Read to Lead Podcast

Twelve Steps to Unscrewing Your Screwed-Up Life with Ian Morgan Cron – Episode 565 (M05)

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When it came out in 2016, I loved Ian Morgan Cron’s book The Road Back to You. Some call it “the book that started a million enneagram journeys.”...

How to Go After What You Want and Get It with Jenny Wood – Episode 564 (M04)

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our streak of highlighting female authors in 2025 continues with this month’s feature of Jenny Wood. She’s a former Googler, turned full-time auth...

A Holistic, Research-Backed Framework to Future-Proof Your Leadership with Paula Davis – Episode 563 (M03)

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our third featured author of 2025 is stress and resilience expert, Paula Davis. She’s the founder and CEO of the Stress & Resilience Institute, and ...

The Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior – Episode 562 (M02)

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time to unveil our second (of twelve) books we’re featuring in 2025. That’s right. In case you’re late to the party, Read to Lead has mov...

Closing the Courage Gap with Margie Warrell – Episode 561 (M01)

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode marks the launch of our new release schedule. Just 12 books are being featured this year, and the first of those 12 comes from an author ...

Special Announcement: Changes to Read to Lead in 2025

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hey there, and welcome to another episode of Read to Lead! I’m Jeff, your host, and I am so glad you’re here. Today’s episode is going to be a l...

560: Game-Changing Reads: 11 Books Every Leader Needs – Part 2

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this two part, year-ending series, I unpack the eleven book that should be a part of every leader’s library. If there are any books on this list ...

559: Game-Changing Reads: 11 Books Every Leader Needs – Part 1

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this two part, year-ending series, I unpack the eleven book that should be a part of every leader’s library. If there are any books on this list ...

558: The 8 Step Blueprint To Building A Profitable Personal Brand Business with Mike Kim (E)

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Craig Lemasters shares techniques he has used in a lifetime of helping Fortune 500 companies tackle the challenge of getting unstuck. The post 558: Th...

557: The Quest to Build a Culture That Rocks with Arnie Malham (an Encore Presentation of Episode 367)

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Business is hard, but the challenges that make business hard are more than just obstacles - they provide the foundation for building and strengthening...

556: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career with Michael B. Horn and Bob Moesta

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every single year, an estimated 1 billion people switch jobs worldwide. A lucky few stumble into the role of their dreams, but hundreds of millions ar...

555: Lead with Your Values to Advance Your Career with the Wharton School’s G. Richard Shell (an Encore Presentation of Episode 381)

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The essential guide to standing up for your values at work. Protect your integrity by committing to The Conscience Code. The post 555: Lead with Your ...

554: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short Term World with Dorie Clark (an Encore Presentation of Episode 389)

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How can we break out of the endless cycle of feeling rushed, overwhelmed, and perennially behind to create the kind of meaningful lives we all seek? W...

553: The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper with Roland Allen

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve been waiting for over a year to bring you today’s conversation and episode. That’s right. It was in the fall of last year that I got word o...

552: Escape the 9-5, Create a Life You Love, and Still Pay the Bills with Marianne Cantwell (an Encore Presentation of Episode 286)

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You know when you go outside on a pleasant day and there’s that perfect breeze in combination with just the right amount of warmth from the sun on y...

551: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life with Nir Eyal (an Encore Presentation of Episode 284)

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every so often, someone reaches out to me and says, “You’ve gotta talk to so-and-so.” Sometimes I’m skeptical, but when it’s a good friend t...

550: This Is Strategy with Seth Godin

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we’re tackling a topic that’s often shrouded in mystery and perceived as exclusive to the corporate elite or military strategists: strategy...

549: Unlocking Creativity: The Science of Brainstorming and Generating New Ideas

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Read to Lead, I dive deep into the fascinating world of creativity and innovation. Challenging common myths about creativity being ...

548: Standing Out in the Age of AI with Pascal Bornet

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I find that I’m reading more and more books on the topic of AI these days. Why? Well, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that if you don’...

