The Mike Method

Mike Desjardins
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Welcome to the Mike Method, where we believe conversations with leaders matter. Join host Mike Desjardins, CEO of ViRTUS as he takes you on a journey through conversations with some of the most inspiring leaders he's had the pleasure of meeting over the past 25 years. In each episode, listeners get to be a fly on the wall as Mike chats with leaders who are more than just that—they're mentors, coaches, and true inspirations. Imagine having coffee with them, diving into their stories, learning about their triumphs and trials, and discovering the lessons they've applied to achieve real success. These aren't run-of-the-mill media personalities; these are leaders who make a difference behind the scenes, whose impact is felt by those they lead and work with every day. As a B Corp committed to the triple bottom line, ViRTUS cares about everyone involved in their journey—partners, vendors, customers, employees, families, charities, the environment, and communities. Join the exploration of how leaders who think differently show up differently. New episodes coming to your ears every Tuesday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. EP100 Why “Just Push Through It” Stops Working with Kara Kalin

    5D AGO

    EP100 Why “Just Push Through It” Stops Working with Kara Kalin

    We’re excited to welcome Kara Kalin for the 100th episode of The Mike Method. We’re also incredibly grateful for the support that has helped us reach this milestone. Every listen, follow, share, and conversation around the podcast truly means so much to us. In this conversation, she shares how early experiences in sport, grief, pressure, and performance shaped the way she understood strength, achievement, and emotional survival. Kara has spent more than two decades working at the intersection of trauma, resilience, mental health, and high performance as a registered clinical counselor, certified EMDR therapist, mental performance specialist, former national level athlete, and Team Canada coach. Together, she and Mike explore how trauma can remain stored in the body long after an experience is over, why “just push through it” is not a sustainable strategy, and how nervous system overload often shows up as anxiety, overthinking, shutdown, or emotional exhaustion. Kara also breaks down EMDR in a practical and accessible way, explaining how trauma loops form, the difference between conscious and unconscious looping, why many people cannot simply reason their way out of activation, and how processing experiences can create more capacity, connection, and resilience over time. The conversation explores parenting, sport culture, leadership, grief, emotional regulation, and the difference between surviving hard experiences and actually healing from them. This episode is about learning how to move through life with what Kara calls a strong spine and an open heart. Episode Resources: Kara Kalin: Website / LinkedIn Shift Change - leadership and corporate integration: Website ViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedIn Sign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  2. EP99 Almost Good Enough: Perfectionism, Peace, and the Nervous System with Lynn Sumida

    MAY 12

    EP99 Almost Good Enough: Perfectionism, Peace, and the Nervous System with Lynn Sumida

    In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike sits down with returning guest Lynn Sumida for a deeply personal conversation about perfectionism, nervous system safety, and the hidden fear many high performers carry beneath constant striving. Lynn is the founder of Mirrors Point and Expanding You, co-author of The Extraordinary Within, and is currently writing her upcoming book Almost Good Enough, which explores the pressure so many people feel to perform, perfect, and prove themselves. Together, Mike and Lynn explore why peace can feel uncomfortable for the nervous system, how early experiences shape our relationship with safety, and why many leaders stay stuck in cycles of achievement while struggling to actually enjoy the journey. The conversation also moves into masculinity, emotional sensitivity, vulnerability, and the difference between the polished facade people present to the world and the very human reality underneath it. Topics include: nervous system protection and hypervigilanceperfectionism and productivitywhy white space can feel threateningemotional safety and childhood patterningvulnerability and leadershipthe inner critic and self-protectionpeace, achievement, and identityhow early experiences shape adult behavior Lynn also shares details about her upcoming Almost Good Enough workshop experience happening in Nanaimo. Episode Resources: Connect with Lynn: Linkedin / Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  3. EP98 Alignment Over Agreement: The Leadership Skill Most People Miss with Céline Williams

    MAY 5

    EP98 Alignment Over Agreement: The Leadership Skill Most People Miss with Céline Williams

