Expressions of Leadership

Singer-Songwriter Mairéad Mac Mullan: Finding Your True Voice, Reinvention, and the Courage to Blaze Her Own Trail

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Mairéad Mac Mullan for a deeply personal conversation about authenticity, courage, creativity, and the lifelong journey of finding your true voice. From her early days in Dublin to touring alongside legendary artists such as Van Morrison, Natalie Merchant, Elvis Costello, and Tracy Chapman, Mairéad has built a remarkable career while continually choosing alignment over convention and purpose over recognition. Together, Michele and Mairéad explore the pivotal moments that shaped her path, from leaving a successful band to pursue her own artistic vision, to navigating motherhood, caregiving, loss, and reinvention. They discuss her ambitious new triple album, Love Is Everything, the intimate community she has cultivated through her Muse Garden concerts, and the lessons she's learned about resilience, creativity, and living a life that reflects your deepest values. This is a conversation about music, leadership, transformation, and the courage to become more fully yourself. Learn more about Mairéad Mac Mullan at https://www.maireadmusic.com/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-j-fortenberry-63b7aa114/]. You can also follow her on Instagram @maireadmusicbeherenow and on Facebook @mairead.macmullan. And, be sure to subscribe to her YouTube channel @maireadmusic. Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

E.J. Fortenberry on Wealth, Trust, Leadership & Life-Changing Decisions

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with Errol (E.J.) Fortenberry, financial advisor at Bernstein, former Boston College football player, and trusted advisor to founders, executives, professional athletes, and families navigating pivotal life transitions. E.J. shares the lessons that shaped his journey, from overcoming setbacks and learning the importance of self-advocacy to building a career centered on trust, mentorship, and helping others make confident decisions during some of life's most consequential moments. Together, they explore the human side of wealth and success, including the challenges of sudden financial change, maintaining relationships when circumstances shift, establishing healthy boundaries, and finding clarity amid complexity. Whether you're leading a team, building a business, navigating a major life transition, or simply seeking to live more intentionally, this conversation offers practical wisdom on leadership, trust, resilience, and what truly matters when the stakes are high. Connect with E.J. Fortenberry at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-j-fortenberry-63b7aa114/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-j-fortenberry-63b7aa114/] or errol.fortenberry@bernstein.com [errol.fortenberry@bernstein.com]. Learn more about his work with Bernstein Private Wealth Management at: https://www.bernstein.com/ Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Dr. Jack Haynes on the Ethics of Leadership, Trust, and Human Behavior

What can decades of studying human behavior teach us about leadership, trust, and ethical decision-making? In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with psychologist, ethics expert, author, and educator Dr. Jack Haynes. Over a remarkable career spanning more than 35 years, Jack has conducted hundreds of child custody evaluations, served in leadership roles focused on professional ethics, and worked in some of the most complex and high-stakes areas of psychology. Drawing from these experiences, he shares powerful insights on human nature, how trust is built, and why ethical leadership matters more than ever. The conversation also explores Jack’s latest book, Ethical Challenges for Mental Health Professionals: Your Questions Answered, a practical guide to navigating difficult ethical decisions through real-world examples and critical thinking. Together, Michele and Jack discuss common ethical blind spots, the importance of professional boundaries, and how leaders can navigate ambiguity when there is no clear right answer. Learn more about Dr. Jack P. Haynes at www.jackphaynes.com [http://www.jackphaynes.com]. Connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-haynes-a2aa842a/. Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Dali Rivera on the Leadership Lessons Behind Bullying Prevention

Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with Dali Rivera—U.S. Army veteran, immigrant, author, speaker, and founder of DaliTalks—to explore how a deeply personal experience transformed into a mission to create safer, more compassionate communities. After witnessing her young daughter endure bullying, Dali began advocating for stronger prevention efforts and ultimately built a career helping parents, educators, and organizational leaders understand, address, and prevent harmful behaviors. In this candid conversation, Dali shares lessons from her own experiences with bullying, discrimination, and advocacy, and discusses the leadership responsibilities we all have in shaping culture. Together, they examine toxic masculinity, subtle forms of bullying that often go unnoticed, the connection between childhood bullying and workplace harassment, and practical strategies for supporting both children who are targeted and those who engage in harmful behavior. The episode offers a powerful reminder that bullying prevention is ultimately about leadership, accountability, and creating environments where people feel safe, seen, and valued. Learn more about Dali Rivera and DaliTalks: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalitalks/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalitalks/] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/dalitalks/ [https://www.instagram.com/dalitalks/] Listen to the DaliTalks Podcast: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@DaliTalksPodcast [https://youtube.com/@DaliTalksPodcast]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4T1R5GFmU4gXWyC9eqKEGS?si=3b59804a244f4c62 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4T1R5GFmU4gXWyC9eqKEGS?si=3b59804a244f4c62] Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dalitalks-podcast/id1613524529 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dalitalks-podcast/id1613524529] Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.

Turning Wastewater Into Drinking Water: Ashish Shah on Leadership, Innovation & Reimagining Infrastructure

Host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Ashish Shah, Founder and CEO of Revida Water, about reimagining one of the world’s most overlooked infrastructure challenges: industrial wastewater. Drawing on a career that spans Wall Street, private equity, operations, and consulting, Ashish shares how firsthand experience with fragmented wastewater systems inspired him to build Revida Water, a vertically integrated company transforming wastewater into reusable and even potable water through a simplified, outcome-based model. The conversation explores leadership through long-term thinking, first-principles problem solving, and building trust in industries resistant to change. Ashish also discusses Revida’s breakthrough demonstrations, including its UC Davis installation that successfully converted winery wastewater into drinking water, helping shift industry perception from skepticism to possibility. Listeners will hear how Revida’s pay-by-the-gallon, one-stop-shop approach is reducing operational friction, aligning incentives, and creating scalable solutions for a more sustainable future. Connect with Ashish Shah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-shah-66aa341/ Learn about Revida Water: https://revidawater.com/ Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the follow and subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube and Instagram @ExpressionsOfLeadership. You can also catch the show on Radio Evolve at www.radio-evolve.rocks every Saturday and Sunday at noon PT. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co.