Best Authenticleadership Podcasts (2025)

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Cut the Anchor: Why Your Most Powerful Resolution for 2026 Might Be a STOP List - Edge of the Napkin Series #18 15:05

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4h ago15:05

15:05

This time of year, something familiar happens. We turn the page on the calendar and feel the pull to do something different. We reach for a word like resolution and instinctively pair it with action. More discipline. More consistency. More output. More effort. Most resolutions are framed as additions — new habits, new systems, new rules we promise …

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People Come for the Work. They Stay for the Team. – Wintress Odom, CEO The Writers for Hire 51:00

6h ago51:00

51:00

Wintress Odom is the Founder and CEO of The Writers For Hire, a company built on clarity, discipline, and consistently high-quality work. From the outside, it's easy to assume the success came from systems, execution, and technical excellence alone. But on her paper napkin, Wintress wrote something deceptively simple: "People come for the work. The…

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Presence Over Presents: The Ultimate Gift You Can Give Yourself This Holiday 14:51

4d ago14:51

14:51

The holidays come wrapped in familiar language. Slow down. Rest. Be present. Unplug. It sounds right. It even sounds desirable. And yet, for many leaders and entrepreneurs, it doesn't always land. If anything, the holidays can quietly amplify a tension that's been humming all year. Because while the world appears to be pausing, something inside you…

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Turn the Other Cheek, Smile — and Mean It – David Miller 43:23

11d ago43:23

43:23

There's a particular kind of wisdom that doesn't shout. It doesn't posture. It doesn't try to win the room. It shows up quietly, often after experience has taken its toll, and says: this way works better. That's the kind of wisdom David Miller brought to this conversation. On his paper napkin, David wrote a deceptively simple line: "Turn the other …

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The Human Mask Podcast - Luke 1:19:49

8d ago1:19:49

1:19:49

At just 23, Luke Spurgeon speaks with the depth and intuition of someone far beyond his age. A life-altering experience pushed him into a level of awareness, inner guidance and universal connection that feels almost ancestral — like an old soul dropped into a young man’s body. In this conversation, Luke opens up about what shifted in him, how he le…

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Leadership Integrity; How to Build Your Brand Around Your Character (1)|The CEO Material Podcast |SN4EP3 43:59

8d ago43:59

43:59

In today’s episode, we revisit one of the most defining elements of leadership — integrity. We talk about why character is not just a personal value, but the very foundation of your reputation, influence, and long-term success. Through real-life experiences, leadership lessons, and hard-earned wisdom, we unpack how integrity quietly shapes every de…

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Seeds Grow in the Soil: Why the Most Important Progress Is Invisible (Yet) 15:11

15d ago15:11

15:11

There are seasons where doing the work feels strangely unrewarding. You're showing up. You're staying consistent. You're doing what you said you would do. And yet — nothing obvious is happening. No external validation. No visible breakthrough. No clear sign that you're "on track." That's usually when doubt starts whispering questions we don't want …

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"Your Revenue Is Hiding in Plain Sight" — Sailynn Doyle on the 80/20 Shift That Changed Everything 46:52

19d ago46:52

46:52

There's a moment in every entrepreneur's journey when the hustle stops feeling heroic and starts feeling heavy. For Sailynn Doyle — business systems strategist, former home-care franchise owner, and founder of Passion • Purpose • Posture — that moment came sitting alone in her car at 9 AM on a Tuesday, exhausted and crying before another 12-hour da…

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Nothing to Prove. Everything to Be. 16:03

22d ago16:03

16:03

There's a moment in every leader's life when they look around the "room" they're in — not the physical room, but the emotional one, the psychological one, the internal one — and ask: "How much of who I am today was shaped by the right voices… and how much by the wrong ones?" For years, Govindh Jayaraman — founder of Paper Napkin Wisdom — sat in roo…

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Dan Perry & Michael Serapiglia – "If You Get Lost, Enjoy the View Around You" 38:14

