Becoming Unshakeable is the podcast for leaders, creators, and changemakers who know that true leadership starts from within. Hosted by bestselling author and keynote speaker Heather R. Younger, JD, each episode explores what it takes to lead with resilience, compassion, and purpose—without pretending to be perfect. Through candid conversations with executives, frontline leaders, coaches, and everyday heroes, Heather uncovers the real stories behind growth, setbacks, and transformation. From ...
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Heather R Younger Podcasts
How do you create a happy workplace, where people are truly fulfilled? This podcast talks both to experts and to leaders who have done it and can share their nickable ideas. It is based on the concepts of trust and freedom, outlined in the Happy Manifesto: https://www.happy.co.uk/the-happy-manifesto/
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Failed product launches. Furious customers. Dysfunctional teams. Many of the problems we face in the business world (and frankly, society) stem from the same root cause: Lack of empathy. Speaker, author, strategist, and empathy advocate Maria Ross shares keen insights and inspiring interviews that prove empathy and compassion are the new paths to market-winning performance. Leveraging both inspiring stories and hard data, Ross connects empathetic leadership, cultures and brands to innovation ...
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Jen Marr: Own the Awkward to be a Better Leader
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43:11Technology has always been a double-edged sword. As the workplace and culture shift, we as humans are seeing more collaboration, access, and the ability to communicate across borders. But, it's also leading us to more stress, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Those dopamine hits are no joke! This all impacts how we need leaders to show up …
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Faith Bigger Than Fear: Finding Ground in an Unsteady World
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37:09In this episode of the Becoming Unshakable podcast, I sit down with Neri Karra Sillaman, and this conversation stayed with me long after we stopped recording. I first met Neri at the Thinkers50 event in London, where she was recognized as a Radar Award winner. The moment she spoke about her work and her life, I knew I had to learn more. This episod…
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Jamie Lee: Rewire Your Brain with Empathy to Better Stand Up For Yourself
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46:05What if the key to self-advocacy wasn’t being louder—but rewiring how you think, feel, and connect with empathy? Today, I’m joined by executive coach and podcast host Jamie Lee, who specializes in helping women and underrepresented leaders rise through the ranks without compromising their integrity. We dive into how empathy and neuroplasticity form…
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Signal Up: The Secret Language of Unshakable Teams
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12:30What are the signals your team is receiving from you every single day, even when you think you are not sending any at all? In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I reflect on my recent work facilitating deep listening sessions inside organizations and what those moments quietly communicate to employees. Again and again, I hear the same response. S…
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Annalee Hagood-Earl: A Founder's Masterclass in Values-Driven Velocity
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53:45If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to lead a fast-growing business or team with heart, humor, and humanity, today is your masterclass. Annalee Hagood-Earl is the CEO and co-founder of Bash Creative Inc. Under her leadership, Bash has become a magnet for some of the biggest names in the world—not just because of its stunning creativit…
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Have you ever noticed how easy it is to talk about resilience as if it is a single gear we should keep turning forever? That question has been sitting with me for a while. I have spent years teaching leaders how to build resilience and how to stay steady when life shakes the ground under their feet. I believe in that work with my whole heart. But l…
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Scott Trumpolt: Beyond the Paycheck: Strategic Compensation Through an Empathetic Lens
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42:52When it comes to empathy at work, there are a hundred different ways to infuse empathy into your operations and systems - in real, practical, non-emotional ways. One of those ways is to look at compensation strategies and professional growth and development. Today, Scott Trumpolt talks about empathy in compensation that leads to better employee eng…
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The Two Traits Every High-Impact Leader Must Master
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34:33Have you ever met someone in a fleeting moment and instantly sensed there was a deeper conversation waiting to happen? That is precisely what happened when I met Grantley Morgan at Thinkers50 in London. It was my very first time in the city, and there he was, tucked away in the corner, trying to enjoy a quiet bite before the next wave of conversati…
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What African Entrepreneurs Can Teach Us About Creating a Happy Workplace with Alisa Sydow
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30:58In this episode, Alisa Sydow, Associate Professor at ESCP Business School, and Thinkers 50 Radar for 2025. Alisa shares her journey researching entrepreneurship in Africa, focusing on empowering female founders and local artisans in Kenya. She discusses the challenges of building authentic, culturally-rooted businesses and the importance of storyte…
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Heather R. Younger: The Art of Self-Leadership
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44:18What if the key to leading others with empathy… is learning how to lead yourself first? Today’s guest, Heather Younger, is here to show us how self-leadership isn’t just a personal development buzzword — it’s the foundation of truly impactful, caring leadership that achieves real ROI. As a global expert on active listening and workplace culture, He…
