Leading Minds Revealed

In this episode, Michael Apollo speaks with Petra Khan, a Social Media Strategist and Senior Marketing Leader at Sprout Social, about how leaders can navigate the intersection of AI, social media, brand authenticity, and human-centered leadership. Drawing on her experience in social strategy, agency work, and leading teams in a fast-moving digital environment, Petra shares how AI can support more strategic and creative work when paired with human judgment, why authentic social media begins with a clear understanding of brand identity and audience, and how social platforms can serve as emotional data that helps leaders better understand culture, trust, and connection. This conversation offers practical insight for executives, founders, marketing leaders, and teams seeking to adopt new technologies thoughtfully, build more resilient and creative cultures, and communicate in ways that remain grounded, intentional, and human. Leading Minds Revealed with Michael ApolloLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelapollo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelapolloofficial/ Website: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast Newsletter: https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/leading-minds-revealed-podcast#section-1751049894114 Petra KhanCompany: Sprout Social Website: https://www.sproutsocial.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-khan/ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Leading Minds Revealed 00:55 – Leading at the intersection of social media, technology, and creativity 02:00 – The mindset shift leaders need around AI adoption 03:30 – What is AI clickbait, and what is actually changing work? 04:45 – Why AI needs human judgment and leadership 06:30 – Using AI as an assistant, not a replacement for people 07:40 – What leaders need to understand before applying AI to social strategy 08:20 – Why authenticity starts with brand clarity 10:30 – What authenticity really means on social media 12:10 – Social media as emotional data and a cultural pulse 13:00 – Why diverse teams are essential for emotionally intelligent strategy 14:20 – Moving from broadcasting to relationship-building on social 15:20 – Building community, loyalty, and brand connection 18:00 – How Sprout Social supports intentional culture and creative work 19:00 – Why clear processes help teams focus and deliver better work 20:00 – The role of onboarding, shared philosophy, and consistency 23:00 – Creating environments where people can do their best work 24:00 – Adapting leadership to different working styles and needs 25:30 – Psychological safety, diversity, and collective intelligence 27:00 – Small leadership practices that support trust and balance 28:30 – Staying energized in an always-on digital industry 30:00 – Being choiceful with content and protecting attention 31:30 – Building professional relationships beyond your organization 34:30 – What younger generations are looking for in work and leadership 36:30 – Work-life balance, purpose, and changing expectations of corporate life 39:00 – Social media as modern anthropology 39:30 – How Petra’s multicultural upbringing shaped her leadership 42:00 – Where leaders should start to foster creativity and innovation 42:30 – Challenging biases and continuing to grow as a human being 44:00 – How to connect with Petra Khan 45:00 – Closing reflections #LeadingMindsRevealed #AI #SocialMedia #Leadership

In this episode, Natalie Ku shares how to scale an organization while protecting and strengthening its culture. As CFO of a rapidly growing company with over 4,000 employees, Natalie explains how leadership decisions, language, and systems directly influence team behavior and performance. The conversation explores: The role of language in shaping organizational culture How leadership presence impacts team decisions Why promoting from within leads to stronger outcomes How to introduce AI in a way that supports, not replaces, people The importance of aligning systems with human experience Natalie also shares practical insights on training programs, leadership touchpoints, and how small operational decisions can have a major impact on customers and teams. This episode is essential for leaders managing growth, transformation, and culture at scale.

What does effective leadership look like in a remote-first world? In this episode, Patrick Holland joins Michael Apollo to explore how leadership has evolved with distributed teams, digital communication, and constant information flow. They discuss the importance of human connection, trust, and team alignment, along with practical strategies for managing across time zones, developing talent, and preventing burnout. A grounded, real-world look at leadership that prioritizes people, not just performance.

Michael Apollo speaks with venture capital leader Mike Ruthard, CFO at Georgian Partners, about how leaders can navigate rapid technological disruption in the age of artificial intelligence. The conversation explores leadership mindset, innovation strategy, venture investing, and how organizations can remain resilient during periods of rapid change.

