On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve Riley welcomes Susan Drumm—a Harvard-trained lawyer, bestselling author of The Leader’s Playlist, and leadership advisor whose path from law to acting to consulting shaped her approach to leadership. Susan shows how to lead with purpose by connecting music, neuroscience, and personal growth.

Her eclectic career taught her the power of reinvention. Today she helps leaders uncover blind spots, disrupt limiting patterns, and embrace cognitive diversity, enabling purposeful leadership in business and life.

Susan shares how music can shift emotional states, rewire the brain, and help leaders stay grounded in high-pressure moments such as client meetings or trials. She explains why processing negative emotions is essential and how reframing them—using tools like music—can turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

Listeners will hear vivid stories, like how Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic helped her release resentment and reclaim her confidence. You’ll also learn how her use of the Enneagram can help uncover leadership “superpowers” and strengthen team dynamics.

This conversation is a fresh reminder that true leadership is more than strategy. It’s about how you show up, connect with others, and lead with purpose every day.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Susan Drumm’s unique journey from law to leadership advising, integrating music and neuroscience
• Importance of pattern recognition and cognitive diversity in enhancing leadership and team dynamics
• Music as a transformative tool for shifting emotional states and breaking free from negative patterns
• Creating empowering playlists to promote emotional resilience and personal growth
• Leveraging tools like the Enneagram to identify blind spots and improve decision-making
• Using music to consciously foster freedom, connection, and playfulness in leadership
• Advice and resources for using music to enhance leadership skills and personal development

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Supporting Resources:

• Subscribe to the Atticus Newsletter: atticusadvantage.com/newsletter
• Susan Drumm: susandrumm.com
• Meritage Leadership Development: meritageleadership.com
• The Enlightened Executive Podcast: susandrumm.com/podcast
• Leadership Superpower & Roadblock Assessment (Free Quiz on SusanDrumm.com): meritageleadership.com/quiz
• The Leader’s Playlist Masterclass: susandrumm.com/masterclass
• Susan’s Enneagram Applied Program: susandrumm.kartra.com/page/Join-EnneagramApplied *get 20% off Susan’s Enneagram Applied course with code 20OFFEA
• Susan’s social media platforms:
  • x.com/DrummLeadership
  • www.instagram.com/drummleadership
  • www.linkedin.com/in/susan-drumm-bb09732
  • www.facebook.com/drummleadership
  • www.youtube.com/@susandrumm
• Benson Boone: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2eiap41o8
• The Summit: atticussummit.com
• Music moves brain to pay attention, Stanford study https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2007/07/music-moves-brain-to-pay-attention-stanford-study-finds
• Music doesn’t just evoke memories — it can also change how we remember the past: study https://nypost.com/2024/12/22/lifestyle/music-can-change-how-we-remember-the-past-psychology-researcher-says/
• Music’s power over our brains https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/11/news-music-power
• The effects of music on brain plasticity https://myneuronews.com/2025/04/27/the-effects-of-music-on-brain-plasticity/
• Listening to music lights up the whole brain https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111205081731.htm

If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at [email protected].

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.