Stay On Course: Ingredients for Success

Robert White: Three Ingredients That Turn Dreams Into an Extraordinary Life About Robert White: Author, serial entrepreneur, and team trainer His companies have graduated 1.4 million participants in high impact experiential leadership training Author of the bestselling book Thank You Very Much, a guide to living an extraordinary life, now a bestseller in three languages The Three Ingredients for an Extraordinary Life: Awareness: the practice of noticing physical sensations, emotional reactions, thought patterns, and the people and environment around you, then telling the truth about what is working and what is not, without blame, shame, or guilt Responsibility: releasing a victim mindset and owning every outcome, both success and failure, rather than blaming others or oneself Communication: pausing before reacting, asking questions instead of making statements, and learning to paraphrase what others have said The Log Jam Analogy: Robert compares forced conflict resolution to using dynamite to clear a log jam It works, but it leaves people feeling wounded A more skilled leader looks for the key log, the underlying issue driving a person's behavior, and addresses it directly Key Insights: Conflict and creativity are connected, and personal triggers, from public speaking to travel to hard conversations, can pull leaders away from their best selves Research suggests small and medium sized business leaders spend around seventy percent of their time on people problems Self-leadership and growth work are essential for building healthy teams Curiosity is often the fastest path through conflict, allowing leaders to ask better questions, listen more deeply, and find creative solutions that honor everyone involved Connect with Robert White: Website: extraordinarypeople.com Newsletter: An Extraordinary Minute, a free weekly read available at his website Book: Thank You Very Much, available on Amazon and Kindle Connect with Julie Riga: Website: Your website Social Media: Your social media handles Coaching: Learn more about leadership coaching and transformation Stacklist: https://stacklist.app/julieriga Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts. #stayoncourse #leadership #selfleadership #personalgrowth #authenticleadership Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Audree Grubesic: The Five Pillars of Heart Centered Leadership Audree brings decades of experience in modular construction, real estate, and business strategy. After years of eighteen hour workdays, she began a personal transformation rooted in meditation, gratitude, and breathwork. That journey led her to create the five pillars framework and Becoming Human Again Events, where leaders gather to reconnect with themselves and lead from a grounded place. The five pillars begin with awareness, which is noticing emotions, patterns, and energy within and around us. Audree explains the difference between masculine energy, which drives goals and decisions, and feminine energy, which builds relationships and listens deeply. A reactive leader creates tension and confusion, while a responsive leader creates clarity and trust. The second pillar is identity. Audree outlines four steps: recognizing the identity currently driving decisions, releasing beliefs that no longer serve growth, redefining values and leadership identity with intention, and embodying that identity consistently so it becomes visible and trusted. The third pillar is purpose. Audree frames purpose as a strategic advantage rather than an emotional idea. Purpose provides direction during uncertainty and focus during distraction. She encourages leaders to ask what matters most, what values guide their decisions, and what they are naturally gifted to create. The fourth pillar is connection. Audree describes building relationships as an act of service, encouraging leaders to ask how they can help rather than what they can gain. She credits the coaching frameworks Julie provided for helping her structure her companies and clarify her own leadership identity. The final pillar is integration, which brings the other four pillars together through daily practice. Audree shares her own routine of breath awareness, gratitude, body awareness, and future self visualization, and leads Julie through a simple sixty second breathing reset live during the episode. Throughout the conversation, Audree emphasizes that the most powerful tools for growth cost nothing. Meditation, gratitude journaling, and breathwork are free, yet they can completely shift the mindset and energy of a leader. Audree also reflects on the importance of community, encouraging entrepreneurs to seek support rather than face challenges alone. She also shares the practice of naming each year with a guiding word, a tool she and Julie both use to stay focused on their intentions. Audree closes the episode with an invitation to Becoming Human Again Events, taking place in Savannah, Georgia on October 16th, where Julie will serve as keynote speaker alongside business coaches and empowerment leaders. She leaves listeners with a powerful question: what would you change if you fully trusted yourself, and how would that change you today. This episode is a reminder that leadership starts from within, and that small, consistent practices can transform how leaders show up for their teams, their families, and themselves. Connect with Audree Grubesic at becominghumanagainevents.com. Connect with Julie Riga