Masters of Leadership

E36 Poured with Purpose: Conversations at the Crossroads of Passion, Business, and Legacy

In this episode, I sat down with Emmanuel Waters, Co-Founder & CEO of Old Hillside Bourbon Company, one of four trailblazing founders rewriting what legacy looks like in the $112B (and growing!) spirits industry. We cover everything from breaking into a brand-saturatedmarket to building a bourbon brand that’s as much about representation and history as it is about premium craft spirits.

E35 Credibility, Culture & Consequences: Inside Today's Workplace Investigations

In this podcast, I talk with Al Amado, a professor of business management, mediator, arbitrator, and dispute resolutiontrial consultant. Listen in as we dive into the high-stakes world of internal workplace investigations, where culture, legal exposure, and leadership accountability collide. In each episode, we unpack real-world missteps and strategic insights from the front lines of misconduct response.

E34 Second Chance to Life: From Survivor to Service

In this unforgettable episode, Laura sits down with JoseBadillo , CEO of Advanced Staffing and author of Second Chance to Life explores how resilience, purpose, and bold leadership can transform adversity into impact. Jose’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Fromlife-altering challenges to building a multi-million-dollar enterprise, he’s rewriting the narrative on what it means to lead with heart, hustle, and a higher mission. Whether you’re scaling your company, navigating uncertainty, or looking for that spark to ignite your next chapter — this conversationdelivers the real talk, practical wisdom, and inspiration you didn’t know you needed.

E33 The People Factor: Rethinking Expansion for A New Era

Thinking about taking your business global? You won’twant to miss this episode of the podcast. We’re diving into the strategic side of going global—with none other than Susan Deady, a powerhousein global HR and organizational transformation. In this episode, we explore how to align your vision with the realities of global operations, what it takes to scale your people strategy across borders, and key questions every leader needs to ask before expanding internationally.

E32 Author Talks: Dave Martin on Mega Thinking & Making Better Leadership Decisions

I have the pleasure of welcoming Dave Martin, a true leader in Silicon Valley entrepreneurship. With experience as the CEO of four IT firms and a strategic advisor and executive chairman to dozens more, Dave has worked closely with hundreds of CEOs, executive leaders, and board members, helping them sharpen their leadership and strategic vision using his model, MegaCept. His coaching is built on practical thinking to drive meaningful growth.