Best Microsoft Aspire Experience Podcasts (2025)

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The Game Designers Workbook with Bobby Lockhart 34:43

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6m ago34:43

34:43

On this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott talks with Bobby Lockhart, game designer and coauthor of The Game Designer’s Workbook. They explore the craft of game design, from turning ideas into playable experiences to balancing creativity with structure, and discuss how the principles in the workbook can help both aspiring and seasoned designers build …

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From Air Force to Admin Innovator: Molly Denham’s Lessons on Leadership and Adaptability 36:09

1d ago36:09

36:09

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, we sat down with Molly Denham—Air Force veteran, admin expert, and founder of Vexa Services and Vexa Software. Molly shared her inspiring journey from flipping slides on an overhead projector to leading executive support at the Pentagon and building her own tech company. We explored how admin prof…

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Competence builds confidence with .NET Principal Engineer Safia Abdalla 36:00

7d ago36:00

36:00

On this special episode of Hanselminutes, Scott reunites with .NET Principal Engineer Safia Abdalla, nearly 500 episodes and a decade after her first appearance on the show. They reflect on the arc of her career and the evolution of the developer landscape, discussing how building competence fuels confidence, how anxieties can compound in high-pres…

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Leadership for Every Generation: Managing Up, Feedback, and Bridging Experience Gaps 44:27

8d ago44:27

44:27

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with executive coach John Little to talk all things leadership growth. John shared how his journey from sports and broadcasting to coaching taught him that practice and personal development never stop—no matter your career stage. We dug into overcoming limiting beliefs, building your leadership brand,…

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From Farmhand to Finance: Mark Teague on Leadership and Timeless Values 41:36

14d ago41:36

41:36

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Mark Teague, who went from working on a Texas farm to leading teams in global finance. Mark shared how old-school values like honesty, hard work, and respect still unlock real results in today’s fast-paced business world—and why mastering both your technical craft and your characte…

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Push your ideas to the web with Netlify CEO Mathias Biilmann 34:13

14d ago34:13

34:13

On this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman sits down with Netlify CEO Mathias Biilmann, who coined the term Jamstack, to talk about the future of web development in the age of AI. Recorded shortly before the announcement at Netlify Deploy, the conversation explores Netlify’s new AI Workflow, how it connects to the Jamstack philosophy, what i…

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The Importance of Pair Programming with Tuple's Johnny Marler 33:50

22d ago33:50

33:50

In this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman talks with Tuple engineer Johnny Marler about the craft and culture of pair programming. They explore how intentional collaboration can sharpen problem-solving, reduce context switching, and build trust between teammates—especially in remote environments. Johnny shares lessons from developing Tuple,…

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Embracing Life’s Left Turns: Larry O'nan on Leadership, Stewardship, and Intentional Living 39:54

22d ago39:54

39:54

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, we heard from Larry O'nan—a seasoned leader with over sixty years of experience in management, nonprofits, and fund development. Larry shared how his unexpected “left turns” in life became powerful opportunities for growth, and why embracing failure is essential to strong leadership. We also dived…

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Can AI save DevOps? with SystemInit's Adam Jacob 34:09

28d ago34:09

34:09

In this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman sits down with Adam Jacob, co-founder of SystemInit and creator of Chef, to explore the provocative question: Can AI save DevOps? Together, they unpack the growing complexity of modern infrastructure, the limits of human-scale operations, and how AI-driven systems might reshape the way we build, dep…

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From Marine Corps to Microsoft: Chad E. Cooper on Legendary Leadership and Lasting Impact 40:10

1M ago40:10

40:10

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Chad E. Cooper—former Marine, Microsoft retiree at just 35, and high-level leadership coach. We dove deep into why values-driven leadership trumps just chasing tools and hacks, and why clarity, alignment, and resourcefulness are true keys to lasting success. Chad shared how the SERVE …

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Making Video Games in 2025 with Celeste's Noel Berry 31:47

1M ago31:47

31:47

In this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott sits down with Noel Berry, co-creator of Celeste, to explore his philosophy and process for making games in 2025, without relying on big commercial engines. Noel shares why he prefers building lightweight, custom tools over heavyweight platforms like Unity or Unreal, how modern C#, SDL3, and open‑source libra…

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The Ultimate Home Arcade with Polycade's Tyler Bushnell 36:07

1M ago36:07

36:07

This week Scott welcomes Tyler Bushnell, founder of Polycade, to talk about reimagining the arcade experience for modern homes. Drawing on his family's Atari legacy, Tyler shares how Polycade blends retro charm with sleek design and modern game libraries—all while encouraging face-to-face connection. From Kickstarter roots to Techstars growth, we e…

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How to Lead with Value with Dr. Morgan Depenbusch 31:40

