Episodes

In this episode, we sit down with Julie Hassett, a seasoned enterprise transformation leader and executive coach, to explore what it really takes to lead change from the inside out.Julie’s journey spans four powerful chapters: from Accenture consultant to government catalyst, founder of a 100-person firm, and now Oracle executive. She shares how her early experience navigating complex family dynamics sparked a lifelong curiosity about human behavior—fueling a career in systems change, transforma...

In this inspiring conversation, Shannon sits down with Juliane Stephan, a lifelong Catalyst and Operating Partner at BayPine, to explore how Catalysts can find and craft roles that truly give them license to transform organizations. Juliane shares two key strategies she’s used throughout her career: identifying ambiguity when seeking new roles externally, and making a strong business case for transformation opportunities internally.They also dive into the common challenges Catalyst executives fa...

In this electrifying episode, we sat down with legendary management thought-leader, Gary Hamel , Author of Leading the Revolution, to explore what it truly takes for organizations to create their own future. Hamel delivers a powerful message: if companies want to stay relevant, they must learn to identify, embrace, and unleash their Catalysts - the changemakers, corporate rebels, and internal revolutionaries who challenge the status quo to drive meaningful transformation. Gary outlines the four ...

In this episode, we sit down with Brynn Shader , founder of ChangeCraft, to explore how change management must evolve in a time of relentless disruption.With 16+ years of experience, Brynn helps Fortune 500s and high-growth companies turn resistance into resilience—ditching rigid frameworks for practical, human-centered strategies. She dives into how HR can lead transformation by embracing agility, empathy, and experimentation.Brynn shares why she calls it “ChangeCraft”—because great change isn’...

In this powerful episode, Shannon sits down with ultra Catalyst leader Juan Carlos Lopez (JC) , Director of Data & AI at Schibsted Media in Norway. With a career that spans telecom, energy, automotive, media, and e-commerce, JC has built a reputation for turning complex technical challenges into sweeping business transformations. JC shares hard-won insights from the trenches—starting with the critical importance of breadcrumbing your value. He reveals how failing to make your impact visible, bot...

In this episode, Theresa Caragol—founder and CEO of AchieveUnite—shares her journey as a Catalyst leader transforming how companies grow through trust, partnerships, and culture. With over 20 years of global experience and a track record of leading 12 acquisitions, Theresa offers hard-won insights on building alignment in times of major change. A key theme in the conversation is the human side of transformation. Theresa emphasizes that success in M&A and partnerships depends on trust, communicat...

In this episode, we sit down with Paul L’Estrange , former CTO of Mars and PVH Corp, to explore the critical role IT plays in large-scale transformation—and what it takes for Catalyst leaders to drive change while keeping the core business performing. Paul shares powerful insights on the importance of having great #2s and team members who can bring the organization along on the journey, ensuring that transformation isn’t just visionary but executable. We dive deep into listening as a strategic a...

In this episode, we sit down with John Bryson , Senior Vice President of Startup Services and Venture Banking at Banc of California, to explore his unconventional Catalyst journey—one that has been anything but linear. Inspired by Wayne Gretzky’s famous advice to “skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been,” John shares how his career has been shaped by a series of strategic pivots, each driven by an intentional process of testing hypotheses about emerging market shifts. From ...

In this episode, we sit down with Megan Noel , Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Adtalem, to learn more about the critical role of communications in leading change. She shares a powerful lesson from her mentor: “Create a B-level strategy with an A-level execution plan.” Megan emphasizes that many companies struggle to clearly articulate their strategy, making it difficult for employees—especially change leaders—to succeed. We explore how effective change-makers bring others along by crafting me...

In this episode, we sit down with Elizabeth Manning , Change Management Leader, to explore her unconventional path from professional dancer to corporate change leader. With a natural talent for dot-connecting and systems thinking, Elizabeth found herself in the rigid, highly regulated world of big pharma—where generalist capabilities were often overlooked. Yet, as she helped leaders navigate complex challenges, her strategic value became undeniable. Elizabeth’s journey highlights the power of cr...

In this episode, we sit down with Thomas Knoll, Head of Innov8rs CoLab, who has spent years bringing together innovation and intrapreneurship communities. Tommy dives into the crucial importance of understanding an organization's "tolerance for change"—especially how much support truly exists at the C-suite level. We explore his thought-provoking article, "Does Your Organization Have a Failure Policy?", unpacking the significance of setting clear failure guardrails within organizations. Through ...

In this insightful conversation, we sit down with Jessica Crow , a seasoned change management expert, to explore how the field of change management is evolving to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced world. Jessica shares her perspective on emerging trends, emphasizing the shift towards a more iterative, human-centered approach—one that not only drives business outcomes but also prioritizes the well-being of employees who lead and embrace change. Jessica offers two crucial insights for navigat...

