Traceability

On this episode of Traceability, I sat down with Tom Hardin, aka Tipper X, the former hedge fund analyst who became a key FBI informant in one of the largest insider trading cases ever. Tom opened up about his journey from moral drift to making some hard choices, wearing a wire over 40 times, and how small compromises can lead to major failures. His insights on building trust, psychological safety, and the power of culture over compliance are essential for anyone who wants to lead with integrity. This is a must-listen for entrepreneurs who want to succeed without sacrificing their values.

Mike DeJong breaks down the journey from being stuck in day-to-day operations to stepping up as a true business owner. If you’re always putting out fires and can’t find freedom in your work, it’s time for a mindset shift—ask not “How do I get this done?”, but “How does this get done?” We talked about building strong, simple systems, empowering your team, and letting go of control so you can scale your business and reclaim your time. Start today—stop being the center of your business and let your systems and people shine.

On today’s episode of Traceability, I sat down with Glen Galaich, CEO of the Stupsky Foundation and author of Control: Why Big Giving Falls Short. We explored how too much control can actually stifle innovation and impact, both in philanthropy and business. Glen shared real-world examples of creating trust, empowering teams, and breaking fake rules that hold organizations back. If you’re a leader looking to drive meaningful change, it’s time to rethink control and start building systems that let real impact—and people—thrive. Don’t miss this energizing conversation!

Christian Boucousis is a former fighter pilot and CEO of Afterburner. On this episode, we explored how mindset, mission clarity, and intentional effort drive high performance and leadership in both the cockpit and the boardroom. He shared actionable insights like debriefing for continuous improvement and being destination-driven to overcome burnout and stay motivated. As AI transforms our workplaces, it’s more important than ever to lead with curiosity, clarity, and adaptability. Let’s embrace discomfort, move from activity to achievement, and future-proof ourselves as leaders.

UK-based executive advisor  Bianca Riemer brings a decade of experience working with CEOs, CFOs, and skeptical investors at Morgan Stanley. Bianca specializes in helping C-suite leaders strengthen their executive presence, manage stress in real time, and build trust during pivotal career transitions. Together, Tracie and Bianca explore why expertise alone isn’t enough at the top—and how leaders must learn to influence, build meaningful alliances, and regulate their nervous systems for sustainable success. From practical coaching insights inside boardrooms to actionable strategies for managing high-stakes meetings, Bianca offers candid stories and proven tips to help leaders excel under scrutiny. If you want to understand what really happens behind closed boardroom doors—or how to build lasting credibility and confidence—this episode is for you.

On this episode of Traceability, I sat down with Erin Treacy—leadership coach and former elite alpine skier—to unpack what business leaders can learn from high-performance sports. We explored the power of leading from the ground up, building real relationships with your team, and the importance of pausing before burnout hits. Erin’s wisdom? Growth comes from listening, adapting, and giving yourself permission to take a step back, gain clarity, and return stronger. Whether you’re leading a company or just yourself, there’s so much to apply from this inspiring conversation. 

On today’s Traceability Podcast, Tracie sat down with Frank McShane, a seasoned executive and consultant, to uncover the real drivers of business growth and profit. Frank shared why it’s crucial to shift focus from just cutting costs and chasing efficiency, to truly understanding your customer and product contribution. He reveals how most companies are surprised by which customers and services actually drive their bottom line—and why aligning your team and resources around that data is the real game changer. If you want actionable strategies for smarter, sustainable growth, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Today on the Traceability Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Natalie Pickering, an incredible organizational psychologist and executive coach, to unpack the real foundation of leadership—identity and authenticity. We explored her four A’s framework for identity clarity and why deep inner work isn’t just good for leaders, but crucial for thriving organizations. If you’re a leader ready to trade pressure for purpose and want to connect with your team on a deeper level, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Check out the episode and start leading from the inside out!

Are endless meetings draining your team’s productivity? In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Rebecca Hinds, a leading expert in organizational behavior, to dig into the real cost of bad meeting culture—over a trillion dollars wasted every year. She shared science-backed principles from her book, "Your Best Meeting Ever," on how to cut meeting debt, use intentional design, and transform meetings from time-wasters into powerful drivers of alignment and results. If you’re ready to build a smarter, more energized workplace, this conversation is a must listen!

Host Dr. Tracy Edwards closes out 2025 by revisiting conversations that defined a year of transformation—self-awareness, courage, belonging, governance, and renewal. This episode collects insights from guests who show how discomfort, humility, community, and structure all fuel sustained leadership change. Listen for practical takeaways on leading with clarity, building trust and culture, embracing unlearning, and making transformation a daily practice as you prepare for the year ahead.

Today's episode features Harvard instructor Margaret Andrews about her signature approach to leadership: understanding your backstory, values, and emotions so you can manage yourself and lead others more effectively. We discuss how surprising feedback, emotional courage, and practicing new behaviors create real growth. The episode offers practical takeaways — close the knowing‑doing gap, embrace vulnerability, use team charters or "user manuals," and allow time for S‑curve learning — finishing with one clear reminder: others judge us by our behaviors, not our intentions.

Some key takeaways for me: -Solving VUCA problems through digital asset governance using the five verbs: Draft, Review, Revise, Approve, Distribute -More productive retrospectives using the format I Like, I Wish, I Hope, I Wonder. -Career Security vs. Job Security "I believe all of us, as we care for our families, we need to keep a roof over our heads, et cetera, we owe it to ourselves to exchange, to swap in job security. Because we don't want to be at the mercy of executives, or businesses, or business models that are vulnerable to bad management, poor market dynamics, that sort of thing. We owe it to ourselves instead to be obsessed with career security. We always need to have amazing options so that if we were, let's say we're hitting a rough patch at a certain job, it's a powerful position to be able to walk away."

We are excited to share our latest Traceability podcast episode featuring Jonathan Lo, ALM, Fractional CMO, and Principal at Salt Foundry Strategy! 🎙️ In this insightful conversation, we dive deep into the world of fractional executives and their impact on businesses. Jonathan shares a powerful perspective on career evolution: "The older I get, the more experience I gain, the more I desire to spend my time in a way that is life-giving to me and provides value to others in a truly sustainable way. That's why I transitioned into being a fractional chief marketing officer." Key takeaways from this episode: • The benefits of fractional executives for businesses • How experienced professionals can make a lasting impact through fractional roles • Balancing passion, efficiency, and effectiveness in your career Whether you're a business owner looking to leverage top-tier talent or a seasoned professional considering a career shift, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Jason Hewlett is a speaker, entertainer, and author of The Promise to the One.

Professor Jeff Thompson is co-author of The Zookeeper's Secret: Finding Your Calling in Life