The Leadership Vision Blog & Podcast Archive
Mastering Your Leadership Voice: Dr. Laura Sicola on Brand, Authenticity, and Leading in a Virtual World
In this week’s episode of The Leadership Vision Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Laura Sicola, cognitive linguist, executive communication coach, and author of Speaking to Influence. Laura has spent more than twenty years helping leaders translate expertise into influence, and this conversation is packed with practical, eye-opening insights for anyone who wants to communicate with more clarity, confidence, and impact.
We explore why your brand is really “the promise of an experience,” and how leaders unintentionally shape their brand every time they speak. Laura introduces the idea of your prismatic voice—the ability to flex different facets of yourself depending on context without losing authenticity. And we dig into the hidden challenges of today’s virtual world, from language patterns that trigger defensiveness to the surprising role your microphone plays in capturing (or losing) people’s attention.
If you want to understand how others experience you as a leader—and learn small, powerful shifts that elevate your presence—this conversation with Dr. Laura Sicola is one you won’t want to miss.
Holding Ambition and Gratitude: A Thanksgiving Leadership Reflection
In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Leadership Vision Podcast, Nathan Freeburg reflects on the leadership practice of holding long-term ambition and present gratitude at the same time. Drawing from the transformation themes in Unfolded, he explores how meaningful growth unfolds through small, consistent habits that often go unnoticed in the moment. This reflection invites leaders to pause, appreciate what’s happening right now, and recognize the quiet steps that move us toward what we hope for. A grounding and timely message for leaders seeking clarity, connection, and a deeper sense of purpose this season.
Creating a Sense of Home at Work: Building Trust and Belonging in Teams
When one person grows, the entire team is invited to change. In this episode of The Leadership Vision Podcast, Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring explore what it means to create a sense of “home” at work—a place of safety, belonging, and transformation. Drawing from Chapter 5 of Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane, they unpack how leaders can build spaces that nurture both comfort and courage.
Home Is Where Transformation Takes Root: Integrating Growth as a Leader
What happens when you’ve experienced deep transformation—personally or professionally—and then return to the same place, people, or team you left behind? In this episode of The Leadership Vision Podcast, Nathan Freeburg talks with Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring about Chapter 5 of Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane. Together, they explore the leadership challenge of integrating who you’ve become with the world that hasn’t changed yet. You’ll hear insights about navigating criticism after growth, finding peace through self-acceptance, and recognizing that everything you need to move forward was already within you. This conversation invites leaders to see “home” not as the end of transformation, but as the place where renewal, reflection, and the next season of impact truly begin.
Fail Faster, Grow Stronger: Deb Dixson’s Playbook for Teams that Thrive Without You
Pioneering technology executive Deb Dixson brings more than 30 years of experience leading teams at the intersection of technology, business, and humanity—including serving as Best Buy’s first Chief Information Security Officer and later as CIO for Delhaize America. Today, she advises leaders and organizations around the world through DJ Dixson Consulting and serves as an Advisor to Leadership Vision Consulting, helping teams strengthen trust, collaboration, and clarity.
In this episode of The Leadership Vision Podcast, Deb joins host Nathan Freeburg to explore how leaders can build teams that thrive without them—moving from dependence on one leader to true interdependence. She shares insights from her own leadership evolution, the power of Strengths-based development, and how creating safety to fail fast helps teams grow faster. Whether you’re leading a team of five or five hundred, this conversation will challenge how you think about mission, empowerment, and success.
Listen in for practical lessons on trust, growth, and how to “work yourself out of a job”—the ultimate sign of great leadership.
When Teams Dream: How Leaders Create Space for Collective Imagination
What happens when a team dares to dream together? In this episode, we explore how leaders can create space for imagination, how team members uncover their own aspirations, and how collective dreaming transforms organizational culture. You’ll walk away with practical insights and questions to help your team align around purpose, potential, and possibility.
Unfolding Dreams: Why Naming Your Dream is the First Step Toward Transformation
In this episode of The Leadership Vision Podcast, we explore the transformative power of personal dreams through the lens of Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane. Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring reflect on how dreams shape identity, inspire growth, and open the door to meaningful change. Learn how naming your dream might be the first step toward becoming who you’re meant to be.
A Quick Update, a Big Thank You, and a Free Gift
Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane, is now a national bestseller! In this short episode, Nathan shares an exciting update on the book’s success and introduces the free Reflection Guide designed to help readers and teams engage more deeply with the story’s themes of identity, transformation, and purpose.
How to Lead with Emotional Power: Insights from Dr. Julia DiGangi
Neuropsychologist and author Dr. Julia DiGangi joins us to explore how emotional energy drives our lives, our leadership, and our relationships. From rewiring patterned emotional responses to building resilience through pain, this conversation offers practical, science-based insights for any person of influence looking to grow in emotional power.
A Year in the Making: Reflecting on the Journey to Unfolded
As Unfolded hits the shelves, Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring reflect on the emotional, creative journey that brought their book to life. Recorded on the anniversary of the week they finished their manuscript, this episode is a moving conversation about collaboration, transformation, and what it means to bring a dream into reality. Listen in and discover how the story behind Unfolded is just as meaningful as the story within.
Change and Pivots: The Risk (and Reward) of Transformation
What does it take to truly pivot—not just change direction, but transform your approach to leadership, risk, and trust? In this episode, Brian and Nathan reflect on 25 years of growth at Leadership Vision and the lessons behind their latest evolution, leading up to the release of Linda and Brian’s new book, Unfolded. From accidental entrepreneurship to intentional transformation, this conversation offers a raw, inspiring look at what it means to let go, dream big, and grow into the leader you’re becoming.
Lead From Where You Are: Embracing Everyday Influence
Real leadership isn’t about titles or big moments—it’s about presence. The most lasting influence often comes through everyday, relational interactions: the quiet moments where we listen, support, and show up for others. In Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane, we’re reminded that transformation begins not with soaring flights, but with paying attention to the creases in our journey—the small steps, the steady rhythm, and the people walking alongside us. Click to learn more!
How Transformation Takes Shape Through Listening and Story
In this episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, we discuss our new book, Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane. We explore how life’s mountain and valley moments—the folds—shape who we become. Through personal stories and leadership insights, Linda shares how listening, meaningful moments, and storytelling can guide transformation for individuals and teams. Listen now and pre-order the book at schubrings.com!
How to Fix Bad Team Building Activities
Why does team building have such a bad reputation? And, more importantly, how can we make it better? In this episode, we explore how to create team building activities that actually work.
Book Announcement! Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane
In this episode of The Leadership Vision Podcast, we unveil a deeply personal and professional milestone. Dr. Linda Schubring and Brian Schubring share the journey behind their new book, Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Orgami Crane. A story-filled allegory centered on leadership, growth, and transformation.
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