“We want to foster a culture where we’re open, honest, transparent, and people can grow.

When you’re given the chance to express what you want/think, as well as know how you contribute, it creates this magical little atmosphere (aka workplace culture).”

Today's Leading Through Crisis episode is all about building an inclusive culture.

Rosi Bremec, COO of Game Lounge, talks to us about:
- Balancing core business functions with innovative ideas and experimentation

- Data-based decision making

- Human connection and talent retention

- Building an incredible company culture, even with fully remote employees and team

"The more we can create environments where people can thrive, the more we’ll see thriving in the workplace–where people are feeling, doing, and being their best."

Join us for an incredible story and some great strategies you can employ today!

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Rosi Bremec is the COO of Game Lounge, an innovative iGaming affiliate company. Known for her inclusive and performance-driven leadership, Rosi fosters a collaborative work culture that supports both personal and professional growth. She prioritises employee wellbeing and flexibility, ensuring her teams are motivated and aligned with the company’s goals. Rosi has successfully implemented data-driven strategies to connect data with purpose and improve focus. She champions gender equality, parental equality, and remote work equality, creating a balanced, inclusive environment. Her progressive approach is helping to redefine leadership in the tech industry, emphasising the importance of employee satisfaction and purpose-driven success.

Learn more about Game Lounge at gamelounge.com and/or connect with Rosi on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/rosibremec) or Instagram (instagram.com/rosi.bremec).

It’s been 5 years and 100 episodes of Leading Through Crisis! Join me for:

- Some reflections on how and why the podcast started
- Why I debate changing the name monthly (and why I haven’t yet)
- The guests and conversations that give me hope
- Why it has reaffirmed over and over again that there’s no such thing as “one-size-fits-all”
- Going deep in self-leadership
- What I would love to see more of and from my listeners

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for being here–whether you’ve listened to one episode or have caught most of them, I appreciate you and the work you’re doing in the world.

Here’s to the next five years and/or 100 episodes!

—

Sign up for the newsletter (new episodes and all of my deep thoughts on life/leadership a couple of times per month) here: https://revisionary9248.activehosted.com/f/1

“Many people with autism gravitate toward leadership because of the traits and values of our culture… We’re born leaders because we’re born to see world-building vision.”

Today, we are joined by autistic advocate and host of the Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr. Angela Kingdon. Angela drops a science/history lesson, a ton of pop culture references, and some much-needed thoughts on neurodiversity in the workplace and leadership.

Listen in to find out:
- What Angela’s learned about herself and this awesome community since being diagnosed in 2012.

- Why understanding the things neurodivergent folks have to know about themselves (to accommodate their environments) would benefit 100% of people, neurodivergent or not.

- The horrifying story of why we don’t use the term Asperger’s anymore.

- Why leaders must develop cultural literacy around differences (aside from the fact that it benefits them too).

- Some great anecdotes about autistic people, inventions, and culture.

“Autistics have been around forever – they created the first stone tools, but it wasn’t a label or diagnosis until 1943.”

“Taylor Swift and her great aunt, Emily Dickinson, are both perfect examples of autistic traits.”

“When people are neurotypical, they’re so used to assuming their way is the way. One-size-fits-all isn’t real, and that does need to shift.”

—

Dr. Angela Kingdon is a dynamic autistic advocate, author, and speaker, renowned for her impactful work in promoting neurodiversity and supporting autistic individuals. As the host of the Autistic Culture Podcast, Angela shares her experiences and insights as a late-diagnosed autistic person, aiming to create a more inclusive and understanding society.

Angela's journey began with a diagnosis at the age of 39, which she describes as a turning point that allowed her to embrace her unique neurodiverse perspective fully. Leveraging her lifelong special interest in non-fiction, she founded Difference Press™ and created The Author Incubator™, a program that has helped nearly 2,000 entrepreneurs write, publish, and promote their books. Angela's expertise and dedication have led her company to remarkable success, with her clients' books reaching millions of readers and generating significant revenue.

Angela holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Journalism and Media Affairs from George Washington University and a Ph.D. in Communications from the European Graduate School as well as a graduate certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from the Unviersity of Colorado Boulder. She is also a bestselling author of eight books, including neurodiversity-affirming titles like The Equalizing Quill and Make ‘Em Beg To Work For You, which have earned her acclaim and recognition in the publishing industry.

Angela is not just an advocate; she is a beacon of inspiration, empowering autistic individuals and educating the broader community about the value of neurodiversity. Her advocacy extends beyond her professional work. She actively engages with audiences through social media platforms and her podcast, sharing her story and encouraging others to understand and embrace neurodiversity. Her commitment to making the world a safer and more inclusive place for neurodivergent people is evident in her storytelling, public speaking, and educational efforts designed to foster neuroinclusive workplaces and provide valuable insights into the benefits of neurodiverse teams and strategies for creating supportive environments for autistic individuals.

