Best Peak Demand Engineering Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 540 - Defining Company Culture 8:03

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10m ago8:03

8:03

New episode. Defining Company Culture. This is the master blueprint for how to actually build the culture you want, not the one your team complains about on the drive home. #leadership Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTube View m…

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Episode 539 - Build the Life You Want by Backing Yourself First 6:56

1d ago6:56

6:56

This episode breaks down the true meaning of company culture and gives leaders a full step by step blueprint to define and protect the culture they want. It teaches actionable behaviors that turn culture from a poster into a daily lived experience. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok…

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Episode 538 - Solve the Problem That Steals Your Sleep 6:16

1d ago6:16

6:16

This episode teaches leaders how to identify and address the unresolved problems that keep them awake at night. It gives a clear action plan to take control of difficult issues and remove the stress that follows leaders home. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, B…

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Episode 537 - “Lock It Before You Launch It” 6:03

3d ago6:03

6:03

This episode of The 7 Minute Leadership Podcast explains how to legally protect your big idea before launch, with practical steps on trademarks, copyrights, and non-disclosure agreements. Learn how to secure your brand before someone else claims it. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTo…

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Episode 536 - 10 Hospitality Lessons Every Leader Should Steal 5:25

4d ago5:25

5:25

This episode breaks down the top 10 hospitality industry practices that can transform any business. Learn how to apply customer-first service, consistency, and training to your leadership style. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree View …

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Gautum Mukunda: The Paradox of Leader Selection and Why Unfiltered Presidents Are a Dangerous Gamble 58:48

20m ago58:48

58:48

Gautum Mukunda, Harvard professor and author of Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter, reveals the paradox at the heart of leadership selection: the more effort you put into picking a leader, the less it matters who you pick. Drawing from decades of presidential history, Mukunda introduces the concept of filtered versus unfiltered leaders—Georg…

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Episode 535 - The Power of the Handwritten Word 4:44

5d ago4:44

4:44

This episode explores why handwritten messages create lasting leadership impact, often being remembered for a lifetime while digital messages fade. Learn how a simple handwritten note can transform your leadership presence. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, Blu…

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Episode 534 - The Leadership Secret: Don’t Cram Your Schedule 5:33

6d ago5:33

5:33

This episode reveals why crammed schedules kill leadership and how leaving room for margin, joy, and real breaks makes you a more effective leader. A master template for managers everywhere. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree View my w…

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Cal Newport: Why Social Media Is Big Tobacco Not Big Oil and the Steam Whistle Theory of Attention 1:06:33

19m ago1:06:33

1:06:33

Cal Newport, computer science professor and author of Digital Minimalism, argues that the better analogy for social media is not big oil that must be broken up because it's vital to society but big tobacco that must be culturally rejected because it's unhealthy and dispensable—people don't care if you tell them to leave Facebook for six months but …

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Episode 533 - When Your Vision Outgrows Your Reality 6:14

7d ago6:14

6:14

A motivating leadership story about the emotional moment when your vision is bigger than your present and how leaders translate that feeling into action. This episode pushes listeners to trust the future they can already see. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, B…

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Cal Newport: Cognitive Athleticism and Why Elite Performers Protect Their Attention 1:06:33

10m ago1:06:33

1:06:33

Computer science professor and bestselling author Cal Newport explains why cognitive fitness matters as much as physical fitness for elite performance. Drawing from his work with NBA teams and hedge fund managers, Newport breaks down the connection between attention control and exceptional achievement. He challenges the myth that social media grows…

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Ethan Kross: Mastering Your Inner Voice Before It Masters You 55:06

5d ago55:06

55:06

Psychologist and bestselling author Ethan Kross breaks down the science of *chatter*—the internal voice that can either empower or paralyze us. Drawing on decades of research in neuroscience and emotion regulation, Kross explains how introspection, while powerful, can often backfire, leading to rumination, anxiety, and impaired performance.In this …

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Episode 532 – The Leadership Paradox 5:14

1d ago5:14

5:14

This episode of The 7 Minute Leadership Podcast explores the contradictions leaders face, from balancing confidence with humility to controlling outcomes while empowering teams. Learn how managing paradoxes is the key to mastering leadership. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Link…

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Episode 531 – “Finding Your Brand Voice Without the Big Price Tag” 7:55

9d ago7:55

7:55

In this episode, Paul explains how leaders can discover and define their authentic brand voice using simple, actionable steps — no expensive branding agency required. Learn how to build consistency, trust, and influence through your communication style. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, T…

