The campfire. school, church, and watercooler all-in-one. It's the earliest form of community; Sitting around a campfire and sharing stories. For generations, it was used to build trust, share knowledge, and inspire others. Welcome to the Virtual Campfire – I'm Tony Martignetti, the Inspired Coach. Here I'll share powerful lessons learned from leaders in their transformation journey. When you see someone on stage: sharing a powerful message, "owning the room" and, having a huge impact in the world, you might ask yourself, how did they get to be that way? Were they born that way? Could I be like that person? What makes them different? From the outside looking in, it seems like they are meant to do what they're doing. I'm here to share what you don't often see—their tales of transformation. That's what we'll uncover here. The tiny steps that led to the big leaps.
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September 8, 20261 hr 16 min
Out of Darkness Comes the Light
Some of life’s darkest moments can become unexpected sources of connection, healing, and transformation. In this special edition of The Virtual Campfire , Tony Martignetti brings together three powerful conversations exploring what it means to find light through adversity. Ann Brennan , CEO of ASMM Digital Marketing and co-founder of Burgers & Bands for Suicide Prevention , shares her family’s experience with depression and suicidal ideation, and how their struggles inspired a community dedicated to helping others. Lane Gardner , founder of Thread , explores the healing power of creativity and how music became a way to process trauma, find her voice, and connect with others. And April Rinne , author, adventurer, and change navigator, shares how experiences of uncertainty and change have shaped her perspective on the human condition—and what she’s learned from living life in flux. Together, their stories remind us that difficult experiences don’t simply disappear. But they can deepen our compassion, strengthen our connections, and change the way we see what comes next. The light doesn’t erase the darkness. It emerges through it.
September 1, 202632 min
You Have the Power to Create Your World
What if the life you want isn’t something you find, but something you create? In this special episode of The Virtual Campfire , Tony Martignetti explores one of the foundational lessons from his book, Campfire Lessons for Leaders : You have the power to create your world. Through powerful moments from conversations with Amir Ghannad, Dorie Clark, and Effie Parks, we hear three very different stories about taking ownership of what comes next. Amir Ghannad — Taking Ownership Amir Ghannad , founder of the Ghannad Group and author of The Transformative Leader , reflects on his early life in Iran and the experiences that shaped his belief in personal responsibility and our ability to create meaningful change. His story demonstrates how taking ownership of where we are can become the first step toward changing where we're going. Dorie Clark — Creating Your Own Path Bestselling author of Stand Out , speaker, and business thinker Dorie Clark shares the unconventional journey that took her from journalism and politics to entrepreneurship. Her many reinventions reveal what can happen when we stop allowing a single role, setback, or circumstance to define what is possible—and instead begin creating opportunities for ourselves. Effie Parks — Creating Meaning From the Unexpected Effie Parks , host of Once Upon a Gene and rare-disease advocate, shares the deeply personal journey that began with her son's diagnosis with CTNNB1 syndrome. Faced with a world she never expected to enter, Effie transformed uncertainty and isolation into connection, advocacy, and a community supporting families navigating rare disease. Their circumstances couldn't be more different. But each story points toward the same powerful idea: We may not get to choose everything that happens to us, but we can choose what we create from it. In This Episode, You'll Explore Why taking ownership is different from taking blame How our circumstances influence us without having to define us Why reinvention often begins when the expected path disappears How adversity can become the starting point for something meaningful The importance of seeing possibilities beyond your current situation What it means to become an active creator of your own life About Campfire Lessons for Leaders This special series of The Virtual Campfire revisits powerful conversations from the show's archives through the lens of Tony Martignetti's book, Campfire Lessons for Leaders . Each episode brings together stories and insights from past guests to explore the lessons that help us lead, grow, and create meaningful change. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share The Virtual Campfire . Want to get to know Tony Martignetti, visit his website at tonymspeaks.com .
April 27, 202640 min
A Journey To Resilience & Leadership Through Nature With Sara Schulting-Kranz
Meet Sara Schulting-Kranz , an authority in resiliency and leadership. After navigating profound personal betrayal, Sara transformed her trauma into purpose, developing an effective change framework centered on the healing power of nature. Discover how this best-selling author, extreme adventurer, and guide to Fortune 500 executives and Olympic athletes uses the Grand Canyon as a metaphor for navigating life’s deepest challenges and emerging as a powerful leader. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://tonymspeaks.com/podcast/ Blog Post URL https://tonymspeaks.com/a-journey-to-resilience-and-leadership-through-nature-with-sara-schulting-kranz
April 20, 202640 min
Epic Disruptions: Understanding Innovation And The Power Of Non-Obvious Choices With Scott Anthony
Disruption is everywhere—but few truly understand how it actually works. In this episode, we sit down with Scott Anthony —Clinical Professor at Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, Thinkers50-ranked global thought leader, and author of Epic Disruptions: 11 Innovations That Shaped Our Modern World —to explore the real story behind disruptive innovation. From his early days at Dartmouth College to working alongside Clayton Christensen, Scott shares the defining flashpoints that shaped his career, the importance of pursuing non-obvious opportunities, and the human behaviors behind breakthrough ideas. Through powerful stories—including insights on Julia Child—we unpack what it truly takes to navigate uncertainty, persist through challenges, and thrive in a world defined by constant change. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://tonymspeaks.com/podcast/ Blog Post URL https://tonymspeaks.com/epic-disruptions-understanding-innovation-and-the-power-of-non-obvious-choices-with-scott-anthony
April 6, 202647 min
The Science Of Meaningful Work (And Why It Changes Everything) With Tamara Myles
Meaningful work is the foundation of engagement, performance, and fulfillment—yet so many people feel disconnected from what they do. In this episode, speaker, author, and professor specializing in human flourishing at work, Tamara Myles , breaks down the science of meaningful work and explains why it’s not about the job itself, but how you experience it. You’ll learn how leaders influence nearly half of that experience and discover the three core drivers of meaningful work—community, contribution, and challenge—that shape thriving teams. From the power of belief and feedback to the hidden impact of loneliness and bore-out, this conversation offers practical ways to create meaningful work for yourself and others, no matter your role. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! tonymspeaks.com/podcast
March 30, 202642 min
Beyond The Experience: The Transformation Economy And Human Flourishing With Joe Pine
Join us for an electrifying conversation with best-selling author and management guru Joe Pine, co-author of The Experience Economy and his latest, The Transformation Economy . Joe takes us through his fascinating journey from a technical role at IBM to pioneering the concept of staging experiences and, ultimately, guiding transformations. Discover the critical mindset shift required to move your business from selling services and experiences to fostering meaningful, life-changing outcomes for your customers—or, as Joe calls them, “aspirants.” Learn why “human flourishing” is the true raison d’être of business and how embracing intentionality and accountability can transform trauma and aspiration into a powerful force for good in the world.
March 23, 202647 min
The Power Of Surrender In Driving Workplace Culture Transformation With Jessica Kriegel
True workplace culture transformation begins not with increased control, but with the radical act of letting go. Jessica Kriegel , Chief Strategy Officer at Culture Partners and author of Surrender to Lead , joins the show to share the “flashpoints” that redefined her leadership journey, from failing as a high-achieving executive at Oracle to finding emotional sobriety. She challenges the “work harder” muscle that often leads leaders into the “action trap,” offering instead a framework based on transparency, truth-telling, and leading with love. This conversation explores how surrendering the need for control allows leaders to foster psychological safety, navigate difficult transitions like mass layoffs with integrity, and drive sustainable business results by focusing on the beliefs that truly motivate human performance.
March 9, 202650 min
How Homelessness Gave Birth To A Global Movement With Perry Knoppert
Hitting rock bottom should not be taken as a sign to give everything up, but as a catalyst to jump back stronger, bolder, and more empowered than ever. Tony Martignetti sits down with Perry Knoppert , who turned the lowest moment of his life into an inspiration to create a powerful global movement. He shares how months of homelessness pushed him to build The Octopus Movement , a community of over 11,000 “curious misfits” designed to champion human intelligence and the atypical mind. Discover how “Dr. Octopus” embraced non-linear thinking to keep his authentic self intact despite the rapid change of the world around him. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast
February 23, 202643 min
Trailblazing Women Leaders: Courage, Impact, And Breaking Barriers With Dr. Sheila Gujrathi
Trailblazing women leaders face unique challenges and opportunities in biotech and beyond, and this conversation dives into what it truly takes to rise and make an impact. Dr. Sheila Gujrathi shares her journey from physician to biotech executive, highlighting the flashpoints that shaped her path, the courage required to break new ground, and the lessons learned navigating leadership as a woman of color. Dr. Gujrathi also discusses founding the Biotech CEO Sisterhood and the South Asian Biopharma Alliance, as well as her bestselling book The Mirror Effect , offering actionable strategies for building supportive networks, embracing authentic leadership, and fostering inclusive workplaces. This episode inspires reflection on purpose, growth, and the power of lifting others as we rise together. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast
February 9, 202645 min
The Secret To Leadership & Connection: Adventures, Dinner Parties, & 'Team Intelligence' With Jon Levy
What if everything you thought you knew about leadership, trust, and even personal fitness was wrong? Bestselling author and behavioral scientist Jon Levy isn't just an expert; he's lived a life fueled by uncomfortable adventures—from surviving a bull run in Pamplona to nearly freezing in the Arctic—all in the name of understanding human connection. But his most revolutionary insights come from a more intimate, yet bizarre, experiment: "The Influencers Dinner," a secret dining experience where Olympians, Nobel laureates, and prime ministers cook terrible meals together, only to realize the surprising, simple truth about building lasting trust. In this deep-dive interview, Jon Levy unpacks the contagious nature of behavior, the myth of the "well-rounded" leader, and the core concept from his new book, Team Intelligence : why the only thing that defines a leader is the ability to paint a compelling vision of a better future. Get ready to challenge your assumptions about what it takes to live an extraordinary life and lead an effective team. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast
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