The Unlock Moment leadership podcast: find your purpose for leadership and life

Hi, it’s Gary here. Welcome to a very special episode of The Unlock Moment. This is something we’ve been planning for a long time, and at the same time it’s something we didn’t plan at all. Something quite remarkable that gets right to the heart of The Unlock Moment.

Back in October 2022 I was joined by Maika Leibbrandt in Episode 42 of The Unlock Moment. She’s one of the world’s very best and highest profile strengths coaches, having spent many years at the Gallup Organisation developing and leading much of their work on talents and strengths. When we spoke she’d just left her role to set up as an independent coach and we talked about her journey of Finding Freedom.

That episode with Maika has been the most downloaded of all time here on The Unlock Moment. I invited her back to explore what she knows now that she didn’t know then. I thought we would be talking about personal growth and business growth. And then we found something much more powerful. A new perspective on the true essence of The Unlock Moment.

And that wasn’t easy to find. As you’ll hear, we recorded this episode and we thought we were done. And then Maika reached out to say “I just unlocked my Unlock Moment, we need to record again.”

Sometimes you just need to allow a conversation to go where it needs to go and run for as long as it needs to run. Trust in the journey. Trust in the process.

Welcome. Join Maika and myself on this very special exploration of The Unlock Moment.

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Maika Leibbrandt: https://hellomaika.com

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

A coach, a mentor and an expert in strategic insight, Febronia Ruocco’s career has taken her around the world. A career history that includes such world-leading brands as McDonalds, Heineken, GSK and Twinings Tea, she’s an expert in knowing what’s going on in the market and how to find out if you don’t know.

So in our quest to navigate uncertainty in our own lives and careers, I can’t wait to hear how she’s translating that curious mindset into a new strand in executive coaching.

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Febronia Ruocco on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/febroniaruocco/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

Back in 2019/2020 when I started on this journey of coaching, speaking, podcasting and writing, I had the great privilege of training on the Henley Business School coaching programme here in the UK. My guest today is an esteemed Professor at Henley and I was fascinated by her recent choice to trade places and become a student on the same programme that I’d trained. We’ll talk about that! But her personal journey is also frankly pretty inspiring – how she beat the odds to ascend the academic ladder and become a business school professor.  

Professor Rebecca Jones PhD is a Professor in Coaching and Behavioural Change at Henley Business School, a Chartered Psychologist and Co-Founder of the Inclusive Leadership Company. Her research interests lie in examining the factors that influence coaching effectiveness and her consultancy practice focuses on working with organisations to create diverse and inclusive workplaces using coaching and psychological theory and research to achieve sustained behaviour change. Rebecca is the author of the book ‘Coaching with Research in Mind’, host of ‘Coaching@Henley’ and ‘The Coaching Academic’ podcasts and has published her research in globally renowned journals.

I’m looking forward to hearing more of her personal journey and also to get her take on how we can turn intent into action and establish effective new habits in work and in life that help us to be at our very best.

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Prof Rebecca Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-jones-35ab8526/

Coaching at Henley Business School: https://www.henley.ac.uk/coaching-at-henley

The Inclusive Leadership Company: https://inclusiveleadershipcompany.com/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

Today’s guest is one of the very top coaches in the world. Michael Bungay Stanier grew up in Australia, was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford and now lives in Toronto. His work centres around coaching and curiosity, the challenges of change at an individual and organisational level, and how to stay focused on work that matters.

In 2023 Michael was awarded the prestigious Thinkers50 Marshall Goldsmith Award for Coaching and Mentoring at a gala dinner considered the Oscars of management thinking. His 2016 book ‘The Coaching Habit, Say Less, Ask More’ has sold more than a million copies and has been translated into 20 languages – the bestselling book on coaching this century. His TEDx talk, “Tame Your Advice Monster”, has been viewed well over a million times. He’s also written books including The Advice Trap, How to Begin and Do More Great Work. His most recent book is entitled How to Work with (Almost) Anyone: Five Questions for Building The Best Possible Relationships.

It's been a tough year in 2023 and a lot of people I’m working with at the moment are figuring out how they can work on building stronger relationships at work and in life. For all that AI might be taking over, one thing I’m sure of is that person and professional success in 2024 is going to be built on people and conversations. I’m looking forward to hearing Michael’s take on the power of a curious mindset and of course I’m looking forward to indulging my own curiosity in discovering more about the Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity that shaped his own life’s path.