547: 7 Minutes a Day to Communication Mastery with Arthur Joseph (an Encore Presentation of Episode 253)

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This, for me personally, is one of the most fun conversations I’ve had with a guest. I so identify with the power of one’s voice to influence and ...

546: Overcoming the 8 Fears Holding You Back From Success

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This month, inside the Read to Lead Community online, our theme is FEAR. How to act despite fear, to be even more specific. The fears we dive into tod...

545: The Long-Distance Leader Second Edition with Wayne Turmel

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I am delighted to welcome Wayne Turmel to the show. A second edition of the book The Long-Distance Leader, co-written with Kevin Eikenberry, has been ...

544: Discover How You Contribute to the World with Tom Rath (an Encore Presentation of Episode 304)

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It was more than a dozen years ago when a colleague of mine at the time, Teresa White, first introduced me to the work of today’s guest. I’m almos...

543: Exceptional Presentation Delivery with Tim Pollard (an Encore Presentation of Episode 294)

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s guest, you might say, takes what he does very seriously. Another way to say it might be that he’s a little extreme. However, no one can de...

542: Future-Proofing You with Jay Samit (an Encore Presentation of Episode 369)

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the right mindset and insight, anyone can become a millionaire. The post 542: Future-Proofing You with Jay Samit (an Encore Presentation of Episo...

541: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking with Jon Acuff (an Encore Presentation of Episode 365)

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Soundtracks, the new book from Jon Acuff, offers a proven plan to change overthinking from a super problem into a superpower. The post 541: The Surpri...

540: The 4 AI Tools I Use Everyday

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the podcast! Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s changing the way we live and work—artificial intelligence. Whether you’re...

539: Why You Need to Read Multiple Books at the Same Time

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever found yourself stuck with a book that just doesn’t seem to be going anywhere? You pick it up, hoping to power through, but instead, it...

538: Efficiency Unleashed: Harnessing AI in the Workplace with Jeff Frownfelter

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today marks a first ever and a second ever. Let’s take the second, first. Today’s episode marks only the second time in the history of Read to Lea...

537: The Mastery Blueprint: 3 Steps to Becoming the Best You

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mastery is considered by some to be an illusive concept. I hope to dispel that rumor once and for all with this short, concise, and easy-to-follow epi...

536: Celebrating 11 Years: The Most Influential Books of the Read to Lead Podcast

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome, welcome, welcome! You’re listening to the Read to Lead Podcast, and I’m your host, Jeff Brown. Today is an incredibly special day because...

535: Negotiating Tips From a Former FBI Negotiator and a TOP DC Publicist

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adele Gambardella, a celebrated PR strategist and crisis management consultant, has worked with major clients like Facebook and President Joe Biden, a...

534: How to Live Future Ready with Dr. Frederik G. Pferdt

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wouldn’t you love to sit down and have a chat with the person who was Google’s first Chief Innovation Evangelist? I know I would. Wait?! That just...

533: How to Get Better at Anything with Scott H. Young

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I’m a sucker for a well-researched book, especially when that book is on the topic of learning effectively. My guest today wrote a book you may have...

532: How to Create Better Plans and Make Smarter Decisions with Harry Max

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s productivity. There’s time management. And then there’s managing priorities. We often lump managing priorities in with these other areas...

531: 48 Days to the Work (and Life) You Love with Dan Miller (an Encore Presentation of Episode 338)

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this 20th anniversary edition of 48 Days to the Work (and Life) You Love, you will find everything you need to move you toward finding - or creatin...

530: Understanding What Truly Matters, Making Strategic Decisions, and Effectively Allocating Your Time and Resources

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Managing priorities is more than just making a to-do list. It’s about understanding what truly matters, making strategic decisions, and effective...

529: How the Smartest Companies Use Learning to Engage, Compete and Succeed with Kelly Palmer (an Encore Presentation of Episode 234)

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Keeping our skills in sync with fast-changing markets is the biggest challenge of our time So says my guest today, Kelly Palmer, and her co-author Dav...

