Listening With Leaders

Hosted by Doug Noll

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370

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Hi there! I'm Doug Noll, an award-winning author, speaker, and trainer. I am, among many other things, a lawyer-turned-peacemaker, mediator, and expert in deep, empathic listening. I left a 22-year career as a trial lawyer, earned my Masters Degree in Peacemaking and Conflict Studies, and have helped thousands of companies and organizations with internal conflicts and poor communication. I am the co-founder of the award-winning Prison of Peace Project. I have trained mediators and leaders in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia in my innovative peacemaking and mediation processes. My honors include California Lawyer Magazine Attorney of the Year, a Purpose Prize Fellow, and Best Lawyers of America Lawyer of the Year. My 20 to 30-min podcast shares amazing founder stories that reveal the smartest strategies for scaling TODAY.

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60 recent

October 20, 202630 min

370 - Built for Buyers: Making Your Construction Business More Valuable with Nitin Khanna

At age 10 or 12, N3 Business Advisors' founder Nitin Khanna spotted a chance to buy pashmina shawls from his uncle and resell them to his teacher, a first deal that hinted at the entrepreneur he’d become. In this episode, he tells host Doug Noll why so many construction owners trying to sell are really trying to sell a job built around themselves, and how a seven-day break can reveal what the business can, and can’t, do without them. They also get into the risks buyers may overlook in a big backlog, why a $10 million offer may mean far less in the owner’s pocket, and how frank conversations about expectations can save a deal—or prevent a bad partnership. Check out Nitin's work HERE . Connect with Nitin on LinkedIn HERE . Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE . Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

September 22, 202633 min

369 - The Empathy Edge: Turning Vulnerability into Leadership Strength with Melissa Robinson-Winemiller

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll welcomes Melissa Robinson-Winemiller, an empathy expert and former professional French horn player. Melissa shares her journey from performing with Ray Charles to pursuing a doctorate in leadership after experiencing workplace trauma. They explore empathy's definitions, distinguishing cognitive from affective empathy, and discuss resistance to empathy in leadership. Both agree empathy will become increasingly vital as AI reduces human connection. Melissa also previews her upcoming books and dissertation defense, while the conversation closes on a personal note, revealing Melissa's talent for baking Boston cream pie from scratch. Check out Melissa's work HERE . Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn HERE . Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE . Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

August 18, 202637 min

368 - When Tough Gets Tender: The Surprising Strength of Vulnerable Leadership with Christa Quarles

In this episode of Listening with Leaders , your host Doug Noll speaks with Christa Quarles, CEO of Parallels, about her non-linear career spanning Wall Street, gaming startups, and enterprise software. Christa shares how curiosity and asking good questions have been her constant through line. The conversation explores the power of deep listening, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety in leadership. Christa also reflects on leading Parallels through a complex corporate separation, emphasizing that authentic, empathetic leadership, rooted in vulnerability rather than positional authority, is what truly inspires people to follow. Check out Christa's work HERE . Connect with Christa on LinkedIn HERE . Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE . Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

August 11, 202628 min

367 - The Power of Doing the Work No One Sees: Building Confidence Through Consistency with Anthony Trucks

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll interviews Anthony Trucks, a former NFL player turned transformational identity shift coach. Anthony shares his remarkable journey from a difficult childhood in foster care, marked by poverty and abuse, to earning an NFL career through relentless hard work. He discusses his concept of "dark work", the unseen effort behind success, and the "dominator" mentality that helps overcome adversity. Anthony also opens up about personal struggles, including divorce and reinvention, and explains how he now coaches executives to identify blind spots, embrace discomfort, and achieve meaningful growth. Check out Anthony's work HERE . Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn HERE . Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE . Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

June 30, 202628 min

366 - Scaling Startups with Simplicity: A Veteran Entrepreneur’s Guide to Vision, Cash Flow, and Building Winning Teams with Graeme Barlow

In this episode, Doug interviews Graeme Barlow, a serial entrepreneur who made his first million at 16 by selling virtual game currency on eBay. Graeme shares his journey through founding game development companies and scaling software businesses. He discusses his leadership philosophy, emphasizing simplicity, clarity, and focus for CEOs, outlining three core responsibilities: managing cash flow, setting a clear vision, and building effective teams. Graeme also introduces Founder Link, his community initiative supporting nearly 2,000 founders worldwide in reaching their first million in revenue. Both speakers share personal ambitions, with Doug aiming to teach 10 million people effective listening skills. Check out Graeme's work HERE . Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn HERE . Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE . Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

April 28, 202642 min

365 - Emotional GPS: How Emotions Guide Us Through Business, Conflict, and Life with Doug Johnston

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Doug Johnston, a former corporate executive turned emotional researcher. Johnston shares how his daughter's struggle with depression sparked a decade-long journey documenting 272 emotional states through 8,000 quotes, culminating in a book. Together, they challenge cultural misconceptions about emotions, emphasizing that emotions are fundamental to rational decision-making. They introduce "nervous system leadership," highlighting how naming emotions regulates the brain and transforms leadership. Drawing on neuroscience and personal stories, they advocate for expanding emotional vocabulary as a practical tool for healthier lives and more effective leadership. To learn more about Doug's work, click HERE and HERE . Connect with Doug on LinkedIn HERE . Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE . Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

April 21, 202643 min

364 - Mastering Mind, Body, and Spirit: How to Build a Revolutionary Training System with Mark Divine

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Mark Divine, whose extraordinary journey took him from small-town upstate New York to becoming a top Navy SEAL graduate. Starting as a CPA in Manhattan, Mark discovered martial arts and Zen meditation, which sparked a profound personal transformation. These practices led him to pursue becoming a Navy SEAL, where visualization and mental training proved crucial to his success. He later founded SEALFIT and the Unbeatable Mind program, integrating physical, mental, and spiritual development to help others achieve their full potential through what he calls the "Five Mountains" approach. To learn more about Mark's work, click HERE . Connect with Mark on LinkedIn HERE . Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE . Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

March 10, 202628 min

363 - From Military Service to Executive Coaching: A Journey of Leadership and Emotional Awareness with Bobby Humes

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, your host Doug Noll interviews Bobby Humes, Lead Consultant and CEO of BH Consultancy. They discuss Bobby’s journey from Army HR roles to leading Seattle’s HR department during COVID-19, and now running the consultancy BH Consultancy. The conversation explores the value of emotional intelligence, overcoming resistance to "soft skills" training, and science-based coaching methods. Personal stories, including Bobby’s theater background and Doug’s jazz violin passion, add depth to this engaging discussion on leadership, self-awareness, and the power of listening. To learn more about Bobby's work, click HERE . Connect with Bobby on LinkedIn HERE . Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE . Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

March 3, 202625 min

362 - Building Connections in a Virtual World: The Importance of Empathy in Remote Work with Ben Gaddis

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll interviews Ben Gaddis, Partner and Co-founder of Superstep Capital, and author of Embracing Irrationality . They discuss Ben’s journey from marketing to private equity, investing in SaaS companies, and the impact of AI on software. The conversation explores leadership assessment, effective board meetings, and the vital role of empathy in business. They also examine the challenges of fostering connection in virtual work environments and the importance of diverse personalities in leadership and team success. To learn more about Ben's work at Superstep Capital, click HERE . Check out Ben's book, Embracing Irrationality, HERE . Connect with Ben on LinkedIn HERE . Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE . Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com

February 24, 202624 min

361 - Embracing Technology Without Losing the Human Touch in Leadership with Chip Higgins

In this episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll and guest Chip Higgins, Founder of Bizzics, discuss how leadership and communication are evolving in the age of digital technology, remote work, and AI. They explore the challenges and opportunities of building genuine connections without physical presence, the impact of generational differences, and the role of listening in effective leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of empathy, personal attention, and adapting to new tools, while sharing personal stories and insights on maintaining human bonds in a rapidly changing world. To learn more about Chip's work, click HERE . Connect with Chip on LinkedIn HERE . Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE . Want to learn more about Doug's work? Check out his website at https://dougnoll.com