Libsyn Directory

532: From Invisible To Unstoppable: Shaping the Next Generation of Leaders with Dr. Abraham George

Release Date: 04/08/2025

543: Resilience, Honor and Commitment: Leadership Lessons from POW Survivor Lee Ellis

Leaders Of Transformation

What does it take to build lasting resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity? In this inspiring episode, host Nicole Jansen sits down with Lee Ellis—leadership coach, award-winning author, Air Force veteran, and former POW in North Vietnam for over five years. Drawing on his extraordinary experiences of captivity, Lee shares practical wisdom on resilience, leadership, honor, and the true power of mission-driven living. Lee opens up about overcoming adversity as a prisoner of war, the critical role of commitment, faith, and community, and why self-acceptance and vulnerability are...

542: Choosing Faith Over Fear: Bold Business Moves with Tamara Jackson

Leaders Of Transformation

How do you build a business that reflects your faith, fuels your purpose, and still drives results? In this power-packed episode, Nicole Jansen sits down with Tamara Jackson—former Fortune 500 VP, CEO of Lead Reviver, founder of Beaconship, and creator of the GRASP faith framework. Tamara shares her journey of leaving corporate comfort to follow God’s calling, navigating unexpected pivots (including pandemic shutdowns), and proving that bold faith fuels both purpose and business success. You’ll discover how to make Spirit-led decisions with confidence, integrate faith authentically into...

541: The Future of Giving: Adapting for the Next Generation with Jonathan Beck

Leaders Of Transformation

How do you grow predictable revenue for your non-profit initiative? In this value-packed episode of Leaders of Transformation, host Nicole Jansen sits down with Jonathan Beck, founder of WeGive—a powerful SaaS platform transforming how nonprofits and faith-based organizations engage donors and fuel their missions. After co-founding PayStand, a global leader in digital payments, and building a successful career in Silicon Valley, Jonathan felt a strong pull to return to his roots and serve the nonprofit world. With WeGive, he’s merging innovative technology with purpose, helping...

540: Leading with Grace: Lessons from a Trailblazing Female CEO with Kash Rocheleau

Leaders Of Transformation

How do you lead a $30M company, raise a family, and break barriers in a male-dominated industry—all before 40? In this inspiring episode of Leaders of Transformation, Nicole Jansen sits down with Kash Rocheleau, the trailblazing CEO of Icon Foods. Kash’s unconventional journey—from stay-at-home mom to the youngest CEO in her industry—turns traditional leadership and success narratives on their heads. She opens up about redefining fulfillment, the realities of working motherhood, and her passion for unearthing and empowering unconventional talent. Discover how Kash shatters stereotypes,...

539: Saving Lives with Clean Water Solutions with Kurt Avery

Leaders Of Transformation

How do you create world-changing impact and lasting profits at the same time? In this inspiring episode, host Nicole Jansen sits down with Kurt Avery, the founder of Sawyer—the company renowned for its cutting-edge products protecting people against sun, bugs, waterborne disease, and injuries worldwide. But Sawyer’s story isn’t just one of innovation and growth: it’s a powerful example of what happens when service, strategic thinking, and generosity fuel a business model. Since 2008, Sawyer has donated over 90% of its profits annually, working alongside 40 charities in 80 countries and...

538: How to Lead in High-Stakes Environments with Jeffrey Sanow

Leaders Of Transformation

How do you lead under pressure—when the stakes are higher than ever? Join host Nicole Jansen as she welcomes Jeffrey Sanow—a highly decorated former senior CIA intelligence officer and social skills instructor—for a rare, behind-the-scenes exploration of negotiating, leading, and communicating in the world’s most demanding environments. Drawing on decades of experience from covert missions to boardrooms, Jeffrey shares hard-earned lessons in the art of human intelligence (HUMINT), the nuances of managing high achievers, and the subtle balance between respecting authority and staying...

537: Cultivating Servant Leadership in Sales with Max Cates

Leaders Of Transformation

What if sales could be transformed from a high-pressure, toxic grind into an uplifting, collaborative, and deeply rewarding experience? In this insightful episode of Leaders of Transformation, host Nicole Jansen welcomes Max Cates—award-winning author, nationally recognized sales leader, and founder of Servant Leaders in Sales—for a powerful conversation on revolutionizing the world of sales through the principles and practices of servant leadership. Drawing from 37 years of proven sales management success, Max reveals how empathy, sacrifice, teamwork, and accountability can supercharge...

536: Navigating Leadership Shock with Pete Steinberg

Leaders Of Transformation

What if the key to thriving in leadership isn’t doing more—but leading with greater intention and authenticity? In this compelling episode, Nicole Jansen sits down with executive coach and former USA Women’s Rugby head coach Pete Steinberg, author of Leadership Shock: Using Authenticity to Navigate the Hidden Dangers of Career Success. Drawing on decades of elite coaching and executive leadership, Pete introduces the concept of “leadership shock”—those jarring moments when once-successful strategies suddenly fail you. Pete unpacks the turning points he’s witnessed and lived...

535: Unbreakable Spirit: The Inspiring Journey of Martial Arts Grandmaster Lawrence Stone

Leaders Of Transformation

What could you achieve if you let go of all excuses and limiting beliefs? In this deeply motivational episode, Nicole Jansen welcomes Lawrence “Stoney” Stone—a remarkable martial arts grandmaster, published author, stunt coordinator, rock band singer, and cancer survivor whose life story is anything but ordinary. Born with congenital hip problem, later with CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy) a degenerative nerve disease, Stoney has faced significant physical challenges since birth, yet has refused to let them define or limit him. From building future champions in his dojo to serving as...

534: Anchored Leadership in a Shifting World with Rusty Rueff

Leaders Of Transformation

What if lasting success isn’t about what you achieve—but who you become? In this powerful episode, host Nicole Jansen sits down with Rusty Rueff—renowned tech executive, startup advisor, philanthropist, and co-author of Faith Code—to explore how inner purpose and spiritual identity provide the only truly unshakable foundation for life and leadership. Drawing from two decades of reflection, Rusty shares a compelling metaphor: Are you building your life on a solid platform (faith, values, purpose), or just stacking up flashy but fragile apps (titles, possessions, roles)? In this...

More Episodes

What does it take to break the cycle of social discrimination in India?

In this inspiring episode, host Nicole Jansen is joined by the visionary philanthropist and social entrepreneur, Dr. Abraham George. As the founder of the Shanti Bhavan School in India, Dr. George has dedicated his life to empowering children of the most marginalized communities by providing opportunities through education. Over the past 27 years, the school has changed the lives of over 15,000 children. 98% of its students are college graduates, with many making it to Ivy League institutes like Stanford, Dartmouth, and Princeton.

Discover how Dr. George’s life journey, from the Indian military to a successful business career in the U.S., led him to his true calling: breaking down the systemic barriers of the caste system in India through a holistic educational approach. This bottom-up strategy not only focuses on academics but also nurtures the mindset and self-worth of each student, propelling them to previously unimaginable heights.

Dr. Abraham has authored multiple books on social justice, including India Untouched, and is writing another one about Shanti Bhavan that is due for a release soon.

What We Discuss in this Episode

What inspired Dr. George to dedicate his life to breaking cycles of poverty?
How does the caste system in India perpetuate economic inequality?
The role of nurturing belief in students from marginalized communities.
What are the greatest challenges faced when establishing a school like Shanti Bhavan?
How can global citizens contribute to alleviating poverty around the world?
The importance of economic justice as a path to social justice.
Overcoming obstacles: Dr. George's journey from Wall Street to social impact.
The significance of action and how it transforms compassion into tangible change.
How can we motivate others to participate in acts of service and philanthropy?
The long-lasting impact of transforming young lives and its ripple effect on society.

Podcast Highlights

0:21 - Breaking the generational cycle of poverty with education

2:17 - Dr. George's journey from the Indian military to U.S. entrepreneurship

5:51 - Understanding India's caste system and its impact

10:17 - Transforming mindsets: nurturing belief in marginalized kids

15:06 - Challenges faced in establishing Shanti Bhavan School

20:41 - Empowering global citizens to contribute positively

25:22 - The link between economic and social justice

31:03 - The joy of giving and making a lasting impact

34:54 - Action as a catalyst for true transformation.

Favorite Quotes

Economic Justice: “The path to social justice is through economic justice.”