The Marcel Podcast

Hosted by Marcel Schwantes

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Aug 2026

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The Marcel Podcast (formerly 'Love In Action') is where leadership meets human flourishing. Hosted by leadership coach, global speaker, and author Marcel Schwantes, each episode features bestselling authors, leading researchers, innovative executives, and inspiring changemakers who share practical, evidence-based insights for leading well and living well in the age of AI. Whether you're leading a team, an organization, or simply striving to become your best self, you'll discover ideas, tools, and conversations to help you flourish at work, at home, and in life. Because when people flourish, organizations thrive—and the world becomes a better place.

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August 20, 2026Episode 2849 min

An Evidence-Based Approach to Leading with Trust, with Marcel Schwantes

Episode recap: On August 26, at 12:00 noon Eastern Time, I’m teaching a live Leadership Trust Workshop. Registration is open now. Go to the link below and reserve your place. Seats are limited. Register here: https://www.frombosstoleader.co/trusted-leader-workshop In this solo episode of The Marcel Podcast, Marcel challenges leaders to rethink workplaces built primarily for output and efficiency—especially in the age of AI—and instead design environments where people can genuinely flourish. Marcel closes with an invitation to his upcoming Leadership Trust Workshop for leaders who want stronger relationships, greater ownership, and healthier teams. Register here: https://www.frombosstoleader.co/trusted-leader-workshop Bio: Marcel Schwantes is a leadership coach, speaker, author, and advocate for more humane workplaces. Marcel’s work includes: Leadership coaching Leadership development courses Keynote speaking, workshops, and offsite retreats Executive roundtables and culture strategy sessions Marcel is the author of Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss . Whether coaching a CEO or training a leadership team, Marcel’s #1 goal is the same: To help leaders and the people they lead flourish as human beings. Timestamp: 0:00 – Welcome back, summer in Chattanooga, and invitation to connect on LinkedIn, X, and Substack 0:40 – Calling out the cliché “people are our greatest asset” vs. what the data really shows 1:10 – The real problem: workplaces optimized for output, not human flourishing (especially with AI) 1:45 – Are your people just surviving work or actually growing as human beings because of it? 2:10 – The fear-based belief that focusing on people will hurt performance 2:40 – Human-centered leaders: why putting people first drives better business outcomes 3:10 – The future winners: companies where people feel valued and challenged to become better humans 3:40 – Designing work differently: respect, dignity, and empowerment vs. transactional environments 4:10 – Human-centered conviction: every person matters, even when they’re not in the room 4:30 – Practical Step 1: Three questions to ask in your next leadership meeting 5:00 – Practical Step 2: Replacing control with trust plus clear expectations and accountability 5:35 – Showing up as a leader: intention, authenticity, and telling the truth (good, bad, and ugly) 6:00 – Practical Step 3: Defining what “great work” and “a good job” actually mean for your people 6:35 – Bigger vision: workplaces where people grow, heal, and become better versions of themselves 7:05 – The beauty of trust and why Marcel is committed to building flourishing workplaces 7:30 – Invitation: Live Leadership Trust Workshop – August 26, 12:00 p.m. Eastern on Zoom 8:05 – What you’ll get: diagnose breakdowns, learn trust-building behaviors, and leave with a 30‑day action plan About the Show: The Marcel Podcast (formerly the Love in Action podcast) ranks in the top 2% of all podcasts globally and is distributed in 160 countries. The show features deep conversations with the world's top leadership experts, authors, scientists, and thought leaders about what it means to flourish as leaders and human beings. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors: If interested in sponsoring an episode, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/ Follow Marcel: Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1 Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/