25d ago38:14

38:14

Some stories begin with a business plan. Others begin with a feeling — a deep, lived truth that travel isn't just about going somewhere, but about finally being somewhere without fear. That's the story behind Toto Tours. When founder Dan Ware launched the company in 1990, LGBTQ+ travelers faced a world far less welcoming than it is today. Travel wa…

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The Human Mask Podcast - Peter G 1:17:15

26d ago1:17:15

1:17:15

What happens when you hit rock bottom and decide to rebuild everything? On this episode of The Human Mask, host Alex Walker sits down with Peter G Knows—motivational speaker, transformational coach and creator of “The Peter G Code” & “The Peter G Method”. Peter shares how he turned struggle into strength, accountability into purpose, and chaos into…

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Be the Man in Someone's Corner 18:57

29d ago18:57

18:57

There are times in life when wisdom doesn't show up quietly. It doesn't whisper. It doesn't tap you gently on the shoulder. Sometimes it arrives like a jolt — like your heart recognizing something before your brain can process it. That's how this episode began. If you've been following along, you know it's been a hard season in our home. Stacey's f…

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Noah Ellis — Do The Thing 48:30

1M ago48:30

48:30

There's a moment in every entrepreneur's life when the universe stops whispering and starts shouting. A moment where the next level isn't waiting behind brilliance or luck or timing — it's sitting directly behind the one thing we don't want to do. For Noah Ellis, founder of Ofland and a hospitality leader who's spent his life building concepts, tea…

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I Like Me — An Identity-Level Lesson from John Candy 20:01

1M ago20:01

20:01

Every so often, a line in a movie sneaks past your defenses and lands directly in the center of your chest. Not because it's poetic. Not because it's profound. But because it is absolutely, undeniably true. That's exactly what happened the first time I heard John Candy say three simple words in Planes, Trains and Automobiles: "I like me." If you kn…

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Brandon Bagley: WE ME — Stronger Together 39:22

1M ago39:22

39:22

Entrepreneurs often try to win alone. We push, grind, and carry the weight of the business on our shoulders. But every once in a while, someone shows up with a piece of wisdom that reframes the entire game. In Episode 315 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Brandon Bagley brings that shift in the simplest and most powerful way possible: a blue-ink message on a…

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The Human Mask Podcast - Naomi & Cosmik Rum 1:26:33

1M ago1:26:33

1:26:33

What connects the stars, spirituality, and a bottle of premium rum? In this episode of The Human Mask, host Alex Walker sits down with Naomi, founder of Cosmik Rum — an astrology-inspired drinks brand that blends cosmic energy, creativity, and entrepreneurship into something truly unique. Naomi’s story is about trusting intuition, building a brand …

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Believing Is Seeing (Edge of the Napkin Series #12) 22:48

1M ago22:48

22:48

There's a phrase we've all inherited without ever asking whether it serves us: "I'll believe it when I see it." It sounds reasonable. It sounds mature. It sounds like the responsible stance of someone who has been around long enough to be cautious. But anyone who has ever built something meaningful — a business, a team, a movement, or even a new ve…

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What Can Your Charater Support, Relationship Edition |The CEO Material Podcast |SN4EP2 42:01

1M ago42:01

42:01

In this episode of the CEO Material Podcast, Terrance and Sandra revisit the concept of character, this time focusing on its role in sustaining relationships. They reflect on their experiences in counseling and ministering to couples, emphasizing the importance of self-work and transparency in forging strong connections. Through personal anecdotes …

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Listening & Learning with Shivani Dhamija 36:51

2M ago36:51

36:51

In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman sits down with Shivani Dhamija, founder of Shivani's Kitchen — a culinary brand rooted in authentic Indian flavors and fueled by a passion for empowering others through food. From her humble beginnings selling spice blends and sauces at local markets in Nova Scotia to building a thriving foo…

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Build for Value — Not for the Hype: How some AI Companies are Winning, and others aren't (Edge of the Napkin #11) 18:46