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Episode 530 – “Find Your Peak Energy Window” 7:12

10d ago7:12

7:12

This episode teaches leaders how to discover and use their personal peak energy window to maximize productivity, decision-making, and focus throughout the day. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree View my website for free leadership reso…

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Eric Barker: The Science of Relationships and Why Playing Well with Others Matters More Than You Think 1:21:50

3d ago1:21:50

1:21:50

Eric Barker, bestselling author of Barking Up the Wrong Tree and Plays Well with Others, reveals what decades of social science research says about relationships, friendship, love, and meaning. From his journey through Hollywood screenwriting to the video game industry to running one of the most-read personal development blogs, Eric explains his ob…

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Episode 529 - The Lie We're Buying Every Day 7:40

11d ago7:40

7:40

This episode breaks down the real secret behind successful morning routines and shows why your first hour of the day determines everything. You will learn how to protect your personal development time and start each day in control rather than in reaction. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,…

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Brea Starmer: Redefining Work Around Highest and Best Use, Not Hours Logged 45:18

6m ago45:18

45:18

Brea Starmer, founder of Lions and Tigers, challenges the outdated workplace model that measures face time over impact. Drawing from her experience as a mother of three running a company during COVID-19, she introduces the concept of "highest and best use"—a real estate framework adapted to human potential that prioritizes outcomes over hours logge…

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Dylan Beynon: Building Mindbloom and the Science of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy 54:09

6m ago54:09

54:09

Dylan Beynon, founder of Mindbloom, shares the deeply personal story behind building the first at-home ketamine therapy platform. After losing his mother and sister to severe mental illness, Dylan became determined to bring psychedelic medicine into mainstream healthcare. He explains the neuroscience of how ketamine creates neuroplasticity—allowing…

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Episode 528 - "The First Domino: Where Today's Problem Started" 6:05

12d ago6:05

6:05

This episode teaches leaders how to identify the real starting point of workplace problems so they can prevent major issues long before they happen. You will learn a simple but powerful way to trace every outcome back to its original cause. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Linked…

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Episode 527 – “Leadership Black File: The Secrets the Top 0.1% Use” 7:55

13d ago7:55

7:55

This episode reveals high-level leadership tactics the top 0.1% use, including the OODA loop, red teaming, the barbell strategy, and shadow boards. These tools are practical, rare, and proven to give leaders a lasting edge. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, Blu…

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Douglass Vigliotti: Wrestling with Conviction and Why Creative Work Demands Uncomfortable Honesty 57:05

2h ago57:05

57:05

Douglass Vigliotti, author and creative, explores the tension between doubt and conviction that defines the creative process. Drawing from his parents, his father relentless drive and his mother empathy, Douglass reflects on what it means to pursue creative work when society constantly asks if you want more. This conversation examines the uncomfort…

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Trustpilot’s Journey From Monolith to Event-Driven with Engineering VP Angela Timofte 46:53

13d ago46:53

46:53

In this episode, Angela Timofte, former VP of Global Engineering at Trustpilot, shares the decade-long journey of evolving Trustpilot’s architecture from a monolith to an event-driven, serverless-first platform. She reflects on the technical and organizational shifts that made it possible—from early trade-offs and nano-services to guardrails, templ…

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Episode 526 - "Excellence Is a Habit, Not a Moment" 4:58

14d ago4:58

4:58

In this episode, we break down Aristotle’s quote, “Excellence is not an act but a habit,” into three practical steps leaders can use to build consistent, lasting impact. Learn how your daily actions shape culture, trust, and results. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Sub…

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Donny Jackson: The Internalized Stains of Slavery and Why Empathy Cannot Develop Without Interaction Across Racial Lines 51:58

6d ago51:58

51:58

Donny Jackson, poet and psychologist, reflects on growing up as a working-class black kid in Pittsburgh where his father was a postal worker for 35 years and his mother was a nurse's aide—parents who instilled work ethic, integrity, and honor while navigating a world not built for young black children. Jackson traces the roots of American racism to…

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Episode 525 – The Dark Truth about Leadership 7:08

15d ago7:08

7:08

In this jaw-dropping episode of The 7 Minute Leadership Podcast, Paul Falavolito reveals the hidden, unspoken truths about leadership that even top leaders don’t know. From losing relationships to being a constant target, this episode uncovers the side of leadership no one dares to talk about. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite …

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Episode 524 - "Behind the Leadership 8 Ball" 4:54

16d ago4:54

4:54

This episode explores what it feels like to be behind the leadership 8 ball and gives practical strategies for getting out of reaction mode and back into control. Leaders learn how to reset, call their shot, and think multiple steps ahead. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedI…

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Episode 523 – “Progress is Progress: Even When You’re Crawling” 5:18

17d ago5:18

5:18

This episode reminds leaders that slow progress still counts. Paul Falavolito shares how consistency, direction, and endurance matter more than speed in achieving real leadership success. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree View my webs…

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Bjorn Ryan-Gorman: Coming Out as Gay in the Snowboarding World and Reclaiming Masculinity on Your Own Terms 45:23

7m ago45:23

45:23

Bjorn Ryan-Gorman, professional snowskater and LGBTQ+ advocate, shares his journey from hiding his sexuality behind aggressive board sports to building a life of authenticity in Portland. Growing up in Montana as a sponsored snow athlete, Ryan-Gorman used snowboarding and skateboarding as outlets for self-hatred and denial, pushing himself to dange…

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Episode 522 - “The Backward Blueprint: How to Reverse Engineer Any Goal” 7:23

18d ago7:23

7:23

This episode teaches leaders how to reverse engineer their long-term goals by working backward from the finish line to today’s first action step — turning overwhelming dreams into practical, achievable roadmaps. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Thread…

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David Epstein: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World 51:45

19d ago51:45

51:45

David Epstein, author of Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, dismantles the myth that early specialization is the only path to excellence. Drawing from research on elite athletes, musicians, and scientists, David reveals how individual variability in learning means there is no one-size-fits-all approach to skill development. He r…

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Episode 521 – “Presence Over Presents” 5:29

19d ago5:29

5:29

This episode reminds leaders that in moments of loss, your presence means more than any gift or condolence card. It’s a message about leading with empathy, humanity, and genuine care. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree View my website …

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Daniel Stillman: The Architecture of Conversations and Why Every Interface Shapes What We Say 1:18:27

19d ago1:18:27

1:18:27

Daniel Stillman, author of Good Talk: How to Design Conversations That Matter, reveals how conversations are designed—whether we realize it or not. Drawing from his background in design thinking and facilitation, Daniel breaks down the components of conversational architecture: openings, turns, power dynamics, and interfaces. He explains why physic…

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Ayelet Fishbach: The Science of Motivation, Why Fantasies Fail, and Balancing Abstract Goals with Concrete Plans 1:07:21

20d ago1:07:21

1:07:21

Ayelet Fishbach, motivation researcher at University of Chicago, dismantles the fantasy-driven approach to New Year's resolutions and goal-setting. Drawing from data spanning multiple years, she reveals that while temporal landmarks like New Year work for initiating goals, only 20% of people still pursue them by November—the difference comes down t…

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Episode 520 – “Leadership is Like a K-Cup” 5:38

20d ago5:38

5:38

In this episode, Paul compares leadership to a Keurig K-cup — showing how daily mindset choices set the tone for your team. Discover why great leaders intentionally choose their “flavor” before the day begins. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads,…

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Dandapani: Mastering Your Mind as an Operating System, Sexual Energy Transmutation, and the Monastic Path to Unwavering Focus 1:07:07

20d ago1:07:07

1:07:07

Dandapani, former Hindu monk who lived monastically for 10 years, shares teachings from his guru on treating the mind as an operating system that must be understood before it can be mastered. He explains the critical distinction between a focused life (giving undivided attention to whoever/whatever you're engaged with) and a purpose-focused life (w…

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Episode 519 – “The 7 Minute Leadership World Tour” 9:00

21d ago9:00

9:00

In this episode, Paul Falavolito takes listeners on a global tour celebrating the top 10 countries that tune into The 7 Minute Leadership Podcast. From Mexico to the United States, discover how leadership sounds around the world. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substac…

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Episode 518 – “Rules Are Rules: Even When No One Is Looking” 7:05

22d ago7:05

7:05

In Episode 518, Paul Falavolito breaks down why real leadership means following the rules even when no one’s watching, and how those unseen moments define your credibility. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree View my website for free le…

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Episode 517 - If it’s not a hell yes, then it’s a hell no. 7:07

23d ago7:07

7:07

This episode of The 7 Minute Leadership Podcast challenges you to make every decision through one simple filter — “If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no.” Learn how this mindset helps leaders eliminate noise, reclaim focus, and lead with purpose. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok,…

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Episode 516 – Respect Your Future Self 6:02

24d ago6:02

6:02

In this episode, Paul Falavolito shares how great leaders make decisions today that protect and empower their future selves. Learn how to stop leaving chaos for “tomorrow you” to clean up and start building habits your future self will thank you for. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikT…

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Cal Newport: Slow Productivity, Escaping Pseudo Productivity, and the Three Principles for Sustainable Knowledge Work 1:40:53

21d ago1:40:53

1:40:53

Cal Newport unpacks his framework for Slow Productivity, built on three core principles: doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality. He introduces "pseudo productivity"—the toxic heuristic that emerged in mid-20th century knowledge work when visible activity became a proxy for useful effort because traditional product…

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Alan Stein Jr: The Performance Gap Between Knowing and Doing, and What Elite Athletes Teach Us About Execution 1:05:31

18d ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Alan Stein Jr, former basketball performance coach to Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, and other NBA superstars, reveals why knowledge without execution is worthless and how the world's highest performers bridge the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Drawing from decades working with elite athletes, Stein explains that performance gaps…

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Episode 515 - A Tale of Two Leaders: Lessons from Dickens’ Cities 7:44

25d ago7:44

7:44

In this episode, Paul Falavolito breaks down A Tale of Two Cities into modern leadership lessons — from redemption and revolution to ego and legacy — showing why real leaders must thrive in both stability and chaos. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Th…

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Christy Tennery-Spalding: Building Political Homes and Redefining Self-Care Beyond Capitalism 48:12

19d ago48:12

48:12

Christy Tennery-Spalding, activist and organizer, shares how growing up near Washington D.C. shaped her oppositional stance to power structures and led her to find a “political home” in San Francisco’s activist community. She introduces the concept of informed consent in organizing—ensuring participants feel safe, informed, and empowered rather tha…

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Andrew Yang: Universal Basic Income and the Automation Crisis Remaking America 44:31

18d ago44:31

44:31

Andrew Yang traces his path from failed entrepreneur to 2020 presidential candidate driven by a single realization: automation has already destroyed millions of American jobs, and the next wave will be exponentially worse. Through his work with Venture for America, he witnessed firsthand the economic devastation in Detroit, Ohio, and the Midwest—wh…

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Episode 514 – “Leadership Lenses and Filters: How Great Leaders See the World Differently” 7:36

26d ago7:36

7:36

In this episode, Paul Falavolito shares his powerful leadership philosophy of “Lenses and Filters,” explaining how intentional leaders view people and make decisions through defined perspectives that shape clarity, empathy, and integrity. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn…

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Chris Fussell: Systems, Mindset, and Leading at the Edge 56:27

24d ago56:27

56:27

Former Navy SEAL and leadership strategist Chris Fussell reveals how elite teams operate under pressure—and how those principles can be applied far beyond the battlefield. Drawing from years of operational experience and his work with General Stanley McChrystal, Fussell explains how systems thinking, decentralized decision-making, and shared consci…

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Andrew Bustamante: Inside the Mind of a Spy — Tradecraft, Trust, and the Cost of Secrecy 1:10:20

20d ago1:10:20

1:10:20

Former CIA field operative Andrew Bustamante pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to recruit spies, run intelligence operations, and navigate a life built on secrecy, loyalty, and manipulation. In this riveting and wide-ranging conversation, Bustamante shares stories from his military training at the Air Force Academy, his time at “The Fa…

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Episode 513 – The Ethical Line: How Leaders Get in Trouble Without Breaking the Law 8:55

27d ago8:55

8:55

In this episode, Paul explores how good leaders can lose credibility without ever breaking the law. Learn how to recognize ethical blind spots, make fair decisions, and use “The Integrity Compass” to stay on the right side of both legality and leadership integrity. Host: Paul Falavolito Connect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, …

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Carlos Adell: From Drug Dealer to Industrial Engineer to Finding True Success Through Strategic Environment Design 52:37

20d ago52:37

52:37

Carlos Adell shares his unconventional path from growing up in a small Spanish town with limited resources to running a six-figure drug dealing business while simultaneously working as a DJ and industrial engineer. After nearly dying from a heart attack at 29 while working in corporate, Adell discovered that he had been living other people’s dreams…