The Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast

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Aug 2026

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Compassion isn't soft — it's a strategy. Join us on the Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast, where we dive into the hearts and minds of leaders who harness the timeless power of compassion to enrich their communities and enterprises. Hosted by Laurel Donnellan and Darryl Brown, each episode features intimate conversations with trailblazers who prove that compassion is more than a virtue — it's one of the most powerful strategies for building healthy workplaces and vibrant communities. Discover how these leaders blend ancient wisdom with modern insights to create environments where people and businesses don't just survive, but truly thrive. This is the podcast for leaders who refuse to choose between doing good and doing well. If this conversation inspires you to lead with more compassion, bring that growth to your whole team. Discover how Compassionate Leaders Circle supports teams in building trust, connection, and stronger leadership: compassionateleaderscircle.com/for-teams

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August 27, 2026Episode 941 hr 15 min

94: Special Episode: The Work On Purpose Summit

What does it mean to build a meaningful career—and lead a thriving team—when artificial intelligence is changing work faster than ever? In this special Work-On-Purpose Summit episode, CLC President Sarah Feeley and Founder and CEO Laurel Donnellan join future-of-work experts Hamza Khan, Abhijit Bhaduri, and Katie Reed to explore artificial intelligence, purpose at work, career change, and the human skills that matter most. Prefer to watch? Watch the full video conversation on the Compassionate Leaders Circle YouTube channel . Together, they consider why this moment may be less about an “AI era” and more about a rehumanization era—one in which judgment, relationships, self-awareness, storytelling, and meaningful connection become even more valuable. In this episode, you’ll explore: Why purpose at work matters in an AI-disrupted economy How AI can reduce tedious work while introducing new risks around overreliance, loneliness, and inequity Why career identity needs to be flexible rather than tied to one role, credential, or professional label What makes people uniquely valuable in a workplace increasingly shaped by automation How individuals and leaders can stay connected to purpose through change and uncertainty Turn Insight Into Action Navigating a career shift or rethinking what purposeful work looks like for you? CLC’s purpose coaching and Plan for Purpose programs offer the structure, space, and support to build a life and career that fit who you are. Explore programs for individuals . Leading people through AI-driven change, uncertainty, or a loss of connection at work? CLC partners with organizations to build purposeful, resilient leadership and sustainable culture change through tailored programs—not off-the-shelf workshops. Explore programs for organizations .

August 4, 2026Episode 9333 min

93: Democratizing Capital for Women Entrepreneurs with Molly Huyck

How do you change who gets a seat at the table when the systems around you were not built for everyone to succeed? In this episode, CLC Founder and CEO Laurel Donnellan speaks with Molly Huyck , Founder and CEO of Equitas Invest, about women entrepreneurs, access to capital, mission-driven business, and building ventures rooted in equity and community. Prefer to watch? Watch the full video conversation on the Compassionate Leaders Circle YouTube channel . Molly shares the path that took her from Union Pacific Railroad and PayPal to founding a crowdfunding platform designed to help women entrepreneurs connect with everyday investors. She and Laurel discuss the emotional realities of entrepreneurship, how founders can tell stories that attract support, AI as a practical thought partner, and why Molly also opened a women’s sports bar in Omaha. In this episode, you’ll explore: Why access to capital remains a major barrier for women entrepreneurs How to communicate the story, value, and purpose behind your work What it takes to lead through risk, uncertainty, and high-stakes decisions Why entrepreneurship can be lonely—and how community changes the experience How AI can support creative thinking, decision-making, and leadership Take the Next Step With Compassionate Leaders Circle For individuals: Build a life and career that fit who you are through private purpose coaching or Plan for Purpose. Explore purpose programs for individuals . For organizations: Build remarkable leadership and lasting culture change with a custom, evidence-based program designed around your people, culture, and goals. Explore CLC solutions for organizations .

July 14, 2026Episode 9242 min

92: Funding the Future: Angelique Albert on Native Forward's Mission to Educate Native Scholars

"As Native people, we're closer to our own communities, so we know how to problem-solve in our communities. We're closest to the problem, we're closest to the answers." In this episode, CLC Founder and CEO Laurel Donnellan speaks with Angelique Albert , CEO of Native Forward Scholars Fund, about Native leadership, generational trauma, educational access, and the power of community-led solutions. Prefer to watch? Watch the full video conversation on the Compassionate Leaders Circle YouTube channel . Angelique shares her journey from the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana to leading the nation’s largest scholarship provider for Native students. Together, she and Laurel explore how personal history shapes purpose, why Native-led organizations are essential to lasting change, and what it means to invest in opportunity for the next seven generations. In this episode, you’ll explore: The connection between generational trauma, identity, and leadership Why educational access is critical to Native communities and Tribal Nations How authentic leadership includes owning every part of your story What it means to build change with—not just for—the communities closest to the challenge How purpose, education, and community can create lasting impact Take the Next Step With Compassionate Leaders Circle For individuals: Build a life and career that fit who you are through private purpose coaching or Plan for Purpose. Explore purpose programs for individuals . For organizations: Build remarkable leadership and lasting culture change with a custom, evidence-based program designed around your people, culture, and goals. Explore CLC solutions for organizations .

July 10, 2026Episode 9152 min

91: From Trinidad to Oxford to PMI: David Cumberbatch on Reinventing Career Readiness in the Age of AI

Laurel Donnellan sits down with David Cumberbatch, newly appointed Managing Director of North America for the Project Management Institute (PMI), for a wide-ranging conversation on education, career readiness, and leadership in a rapidly changing world of work. Prefer to watch? Watch the full video conversation on the Compassionate Leaders Circle YouTube channel . David shares his journey from Trinidad and Tobago to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, through leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, the Gates Foundation, and ACT, and into his current work with the Project Management Institute. Together, Laurel and David explore why career paths are becoming more fluid, how education and technology can prepare people for the future, and why safety, trust, critical thinking, and communication matter more—not less—in an AI-enabled workplace. PMI serves a global community of more than 800,000 members and offers pathways into project-management careers through credentials including CAPM, PMP, and the AI-focused PMI-CPMAI. In this episode, you’ll explore: Why people may navigate multiple jobs and career chapters over a lifetime How AI is changing project management, education, and workforce readiness Why “power skills” such as critical thinking, communication, and relationship-building remain indispensable How PMI Infinity supports project professionals with AI-powered guidance and resources Why accessible credentials can create career opportunities without requiring a four-year degree What compassionate leadership, psychological safety, and trust have to do with high performance This is a conversation about future-ready careers, human-centered leadership, and helping people build the confidence and skills to thrive through change. Take the Next Step With Compassionate Leaders Circle For individuals: Build a life and career that fit who you are through private purpose coaching or Plan for Purpose. Explore purpose programs for individuals . For organizations: Build remarkable leadership and lasting culture change with a custom, evidence-based program designed around your people, culture, and goals. Explore CLC solutions for organizations . Resources & Links Mentioned PMI website: pmi.org PMI job board (for certified members) PMI Infinity (PMI's AI companion platform) CPM AI Certification and CAPM/PMP certification pathways PM Ready certificate (high school level) University of Pennsylvania high school internship training program Crimson Global Academy (referenced re: UK/US K-12 comparison — see Laurel's earlier interview) Opportunity@Work (referenced re: non-degree career pathways) Resources & Links Mentioned PMI website: pmi.org PMI job board (for certified members) PMI Infinity (PMI's AI companion platform) CPM AI Certification and CAPM/PMP certification pathways PM Ready certificate (high school level) University of Pennsylvania high school internship training program Crimson Global Academy (referenced re: UK/US K-12 comparison — see Laurel's earlier interview) Opportunity@Work (referenced re: non-degree career pathways

July 1, 2026Episode 9054 min

90: Second Chances, Sound Leadership: Larry Miller and Ken Oliver on Building the Justice & Upward Mobility Project

