Best Refreshingly Innovative Podcasts (2026)

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428 Thursday Refresh: Dr. Bernard Harris, Embracing Infinite Possibilities 42:48

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1h ago42:48

42:48

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Bernard Harris, a leader whose extraordinary career trajectory—from physician to NASA astronaut to CEO and venture capitalist—offers rare insights into the inner work of leadership. Dr. Harris is the first African American to walk in space, and the author of Embracing Infinite…

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Episode 165 Ryan Doyle, Founder & CEO, Doyle Marine Management, 59:40

7h ago59:40

59:40

In this episode of the Agents of Innovation podcast, Francisco Gonzalez joins Ryan Doyle aboard Amigo, a 1937 classic wooden Wheeler and sister ship to Ernest Hemingway’s famed Pilar, at the Riviera Beach Marina near West Palm Beach. Ryan shares his journey from a horse farm in Connecticut to the U.S. Coast Guard, maritime academy, and eventually a…

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427 [BEST OF] David Ross on Confronting the Storm - Leadership, Hope, and Navigating Wicked Problems in the Age of Uncertainty 40:46

1h ago40:46

40:46

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with David Ross, VUCA strategist and author of Confronting the Storm: Regenerating Leadership and Hope in the Age of Uncertainty. David is a renowned expert on VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) environments and has spent his career advising organizations on how to thriv…

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Why Microschool Masterminds 2.0 Is the New Blueprint for Founders: Systems, Coaching, Community, and the Support You’ve Been Missing to Build a Thriving Microschool or Hybrid 11:13

1d ago11:13

11:13

Why Microschool Masterminds 2.0 Is the New Blueprint for Founders: Systems, Coaching, Community, and the Support You’ve Been Missing to Build a Thriving Microschool or Hybrid …this episode reveals why MSM 2.0 is now the number one place for founders to grow sustainably — without burnout, confusion, or wasting years trying to figure it out alone. Th…

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426 [BEST OF] Mark Schaefer on How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World 51:20

2d ago51:20

51:20

In this compelling episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mark Schaefer returns to share fresh, provocative insights from his latest book, Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World. A globally respected marketing strategist, bestselling author, and deep observer of technological change, Schaefer brings sharp clarity to a pressing le…

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Ep 400: The Rebirth of a Dream: How ReDream Education and Microschool Masterminds Begin a New Era 27:37

8d ago27:37

27:37

Today is Episode 400… a milestone I never imagined when I sat at my dining room table with six children during the pandemic, simply trying to create safety and stability for kids who needed a place to learn. But 400 episodes later, I have grown. You have grown. The entire movement has grown. And in this episode, I’m sharing a full-circle moment: th…

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What Makes a Great Enterprise Architect or Business Architect 18:27

5d ago18:27

18:27

A great enterprise architect and business architect is defined by mindset, behaviors, and outcomes in the real organization, not by the ability to pass a multiple‑choice exam. Listen in for valuable parameters to think about.By Sam Holcman

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Irrational Exuberance and the AI Mania: Are We Living Through a Bubble? 6:50

7d ago6:50

6:50

Welcome to Real Talk with Sam Holcman, where we connect ideas, innovation, and intelligent decision-making. Today’s reflection: irrational exuberance - a phrase coined by former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan in 1996 and revisited today through the lens of the AI revolution. Greenspan’s words warned of a human tendency - collective overconfid…

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Why TOGAF® Needs a Refresh 13:10

9d ago13:10

13:10

TOGAF® is talked about and used, but an increasing number of major practitioners and researchers argue that it misses several critical ingredients for modern, outcome‑driven enterprise architecture. In the age of EA 5.0, these critical ingredients are lacking. This broadcast will outline these ingredients that are lacking.…

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425 How to Build a Culture of Innovation That Actually Works with Alan Gregerman 50:32

9d ago50:32

50:32

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Alan Gregerman, innovation advisor and author of The Wisdom of Ignorance: Why Not Knowing Can Be the Key to Innovation in an Uncertain World. Gregerman has spent his career helping organizations rethink what expertise is, how innovation really happens, and why the answers leaders…