528: The Only Business Metric That Matters is Ideaflow with Jeremy Utley (an Encore Presentation of Episode 446)

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

My guest today asserts that we all want great ideas, but few of us actually understand how great ideas are born. Innovation, he says, is not an event,...

527: 7 Biblical Principles for Being Purposeful, Present, and Wildly Productive with Jordan Raynor (an Encore Presentation of Episode 422)

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I love books on the topic of productivity. It’s a topic about which plenty of books have written. Some might argue we don’t need any more books on...

526: The Truth About AI and the Future of Humanity with Steve Shwartz (an Encore Presentation of Episode 384)

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Much of the conversation around AI is overblown with regard to its capabilities. What's the truth about AI? Steve Shwartz has the answer. The post 526...

525: Extending Your Mind Through Connected Notes with Jorge Arango

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If there is a topic that has captured my attention more in the last three to four years, I don’t know what it is. I’m talking about the art of not...

524: How to Find What You Love, Love What You Do, and Do It for the Rest of Your Life with Marcus Buckingham (an Encore Presentation of Episode 417)

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What an awesome and incredibly important discussion I have for you today! It’s my long-awaited sit-down with none other than Marcus Buckingham. I fi...

523: Small Actions, Big Impact with Drs. Adaira Landry and Resa Lewiss

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I’m featuring one of the 9 books I’m most looking forward to in 2024. This marks the fourth author (or authors, in this case) of the nine I...

522: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact with Liz Wiseman (an Encore Presentation of Episode 400)

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is a milestone episode in so many ways. It’s episode 400, of course, but several other “yours, mine, and ours” type milestones...

521: The Future of Behavior Design with Dr. BJ Fogg (an Encore Presentation of Episode 324)

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While technically today’s featured book was released in 2019 (December 31 to be exact), I’ve dubbed it my favorite book of 2020! Upon reading it, ...

520: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – 30th Anniversary Edition (an Encore Presentation of Episode 319)

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What an honor it is to be asked to participate in the launch of the 30th Anniversary Edition of the #1 business book of the 20th century! And what a t...

519: The Practice and Shipping Creative Work with Seth Godin (an Encore Presentation of Episode 344)

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with Seth Godin about his new book (his 20th) called The Practice and what goes into shipping creative work. (23 minutes) The post 519:...

518: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully with Elaine Lin Hering

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If there’s a topic not talked about all that much, it’s the topic of silence. The kind that says why speak up if you know that it won’t be recei...

517: The Vision-Driven Leader with Michael Hyatt (an Encore Presentation of Episode 312)

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As I say in today’s podcast, I buy this author’s books before I even know what they’re about. There are only a few of these kinds of authors on ...

516: Take Your Career From Accidental to Intentional with Scott Jeffrey Miller

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One of my favorite people to watch over the years has been Scott Miller. He interviews tons of wonderful authors for his podcasts and other projects. ...

515: The Top 5 Traits of a Servant Leader

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Inside my online community, ReadtoLead+ members get access to a wide range of personal and professional development resources, including articles I pu...

514: How to Fix the Always-On Culture of Business with Malissa Clark

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For the second week in a row, I’m delighted to welcome a guest whose book made my list of the 9 books I’m most looking forward to this year. That ...

513: How to Do More of What Matters to You with Ali Abdaal

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve been a fan of today’s guest for several years and have probably watched over 100 of his YouTube videos. So, when the good folks over at Readw...

512: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder with Huggy Rao

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When your name is Huggy, surely people can’t help but like you. And after meeting today’s “Huggy,” all I can say is, “What’s not to like?”...

511: The Brave Habit is Your Guide to Courageous Leadership with Todd Henry

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Never has a guest appeared on the Read to Lead Podcast five times. In that the show is nearing its eleventh anniversary, though, the odds of that one ...

510: Answer These 5 Questions to Build Your Legacy

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s no one I can think of who’s been as consistent in his encouragement toward what I do than Dan Miller. And, he never stops learning. A habi...

509: The Impact of Dan Miller On Our Lives Continues

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It still hasn’t quite sunk in for me. My friend, and a friend to so many around the world, Dan Miller, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and...

