The Mike Method

Mike Desjardins
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. EP90 The Gift of ADD, Daily Routines, and Sustainable High Performance with Nigel Bennett

    1D AGO

    EP90 The Gift of ADD, Daily Routines, and Sustainable High Performance with Nigel Bennett

    If you have ever wondered why some environments drain you while others bring you fully online, this conversation will land. Entrepreneur and author Nigel Bennett has spent decades building high performing companies while navigating ADD and dyslexia, challenges that many entrepreneurs quietly share. Over time, he discovered that the key was not trying to eliminate those traits, but building systems that allow their strengths to work in your favor. In this conversation, Mike Desjardins and Nigel explore what happens when identity, work, and pressure collide. Nigel shares a defining moment early in his career that forced a difficult decision: leave the path he was on or stay and risk losing himself in it. Nigel Bennett is the author of Take That Leap: Risking It All for What Really Matters. He has been a member of MIT’s Gathering of Titans for over a decade, the Entrepreneurs’ Organization for nearly two decades, and received the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Distinguished Alumni Award. His company has also received multiple innovation awards for breakthroughs in oil spill response technology. Together, they unpack Nigel’s GIFT model for ADD, Gratitude, Ignore, Focus, Test, and explore why confidence is often built through experimentation, repetition, and supportive routines rather than certainty. In this episode, you will learn: • A turning point moment that changed Nigel’s career direction • Why ADD can become a strength when you build around it • The GIFT model: Gratitude, Ignore, Focus, Test • How fear decreases through repetition and practice • Why rest is a performance strategy, not a reward • A morning routine that supports nervous system stability and better decisions Episode Resources: Nigel Bennett’s GIFT ADD model linkNigel Bennett’s book, Take a LeapBCIT alumni article featuring Nigel’s story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min

  2. MAR 3

    EP89 The Journey Is the Goal: A Nervous System Guide to Purpose, Goals, and Leadership

    This special episode brings together some of the most meaningful moments from past conversations on nervous system regulation, purpose, and leadership, woven into one cohesive guide for staying ambitious without losing yourself. Drawing from episodes with Lee Holden, Dr. David B. Wolf, Lynn Sumida, Anna Brooks, and Lisa Dion, we explore what it really means to move from have, do, be to be, do, have. Instead of chasing goals to feel worthy, this conversation invites you to let your goals become an expression of who you already are. Along the way, we unpack how the nervous system shapes our decisions, relationships, and leadership presence, why connection creates a deeper sense of safety than control, and how purpose is often something we notice rather than something we force. Featured conversations includeLee Holden on energy, emotion, and how shifting your internal state changes how you show upDr. David B. Wolf on becoming before achieving and redefining success from the inside outLynn Sumida on hidden patterns, protection, and the nervous system’s role in self sabotageAnna Brooks on what regulation really means and why curiosity only lives in a grounded stateLisa Dion on leadership as borrowing a nervous system and creating safety in teams In this episode, we exploreThe shift from have, do, be to be, do, haveWhy big achievements can still feel hollow and how to change that patternWhat nervous system regulation actually is and what it is notHow connection creates safety in leadership and relationshipsPractical ways to return to presence when you feel activated or stuckWhy purpose often reveals itself through joy, energy, and alignment Reflection questionsWhat goal am I chasing that I am hoping will finally make me feel enoughIf my goals were an expression of who I am instead of proof of worth, what would changeWhere in my life could I lead with more presence instead of pressure If you have ever reached a milestone and wondered why it does not feel the way you thought it would, this episode is an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and remember that the journey is the goal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  3. EP88 Healing at Work: When Your Past Shows Up in Leadership with Susan Schmitt Winchester

    FEB 24

    EP88 Healing at Work: When Your Past Shows Up in Leadership with Susan Schmitt Winchester

    Your resume can look strong while your inner world is still reacting to old patterns. In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike sits down with Susan Schmitt Winchester, executive coach and co-author of Healing at Work, to explore how early experiences shape the way we respond to authority, stress, and conflict at work. With over 36 years of corporate leadership experience, including serving as Chief HR Officer for Applied Materials and Rockwell Automation, Susan now helps leaders address the unconscious beliefs and stress responses that influence performance, culture, and relationships. Together, they unpack: Why reactions at work can feel bigger than the momentHow perfectionism and people pleasing develop as protection strategiesPractical tools to create more choice under pressureA powerful shift from judgment to compassion in leadership If you have ever wondered why certain situations activate you more than they should, this conversation offers clarity and practical next steps. Episode Resources: Susan: Website / LinkedIn Tackling Perfectionism at Work (Tedx talk) Healing at Work Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  4. EP87 How to Rewrite Your Identity for Better Leadership with Celinne Da Costa

