People leave managers, not companies. The Building Better Managers podcast provides interviews with leadership professionals on topics including leadership development, leadership coaching, leadership training, productivity, employee retention, communication, culture, and accountability. People come to work every day with a whole host of personal and professional challenges. How can you help create a highly productive workplace where people are engaged, involved, and constantly learning? Joi ...
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Would you like to uncover how Leaders with Heart lead their teams and engage and retain them in the process? Join Heather R. Younger, J.D., the best-selling author of The 7 Intuitive Laws of Employee Loyalty, The Art of Caring Leadership, and The Art of Active Listening. Heather is the Founder and CEO of Customer Fanatix. Join her as she interviews amazing leaders from all over the world and all walks of life to find out what drives them to be more emotionally intelligent leaders with winnin ...
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416: Data, Heart & Leadership: A Conversation with Sarah from American Senior Living
34:56
34:56
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34:56What happens when a leader blends deep operational structure with genuine human care? That’s the question at the heart of my latest conversation on the Leadership with Heart podcast, where I’m joined by Sarah Mazzacco, Chief People Officer at Americare Senior Living. We first met when I was invited to speak at Americare’s annual leadership conferen…
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Navigating Workplace Drama Effectively with Marlene Chism (Encore) | Ep #123
32:44
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32:44In this encore episode of Building Better Managers, host Wendy Hanson engages with Marlene Chism to explore the complexities of conflict in the workplace. They discuss the importance of developing conflict capacity, emotional integrity, and leadership clarity. Marlene emphasizes the need for leaders to confront their inner narratives and the impact…
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415: Made in America: A Mission Beyond the Label
28:06
28:06
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28:06Dean Wegner is a former Army Ranger, a West Point graduate, and now the CEO and co-founder of Authentically American, an apparel brand rooted in purpose. But more than that, he’s a husband, a dad of four, and someone who truly understands what it means to lead with heart. We started this episode by connecting over something very personal. As many o…
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414: Unshakable from Within: Self-Leadership Through Life’s Transitions
15:49
15:49
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15:49In this solo episode, I open up about one of the most emotional experiences of my life after dropping my son off at the United States Naval Academy. It stirred something profound within me, and I felt compelled to share what I learned about self-leadership, emotional resilience, and staying grounded during life’s most significant transitions. I dis…
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Self-Care Strategies for Leaders with Liz Kislik (Encore) | Ep #122
35:25
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35:25In this encore episode of Building Better Managers, host Wendy Hanson discusses the importance of self-care for leaders with management consultant Liz Kislik. They explore effective time management strategies, the distinction between empathy and compassion, and the structural solutions that can support self-care in the workplace. The conversation e…
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413: From Data to Grace: A New Era of Self-Leadership
40:27
40:27
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40:27In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Laura Chevalier, Chief Growth Officer at Optomi Professional Services, for a conversation that explores the powerful intersection of data, grace, and self-leadership. Laura shares her remarkable journey from teaching and sports to building a thriving IT consulting startup and leading a divis…
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412: Beyond the Budget: Human Impact in Nonprofit Leadership
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37:45
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37:45In this episode, I sit down with Lorna Little, President and CEO of St. Anne’s Family Services in Los Angeles. Lorna leads an organization that touches the lives of thousands of families facing housing insecurity, young mothers seeking stability, and children who need a safe start. Our conversation goes deep into what it means to lead from both liv…
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411: Caring, Campaigns & Communication: The Dovetail Solutions Story
30:06
30:06
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30:06On this episode of the Leadership with Heart podcast, I’m joined by someone very special to me, Andy Boian, founder of Dovetail Solutions and a longtime friend and collaborator. Andy first joined me on the show back in 2020 and was also featured in my book The Art of Caring Leadership. Since then, a great deal has changed, both for him and his comp…
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410: Strong Yet Compassionate: The New Leadership Standard
51:49
51:49
