Imperfect Leaders

Hosted by Jeffrey Cohn, Podcast Host

Business CareersInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

There is no such thing as a perfect leader. We invite the country's most admired leaders to talk about their imperfections and leadership journey.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 3, 202644 min

Leadership & Legacy for Neurodiverse Families – with Michael Duckworth

This episode of Imperfect Leaders is about leadership and legacy: how parents of autistic and neurodiverse children think about the long arc of their family’s happiness, not just this year or next, but decades into the future, even after the parents are gone. Jeff’s guest is Mike Duckworth , Managing Director of the Duckworth Hagerty Group at Merrill Lynch . Mike and Jeff share a common passion: helping parents plan for their family’s long-term wellbeing and legacy, and helping them build a community of support around their children that can endure beyond the parents’ lifetime. It’s the same territory Jeff explores with business leaders at the L3 Retreat . Mike’s work is less about short-term financial planning and more about the long arc of a family’s life—getting clear on what “a good life” means for everyone in the system. Together, they talk about how emotional intelligence, sharp listening skills, clear values, and honest planning can move families from fear to agency as they design support structures, relationships, and opportunities that will still be there for their children when they are no longer around. What you’ll learn in this episode Why thinking of yourself as the “CEO of a care enterprise” can change how you lead your family, regardless of your resources. How to define “a good life” and turn it into resilient, long-term plans. Why listening and emotional intelligence are core leadership skills in high-stakes family decisions. How facing mortality and legacy can move families from fear to intentional action in the “after us” years. www.imperfectleaders.com

June 18, 202632 min

Small Dose, Big Impact: The Science of Low-Dose Lithium for Leadership Performance, with Dr. Sudhir Gadh

What if the key to better sleep, faster recovery, and long-term brain health is a trace mineral that was once in your drinking water — and quietly removed? In this episode, I sit down with Sudhir, a board-certified psychiatrist, Navy veteran, and co-founder of Third Element, to explore the surprising science behind lithium microdosing — and why it's nothing like the high-dose psychiatric treatment you may have heard of. Sudhir breaks down how low-dose lithium works at the cellular level — from calming the GSK3 enzyme and protecting mitochondria, to extending telomere length and reducing chronic inflammation. He shares why everyone from autistic children to elite NBA and NFL athletes are now evaluating the supplement for athlete recovery, what epidemiological data from blue zones and ancient springs reveals about this overlooked mineral, and how his work with homeless patients, veterans, and addiction populations first proved its safety and efficacy. Whether you're an executive managing stress and sleep, an athlete chasing faster recovery, or simply someone who wants to age better — this conversation will change the way you think about what your brain needs to thrive. Third Element isn't just a supplement; it's the missing piece in a polluted and diluted modern diet. www.imperfectleaders.com

May 28, 202656 min

Thinking About Thinking: What a World-Class Neuroscientist Learned When His Own Child Got Sick, with Dr. Bradley Schlaggar, CEO of the Kennedy Krieger Institute

In this episode of Imperfect Leaders, host Jeff Cohn sits down with Dr. Bradley Schlaggar — physician, neuroscientist, and President and CEO of the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, one of the world's premier institutions for children and young adults with disorders of the brain and nervous system. Brad's path to leadership began with a lifelong obsession with the developing brain, an MD and PhD from Washington University, and nearly two decades on the faculty building a celebrated research career. But it was a series of deeply personal crucible experiences — the loss of his sister and father to cancer, his own emergency heart surgery, his wife's breast cancer diagnosis, and his son Simeon's four-year battle with leukemia — that forged his most important leadership qualities. Those experiences gave Brad something no training program could: a profound, bone-deep empathy for the families sitting across from him, and a servant leader's instinct to make space for others rather than occupy it himself. That empathy and humility are not incidental to how Kennedy Krieger works — they are the foundation of it. Brad has built a culture where world-class specialists in neurology, psychiatry, behavioral health, and education are not just housed under one roof but genuinely work together, centered entirely on the patient and family in front of them. In this conversation, Brad takes us inside that culture — how it is built, how it is sustained, and why true interdisciplinary care produces outcomes that siloed systems simply cannot. He also speaks with remarkable candor about what parents of children with autism and developmental differences actually need, what the system consistently gets wrong, and what business leaders with real capital and influence can do right now to move the needle for these families — inside their companies and in their communities. This episode will resonate deeply with any parent who has ever sat in a waiting room terrified, and with any leader who has learned — the hard way — that the most powerful thing you can do is get out of the way of the people around you. www.imperfectleaders.com

January 23, 202632 min

Winning the War for Rainmakers & Law Firm Leaders, with John Cashman, President Major, Lindsey, & Africa

Big law is changing fast, but one thing hasn’t: the firms that win still recruit – and keep – talent better than everyone else. In this episode, John Cashman breaks down how elite law firms actually close top laterals—mindset shifts, process, culture fit, and hands‑on leadership—and why the same principles apply to any organization, in business and in sports, that depends on star performers to drive results. www.imperfectleaders.com