August 14, 2026Episode 28319 min

How to Build Leadership Trust Across the Enterprise with Marcel Schwantes

Join Marcel for a live Leadership Trust Workshop on August 26 at 12:00 noon Eastern. Register here: https://www.frombosstoleader.co/trusted-leader-workshop Episode recap: Many leaders believe trust must be earned. But if you’re the leader, waiting for your people to go first may be exactly what’s weakening your culture. In this solo episode, Marcel Schwantes explains why trust begins when leaders take the first step. Drawing from his book, Humane Leadership, and the research, he explores three foundations of leadership trust—credibility, empathy, and consistency—and shares practical ways to strengthen each one. Bio: Marcel Schwantes is a leadership coach, speaker, author, and advocate for more humane workplaces. Marcel’s work includes: Leadership coaching Leadership development courses Keynote speaking and workshops Executive roundtables and culture strategy sessions Marcel is the author of Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss . Whether coaching a CEO or training a leadership team, Marcel’s #1 goal is the same: To help leaders become the kind of people others want to follow Timeline: 00:00 – Welcome & why trust is the foundation of effective leadership 00:40 – Blunt truth: If your people don’t trust you, nothing else will stick 01:25 – Compliance vs. commitment: why “doing what they’re told” isn’t real trust 02:05 – Do your people feel safe telling you the truth and making honest mistakes? 02:55 – Disrupting the belief that “trust must be earned”: why leaders go first 03:40 – How mistrust acts as a hidden tax on speed, innovation, and collaboration 04:35 – Making trust operational: how it changes ownership, decision-making, and purpose 05:26 – Pillar 1: Credibility – telling the truth about reality, not pretending to know it all 06:05 – Why small, broken commitments (not big betrayals) quietly erode trust 07:00 – Humility as a credibility builder: “I got that wrong” as a strength 07:40 – A weekly question: What commitment have I made that someone is still waiting for me to keep? 08:25 – Pillar 2: Empathy – assuming positive intent and leading with curiosity, not suspicion 09:10 – Shifting from judgment to curiosity: “Help me understand what happened from your point of view” 10:00 – Listening beneath the words: pressures, needs, and the human impact of decisions 10:35 – Story: A VP takes responsibility for lack of support and transforms the room 10:58 – Pillar 3: Consistency – being “predictably human” so people feel safe around you 11:30 – How mood‑driven leadership makes teams manage your emotions instead of their work 12:05 – Values under pressure: respect, honesty, and accountability when things get hard 12:45 – How patterns of kept promises and honest conversations compound into culture 13:30 – The 3‑part self‑check for any 1:1, team meeting, or tough conversation 13:50 – Question 1: What would credibility require from me here? 14:20 – Question 2: What would empathy require from me here? 14:45 – Question 3: What would consistency require from me here? 15:15 – You don’t need a new personality—just a repeatable practice around trust 16:00 – Invitation: Live Leadership Trust Workshop – August 26, 12:00 p.m. Eastern 16:40 – What you’ll get: deeper dive into the three pillars + 30‑day action plan 17:10 – Closing: When better humans lead, teams, organizations, and communities flourish About the Show: The Marcel Podcast (formerly the Love in Action podcast) ranks in the top 2% of all podcasts globally and is distributed in 160 countries. The show features deep conversations with the world's top leadership experts, authors, scientists, and thought leaders about what it means to flourish as leaders and human beings. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors: If interested in sponsoring an episode, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/ Follow Marcel: Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1 Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/

August 7, 2026Episode 28244 min

How Great Leaders Build Cultures That Scale with Mark Abbott

Episode recap: If you are a champion of human-centered leadership and want to see your people flourish, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnership opportunities. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02 Bio: Mark Abbott is the Founder and CEO of Ninety, which helps leadership teams build extraordinarily productive, humane, and resilient companies. He is a serial entrepreneur, investor, coach, and author who is widely regarded as a pioneering voice in modern company-building. Timeline: 00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Mark Abbott and Ninety 02:00 – Mark’s personal story and competitive drive 03:20 – “I help founders build great leaders” 05:00 – From banking and private equity to building Ninety 07:10 – Why culture really matters (beyond perks) 08:35 – Three types of culture: relationship, agreements, principles 12:30 – Matching culture to pace and ambiguity of your market 14:10 – What it means to build a “humane” culture 15:35 – Ideal employee profile vs. ideal customer profile 17:00 – The five elements at the soul of a company 18:00 – The global leadership deficit and self‑serving leaders 21:00 – How Ninety and AI support culture and leadership habits 23:00 – Quarterly conversations, feedback, and agreements 25:20 – When high‑growth companies “lose their way” culturally 27:00 – High care vs. high performance: getting the balance wrong 30:30 – The real job of every leader: helping the company win 31:50 – Complexity of leadership: leading, managing, coaching, mentoring 35:00 – Thinking in stages of development as you scale 38:00 – Advice for first‑ and second‑time founders 40:00 – Ego development and the inner journey of a leader 42:00 – One thing leaders must do to truly flourish today 42:56 – Where to find Mark and learn more about Ninety About the Show: The Marcel Podcast (previously the Love in Action podcast) is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts globally and is distributed to 160 countries. The show features deep conversations with the world's top leadership experts, authors, scientists, and thought leaders about what it means to flourish as leaders and human beings. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Free tool: Discover how much employee turnover may be truly costing your organization. Get your free employee turnover cost calculator here: https://marcel-schwantes-zvbpnt.subscribepage.io/ Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors: If interested in sponsoring an episode, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/