AI is changing how work gets done but not in the way most people think. In this episode, Mohan Reddy explains why automation transforms tasks rather than eliminating skills, how workforce dynamics are shifting globally, and what leaders must do to guide responsible adoption. A grounded conversation on strategy, human capability, and leadership in a rapidly evolving world.Mohan Reddy is Chief Scientist at Cornerstone AI Labs and Associate Director at Stanford's Human Perception Lab. At Stanford, he leads research at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and AI, focusing on human-machine perception, predictive cognition, and multimodal reasoning. His lab work includes the Universal Sensory Index for multimodal perception, frameworks for embodied cognition in robotic systems, and agent readiness models that ground AI behavior in human cognitive principles. A nine-time founder with three successful exits, Mohan built SkyHive (acquired by Cornerstone OnDemand) and co-founded FogHorn Systems (acquired by Johnson Controls), one of the first edge AI platforms for industrial IoT. At Cornerstone, he architected the Labor Market Engine, a workforce computation system representing 1.2 billion people and 5 billion jobs, executing over 150 trillion computations daily. His platforms have served hundreds of millions of users and are built to scale to billions globally. With 25+ years of building intelligent systems across enterprise, robotics, and distributed computing, Mohan bridges deep research with production engineering, taking ideas from the lab to planetary-scale deployment.

In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Sean Moran, Managing Director at Meritus Trust, for a grounded conversation on what it truly takes to lead through prolonged uncertainty and organizational transformation. Sean shares firsthand insights from navigating significant regulatory change and a major acquisition, while holding responsibility for teams, clients, and long-term trust. Rather than offering formulas or playbooks, this discussion focuses on the inner disciplines of leadership: empathy, courage, communication, and the ability to remain steady when clarity is incomplete. The conversation explores how transparent leadership can coexist with confidentiality, why psychological safety becomes more critical during change, and how leaders can sustain trust when outcomes are not yet defined. Sean reflects on culture as a stabilizing force, the role of courageous conversations, and the cost of directive leadership that overlooks the human impact of decisions. If you are leading through ambiguity, change fatigue, or high-stakes transformation, this episode offers a calm and practical perspective on how to lead with intention, integrity, and humanity.

In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Mo Jamous, Chief Information Officer at U.S. Bank, for a deeply human conversation on leadership, purpose, and AI-driven transformation. Mo shares how purpose becomes an anchor during uncertainty, why technology should be used to empower—not replace—people, and how leaders can stay grounded while navigating rapid, overlapping waves of change. Drawing from decades of experience across digital, cloud, and AI transformations, Mo offers practical insight into building customer-obsessed cultures, introducing AI responsibly, and leading with clarity in moments of disruption. This episode is a powerful exploration of future-ready leadership, human-centered technology, and the mindset required to create lasting impact in an AI-driven world. Guest: Mo Jamous, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Bank Host: Michael Apollo ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed 00:55 – Episode focus: leading with purpose in transformation 01:37 – Introducing Mo Jamous, CIO of U.S. Bank 02:27 – Why purpose matters most during uncertainty 03:28 – Mo’s early story and discovering his leadership “why” 05:40 – Purpose as the constant through transformation 07:25 – Translating mission into daily leadership behaviors 08:35 – Staying grounded through customer feedback 09:16 – Turning personal habits into organizational culture 10:38 – What customer obsession looks like in practice 12:04 – Avoiding “shiny object” syndrome in AI 13:44 – Being intentional with innovation 15:22 – AI as empowerment, not replacement 17:54 – Addressing fear and misinformation around AI 19:19 – Creating value vs. cutting costs with AI 21:21 – Separating hype from reality in AI narratives 23:08 – Task-based work and human-AI collaboration 24:19 – Leadership principles that stay constant 26:40 – Psychological safety, collaboration, and trust 28:58 – Is AI fundamentally different from past tech waves? 30:39 – Why AI adoption lags behind capability 33:00 – Upskilling teams and AI literacy challenges 35:53 – Helping teams change how they work 38:22 – Progressive AI rollout strategies 40:32 – Human-centered change leadership 41:22 – Being present as a leader during uncertainty 43:28 – Recognition, visibility, and employee motivation 45:57 – How service shaped Mo’s leadership philosophy 48:38 – Is digital transformation really human transformation? 49:06 – Advice for leaders navigating AI-driven change 52:35 – Where to follow Mo Jamous 54:20 – Final reflections and closing 📣 Call to Action If this conversation resonated with you, subscribe to Leading Minds Revealed, like this episode, and share it with a leader navigating change. Leave a comment with your biggest takeaway—we’d love to hear your perspective.

In this episode, Humayun Ali joins the show for a deeply reflective conversation on mindfulness, leadership, and the inner work required to lead with clarity in a fast-moving world.Humayun shares how mindfulness became a grounding force in his personal and professional life — not as an abstract concept, but as a daily practice that shapes how he listens, decides, and responds under pressure. He speaks candidly about identity, self-awareness, and the discipline required to slow down in environments that reward constant motion.This conversation explores presence, intentional leadership, and why cultivating stillness is not a retreat from responsibility, but a way to meet it more fully. It’s a thoughtful discussion for anyone navigating complexity, growth, or the weight of leadership in modern life.⏱ Timestamps00:00 — Welcome and episode opening 00:58 — Introducing Humayun Ali 01:47 — Discovering mindfulness 03:21 — Early influences and inner awareness 05:06 — Mindfulness beyond meditation 07:02 — Leading from presence, not reactivity 09:18 — Identity, self-observation, and growth 11:44 — Creating space before responding 14:07 — Pressure, performance, and calm 16:33 — Letting go of control 19:01 — The discipline of slowing down 21:40 — Mindfulness in leadership moments 24:58 — Navigating uncertainty with awareness 27:36 — Stillness as strength 30:10 — Advice for leaders beginning this work 32:28 — Final reflections and close📣 CALL TO ACTIONIf this conversation resonated with you: 👍 Like the video 💬 Comment with your biggest insight 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on mindful leadership 📤 Share this episode with someone who could benefit from slowing down

In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Aamer Hasham, Vice President of Client Partner at Bits In Glass, to explore what it really means to lead digital transformation without losing the human element.As organizations race to adopt AI, automation, and new technologies, Aamer challenges a common assumption: that transformation is purely digital. Instead, he reframes transformation as a deeply human process — one that requires clarity of purpose, empathy, conscious leadership, and the courage to slow down in order to move forward.Together, they explore leadership blind spots in AI adoption, the importance of understanding why before how, and how mindfulness, reflection, and human connection can actually accelerate performance in complex, fast-moving environments.This episode is a thoughtful conversation for leaders navigating uncertainty, scale, and change — and for anyone asking how to balance efficiency, innovation, and humanity in the age of AI.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed00:32 – What this podcast is about00:45 – Today’s focus: digital transformation & humanity01:15 – Introducing Aamer Hasham, VP at Bits In Glass01:58 – Business fads vs human-centered leadership02:54 – The tension between efficiency and humanity03:27 – Why “digital transformation” misses the human03:51 – Understanding the why before acting04:47 – Leadership responsibility & creating safe spaces05:55 – Clear thinking in complex initiatives06:18 – How AI can create space for deeper thinking07:01 – Organic leadership vs rigid methodologies08:06 – Mechanics vs meaning in transformation09:21 – Asking “why” repeatedly10:24 – Qualitative vs quantitative value11:42 – Alignment before acceleration12:45 – Leadership blind spots in digital change13:34 – “Failing forward” and cognitive overload14:27 – Slowing down thinking vs slowing operations15:33 – Time as a leadership variable16:45 – Fixed mindsets & unconscious habits17:19 – Mindfulness and awareness in leadership18:13 – Meditation, biking & conscious detachment20:22 – Slower speed as growth21:47 – Deep thought as productivity22:43 – Creating human connection in fast teams23:34 – Getting to know your people24:25 – Modeling wellbeing as a leader25:49 – Airline transformation case study27:14 – Communication breakdowns vs technical issues28:28 – Reducing chaos through clarity29:54 – Burnout, flexibility & team awareness31:14 – Relationships as the core of leadership32:20 – Productivity vs happiness research33:28 – Finding balance between efficiency & empathy34:09 – Lessons from entrepreneurship & legacy35:30 – Innovation driven by listening37:14 – Empathy, honesty & difficult conversations38:58 – Humanity as a leadership advantage41:03 – AI freeing time for human connection43:13 – Data, insight & reducing stress45:01 – Automation enabling better collaboration46:22 – Using AI for responsiveness, not reactivity47:31 – Measuring trust and team sentiment48:52 – Reflection, impermanence & leadership growth49:57 – Loss, learning & mindset51:23 – Presence, purpose & relationships54:10 – Where to find Aamer56:31 – Closing & subscribeGet in touch with Aamer:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aamer-hasham-66ab543/🎧 CALL TO ACTION👉 If this episode resonated, subscribe for more conversations on mindful leadership.👍 Like the episode and share your thoughts in the comments.🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.📩 Share this with a leader navigating digital change.

