our Bi-Weekly Newsletter! Episode References: Helen Fagan and Associates https://helenfagan.com Polestar Pilates International https://polestarpilates.com Instagram – Wendy Samson https://www.instagram.com/wendy.fit.fun/ Email – Wendy Samson wendydrewsamson@gmail.com Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence   This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    37 min
  2. (#49) You Matter Too: A Conversation on Leadership, Mental Health, and Support Systems

    May 27

    (#49) You Matter Too: A Conversation on Leadership, Mental Health, and Support Systems

    What does it look like to lead when life feels heavy, uncertain, and out of your control? In this deeply personal episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan is joined by her team—Cindy Conger, Sam Crick, and her husband Scott Fagan—for an honest conversation about leadership, resilience, and the importance of self-care during times of uncertainty. As Helen navigates the emotional weight of global conflict impacting her family, the group reflects on what it means to lead while carrying personal challenges. Together, they explore practical strategies for staying grounded, including mindfulness, emotional awareness, communication, and building strong support systems. This episode marks the beginning of a special series focused on helping leaders care for themselves so they can better care for others—because leading like people matter also means leading like you matter. Sign-up for our Bi-Weekly Newsletter! Episode References: Helen Fagan and Associates https://helenfagan.com Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence   This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    30 min
  3. (#48) Leaders, Stop Being Impressive and Start Being Useful

    May 13

    (#48) Leaders, Stop Being Impressive and Start Being Useful

    What if the key to growing your business isn’t strategy—but you? In this episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Alex Judd, founder of Path for Growth and host of the Path for Growth Podcast, to explore why personal growth is the foundation of sustainable business success. Alex shares powerful insights on leadership development, including the stages every leader must navigate—from individual contributor to mentor—and why true leadership is measured by your ability to make others effective. Together, they unpack what healthy business growth actually looks like beyond revenue, why role clarity is essential for CEOs, and how leaders can move from being impressive to being useful. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs and leaders who want to grow themselves and their organizations at the same time. Sign-up for our Bi-Weekly Newsletter! Episode References: Helen Fagan and Associates https://helenfagan.com Path for Growth https://pathforgrowth.com Dave Ramsey https://www.daveramsey.com Worth It Wednesday https://pathforgrowth.com/worth-it-wednesday The Leadership Challenge https://www.leadershipchallenge.com Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence   This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    38 min
  4. (#47) The Story Behind the Numbers: Empowering Women Founders and Financial Clarity

    Apr 29

    (#47) The Story Behind the Numbers: Empowering Women Founders and Financial Clarity

    What if numbers weren’t just data—but stories waiting to be understood? In this episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Christina Sjahli, founder of Profit Reimagined, to explore how financial clarity can empower women founders and social impact leaders. From leaving Indonesia at 16 to building a purpose-driven business in Canada, Christina shares her powerful journey and how it shaped her belief that profit, people, and purpose must work together. Together, they unpack the hidden mental load founders carry—what Christina calls “invisible cognitive strain”—and how unspoken financial uncertainty can impact leadership, decision-making, and team well-being. This episode offers a fresh perspective on finance, reframing numbers as tools for clarity, confidence, and growth. A must-listen for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone seeking to align business success with meaningful impact. Sign-up for our Bi-Weekly Newsletter! Episode References: Helen Fagan and Associates https://helenfagan.com Profit Reimagined https://profitreimagined.com/ Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence   This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    40 min
  5. (#46) Leading with Heart: Melissa Hurrington on Burnout, Boundaries, and Putting People Over Profit

    Apr 15

    (#46) Leading with Heart: Melissa Hurrington on Burnout, Boundaries, and Putting People Over Profit

    What happens when a high-performing leader realizes success is coming at the cost of their own well-being? In this powerful episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Melissa Hurrington, CFO and VP of Operations, for a deeply honest conversation about leadership, burnout, and the courage to change. Melissa shares her journey from prioritizing performance and productivity to redefining success through boundaries, self-awareness, and a people-first philosophy. From a pivotal moment of tough feedback that reshaped her leadership to a life-altering experience with clinical burnout, this episode explores what it really means to lead with heart—not just for others, but for yourself. If you’re a leader navigating pressure, growth, or the challenge of balancing ambition with well-being, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. Sign-up for our Bi-Weekly Newsletter! Episode References: Helen Fagan and Associates https://helenfagan.com Melissa Hurrington https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahurrington Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence   This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    36 min
  6. (#44) The Internal Edge: Mandy Morris on Trauma, Leadership, and Nervous System Regulation

    Mar 18

    (#44) The Internal Edge: Mandy Morris on Trauma, Leadership, and Nervous System Regulation

    What if high performance is not just about strategy, but about what is happening underneath the surface? In this episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan talks with Mandy Morris — executive psychology coach, EMDR clinician, founder of The Internal Edge, and co-founder of soFree — about the hidden internal patterns that shape leadership, decision-making, burnout, and success. Together, they explore how unresolved trauma, subconscious beliefs, and nervous system activation can quietly influence everything from boundaries to business growth. Mandy shares why success can amplify what is unresolved, how leaders can move from self-awareness into ownership, and why regulating the body is often the first step toward changing behavior. The conversation also dives into EMDR, high achievement, emotional intelligence, and Mandy’s new soFree app designed to help users reset stress in under two minutes. If you enjoy leadership podcasts that blend personal growth with practical insight, this episode brings that same mix of depth, clarity, and real-world application. Sign-up for our Bi-Weekly Newsletter! Episode References: Helen Fagan and Associates https://helenfagan.com So Free App https://getsofree.com EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) https://emdr.com Gabor Maté https://drgabormate.com Bruce Springsteen https://brucespringsteen.net The Body Keeps the Score https://besselvanderkolk.com TEDx Talk by Mandy Morris https://youtu.be/yQOFmRwtR4o?si=W1vH9Bw4NnQ18naX Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence   This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    37 min
5
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

This is Because People Matter, a podcast that explores the powerful intersection of emotional intelligence, the neuroscience of transformation, leadership theory, and intercultural mindset. Hosted by Dr. Helen Fagan, each episode features leaders who are creating high-impact organizations where every team member is able to bring their best to the table. This is the podcast for leaders who want to do business in a way that leverages and honors all stakeholders.  This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

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