The RIGHT Kind of Uncomfortable

S02E05 - with Dr. Ryan Warner

Psychological safety isn’t about eliminating discomfort. It’s about creating the conditions where challenge and growth can thrive without fear of retaliation or exclusion. Dr. Ryan C. Warner joins James to explore how leaders at every level can balance safety with accountability, and why emotional intelligence is a critical skill for high-performing, inclusive teams. From feedback dynamics to work-life integration, this conversation offers practical insight for leaders navigating complexity, ambition, and change. www.jamespogue.com [https://jamespogue.com/]

S02E04 - with Kelli Valade

In this episode, we dig into leading through disruption and why culture sets the ceiling for results. We talk about finding common ground in uncertain times, creating safe spaces for honest conversation, and how people first decisions show up when it matters most. We also look at mergers and acquisitions, keeping brand identities intact, and what it takes to unite teams without flattening what makes them unique. You will hear real examples from the pandemic, a hurricane response that mobilized a community, and the ongoing “scorecard” leaders carry. We explore resilience for mid-career professionals, accountability that ladders to shared KPIs, and the reality of impostor syndrome. The throughline is simple. Great leadership is a daily practice of clarity, care, and grit. Topics: disruption, culture, safe spaces, M&A integration, resilience, accountability, impostor syndrome, C-suite responsibility, parenting parallels, perseverance. www.jamespogue.com [https://jamespogue.com/]

S02E03 - with John Bratsakis

What does it take to lead through discomfort, own your mistakes, and keep showing up? In this episode, John Bratsakis, President of the MD|DC Credit Union Association, joins James in the studio for an unfiltered conversation on leadership, accountability, and the quiet strength of consistency. They explore the professional lessons learned through failure, how presence outweighs perception, and why the ability to self-assess—honestly and early—might be the most underrated leadership skill we have. From early missteps to fostering 170 dogs, John shares personal stories that challenge us to rethink what it really means to lead through change. www.jamespogue.com [https://jamespogue.com/]

S2E02 - First Grade and the Trauma with Emma Hayes

What happens when early childhood experiences shape your leadership presence as an adult? In this episode of The Right Kind of Uncomfortable, Emma Hayes, Chief Learning and Engagement Officer at State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, shares how a painful moment in first grade set her on a path of self-protection, purpose, and ultimately, transformation. Emma opens up about the unseen weight many leaders carry, from cultural expectations around food and wellness to the pressures of perception in professional spaces. Her story is both deeply personal and widely relatable for anyone navigating leadership, authenticity, and growth. www.jamespogue.com [https://jamespogue.com/]

S2E01 - Social Offset w/ Special Guest Dr. Elena Gersman

What do you do when your next big conference lands in a city that clashes with your values? In this episode of The Right Kind of Uncomfortable, Dr. James Pogue sits down with Dr. Elena Gersman, co-founder of Social Offset, to unpack a practical alternative to staying home.  They explore why in-person connection matters for business, how boycotts can unintentionally hurt local communities, and how Social Offset lets leaders and attendees invest in local change while showing up for the conversations that drive big ideas forward.  If you’re navigating hard choices about where you gather and how you lead, this episode will get you thinking about what it really means to leave a place better than you found it. www.jamespogue.com [https://jamespogue.com/]