Podcast

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, I attempt to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this powerful conversation, Roisin Wood shares what leadership looks like when you choose courage, inclusion, and humanity over division.

From growing up amid sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland to leading conversations around belonging, justice, and social change, Roisin offers hard-earned wisdom for leaders navigating polarized and emotionally charged environments.

This episode will challenge you to rethink how you handle disagreement, build trust across differences, and create spaces where people genuinely feel they belong.

You’ll also discover why football, community, and face-to-face connection still matter deeply in an increasingly disconnected world.

If you’re leading a team, a company, or even your own family through uncertainty and tension, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about the kind of leader the world needs now.

You can find Roisin Wood at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/roisin-wood-342b5524/
• https://communityfoundationni.org/ 

In the interview, Roisin shares

• “Leadership isn’t about avoiding difficult conversations. It’s about having the courage to sit across from people you disagree with and still choose humanity.” 
•  “Belonging changes everything. When people feel seen, valued, and included, communities become stronger and leadership becomes transformational.” 
•  “The people who shaped me most weren’t the ones who agreed with me — they were the ones who challenged me to listen more deeply.” 
•  “You cannot build peace while refusing to engage with people who hold opposing views. Real leadership lives inside uncomfortable dialogue.” 
•  “Football showed me something powerful: when people share a purpose, barriers that once felt impossible to cross suddenly begin to disappear.” 
•  “Standing up for justice will often invite criticism, but silence has never been the thing that changes societies.” 
•  “Technology can connect us instantly, but it can never replace the power of genuine human connection and face-to-face belonging.” 
•  “Young leaders need to understand this early: courage isn’t loud. Sometimes courage is simply staying true to your values when it would be easier not to.” 
•  “Kindness, curiosity, and bravery are not soft leadership traits — they are the foundation of creating meaningful change.” 
•  “Leadership is not just about managing organizations. It’s about building a world where every person feels they have a place and that they matter.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, I attempt to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode of Choosing Leadership, Sumit Gupta sits down with entrepreneur and leader Lokendra Tomar for a raw conversation about ambition, pressure, success, and what it actually takes to build a meaningful life while growing businesses.

From navigating career pivots and scaling companies to making hard decisions during COVID, Lokendra shares the unseen emotional weight that leaders carry behind the scenes.

This conversation will challenge the way you think about achievement, especially if you’ve ever felt trapped by expectations, comparison, or the pressure to constantly prove yourself.

You’ll walk away with practical insights on trust, delegation, resilience, and building an internal anchor strong enough to withstand uncertainty and chaos.

If you’re a founder, executive, or ambitious leader trying to grow without losing yourself in the process, this episode will hit close to home.

You can find Lokendra Tomar at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/lokendratomar/

In the interview, Lokendra shares

• “Leadership gets dangerous when your self-worth becomes dependent on repeating your last success.”
• “Most people chase external validation. Real leaders build a life they actually enjoy living.”
• “The freedom to choose your path matters more than the prestige attached to it.”
• “Growth doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from stepping into uncertainty before you feel ready.”
• “A strong business means nothing if you lose yourself trying to build it.”
• “In moments of crisis, people don’t need perfection from leaders — they need honesty.”
• “The higher you climb, the more important trust and delegation become.”
• “Success without an internal anchor will eventually leave you exhausted, disconnected, and empty.”
• “The best leaders stop proving themselves and start multiplying impact through others.”
• “Leadership begins the moment you stop living by society’s definition of success and start defining it for yourself.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, I attempt to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

Most leaders chase success—but still feel something is missing. In this episode, Sumit Gupta sits down with Mark Coscarello to unpack why fulfilment in leadership has less to do with titles and money and everything to do with human connection.

Mark shares his raw transition from corporate life to building a career rooted in trust, meaning, and aligned values—and what it really takes to discover your “why.”

They dive into the uncomfortable realities of change, from redefining success to learning how to sell your value without losing your integrity.