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Ep 399: Kayse Morris - TPT and Online Teacher Business Discussing Fear, Mindset, Teacher Burnout & Rebuilding Your Life + Business 51:54

15d ago51:54

51:54

(An exclusive interview on the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast) After a two-year pause from podcast interviews, Kayse Morris — former classroom teacher turned CEO, bestselling podcaster, and one of the most influential online business coaches for teachers is on the Teacher Let Your Light Shine podcast for her first interview in almost two year…

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When Software Eats Itself 18:48

15d ago18:48

18:48

Today’s Broadcast. Billions were wasted, companies bankrupted, and governments embarrassed - all because of something we take for granted: software. This article is based on an outstanding article titled “Why Software Fails” by Robert N. Charette, in IEEE Spectrum, December 2025. You have probably heard the old saying “software is eating the world.…

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424 Quick Leadership in a Distracted World: Trust, Power, and the New Rules of Leading Teams with Selena Rezvani 44:05

16d ago44:05

44:05

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Selena Rezvani invites leaders to rethink some of the most deeply ingrained assumptions about modern management. Drawing from her new book Quick Leadership and years of work with top-performing organizations, Selena challenges CEOs and senior leaders to examine the hidden forces shaping their teams’ behavio…

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Ep 398: When the Dream Isn’t Big Enough Anymore? What It Really Means to ReDream Education and How it Impacts YOU as a Teacher 29:10

24d ago29:10

29:10

When I started my microschool at my dining room table with six children during the pandemic, I thought that was the dream. I thought my purpose was simply to create a safe space for a handful of kids while the world felt uncertain. What I didn’t realize then—what I can see so clearly now—is that the school I started wasn’t the dream. It was the see…

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EA and BA Advice – How Can You Determine How To Best Spend your Time and Money 16:45

21d ago16:45

16:45

When evaluating Enterprise Architecture (EA) or Business Architecture (BA) advice, focus on whether the person, book, website, or post can demonstrate real decisions changed, risks reduced, or value created - not just fluency in frameworks and jargon. The most dependable advisors and materials walk through concrete situations, artifacts, and outcom…

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Agentic AI, EA 5.0, and EACOE 8:51

23d ago8:51

8:51

Agentic AI is accelerating all the trends that EA 5.0 and EACOE have been arguing for years: architecture must be business-led, continuously adaptive, and tightly connected to how work actually gets done. In this environment, the EA role does not disappear; it shifts toward orchestrating agents, data, and business capabilities in real time, which i…

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423 Thursday Refresh: Andrea Sampson on The Power of Strategic Storytelling in Leadership: Making Your Messages Memorable 49:23

27d ago49:23

49:23

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli hosts Andrea Sampson, an expert in strategic storytelling and the co-founder of Talk Boutique. Andrea Sampson talks about the fascinating intersection of brain science and storytelling, emphasizing why humans are hardwired to respond to stories. As an experienced speaker's coach for TEDx Toro…

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422 How AI Is Reshaping the Knowledge Economy, And What Leaders Need to Do Now with Sangeet Paul Choudary 55:09

23d ago55:09

55:09

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Sangeet Paul Choudary, one of the world’s leading thinkers on digital strategy, platforms, and the future of value creation. Sangeet is the author of the acclaimed new book Reshuffle: Who Wins When AI Transforms the Knowledge Economy, a work that reframes how leaders must think…

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Ep 397: Why Teacher, Let Your Light Shine is ReDreaming Education! My Origin Story, the Rise of Microschools, Future of Learning, & How Teachers, Parents, & Founders Can Build a Better System Together 32:22

1M ago32:22

32:22

In today’s deeply personal and powerful episode, I’m sharing the full story behind why I am officially rebranding Teacher Let Your Light Shine to ReDream Education—and why this evolution matters for teachers, parents, founders, and families who know deep down that the traditional system is no longer working. I take you back to the beginning—my livi…

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21: Transforming Business Outcomes: Latest Advances in Dell Services and Payment Solutions 9:50

1M ago9:50

9:50

In this episode, Courtney Hughes and Ricardo Calderon show how Dell Services turn AI ambition into outcomes with the Dell AI Factory—strategy, data readiness, and managed services. Plus lifecycle and payment, cyber resilience (MDR), and digital employee experience for Windows 11/Copilot Plus. Listen for actionable insights on AI, agentic AI, gen AI…