2M ago31:40

31:40

Today we chat with Dr. Morgan Depenbusch and dive into the mindset shift that can transform your career and relationships at work. Instead of pushing harder to be heard or constantly proving yourself, what if the key is simply leading with value? Dr. Depenbusch and Scott unpack what “value” really looks like in practice—whether it’s helping teammat…

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Focus Friend by Hank Green is #1 in the App Store with Bria Sullivan 38:34

2M ago38:34

38:34

In this episode, Scott sits down with Bria Sullivan, developer and founder of Honey B Games, to unpack the viral success of Focus Friend—the cozy productivity app that dethroned ChatGPT at the top of the App Store. Co-created with Hank Green, Focus Friend gamifies focus with a sock-knitting bean companion, offering users a whimsical yet effective w…

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Creating Careers, Not Just Jobs: Leadership Development in the Trades 25:30

2M ago25:30

25:30

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, we dove into the art of closing the leadership gap in the trades with Traci Austin, an expert in HR and talent strategy. Traci shared how mentorship, strong onboarding, and creating clear career pathways are essential for retention and building leaders from within. We explored how exposing young people early to …

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Creating Impactful Workplaces: Alicia Faricelli Reveals the Power of Authentic Leadership 39:33

2M ago39:33

39:33

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with emotional intelligence expert Alicia Faricelli, and we dove deep into how leaders can unlock self-awareness, resilience, and authentic impact. From managing stress and breaking out of fight-or-flight patterns, to transforming scarcity mindsets and building stronger teams, Alicia shared actionable…

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Inside the Maker Mindset with Roboticist Aaed Musa 31:47

2M ago31:47

31:47

From wrist‑mounted CD launchers to rope‑driven quadrupeds, Purdue engineering student and YouTuber Aaed Musa turns wild ideas into precision‑crafted reality. On Hanselminutes, he joins Scott Hanselman to share the art, grit, and storytelling behind his most ambitious projects — and why iteration is his superpower. https://www.aaedmusa.com/…

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Overcoming Self-Doubt and Building a Purpose-Driven Life with Kirk McCarley 44:11

2M ago44:11

44:11

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Kirk McCarley—the Seed Sower Coach—to dive into the realities of work-life balance, leadership, and personal growth. Kirk shared how decades in HR shaped his passion for helping others break limiting beliefs, find clarity in their values, and move past fear and self-doubt. We talke…

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Aligning Values and Vision: Wendy Brand’s Six Pillars of a Thriving Organization 36:20

2M ago36:20

36:20

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Wendy Brand, a true expert in culture transformation with over 25 years in leadership roles. Wendy shared powerful insights on aligning company values, preventing burnout, and building intentional cultures where your team can truly thrive. If you’re serious about elevating you…

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Learning to Code with AI and Steve Klabnik 43:12

2M ago43:12

43:12

Steve Klabnik wasn't a fan of AI. He knows how to code at high and low levels...but then he tried again. Now he's making more, shipping more, coding more, and having more fun. Is this a moral choice or a techincal one or both?By Scott Hanselman

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Building Accountability and Discipline in Leadership: Insights from Mary Kelly 54:19

2M ago54:19

54:19

If you want to level up your leadership game, this episode is a must-listen. We sit down with Mary Kelly—leadership expert, economist, and bestselling author—to talk about the transition from military to business, why discipline and clarity are critical, and how to hold yourself truly accountable. Mary shares practical tools for planners, crisis ma…

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From Medicine to Executive Coaching: Carlos Davidovich on Adaptability and Attitude 51:35

2M ago51:35

51:35

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Carlos Davidovich—a medical doctor turned executive coach and TEDx speaker. We explored how embracing change, developing grit, and mastering your mindset are the keys to effective leadership. Carlos explained the science behind moving out of your comfort zone, how attitude multiplies your impact,…

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How is AlmaLinux OS is community-driven? with benny Vasquez 34:14

3M ago34:14

34:14

In this episode, Scott Hanselman sits down with benny Vasquez, Chair of the AlmaLinux OS Foundation, to explore the project's journey since the shift away from CentOS. benny shares insights into how AlmaLinux stays community-driven, transparent, and enterprise-ready—all while navigating the evolving world of open-source licensing. It's a candid and…

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Building Trust and Collaboration for Smarter Leadership Decisions with Cheryl Strauss Einhorn 41:35

3M ago41:35

41:35

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I dive into powerful decision-making with Cheryl Strauss Einhorn—award-winning investigative journalist turned author and creator of the AREA Method. Cheryl breaks down why understanding your own and others’ decision-making profiles is the secret to better business and stronger teams. We explore how …

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From Restaurant Exec to Marathon Runner: Ed Daugherty on Leadership, Feedback, and Persistence 41:47