    FEB 17

    EP87 How to Rewrite Your Identity for Better Leadership with Celinne Da Costa

    Your story isn’t the truth of who you are. It’s a map of your soul’s curriculum. In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike sits down with Celinne da Costa, author, speaker, and master coach who helps high-achieving leaders rewrite the invisible narratives shaping their decisions, influence, and impact. Celinne is a transformational leadership coach who helps high-achieving leaders bridge their inner truth with outer expression. Through her unique blend of neuroscience, subconscious reprogramming, and storytelling expertise, she guides CEOs, executives, and visionary professionals to lead with authentic magnetism and create meaningful impact. Her holistic approach has empowered Fortune 150 executives and industry leaders to communicate with confidence, lead with purpose, and build influential legacies. A licensed NeuroChange Solutions consultant under Dr. Joe Dispenza and featured expert in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Business Insider, Celinne's mission is to guide leaders in creating positive change by living, leading, and communicating from deep soul alignment. Celinne’s work blends deep inner transformation with practical tools. Drawing from modalities like NLP and hypnotherapy, she helps executives move out of survival mode and back into conscious choice. At the center of this conversation is a powerful idea: your life keeps repeating the lesson until you integrate it. Together, Mike and Celinne explore: • Why the map is not the territory • How old identity stories hijack leaders in high-stakes rooms • What it takes to neutralize emotional charge so you can respond rather than react • The shift from “I’m becoming” to “I choose that I am” and why that language matters Celinne also shares the origin story behind her upcoming book, The Burning Ground — a ten-year journey that began when she left a prestigious New York life, couch-surfed across 18 countries, stayed with 70 strangers, and consciously dismantled the identity she had built in order to discover what remained underneath. This episode is about identity, alignment, and the courage to lead from who you truly are — not from who you were conditioned to be. Episode Resources: Celinne Da Costa: Website / Substack / Facebook Page Sonos Peloton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  5. EP86 How AI Is Transforming Recruitment and the Future of Hiring with Andrea Tjoeng-Davey

    FEB 10

    EP86 How AI Is Transforming Recruitment and the Future of Hiring with Andrea Tjoeng-Davey

    AI is not replacing recruiters. It is reshaping how great hiring happens. In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike sits down with Andrea Tjoeng-Davey, CEO of Scout Talent Group, a global SaaS organization serving clients across Australia, Canada, and the United States. With a career spanning recruitment operations, product development, and HR technology, Andrea has spent years helping organizations build smarter, more human centered hiring systems while leading teams through the rapid evolution of AI in talent acquisition. Together, Mike and Andrea explore what really changes when AI becomes embedded in the hiring process rather than sitting on the sidelines. They discuss how accessible generative AI tools are transforming recruitment workflows, candidate experiences, and the way organizations make talent decisions. Andrea shares why AI should support human judgment rather than replace it, how leaders can use technology to reduce bias and improve efficiency, and what candidates need to know to stand out in an AI influenced job market. The conversation also highlights the importance of authenticity and human connection in a world where AI is screening AI. If you care about the future of work, hiring well, and leading through technological change with intention, this conversation offers thoughtful insight and practical guidance. Episode Resources: Andrea Tjoeng-Davey Scout Talent ViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedIn Sign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Oura Ring muse Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  6. EP85 You Are Enough Right Now: Rewiring Self Worth and Neuroplasticity with Michelle Masters

    FEB 3

    EP85 You Are Enough Right Now: Rewiring Self Worth and Neuroplasticity with Michelle Masters

