Episodes

  • E14 : Marc Polymeropoulos

    E14 : Marc Polymeropoulos
    May 29 2024
    This week's Fearless Leader is Marc Polymeropoulos, one of the most decorated CIA officers of the modern era. With a 26-year career in public service, Marc shares leadership lessons gleaned from managing high-stakes crises around the world. Marc takes us behind the curtain of the secretive CIA, from tracking Osama bin Laden in the 1990s to thwarting terrorist attacks today. He recounts the shocking day in 2009 when seven CIA officers were killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan and his face-to-face interview with the bomber. Marc translates crisis management skills from the CIA to the civilian world, advising listeners on leading under pressure. Whether averting global catastrophes or everyday emergencies, Marc demonstrates how clarity, decisiveness, and relying on your core team are key to navigating any storm and becoming the Fearless Leader you're destined to be.

    About Marc Polymeropoulos: Marc served 26 years in the CIA before retiring from the Senior Intelligence Service in June 2019. His positions included field and headquarters operational assignments covering the Middle East, Europe, Eurasia and CounterTerrorism. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the Intelligence Commendation Medal, and the Intelligence Medal of Merit.
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    33 mins
  • E13 : Eric Potterat, Ph.D. and Alan Eagle

    E13 : Eric Potterat, Ph.D. and Alan Eagle
    Dec 12 2023
    This week on Fearless Leadership, Brendan is joined by elite performance experts Dr. Eric Potterat and Alan Eagle, co-authors of the new book Learned Excellence: Mental Disciplines for Leading and Winning from the World’s Top Performers. Drawing on their decades of experience training top business executives, athletes, and Special Forces operators, Eric and Alan reveal the cognitive skills and mental frameworks that allow people to optimize performance despite chaos and uncertainty. They share research-backed techniques to control attention, emotion, and mental chatter while discussing how to create winning mindsets, build motivational metaskills, and unlock flow states through the deliberate practice of microskills. Listen in as Eric and Alan pull back the curtain on training Navy SEALs in mental toughness and designing peak performance regimes for MLB stars. You’ll discover how shifting one’s consciousness and controlling physiology can transform outcomes when it matters most. Tune in for actionable takeaways you can apply immediately to become a more poised, resilient, and fulfilled leader capable of navigating life’s turbulence with excellence.

    About Eric Potterat: Eric is a clinical and performance psychologist and a leading expert in individual and organizational performance optimization. Eric retired as a commander from the US Navy after twenty years of service, during which he helped create the mental toughness curriculum used during Navy SEALs BUD/S training. Eric spent several years as the director of specialized performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers and has also worked with Red Bull athletes, the US Women’s national soccer team, the Miami Heat, and numerous Olympic athletes, first responders, business leaders, and NASA astronauts.

    About Alan Eagle: Alan is an author and executive communications consultant, helping leaders and companies shape and tell their stories. He spent 16 years at Google, partnering with executives to communicate the company’s story to clients, partners, employees, and the public. He is the co-author of the books How Google Works and Trillion Dollar Coach, and the author, all by himself, of seven letters-to-the-editor published in Sports Illustrated. He has never won the New Yorker Caption Contest.
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    33 mins
  • E12 : Sasha DiGiulian

    E12 : Sasha DiGiulian
    Nov 14 2023
    Join us this week on Fearless Leadership as we welcome the incredible Sasha DiGiulian. At just 30 years old, Sasha has cemented herself as the most accomplished female rock climber in the world. She's traveled to over 50 countries and completed over 30 first ascents, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the sport. Beyond her jaw-dropping climbs, Sasha is also a phenomenal role model. She's brought rock climbing into the mainstream and inspired countless young women to embrace the outdoors. As a staunch advocate for equality, she's working to increase access, pay and visibility for female athletes across all sports. On this week's show, we'll dive into Sasha's record-breaking career, her perspective on being a woman in a male-dominated sport, and her advice for young people looking to follow their dreams. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation with a true fearless leader!
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    34 mins
  • E11 : Adam Bryant