Regulating Stims: echolalic singing, nail-biting, fidget bubble poppers
Alliterative SPINs: Hamlet, Hamilton, John Hamm

Website: https://angelakingdon.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelakingdon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autisticculturepodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drangelakingdon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AutisticCulturePodcast

“If people are acting like children in your environment, it’s okay to be the teacher.”

Setting and enforcing boundaries at work “is always about creating safety for yourself… it’s not about them.”

In this episode, Workplace Conflict Mediator, Communication Coach, and Civil Rights Attorney Meredith Holley shares her personal experience with landing her dream job–only to end up being sexually harassed by her boss.

She shares how that experience became one of the most transformative experiences of her life, what she learned about setting and enforcing effective boundaries (even when there’s an extreme power differential), and some solutions-based tips to help anyone who would like to develop more solid strategies for themselves.

This conversation is so relevant to the work and personal situations many of us are navigating today.

When you listen to this episode, you will walk away with a greater sense of personal power, knowing how to protect yourself and your peace. That’s worth 40 minutes, no?

—

Meredith Holley is a workplace conflict mediator, communication coach, civil rights attorney, and co-host of the Empowered Communication Podcast. Meredith helps mission-driven workplaces resolve toxic workplace conflict.

To learn more about Meredith and her work, visit https://erisresolution.com.

To listen to the Empowered Communication Podcast, search for it on your platform of choice or head to https://www.erisresolution.com/podcast.

You can also connect with her on social…
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-holley-1716b9a8
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meredith.holley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erisresolution

In this episode, Award-Winning Author and Keynote Speaker, Amy Weinland Daughters shares her Facebook Letter Writing Project–where she spent 18 months writing 580 handwritten letters to friends online.

We dive into how that came about, what it taught her, and why she can’t stop talking about it!

Tune in and learn how to use this simple but impactful tool to cultivate relationships in your life – at home, at work, and beyond. Because connection matters (now maybe more than ever).

"I unleashed a power I didn’t know I had, the power we all have for 10-15 minutes and 73 cents, to unleash so much good."

Amy is a fun and interesting guest and our conversation was a breath of fresh air. If that sounds like something you’re into, I hope you’ll join us for more on the art and importance of letter writing in 2025.

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Amy Weinland Daughters, Award-Winning Author and Keynote Speaker, believes in a world where what makes us different is the very thing that connects us, instead of separates us.

Learn more about Amy and her Facebook Letter Writing Project (in her book, Dear Dana) at amydaughters.com.

You can also connect with her on social...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokinhotamys
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyweinlanddaughtersauthor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-w-daughters-16352a227
X: https://twitter.com/DaughtersAmy

"Rooted leadership means leading with empathy and care. It’s about finding ways to connect with people and create communities of trust and psychological safety, where people feel safe enough to show up and be themselves – including in times of crisis."

Today, we're talking to expert in organizational trauma, founder, and award-winning author, Dimple Dhabalia about what it means to be a rooted leader and how practicing story healing can help us all.

We get into:
- The impact of the Industrial Revolution
- Why the mind-body connection is important (even–and maybe especially–at work)
- Workplace trauma and moral injury in the workplace
- Creating "brave spaces"
- Self-awareness and the 5 types of reactions most of us have when experiencing a dysregulated nervous system
- Neuroplasticity and the function of story sharing and story healing

"The antidote to dehumanization is helping people see the humanity in each other again."

This is important work for people to be doing – especially at work, in leadership, and right now. I hope you'll listen and share your takeaways!

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You can find Dimple @dimpstory across all social media platforms, and at dear HUMANitarian on Substack. Her book, Tell Me My Story: Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self is available at all online booksellers.

Dimple D. Dhabalia is the founder of Roots in the Clouds, a human-centered leadership coach, and bestselling author with over twenty years of government and public service experience. Dimple partners with leaders across mission-driven sectors to address root issues of organizational trauma, and design inclusive, human-centered workplace cultures where emerging and seasoned leaders can learn how to preserve their own humanity as they work to preserve it for others.

After almost two decades working on the front lines of the government and humanitarian sectors, Dimple had experienced vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, moral injury, burnout, and anxiety. Like so many others, she worked in an organization that celebrated the resilience of the human spirit in the refugees and displaced persons they served, while often failing to extend the same ethos of care to those working within their own organizations.

Determined to educate and support heart-centered leaders, she developed and launched the Daring Leaders Project (DLP), the first mindfulness-based leadership development program of its kind within her government agency. Her vision and leadership earned her Director’s awards for Innovator of the Year and the Pillar of Leadership.

