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. 4d ago

    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

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  5. 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/

  6. Aug 24

    The Leadership Advantage You Can't Buy with Jan Færch

    What if the strongest advantage a leader can create isn't something you can put on a balance sheet? For Jan Færch, building high-performing teams starts with something many organizations underestimate: social connection. After more than 30 years of managing teams across countries and cultures, Jan has learned that people are far more likely to stay, perform, and thrive when they genuinely enjoy the people they work with and feel safe enough to speak their minds. Dr. Amy Athey and Jan explore why social cohesion can become a lasting competitive advantage, how leaders can create environments where employees feel comfortable challenging them, and why disagreement can actually make a team stronger. Jan also shares how he distinguishes productive disagreement from persistent negativity and why something as simple as a walk-and-talk can create the space for more honest conversations. The conversation ultimately comes back to a simple leadership principle: you have to make time for the human side of work. Because when people feel connected, supported, challenged, and valued, that investment shows up in the results. In this episode, you'll learn: Why social cohesion can be a powerful competitive advantage.How leaders can create psychological safety for disagreement and new ideas.The difference between challenging an idea and being consistently negative.Why getting to know employees beyond their work can strengthen teams.How a simple "walk and talk" can open the door to better conversations.Why leaders need to intentionally make time for connection.How Jan balances performance targets with dedicated time for team connection.Learn more about Dr. Amy Athey's leadership development and performance psychology work at Athey Performance. Chapters00:00 Why Social Connection Matters to High Performance 02:43 The Importance of Psychological Safety 04:34 Why Trust Makes Teams Stronger 05:29 Meet Jan Færch 06:48 Why Social Cohesion Creates Value 09:23 Investing in Your People 10:50 The Power of Informal Connection 13:23 Creating a Safe Space to Challenge the Leader 14:58 Why High-Performance Teams Need Disagreement 16:06 The Leader Who Was Willing to Be Wrong 18:19 Challenging Ideas vs. Being Negative 20:24 The Leadership Skills of Followership 22:11 Try a Walk-and-Talk With Your Team 24:19 Why Leaders Need to Make Time for People 25:34 Balancing Targets With Human Connection 27:09 Bringing Performance and Connection Together

  7. Aug 17

    How to Lead When Everything Feels Like Noise with Sam Espinosa

    When everything feels urgent, great leaders know what actually matters. In a world filled with notifications, headlines, meetings, opinions, and constant demands for attention, the ability to separate signal from noise has become one of the most important leadership skills. Dr. Amy Athey sits down with Sam Espinosa, a partner and national practice leader at Mercer, to explore how clarity, composure, and awareness can help leaders navigate high-pressure environments without getting pulled into the chaos. Drawing from more than 25 years of consulting experience across complex government and public service environments, Sam shares the leadership lessons that have helped him recognize the energy of a team, make adjustments without taking over, and keep people moving in the same direction. Together, Amy and Sam explore why a leader's energy is contagious, how the right question can reset an entire room, and why knowing when to step back can be just as powerful as knowing when to step in. They also discuss the importance of protecting white space, reframing challenges as opportunities to learn, and building the capacity to sustain high performance over the long term. Whether you're leading a team, navigating a difficult conversation, or simply trying to stay focused in an increasingly noisy world, this conversation offers practical tools for showing up with greater clarity, composure, and intention. In this episode, you'll learn: • How to separate signal from noise when everything feels urgent. • Why a leader's energy can shape the entire team's performance. • How to recognize when a team is aligned, distracted, or out of sync. • Why the right question at the right moment can completely reset a room. • How protecting white space can improve focus, creativity, and performance. • Why shifting from "what's happening to me" to "what's happening for me" can change how you respond to challenges. Learn more about Dr. Amy Athey's executive coaching, leadership development, and performance psychology services at https://atheyperformance.com/. Follow Still Evolving for more conversations on leadership, resilience, and high performance in a rapidly changing world.

  8. Aug 10

    Stop Chasing Work-Life Balance with John Wells

    What if the problem isn't your schedule, but the way you've been taught to think about it? For years, leaders have been told to pursue work-life balance, yet many find themselves feeling stretched thinner than ever. This week, Dr. Amy Athey sits down with John Wells, President of RAPP US, to challenge that mindset and explore a more sustainable approach to leadership, performance, and fulfillment. Drawing from his own journey through anxiety, burnout, and decades of executive leadership, John shares how curiosity, creativity, and intentional renewal transformed the way he leads. Together, Amy and John discuss why integrating work and life creates greater freedom than trying to balance them, how small shifts in perspective unlock better decision-making, and why the practices that renew us are essential for long-term success. Whether you're leading an organization, managing a team, or simply trying to navigate a demanding season of life, this conversation offers practical wisdom for building a career and a life that can thrive together. In this episode, you'll learn: Why work-life integration is a healthier framework than work-life balance.How curiosity and creativity strengthen leadership.Practical ways to prevent burnout through intentional renewal.Why music, movement, and reading can become powerful leadership tools.A simple mindset that makes overwhelming challenges feel manageable.Learn more about Dr. Amy Athey's executive coaching, leadership development, and performance psychology services at https://atheyperformance.com/. Follow Still Evolving for more conversations on leadership, resilience, and high performance in a rapidly changing world. Chapters00:00 Why Work-Life Balance Falls Short 04:58 Meet John Wells 06:36 From Burnout to Sustainable Leadership 10:08 How Creativity Makes Better Leaders 13:53 Work-Life Integration vs. Work-Life Balance 19:19 The Practices That Prevent Burnout 22:28 Why Music, Running, and Reading Matter 26:05 Finding Growth Through Curiosity 27:23 Where Leaders Should Look for Answers 29:16 Focus on the Next Step, Not the Whole Journey 30:12 Final Thoughts

See All (82)

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
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr. Amy Athey

You Might Also Like