Guest Interviews Episodes

Kristen and Mike sit down with Andrea Fleischfresser, an executive coach with over 20 years of experience in HR and coaching. Andrea shares her journey from working in Italy to building her coaching practice in the US, where she discovered that cultural backgrounds significantly influence leadership styles and workplace dynamics. Through her work with clients from diverse cultures, Andrea has observed how deeply ingrained cultural norms affect everything from communication styles to feedback del...

Kristen and Mike talk with Shelli Brunswick, a leader in the space industry whose career spans from the US Air Force to her current role as CEO of SB Global LLC. Shelli shares how space technology impacts our everyday lives in ways we don't even realize—from the smartphone in your pocket to the blueberries in your breakfast. She explains how leadership lessons from the space industry, particularly around risk management and innovation, can help professionals in any field. If you've ever wondered...

Ever wonder why some leaders seem to effortlessly build thriving teams while others struggle with constant turnover? In this episode, guest Candice Hahn, a veteran marketing agency executive with over 25 years of experience, shares her refreshing take on leadership in the fast-paced agency world. Candice opens up about why working for good people has been the guiding force in her career and reveals her unique approach to developing talent. She explains why there's "no such thing as a marketing e...

What does it really mean to be an ally in today's workplace? For Amira Barger, Executive Vice President of DEI Advisory and Health Communications at Edelman, it's about going beyond being "nice." Growing up as the daughter of missionaries in Guam, Amira learned early on about meeting people's needs and building community. Now, she's challenging leaders to move past surface-level actions and ask the critical question: "What do you need to show up as your chosen self?" In this powerful conversatio...

Leadership isn't just about hitting the numbers - it's about how you get there. Through candid stories from his 25+ years in human resources, Chief People Officer Tushar Pandit challenges common misconceptions about workplace culture and HR. He explains why foosball tables and kombucha aren't company values (though he enjoys kombucha), why measuring employee engagement isn't enough, and what it really takes to build an organization where people want to stay and grow. This conversation dives into...

In this guest interview episode, Rebecca Yang, Director of Engineering at HubSpot, shares her unconventional journey to tech leadership and reveals seven uncommon leadership principles that have shaped her success. From her early days in client services to leading a 50+ person engineering team, Rebecca opens up about how embracing authenticity and overcoming personal challenges has made her a more effective leader. Her refreshing take on leadership - including why micromanagement isn't always ba...

Kristen sits down with Melissa Jurkoic, a tech industry veteran and champion for diversity in leadership. Melissa's journey from junior software engineer to Chief Experience Officer is a testament to the power of resilience and authenticity in leadership. She shares candid insights on navigating male-dominated spaces, the importance of sponsorship, and why being your genuine self is crucial for effective leadership. Melissa's approach to "boundaried vulnerability" offers a fresh perspective on b...

In this episode, Kristen and Mike sit down with Nicole Mashburn, CEO of Villa Marin, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Northern California. Nicole shares her journey into senior living leadership and her philosophy on authentic leadership. With over 20 years of experience, Nicole offers valuable insights on fostering a collaborative team environment, handling leadership challenges, and the importance of self-awareness. She discusses how her upbringing shaped her leadership style and emph...

What does it really take to build a thriving workplace culture? In this episode, Kristen and Mike sit down with Gianna Driver, the new Chief People Officer at Lattice, to explore the human side of leadership. From her unconventional path into HR to her insights on transforming company cultures, Gianna shares candid stories and practical wisdom that will challenge how you think about work. She includes a team meeting tactic that transforms how people view mistakes and gives practical tips for hav...