The Courage Effect

Hosted by Suzanne Weller - Weller Collaboration

Business Management Entrepreneurship Society CultureInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

The Courage Effect is a show about what becomes possible when you stop waiting to feel ready. Hosted by Suzanne Weller, it's honest conversation about the fear, risk, and uncertainty behind every meaningful step — and how courage gets lived, not just talked about. Because it isn't reserved for the dramatic moments. It's a reinvention and it's speaking up. It's challenging inequality and it's saying hello to a stranger. The big leaps and the small, daily acts both count — and both are where change happens. These are the stories that move us forward. Let's go.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 10, 2026Episode 8447 min

Kat Kibben: There's Always Another Way Out

#84: Discover how intentionality in creating your personal and professional environments can cultivate courage and lived leadership. In this episode, Kat Kibben talks with Suzanne Weller about their transformative journey into van life, insights on leading through uncertainty, and practical ways to build healthier, more resilient teams and communities. Main Topics: ➡️ How choosing discomfort fosters growth and courage ➡️ Challenging inherited rules from toxic workplace cultures ➡️ The power of quitting intentionally as a design tool ➡️ Building organizational resilience and emotional intelligence ➡️ The importance of asking for help and fostering curiosity Resources & Links: ➡️ The Bounce Back Factor book: https://threeearsmedia.com/the-bounce-back-factor-book/ ➡️ Kat Kibben’s Newsletter: https://katrinakibben.com/ ➡️ Three Ears Media: https://threeearsmedia.com/ Connect with Kat: ➡️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben ➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katrinakibben/ Connect with The Courage Effect: ➡️ Host: Suzanne Weller / Weller Collaboration ➡️ Website: https://wellercollaboration.com/thecourageeffect ➡️ Social Media: https://linktr.ee/suzanneweller ➡️ Substack: Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter at https://suzanneweller.substack.com/about If this conversation resonated, share it and leave a review on your podcast platform. That's how this show grows — one courageous conversation at a time.

April 29, 20269 min

Season 2026 Teaser: It Starts With You

Think about the last environment you walked into — a meeting, a family dinner, a conversation with someone you manage or someone who manages you. Did you create that environment? Or did it just happen to you? Most of us spend a lot of time thinking about what we're in. What we don't always do — and what takes far more courage — is turn the lens around and ask: What am I creating? That's what the 2026 season of The Courage Effect is built around. The central idea: you don't just work in an environment. You create one. And most of the time, you're doing it unconsciously — replicating patterns from the systems that shaped you, even when those patterns aren't working. This season, we're asking three honest questions: When did you become aware of the system around you? When did you become aware of your impact on it? And what did you do about it? Coming this season: Kat Kibben, author of The Bounce Back Factor, who sold everything and ran their business from a van for three years — only to discover they'd been replicating broken leadership patterns all along. And Emily Parkhurst, who left her role as publisher and president of the Puget Sound Business Journal to found Formidable, a media company built specifically for women leaders that existing systems weren't seeing. Plus solo episodes, a live event in Seattle this summer, and livestreams where you can be part of the conversation in real time. The new season launches in June. Between now and then, sit with this: What environment are you creating — before you've even said a word? 📩 suzanneweller.substack.com | 🌐 wellercollaboration.com/thecourageeffect What are you walking into rooms and unconsciously building?

April 8, 202632 min

Listener Favorite with Fumbi Chima: Getting There is One Thing, Staying There is Another

What does it really take to be a woman at the top — not just to get there, but to stay? In this listener favorite, Suzanne Weller sits down with global technology executive Fumbi Chima for an honest conversation about directness, equity, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to stop shrinking your truth. Dr. Fumbi Chima is an executive coach at The ExCo Group and has held CIO and senior executive roles at Boeing Employees Credit Union, Adidas, Fox Networks Group, Burberry, Walmart, and American Express. She sits on the public company boards of Whitbread and WTW. Born in Nigeria and educated in England, she has spent nearly three decades at the intersection of business and technology — and taught herself to code along the way. Key takeaways: Getting to the top and staying there are two different challenges — and the second one doesn't get nearly enough airtime Curiosity (about other people, other cultures, other ways of thinking) is the foundation of a true global mindset Fumbi's Gen Z daughters pushed her to say what she actually meant. She listened. Moving from ten words to seven isn't about being blunt. It's about being honest enough to stop protecting people from the truth you're carrying. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to the theme of courage and growth (04:26) - Women at the top: Benefits and loneliness (06:11) - Challenges women face to stay in leadership roles (07:37) - The reality of diversity scorecards vs. genuine inclusion (12:28) - Fumbi’s childhood in Nigeria and England (15:05) - Self-teaching technology and building new skills (17:37) - The power of ambition and owning your career goals (20:22) - Confidently celebrating achievements and owning your voice (25:18) - Cultivating a global mindset through curiosity (33:37) - Ongoing learning in AI and data for future leadership (34:37) - Closing thoughts on embracing disruption and innovation Connect with Dr. Fumbi Chima on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fumbi-chima/ Connect with The Courage Effect: Host: Suzanne Weller / Weller Collaboration Website: https://wellercollaboration.com/thecourageeffect Social Media: https://linktr.ee/suzanneweller Substack: Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter at https://suzanneweller.substack.com/about Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you: Leave a review on your podcast platform If this conversation resonated, share it. That's how this show grows — one courageous conversation at a time.

March 4, 202627 min

Listener Favorite with Dr. Jeremy Nobel: Crafting Connections in a Lonely World

In this episode, Suzanne Weller engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Jeremy Nobel about the complexities of loneliness. They explore the different types of loneliness (psychological, societal, and existential) and emphasize the importance of acknowledging and addressing these feelings. Dr. Nobel shares insights from his book, 'Project Unlonely,' and discusses how the arts can serve as a powerful tool in combating loneliness. The conversation highlights the need for human connection, the courage to express feelings of loneliness, and the role of creativity in fostering relationships and emotional well-being. About Dr. Jeremy Nobel: He’s a primary-care physician, public health practitioner, and award-winning poet with faculty appointments at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard Medical School. He is the founder and president of The Foundation for Art & Healing, and author of the book Project Unlonely: Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection. Takeaways: Loneliness is a universal experience that everyone faces. There are different types of loneliness: psychological, societal, and existential. Loneliness is not the same as being alone; it's a subjective feeling. Acknowledging loneliness requires courage and can foster connection. Loneliness can be a signal indicating a need for human connection. The pandemic has made conversations about loneliness more acceptable. Arts and creativity can help combat feelings of loneliness. Recognizing the signs of chronic loneliness is crucial for mental health. Sound Bites: "Loneliness is a universal experience that everyone faces." "Vulnerability is essential for authentic connections." "Arts and creativity can help combat feelings of loneliness." Chapters: 00:00 Understanding Loneliness: A Human Experience 13:04 The Role of Arts in Combating Loneliness Connect with Dr. Nobel: Website: https://jeremynobel.com/ The Foundation for Art & Healing: https://www.artandhealing.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_-GxBhC1ARIsADGgDjscusqh0TIxqNq2gTDMnNRzKr9zyELmGhveSCPokdnWF0GmsOEomHoaAqFWEALw_wcB Read his book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/647051/project-unlonely-by-jeremy-nobel-md-mph/ Connect with The Courage Effect: Host: Suzanne Weller / Weller Collaboration Website: https://wellercollaboration.com/thecourageeffect Social Media: https://linktr.ee/suzanneweller Substack: Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter at https://suzanneweller.substack.com/about Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you: Leave a review on your podcast platform Share this episode with someone who would benefit from Dr. Nobel’s story

February 11, 202635 min

Listener Favorite with Michael Hudson: The Courage to Be an Outsider

Michael Hudson moved to rural Vietnam at 22 and stayed through the hard parts. Now CEO of the Hudson Institute of Coaching, he shares what he learned about courage, identity, and the disruptions that force us to grow. Key Themes: Naive Courage vs. Cultivated Courage Naive courage gets you on the plane. Cultivated courage keeps you there at the six-month mark when you want to quit. The real transformation happens when you choose to stay and figure it out. The Flashcard Trap Michael made 200 Vietnamese flashcards but wasn't learning. He was protecting himself from embarrassment. Real integration required letting go of control. Where are you creating the illusion of progress to avoid actual risk? Disruption Forces Honesty We think we know why we're succeeding when times are good. External disruptions reveal what actually matters. COVID forced Michael's organization from in-person to virtual. They didn't want to change — but learned things they're still using. Identity as Obstacle Change requires letting go of parts of yourself that no longer serve you. There's loss in that. Pain in that. We don't sign up for it easily. But becoming something different means releasing who you used to be. Takeaways: Break habituation deliberately. Take different routes. Create small disruptions before life forces big ones. Be honest about what's moving the needle vs. what's just noise Give yourself permission to make it up as you go Stay long enough to know what you're really choosing About Michael: CEO of the Hudson Institute of Coaching, spent 10 years in Southeast Asia and East Africa, coaches startup founders and social entrepreneurs. Connect with Michael: LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hudson-8527728/ Hudson Institute of Coaching website: https://hudsoninstitute.com/ Connect with The Courage Effect: Host: Suzanne Weller / Weller Collaboration Website: https://wellercollaboration.com/thecourageeffect Social Media: https://linktr.ee/suzanneweller Substack: Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter at https://suzanneweller.substack.com/about Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you: Leave a review on your podcast platform Share this episode with someone who would benefit from Michael's story

January 21, 202629 min

Listener Favorite: Courageous Communication with Julie Pham

What happens when we avoid the hard conversations? Dr. Julie Pham, Founder/CEO of Curiosity Based and author of "Seven Forms of Respect," shares the messy truth about when she got it wrong—and what changed when she finally chose directness over avoidance. Julie opens up about quitting a job through manufactured martyrdom rather than honesty, workplace gossip that spectacularly backfired, and the uncomfortable question that kept her up at night. When her boss told her to "let it go," she trusted her gut instead—and ended up modeling the behavior her entire team needed. Drawing on her parents' journey fleeing Vietnam by boat, Julie reminds us that courage is relative. And sometimes the bravest thing we can do is slow down, stop judging ourselves and others, and have the direct conversation—even when it takes months to get there. Key Insights: Courage doesn't have to be immediate. Julie took months to process before having a difficult conversation. "Sometimes our expectations of having to respond right away actually gets us to maybe respond in a way that is just more reactive than thoughtful." You can't outsource your courage. When Julie complained about her boss to a peer, that peer spread her words around the organization. "I can't expect other people to fight my battles for me. I can't expect other people to save me." Trust your gut over bad advice. Against her boss's advice to ignore an uncomfortable situation, Julie had direct conversations and apologized. Her boss later told her: "You actually modeled the behavior that we should have here." Building relationships requires risk. "We don't know how they're going to take it. All I can do is stay true to myself and maybe that'll work and we'll have a deeper relationship and for other people it's gonna isolate us even more." Connect with Julie: LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliepham2/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/juliephamphd Website: https://curiositybased.cominstagram Connect with The Courage Effect: Host: Suzanne Weller / Weller Collaboration Website: https://wellercollaboration.com/thecourageeffect Social Media: https://linktr.ee/suzanneweller Substack: Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter at https://suzanneweller.substack.com/about Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you: Leave a review on your podcast platform Share this episode with someone who would benefit from Suzanne’s story Stay courageous.

December 10, 2025Episode 8328 min

2025 Season Reflections: Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be

#83: The Courage Effect: 2025 Season Finale Suzanne reflects on this season's powerful conversations and asks: What are you waiting for permission to do? Season Themes: Speaking the Unspeakable From menopause (Jill Angelo) to family secrets (Susan Liu) to standing in gaps others won't (Andrea Anderson) — courage means saying what needs to be said. The Courage to Bear Witness Ashley Gilbertson documented Officer Eugene Goodman at the Capitol on January 6th, reminding us we can't look away from hard truths. Self-Compassion as Strategy Massimo Backus: Being kind to yourself isn't soft — it's strategic. Stop wearing leadership costumes and show up authentically. Permission Over Perfection We're better at giving others permission than ourselves. What are you tolerating that you no longer want to? Standout Quotes: Andrea Anderson: "I've always been comfortable standing in the gap that others don't want to stand in." Pelumi Nubi: "Is this fear mine, was it given to me, or do I need to give it back?" Susan Liu: "Sometimes the stories we're not allowed to tell are exactly the ones that the world needs to hear." Three Questions: What am I waiting for permission to do? Who am I waiting to tell me it's okay? What am I tolerating that I no longer want to? The Call: Stop apologizing. Stand in the gap. Bear witness. Take risks. Give yourself permission to be imperfect, human, and fully you. Let's stop discharging pain through blame and create real change — by speaking up, telling stories, and showing what's in the world. And thank you Stephen Pressfield for the inspiration: Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants To Be Connect with The Courage Effect: Host: Suzanne Weller / Weller Collaboration Website: https://wellercollaboration.com/thecourageeffect Social Media: https://linktr.ee/suzanneweller Substack: Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter at https://suzanneweller.substack.com/about Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you: Leave a review on your podcast platform Share this episode with someone who would benefit from our stories Stay courageous.

