Leadership Deep Dive

In this episode of the Leadership Deep Dive podcast, David, 40 years after a climbing accident, gets a second chance to process some grief. The grief was from two traumas that he has carried around for all those decades, losing first a sister and then a close friend in quick succession. Given who he was […]

Better Not Perfect.  Why Perfectionism Is Holding Your Leadership Back. Perfectionism sounds like a virtue. It isn’t. Christy Pretzinger — founder of The Better Leader Project, CEO of WG Content, and author of the forthcoming book Better Not Perfect — said something to David on the show that stopped him cold. She described perfectionism not […]

Does being distracted = being exhausted? In this episode of Leadership Deep Dive, Margaret Katz Cann and David Langiulli explore a challenge that affects nearly everyone: distraction. The conversation started about fatigue and quickly becomes an exploration of one common contributor: how constant interruptions drain our energy, diminish our creativity, and undermine our relationships. The […]

Here’s a provocative question: Is intelligence overrated? Especially when it comes to leadership and fundraising? David and Margaret have both been noodling about this concept lately — about what happens from trying too hard or overcompensating. Both have been writing on it from different angles on LinkedIn (see Margaret’s recent post here and David’s article […]

I Had a Really Successful Career, But I was Miserable. Have you ever looked at your impressive resume, noted your promotions and salary bumps, and felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness? You did everything right. You climbed the corporate ladder, hit your milestones, and made your family proud. Yet, you wake up feeling utterly drained. […]

Ever wish you were better at processing grudges and releasing resentments? This episode is for anyone who has ever found yourself replaying an old wound years — or even decades — after it happened. In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode, Margaret and David take a look into what happens when we hold onto grudges […]

 Have you ever wondered what has our brains turn towards an act of generosity — like what, exactly, is the neuroscience of giving? In this episode, Margaret and David sit down with Cherian Koshy, bestselling author of Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision Making, for a conversation sparked by this question: What if the key […]

In this episode, Margaret sits down with David to celebrate the release of his new book, Life Lessons from Memorable Movies.  David’s latest is a collection of essays that uses iconic film quotes as springboards for real-world wisdom on leadership, relationships, and personal growth. Inspiration for the Idea David traces the book’s origins to his […]

Can you actually sharpen intuition, or is it something you’re simply born with (or without)? Margaret and I explored that question on the Show recently, and we kept coming back to this: intuition isn’t magic. It’s a muscle. Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt the tension? Or perhaps you’ve looked at […]

Margaret and David visit with Danny Bobrow about Persuasion without Pressure. Have you ever found yourself talking to your team, convinced your brilliant solution was exactly what they needed, only to see their eyes glaze over? That phenomenon is what Danny calls “expert override.” As the creator of the Persuasion Blueprint, Danny holds dual MBAs […]

In this episode of Leadership Deep Dive, hosts Margaret and David explore recovering from disappointment. Feeling dissapointment is a universal yet often avoided experience. So, how might we more skillfully navigating the sting of disappointment? The “Splat!” David’s own recent “splat” sparked the conversation. This took the form of a significant setback while self-publishing the […]

Anger is a tricky emotion for leaders to navigate. Most of us do not have it completely figured out. We either let our temper burn bridges with our colleagues, or we stuff the emotion down until it makes us sick. But what if anger isn’t something to banish or fear? What if it actually serves […]

David visits with communication expert and best-selling author, Robert Kennedy III, about the art of transformative communication. Words have impact. They can create or destroy. As leaders, we often default to safe “org speak” or quick texts, missing the opportunity to truly connect. But what if the key to influence lies in the stories we ignore every […]

Have you ever reached a major milestone—a promotion, a big sale, a new house—only to feel… empty? We spend so much of our professional lives chasing “success,” yet true happiness often feels like a moving target. Steven Shortt, the founder of The Happy People Project, comes on the show with David and shares how he […]

What does leading with soul look like?  David sits down with Patrick Dunn and asks that question. Have you ever found yourself sitting in front of your laptop at midnight, typing out yet another email, and wondering, “Why am I doing this?” We’ve all been there. We get caught up climbing the ladder, trying to […]

In this episode of the Leadership Deep Dive, Margaret and David explore what it means to “Take Your Hand Off The Hot Stove.”  That’s a metaphor for the nuances of emotional regulation, and why simply “feeling your feels” isn’t always the same as getting burned by them. Have you ever found yourself in a meeting […]

Have you ever found yourself so deep in the weeds of a project—obsessing over formatting, email wording, or a specific calendar invite—that you forgot why you were doing the project in the first place? Or perhaps you’ve been on the other side: dreaming up grand, visionary ideas but failing to execute the basic steps needed […]