July 31, 2026Episode 28043 min

What High-Performing Teams Do Differently with Ron Friedman, PhD

If you are a champion of human-centered leadership and want to see your people flourish, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnership opportunities. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02 Today’s guest is award-winning social psychologist Dr. Ron Friedman, author of Superteams. After surveying thousands of teams, Friedman found that the most successful teams aren’t the ones that collaborate most, get along best, or put in the longest hours. What really sets them apart is the way they manage their energy and attention, bring out the best in one another, and keep improving over time. Bio: Ron Friedman, PhD, is an award-winning psychologist who helps leaders build high-performing teams. He is the bestselling author of The Best Place to Work and Decoding Greatness. His new book, Superteams, reveals what the best teams do differently. Ron delivers keynotes, workshops, and executive advisory to senior leaders around the world. Timestamps: [00:00] High Performing Teams And Introducing Dr Ron Friedman [02:45] Ron’s Background From Professor To Corporate Pollster [04:00] What Sparked The Research Behind Super Teams [05:15] How The Study Worked And Three Strengths Of Super Teams [08:26] Do We Work Best In The Office Remote Or Hybrid [10:21] The One Workplace Perk That Predicts High Performance [13:03] Why Leaders Overlook Quiet Focus And Single Tasking [14:49] How Personal Productivity Hacks Hurt Team Performance [16:09] Useless Meetings And How Super Teams Avoid Them [18:33] Look Forward Look Backward Stay Present For Better Days [21:41] How Super Teams Structure Their Time Proactively [22:03] The Three Ingredients Of Trust At Work [24:52] Beating Burnout By Cutting Meaningless Work And Using Off Hours Well [26:55] Why Most Feedback Fails And How To Focus On The Future [29:56] Conflict Disagreement And Using Pre Mortems To Improve Decisions [32:47] Turning A Struggling Leadership Group Into A True Team [35:53] The Biggest Misconception About High Performance And Long Hours [39:03] How Super Teams Use AI Without Fear And Share Prompts [40:55] Where To Find Ron And How To Bring Super Teams Practices To Your Organization About the Show: The Marcel Podcast (previously the Love in Action podcast) is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts globally and is distributed to 160 countries. The show features deep conversations with the world's top leadership experts, authors, scientists, and thought leaders about what it means to flourish as leaders and human beings. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Free tool: Discover how much employee turnover may be truly costing your organization. Get your free employee turnover cost calculator here: https://marcel-schwantes-zvbpnt.subscribepage.io/ Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors: If interested in sponsoring an episode, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/

July 24, 2026Episode 27851 min

Unlocking Your Full Leadership Potential with Dusty Holcomb

If you are a champion of human-centered leadership and want to see your people flourish, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnership opportunities. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02 In this episode of The Marcel Podcast, Marcel talks with Dusty Holcomb, founder and CEO of The Arcqus Group, about leadership in the age of AI. Dusty shares why leaders must not let AI distract them from the fundamentals: clear outcomes, self-leadership, accountability, and communication that keeps people connected to the work that matters. Bio: Dusty Holcomb is CEO of Arcqus Group, a keynote speaker, an executive advisor, and a catalyst for growth-focused executives. Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome back & podcast rebrand 02:05 – Meet Dusty Holcomb & The Arcqus Group 04:57 – Dusty's leadership journey and early influences 08:26 – The leadership lesson that changed everything 10:41 – Leaving corporate to launch Arcqus 12:30 – Leading in the age of AI 14:05 – Advice for first-time CEOs 15:49 – Why reflection is a leadership superpower 16:37 – Blind Spot #1: Lack of clarity 20:31 – Blind Spot #2: Chasing AI tools instead of outcomes 22:10 – Five questions every team member should answer 23:58 – From mercenaries to missionaries 25:03 – Why self-leadership comes first 29:56 – Two simple self-leadership practices 32:51 – Redefining accountability 36:10 – Why great leaders repeat themselves 40:31 – Living your organization's values 40:57 – A leadership habit that builds trust 43:40 – Leadership fundamentals in the AI era 45:46 – Give yourself grace and space to think 47:20 – Dusty's free leadership resource 48:21 – Where to connect with Dusty 49:22 – Final thoughts & closing About the Show: The Marcel Podcast (previously the Love in Action podcast) is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts globally and is distributed to 160 countries. The show features deep conversations with the world's top leadership experts, authors, scientists, and thought leaders about what it means to flourish as leaders and human beings. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Free tool: Discover how much employee turnover may be truly costing your organization. Get your free employee turnover cost calculator here: https://marcel-schwantes-zvbpnt.subscribepage.io/ Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors: If interested in sponsoring an episode, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/

