Business

Heartbeat For Hire with Lyndsay Dowd

The Heartbeat for Hire Podcast was created to inspire leaders on how to get through the most difficult of circumstances. I feature CEOs, Olympians, Professional Athletes, Authors, Disruptors, Emmy Winning Journalists and more as they share their stories of resilience with my lens on leadership and culture. My guests share their vulnerability and lessons learned so those of you who have never had a good leader can see the possible in the way they lead. My goal is to transform leadership as we know it and this podcast features the best of the best in showing you the way.

Latest Episodes:

203: You're Not Burned Out. You're Misaligned. with Blake Schofield May 13, 2026

Show notes

Blake Schofield works with successful leaders and founders who feel drained, unfulfilled, and like their success doesn't feel the way it should—even though everything looks right on paper.

After 18 years as a top-performing Fortune 500 executive—including turning around a $130M business at Target from –25% sales to positive growth for the first time in over a decade, delivering $7.5M in profit over plan, and building a new division at Stitch Fix to a 75,000-person waitlist in 11 months—she realized something most high performers don't see:

They're not actually solving the root problem—and it's not because something is wrong with them. So they change jobs, start new businesses, go to therapy, hire coaches, or push through… but nothing actually fixes it. Because the issue isn't effort or capability.

Episode Summary:

Blake Schofield spent 18 years climbing the corporate ladder at Fortune 500 companies — leading turnarounds, scaling new divisions, and delivering results most executives only dream of. But behind the impressive résumé was a pattern she couldn't shake: six to nine months of excitement with every new role, followed by burnout, drain, and the nagging feeling that something was still missing.

What she discovered in the years that followed changed everything. The problem wasn't the jobs, the bosses, or the industry — it was misalignment. And after investing over half a million dollars and tens of thousands of hours into understanding why traditional approaches fall short, she developed a framework around three core areas of misalignment that keep talented people stuck.

Key Takeaways:

- Changing jobs doesn't fix misalignment

- Your natural wiring is unique

- Most of our beliefs were formed before age 7

- Environment matters more than we think

- Asking for help is a strength

- Trust the unsettled feeling

Episode Chapters:

[00:00:00] — Cold Open: The Power of Beliefs

[00:00:48] — What You'll Learn Today

[00:01:08] — Welcome & Guest Introduction

[00:02:22] — Blake's Story: From Psychology to Corporate to Burnout

[00:05:03] — The Breaking Point at Stitch Fix

[00:07:30] — The Misalignment Framework: Why the Same Cycles Keep Repeating

[00:10:41] — Misalignment #1: How You're Naturally Wired to Thrive

[00:14:59] — Misalignment #2: Beliefs and Conditioning

[00:17:37] — Shining the Mirror: Blake's Coaching Philosophy

[00:19:11] — Misalignment #3: Environment

[00:20:53] — Who Blake Works With

[00:21:20] — What Inspires Blake

[00:23:31] — Blake's Podcast: Impact with Ease

[00:25:39] — The Entrepreneurship Wake-Up Call

[00:29:35] — Final Takeaways from Blake

[00:30:52] — Outro & Show Close

202: Stop Being the Best-Kept Secret in Your Industry with Kait LeDonne May 06, 2026

Show notes

Kait LeDonne is a New York-based personal branding strategist and LinkedIn coach who helps thought leaders, executives, and corporate teams turn expertise into visible authority, influence, and qualified deal flow. She is a featured instructor for CNBC Make It's "How to Build a Standout Personal Brand," bringing practical executive-grade playbooks to a broad audience.

Her LinkedIn audience and "Build a Brand" newsletter community exceed 80,000 professionals. She has delivered training for organizations, including the United States Air Force and Kia. Listed by Favikon among the Top Personal Branding Influencers in the U.S., Kait is frequently cited in the media for clear, results-driven personal brand strategies professionals can sustain.

Connect with Kait LeDonne:

Website: www.kaitledonne.com

Linkedin: @kaitledonne

Episode Summary:

In this episode, host Lyndsay Dowd sits down with New York-based personal branding strategist Kait LeDonne — a LinkedIn coach with 80,000+ followers, CNBC contributor, and newsletter founder — to break down exactly how executives, consultants, and thought leaders can stop being the best-kept secret in their industry. Kait shares how she went from a corporate marketing role to launching her own business within 90 days, all powered by LinkedIn. The conversation covers LinkedIn's newest AI-driven algorithm, the three content pillars every professional needs, and how to convert visibility into real revenue — without ever feeling salesy.

Key takeaways:

Your expertise is already there — the gap is visibility, and the key is clarity. You don't need more credentials; you need a clearer message.
Personal branding isn't about being everywhere. It's about being unmistakable somewhere. Pick two to three topics and own them consistently.
LinkedIn isn't just a resume — it's a revenue channel. Turning on your Services section, showcasing packages, and adding a soft CTA in posts can quietly drive real deal flow.
Don't confuse engagement with your niche. A viral personal story proves you're human, not that you should pivot your entire brand toward it.
Think like a reporter covering your own career. Your daily work is more fascinating to outsiders than you think — mine your schedule for content instead of waiting for big wins.

Episode chapters:

0:00 Cold open & episode preview

0:44 Introducing Kait LeDonne

2:11 Kait's origin story

4:50 Personality on LinkedIn — the three Ps framework

9:21 Three tactical tips for LinkedIn beginners

13:21 LinkedIn as a revenue channel

16:23 What most people get wrong — the reporter mindset

19:31 LinkedIn video — what's really happening

23:29 Kait's ideal clients & what makes brands fly

25:38 What inspires Kait — and her legacy

28:03 Where to find Kait

Leading with Heart- 200th Episode Special May 01, 2026

Show notes

In this special episode of Heartbeat for Hire, Lyndsay steps into the guest seat to celebrate a massive milestone: the show's 200th episode. Interviewed by Emmy-winning journalist Cristina Mendonsa, Lyndsay reflects on the journey of growing her podcast. The core takeaway: leading with heart isn't a soft skill, but a requirement for success in today's world.

KEY POINTS - The Core Mission: How Lyndsay started the show and used it to share real-world examples of great leadership. - Leading with Heart: Lyndsay's core philosophy. Heart-centred leadership is not "fluffy"; it's an approach that drives real ROI. - The "Reformed Asshole": The story of a leader who moved from fear tactics to vulnerability. - The Power of Curiosity: The "secret sauce" for the podcast. How Lyndsay became a master connector for her audience. - Don't Be Precious with Episode One: Lyndsay's advice for new creators.

TIMESTAMPS 1:26 The unexpected joy of building friendships with guests 2:20 The "why" behind Heartbeat for Hire 4:56 The common theme: 99% of successful guests lead with heart 9:56 Lessons from Mark Peters on community and employee resources 14:05 Don't be precious with the first episode 16:25 The emotional impact of audience support 19:48 Thoughts on her legacy

____________________________________________________ Lyndsay Dowd is a Speaker, Founder, Author, Coach, Podcast Host—and unapologetic Disruptor. With 25+ years of leadership experience, including 23 years rising through the ranks at IBM, she's built and led high-performing, diverse sales teams that consistently delivered results. She's also served as a Guest Lecturer at Harvard University, sharing her insights on modern leadership and culture transformation.

As the founder of Heartbeat for Hire, Lyndsay helps companies ditch toxic leadership and build irresistible cultures that drive performance, retention, and impact. She's been featured in Fortune Magazine, Authority Magazine, HR.com, ABC, NBC, FOX, and over 90 podcasts.

Lyndsay is a two-time author of Top Down Culture and Voices of Women, and the host of the globally ranked Heartbeat for Hire podcast—sitting in the top 2.5% worldwide. She's a frequent speaker, moderator, and guest, known for her candor, humor, and ability to spark action.

I love to reward my loyal listeners with great deals. Use code LEADWITHHEART at any of these brands and find the deepest discounts you can find anywhere! https://MyDeals.Page/19c3

Connect with me on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndsaydowdh4h/

Follow me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/lyndsaydowdh4h/

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#Leadership #HeartbeatForHire #BusinessCulture #PodcastMilestone #EmployeeEngagement #AuthenticLeadership #Resilience #ManagementTips #LeadingWithHeart #ProfessionalGrowth

200: The CEO Who Scaled It All — and Why Culture Was Always the Secret with David Gorsuch Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

David Gorsuch is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with 30+ years of experience leading high growth companies across finance, technology, and services. He has a proven track record of scaling businesses from early-stage startups to successful acquisitions, with 4 strategic exits and leadership roles spanning CEO, COO, and VP-level positions.

David has built and transformed companies at every stage - from pre-revenue startups to late-stage enterprises - driving exponential revenue growth, operational excellence, and leadership development. He has worked with bootstrapped ventures, private equity-backed firms, and public companies, including Amazon, Boeing, D+H, and Demandbase. His leadership impact includes:

High-Growth Leadership - Scaled multiple businesses, leading to exits at 10x–16x EBITDA
Operational & Strategic Excellence - Launched innovative platforms in FinTech, AI, and SaaS
Leadership & Talent Development - Coached and advised thousands of leaders, from first-time managers to senior executives and board members
Entrepreneurial & Business Acumen - Deep experience in M&A, GTM strategy, and business transformation

Connect with David:

📌 LinkedIn : @davidgorsuch

Heartbeat for Hire has been nominated for its 4th award- Best Business Podcast from Women in Podcasting. Please vote at this link. It's 1 vote per email. We are so grateful for your support! Thank you!

https://www.womenpodcasters.com/lyndsay-dowd

Episode Summary:

To mark her 200th episode, host Lyndsay Dowd sits down with her friend and collaborator David Gorsuch — a rare executive with 30+ years of building, scaling, and exiting companies across finance, technology, and wellness. David has held leadership roles at Amazon, Boeing, and four privately exited companies, and is now channeling everything he's learned into something he's most excited about yet.

Key Takeaways:

Culture isn't soft — it's strategy.
People follow leaders, not systems.
The gap isn't always intentional.
Know when to pass the baton.
Don't lose yourself in the grind.
Your body keeps the score.
In the age of AI, humanity is the differentiator.
Heart and head have to work together.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Cold open — your body keeps the score

00:22 Three things you'll learn today

00:52 Guest introduction: Who is David Gorsuch?

02:10 David's story — from Alaska to 30+ years of scaling companies

04:41 What David sees in every organization: the culture gap

07:30 The paradigm shift happening in leadership right now

09:00 The "felt sense" — why leaders can't name what's missing

14:22 Connecting heart and head: what great leadership actually looks like

15:53 Lessons from four exits — succession, identity, and knowing when to let go

20:00 The post-exit identity crisis no one talks about

22:35 David's most courageous decision: stepping down

24:21 Mid-episode break + listener shout-out + partner sponsors

25:20 What's coming next: the culture transformation collective

26:36 How Limitless Minds shaped David's vision

27:00 Introducing the new global collective with Pamela Matson

30:01 Building from love, heart, and care — not just frameworks

31:52 What inspires David: human resilience

33:29 What legacy looks like for David

35:01 Where to find David + closing thoughts

199: Learn the Rules or Lose the Game: How Immigrants Build Real Wealth with Kofi Douhadji Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Kofi Douhadji is an Investment Advisor and bestselling author who helps French-speaking immigrants turn income into assets by understanding and leveraging the North American financial system.

Originally from Togo, Kofi experienced firsthand what it means to earn in a new country without understanding the rules that govern money. After a decade in civil engineering and serving as a U.S. Air Force officer, he identified a pattern: high-earning immigrants were working hard, but without a system, their income wasn't translating into ownership.

🔗 Connect with Kofi Djouhadi: @kofi.douhadji on all platforms

https://www.womenpodcasters.com/lyndsay-dowd

📝 Episode Summary:

In this episode, Kofi shares his remarkable journey from a small village in West Africa — where his father once told him airplanes "weren't for us" — to becoming a commissioned US Air Force officer, a published author, and the founder of Flying Wings, a consulting firm dedicated to helping French-speaking immigrants build lasting financial freedom in North America.

Kofi opens up about the financial blind spots that keep high-earning immigrants stuck in survival mode, why the North American financial system feels like playing basketball with a tennis racket, and how he wrote his bestselling book (in French!) during a military deployment to the Middle East. His core belief is simple but powerful: you cannot win a game you don't understand the rules of — and his mission is to change that for an underserved community.

✅ Key Takeaways:

- Your "no" can become your fuel.

- Financial literacy has a language barrier.

- You don't need to be Warren Buffett to start.

- Stop improvising with your finances — build a system.

- Curiosity is the real superpower.

⏱️ Episode Chapters:

00:00 — Intro & teaser: Why high-earning immigrants stay stuck in survival mode

01:07 — Meet Kofi Djouhadi: the many hats of a remarkable life

02:10 — Growing up in Togo: the airplane moment that changed everything

05:27 — Becoming a pop star in West Africa (parallel to his engineering degree)

07:42 — From Togo to the US: winning the diversity visa lottery in 2015

08:00 — Landing in El Paso & enlisting in the US Air Force

10:10 — Curiosity as a life philosophy: "I am a mystery to myself"

11:05 — The immigrant financial gap: why the rulebook isn't the same

12:48 — What Kofi noticed: financial education missing in immigrant communities

13:08 — The tennis-on-a-basketball-court analogy: learning a new financial system

15:12 — Practical starting tips: get the basics, find a fiduciary, start now

16:04 — Your money doesn't have to wait while you figure it all out

19:39 — Writing the book during a Middle East deployment

20:11 — The book goes viral: twice a bestseller, 2,000+ copies sold on TikTok Shop

22:21 — What inspires Kofi: life itself, and the odds he's already beaten

24:18 — Ideal clients: high-earning immigrants who feel stuck and don't know where their money is going

24:57 — What's next: building Flying Wings to serve French-speaking immigrants in the US, Canada & Europe

25:44 — Final message: "Don't just be a bystander. Become an owner of a piece of the economy you participate in."

198: Empathy Drives Results. Full Stop. with Erika Sinner Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

Erika Sinner is a multi eight-figure founder, bestselling author, and sought-after speaker redefining what it means to lead with empathy and impact. She is the Founder and CEO of Directorie®, one of the world's fastest-growing and award-winning life science agencies supporting bringing medications to market and impacting over 100 millions lives. Recognized twice on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies, Erika was named to the prestigious 2026 Inc. Female Founders 500. Under her leadership, Directorie has become a trusted strategic partner for life science organizations, blending operational excellence with a culture rooted in purpose, innovation, and humanity.

As the Chief Empathy Officer of TinySuperheroes®, Erika channels her success toward social good, leading a global charitable organization that is on track to empower 5 million kids in the next five years who are chronically and terminally ill children to see themselves as strong, courageous and capable. Through superhero-themed programs in hospitals and homes around the world, she is transforming the way children and families experience care.

Connect with Erika Sinner:

🌐 Website: erikasinner.org

📸 Instagram: @erika_sinner

💼 LinkedIn: Erika Sinner

https://www.womenpodcasters.com/lyndsay-dowd

Summary:

In this conversation, Erika opens up about growing up on food stamps in a trailer park and how those humble beginnings became the foundation for a leadership philosophy centered on making people feel human, not just hired. She shares how she built Directory to provide top pharmaceutical talent to small and mid-size companies bringing life-saving medications to market — and how treating employees with genuine care has driven triple-digit growth three years running.

Key Takeaways:

- Empathy is a power skill, not a soft skill.

- You don't have to choose between performance and compassion.

- Pet loss is real grief.

- Showing up for people in hard moments builds lasting loyalty.

- Your people are your asset.

- Giving back grounds you.

- How you respond is always yours.

Episode Chapters:

0:41 Episode intro & three things you'll learn today

1:17 Introducing Erika Sinner

2:42 Erika's background – St. Louis, five dogs, and 20 years in life science

4:14 How Directory connects every team member to their impact

5:00 Leadership style: empathy as a "power skill"

6:21 Growing up with humble beginnings & the origin of her values

8:07 What humble beginnings teach leaders

8:29 Stories that shaped her empathetic leadership style

10:22 The non-negotiable: one-on-ones with every employee

12:09 Your people are your culture

13:05 Segue: pet bereavement leave

14:10 Losing Kingston – and the unexpected shame of grieving a pet

15:51 Kingston's deeper meaning – the first unconditional love in Erika's life

16:22 Writing Pets Are Family & advocating for broader bereavement policy

16:49 Are other companies adopting these policies?

18:00 Grief in the workplace – the post that resonated with thousands

19:49 How the cape reframes a child's medical journey as a heroic mission

21:44 Erika's own journey with self-worth and therapy

22:30 How to get involved with Tiny Superheroes

23:07 The fastest way out of a funk: go give and go serve

23:51 From trailer park to Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue

24:10 Managing energy and putting your own oxygen mask on first

26:00 Erika's legacy: leaving the world better than she found it

27:09 Final takeaway: do it scared, do it brave — just do it

27:40 Closing remarks

197: What Nobody Tells You About Getting Rich with Hannah Hammond Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Hannah Hammond is a dynamic entrepreneur, real estate investor, and the CEO of HB Capital, a national CRE lending company, and the firm RE, a CRE real estate brokerage in Arizona. As self-made multi-millionaire in her 20s. her mission extends beyond financial success-she's passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders through financial literacy, emotional wellness, and entrepreneurship.