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421 [BEST OF] Why Strategy Fails Without the Right Board: Didier Cossin on High Performance Boards & Decision-Making at the Top 47:32

1M ago47:32

47:32

What if the greatest risk to your organization isn't economic uncertainty, market volatility, or disruptive technology—but the decisions being made in your own boardroom? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Didier Cossin, IMD professor and global expert in board governance, whose book High Performance Boards has bec…

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Ep 396: Building a Microschool Through Life’s Biggest Transitions: Maddie Baird’s Story of Faith, Family, and Fearless Leadership 56:07

1M ago56:07

56:07

If you’ve ever wondered how to build a microschool while managing major life transitions—or if fear of stepping away has kept you from taking the leap—this episode will encourage and empower you to move forward with faith and clarity. In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of talking with Madeline Baird, founder of Peak Learning Microschool i…

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Episode 164: Joe Gallagher, A Recipe for Redemption and Entrepreneurial Success, Charleston, SC 51:53

1M ago51:53

51:53

In this powerful episode of the Agents of Innovation podcast, Joe Gallagher—founder and CEO of Apastioli and a former Grammy-nominated musician—shares his remarkable journey from rising rock artist to surviving a devastating car accident, spiraling into addiction, facing legal battles, and ultimately finding faith, sobriety, and a new entrepreneuri…

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No I Will Not Peg My Biz on AI! 2:35

1M ago2:35

2:35

No I Will Not Peg My Biz on AI!By Sam Holcman

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Ep 395: From Overwhelmed to Organized: How Lisa Woodruff of Organize 365 Helped Me Transform My Home, School, and Business Systems 1:11:44

2M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

If you’ve ever felt buried under to-do lists, school planning, paperwork, and the constant pressure to do it all — today’s episode is your breath of fresh air. 🌿 In this deeply personal and transformative conversation, I sit down with Lisa Woodruff, the brilliant founder and CEO of Organize 365, and the woman who completely changed the way I struct…

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420 Why Every Leader Needs to Rethink Innovation with Rich Braden and Tessa Forshaw 1:01:22

1M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

What if creativity isn’t a gift possessed by a few—but a skill every leader already has? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden, co-authors of Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World. Drawing from their work at Stanford and Harvard…

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20: Your Next Refresh, Done Right: Lifecycle Management and AI Upgrades That Pay Off 11:39

2M ago11:39

11:39

In this episode… Jennifer Larson, General Manager of Commercial Client Segments at Intel, joins the podcast to explore how businesses can unlock innovation and productivity with Intel vPro® and Intel® Core™ Ultra processors, powered by Dell Technologies. You’ll hear how AI PCs are transforming business computing—enhancing performance, connectivity,…

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419 Riding the Tsunami of Change: How Leaders Can Thrive in an Exponential World with Dr. Mark van Rijmenam 41:23

1M ago41:23

41:23

In this thought-provoking episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with futurist and strategist Dr. Mark van Rijmenam to explore how leaders can thrive in an era defined by exponential change. Known for his sharp insights into emerging technologies and their impact on society, van Rijmenam shares a grounded yet urgent view of the …

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Ep 394: The Future of Joyful Learning: A Conversation with Kerry McDonald, Host of The Liberated Podcast and Author of Joyful Learning 56:52

2M ago56:52

56:52

This isn’t just an interview! Today’s podcast is an inspiring dialogue between two passionate women who are transforming education from the ground up in numerous ways. 🌟 In this episode, Makenzie Oliver, founder of Lighthouse Learning Microschool and host of Teacher Let Your Light Shine, sits down with Kerry McDonald — Senior Fellow at the Foundati…

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418 Thursday Refresh: Lior Arussy on Reauthoring Leadership: Take Charge of Your Story, Navigate Change, and Empower Transformation 52:28

2M ago52:28

52:28

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli engages in a powerful conversation with Lior Arussy, renowned author, speaker, and expert in organizational transformation and customer experience. Lior is the author of the thought-provoking book Dare to Author: Take Charge of the Narrative of Your Life. In this episode, he brings his compel…