508: The 9 Books I’m Most Looking Forward To In 2024

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Like any other year before, there are literally tens of thousands of books set to be released this year. Needless to say, it can be hard whittling dow...

507: Creating a More Human Future in the Era of AI with Brian Evergreen

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

These days, like you perhaps, I read just about everything I can get my hands on pertaining to artificial intelligence. Books on this topic a still fe...

506: Leading With Questions with Bob Tiede

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Easily the highlight of my career was the 13+ years I spent with WAY-FM Media Group from 2000 to 2013. My time there included having Dusty Rhodes as a...

505: The Family First Entrepreneur with Steve Chou

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Years ago, I remember coming across a podcast and blog called My Wife Quit Her Job. I had no idea then that, one day, the creator of this content woul...

504: Speak Up or Stay Stuck with Pam Marmon

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s guest is making her second appearance on the podcast. Her first was back in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. That book, called No One’s ...

503: Leadership Lessons Drawn From the Wisdom of Mom with Valerie Cockerell

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Over 500 episodes in, and it’s still possible for there to be firsts. This episode brings with it a special milestone; one that includes having feat...

502: Learning to Get Past Your Past with Jason VanRuler

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s guest and I seem to have a lot in common, and I’m so glad I was given the chance to meet him and interview him about his book. I think it’...

501: Discover Who You Already Are, Who You Want to Be, and How to Ensure Others See You That Way with Aliza Licht

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s guest, a former fashion executive, successfully turned her communications expertise into a multimedia brand and consultancy. And today, you ...

500: Listen to This or Die with Ray Edwards

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s guest is special to me in so many ways. I’ve admired him for over a decade. The way he carries himself, the kindness he shows to other peo...

499: Decision-Making, Project Management, and Workplace Engagement with Gerald Leonard

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The topic of project management has been the focus of only two other episodes of Read to Lead that I can think of: Episode 101 with Cesar Abeid, and E...

498: How to Win with Clarity-Fueled Communications with Steve Woodruff

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve yet to meet my guest today in person, but we live less than 30 minutes from one another. I think I need to work harder at changing that soon. H...

497: How to Create Self-Leading Teams That Win with Kyle Buckett and Chris Mefford

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One is a retired Navy SEAL. The other is an award-winning business executive. Together they’ve built a company called Culture Force. Dare I say both...

496: Build a Team, Stay Focused, and Make Better Decisions with David Dodson

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve had the chance to interview a number of professor/authors in the past. Today’s guest is both of those things, but with decades of experience ...

495: Turning the Power of Mindset Into Action with Eduardo Briceño

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When the topic of the book your writing centers around mindset, and the one and only Carol Dweck (author of Mindset: The Psychology of Success) gives ...

494: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot with Matt Abrahams

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s probably no surprise to you that I appreciate effective communicators. Well, that’s just one of the many reasons I am excited to present to y...

493: The Inner Journey of Leadership with Dan Rockwell

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Just about a month ago, I featured a business fable here on the show. Today, I am pleased to feature another. This one is cowritten by an author who’...

492: Amazon, Walmart, and the Battle for Our Wallets with Jason Del Rey

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I’m old enough to remember a book from over 30 years ago called, The Late Shift, a chronicling of the wars between David Letterman, Jay Leno, NBC, a...

491: Your Future Self with Hal Hershfield

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s feature book is one that I can’t wait to read with others. Yes, I’ve read it myself, but I want to talk about with other people and shar...

490: The Learn-It-All Leader with Damon Lembi

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, I make a fairly dramatic statement. It’s a warning to those who may read this week’s featured book. I say, plainly, read it ...

489: How to Work with (Almost) Anyone with Michael Bungay Stanier

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s guest wrote a book that is considered to be the best coaching book of the century. He and I spoke about that book here several years ago...

488: Always Make Your Future Bigger Than Your Past with Dan Miller

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of my favorite guests of all time, and one of my favorite humans in general, is joining me again for this episode. His fourth visit thus far. I’...

487: Closing the Confidence Gap with Kelli Thompson

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Over the years, I’ve been exposed to a number of coach-written books. Many, though certainly nowhere near all, serve as little more than business ca...

486: Hidden Genius with Polina Marinova Pompliano

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Twitter, or X, or whatever we’re calling it these days is an incredible place to learn and meet new and exciting people, despite what others are say...

485: An Unbound and Unbridled Path to Unstuck Growth with Bryan Orr

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When I first met today’s guest several years ago, it was actually the second time I’d met him. Apparently, I said something like, “Nice to meet ...

484: The Surprising Science of High-Performing Teams with David Burkus

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s guest is making a repeat appearance (or should I say, “three-peat” appearance?). It’s been a while since his last visit, but I can...

483: The Illusion of Choice with Richard Shotton

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

My guest this week is making his first—and hopefully not his last—visit to the Read to Lead Podcast, and on the eve of the show’s 10th birthday,...

482: How Leaders Can Move Teams From Isolated to All In with Steven Van Cohen

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I was in a crunch for time the week I sat down with today’s guest and needed to get through his book (a seven- to eight-hour read) in a single day. ...

481: How to See What Others Don’t with Constance Dierickx, PhD

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s guest—someone who I once referred to as “a hoot”—makes her second appearance on the show, her first in nearly six years. Her nam...

480: The Case for Good Jobs with Zeynep Ton

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Two years ago, my 81-year-old mother, fell in love with Turkish culture. Credit Turkish men. Suffice to say, there’s not a Turkish movie or soap ope...

479: Finding Clarity, Confidence, and Courage with Dr. Heather Penny

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Once in a great while, a book title just grabs you in a way that makes you want to stop what you’re doing right then and there and open it up to exp...

478: Protecting Your Brain in the Digital Age with Dr. Carl Marci

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the conclusion of my book Read to Lead (BakerBooks, 2021), I argue that the evolution of our brains have been adversely impacted by technology. Tha...

477: Why Work is No Longer Working and What Do To About It with Seth Godin

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today is a real treat for me (and for you), as I get to welcome—for the third time—the person I consider to be one of the world’s greatest think...

476: Choosing Greatness and Achieving Exceptional Outcomes with Christina Curtis

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s guest is not only a podcast guest, she’s also the first guest expert inside the new premium tier of my online Read to Lead Community calle...

475: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most with Adam Alter

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You may recall that in the first episode of 2023, I spelled out the six books I was most looking forward to in the first half of this year. Today, I’...

474: How to Talk About Your Work Using Purposeful Self-Promotion with Lisa Bragg

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I love speaking with authors who also happen to be former broadcasters, as is the case today. Why? Because they’re excellent communicators, and toda...

473: How to Make a Sustainable Living from Your Creativity with Miriam Schulman

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I owe a special thanks to former podcast guest and author Michael Schein. He’s the one who introduced me to today’s guest. And a great gues...

472: Arguing for the Good in Bad English with Valerie Fridland

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever wondered if I geek out over anything besides books, today you get your answer. It’s a related topic, as it involves a form of commu...

471: The Microstress Effect with Karen Dillon

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of my favorite authors is Clay Christensen, who has written books like The Innovator’s Dilemma, Competing Against Luck, and How Will You Measure...

470: Turn Your Biggest Fears Into Your Leadership Superpower with Morra Aarons-Mele

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At the beginning of the year, I identified the six books I was most looking forward to in the first half of this year. My goal is to interview the aut...

469: Optimizing Learning and Development in the Workplace with James McKenna

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If there’s one thing in life I’ve grown to love, it’s learning. That hasn’t always been the case. But ever since I fell back in love with book...

468: Stop Writing Books Nobody Reads with Debs Jenkins

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Networks are an amazing thing. And to think I never even considered what a boon this podcast could be to my own network when I launched it nearly 10 y...

467: Success Starts With Your Thinking with Mind Your Mindset Author Megan Hyatt Miller

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The last time today’s guest appeared (which was also her first time), I wrote that I hoped it wouldn’t be her last. Well, lucky for you and me, my...