Still Evolving

Dr. Amy Athey
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business

Hosted by Dr. Amy Athey, Still Evolving explores the truth behind lasting high performance and resilience. Rather than relying on perfection or superhuman ability, the podcast highlights how real strength emerges through simple, intentional habits, grounded in self-compassion, adaptability, and the ability to grow through life’s inevitable setbacks. Each episode features stories and insights from leaders in sport, the military, and business. Through their journeys, listeners see the shared humanity behind exceptional achievement and the foundational practices that help them keep “Still Evolving” both at the height of success and in moments of challenge.

  1. 5d ago

    Your Team Is Watching You: Lead Through the Hard Moments. with Kenn Todorov

    What happens to your team when things go wrong? They watch how you respond, and your reaction shapes how they move forward. Kenn Todorov, sector vice president and general manager at Northrop Grumman, joins Dr. Amy Athey for a conversation about servant leadership, composure under pressure, and the responsibility leaders carry when their teams are looking to them for direction. Drawing on 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he retired as a brigadier general, and his transition into business leadership, Kenn shares the lessons that have shaped his approach to leading people through uncertainty and change. One defining moment came after his squadron lost an aircraft in a mishap. Kenn was struggling with the setback when his commanding officer delivered a blunt reminder: the team was watching him, and they needed to see him lead through the problem. That conversation changed how Kenn approaches adversity, from military operations to missed business opportunities. Kenn and Amy explore why fear-based leadership produces compliance rather than commitment, how servant leaders build lasting connections, and why humility matters when entering a new industry or taking on unfamiliar challenges. Kenn also shares his approach to sustaining high performance through curiosity, sleep, recreation, and meaningful relationships. A conversation about leadership under pressure, resilience, humility, and showing up for your team when it matters most.

  2. Oct 12

    Walking Toward the Chaos with Marie Johnston

    What if the messiest situations in business are also where the greatest leadership impact lives? Marie Johnston has built her career around walking into complicated situations and helping organizations move forward. As a finance and operations executive specializing in turnaround and transformation work, she has led teams through financial crises, compliance failures, organizational restructuring, and the intense pace that comes with fixing what is broken. In this conversation with Dr. Amy Athey, Marie shares what she looks for when she first enters a struggling organization, why she wants to meet the person everyone calls a complainer, and how curiosity, grit, and a willingness to speak up can make someone an invaluable member of a turnaround team. Marie also explains how she coaches teams through pressure and setbacks. Her approach centers on understanding the why, communicating openly about the problem and the temporary solution, creating room for people to try and fail, and continually returning to the next step that moves the organization forward. The conversation also explores working with private equity firms, managing the pressure for rapid results, and the importance of showing progress through consistent communication. Marie closes with the personal philosophy that keeps her grounded through demanding seasons: knowing your why and using your work to help others grow. A conversation about leadership, resilience, turnaround work, team development, accountability, and finding impact in the middle of chaos.

  3. Oct 5

    12% of the Plan and the Next Right Step with Jack Smith

    What do you do when you don't have all the information, the plan isn't complete, and the situation still demands a decision? Jack Smith, founder and CEO of Fortuna Business Management Consulting, joins Dr. Amy Athey for a conversation about leading through uncertainty, adversity, rapid growth, and major change. Drawing from his experience growing a company from 40 to 800 employees before navigating a dramatic contraction, Jack shares the mindset that has helped him keep moving forward when circumstances don't go according to plan. At the center of the conversation is Jack's idea of having “12% of the plan.” You don't need every step mapped out. You need to know where you are, who is with you, what resources you have, what the primary objective is, and what the next right step looks like. From there, you adapt. Jack and Amy explore why “perfect is the enemy of done,” how failure becomes useful when you actually learn from it, and why systems and checklists should create guardrails without locking you into a rigid script. Jack also shares his work supporting veterans and service members as they transition into the emerging space economy, including his work with the U.S. Space Force Association. A conversation about resilience, leadership, adaptability, uncertainty, and learning to move forward before you have the whole picture. Chapters33:06 Why Real-World Decisions Are Messy01:54:22 Acting Without the Full Picture02:51:06 Courageous Action04:10:20 Meet Jack Smith05:30:28 Leading Through Change06:17:01 Nothing Is Ever as Good or Bad as It Seems07:22:18 Be a Goldfish09:28:28 Work the Problem10:16:00 Learning From Failure11:31:12 What's Important Now?12:22:18 Leading Through Uncertainty12:47:24 The 12% of the Plan13:32:21 Keep Your Feet Nimble14:14:12 Losing 50% of Revenue15:28:15 The Courage to Move Forward16:43:22 The Core Pieces of the Plan17:19:24 Plans, Systems, and Checklists18:40:20 Perfect Is the Enemy of Done19:02:29 Jack's Air Force Background20:21:13 The Emerging Space Economy21:19:06 From Idea to Mission22:11:00 Careers in the Space Economy22:35:01 Where to Learn More23:12:03 Closing Thoughts

  4. Sep 28

    AI Can Do It. But Should It?: The Leadership Cost of Moving Too Fast with Jerome Stewart

    What happens when the pressure to move faster starts getting in the way of good leadership? Jerome Stewart has spent decades leading marketing teams through technology shifts, organizational change, and high-growth environments. Now, as he steps into a new leadership role following his company's IPO, he is navigating another major transformation: the rapid rise of AI. In this conversation with Dr. Amy Athey, Jerome explores what it takes to lead through change without losing the human element. He shares why calmness matters, how a listening tour can help leaders understand their teams before making changes, and the unexpected lesson a manager taught him when he was working as a busboy in Albuquerque. Jerome also takes a thoughtful look at AI's growing role in the workplace. While these tools can dramatically increase productivity, he questions what happens when everyone starts producing the same polished emails, presentations, and content. The bigger leadership question becomes: AI can do it, but should AI do it? At the heart of the conversation is a simple principle: be quick, but don't hurry. Move with purpose, maintain your composure, listen before prescribing, and make sure humans remain responsible for the decisions and work they put their names behind. A timely conversation about leadership, technology, change, ownership, and staying grounded when everything around you is accelerating. 📚 CHAPTERS00;00;34;27 Welcome to Still Evolving 00;01;09;08 The Leadership Cost of Hurry 00;02;34;17 Be Quick, But Don't Hurry 00;02;56;21 The Four Capacities of High Performers 00;03;31;03 Leadership in an AI-Saturated World 00;05;07;06 Meet Jerome Stewart 00;06;54;13 Leading Through Change 00;08;02;25 Navigating Life After an IPO 00;09;30;00 Keeping Teams Motivated Through Change 00;11;04;25 Lessons From Great Leaders 00;12;02;23 Aligning Teams With What Matters 00;13;33;03 The Danger of Working in a Silo 00;14;15;03 Why Composure Matters 00;15;13;25 Getting Curious About Your Team 00;16;29;27 The Busboy Lesson 00;18;11;00 Listen Before You Prescribe 00;19;26;10 Be Quick, But Don't Hurry 00;20;46;08 Jerome's Experience With AI 00;21;44;00 The New Era of AI 00;22;30;25 When AI Content Becomes Homogeneous 00;24;04;28 AI Can Do It, But Should It? 00;24;54;10 Keeping Humans in the Loop 00;25;14;00 Can You Stand Behind Your Work? 00;26;04;23 Closing Thoughts

  5. Sep 21

    Good Figure-Outers Win: Leading and Learning Through the AI Hype Cycle with David Quackenbush

    When the Moment Changes, You Have to Change With It The strengths that carried you to this point in your career won’t necessarily be the ones that prepare you for what comes next. Dr. Amy Athey sits down with David Quackenbush, longtime advisor to executive teams navigating disruption, for a conversation about adaptability, problem‑solving, leadership, and the courage required to evolve as the world around you shifts. David’s journey—from early consulting days spent “figuring things out” on the fly to decades spent guiding organizations through technological change—has been shaped by curiosity, humility, and a willingness to rethink how he shows up as a leader. David explains why being a “good figure‑outer” has been the through‑line of his career, how fear can be a powerful motivator for action, and why the leaders who thrive in uncertain environments are the ones who can move forward without having all the answers. He also shares how the rise of AI is reshaping expectations—not by replacing human performance, but by demanding more clarity, intentionality, and critical thinking from leaders. Amy and David dig into what it takes to build teams that perform well under pressure. David outlines the importance of removing jargon, creating real clarity, giving people ownership instead of tasks, and modeling the behavior you expect from others. He emphasizes that leaders must help people navigate change by reducing noise, focusing on what actually matters, and creating opportunities for growth rather than overwhelm. The conversation closes with a reminder that sustained performance isn’t about perfection—it’s about small, consistent improvements. David’s personal philosophy is simple: get 1% better. Whether in fitness, leadership, or navigating technological disruption, that mindset keeps him learning, engaged, and ready for whatever comes next. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why adaptability is a skill you build long before a crisis arrives.How curiosity expands your definition of success.Why evolving as a leader often requires shedding old identities.How to build high‑performing teams without burning people out.The difference between giving someone a task and giving them true ownership.How to stretch people in ways that accelerate growth rather than create stress.Why small wins and consistency drive long‑term performance.How becoming a beginner again can unlock rapid development.How to separate activity from meaningful impact.Connect with David Quackenbush:   David Quackenbush | Advisory & Leadership https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidquackenbush/ Learn more about Dr. Amy Athey’s leadership development and performance psychology work at Athey Performance.

  6. Sep 14

    What Got You Here Won't Get You Where You're Going with Mike Houston

    The skills that got you to where you are today may not be the skills that carry you into your next chapter. Dr. Amy Athey sits down with Mike Houston, Partner and U.S. CEO of LLYC, for a conversation about adaptation, ambition, leadership, and the willingness to become someone different as your career evolves. Mike's journey from rural Michigan to senior leadership roles has been shaped by curiosity, ownership, and a willingness to continually rethink what success can look like. Mike shares why curiosity expanded his definition of success, how exposure to entrepreneurs and executives opened his eyes to new possibilities, and why evolving as a leader often requires letting go of old identities, not simply adding new skills. He also explains why he has become less interested in collecting accomplishments and more interested in building something that outlasts him. Amy and Mike also unpack what it takes to build high-performing teams. Mike shares his four pillars: creating clarity, stretching people without overwhelming them, giving people ownership rather than simply responsibility, and modeling the behavior you want to see. He emphasizes that leaders should remove obstacles, create opportunities for growth, and celebrate progress along the way. The conversation closes with a powerful reminder about intentionality. Mike's daily question is simple: What is the highest-value thing only I can do today? For a leader facing a thousand competing priorities, that question can be the difference between simply being busy and actually creating impact. In this episode, you'll learn: Why adaptation should be a daily practice, not just a crisis response.How curiosity can expand your definition of success.Why growing as a leader often means letting go of old identities.How to build high-performing teams without simply demanding more from people.The difference between giving someone responsibility and giving them ownership.Why leaders should intentionally stretch people without overwhelming them.How consistency and small wins create sustainable growth.Why intentionally becoming a beginner again can accelerate development.How to distinguish activity from genuine impact.Connect with Mike Houston: https://llyc.global/en/equipo/mike-houston/ Learn more about Dr. Amy Athey's leadership development and performance psychology work at Athey Performance.

  7. Sep 7

    When Grit Starts Working Against You with Jennifer Stanley

    What if the trait that helped you become successful is also the thing quietly holding you back? Dr. Amy Athey sits down with Jennifer Stanley, Partner at McKinsey & Company, for a candid conversation about high achievement, sustainable performance, and the hidden cost of always operating at maximum effort. Jennifer shares the twists and turns of a nonlinear career that included major personal challenges, unexpected opportunities, and a realization that changed how she approached work: not everything deserves an A. After recognizing that her own relentless drive had become unsustainable, Jennifer worked with a coach to distinguish between the moments that genuinely require maximum effort and the ones where "good enough" is actually good enough. Amy and Jennifer explore the difference between real grit and what Amy calls "psychotic grit," why effort should be treated as a resource rather than a virtue to maximize, and how having a clear internal compass can help leaders decide where their energy belongs. The conversation also dives into sleep, recovery, preparation, and the surprisingly simple rituals that help Jennifer stay grounded while operating at a high level. In this episode, you'll learn: Why maximum effort isn't always the path to maximum performance.How to recognize when grit has become counterproductive.Why a nonlinear career can actually build a stronger leadership foundation.How to decide where your maximum, moderate, and minimum effort belongs.Why "B-minus" work can sometimes be the smartest choice.How sleep and recovery affect leadership performance.Why practicing what you're already good at can make you more adaptable under pressure.How simple daily rituals can create stability when everything else is changing.Learn more about Dr. Amy Athey's leadership development and performance psychology work at Athey Performance: https://atheyperformance.com/ Connect with Jennifer: https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/jennifer-stanley Chapters00:00 When Grit Becomes Counterproductive 02:23 Effort Is a Resource, Not a Virtue 03:06 The Compass and the Current 04:01 Why High Performers Need to Define What Matters 04:44 Meet Jennifer Stanley 06:09 The Frogger Approach to Career Growth 06:56 When Life Changes the Career Plan 08:14 Finding Your Compass in the Current 10:00 Building a Nonlinear Career 13:00 Learning to Navigate Uncertainty 16:00 The Cost of Maximum Effort 19:48 When Grit Goes Too Far 20:26 "Jennifer, You Need to Chill Out" 21:33 Deciding What Deserves Maximum Effort 22:39 Why B-Minus Can Be Good Enough 24:12 The ROI of Getting the Basics Right 25:16 Why Sleep Is a Performance Tool 26:12 How to Sustain High Performance 26:38 Practice Creates Freedom Under Pressure 27:58 The Five-Step Ritual That Keeps Jennifer Grounded 28:55 Final Thoughts

  8. Aug 31

    Act Before You Feel Ready with Andrea Vardaro Thomas

    What if confidence isn't something you need before taking the leap, but something you build by taking it? Dr. Amy Athey sits down with Andrea Vardaro Thomas, Managing Director at Forvis Mazars, to explore what it really means to take courageous action when you don't feel completely ready. Drawing from a career spanning finance, operations, consulting, IPOs, transformation, and executive leadership, Andrea shares how she learned to trust the experience she had already built, even when stepping into something completely new. Together, Amy and Andrea unpack why confidence is often a lagging indicator, how career experiences quietly build a foundation for future opportunities, and why some of the most important leadership moments happen before we feel prepared for them. The conversation also explores Andrea's commitment to paying it forward, from opening doors for others and creating mentorship opportunities to building teams where different perspectives and strengths make everyone better. Andrea shares why leaders should lead by example, how sponsorship can change someone's career trajectory, and why diversity is about far more than demographics. To close, Andrea offers a practical strategy for sustaining a demanding career: her weekly reset, a simple process for identifying the two or three things that truly require her unique judgment, relationships, or expertise. In this episode, you'll learn: Why confidence often comes after courageous action.How to recognize the experience you've already built before making your next career move.Why taking stretch opportunities can expand your leadership range.How leaders can intentionally pay opportunities forward.Why leading by example is one of the most powerful forms of mentorship.How diverse strengths and perspectives make teams stronger.Andrea's weekly reset strategy for protecting focus and preventing burnout.Learn more about Dr. Amy Athey's leadership development and performance psychology work at Athey Performance: https://atheyperformance.com/

See All (85)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Hosted by Dr. Amy Athey, Still Evolving explores the truth behind lasting high performance and resilience. Rather than relying on perfection or superhuman ability, the podcast highlights how real strength emerges through simple, intentional habits, grounded in self-compassion, adaptability, and the ability to grow through life’s inevitable setbacks. Each episode features stories and insights from leaders in sport, the military, and business. Through their journeys, listeners see the shared humanity behind exceptional achievement and the foundational practices that help them keep “Still Evolving” both at the height of success and in moments of challenge.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Amy Athey
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr. Amy Athey

You Might Also Like