Episodes

Kristen and Mike dive into Dale Carnegie's classic "How to Win Friends and Influence People" - a book that's approaching its 90th anniversary yet remains powerfully relevant. Mike reveals he's read (or rather, listened to) th...

Kristen and Mike get into the fascinating world of workplace buzzwords that are trending in 2025. From "anti-perks" to "coffee badging," these terms reveal a lot about our current work culture and employee-employer relationsh...

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 ...

Is your team more afraid of sharing a bad idea or missing out on a great one? In this episode, Mike and Kristen dig into what truly makes a culture innovative - and it's probably not what you think. Most companies claim to va...

In the second part of their deep dive into Will Guidara's Unreasonable Hospitality, Mike and Kristen explore the leadership lessons that transformed Eleven Madison Park into the world's best restaurant. From breaking traditio...

In this first part of a two-part series, Mike and Kristen dive into Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. While it might not seem like a traditional leadership book at first glance, it's packed with lessons for anyone ser...

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 i...

What really motivates people at work? Is it money, recognition, or something deeper? In this episode, Kristen unpacks three of the most influential motivation theories that can transform how you lead your team. Mike adds his ...

International Women's Day is coming up on March 8th! In this special episode Kristen shares her 2024 IWD talk from Google's Women Techmakers event on tackling imposter syndrome through improv techniques. While 75% of women ex...

Ever wonder why some new leaders hit the ground running while others stumble? Kristen and Mike break down Michael Watkins' essential guide The First 90 Days - a book The Economist called "the onboarding bible." Whether you're...

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, ...

Most leaders know feedback is essential for growth, but let's be honest - receiving it can be uncomfortable, even painful. In this episode, Kristen and Mike get real about their own struggles with feedback and share practical...

Mike and Kristen break down Chris Voss's game-changing book on negotiation, Never Split the Difference. As a former FBI hostage negotiator, Voss brings street-smart tactics that work in real-world situations, not just theory....

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 o...

Love and Leadership is taking a break this week, but we're re-airing one of our favorite early episodes to help you set the tone for the new year! In this episode, Kristen and Mike dive into the evolving concept of leadership...

As the year winds down, Kristen shares her tried-and-tested process for conducting a personal annual review - a practice she's refined over 15 years. Whether you're reflecting on your career progression or contemplating perso...

What makes some organizations inspire fierce loyalty while others just seem to exist? In this episode, Kristen and Mike dive into Simon Sinek's groundbreaking book "Start With Why," exploring how truly great leaders and compa...

Ever wonder what truly makes a great leadership team tick? Kristen shares insights from her recent team coaching certification program and breaks down the research-backed conditions that create outstanding teams. Drawing from...

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...

When 36-year-old Mike Abrashoff took command of the USS Benfold in 1997, he faced a demoralized crew that openly jeered their departing captain. Instead of sticking with the Navy's traditional command-and-control leadership s...

What if you could make better decisions with less stress? Kristen and Mike go deep into the science of decision-making, exploring why it's such a crucial leadership skill and sharing practical frameworks to help you decide wi...

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 e...

Kristen and Mike break down Marshall Goldsmith's influential book "What Got You Here Won't Get You There." While they praise the practical advice and behavioral frameworks in the book, they also challenge some of its core ass...

What's the real difference between a manager and a leader? While technical skills and industry knowledge matter, emotional intelligence often makes or breaks leadership effectiveness. In this episode, Kristen breaks down the ...