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Jan Sedlacek , a self-described "black sheep" of Catalysts, to explore the hard truths about driving transformation within large organizations. In his early career, he experienced "Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out." Jan shares really authentically and vulnerably about a really tough moment in his life where he felt like he really failed and experience trauma (see article below). This informed the work he does now, which starts with really deep l...

In a world where traditional recruiting processes often fall short, how can leaders rethink talent acquisition to unlock exceptional potential? Matt Alder , strategic consultant, author, and host of Recruiting Future, one of the most popular talent acquisition podcasts globally, shares how his catalytic drive to “fix recruiting” propelled him to create his blog, launch his podcast, and reshape the industry conversation. Matt encourages Catalysts to embrace self-awareness, recognizing that tradit...

In an industry rocked by constant disruption, how can leaders harness the forces of change rather than be swept away by them? In this episode, Christy Soukhamneut , Chief Lending Officer at University Federal Credit Union, shares her perspective on navigating the accelerating pace and scale of change with the wisdom of water as a guiding metaphor. Change is inevitable—it moves with or without us. But by being intentional, we can direct its flow, shaping how and where it leads. Christy emphasizes...

In this “getting real” episode, we’re joined by Amer Iqbal , Founder & CEO of 5 Ways to Innovate, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities Catalysts face when driving transformation in large organizations. Amer dives deep into the realities of confronting the "corporate immune system," the entrenched resistance to change that can feel insurmountable. Drawing on his extensive experience, Amer shares powerful strategies for breaking through: getting airtime to share your ideas widely, bu...

In this engaging episode, Josh Klein , renowned hacker and technology strategist, shares his journey of transforming complex insights into actionable innovation. A master of systems thinking, Josh has made a career out of challenging the status quo—seeing inefficiencies, hacking solutions, and creating exponential improvements. Josh delves into his approach to change, emphasizing the power of stepping back to gain a broader perspective and uncover leverage points that others overlook. He highlig...

In this episode, we sit down with Loubna Imenchal , VP at Logitech, for an insightful discussion on how leaders can successfully balance delivering on executive priorities while introducing innovative approaches. Loubna shares concrete examples about her fearless journey of stepping into roles beyond her prior industry experience, landing them by demonstrating impact and fresh strategies. She offers practical advice on securing alignment with leadership before accepting a new role, ensuring clar...

In this compelling episode, Bryon Kroger , founder and CEO of Rise8 and the former COO of the U.S. Air Force's groundbreaking Kessel Run program, reflects on his journey from intelligence officer to software innovator and leader of transformative change. Bryon shares candid lessons learned from catalyzing digital transformation within one of the largest bureaucracies in the world and offers a nuanced perspective on the interplay between rebellion and revolution in creating lasting impact. A cent...

In this engaging episode, Andy Lopata , a renowned relationship strategist, hall-of-fame speaker, and author of six influential books, shares his transformative approach to networking, mentorship, and leadership. With over 25 years of experience, Andy has become a trusted advisor to global organizations like Google and the BBC and continues to shape conversations on professional relationships. Andy reflects on key themes in his work, from the evolution of networking strategy to his groundbreakin...

In this episode, Abby Kearns , CTO of Alembic Technologies, shares how embracing her identity as a Catalyst—and its superpowers—empowered her to shed the "pain in the ass" label she’d been given along the way. Abby discusses the keys to success for Catalyst executives, from embracing the possibility of being wrong and leaning into risk, to identifying environments where there is strong executive and board buy-in. She calls out that as Catalyst leaders, we have to be open to having candid convers...

In this engaging episode, Sandeep Mehta , former Chief Technology Officer at The Hartford, shares transformative lessons from his journey as a Catalyst executive. He highlights the importance of clarity in Purpose—aligning your vision with organizational goals and solving the right first problem to gain stakeholder buy-in. Sandeep underscores the necessity of strong Sponsorship, where leaders show their commitment to your vision of change through tangible investment. Finally, he emphasizes the p...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Patti Fletcher , author of Disrupters: Success Strategies From Women Who Break the Mold, to explore the concepts of Disruptors and Catalysts—and why business needs these innate change-makers now more than ever to drive sustainable outcomes. Patti challenges the traditional mindset (and us!) around the language of “empowering” Catalysts, urging leaders instead to acknowledge the inherent power within individuals and focus on equipping them to lead transformat...

In this insightful episode, we delve into the unique journey of Dan Ward , a Senior Principal Systems Engineer at MITRE, former Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, and author of four books, including The Simplicity Cycle and Fire. Dan reflects on his innovative career, spanning military service, systems engineering, and prolific writing, sharing lessons on catalyzing change and simplifying complexity. Dan’s anecdotes illuminate key ideas: the transformative power of collaboration—“a catalyst by themse...