2M ago18:46

18:46

Edge of the Napkin #11 There's a feeling that sweeps through every era of innovation — that electrifying sense of this is it. The next big wave. The one that's going to change everything. In this episode of Edge of the Napkin, Govindh Jayaraman dives into what happens when high-expectation innovation collides with reality — when the future we bet o…

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Character 101 |The CEO Material Podcast | SN4EP1 45:31

2M ago45:31

45:31

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the heart of leadership — character. We talk about what it truly means to lead from integrity, consistency, and inner discipline, not just position or influence. We explore how character quietly shapes every area of your life — your success, relationships, peace, and ability to sustain what you’ve been praying …

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Dr. Jenny Hoffmann: Open Up! Lead with Curiosity, Empathy, and Connection 41:31

2M ago41:31

41:31

Today on Paper Napkin Wisdom, we welcome Dr. Jenny Hoffmann, a leader in health-tech innovation who currently serves as Executive Director at the New England Medical Innovation Center (NEMIC). With a rich background in healthcare strategy and technology deployment, Jenny has spent her career bridging clinical insight with entrepreneurial energy, he…

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The Human Mask Podcast - Richy Thrower 1:11:03

2M ago1:11:03

1:11:03

What really happens when we drop the act and show who we truly are? Welcome to The Human Mask, a podcast hosted by Alex Walker, exploring the powerful intersection between business, community, personal growth, and self-awareness. In each episode, Alex sits down with entrepreneurs, leaders, changemakers, and everyday people who’ve faced challenges, …

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What does it really mean to live behind and then beyond, The Human Mask? 1:28

2M ago1:28

1:28

Who is Alex Walker and what does it really mean to live behind, and then beyond, The Human Mask? In this special intro episode, host Alex Walker opens up about his own journey — from running a successful business in the automotive industry to walking away in search of something deeper, more human, and more aligned with purpose. This is the story be…

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Make Believe: The Stories Entrepreneurs Tell Themselves (Edge of the Napkin #10) 32:09

2M ago32:09

32:09

Make Believe: The Stories Entrepreneurs Tell Themselves (Edge of the Napkin #10) Every entrepreneur lives inside a story — the question is, who's writing yours? If you've ever had a morning where nothing goes right — you stub your toe, drop your keys, spill coffee on your white shirt before 8 a.m. — you know the script that starts to play in your m…

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Jon Rosemberg — Survival Is Instinct, Thriving Is a Choice 43:28

2M ago43:28

43:28

When you meet Jon Rosemberg, you immediately sense two things — depth and discipline. He's a behavioral scientist, author, and executive coach who has spent years exploring how we, as humans, can move beyond mere survival into a state of thriving. His work combines neuroscience, psychology, and lived experience, and it's reflected powerfully in his…

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Flexibility Is the Only True Hedge – Edge of the Napkin #9 14:31

2M ago14:31

14:31

In a world where volatility has become the norm — prices swing, markets shake, politics polarize, and technology rewrites the rules daily — one question stands out for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone simply trying to navigate life: How do we hedge against uncertainty? Not with gold. Not with cash. Not with control. But with flexibility. That's t…

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Simone Kelly - Build a Business You Love (But Not Your Hobby) 42:07

3M ago42:07

42:07

When Simone Kelly first began helping families navigate the complexities of senior care, she didn't just build a company—she built a movement. As the founder and CEO of Seniornicity, Simone's mission is rooted in empathy, connection, and empowerment. Her company bridges the gap between older adults, families, and trusted care providers, making it e…

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HOW? The Freedom to Create the Future - Edge of the Napkin #8 14:05

3M ago14:05

14:05

Sometimes, the smallest words hold the biggest weight. In this episode of Edge of the Napkin, Govindh Jayaraman dives deep into one of the most overused — and misunderstood — words in leadership: "How." We use it constantly. We think it's helpful. But as Govindh reveals, how can be both the key to progress — and the invisible wall that keeps us fro…

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What Can Your Character Support (Relationship Edition) | The CEO Material Podcast 39:40

3M ago39:40

39:40

In today’s episode, we take a deeper look at one of the most important yet often overlooked truths about relationships — your character determines what you can sustain. Terrence and Sandra return with part two of their previous episode, expanding the conversation into the world of love, marriage, and human connection. They open up about the differe…