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417 From Silos to Shared Strength: Relationships That Multiply Result with Jim Ferrell 48:56

2M ago48:56

48:56

What if the greatest leadership blind spot isn’t about people at all, but about the space between them? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jim Ferrell, renowned leadership thinker and author of You and We: The Relational Rethinking of Work, Life, and Leadership. Known for co-authoring the international bestseller L…

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Ep 393: Grit, Grace, and Growth: The Power of Consistency and Community for Teachers, Founders, and Dreamers Leaving the System 25:27

2M ago25:27

25:27

This month, I’m slowing down — not to plan more, but to see more. In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I believe every microschool founder needs before stepping into a new year: an Autumn Audit. I know how it feels to get caught up in the whirlwind of running your school — the lesson plans, family communications, finances, tours, and eve…

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19: Building the Future of AI: How Dell and NVIDIA are Accelerating Real-World Innovation 15:04

2M ago15:04

15:04

In this episode.. Jeremy Williford, VP of Strategic Sales at NVIDIA, joins the podcast to share an enterprise AI strategy playbook—how to start small, prioritize high‑impact use cases, and scale with Dell Technologies with NVIDIA solutions for measurable productivity, customer experience, and operations gains. You’ll hear practical examples—chatbot…

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416 Beyond the Hype: How Data, Skills, and Humanity Drive AI’s Real Impact with Benjamin Tasker 29:15

2M ago29:15

29:15

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Benjamin Tasker, an AI learning strategist who has applied artificial intelligence to solve real-world challenges in healthcare and education. From predicting cancer risks in rural communities to improving student success rates through early intervention, Tasker has firsthand exp…

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Ep 392: Why Every Microschool Founder Needs an Autumn Audit Before the New Year: How to Reflect, Refresh, and Realign Your Vision, Team, and Space for 2025 20:54

2M ago20:54

20:54

This month, I’m slowing down — not to plan more, but to see more. In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I believe every microschool founder needs before stepping into a new year: an Autumn Audit. I know how it feels to get caught up in the whirlwind of running your school — the lesson plans, family communications, finances, tours, and eve…

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Episode 163: Mod Cardenas, The Art of Being an Entrepreneur, Guatemala City 1:26:47

2M ago1:26:47

1:26:47

Mod Cárdenas (b. Guatemala 1982) is a contemporary visual artist and pioneer of Guatemalan street art.Alongside his art, Cardenas pursued a career in Clinical Psychology, that has informed his approach to art from a research and observational base.Cardenas has exhibited extensively around the world with 14 solo exhibitions and several group shows, …

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Data Center Growth – Good or a Waste 8:17

2M ago8:17

8:17

"One day, people will realize the DATA BELONGS TO ME" – remember that quote from the inventor of the internet and the web. We do not need larger data centers – we need better data, in an organized manner. It begins with a classification system that organizes stuff – data. Think a library – the Dewey decimal system is the key to finding stuff – not …

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To-Be Models and As-Is Models – Which Always Comes First 6:30

2M ago6:30

6:30

Developing an as-is model before a to-be model seems logical on the surface - understand where you are, then define where you want to go. Yet, in practice, this approach can unintentionally trap organizations with the limitations of their current reality. The deeper issue is not one of modeling techniques, but of human cognition: when people start …

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415 Leading Through Super Shifts: Thriving in the Age of Intelligence with Ja-Nae Duane & Steve Fisher 37:27

2M ago37:27

37:27

What happens when the playbook for leadership no longer applies? In this thought-provoking conversation, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by futurist Steve Fisher and behavioral scientist Ja-Nae Duane, co-authors of Super Shifts: Transforming How We Live, Learn, and Work in the Age of Intelligence. With decades of experience in executive foresight, systems…

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Ep 391: Building a Microschool in a Yurt: Kami Melton’s Journey from Homeschool Mom to Educational Trailblazer 57:20

2M ago57:20

57:20

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Kami Melton, founder of Arkwright Microschool, to hear how her journey from homeschooling mom to microschool builder unfolded—inside a yurt! Kami began her homeschooling journey in Virginia, later moved with her family to Poland, and returned to rural southwest Georgia during the pandemic. In a county of f…