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Michael Bungay Stanier: https://www.mbs.works/

How To Work With Almost Anyone: https://www.mbs.works/how-to-work-with-almost-anyone-book/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

Last year it was my great pleasure to speak at Carfest, a huge summer festival here in the UK where the health and wellbeing zone Spafest brought together many leading lights in the areas of holistic wellbeing, mindfulness and the general pursuit of happiness.

And twas there that I met the force of nature that is Donna Easton. Donna is a Joyologist, a performer, a presenter and the creator of Joyology. A highly sought after speaker, Donna’s work can be found on TV, radio and she has written for national press including Hello! magazine, Stylist and The Express newspaper. Donna helps individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses re-frame mindsets and shift how we show up each day to re-connect with the real 'us'. Donna has hosted stages and delivered talks at events across the UK, including Car Fest, Camp Bestival, Mind Body Spirit Festival, Latitude and MOVE IT and has delivered keynotes for organisations such as Google, MARS and Holland & Barrett. She helps people re-connect with themselves, find their joy and maximise success in their lives and career.

Donna's challenging personal journey puts her life's mission in context. Childhood bullying, an eating disorder and overnight hair loss gave her a deep appreciation of what really matters in life. And this is manifest throughout her life and work as a parent and as a coach.

After a pretty challenging 2023, I think we all need a bit more joy in our lives and I’m looking forward to hearing Donna’s take on how to reconnect with our best selves through the power of Joyology. And of course I’m curious to learn about the Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity that shaped her own life’s journey.

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Donna Easton: https://mylifeshines.com/

Donna Easton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylifeshines/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

My regular listeners will know that The Unlock Moment is a podcast about leadership, but more importantly a podcast about purpose. By diving into the moments of remarkable clarity when we suddenly figured out the path ahead, we unlock new connections and understanding of those deepest drivers of our fundamental purpose. It’s been fascinating to travel with my guests as they explore those new connections live in the conversation – it’s powerful stuff.

So given our focus on purpose, today’s guest is someone I’ve been keen to get on the podcast for a long time.

Davin Salvagno is an inspirational speaker and recognised as one of the top voices on purpose in the world. He is the Founder of PurposePoint and The Purpose Summit, and the Bestselling Author of “Finding Purpose at Work.” He’s an esteemed member of the Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches and his work spans coaching, leadership and organisational development.

Through The Purpose Summit, Davin curates the wisdom and experience of some of the most forward-thinking leaders and coaches on finding purpose in work and in life. I’m looking forward to hearing his take on how to unlock purpose in yourself and in those around you. And of course I’m curious to learn about the Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity that shaped his own life’s journey.

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Davin Salvagno: https://www.davinsalvagno.com/

The Purpose Summit: https://www.thepurposesummit.com/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

Hello dear listener and welcome to another episode of ‘The Unlock Moment’ podcast. And what a special episode. It’s our first returner, and a chance to welcome back my very first guest on the podcast, the hugely talented and all-round master of merriment Samuel Haughton. I can’t tell you how many people from all walks of life have reached out to tell me that they were touched by his story and inspired by the powerful choice he made. His was the Unlock Moment that defined the term for me, so I’m very much in his debt.

We’d been working together in coaching for a while and we’re going back to March 2022 when Sam recorded an episode I called “Choosing Happiness”. In the two years since we recorded that Episode 1 and heard about Sam’s fundamental Unlock Moment of remarkable clarity, he’s been on a quite extraordinary journey.

Let’s hear more about the Unlock Moment that sparked this all and catch up with the what happened next. Sam Haughton, it is my huge pleasure to welcome you back to The Unlock Moment.

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Samuel Haughton: https://www.samuelhaughton.com/

Samuel Haughton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuel.haughton.42/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

This is a difficult story, but a powerful one. It’s a story of having it all, losing it all and finding the strength to build again, from the very beginning. It’s a story of struggle, of grit, of commitment in pursuit of freedom and empowerment for a mother and her three children.

When she walked out on her husband with three children in tow, she left behind the private jet, the Bentleys and Ferraris and the gilded lifestyle of a property tycoon. Her bank account was empty and she was left to sleep on a friend's floor and live off 14 pounds a day, with four mouths to feed. What happened next tells you everything about the kind of person she is.

