From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Doug Crowe on AI, Personal Branding & Leading with Heart (E20)

The Empathic Leader

In this episode of ‘The Empathic Leader,’ Doug Crowe—author, media veteran, and business growth strategist—shares how he went from a shy student to a confident leader by prioritizing human connection over tech and titles.

Doug opens up about losing everything in 2008 and how rediscovering his own voice helped him rebuild his life—and help others do the same. He dives into the power of personal branding, why empathy is essential for real influence, and how leaders can stand out in a noisy, tech-driven world.

Listen in any of your favorite podcast platform:

► APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-empathic-leader/id1796715528

► SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ChVQGgl5l1jqAfxdoR0EG?si=1wRZC3DbS9KvhLYTggkuhg

► AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0158b2cb-7bec-4135-a2c0-2f594d21109b/the-empathic-leader

Subscribe to the Show ► @theempathicleader

CONNECT WITH ME:

► Instagram: @empathyqueen.eq

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eqviaempathy

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/

Connect with Doug Crowe:

Website: https://dougcrowe.com/about/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedougcrowe/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dougcrowe/

About Doug:

Doug Crowe is a modern growth strategist who delivers tangible results through a relationship-first approach to business.

A lifelong communicator and connector, Doug began his leadership journey early—earning the Dale Carnegie Highest Achievement Award in high school and becoming one of the youngest trainers in the organization. He went on to graduate from Northwestern University with a degree in Radio, Television, and Film, later building a dynamic media career with CBS Television and ABC Radio, and becoming a contributor to Entrepreneur magazine.

As an author, publisher, and media insider, Doug has written and launched several bestselling books, including Express Lane to Success and I Wrote the Book on It. He is the founder and CEO of a company that specializes in personal branding and storytelling to grow businesses with a human-centered approach. His firm has helped launch over 500 Amazon #1 bestsellers and has worked with executives from brands like Apple, Pepsi, National Geographic, Louis Vuitton, Touchstone Pictures, NASA, and the NFL, as well as veterans across all military branches.

Beyond business, Doug is a passionate storyteller and adventurer—he’s a licensed pilot, certified scuba diver, photographer, magician, and proud father of three.

► About Dr. Robinson-Winemiller:

What do empathy and a treadmill have in common? Both need action to deliver results.

Quiet quitting. Resenteeism. Post-pandemic stress. AI. Modern leaders face challenges unimaginable in the past, and the pace of change is relentless. The old command-and-control leadership style is obsolete. Leaders today must evolve or risk irrelevance. But leadership now goes beyond dashboards and spreadsheets—so, what’s the answer?

Melissa Robinson-Winemiller is the answer. With over 20 years of leadership experience, two doctorates (including one focused on empathy in leadership), an MBA, and multiple certifications in change management and DEI, she helps leaders achieve greater profits, retention, productivity, and innovation.

Her mission? To elevate leadership through the often-overlooked power of EQ and empathy. As a coach and consultant, Melissa draws on expertise, data-driven insights, and proven results to guide leaders through today’s complexities.

► Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide professional, medical, or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional or licensed provider with any specific and personal questions you may have regarding personal or professional concerns.