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How to Keep It Together When Everything Is Out of Control
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10:56What happens when innovation is shaping your life in ways you never see? That is the question at the heart of this conversation with Portia Lane Child, Director of Innovation and Strategy Services at BAE Systems. While most of us recognise the consumer brands that dominate our daily world, far fewer realise how deeply companies like BAE Systems inf…
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Sharon Steed: Empathy in Communication and AI
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42:07Many leaders come to empathy in their style and communication based on their own challenges. Today's guest shares how vulnerably sharing her story led her down the path of teaching and training on empathy, and how you can boldly leverage vulnerability as an asset in your communication, leading to stronger connections and better results. Sharon Stee…
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Have you ever wondered how some people keep standing even when life seems determined to knock them flat? That question lingered with me as I spoke with Dave Munson, the founder and CEO of Saddleback Leather Co., whose journey is marked by sharp turns, risk-taking, loss, grit, faith, and a remarkable ability to get back up again. This conversation r…
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Pass the Gratitude, Not the Gravy, to Drive Performance
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15:08In today's Hot Take, Maria talks about gratitude as a practice and catalyst for empathy, collaboration, and well-being. Listen in as Maria discusses gratitude as a leadership superpower, mental health booster, and cultural glue. She dives into what true gratitude means, why we should be expanding our circles of thanks, and gives us the science behi…
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How Our Pasts Can Propel Us Into Our Futures
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9:02In this solo episode of Becoming Unshakable, I invite you to join me for a quiet reflection on how our past experiences can shape and strengthen who we are becoming. I talk about my love for fall, the sound of leaves crunching underfoot, and how those simple moments remind me of the beauty of change. Each fallen leaf tells a story of what was, and …
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Dr. Abraham George: Creating Ripple Effects of Change Through Empathy in Action
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31:48What does it take to leave a high-powered career and change the world, one child at a time? And how can empathy fuel ripple effects of change, no matter your role in a company or society? Dr. Abraham George is a social entrepreneur with a unique background. He shares his powerful journey and the life-changing moment when he almost died. Dr. George …
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In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I had the privilege of welcoming two inspiring guests, Mary Beth Sandin and Kristina Fusella. It was my first time hosting two people at once, and the conversation felt like sitting down with old friends who have walked similar roads of challenge, growth, and self-discovery. Together, we explored what it mean…
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Lisa Even: Building a Culture with Good Ripple Effect
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44:26We've got work to do! Yes, we do. And it will likely not stop. So, WHY should you make time for joy, even in the toughest work environments? Why should you even do it when we have spreadsheets, deadlines, and goals to hit? The better question is: How can you NOT find the time? It's the 5th pillar of being both an empathetic AND effective leader. An…
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When Compassion Meets Combat: A Paratrooper's Take on Leading People Through Tough Times
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34:43When you've led people through war zones, you learn what unshakable leadership really means. In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sit down with retired Army officer, author, and speaker Clay Novak to explore what happens when compassion meets combat. With five tours of duty across Iraq and Afghanistan, Clay has lived the reality of leading und…
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October 2025 Hot Take: My Birthday Wish: More Empathy, Less Excuses
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15:48October is Maria’s birthday month—and her wish this year? More empathy and compassion in leadership. In this special solo episode, Maria shares why we must stop accepting toxic leadership as “normal,” and how you can turn the tide toward human-centered, high-performing workplaces. Plus, she’s got a special birthday and holiday gift for you (and may…
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Self-leadership Isn't Selfish It's Intelligent
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15:01In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, Heather reflects on a moment that reminded her what true leadership looks like from the inside out. Fresh from speaking to 13,000 nurses at the Atlanta World Congress Center, she shares how an experience that looked glamorous on the surface, with makeup, stage lights, and a long line of people waiting for hug…
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The Evolving Role of AI in a Creative and Happy Workplace with DJ
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31:42DJ, from Happy, shares his wisdom with us today about the evolving role of AI in work and life in 2025. Sharing insights on using AI as a “co-thinker” to boost creativity and critical thinking, you'll hear practical examples, from DJ, Maureen, and Henry, of AI effectiveness in the workplace, with examples, as we address data security, ethical use, …
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Oscar Trimboli: The Four Listening Villains: How to Listen Deeply to Lead Better
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46:54How well do you listen? Like, really listen? We waste so much time, energy, resources, and money due to a lack of effective listening. It causes misunderstandings, rework, mistakes, and in some cases, dangerous outcomes. My guest today is a Listening Whisperer! Oscar Trimboli starts out sharing his epiphany moment in a meeting that led to his curre…
