Episodes

Dr. David Nickelson is a clinical psychologist, attorney and business strategist whose career spans Capitol Hill to corporate boardrooms. In this episode, Erik explores how David’s rare combination of expertise makes him a true polymath—and what lessons leaders can draw from his multidisciplinary lens. From telehealth legislation in the ‘90s to modern AI governance, David brings a layered, practical, and deeply human perspective on leadership, influence, and adaptation. 👤 About the Guest David N...

Uncertainty isn’t new — but leaders still keep making the same mistakes when it shows up. In this candid collab, Erik Berglund and co-host Alli Murphy unpack what not to do when things feel unstable, why our instincts often betray us, and how leaders can respond with intention instead of panic. From boundary erosion to over-functioning, this conversation is a grounded, practical look at leadership when the ground won’t stop moving. 🧭 Conversation Highlights Why uncertainty causes leaders to reve...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this follow-up to his interview with Victor Almeida, Erik zooms out to reflect on what building a digital business really looks like in Latin America—and what North American entrepreneurs often take for granted. From basic infrastructure challenges to deep-rooted cultural wisdom, this episode is a powerful reminder that hardship often breeds the greatest human capital. And behind Victor’s startup dream is a deeper calling: to create opportunity where access has long been limited...

Victor Almeida joins Erik from Ecuador to talk about what it really takes to build and scale a digital company in Latin America. From leading operations at Promotick Mexico to bootstrapping a startup from scratch, Victor offers raw insight into navigating thin margins, unstable infrastructure, and investor skepticism. But what shines brightest is his human-first leadership, scrappy mindset, and a deep belief that meaningful change starts with people who are willing to take a risk—even when the o...

It’s only mid-January, and Erik and Alli are already fielding DMs from high-achievers who are feeling… fried. Instead of the usual New Year buzz, there’s burnout, exhaustion, and the quiet voice saying, “I’m already over it.” In this episode, the two explore why this is happening, especially for those in leadership or “Chief Everything Officer” roles—and what to do when your drive turns into depletion. They talk about internalized rules, shifting incentives, false reward systems, and the uncomfo...

🧠 Erik’s Take Erik reflects on his wide-ranging conversation with innovation expert Bruce Vojak and explores how innovation really works inside mature companies. While Erik lives and works in the world of startups and early-stage change, Bruce offered a deeply human, grounded perspective on how breakthrough ideas still emerge in the “slow lanes” of legacy organizations. Bruce’s insights revealed something profound: the best innovations don’t always begin with new technology — they begin with bet...

What if the next big innovation came from a box cutter? Erik sits down with Bruce Vojak—advisor, executive, and author—to explore the surprising, human-driven process of innovation inside mature industries and companies. They unpack the difference between optimization and renewal, the danger of solving the wrong problem, and why some of the most impactful innovators are names you’ll never know. This conversation is a masterclass in shifting paradigms, staying curious, and creating the conditions...

In this thought-provoking conversation, Erik and Alli explore a noticeable shift in how people are setting goals in 2026. Instead of laser-focused metrics and traditional SMART goals, more people are choosing intentions, directions, and feelings as their compass. Why? And what does it mean for how we measure success? Together, they unpack the value of vector-based goals, the emerging trend of process over outcome, and why many high achievers are intentionally ditching rigid measurements in favor...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this post-interview reflection, Erik revisits key insights from his conversation with Brett Jesson, Chief Growth Officer at DDC Group. What stands out isn’t just Brett’s strategic clarity—it’s the way he pairs operational rigor with a deeply human approach to leadership. Erik dives into three standout themes: the underestimated power of fiction in leadership, the rise of small powerhouse teams, and the brutal honesty required for better hiring. This is a thoughtful unpacking of ...

In this episode, Erik sits down with Brett Jesson, a strategic leader driving growth at a global business process management enterprise. What unfolds is a conversation that transcends business talk and drills into trust, culture, and the very human side of leadership. From career pivots to hiring with humility, Brett shares how he’s learned to lead small, high-performing teams in big, complex systems—without losing sight of what makes people thrive. It’s a masterclass in emotionally intelligent ...

In this energizing co-hosted conversation, Erik and Alli kick off 2026 by exploring a subtle but powerful leadership challenge: how to support (rather than sabotage) someone’s attempt to change. Whether it’s a colleague trying to break a habit, a teammate aiming higher, or a loved one shifting patterns, change can unintentionally threaten the status quo—and trigger our resistance. The duo break down why that happens and how to respond with intention, empathy, and influence. ❓ The Big Question Ho...

🧠 Erik’s Take Coming out of this conversation, Erik was struck by one thing: this company actually walks the walk . From creative hiring filters to deep leadership development, G Adventures isn’t just saying the right words—they’re building the infrastructure that backs them up. Jeremy Brady didn’t just describe innovative leadership. He embodied it. In this reflection, Erik explores how much the company’s values-based systems reshaped his own thinking on hiring, culture fit, and generational le...

