Unfazed Under Fire Podcast

Hosted by David Craig Utts, Leadership Alchemist

Business Management

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Latest episode

Aug 2025

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EN-US

About the show

Unfazed Under Fire is a thought-provoking podcast designed to equip forward-thinking executives with the insights, strategic foresight, and solutions needed to navigate the most profound shifts of our time. The show’s mission is to guide executives to lead with resilience, wisdom, and vision in an era when business, human consciousness, and global systems are evolving at an unprecedented pace. We shift the focus from challenges to solutions by deeply exploring cutting-edge topics relevant to the executive suite that no one else is talking about. Our topics aim to: Future-Proof Your Leadership: Realize that raising your consciousness is the only way to maximize success in today’s Volatile, Uncertain, Chaotic, and Uncertain times Gain strategic foresight on the most potent solutions leaders can employ to raise their consciousness and thrive in these times. Develop resilience and adaptability in the face of accelerating change. 2. Provide Insights Beyond the Obvious that Enhance Your Ability to Create Value: We challenge mainstream narratives, offering cutting-edge insights from investigative research, thought leaders, and change makers who open doors to new business opportunities. Understand the implications of first contact with Nonhuman Intelligence for global business and its cascading effects on business management, technology, governance, and leadership. 3. Gain Practical Wisdom for the Development of Conscious Leadership Leverage our Authentic Courageous Leadership System and the Resilient Leader Method to cultivate influence, deepen trust, and master the art of leadership in volatile times. Learn to integrate ethical decision-making, innovation, and human potential into your leadership approach. 4. Join a Community of Visionaries: Connect with a network of executives, thinkers, and change-makers who clearly and courageously embrace this paradigm shift. This Unfazed Under Fire podcast is for the executive who knows the future isn’t a force to fear—it’s a frontier to shape. We believe that bold, conscious business leaders will be the architects of this new era, forging the path where others hesitate. In short, this show is your compass if you’re ready to lead from the inside out, break free from outdated paradigms, command the unknown with mastery, and seize unprecedented opportunities.

Listen to episodes

59 recent

August 26, 2025Episode 2159 min

The Hidden Architecture of Executive Performance

Beyond Survival: Reclaiming Meaning, Power, and ImpactExecutives are burning out under pressure that most can't see. In this episode, David Utts, Anatoly Yakorev, and Ryan McShane reveal the real reason why—and what’s been missed. This isn’t about adding more tools—it’s about resetting the internal architecture of performance so you can reclaim your edge, impact, and vitality without the cost. This is the beginning of the end for executive burnout.Connect with Our Co-Host:- Anatoly Yakorev: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yakorev/🌐 Learn more: resilientleadermethod.com📩 Contact: david@davidcraigutts.comUnfazed Under Fire Podcast - Host: David Craig Utts, Leadership Alchemist Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon MusicTo access additional platforms, follow this link:https://www.unfazedunderfirepodcast.online

August 4, 2025Episode 2054 min

The Culture of Presence: What Sovereign Leadership Creates

What happens when the inner work of sovereignty begins to ripple outward—shaping how teams operate, how decisions are made, and how organizations hold themselves?In this closing episode of our three-part Sovereignty series, we explore what unfolds when leadership presence becomes more than personal—it becomes cultural. Through real-time reflections from Ryan McShane following his Leadership Resilience Reset (RELM), and David Craig Utts, we dive into what it looks like when reactivity dissolves, creative leadership emerges, and the need to "earn your value" is replaced by a natural expression of service.We also explore:The integration process after the reset—and how to work with your mind as the nervous system recalibratesWhat sovereign leadership looks like inside a team or organizationHow leaders can maintain alignment in the face of complexityThe danger of “Infinite Workdays” and why better time hacks are not the solutionThis is a grounded, real-time exploration of what it means to lead from the inside out—and to build cultures that reflect that same freedom.Connect with Our Co-Host:- Ryan McShane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mcshane-743382a/🌐 Learn more: resilientleadermethod.com📩 Contact: david@davidcraigutts.comUnfazed Under Fire Podcast - Host: David Craig Utts, Leadership Alchemist Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon MusicTo access additional platforms, follow this link:https://www.unfazedunderfirepodcast.online