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Solve a Real Problem. Make It Beautiful. Care Like Hell. - With Nancy Johnston 43:06

3M ago43:06

43:06

When you meet Nancy Johnston, you can immediately sense the combination of depth and purpose behind everything she touches. She's the founder and CEO of Truuce, a company built around reimagining human connection, well-being, and design in the modern world. Her leadership bridges the emotional and the practical — weaving care, creativity, and clari…

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Connection + Challenge = Change -- Dr. Malik Muhammad 51:46

3M ago51:46

51:46

When you meet Dr. Malik Muhammad, you immediately feel the depth of his compassion paired with the weight of his conviction. He has built a global reputation for helping communities, leaders, and organizations transform through a unique blend of restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and courageous conversations. Dr. Muhammad is the foun…

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No Hallmark Moments - Edge of the Napkin #7 12:28

3M ago12:28

12:28

Somewhere in the middle of a weekly call with fellow entrepreneurs, the conversation unexpectedly turned to Valentine's Day. Instead of the usual talk about scaling, strategy, and execution, we found ourselves reflecting on love, relationships, and why so many of us don't really celebrate the Hallmark version of Valentine's Day. That sparked a memo…

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The Choice of Leadership with Chris Thomson (Part 2 of 2) 37:03

3M ago37:03

37:03

In this second half of our powerful conversation with Chris Thomson, we dive deeper into the mindset, discipline, and leadership lessons that have guided him through decades of transforming students into high-performing entrepreneurs. Chris is the Head Coach of the Student Works Management Program, a business that has trained thousands of young lea…

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Cancer is a Journey - Chris Thomson (Part 1 of 2) 48:55

3M ago48:55

48:55

Introduction In this very personal and powerful episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I sit down with one of my oldest friends, Chris Thomson, Head Coach of the Student Works Management Program. Chris has spent decades shaping young leaders, building more entrepreneurs in Canada than perhaps anyone else. His story has always been one of creating opportun…

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The Mountain Path of Focus–Align–Act - Edge of the Napkin #6 22:00

3M ago22:00

22:00

Episode 300 is a milestone — and fittingly, it circles back to the single most important lesson Govindh Jayaraman has learned over the past decade. This Edge of the Napkin moment distills years of hard-earned wisdom into a deceptively simple sketch: a mountain path labeled Focus, Align, Act. At first glance, it looks like a winding road up a peak. …

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What Can Your Character Support | The CEO Material Podcast 40:47

3M ago40:47

40:47

In today’s episode, we dive into a challenging but necessary question: Are you asking for things your character can’t sustain? Inspired by Haley Melinda’s quote, “Don’t ask for anything your character cannot sustain,” Terrence and Sandra unpack what it really means to align your dreams with your discipline, your goals with your integrity, and your …

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Kevin Barnicle: The Power of Doing the Opposite 44:31

3M ago44:31

44:31

When you meet Kevin Barnicle, you immediately sense his energy for challenging convention. He's a seasoned entrepreneur, author, and business leader who has lived the entrepreneurial rollercoaster—leaving the security of corporate life, building companies from scratch, navigating competition with giants like Microsoft, and eventually selling his bu…

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Juan DeAngulo: True to Myself, Release the Outcome 43:44

3M ago43:44

43:44

On this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I sat down with Juan DeAngulo, a veteran investor, entrepreneur, and systems thinker whose work bridges discipline and heart. Juan has scaled billion-dollar investment platforms, co-founded Inselligence—a fast-growing tech startup—and, just as importantly, learned to balance leadership with wellness after bat…

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Edge of the Napkin #5 Growth or Comfort … Pick One 15:59

3M ago15:59

15:59

This is an uncomfortable conversation. Every single day, we make choices — most of them so routine that we barely notice. How do you like your steak cooked — rare, medium, or well-done? At Thanksgiving, do you reach for the light meat or the dark? Keto or paleo? Lean muscle or bulk? Strong coffee or a lighter roast? They're little decisions about t…

