Spirituality in Leadership

Hosted by Andrew Cohn

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Oct 2026

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Spirituality in Leadership features a broad variety of leaders in profound, one-on-one conversations with host Andrew Cohn. Andrew and his guests explore how to bring spiritual dimensions to teams and workplaces, in service of creating more fulfillment, greater success and healthier organizations. Spiritual dimensions may or may not encompass religion, and broadly include one's deepest values, an awareness of the unseen yet certainly felt realms which exist beyond the tangible. This podcast investigates how we can engage these more profound realms and aspects of ourselves in our workplaces, and how we can incorporate the qualities of presence, acceptance, love, forgiveness, and peace in those spaces, because such qualities are needed in the workplace now more than ever before. Therefore, Spirituality in Leadership aspires to “de-dogmatize" and normalize the topic of spirituality, and to elevate its impact on people in the workplace. In each episode, Andrew gathers practical advice from the unique perspectives of his guests on the benefits of practical spirituality in their leadership. He explores how these leaders/teachers combine their own personal practices, development and spirituality to grow and to create better work cultures. Andrew Cohn is the founder and president of Lighthouse Consulting LLC. Andrew is a counselor, executive coach and consultant who drives results through improved individual and team performance. A former attorney, his work helps leaders think more strategically, communicate more clearly and effectively, make better decisions, and lead from their values and personal purpose. Over the course of his career, Andrew has been an indispensable resource for leaders in the corporate world. He understands the drive many of us have to reach out and help people fully express themselves in the workplace; his mission involves supporting leaders who want to use their influence to make the world a better place. The Spirituality in Leadership podcast not only provides access to Andrew’s 25+ years of experience as a counselor and advisor to leaders in a wide variety of business areas, and draws from his extensive educational background in international business, law, and spiritual psychology, but also it brings us each different guest's personal experience and wisdom. These healthy and authentic conversations inspire, encourage and challenge us to do our best work and they provide practical support for stronger leadership and more cohesive teams.

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October 14, 202644 min

Capacity, Consciousness, and the Spirituality of Leadership, with Fredrik Lyhagen

Why do we assume that effective managers automatically become effective leaders? In this episode, we explore how true leadership isn't about having all the answers, but about expanding your capacity to hold complexity and enabling others to do the same. In this episode of the Spirituality in Leadership podcast, Andrew Cohn welcomes Fredrik Lyhagen, a leadership development consultant based in Prague, originally from Sweden. Drawing on his years of success in global IT sales and his more recent work with leaders and teams across Europe, Fredrik brings a deeply practical, grounded approach to a topic he once considered an oxymoron: the intersection of spirituality and leadership. This episode is for any leader who wants to understand the difference between reacting and responding, how to deliver tough feedback with compassion, why safety is the leader's responsibility to cultivate, and why the most effective leadership often comes from focusing on what truly makes us human. Tune in to discover how capacity development, self-reflection, and a willingness to examine your own story can transform the way you lead and live. Key Takeaways Spirituality and leadership are not an oxymoron. The best leaders you've met are likely spiritual; they just don't use that word. The "bulldozer" mode is a fear-based, reactive leadership style rooted in ego safety, the fear of being seen as incompetent or of losing your story about yourself. Adult development theory offers a map: from socialized mind to self-authoring mind to transformative mind. The subject-to-object move: lift your emotion out, examine it with curiosity, and ask what story it's touching. A leader's primary role is to create the conditions for people to speak up. In a knowledge economy, silence is lost value. Capacity development is a slow-burn, reflective, inward-looking process, not a skills training you can complete in a week. Rewriting your story: if a story is made up, you can make up ten more. Then choose the most empowering one. In This Episode: [00:00] Fear-based leadership and the bulldozer mode [03:35] Spirituality and leadership as an oxymoron, then and now [05:20] Leadership as forward motion vs. spirituality as presence [09:39] Kegan's stages: socialized, self-authoring, transformative mind [10:25] The bulldozer mode and its consequences [13:20] Case study: the competent director who couldn't hold complexity [15:13] Fear of failure and the stories that justify our behavior [23:40] Ego safety and the brain's inability to tell the difference [24:27] Is it a leader's responsibility to help people feel safe? [26:16] How to open deeper conversations: somatic work and naming emotions [32:36] Case study: the leader who was only loved for doing [38:02] The courage and capacity to deliver critical feedback [40:51] The spiritual dimension: holding tension with compassion Resources and Links Spirituality in Leadership Podcast Apple Podcasts Fredrik Lyhagen LinkedIn Website Andrew Cohn Website LinkedIn Music: Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe

September 23, 202642 min

Money Is an Emotion: The 80% of Wealth Management Nobody Talks About, with Gillian Stovel Rivers

Why do we treat money like it’s just a number when it’s actually one of the most powerful emotions we experience? In this episode, we explore how true leadership in wealth management isn’t about managing billions, but about helping people live their best lives. In this episode of the Spirituality in Leadership podcast, Andrew Cohn welcomes Gillian Stovel Rivers, a senior wealth management advisor based in Toronto. Drawing on her unique background as a former performing artist and a self-described highly sensitive person, Gillian brings a deeply human, person-centered approach to the traditionally technical world of finance. The conversation explores Gillian’s Flourish Framework , a holistic model based on the Harvard Study of Adult Development. It combines the five key factors for a long, healthy life, including positive social connection, meaning and purpose, physical and mental health, autonomy, and growth, with four forms of wealth: time, energy, money, and attention. This framework helps her guide clients to see money not as an end in itself, but as a tool to build a life of fulfillment and connection. Tune in to discover how compassion, artistry, and a focus on purpose can transform the way we think about wealth and leadership. Key Takeaways Spirituality in leadership can look like person-centered service that refuses the status quo. Money is not just currency; it’s an emotion with a physical representation. Ignoring feelings misses 80% of the work. The technical side of wealth matters, but it exists to support meaning, purpose, and connection. The Flourish Framework combines five pillars of well-being with four forms of wealth: time, energy, money, attention. Positive social connection is the #1 factor in long-term health and fulfillment. A powerful “magic question” for deeper conversations about money is: “Tell me about your family.” You can have a lot of money and still feel very, very empty. Resources and Links Spirituality in Leadership Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406 Gillian Stovel Rivers Website: https://flourishfamilywealth.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-stovel-rivers/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianstovelofficial/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GillianStovelOfficial The Flourish Feed Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-flourish-feed-podcast/id1840614313 Andrew Cohn Website: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/ Music: Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe

September 2, 202641 min

From Near-Death to Sacred Ground: Tom Eddington on Redefining What It Means to Be Human

At 44, Tom Eddington’s life changed completely. After bacterial meningitis left him bedridden for 18 months and forced him to rethink everything he knew about health, identity, and success, he began a journey into spirituality, consciousness, and what it truly means to be human. In this episode of Spirituality in Leadership, Andrew Cohn speaks with Tom, a former global management consultant, filmmaker, and executive coach, about the experiences that reshaped his understanding of leadership, purpose, and human potential. Tom shares lessons from his encounters with spiritual teachers, his work with leaders around the world, and his exploration of the five bodies: physical, energetic, psychological, social, and spiritual. Together, they explore how moments of crisis can become opportunities for transformation and deeper connection. Key Takeaways A life-changing crisis can force us to question the identities and assumptions we take for granted. Being human involves physical, emotional, social, energetic, and spiritual dimensions. Spirituality can begin with curiosity about what it means to be fully human, regardless of religion. Purpose can guide career, relationship, and life decisions. Nature can deepen our sense of connection and challenge how we understand the world. Leaders should examine what they believe and why. Wealth can mean more than money and material possessions. Conscious leadership begins by honestly examining how we live and what we value. A fulfilling life requires looking beyond consumption, acquisition, and conventional measures of success. Resources and Links Spirituality in Leadership Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406 Tom Eddington LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-eddington-phd-aa52542/ State of the World Forum: stateoftheworld.forum Eddington Advisory (website coming soon) Podcasts: Impact Effect (YouTube), Humanity Rising (YouTube) Richard Nelson Bolles, How to Find Your Mission in Life Under Our Skin (documentary film) Andrew Cohn Website: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/ Music: Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe

August 12, 202641 min

Why Being More Human Makes You a Stronger Leader, with Zeta Smith

What if great leadership is less about having all the answers and more about creating the trust for people to find them together? In this episode, Andrew Cohn welcomes Zeta Smith, an experienced business leader who has held senior roles across major organizations, including ExxonMobil and Starbucks. Zeta shares how her leadership evolved from being “all business” and focused primarily on results to recognizing the importance of trust, vulnerability, listening, empathy, and purpose. Zeta reflects on leading through major crises, including the Boston Marathon bombings and COVID-19, and explains why difficult moments require leaders to balance business needs with genuine care for people. Andrew and Zeta also explore why leaders struggle to say “I don’t know,” how listening improves decision-making, and why bringing more of your authentic self to work can help others do the same. Tune in to discover how humility, trust, and human connection can help you lead stronger teams and create workplaces where people feel seen, respected, and connected to something bigger than themselves. In This Episode: [00:00] Why vulnerability strengthens trust [03:41] Leadership beyond numbers and outcomes [05:55] From “all business” to people-centered leadership [07:18] Building trust as a young leader [12:10] How a crisis changes leadership [13:18] Leading after the Boston Marathon bombings [18:48] Navigating COVID as a new leader [20:51] Why saying “I don’t know” built trust [22:44] Why leaders feel pressure to have all the answers [25:28] Creating ownership through collective problem-solving [27:55] What happens when leaders stop listening [29:27] The Starbucks lesson that changed Zeta’s leadership [34:01] Using breath and pause to listen better [36:40] Making space for quieter voices [39:01] How Zeta’s parents shaped her leadership [42:22] Respecting every person’s work [44:40] Bringing the personal and professional together [47:26] Why showing your humanity matters [48:58] How to connect with Zeta Smith Spirituality in Leadership Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406 Zeta Smith Zeta Smith Andrew Cohn Website LinkedIn Music: Kodiak

July 22, 20261 hr 1 min

How Forgiveness Makes You a Better Leader, with Nat Sharratt

What if the beliefs holding you back are not facts, but judgments you have learned to carry? Could stronger leadership begin with forgiving yourself, releasing what no longer works, and taking greater responsibility for your life? In this episode, Andrew Cohn welcomes Nat Sharratt, a spiritual coach, facilitator, entrepreneur, and author who brings practical spirituality into leadership, business, relationships, and everyday life. Nat shares his unconventional journey, from seeking spiritual answers as a teenager to working closely with spiritual teacher John-Roger, taking a decade-long vow of poverty, building businesses, and learning courage and presence through surfing waves that reach nearly 20 feet. Andrew and Nat explore limiting beliefs, self-judgment, forgiveness, personal responsibility, deep listening, and why great leaders give others the freedom to take ownership of a shared vision. Tune in to discover how releasing judgment, honoring yourself, and taking responsibility can help you lead with greater clarity, freedom, and inner peace. Key Takeaways Leadership begins within: You do not need a title to lead. Leadership starts with taking responsibility for your choices, relationships, and growth. Limiting beliefs shape behavior: Hidden beliefs about money, success, relationships, and self-worth can quietly block growth and abundance. Forgiveness is practical: Forgiveness helps release the emotional judgments that keep you stuck. It is not about excusing harmful behavior. Boundaries still matter: Letting go of judgment does not mean tolerating abuse, unethical conduct, or situations that do not honor you. Self-forgiveness fosters change: Sincerity, empathy, and compassion can loosen the “knots” that are held in your consciousness. Great leaders give power away: Strong leadership creates a compelling vision and gives people room to make it their own. In This Episode: · [00:00] Introduction · [03:16] Nat’s unconventional spiritual and professional journey · [04:24] Choosing a spiritual path at 17 · [07:33] Learning courage and presence through surfing · [11:24] Why leadership is not limited to job titles · [16:07] Searching for spiritual answers from an early age · [32:57] Limiting beliefs about money and self-worth · [40:16] A simple self-forgiveness practice · [42:28] Forgiving without excusing harmful behavior · [49:05] Asking, “Is this working for you?” · [52:06] Listening beyond someone’s words · [58:38] Nat’s books, workshops, and resources Resources and Links Spirituality in Leadership Podcast Nat Sharratt Website Website Facebook Instagram: @natsharratt Andrew Cohn Website LinkedIn Music: Kodiak