What does it take to build a meaningful career—and a full life—after the justice system has written you off? In this episode, Compassionate Leaders Circle Founder and CEO Laurel Donnellan speaks with Larry Miller , Founder of the Justice & Upward Mobility Project (JUMP) and Chairman of the Jordan Brand Advisory Board, and Ken Oliver , JUMP’s President and CEO. Together, they explore second-chance employment, workforce development, entrepreneurship, leadership, and the power of seeing talent where others see a record. Prefer to watch? Watch the full video conversation on the Compassionate Leaders Circle YouTube channel . Larry and Ken share the personal experiences behind JUMP’s mission to expand education, employment, and economic mobility for people impacted by the justice system. JUMP works with leaders across business, sports, entertainment, government, and communities to create opportunity, shift harmful narratives, and build more inclusive hiring systems. Its goals include creating one million jobs and reducing recidivism by 50% in JUMP Cities by 2040. They also discuss why second-chance hiring is not charity—it is a talent strategy; how skills and education can change life outcomes; and what compassionate leadership looks like when it becomes an organization’s operating system, not simply a value statement. In this episode, you’ll explore: Why talent is everywhere, even when opportunity is not How employers can make second-chance hiring part of a stronger talent strategy The connection between marketable skills, education, economic mobility, and reduced recidivism How JUMP uses workforce development, policy, media, and local coalition-building to drive systemic change Why entrepreneurship training must offer real pathways—not just inspiration What leaders can learn from choosing curiosity, trust, and potential over judgment This is a conversation about redemption, belonging, economic mobility, and the leadership required to create a wider path to opportunity. Take the Next Step With Compassionate Leaders Circle For individuals: Build a life and career that fit who you are through private purpose coaching or Plan for Purpose. Explore purpose programs for individuals . For organizations: Build remarkable leadership and lasting culture change with a custom, evidence-based program designed around your people, culture, and goals. Explore CLC solutions for organizations . Learn More JUMP: jumpproject.org Larry's memoir: JUMP , co-authored with Laila Lacy Second Chance Business Coalition: secondchancebusinesscoalition.org

June 30, 2026Episode 8951 min

89: The Future Of Work Isn’t About AI. It’s About Us., with KeyAnna Schmiedl and Dr. Kelly Monahan

AI is changing work—but will it make us more efficient, more disconnected, or more human? In this episode, Compassionate Leaders Circle President Sarah Feeley and Founder and CEO Laurel Donnellan speak with Dr. Kelly Monahan , future-of-work researcher and former Director of Future of Work at Meta, and KeyAnna Schmiedl , Chief Human Experience Officer at Workhuman. Together, they explore AI at work, career transitions, human-centered leadership, and the skills people need to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. Prefer to watch? Watch the full video conversation on the Compassionate Leaders Circle YouTube channel . As careers become more fluid and technology reshapes how work gets done, Kelly and KeyAnna challenge the idea that AI is the sole cause of workplace disruption. Instead, they examine the broader economic pressures facing workers and organizations—and the leadership choices that determine whether AI creates more disconnection or more opportunity. In this episode, you’ll explore: Why the future of work requires adaptability, agency, and “lovable transitions” How leaders can show up more human through humility, curiosity, and shared power Why critical thinking and human connection should not be outsourced to AI A practical three-question test for AI: Does it make work faster, improve quality, and create more space for human connection? Why AI literacy matters alongside the enduring value of trades, caregiving, and relationship-centered work How psychological safety and trust support both compassionate leadership and high performance This is a conversation about using AI with intention, staying in the driver’s seat of your own thinking, and building workplaces where people—not technology—remain at the center. Take the Next Step With Compassionate Leaders Circle For individuals: Build a life and career that fit who you are through private purpose coaching or Plan for Purpose. Explore purpose programs for individuals . For organizations: Build remarkable leadership and lasting culture change with a custom, evidence-based program designed around your people, culture, and goals. Explore CLC solutions for organizations .

June 26, 2026Episode 8840 min

88: Cooking Up Purpose: How Young Chefs Academy Empowers Kids and Communities

In this episode of the Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast, hosts Sarah Feely and Chelsea Stoll speak with Leigh Feldman, CEO of Youth Franchise Brands, the company behind Young Chefs Academy and Flour Power Cooking Studios. Leigh shares how these youth cooking franchises turn kitchens into classrooms for life skills, confidence, and community—while also creating meaningful opportunities for purpose-driven entrepreneurs. Listeners learn how Young Chefs Academy’s membership model and belt-style progression system help kids grow from beginner cooks to “black jacket” executive-level young chefs, and how Flour Power’s camps and workshops invite families and adults into the fun. Leigh explains how cooking becomes a kind of “sport” for creative kids, blending STEM/STEAM learning, teamwork, and leadership in an environment that feels playful rather than academic. The conversation also spotlights a new partnership with the National Mango Board, bringing mango-focused recipes and nutrition education to 53 locations in 31 states. Children discover how to pick, cut, and cook with mangoes while exploring global flavors and healthy eating habits. Throughout, Leigh reflects on his winding path through teaching, franchising, and entrepreneurship, and what it means to “do good while doing well” as a compassionate leader serving children, families, and local business owners. https://youngchefsacademy.com/ https://www.mango.org/