🔗 Connect with Hannah Hammond:

Instagram: @hannahbhammond

Facebook: @hannah.hammond4

LinkedIn: @hannahbhammond

TikTok: @hannahbhammond

YouTube: @hannahbhammond

https://www.womenpodcasters.com/lyndsay-dowd

Summary:

In this episode, host Lyndsay Dowd sits down with Hannah Hammond — self-made multimillionaire, CEO of HB Capital and The Firm RE, podcast host, and founder of a financial literacy foundation for kids. Hannah shares the raw, unfiltered story of how she went from a scarcity-filled childhood in Arizona to building a real estate empire in her twenties — and why hitting that first million at 25 didn't fix the internal pain she expected it to.

Hannah unpacks the mindset shifts, emotional work, and wealth-building principles that changed everything for her: from reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad at 13, to working with an energetic intelligence coach who taught her that the outcome of any action can only be as great as the energetic state you bring to it. She also gets practical about teaching kids financial intelligence and makes a compelling case for why emotional wellbeing isn't soft — it's strategy.

✅ Key Takeaways:

- You don't need the right background to build wealth.

- Money won't fix internal pain.

- Your energetic state drives your outcomes.

- Teach kids three buckets: spend, give, invest.

- Flow beats force.

- You are the common denominator.

📍 Episode Chapters:

0:00 Intro — Rich Dad, Poor Dad principles & episode preview

0:36 Welcome to Heartbeat for Hire

0:51 Introducing Hannah Hammond

1:53 Hannah's story: feeling lost, disconnected, and searching

4:14 Going deeper — Hannah's childhood & scarcity mindset

5:00 The "rich dad, poor dad" moment at age 7 (and the McFlurry that changed everything)

7:33 First steps toward wealth — reading, real estate, and buying assets

9:20 " Mind your own business" — why a job alone won't bring financial freedom

10:22 Teaching kids financial literacy — the three buckets and the investment matching strategy

14:08 Shifting gears: emotional wellbeing as a business strategy

15:00 The epiphany at 25 — becoming a millionaire and still feeling the pain

16:35 The energetic intelligence coach who changed everything

17:03 The quote Hannah lives by: energetic state drives outcomes

18:43 Staying in the "green zone" — auditing your energy, relationships, and activities

20:13 The paradigm shift in leadership — flow vs. force, ambition vs. peace

21:26 You don't need a massive company to feel joy and success

23:10 What inspires Hannah & her legacy

24:11 Who Hannah works with & how to connect

25:54 Closing words & call to action

196: Stop Playing Small. Your Platform Won't Build Itself with Adam Torres Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Global media executive and #1 bestselling author Adam Torres has garnered 25 million+ views as the Mission Matters powerhouse host. As a "Top 2%" Podcast Futurist out of 4 million global podcasts, his show series is available in 180 countries. Hailed as "The New Larry King," Torres creates a warm, engaging, and insightful platform for his guests, which include world leaders, C-suite executives, celebrities, world-class athletes, and top influencers. He has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, CBS, and Fox Business. Adam Torres ushers in a new, fresh, and exciting chapter in the history of new media.

Summary:

This episode is a masterclass for anyone curious about podcasting — whether you're thinking of starting, already a few episodes in, or wondering if the space is too crowded. Adam makes a compelling case that podcasting is barely in its infancy, why mission-driven creators are positioned to win big, and how AI is changing the game for long-term content builders. He also shares the three monetization strategies that actually worked for him, the "Goldilocks Rule" of designing a sustainable show, and why the number one secret to a top-ranked podcast has nothing to do with audio quality.

Key Takeaways:

- Anyone can start — and start messy.

- Design a system, not a schedule.

- Longevity is the real ranking algorithm.

- Podcasting is still in year one.

- The three real monetization paths.

- Your catalog is your moat.

- Imperfection builds connection.

- Podcasters are the new historians.

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Cold open — Adam's vision of podcasting for life

1:04 Welcome & guest introduction

2:00 Why podcasting is the new gold mine of media

2:40 Adam's origin story — from finance to media

5:00 The pivot: a mentor says "write a book"

7:25 How Mission Matters was born (and why Adam almost said no)

9:38 The Oprah model — designing a CEO-meets-creator lifestyle

10:45 Reality check: podcasting is a 5+ year commitment

11:25 What to think about before building your show

12:05 The Goldilocks Rule of podcasting sustainability

13:45 Why Adam plans to podcast into his 100s

15:00 Designing a show you can do "in your sleep"

