RISE TO LEAD

Damon Flowers shares how being fired early in his career for asking too many questions set him on a path toward entrepreneurship and a deep focus on what actually makes companies work. He explains how this led to his concept of modern operations — a unified approach that connects marketing, sales, product, and fulfillment into a single operational system that prevents breakdown as companies grow. Drawing on experience scaling businesses from zero to $12M and from $3.5M to $30M, he shows how structure, not pressure, is what allows growth to hold.
The conversation explores why companies often scale one ar...

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Stefan Verra has spent over 20 years studying body language — or, as he prefers to call it, everyday human behavior — and this conversation makes clear why his scientific, no-nonsense approach has made him one of Europe's most sought-after experts on the topic. Stefan and Regina trace his fascination back to growing up around his sculptor father and later realizing, while wo...

Your Freakin' Amazing Life Map — built for you, free, from one thirty-minute conversation: what your body already knows, the script you've been running, and the one move that would light you up. Nothing to buy. → https://reginahuber.com/map

What do you do when the system you’re in quietly tells you your time is up? Margaux didn’t wait for permission—or for the “right moment.” She built her own. In this conversation, she shares how stepping beyond acting into creating and producing her own films became the turning point—not just for visibility, but for longevity. What...

Vanhishikha Bhargava, Founder of Contensify, shares how her journey from engineering student to global content strategist began with a single LinkedIn post that unexpectedly reshaped her career path. She reflects on rebuilding her life while also creating her unique coaching and business approach, choosing for years to prioritize depth of work over visibility. Regina and Vanhishikha explore how consistency and execution shaped her leadership identity long before personal branding became part of the equation. The conversation opens up the tension between structure and creativity, and how early startup experiences influenced her decision to eventually build a business on her...

Toni Will never planned to work in professional hockey — she stumbled into it after a job at a high-end boutique fell through, landing instead at the Kalamazoo Wings, a team she knew nothing about. That accidental entry became a defining advantage: with no attachment to the sport itself, she led with culture, community, and people first, eventually becoming the first woman in franchise history to serve as General Manager and Governor in the ECHL. In this conversation, Toni and Regina trace the throughline from that unlikely start to Toni's book, Rebellious Success — including the moment a promised board promotion was...

Braydan Young shares what it really takes to build and scale companies when growth moves faster than expected. From watching his parents run small businesses to co-founding and scaling Sendoso, he talks openly about the chaos, uncertainty, and blind confidence that often come with entrepreneurship. He also breaks down why rapid growth can quietly damage culture, how leadership roles must evolve as teams expand, and why founders often underestimate the importance of structure, communication, and hiring systems until they are already scaling fast.

Braydan also reveals the management mistakes that changed how he leads today, why many...

At the core of everything Dr. Jairo Borja does—whether in education, entrepreneurship, or capital raising—is one principle: relationships that are built on trust, reciprocity, and real value exchange. In this conversation, he breaks down why “taking” without contribution rarely leads anywhere meaningful, and how true networking only works when it becomes a two-way street. Regina and Jairo explore how intentional, strategic connections—both in-person and through LinkedIn—can open doors to opportunities that never come from casual networking alone.

He also unpacks common misconceptions around accessing capital, including the mistake of thinking only business metrics matter while...

James Hayden explores how AI is reshaping B2B sales, revenue leadership, and the speed at which modern organizations build and qualify pipelines. He explains how AI-driven sales intelligence is changing prospecting, personalization, and decision-making before the first human interaction. While the technology accelerates performance, he is clear it doesn’t replace salespeople but amplifies those who use it well. He highlights adaptability as a core leadership skill in an environment moving at exponential speed. At the center of his approach is still human trust, built through real interaction and non-verbal communication. Even with advanced tools, he argues that re...

Anna Burgan joins Regina Huber to explore the often-overlooked connection between people strategy, leadership preparedness, and business performance. Drawing from her background in enterprise sales and her own experience as a working parent, Anna explains why organizations struggle to retain talent during major life transitions and how the lack of clear frameworks creates costly gaps in leadership, continuity, and employee support. The conversation dives into the assumptions managers make about working parents, why flexibility without structure can backfire, and how proactive planning can strengthen both retention and performance outcomes across teams.

This episode also unpacks what actually...

Bill Flynn talks about the challenges leaders face in a world that increasingly defies logic. Bill explains how the “hero” mindset can trap leaders, why complexity and AI are straining decision-making, and how the shift from VUCA to BANI—brittle, anxious, nonlinear, and incomprehensible—demands new approaches. They explore why leaders become bottlenecks when they stay at the center of every decision, and why building adaptive, mission-driven organizations is critical. Bill challenges conventional leadership training, emphasizing that impact comes not from holding authority but from giving it away, developing others, and cultivating courage to step back while letting teams thrive.<...

Heather Vickery didn’t follow a straight path—she built success across nonprofit leadership, luxury events, and entrepreneurship, before a personal shift forced her to rethink everything. What looked “successful” wasn’t aligned. That moment pushed her into deep self-work, where coaching found her—and where tools like Human Design started to make sense of how she was naturally wired to lead, work, and make decisions. We go into Human Design as a practical lens for self-leadership—understanding your energy, your decision-making, and why forcing yourself into the wrong way of operating creates burnout. We also unpack overperformance, subconscious patterns, and the EASE f...

Heather Vickery didn’t follow a straight path—she built success across nonprofit leadership, luxury events, and entrepreneurship, before a personal shift forced her to rethink everything. What looked “successful” wasn’t aligned. That moment pushed her into deep self-work, where coaching found her—and where tools like Human Design started to make sense of how she was naturally wired to lead, work, and make decisions.

We go into Human Design as a practical lens for self-leadership—understanding your energy, your decision-making, and why forcing yourself into the wrong way of operating creates burnout. We also unpack overperformanc...

A story that hits hard - loss, shock, and the moment everything collapses. Isabella Young shares how a sudden tragedy changed her life overnight, forcing her to find a reason to keep going. What followed led her into a deeply manipulative cult environment that would test her sense of reality, identity, and strength. Those years pushed her to confront not just what was happening around her, but what was happening within. And ultimately, they became the starting point for rebuilding herself from the inside out - and redefining leadership at its core.

This conversation goes far beyond...

Dr. Al Philip-Neri shares how his path into leadership began early and evolved into performance psychology, rooted in resilience and a mindset of being “undefeated” - not about winning, but never giving up. He explains why pressure is inevitable and how leaders must learn to use it intentionally rather than react to it. From sports to law enforcement to corporate environments, he breaks down how training under controlled pressure builds predictable behavior, stronger execution, and the ability to perform when it actually counts.

The conversation dives into why leaders and teams break down under pressure - and how...

Dr. Robert Yonover’s life sits at the edge of extremes—scientist, inventor, deep-sea explorer, and someone who has quite literally faced life-and-death moments both in nature and at home. From diving miles below the ocean’s surface to standing on erupting volcanoes, his path has never been conventional. Yet behind the adventure is a clear throughline: curiosity, relentless creation, and a drive to make his work matter in real, tangible ways. Shaped by a family that rejected “normal jobs,” he built a life around invention and independence—developing survival technologies that save lives while staying deeply connected to nature. Whet...

Navid Nazemian – based in UAE – shares what sparked his deep dive into executive transitions: after working inside some of the world’s most admired companies, he noticed a critical gap—leaders were stepping into high-stakes roles without a truly effective transition process. What followed was years of research, driven by a surprising discovery: nearly 40% of executives fail within the first 18 months. This isn’t a fringe issue—it’s systemic. Through firsthand observations and extensive study, he unpacks why even highly capable leaders derail, pointing to rising complexity, shrinking timelines, and what he calls a “polycrisis” reality where multiple pressures collide...

Kevin Gaskell shares how early experiences in the mountains of North Wales and competitive cricket shaped his understanding of leadership, teamwork, and performance under pressure. From playing in senior leagues as a teenager to learning from strong captains, he developed an early belief that leadership is about how teams operate together, especially when conditions get tough. He shares a defining personal story of pushing beyond expectations in sport, ultimately playing at national level by refusing to accept “you weren’t invited” as a final answer. That mindset carries through his leadership philosophy: “there is always a way,” grounded in optimism...

What happens when you stop following the expected path—and trust what pulls you instead? Richard shares how a short trip to Costa Rica turned into a 25-year entrepreneurial path, built from the ground up by leaning into instinct, language, and real human connection. This conversation goes beyond business—it’s about stepping out of comfort, creating something that reflects who you are, and leading in a way that people actually feel.

We explore what makes people stay (even in high-pressure environments), how to turn transactional conversations into meaningful ones, and why the real advantage today has nothin...

From Hollywood stunt work and Guinness World Records to deep inner transformation, Curtis Rivers shares what happens when outward success no longer matches who you are becoming inside. As his life in film grew further away from his evolving values, the disconnect became impossible to ignore, ultimately leading him through depression, divorce, bankruptcy, and rebuilding his life while creating his unique coaching approach. Curtis opens up about reinvention, alignment, subconscious programming, and the courage it takes to stop living behind the mask. Together, we explore why fear is not the enemy, how “wobble zones” emerge when we stretch beyond old...

Shane Barker started out as the operator in his business—hands-on in every decision, every task, every detail—because that’s what survival and early growth demanded. Over time, that same approach turned into a bottleneck: longer hours, slower execution, and a business increasingly dependent on him being everywhere at once.

In this episode, Shane breaks down the shift from operator to leader and what actually has to change for scale to become possible. We talk delegation, trust, decision-making, and why stepping out of the middle doesn’t mean stepping out of control. He also shares how AI, syst...

Leadership isn’t broken because of strategy—it’s broken because of disconnection. In this conversation, Scott Doggett shares how a lifetime of observing and practicing leadership—from watching his father lead a small school to running hotels and training leaders—shaped his belief that people are not resources, but individuals with intrinsic, “priceless” worth. A pivotal moment came when he experienced servant leadership at its highest level, witnessing a culture where people felt genuinely seen and valued—and where performance naturally followed. From global crises to everyday workplace dynamics, Scott highlights a clear pattern: organizations that prioritize people don’t just survi...

Angel Tuccy didn’t grow up wanting to be on stage or behind a mic—she was terrified of public speaking and nearly didn’t graduate because of it. Fast forward: a casual podcast turned into a professional production that got picked up by radio without a single audition. From behind-the-scenes admin to prime-time host, she built a national presence by doing one thing consistently—showing up. But when offered the biggest time slot, she said no. Not because she couldn’t, but because it didn’t align with her life. What followed proved something most people ignore: you don’t have t...

Rachel Garcia-Kessel shares how a serious health crisis disrupted her cognitive abilities and forced her to question her identity and capabilities. During recovery, she began building Legacy Bunker as a personal, unfiltered space to capture ideas, stories, and perspectives in her own way. What started as a tool to regain her thinking evolved into a collaborative platform for storytelling and shared experiences. Created during sleepless nights, the project became both a creative outlet and a test of resilience. She reveals how channeling anxiety into creation helped her rebuild confidence and prove to herself that she could still think, create...

After navigating divorce, single fatherhood, and building multiple businesses, Mark Aylward from Florida shares what it truly means to lead yourself when life hits hard. He reflects on how adversity sharpened his listening, deepened his empathy, and forced him to let go of judgment and victimhood. With a clear focus on what mattered most—his children—he made intentional choices daily, leaning on discipline, patience, and consistency to move forward. His perspective reframes resilience as a series of small, steady actions over time, grounded in integrity and personal responsibility.

The conversation explores the essence of leade...

John Petrocelli, a pioneer in livestreaming and founder of Bulldog DM, shares how he helped shape the digital media landscape by operating ahead of the curve. From collaborating with Prince on one of the first direct-to-consumer music platforms to building and scaling companies acquired by AEG, Google, and Akamai, he reveals the mindset behind spotting—and acting on—what’s next before it becomes obvious. His approach is grounded in curiosity, a willingness to step into uncharted territory, and a refusal to default to “no” when faced with new ideas. Instead, he leads by exploring what’s possible, turning uncertainty...

Most leadership problems aren’t about competence. They’re about leaders performing a version of leadership that isn’t real—and over time, the organization quietly learns to depend on it. This is what we unpacked in this episode.

Many leaders feel an unspoken pressure to project perfection — to have the answers, move quickly, and appear confident at all times. In this conversation with Jim Brown from Ontario, Canada, we unpack what he calls the performance lie and how it quietly shapes executive behavior. When leaders step in too fast with answers, they unintentionally shut down thinking, turning th...

Rich LaMonica dives into how mindset, grit, and resilience have shaped his approach to challenges and leadership. He shares powerful stories of navigating impossible situations and unexpected setbacks, revealing how persistence and focus can transform obstacles into opportunities. Rich emphasizes the importance of self-leadership, showing how leading yourself effectively is the foundation for guiding a team and achieving meaningful results.

We also explore practical strategies for building resilience every day, from stacking small victories to maintaining focus and energy under pressure. Rich highlights the value of asking the right questions, owning tough decisions, and cultivating a mindset...

Andrew Colombini, sales expert and biotype specialist, shares how understanding human wiring can transform the way we sell, lead, and connect. Drawing from his work with high-level sales professionals, Andrew explains why most “personalization” falls short—and what it actually takes to truly meet someone where they are.

He breaks down his biotype influence system, a method rooted in biology and behavioral patterns, and shows how reading subtle physical and behavioral cues can reveal how someone thinks, decides, and builds trust.

We explore:

Why most sales conversations fail before they even begin

The...

Simon de los Rios, former operations leader turned life and career coach, shares his journey from high-pressure logistics and operations roles to discovering the power of inner peace. Simon opens up about experiencing repeated burnouts, the turning point that led him to coaching, and why reconnecting with yourself is the ultimate productivity tool.

We explore why high-performing leaders often lose touch with their own clarity, the dangers of outsourcing happiness to external circumstances, simple actionable ways to reconnect with your inner guidance, how journaling and small daily routines can transform your energy and creativity, and why vulnerability...

The shift that changed everything? Moving from “I hope I’m chosen” to “I choose.” Shauna Wu shares how stepping out of waiting mode—and into ownership—redefined how she shows up: as a peer, a builder, and a strategic partner. When you stop asking for permission and start acting with intent, opportunities stop feeling scarce—and start becoming something you create.

This conversation goes deeper, as Shauna opens up about the harder parts of her story—and the grit that came from it. Her perspective is clear: resilience isn’t abstract, it’s built through showing up, doi...

From motorcycles to Formula 1, Shauna Wu turned passion into a global career by owning her value and building powerful, non-transactional relationships.

This episode reveals how clarity, long-term vision, and intentional choices shift you from chasing opportunities to choosing them.

From scaling high-growth marketing engines to building global partnerships in motorsport, Shauna Wu operates at full speed—on and off the track. What started as a personal passion for motorcycles evolved into a family legacy, with her daughter racing—and winning—against seasoned competitors. That same intensity now fuels her work in Formula 1, where she’s c...

Stories shape people and teams. James Moffat shows how storytelling fosters confidence, connection, and engagement for kids and adults alike.

In this continuation with storytelling expert James Moffat, we explore how storytelling shapes people and teams from the inside out. James shares how the true value of any business lies in its people, and how guiding their stories builds connection and engagement.

We dive into storytelling for kids, showing how creative exercises help children express themselves and develop confidence. James explains techniques that reveal personalities, foster participation, and turn shy voices into confident c...

Great teams don’t just share goals. They share stories.

James Moffat explains how leaders use storytelling to create alignment and trust.

In this conversation with storytelling expert James Moffat, we explore how storytelling goes far beyond marketing and branding. We discuss how leaders can use stories inside their organizations to create alignment, clarity, and shared direction across teams.

James explains why every team benefits from a shared narrative, how leaders can communicate the company’s purpose more effectively, and why personal stories can strengthen trust and connection among colleagues. This episo...

Stories shape how people listen, remember, and decide. This conversation explores how leaders can use storytelling to communicate value, connect emotionally, and turn real client experiences into messages that convert.

A former engineer turned global sales leader, James Moffat makes a compelling case that storytelling is one of the most practical leadership tools available. Drawing on decades in technical sales and leadership, he explains why many professionals lose their audience by focusing on features, slide decks, and technical detail instead of the human problem they are trying to solve. Through a simple framework, he shows h...

You can be successful and still feel flat inside — this episode is about reclaiming aliveness without burning your life down.

You can build a successful life and still feel like something is missing. This episode is for leaders, entrepreneurs, and high-performing professionals who’ve achieved a lot, yet sometimes feel flat, restless, or quietly disconnected from themselves. When your days run on routine, performance, and responsibility, it’s easy to slip into autopilot. You function well, you deliver results, and on the outside everything looks solid. And still, there’s that subtle question in the backgroun...

Ridiculous Practicality for Unleashed Leaders with Garland Vance & Dorothy Wood Vance

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Portia Ntsele’s return home to KwaZulu-Natal wasn’t an escape — it was a conscious way to reset, reconnect, and recalibrate. After years of building businesses, raising a family, and navigating corporate and entrepreneurial worlds, she reached a moment where the old rhythm no longer fit. Instead of forcing outcomes, she chose to listen: to the inner voice; to the knowing; to the quiet redirection that so many leaders ignore when life starts pushing back. What followed was a powerful recalibration of identity, purpose, and self-leadership — rooted in intuition, grounding, and deep inner alignment.

Portia breaks down why real...

John Munsell’s path into AI leadership didn’t start with hype — it started with pattern recognition. After decades in software and digital marketing, he saw early on that AI would become the next defining shift in how businesses operate. When ChatGPT launched publicly, he knew this was more than just another tech trend — it was a full-scale transformation. He sold his agency, rebuilt his company from the ground up, and spent a year working hands-on with executives to understand their real challenges. What he discovered? Most leaders don’t truly understand what AI is, how fast it’s evolving, or...

Awakened, authentic leadership starts with self-connection.

Anja Žibert from Slovenia explores how true leaders guide energies rather than control people, recognizing that everyone is a sovereign being. She explains how triggers and perceived weaknesses are invitations for self-reflection, and how embracing both light and shadow fosters authenticity. Anja shares how expanding perspective—asking “what if?”—opens possibilities and helps leaders see beyond limiting beliefs. Using tools like HeartMath and Human Design, she guides leaders to connect with their heart intelligence, align mind and heart, and step fully into their power. Through practical exercises, leaders discover answers within themselve...

Leaders want to energize their teams while offering honest feedback that truly helps people grow. Yet many avoid difficult conversations or soften the message so much that clarity gets lost. Emma Collyer explains why clear, kind communication is the real driver of growth, and how intention, tone, and simple phrases set the right stage. She highlights cultural nuances, curiosity, and self-observation as essential parts of effective feedback. Emma shares how two-way feedback rebuilt trust in a struggling team and why people often hesitate to give feedback to their leaders. We explore how small issues escalate when avoided and why...