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51:49In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Tracy Nolan, Senior Vice President of MarketPoint at Humana, for a candid and powerful conversation about what it truly means to lead with both strength and compassion. Tracy has spent her career guiding large teams through complex transformations, including overseeing 14,000 employees durin…
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Personal Connections: The Heart of Sales and Leadership with Chris Wells (Encore) | Ep #121
33:37
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33:37In this episode of Building Better Managers, host Wendy Hanson engages in a deep conversation with Chris Wells, VP of EMEA at New Level Work, about the intersections of sales, HR, and learning and development. They explore the importance of personal connections in sales, the similarities between HR and sales professionals, and the common blind spot…
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409: Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence
46:59
46:59
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46:59In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with someone I genuinely admire, both professionally and personally. Kevin Eikenberry joins me to discuss his newest book, Flexible Leadership, and together, we explore what it truly means to lead with flexibility during times of constant change. As someone who believes deeply in the power of sel…
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408: Soft Landings and Hard Truths in Team Building
42:22
42:22
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42:22What does it take to lead with heart in one of the most demanding, misunderstood public service sectors? In this episode of the Leadership With Heart Podcast, I spoke with Billie Jo McCarley, Deputy Director of Operations at the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department. From the moment I saw her speak on a panel, I was drawn to her clarity, purpose, a…
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The Role of AI in Modern Leadership with Kristine Ellis (Encore) | Ep #120
38:11
38:11
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38:11Host Wendy Hanson engages with Kristine Ellis, Director of Talent Development at GuideWell, to explore the complexities of leadership in the healthcare sector. They discuss the unique challenges faced by healthcare leaders, the innovative use of AI in management, and the importance of coaching and collaboration in fostering a supportive work enviro…
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407: Ron Alvesteffer: From $3M to $350M: The Power of Talent & Grit
36:37
36:37
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36:37What does it take to grow a business from 3 million to over 350 million dollars without losing sight of your purpose, people, or principles? In this Leadership With Heart Podcast episode, I reconnect with Ron Alvesteffer, President and CEO of Service Express, who returns with even more perspective, humility, and wisdom than when we first spoke year…
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406: Relatable Leadership: William’s Journey from High School Dropout to CFO
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25:29
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25:29What does it take to go from the mail room to the C-suite? And how does someone stay grounded in empathy while holding one of the highest positions in a global firm? In this episode of Leadership with Heart, William McKinley Washington II, Global CFO at Baker McKenzie, shares a journey that challenges assumptions about leadership, success, and what…
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Navigating Career Development in Modern Workplaces with Julie Winkle Giulioni (Encore) | Ep #119
40:33
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40:33In this encore episode of Building Better Managers, Wendy engages with Julie Winkle Giulioni, a renowned expert in career development. They discuss the evolution of career conversations, the importance of psychological safety, and the impact of remote work on employee growth. Julie emphasizes the need for continuous dialogue about career developmen…
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405: Scaling Businesses, Scaling Leaders: Lessons from Brian Brault
34:02
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34:02What does it mean to lead from the heart, and what happens when we admit we do not have all the answers? In this episode, I speak with Brian Brault, founder of Legacy of Significance and a globally respected leadership teacher and entrepreneur. Brian has built and sold two companies and dedicates his time mentoring leaders worldwide. His work is ro…
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404: Mission-Driven Leadership: The Navy's Lessons for Business Success
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34:10In this episode, I’m joined by Marc Koehler, a former U.S. Navy submarine officer. His unique perspective, gained from leading in a nuclear submarine where every action has consequences and complacency can be catastrophic, offers some of the clearest thinking on leadership I've heard in a long time. Marc shares how his experiences taught him lesson…
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AI: A Game Changer for Coaches with David Evans (Encore) | Ep #118
33:46
33:46
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33:46In this encore episode, host Wendy Hanson engages with David Evans, VP of Product at New Level Work, to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in leadership development. They discuss the definitions of AI, its applications in product development, and successful integrations in the industry. David shares insights on how AI c…