    If you think there is a better version of you that you need to become, this conversation begins with a simple reminder. You are already enough. In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins sits down with Michelle Masters for a deep and thoughtful exploration of where our beliefs about worth come from and how they quietly shape the way we lead, relate, and move through the world. Michelle Masters is an internationally acclaimed bestselling author and one of the foremost facilitators of change in the world. A personal development trainer and coach since 1995, her expertise lies in a unique fusion of neuroscience-based change techniques, family constellation work, and quantum transformation modalities. In this conversation Michelle shares why so many of these patterns are formed early in life, why willpower and surface level affirmations often fall short, and what it can actually take to reach the deeper layers where change begins. Together, they explore the role of the nervous system, subconscious patterning, EMDR, and neuroplasticity in creating lasting shifts. The conversation looks at how old wiring can show up as stress, health challenges, financial tension, and relationship strain, even when we feel like we are doing all the right things. Michelle also offers practical ways to begin working with these patterns, inviting listeners to take personal responsibility for their own healing journey and to notice what becomes possible when the interference starts to lift. On the other side of this work, she describes a life that feels lighter, more connected, and often surprisingly easeful. Key Takeaways You are enough right now, and self acceptance can open the door to meaningful changeBeliefs about worth often take shape early in life and can run quietly in the background for yearsLasting transformation starts by working with deeper patterns, not just surface habitsNeuroplasticity allows the brain to form new connections and support new ways of beingTools like EMDR can be part of the process, alongside other approaches to healing and growthOld patterns can influence stress, health, money, and relationships without us realizing itTaking ownership of your own journey can create space for clarity and possibilityWhen deep interference is removed, life can begin to feel lighter and more aligned 🎧 Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts. Episode Resources: Michelle Masters: Website Money Magic by Michelle Masters Rewire Your Money Reality Course Read the first chapters of Monday Magic here ViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedIn Sign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Leadership Circle Vega Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  7. E84 Ego, Boundaries, and Conscious Leadership with Eric Kaufmann

    JAN 27

    E84 Ego, Boundaries, and Conscious Leadership with Eric Kaufmann

    At some point you realize your biggest leadership constraint is not your strategy or your skill set. It is how you show up when your ego gets involved. In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins sits down with Eric Kaufmann, chairman of the board at Dr. Bronner’s, executive coach to leaders at Verizon, Facebook, SunPower, and Circle, and creator of the Conscious Operating System, a framework for helping leaders see the patterns that quietly shape their decisions and relationships. Eric brings together executive rigor and decades of Zen training to explore ego myopia, the habit of losing awareness of ego in real time and how it can weaken trust, feedback, and collaboration. Mike and Eric talk through why people pleasing becomes a hidden power leak, how boundaries and clear requests create healthier teams, and why “say more” might be one of the most effective leadership moves you can make. The conversation also unpacks the three ego needs leaders often carry: the need to be right, the need to be liked, and the need to have might, along with the upgrade path Eric teaches through wisdom, love, and innate power. In this episode, we exploreWhat ego myopia looks like in daily leadershipHow feedback and self-awareness reveal blind spotsThe cost of defaulting to yes and how to set clean boundariesCuriosity as an alternative to defensiveness and certaintyMaking your yes a full body yes instead of a quiet obligation If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who leads alongside you. Episode Resources: Eric Kaufmann: LinkedIn Four Virtues of a Leader by Erin Kaufmann Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  8. EP83 From Self Awareness to Stronger Leadership with Jennifer K. Hill

    JAN 20

    EP83 From Self Awareness to Stronger Leadership with Jennifer K. Hill

    At some point in life, many of us have a moment of uncomfortable clarity. The realization that the way we are showing up is hurting others and ourselves. This conversation begins right there. Jennifer K. Hill opens up about the origin story behind her book The Recovering A*****e and the pivotal moment at 23 when someone finally reflected her behavior back to her in a way she could not ignore. That moment became the start of a 21 year journey of transformation. An entrepreneur, evolutionary leader, author, and speaker, Jennifer built and sold her first company by 38 and later went on to host Regarding Consciousness, where she has interviewed voices like Deepak Chopra and Bruce Lipton. Today, she is the co-founder of Opt2Match and OM.app, helping leaders build high trust relationships while coaching CEOs on alignment, retention, and productivity. This episode is not about success in the traditional sense. It is about what happens when the inner critic runs the show, how self betrayal often hides behind the need to belong, and why being harsh with others usually begins with being harsh toward ourselves. Mike and Jennifer explore honest feedback, daily practices for real change, inner child work, spiritual discipline, and Jennifer’s Anti A*****e Prayer. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful truth. The people you keep close shape your life and leadership more than you may realize. Key Takeaways Change often begins with honest self awarenessVulnerability is essential for lasting transformationInner child work can support healing and joyDaily reflection strengthens clarity and alignmentHealthy relationships shape how we lead and live Episode Resources: Jennifer K. Hill: Website / LinkedIn / Books "Anti-A*****e Prayer" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
See All (86)

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
    86
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mike Desjardins
  • Show Website
    The Mike Method