In 2021, Dimple left a two-decade career in government and humanitarian service to launch Roots in the Clouds with a personal mission of putting the “human” back into humanitarian work and making service sustainable across mission-driven sectors. Today, Dimple’s cutting-edge work uses the power of storytelling to help leaders and organizations heal and rebuild mission-driven cultures using a holistic, human-centered, and trauma-informed approach grounded in principles of mindful performance, positive psychology, and human-centered leadership.

Her new book, Tell Me My Story–Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self [Ambika Media 2024], was the #1 new release in workplace culture on Amazon, and was recently excerpted in the Stanford Social Innovation Review. Dimple and her work have also been featured in a number of high-profile podcasts and media outlets including, Fast Company, CEO World Magazine, and the Federal News Network. Dimple recently debuted a limited-series companion podcast to Tell Me My Story called Service Without Sacrifice and is also creator and co-host of the popular podcast What Would Ted Lasso Do? You can find Dimple @dimpstory across all social media platforms, and at dear HUMANitarian on Substack.

Today's guest is cultural anthropologist, entrepreneur, investor, and author, Ujwal Arkalgud, and the conversation about tension paradox was different than any we've had on the show before.

In it, we talk a lot about binary opposites and operating within dichotomies.

"You've got to ask, what are the opposites I operate within and how can I exist in that environment?" Said another way, "How can I fit within the push and pull?"

As a business owner or leader, this concept informs and impacts everything – the upfront work that needs to be done, purpose, resiliency, effective human-centered sales, scaling and growth...

"Using tensions is not as complicated as sometimes people think it is" and Ujwal gives a great 3-step exercise at the end of the episode to help with that.

Listen in! It may transform how you think about life and, for sure, business.

—

Ujwal Arkalgud is a leading voice in growth anthropology and sustainable business strategy. As the founder of Investment Ark, he works with early-stage B2B startups, offering both strategic investments and hands-on coaching to help founders navigate the complexities of building resilient, sustainable businesses. Ujwal believes that growth isn’t about chasing hypergrowth—it’s about embracing the tensions inherent in scaling to unlock long-term success.

Previously, Ujwal co-founded and bootstrapped MotivBase, a predictive
anthropology platform that he scaled to a 10x revenue multiplier. His work with Fortune 500 companies—including Target, Kroger, and General Mills—helped them decode customer beliefs and behaviors to build multi-billion-dollar private label brands.

Since MotivBase’s acquisition, Ujwal has also worked with mid-market private equity portfolio companies, helping businesses with $15M–$35M in revenue overcome growth challenges using his growth anthropology framework. This experience complements his passion for supporting startups and growth-stage businesses, enabling him to bring diverse insights into scaling sustainably across industries and company sizes.

As the publisher of Decision Lab, a newsletter dedicated to uncovering cultural forces shaping customer behavior, Ujwal provides decision frameworks and insights to founders and business leaders worldwide. His upcoming book, The Tension Paradox (2026), explores how leaders can turn the contradictions of scaling into opportunities for innovation and resilience.

Passionate about supporting the 99% of founders often overlooked by the traditional VC model, Ujwal is on a mission to help businesses grow on their own terms while building lasting impact.

He'd love to connect if you’re a founder, investor, or tech leader interested in growth strategies, the future of anthropology in business, or the untapped power of cultural insights.

Head to https://investmentark.net/ to learn more, connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ujwalarkalgud), or sign up for his newsletter (https://decisionlab.beehiiv.com/subscribe).

In this episode, leading authority on improving productivity and engagement through workplace well-being, Lori Saitz shares the practice of zen leadership.

You’ve likely heard some of the benefits of gratitude and a calming/grounding practice like meditation – but I’m guessing you’ve mostly thought about their effects on your personal life, not necessarily how they might impact leadership or work. Yet, Lori maintains there is no other investment that delivers as much.

Help yourself and your team or employees quiet distractions to focus better, boost creativity, reduce anxiety, increase happiness, strengthen relationships, improve physical health – and the list goes on!

Peace of mind is worth more than we give it credit for. This episode is a must-listen for the time we are in right now.

—

Lori Saitz is the leading authority on improving productivity and engagement through workplace well-being. She is the founder of the Zen Leadership Program for Results Focused Professionals.

With a comprehensive background in wellness and communication strategies, Lori helps executives create focused, resilient, and collaborative teams that can move projects forward with less stress and drama.

Listen to Lori on her own podcast too, called Fine is a 4-Letter Word, where she engages guests in conversations about how they've grown from a time in their lives when things were decidedly NOT fine.

Lori is currently living a nomad life while cat-sitting in states across the southeast U.S. You can often find her in the weight room at the gym. She also loves cupcakes, Thai food, and classic rock music.

Learn more about Lori and her work at zenrabbit.com. You can also connect with her on social:

LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LoriSaitz/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/zen_rabbit/)
Twitter (https://twitter.com/zenrabbit)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/ZenRabbitVideo)