The Servant Leadership Podcast

Hosted by Greg Aden

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The Servant Leadership Podcast is an honest and thought provoking conversation about the roles of leadership with some of today's most powerful men and women.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 21, 202651 min

Heather Wood on Why Love Is a Practice, Not Just a Feeling

Heather Wood’s life changed forever in 2023 after the tragic loss of her daughter, Ava, and her husband. Instead of allowing that loss to define what came next, Heather turned the life and legacy of her daughter into Stupendous Love, a mission centered around connection, empathy, kindness, and living with greater intention. In this conversation with Greg Aden, Heather shares how her experiences as a mother, corporate leader, and now founder shaped the way she views servant leadership. They discuss why great leaders create space for people to be heard, why authenticity matters at work and at home, and how meaningful connection can help us navigate what Heather calls the “messy middle” of life. Heather also explains why love is more than an emotion. It is a practice. A practice of showing respect, creating connection, being present, adding value to the lives of others, and choosing how you want to be remembered. Greg and Heather explore how those principles can change the way we lead, work, parent, build relationships, and respond when life becomes difficult. Heather Wood, founder of Stupendous Love: https://linkedin.com/company/stupendous-love/ https://stupendouslove.com/ Want to keep the conversation going? If something here landed with you, if you have a question about how I work with leaders and their teams, or if you just want to share your own experience, book a 15 minute conversation with me. https://adenleadership.com/15-minute-sl-podcast-connection Follow my socials! https://adenleadership.com/ https://linkedin.com/in/greg-aden-leadership/ https://facebook.com/adenleadership/

August 5, 202644 min

The Best Leaders Don’t Replace People With AI | Derek Crager

What happens when leaders stop viewing AI as a replacement for people and start using it to amplify human potential? In this episode of The Servant Leadership Podcast, Greg Aden sits down with Derek Crager, founder of Practical AI and creator of Pocket Mentor, to explore how servant leadership, artificial intelligence, and human-centered training can transform leaders, teams, and entire organizations. Derek explains why the best use of AI is not replacing humans, but giving people the right information at the right time. He also shares lessons from building a large-scale training program at Amazon, why human judgment still matters, and how leaders can use AI to help their people become more capable, productive, and empowered. Formerly with Amazon as Program Manager - Derek created Amazon's highest rated employee program Follow Derek Crager on his socials! https://linkedin.com/in/amazonleadership/ https://linkedin.com/company/practical-ai-for-business/ Follow my socials! https://adenleadership.com/ https://linkedin.com/in/greg-aden-leadership/ https://facebook.com/adenleadership/

June 26, 202636 min

Why Great Leadership Starts With Your Heart | Arnaud Saint-Paul

What happens when leaders stop operating from ego and start leading from the heart? In this episode of The Servant Leadership Podcast, Greg Aden sits down with Arnaud Saint-Paul, founder of the Heart Leadership Institute, to explore how personal coherence, self-awareness, and inner alignment can transform leaders, teams, and entire organizations. Arnaud explains why the heart is already whole, while the mind is often fragmented. He also shares how leaders can identify that fragmentation, improve team connection, and create stronger business results.

May 8, 202639 min

Tapped on the Shoulder and Never Backed Down - Smaranda Serban

Smaranda (Sam) Serban escaped communism in her home country of Romania and found success in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas. A certified Six Sigma Black Belt, she has over 15 years of experience as an Enterprise Executive. Sam joins Greg to discuss how she was able to find success despite being from another country. Connect with Smaranda on LinkedIn

April 22, 202643 min

Building Relationships By Doing the Right Thing - Paul Fernandez de Pinedo

Greg is joined by Paula Fernandez de Pinedo, an Organizational Psychologist and consultant at the famed Earnst and Young. They take a deep dive into the psychology of building relationships and the 'evolved human'. Connect with Paula Fernandez de Pinedo on LinkedIn

April 16, 202631 min

Emotional Fitness in Regenerative Relationships with Melissa Belongea - Part 2

Melissa Belongea joins Greg Aden for part 2 of this episode. Melissa is a 'Regenerative Relationship' expert, helping people balance and bridge their needs for individual freedom and shared connection. You can connect with Melissa: Melissa Belongea | LinkedIn https://www.melissabelongea.com/

March 26, 202639 min

Emotional Fitness In Regenerative Relationships

Melissa Belongea joins Greg Aden for this episode. Melissa is a 'Regenerative Relationship' expert, helping people balance and bridge their needs for individual freedom and shared connection. You can connect with Melissa: Melissa Belongea | LinkedIn https://www.melissabelongea.com/

March 5, 202637 min

Me vs Me with Scott Hennessy

Greg Aden of Aden Leadership sits down with Scott Hennessy who is hailing from the UK. They discuss why relationships and self accountability are keys to successful referrals, networking and content.

February 11, 202640 min

Unapologetically Human with Crystal Fernando

In this Episode of the Servant Leadership Podcast, Greg talks to Crystal Fernando, Founder of What Box Partners. Crystal's new book 'Unapologetically Human' takes a look at how the science of being human is the future for leadership. Learn more at www.crystalfernando.com

January 13, 202630 min

FULL-BODY LEADERSHIP: WELL-BEING. COURAGE, AND CAPACITY WITH JAMIE SHAPIRO, PhD

This episode of the Servant Leadership Podcast features an in-depth conversation between host Greg Aden and guest Jamie Shapiro, PhD, CEO and founder of Connected EC, an executive coaching firm focused on linking vitality, well-being, and leadership performance. Together they explore how leaders can care for themselves more intentionally so they can show up with greater capacity, energy, and presence for their teams and families. Main themes: The connection between leadership, energy, and personal well-being Integrating physical, emotional, and financial health into how leaders show up Creating calendar space and capacity as a non-negotiable leadership responsibility Courage, growth, and letting go of relationships that no longer serve Greg sits down with his friend and colleague Jamie Shapiro, PhD, CEO of Connected EC, to unpack what it really means to lead with vitality instead of burnout. Jamie shares her journey from corporate technology leadership to executive coaching, nutrition, and a PhD focused on energy and well-being, and explains why leaders cannot separate their personal well-being from their effectiveness at work. She introduces a nine-dimension view of well-being based on the PERMA plus 4 model and highlights how space on the calendar, movement, nutrition, and emotional regulation directly impact strategic thinking and empathy. Greg and Jamie also explore parenting as a leadership laboratory, the power of courageous conversations, and why believing in yourself and “taking the leap” is essential at 28—or 48. Jamie closes by inviting listeners to connect with her on social media and sharing details of her upcoming book, Connected Culture.