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PODCAST · business

The Enlightened Executive

by Susan Drumm

Are you hungry for ground-breaking techniques and strategies to evolve your personal and leadership effectiveness?Our mission is to raise the consciousness of leaders through highlighting leading-edge programs, mindsets, and tools, as well as provide examples of leaders who have "done their own work" along the journey to becoming more enlightened. Some might call these growth tools cutting edge and others may be skeptical — but either way there is an intense curiosity for outside-the-box personal growth programs that help you be both a better human and a better leader. Guests will include founders of these programs and the executives who have experienced them. Up-level your leadership and join the (r)evolution!

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Episodes

  1. Why the Biggest Doors Open When You're Not in the Room: Lessons from Broadway on Becoming Referable

    Have you ever wondered why you're not landing that coveted piece of business? You have the expertise, the results and the reputation. Yet the biggest opportunities still seem to go to someone else. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Michael Roderick, former...

  2. How High Achievers Catch Burnout Before It Becomes a Crisis

    What if the exhaustion you keep pushing through is not a time management problem, but a message you have stopped listening to? In this episode, Susan Drumm sits down with Iris van Ooyen, a Dutch life transformation mentor, keynote speaker, and author of Radiant: How to Have All the Energy You…

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  3. Why Success Never Feels Like Enough, and How Leaders Break Free From "The Lie of Scarcity"

    Success is easier to measure than ever. Revenue targets, exits, titles, promotions, the markers are clear and constant. So why do so many leaders still feel like it's not enough? In this episode, Susan Drumm sits down with Lynne Twist, bestselling author, founder of the Soul of Money Institute…

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  4. When Everyone Has AI, What Makes a Leader Stand Out?

    Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work. It can generate ideas, analyze information, and make expertise more accessible than ever before. So what will set exceptional leaders apart? In this episode, Susan Drumm sits down with bestselling author, business strategist, and Hall of Fame...

  5. Why Your Self-Doubt Might Be Your Greatest Leadership Advantage

    What if self-doubt is not your greatest obstacle, but your greatest advantage? In this episode, Susan Drumm sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and innovation expert Abhi Golhar to challenge one of leadership's biggest myths: that great leaders are always certain. Instead, they explore how...

  6. How Leaders Keep Success From Turning Into Complacency

    Success can be one of the most dangerous moments for a high-performing team. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm speaks with Jake Thompson, founder of Compete Every Day, about how leaders can recognize when a winning team starts to drift into comfort, busyness, or…

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  7. Why Reinvention Is the Leadership Skill AI Can't Replace

    AI is changing how we work, create, and lead. But as technology gets faster, the most valuable leadership skills may be the most human ones: creativity, judgment, authenticity, and reinvention. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm speaks with Jason Miller about how leaders…

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  8. How AI Is Changing Customers, Trust, and Leadership

    AI is not just changing how we work. It is changing how customers think, decide, trust, and relate. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm speaks with marketing strategist, futurist, and author Mark Schaefer about how AI is reshaping customer behavior and what leaders need to...

  9. How Small Acts of Kindness Create Big Leadership Impact

    What if one small act of kindness could create a ripple effect far beyond what you imagined? In this episode, Susan Drumm sits down with entrepreneur Braxton Kilgo to explore how a simple mission grew into a business, a movement, and a model for meaningful leadership. Braxton shares his journey...

  10. When Success Becomes a Cage

    What if the success you built is no longer setting you free? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with investor, entrepreneur, and Fulfillionaire founder JP Newman to explore a truth many high achievers quietly wrestle with: external success does not always create...

  11. When Success Creates Self-Doubt: How Leaders Move Through "Wonderhell"

    What happens when success does not bring the confidence you expected? In this episode, Susan Drumm sits down with Laura Gassner Otting to explore the tension many leaders feel after reaching a new level of achievement. Instead of clarity, they often experience pressure, self-doubt, and the sense...

  12. Unlocking Energy Intelligence for Sustainable Leadership

    Are you leading on an empty tank? In this high-energy episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm is joined by keynote speaker and joy instigator Marli Williams to explore how cultivating energy intelligence can radically elevate your leadership presence, resilience, and impact. You'll...

