Unlocked with Madelyn Blair

Madelyn Blair, PhD

Experts join Madelyn in conversation on the knowledge and skills to be the leader of your career, business or both. Expect stories, surprises, and solid information.

  1. 4d ago

    Seven Strengths that Last a Lifetime with Michele Borba S5 E47

    Seven human strengths that parents, teachers, and leaders can intentionally develop and that may matter more than ever in an AI-driven world.Resilience isn't something we're born with—it can be intentionally developed.In this thought-provoking conversation, educational psychologist Dr. Michele Borba shares the seven human strengths that help children and adults thrive: confidence, empathy, self-control, integrity, curiosity, perseverance, and optimism. Together, we explore why anxiety is rising across generations, what neuroscience tells us about the developing brain, how AI and technology are changing childhood, and what parents, educators, and leaders can do to build the human capacities that matter most. In Grounds for Thought, I examine France's new restrictions on children's social media use and what they suggest about our responsibility to help young people become thoughtful citizens, capable professionals, and resilient human beings.

  2. Jul 21

    Follow Your Fancy with Barbara Bitondo S5 E46

    What if creativity isn't a talent but a way of paying attention? Professional and avocational Artist Barbara Bitondo shows how curiosity, observation, and reflection can transform not only art, but leadership, learning, and the way we live.

  3. Jul 14

    Beauty Is Not an Option S5 E45

    What happens when the thing that has defined you for twenty-three years suddenly disappears? Behind every graceful performance is a story of extraordinary endurance. Former Houston Ballet ballerina Suzanne Longley reveals what resilience really looks like when an entire identity must change. People often see ballet as effortless beauty. What they don't see are the seventeen years of training, the constant pain, the injuries, and the reality that most professional ballet careers end before the age of thirty-five. This week on Unlocked, I sit down with former Houston Balletballerina Suzanne Longley, who performed at the Kennedy Center before reinventing herself as a successful landscape designer and entrepreneur. Her story isn't simply about dance. It's about discipline, identity, resilience,and discovering that the skills you've spent a lifetime developing may be exactly what prepares you for an entirely unexpected future.

  4. Jul 7

    You Can't Use an Old Map to Explore a New World

    Story pioneer Paul Andrew Costello explores why the futureis not something we predict but something already emerging around us—and how changing the stories we tell ourselves allows us to recognize it, shape it, and live into it. "You can't use an old map to explore a new world." Most of us hear that quote and immediately think about change. This conversation asks a deeper question. What if the greatest obstacle to the future isn't uncertainty? What if it's the stories we've stopped questioning? On this episode of Unlocked, I sit down with my longtime friend and colleague Paul Andrew Costello, whose work has shaped peacebuilding efforts in Northern Ireland and influenced leaders around the world. Together we explore why meaning changes over time, whyhistory can become a resource rather than a burden, and why Abraham Lincoln's call to "disenthrall ourselves" may be more relevant today than ever. One idea has stayed with me ever since we recorded thisepisode: The future is not driving us. It is drawing us. That single shift changes how we think about resilience,leadership, learning, and even hope. If you're navigating uncertainty—in your work, yourorganization, or your own life—I think you'll find this conversation worth your time. What old map are you still using to navigate a world that has fundamentally changed? #Leadership #Resilience #FutureThinking #Storytelling #NarrativeLeadership #Innovation #Learning #Change #Unlocked

  5. Jun 23

    Secrets for Functional Fitness with Beth Leasure-Hudson S5 E42

    What are the options to remain strong, capable, and independent as we age? My guest this week is Beth Leasure-Hudson, a Masters National Champion cyclist, World Championship competitor, and elite coach who has spent decades studying what creates peak performance. But this conversation isn't just for athletes. It's for anyone who wants to continue living life fully. It’s for those who want options. We'll talk about functional fitness, muscle strength, balance, hydration, sleep, social connection, and why the choices wemake today shape how we will live years from now. Beth brings the perspective of a world-class competitor and coach, but the lessons apply to every one of us – for every one of us who wants options on how to build the strength and resilience needed for the life ahead.

  6. Jun 16

    Diplomacy's Invisible Impact with Ambassador Susan Stevenson

    How diplomacy’s quiet presence can shape lives, communities, and even the course of nations along with ordinary Americans. What does diplomacy actually look like from the inside?Most Americans never see the work diplomats do on behalf of the country. Yet diplomacy touches everything from trade and economic prosperity to conflict prevention, disaster response, public health, and the protection of American citizens abroad.In this episode of Unlocked, Madelyn Blair sits down with retired Ambassador Susan Stevenson, who spent more than three decades serving the United States around the world. From negotiations involving North Korea's nuclear program to helping Americans during crises in Equatorial Guinea and Myanmar, Ambassador Stevenson shares the realities of diplomatic service, the power of relationships, and the leadership lessons learned while representing the United States overseas.This conversation explores diplomacy not as political theater, but as the patient work of building trust, understanding cultures, and creating connections that can change lives.In this episode, you'll learn:✔ What diplomats actually do day-to-day✔ How diplomacy affects everyday Americans✔ Why relationships and trust are essential to national security✔ The realities of serving overseas for decades✔ How women have shaped modern diplomacy✔ What young people should study if they are interested in the Foreign Service✔ Why adaptability, curiosity, and mission-driven leadership matter✔ The meaning behind the diplomatic phrase "the last three feet"About Ambassador Susan StevensonAmbassador Susan N. Stevenson enjoyed a three-decade career as a diplomat, serving as Ambassador to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Chargé d'Affaires to Myanmar. Her career also included assignments in Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, and leadership positions within the U.S. Department of State. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, she worked in international business with the Kellogg Company.4 Things You'll LearnWhy diplomacy is one of the least understood but most important public services.How international relationships are built through trust rather than transactions.What leadership lessons diplomats learn from working across cultures.How diplomacy quietly influences security, trade, humanitarian response, and everyday life.

  7. Jun 11

    The World is More Alive Than We Think with Cynthia Kurtz

    The surprising relationship between intention andemergence—and why understanding both may be one of the most important leadership skills of our time. #Unlocked #MadelynBlair #Resilience #Leadership #SystemsThinking #Complexity#OrganizationalDevelopment #Culture #ChangeManagement #AdaptiveLeadership#Learning

  8. Jun 4

    The Courage to Sing with Jolie Rocke

    What it means to devote your life to a voice that exists only in the moment it is shared with Dr. Jolie Rocke. #Unlocked #MadelynBlair #Resilience #MusicEducation #Opera #ArtsEducation #Leadership #Creativity #PerformingArts #HBCU #VocalPerformance

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About

Experts join Madelyn in conversation on the knowledge and skills to be the leader of your career, business or both. Expect stories, surprises, and solid information.

Information

  • Creator
    Madelyn Blair, PhD
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Madelyn Blair, PhD
  • Show Website
    Unlocked with Madelyn Blair