May 27, 2026Episode 8742 min

87: Tend the Garden You Can Reach with Rick Milenthal, CEO, The Shipyard

What we Discuss; The Shipyard & Engineering Brand Love Rick introduces The Shipyard — a leading independent agency working across advertising, PR, and digital — and unpacks their guiding theme: engineering brand love. He makes the case that technology should serve feeling, not replace it, and that the most enduring brands are "designed with feelings and fueled by feelings." The Mental Health Mission — Mission SOAR After his business partner lost a 17-year-old son to suicide, Rick and his team committed the agency's creative resources to mental health advocacy. That mission led to a landmark partnership with Ohio State University on Mission SOAR (State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience) — a longitudinal study following thousands of families, modeled on the famous Framingham Heart Study. Rick explains why this kind of long-term research is the key to unlocking insurance coverage and better outcomes for mental health treatment. Building a Safe Culture Inside the Agency Rick describes how The Shipyard created a workplace where employees can openly discuss mental health challenges — and why this has become the company's single highest non-financial retention driver. He's candid about the particular mental health pressures of creative work, where "it's personal by definition." The Leadership Transformation Once "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" in his 30s and 40s, Rick reflects on what changed him — starting at home, not in the boardroom. He shares a counterintuitive truth: leaning into vulnerability and human-centered leadership didn't slow his business down. It accelerated growth, improved client relationships, and deepened everything at home too. AI, Advertising & the Future of Creativity Rick pushes back on doom narratives about AI's impact on advertising. The industry itself is growing — AI platforms will be ad-supported just like Google and social media. His take: you won't be replaced by AI; you'll be replaced by someone who knows how to use it. And he's optimistic that the current wave of technological expansion will ultimately fuel a new era of creativity, not suppress it. Truth-Telling as Leadership Practice Rick's parting wisdom is simple and direct: tell the truth. Not as a platitude, but as a daily discipline — in business, in relationships, with yourself. Rumor and spin, he argues, are always more damaging than an honest conversation.

May 14, 2026Episode 8639 min

86: The Compassionate Leader's Companion Pod Series #2: Faith, Connect to Inspiration

What if faith isn't a four-letter word — but a five-letter superpower? In this episode, Laurel Donnellan and Darryl Brown sit down with interviewer Sarah Feely to explore Principle #2 of the Donnellan Method: Faith — and its corresponding practice: Connect to Inspiration . Whether you approach faith through a spiritual lens, a religious tradition, or simply a deep belief in something good and positive beyond yourself, this conversation meets you exactly where you are. Laurel reflects on the lives of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan — two women who, through extraordinary hardship and an unshakeable sense of calling, transformed the landscape of education and human possibility. Darryl shares his ongoing relationship with Father Joe Tetlow , a 95-year-old Jesuit priest and rock star in his community, whose embodiment of faith, discernment, and love has shaped Darryl's own understanding of discipline, freedom, and what it means to be "right-sized." Together, the three explore the role of solitude, discipline, and practice in building resilience — and why preventative healing matters long before a crisis arrives. You'll hear a beautiful conversation about the paradox of freedom and discipline, what it means to hold hope as both a noun and a verb, and why compassion is always an act, not just a feeling. This episode is part of a series that guides leaders through history, healing, and hope as they navigate change and growth. Come for the wisdom; stay for the warmth. You'll walk away with: A framework for identifying your personal "positive point of view" — and the practice that strengthens it A fresh understanding of why faith comes second in the 12-principle Donnellan Method Practical insight into building your margin — the resilient space between your load and your limit Inspiration from two leaders who have combined decades of recovery, executive leadership, and spiritual curiosity into a life of purposeful impact

May 11, 2026Episode 8545 min

85: Setting A Higher Bar For Online Education Without Borders with Penelope Barton and Brittanie Bates

I met Penelope Barton and Brittanie Bates the way you meet the most interesting people: in a coffee line. It was South by Southwest EDU (SXSWEDU), and within minutes, I knew these weren't typical school administrators. They were builders — the kind of quietly revolutionary leaders who don't wait for the system to change but build something new alongside it. Barton is the CEO of Crimson Global Academy (CGA), and Bates is its Senior Vice President. CGA is a fully online, international high school serving nearly 3,000 students from 72 countries — and it's growing fast. But here's what makes it worth your attention: it's not an "online school" in the way that phrase tends to make parents nervously clear their throats. It's something genuinely new. Join us for this insightful conversation about the future of education.