December 1, 202539 min

Michael Paul, CEO of MaraBio - Finding 'Ability' in Disability

Some CEOs hide behind the veil of invulnerability. Michael Paul, Ph.D., does the opposite—he believes that real leadership starts with choosing trust over armor. Michael was deeply influenced by the wisdom of Patrick Lencioni , never choose "invulnerability over trust." As CEO of MARAbio , he is helping build a company that knows exactly why it exists: to use maternal immune science to help eradicate the most severe forms of autism, giving families earlier answers and more hope. On this episode of Imperfect Leaders, Michael unpacks how that clear purpose shapes every hard conversation with parents, clinicians, investors, and his own team—and how a leadership style that embraces his heart, mind, and soul ( psychological safety ), and a culture grounded in honesty makes it possible to tackle obstacles as big as autism itself. www.imperfectleaders.com

October 8, 202549 min

Molded from Clay – Chris Johnson Brings Bluebird Kids Health to Families Across America

Professor Clay Christensen was the famous business school professor who wrote the influential book, "The Innovator's Dilemma." Clay had a brilliant mind and was a strategic advisor to CEOs across the country. Less well know, was Clay's active role as a mentor to young, up-and-coming innovators. One of those beneficiaries was today's guest, Chris Johnson, Founder & CEO of Bluebird Kid's Health. Bluebird is revolutionizing pediatric care. They are solving the problem of "pediatric care deserts" by building pediatric practices in access-starved neighborhoods, using a modern, tech-enabled approach to care delivery, and implementing a high-performing model built specifically for pediatrics and value-based care (VBC). Chris is a mission-driven entrepreneur and innovator who was, quite literally, molded by Clay. ND50

September 19, 202548 min

“From Care to Character with Amanda Lukof: How Eleplan Transforms Families – and Ourselves”

Join us for a deeply human conversation with Amanda Lukof , founder of the groundbreaking Eleplan app and devoted caregiver to her autistic brother, Liam. In this episode, we explore how Eleplan is changing the game for families—making the chaos of care more manageable and freeing up precious time and peace of mind. But as Amanda shares, caregiving isn’t just about looking after others; it’s about who we become in the process. From her own family’s journey to Eleplan’s powerful vision, you’ll discover how better care can transform families, bring clarity to overwhelming moments, and help all of us grow into our best selves. Whether you’re a caregiver, a leader, or simply seeking inspiration, this is an episode about love, innovation, and the character that comes from caring. www.imperfectleaders.com

September 7, 202543 min

The Neurodiverse Leadership Challenge – with Professor Keivan Stassun, Founder of Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University

Why do teams with neurodiverse talent often out-innovate more homogenous teams? Because solving complex problems require diversity of thought. As Steve Jobs used to say, "Think Different! " What's the catch? Leading these kinds of innovative teams isn't easy – in fact, it's very difficult. It requires 'true leadership' according to today's guest, Dr. Keivan Stassun , a MacArthur fellow, rocket scientist, professor, and Founder and Director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University . Organizations that develop this leadership capability will reap the benefits. With that in mind, Dr. Stassun and I have a challenge for CEOs across the country. We challenge you to develop rising leaders who are ready to lead neurodiverse teams. And if you accept our challenge, we would love to hear your stories . What's working? What's is not? How are you thinking different? What are you doing to build a bench of future leaders who can help everyone reach their full potential? Given the complex challenges that lie ahead, this may be the defining leadership development challenge (and opportunity) of our generation. I call it the: "Neurodiverse Leadership Challenge." www.imperfectleaders.com

August 10, 202550 min

A True North Leader – Chris Male – Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Autism Impact Fund

Every once in a while you're lucky enough to meet a values-driven leader who has the passion, the mind, and the skills to make the world a better place. Today's guest – Chris Male – is one of those trailblazers. His firm – The Autism Impact Fund ( AIF ) – is helping to solve what many experts consider the largest public health issue of our generation -– skyrocketing autism, and other mental and behavioral health conditions. AIF has become the investment and innovation arm of the autism community. www.imperfectleaders.com

July 17, 202542 min

Like a Hollywood Talent Agency but for Top Business Leaders – with Dave Boehmer, CEO & Founder of Banff Advisors

Dave Boehmer was one of the top executive search professionals in the entire world. At the pinnacle of his career, he suddenly left the global giant, Heidrick & Struggles. Dave had an entrepreneurial itch. He wanted to create something new. He wanted to make an even bigger impact in the world. He succeeded. His new firm – Banff Advisors – is like a Hollywood talent agent or like a concierge doctor but for leadership in the business world. He and his colleagues are trusted advisors to top leaders who want to do things like build their network, or rethink think their brand, or position themselves for exciting new board opportunities. And...oh yeah...Banff also works with some of the most interesting companies, in the entire country, to help them build their talent pipelines. it's like a permanent flow of great talent and bench strength. Learn how Dave created this ecosystem in today's episode of Imperfect Leaders. www.imperfectleaders.com