In this powerful episode of Leading Minds Revealed, former UK Member of Parliament Chris Ruane joins host Michael Apollo for a rare and deeply personal conversation on leadership, humility, service, and the lifelong journey of self-transformation. From being labeled a “parliamentary thug” to becoming known as a “mindful fellow,” Chris offers a compelling look at what it means to lead with clarity, compassion, and purpose in an increasingly chaotic world.🎧 Join us as Chris opens up about his evolution, the role mindfulness played in reshaping his leadership, and the wisdom he gained from decades in public life.⏱ Timestamps00:00 — Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed 00:45 — Introduction to the episode 01:21 — Guest introduction: Chris Ruane 02:21 — Catching up with Chris 03:07 — Defining power and leadership 04:36 — Chris’ upbringing and political foundations 06:26 — Serving with humility 07:14 — Leadership styles in times of crisis 08:41 — Authoritarian vs. democratic leadership 10:13 — Citizens assemblies and democracy 11:11 — Human-focused leadership 13:20 — Ego, intention, and authentic leadership 15:12 — Staying connected to the people 16:47 — From “Parliamentary Thug” to “Mindful Fellow” 20:21 — Mindfulness inside Parliament 23:21 — Retaining your spark while transforming 25:46 — Practical impact of mindfulness for leaders 27:55 — Responding vs. reacting 28:53 — Nourishment vs. depletion 29:41 — Gratitude and inner stability 30:31 — The importance of silence 34:04 — Mindfulness and resilience through loss 36:41 — Working on your parachute 38:19 — Navigating uncertainty and overwhelm 40:59 — Why equanimity is essential for modern leaders 41:33 — Learning from great leaders like Mandela and MLK 43:02 — Finding stillness amid pressure 44:46 — Creating space despite commitments 45:55 — The cost of distraction 48:47 — Breaking free from the societal treadmill 50:12 — Are we “wired” to stay the same? 52:38 — The lifelong journey of self-awareness 53:59 — Mindfulness as a creative act of living 56:26 — Values, upbringing, and modern pressures 58:33 — Why mindfulness must start early 59:59 — Polarization and bridging divides 01:01:27 — Mindfulness inside governments globally 01:02:51 — Vulnerability in leadership 01:05:46 — Seeing humanity in others 01:07:11 — Institutionalizing mindful leadership 01:08:33 — Global best practices 01:10:29 — Mindfulness in Canada 01:11:34 — Additional resources and links 01:12:00 — How to reach Chris Ruane 01:13:21 — Closing reflections 01:14:39 — Final message & episode close 01:15:12 — Outro📣 Call to ActionIf this conversation inspired you: 👍 Like the video 💬 Comment with your biggest insight 🔔 Subscribe for more transformative leadership conversations 📤 Share this episode with someone who needs it today

Building a Resilient Team Culture During Hyper Growth with Jen PaxIn this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, Michael sits down with Jen Pax, Vice President of People and Talent at Roofer, to discuss strategies for shaping and maintaining a high-performing company culture during times of significant change. Jen shares her unique insights on emotional regulation in leadership, the importance of clear communication, and how to foster a cohesive team environment even during rapid growth. Additionally, she provides actionable advice for leaders navigating high-growth phases, all while maintaining their own sense of groundedness and self-awareness. Tune in to learn how to effectively manage change, retain talent, and cultivate a positive company culture.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:55 The Importance of Emotional Regulation in Leadership02:26 Navigating Emotional Responses During Change03:39 Building Effective Communication Strategies10:06 Balancing Leadership and Personal Life14:27 Team Building and Organizational Growth32:08 Handling Leadership Challenges and Feedback46:49 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

In this transformative episode, Lauren Dunn, Chief People Officer at WISS (a progressive accounting firm), shares her journey of reimagining workplace culture in an industry known for burnout and high turnover. With a background in hospitality and a passion for human potential, Lauren reveals how WISS is breaking the mold by prioritizing culture first, then performance - creating a workplace where employees are valued for who they are, not just what they do.From mindfulness practices with accountants to navigating AI adoption with empathy, Lauren brings practical wisdom on building resilient, high-performing teams during times of rapid change.00:00 Introduction and Lauren's Background at WISS02:00 What Drew Lauren to WISS and the Culture Transformation05:00 The Importance of Female Leadership and Representation08:00 Defining Resilience Through Mindfulness and Presence13:00 Supporting Employees Through Life Changes16:00 The Philosophy: "Why Does an Accounting Firm Have to Be aCrappy Place to Work?"21:00 Culture First, Performance Second - The WISS Approach25:00 Introducing Performance Metrics with Transparency30:00 The Power of Seeing Potential in Others - Restaurant IndustryStory35:00 Helping People Embrace AI and Technological Change40:00 Learning and Development Through Mindfulness and DEI44:00 Advice for Leaders Building Culture and Performance47:00 Where to Connect with Lauren and Learn More About WISSSubscribe, rate, and review to stay updated with more transformative leadership insights.