#54 "Never Tell Me the Odds" Leadership Lessons from the Naval Academy, Marine Corps, FBI, and Silicon Valley with M. K. Palmore

#56 The Art of Empathy in Leadership with Preston Zeller

Grief, Growth, Storytelling, Operations, and the Future of AI What happens when personal tragedy forces you to slow down, reflect, and rebuild? In this episode of The Learning to Lead Show, Mark Cundiff sits down with entrepreneur, consultant, filmmaker, and storyteller Preston Zeller to explore how one of the most painful seasons of his life transformed the way he leads, serves others, and helps organizations grow. After the loss of his brother, Preston embarked on an extraordinary journey—creating a painting every day for 365 days as a way to process grief. That experience eventually became the documentary The Art of Grieving and fundamentally changed his perspective on empathy, leadership, and human connection. The conversation also explores storytelling as a leadership skill, building trust inside organizations, operational excellence, AI adoption, and the habits that fuel long-term growth. Whether you're leading a team, growing a business, or navigating a difficult season of life, this episode offers practical wisdom and powerful reminders about what matters most. Listen now and discover how great leaders combine empathy, vision, trust, and execution to create lasting impact. Free Learning To Lead Resources * Free Book: The Trust Gap [https://dl.bookfunnel.com/sair0nai5c] * The Learning To Lead Newsletter [https://www.markjcundiff.com/learning-to-lead-newsletter] * LeaderNotes [https://www.markjcundiff.com/leadernotes-register] 🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes [https://www.markjcundiff.com/leadernotes-register] is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

#55 Leadership Insights from my Conversation with M. K. Palmore

What separates good leaders from truly great leaders? According to M.K. Palmore, it's not strategy, authority, or expertise. It's people. In this episode of The Learning to Lead Show, Mark Cundiff shares key leadership insights gained from his conversation with M.K. Palmore, Founder and CEO of Apogee Global RMS, former FBI executive, U.S. Marine Corps officer, U.S. Naval Academy graduate, and cybersecurity leader with Google Cloud and Palo Alto Networks. Drawing from more than three decades of leadership experience across the military, federal law enforcement, and corporate America, M.K. shares powerful lessons on trust, integrity, accountability, resilience, mentorship, and why leadership is ultimately about investing in people. M.K. explains why risk is fundamentally a leadership challenge, how great leaders build cultures of trust, and why the small moments of encouragement and mentorship often have the greatest impact. Whether you're leading a team of two or an organization of thousands, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about leadership and the lasting legacy you leave behind. In This Episode, You'll Learn: *  Why do the best leaders focus on people before mission  *  The leadership lessons M.K. learned at the U.S. Naval Academy, the Marine Corps, the FBI, and Silicon Valley  *  How mentors helped him beat the odds and build an extraordinary career  *  Why trust is built through integrity, transparency, and accountability  *  The hidden ways leaders unintentionally damage trust  *  How to rebuild trust after it's been broken  *  Why high-performing teams practice before pressure arrives  *  The role of reflection and self-awareness in leadership growth  *  How leaders can create cultures of psychological safety  *  Why every leader has a responsibility to develop future leaders  Free Learning To Lead Resources * Free Book: The Trust Gap [https://dl.bookfunnel.com/sair0nai5c] * The Learning To Lead Newsletter [https://www.markjcundiff.com/learning-to-lead-newsletter] * LeaderNotes [https://www.markjcundiff.com/leadernotes-register] 🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes [https://www.markjcundiff.com/leadernotes-register] is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

#54 "Never Tell Me the Odds" Leadership Lessons from the Naval Academy, Marine Corps, FBI, and Silicon Valley with M. K. Palmore

What separates good leaders from truly great leaders? According to M.K. Palmore, it's not strategy, authority, or expertise. It's people. In this episode of The Learning to Lead Show, Mark Cundiff sits down with M.K. Palmore, Founder and CEO of Apogee Global RMS, former FBI executive, U.S. Marine Corps officer, U.S. Naval Academy graduate, and cybersecurity leader with Google Cloud and Palo Alto Networks. Drawing from more than three decades of leadership experience across the military, federal law enforcement, and corporate America, M.K. shares powerful lessons on trust, integrity, accountability, resilience, mentorship, and why leadership is ultimately about investing in people. M.K. explains why risk is fundamentally a leadership challenge, how great leaders build cultures of trust, and why the small moments of encouragement and mentorship often have the greatest impact. Whether you're leading a team of two or an organization of thousands, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about leadership and the lasting legacy you leave behind. In This Episode, You'll Learn: *  Why do the best leaders focus on people before mission  *  The leadership lessons M.K. learned at the U.S. Naval Academy, the Marine Corps, the FBI, and Silicon Valley  *  How mentors helped him beat the odds and build an extraordinary career  *  Why trust is built through integrity, transparency, and accountability  *  The hidden ways leaders unintentionally damage trust  *  How to rebuild trust after it's been broken  *  Why high-performing teams practice before pressure arrives  *  The role of reflection and self-awareness in leadership growth  *  How leaders can create cultures of psychological safety  *  Why every leader has a responsibility to develop future leaders Connect with M.K. Palmore *  Website [https://mkpalmore.io] *  Apogee Global RMS [https://apogeeglobalrms.io] *  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkpalmore/] Free Learning To Lead Resources * Free Book: The Trust Gap [https://dl.bookfunnel.com/sair0nai5c] * The Learning To Lead Newsletter [https://www.markjcundiff.com/learning-to-lead-newsletter] * LeaderNotes [https://www.markjcundiff.com/leadernotes-register] 🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes [https://www.markjcundiff.com/leadernotes-register] is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

#53 Leadership Insights from my Conversation with Patrick Erwin

In episode 53 of Learning to Lead, host Mark Cundiff recaps his conversation with Patrick Erwin, author of I Love This Place, Director of Content and Training at the Maxwell Leadership Foundation, and a former Hillgrove High School band director who built a nationally respected program.  🔑 5 Key Takeaways for Growth-Minded Leaders 1. Leadership Is More Than Skills 2. Your Response Shapes Your Culture 3. The Best Leaders Are Both Tough and Tender 4. Younger Generations Need Filters More Than Funnels 5. Culture Is Built Through Small Moments Free Learning To Lead Resources * Free Book: The Trust Gap [https://dl.bookfunnel.com/sair0nai5c] * The Learning To Lead Newsletter [https://www.markjcundiff.com/learning-to-lead-newsletter] * LeaderNotes [https://www.markjcundiff.com/leadernotes-register] 🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes [https://www.markjcundiff.com/leadernotes-register] is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com

#52 Tough and Tender Leadership with Patrick Erwin, Director of Content & Training at The Maxwell Leadership Foundation

In this episode of The Learning to Lead Show, Mark J. Cundiff [https://www.markjcundiff.com/] sits down with Patrick Erwin [https://www.patrickmerwin.com/], author of I Love This Place [https://amzn.to/4uQ52AV], leadership educator, former high school band director, and Director of Content & Training at Maxwell Leadership. Patrick shares the leadership lessons he learned while building a high-performing high school band program from the ground up and how those lessons apply to every organization—from schools and nonprofits to manufacturing plants and corporate teams. This conversation dives deep into leadership culture, trust, influence, generational leadership, and the balance between driving results while genuinely caring for people. Patrick’s stories are authentic, practical, and filled with wisdom for any growth-minded leader who wants to create a workplace where people truly say, “I love this place.” Key Topics Discussed Patrick Erwin’s Leadership Journey *  Starting a brand-new school and band program from scratch  *  Leading over 300 students while building culture intentionally  *  How early overconfidence became a catalyst for growth  *  Lessons learned transitioning from education to Maxwell Leadership  The Humbling Feedback That Changed Everything *  The anonymous student review that challenged Patrick’s leadership  *  Why technical skills alone are not enough  *  Moving from proving yourself to genuinely leading others  Why Leaders Miss Their Biggest Blind Spots *  The danger of self-assurance without self-awareness  *  How limited circles limit leadership growth  *  “We lead as we were led,” and why mentorship matters  The Conversation That Redirected His Leadership Patrick’s wife delivered a powerful truth: > “You spend a lot of time talking about leadership and not a lot of time leading.” That moment launched a complete shift in how he viewed influence, relationships, and authentic leadership. Leadership Books Recommended * The 360 Degree Leader — John C. Maxwell  [https://amzn.to/3RJc7oy] * How to Get a Return on Failure — John C. Maxwell  [https://amzn.to/4tJEIHD] * The Future Begins with Z — Dr. Tim Elmore [https://amzn.to/4wpA4kK]  * Undistracted — Bob Goff [https://amzn.to/4dxP8UY] * I love this - Patrick Erwin [https://amzn.to/4wvgaFb] Connect with Patrick Erwin * Website [https://www.patrickmerwin.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-m-erwin-744913255/] * Book-I Love This Place [https://amzn.to/4wvgaFb] Free Learning To Lead Resources * Free Book: The Trust Gap [https://dl.bookfunnel.com/sair0nai5c] * The Learning To Lead Newsletter [https://www.markjcundiff.com/learning-to-lead-newsletter] * LeaderNotes [https://www.markjcundiff.com/leadernotes-register] 🔎 About LeaderNotes LeaderNotes [https://www.markjcundiff.com/leadernotes-register] is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one. Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com