July 22, 2026Episode 2778 min

The Hidden Cost of Employee Turnover That Is Draining Your Profits with Marcel Schwantes

If you are a champion of human-centered leadership and want to see your people flourish, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnership opportunities. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02 In this solo episode of The Marcel Podcast, I unpack one of the biggest profit leaks hiding in plain sight: employee turnover. Most leaders know turnover is costly but underestimate its true financial toll. I explain why turnover isn't just an HR issue but often a leadership problem caused by poor management, limited growth, and toxic workplace cultures that drive away good people. This episode helps leaders see team turnover differently and shows that reducing it begins with better leadership. Don't guess what turnover is costing your organization. Download my free Employee Turnover Cost Calculator using the link below and discover the real financial impact of employee turnover in your business: https://marcel-schwantes-zvbpnt.subscribepage.io/ Bio: Marcel Schwantes is a leadership coach, speaker, author, and advocate for more humane workplaces. Marcel’s work includes: Leadership coaching Leadership development courses Keynote speaking and workshops Executive roundtables and culture strategy sessions Marcel is the author of Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss . Whether coaching a CEO or training a leadership team, Marcel’s #1 goal is the same: To help leaders become the kind of people others want to follow. Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome & why human flourishing matters in business 0:25 – How leaders feel turnover (quiet teams, lost employees, stressed managers) 1:20 – The hidden costs of turnover (recruiting, onboarding, training, lost productivity) 2:20 – Emotional and physical “tax” on the people who stay 3:00 – Why leaders underestimate turnover (looking at the wrong scoreboard) 3:40 – Turnover as a leadership problem, not just a market problem 4:20 – Real reasons people leave (micromanagement, overwork, lack of growth/support) 5:10 – The “look in the mirror” question: What is turnover really costing you? 6:14 – Retention, engagement, and leadership development as business strategies 6:40 – Introducing the free “What’s Turnover Really Costing You?” calculator 7:20 – Closing: Helping organizations and people flourish About the Show: The Marcel Podcast (previously the Love in Action podcast) is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts globally and is distributed to 160 countries. The show features deep conversations with the world's top leadership experts, authors, scientists, and thought leaders about what it means to flourish as leaders and human beings. Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Free tool: Discover how much employee turnover may be truly costing your organization. Get your free employee turnover cost calculator here: https://marcel-schwantes-zvbpnt.subscribepage.io/ Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors: If interested in sponsoring an episode, contact Marcel here: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/contact/

July 10, 2026Episode 27646 min

Treating Your Mental Health Challenges with Psychedelic Therapy with Keith Kurlander

If you are a champion for human-centered leadership and workplaces, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnerships. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02 In this episode of The Marcel Podcast, Marcel talks with Keith Kurlander, a psychotherapist, entrepreneur, and author, about psychedelic therapy's potential to transform mental health treatment. Keith shares his personal journey into mental health, explains why traditional methods often fail to address core issues, and discusses the science, history, and clinical use of psychedelics. They cover trauma, depression, PTSD, the benefits and limits of psychedelics, and emphasize the importance of guidance, preparation, and integration for lasting healing. It's a thoughtful, evidence-based discussion on a key development in mental health care. Bio: Keith Kurlander, MA, LPC, is a licensed psychotherapist, coach, speaker, and author, recognized as a leader in mental health, trauma, and human potential. He co-founded the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, training over 10,000 clinicians in innovative treatments. As co-author of Psychedelic Therapy and a speaker, Keith combines clinical expertise and clarity to help people understand themselves and their potential. Quotes: “We need new tools, and we need them fast, because we have a global mental health crisis.” “Psychedelic therapy is a clinical experience. It has structure around it to produce the highest probability that you're going to have a healing experience.” “Any problem inside ourselves is likely solvable. The problems we create are likely healable—you just have to commit to finding the answer, and you likely will if you're really committed.” Takeaways: Recognize that trauma is a process in the body—a nervous system stuck in a chronic threat response—not simply an event, and consider where that pattern may be showing up in your own life. Seek a licensed mental health professional who is also trained in psychedelic therapy rather than navigating these powerful medicines on your own, especially if you have a mental health condition. Prioritize integration after any psychedelic experience so insights become lasting behavior change instead of fading into just a cool memory. Resist making impulsive, life-altering decisions in the days immediately following a breakthrough insight—give big realizations time to settle. Approach microdosing claims with healthy skepticism; the evidence so far is largely anecdotal, and it reflects a fundamentally different philosophy of use. Timestamps: [00:00] Welcome to the 300th Episode and the Marcel Podcast Rebrand [02:00] Today's Topic: Psychedelics and Mental Health [04:00] Introducing Keith Kurlander [05:20] What's Your Story? Keith's Turning Point at 19 [07:52] A Values Crisis and a New Calling [10:49] The Big Idea Behind Psychedelic Therapy [12:36] What Trauma Really Is [16:11] The History and Evolution of Psychedelics [21:01] Schedule One and the Stigma [23:07] What Happens During a Psilocybin Experience [25:11] Does Psychedelic Therapy Work for Everyone? [27:48] The Risks of Going It Alone [32:05] What a Guided Journey Looks Like [33:47] Ego Dissolution and Dosing Sessions [35:32] Integration and Its Pitfalls [37:42] Understanding MDMA [39:25] Reframing Psychedelics in 2026 [40:42] The Truth About Microdosing [42:27] Final Thoughts and Keith's Biggest Hope Conclusion: Real healing asks us to look beneath our symptoms to the trauma that drives them—and to be open to new tools when the old ones fall short. Psychedelic therapy isn't a shortcut or a cure-all; it's a structured, clinical approach that works best with skilled guidance, honest preparation, and committed integration afterward. The difference between a transformative experience and a harmful one often comes down to context, support, and intention. As research accelerates and access expands, staying curious—while keeping a healthy dose of skepticism—may be the wisest posture of all. The problems we carry inside ourselves are likely healable, but only for those willing to commit to the work. Links/Resources: Book: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/book/ Website: https://keithkurlander.com/ Integrative Psychiatry Institute: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/

May 22, 2026Episode 27512 min

Becoming The Kind Of Leader People Wish They Had Growing Up with Marcel Schwantes

Episode recap If you are a champion for human-centered leadership and workplaces, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnerships. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02 In this solo episode, Marcel explores a question that cuts deep: Why do so many leaders struggle to create emotionally safe environments where people can thrive? Drawing from a striking study highlighted in Harper’s Magazine, Marcel unpacks the reality that only 35% of Americans grew up knowing a compassionate, non-judgmental adult, and only 5% identified their father as that person. He examines how generations of men were conditioned to suppress emotion, prioritize performance over presence, and equate vulnerability with weakness, patterns that continue to shape leadership behavior today. Most importantly, this episode challenges leaders to rethink what people truly remember about them. Not their charisma. Not their intelligence. But whether they created an environment where others felt safe enough to grow. This is a conversation about becoming the kind of leader many people wish they had growing up. Bio: Marcel Schwantes is a leadership coach, speaker, author, and advocate for more humane workplaces. He works with organizations struggling with disengagement, and cultures that lack high performance — and who are ready to build something better. Marcel’s work includes: Executive coaching Leadership development programs for managers Keynote speaking and workshops Executive roundtables and culture strategy sessions Marcel is the author of Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss . Whether coaching a CEO or training a leadership team, Marcel’s #1 goal is the same: To help leaders become the kind of people others want to follow. Quotes: "We're asking today's leaders to create experiences they may have rarely experienced themselves growing up." "A lot of leaders are navigating with what I call an incomplete emotional map." "People rarely remember the smartest leader in the room. They remember the leader who made them feel safe enough to become better." Takeaways: Your early experience (or lack) of a compassionate, non-judgmental adult directly shapes how emotionally safe people feel around you as a leader today. Many leaders operate with an “incomplete emotional map,” defaulting to control, defensiveness, and avoidance because vulnerability was never modeled for them. Psychological safety is one of the strongest predictors of high-performing teams, making emotional safety a core business imperative—not a “soft” extra. Humane leadership is built through daily micro-moments—pausing before reacting, listening without fixing, asking curious questions, and staying fully present. Regardless of your past, you can break the cycle and become the compassionate, non-judgmental leader others remember as a turning point in their lives. Timestamps: [00:00] Why Leadership Wellbeing Must Be a Priority [01:12] Podcast Rebrand and Future Direction [02:14] The Shocking 35% Compassion Statistic [03:08] Why Emotional Safety Wasn’t Modeled for Many Leaders [04:12] The Leadership Challenge of Psychological Safety [05:20] What an “Incomplete Emotional Map” Looks Like at Work [06:33] How Childhood Conditioning Shapes Leadership Behavior [07:24] Research Behind Psychological Safety and High-Performing Teams [08:22] Caring Leadership Is Built Through Daily Human Moments [09:34] The Small Habits That Permanently Change People [10:22] What Employees Actually Remember About Great Leaders [11:09] Becoming the Compassionate Leader Many Never Had [12:01] Breaking the Cycle and Building Better Leadership Cultures [12:48] Closing Remarks and Podcast Outro Conclusion: In a world obsessed with metrics, strategy, and performance, Marcel's message is a powerful reminder that the real work of leadership is emotional. Only 35% of people say they knew a compassionate, non-judgmental adult growing up-and that deficit shows up every day in how leaders react, control, or shut down when things get hard. But this isn't a story of blame; it's a story of possibility. By recognizing our incomplete emotional maps and choosing small, daily acts of care, curiosity, and presence, we can rewrite the script. We can create teams where people feel safe enough to speak up, grow, and take risks-and become the kind of leaders others remember not just for what we achieved, but for how we made them feel. Ultimately, the real opportunity in front of us isn't only to build better businesses-it's to become part of the "other 65%" of leaders: the compassionate, non-judgmental adults the next generation desperately needs. Links/Resources: The book: https://www.amazon.com/Humane-Leadership-Lead-Radical-Kick-Ass-ebook/dp/B0CWG3PTL4/ Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/ X: https://x.com/MarcelSchwantes YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1 Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/