If you’re feeling stuck, disconnected, or ready to lead in a way that actually feels right, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what success means on your terms.

You can find Mark Coscarello at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcoscarello/
•  https://www.markcoscarello.com/

In the interview, Mark shares

• “Leadership isn’t about position—it’s about the choices you make when no one is watching.”
• “Too many brilliant leaders stay stuck in survival mode instead of stepping into their full potential.”
• “Fulfilment doesn’t come from climbing the corporate ladder—it comes from meaningful human connection.”
• “Your ‘why’ isn’t something you find overnight—it’s something you uncover by paying attention to what actually matters to you.”
• “If the work you’re doing doesn’t energise you, it’s not a career—it’s a slow drain.”
• “Leaving the corporate world isn’t just a career shift—it’s an identity shift.”
• “Building a business is hard, but building it with people you trust makes it worth it.”
• “Transparency, integrity, and authenticity aren’t buzzwords—they’re the foundation of a life and business that actually work.”
• “Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s the training ground for it.”
• “Mediocrity is a choice—and so is excellence. The question is, which one are you practising daily?”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, I attempt to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What if the biggest thing holding you back as a leader isn’t strategy—but how you relate to people?

In this episode, Katie Tamblin breaks down what it really takes to lead through uncertainty, build trust, and create teams that actually thrive.

She shares hard-earned lessons on navigating change, managing emotions under pressure, and why curiosity might be your most underrated leadership skill.

You’ll hear a refreshing take on success—one that prioritizes peace, authenticity, and long-term impact over ego and short-term wins.

If you’re tired of surface-level leadership advice and ready to lead in a way that actually works, this conversation will challenge how you think—and how you show up.

You can find Katie Tamblin at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/katietamblin/
• katietamblin.com

In the interview, Katie shares

• Leadership isn’t a fixed path—it’s a series of transformations driven by curiosity and a willingness to change.
• The hardest transitions in leadership aren’t about skills—they’re about trust, relationships, and team dynamics.
• Great leaders don’t control everything—they build trust, delegate, and let people take ownership.
• Success isn’t just performance—it’s creating a sense of peace in how you and your team operate.
• Ego and righteousness often show up together—real leadership is choosing collaboration over being right.
• Emotional mastery isn’t optional in leadership—it’s the foundation for stability in chaotic environments.
• Curiosity is a leader’s greatest advantage—it keeps you learning, adapting, and open to better solutions.
• Growth will challenge your identity—not just your ability—and that’s where real development happens.
• Non-toxic workplaces don’t happen by accident—they’re built through conscious, values-driven leadership.
• Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about authenticity, learning as you go, and creating space for others to thrive.

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, I attempt to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What does it really take to lead when everything in you wants to hold on tighter?

In this episode, Bob van Luijt shares the unexpected journey from music to building a cutting-edge tech company—and why that path gave him an edge most leaders overlook.

You’ll hear a raw take on letting go of control, building trust at scale, and leading without losing what makes you unique.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the weeds or unsure how to grow without breaking your culture, this conversation will challenge you.

It’s an honest, refreshing look at leadership as a choice—and what becomes possible when you actually make it.

You can find Bob van Luijt at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobvanluijt/
•  bob@weaviate.io. 

In the interview, Bob shares

• “Leadership isn’t something you stumble into—it’s a choice you make, especially when it’s uncomfortable.” 
•  “Most leaders are stuck in daily firefighting, but real impact begins the moment you decide to step out of it.” 
•  “Your background doesn’t define your ceiling—sometimes the most unconventional paths create the most innovative leaders.” 
•  “Discipline from one world can become your unfair advantage in another.” 
•  “As your company grows, your job is to let go—not hold on tighter.” 
•  “Trust isn’t just a leadership trait; it’s the foundation for innovation to exist.” 
•  “Standing out is powerful—but only when it’s grounded in purpose, not ego.” 
•  “Technology should amplify human potential, not replace it.” 
•  “AI can scale efficiency, but it can’t replace genuine human connection.” 
•  “The values you refuse to compromise on will define the company you build—and the leader you become.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, I attempt to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What does it really take to build something meaningful that lasts for decades?

