411: Caring, Campaigns & Communication: The Dovetail Solutions Story
Release Date: 06/17/2025
Deciding How to Pivot When Life Hits
Becoming Unshakable
Have you ever wondered how some people keep standing even when life seems determined to knock them flat? That question lingered with me as I spoke with Dave Munson, the founder and CEO of Saddleback Leather Co., whose journey is marked by sharp turns, risk-taking, loss, grit, faith, and a remarkable ability to get back up again. This conversation reminded me that the path to becoming unshakable is rarely smooth. It is formed through moments that challenge our identity, stretch our resolve, and reveal what we truly rely on when everything around us feels uncertain. Dave brought stories that...
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How Our Pasts Can Propel Us Into Our Futures
Becoming Unshakable
In this solo episode of Becoming Unshakable, I invite you to join me for a quiet reflection on how our past experiences can shape and strengthen who we are becoming. I talk about my love for fall, the sound of leaves crunching underfoot, and how those simple moments remind me of the beauty of change. Each fallen leaf tells a story of what was, and each season reminds us that growth often begins with letting go. I share why I no longer believe in leaving the past behind. Our pasts are full of lessons, proof of our resilience, and reminders of how much we have already overcome. When I look back...
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Asking for Help Is Strength, Not Failure
Becoming Unshakable
In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I had the privilege of welcoming two inspiring guests, Mary Beth Sandin and Kristina Fusella. It was my first time hosting two people at once, and the conversation felt like sitting down with old friends who have walked similar roads of challenge, growth, and self-discovery. Together, we explored what it means to stay grounded when life feels uncertain and why asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather an act of genuine strength. Kristina shared how her Taekwondo practice has shaped her understanding of balance, both physically and...
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When Compassion Meets Combat: A Paratrooper’s Take on Leading People Through Tough Times
Becoming Unshakable
When you’ve led people through war zones, you learn what unshakable leadership really means. In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sit down with retired Army officer, author, and speaker Clay Novak to explore what happens when compassion meets combat. With five tours of duty across Iraq and Afghanistan, Clay has lived the reality of leading under pressure, where calm, clarity, and connection can mean the difference between chaos and survival. Clay shares how he trained his soldiers to stay grounded when every instinct told them to panic, and how that same mindset applies to leadership in...
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Self-leadership Isn’t Selfish It’s Intelligent
Becoming Unshakable
In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, Heather reflects on a moment that reminded her what true leadership looks like from the inside out. Fresh from speaking to 13,000 nurses at the Atlanta World Congress Center, she shares how an experience that looked glamorous on the surface, with makeup, stage lights, and a long line of people waiting for hugs, became a powerful reminder that self-leadership is not selfish. It is essential. Heather unpacks what it means to prepare so thoroughly that you can show up fully. For her, deep preparation is an act of care, allowing presence to replace pressure...
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One Step That Changes Everything in Hard Times
Becoming Unshakable
Jodi O. Brown has lived the kind of story most of us hope we never face. What began as a picture-perfect life shifted overnight when she learned the symptoms she had been ignoring were signs of a brain tumor wrapped around her brainstem. One surgery became three. Five days in hospital became thirty-five in neurocritical care. The journey would grow to twenty-six surgeries, with complications that could have shattered anyone’s sense of self. Instead, Jodi found a different path. She learned to take life one minute at a time, to find meaning inside the mess, and to choose the next small step...
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Leading with Humility: The Discipline of Self-Leadership
Becoming Unshakable
In this episode of Becoming Unshakeable, I sit down with Jim Matuga, Founder of InnerAction Media, to explore a side of leadership that often goes unspoken: followership. Jim brings a refreshing perspective that challenges the assumption that leadership is the only role worth aspiring to. Instead, he makes a compelling case for the power of humility, steadfastness, and the influence that comes from being an excellent follower. For him, excellence and mediocrity cannot coexist, and creating a culture that values both leaders and followers is essential for building organizations that...
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426: Becoming Your Own Compass When the Path Isn’t Clear
Becoming Unshakable
In today’s episode of Becoming Unshakeable, I’m doing something a little different. This is one of my solo shows where I answer questions that listeners have sent directly to me. It’s my way of making sure your voice is part of this conversation, because even though I cannot see you when you listen, I want to stay connected to what matters most to you. In this episode, I respond to three powerful questions. We explore how to continue showing care when upper management pressures or restrictions get in the way, how to balance compassion with clear expectations and accountability, and what...
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Turning Fear into Fuel: The Power of Courageous Choices
Becoming Unshakable
Welcome to this episode of Becoming Unshakeable! If you’ve been a follower and fan of Leadership with Heart, you’re in exactly the right place. From here on out, Becoming Unshakeable will be the new name of my show—and I can’t wait to bring you invaluable insights on what it means to lead with clarity, compassion and courage. Ed Rahill’s story begins with a grandmother’s steady voice and a childhood that could have gone either way. He learned early that fear can freeze your future, and that believing in something bigger than ego keeps you moving when life tilts. In this...
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Overcoming Barriers, Leading with Purpose: Susan Frew’s Story
Becoming Unshakable
Welcome to this episode of Becoming Unshakeable! If you’ve been a follower and fan of Leadership with Heart, you’re in exactly the right place. From here on out, Becoming Unshakeable will be the new name of my show—and I can’t wait to bring you invaluable insights on what it means to lead with clarity, compassion and courage. In this conversation, I sat down with my friend and powerhouse leader, Susan Frew. Susan’s path runs from corporate leadership at AT&T Wireless across the Caribbean to small business ownership, reinvention, and now her work as a top AI speaker. She embodies...
info_outlineOn this episode of the Leadership with Heart podcast, I’m joined by someone very special to me, Andy Boian, founder of Dovetail Solutions and a longtime friend and collaborator. Andy first joined me on the show back in 2020 and was also featured in my book The Art of Caring Leadership. Since then, a great deal has changed, both for him and his company, and I was thrilled to bring him back to discuss where he stands now as a leader and how his journey has unfolded.
We discussed what it means to grow an organization with intention, to lead by listening, and to cultivate a culture where people feel safe enough to share their truth. Andy shared how he continues to live by the philosophy of speaking last, something he mentioned in our first interview that has stuck with me ever since. It’s not just a tactic; it’s a way of honoring the voices around him and building trust from the inside out.
Andy also opened up about how his company has evolved over the past five years, how they’ve weathered disruption and grown their reach, and how he’s now thinking about legacy. He shared that he’s entering a season of succession planning, gradually preparing to pass the torch while continuing to serve as a mentor and advisor. His desire to give back, to teach, and to write about what he’s learned was inspiring to hear.
We also discussed the role of AI in communication and storytelling as well as the importance of maintaining the human element in our work. As a speechwriter, Andy knows that words matter, but so do context, presence, tone, and lived experience. AI can assist, but it cannot replace the empathy or emotional insight that comes from years of connection.
What stood out most in our conversation was Andy’s consistency. He still believes in telling the truth, even when it’s hard. He still creates space for people to think, feel, and lead themselves toward their solutions. And he still leads with care, humility, and a deep understanding that trust is earned every single day.
If you’ve ever struggled with how to hold space as a leader, how to grow through grief, or how to lead a team without controlling every detail, this conversation will offer real encouragement. Andy reminds us that leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about knowing when to step back, when to listen, and when to let others rise.