Inspired Leadership Podcast

Dr. Chris Vaughan, Transformational Growth and Leadership Lessons from Associations (Ep. 57)

Chris Vaughan, PhD. is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Sequence Consulting, where he and his wife, Lisa, have partnered with more than half of the top 20 global associations, as well as Fortune 500 companies, to drive transformational growth in membership, revenue, and impact. With a doctorate in philosophy and over two decades of consulting experience, Chris brings a unique lens to leadership combining rigorous strategic thinking with deep curiosity about what makes leaders and organizations thrive. He is a regular contributor to Associations Now and a frequent speaker for industry and not-for-profit audiences worldwide. In this episode, Chris explores what it takes to lead transformational change in legacy organizations and shares the leadership habits that distinguish high-performing associations from the rest. He explains how strong partnerships elevate leadership effectiveness and why associations, when well-led, can wield more influence than corporations. Chris also introduces an unexpected teacher, the fruit fly, revealing the surprising leadership lessons it can inspire. Drawing on personal stories, including his and Lisa’s bold leap from corporate careers into entrepreneurship, Chris reflects on the values and resilience required to pursue a growth mindset in mission-driven work. He also weaves in how his passions: photography, travel to 77 countries (and counting), and philosophy shape his approach to leadership and strategy.

Peggy Sullivan, Beyond Busyness: Reclaiming Time, Purpose, and Peak Performance (Ep. 56)

Peggy Sullivan is a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and researcher whose work challenges the culture of “busy” and equips leaders to achieve peak performance without sacrificing well-being. With her bestselling book Beyond Busyness and a TEDx talk viewed by millions, Peggy has inspired audiences worldwide to break free from what she calls “time poverty” and live and lead with greater clarity, purpose, and joy. Drawing on proprietary research and her Busy Busting Framework, Peggy reveals how relentless schedules diminish productivity, erode engagement, and fuel burnout. In this episode, Peggy unpacks why busyness has become an addictive badge of honor in today’s workplace and shares her proven strategies for reclaiming focus and fulfillment. She introduces listeners to the Busy Busting Framework, including practical tools like the Busy Barometer, values-based decision-making, and energy management to help leaders identify and eliminate low-value activities. Peggy also explores the deeper cultural patterns behind burnout, why 79% of people have lost a sense of purpose, and how leaders can help their teams reconnect to meaning at work. For anyone feeling caught on the hamster wheel of “eat, work, sleep, repeat,” this conversation offers both a wake-up call and a roadmap to shift from hustle to purpose.

Dr. Douglas Scherer, Liberating the Leadership Mind: Mindfulness, Strategy, and Resilience in Volatile Times (Ep. 55)

Dr. Douglas Scherer is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and leadership strategist whose work helps leaders navigate uncertainty with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Drawing on his personal journey—overcoming chronic pain and leading global IT teams—Douglas combines the science of mindfulness with the discipline of strategic thinking to empower others to lead with flexibility and agency. In this episode, Douglas unpacks the core ideas from his book F.O.R.G.E.D.: Six Practices of Great Leaders in Volatile Times, identifying the areas where leaders often struggle most and how they can develop decision-making skills that withstand high-pressure environments. He shares what it truly means to “liberate the leadership mind,” why flexibility is essential in today’s complex world, and how to sustainably address burnout through personal and organizational change. Douglas also reflects on the leadership lessons that have remained constant across corporate, academic, and consulting spaces—and offers grounded advice for leaders feeling overwhelmed by the weight of today’s challenges. For listeners seeking practical tools to become more intentional, strategic, and grounded in their leadership, this conversation delivers invaluable perspective and inspiration.

Katleho Queen Mojakisane, Leading with Wisdom: Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Futures (Ep. 54)

Katleho Queen Mojakisane, Sustainable Futures Coordinator and founder of Youth on the Rise, is a visionary leader whose work bridges traditional African wisdom and modern innovation to address global challenges like energy poverty and climate change. Growing up in South Africa, Queen overcame systemic barriers including gender inequality, experiences that now fuel her mission to empower youth through education, leadership, and sustainable development. In this episode, Queen shares her inspiring leadership journey—from launching a grassroots nonprofit to driving clean energy solutions at Tangelic. She dives into how her philosophy of empathetic, systems-based leadership shapes her work, how she balances bold vision with grounded action, and the tools she uses to uplift underserved communities through meaningful impact. Queen also offers powerful insights on leading in the face of adversity, staying mission-driven, and how young changemakers can rise despite overwhelming challenges. For leaders seeking to create lasting change by combining community empowerment with global impact, this conversation is both energizing and deeply instructive.

Vivian Acquah, The Future of DEI: Unlocking Empathy and Inclusive Workplace Wellness (Ep. 53)

Vivian Acquah, a Certified Diversity Executive and Inclusive Workplace Wellness Advocate, has worked with global brands like Heineken, LinkedIn, Google, and Deloitte to implement practical, actionable DEI strategies. With her unique DEI carrot cake metaphor and the Amplify DEI Cards initiative, she helps leaders and teams turn DEI efforts into real, lasting change. In this episode, Vivian shares her journey into DEI and the challenges that shaped her mission. She discusses how organizations can move from talking about DEI to putting strategies into meaningful action, the most overlooked aspects of workplace empathy, and how AI and technology will shape workplace culture in the next decade. She also explores the powerful lessons she has learned from working with leaders and teams and the one message about unlocking empathy in leadership that she wants every listener to take away. For those looking to integrate DEI and workplace wellness into their leadership approach, this conversation provides a practical and thought-provoking roadmap.