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403: From Diamonds to Diapers: How a 3M Chief Scientist Mastered Her Leadership Purpose
20:14
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20:14What happens when a scientist decides to lead from the heart? In this Leadership of the Heart podcast episode, Heather welcomes Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M. Jayshree's journey challenges traditional leadership narratives, proving that influence and impact do not require a title or permission. Her path from te…
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402: From Sales to CEO: Leadership Wisdom with Shawn Hanks
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36:44In this episode of Leadership with Heart, Shawn Hanks, CEO of Premiere Speakers Bureau, reflects on his evolution from sales leader to CEO. He shares the pivotal lessons that shaped his leadership, including when he learned that offering his opinion too soon in meetings unintentionally stifled the voices around him. Rather than leading with answers…
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Kate Rath, Luis Vides & Rafael Tinoco on Building a Culture of Collaboration (Encore) | Ep #117
32:12
32:12
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32:12In this episode, host Wendy Hanson talks with the customer success team at Better Manager, discussing their roles, the importance of customer success, and the collaborative culture they foster. The conversation highlights the team's commitment to helping clients thrive at work, the lessons learned in their journey, and their vision for the future o…
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401: Scaling Leadership: AI, Coaching, and the Future of Development
36:20
36:20
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36:20In this Leadership with Heart podcast episode, I welcome Kevin Kruse, Founder and CEO of LEADx. Kevin shares how his introverted nature and deep sense of purpose led him to build a platform designed to democratize leadership development and bring coaching and emotional intelligence tools to every leader through AI and digital innovation. Our conver…
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400: More Than Profits: How Employee Ownership Drives Social Impact
26:47
26:47
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26:47What happens when the CFO leads a company’s social responsibility efforts? And what if that initiative not only improves company culture but strengthens the bottom line? In this episode of the Leadership With Heart podcast, we hear from Sandra Torre, Co-President and CFO at Lavidge, a full-service advertising agency based in Phoenix, Arizona. Sandr…
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Dr. Julie Pham: Building Better Relationships Through Respect (Encore) | Ep #116
36:33
36:33
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36:33In this encore episode, host Wendy Hanson engages with Dr. Julie Pham, founder of CuriosityBase, to explore the critical role of respect in relationships, particularly in the workplace. They discuss the seven forms of respect — procedure, punctuality, information, candor, consideration, acknowledgement, and attention — and how understanding these c…
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399: Beyond Administration: The Strategic Shift in HR
41:21
41:21
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41:21In this episode of Leadership With Heart, I sit down with Kirstin Guptill, Chief People Officer at HopeWest, to explore how leadership is evolving beyond administration into deeply human, strategic, and transformative work. Kirstin shares her experience stepping into a brand new CPO role at a nonprofit that supports people through some of life's mo…
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398: Overcoming Barriers, Leading with Purpose: Susan Valverde’s Story
25:41
25:41
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25:41What does it mean to lead with both heart and results? How do strong leaders build teams that thrive while ensuring business success? In this episode of Leadership With Heart, I have the pleasure of speaking with Susan Valverde, Brand President of Sylvan Learning, whose leadership journey is nothing short of inspiring. From starting as a franchisee…
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397: Striking the Balance between Soft and Hard in Leadership
32:59
32:59
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32:59How do great leaders inspire confidence, even in the most challenging moments? What impact do body language, tone, and presence have on the people we lead? In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Tracy Nolan, Senior Vice President of MarketPoint at Humana, to explore the art of leading with strength and compassion, often without s…
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396: Success vs. Significance: Finding Meaning in Leadership
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31:25What if your most incredible pain could become your most significant purpose? In this episode of Leadership with Heart, I sit down with Eric Newman, Founder and CEO of Roc Solid Foundation, to talk about the defining moments that shaped his leadership journey. As a pediatric cancer survivor, Eric could have let his past define him. Instead, he turn…
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