When Success Becomes a Cage
The Enlightened Executive
What if the success you built is no longer setting you free? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with investor, entrepreneur, and Fulfillionaire founder JP Newman to explore a truth many high achievers quietly wrestle with: external success does not always create internal fulfillment. JP shares his journey from chasing financial milestones to redefining wealth through a more meaningful lens—one that includes purpose, people, presence, and play, not just prosperity. Together, Susan and JP unpack why so many leaders...
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When Success Creates Self-Doubt: How Leaders Move Through “Wonderhell”
The Enlightened Executive
What happens when success does not bring the confidence you expected? In this episode, Susan Drumm sits down with Laura Gassner Otting to explore the tension many leaders feel after reaching a new level of achievement. Instead of clarity, they often experience pressure, self-doubt, and the sense that they now have even more to prove. Together, they unpack Laura’s concept of “Wonderhell,” the space between recognizing your potential and fully stepping into it. They also discuss why imposter syndrome often shows up at moments of growth, how external success can pull...
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Unlocking Energy Intelligence for Sustainable Leadership
The Enlightened Executive
Are you leading on an empty tank? In this high-energy episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm is joined by keynote speaker and joy instigator Marli Williams to explore how cultivating energy intelligence can radically elevate your leadership presence, resilience, and impact. You’ll discover: Why managing your energy, not just your time, is the secret to leading sustainably The 4 pillars of energetic leadership: Presence, Authenticity, Capacity, and Vitality Marli’s “Fully Charged”...
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The Science of Charisma: How Compassion Creates Influence with Heather Hansen
The Enlightened Executive
What if charisma isn’t something you’re born with, but something you build? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm sits down with Heather Hansen, former trial attorney, communication expert, and CEO of Belief Builders, to explore how compassionate charisma transforms your leadership presence. You’ll discover: The neuroscience behind why power can reduce empathy, and how to reverse it 12 proven behaviors that make leaders more charismatic (based on Dr. John Antonakis' research) The difference between performing leadership and embodying...
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Burnout Is Not the Problem—It’s a Design Flaw
The Enlightened Executive
Is your leadership model silently draining your team? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, energy and culture expert Josh Allan Dykstra challenges the outdated belief that resilience means pushing through. Instead, he offers a new paradigm: designing work around energy flow, not just productivity. You’ll learn: Why burnout is a design issue, not a personal failing The leadership reflex that keeps you stuck in overdrive How to build teams that are energized, not just efficient A practical roadmap to shift from exhaustion to alignment This...
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Is Your Team Performing the Culture You Want?
The Enlightened Executive
You may not think of yourself as a performer, but as a leader, your presence is always on stage. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, Susan Drumm interviews culture and storytelling expert Mike Ganino on the hidden performance behind every company culture. From improv stages to executive boardrooms, Mike reveals how unspoken patterns and leadership presence shape what your team believes, repeats, and trusts. Together, we explore: Why culture is always being performed, whether scripted or not How your leadership presence becomes the company’s culture...
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Unlocking Creativity: The Leadership Advantage You’re Overlooking with Natalie Nixon
The Enlightened Executive
Most leaders double down on strategy when pressure hits, but what if the real competitive edge lies in creativity? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, I speak with Natalie Nixon, creativity strategist and author of Move, Think, Rest, about why creativity, not control, is the next frontier in leadership. Natalie shares her human-centered framework for redesigning work in the face of burnout, complexity, and hybrid teams. You’ll learn: Why creativity is a teachable, practical skill (not just a personality trait) How the Move / Think / Rest framework can rewire the...
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When Smart Leaders Miss What’s Right in Front of Them: A Conversation with Jacquette Timmons
The Enlightened Executive
You can be brilliant with numbers and still miss the pattern that’s holding you back. In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, financial behaviorist Jacquette Timmons shares the pivotal moment when her longtime CPA asked, “When are you going to stop mortgaging your life?” That one question revealed a blind spot that changed how she approached her business, her money, and her leadership. We discuss: Why blind spots form next to your strengths How success can reinforce outdated habits The emotional side of financial...
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The Midlife Remix: Petra Kolber on Resilience, Reinvention & Leading with Joy
The Enlightened Executive
What if your biggest life challenges became the catalyst for your boldest leadership chapter yet? Petra Kolber is no stranger to adversity. She’s survived cancer twice, pivoted from global fitness icon to mindset coach, and now serves as VP of Mindset for the Daisie Foundation. In this powerful conversation, Petra joins host Susan Drumm to share how midlife became her launchpad, not her slowdown. Together, they explore: Why resilience isn’t about bouncing back, but bouncing forward The mindset shifts that helped Petra rewrite her story How to let go of perfectionism and lead...
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Courageous Authenticity: How to Lead with Wisdom, Not Just Boldness
The Enlightened Executive
What does it really mean to lead with authenticity—and how do you know when it's courageous vs. careless? In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, host Susan Drumm sits down with Cindy Adams, executive coach and co-founder of The Enneagram in Business Network, to explore one of the most misunderstood leadership traits: authenticity. Together, we unpack: Why "saying it like it is" can sometimes sabotage your impact How your Enneagram type shapes your version of authenticity The difference between emotional...
info_outlineIs your leadership model silently draining your team?
In this episode of The Enlightened Executive, energy and culture expert Josh Allan Dykstra challenges the outdated belief that resilience means pushing through. Instead, he offers a new paradigm: designing work around energy flow, not just productivity.
You’ll learn:
- Why burnout is a design issue, not a personal failing
- The leadership reflex that keeps you stuck in overdrive
- How to build teams that are energized, not just efficient
- A practical roadmap to shift from exhaustion to alignment
This conversation is a must-listen for any leader ready to build sustainable high performance, from the inside out.
Listen now and explore how your leadership patterns may be working against you.
Want to uncover your blind spots? Explore the Enneagram Applied program.