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Cathleen Quigley: Building the Backbone of the Internet

Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders

Release Date: 06/25/2025

A Blueprint for Success Without Burnout: 6 Easy Steps

Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders

In this episode of the Badass Leaders podcast, Angela Gill Nelms discusses the critical issue of burnout and offers a blueprint for achieving success without sacrificing personal well-being. Drawing from her own experiences, she emphasizes the importance of understanding burnout, setting boundaries, and leading by example. The conversation provides practical steps for leaders to maintain a healthy work-life balance while empowering their teams and fostering a supportive work culture. Read the full blog here: About Angela: Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer in the creation of...

Cathleen Quigley: Building the Backbone of the Internet

Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of the Badass Leaders podcast, Angela welcomes Emmy Award-winning technologist and engineering trailblazer Cathleen Quigley, who shares her remarkable journey through Silicon Valley, Broadcom, and beyond. Cathleen opens up about pioneering broadband innovations, earning over 100 patents, and the emotional and professional complexity of transitioning later in life. The conversation blends leadership, legacy, imposter syndrome, and diversity in STEM, offering a humanizing and authentic look at what it means to lead—and live—courageously....

Dr. Kofi Smith: No Timeouts in Life, an Athlete's Story of Resilience and Rising Up

Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders

Former college football athlete turned powerhouse leader, Kofi Smith joins the Badass Leaders Podcast to share his journey from the field to the front office. In this raw and inspiring conversation, Kofi unpacks how discipline, resilience, and teamwork shaped his leadership style. He dives deep into the power of authenticity, conflict resolution, mental health, and the importance of embracing vulnerability. From overcoming rejection to building a legacy, this episode is a masterclass in turning adversity into fuel—and leading with purpose, heart, and hustle. Learn more about Kofi at: ...

Building Your A-Team: Who You Need in Your Corner for Leadership Success

Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders

In this insightful episode, Angela Gill Nelms explores the power of building an A-Team—your personal support system crucial for leadership success. Through compelling storytelling and practical wisdom, Angela breaks down the three essential roles every leader needs: boardroom mentors for strategic guidance, foxhole allies for emotional support, and locker room champions for motivation. She underscores the importance of diverse perspectives, honest feedback, and the ongoing work of nurturing meaningful relationships that fuel personal and professional growth. Whether you're an emerging...

Jacob Karnes: Leadership Lessons that Stick

Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders

In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, business coach and former Chick-fil-A leader Jacob Karnes shares practical insights on leadership, team dynamics, and employee retention. He dives into why clarity is a leader’s superpower, how to build strong workplace cultures, and why belonging matters more than money when it comes to retention. Jacob discusses how to grow yourself and your team, the power of feedback, and the role of personal branding in leadership. From navigating conflict to building community at work, this episode is packed with real-world strategies to help you lead with...

Kristi Straw: Why ‘Shamagers’ Fail and Unicorn Leaders Thrive

Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders

What does it really mean to lead with authenticity in a world that often rewards conformity? In this powerful episode, Kristi Straw—serial founder, leadership coach, and creator of the Unicorn Leader framework—joins host Angela Gill Nelms to unpack the real story behind effective leadership. As she navigates toxic corporate culture and embraces emotional intelligence with compassionate communication, Kristi shares how today’s leaders can stand out by standing in their truth. Together, they explore the rise of the “shamager” (shame-filled manager), the myth of work-life balance, and...

Sophie Badré: Peaceful Leadership in a Multicultural World

Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, we sit down with leadership coach and global thinker Sophie Badré to explore what it truly means to lead in a multicultural world. Sophie unpacks the concept of peaceful leadership—a style rooted in kindness, self-awareness, and authentic communication—and why it’s becoming essential in today’s complex global landscape. From her rich experiences working across cultures, Sophie shares insights into how adaptability, intuition, and cultural sensitivity shape a leader’s effectiveness. The conversation dives deep into how leaders can build...

Badass Best of: Real Talk on Conflict Management

Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders

Conflict is inevitable, but how we handle it makes all the difference. In this special “best of” episode, we’ve curated powerful moments from past guests who’ve shared their wisdom on navigating conflict at work and in life. From embracing discomfort to leaning into tough conversations, our guests offer practical strategies, candid stories, and refreshing perspectives on what it means to manage tension with empathy, clarity, and confidence. Whether you're leading a team, managing up, or facing peer-to-peer challenges, this montage is packed with insights to help you transform conflict...

Sherry Farrugia: Diversity is the Driver, Creating Inclusive Healthcare Innovation

Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders

In this episode, Angela Gill Nelms sits down with Sherry Farrugia, Senior Vice President at Veranex, to unpack what it really takes to lead in today’s complex healthcare and life sciences landscape. From her decades in health IT to her work commercializing cutting-edge medical devices, Sherry shares the behind-the-scenes lessons that have shaped her leadership philosophy — one rooted in empathy, inclusion, and relentless innovation. We dive into the challenges women face in STEM, how public-private partnerships can actually work, and why diversity isn’t just a checkbox — it’s the key...

Gia Ganesh: Behind the Mic with Angela Gill Nelms

Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders

In this special role-reversal episode of Badass Leaders Podcast, the mic is flipped! Angela Gill Nelms, usually the fearless host, takes the hot seat while her dear friend and fellow badass leader, Gia Ganesh, steps in as interviewer. What unfolds is a raw, inspiring, and refreshingly candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it really means to be brave. Angela opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, learning to lead with authenticity, and how a tough childhood shaped her fierce determination. She shares the wisdom she’s gained from motherhood, her journey as a single...

More Episodes

Cathleen opens up about pioneering broadband innovations, earning over 100 patents, and the emotional and professional complexity of transitioning later in life. The conversation blends leadership, legacy, imposter syndrome, and diversity in STEM, offering a humanizing and authentic look at what it means to lead—and live—courageously.

Learn more about Cathleen at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quigleycathleen/
Email: [email protected]

Mentioned This Episode:

Georgia Tech College of Engineering
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification)
Broadcom Inc.
National Semiconductor
VLSI Technology
TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company):
Head Over Heels: https://amzn.to/3ZMsMJd

About Angela:
Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer in the creation of exceptional companies and teams. She serves as the Director of Biolocity and is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of both The AGN Group and the Recovery Advocate Network. Previously, she held the position of Chief Operations Officer at Aetos Imaging, RenovoRx, and Florence Healthcare. With a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech, Angela has a proven track record of successfully navigating the FDA, leading diverse teams, prioritizing the needs of customers and patients, and building exceptional companies.

Angela shares her lessons learned around the country in keynote speeches, coaching, and team-building workshops. Learn more about Angela at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.

About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. We offer keynote and panel speaking, leadership and team-building workshops, fractional and management consulting, brand and storytelling services. Email us at [email protected] to connect. Learn more at www.TheAGNGroup.com.

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Want to be a Podcast Guest?

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email [email protected].

Learn more about the podcast at www.BadassLeadersPodcast.com.

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