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18: Fastrack outcomes: Partnering for Success 11:37

3M ago11:37

11:37

In this episode, Eric Arcese, Vice President of Global Partner Marketing at Dell Technologies, reveals how Dell’s partner ecosystem drives faster AI adoption and real business transformation. Hear how collaborative solutions—like the Dell AI Factory deployed at Worley with NVIDIA and WWT—leverage proven expertise to simplify complexity, shorten dep…

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414 The Emotionally Intelligent Team: Building Collaborative Groups that Outperform the Rest with Vanessa Druskat 43:30

2M ago43:30

43:30

Most executives still chase superstar hires, assuming great individuals will automatically form great teams. In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Dr. Vanessa Druskat brings research depth and field-tested experience to make a different case. She is the author of The Emotionally Intelligent Team: Building Collaborative Groups that Outperform …

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Ep 390: Weaving the Tapestry of Calling: How Microschool Mastermind Lauren Talbot Built a Thriving Microschool in Just 4 Months with her Mother 1:06:20

3M ago1:06:20

1:06:20

How do you go from hearing a quiet tug on your heart to building a thriving microschool in only four months? In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Talbot—former accountant, middle school math teacher, and now the founder of The Anchor Learning Center in Louisiana. From her one-stoplight town, Lauren followed God’s unmistakable call to leave publi…

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413 A CEO for All Seasons: Carolyn Dewar on What Great Leaders Do Differently—From Bold Beginnings to Graceful Exits 44:15

3M ago44:15

44:15

By Mahan Tavakoli

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Ep 389: What Microschool Leaders Need Most in October! Building Strong School Culture, Engaging Parents and Community, and Planning for Growth with Clarity and Confidence 17:41

3M ago17:41

17:41

By Makenzie Oliver| Micro-School Mentor| Homeschooling Business Coach| Homeschool Teacher Consultant | Micro-school Mom #micro-school #homeschool #teacherletyourlightshine

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17: Transforming Enterprises with AI: Dell's Product Marketing Approach with Sam Grocott 16:49

3M ago16:49

16:49

In this episode, Sam Grocott reveals how Dell made AI modernization a business reality. Discover bold strategies behind their data overhaul, the critical importance of governance, and how a buy/build hybrid approach accelerates transformation. Learn why strong leadership and constant change management drive Dell’s journey to an AI-first future.…

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412 Thursday Refresh: Kurt Strovink on Mastering Leadership from the Inside Out: Transformative Insights for CEOs 53:39

3M ago53:39

53:39

What separates truly exceptional leaders from the rest? According to Kurt Strovink, it’s not just strategy, execution, or decision-making—it’s the ability to lead from within. As a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and a global advisor to CEOs, Kurt has spent decades studying the patterns of the most successful executives. In his latest book, Th…

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411 Motley Fool Co-Founder David Gardner on Rule Breaker Investing, Long-Term Thinking, and Leadership That Lasts 1:15:00

3M ago1:15:00

1:15:00

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with David Gardner—legendary investor, co-founder of The Motley Fool, and author of Rule Breaker Investing. Over the past three decades, David has not only beaten the market—he’s reshaped how long-term investing is understood and practiced. David’s track record is extraordinary: He rec…

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Ep 388: Reconnecting to Your Roots as a Microschool Leader: Preventing Burnout, Building Parent & Community Advisory Boards, and Using Personality Frameworks to Grow a Thriving Microschool Culture 22:25

3M ago22:25

22:25

As a microschool founder or homeschool hybrid leader, it’s easy to get caught up in curriculum, enrollment, finances, and the daily logistics of running a school—but one of the most powerful growth multipliers you have is reconnecting to your roots and knowing your people. In this episode of the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast, Makenzie Oliver…

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410 Ram Charan on Leading When Uncertainty Is Permanent: Strategy, Execution, and AI as the New Business Model 31:36

3M ago31:36

31:36

In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by one of the most sought-after advisors to Fortune 100 CEOs and boards—Ram Charan. Named “the most influential consultant alive” by Fortune, Charan draws on decades of boardroom experience and over 30 books—Execution, What the CEO Wants You to Know, The Amazon Management…