3M ago41:47

41:47

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Ed Doherty—restaurant executive turned leadership consultant and author. We dove into his journey from leading massive teams in the restaurant industry to running nonprofits and writing his new book, Observations at the Speed of Life. Ed shared hard-won lessons on resourcefulness, per…

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Breaking Barriers in Tech with Brenda Darden Wilkerson 32:18

3M ago32:18

32:18

In this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman chats with Brenda Darden Wilkerson, the President and CEO of AnitaB.org, about her journey in technology and advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry. Brenda shares her inspiring story of entering computer science by accident, overcoming societal perceptions, and her impact…

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Elevating Leadership and Routines: Insights from Michael Klassen and the 5am Podcast 25:56

3M ago25:56

25:56

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, we sat down with Michael Klassen, veteran broadcast producer and host of the 5am Podcast. Michael shared how his journey in media shaped his ability to build strong teams, the importance of routines and rest for high performers, and the power of being intentional with your mornings. Whether you’re…

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Innovation, Motivation, and Team Alignment: Insights from Vladimir Baranov 39:12

3M ago39:12

39:12

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, we sat down with Vladimir Baranov—a tech founder who’s navigated the worlds of fintech, aerospace, and now, coaching. Vladimir shares the lessons he’s learned on maximizing impact, why communication is the key to team success, and the importance of building context and alignment as companies grow. Wh…

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The Art of Assembly: Exploring Low-Level Mastery with Randall Hyde 37:28

3M ago37:28

37:28

In this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman talks with Randall Hyde, renowned for his expertise in programming and assembly language. Known as the creator of the Lisa Assembler and the author of The Art of Assembly Language and Write Great Code series, Randall shares his journey from developing in assembler for early computing systems to work…

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From Burnout to Breakthrough: Rachel Edmondson Clark on Sustainable Leadership and High Performance 20:34

3M ago20:34

20:34

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with powerhouse leadership coach Rachel Edmondson Clark, who shared her personal story of overcoming burnout and the crucial lessons she learned along the way. We explored why rest is a prerequisite—not a reward—for high performance, how to notice the early warning signs of burnout, and…

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Supporting New Leaders: Practical Steps for Leadership Success with Dale Turnbull 37:22

3M ago37:22

37:22

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Dale Turnbull, creator of the seven positions of leadership, to unpack what separates great leaders from everyday managers. We explored why communication styles matter, how adaptability shapes effective leadership, and the challenges new leaders face when leveling up. Dale shared practical strate…

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APIs as the Execution Layer of AI with Postman's Rodric Rabbah 32:49

3M ago32:49

32:49

In this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman chats with Roderick Rabah, Head of Product at Postman Flows, about the evolution of software development, the intersection of APIs and AI, and finding the "right layer of abstraction" for problem-solving. Drawing on his deep expertise in compiler optimization, distributed systems, and serverless com…

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From Burnout to Breakthrough: Jen Hardy’s Journey from Education to Leadership Transformation 54:24

3M ago54:24

54:24

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, we dove deep with Jen Hardy, COO at MotiveAction Academy, all about transformation, burnout, and courageous leadership. Jen shared her personal journey from exhausted educator to championing self-mastery and resilience for high-stress professionals. We talked actionable tips on breaking the "yes syndrome," the p…

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Transforming Managers into Leaders with Greg Kaiser of Management Mastery Solutions 46:44

3M ago46:44

46:44

Today on the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Greg Kaiser, founder of Management Mastery Solutions, to dive deep into what actually turns managers into great leaders. Greg shared his journey from the corporate mail room to executive ranks, and highlighted the crucial need for real training—especially in communication—to bridge the gap betw…

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Saving State while Still Growing with Temporal's Preeti Somal 33:32

4M ago33:32

33:32

In this episode, Scott chats with Preeti Somal, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Temporal, to explore how teams at OpenAI, Stripe, Netflix, and beyond are building long-running, crash-proof applications using Temporal's open‑source durable execution engine. Drawing on her leadership roles at HashiCorp, Yahoo!, and VMware, Preeti breaks down …

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How to Handle Conflict and Build Trust in Modern Leadership 53:19

4M ago53:19

53:19

Today on the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Brenda Neckvatal—three-time bestselling author and award-winning human results professional. Brenda shared lessons from her wild HR journey, from crisis management to navigating generational shifts in the workplace. She broke down why understanding core values is essential for effective leaders…

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From Police Leader to Coach: Zoe Thompson on Tenacity, Alignment, and the PIPS Framework 46:42

4M ago46:42

46:42

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Zoe Thompson—a 20-year police veteran turned coach and leadership expert. Zoe shared how resilience, self-awareness, and prioritization fueled her journey from law enforcement to entrepreneurship. We discussed the power of aligning success with your core values, why tenacity needs bal…

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SKY ENGINE AI's Dr. Malc Souter on AI-Generated Training Data 32:14