  13. The Science of Charisma: How Compassion Creates Influence with Heather Hansen

    What if charisma isn't something you're born with, but something you build? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Heather Hansen, former trial attorney, communication expert, and CEO of Belief Builders, to explore how compassionate charisma transforms your...

  14. Burnout Is Not the Problem—It's a Design Flaw

    Is your leadership model silently draining your team? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, energy and culture expert Josh Allan Dykstra challenges the outdated belief that resilience means pushing through. Instead, he offers a new paradigm: designing work around energy flow, not just...

  15. Is Your Team Performing the Culture You Want?

    You may not think of yourself as a performer, but as a leader, your presence is always on stage. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm interviews culture and storytelling expert Mike Ganino on the hidden performance behind every company culture. From improv stages to executive...

  16. Unlocking Creativity: The Leadership Advantage You're Overlooking with Natalie Nixon

    Most leaders double down on strategy when pressure hits, but what if the real competitive edge lies in creativity? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I speak with Natalie Nixon, creativity strategist and author of Move, Think, Rest, about why creativity, not control, is the next…

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  17. When Smart Leaders Miss What's Right in Front of Them: A Conversation with Jacquette Timmons

    You can be brilliant with numbers and still miss the pattern that's holding you back. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, financial behaviorist Jacquette Timmons shares the pivotal moment when her longtime CPA asked, "When are you going to stop mortgaging your life?" That one question...

  18. The Midlife Remix: Petra Kolber on Resilience, Reinvention & Leading with Joy

    What if your biggest life challenges became the catalyst for your boldest leadership chapter yet? Petra Kolber is no stranger to adversity. She's survived cancer twice, pivoted from global fitness icon to mindset coach, and now serves as VP of Mindset for the Daisie Foundation. In this powerful...

  19. Courageous Authenticity: How to Lead with Wisdom, Not Just Boldness

    What does it really mean to lead with authenticity—and how do you know when it's courageous vs. careless? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, host Susan Drumm sits down with Cindy Adams, executive coach and co-founder of The Enneagram in Business Network, to explore one of the most...

  20. How to Lead Through Chaos with Crisis Expert Juliette Kayyem

    What do you do when everything goes sideways? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I sit down with Juliette Kayyem, Harvard professor, former Assistant Secretary at Homeland Security under President Obama, and CNN Senior National Security Analyst. Juliette shares how today's leaders can...

  21. The CEO Bottleneck: How to Build a Business That Runs Without You

    What if your greatest strength as a CEO is also your biggest limitation? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Allison Maslan, aserial entrepreneur, author, and CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, to explore a critical challenge most high-performing leaders face: 👉...

  22. The Leadership Power of Forgiveness with Candice Mama

    What would you do if you came face to face with the person who murdered your father? Candice Mama chose forgiveness and in doing so transformed her life and her leadership. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive Candice shares her journey from deep resentment to peace and the lessons…

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  23. Why Smart Leaders Make Bad Calls—and How to Avoid Them

    What if your biggest leadership mistakes aren't due to poor judgment—but hidden assumptions? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm speaks with Dr. Alan Barnard, one of the world's top decision scientists and a leading expert in the Theory of Constraints. Together, they unpack...

  24. Discomfort Is the Shortcut to Breakthrough Leadership

    Discomfort Isn't the Enemy: How to Lead Through Challenge with Sterling Hawkins What if the key to becoming a breakthrough leader isn't more confidence or clarity—but more discomfort? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm talks with Sterling Hawkins—author, keynote speaker…

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  25. Unlock Higher Performance With This Leadership Shift

    The Power of Boundaries: Unlocking Innovation Through Constraints with Rachel Druckenmiller Episode Description: What do photographing polar bears in the Arctic and leading high-performing teams have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm...

  26. How Personal Growth Drives Team Success

    What if the greatest leadership transformation doesn't start with a new strategy—but with a shift in you? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Daniel McCollum joins Susan Drumm to explore how self-awareness, vulnerability, and intentional growth become the foundation for high-performing...

