What does real leadership look like in a world obsessed with celebrity, conflict, and short-term wins? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Saji Madapat, a global transformation architect, author, and cultural myth-maker whose work spans Fortune 10 boardrooms, geopolitical strategy rooms, and ancient ritual traditions of Southern India. With more than 30 years of experience across 40+ countries, Saji brings a rare and provocative perspective on what leadership has become and what it must return to if we are to navigate the economic, social, and cultural disruptions of our time.

This episode is an invitation for founders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and conscious leaders to rethink what they are building, who they are becoming, and how they are leading in the Creative Age.

What You Will Learn:

Why modern leadership has shifted toward celebrity and conflict, and how that shift is eroding trust, stability, and long-term impact.

How the core leadership qualities of charisma, confidence, and character have been diluted in today’s short-term, attention-driven culture.

What it truly means to lead from behind and why this approach is essential in knowledge-based and people-powered organizations.

How short-term “hunter” mindsets undermine organizational resilience during economic and cultural disruption.

Why building sustainable, values-driven organizations requires patience, foresight, and a long-term leadership horizon.

How historical leaders modeled strength without performative leadership or ego-driven authority.

What Eastern leadership philosophies reveal about endurance, diagnostics, and long-term nation and business building.

Why surrounding yourself with people who challenge your thinking is critical for innovation and conscious leadership.

How leaders can prepare their organizations to weather uncertainty, volatility, and systemic change.

Why character-based leadership outlasts charisma when markets shift and crises emerge.

Resource:

Saji Madapat

LinkedIn

Leading Visionaries Podcast

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What if the fastest way to scale isn’t doing more, but touching less. In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Max Lewis, author of Who Is Max Lewis? Max went from selling mangoes as a kid to building a propane tank exchange business that ultimately sold for $37 million.

This episode is a masterclass for founders, CEOs, and visionaries who feel capped by their own effort and are ready to step into the next version of leadership.

What You Will Learn:

Why vision is often developed through experience and small wins rather than arriving fully formed at the beginning.

How staying the “single point of failure” quietly limits growth no matter how hard you work.

Why the transition from operator to owner requires a complete identity shift, not just better systems.

How learning to “not touch anything” becomes the most uncomfortable and necessary leadership upgrade.

Why hiring friends may feel supportive early on but can cap the long-term potential of a business.

How intentional thinking time becomes a strategic advantage for solving bigger problems and scaling faster.

Why asking questions like what a $25M business owner knows clarifies exactly what you need to learn next.

How learning just enough about a subject allows you to hire the right experts without becoming one yourself.

How role playing reveals what your team does when you are not present and gives you the power to coach proactively.

Why investing in education compounds forever because knowledge is something you never lose.

How designing your physical environment can keep your vision, focus, and priorities aligned daily.

What it looks like to scale through coaching, training, and trust instead of effort and exhaustion.

Resource:

Max Lewis

Instagram

Book: Who is Max Lewis?

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What does it mean to lead when your path doesn’t follow a straight line—and your vision unfolds in seasons rather than deadlines? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Lori A Andrus, creator of the Stone Speak Oracle and Journey Jewels Sacred Adornments, the founder of the Sanctuary Circle Community, and host of the Luminary Life Podcast. Lori shares her personal visionary journey. Rather than choosing a traditional healer’s path, Lori followed a quieter inner calling, allowing her gifts to emerge organically through art, jewelry, and eventually sacred tools that now serve people around the world.

This episode is an invitation to trust your timing, honor your body’s wisdom, and lead in harmony with the earth rather than in opposition to it.

What You Will Learn:

What it looks like to follow a nontraditional leadership path without forcing clarity too soon.

Why saying yes to your gifts can create tension in relationships and how to navigate that with compassion.

How self-leadership becomes the foundation for leading others authentically.

Why honoring personal rhythm and cycles leads to more sustainable impact and less burnout.

Why healing often happens before we recognize ourselves as healers.

How entrepreneurship can unfold organically rather than through rigid business models.

What it means to trust divine timing when bringing a vision into the world.

Why pauses and delays are often preparation, not failure.

The internal shifts required before a soul-led offering is ready to be shared publicly.

How to discern when to push forward and when to allow space for integration.

Why investing in aligned support can be essential when personal networks cannot meet you there.

How group containers and mentorship accelerate growth without bypassing the messy middle.

What it means to lead in harmony with the earth rather than in opposition to it.

How to listen to the body as a guide for decision-making and leadership.

Why visionary leadership often requires redefining success on your own terms.

How to remain committed to your vision even when outcomes are uncertain.

Why trusting yourself is an act of leadership that opens possibility for others.

How honoring your inner wisdom strengthens confidence, clarity, and direction.

What it truly means to live and lead a soul-aligned life.

Resource:

Lori A Andrus

Website

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What if one podcast, one book, or one idea could permanently change the direction of your life? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Nick Hutchison, founder of Book Thinkers, to explore how reading became the catalyst for leadership, entrepreneurship and conscious growth. From building a side hustle while still employed to hosting large-scale author events and serving visionary leaders around the world, Nick’s story is a powerful reminder that slow, intentional growth often creates the strongest foundations.

This conversation dives deep into leadership development, vision-building, community, and why books remain one of the most accessible tools for transformation in an ever-changing world.

What You Will Learn:

How podcasts can act as a gateway to deeper learning through books.

Why most successful leaders credit reading as a key factor in their growth.

How to develop leadership skills by learning from a wide range of perspectives.

Why revisiting the same book at different stages of life creates new insights.

How reading expands global awareness and challenges limited worldviews.

What it really takes to transition from a side hustle to a sustainable business.

Why financial runway matters when leaving full-time employment.

How intuition, timing, and signs can guide major life decisions.

What it means to lead other visionaries while honoring individual strengths.

Why community is essential for authors, creators, and thought leaders.

How events create safe spaces for growth-oriented, mission-driven people.

Why “slow and steady” leadership often outperforms rushed success.

How books can serve as both personal development tools and business assets.

What it looks like to build a life and business rooted in peace, purpose, and impact.

Resource:

Nick Hutchison

Book Thinkers

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What if the real reason you feel stuck isn’t a lack of knowledge but old programming running your life on autopilot? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Deekron Krikorian, MBA, and transformation coach for high achievers and the founder of the Identity Liberation Movement. Deekron shares how a “survival identity” forms in childhood, how it silently drives perfectionism and why inner work is the missing piece for high achievers who want authentic leadership. You’ll also hear why metabolic health matters for your mind, your mood, and your decision-making.

What You Will Learn:

How early life experiences shape a subconscious identity that continues to influence leadership, decisions, and behavior.

Why high achievement often comes from survival patterns rather than true self-expression.

How perfectionism and people-pleasing can limit entrepreneurial success and personal fulfillment.

Why leaving corporate environments can trigger anxiety and loss of direction for high performers.

How identity work reveals the hidden patterns behind procrastination, burnout, and self-sabotage.

Why information and credentials alone are not enough to create lasting transformation.

How internal emotional stress differs from external stress—and why both must be addressed.

The role cortisol and chronic stress play in decision-making, energy, and long-term health.

Why habits and mindset tools fail when layered over unhealed emotional programming.

How metabolic health directly impacts cognition, clarity, and leadership capacity.

What self-leadership looks like beyond discipline, including emotional mastery and boundaries.

How to communicate without triggering fear or defensiveness in high-stakes conversations.

Why vision requires autonomy, sovereignty, and internal alignment to come to life.

How identity liberation can release long-held pressure and restore a sense of freedom.

Why individual inner work contributes to collective leadership and cultural change.

Resource:

Deekron Krikorian

LinkedIn

Book The Nine Shifts: The Mind-First Method to Transform Your Body and Your Life

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What if the challenge in front of you isn't here to break you, but to bring you back to who you really are? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Felicity Ashley, mother of three, former corporate marketer, ocean rower, cancer survivor, motivational speaker and #1 bestselling author of Stronger Than the Storm.

If you've been feeling the nudge to start something bigger, this episode will invite you to trust your "why," ask for help, and lead yourself into a life that feels truly your own.

What You Will Learn:

How early life experiences and family dynamics quietly shape leadership of self.

Why challenging expectations and doing things differently is a powerful leadership trait.

The difference between being inspired by someone and feeling personally called to a challenge.

Why knowing your “why” is essential for staying committed when obstacles arise.

How physical setbacks or adversity can reconnect you with your core identity.

Why opportunities that create a full-body “pull” are worth paying attention to.

How shared challenges can strengthen relationships and deepen personal connection.

What parts of a corporate career can become assets when starting a new business.

How to navigate the financial uncertainty of entrepreneurship with courage and clarity.

Why founders must seek expertise instead of trying to do everything themselves.

How asking for help becomes a strength that accelerates growth and resilience.

What it looks like to build a personal “support crew” for business and life.

Why most regret comes from missed opportunities rather than failed attempts.

How personal struggles can evolve into platforms for service and inspiration.

Why long-term goals require emotional endurance, structure, and self-leadership.

How to reclaim parts of your identity that were set aside during challenging seasons.

Resource:

Felicity Ashley

Website

Book: Stronger than the Storm

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What if the best person to teach you about money was not a guy in a suit, but a woman who has built real wealth, weathered big market shifts, and is willing to tell you the truth about money with zero fluff? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Gokce Donat, a no-fluff financial educator, real estate investor, and host of the Million Elle Podcast. With a background in engineering and finance, a builder’s license, and more than twenty years in business, Gokce shares how confidence, discipline, and clear thinking about risk helped her build wealth in male-dominated spaces.

What You Will Learn:

Personal values often spark the vision that drives major money and career decisions.

Natural leadership tendencies in childhood frequently become entrepreneurial strengths later in life.

Wealth-building opportunities don’t always arrive with a plan attached, yet are still worth pursuing.

Women in male-dominated fields may need credentials to claim authority and protect their role.

Trustworthiness plays a major role in attracting capital and forming solid business partnerships.

Clarity around fixed and variable expenses supports stronger financial decision-making.

Overly complicated offers usually hinder customer follow-through and reduce overall results.

Podcasting provides immediate credibility and creates deeper trust with potential clients.

Seasons of feeling lost often signal the beginning of a new chapter or evolving purpose.

Rising material costs and shifting markets frequently require business owners to pivot.

Stable income streams, such as healthcare, can create opportunities for investing during downturns.

Solid partnerships rely on integrity, transparency, and aligned expectations.

Reconnecting with core passions helps refine the next phase of a visionary’s journey.

Long-term financial empowerment grows through discipline, clarity, and aligned action.

Resource:

Gokce Donat LinkedIn

Million Elle Podcast

Million Elle

Leading Visionaries Podcast

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What if the worst day in your business didn’t have to be chaotic? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Mike Swenson, founder of Barkley Public Relations and creator of the Crisis Track framework. Drawing on decades in broadcast journalism, politics, and leadership, Mike shares how visionary founders can use strategy, simplicity, and clear messaging to shape powerful stories in good times and in moments of crisis.

What You Will Learn:

Every communication should be tied to a clear strategy so no message becomes a lost opportunity.

Founders must define what each communication is supposed to achieve.

Organizations communicate more effectively when everyone aligns around a single voice and simple message.

Successful product launches focus on highlighting one or two primary benefits rather than overwhelming with every feature.

Establishing a crisis team gives clarity on who leads decisions when urgency is high.

Visual mapping of potential risks helps leaders understand how many issues could escalate into crises.

Investors are impressed when founders demonstrate crisis preparation as part of the business plan.

Companies that handle crises poorly often face long-term damage or closure, while prepared organizations limit harm.

Crisis communication is not just about operations but also how messages are shaped and delivered under pressure.

Establishing clear spokespeople for each risk ensures fast, unified responses during crises.

Long-term vision for crisis frameworks is to help organizations minimize negative impacts and recover faster when challenges arise.

Resource:

Mike Swenson LinkedIn

Crisis Trak

Leading Visionaries Podcast

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