Today Geeta Sidhu-Robb is a coach, an author, a speaker and a podcaster. She’s the kind of coach who counts A-list celebrities and royalty amongst her select clients. But what really makes her who she is today? Well that’s all tied up with the extraordinary journey she’s been on.

I am deeply grateful that she is coming on the podcast to share her story, what she’s learned from her Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity, and how her journey has shaped the person we see and know today.

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Geeta Sidhu-Robb: https://www.geetasidhu-robb.com/

Activate Yourself podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/61y3qdeZCwi5vgMAeFEWvx

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

One of the books that fundamentally changed my outlook early in my coaching journey was Challenging Coaching, by John Blakey and Ian Day – one of the UK’s best-selling leadership books. It explores a way to bring powerful challenge into the coaching conversation in a way that resonates strongly with senior leaders and helps them to accelerate their growth. Not all coaches agree that it’s right for the coach to be too challenging, but in my own work it's been a real game-changer. Today I’m delighted to have one of the authors, Dr John Blakey, here on The Unlock Moment.

John has been an executive coach to over 130 CEOs from 22 different countries – board-level leaders in organisations such as Capgemini, Kellogg's, British Airways, the NHS, and the BBC. For ten years, he was a board advisor on leadership development and executive coaching to global corporates. He has also worked extensively in elite sports, developing coaches in a variety of sports, from handling the media and managing the politics to leading team selection and developing inspirational communication skills. Today he works with a small number of ambitious and pioneering CEOs, particularly in the BCorp movement.

John is also the author of The Trusted Executive: Nine Leadership Habits That Inspire Results, Relationships and Reputation. His new book ‘Force for Good: How to Thrive as a Purpose-Driven Leader’ is coming out in summer 2024.

I’m looking forward to hearing John’s take on how leaders can perform at their best, build trust, challenge themselves and deliver exceptional results. And of course I’m curious to learn about the Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity that shaped his own life’s journey.

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Dr John Blakey, CEO Coach: https://johnblakey.co.uk/

'Force For Good' on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Force-Good-Thrive-Purpose-Driven-Leader/dp/1398615218

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

Genuinely one of the most remarkable people I have ever had on the podcast, Inga Stasiulionyte is an Olympian and an elite performance and leadership coach, whose passion and prowess for throwing the javelin took her to the Beijing Olympics back in 2008 representing Lithuania. I was very kindly introduced to Inga by fellow Olympian Joe Jacobi who you can hear back in episode 112 of this podcast.

A lifetime in sport and over 14 years of working with executives in demanding industries has given Inga profound insights into resolving intricate leadership challenges using the mindset of a competitive athlete. She’s worked as a business analyst, built startups, and led the first MIT Sports Entrepreneurship Bootcamp – she brings a deep understanding of the challenges and needs of striving for self-realisation on and off the field. She’s also a co-founder of the Elevating Leadership Institute.

But it was facing into cancer that she faced her biggest challenge - learning to love her body again. In this intimate and disarmingly honest conversation, I was struck by her profound sense of clarity and freedom. And I want you to hear that in her and learn from it. I think Inga is quite remarkable and I’m so grateful to her for coming on and telling her story with such openness and vulnerability.

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Inga Stasiulionyte: https://www.instagram.com/javelingaworld/

OFounders: https://ofounders.com/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

Now there are many reasons why I knew that today’s guest would be someone you’d really enjoy learning from, not least the title of his most recent book, “Exploding Turkeys and Spare Trousers, Adventures in Global Business”!

Ken Pasternak has a unique background that combines executive education, keynote speaking, management consulting, institution building, and corporate banking. Like me, he started out on a path to medicine but pivoted into a very different career. Prior to his more than twenty-five years advising and teaching business leaders around the world, Ken was Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and before that Vice President at Citibank while based in six countries. Ken focuses on building high performance organisations through visionary leadership, team effectiveness, creating a winning culture and improving cross-cultural understanding. Still a keen world traveller, he has taught at business schools around the world and splits his time between Florida and Helsinki.

Ken has a particular interest in Formula 1 – he co-authored a book entitled “Performance at the Limit, Business Lessons from Formula 1 Motor Racing” which sparked an eight part BBC World television series called Formula for Success.

I’m looking forward to hearing his take on what the rarefied world of Formula 1 can teach us about achieving success in leadership and in life, and of course to hear about the Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity that helped him to navigate the straights, the chicanes and the unscheduled pitstops of his own life journey.

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Ken Pasternak: https://www.kppasternak.com/

Exploding Turkeys And Spare Trousers: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Exploding-Turkeys-Spare-Trousers-Adventures/dp/1788602811

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

On this podcast I learn about many different types of Unlock Moment. Some of them are subtle – the voice in your head telling you “this isn’t the right path for me.” Some of them are clear – the doctor telling you you have to change your lifestyle or suffer significant consequences. And some are dramatic – a sudden, remarkable clarity that leads to immediate and bold action. Today’s one of the dramatic ones!

I met Tony Martignetti recently but we share quite a few connections in common. Based in Boston in the US, Tony is a trusted advisor, leadership coach and facilitator, a best-selling author, a podcast host, and an in-demand speaker. He delivered his TEDx talk “Don’t Check Yourself At The Door”, just three months ago and already it’s gathered 1.7 million views. His message about how to create a more connected and human workplace is resonating with a wide audience.

Tony has been recognized by Thinkers360 and LeadersHum as one of the Top Voices in Leadership. He hosts The Virtual Campfire podcast and is the author of two books “Climbing the Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to An Inspired Life" and his new book just out: "Campfire Lessons for Leaders: How Uncovering Our Past Can Propel Us Forward.” He has been featured in many publications, including Fast Company, Forbes, Life Science Leader, and CEO Today.

I’m looking forward to hearing Tony’s take on human, authentic leadership that enables leaders to be at their best and grow themselves and others, and of course I want to learn about a particularly dramatic Unlock Moment of remarkable clarity.

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Tony Martignetti - Inspired Purpose Coach: https://www.inspiredpurposecoach.com/

Tony Martignetti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymartignett1/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

These days so many people, so many leaders I work describe themselves as stuck on the hamster wheel, firefighting the daily crises and struggling to find time, get their head up and properly look to the future. So it is perhaps timely that today I’m welcoming one of the world’s foremost authorities on vision and visionary leadership to the podcast.

Dr. Oleg Konovalov is a global thought leader, author, business educator, consultant, and C-suite coach. He speaks all over the world and gained his doctorate in business from Durham University here in the UK.

Oleg is named among the top eight global experts in leadership and shortlisted for the Distinguished Award in Leadership by Thinkers50. He is the #1 Global Leading Coach (Marshall Goldsmith Thinkers50 Award).

Some call him ‘the da Vinci of Visionary Leadership’, Oleg is considered #1 in the world in the field of vision and visionary leadership. He is the author of The Vision Code, Leaderology, and other books.

I’m looking forward to hearing Oleg’s perspective on what makes for a powerful vision, how we figure out what ours is and how we can stop hurtling round that hamster wheel to pick our heads up and build for the future. But my regular listeners will know this podcast is as much about who you are as what you think – I’m curious to learn about the Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity that helped Oleg to shape his path ahead.

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Dr Oleg Konovalov: https://www.olegkonovalov.com/

Dr Oleg Konovalov on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-oleg-konovalov/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

In a world where organisations are facing into huge volatility, challenge and uncertainty, we need leaders who can dig deep and go searching for the powerful truths that unlock the potential in all our people. And if you’re looking for someone who is an expert in going digging, find yourself a person who cut their teeth as an undercover agent in the Drug Enforcement Agency, the DEA. That’s where world-leading executive coach Dean Miles started out before transitioning into the pharmaceuticals industry with global giants Pfizer and Merck.

Now Dean is the Founder and President of Bridgepoint Coaching & Strategy Group, a global executive coaching firm. He has spent his career unlocking great leaders in the process of producing exceptional results. He's coached CEOs, executives, managers and supervisors across the world in pursuit of his core values of Awe, Adventure and Advocacy. Dean is one of Marshall Goldsmith's 100 Coaches, a Fellow at the Harvard Institute of Coaching and a member of Forbes Coaches Council.

Dean has been on several non-profit boards including Africa Renewal, whose mission is to enhance the holistic development of the child and community through support systems that ensure next generation leaders. He and his wife, Melanie, have four children and currently reside in Punta del Burro, Mexico.

I’m looking forward to hearing Dean’s take on the secrets to success and fulfilment in leadership and in life. And of course I’m curious to learn about the Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity that helped him to shape the path ahead.

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Dean Miles: https://www.deanmiles.com/

Dean Miles on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgepointcsg/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the topic of finding balance, especially in the context of this volatile, uncertain world we’re living in. Often people tell me they can’t find balance because they don’t seem to be able to step off that hamster wheel. Well today I’m delighted to welcome a guest to the podcast who is going to help us think differently about the power of a reset moment in the midst of a intense career trajectory.

Tingting Peng is Chief Capital, Strategy, and Impact Officer at Moove, a successful leader in fintech, an angel investor and advisor to startups. She is a graduate of MIT with an MBA from London Business School. Tingting is a member of the Milken Institute’s Young Leaders Circle and has been recognised by Fintech Magazine as a Top 100 Women in Fintech for 2023.

But this stellar career path has not been without its bumps and we’ll be talking today about what that looked like and what Tingting learned from navigating the potholes on the road to success. Of course ever curious, I’m fascinated to learn about the Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity that helped her find clarity on the journey.

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Tingting Peng: https://www.tingtingpeng.com/about

Moove: https://www.moove.io/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

It's always a privilege to interview a true pioneer on the podcast, and today I'm delighted to welcome Loree Draude, who became one of the first women to fly combat jets in the US Navy. Now she's a seasoned leader and entrepreneur who advises and coaches executives and founders on how to improve their leadership. She is the author of the recently published bestselling book, Soar Into Joy: A Combat Pilot's Wisdom on Falling in Love with Your Life, and a sought-after speaker for her entertaining and inspirational talks about how to soar professionally and personally.

Loree draws on her years of experience in the tech industry and the US Navy. She deployed twice to the Persian Gulf, accumulating over 300 carrier landings and 1,600 flight hours. After completing her naval service, Loree led product, marketing and operations teams at startups and tech companies, including Google and Meta. Loree holds an MBA from Wharton and a BA in Mathematics from the University of San Diego.

But her path wasn’t all glory and success. Loree has been laid off, forced to shut down her startup due to lack of funding, been divorced, fired, and quit her job.

She wrote a one-woman show called I Feel the Need about the first West Coast aircraft carrier deployment with women in combat squadrons. The show debuted Off-Broadway in New York and also played at the Edinburgh Festival here in the UK.  

I’m looking forward to hearing her take on challenging established mindsets on an aircraft carrier, the soaring highs and crashing lows of life’s rollercoaster, and of course I’m curious to learn about the Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity that shaped her journey.

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Loree Draude: https://loreedraude.com/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

Sometimes I have conversations with people on this platform who can speak to subjects that others might be thinking about but have never expressed openly. I met today’s guest recently and it is my huge privilege to bring his story to the podcast.

Rob Kalwarowsky is an impactful leader whose quiet realisations give his community loud transformations.  Through his work and his podcast The Leadership Launchpad Project, Rob shares wise insights about toxic leadership, mental health and finding purpose in life. He gives people an intimate and caring space regardless of the size of the room, while bringing humour and research into his coaching.

Before transitioning into leadership coaching and speaking, Rob spent over 10 years at the opposite end of the sensitivity spectrum, honing his skills as an engineer within mining, oil pipelines, and consulting in heavy industry. Rob has a foundation of high-performance as he graduated from MIT with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Management. He was also a 3-time Academic All-American in NCAA Water Polo and played on the under 18 Canadian National Water Polo team.

But the fast track to success is rarely a straight road and Rob suffered significant mental health challenges. His journey of recovery led him to leadership coaching, podcasting, the TEDx stage and a complete life transformation. I’m deeply grateful to Rob for coming on today to talk about his experiences, and of course I’m curious to learn about the Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity that helped him find the path ahead.

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Rob Kalwarowsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kalwarowsky/

Elite High Performance: https://www.elitehighperformance.com/

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Content note: this episode discusses in part the experiences of a person in North America treated for depression and acute suicidality with ketamine. In the UK, where this podcast is recorded, NICE does not currently reference ketamine in its guidelines for the treatment of depression, although there is an ongoing debate based on emerging evidence. The Unlock Moment does not take a view on the effectiveness of a particular medical intervention and I would always advise listeners to seek the advice of a qualified medical professional.

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

One of the reasons why I love the world of ballroom dancing is because it connected me with an amazing global network of friends who, off the dance floor, come from all walks of life. Almost twenty years ago I met my wife Mildred through dancing, and through Mildred I met today’s guest and a very good friend over many years, Vicki Sato.

When she’s not competing in and winning pro-am dance competitions with her professional partner Nazar, Vicki is a world leader in the field of pharmaceuticals and biotech.

She has been fascinated by the interface of science and entrepreneurship for a long time.  Having started out as an academic scientist at Harvard, she transitioned into the biotech industry with future stars of the sector Biogen and Vertex, where she spent 25 years helping to lead great teams, making medicines and building companies. Together those two businesses are now worth over $100 billion.

Later Vicki returned to Harvard to become a professor teaching both science and entrepreneurship at Harvard University and Harvard Business School.  She met a lot of talented young (and less young) people and mentoring young entrepreneurs remains something she loves to do.

She has served as a corporate director of major companies such as BristolMyersSquibb and BorgWarner and growing companies in cool areas of science such as Denali, VIRbio and Allogene. Molecules and therapeutics developed under her leadership have become critical treatments for HIV, cystic fibrosis, inflammation, multiple sclerosis, and hepatitis C.

In her latest adventure she is learning about and contributing to science and public policy by serving on President Biden's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and the Committee on Science, Technology and the Law for the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. She’s the first guest I’ve had on The Unlock Moment who has her own page on the White House website!

I’m looking forward to digging in to Vicki’s journey, to understand The Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity that guided her path. And I’m always fascinated to hear her wise take on finding intentional balance to shape a life you love and that connects deeply with your values and purpose.

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https://www.whitehouse.gov/pcast/members/vicki-sato/

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

Let's just say this isn't the conversation I thought we were going to be having. Raw, emotional, unflinchingly honest and vulnerable - this is a story of commitment and compromise, connecting with purpose and priorities in balancing a hugely demanding career with family. It's a deeply memorable episode and I know it will resonate with so many of you. Enjoy this inspirational conversation with the wonderful Torie Campbell.

Earlier in the summer I had the pleasure of speaking on stage at the CarFest summer festival here in the UK, where 60,000 people come together for music, mindfulness and motoring! I’m delighted that one of my fellow speakers on stage at CarFest is joining me today on The Unlock Moment.

Torie Campbell is a TV presenter and sports reporter who is best known for her Formula One coverage but is just as likely to be found in a helicopter or a powerboat. She has fronted the World Powerboat Championships, launched the FIFA Women’s World Cup and interviewed some of the biggest names in sport on the red carpet at the Laureus World Sports Awards.

But life wasn’t always so glamourous. You don’t get the breaks if you don’t put in the work and Torie’s early career was seriously hard graft – she can tell us shortly whether much has changed! A Butlins Redcoat, a music presenter for campsites and treading the boards on a shopping channel. When we talked about Unlock Moments in a field at a festival, Torie said to me – “I know exactly what mine is, and I’ll tell you on the podcast!”

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Torie Campbell: https://toriecampbell.com/

Torie Campbell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_toriecampbell

Torie Campbell presenter clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mum_yjvOBOY

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com

If you’ve been listening for a while then you might remember my conversation with world-leading coach Morag Barrett back in episode 35 of The Unlock Moment. Well today I’m delighted to be welcoming one of her colleagues and co-authors on to the podcast.

Eric Spencer’s passion is designing and facilitating executive & leadership development programmes that transform careers and leader reputations. As COO for SkyeTeam, he brings more than twenty years of experience building and shaping Human Resources organizations. Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in Management from Arizona State University, and an MBA with a focus in Organizational Behavior from Virginia Tech. He is the father to two amazing young women and an avid musician, and spends his free time writing, recording, and performing in his band Rogue Two.

He’s the host and Chief Bartender of The Corporate Bartender podcast and, together with the aforementioned Morag Barrett and Ruby Vesely, co-author of the book You, Me, We: Why we all need a friend at work (and how to show up as one!).

Now apparently Eric has had meaningful moments in the back of Aerosmith’s tour bus - I can’t wait to learn more. I’m looking forward to hearing his take on leadership growth and culture, and of course I’m curious to learn about the Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity that shaped his own life’s journey.

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Eric Spencer: https://skyeteam.com/about/eric-spencer/

Eric Spencer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esspencer/

You, Me, We on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Me-We-Need-Friend/dp/1774582031

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The Unlock Moment podcast is brought to you by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD. Downloaded in over 100 countries. Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com