July 21, 2025Episode 1948 min

What Changes When You Reset? A Client’s Journey to Executive Clarity and Resilience

What happens when a seasoned executive and leadership consultant experiences a profound inner reset?In this deeply personal second installment of our Sovereignty series, co-host Ryan McShane opens up just two weeks after going through the Resilient Leader Reset (RELM). Recorded on July 4th, this conversation fittingly explores a deeper kind of freedom—the kind that comes from within.Ryan shares candidly about what life was like before the reset, the emotional and energetic shifts he experienced immediately afterward, and the surprising ways he’s showing up with greater presence, clarity, and executive impact. This is not a polished testimonial—it’s a real-time integration story about standing in sovereignty, dissolving reactivity, and unlocking natural leadership from the inside out.Whether you're an executive seeking greater resilience, a coach exploring deeper transformation, or simply someone who feels there's more to who you are, this conversation offers both inspiration and insight into what becomes possible when we stop performing—and start being.Connect with Our Co-Hosts:- Anatoly Yakorev: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yakorev/ - Ryan McShane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mcshane-743382a/🌐 Learn more: resilientleadermethod.com📩 Contact: david@davidcraigutts.comUnfazed Under Fire Podcast - Host: David Craig Utts, Leadership Alchemist Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon MusicTo access additional platforms, follow this link:https://www.unfazedunderfirepodcast.online

July 7, 2025Episode 1849 min

Sovereign Leadership: The Power Executives Forgot

Sovereignty represents the ground upon which a leader stands – it's the foundation that gives us the right and power to lead from our authentic center rather than from performance or reaction.• Sovereignty connects to executive presence, decision-making under pressure, burnout prevention, and unlocking team potential• When not operating from sovereignty, leaders give their power away to narratives, stress responses, or unexamined assumptions• Leaders who lack sovereignty often feel trapped in a hamster wheel, becoming disconnected from their true selves• Sovereign leaders create a ripple effect by instilling calmness, focus, and sanity in organizational environments• Harvard Business Review research shows leaders operating from sovereignty outperform others by 30% on leadership competencies• Sovereignty feels like groundedness in the body – more weight in the belly, awareness in the chest, and willingness to say no• Consistency is crucial – showing up predictably from sovereignty builds respect and changes how others engage with you• Next episode will feature Ryan McShane sharing his personal Reset story and journey to sovereign leadershipStand in your power not because others expect you to, but because it's who you truly are. When you return to that center, everything changes.Connect with Our Co-Hosts:- Anatoly Yakorev: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yakorev/ - Ryan McShane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mcshane-743382a/🌐 Learn more: resilientleadermethod.com📩 Contact: david@davidcraigutts.comUnfazed Under Fire Podcast - Host: David Craig Utts, Leadership Alchemist Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon MusicTo access additional platforms, follow this link:https://www.unfazedunderfirepodcast.online

July 1, 2025Episode 1755 min

From Impostor Syndrome to Inner Sovereignty

What if you didn’t have to earn your place every day? What if you could lead from a place that’s unshakable—because it’s already yours?In this final episode of our Homecoming series, we explore what it actually looks like to live and lead from your integrated self—not as a moment of insight or performance peak, but as a new normal.You’ll hear:How the Resilient Leader Method creates a permanent shift, not a fleeting stateWhy many executives confuse empathy with over-functioning—and how to lead with compassionate clarityWhat changes when reactivity disappears and coherence becomes your natural frequencyHow to detect and release energy that doesn’t belong to youWhy most leaders are chasing what they already own—and how to stopThe pressure has risen. The system keeps asking for more. Now give yourself the return—to clarity, to sovereignty, to you.This isn’t about doing more. It’s about reclaiming your leadership from the inside out.Connect with Our Co-Hosts:- Anatoly Yakorev: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yakorev/ - Ryan McShane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mcshane-743382a/ 🌐 Learn more: resilientleadermethod.com 📩 Contact: david@davidcraigutts.comUnfazed Under Fire Podcast - Host: David Craig Utts, Leadership Alchemist Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon MusicTo access additional platforms, follow this link:https://www.unfazedunderfirepodcast.online

June 24, 2025Episode 161 hr 2 min

Homecoming Isn’t a Goal. It’s Your Birthright. Return to the self that leads with calm, clarity, and power.

What if the most powerful leadership state isn’t one you build—but one you remember?In Part 2 of our Homecoming series, we explore what it feels like to come home to yourself—and why it's the most strategic leadership move you can make right now.David, Anatoly, and Ryan share real-world insights on:The difference between flow and a sustainable state of presenceWhat it means to lead from your integrated self, not your egoThe rising impact of neurodivergence in leadership—and how to navigate it wiselyHow the Resilient Leader Method helps leaders return to their “factory settings” with full powerWhy traditional self-improvement strategies often miss the markWhat changes when leaders reconnect with their core—clarity, calm, and connectionIf you've ever sensed there’s another gear inside you—one you’ve touched but lost—this conversation will help you find the way back.🔗 resilientleadermethod.com 📧 david@davidcraigutts.com✨ You’re not broken. You’ve just been surviving. The part of you that’s whole, wise, and powerful has never left. It’s time to come home.Connect with Our Co-Hosts:- Anatoly Yakorev: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yakorev/ - Ryan McShane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mcshane-743382a/Unfazed Under Fire Podcast - Host: David Craig Utts, Leadership Alchemist Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon MusicTo access additional platforms, follow this link:https://www.unfazedunderfirepodcast.online

June 16, 2025Episode 151 hr 12 min

Lead Without Losing Yourself: Return Home to Your Natural State of Clarity, Confidence, Energy, & Creativity.

We explore what it really means to lead with clarity, courage, and heart in a world that often feels like it's asking us to harden and constantly prove ourselves. This first installment of our three-part series examines the vibrant way of being many of us felt as children before life taught us to shrink and armor up.• Examining the phenomenon of reconnecting with childlike wonder while maintaining adult wisdom and experience• Ryan shares his personal experience of reaching a heightened state of awareness and clarity through his interactions with Anatoly on the podcast.• How theta brainwave states in childhood allowed deeper connection with our environment and creativity• The impact of emotional hijacking in our information-saturated world and its effect on our well-being• Discussion of why we cannot simply think our way into higher states like joy, confidence, and creativity• Exploring how reconnection with our authentic self provides greater agency, emotional regulation, and presence• The neuroscience behind maintaining heightened states through long-term potentiation• David shares his personal transformation through the Resilient Leader Method and the profound impact on performance, presence, creativity, and well-being.What if you were never broken, just buried? What if coming home was the bravest, wisest thing you could do to revolutionize not only your life but your effectiveness as a leader? The path home is already you.Connect with Our Co-Hosts:- Anatoly Yakorev: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yakorev/- Ryan McShane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mcshane-743382a/Unfazed Under Fire Podcast - Host: David Craig Utts, Leadership Alchemist Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon MusicTo access additional platforms, follow this link:https://www.unfazedunderfirepodcast.online

June 9, 2025Episode 141 hr 6 min

The Choice: Self Mastery or Burnout, What every high-performing leader must now face.

Self-mastery forms the foundation of powerful leadership, enabling us to navigate today's chaotic world with clarity and authenticity. Through conscious attention to our internal beliefs and patterns, we can develop stronger alignment between our intentions and actions.• Walking the talk creates essential trust with our teams, making self-mastery a prerequisite for leading others• Theta brainwave state provides access to both our subconscious limitations and our deepest potential• Examining and updating beliefs formed early in life is crucial for leadership development• Most executives lack dedicated reflection time, limiting their growth and effectiveness• Psychological safety allows leaders to be vulnerable, authentic, and bring their best thinking forward• The ability to observe yourself without judgment creates space for meaningful change• True self-mastery comes from connecting with your core self, not adding more information• The Resilient Leader Method offers a rapid pathway to identify and transform limiting beliefs• Leaders must address what energies they bring and manage when working with others• Many executives only examine their beliefs after retirement or during moments of crisisIf something in this episode resonated with you and you're ready to explore your own transformation, reach out by visiting resilientleadermethod.com or emailing david@davidcraigutts.com to explore how you can enhance your impact as a leader.Connect with Our Co-Hosts:- Anatoly Yakorev: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yakorev/- Ryan McShane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mcshane-743382a/Unfazed Under Fire Podcast - Host: David Craig Utts, Leadership Alchemist Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon MusicTo access additional platforms, follow this link:https://www.unfazedunderfirepodcast.online

May 20, 2025Episode 131 hr 14 min

Power of Beliefs Part 2: Breaking Free From Imposter Syndrome

We explore what beliefs actually are, why they're so sticky, and how they invisibly script our leadership behaviors, outcomes, and identity. Our conversation reveals how deeply embedded childhood experiences and emotional charges create belief systems that feel real but may be limiting our potential.• Beliefs are defined as "accepting something as true without proof" and are necessary interpretations that help our brains navigate reality• The emotional charge connected to beliefs makes them stick, especially those formed during early childhood when our nervous system was developing • Our identity becomes wrapped around these beliefs, making us defend them even when they hurt us or limit our effectiveness• Executives often crash and burn when their unprocessed childhood trauma gets triggered in high-pressure situations• The current leadership development approach of building "governors" to manage reactive behavior is failing in today's complex environment• Softening into experience and expanding awareness creates true executive presence versus rigid ego-driven leadership• The Resilient Leader Method helps reset the nervous system to factory settings without imposing beliefs or values• Successful transformation occurs when leaders stop operating from "have to" and begin leading from a grounded, authentic placeJoin us next week for the final episode in our three-part series where we'll explore how to consciously choose our beliefs and leverage them for greater leadership impact.Connect with Our Co-Hosts:- Anatoly Yakorev: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yakorev/- Ryan McShane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mcshane-743382a/Unfazed Under Fire Podcast - Host: David Craig Utts, Leadership Alchemist Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon MusicTo access additional platforms, follow this link:https://www.unfazedunderfirepodcast.online

April 28, 2025Episode 1251 min

From Overwhelm to High Performance & Innovation: The Leadership Shift No One Talks About

Ever wonder why brilliant strategies often fail in execution? Or why, despite your best efforts, innovation seems so elusive in your organization? The answer might surprise you – it's not about working harder or acquiring more knowledge. It's about your consciousness.In this culminating episode of our special series on leadership in chaos, we dive deep into what's really happening when executives face today's relentless business environment. The statistics are sobering: 67% of well-formulated strategies fail to meet execution goals, over 50% of executives report complete dissatisfaction with innovation efforts, and 70% are seriously considering leaving their positions altogether. These aren't just numbers – they represent a profound leadership crisis that traditional methods are failing to address.The conversation takes an honest look at the toll this environment exacts on leaders themselves. Beyond performance impacts, there's a crushing human cost that affects everything from work relationships to family life. As one executive shared, "I don't want to lose what makes me effective, but I don't know how to keep up with all this stuff." This sentiment resonates with countless leaders caught between external demands and outdated organizational structures.What makes this episode particularly valuable is its focus on a breakthrough approach – the Resilient Leader Method. Unlike traditional development programs that operate solely at the intellectual level, this method works directly with the leader's nervous system, triggering a reset that allows them to lead from a fundamentally different place. Through compelling case studies and practical insights, we explore how this shift in consciousness creates leaders who naturally excel at execution and innovation without the crushing weight of constant stress.Whether you're feeling the pressure of leadership yourself or supporting others who are, this conversation offers a genuinely fresh perspective on what's possible. Ready to discover how upgrading your internal operating system could transform your leadership? Listen now and take the first step toward leading with greater ease, impact, and fulfillment.\Connect with Our Co-Hosts:- Anatoly Yakorev: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yakorev/- Ryan McShane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mcshane-743382a/Unfazed Under Fire Podcast - Host: David Craig Utts, Leadership Alchemist Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon MusicTo access additional platforms, follow this link:https://www.unfazedunderfirepodcast.online