through Stacklist at https://stacklist.app/julieriga. #leadership #purpose #selfawareness #growth #stayoncourse Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aurora Winter: Become the Authority AI Quotes, Not the Expert It Replaces Guest Background Aurora Winter is a bestselling author of more than ten books, an award-winning television and film writer-producer, a media strategist, and the founder of Same Page Publishing. With a background spanning Hollywood screenwriting, neuroscience-driven messaging, and thought leadership development, Aurora has built a reputation for helping entrepreneurs and executives turn their stories into scalable brands, books, and businesses. Her latest book, Turn Words into Wealth, outlines seven ways to launch as a thought leader in the age of AI. Fun Fact: Aurora's favorite food is sushi. A rainbow roll to be exact, fresh only, and never from an airport. The Four Human Superpowers AI Cannot Replace Your Stories: Lived experience, breakthroughs, and hard-won wisdom are uniquely yours. Generic AI content destroys brand differentiation; authentic storytelling builds it. Stories are what people remember and repeat for free. Your Coaching and Leadership Skill: Great coaches ask powerful questions and wait for discovery. That process builds new neural pathways and creates lasting transformation. AI delivers passive answers; great leaders create active change. Your Mastery and Judgment: AI is only as good as the expertise guiding it. Identify where you are masterful and use AI to scale that strength. Your Creativity and Authenticity: AI has no creative soul. Your unique perspective, voice, and vision are irreplaceable. Leaning into creativity at any age drives personal growth and builds new neural pathways. The Three Strategic Frameworks The Movie Trailer Mindset: You have eight seconds to grab attention. Start with the problem you solve or a compelling story. Video registers as memorable in as little as 1.7 seconds according to Meta research. The Netflix Series Strategy: Think beyond the single post or episode. Design content as a connected journey where each piece builds toward transformation and positions your audience to take the next step. The Waterfall Method: Solve each problem completely, then reveal the next logical challenge. Each offer becomes the natural next step after the one before it. Key Takeaways Lead with your story. Your lived experience is your most defensible advantage in the age of AI. Sell transformation, not information. AI has made information a commodity. You are the driver. AI is the vehicle. You set the destination. Grab attention in eight seconds. Lead with the problem or the story, never your name first. Think in series. Design your content and offers as a connected journey, not isolated moments. Connect with Aurora Winter Website: samepagepublishing.com Free Book: turnwordsintowealth.com Free Business Breakthrough Call: bookcall.biz Connect with Julie Riga Website: julieriga.com Stacklist: https://stacklist.app/julieriga Coaching: Learn more about leadership coaching and transformation through the Before I Lead program. #stayoncourse #leadership #transformation #personalgrowth #purposedriven Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Travis Hahler: Wired for Change, Part 2 | The Neuroscience of Resistance and Leading Yourself Through Transformation Travis Hahler is the Senior Director of Global Strategy and Transformation at Salesforce and the founder of Neurological Nomad. His book Rethink Resistance: Embracing Neuroscience to Lead Transformational Change is available now on Amazon and major booksellers. Fun Fact: Travis upgraded his answer this time. His favorite is a bolognese made with ground rabbit. You have to go to Italy to get the original. What You Will Learn The six neurological barriers to change and why they exist in every human brain Why all change is loss and how the brain registers that as threat How exclusion, ambiguity, and anxiety each activate the brain's threat response Why corporate employees and entrepreneurs experience resistance in different ways The three core losses driving the most resistance: competence, control, and relationships How to use the six barriers as a personal checklist when resistance rises Why identity language matters: "I am becoming" is neurologically different from "I am trying" Why growth mindset is the defining competency of the AI transformation era How leader empathy produces better change outcomes Why resistance is not personal; it is protective Key Insights The most important question during change: what am I afraid to lose right now? Corporate employees lack autonomy before change begins, making imposed change even harder Entrepreneurs carry a false sense of control; external forces can upend their path without warning Community and accountability are the infrastructure of lasting transformation, not a luxury Leadership is an inside game; you cannot lead others through change you have not faced yourself Resistance is protective, not a character flaw; meet it with grace, not judgment Memorable Quotes "All change is really loss. Positive change, negative change, all lost." "When leaders understand how hard it is for people to move, that empathy builds better change." "Resistance is not personal. It is protective." "Leadership is spiritual. It is an inside game." - Julie Riga "Stay on course. You are going to get knocked down. Do the thing anyway." - Julie Riga Who Should Listen