4M ago32:14

32:14

In this episode Scott talks with Dr. Malc Souter, a computer graphics algorithms PhD and former Hollywood special effects artist, now bringing his rendering expertise to AI at SKY ENGINE AI. They dive deep into the surprising power of synthetic data, exploring when fake can outperform real in areas like medical imaging, defense, and self-driving ca…

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Beyond the Paycheck: Creating Fulfillment and Retention on Your Team 49:02

4M ago49:02

49:02

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Robert J. Hunt, the "Accountability Dude" and co-author of "Nobody Cares Until You Do." We dove deep into the difference between accountability and responsibility, explored how true accountability transforms teams, and learned why proactive leadership is a game-changer for business owners. Robert…

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Leadership Under Pressure: Building Emotional Resilience for High Achievers 45:15

4M ago45:15

45:15

Ever wondered how high achievers can look successful but still feel like they're falling apart inside? On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Tricia Parido, a visionary speaker and emotional strategist. We dove deep into emotional exhaustion, why being in control isn't the answer, and how important it is to master your own emotional a…

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Elevating Leadership: Andrew Almazan on Scaling Businesses, Building Teams, and Bravery in Action 47:00

4M ago47:00

47:00

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Andrew Almazan—a powerhouse in scaling businesses and building high-performance teams across hospitality, digital media, and craft brewing. We unpacked the leap from corporate stability to entrepreneurial risk, the importance of assembling the right team, and why connecting—not just c…

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Dave Barry is the Class Clown: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass 46:07

4M ago46:07

46:07

When authors want to talk about their book they go on a book tour and often they go to large companies like Microsoft and speak to us in person. I had the opportunity to interview Dave Berry in person and I jumped at it. I grew up reading his humor column syndicated in The Oregonian, and his brand of sarcasm and dry humor matches mine. This episode…

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Hiring Friends, Firing Kindly: Marcylle Combs on Team Dynamics and Leadership Decisions 48:10

4M ago48:10

48:10

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Marcylle Combs—a powerhouse leader with over 30 years in healthcare and a true champion for people-first leadership. Marcylle shared her unconventional journey from nursing to building and selling multimillion-dollar businesses, the importance of leading with trust, and why hiring …

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Guiding Leaders Forward: How to Retain Talent and Foster Growth in Any Organization 43:45

4M ago43:45

43:45

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Kevin Gazzara, CEO of Magna Leadership Solutions, to explore what it really takes to grow as a leader—no matter your background. We talked about practical strategies for making training actually stick, how to develop teams in both big corporations and scrappy startups, and why eve…

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How Improv Unlocks Leadership and Team Creativity in Business 54:21

4M ago54:21

54:21

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, we dove into the power of improv with Andrew Davies. We explored how improvisational comedy isn’t just for extroverts—it’s a tool anyone can use to spark creativity, build stronger teams, and become a better leader. Andrew shared practical ways to energize meetings, why intentional play drives con…

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Startup Mindsets with Earl Valencia 32:31

4M ago32:31

32:31

What does it really take to succeed in today’s fast-paced, innovation-driven world? In this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman chats with Earl Valencia—acclaimed tech leader, venture-backed founder, and author of Startup Mindsets: A Blueprint to Thrive in an Innovation-Driven and Globally Connected World. Earl brings real-world insights from…

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Living an Abundant Life Through Purpose, Faith, and Leadership with John Knowlton 57:26

4M ago57:26

57:26

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with John Knowlton to dive deep on leadership, faith, and the power of intentional thinking. We explored how your mindset shapes your outcomes, the importance of personal mission, and how values guide every decision — both in business and in life. John shared inspiring stories from his …

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Accelerating Leadership Growth: Building Effective Teams and Reducing Turnover with Walter Dusseldorp 39:58

4M ago39:58

39:58

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Walter Dusseldorp, the Dutch Mentor, to dive deep into what really drives leadership success. We explored why focusing on emerging leaders is game-changing, how real mentorship—beyond checkbox training—can transform teams, and why measuring actionable progress matters more than ever. …

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AI and visualizing multidimensional vectors with Pamela Fox 41:20

4M ago41:20

41:20

Ever wonder how AI “sees” high-dimensional data? In this special 1,000th episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman chats with AI expert Pamela Fox about the fascinating world of visualizing complex data. Pamela breaks down how those abstract numbers and vectors can be turned into visuals we can actually understand—basically helping us see how AI th…

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Misery to Joy: Bill Heinrich’s Blueprint for Authentic Leadership and Purposeful Living 43:05

5M ago43:05

43:05

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Bill Heinrich to uncover how true leadership starts from within. Bill shared his journey from extreme misery to authentic fulfillment, emphasizing that real success is about energetic alignment—not just chasing material wins. We explored why finding and living your true purpose transf…