November 12, 2025Episode 8210 min

When Life Throws You a Tree: A Mini Episode on Loss, Safety, and What Really Matters

#82: In this raw and personal mini episode, Suzanne opens up about a month of grief and disruption — losing her aunt to aggressive cancer and having a massive tree crash through her dining room skylight on her wedding anniversary. She reflects on what it means to feel safe and secure when life reminds us how fragile everything is. This episode is an invitation to examine our own lives: What are we taking for granted? Who do we need to call? What truly matters? She invites us to consider: What are you taking for granted right now? What gives you real security beyond physical structures? Who needs to hear from you? What can you let go of as we head toward year-end? Where do you need to be more present? A Note from Suzanne: This episode is raw and unpolished — and that's intentional. Sometimes courage is just about showing up, being honest, and saying "this is where I am." Thank you for your patience and grace. The final episode of this season drops in two weeks. Connect with The Courage Effect: Host: Suzanne Weller / Weller Collaboration Website: https://wellercollaboration.com/thecourageeffect Social Media: https://linktr.ee/suzanneweller Substack: Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter at https://suzanneweller.substack.com/about Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you: Leave a review on your podcast platform Share this episode with someone who would benefit from Suzanne’s story

October 29, 2025Episode 8145 min

Andrea Anderson: Good Trouble and Girl Scouts

#81: Andrea Anderson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Western Washington, discusses the courage to stand where others won't, lead authentically, and embrace not fitting in. From sex education to running one of the country's most progressive Girl Scout councils, Andrea shares why being an outsider is her superpower. Key Topics: Standing in uncomfortable spaces and calling out injustice Why "we've always done it this way" is never acceptable Girl Scout cookie sales as the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program on the planet Sex education, body autonomy, and the power of language The beach epiphany: embracing not fitting into systems not designed for you Memorable Quotes: "What better time to raise dragon slayers than in the time of dragons." "I stopped apologizing for my very existence years ago." "The scam is structural and they didn't make it with me in mind." "Bravery sometimes is just getting up and out of bed." Key Takeaways: Courage isn't always dramatic — sometimes it's just showing up authentically Refuse to fit into systems not designed for you Create space for people to bring their whole selves to work Stop telling people to "leave their shit at the door" Resources Mentioned: Andrea's TEDx Talk on respectful body language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xJgEetiGh4 Girl Scouts of Western Washington: https://www.girlscoutsww.org/en/join.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19271251657&gbraid=0AAAAAD1syUTY6XykWzGD5Zt7QY--jM6he&gclid=CjwKCAjwx-zHBhBhEiwA7Kjq6-vcRm-5gTCflmon6BcadKbw-Zu2qQTzHbO79fcoRSymsZsGAHwMPxoCUEEQAvD_BwE Connect with Andrea via LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-anderson-61215232/ Connect with The Courage Effect: Host: Suzanne Weller / Weller Collaboration Website: https://wellercollaboration.com/thecourageeffect Social Media: https://linktr.ee/suzanneweller Substack: Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter at https://suzanneweller.substack.com/about Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you: Leave a review on your podcast platform Share this episode with someone who would benefit from Andrea’s story

October 15, 2025Episode 801 hr 1 min

Massimo Backus: Why Being Kind to Yourself Makes You a Better Leader

#80: Massimo Backus, author of "Human First, Leader Second," shares his transformative journey from high-achieving "sage on the stage" to authentic leader through the power of self-compassion. Key Moments: The Wake-Up Call - Massimo was running global leadership development when devastating 360 feedback revealed he was defensive, didn't create psychological safety, and was even described as a bully - the opposite of his intentions. The Epiphany - After surrendering to the Hoffman Process, Massimo experienced his first moment of unconditional self-love in the woods - realizing he'd spent his life hiding doubts and imposter syndrome behind a "leadership costume." The Power of the Pause - Why rushing from one role to the next keeps us stuck - and how the "neutral zone" allows for healing and repatterning. Powerful Quotes: "We wake up most days trying to be someone we already are." "Courage is the small things: taking good care of yourself, setting boundaries, asking for help." "I had to fully surrender - give up all the coping mechanisms and parts of my identity that on paper worked." Key Takeaways: Self-compassion isn't soft - it takes courage to confront yourself authentically Internal validation is sustainable; external validation keeps you off-balance Emotions are data points, not definitions Transition periods are opportunities, not just gaps to fill quickly Resources: Human First, Leader Second by Massimo Bacchus Brené Brown's Atlas of the Heart Dr. Kristin Neff's self-compassion research The Hoffman Process Connect with Massimo: Website: mass@massimobackus.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-backus/ Instagram: @massismoleadership Connect with The Courage Effect: Host: Suzanne Weller / Weller Collaboration Website: https://wellercollaboration.com/thecourageeffect Social Media: https://linktr.ee/suzanneweller Substack: Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter at https://suzanneweller.substack.com/about Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you: Leave a 5-star review on your podcast platform Share this episode with someone who would benefit from Massimo’s story