Libsyn Directory

Five Years Since I Refused to Die. Fifty Years Old | Life Lessons with Angela Gill Nelms

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

Release Date: 08/20/2025

From the Yankees to Flea Markets—The Leadership Lessons No One Expects | Dr. John Tuders

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

In this episode, Dr. John Tuders breaks down what it truly means to lead with courage, clarity, and integrity in a world that often rewards shortcuts. He shares the lessons that shaped him, from growing up in Queens to becoming a professor and trusted voice in leadership. You’ll hear real stories, practical insights, and a grounded perspective on trust, culture, conflict, and personal growth. If you’re serious about becoming a stronger, more self-aware leader, this conversation will push you in all the right ways. Questions answered during this conversation: What is the real difference...

AI in Higher Education: Lessons from Georgia Tech | Raheem Beyah

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

In this episode of Badass Leaders, Raheem Beyah, Georgia Tech’s Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs joins Angela to talk about innovation, mentorship, and the evolution of leadership in higher education. Born and raised in Atlanta, Raheem shares how his grandmother’s biscuits and a childhood love of video games first sparked his curiosity for technology—and how that curiosity became a lifelong mission to empower others through education and innovation. From Georgia Tech’s groundbreaking AI Makerspace to national initiatives in cybersecurity and access to STEM...

Badass Best of: How to Leave a Legacy That Lasts

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

What does it really mean to leave a legacy? In this Badass Leaders Podcast “Best Of” episode, we bring together powerful insights from leaders who are redefining what impact looks like. Together, these guests offer perspectives that challenge traditional ideas of success and invite us to think bigger about purpose, service, and the mark we leave behind. If you’re ready to build something that lasts longer than your title or tenure, this episode is for you. Tune in to explore: How today’s leaders define and live their legacies Why gratitude and service are at the heart of lasting...

From Veteran Medic to CEO: Reinventing Yourself After PTSD | Suzy Wraines

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

In this powerful conversation, veteran and entrepreneur Suzy Wraines opens up about her journey from military medic to trauma-informed business coach. She shares how growing up in remote Alaska built her resilience, how joining the Army at 29 reshaped her identity, and how ignoring her trauma nearly cost her her health and purpose. Suzy explains the difference between regulating and resolving trauma, why so many high achievers stay stuck in survival mode, and how she now helps healthcare professionals create healing-centered businesses. With raw honesty, she and host Angela Gill Nelms dive...

From Incarceration to Inspiration: How a 30-Year Prison Sentence into Purpose | Brian Rowe

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

In 2010, Brian Rowe was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for a nonviolent drug conspiracy. Most people would have seen that as the end. Brian saw it as a turning point. In this episode, he shares how he transformed pain into purpose, turned crisis into opportunity, and rebuilt his life to become a business catalyst, AWS Partner, and community leader. Brian’s story is a masterclass in resilience and leadership—from surviving “Bloody Beaumont” to redefining success through service, innovation, and mentorship. If you’ve ever faced adversity and wondered how to turn it into...

The $100M Journey from Discovery to Device | Nassir Mokarram

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

What if treating brain cancer wasn’t about destroying tumors, but redirecting them? In this captivating episode, Dr. Nassir Mokarram—Director of Venture Investments at the Emory Endowment and a Georgia Tech “40 Under 40” honoree—shares the remarkable story behind the “Tumor Monorail,” a groundbreaking medical device designed to guide brain tumors away from vital tissue and into a controlled space. From the early research labs at Georgia Tech to real-world clinical trials, Nassir takes us through the decade-long journey of translating science fiction into surgical reality. Beyond...

The #1 Mistake Leaders Make in Reputation Management (and How to Avoid It) | Aimee Christian

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

Host Angela Gill Nelms sits down with Aimee Christian, a former biopharma executive who boldly walked away from a 25-year corporate career to design a life and career on her own terms. Now a Professor of the Practice at Boston University, President of the Massachusetts Society for Medical Research, and CEO of Yes Communications, Aimee opens up about the courage it took to pivot mid-career, embrace a portfolio career, and balance ambition with authenticity. Together, Angela and Aimee unpack what it really means to: Be brave enough to leave a secure job and redefine success Turn “you’re too...

Badass Best of: Real Talk on Leaders vs Managers

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

In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, we dive deep into the critical differences between managers and leaders. Our guests explore how authentic leadership is about influence, empathy, and empowering people, while management often focuses on processes, outcomes, and tasks. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, running a team, or building your own organization, this conversation will help you reflect on your leadership style and understand the impact you have on those around you. Key Topics Covered: Defining the difference between a manager and a leader. The role of...

How to Crush Imposter Syndrome & Lead With Confidence | Samuel Osborne and David Graf

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

What’s the real difference between a leader and a manager? Why do so many successful executives still wrestle with imposter syndrome? And how do leaders handle conflict, burnout, and pressure without losing themselves? In this episode of The Badass Leaders Podcast, host Angela Gill Nelms sits down with Sam Osborne—The Neurosurgeon of Self-Worth—and attorney and educator David Graf. Together, they explore how values-driven leadership, authentic confidence, and emotional resilience can transform the way you show up at work and in life. Sam shares how his unconventional path—from teaching...

How to Handle Power and Ego in the Boardroom | Jonathan Bennett

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

In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Jonathan Bennett, leadership advisor, board director, and former CEO, shares how great leaders don’t avoid conflict—they humanize it. From scripting tough conversations with executives to building resilient board cultures, Jonathan reveals how curiosity, generosity, and relational governance can transform how leaders show up in the moments that matter most. You’ll hear: Why conflict can unlock growth instead of derail it How boards can move beyond ego and power struggles The personal journey that shaped Jonathan’s leadership...

More Episodes

Lessons on Survival and Living from my Kidnapping

This week’s episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast is unlike any before. Normally, Angela sits down with extraordinary guests to talk leadership, resilience, and growth. But today, it’s just her—because this week marks two milestones she never thought she’d see:

Her 50th birthday
The 5-year anniversary of escaping a kidnapping

In this deeply personal and raw conversation, Angela shares her story for the first time in full. She opens up about the trauma that nearly ended her life, the hard road of recovery, and the lessons she’s learned about leading and living on the other side of survival.

Resources & Links:

Listen to more episodes of the Badass Leaders Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@bebravebebadass?sub_confirmation=1
Read the accompanying blog post: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/half-a-century-alive-five-years-free/

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 hello@TheAGNGroup.com 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 brave@angelagillnelms.com.

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

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