GrowthReady Podcast with Steve Mellor

Hosted by Coach Steve Mellor

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Oct 2026

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What does it mean to be ready to pursue growth? Should we pursue growth when we don't feel ready? And how do we achieve optimal growth by readying ourselves for everything that comes with it? The GrowthReady Podcast seeks to form a true appreciation for all facets of the growth process as we learn from high performers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Hosted by Steve Mellor, a seasoned high-performance executive coach and former US Olympic swim coach, each episode explores the pivotal moments that define true growth and the work that went into getting ready for it. Through candid conversation and detailed personal accounts, guests share their unique experiences of overcoming challenges, embracing transformation, and what it takes to get ready for every step of their growth journey.

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October 21, 2026Episode 33444 min

Episode 334: You Have More Control Than You Think w/ Jeni Cross

This week, Professor Emerita of Sociology and author, Jeni Cross, joins Steve for a conversation about agency, awareness, and the stories we tell ourselves about our lives. Jeni challenges the idea that we’re simply products of our circumstances, reminding us that while the world around us shapes our options, we still have opportunities to choose differently and create new possibilities. Jeni challenges us to explore how the stories we tell ourselves influence everything from our reactions to everyday frustrations to the way we navigate life’s biggest challenges. She shares why learning to recognize our own agency, trusting our inner wisdom, and approaching uncertainty with curiosity can change how we experience the world. The conversation also implores us to recognize the role other people play in our growth. From choosing relationships where we feel genuinely seen to recognizing the value of intuition and social science, Jeni invites us to rethink what growth looks like and to consider whether greater awareness might be valuable in its own right, even when it can’t be measured. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How the stories we tell ourselves shape our sense of possibility Why we have more agency in everyday moments than we often realize How to listen to your inner wisdom instead of reacting from fear Why the right relationships can expand our awareness and help us grow What social science teaches us about creating meaningful behavior change Whether you’re feeling stuck, navigating a difficult decision, or simply looking to understand yourself better, this conversation is an invitation to get curious about the assumptions you’ve accepted and the possibilities you may have overlooked. Listen now and ask yourself: What is it that your intuition, or your inner knowing, is telling you that you can start listening to in order to evoke awareness? About the guest: Jeni Cross is Professor Emerita of Sociology and author of the forthcoming book Say What You Sense . She blends the science of change and social presence into designing for transformative change. Working from a felt sense of potential and appreciation for the unique essence present in each person, group and place, Jeni helps communities unlock new insight and will for tackling even the stickiest problems. Jeni believes that true regeneration isn't about doing less harm—it’s about actively healing our social and ecological fabrics, through collaborative connections that enhance what we know and can do together. Connect with Jeni Cross: Website: https://www.drjenicross.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeni-cross-25b93112/ Substack: https://substack.com/@drjenicross TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/l5d8GW6GdR0?si=9dUn7ixWYp62YQ8A Send us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellor Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163 Connect with Growth Ready Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellor Official Website - https://growthready.com/ ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

October 14, 2026Episode 33342 min

Episode 333: Experience Isn't Enough w/ Jeff Bonner

In this week’s episode, Steve sits down with Jeff “Bones” Bonner, Harvard-trained performance strategist, former combat fighter pilot and squadron commander, current airline captain, and author of The Daily Debrief™ , for a conversation about human performance, continuous improvement, and why experience alone isn’t enough to help us grow. Drawing on his experience in military aviation and other high-performance environments, Jeff shares a principle that has shaped his approach to growth. He explains how a simple, structured debrief can help us learn from both our successes and mistakes, build confidence, and prepare to perform better the next time around. The conversation also explores why we tend to reflect only when something goes wrong, how the fear of making mistakes can hold us back, and what high-performing teams understand about learning from failure. Jeff shares his five-minute Daily Debrief habit, explains why consistency matters more than getting it perfect, and details how leaders can create cultures where people are encouraged to learn without repeating the same mistakes. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why experience alone doesn’t guarantee improvement How reflection and intentional adjustment build confidence and performance How high-performing teams create environments where people can fail, learn, and improve How a simple five-minute daily habit can support continuous growth Listen now and ask yourself: Where could you make a mistake today that helps you avoid repeating it tomorrow? About the guest: Jeff “Bones” Bonner is a keynote speaker on human performance and the author of The Daily Debrief™. A Harvard-trained performance strategist, former combat fighter pilot and squadron commander, and current airline captain, Jeff works with leaders and teams to build systems for continuous improvement. He is the creator of The Debrief Advantage™, a principle-centered system that turns everyday experience into measurable progress. His work is built on a simple idea: experience alone does not create improvement, reflection followed by adjustment does. His book, The Daily Debrief™, teaches the foundational habit behind the system, helping individuals build a daily practice of reflection and improvement. A revised edition is set to release soon. Connect with Jeff Bonner: Website: https://debriefadvantage.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffbonesbonner/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellor Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163 Connect with Growth Ready Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellor Official Website - https://growthready.com/ ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

October 7, 2026Episode 33240 min

Episode 332: Action vs Impact w/ Niluka Kavanagh

This week, Steve sits down with Niluka Kavanagh, Executive Advisor, international speaker, and Founder of The Modern CEO and ImagineThat, for a conversation about curiosity, uncertainty, meaningful growth, and why staying busy isn’t the same as making an impact. After leaving the corporate world in 2022, Niluka booked a one-way flight to Valencia and began a journey that would take her to more than 14 countries and lead her to launch multiple businesses. Rather than defining success solely by the outcome, she made herself a different promise: if she grew through the experience, it would be worthwhile. The conversation explores the difference between action and impact, and why growth requires more than simply doing more. Kavanagh shares her take on the three types of growth and explains why putting ourselves in rooms where we aren’t the most experienced person can be one of the most powerful ways to develop. Steve and Niluka also explore the challenge of remaining ambitious without constantly moving the goalposts, and why leaders need to intentionally create space to think, reflect, and refine their craft. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why stepping into the unknown can be one of the greatest catalysts for growth The difference between taking action and creating meaningful impact Niluka’s 3 categories for growth Why being in rooms where you aren’t the expert can accelerate your growth How creating space to think can make you a more effective leader Listen now and ask yourself: How can you measure impact?How can you measure your own impact within your world? About the guest: Niluka Kavanagh, MA (Oxon) is an Executive Advisor, international speaker, and Founder of The Modern CEO and ImagineThat. Niluka is Microsoft Top 10 Speaker (2025), listed as an official speaker for IWD (International Women's Day) and a member of the UN Innovation Network. An ex-Big 4 consultant, Niluka has built her career at the intersection of strategy, leadership, communication, and culture, advising executives and founders on how to lead effectively in an increasingly complex world of work. Through The Modern CEO, Niluka works with senior leaders and leadership teams on the human side of the future of work - from modern leadership behaviors and psychological safety, to communication, engagement, and building high-performing, multigenerational teams. Her work helps organizations move beyond outdated leadership models and towards cultures that enable clarity, trust, and sustainable performance in the modern workplace. Alongside this, Niluka is the founder of ImagineThat, a global community supporting new entrepreneurs. Through ImagineThat, she has built a network of ex-corporate founders - entrepreneurs who have left successful companies to start their own ventures, with a particular focus on visibility, sales and marketing. A graduate of the University of Oxford, Niluka was selected as an Alumni Ambassador for Somerville College and featured in the University of Oxford’s Entrepreneurial Spotlight. She began her career at KPMG LLP, where she progressed through market development, innovation, and customer strategy roles, later serving as Head of Communications for KPMG SheCan and founding the firm’s Behavioral Science Unit before leaving at managerial level. She has since co-founded a tech start-up featured in the Scottish Sun and other outlets and a public speaking business with clients including Siemens, Deloitte, and the University of Chicago. Niluka is also the host of Breaking Boundaries with Niluka on YouTube, and her insights have been published by organizations including The World Financial Review and the University of Cambridge. Connect with Niluka Kavanagh: Website: https://linktr.ee/niluka_kavanagh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilukakavanagh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imaginethatclub/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@breakingboundarieswithniluka Send us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellor Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163 Connect with Growth Ready Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellor Official Website - https://growthready.com/ ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

September 30, 2026Episode 33147 min

Episode 331: How to Build Courage w/ Jake Rademacher

Ever wonder what it takes to earn the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award before you’re 50? In this episode, Steve sits down with Jake Rademacher, for a story-filled conversation about courage, commitment, authenticity, service, and what it means to make the hard choices that move us toward a life that feels like our own. Jake traces his journey from walking away from a promising path in business to pursuing acting and filmmaking, eventually risking everything to tell the story of his brothers serving in Iraq. What began with a borrowed camera and an idea no one wanted to fund ultimately took Jake into a war zone, where he learned firsthand that courage isn’t necessarily something we have before taking a leap- it can be something we build by continually choosing the next difficult step. The conversation also explores how Jake’s understanding of courage has evolved. Today, it is less about putting himself in dangerous situations and more about having the vulnerability to ask difficult questions, hold space for someone else’s story, and follow a conversation wherever it needs to go. Through his work and in partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation to support families impacted by war, Jake has learned how authenticity, curiosity, and connection can create opportunities for people to confront experiences they may have carried silently for years. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why some of Jake’s greatest periods of growth began with failure or loss How an award-winning film began with a leap of faith, a borrowed camera, and total commitment Why courage is something we can build one difficult decision at a time How vulnerability, curiosity, and difficult questions can create deeper human connection Why being honest about where you’re stuck can help you move toward a more authentic life Listen now and ask yourself: Your time is limited- what do you want to do with it? About the guest: Jake Rademacher is the Founder and President of Metanoia Films and Perseverance Productions. Between 2005 and 2007, Jake risked everything, including his life, to tell the story of his brothers serving in Iraq, filming the award-winning feature documentary Brothers at War. The film was released in theaters across America, premiered on Showtime, and was later released around the world. Jake then created the Brothers at War Resiliency Workshops, which have been conducted for more than 60,000 Service Members and their Families. With Gary Sinise returning as Executive Producer, Jake directed and produced the award-winning Brothers After War and currently leads a team conducting 45 events annually. Jake has also written, directed, and produced numerous commercials and short films. He is a recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, the Distinguished Education Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Soaring Eagle Award from the National Veterans Day Foundation, and the Distinguished Service Award from The Caucus of Producers, Writers, and Directors. He is an honorary Colonel in the Oklahoma National Guard, a Canon Chasing the Light Filmmaker, a member of the Directors Guild of America, and a SAG-AFTRA member. As a performer, he has appeared in numerous theatrical productions and films and narrated hundreds of documentary series and commercials. He graduated cum laude with a degree in English from the University of Notre Dame and studied playwriting and drama at Trinity College Dublin. He lives in Los Angeles, where he is a dedicated father to his two children, Josie and Noel. Connect with Jake Rademacher: Website: https://brothersafterwar.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-rademacher-2bb5403/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brothersafterwar/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brothersafterwar Send us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellor Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163 Connect with Growth Ready Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellor Official Website - https://growthready.com/ ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

September 23, 2026Episode 33048 min

Episode 330: Why Do You Deserve To Win? w/ John Ravaris

This week, Steve sits down with John Ravaris, author of “Define Value, Drive Growth” and founder of UVP Solutions, for a conversation about staying curious, figuring out your unique value, and what it really takes to deserve to win. John has spent his career building and leading sales organizations, but his philosophy on growth extends far beyond the sales team. For John, sustainable growth happens when an entire organization understands why it is different, the value it creates, who that value matters to, and how every person on the team contributes to delivering it. The conversation challenges the idea that growth starts with setting a bigger target. Instead, John argues that organizations and individuals need to do the work first, as winning and losing falls on the team as a whole. That means confronting reality, understanding the competition, getting curious about the people you serve, identifying what makes you uniquely valuable, and building the systems that allow success to become predictable and repeatable. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Growth enablement What it actually means to “deserve to win” The importance of confronting reality instead of telling people what they want to hear How curiosity can transform the way we approach sales and relationships How to identify and communicate what makes you uniquely valuable Listen now and ask yourself: What are you doing today that gives you a reason to deserve to win? About the guest: John Ravaris has spent his career helping businesses stand out in competitive markets. With more than thirty-five years of marketing and sales leadership experience, he has worked across both product and service-based organizations and in private-equity backed environments selling directly and through distribution. His career has been shaped by family-owned companies, from tens of millions to hundreds of millions in revenue. Along the way, John was inspired by visionary leaders who prioritized client-centric strategies and drove exceptional growth in revenue and profit. In 2023, John founded UVPsolutions, an advisory dedicated to helping small- and medium-sized businesses create compelling, unique value propositions and build growth-enabled organizations. He believes that in today’s crowded marketplace, differentiation, value creation, and organizational alignment are essential for long-term success. John holds a marketing degree from the University of Maine and an MBA from Saint Joseph’s University. He lives in Delafield, Wisconsin, with his wife, Joanna, and is the proud father of two adult daughters. His debut book, Define Value, Drive Growth: Build a Business Clients Choose and Competitors Envy, released June 2. Define Value, Drive Growth is a practical, experience-driven roadmap for leaders who want to build a business that stands out, delivers exceptional client value, and grows with intention. Written for small- to mid-sized, founder-led and family-owned companies, this book shows that the foundation of differentiation isn’t found in branding or marketing trends -- it begins inside the organization, with the people who bring the business to life. Drawing from more than thirty-five years of marketing, sales, and leadership experience, John Ravaris introduces the 4D Roadmap™ -- a proven framework that guides organizations through discovering what makes them truly unique, developing compelling value propositions, deploying a unified commercial strategy, and delighting clients in ways that build advocacy and momentum. With clarity and humility, John shows leaders how to uncover internal strengths, understand client pain points and success factors, and align marketing and sales around a single, powerful message of value. Through real-world examples, actionable tools, and repeatable processes, the book helps organizations shift from generic claims to outcome-based differentiation that clients immediately understand. It offers guidance on building growth-enabled teams, strengthening organizational culture, creating consistent sales narratives, and turning satisfied clients into champions who accelerate long-term growth. Define Value, Drive Growth is a hands-on guide for any business seeking clarity, alignment, and a lasting competitive edge. Connect with John Ravaris: Website: https://www.uvpsolutions.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ravaris-128a46a Book: https://www.amazon.com/Define-Value-Drive-Growth-Competitors/dp/B0FX3GJK41 Send us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellor Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163 Connect with Growth Ready Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellor Official Website - https://growthready.com/ ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

September 16, 2026Episode 32947 min

Episode 329: Why Waiting for Certainty Will Cost You Opportunities w/ Steve Miska

This week, Steve sits down with Steve Miska, author, former military leader, educator, and founder of Wrangling & Writing , for a conversation about curiosity, risk, leadership, decision-making, and what it means to move forward when you’re never truly ready. Miska embraces the idea of the 40/70 rule-- the belief that waiting for complete clarity can cause us to miss important opportunities, while acting with too little information can lead us down the wrong path. Instead, he argues that there is a productive space between the two: a point where we have enough clarity to act while remaining open to what we might learn along the way. The conversation explores how curiosity, empathy, and humility can help leaders navigate uncertainty, manage noise, and move beyond black-and-white thinking. Mellor and Miska also discuss the rescuers' archetype, the responsibility we have for how we show up emotionally and why people need to own their own decisions. In this episode, you’ll hear about: • The 40/70 rule and how to act without waiting for perfect clarity • Why curiosity, empathy, and humility are essential to navigating uncertainty • How leaders can separate signal from noise and move beyond black-and-white thinking • Why helping others doesn’t mean owning their decisions for them • The rescuer archetype and how high performers can fall into “urgency addiction” • What horses can teach us about emotional awareness, trust, and leadership Whether you are navigating a major transition, making a difficult decision, leading a team, or simply trying to become more aware of how you show up in the world, Steve Miska offers a powerful reminder: you may never feel completely ready-- and you don't have to. Readiness can come from staying curious, embracing uncertainty, and being willing to act with enough clarity to take the next step. Listen now and ask yourself: Am I waiting for certainty when I already have enough clarity to move? About the guest: Steve Miska is currently on what he and his team refer to as the Wrangling & Writing 2026 Horse Farm Sabbatical. He shares writing about horses and lifts stories about hidden gems in communities around the country. He served twenty-five years in the Army, including three combat deployments to Iraq and service in the White House as Director for Iraq on the National Security Council. Most recently, he led the Department of Veterans Affairs’ implementation of the PACT Act, the largest expansion of veteran healthcare in over a generation. During the Afghanistan withdrawal, Steve stood up a team in Los Angeles that assisted hundreds of nonprofits and other veteran advocates to get their trusted partners out of Taliban violence. He plans to continue his self-directed equine therapy mission, writing about veterans returning from conflict zones, processing those experiences, and seeking to understand the deep divisions tearing at the social fabric of the United States and humanity. Connect with Steve Miska: Substack : https://substack.com/@wranglingandwriting Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/wranglingandwriting/ LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-miska/ Book : https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B094MS98BJ?ccs_id=0a7b6741-645c-4133-a7cc-85e0ee68889c Send us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellor Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163 Connect with Growth Ready Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellor Official Website - https://growthready.com/ ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

September 9, 2026Episode 32848 min

Episode 328: When Motivation Doesn't Match The Goal w/ Ayelet Fishbach

This week, Steve sits down with Ayelet Fishbach, Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and author of Get It Done , for a conversation about motivation, goal setting, identity, self-control, and what it really means to understand what drives us forward. Ayelet challenges the idea that motivation is simply something we either have or don’t have. Instead, she explains why motivation is something we can learn through knowledge—knowledge of ourselves, our goals, our obstacles, and the environments we create around us. The conversation explores how to set goals that are genuinely motivating, why connecting goals to our identity can create greater commitment, and how anticipating obstacles can help us navigate challenges before they happen. Steve and Ayelet also discuss why we often see health as competing with our other goals, when in reality it can provide the foundation for achieving them. In this episode, you’ll hear about: • Why motivation is more about knowledge than willpower • How our understanding of motivation has evolved beyond the idea of “self-control” as a muscle • The four common barriers that can leave us feeling stuck • How to set goals that are specific, meaningful, and intrinsically motivating • Why connecting our goals to our identity can strengthen motivation • How asking “why” can help us connect our goals to who we are • Why health goals don’t have to conflict with our professional, family, or personal goals • How giving advice to others can actually increase our own motivation Whether you are struggling to stay motivated, reconsidering the goals you’ve set, trying to balance competing priorities, or simply looking to better understand what drives your behavior, Ayelet offers a powerful reminder: motivation isn’t something you find or lose. It’s something you can learn about, understand, and continually develop. Listen now and ask yourself: What could I learn about myself that might change the way I pursue my goals? About the guest: Ayelet Fishbach is an expert on motivation and a TED speaker. She is the Eric J. Gleacher Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing at the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. Fishbach studies social psychology, management, and consumer behavior. She is the past president of the Society for the Science of Motivation and the International Social Cognition Network, and has published several books, including GET IT DONE: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation. Fishbach is an expert on motivation and decision making. Her groundbreaking research on human motivation has won the Society of Experimental Social Psychology’s Best Dissertation Award and Career Trajectory Award, the Society of Consumer Psychology’s Distinguished Scientific Contribution award, and the Fulbright Educational Foundation Award. She further received the Provost’s Teaching Award from the University of Chicago. Fishbach’s work shows how people can live up to their highest aspirations. She’s written about exercising, healthy eating, working, studying, and saving money — the hard-but-worth-it challenges that occupy our lives. She studies self-control, intrinsic motivation, feedback, patience, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Connect with Ayelet: • Website • LinkedIn • Book • Wiki Send us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellor Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163 Connect with Growth Ready Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellor Official Website - https://growthready.com/ ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

