Flourishing Leaders Podcast

Episode 55: “Growing & Glowing: Leadership, Confidence, Resilience, and Helping Others Flourish” with Angela R. Lewis

What does it mean to become a flourishing leader? In this uplifting and deeply inspiring episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons and Jason Viyar sit down with Angela Lewis — former professional basketball player, leadership coach, speaker, author, and Founder of Lewis Consulting Group. Angela shares her remarkable journey from growing up in St. Louis to competing at the NCAA Division I and professional levels, and how athletics helped shape her understanding of leadership, resilience, mentorship, confidence, and service. Together, they explore: * What it means to be a “flourishing leader”  * The mentors and coaches who transformed Angela’s life  * How sports build character, cultural understanding, and resilience  * The importance of affirming and empowering young people  * Why flourishing leaders help others flourish  * Practical wisdom and trusting the long-term process  * Confidence, accountability, and “step-your-game-up deadlines”  * Leadership as service and encouragement  * Angela’s new children’s book A Ball and a Chance  * Her upcoming book signing at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame  Angela’s warmth, authenticity, humor, and wisdom shine throughout this conversation, offering encouragement to anyone striving to grow, lead, and help others discover their light. Connect with Angela Lewis * LinkedIn: Angela Lewis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lewis/]  * Woman’s Basketball Hall of Fame & 2026 Induction Ceremony [https://wbhof.com/]  * A Ball and a Chance [https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Chance-Angela-R-Lewis/dp/0998133973/ref=sr_1_8?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.g3cbP_CFQ44BU5X41SdS4tYgukrM8c4gbYvQ_z-FuSnrq5x0NQL9L4sgqEgNlShWcVm6haJwljJp8oWtnLltwtoCg8p43XsDQ1mbpiO2cZEgl7jhIrrr_aC7OL5YnGxj0QYnuwZs-9BgnqTkTb_m_ZaqUR0DLjhhrLcNbJeS3P435bln_Zx_OuzF1fsnNS-htEQKcHZtT2q8fnMXCP5EougIvWGsPVZrRK9hLMx_Kcw.ksD00lDOCG8dzMZXnagnCgk0cQSZleuOf-QPsddvZRU&dib_tag=se&qid=1779753083&refinements=p_27%3AAngela+Lewis&s=books&sr=1-8]  * The Game Changing Assist: Six Simple Ways to Choose Success [https://www.amazon.com/Game-Changing-Assist-Simple-Success-ebook/dp/B01D8X585C?ref_=ast_author_mpb] * Post Moves: The Female Athlete's Guide to Dominate Life After College [https://www.amazon.com/Post-Moves-Athletes-Dominate-College-ebook/dp/B01M8FT9DP/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=zA0vU&content-id=amzn1.sym.f8e88413-4697-42ea-9bf7-b28eb886330d&pf_rd_p=f8e88413-4697-42ea-9bf7-b28eb886330d&pf_rd_r=130-0240378-8130960&pd_rd_wg=3p3RD&pd_rd_r=8114ce9d-cf67-4339-b074-3b40553a1185]  Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders Academy [http://www.flourishingleaders.us/]Subscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flourishing-leaders-podcast/id1812798435] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0alO3sqwRxsI1q4zdcsfYi?si=e271ae306a364a53] | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/scott-parsons-06428272] | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

Episode 54: “Moral Courage, Gratitude, and Human Flourishing: The Science and Soul of Character-Based Leadership” with Dr. Arthur Schwartz

What does it mean to cultivate moral courage in a world increasingly shaped by polarization, fear, and distraction? In this powerful episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons sits down with Dr. Arthur Schwartz — Former President of Character.org and one of the key architects behind the modern character development and positive psychology movements. Arthur shares remarkable stories from his journey: * Collaborating with Martin E. P. Seligman and Chris Peterson during the birth of positive psychology  * Helping launch groundbreaking research on gratitude, forgiveness, grit, hope, and flourishing at the John Templeton Foundation  * Developing leaders of character at the United States Air Force Academy  * Leading the global character education movement through Character.org  Together, Scott and Arthur explore: * Why flourishing is fundamentally about growth  * The difference between leadership and character-based leadership  * How leaders can strengthen their “moral courage muscle”  * Why forgiveness itself is a form of moral courage  * The importance of empathy in human flourishing  * Shared values, shared language, and shared accountability in organizational culture  * Why we should hire for character and train for skill  * The transformative power of gratitude in leadership and life  Arthur also reflects on lessons from Nelson Mandela, the VIA Character Strengths framework, the role of exemplars in moral development, and the importance of cultivating courageous communities rooted in integrity and compassion. This conversation is a masterclass in character-centered leadership, practical wisdom, moral courage, and human flourishing. Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders Academy [http://www.flourishingleaders.us/]Subscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flourishing-leaders-podcast/id1812798435] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0alO3sqwRxsI1q4zdcsfYi?si=e271ae306a364a53] | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/scott-parsons-06428272] | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

Episode 53: “Mind the Gap: Honesty, Virtue, and Character” with Professor Christian Miller

Welcome to Season 2 of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast!  In this powerful season premiere, Dr. Scott Parsons and Jason Viyar are joined by Professor Christian Miller… one of the world’s leading scholars on moral character, virtue ethics, and honesty. Christian is the A. C. Reid Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University and the former director of both The Character Project and The Honesty Project, two of the largest research initiatives in the world focused on virtue and moral psychology. He is also the author of The Character Gap: How Good Are We? and the forthcoming book The Honesty Crisis: Preserving Our Most Treasured Virtue in an Increasingly Dishonest World. Together, they explore: * What honesty actually means as a virtue  * Why honesty is foundational to trust and flourishing  * The relationship between honesty and leadership  * How AI and technology are accelerating an “honesty crisis”  * Deepfakes, misinformation, polarization, and online deception  * Why most human beings are morally “a mixed bag”  * The hidden psychological costs of dishonesty  * Compassion versus honesty in “white lie” situations  * The role of leaders in cultivating cultures of integrity and trust  * Why flourishing must be rooted in virtue rather than mere pleasure or performance  This conversation is intellectually rich, deeply practical, and profoundly timely. If you care about leadership, ethics, education, technology, trust, and human flourishing, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 🎧 Listen now and join us for the launch of Season 2! Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders Academy [http://www.flourishingleaders.us/]Subscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flourishing-leaders-podcast/id1812798435] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0alO3sqwRxsI1q4zdcsfYi?si=e271ae306a364a53] | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/scott-parsons-06428272] | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

Episode 52: “Reclaiming Humanity, CORE Intelligence, and the Future of Flourishing Leadership” with Professor Elena Antonacopoulou

What if the greatest challenge facing leaders today isn’t strategy, performance, or even innovation, but the loss of our humanity? In this powerful Season One finale of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons and Jason Viyar sit down with Professor Elena Antonacopoulou, a globally recognized expert in organizational learning, leadership development, and systemic transformation. Elena introduces a bold and timely idea: humane poverty… the growing gap between being human and becoming fully humane. In a world shaped by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), she challenges leaders to move beyond traditional frameworks and rediscover what it means to lead with wisdom, dignity, and love. Together, they explore: * What it means to become human through leadership  * The concept of CORE intelligence (Centered, One, Reflexive, Energized)  * Why tensions can become extensions of impact  * The role of sensuous learning in navigating uncertainty  * How interbeing reshapes relationships, leadership, and organizations  * Why leadership must shift from control to impactful action  * The importance of worthiness, dignity, and honor beyond virtues and values  * The global movement toward flourishing and the Global Flourishing Goals  This conversation blends philosophy, psychology, leadership, and lived experience into a deeply moving and intellectually rich dialogue. One that challenges leaders to rethink not just how they lead, but who they are becoming. If you’re ready to move beyond performance and toward purpose…  Beyond competence and toward character…  This episode is for you. Listen now and join the movement toward flourishing leadership. Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders Academy [http://www.flourishingleaders.us/]Subscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flourishing-leaders-podcast/id1812798435] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0alO3sqwRxsI1q4zdcsfYi?si=e271ae306a364a53] | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/scott-parsons-06428272] | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

Episode 51: “Finding Beauty in the Storm: Resilience, Wholeness, and Grounded Optimism” with Dr. Maria Sirois

What does it mean to flourish when life is difficult, uncertain, or heartbreaking? In this deeply moving episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons and Jason Viyar welcome Dr. Maria Sirois, a positive psychologist, international consultant, speaker, and author whose work bridges resilience, flourishing, mind-body medicine, leadership, grief, beauty, and hope. Maria is the author of The Generous Exchange: How Attention to Beauty, Goodness, and Excellence Restores Us and Our World, A Short Course in Happiness After Loss, and Every Day Counts. Her work invites us into the profound paradox of being fully human and still capable of magnificence—faulted and astonishing, exhausted and generative, grieving and joyful. In this conversation, Maria explores: * Why flourishing leadership requires attention to the whole person  * How resilient people “shape the day”  * The difference between distraction and true restoration  * Why joy and grief are companions, not opposites  * How beauty, goodness, and excellence restore us  * What grounded optimism looks like in difficult times  * Why wonder can be a form of resilience  * How leaders can create cultures where people feel seen, valued, and strengthened  Maria offers a simple but powerful practice for anyone seeking to flourish: each day, ask what one thing you can do to strengthen, calm, or energize yourself—and then choose one constructive action. This episode is a beautiful reminder that resilience is not about pretending life is easy. It is about meeting reality with courage, wisdom, beauty, and an open heart. Learn more about Dr. Maria Sirois: MariaSirois.com [https://www.mariasirois.com/] Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders Academy [http://www.flourishingleaders.us/]Subscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flourishing-leaders-podcast/id1812798435] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0alO3sqwRxsI1q4zdcsfYi?si=e271ae306a364a53] | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/scott-parsons-06428272] | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.