On Leading
Conversations with leaders who are changing everything

Leadership transforms when perspective expands. This podcast dives into the minds of leaders driving real change.
I’ve had the privilege of learning from brilliant leaders—people transforming themselves, their organizations, and the world around them.
They come from across sectors: founders, executives, public leaders. Each with a unique story, but all embodying what I call “transforming leadership.”
This podcast is a window into their thinking, character, and distinct superpowers. I started it so you can learn from them too.
—Lori
Catch the latest episode below.
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Episodes

On Championing Political Reform
Nick Troiano
On Championing Political Reform
And advocating for true bipartisanship Nick Troiano stands as a prominent figure in the realm of political reform and bipartisanship, advocating for a more functional and representative democracy in the…

On Social Justice and Systemic Change
Katie Bethell
On Social Justice and Systemic Change
And the terrifying nature of blooming… Katie Bethell is a powerhouse in the world of advocacy, known for her relentless dedication to social justice and policy reform. With a career…

On the Power of Authenticity in Leadership
Bas Verhoef
On the Power of Authenticity in Leadership
Valuable lessons on driving change and achieving long-term success Bas Verhoef, a distinguished leader in the genomics and healthcare sectors, has significantly impacted these fields through his innovative approach and…

On Revolutionizing Government for the Digital Age
Jennifer Pahlka
On Revolutionizing Government for the Digital Age
Fostering Innovation and Trust in 21st Century Governance Jennifer Pahlka is a trailblazer in the realm of government transformation. Named one of Forbes Top 50 Women in Tech in 2018,…

On Collaborative, Investigative Journalism
Emily Holden
On Collaborative, Investigative Journalism
In the realm of investigative journalism, Emily Holden stands as a beacon of tenacity and integrity. As the founder of Floodlight News, she has pioneered a new approach to reporting…

On Unlocking Leadership Potential
Jamie Ramsden
On Unlocking Leadership Potential
In the expansive landscape of leadership literature, Jamie Ramsden stands as a guiding light, offering profound insights and a fresh perspective on steering the course of tomorrow’s leaders. His seminal…

On Uniting America Through Storytelling
Steven Olikara
On Uniting America Through Storytelling
At the intersection of entertainment, democracy, and jazz On this episode of On Leading, Steven Olikara, president of Bridge Entertainment Labs, delves into the dynamic intersection of entertainment and technology,…

On Finding True North
Sara Holoubek
On Finding True North
In the dynamic landscape of technology and innovation, leaders often emerge as guiding lights, steering their organizations toward success with a blend of foresight, creativity, and determination. Among these standouts…

On Empowering Civic Engagement
Michael Silberman
On Empowering Civic Engagement
“Campaigning is about disrupting an existing system and transforming it into something new that reflects the interests of those who had the most to lose.” In the realm of environmental…

On Leading with Passion for Food Sustainability
Mark Boot
On Leading with Passion for Food Sustainability
“It starts with a leader, a company that has a clear vision. What do I want to achieve? If they can envision it and feel connected to it, they can move mountains.” —…

On the Courage to Blow the Whistle
Miles Taylor
On the Courage to Blow the Whistle
“The thing I was indexing for at every single stage was, where can I do the most good to protect the country against something very bad?” This is the question…

On Bridging the Political Divide for the Sake of Democracy
Mindy Finn
On Bridging the Political Divide for the Sake of Democracy
“We divided the country into three broad segments: democracy defenders who are committed and active; democracy inhibitors who are strongly hostile and pose an active threat; and democracy shifters, who…

On Being Undocumented
Jose Antonio Vargas
On Being Undocumented
“Journalism is religion to me. In terms of being an identity, it’s probably the identity that I wear the most, more than being undocumented or more than being gay or…

On Being Prepared for the Future
Dr. Jason Wingard
On Being Prepared for the Future
“This is a disruptive period in our world’s history, and people don’t like change. Change is not bad. It can allow opportunities for everyone. It doesn’t have to displace your…

On Being a Global Citizen
Andre van Strijp
On Being a Global Citizen
I first met Andre van Strijp in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates and center of the country’s oil and gas operations. This Dutch expat was the…

On Advancing Transatlantic Cooperation
Susan Danger
On Advancing Transatlantic Cooperation
You could say Susan Danger has dedicated her career to advancing transatlantic cooperation. And you wouldn’t be wrong. For the last 21 years, she has been leading the 60-year-old American…

On Being a Pioneering Leader
Charles Bolden Jr.
On Being a Pioneering Leader
I think of a pioneer as a bold adventurer, someone who confidently goes where no one has gone before and who passionately shares the opportunities they discover as they explore…

On the Alchemy of Global Leadership
Cem Ozenc
On the Alchemy of Global Leadership
Sometimes I think of Cem (pronounced as “Gem”) as a twenty-first century alchemist. He is a pharmacist, after all, with a profound understanding of what makes things work in global…

On Being a Leader of Leaders
Bob Ahearn
On Being a Leader of Leaders
How many leaders do you know who can confidently take a three-month sabbatical, leave their executive team in charge, and come back to a stronger team and great business results?…

On Technology Policy
Sunita Bose
On Technology Policy
“I want technology to be something that makes lives easier, that fundamentally democratizes systems. We have to find a way to keep the humanity in technology. It is shaping humans—and…

On Being a Superpower of Political Persuasion
Sarah Longwell
On Being a Superpower of Political Persuasion
“All I’ve ever wanted to do is continue to make America better. I still think that America is the best country in the world and our best hope for the…

On Democracy in America
Joshua Graham Lynn
On Democracy in America
“There are urgent threats to our democracy that clearly need to be addressed: voting rights, access, security. These are all short-term. What hasn’t been addressed for decades are the fundamental…

On Doing Big Things
Cheryl Contee
On Doing Big Things
Not everyone is destined to make a big difference in the world. And not everyone has a big vision compelling them to do so. Which is perfectly okay. There is…

On The Human Side of Technology
DJ Patil
On The Human Side of Technology
DJ didn’t try to follow in his father’s footsteps, but he did. “The system didn’t quite work for us, but we ended up in good places.” That’s how Dr. DJ…