    Agreement is not the goal. Alignment is. In this episode, Mike sits down with Céline Williams, a business strategist, executive coach, and leadership development expert who has spent more than 15 years helping fast-growth companies and Fortune 500 organizations build stronger cultures, improve communication, and lead with greater clarity. This conversation starts where most leadership advice does not, with self-awareness. Céline shares why understanding your own reactions, patterns, and internal drivers is the foundation for everything else, including empathy, communication, and decision making. From there, they explore the difference between listening for agreement and listening for understanding, and why that shift can change how we navigate conflict, relationships, and team dynamics. They also get into: Why empathy starts with curiosity about yourselfA simple two-question framework to approach difficult conversationsThe relationship between people and systems, and why one cannot be prioritized at the expense of the otherThe false choice between kindness and accountabilityWhy leaders need to acknowledge power dynamics to build real psychological safetyThis is a grounded, practical conversation with ideas that feel clear once they are named, but are easy to miss when you are immersed in the day to day. Episode Resources: Connect with Celine on LinkedIn reVisionary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  4. EP97 Resilience, Clarity, and Decision Making in an AI Driven World with Reese Haydon

    APR 29

    EP97 Resilience, Clarity, and Decision Making in an AI Driven World with Reese Haydon

    Resilience is often framed as pushing through. But in a world where AI, fintech, and constant change are reshaping how we work, that definition is no longer enough. In this episode, Mike sits down with Reese Hayden, Senior Director and Head of Executive Talent and Learning at PayPal. Reese leads executive selection, development, and top team effectiveness for senior leaders, and has spent over a decade helping organizations like Salesforce, Dropbox, and Cisco connect leadership development directly to strategy and performance. Together, they explore what leadership requires when the pace of change continues to accelerate. They break down PayPal’s four core leadership capabilities: investing in self and others, leading with clarity, impactful problem solving, and agile decision making, and how these show up in real, day to day leadership. The conversation moves beyond theory into practical tools, including how to recognize when you are in the “yellow” before burnout, the difference between productive and destructive tension, and how simple frameworks like DAISY and the Five Whys help leaders make better decisions and avoid solving the wrong problems. This is a grounded, practical conversation on how leaders can stay effective, present, and resilient without running themselves into the ground. Episode Resources: Connect with Reese on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  5. EP96 Boundaries That Change Everything: Strength, Safety, and Letting Go of People Pleasing with Dana Skaggs

    APR 22

    EP96 Boundaries That Change Everything: Strength, Safety, and Letting Go of People Pleasing with Dana Skaggs

    Setting and defending healthy boundaries saved Dana Skaggs’ life, and in this conversation, she breaks down exactly why. Mike Desjardins sits down with Dana Skaggs, therapist and trauma specialist known for her work on boundaries, to explore how anxiety, people pleasing, resentment, and emotional exhaustion are often rooted in one core issue: weak or unclear boundaries. Drawing from both her professional work and her own upbringing in a home shaped by unpredictability and emotional volatility, Dana shares how discovering boundaries changed not just her career, but her entire life. Together, they unpack what boundaries actually are, why they feel so difficult to set, and what really happens when you start to change the dynamic in your relationships. Dana introduces practical frameworks like the “yard” analogy, where your thoughts, feelings, and actions are yours to own, and explains why the pushback you receive after setting a boundary is not a sign you are doing it wrong, but often a sign you are doing it right. They also explore people pleasing, the fear of losing relationships, and the reality that if someone cannot accept your “no,” the relationship may not be what you think it is. This conversation offers a grounded, honest look at what it takes to move toward relationships built on strength, safety, and personal responsibility. Episode Resources Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend Learn more about Dana Skaggs: Website Connect with Dana: LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  6. EP95 Building Real Relationships in a Digital World with Janice Porter

    APR 14

    EP95 Building Real Relationships in a Digital World with Janice Porter

    JIn a world where AI can automate outreach and communication, authentic human connection has never been more valuable. In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins sits down with Janice Porter, entrepreneur, trainer, and relationship marketing expert, to explore why trust and meaningful relationships remain the ultimate competitive advantage. Janice, a former teacher and corporate trainer, now helps business owners grow their companies through relationship-driven networking. Specializing in LinkedIn consulting and training, she is the creator of the REAL framework—Refresh, Engage, Appreciate, and Leverage—a practical approach to nurturing connections, staying top of mind, and generating referrals through genuine engagement rather than transactional networking. Together, Mike and Janice discuss the erosion of trust in a digital-first world and share simple, actionable ways to build deeper relationships. From reconnecting with existing contacts to thoughtful gestures like handwritten cards, video messages, and intentional introductions, this conversation offers practical strategies to strengthen trust and create lasting opportunities. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why trust is the true competitive advantage in today’s business landscapeHow the REAL framework supports meaningful relationship buildingThe importance of reconnecting with existing contactsSimple gestures that create lasting impressionsWhy referrals are earned through consistent connection, not requested Episode Resources: Janice Porter: Website / Podcast / LinkedIn Generating Business Referrals by Stacey Brown Randall ViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedIn Sign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  7. EP94 From Autopilot to Alignment: Breaking Free from People Pleasing with Leslie Brown