July 1, 202646 min

How to Lead Through Change Without Losing Yourself, with Erin Owen

What happens when the old ways of leading, working, and understanding yourself no longer fit? And could the next level of leadership require something deeper than strategy or productivity hacks? In this episode, Andrew Cohn welcomes Erin Owen, an executive coach whose work blends leadership development, organizational change, Eastern wisdom, energy work, and spiritual practice. Erin shares how health challenges became a wake-up call that pushed her to question who she was, what she wanted, and how to move forward without a prescribed roadmap. That evolution shapes her coaching work with leaders moving through growth, overwhelm, and identity shifts. Andrew and Erin explore yin and yang, masculine and feminine energy, the difference between balance and harmony, the Andean concept of Ayni, and why leaders need to return to “home in themselves” during times of change. Tune in to discover how coming home to yourself can help you lead with more clarity, harmony, and grounded spiritual presence. Key Takeaways Growth often begins as discomfort: What feels like a crisis may be the threshold moment that pushes you into a new identity. Spiritual tools can be practical: Visualization, breathwork, energy clearing, and grounding can help leaders reset and show up with clarity. Meet people where they are: Spiritual leadership is not about converting people. It is about using language and tools that fit the person in front of you. Harmony is more useful than perfect balance: Leadership is about noticing what is needed in the moment. Masculine and feminine energy both matter: Strong leadership needs structure and action, as well as intuition, emotion, collaboration, and imagination. In This Episode: · [00:00] Returning home to yourself during change · [01:23] Introduction to Erin Owen and her leadership work · [04:21] How illness became Erin’s wake-up call · [08:36] The spiritual awakening that led Erin into deeper study · [11:49] Bridging spiritual language into leadership · [14:50] A visualization practice for stress and heaviness · [22:02] Ayni and sacred relationship · [26:00] Feminine and masculine qualities in leadership · [30:01] Why harmony may be better than balance · [36:13] Erin’s Emergence program · [43:53] Where to learn more about Erin’s work Resources and Links Spirituality in Leadership Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406 Erin Owen Website: https://erinowen.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinowen/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eeowen72 Andrew Cohn Website: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/ Music: Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe

June 10, 202637 min

Healing Business from the Inside Out: Energy, Trauma, and Authentic Leadership, with Katie Sutton

In this episode of the Spirituality in Leadership podcast, Andrew Cohn welcomes Katie Sutton, an intuitive channel, energy medicine healer, and founder of the Zen Within Academy. Based in Charlotte, NC, Katie works at the intersection of personal healing and business leadership, helping entrepreneurs and corporate leaders understand how their energy fields and the unhealed patterns within them directly shape the health and success of their organizations. Katie shares her own story of rising quickly through the corporate ranks only to crash into burnout and chronic illness. That experience led her to three and a half years of intensive training in energy healing, where she discovered that the same patterns of overwork, people-pleasing, and seeking validation that fueled her corporate success were also making her sick and that they didn’t disappear when she left. This episode is for any leader who has ever felt that something beneath the surface is holding them back and who is ready to look at that something with curiosity, courage, and practical tools for change. Tune in to discover how your inner world is shaping your leadership and what you can do to shift it. In This Episode: [00:00] How childhood experiences impact leadership and visibility [01:48] Introduction to Katie Sutton and her work [03:50] From corporate burnout to energy healing [07:15] What it means to “heal” a business [10:15] How personal patterns affect business growth [16:40] Learning to work with energy and intuition [18:48] Why this work is practical, not abstract [20:03] Is corporate culture inherently toxic? [26:34] Masculine vs. feminine energy in leadership [29:03] Why men often resist emotional awareness [30:37] Emotional intelligence and leadership presence [32:40] Trust, safety, and intuitive leadership [34:54] Where to learn more: resources and Katie’s work Resources and Links Spirituality in Leadership Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406 Katie Sutton Website: https://zenwithinacademy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiesutton/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZenWithinAcademy Courses: Energy hygiene, relationship healing, business energy Andrew Cohn Website: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/ Music: Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe

May 21, 202646 min

The Fourth Leg of the Stool: Why Compassionate Listening Is Essential in Healthcare and Leadership

In the high-pressure world of medicine, even the most accomplished doctors can face exhaustion, self-doubt, and burnout. Yet what if the same tools that restore resilience and clarity could transform the way we lead, care for others, and live fully? In this episode of the Spirituality in Leadership podcast, Andrew Cohn sits down with Assaad Mounzer, a retired urologist, mindfulness teacher, and coach who now helps individuals and groups move from burnout to engagement through mindfulness and self-awareness. Drawing from decades in medicine and his own personal journey across cultures and careers, Assaad shares how his understanding of healing expanded beyond procedures and prescriptions. At the heart of the conversation is Assaad’s practical framework for living and leading with intention: the four keys of mindfulness, including attention, values, wisdom, and an open heart. Together, these principles offer a path toward greater resilience, emotional balance, and authentic leadership. This episode explores the intersection of healing, self-awareness, and leadership, reminding us that true leadership begins with how we care for ourselves and how we show up for others. Tune in to discover how mindfulness, compassion, and intentional living can transform both leadership and wellbeing. In This Episode: [00:00] Introduction to mindfulness and values [01:34] Introduction to Assaad Mounzer [03:26] Assaad’s journey from Lebanon to the U.S. [07:26] Early medical practice and cultural influence [08:42] Introduction to spirituality and healing [11:41] Integrating spirituality into medical practice [15:40] Burnout, writing the book, and discovering mindfulness [18:56] The four keys of mindfulness [23:39] Neuroplasticity and practicing values [25:06] Wisdom and the open heart [27:33] Spirituality, medicine, and leadership [32:40] Current work: retreats, workshops, and coaching [34:29] Addressing grief and deep healing [37:49] How to learn more and connect [39:04] Closing remarks and podcast outro Resources and Links Resources and Links Spirituality in Leadership Podcast Dr. Assaad Mounzer Website LinkedIn Email Book Andrew Cohn Website LinkedIn Music: Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe

October 16, 202455 min

Kairos and the "Wake" of Leadership, with Karen and Matthew Fine

In this episode of the podcast, Andrew Cohn speaks with Karen and Matt Fine —business leaders, parents, and community contributors in Norfolk, Virginia. This is a conversation about simpler applications of spirituality in family and at work. Matt and Karen talk about their journeys, the impact of their personal spirituality in their household, and their work in the world. This broad conversation is full of wisdom and insight. The Fines are humble as they express their beliefs and their experience, however they offer a number of inspiring stories and invite us to use our experience and our inspiration to help us leave a positive “wake” as leaders in the world.

October 15, 202546 min

From Ashram to Boardroom: The Energy of Authentic Leadership, with Anna Pool

Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt the energy shift before a single word was spoken? What if leadership isn’t just about what you say or do, but the energy you broadcast every day? In this episode of the Spirituality in Leadership podcast, Andrew Cohn sits down with executive coach Anna Pool to explore the true frequency of leadership and how our internal state quietly shapes every meeting, decision, and connection. Anna’s story is extraordinary. She spent 20 years in an ashram devoted to meditation, yoga, and service before her spiritual community collapsed under the weight of betrayal. That loss became her greatest teacher, leading her from the ashram to the boardroom, where she now helps leaders embody authentic, energetic presence. Together, they unpack Dr. David Hawkins’ Map of Consciousness and what it reveals about courage, fear, and the “green zone” of leadership, where creativity and clarity thrive. Anna shares how awareness and intention can transform not only your leadership, but the very atmosphere around you. It’s a fascinating look at how to lead with your energy, not just your words, and why what you broadcast matters more than you think. Key Takeaways Your Energy Precedes You: Leaders are constantly broadcasting an emotional frequency that directly impacts team morale, engagement, and psychological safety. The Map of Consciousness: A visual model for understanding emotional states, from reactive, low-frequency zones (shame, fear, anger) to creative, high-frequency zones (courage, acceptance, love). Courage is the Threshold: Effective, purposeful leadership becomes consistently accessible at the level of "Courage," where we move from reactivity to possibility and choice. Non-Judgmental Self-Awareness is Key: The most critical skill for spiritual and leadership growth is the ability to observe your own state without criticism, creating space for conscious change. Practical Resets Work: Simple interventions like brief guided meditations or "green zone exercises" can quickly shift a group's energy, leading to more productive and insightful outcomes. Executive Presence Reimagined: The elusive quality of "executive presence" is deeply connected to one's ability to broadcast calm, confident, and creative frequencies. In This Episode: [00:01] Anna’s ashram years and early awakening [04:44] What led her to drop out of college and join the community [08:41] Roles and leadership within the ashram [09:51] Marriage, vows, and challenges of communal life [10:49] The scandal that changed everything [12:57] Transitioning from ashram life to professional coaching [16:07] Discovering Dr. David Hawkins’ Map of Consciousness [20:42] The importance of non-judgmental self-awareness [23:36] Connecting spiritual insight to corporate leadership [24:48] The “green zone” and the courage frequency [30:38] Feeling versus thinking, how emotion drives energy [33:09] How leaders broadcast energy and influence others [36:13] Introducing spirituality in business without alienating teams [38:18] Redefining executive presence through vibrational leadership [41:17] Anna’s book on possibility thinking [42:21] The “green zone” mindfulness exercise [43:31] Why energy work belongs in every leadership toolkit [45:07] Where to find and connect with Anna Resources and Links Spirituality in Leadership Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406 Anna Pool Website :https://executivesavvyinc.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-pool-26a61110/ Book: Creating Futures That Matter: Facilitating Change Through Shared Vision Andrew Cohn Website: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/ Referenced David Hawkins — Map of Consciousness Explained Music: Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe