Mike Ettore has a distinguished record of providing effective leadership and achieving superior results in a wide range of challenging environments. In addition to being a retired Marine Corps Infantry officer and decorated combat leader, he also served successfully as a C-Level executive in Kforce (NYSE: KFRC), a publicly traded professional services company with annual revenue exceeding $1 Billion.

• You were in leadership roles in two very different environments – the US Marine Corps and as a C-level executive in a +$1 Billion publicly traded company. What were the major adjustments you had to make?
• How applicable are the core values in the Marines compared to executives in Corporate America?
• How do you evaluate the core values of a corporation, whether they are applied or not?
• What is the impact of AI on leadership, and how should it be used?
• You have written leadership books extensively. Where can people get a hold of your book and your resources?
• If a leader who is promoted has no formal training, what do you suggest?

Mike Ettore has a distinguished record of providing effective leadership and achieving superior results in a wide range of challenging environments. In addition to being a retired Marine Corps Infantry officer and decorated combat leader, he also served successfully as a C-Level executive in Kforce (NYSE: KFRC), a publicly traded professional services company with annual revenue exceeding $1 Billion.

During his 15 years at Kforce, Mike served in the roles of Vice President of Leadership Development, Vice President of Operations, Chief Information Officer, and, for the last nine years, as Chief Services Officer and one of the Firm's 5 Named Executive Officers.

Mike is the author of seven books on the topic of leadership, and also hosts the Fidelis Leadership Podcast, which focuses on helping those who seek to achieve Leadership Excellence.

Mike truly understands the various challenges facing business leaders and has a history of helping his clients optimize their leadership skills and accelerate their professional development.

If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review.

The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals.

Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Joy Bertrand attended law school at Indiana University-Bloomington and the University of Arizona. She received her Juris Doctorate from Indiana University-Bloomington in 1996. While on assignment with the US Attorney's Office, Joy tried and won four federal jury trials and successfully litigated several Seventh Circuit appeals, including a Solicitor General appeal.

• You've been a faculty member for Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College, which is about as elite and high-pressure as it gets. What did you witness happening to the best lawyers in the country over time that made you realize this was a health crisis, not just occupational stress?
• You describe hostility not as something that happens to us, but as a mindset — even a habit, no different than chronic complaining. Can you further explain that?
• What happens physiologically when someone spends years living in a state of constant conflict and high alert?
• You talk about an emotional scale, and you make the point that people don't have to leap from hostility all the way to gratitude to see real health benefits — that massive gains happen just by moving toward the middle. What does that middle ground look like, and how do people start finding it in the middle of a brutal workday?
• What does it actually look like to stop letting that pressure dismantle your health, your sleep, and your relationships — without losing your edge?

Joy Bertrand attended law school at Indiana University-Bloomington and the University of Arizona. She received her Juris Doctorate from Indiana University-Bloomington in 1996.

While on assignment with the US Attorney's Office, Joy tried and won four federal jury trials and successfully litigated several Seventh Circuit appeals, including a Solicitor General appeal.

In 2005, Joy entered private practice, emphasizing federal litigation. Her criminal practice has handled all manner of cases, from disorderly conduct and littering to white collar fraud and homicide.

Her current practice interests include federal trial consulting, trial lawyer coaching, teaching trial advocacy, the medical and legal issues presented by pregnant women in custody, and advocating for the abolition of qualified of immunity.

In October 2011, Joy graduated from the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming. She completed the Trial Lawyers College's faculty training in May 2014 and joined the TLC faculty shortly thereafter.

Joy is the host of the Athena in the Well podcast and author of the upcoming book, "How to Fight Giants and Win: the Secret Lives of Women Trial Lawyers." Joy is also a speaker and teacher.

If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review.

The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals.

Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Leah Ellis is the founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children build real businesses and practice leadership in the real world.

• Why do we underestimate children's ability to lead, and what happens when we change that belief?
• What does it actually look like for a child to run a real business?
• How can parents and educators build confidence without over-helping?
• What skills do children gain from entrepreneurship that traditional education often misses?
• How can communities create environments where children are trusted to contribute in meaningful ways?

Leah Ellis is the founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children build real businesses and practice leadership in the real world. Through hands-on programs, workshops, and business fairs, she equips kids with the confidence, financial literacy, and problem-solving skills they need to take action now, not someday.

As a speaker and educator, Leah challenges the belief that leadership is something we grow into later and instead shows how children rise when given real responsibility. Her work has been featured across media and community partnerships throughout Kansas, impacting families, schools, and young leaders alike.

If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review.

The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals.

Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Dr. André Walton is a social psychologist, best-selling author, keynote and 2x TEDx speaker, and certified, accredited coach.

• How do you define creative thinking for leaders who don't see themselves as "creative"?
• What happens to creativity under sustained pressure?
• What conditions must exist for creativity and innovation to thrive in organizations?
• How is AI affecting one's creativity and critical thinking?
• How is working remotely affecting our creativity?
• What do you mean by Spherical Thinking?

Dr. André Walton is a social psychologist, best-selling author, keynote and 2x TEDx speaker, and certified, accredited coach. He helps entrepreneurs, healthcare workers, and organizations resolve stress and burnout while unlocking resilience, creativity, and emotional intelligence.

If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review.

The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals.

Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Michael Pellegrino is the Founder of Resilient Minds On The Front Lines, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building resiliency and mental wellness across first responders, schools, and corporate communities nationwide.

• You spent 25 years in law enforcement—what experiences led you to create Resilient Minds On Front Lines?
• You often say, "When you change your mind, you change your life." What does that really mean in moments of stress or crisis?
• Can you explain "Mental CPR: Catch, Pause, Reframe" and how someone can actually use it in real time?
• You've worked with first responders, schools, and corporations—what are you seeing as the biggest challenge people are facing today when it comes to mental wellness?
• For someone listening right now who feels overwhelmed or stuck, what's one small shift they can make today to start turning things around?

Michael Pellegrino is the Founder of Resilient Minds On The Front Lines, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building resiliency and mental wellness across first responders, schools, and corporate communities nationwide. After a distinguished 25-year career in law enforcement—where he received multiple honors, including the Carnegie Medal of Honor—Michael now travels the country as a speaker, author of Crisis = Opportunity, and advocate for proactive mental wellness training.

Through his work, Michael equips individuals and organizations with practical, real-time tools to navigate stress, build stronger connections, and perform at their best under pressure. His message is simple yet powerful: When you change your mind, you change your life.

If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review.

The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals.

Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Myke Wilder has lived his life between two languages, French and English. During a 28-year career in corporate communications, Myke worked in Employee Relations, SAP Change Management, and R&D Reporting; always in both languages.

• What is the biggest problem that faces managers who are leading teams of workers who speak English as a second language?
• How can that problem be solved?
• Why is this a problem? What is the fallout for businesses?
• What is the biggest roadblock managers face when attempting to improve communications with L2 English speakers?
• How has working with a hearing disability informed your work with multilingual teams?

Myke has lived his life between two languages, French and English. During a 28-year career in corporate communications, Myke worked in Employee Relations, SAP Change Management, and R&D Reporting; always in both languages. In 2013, Myke became a Business ESL Teacher, amassing 9,000 hours of coaching managers and entrepreneurs around the world. That experience, plus his corporate experience, 40 years working with a hearing disability, and his lifetime of working in his second language himself, has given Myke insight into the challenges second language speaking workers face every day, and how first language speakers can and should support them. That insight was the genesis for Myke's TEDx Talk and is now the basis for his Multilingual Mindset Training program. When not working, Myke is an avid cyclist and storyteller.

If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review.

The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals.

Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Reed Nyffeler is a lifelong entrepreneur and founder of multiple successful companies, including Signal, a leading security services franchisor. Over the past 17 years, he has helped more than 500 individuals achieve business ownership and has generated over $330 million in revenue.

• How can someone discover their true purpose in business and life?
• What are the first steps to becoming a successful business owner?
• How do you develop leadership skills that actually drive results?
• What separates those who succeed in entrepreneurship from those who don't?
• How can young entrepreneurs create meaningful impact early in their journey?

Reed Nyffeler is a lifelong entrepreneur and founder of multiple successful companies, including Signal, a leading security services franchisor. Over the past 17 years, he has helped more than 500 individuals achieve business ownership and has generated over $330 million in revenue. Reed is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders and helping them discover their purpose, build businesses, and create lasting impact.

If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review.

The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals.

Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Stephanie Bacon, PhD, is an organizational consultant, speaker, and researcher specializing in adult social and emotional competence, nervous system regulation, and human-centered leadership. She works with leaders who care deeply about performance, culture, and impact—and who recognize that strategy alone does not create alignment.

• You talk about "human capacity" as the missing piece in organizational performance. What do you mean by that?
• You describe your work as "Embodied SEL." How is that different from traditional emotional intelligence or leadership training?
• What are the hidden costs organizations pay when adult social and emotional competence is low?
• What is the difference between having a motivation problem and a capacity problem?

Stephanie Bacon, PhD, is an organizational consultant, speaker, and researcher specializing in adult social and emotional competence, nervous system regulation, and human-centered leadership. She works with leaders who care deeply about performance, culture, and impact—and who recognize that strategy alone does not create alignment.

Execution depends on the emotional, relational, and physiological capacity of the people carrying out the work. Stephanie's expertise sits at the intersection of research, applied nervous system science, group dynamics, and lived leadership experience.

Stephanie understands what happens to decision-making, collaboration, and innovation when people are overwhelmed, fragmented, or operating in chronic stress. And she understands how to help teams rebuild the internal conditions required for clarity, coherence, and sustainable performance.

If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review.

The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals.

Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Dr. Katrina Burrus is a catalyst in transforming brilliant but abrasive leaders into executives whom people actually want to follow. She also helps leaders to fast-track high-potential talents to the C-Suite and coaches CEOs of multinationals through their most high-stakes moments of change.

• Do Brilliant Jerks have high EQ?
• What are their reasons for reacting in a destructive way with others?
• Do you find Brilliant Jerks in families?
• Can you see clues that a child might become a Brilliant Jerk?
• In your TEDxMakati, you said that Brilliant Jerks aren't villains but have a damaged framework of connection. What do you mean by this?
• Can Brilliant Jerks transform into inspiring leaders?
• In summary, what solution do you propose, and how do you get them to engage?
• For sustainable change in the Brilliant Jerks, what is important to remember?

What do you do when your most valuable executive is also your most difficult one? You call Dr. Katrina Burrus. As CEO of Excellent Executive Coaching LLC, Dr. Burrus transforms brilliant but abrasive leaders into executives people actually want to follow, fast-tracking high-potential talent to the C-suite and coaching multinational CEOs through their most high-stakes moments of change.

She is the author of Managing Brilliant Jerks and Global Leadership, and a keynote speaker whose work has been embraced by Nestlé, Novartis, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations. She has spoken across Mexico, India, Kazakhstan, and Russia. As a founding board member of the International Coaching Federation in Switzerland, she helped define the standards of executive coaching before most of the business world knew the field existed.

If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review.

The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals.

Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Dr. Katrina Burrus is a catalyst in transforming brilliant but abrasive leaders into executives whom people actually want to follow. She also helps leaders to fast-track high-potential talents to the C-Suite and coaches CEOs of multinationals through their most high-stakes moments of change.

• How do you define a Brilliant Jerk or a toxic leader?
• What are the consequences of having a Brilliant Jerk in a company?
• How common do we find Brilliant Jerks in companies?
• What is the cost to the company of having a Brilliant Jerk leading a company?
• How do Brilliant Jerks behave?
• Do you behave as a Brilliant Jerk?
• What is the difference between a demanding boss and a Brilliant Jerk?

What do you do when your most valuable executive is also your most difficult one? You call Dr. Katrina Burrus. As CEO of Excellent Executive Coaching LLC, Dr. Burrus transforms brilliant but abrasive leaders into executives people actually want to follow, fast-tracking high-potential talent to the C-suite and coaching multinational CEOs through their most high-stakes moments of change.

She is the author of Managing Brilliant Jerks and Global Leadership, and a keynote speaker whose work has been embraced by Nestlé, Novartis, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations. She has spoken across Mexico, India, Kazakhstan, and Russia. As a founding board member of the International Coaching Federation in Switzerland, she helped define the standards of executive coaching before most of the business world knew the field existed.

If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review.

The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals.

Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

As the visionary leader of Quantum Connections, Jonathan spearheads Quantum Connections' strategy to support its mission to bring the power of dialogue to workplaces and individuals while expanding the organization's global influence.

• What are performance metrics missing?
• What is most important to retain employees today in a environment where 70% if employees are disengaged from the company they work for?
• What is missing when you only use compensation, perks, or flexibility as retention tools?
• How can you scale and strengthen relationships?
• What role does connection play in periods of uncertainty?

As the visionary leader of Quantum Connections, Jonathan spearheads Quantum Connections' strategy to support its mission to bring the power of dialogue to workplaces and individuals while expanding the organization's global influence. Under his guidance, Quantum Connections seamlessly integrates the Safe Conversations Dialogue Methodology with the dedication of its practitioners, significantly enhancing the company's impact and reach.

Jonathan's expertise spans three distinct career paths—naval aviation, corporate training, and academia—providing him with a wealth of insights into adult learning. His diverse experiences have honed his understanding of optimal learning patterns, effective leadership strategies, and the importance of nurturing curiosity in students for enduring impact

If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review.

The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals.

Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.