16:50 Building in buffers and production systems

19:17 Why interview shows energize (not drain) the host

20:00 The truck-stop interview — embracing imperfection

22:32 What actually makes a top-ranked podcast

23:00 Compounding content: why your catalog is your asset

25:00 AI search and why you can't fake a back catalog

27:10 Sponsor break

27:36 What Adam is working on now + why he wrote 1 Billion Podcasts

29:30 The case: podcasting hasn't even started yet

30:45 Dynamic advertising and the YouTube parallel

32:30 Generational wealth through podcasting

32:47 The three monetization strategies that worked

33:45 What inspires Adam

34:30 Adam's legacy: launching a million storytellers

36:00 Why podcasters are the new historians

36:30 Where to find Adam + get the free book

37:16 Closing & outro

195: Titles Don't Make Leaders. This Does. with Kevin Gazzara Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Kevin Gazzara is the Senior Partner of Magna Leadership Solutions established in 2007, and the coauthor of the acclaimed books "The Leader of OZ" and "Ready, Set, Get Hired". He is an ICF certified coach, and a certified Positive Intelligence (PQ) Mental Fitness coach and founder of CoachSultants.com. Kevin has taught and developed Management and Leadership career-changing programs in the corporate world during his 18 years at Intel Corporation and as a University professor at 6 Universities over the last 28 years. Dr. Gazzara's work has been recognized for his international leadership development programs by Workforce Magazine, https://magnaleader.co/LTP Kevin's passion is in helping individuals find the leader within

Socials:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/magna-leadership-solutions/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/doctorkevin

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Magnaleaderhip

Website: https://pqtrainingandcoaching.com/

Website: https://www.coachsultants.com/

Summary:

In this episode, Kevin Gazzara joins Lyndsay Dowd to discuss why leadership is a mindset rather than a formal title. Drawing from 18 years of experience at Intel Corporation and decades of teaching, Kevin explores how individuals can unlock their leadership potential by "thinking at the next level up". The conversation covers the critical distinction between management and leadership, the importance of bringing solutions to the table, and how coaching combined with consulting can provide the necessary tools for professional growth. Kevin also shares a personal story about his own health journey to emphasize the power of intuition and being your own advocate.

Key Takeaways:

- Leadership is a Mindset, Not a Title

- Bring Solutions, Not Just Problems

- Management vs. Leadership

- The Power of Language

- Be Your Own Advocate

Episode Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction

[01:54] Kevin Gazzara's Journey

[05:34] Leadership Beyond Titles

[07:06] The Next Level Up Mindset

[07:38] Valuing Critical Thinking

[09:36] Defining Management vs. Leadership

[10:45] Can Leadership Be Learned?

[15:26] Coaching vs. Consulting

[19:10] A Personal Turning Point

[21:02] Communication and the "But" Rule

[26:36] Being Your Own Health Advocate

[29:33] Connecting with Kevin

[30:40] Closing Thoughts

194: Connection Is Currency (Most Leaders Are Broke) with Lirone Glikman Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Lirone Glikman is a globally recognized expert, keynote speaker, and bestselling author specializing in business relationships, personal branding, and global business growth, based on a method she developed. She is the founder of The Human Factor by Lirone Glikman, a global firm with two main services: founder-led branding to founders and executives, helping them build credibility through U.S. Tier-1 media, podcasts, and LinkedIn. Lirone is also an international keynote speaker on business relationships and personal branding for growth. With experience across 28 countries, she has worked with Fortune 500 companies, governments, universities, and startups. She is the author of The Super Connector's Playbook and an executive director at the United Nations' NGO Committee on Sustainable Development.

Socials:

Website: www.LironeGlikman.com/tscp-book

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lirone.glikman

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCyXQS5cDSNv64FVNXdSMgCA

Summary:

In this episode, Lyndsay Dowd welcomes Lirone Glikman, a global thought leader who has advised major brands like Meta, Microsoft, and the United Nations. Lirone shares her personal story of moving to Australia and New York as a "dreamer" with limited English and zero connections, only to build a career as a world-renowned expert in relationship strategy. The conversation dives deep into moving past the "cringe" of traditional networking and instead focusing on authentic, strategic visibility and the power of internal trust to drive measurable business growth.

Key Takeaways:

- Normalize Social Anxiety

- The 80/20 Rule of Small Talk

- The Four Ps of Common Ground

- Know, Like, Trust, Collaborate

- Strategic Visibility over Bragging

Episode Chapters:

[00:00:27] – Three core lessons for today's episode

[00:00:57] – Guest Intro: Who is Lirone Glikman?

[00:02:07] – Lirone's Journey: From Sydney to New York City

[00:05:40] – Why we "cringe" at networking and how to fix it

[00:07:08] – Gamifying your relationship goals