Episodios

  • Laurie Battaglia: Intentional Leadership: Breaking Old Patterns to Build Transformative Cultures

    Laurie Battaglia: Intentional Leadership: Breaking Old Patterns to Build Transformative Cultures
    May 22 2025
    In this episode, Kevin and Laurie Battaglia discuss:How Laurie’s early life and career shaped her leadership journeyThe critical role of trust-building in leadership and organizational cultureWhy lazy, outdated leadership models are no longer sustainableThe power of inclusion, mentorship, and championing diverse voicesEmbracing leadership self-awareness and leading by exampleKey Takeaways:Leadership isn’t about authority — it’s about trust. Laurie emphasizes how quickly building authentic trust allows leaders to connect, hear hard truths, and transform culture from within.Self-awareness is non-negotiable for good leadership. Without honest introspection and understanding your own story, you’re likely leading from a limited, outdated perspective.Inclusion is intentional work. Creating space for quiet, overlooked, or marginalized team members isn’t just about fairness — it’s about unlocking the talent and wisdom your organization needs.Mentorship makes leadership sustainable. If you’re the only one with knowledge or decision-making power, you’re setting your team up to fail. Mentorship ensures the work continues and evolves beyond any one leader.Stop relying on old leadership habits. The workplace has changed, and leaders who cling to outdated methods and ignore generational shifts risk damaging their organizations and alienating their people."It's really about knowing yourself and knowing that your experiences are not everybody else's right, and then leading in that manner would ask you more questions than shutting up and listening." – Laurie BattagliaAbout Laurie Battaglia:Laurie is a true powerhouse when it comes to building alignment, transforming culture, and accelerating leadership. She is the CEO of Aligned at Work®, where she specializes in strategic planning for executive teams and boards of directors, aligning leadership teams, crafting transformational retreats, and training the next generation of Aligned Leaders™.But that’s just the beginning. Laurie is a Strategic Advisor, Executive Coach, Professional Speaker, Author, and sharp-eyed Trend-Spotter. Laurie’s work isn’t about surface-level fixes—it's about deep alignment that drives results and builds workplaces where people want to be.Get ready for an energizing conversation about leadership, culture, and the future of work.Connect with Laurie Battaglia:Website: https://alignedatwork.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebattaglia/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/aligned-at-work/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedatwork Connect with Kevin Neal:Website: https://drkdneal.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS Email: coachkd63@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63
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    55 m
  • Judy Ryan: Breaking Control Models and Rebuilding Human-Centered Leadership

    Judy Ryan: Breaking Control Models and Rebuilding Human-Centered Leadership
    May 15 2025
    In this episode, Kevin and Judy Ryan discuss:How traditional control models in leadership create inferiority complexes and disengagementThe importance of fostering personal responsibility within every person in an organizationShifting from power-over dynamics to shared power, value-based systemsThe role of dignity, trust, and mutual empowerment in culture transformationAdlerian psychology’s influence on leadership and workplace wellbeingKey Takeaways:Control-based leadership systems harm both performance and dignity. Judy explains how commonly used control tactics—like punishment, rewards, and enabling—foster resentment, disengagement, and inferiority complexes in teams.Personal responsibility should be cultivated at every level. Healthy leadership isn't about controlling people but about helping them reclaim their power, make responsible choices, and lead within their roles.True leadership transforms cultures, not just processes. Systemic change happens when leaders dismantle unhealthy, inherited models and replace them with frameworks built on trust, dignity, and shared power.Courageous leaders challenge status quo systems. Judy highlights how real transformation often begins with personal and organizational crisis, and the willingness to rethink everything—even long-held assumptions.Support and community fuel behavioral change. Tools alone aren't enough; leaders and teams need meaningful support systems to courageously apply new mindsets and habits."Tools are important, but they're not as important as the support you need to actually be courageous to implement." – Judy RyanAbout Judy Ryan:Since 2002, Judy Ryan has been CEO of LifeWork Systems and a recognized thought leader on workplace culture transformation that impacts the engagement and performance of entire workforces for exceptional outcomes. Judy is an award-winning Author, Columnist, Business Show Host, System Developer, Consultant, Trainer, Keynote Speaker, and is frequently interviewed on TV, radio, and podcasts.For over 20 years, Judy has been leading innovative methods to favorably impact the most important aspect of any organization: its people. She has created CultureEX™, a digital, scalable culture transformation system and implementation framework. Judy’s purpose is to create a world in which all people love their lives.Connect with Judy Ryan:Website: www.lifeworksystems.com www.courses.lifeworksystems.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-ryan/ Connect with Kevin Neal:Website: https://drkdneal.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS Email: coachkd63@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63
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    42 m
  • Cedric Johnson: Creativity, Courage, and Community in Modern Leadership