September 2, 2026Episode 32751 min

Episode 327: How AI Drives Human Purpose w/ Dr. Jeanine Stewart

Steve sits down with Jeanine Stewart, PhD, Neuroscientist, Coach, and Creator of the NeuroMighty framework, for a conversation about failure, behavior change, human performance, and what it means to stay distinctly human in an increasingly AI-driven world. Jeanine brings together neuroscience and coaching to explore how we grow through the moments when what used to work no longer does. For her, Growth Ready comes down to three practices: authentic curiosity, humble discernment, and impactful clarity. The conversation also explores what those skills mean in the age of AI. As technology becomes increasingly embedded in the way we think, work, and collaborate, Jeanine argues that distinctly human qualities like curiosity, discernment, vulnerability, connection, and purpose become even more important. In this episode, you’ll hear about: • Jeanine’s three-part framework for being Growth Ready • Why failure is often an essential part of meaningful growth • Why we sometimes need to sit with failure longer than we want to • How our relationships and social environment influence performance • Why humans are wired for purpose, productivity, and connection • How impactful clarity moves us beyond self-awareness and toward meaningful action • Why lasting behavior change is so difficult and why practice matters • The changing role of humans as AI becomes part of our teams and workplaces Whether you are leading through change, adapting to new technology, recovering from a setback, or questioning whether the behaviors that brought you this far will take you where you want to go next, Jeanine offers an important reminder: growth is not simply about avoiding failure. It is about becoming curious enough to examine it, humble enough to learn from it, and clear enough to turn what you learn into impact. Listen now and ask yourself: How is AI affecting your authentic curiosity and the relationships you have with others? About the guest: Dr. Jeanine Stewart is a neuroscientist and PCC-certified executive coach who works with senior leaders navigating the cognitive demands and complexities of AI-era leadership. She holds a PhD in behavioral neuroscience from the University of Virginia, where she also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in neural plasticity, and has spent nearly two decades advising and coaching C-suite and senior leaders across Fortune 100 organizations, government agencies, and global institutions. Her work is grounded in a simple but powerful insight: as AI transforms the workplace, the competitive advantage no longer belongs to the leader who processes the most information. It belongs to the leader who understands how to orchestrate both human and artificial intelligence. She calls this capacity Multi-Cognitive Awareness, and it is the foundation of everything she does in her coaching, her keynotes, and her forthcoming book with the working title, NeuroMighty®: Working Smarter in a Multi-Cognitive WorkplaceTM. Connect with Jeanine: • Website • LinkedIn • Substack • Newsletter Connect with Steve Mellor: • LinkedIn • Instagram • Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Connect with Growth Ready : • LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook • Official Website • Send us Fan Mail • Support the show • Support the Growth Ready Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellor Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163 Connect with Growth Ready Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellor Official Website - https://growthready.com/ ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

August 26, 2026Episode 32641 min

Episode 326: The Cost of Not Listening w/ Nick Montalbine

Steve sits down with Nick Montalbine, founder of Inner Voice Analytics, for a conversation about growth, change, listening to the signals around us, and knowing when something needs to change before the cracks become chasms. Nick’s career has taken him from Nike and the world of Lean Six Sigma to entrepreneurship, leadership, and helping organizations better understand what their people are really experiencing. Along the way, he learned that growth does not always begin with a big breakthrough. Sometimes, it starts with the small signals we are tempted to ignore. Nick shares a deeply personal look at the signs he experienced before leaving Nike – diminished pride in his work, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, and eventually a moment when he realized he had been overwhelmed for far longer than he wanted to admit. Those micro moments eventually became a much bigger realization: something had to change. Today, that same philosophy shapes his work with organizations through Inner Voice Analytics, where he helps leaders listen more closely to their people before small problems turn into much bigger ones. In this episode, you’ll hear about: • The difference between micro moments and macro moments of change • Recognizing the signals that tell us something is no longer working • Knowing when to say yes and how to apply your strengths • How family, health, and personal values shape the decisions we make • Finding balance between strategy, the day-to-day, and listening to your team • The importance of hearing the hard truths • How ignoring small signals can allow cracks to become chasms • Why our feelings and physical well-being are important signals, even when things look successful on paper Whether you are questioning your next career move, leading a team through change, or simply sensing that something in your life is no longer working the way it once did, Nick’s story offers an important reminder: the signals are often there long before the breakthrough. Listen now and ask yourself: What is your life or work trying to tell you that you might not be listening to? About the Guest: Nick Montalbine is the founder of Inner Voice Analytics , a consultancy that leaders turn to when something feels off, but the data says everything’s fine. He helps organizations surface what’s really happening beneath the surface using continuous listening and behavioral analytics to detect cultural cracks before they spread. Nick’s work focuses on early signal detection, spotting disengagement before it turns into attrition, and helping leaders intervene before culture breaks. His approach blends behavioral science with AI-driven listening to build workplaces where people feel heard, valued, and motivated to stay. With over 20 years of experience, Nick has led transformation efforts across Fortune 100 companies and complex systems in healthcare, retail, and finance. He’s held leadership roles at Nike and Legacy Health, where he helped guide large-scale organizational change by uncovering risks traditional metrics missed. Leaders call Nick when performance dips, trust erodes, or culture starts to fracture, often before it shows up in turnover. He lives in Oregon’s Willamette Valley with his wife and daughter, where they grow grapes and build a life with the same intentionality he brings to his work. Connect with Nick: Website: https://www.innervoiceanalytics.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmontalbine/ Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: • LinkedIn • Instagram • Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com • Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: • LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook • Official Website - Send us Fan Mail - Support the show ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside (https://riverside.sjv.io/QjdaMo) and released via ... (https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1968998) Send us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellor Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163 Connect with Growth Ready Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellor Official Website - https://growthready.com/ ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

July 1, 2026Episode 32551 min

Episode 325: Leading Through Change Without Losing Yourself w/ Cindy Cohn

Steve sits down with Cindy Cohn, former Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, for a conversation about values, leadership, change, and knowing when it is time to make room for what comes next. Cindy has spent decades fighting for digital rights, privacy, free speech, and a better internet for the people who use it. Her career is a powerful example of what it means to stay grounded in your values while remaining flexible enough to adapt as the world changes around you. Cindy also shares a deeply personal look at her decision to step away from her leadership role at EFF. Not because the mission stopped mattering, but because she knew it was time to create space for the next chapter. In this episode, you’ll hear about: What it means to be “growth ready” Building a career around values instead of a fixed title Leading through constant change Why change should not be treated as a solo sport How to protect the work that gives you energy The importance of listening across an organization Cindy’s transition out of EFF and into what comes next Her book, Privacy’s Defender: My Thirty-Year Fight Against Digital Surveillance Whether you are navigating transition, leading through uncertainty, or trying to reconnect with the work that fuels you, Cindy’s story offers a thoughtful reminder: staying true to your values does not mean staying still. Listen now and ask yourself: What part of your work gives you energy right now? About the Guest: Cindy Cohn is a digital rights attorney and longtime leader in the fight for privacy, free expression, and civil liberties online. She served as Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) for a decade and spent 26 years helping shape the organization’s work as the internet evolved—from early battles over encryption to today’s questions around platform power, surveillance, and AI. Cindy is also the author of Privacy’s Defender: My 30-Year Fight Against Digital Surveillance (MIT Press). Proceeds support EFF. Connect with Cindy: EFF: https://www.eff.org Cindy’s book page (via EFF): https://www.eff.org (search “Privacy’s Defender”) Book retailers: available wherever books are sold (including audiobook) Send us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellor Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163 Connect with Growth Ready Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellor Official Website - https://growthready.com/ ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...