  27. The Secret to High Performance? Slowing Down.

    What if the secret to getting more done—and feeling better doing it—wasn't about pushing harder, but pausing smarter? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I sit down with internationally recognized Qigong master and author Lee Holden to explore how strategic slowing down can unlock your...

  28. The Power of Authentic Leadership

    Does this resonate? For years, I believed leadership was about pushing harder, working longer, and showing up no matter how depleted I felt. It seemed like success demanded constant resilience—never slowing down. But that old narrative, as my guest Jayne Warrilow shared, doesn't create great...

  29. How Curiosity Drives Leadership Success with Brandon Fong

    What if the secret to becoming a more effective leader lies not in developing a subject matter expertise and amassing years of experience, but in embracing a simple question: "Why?" In a world where innovation and forward momentum often define success, stopping to question why can be the…

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  30. Building World-Class Teams with Jay Rosenzweig

    High-performing teams don't happen by accident. You can hire the best people, offer competitive salaries, and set ambitious goals—but if you don't intentionally build a strong, aligned culture, your team will never reach its full potential. So, what separates good teams from world-class teams?...

  31. The Neuroscience Behind Making Changes with Natalie McVeigh

    Why does changing old habits always feel like an uphill battle, even when we genuinely want to change? Understanding the science behind our behaviors isn't just a nice-to-have; it's essential for growth. Natalie McVeigh, an executive coach specializing in neuroscience and conversational...

  32. From Ego to Empathy with Justin Breen

    How does one measure the true value of a leader? Is it in strategy and profits or does it go deeper and look at empathy, followership and visionary thinking? I had the opportunity to dive into the world of conscious leadership with Justin Breen, an extraordinary visionary and CEO/Co-Founder of…

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  33. The Power of Conscious Capitalism

    What if the key to unlocking exponential growth lies not in (only) maximizing profits, but in genuinely caring for all stakeholders? In a world where businesses prioritize the bottom line, many overlook the transformative power of a mission that serves customers, employees, and the community....

  34. Building a Culture of Belonging with Shasta Nelson

    How important is having your employees form friendships at work? Is there a decrease in productivity if employees are also friends? The answers may surprise you. In fact, fostering meaningful connections among team members can be the secret ingredient to thriving workplace success. Shasta Nelson...

  35. Strategies for Combating Burnout with Jay Abbasi

    Have you ever found yourself staring blankly at your computer screen, completely overwhelmed by a mountain of responsibilities, wondering if it's time to reconsider your role as an executive? During my recent talk with Jay Abbasi, a former leader of people development at Tesla and current speaker...

  36. Delivering Truth with Compassion with Matt Hudson

    Enlightened leaders are wholly candid, with themselves and their teams, and deliver that truth with compassion. Have you realized that power within yourself? I recently had the pleasure of hosting Matt Hudson on "The Enlightened Executive," a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to making a positive...

  37. Fostering Deep Connections with Jennifer Hill

    How authentic are our connections, really? Genuine connection—both with ourselves and others—holds the power to transform not just our work lives but our well-being too. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer Hill, an entrepreneur who stepped away from her legal recruiting company…

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  38. Unmuting Yourself: Rachel Druckenmiller's Challenge to Speak Up

    What's holding you back from speaking up and letting your authentic self show up at work? Where are you keeping yourself on "mute" and what is that costing you? I had the pleasure of speaking with the inspiring Rachel Druckenmiller, a dynamic keynote speaker, leadership trainer, and the creative...

  39. Lessons in Resilience & Joy with Moshe Gersht

    Are you able to see unexpected challenges as opportunities for new successes? By reframing "issues" as "possibilities" and finding the courage to seize them, Enlightened Leaders can reach new levels of prosperity. In my recent conversation with Moshe Gersht, a spiritual teacher and best-selling...

  40. Leading with Courage: Insights from Col. Martha McSally

    Fear and anxiety often feel like enemies to be vanquished...but what if instead we saw them as signals guiding us toward growth and expansion? This is the transformative message Colonel Martha McSally, the first female fighter pilot and former U.S. Senator, brought to our latest episode of "The...

  41. Human Empathy in the Age of Automation with Bryan Kramer

    How important is understanding and nurturing the human element in a world dominated by technology? I explored this concept on my podcast The Enlightened Executive with Bryan Kramer, renowned for his groundbreaking "H2H philosophy" on human-to-human connections. Bryan shared his inspiring...

  42. Leading with Purpose Featuring Tim Lupinacci

    An inspired and empowered team is a high-performing team. What are you doing as a leader to create that culture for your employees? I recently had the pleasure of speaking with a powerful enlightened executive, Tim Lupinacci, CEO of Baker Donelson, on The Enlightened Executive podcast. Tim shares...

  43. Proximity: How Technology Brings Value right to your Door

    There is a "Proximity Revolution" sweeping through every industry. Have you considered what this means for your business? Simply put, we can move even closer to on-demand customer fulfillment in ways we could have only imagined before. This is *Proximity* and is a game changer for any...

  44. Finding Peace in the Midst of Chaos with Jesse Israel

    In our fast-paced business world, where constant stimulation and pressure can lead to burnout, carving out moments of quiet might be the game-changer you need to thrive. I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Jesse Israel, a meditation leader and keynote speaker known for pioneering…

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  45. AI Blueprint for Improving Team Collaboration with Dan Chuparkoff

    Artificial Intelligence promises to revolutionize industries by enabling machines to mimic human cognition and perform tasks with unprecedented efficiency and accuracy. But what does that mean for you and how you collaborate with your team? I recently had a conversation with Dan Chuparkoff, an...

  46. Mastering Feedback with Joan Hibdon

    Are you giving feedback that's ultimately producing the results that you want from the team? Is your feedback changing behavior? I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Joan Hibdon, author of "The Leader's Guide to Mastering Feedback." Joan is a passionate and dynamic speaker known for her...

  47. Rhythm and Music as a Tool for Effective Collaboration with Doug Manuel

    Rhythm and music are primal forces that can elevate awareness of both ourselves and others. But they can do more than just that… music and rhythm can be used to enhance collaboration and connectivity within teams. Doug Manuel, an inspiring documentarian, and rhythm enthusiast, shares his journey...

  48. The Magic of Equine Coaching with Lucinda Vette

    Imagine translating a horse's sensitivity to human emotions into understanding, improving your leadership style. Fascinating, right? In today's volatile business environment, recognizing and harnessing the power of our emotions can revolutionize the way we lead. I had a transformative discussion...

  49. The Path to Enlightened Leadership with David Meltzer

    Enlightened leadership is not reserved for ancient philosophers or yogis meditating in remote caves—it is crucial for today's leaders too. This week on The Enlightened Executive podcast, David Meltzer shares his personal journey from the brink of financial ruin to a life enriched with purpose,...

  50. Managing a Multigenerational Workforce with Scott De Long

    Leading a multigenerational workforce is becoming increasingly complex. Each generation brings a unique set of skills, perspectives, and expectations to the table. Dr. Scott De Long, a serial entrepreneur with a doctorate in leadership, shares successful strategies to bridge the generational…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Are you hungry for ground-breaking techniques and strategies to evolve your personal and leadership effectiveness?Our mission is to raise the consciousness of leaders through highlighting leading-edge programs, mindsets, and tools, as well as provide examples of leaders who have "done their own work" along the journey to becoming more enlightened. Some might call these growth tools cutting edge and others may be skeptical — but either way there is an intense curiosity for outside-the-box personal growth programs that help you be both a better human and a better leader. Guests will include founders of these programs and the executives who have experienced them. Up-level your leadership and join the (r)evolution!

HOSTED BY

Susan Drumm

Produced by Meritage Leadership

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Enlightened Executive have?

The Enlightened Executive currently has 152 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Enlightened Executive about?

Are you hungry for ground-breaking techniques and strategies to evolve your personal and leadership effectiveness?Our mission is to raise the consciousness of leaders through highlighting leading-edge programs, mindsets, and tools, as well as provide examples of leaders who have "done their own...

How often does The Enlightened Executive release new episodes?

The Enlightened Executive publishes regularly with 152 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to The Enlightened Executive?

You can listen to The Enlightened Executive on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Enlightened Executive?

The Enlightened Executive is created and hosted by Susan Drumm.
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