    Cedric Johnson: Creativity, Courage, and Community in Modern Leadership
    May 8 2025
    In this episode, Kevin and Cedric Johnson discuss:The essential role of creativity in leadership during times of disruptionHow faith, wellness, and the arts contribute to human flourishing and leadershipIntegrating AI into leadership and nonprofit strategy with integrityThe importance of risk-taking and discernment in leadership journeysMentorship, community, and collaboration as foundations for growthKey Takeaways:Leadership in today’s world demands creativity. Leaders must think beyond traditional frameworks and build adaptive, imaginative strategies with rapidly changing technology, shifting global dynamics, and evolving social needs.Risk-taking is essential, but wisdom and community make it sustainable. Cedric highlights that courageous moves are part of every leadership path, and the support of trusted mentors, partners, and careful discernment helps navigate them wisely.Mentorship is a leadership lifeline. Cedric’s own journey proves that wise, invested mentors open doors, offer perspective, and help leaders avoid costly missteps in both career and personal growth.Technology, including AI, can amplify leadership when used with integrity. AI isn’t a threat to creativity—it’s a tool that requires intentionality, clear values, and discernment to enrich human leadership.Introverts can lead powerfully through meaningful, intentional connections. Leadership isn’t about working a room; it’s about building relationships that endure, inspire, and support shared purpose.“Rather than trying to work a room and get to know 20 people, spend your time trying to connect and make a handful of meaningful connections.” – Cedric JohnsonAbout Cedric Johnson:Rev. Dr. Cedric Johnson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of NY. He is also the Founder and Director of the Kinetic Center, a faith-based organization in Brooklyn that seeks to be a catalyst for change through the creative arts, wellness initiatives, and community justice. Dr. Johnson is a published author, trained psychotherapist, and consultant. He holds an MSW from Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, and an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is interested in trauma-informed counseling, spirituality and mental health, and therapeutic interventions in minoritized communities impacted by neoliberal globalization.Connect with Cedric Johnson:Website: https://www.kineticny.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kineticny Connect with Kevin Neal:Website: https://drkdneal.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS Email: coachkd63@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63
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    49 m
  • Maria Ross: Empathy Isn’t Soft: Redefining Leadership for Impact and Innovation

    Maria Ross: Empathy Isn’t Soft: Redefining Leadership for Impact and Innovation
    May 1 2025
    In this episode, Kevin and Maria Ross discuss:What empathy truly means in leadership and business decision-makingBreaking the myth that empathy makes leaders weak or indecisiveHow leaders can build empathy muscles and foster human connectionBalancing performance, people, and mental health in high-pressure environmentsThe five pillars of empathetic, effective leadershipKey Takeaways:Empathy is a leadership strategy, not a weakness. It’s about understanding others’ perspectives to make informed, compassionate decisions—not about caving in or being overly sentimental.Productivity thrives in empathetic cultures. The data proves that when leaders prioritize people and human connection, performance and innovation increase.Leaders must develop a rhythm of feedback and decisiveness. Delaying difficult conversations for the sake of “being nice” causes long-term harm to relationships and team growth.You don’t need permission to lead with empathy. Even in unsupportive company cultures, leaders can model empathy within their own teams and create micro-cultures of trust and collaboration.The five pillars of empathetic leadership are self-awareness, self-care, clarity, decisiveness, and joy. Mastering these areas enables leaders to balance compassion with high performance.“You actually have to be really strong to be empathetic, because to have that kind of conversation with compassion and concern, but with clarity, it takes a lot of inner strength and inner confidence to be able to have a conversation like that.” – Maria RossAbout Maria Ross:Maria Ross is a speaker, author, strategist, and empathy advocate who has spent decades helping forward-thinking leaders and brands connect and engage through empathy for success. Maria's latest book is The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal Boundaries, and she hosts The Empathy Edge podcast. A TEDx speaker, Maria delivers dynamic keynotes, talks, and leadership trainings to global companies and startups to help them boost engagement and performance. Media appearances include MSNBC, Inc., NPR, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Thrive Global.Connect with Maria Ross:Podcast: www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Website: www.red-slice.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariajross/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redslicemaria/ Connect with Kevin Neal:Website: https://drkdneal.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS Email: coachkd63@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63
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    42 m
  • Daniel Vestal: Shaping Leadership Through Integrity, Calling, and Community

    Daniel Vestal: Shaping Leadership Through Integrity, Calling, and Community
    Apr 24 2025

    In this episode, Kevin and Daniel Vestal discuss:

    • The deep connection between faith, leadership, and influence
    • Developing leadership skills through spiritual formation and self-awareness
    • How rhythm, not balance, sustains healthy leadership
    • The importance of community and learning from diverse perspectives
    • Taking risks in leadership and standing firm in conviction


    Key Takeaways:

    • True leadership flows from inner alignment. When your soul and role are congruent, you cast light through your leadership, shaped by integrity, self-awareness, and purpose.
    • Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It takes time, effort, and community. Leadership is enriched by intentional learning and sharing space with people who think differently.
    • Rhythm sustains well-being. Rather than chasing balance, leaders must cultivate rhythms of solitude, community, and meaningful engagement to thrive over the long term.
    • Leadership comes with risk. Standing firm in your convictions may cost something, but it builds respect, character, and long-term influence.
    • Mentorship must honor individuality. Great mentors don’t create replicas of themselves; they help others become the leaders they were uniquely called to be.


    "Leadership is really influence. So in a sense, everybody is a leader, because everybody has influence."– Daniel Vestal


    About Daniel Vestal:

    Rev. Dr. Daniel Vestal is the Distinguished University Professor of Baptist Leadership and director of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Center for Baptist Leadership. From 1996 to 2012, he served as the Executive Coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, based in Atlanta. Prior to that, he was a pastor of Baptist churches both in Texas and Georgia.


    He has authored and contributed to numerous books, including Being the Presence of Christ: A Vision for Transformation and his memoir, This Treasure Within. He has written and contributed to various journals, periodicals, and news magazines while also traveling extensively as a preacher, teacher, and speaker for conferences, conventions, and retreats.


    Connect with Daniel Vestal:

    Website: https://baughcenter.mercer.edu/about/meet-the-director/


    Connect with Kevin Neal:

    Website: https://drkdneal.com

    Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS

    Email: coachkd63@gmail.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63

    YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63

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    44 m
  • Nancy Becher: Advocating for Women Veterans Through Resilience and Reform

    Nancy Becher: Advocating for Women Veterans Through Resilience and Reform
    Apr 17 2025
    In this episode, Kevin and Nancy Becher discuss:The challenges faced by women veterans in accessing recognition and supportThe power of servant leadership in advocacy and nonprofit workForgiveness and healing in the aftermath of trauma and chronic illnessThe founding of Invisible Warriors and its mission to uplift underserved voicesHow leaders can build deeper connections through listening and actionKey Takeaways:Leadership requires presence, not just position. Leaders must model compassion and commitment and show up consistently for those they serve.Listening is a transformative leadership skill. True connection comes from understanding the needs and lived experiences of others, especially those who feel unseen.Forgiveness is essential to healing. Nancy’s journey illustrates how forgiving others—and yourself—can unlock purpose and clarity after trauma.Advocacy must begin with awareness. Many women veterans don’t receive the same recognition or resources as their male counterparts, and Nancy’s work brings visibility to their experiences.Vision and imagination can lead to real change. What began as a dream became a thriving nonprofit by simply believing that a better way was possible—and doing the work to build it."I really think that unless the leaders truly understand where their people are coming from, they're not going to be very good leaders." – Nancy BecherAbout Nancy Becher:Nancy Becher is the founder of Invisible Warriors, a 501(c)(3) ministry dedicated to supporting military women facing invisible challenges such as PTS and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Her work is deeply personal, inspired by her own journey of resilience after a life-changing accident in 2014 and her 14-year marriage to a retired Marine Corps MSgt with 23 years of service.With a Master’s in Counseling and a Ph.D. (ABD) in Sociology, Nancy brings a wealth of knowledge to her mission. She is also an International #1 bestselling author, certified Peer Support Specialist, and Chaplain. Through Invisible Warriors, Nancy provides tailored programs that empower military women to overcome challenges, build resilience, and reclaim their worth. Passionate about continuous growth, Nancy is pursuing certification as a Mental Health Coach while collaborating with military organizations nationwide to expand her reach and impact. To connect with Nancy, email her at nancy@invisiblewarriors.org.Connect with Nancy Becher:Website: https://invisiblewarriors.orgLinktree: https://linktr.ee/nancybecher Connect with Kevin Neal:Website: https://drkdneal.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS Email: coachkd63@gmail.com LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63
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    42 m
  • Nick Prefontaine: The Power of Resilience and Taking the First Step Forward