Leaders, entrepreneurs, and solopreneurs navigating transformation and the pressure to keep moving when everything feels hard. If you have ever felt like quitting on a Friday and found yourself back at it on Monday, this episode was made for you. Your Next Step Ask yourself one question today: what am I afraid to lose right now? Sit with the answer. That is where your growth begins. Connect with Travis Hahler Website: travishahler.com Book: Rethink Resistance, available now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and major booksellers LinkedIn: Travis Hahler Connect with Julie Riga Website: julieriga.com/lead Coaching: Leadership coaching and the ingredients for success in life and career Tools and Resources: https://stacklist.app/julieriga Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts Share this with every leader and entrepreneur navigating change #stayoncourse #leadership #transformation #mindset #purposedriven Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Travis Hahler: Wired for Change, Part 1 | Leading Humans Through AI Transformation Travis Hahler is the Senior Director of Global Strategy and Transformation at Salesforce and the founder of Neurological Nomad. His book Rethink Resistance, publishing June 23rd, explores how leaders can embrace human biology to drive meaningful change. Fun Fact: Travis loves a good pasta. Red sauce, vodka sauce, white sauce, all the sauces. You simply cannot go wrong. What You Will Learn Why telling employees to "go play" with AI activates fear rather than innovation How the brain defaults to the worst-case narrative when faced with ambiguity Why early adopters are only about two and a half percent of any workforce How to give your team clarity around what innovation means in their role Why group exploration is safer and more effective than solo adoption How ninety percent of AI users are only chatting with it, not leveraging its potential Why building competence over time beats trying to master everything at once How resisting AI to protect your job is the fastest path to losing it Why leadership is evolving from systems thinking to challenge and reinvention Key Insights Clarity is the foundation of transformation; define innovation before you ask for it Resistance is neurological, not personal; the brain defaults to protection under ambiguity Group adoption accelerates individual progress and lowers perceived risk Competence builds confidence, and confidence enables lasting change Staying still in the age of AI is a career risk, not a safe choice Leaders who thrive will model curiosity, adaptability, and purpose-driven growth Memorable Quotes "Everyone is talking about AI, but no one is talking about how they are going to do it." "People's brains automatically go to the negative." "You do not have to solve everything. Start with the basics." "Trying to hold on to your job is not going to help you save it." "AI is the buffet. You could get whatever you want, however you want it." Who Should Listen Leaders, executives, and professionals navigating AI adoption without a clear roadmap. If you are struggling with workforce resistance, unclear innovation mandates, or leading people through uncertainty, this conversation offers practical strategy and a neuroscience-informed view on why change feels hard. Your Next Step Start with one question: what is one task in your daily work that AI could make easier? Do not try to reinvent everything. Build from there. Leadership in the age of AI means showing up with curiosity, not perfection. Connect with Travis Hahler Website: travishahler.com Book: Rethink Resistance, June 23rd on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and major booksellers LinkedIn: Travis Hahler Connect with Julie Riga Website: julieriga.com/lead Coaching: Leadership coaching and the ingredients for success in life and career Tools and Resources: https://stacklist.app/julieriga Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts Share this with leaders navigating transformation in the age of AI #stayoncourse #leadership #transformation #mindset #purposedriven Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Founder's Story: From the Bronx to the Boardroom, Figuring It Out Part 3 Host: Julie Riga | Episode Type: Solo Episode Part 3 What You Will Learn: Julie bridges her college years into her early career, tracing the jobs, lessons, and life moments that quietly built the foundation of who she is today. From learning to negotiate contracts and coordinate productions to sitting at KRS-One's kitchen table and being told to figure it out, every experience added a layer to her leadership story. Key Topics: The Early Career Jobs That Taught Her Everything: Working as a production coordinator at Rack Productions coordinating video shoots, billing, and contracts Why early career jobs are some of the most powerful learning experiences of your life How each role built skills she would carry forward for decades The KRS-One Chapter: Working as a personal assistant to legendary hip hop artist KRS-One from 1997 to 1998 The broken fax machine moment and the four words that defined the job: "Figure it out, Julie" How resourcefulness, phone calls, and showing up became her most important tools Why this role was her first real introduction to entrepreneurship The Family Legacy Behind the Leader: Growing up with immigrant parents: a father from Italy and a mother born in Siberia Julie's mother was carried through a forest as a baby while her family fled