IDEAS+LEADERS

Hosted by Dr Elena Paweta

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312

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Effective communication skills are essential in your career. Each Monday, join Dr Elena Paweta, executive communication coach and IDEAS+LEADERS founder, as she interviews business leaders and entrepreneurs on business communication, leadership and building relationships. If you want to progress in your career, become more charismatic and impactful leader, or just want to hear advice from top business leaders, this is the podcast for you.

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60 recent

August 31, 2026Episode 31328 min

313. Scaling Beyond the Founder - Justin Goodbread

In episode 313 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Justin Goodbread , business strategist, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur who has grown and sold seven companies across multiple industries. We explore what it really takes to build a business that can scale beyond its founder. Justin shares why entrepreneurs should think beyond revenue and profit and focus on creating transferable business value, how owner-dependence can limit growth, and why many founders wait too long to prepare their companies for an eventual exit. In this episode, we discuss: The difference between building a profitable business and a valuable business How to recognize when the founder has become the biggest bottleneck How to reduce owner-dependence and build a company that can operate without you The leadership transition required as a company moves from seven to eight figures What makes a company genuinely valuable and attractive to potential buyers Tune in for a practical conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, scaling, business value, and creating a company that gives you greater freedom rather than depending on you for everything. You can connect with Justin here: Home - Justin Goodbread Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq .

August 24, 2026Episode 31230 min

312. From Performance to Presence - Elizabeth Brett

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Elizabeth Brett , former NBC television reporter, storytelling authority, and communication strategist who helps accomplished women develop a more authentic and powerful voice. Drawing on nearly a decade in broadcast journalism, Elizabeth shares what she learned about creating stories that capture attention and build trust, and why polished communication alone is no longer enough. We explore her Story Alchemy™ methodology, the shift from performance to presence, and why our lived experiences can become one of our most powerful sources of authority, especially in the age of AI. In this episode, we discuss: How to move from polished communication to authentic presence Why successful women can outgrow the version of themselves that helped them succeed How to turn lived experiences into stories that build trust and authority Why authentic storytelling is becoming even more important in the age of AI How leaders can develop a voice that is recognizable, memorable, and truly their own Tune in for an inspiring conversation about storytelling, communication, visibility, and finding the courage to express what you really want to say. You can connect with Elizabeth here: Elizabeth Brett | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq .

August 17, 2026Episode 31135 min

311. How Great Leaders Build Great Teams - Maximos Lih

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Maximos Lih , executive coach and founder of Emboldened LLC. After starting his career at Google, Maximos spent nearly a decade at Google Ventures, where he helped hundreds of founders scale their companies and leadership. We explore what it really takes to build high-performing teams, why founders often become bottlenecks as their companies grow, and how leaders can move from being the “hero” who solves every problem to the “host” who creates the conditions for others to thrive. In this episode, we discuss: How founders can recognize when they have become the bottleneck What it means to move from “hero” to “host” as a leader How your team’s behavior can become a mirror of your leadership Why trust and exceptional talent matter when building great teams How leaders can create clarity in fast-growing organizations Tune in for a practical conversation about leadership, high-performing teams, scaling organizations, and creating the conditions for people to do their best work. You can connect with Maximos here: linkedin.com/in/maximoslih Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq .

August 10, 2026Episode 31025 min

310. Turning Strategy Into Action - Lorraine Armijos

In episode 310 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Lorraine Armijos , executive coach, consultant, and founder of LAR INSIGHTS. Lorraine began her leadership journey in the U.S. Air Force and brings more than 20 years of experience, including roles with Fortune 500 companies. We explore how leaders can successfully navigate change, turn strategy into action, and build high-performing teams. Lorraine shares why great leadership is increasingly about asking the right questions rather than giving all the answers, and how leaders can move from overwhelm to greater clarity and impact. In this episode, we discuss: How to turn a strong vision into effective execution How leaders can move from overwhelm to transformational impact Why great leaders learn to coach rather than simply give orders How data can support better leadership decisions How process improvement can support sustainable business growth Tune in for a practical conversation about leadership, change management, strategy, and creating organizations where people and performance can thrive together. You can connect with Lorraine here: Lorraine Armijos | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq .

August 3, 2026Episode 30928 min

309. Breaking the High-Achiever Cycle - Angélica Pérez-Litwin

In episode 309 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Angélica Pérez-Litwin , clinical psychologist, author, and founder and CEO of Lumin, who has spent more than twenty years working with high-achieving professionals. We explore why some of the most successful people struggle with exhaustion, anxiety, strained relationships, and the feeling that they can never slow down. Angélica introduces the concept of Career Distress Response and explains what happens when professional achievement becomes deeply connected to our identity and self-worth. Drawing from her new book, The Great Unraveling , she also shares how we can move toward Career Harmony — pursuing meaningful ambition without sacrificing ourselves along the way. In this episode, we discuss: The difference between burnout and Career Distress Response Why high achievers can struggle to slow down even when they are exhausted How achievement and professional identity can become deeply intertwined Why vacations, boundaries, and productivity tools don't always solve the underlying problem How leaders and organizations unintentionally reward unhealthy patterns of overwork How to redefine success and build a healthier relationship with ambition What Career Harmony looks like in practice Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about leadership, ambition, identity, and how to build sustainable success without losing yourself in the process. You can connect with Angélica here: Dr. Angelica Perez-Litwin, PhD, MBA | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq .

July 27, 202625 min

308. Creating Safer Workplace Culture - Nina Burrowes

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Nina Burrowes , psychologist, author, and founder of The Consent Collective. For more than two decades, Nina has worked with judges, universities, and organizations to understand sexual harassment, consent, power, and workplace culture. We explore why traditional approaches to harassment prevention often fail and why understanding human behavior is essential for creating meaningful cultural change. Nina also shares insights from her book All Reasonable Steps and her unusual approach to making complex psychological ideas accessible through cartoons and visual storytelling. In this episode, we discuss: The psychology behind workplace behavior and harassment How power and organizational culture influence behavior Why policies and compliance alone don't create cultural change How leaders can approach difficult conversations with greater confidence How education, curiosity, and honest conversations can help prevent harm Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about psychology, leadership, communication, and building healthier workplace cultures. You can connect with Nina here Dr Nina Burrowes | LinkedIn Her book: All Reasonable Steps | Dr Nina Burrowes Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq .

July 20, 2026Episode 30735 min

307. Navigating Your Next Career Move - Julian Lighton

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Julian Lighton , bestselling author, Silicon Valley executive coach, and former Chief Strategy Officer with more than 30 years of leadership experience. Julian has worked at McKinsey, led a $4.5 billion division at Cisco, and held senior roles across billion-dollar companies. His latest book, Navigating Your Next , explores a surprisingly simple question: what do you actually want from your career? In this episode, we discuss: How to get clear on what you really want from your career How AI, layoffs, and changing workplaces are reshaping career decisions The negotiation mistakes even experienced executives make How to navigate career transitions with greater confidence and clarity Tune in for a practical conversation about career choices, leadership, negotiation, and making the most of the 90,000 hours we spend at work. You can connect with Julian here Julian Lighton | LinkedIn Julian's website: https://www.julianlighton.com/ His book: https://www.julianlighton.com/book Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq .

July 13, 2026Episode 30634 min

306. Leading from the Inside Out - Adriana Caliri

In this episode of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Adriana Caliri , executive leadership coach and former corporate leader who spent 25 years in the corporate world, including more than two decades at Nike. We talk about what it takes to build a successful career without losing yourself along the way. Adriana shares her WNGSway™ methodology — Find Your Wings, Learn the Game, Lead Your Way — and explains why authentic leadership begins with understanding who you are, what you bring, and how you want to lead. In this episode, we discuss: How to lead from within instead of seeking external validation Why seeing work as a “game” can change how you approach your career How to find your authentic leadership voice What Adriana learned from working with world-class athletes How to combine high performance with meaning, joy, and fulfillment Tune in for an inspiring conversation about authentic leadership, career success, and creating impact without losing yourself in the process. You can connect with Adriana here Adriana Caliri | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq .

July 6, 2026Episode 30531 min

305. The Art of Building Relationships - Liam Cole

In episode 305 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Liam Cole, relationship-building specialist, entrepreneur, startup advisor, and Director of a creative agency. Liam has built his career around a simple belief: meaningful relationships are the foundation of extraordinary business outcomes. We explore why networking is often misunderstood, how authentic relationships create long-term success, and why human connection will become an even greater competitive advantage in an AI-driven world. Liam also shares practical strategies for building influence, growing communities, and creating opportunities through generosity rather than transactions. In this episode, we discuss: • Why the best networking never feels like networking • The difference between collecting contacts and building real relationships • Why trust is one of the most valuable leadership skills • How AI is changing communication and where human connection still wins • The biggest networking mistakes founders and executives make • How strategic introductions accelerate business growth • Why small personal gestures can have a bigger impact than digital automation Tune in for a practical and inspiring conversation on leadership, communication, networking, and the power of authentic relationships in business and life. You can connect with Liam here Liam Cole | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq .

June 29, 2026Episode 30427 min

304. Power of Emotional Awareness - Randy Lyman

In episode 304 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Randy Lyman, leadership coach, serial entrepreneur, and author of The Third Element . After building multiple successful companies through logic, discipline, and relentless execution, Randy experienced a personal turning point that completely changed his understanding of leadership and performance. He discovered that the emotions leaders ignore are often the hidden force shaping their teams, communication, burnout, relationships, and results. We explore why emotional awareness is a competitive advantage, how vulnerability can strengthen rather than weaken leadership, and why high achievement doesn’t always lead to fulfillment. Randy shares practical insights on building trust-based organizations, recognizing emotional patterns that influence decision-making, and leading with both strength and authenticity. In this episode, we discuss:• The hidden emotional patterns that shape leadership and organizational culture• Why vulnerability is one of the most misunderstood leadership skills• Practical ways to develop greater self-awareness and make better decisions Tune in for an insightful conversation on leadership, emotional intelligence, and discovering the inner work that drives lasting success. You can connect with Randy here: Randy Lyman | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq .