Season 3, Episode 5: Special Guest - Eve Hanks & Claudia Cavalluzzo from MI:RNA Diagnostics

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Want to see how a fast-moving company keeps its soul intact? We sit down with Eve, founder and CEO of MI:RNA Diagnostics, and Claudia, former COO and now advisor, for a candid tour of human leadership: how culture is built on daily choices, why conflict can be healthy, and what values look like when they’re more than wall art. From the first question, they make one principle clear—leaders set the example in every hallway chat, Slack thread, and roadmap decision.

We dig into the realities of global, remote teams and why the trade-offs are worth it. Eve loves the reach and focus remote work brings; Claudia balances it with intentional connection—meaningful check-ins, offsites, and community beyond the company to keep energy high. Cultural differences become assets: directness for speed, nuance for relationship-building, and curiosity as the bridge. The result is a distributed team that collaborates deeply without losing momentum.

Eve and Claudia also unpack “low-grade, constant conflict” as a feature, not a bug. Disagreements over priorities sharpen thinking when everyone orients to the mission and brings emotional maturity to the table. We talk about choosing complementary co-founders, building an “orbit” of values-aligned talent before roles exist, and making quick, informed hires without five rounds of theater. And yes—mistakes happen weekly. They laugh, learn, and move, replacing blame with accountability and better data. If you care about psychological safety, values-based hiring, and leading with both heart and standards, you’ll leave with practical ways to raise the bar without raising fear.

If this conversation helps you rethink leadership and culture, follow the show, share it with a friend who leads a team, and leave a quick review to tell us what landed most.

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