    Nick Prefontaine: The Power of Resilience and Taking the First Step Forward
    Apr 10 2025

    In this episode, Kevin and Nick Prefontaine discuss:

    • How a life-changing accident shaped Nick’s mindset
    • The importance of persistence in overcoming adversity
    • Why taking the next step, no matter how small, is crucial for growth
    • Shifting from fear to confidence in real estate and life
    • The impact of mentorship and community in personal transformation


    Key Takeaways:
    • Resilience is built one step at a time. After his accident, Nick learned that moving forward, no matter how small the step, creates momentum and growth.
    • Mindset is the key to overcoming obstacles. Challenges are inevitable, but having the right perspective can turn setbacks into opportunities.
    • Fear shouldn’t dictate your decisions. Facing fear head-on and taking action lead to confidence and success.
    • Success is a continuous journey. There’s no overnight transformation—progress comes from consistently showing up and embracing each step.
    • Surrounding yourself with the right people makes all the difference. Having a supportive community or mentor can help you push through challenges and reach new heights.


    "By continuing to move forward every day, you are building an unstoppable momentum." – Nick Prefontaine


    About Nick Prefontaine:

    https://nickprefontaine.com/step


    Connect with Nick Prefontaine:

    https://www.facebook.com/nick.prefontaine.7

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickprefontaine


    Connect with Kevin Neal:

    Website: https://drkdneal.com

    Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS

    Email: coachkd63@gmail.com

    LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63

    YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63

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    38 m
  • Dean Newlund: Leading with Vision, Empathy, and Connection

    Dean Newlund: Leading with Vision, Empathy, and Connection
    Apr 3 2025
    In this episode, Kevin and Dean Newlund discuss:The importance of ethical leadership in today’s worldWhy leaders should embrace an ethic of "enough" and mutualityThe shift from maximizing profits to optimizing valueThe role of mentorship in personal and professional growthHow capitalism can be reimagined to serve more people effectivelyKey Takeaways:True leadership starts with a clear purpose. Leaders who understand their "why" create a meaningful impact and inspire others to follow with intention.Intuition is a powerful leadership tool. Beyond logic and data, trusting your instincts can lead to deeper connections and better decision-making.Technology should support, not replace, human connection. While digital tools are useful, over-reliance on them can diminish trust, empathy, and engagement in the workplace.Storytelling bridges the gap between logic and emotion. Leaders who use stories to communicate can make complex ideas more relatable and memorable.Self-awareness is key to transformation. The more leaders understand themselves—their triggers, strengths, and growth areas—the better they can guide their teams and organizations."When you start smelling a rat, take action on it. I'm a big person who believes in intuition, especially with leaders, and if you start to feel something is off, it probably is." – Dean NewlundAbout Dean Newlund:Recognized by some of the world’s most influential organizations, Dean Newlund is a consultant, facilitator, coach, speaker, author, and leadership expert who is awakening organizations to fulfill their purpose. With a career spanning over 30 years, Dean has worked across five continents to build the capacity for transformative leadership, mindful organizations, strategic collaboration, and thriving cultures.As the Chief Executive Officer at Mission Facilitators International (MFI), a boutique consulting firm headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Dean has dedicated his career to helping leaders, teams, and their organizations grow their people, clarify their visions, and implement their plans. His work has touched the lives of tens of thousands of employees, leaders, and board and community members, helping them resolve complex challenges and discover new opportunities.Connect with Dean Newlund:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/ The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannewlund/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/ Podcast: https://mfileadership.com/resources/podcast/ See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I Connect with Kevin Neal:Website: https://drkdneal.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS Email: coachkd63@gmail.com LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63
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    38 m
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