Nazi Germany How the fabric of trauma and learning shaped the woman Julie became Putting personal hardship in perspective against the weight of generational resilience Memorable Quotes: "Figure it out, Julie. You are gonna figure it out." "I learned some really important skills. There is so much to be said about that job." "The fabric that made who I am today was one that was deep trenched in learning, in trauma, and learning and trauma." "My mother and father's life was harder. They went through war. I just went through people yelling at me and talking bad about me. You put it in perspective." "Somehow we get back up again and we stay on course." "Life is not a straightforward thing. It never will be and it never has been." Key Takeaways: Resourcefulness is one of the most powerful skills any leader can develop Early career jobs teach you more than any classroom ever could Being told to "figure it out" is not a burden. It is an invitation to grow Your family story is part of your leadership story whether you realize it or not Perspective is everything. Put your hard seasons next to someone else's and recalibrate No matter what life brings, the mission is always the same: stay on course About Julie Riga: Julie Riga is a leadership coach, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and host of the Stay On Course Podcast. She helps leaders and business owners discover their true purpose, build authentic confidence, and break through to their next level of success. Services: One on One Coaching | Leadership Programs | Training Programs | Brand Building Explore all of Julie's resources here: https://stacklist.app/julieriga Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts Share this episode with someone who needs to be reminded that every hard season has a purpose #StayOnCoursePodcast #FoundersStory #PurposeDrivenLeadership #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipMindset Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Founder's Story: Starting Over, Studying Hard, and Finding My Voice Part 2 Host: Julie Riga | Episode Type: Solo Episode Part 2 What You Will Learn: Julie opens up about the college years that changed everything. For the first time, nobody knew her past. Nobody knew what happened in high school. She got to start over. And she made the absolute most of it, earning Dean's List honors, discovering a love of learning, and ultimately finding her way to a microphone that would define her path for decades to come. Key Topics: The Power of Starting Over: Why college gave Julie her first real opportunity to reinvent herself Making 12 friends within two days and experiencing real community for the first time How a clean slate can be the most powerful gift life offers The Eight Hour Study Sessions: Earning her place on the Dean's List despite severe gaps in her foundational education Spending up to eight hours in the library to match results others got in two Why the will to succeed can override any learning deficiency The Sorority She Walked Away From: Pledging a sorority and quitting on induction night after Hell Night The professor who asked: "Are you here to pledge a sorority or are you here to get an education?" Choosing her education and her purpose over fitting in Finding Her Voice on the Radio: Becoming the voice of Rowan College on 89.7 WGLS FM Hosting two talk shows and a club mix as CJ the DJ How an internship she thought was pointless turned into one of the most brilliant series the station had ever run Memorable Quotes: "Sometimes that is just what you need in life. You need to start over." "You will do it if you want it bad enough. You will do it." "Nothing in my life was handed to me. Nothing. And so I had to push forward." "I am here to get an education, sir. And that moment changed everything for me." "Learning was the remedy to my problems. I could learn." "When you start to remember what you did as a young person and you are able to come back to who you started becoming, because life took you in a different direction from where you started. This is the journey I have been on." Key Takeaways: A fresh start is not a luxury. It is sometimes a necessity for growth Outworking everyone else is a valid and powerful strategy Knowing what you want badly enough will always outperform raw talent Purpose-driven decisions require walking away from things that do not serve your mission Your earliest passions are often pointing you toward your purpose all along About Julie Riga: Julie Riga is a leadership coach, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and host of the Stay On Course Podcast. She helps leaders and business owners discover their true purpose, build authentic confidence, and break through to their next level of success. Services: One on One Coaching | Leadership Programs | Training Programs | Brand Building Explore all of Julie's resources here: https://stacklist.app/julieriga Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts Share this episode with someone who needs to be reminded it is never too late to start over #StayOnCoursePodcast #FoundersStory #PurposeDrivenLeadership #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipMindset Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Founder's Story: Bullied, Broken, and Built for Purpose Part 1 What You Will Learn: Four years into hosting the Stay On Course Podcast, Julie Riga steps into the guest seat to share the story she has never fully told before. From honoring her father's legacy to surviving Graves disease, from eating lunch alone in a high school bathroom to becoming a leadership coach and transformation catalyst, Julie's journey is proof that our hardest seasons carry our greatest lessons. Key Topics: The Heart Behind Stay On Course: Why Julie created the Stay On Course Podcast four years ago How her father's words of faith became the soul of the brand The meaning behind "Stay on course" and why it carries so much weight Lesson One: The Kid Who Had Lunch in the Bathroom: Being bullied from age five and the identity it almost stole Spending high school years eating lunch alone due to isolation and illness The quiet inner voice that carried her through: "They do not know who you are. They do not know who you will become." The Surgery That Changed Everything: Undiagnosed Graves disease discovered at 16 after a life-threatening surgery Being rushed to the ICU and the doctor's warning to her mother How her senior year marked the turning point toward becoming herself Memorable Quotes: "If the world falls down on your shoulders, brush it off and keep going your way. Stay on course. Have faith." "They do not know who you are. They do not know who you will become." "I am a person of conviction and I am a person of purpose." "It is because of those lessons that I became the unique individual that I am today." Key Takeaways: Your story has purpose. The hard seasons are the foundation of who you are becoming Reframe every setback as a lesson and watch your growth accelerate Faith carries you through seasons you cannot navigate alone Circumstance does not define you or your future Tenacity and conviction are forged through difficulty, not comfort About Julie Riga: Julie Riga is a leadership coach, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and host of the Stay On Course Podcast. She helps leaders and business owners discover their true purpose, build authentic confidence, and break through to their next level of success. Services: One on One Coaching | Leadership Programs | Training Programs | Brand Building Explore all of Julie's resources here: https://stacklist.app/julieriga Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts Share this episode with someone who needs to be reminded: your story is not over #StayOnCoursePodcast #PurposeDrivenLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipMindset Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David Aferiat: Stop the Bottleneck and How a 3D Decision Engine Transforms Leadership Teams Guest: David Aferiat, Growth Coach and Entrepreneur Host: Julie Riga About David Aferiat David Aferiat is a growth coach, entrepreneur, and community leader with a track record built on perseverance, strategic leadership, and long-term vision. He co-founded a fintech company that earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list for six consecutive years, licensing its technology to eTrade and TD Ameritrade. He has also led the French American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurs Organization (EO). David now coaches CEOs and leadership teams to delegate with confidence and build decision-making systems that sustain professional growth. Fun Fact: The favorite food of David is Shakshuka, a Mediterranean dish of roasted peppers, tomatoes, and spices with eggs poached in the reduction, topped with feta and parsley, served with warm pita. He makes his own hummus. The 3D Decision Engine: Discover, Discuss, Decide Discover: Before the meeting, team members log issues and opportunities into a shared parking lot, a simple spreadsheet visible to all. Each item is written as an outcome statement. Tag each item as an opportunity or an obstacle. Discuss: Follow a fast, slow, fast cadence. Align quickly on the list, go deep in discussion, then move to decision. Everyone speaks beyond their own role. Time-box each conversation with a visible timer. Decide: Every decision is assigned one accountable owner with milestones and a follow-up timeline. Decisions fall into six categories: change a process, change a person, change the strategy, stop something, delegate it, or automate it. Key Insights Decision bottlenecks are a leadership problem, not a business problem. When the founder becomes the single point of approval for every decision, growth stalls because of organizational design, not market conditions. The fix is structural. Perseverance is the daily curation of atomic habits and routines designed to serve a future version of yourself and your business. David asks founders one powerful question: what is the last chair around the table you gave up? Each role you release creates more freedom, more capacity, and more life. The two greatest gifts for any founder are community and coaching. Join an organization like EO or a local business network. Invest in a coach who meets you at your stage and holds you accountable to the leader you are becoming. Memorable Quotes "Perseverance is about curating a routine, atomic habits that let you drop the keys off to a future version of yourself." "If everything has to go through the owner, you are choking what could be happening to move the business forward." "Share the burden. That is what a team is for." Connect with David Aferiat LinkedIn: David Aferiat Coaching Website: avid.coach Connect with Julie Riga Resources and Tools: stacklist.app/julieriga #StayOnCourse #LeadershipMindset #DecisionMaking #PurposeDrivenLeadership #BusinessGrowth Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.