On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with John Knowlton to dive deep on leadership, faith, and the power of intentional thinking. We explored how your mindset shapes your outcomes, the importance of personal mission, and how values guide every decision — both in business and in life. John shared inspiring stories from his journey, including lessons from the prison chaplaincy and the business world, and practical tips to help you lead with purpose, serve others, and create abundance. If you’re ready to elevate your leadership impact and align your daily actions with your greater calling, this episode is a must-listen!

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Download your free episode guide here!

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00:00 Multi-Hat Life: Pastor to Financial Planner

04:36 "Aligning Goals with Mission"

09:25 Facing Fearful Decisions

12:42 Selfish Choices in Troubled Lives

17:01 "Redirect Negative Thoughts"

18:35 Objectifying People: A Coffee Shop Reflection

22:20 Genesis Origins: Purposeful Stewardship

25:31 Finding Life Purpose: Simple or Grand?

28:13 Finding Purpose Through Faith

33:40 From Incarceration to Entrepreneurial Mentor

37:33 "Christian Business Leadership Challenges"

39:35 Stewardship Through Business Principles

43:33 Experiment with Generosity

47:45 "Start Mornings Mindfully"

50:08 "Comical Morning Routine Insight"

55:44 Email's Impact: A 30-Year Reflection

56:34 Digital Search Revolutionizes Interaction

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Here are my three biggest takeaways:

🔹 Clarity of Mission Is Everything Whether you’re guiding a business, a team, or your own career path, John emphasized the power of a clear personal mission, vision, and values to navigate tough choices and stay aligned—even when business and personal goals collide.

🔹 Abundance Comes from Giving John’s prison chaplain experience highlighted that mindsets focused on serving and contributing to others—not “taking”—create the conditions for real abundance in life and business. Generosity isn’t just good, it’s practical leadership strategy.

🔹 Growth Is a Journey, Not a Destination Finding your true purpose isn’t handed to you at graduation—it’s a process, discovered along the way. Pay attention to what energizes you, and don’t be afraid to test, reflect, and refine your path over time.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

John's Website

LinkedIn

John's new book

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Walter Dusseldorp, the Dutch Mentor, to dive deep into what really drives leadership success. We explored why focusing on emerging leaders is game-changing, how real mentorship—beyond checkbox training—can transform teams, and why measuring actionable progress matters more than ever. Walter shares powerful insights on developing self-aware leaders, building high-performing teams, and creating workplaces where people actually want to stay and grow. If you’re serious about leadership development, this is a must-listen!

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Download your free episode guide here!

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00:00 Paramedicine to Leadership Transformation

05:16 "Mentorship: Essential Path to Leadership"

07:16 "Integrative Support in Hiring Process"

11:50 Root Causes of Employee Underperformance

14:53 Neglecting Frontline in Leadership Development

18:25 "Retention Through Stay Interviews"

20:29 Accountability and High-Performance Teams

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Here are my top 3 takeaways:

🔹 Mentorship Matters Most for Emerging Leaders: Walter emphasizes that those newly promoted into leadership roles, especially from technical backgrounds, often lack the support they need. Intentional mentorship can bridge the gap between “doing” and truly “leading.”

🔹 Leadership Development Starts on Day One: According to Walter, leadership development shouldn’t wait for an annual review or promotion—it should kick off as soon as someone is hired, with structured support and actionable learning, not just online modules or one-off workshops.

🔹 Focus on Actionable, Measurable Steps: Walter’s approach to building high-performing teams involves regular check-ins, clear metrics (not too many!), and ongoing accountability. This ensures that leadership growth is practical, sustainable, and aligned to real outcomes.

Walter’s emphasis on servant leadership, team alignment, and flexible mentorship really hit home for me. If you’re looking to elevate your leadership pipeline, this episode is a must-listen!

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Walter's Website

LinkedIn

Book Recommendations

Good to Great

Eckhart Tolle Books

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Bill Heinrich to uncover how true leadership starts from within. Bill shared his journey from extreme misery to authentic fulfillment, emphasizing that real success is about energetic alignment—not just chasing material wins. We explored why finding and living your true purpose transforms both business and personal life, and why ownership and responsibility matter so much more than accountability. If you want to level up your leadership and create real impact, tune in and discover how living your truth can change everything.

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Download your free episode guide here!

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00:00 Rethinking Legacy and Material Success

03:53 Life's Lessons: Beyond Material Success

06:57 Challenge: Executives & Non-Systemic Approaches

10:22 Empowered Living Through Integrity

14:17 Finding Fulfillment Through Authenticity

18:57 Virtual Connectivity Challenges

21:35 "Heart Over Mind: Embrace Now"

25:38 Effective Communication: Choosing Delivery Methods

29:18 Embracing Control Beyond Belief

31:16 Blueprints for Unfolding Personal Purpose

36:01 "Modern Communication: Cyborg Connectivity"

38:49 Podcast Wrap-Up: Final Three Questions

41:33 Podcast Insights & Future Highlights

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Here are my top 3 takeaways from our discussion:

• Authenticity Wins: True leadership and lasting happiness come from understanding and embracing your unique energy—not just chasing material success or following prescribed systems.

• Responsibility Over Accountability: Bill challenges us to choose responsibility instead of just accountability. Taking ownership of your actions (rather than playing the victim) leads to clarity, better communication, and more positive relationships at work and at home.

• Purpose Is About WHO You Are, Not What You Do: Your life purpose isn’t about your job title or your daily tasks; it’s about the energy and intention you bring to every moment, conversation, and relationship.

If you’re feeling “successful but miserable,” or just want to lead with more impact, this episode is a must-listen. Bill also shares practical tools and the importance of energetic alignment for leaders at every level.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Bill's Website

LinkedIn

Bill's Book

Book Recommendation

The Seat of the Soul

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, we sat down with Giorgio Natili—tech leader, author, and fearless management advocate. Giorgio shared his journey from overcoming terrible bosses to leading innovation at companies like Amazon, Capital One, and Mozilla. We dove into why honesty, vulnerability, and putting people first matter so much more than chasing titles or perfection. Giorgio reminded us that excellence trumps perfection, and that real impact is measured by the lives you touch, not your number of followers. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with insights on tackling challenges head-on, building authentic teams, and finding meaning in your work.

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Download your free episode guide here!

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00:00 Tech and AI Journey: Excellence Pursuit

04:17 Unique Career Journey Challenges

08:06 "Leadership: Support from Behind"

12:52 "Challenging Questions Unsettle Colleagues"

14:30 "Balancing Truth and Diplomacy"

17:51 Evolving Culture to Prevent Obsolescence

21:03 Redefining Success Beyond Titles

26:44 From Fear to Fascination: Sharks

28:36 Procrastination and Fear Connection

32:15 Embrace Vulnerability for Success

36:32 Podcast Success Through Impactful Leadership

40:35 "Passion for Music in Events"

43:40 Advice for Educators from Leaders

45:50 "Maximizing Gen AI for Tasks"

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Here are my top three takeaways for anyone navigating management or leadership roles:

🔹 Perfection Doesn’t Exist, Excellence Does: Giorgio shared that striving for perfection can be paralyzing, but aiming for excellence pushes teams and leaders to continuously grow and deliver real value.

🔹 Honesty & Courage Matter: Too often, managers sugarcoat reality or hide issues from leadership, fearing repercussions. Giorgio’s experience proves that clear, direct, and respectful communication—no matter how uncomfortable—is key to solving problems and building lasting trust.

🔹 Embrace Vulnerability & Challenges: Whether it’s swimming with literal sharks (yes, he did!) or facing career fears, Giorgio encourages leaders to acknowledge fears and tackle them head-on. Procrastination often signals underlying fear—so be open about it and ask for help when needed.

If you’re curious to hear practical wisdom on management, leadership, and even tackling your own “sharks,” I highly recommend listening to this episode! And remember: focus on meaningful impact, not just chasing titles or superficial perfection.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

LinkedIn

Book Recommendations

Radical Candor

Crucial Conversations

Ever wondered how faith and business can thrive together? In this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Nick Garofalo—a Christian entrepreneur and wealth expert—to dive deep into leadership, building profitable businesses with integrity, and finding balance between faith, family, and work. We unpacked why profit isn’t a dirty word, the power of bringing in the right advisors, and how stewardship is key to long-term success. Whether you’re just launching or scaling up, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for purpose-driven leaders.

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00:00 Value of Financial Advisors

03:47 "Finding the Right Advisor"

07:24 Men's Reluctance to Ask for Help

13:13 Navigating Work-Life Imbalance

14:52 "Exploring Ecclesiastes: Timeless Wisdom"

18:27 Stewardship in Business Lifecycles

24:05 Career Lifecycle and Planning Analogy

25:24 Setting Wealth Limits for Generosity

28:54 Profit Management for Business Owners

32:37 Empowerment and Financial Education

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Here are 3 key takeaways worth sharing:

• Seek Aligned Advisors: When you’re navigating new territory in business or finances, don’t just Google the nearest expert. Nick advocates finding advisors who align with your values—especially those who share your core beliefs and have walked the journey before you.

• Profit Is Not a Dirty Word: Many Christian business owners feel uneasy about making a profit, but Nick reframes profit as a form of stewardship. Our resources, including wealth, are entrusted to us for a season—use them to provide, to invest in others, and yes, to enjoy life while keeping God at the center.

• Separate Business and Personal Finances: One of the top challenges Nick sees among business owners is mixing business and personal finances. Clear boundaries increase financial clarity and reduce stress, freeing you up to make smarter decisions for long-term success.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Nick's website

freebies

LinkedIn

book reccomendation

If you want to revolutionize how you hire and retain talent, you don’t want to miss this episode! I sat down with Dr. Michael Neal, an optometrist turned entrepreneur, who shared how he cracked the code on finding and keeping top performers in healthcare—and beyond. By focusing on people’s natural strengths and using smart assessments instead of just resumes, Dr. Neal’s Build My Team is helping businesses hire smarter, not harder. Whether you’re in healthcare or any industry, these strategies can help you build a stronger team and transform your business. Tune in and get ready to elevate your hiring game!

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00:00 Uncle Bill's Al Capone Tales

05:19 Maxwell Method DISC Insights

08:32 Rethinking Career Pathways Education

11:10 Algorithmic Job Candidate Matching

13:24 Experience: Short-term vs. Long-term Impact

18:10 Tailoring Hiring for Business Success

21:28 Candidate Matching and Retention System

22:52 Demographic Shift Impact on Workforce

29:02 Perseverance in Running and Business

30:07 Perseverance: Overcoming Challenges

34:50 "Right People, Then Direction"

37:59 "Think and Grow Rich Summary"

40:34 Podcast Follow & Tune-in Reminder

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Top 3 takeaways:

🔍 Hire for Strengths, Not Just Experience Dr. Neal realized the traditional resume/interview process wasn’t surfacing high performers. By using assessments that identify candidates’ natural talents, his practice saw a dramatic improvement in retention and performance.

🎯 You Might Be Looking in the Wrong Place With a shrinking labor pool, Dr. Neal’s system taps into overlooked candidates—people who may have never considered a certain role but are actually an ideal fit based on their strengths, not simply their work history.

💡 Feedback & Flexibility Drive Success Their process incorporates feedback loops to tailor hiring for each client’s definition of success. If a candidate doesn’t fit one opening, they may be a perfect match for another, creating a more dynamic (and humane) pipeline.

Want to rethink how you build your team? Check out Build My Team or give this podcast episode a listen. It might just change your perspective on hiring and team building.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Michael Neal's Website

https://www.buildmyteam.com/

LinkedIn

Today on the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Yosi Kossowsky, an executive coach with 18 years of experience and a fascinating journey from engineering to mastering human behavior. We dove into the powerful role self-awareness and emotional intelligence play in leadership, the neuroscience behind communication, and why understanding your own perspectives is essential for team success. If you’re ready to elevate your leadership, embrace curiosity, and drive impact through better relationships, this episode is packed with insights you can start applying today. Don’t miss it!

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00:00 Journey to Emotional Wellness

03:37 Understanding Emotions in Engineering

07:40 From Communication to Purposeful Coaching

12:17 Embracing Curiosity Over Assumptions

17:26 "Communication Before Business Systems?"

21:35 Challenging Leadership and Self-Awareness

24:37 "Understanding Autobiographical Lenses"

27:11 Ensuring Effective Communication Understanding

32:19 Spray Paint Miscommunication Mishap

36:17 Bridging Differences for Success

40:40 Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

42:18 Empathy and Understanding Historical Bias

48:28 Advice for Future Leadership Education

51:14 "10% of Adults Use AI"

52:41 Podcast Episode Follow Reminder

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Here are 3 key takeaways from our conversation:

🔹 Self-awareness is foundational: True leadership growth starts by recognizing your own emotional patterns and personal biases, and understanding how they affect your interactions and decisions.

🔹 Curiosity over assumptions: Instead of assuming you fully understand others (or that they fully understand you), lead with curiosity. Ask questions like “Help me understand…” to open real dialogue and minimize miscommunication.

🔹 Communication is a skill, not a given: Even the most well-intentioned leaders can fall into the trap of poor communication. Actively practicing clear communication and follow-up—especially in cross-cultural, diverse, or virtual teams—can drastically improve team outcomes and integration.

If you’re looking to elevate your leadership impact, start with yourself and how you connect with others. Want more actionable insights? Catch the full episode or connect with Yosi Kossowsky on LinkedIn for more on conscious leadership and emotional wellness.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Yosi's Website

https://www.k-torconsulting.com/

LinkedIn

Yosi's book recommendation:

https://a.co/d/eMjb8fp

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with the incredible Deborah Crowe, who shared her journey from neurotrauma case manager to heart-centered leadership coach. We talked about what truly matters at the top, the dangers of burnout, and why leading with empathy and self-care isn’t just good for your health—it’s good for your business. If you want to build impact without sacrificing your well-being, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Tap in for insights on authentic leadership, life lessons, and lasting legacy.

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00:00 From Medicine to Leadership Coaching

03:37 Regrets of the Dying

09:03 Legacy Reflections and Regrets

10:42 Busyness Trap: Unlearned Lessons

13:27 "Detach Emotions From Activities"

18:59 "Digital Influence on Future Leaders"

23:26 Digital Detox for Self-Care

24:34 Life Without TV: Creative Living

30:00 Fear of Authenticity in Leadership

32:51 Encouraging Honest Conversations

34:19 Heart-Centered Leadership's Business Impact

40:31 Embracing Imperfection in Leadership

42:00 Learning to Fail

45:51 Rapid Fire Leadership Questions

48:30 "My iPad: A Digital Escape"

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Here are my top 3 takeaways that every leader should consider:

• Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s vital: Deborah’s experience with executives facing end-of-life regrets showed that sacrificing health and relationships for “success” leads to loneliness, not fulfillment.

• White space in your calendar is critical: Back-to-back meetings aren’t a badge of honor. Building in downtime helps you be present and make better decisions for yourself and your team.

• People over profit, always: Heart-centered leadership is about investing in genuine connections. When you put people first, the business results will follow.

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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership? Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.

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Links

Deborah's Website

LinkedIn

Deborah's Book