In this reflective episode, Margaret and David explore the concept of liminality: the space of “no longer and not yet.” It is a profound psychological state that affects us all, whether you are between jobs, recovering from a major life event, or shifting the very identity of your business. As leaders, we are often programmed […]

The phrase “radical acceptance” scares people. We get it—it sounds extreme. It sounds like you’re about to overthrow a government or dye your hair neon green. But when we use the term “radical acceptance,” we choose it intentionally. Margaret and David choose it because true acceptance is a radical act. It goes against our instincts to fight, […]

In this episode of the Leadership Deep Dive, Margaret and David ask a provocative question: “Is Your Life Messy Enough?” Life (and leadership) isn’t meant to be neat, tidy, and perfectly ordered—it’s meant to be lived. We celebrate the chaos, the curveballs, and the unexpected detours that shape who we are.  We dive into stories […]

The term authenticity in leadership gets talked about a lot. In this episode, David and Margaret break it down a bit more. Margaret shared an anecdote about someone who created a plaster mask of their face and painted both sides. Many of us have given some thought to how we think we show up–or the […]

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to retreat? In this thoughtful episode, David and Margaret explore the transformative power of stepping away. During the recording of the podcast, David was mid-way through his own retreat. He took  a few days for himself to travel to the mountains of Colorado (one of his […]

Margaret and David welcome guest Graeme Watt, a principal at Anthem Creative, to discuss the “Great Collision” of tech and traditionally late adopters in the nonprofit sector. Graeme’s career has straddled both nonprofit and for-profit work — and has kept a close eye on the adoption of technology — or lack thereof — that may […]

What is the impact of ignoring versus naming the elephant in the room? Margaret reported that she had hoped to feel energized and rested after the 3-day Labor Day weekend. But thanks to a run-in with a (metaphoric) elephant, that’s not what happened. In this episode, David and Margaret share how those elephants — in […]

Summer’s Over … David and Margaret explored the dynamics of heading back-to-school — including the anxiety. They noticed that the parents they have had contact with seem to sometimes experience more anxiety than their children at the prospect of school starting up again, even as the children’s transition back to school is often smooth. And […]

547 Requests for Juice: Annoying or Funny? Margaret and David discussed the importance of finding gifts and opportunities in difficult circumstances. The topic for this podcast came from a post Margaret wrote for LinkedIn. The story was about her then-toddler son’s persistent request for juice that felt quite trying at the time, but ultimately became […]

David and Margaret  do a take on a line from A Few Good Men, substituting “Love” for “Truth” … as in “You Can’t Handle the Love.” The hosts are always looking for ways to learn from their own personal and spiritual journeys — and apply it to being great leaders.  David is reading author David […]

David and Margaret dive into the ways that Leadership and Emotional Intelligence can help when relationships get hard. They announced a free masterclass on June 4th, 2025, to provide tools for improving emotional awareness and communication. Reading the Space Margaret shares that for the recording of the podcast, she is wearing an orange sticky note. […]

Margaret and David discuss David’s new book, “Using Your Mind for a Healthier and Happier Life.” David’s most recent book is a series of short essays inspired by Buddhist teachings. It blends principles of psychology, mindfulness, and leadership to provide actionable strategies that foster happiness, health, and resilience in life. Nuggets of Wisdom, Nuggets of […]

Choice in Personal Growth and Leadership Margaret and guest and fellow fundraising professional Jenny Mitchell address the power of choice and its impact on personal growth, leadership and decision-making. The conversation opened with the age-old nonprofit challenge about how navigating board relationships is challenging for most nonprofit leaders. They explored how choice can help these […]

Are You Above or Below “the Line”? Margaret and David discussed the concept of “the line.” They refer to this line as a reference to your outlook, mood, and perspective. They explained that being above the line means you are in flow, connected, and open. You are curious and able to listen. Choice and agency […]

David and Margaret and their special guest, Amy Daughters, tackle the dying art of using handwritten letters to foster relationships. Wait, like handwritten letters? With a pen? These days, kids can’t even read cursive. They don’t know where to put stamps on an envelope. It might be a dying art. But our hosts want our […]

Dealing with the Death of a Loved One In this episode, David and Margaret discussed the topic of dealing with the death of a loved one — an admittedly uncomfotable topic. Margaret had just learned about the death of a person she cared deeply about — and was feeling the loss. Margaret shared that her […]

With People, slow is fast and fast is slow David and Margaret discussed the significance of Stephen Covey’s saying, “With people, slow is fast and fast is slow.” Inspired by David’s slow recover from knee surgery — including his choice of entertainment during his convalescence — our hosts talk about what “slow” might mean. David […]

Embracing Disruptive Events: The Paradox of Planned Disruption Embracing disruptive events and emotions? How in the world is one supposed to do that? In the episode, as David prepares for an upcoming surgery, David and Margaret have a look at the seeming paradox of planned disruptive events. Examples might include a surgery or significant life […]

What’s in your 2024 rearview mirror and 2025 windshield? This episode takes a look backwards in 2024 (the rearview mirror) and what’s ahead (through the windshield) for 2025. Margaret and David aren’t fans of making resolutions. But they are all about being intentional about who you want to BE in the coming year. Tune in […]

In this episode, David and Margaret discuss the power of bringing your heart to work. “Empathy Techniques” vs. Genuine Empathy Our hosts heard the term “empathy techniques” recently while listening to a refresh of the Positive Intelligence programs — and felt compelled to double click on this concept. How is an empathy technique different from […]

David and Margaret share their strategies for dealing with uncertainty and making decisions. How DO leaders make decisions, particularly when the stakes are high? The conversation originated from David’s process when he and his wife had to decide whether or not to evacuate as Hurricane Milton approached. As a resident of the West Coast of […]

Taking on challenges: what goes into whether you say yes or no? David and Margaret discussed their experiences with taking on challenges. They talk about how to evaluate their feasibility and impact. Taking on Challenges: Jumping into Really Cold Water … and a Big Social Media Goal David shared his experiences with taking on a […]

What is a ‘zone of genius’? David, Margaret, and Michelle discussed the concept of a ‘zone of genius’ in the work context. They defined it as a state where one is highly skilled and derives great joy from their work, a place of great flow. It’s a place where others would recognize us as being […]

Here’s a sometimes shocking concept: when someone makes a request of you, you can say “yes,” “no,” or make a “counteroffer.” That is the power of choice. And people are sometimes quite surprised by this concept. David and Margaret dive into the importance of making and accepting requests in personal and professional relationships.  They explore the […]

Michelle, Margaret, and David discussed their experiences dealing with exhaustion and depletion. It’s hard for them — and many others to balance personal responsibilities with professional leadership roles. And sometimes it feels even more challenging as one ages. David shared his recent experiences with moving, which felt exhausting and overwhelming. And both Michelle and Margaret […]

Ever wondered what unleashing your inner second grader could teach you about leadership? And fundraising? It turns out quite a bit! When we become adults, we want to look good and avoid looking bad. We become complex. We move away from who we were as children. But children offer raw and unfiltered perspectives. They offer […]

In this season of graduations, Margaret and Michelle “double-click” on the importance of intentional completion. They look at when a completion is intentional, as it is with a graduation. Such intentional completions offer ritual and celebration. They also have a positive impact on family members. And when we look beyond graduation, our culture kind of […]

In this episode, Margaret and David delve into handling rejection and embracing new perspectives. No one likes getting a no. Not during a fundraising ask. Not during a potential sale. And not from a request to a family member. Sometimes, after getting a run of no’s, we feel like we should be due for a […]

It was an unexpected twist. A seemingly benign LinkedIn training sent Margaret and David into a spiral to silence the inner critic. Here’s what happened. Margaret and David attended what promised to be a mundane topic: a training on how to write better posts on LinkedIn. David left the training beating himself about all he […]

Coaching for Accountability What happens when a coach holds a client’s feet to the fire? And the follow-up question might reasonably be, “Why would anyone sign up for that??” Actually, accountability — which can feel a lot like having someone hold our feet to the fire — is one of the many tools coaches use […]

Forgiveness and Self-Forgiveness Discussion Do you have a pain in your neck? Any chance it’s related to the practice of forgiveness? In this episode, David and Margaret share their insights on the practice of forgiveness. They focus particularly on self-forgiveness. Drawing from his experience managing self-criticism, David reveals how forgiveness has been a transformative practice […]

Master the Art of Coaching: Essential Skills for Leaders Leadership is no longer defined by barking orders and expecting compliance; in today’s dynamic work environments, the leaders who stand out are the ones who master the art of coaching. Coaching is a subtle yet powerful art of guiding, not directing, and helping individuals and teams […]

You’ve heard of the Parent Trap, but how about the trap of judging parenting? In this episode, David, Michelle, and Margaret kick off with a story about a questionable parenting moment: should we judge it as good (Margaret wasn’t helicoptering!) or bad (she let her son eat sand on the beach)? In our work as […]