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Paper Napkin Wisdom with Jimmy Park 27:16

3M ago27:16

27:16

Every once in a while, a Paper Napkin Wisdom napkin shows up that makes you laugh, makes you think, and ultimately stays with you long after the conversation is over. Episode 296 with Jimmy Park is one of those. This episode was recorded in 2017 but never released—until now, as we approach our 300th milestone. Pulling it out of the archives feels e…

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Adam Hudson — Timeless Lessons on Building Freedom Through Business 28:43

3M ago28:43

28:43

Paper Napkin Wisdom Episode 295: Adam Hudson — Timeless Lessons on Building Freedom Through Business Sometimes, the most powerful wisdom waits patiently for the right moment. Episode 295 of Paper Napkin Wisdom is one of those moments. This conversation with Adam Hudson, entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Unemployable and host of Discover Your T…

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Edge of the Napkin #4 - Rest. In. Peace. 14:52

4M ago14:52

14:52

Some episodes of Paper Napkin Wisdom are easy to listen to, packed with energizing insights and clear strategies for growth. Others are heavier — not because they lack value, but because the wisdom forces us to pause, reflect, and wrestle with the uncomfortable. Episode 294 is one of those conversations. This week, Govindh sits down with three litt…

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Steven Rothberg: If a Customer Wants to Pay More, Let Them 44:50

4M ago44:50

44:50

When you sit down with someone like Steven Rothberg, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of College Recruiter, you expect to hear insights about hiring, technology, and the future of work. What you might not expect is a napkin that sums up decades of wisdom in a sentence so straightforward it almost sounds too simple: "If a customer wants to give y…

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Edge of the Napkin #3: "Who's the best partner you ever had? (Secret) … It's you." 19:03

4M ago19:03

19:03

Partnership is one of the most powerful words in leadership and in life. We spend years searching for the right business partner, co-founder, or even life partner. But here's the twist on this week's Paper Napkin Wisdom: the greatest, most important partnership you'll ever have is not with someone else—it's with yourself. The napkin for Episode 292…

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Approval of Yourself | The CEO Material Podcast 43:38

4M ago43:38

43:38

In today’s episode, we tackle one of the most important yet overlooked leadership skills: approving of yourself. Before you can lead others, you must learn how to embrace who you are — flaws, past mistakes, and all. We open up about the pressures of society, the weight of expectations, and the struggles that come with comparison. From college debt …

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Jennifer McKenna - The Prosperity Formula: Familiar → Faith → Fulfillment 46:36

4M ago46:36

46:36

Jennifer McKenna, founder of JMac Consulting, is an accomplished business strategist, executive coach, and creator of The JMac Method. With decades of experience guiding leaders and organizations through transformation, Jennifer has built her reputation on blending practical business strategy with a deep commitment to values, authenticity, and grow…

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Andrew Safnauer: Find Your Way Over the Wall 40:06

4M ago40:06

40:06

In Episode 290 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrew Safnauer, a seasoned leader and executive with a wealth of experience in management, strategy, and innovation. Andrew has held leadership roles across diverse industries and today brings his insights into resilience, adaptability, and persistence. His wisdom is ca…

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The Edge of the Napkin: Friction vs. Flow 14:57

4M ago14:57

14:57

In Episode 289 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, host Govindh Jayaraman takes us deeper into the next evolution of his work: The Edge of the Napkin. This isn't just about wisdom captured in simple strokes anymore — it's about stepping into the tension between friction and flow, and understanding the rhythms of creativity and growth. The napkin for this episo…

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Katy Spada: Build the World You Wish Existed 31:10

4M ago31:10

31:10

When Katy Spada sat down with me on Paper Napkin Wisdom, she brought a napkin that was more than just words — it was a challenge: "Build the world you wish existed for your younger self, and for those who come next." Katy isn't just an entrepreneur. She's a mother of two (ages 7 and 4), a storyteller, and the founder of Arya + Maan, a lifestyle and…