May 18, 2026Episode 27439 min

The Case for Kindness to Make Our World a Better Place with Steven Sawalich

This episode is brought to you by Mitel . If you’re thinking about how communication impacts leadership and resilience in your own organization, Mitel works with more than 70 million users worldwide across critical industries to keep teams secure and connected. You can check them out at Mitel.com . Episode recap: In this episode, Marcel sits down with filmmaker Steven Sawalich to discuss his award-winning documentary, Case for Kindness , now streaming on Prime. Together, they explore the science behind kindness and its role in building trust and healing relationships in today’s polarized world. Featuring stories and insights from voices like Ben Affleck, Garth Brooks, and Daryl Davis, this conversation offers a hopeful and practical reminder that intentional kindness can transform both individuals and communities. Bio: Steven Sawalich merges humanitarian work with the capture of compelling human experiences on film. His award-winning documentary, Case for Kindness, explores the transformative societal impact of kindness and its role in shaping our future. The film has received over 75 awards globally. Quotes: “Kindness is a muscle, and you need to exercise it.” “We can start seeing our commonalities as opposed to our differences.” “Love and kindness win.” Takeaways: Practice intentional kindness daily instead of relying on random acts to create lasting behavioral change. Replace judgment with curiosity by asking questions and seeking to understand another person’s perspective first. Create cultures of kindness in workplaces by modeling empathy, accountability, and respect from leadership downward. Use shared experiences like music, sports, art, or service projects to build bridges between people with opposing views. When conflict arises, pause before reacting emotionally and process feelings without allowing negativity to take root. Acknowledge that kindness is contagious—simply witnessing compassionate behavior can inspire others to act similarly. Lead conversations with openness instead of certainty to foster trust, dialogue, and stronger human connection. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [06:20] Steven’s global travels and the inspiration behind A Case for Kindness [09:45] Polarization, dialogue, and rebuilding common ground through kindness [12:37] The story of a Black musician befriending KKK members [17:11] Kindness in leadership, workplace culture, and emotional contagion [19:32] How making the documentary personally transformed Steven’s mindset [23:18] Ben Affleck’s powerful reflections on addiction and kindness [26:08] Trust, suspicion, and why kindness matters more than ever [30:42] Steven’s vision for the future impact of the film [31:30] Practical ways to lead with love, patience, and curiosity Conclusion: This conversation is a reminder that kindness is not simply about being nice—it is about choosing connection over division, curiosity over judgment, and compassion over fear. Steven Sawalich’s journey demonstrates that even in the most difficult conversations and darkest moments, kindness can open doors that hatred and hostility never could. Whether in leadership, relationships, workplaces, or communities, small intentional acts of kindness have the power to spread far beyond what we can see. As Marcel and Steven emphasize throughout the episode, healing begins when we are willing to listen, seek understanding, and recognize our shared humanity. In a world increasingly shaped by outrage and polarization, perhaps kindness is not weakness at all—but one of the bravest choices we can make. Links/Resources: Case for Kindness website - https://caseforkindness.com/ Watch on Amazon Prime Articulate Entertainment - https://www.articulusentertainment.com/home

May 8, 2026Episode 27250 min

The World’s First Chief Heart Officer on How to Embrace Being Yourself at Work with Claude Silver

This episode is brought to you by Mitel . If you’re thinking about how communication impacts leadership and resilience in your own organization, Mitel works with more than 70 million users worldwide across critical industries to keep teams secure and connected. You can check them out at Mitel.com . Episode recap Marcel sat down with Claude Silver to talk about her bold and practical debut, Be Yourself at Work. Silver argues authentic presence is today’s top business superpower and provides a human-centered guide to build trust, lead with heart, and foster cultures where people truly belong. Bio: Claude Silver is the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, working with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to drive success. She has spoken at Meta, Google, and U.S. agencies, and been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. Her new book is Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart. Quotes: “There is so much power when you are truly your authentic self, when you are not trying to fit in” “You are the only person that can change the song in your head.” “Belonging is our human birthright, and we all need it.” “You don’t drain, you radiate.” “The calmer we are, the clearer we can be.” Takeaways: Build self-awareness by understanding your values, patterns, fears, and strengths. Replace fake urgency with intentional calm to reduce burnout and improve clarity. Create belonging by helping people feel seen, heard, and psychologically safe. Practice emotional bravery by having honest conversations instead of avoiding discomfort. Leaders should listen deeply, acknowledge people often, and show their humanity. In an AI-driven world, emotional intelligence and human connection matter more than ever. Small moments of authenticity and appreciation can transform workplace culture. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction and Claude Silver’s background [04:01] Personal story and Outward Bound transformation [12:29] Origin of the Chief Heart Officer role [16:00] Big idea of Be Yourself at Work [17:30] Real meaning of authenticity at work [19:55] The Three E’s: optimism, bravery, efficiency [23:36] Benefits of an emotionally healthy culture [25:38] Inner work and self‑awareness [27:50] Fake urgency and running on calm [32:59] Belonging, safety, and performance [36:24] Building trust in remote, multi‑gen teams [38:27] AI, efficiency, and human connection [40:11] Practical advice for CEOs and leaders [43:52] Speed round: personal side of Claude [46:43] Leading with love and radiating energy [47:06] Final takeaway: small actions to reconnect Conclusion: Authenticity, trust, and emotional courage are no longer optional in leadership—they are essential for building healthy, high-performing cultures. When leaders create spaces where people feel safe to belong and contribute fully, organizations become more resilient, innovative, and human. Claude Silver’s message is simple yet powerful: real leadership begins with self-awareness, grows through connection, and thrives when people choose to radiate instead of drain. Links/Resources: Website: https://www.claudesilver.com/ Book website: https://www.beyourselfbook.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casilver/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudesilver/?hl=en Claude Silver on Episode #6: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/claude-silver/