Steve is a globally renowned talent strategist and advisor, sought after by leaders and organizations around the world.

His client roster includes innovative organizations such as Airbnb, Salesforce, the Country Music Association, Manchester United Football Club, the BBC, and the City of Lisbon Portugal.

Additionally, Steve is frequently retained by top VC firms and top consulting firms like Deloitte and McKinsey for his expertise.

A dynamic speaker and educator, Steve presents at global conferences and teaches at leading universities.

Before founding his firm in 2013, Steve spent over 25 years as an HR executive atindustry-leading companies like Cisco Systems and Electronic Arts.

His career culminated in his role as LinkedIn’s first Chief Human Resources Officer, where he helped grow the company from a private startup of 400 employees to a public powerhouse. His pioneering work in shaping LinkedIn’s culture inspired Stanford University to create a graduate-level class based on his strategies.

Throughout his career, the teams and cultures Steve has built have been recognized as world-class performers by The Wall Street Journal and Fortune Magazine. He has also been named one of the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders in People and Talent annually since 2021.

In 2021, Steve released his acclaimed book Workquake, which explores the future of work and became an Amazon “Hot New Release” upon publication. Today, he serves on the boards of three companies and advises several forward-thinking organizations.

To know more about Steve visit his website:

www.stevecadigan.com

This episode is sponsored by: The Outlier Project

Website: https://www.theoutlierproject.live/

LinkedIn: @theoutlierproject

Over the last decade, Madeleine has built 3 successful companies and a community of over 2 million people.She is the founder of MHM Luxury Properties, Madeleine Raiford-Holland (MRH) Education, and Moderately High Maintenance Luxury Properties.Her mission is to inspire anyone who feels chained by golden handcuffs to step out of their comfort zone and build their own massively profitable short term rental business.Madeleine helps aspiring short term rental investors and established operators, start or optimize short term rental businesses that focus on elevated guest experiences and automated systems. Her goal is not only financial freedom but also time freedom to live life on your terms.

To know more about Madeleine visit her website:

www.madeleineraifordholland.com

Watch The Luxe and The Short of It Podcast Episode 4 with Lyndsay Dowd Here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/04-lyndsay-dowd-bouncing-back-better-finding-opportunity/id1792946314?i=1000689220717

This episode is sponsored by: The Outlier Project

Website: https://www.theoutlierproject.live/

LinkedIn: @theoutlierproject

Jim Fielding is a respected leader and C-Suite veteran in brand strategy, consumer products and experiences, and storytelling. He has worked at some of the world’s largest media and retail companies, including Disney, Dreamworks, and 20th Century Fox. He is a passionate advocate and philanthropist for the Queer Community, higher education, and diversity, equity and inclusion. As author of All Pride, No Ego (Wiley, Aug. 15, 2023), he is committed to safe and authentic spaces for all individuals and communities. Jim spends his time as an Executive Coach, Speaker, and Advocate now and gives back through his work with Braven Mentoring, the Indiana University Foundation Board, The Point Foundation, and various local community efforts in Atlanta.

To know more about Jim visit his website:

www.hijimfielding.com

This episode is sponsored by: The Outlier Project

Website: https://www.theoutlierproject.live/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theoutlierproject

Enrique “Ric” Prado is a 24-year veteran of the CIA’s operations directorate, playing a pivotal role in counterterrorism and clandestine operations. As a co-founder of the Osama bin Laden task force, Alec Station, and later Chief of Operations for the CIA’s Counterterrorist Center, he was instrumental in the agency’s post-9/11 counterterrorism expansion.

Prado led high-stakes intelligence and kinetic operations worldwide, earning recognition for his leadership in some of the most challenging missions against terrorist networks and hostile foreign agents.

His career has been described as an "operational adventure," with significant contributions to some of the most critical covert actions in modern CIA history.

Born in Cuba, Prado experienced the Cuban Revolution before immigrating to the U.S. as a refugee. He later served as a U.S. Air Force Pararescue operator before joining the CIA, where he spent decades in high-threat environments, including Latin America, the Middle East, and East Asia.

He was a key figure in operations against the Shining Path in Peru, the Abu Sayyaf Group in the Philippines, and North Korean intelligence activities. After retiring from the CIA, he continued his work in private intelligence and security operations.

A recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the CIA’s Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, Prado is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and daring intelligence officers of his generation.

He is an author of the best seller, “Black Ops- the life of a CIA Shadow Warrior.” Ric understands resilience, high stakes leadership and how to be incredibly decisive when it matters most. Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/black-ops-the-life-of-a-cia-shadow-warrior/

To know more about Ric visit his website:

www.ricprado.com

All of the episodes in April are brought to you by The Outlier Project where we choose to live extraordinary lives.

What do you get when you combine a national touring DJ, a weight-loss transformation story, a 3 time game show contestant, an extroverted entertainer and a highly interactive keynote speaker? You get Rich Bracken.

Rich is a phenomenal combo of heart, wit, smarts and experience and when he delivers a keynote- you won’t forget it.

Rich is an award-winning global keynote speaker, thought leader, television and media contributor, and consultant focusing on emotional intelligence, leadership, motivation, and business differentiation through client experience and branding.

Combining his experience in sales, marketing, and client experience with his passion for public speaking and coaching, he brings a unique and refreshing blend of empathy and positivity that resonates with professionals from every level and background.

He is also the Brand Ambassador for TalentSmartEQ, the #1 emotional intelligence firm in the world, which brings a higher level of content and after event training opportunities for your company.

As an empathetic transformational conductor, Rich engages audiences, inspiring them with hope for a brighter, more successful future through authentic connections and genuine care.To know more about Rich visit his website:

www.richbracken.com

All of the episodes this month are sponsored by The Outlier Project. If you want to discover a community where we choose to live extraordinary lives and value people over everything, DM me. I'll tell you all about it!

Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/17A6ePHBDQBq1jl74hh3EO?si=qurm0bpgTpuryHUH9WLFQw&pt=fdee4867bb2d0740e6b3cb5b8deef06e&pi=y9ANItwXSTWk0

Sam McKenna, has spent her 15+ year career in Enterprise sales doing two things: breaking over 13 sales records and doing so by leading with a manners-first and buyers-first approach to sales that shuns the status quo of the profession.In addition to sharing her practical and actionable sales, leadership, and entrepreneurial tips, Sam holds an unparalleled amount of distinctions as a LinkedIn expert, including being one of few people to be a LinkedIn brand ambassador and LinkedIn Sales [In]sider. Further, she has been creating content since 2011, been an influencer on the platform since 2016, is a former Enterprise sales executive leader for LinkedIn’s Sales Navigator division, and was awarded the coveted Top Voice on LinkedIn award in 2024.Sam has also been named a Top 100 Global Sales Leader 2023, Top 50 Women in Revenue, Top 25 Women in Revenue, Top 20 Women in Sales Leadership, repeated recognition as both a 100 Best LinkedIn Influencers and a Top Ten LinkedIn Sales Star, amongst dozens of awards, and is frequently sourced as a keynote speaker for global brands.She has also been a featured speaker at top business schools across the U.S. including Harvard Business School, Kelley Business School, and The Kellogg School of Management.Since its inception in 2019, #samsales has scaled to multi-millions in revenue, having achieved 312% of their first year’s annual revenue goal and continued to have significant double-digit growth ever since.To date, #samsales has built itself into a powerhouse all-women team, served over 250 clients, raised over $110K for charity, been featured in global publications like the Wall Street Journal’s print edition, Fortune, USA Today, Newsweek, and Business Insider, and has donated hundreds of training subscriptions to veterans, active-duty military and their spouses, and teachers transitioning to new roles.To know more about Samantha visit her website:

www.samsalesconsulting.com

Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans, (U.S. Army, ret.) was at the height of a three-decade career in service to the country when she lost it all. Reaching the rank of Command Sergeant Major, the highest rank a non-commissioned officer may achieve. While overseeing 30,000+ ground troops in Afghanistan, CSM Evans was injured by a mortar blast from insurgents at a forward operating base. She woke up in a hospital in Germany and was deaf in both ears, suffered internal and external injuries, and had a traumatic brain injury.In an instant, she lost her career, self-identity, and sense of purpose, feeling as though when people looked at her, they saw someone who was broken. Paramount to her recovery and discovery was her first hearing service dog, Aura now retired. Rusty, her new service dog, joined Gretchen and now travels worldwide with her as she shares her story of grit, gumption, resilience, hope, and the importance of a rope team.To know more about Gretchen visit her website and socials:

🌐 Website: GretchensRopeTeam.com
📷 Instagram: @GretchensRopeTeam
💼 LinkedIn: Gretchen Evans

Jacquie has spent over 30 years in mainstream consumer media. Working on iconic brands ranging from Country Life to FHM, and Grazia to The Sun and The Times. Jacquie’s expertise has covered trading, creative partnerships, sponsorship and affiliate deals. Jacquie has worked across different platforms – with the majority of her experience nestled in mainstream press, digital and events. Jacquie co-founded Visible Inc with Jane Evans in 2019. Their mission is simple – to unleash the power of midlife women. Easy to say – slightly more challenging to deliver.To know more about Jacquie visit her website:

www.visiblestart.com