Spirituality in Leadership

Hosted by Andrew Cohn

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Aug 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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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 30, 202451 min

Allowing Ourselves to be Transparent to What’s Most True for Us, with Tom Hurley

In this episode of the podcast, Andrew speaks with his colleague, friend, and mentor Tom Hurley , a very experienced leadership development consultant, about how we can be transparent to what's most true for us as they explore the connection between spirituality and leadership, a topic Tom has been exploring for decades. Tom talks about his personal experience through a variety of dimensions, about how he defines spirituality, and about the importance of focusing on how we connect with our guidance. Tom says the most important invitation is for us to explore what is most deeply true for us and how this inquiry is fundamentally mysterious. This conversation is laced with wisdom and inspiration and invites us to consider how we can live lives that are more fulfilled and have a more positive impact on the world, even if we are operating in a challenging business paradigm that might sometimes make us confront our deepest personal values.

October 23, 202320 min

Spirituality In Leadership Trailer

You are listening to Spirituality In Leadership Podcast. Join Andrew Cohn in exploring different ways leaders can leverage their spiritual dimensions for the benefit of others. Each episode focuses on the thread that connects spirituality and leadership, providing you with the roadmap to become more fulfilled and effective in all roles of your life. Prepare to dive into these insightful discussions that will guide you on embracing servant leadership, understanding your purpose in life, and tapping into your core dimensions.

December 16, 202545 min

The Spiritual Skills Every Leader Needs: Presence, Purpose, and Compassion, with William Miller

What’s the right way to bring spirituality into workplace conversations when everyone comes from different cultures and comfort levels? Is culture really the problem, or is it more about our ability to adapt and communicate in ways people can genuinely receive? And what about leaders who make tough decisions from a spiritual place, like keeping a 50-year-old who may never find another job while letting go of younger employees who can recover quickly–and even supporting them in finding new roles? In this episode, Andrew Cohn speaks with William Miller, co-founder of Values Centered Innovation and long-time explorer of the intersection between spirituality, creativity, and corporate leadership. Miller traces his journey back to a pivotal moment in the 1980s when mystical literature unexpectedly illuminated his work in innovation. That spark, he explains, revealed spirituality, business, and creativity as “facets of a single jewel,” a realization that has guided his work for four decades. He describes how ancient wisdom traditions, including the Bhagavad Gita, informed research on what energizes innovation, revealing three universal motivators: intention, connection, and action. These insights helped Miller develop practical models, such as his “creative journey” process, that cultivate psychological safety, courage, and authentic human connection within organizations. The conversation also explores cultural nuances in discussing spirituality at work, stories of leaders who ground tough decisions in compassion, and the shift from profit-first business models toward purpose-driven ones. Miller introduces his current project, Reclaiming the Soul of Leadership , a program that helps leaders explore their spiritual foundations, express them through values-based leadership, and foster communities rooted in wisdom and love. Key Takeaways Spirituality, innovation, and leadership are deeply interconnected. Psychological safety grows when individuals feel seen and valued beyond their roles. Cultural context shapes how spiritual conversations can be introduced. Compassionate leadership fosters trust and can drive organizational transformation. Business is shifting from shareholder value to a broader focus on stakeholder wellbeing. Spiritual leadership comes from responding with calm rather than reacting from fear. True leadership development begins with inner exploration and reconnecting with the soul. In This Episode: [01:26] Introduction to William Miller [03:43] William Miller's journey [04:55] The intersection of spirituality and business [09:03] Implementing spirituality in corporate work [18:56] Cultural perspectives on spiritual conversations [19:07] Spiritual conversations being easier in some cultures compared to others [20:15] Telling the story and the think, act, innovation process [25:27] The control game and spiritual deficits [26:00] The notion of unconditional love in Christian tradition [27:13] Spirituality’s role in leadership behavior [27:48] Research on spirituality among executives [28:30] Case study: Lars Colon's turnaround at Oticon [32:47] Purpose of business: from shareholder wealth to stakeholder wellbeing [35:38] Making a clear distinction between spirituality and religion [38:09] Reclaiming the soul of leadership [43:55] The spiritual path in leadership Resources and Links Spirituality in Leadership Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406 William Miller Website: https://consciousleadershipacademy.org/ / https://vci.global The Guild website: https://clgleaders.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamcmillervci Book: The Art of Spiritual Leadership in Business Andrew Cohn Website: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/ Music: Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe

February 18, 202647 min

Love as the Foundation: Bringing Heartset Education to Classrooms and Leadership, with Stu Semigran

Imagine a young boy with cerebral palsy, limping into summer camp, quietly asking a teenage counselor to teach him how to tie his shoes, not because he couldn’t learn, but because he craved twenty minutes of undivided, caring attention from an adult who truly saw him. That small act of vulnerability sparked a lifelong mission for Stu Semigran, co-founder of the EduCare Foundation, to create spaces where every child, and every person, feels honored, valued, and capable of extraordinary growth. In this episode of Spirituality in Leadership , host Andrew Cohn reconnects with Stu Semigran to explore how love, compassion, and practical “Heartset®” principles can transform education, organizations, and leadership itself. Over 35 years, EduCare has reached hundreds of thousands of students, especially in underserved communities, proving that when cultures of kindness, listening, and forgiveness flourish, both academic results and personal fulfillment thrive. Stu shares his journey from a rebellious young teacher to nonprofit leader, illustrating how seeing the best in others, even when they cannot see it themselves, creates the Pygmalion Effect in real time. The conversation explores the eight Heartset skills: honoring, praising, heart-centered listening, choice, forgiveness, conflict resolution, turning challenges into opportunities, and service, showing how these timeless practices bridge spirituality and high-accountability environments naturally and effectively. This episode offers educators, leaders, and anyone seeking more heart in high-stakes settings both inspiration and actionable wisdom. Key Takeaways Authentic care and kindness create environments where learning thrives; people respond deeply when they feel seen and valued. Shift from cognitive growth to a "growth heartset" through eight skills: honoring, praising/encouraging, listening from the heart, power of choice, forgiveness, resolving conflict, using challenges as opportunities, and giving/receiving service. Believing in others’ potential helps them rise, shown by gains in test scores and graduations. Letting go of judgments frees energy for growth; it’s not excusing harm but releasing its lasting poison. Honest feedback, celebrating wins, and building trust turn organizations into learning cultures. Nurturing heart-centered skills helps youth grow into compassionate, courageous leaders, creating lasting hope and impact. In This Episode: [00:00] Introduction [01:36] Meet Stu Semigran, co-founder of the Educare Foundation [03:40] Stu’s story and his connection to spirituality in leadership [05:58] Growth and impact of Educare Foundation [06:31] Philosophy of education: curiosity and individuality [07:37] Serving underserved students and changing perceptions [09:57] Building a culture of caring and kindness in classrooms [12:03] Leadership in education and organizations [13:15] Being vs. doing in leadership [15:18] Stu’s spiritual framework and the principles that inform his work [23:30] The power of vulnerability and asking for help [25:26] Letting go and empowering others [27:19] The intersection of love and accountability in education leadership [29:52] Celebrating success and positive feedback [35:14] Defining forgiveness and letting go of judgments [37:21] Conflict resolution and the four truths [38:08] Service, giving, and the cycle of heart set skills [41:18] Youth leadership and service in action [43:28] Stu’s contact information Resources and Links Spirituality in Leadership Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406 Stu Semigran https://www.amazon.com/Heartset-Education-Way-Living-Learning/dp/1735913030 www.educarefoundation.com www. greatergood.berkeley.edu www.afterschoolalliance.org Andrew Cohn Website: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/ Music: Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe