Conscious Leadership with Alex Podcast

What if the key to being a better leader isn't another business book — it's learning how to love better?This week, Alexandra welcomes Eri Kardos, a former Amazon leadership development specialist who discovered that when she helped executives strengthen their relationships at home, their performance at work skyrocketed. Eri now coaches leaders at Google, Microsoft, Boeing, SpaceX, and beyond on the science and skills of love, communication, and intimacy.In this wide-ranging conversation, Eri and Alexandra dive into:Why relationship skills are leadership skills — and how they ripple through entire organizationsThe research behind what makes couples last (the Gottman Institute can predict relationship success with 92% accuracy)How to ask for what you want in love and life using the same SMART-goal framework you use at workThe NICE Date Challenge — a simple exercise to rewire how you and your partner connect (New, Interesting, Challenging, Exciting)What true intimacy really means, and why full presence is its number one ingredientThe ear massage story — a powerful reminder to understand the meaning behind what your partner wants, not just the requestWhy curiosity and gratitude are your two biggest tools for keeping any relationship aliveHow cutting a sandwich into triangles can teach you more about love than you'd expectPlus, Eri shares homework you can try tonight, her bestselling book Relationship Agreements, and where to find her free master classes.Guest links: relearnlove.com | Instagram: @coacherikardoshThank you for listeningwith loveAlexhttps://linktr.ee/thementoringeffecthttps://thementoringeffect.com/   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We explore why adaptive leadership isn't about changing who you are, but rather about adjusting your approach based on what your team needs to succeed. Suzie shares practical guidance on pausing before reacting in high-pressure environments, managing your own emotions as a leader, and having the difficult conversations that most people would rather avoid — including why 40% of employees would rather quit than have a hard conversation at work.Through real-world stories,  from a star salesperson whose management style alienated her experienced team, to a generational clash over workplace norms, Suzie illustrates how unspoken expectations and typecasting derail teams. We also dive deep into building trust through consistency, the difference between being nice and being kind (channeling Brené Brown's "clear is kind"), and why authentic leadership means giving yourself permission to be human.The conversation closes with a candid discussion on navigating maternity leave as a leader — the identity shift, the value of having a coach, and the powerful moment when stepping away lets others step into their own leadership.Thank you for listeningAlexhttps://linktr.ee/thementoringeffectYou can connect with me directly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-terrey/Or connect with Suzie https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzie-bishop/  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  How do you make better decisions when the future feels uncertain? I’m joined by leadership expert and author Dr. Matt Kutz to explore contextual intelligence, self-leadership and his practical 3D thinking framework: hindsight, insight and foresight.We discuss how past experiences can limit future possibilities, what it means to become an antifragile leader, and why excellence grows through consistent action. Matt also shares his EPIC framework: Excellence, Perception, Inspiration and Compassion, and a fresh perspective on doing the hard things today that benefit your future self.A practical conversation for business owners, founders and leaders who want to think more clearly, navigate change and turn potential into purposeful action.Thank you for listeningAlexMore info: https://linktr.ee/thementoringeffectYou can find Matt at: www.matthewkutz.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, I sit down with Master Mingtong Gu, internationally recognised Qigong teacher and founder of Wisdom Healing Qigong, to explore a different dimension of human performance.We often try to solve exhaustion, stress and emotional pressure through the mind. But when the nervous system is overloaded, thinking alone may not be enough. Our physiological state influences how we think, feel, make decisions, connect with others and respond under pressure.Mingtong shares how Qigong, embodied awareness and intentional movement can help us reconnect with the body, regulate our internal state and access greater clarity, creativity and vitality.We explore:Why you can’t always think your way out of exhaustionThe relationship between the nervous system, energy and performanceHow embodied presence can improve focus, creativity and emotional resilienceWhy leaders need the ability to regulate their state under pressureSimple Qigong principles that can be integrated into everyday lifeThe connection between the body, emotions and sustainable performanceWhy slowing down internally can sometimes help us perform better externallyWhat makes us uniquely human in a world increasingly shaped by AIAnd perhaps the most important question:As technology becomes more intelligent, how do we become more human?AI can process information faster than we can. But our capacity to feel, connect, create, experience presence and consciously work with our internal state remains deeply human.As Mingtong says:“We stand at a crossroads: dehumanize into machines or return to our sacred bodies.”This conversation is an invitation to come back to the body, expand your awareness and rethink what sustainable high performance really means.For business owners, leaders and high performers who are achieving externally but want greater energy, clarity and fulfilment internally, this episode offers a perspective worth exploring.Thank you for listeningwith loveAlexhttps://linktr.ee/thementoringeffectYou can connect with Master Mingtong Gu:www.mingtonggu.comYou can download the chapter from the book here: https://chicenter.pages.ontraport.net/t?orid=282437&opid=2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, I sat down with voice coach, author, and speaker Barbara McAfee for a fascinating conversation about voice, presence, leadership, and authentic expression. What stood out most for me was how unaware many of us are of the voice we are actually using every day — and how different situations require different ways of communicating. Barbara shares her powerful 5 Voices framework and explains why the first step is awareness: understanding your predominant voice pattern and recognising how it shapes your leadership, relationships, confidence, and impact. We explored: - why your voice influences how people experience you - how leaders often overuse one communication style - the connection between voice, nervous system, confidence and authenticity - how to become more flexible, present and impactful in conversations - why finding your “full voice” changes the way you lead and live This conversation was insightful, practical and deeply human. One of those episodes that makes you reflect on how much of communication happens beneath awareness. If you lead people, speak publicly, facilitate groups, or simply want to express yourself more authentically — this episode is worth listening to. Alex https://linktr.ee/thementoringeffect You can get her beautiful song she shared at the end of this episode here: https://barbaramcafee.bandcamp.com/track/astonishing-light You can find Barbara and her books here: Website: https://www.barbaramcafee.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mcafeemusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbara.mcafee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbaramcafeesings/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaramcafee/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.