Meet the Leader

Meet the Leader at 200: Top tips, pivots and lessons learned so far

2 abr 2026

 • 48 mins

Learn when you listen. Know your strengths can be weaknesses. Take your space before someone takes it for you. This 200th 'Best of' episode collects hard-won lessons learned and one-of-a-kind moments from this podcast's past 6 years. Listen to the late Jane Goodall recall a transformative run-in with a grumpy cabbie or hear the critical question that helped AWS teams get future-ready. It’s a hit parade of top names, from IKEA to Microsoft, from Misty Copeland to Matt Damon, drawing insights and turning points that have shaped CEOs, startup founders, actors, activists, fashion designers, AI pioneers, best-selling authors and more find solutions and drive meaningful change. 

Learn when you listen. Know your strengths can be weaknesses. Take your space before someone takes it for you. This 200th 'Best of' episode collects hard-won lessons learned and one-of-a-kind moments from this podcast's past 6 years. Listen to the late Jane Goodall recall a transformative run-in with a grumpy cabbie or hear the critical question that helped AWS teams get future-ready. It’s a hit parade of top names, from IKEA to Microsoft, from Misty Copeland to Matt Damon, drawing insights and turning points that have shaped CEOs, startup founders, actors, activists, fashion designers, AI pioneers, best-selling authors and more find solutions and drive meaningful change. 

Why Smart Ideas Fail—and How to Build Curious Teams (5 Skills)

26 mar 2026

 • 0 mins

In an AI era, the real competitive advantage won’t come from generating more ideas, but picking the right idea to take forward. Leaders who foster cultures of creativity and curiosity will build teams better able to sharpen focus, challenge assumptions, and execute in the most effective and compelling ways. Liberty Science Center CEO Paul Hoffman is a noted expert on connecting the public to the sciences. He’ll explain how that major cultural institution makes complex ideas clear and irresistible. The long-time science writer, puzzle maker, brainstorming expert and former head of the Encyclopaedia Britannica shares lessons from his eclectic background on how leaders can harness a team’s natural curiosity to drive fresh thinking and innovation. You’ll learn: - Why clarity matters in innovation - and why the audience is usually right - How to model the creative behaviors you want to see in your team - Which qualities creative, curious teams always have in common This episode was recorded at the Urban Transformation Summit, San Francisco (October 2025).

In an AI era, the real competitive advantage won’t come from generating more ideas, but picking the right idea to take forward. Leaders who foster cultures of creativity and curiosity will build teams better able to sharpen focus, challenge assumptions, and execute in the most effective and compelling ways. Liberty Science Center CEO Paul Hoffman is a noted expert on connecting the public to the sciences. He’ll explain how that major cultural institution makes complex ideas clear and irresistible. The long-time science writer, puzzle maker, brainstorming expert and former head of the Encyclopaedia Britannica shares lessons from his eclectic background on how leaders can harness a team’s natural curiosity to drive fresh thinking and innovation. You’ll learn: - Why clarity matters in innovation - and why the audience is usually right - How to model the creative behaviors you want to see in your team - Which qualities creative, curious teams always have in common This episode was recorded at the Urban Transformation Summit, San Francisco (October 2025).

Matt Damon and Gary White: Why the Global Water Crisis Is Really a Finance Problem

16 mar 2026

 • 32 mins

2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water. Solving this problem will take more than charity - it will take a new approach to scaling partnerships, awareness and funding. In this episode, Water.org’s co-founders Matt Damon and Gary White share the unique approach to mico-loans and investments than have helped to bridge the water gap for 85 million people. They explain why creating an economic flywheel for change can bring truly sustainable solutions. They also share what they’ve learned about scale and from each other in a partnership that has now spanned 17 years. This episode was recorded at the Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2026.

2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water. Solving this problem will take more than charity - it will take a new approach to scaling partnerships, awareness and funding. In this episode, Water.org’s co-founders Matt Damon and Gary White share the unique approach to mico-loans and investments than have helped to bridge the water gap for 85 million people. They explain why creating an economic flywheel for change can bring truly sustainable solutions. They also share what they’ve learned about scale and from each other in a partnership that has now spanned 17 years. This episode was recorded at the Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2026.

Suleika Jaouad: Harnessing Creativity and Curiosity to Lead Through Uncertainty

12 mar 2026

 • 37 mins

For Suleika Jaouad, a best-selling author and 3-time cancer survivor, journaling became a creative outlet during her battles with leukemia as well as a powerful tool for navigating uncertainty. It also became a surprising way to connect with others leading to singular projects that have stuck a chord with hundreds of thousands such as her book, The Book of Alchemy, and her 300,000 member Substack, The Isolation Journals, projects that merge journal prompts and personal essays from the top creative minds of our time. She breaks down practical ways anyone can carve out time for reflection, curiosity and vulnerability and how such a practice can strengthen resilience and connection while sharpening clarity in an age defined by noise and loneliness. And in an era where we write prompts for AI, but question ourselves less and less, she reminds us of the role deeper thought plays in understanding our world and ourselves better. This is a conversation about choosing meaning over motion—and learning to live each day with intention.

For Suleika Jaouad, a best-selling author and 3-time cancer survivor, journaling became a creative outlet during her battles with leukemia as well as a powerful tool for navigating uncertainty. It also became a surprising way to connect with others leading to singular projects that have stuck a chord with hundreds of thousands such as her book, The Book of Alchemy, and her 300,000 member Substack, The Isolation Journals, projects that merge journal prompts and personal essays from the top creative minds of our time. She breaks down practical ways anyone can carve out time for reflection, curiosity and vulnerability and how such a practice can strengthen resilience and connection while sharpening clarity in an age defined by noise and loneliness. And in an era where we write prompts for AI, but question ourselves less and less, she reminds us of the role deeper thought plays in understanding our world and ourselves better. This is a conversation about choosing meaning over motion—and learning to live each day with intention.

Burnout: 4 Leaders share real-world stories and how to cope

5 mar 2026

 • 26 mins

Burnout costs the world an estimated $1 trillion dollars a year in lost working days – and chances are you’ve felt it yourself. In this special compilation episode, recorded over the past year, leaders share their personal stories. They also offer practical, tactical steps for recognizing burnout early, setting boundaries, fostering psychological safety and building teams that are resilient — not just productive. Leaders featured include: -David Ko, CEO of Calm, who reveals the blind spots that leave employees unsupported — and why sharing your own mental health journey may be the most powerful tool leaders have for more resilient teams -Kearney’s Paula Bellostas Muguerza, who shares the frightening health crisis that forced her to face burnout head on and the questions that helped her reset her priorities -Li Li Leung, former CEO of USA Gymnastics, on why it’s key to normalize mental health support for teams and how Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw at the Tokyo Olympics reshaped conversations around self-advocacy and psychological safety -August CEO and social entrepreneur Nadya Okamoto - on hustle culture, “girl boss” burnout, finding joy, and why rest is now central to her success.

Burnout costs the world an estimated $1 trillion dollars a year in lost working days – and chances are you’ve felt it yourself. In this special compilation episode, recorded over the past year, leaders share their personal stories. They also offer practical, tactical steps for recognizing burnout early, setting boundaries, fostering psychological safety and building teams that are resilient — not just productive. Leaders featured include: -David Ko, CEO of Calm, who reveals the blind spots that leave employees unsupported — and why sharing your own mental health journey may be the most powerful tool leaders have for more resilient teams -Kearney’s Paula Bellostas Muguerza, who shares the frightening health crisis that forced her to face burnout head on and the questions that helped her reset her priorities -Li Li Leung, former CEO of USA Gymnastics, on why it’s key to normalize mental health support for teams and how Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw at the Tokyo Olympics reshaped conversations around self-advocacy and psychological safety -August CEO and social entrepreneur Nadya Okamoto - on hustle culture, “girl boss” burnout, finding joy, and why rest is now central to her success.