    APR 7

    EP94 From Autopilot to Alignment: Breaking Free from People Pleasing with Leslie Brown

    If you have ever felt caught between who you are and who the world expects you to be, this conversation will land. In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins sits down with Leslie Brown to explore what it takes to move from autopilot into alignment. Leslie is an embodiment coach, facilitator, and Director of Organizational Development who helps individuals and leaders reconnect with their inner wisdom and understand how their patterns shape the way they live, lead, and relate. Her work sits at the intersection of nervous system awareness, embodiment, and leadership, supporting people to stay present, grounded, and clear in moments that matter. Together, Mike and Leslie unpack how people pleasing patterns form, why we lose connection to ourselves, and where real change actually begins. This conversation offers a practical starting point for anyone ready to slow down, build self awareness, and choose growth over protection. Episode Resources: Leslie Brown: Website / Services #884 - Nick Pollard - How To Stop Being Such A People Pleaser Modern Wisdom ViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedIn Sign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  8. EP93 The Art of Communication: How We Listen, Repair, and Build Real Connection

    MAR 31

    EP93 The Art of Communication: How We Listen, Repair, and Build Real Connection

    This special episode brings together key moments from past conversations exploring one of the most important and often overlooked leadership skills: communication. Not just how we speak, but how we listen. How we respond when we are triggered. How we repair conflict. And how we build relationships rooted in clarity, curiosity, and trust. Across these conversations, we move beyond surface level advice and into the mechanics of real connection. From managing emotional reactions and staying present in a distracted world, to learning how charisma, attention, and honest dialogue shape the way we relate to each other. Together, these perspectives offer a practical guide for communicating in a way that strengthens relationships at work, at home, and everywhere in between. Featured conversations includeMike Desjardins on the ABC method for managing triggers and choosing intentional responses in the momentAhna Boley on designing conversations for attention and presence in a world full of distractionMilam Miller on redefining charisma as the ability to make others feel seen, heard, and rememberedAdrienne Giffen on why meaningful conversation matters more than ever and how it reconnects usJayson Gaddis on the conflict repair cycle and the communication skills that build stronger relationships over timeMichael Bungay Stanier on understanding what brings out our best and how to intentionally shape the relationships that matter most In this episode, we exploreWhy emotional awareness is the foundation of effective communicationHow attention and presence shape the quality of conversationsThe difference between reacting and responding in moments of tensionPractical tools for navigating conflict and repairing relationshipsHow curiosity and listening create psychological safetyWhy intentional conversations lead to stronger, more resilient relationships Episode Resources: Ahna Boley Episode Milam Miller Episode Jayson Gaddis Episode Michael Bungay Stanier ViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedIn Sign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Oura Ring Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
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About

Welcome to the Mike Method, where we believe conversations with leaders matter. Join host Mike Desjardins, CEO of ViRTUS as he takes you on a journey through conversations with some of the most inspiring leaders he's had the pleasure of meeting over the past 25 years. In each episode, listeners get to be a fly on the wall as Mike chats with leaders who are more than just that—they're mentors, coaches, and true inspirations. Imagine having coffee with them, diving into their stories, learning about their triumphs and trials, and discovering the lessons they've applied to achieve real success. These aren't run-of-the-mill media personalities; these are leaders who make a difference behind the scenes, whose impact is felt by those they lead and work with every day. As a B Corp committed to the triple bottom line, ViRTUS cares about everyone involved in their journey—partners, vendors, customers, employees, families, charities, the environment, and communities. Join the exploration of how leaders who think differently show up differently. New episodes coming to your ears every Tuesday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Desjardins
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mike Desjardins
  • Show Website
    The Mike Method