In this episode of Choosing Leadership, Sumit Gupta sits down with Kishan Ananthram to unpack the mindset, values, and courage required to lead through uncertainty.

Kishan shares hard-won lessons from a 30-year entrepreneurial journey—from choosing people over profit, to letting go of control so others can rise.

If you are navigating growth, pressure, or the fear of making the wrong call, this conversation will challenge you to lead with more conviction, clarity, and heart.

It is a powerful reminder that great leadership is not about playing safe—it is about choosing what matters most, even when it is uncomfortable.

You can find Kishan Ananthram at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kishanananthram/
• kishan.ananthram@ionidea.com 

In the interview, Kishan shares

• “Leadership is not about the title you hold—it’s about the choices you make when comfort and courage collide.”
• “My father taught me two things: always aim for the top, and in every relationship, give more than you take.”
• “Building a business is not just about profit; it’s about creating something that people can trust with their future.”
• “There were moments I could have walked away with the money, but real leadership meant staying—for the sake of the people who built this with me.”
• “In difficult times, your values are no longer theory. They become the standard by which every decision is made.”
• “Growth begins the moment you stop treating the business like your possession and start building it as a shared legacy.”
• “Bringing in partners was not about giving up control—it was about multiplying possibilities.”
• “The real purpose of success is not accumulation; it is contribution to something greater than yourself.”
• “Leadership without inner work is incomplete. The deeper you understand yourself, the more responsibly you can lead others.”
• “Comfort is the enemy of greatness. If you want an extraordinary life, you have to be willing to choose discomfort in service of something bigger.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What does it really take to walk away from a “safe” career and build something that changes an entire industry?

In this conversation, Kunal Thakker shares the raw, unfiltered reality of leaving banking to reinvent dentistry—and why fear was actually his greatest advantage.

You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the mental load of entrepreneurship, the sacrifices no one talks about, and how to stay grounded while scaling fast.

Kunal also breaks down how he’s built a culture-first company in a highly technical field—and why that’s been his real edge.

If you’re navigating growth, uncertainty, or big leadership decisions, this episode will challenge how you think and remind you what’s actually worth building.

You can find Kunal Thakker at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/toothclub/
• https://www.toothclub.co.uk/

In the interview, Kunal shares

• “Sometimes the biggest industry disruptors are the ones who start as outsiders.” 
•  “Fear didn’t stop him—it became the reason he built something better.” 
•  “Leaving a stable career isn’t reckless when you’re building something that actually matters.” 
•  “Entrepreneurship gives you freedom—but it also rents space in your mind 24/7.” 
•  “You can be with your family physically and still be miles away mentally—that’s the hidden cost of building something big.” 
•  “Scaling a business is easy compared to preserving its culture.” 
•  “Culture isn’t a department—it’s the foundation everything else stands on.” 
•  “Great leadership is a constant balance between vision and adaptation.” 
•  “If you’re not open to feedback, you’re not serious about growth.” 
•  “The future belongs to those willing to rethink even the most traditional industries.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What does it really take to hold onto a dream for 40 years—and actually bring it to life?

In this conversation, Ron Rubin shares hard-earned lessons on patience, succession, and making bold decisions without losing your footing.

You’ll hear how great leaders balance risk with wisdom, let go at the right time, and build businesses that last beyond them.

More importantly, this episode challenges you to stop chasing distant opportunities and start recognising the “gold” already within your reach.

If you’re navigating growth, transition, or uncertainty, this one will hit closer to home than you expect.

You can find Ron Rubin at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronrubin/
•  ron@goldenyourbackyard.com

In the interview, Ron shares

• “Dreams don’t expire—they just wait for the person patient enough to build them.”
• “What looks like a long delay is often just the time required to do something meaningful.”
• “The best business advice I ever received was simple: stay debt-free and sleep well at night.”
• “Succession isn’t about stepping away—it’s about setting someone else up to win.”
• “If you don’t have a plan to let go, you don’t have a leadership strategy—you have control issues.”
• “Most people chase opportunity in distant places, while ignoring the gold sitting in their own backyard.”
• “The real lessons of leadership aren’t taught in classrooms—they’re earned through decisions, risks, and consequences.”
• “Great leaders don’t avoid risk—they understand it, respect it, and move anyway.”
• “Innovation matters, but never at the expense of the human touch that built your business in the first place.”
• “Success means very little if you’re not lifting others as you climb.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

Growth doesn’t feel like confidence—it feels like discomfort, doubt, and stepping into rooms where you’re not the smartest person yet.

In this episode of Choosing Leadership, Sumit Gupta sits down with Lindsay Nahmiache to unpack what it really takes to grow when comfort is no longer an option.

They dive into how embracing uncertainty, building systems, and telling better stories can unlock exponential growth in business and life.

If you’re leading a team, building something ambitious, or feeling stuck at your current level, this conversation will challenge the way you think about progress.

Expect real talk, practical insights, and a nudge to stop waiting until you feel ready—because leadership starts the moment you choose to move anyway.

You can find Lindsay Nahmiache at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaynahmiache/
• https://jiveprdigital.com/

In the interview, Lindsay shares

• “If growth feels comfortable, you’re probably not growing at all.”
• “Discomfort isn’t a sign you’re failing—it’s proof you’re evolving.”
• “Entrepreneurship is learning to feel at home in the unknown.”
• “Every breakthrough I’ve had came from stepping into situations I couldn’t control.”
• “Storytelling isn’t marketing—it’s how people decide whether to trust you.”
• “You don’t stumble into opportunity; you recognise it because you’re paying attention.”
• “The edge of growth is uncomfortable, and that’s exactly where leaders are built.”
• “Systems don’t limit freedom—they create it.”
• “Not everyone is meant to want more, and that’s okay. Leadership is choosing to want more anyway.”
• “Authenticity isn’t a brand strategy—it’s how you stop lying to yourself about who you’re becoming.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What does it really take to build something meaningful when you have no money, no network, and no permission?

In this episode of Choosing Leadership, host Sumit Gupta sits down with Joe Seddon, who built Zero Gravity from his student bedroom with his last £200 and a healthy dose of bold belief.

They unpack the uncomfortable truths about execution, rejection, and why a little “delusion” might be the edge most leaders are missing.

You’ll hear how to cut through distraction, build a culture of accountability, and stay grounded while chasing ambitious goals.

If you’ve been playing it safe, this conversation will challenge you to step up, think bigger, and lead with courage—starting now.

You can find Joe Seddon at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeseddon/
• https://www.zerogravity.co.uk/

In the interview, Joe shares

• “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Our job as leaders is to close that gap.”
• “Sometimes you have to be a little delusional to build something meaningful—especially when you don’t have money, connections, or permission.”
• “Naivety isn’t always weakness; sometimes it’s the fuel that keeps you moving when the odds say stop.”
• “If you wait until you feel ready, you’ll never start. Real leaders move before confidence shows up.”
• “Cold-calling, handwritten letters, uncomfortable asks—that’s what execution looks like when you have no leverage.”
• “In a world competing for attention, leadership means helping people invest their time in their future, not just their entertainment.”
• “Culture isn’t your values on a wall—it’s whether people actually do what they say they’ll do.”
• “Standing up straight means saying what you intend to do and doing what you said you would do.”
• “Growth doesn’t come from adding more to your day; it comes from changing the context you operate in.”

“Comfort is the enemy of greatness—choosing leadership means choosing discomfort on purpose.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What if the ideas you’ve been quietly dismissing are the very ones that could change everything?

In this episode of Choosing Leadership, Kaihan Krippendorff joins Sumit Gupta to unpack why most leaders struggle to create space for bold thinking—and how to break out of safe, stale patterns.

You’ll learn how courage, language, and choice shape the future of your leadership more than any strategy deck ever will.

This conversation challenges you to stop predicting outcomes and start committing to what you want to create, even when it feels uncomfortable.

If you’ve been playing it safe while hoping for extraordinary results, this episode will shake you awake—in the best way.

You can find Kaihan Krippendorff at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaihankrippendorff/
• https://outthinker.com/

In the interview, Kaihan shares

• “Most companies don’t fail because they lack ideas; they fail because they don’t create space for impossible ones.”
• “Innovation begins the moment you stop borrowing other people’s beliefs and start trusting your own logic.”
• “Courage isn’t loud confidence—it’s the quiet decision to bet on your thinking when the world disagrees.”
• “If your language can’t imagine a new future, your strategy won’t create one.”
• “Leaders don’t just predict outcomes—they commit to creating them.”
• “Without choice, there is no accountability. Leadership begins the moment you choose.”
• “The fourth option appears only after you’ve exhausted the obvious three.”
• “Breakthroughs don’t come from better answers; they come from better questions.”
• “Comfort is efficient, but it’s also the enemy of greatness.”
• “Leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about choosing what truly matters and committing to it boldly.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What does it really take to walk away from certainty and choose leadership in the unknown?

In this episode of Choosing Leadership, host Sumit Gupta sits down with Janardan Dalmia to unpack his journey from Wall Street banking to building Trukkin in one of the world’s most complex logistics markets.

JD shares the unglamorous truths of entrepreneurship—unlearning old mindsets, navigating uncertainty, and building resilience when the playbook no longer exists.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about linear growth or perfect balance, but about endurance, self-awareness, and choosing courage over comfort.

If you’re a leader facing big decisions, internal resistance, or the fear of starting over, this episode will challenge you to raise your bar and play a longer, bolder game.

You can find Janardan Dalmia at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdalmia/
•  jd@trukkin.com. 

In the interview, Janardan shares

• “Leadership isn’t a title you earn once — it’s a choice you make every day.”
• “Leaving Wall Street didn’t make me brave — staying uncomfortable did.”
• “Entrepreneurship isn’t a straight line. It’s a messy, non-linear journey, and that’s the point.”
• “You don’t rise in business by avoiding failure — you rise by learning to recover faster.”
• “Success is temporary. So is failure. What lasts is who you become through both.”
• “Unlearning the banker mindset was harder than learning how to build a startup.”
• “Real leadership is about endurance — staying in the game when the excitement wears off.”
• “You can’t professionalise chaos without first learning to operate inside it.”
• “Work-life balance isn’t about equal hours — it’s about protecting your energy.”
• “Growth isn’t about doing more. It’s about becoming more.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

This episode is a masterclass in what happens when a leader stops reacting and starts thinking.

Christopher Graham shares how stepping back from daily chaos unlocked scale, clarity, and a completely new way of leading at Crown Capital.

You’ll hear why micromanagement feels productive but quietly kills growth—and what to do instead.

The conversation dives into curiosity, mental space, and building businesses that don’t depend on the founder for every decision.

If you’re tired of being the bottleneck in your own leadership, this episode will challenge how you run your company and yourself.

You can find Christopher Graham at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophertgraham25/
• https://crown-inv.com/

In the interview, Christopher shares

• “Leadership changed for me the moment I stopped reacting to daily problems and started blocking time to actually think.”
• “Growth didn’t come from working harder—it came from creating mental space to see what was possible.”
• “My move into private equity wasn’t planned; it emerged by saying yes to opportunities my clients put in front of me.”
• “Ego convinces founders they need to touch everything. Scale demands the opposite.”
• “Real leadership begins when the business can operate and grow without the founder being in every decision.”
• “Micromanagement feels productive, but it quietly suffocates innovation and limits scale.”
• “Mapping a business forces clarity—it exposes inefficiencies you can’t see when you’re too close to the work.”
• “When leadership teams are involved in diagnosing problems, change stops being forced and starts becoming owned.”
• “Curiosity is a competitive advantage—it keeps leaders adaptable in environments that won’t slow down for them.”
• “The future belongs to leaders who can step back, challenge tradition, and build systems that outlive them.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode of Choosing Leadership, Liza Roeser, founder and CEO of 50Flowers, opens up about what it really takes to lead when fear, ego, and uncertainty show up uninvited.

She shares raw lessons from nearly three decades of entrepreneurship—moments where faith mattered more than strategy and pausing was more powerful than reacting.

This conversation challenges leaders to rethink success, shift from control to trust, and build businesses that don’t depend on their constant presence.

Liza’s honesty about letting go, saying no, and leading with vulnerability offers practical insight for anyone feeling stretched, stuck, or overly responsible.

If you’re ready to lead with more courage, clarity, and calm, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

You can find Liza Roeser at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/liza-roeser/
• https://fiftyflowers.com/

In the interview, Liza shares

• “Leadership isn’t about position; it’s about the choices you make when fear shows up.”
• “For nearly three decades, I didn’t lead without fear—I learned how to face it and keep going anyway.”
• “Entrepreneurship wasn’t a plan; it became a path to freedom, impact, and empowering women around the world.”
• “When something goes wrong, panic is optional. You can pause, respond, and fall back on what you know to be true.”
• “Faith has been my rock—not because challenges disappear, but because perspective returns.”
• “Success isn’t about what you build; it’s about how people feel when they work with you and leave your presence.”
• “The business truly scaled when I separated my ego from my role and trusted my team to lead.”
• “Implementing EOS didn’t just free up my time—it forced me to let go and become a better leader.”
• “If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no. Focus is saying no to good things so you can say yes to what matters.”
• “You don’t lead others well until you learn how to lead yourself—especially in moments of fear and vulnerability.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

Most leaders say they value relationships—then build systems that quietly destroy them. In this episode of Choosing Leadership, Jason Stone, President and CEO of Frontline Selling, challenges the obsession with automation and reminds us why human connection still wins in leadership and sales.

He shares the hard lessons of stepping into the CEO role, navigating patience-demanding change, and leading with integrity when shortcuts are tempting.

This is a grounded, honest conversation about trust, transparency, faith, and what it really takes to scale without losing your soul.

If you’re leading people, selling ideas, or building something that actually matters, this episode will hit close to home.

You can find Jason Stone at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonstonefrontline/
•  jStone@frontlineselling.com.
• https://frontlineselling.com/

In the interview, Jason shares

• “We’re not in the business of rushing to leads. We’re in the business of creating real human conversations.”
• “Automation can scale activity, but it can’t replace trust. People still buy from people.”
• “Sales isn’t about pushing a product—it’s about offering a solution that actually serves the person in front of you.”
• “Becoming CEO taught me patience in a way nothing else could. Real change takes time, alignment, and humility.”
• “That eight-month CRM overhaul wasn’t a tech project—it was a leadership lesson in listening and involving everyone.”
• “Integrity isn’t a value you put on the wall. It’s what you choose when the easy shortcut is right there.”
• “If a deal doesn’t feel right, we don’t do it. Long-term trust always beats short-term wins.”
• “Faith and family keep me grounded. Doing the right thing has a way of working out—even when it’s uncomfortable.”
• “Scaling fast is easy. Scaling without losing who you are—that’s the real challenge.”
• “Great salespeople don’t come from one background. Hospitality, sports, service—those worlds understand humans.”