In this bold and honest conversation, Erik sits down with Jeremy Brady, National Sales Manager at G Adventures, to explore what it really takes to lead high-performing teams in 2025. They unpack why the old sales playbook doesn’t work anymore, how to build a values-driven hiring process, and why “culture fit” isn't just a buzzword—it’s a strategic advantage. Jeremy shares hard-earned insights from leading through COVID, reinventing hiring practices, and learning how to create psychological safet...

In this timely and thought-provoking conversation, Erik and Alli explore what it means to lead in the age of AI. As team members start working with large language models, AI copilots, and digital assistants, leadership is no longer just about people—it’s about protocols . From new security risks and brain atrophy to digital clones and ChatGPT accountability, they map out the practical and ethical terrain of leading teams armed with supertools. If you lead a team (or will soon), this episode is y...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this reaction episode, Erik reflects on his conversation with Chase Damiano—COO turned systems thinker, father-first decision maker, and founder of Humans at Scale. What stood out most? Chase doesn’t just talk strategy—he tests it. Erik highlights how Chase treats business like a living lab, combining intention, iteration, and humanity into every decision. This episode zooms in on what it really means to lead with intentionality, how systems thinking plays out in the real world,...

In this episode, Erik sits down with Chase Damiano, former COO of Commonwealth Joe and founder of Human at Scale, for a conversation about structured experimentation, leadership evolution, and building a life—and a business—you actually want. From nitro cold brew to nervous system regulation, this conversation traverses tactical operations, deep self-inquiry, and how we unlock team performance by letting go of control. 👤 About the Guest Chase Damiano is a leadership strategist, executive coach, ...

In this episode, Erik and Alli take on a vulnerable leadership dilemma: what do you do when you are the one who needs to change—but your team already knows the old version of you? From elephants in the room to scones and sandboxes, they unpack the real tension of evolving your leadership style when everyone’s already formed their expectations. This one’s filled with practical scripts, funny stories, and coaching-rich insight for anyone navigating growth in real-time. 🧭 Conversation Highlights Wh...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this reflection episode, Erik revisits his powerful conversation with therapist, designer, and leadership coach Monique Lecomte, spotlighting three resonant themes: adaptive leadership, the art of zigging when others zag, and the radical courage to own your origin story . Monique’s journey—from rural Alabama to the boardrooms of design and organizational leadership—offers more than inspiration. It models a way of seeing leadership not as performance, but as personal evolution. H...

In this episode, Erik sits down with sales and leadership strategist Monique Lecomte for a raw, generous conversation on the dynamics of leadership, healing, and relational growth. Through the lens of her experience—from working with incarcerated teams to coaching senior executives—Monique reveals how personal wounds, cultural systems, and relational patterns show up in our work, and what it really means to lead with presence rather than performance. 👤 About the Guest Monique Lecomte is a keynot...

In this candid, co-hosted conversation, Erik Berglund and Alli Murphy dive into the trending workplace phenomenon of ghost growth —where employees are handed more responsibilities without more compensation. They unpack where this trend is coming from, how it shows up in real teams, and what both leaders and employees can do to navigate it without burning out or blowing up. With plenty of real-life examples, frameworks, and tactical scripts, this episode is a masterclass in setting boundaries, ne...

🧠 Erik’s Take This episode is Erik’s reflection on the electric, vulnerable, and revealing conversation with performance coach Ann Rivera—a woman whose origin story as a rebellious underdog athlete reads like a masterclass in bootstrapped entrepreneurship. Erik connects Ann’s volleyball hustle to the startup journey: making yourself visible in a market that doesn’t know it needs you, adapting your offer mid-flight, and staying grounded in the uncomfortable yet exhilarating reality of growth. At ...

In this episode, Erik sits down with coach and former pro athlete Ann Rivera for a wild, gritty, and deeply human conversation on what it really takes to perform at your peak—when the odds are stacked, the rules don’t fit, and you have to reinvent the game to stay in it. From cold-calling European volleyball teams in the pre-internet 90s to coaching executives in Spanish boardrooms, Ann’s story is an unfiltered look at how survival mode, punk rock rebellion, and sheer audacity became her persona...

In this sharp and insightful conversation, Erik Berglund is joined by leadership coach and facilitator Alli Murphy to explore a question that came straight from the field: How do I navigate tough conversations with honesty—without sugar-coating or throwing people under the bus? Together, they unpack the emotional and strategic layers of diplomacy, drawing on real-world leadership scenarios, coaching insights, and personal stories. Whether you’ve ever felt stuck between being too soft or too shar...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this review episode, Erik zooms out from his conversation with Craig Dunaway—President of Penn Station East Coast Subs—to reflect on what makes a franchise truly scalable in today’s business climate. Drawing from Craig’s 40+ years in QSR franchising, Erik breaks down the realities of leading at the intersection of labor, tech, culture, and margin. This isn’t just about restaurants—it’s about leadership clarity, precision thinking, and building systems that don’t collapse under p...