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One Step That Changes Everything in Hard Times
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41:19Jodi O. Brown has lived the kind of story most of us hope we never face. What began as a picture-perfect life shifted overnight when she learned the symptoms she had been ignoring were signs of a brain tumor wrapped around her brainstem. One surgery became three. Five days in hospital became thirty-five in neurocritical care. The journey would grow…
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Lane Byrum: When Lack of Empathy Costs Your Company Millions
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35:59How much better does taking an empathetic approach impact not just your leadership, but your ability to bring the right products and services to market nd truly connect with your ideal customers? Turns out, it can help you avoid costly advertising campaign failures! Today I talk with Lane Byrum, EQ coach and Director of Corporate Accounts for Five …
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Leading with Humility: The Discipline of Self-Leadership
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22:55In this episode of Becoming Unshakeable, I sit down with Jim Matuga, Founder of InnerAction Media, to explore a side of leadership that often goes unspoken: followership. Jim brings a refreshing perspective that challenges the assumption that leadership is the only role worth aspiring to. Instead, he makes a compelling case for the power of humilit…
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How Caring Leadership Can Transform Your Ability to Lead Others with Heather R. Younger
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26:27What are you prepared to do, to get the thing you want? Heather R. Younger, a TEDx speaker, author, and leadership expert, chats with our hosts, Henry and Maureen, discussing self-leadership and its vital role in effective leadership. Heather shares her personal journey, including a pivotal realisation about prioritising her own well-being, and off…
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Ursula Taylor: Conflict and Negotiation Reimagined
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39:15What if the real solution to conflict is not about persuading the other side, but in transforming yourself first? That’s the provocative question we explore in today’s episode with my guest, Ursula Taylor. We discuss why self-awareness and authenticity must precede empathy, versus what some other thought leaders you may be following are saying. We …
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426: Becoming Your Own Compass When the Path Isn't Clear
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13:54In today's episode of Becoming Unshakeable, I'm doing something a little different. This is one of my solo shows where I answer questions that listeners have sent directly to me. It's my way of making sure your voice is part of this conversation, because even though I cannot see you when you listen, I want to stay connected to what matters most to …
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Mark A. Mears: How to Grow From Leader to Legacy Builder
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34:57How can you challenge yourself as a leader to embrace empathy and think bigger, not just about success, but about significance? Joining me today is Mark Mears, a visionary business leader, best-selling author, keynote speaker, consultant, and visionary business leader. He has a significant track record of building stakeholder value, driving innovat…
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Turning Fear into Fuel: The Power of Courageous Choices
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39:32Welcome to this episode of Becoming Unshakeable! If you've been a follower and fan of Leadership with Heart, you're in exactly the right place. From here on out, Becoming Unshakeable will be the new name of my show—and I can't wait to bring you invaluable insights on what it means to lead with clarity, compassion and courage. Ed Rahill's story begi…
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Courage to Advance: CEO Evaluation Reimagined: The 360-Degree Approach Every Board Needs with Mike Humphries
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33:33Featuring guest Mike Humphries, SparkEffect CEO and former Fortune 500 Executive. Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge. Our show is launching off on its own! Come check us out for twice-monthly episodes at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com or subscribe to Courage to …
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Cultivating Joy and Inclusivity: How Wildfire’s Employee Ownership Model Creates a Happy Workforce with Debby Penton
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20:06Debby Penton is the CEO of Wildfire, a B2B PR consultancy recognised for its outstanding workplace culture and employee ownership. In today's chat with Henry and Maureen, Debby shares insights on building a happy, inclusive, and high-performing team through autonomy, flexible work, and clear values. Our discussion covers Wildfire’s creative campaig…
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Dr. Helen Riess: The Science Behind Empathy's Power on Business Results
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41:27The power of empathy for organizational success is not just proven in all the data. Neuroscience backs up our human need to connect and form relationships. But why does empathic communication lead to better business results, improved wellness, decreased burnout, and better workforce retention? We explore that today with Dr. Helen Riess. Persuaded b…
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Overcoming Barriers, Leading with Purpose: Susan Frew's Story
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26:22Welcome to this episode of Becoming Unshakeable! If you've been a follower and fan of Leadership with Heart, you're in exactly the right place. From here on out, Becoming Unshakeable will be the new name of my show—and I can't wait to bring you invaluable insights on what it means to lead with clarity, compassion and courage. In this conversation, …
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