    E11 : Adam Bryant
    Sep 12 2023
    Leaping into leadership is no easy feat. It requires ambition, skill, and the courage to take risks. This week on Fearless Leadership, Brendan P. Keegan sits down with Adam Bryant, author of The Leap to Leader and senior managing director at The ExCo Group. With decades of experience interviewing top executives, Bryant has unique insights into what it takes to make the transition from manager to leader. He shares key lessons learned from CEOs who successfully took the leap, as well as common pitfalls to avoid. You’ll hear Bryant’s advice on developing emotional intelligence, earning credibility, and gaining influence. He also discusses how to create a personal board of directors, solicit honest feedback, and find strong mentors. Any manager with their sights set on leadership will benefit from Bryant’s wisdom and real-world guidance. Tune in for a lively and enlightening conversation about the mindsets, skills, and strategies required to become an impactful leader.
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    33 mins
  • E10 : Emma Gilmour

    E10 : Emma Gilmour
    Aug 15 2023
    Are you ready to rev up your leadership skills? This week Brendan has the honor of speaking with Emma Gilmour, a true trailblazer, and an inspirational figure in the world of motorsport. Emma is one of the world’s top female rally drivers, the first-ever female driver to be signed by McLaren Racing, and the first Kiwi to get a full season drive in the offroad race series, Extreme E. She’s also an entrepreneur and owner of a Suzuki dealership in New Zealand. They dive into Emma’s amazing journey from equestrian to rally driver, how she overcame challenges and fears along the way, and what it means to be part of the NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team. We also learn about her passion for mentorship, her advice for young drivers, and her vision for the future of motorsport. Through her remarkable achievements, Emma inspires us all to chase our dreams relentlessly, defy expectations, and lead fearlessly.
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    24 mins
  • E9 : Alan Stein, Jr.

    E9 : Alan Stein, Jr.
    Jul 11 2023
    Brendan welcomes Fearless Leader, Alan Stein, Jr. to the podcast. Alan is a former basketball coach who has learned from and trained some of the most elite athletes on the planet. He is now a renowned speaker and author who teaches leaders and teams how to elevate their game in business and life. He is the founder of Raise Your Game, a company that offers keynote speeches, workshops, and online courses on high-performance secrets from the best of the best. He is also the author of two books, Raise Your Game and Sustain Your Game, which are packed with practical insights and strategies to help you achieve your goals. Alan shares how he made the jump from the hardwood to the stage, his inspiring encounter with the legendary Kobe Bryant, and the five fundamentals for raising leadership performance.
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    32 mins
  • E8 : Ellen Leikind

    E8 : Ellen Leikind
    May 9 2023
    On the latest episode of Fearless Leadership, Brendan is joined by a truly inspiring guest who has revolutionized the way we think about leadership and negotiation. Ellen Leikind, the founder of PokerDivas, has a unique approach to teaching these critical skills that draw upon the fundamental principles and strategies of poker. Ellen's work has had a tremendous impact on organizations across a wide range of industries, from finance to healthcare. Her clients include some of the biggest names in business, such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Pfizer, and Chevron. Through her innovative approach, Ellen has helped countless individuals become better leaders and negotiators. In addition to her work with PokerDivas, Ellen is also the author of PokerWoman: How to Win at Love, Life, and Business using the Principles of Poker. Her book has received rave reviews and has become a must-read for anyone looking to improve their leadership and negotiation skills. Join us as we dive deep into Ellen's unique approach to leadership and negotiation, and learn how you too can become a fearless leader. Don't miss this incredible episode of Fearless Leadership with Brendan P. Keegan!
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    29 mins
  • E7 : Adam Contos

    E7 : Adam Contos
    Apr 11 2023
    The Fearless Leadership Podcast brings you inspiring stories of leaders who have overcome challenges and achieved tremendous success in their fields. This week, Brendan is thrilled to welcome Adam Contos, the former CEO of RE/MAX and author of the best-selling book, “Start with a Win”. Adam's journey to success is not your typical one. His self-discipline and work ethic were instilled in him during his time as a former Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and SWAT commander. These experiences taught him the importance of discipline, teamwork, and leadership. In their conversation, Adam shares with his insights on how to create personal and business success, and the tools and lessons that helped him along the way. His book, “Start with a Win,” is a testament to his commitment to helping others achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Join us for this episode of Fearless Leadership, and discover the tools and lessons you need to create personal and business success.
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    34 mins