Come with Marc as he tells the stories of leaders in unlikely places and the human spirit that drives us all.
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In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Borja Cuan, co-founder of Four15 Digital and a performance marketing leader with nearly three decades of experience. They explore what it takes to build a high-performing organization while keeping people at the center of leadership. Borja shares lessons from his career and the evolution of Four15 Digital, including one of his biggest leadership realizations: putting clients first can come at a cost when it means putting employees second. He discusses why strong relationships, meaningful communication, and genui
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with performance coach, endurance athlete, and founder of the Run With Christ Blueprint, Chris Avery, for a powerful conversation about resilience, faith, and the leadership that emerges through consistent action. Chris shares his remarkable journey from childhood trauma, addiction, and despair to becoming a man driven by purpose—one mile at a time. What began as a simple commitment to run one mile a day has grown into more than 1,500 consecutive days of running and an ambitious mission to run 50 kilometers every day
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Hiten Sonpal, CEO of Rise Robotics, to explore the intersection of innovation, leadership, and the courage to embrace uncertainty. From immigrating to the United States from India to deploying robotics at Ground Zero after 9/11 and leading breakthrough technologies that challenge decades-old industries, Hiten shares the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy. Together, Marc and Hiten discuss why the best leaders intentionally seek discomfort, how psychological safety fuels innovation, and why great or
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Dr. Ashley Markovic, board-certified clinical psychologist, former U.S. Navy officer, and expert in military psychology, to explore what truly builds resilient leaders in high-pressure environments. Drawing on her years supporting submarine crews, recruits, and veterans, Dr. Markovic shares powerful insights into the psychology behind trust, emotional intelligence, and sustained high performance. Together, they examine why the most effective leaders aren't simply the smartest or toughest—they're the ones who ear
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Ryan Berman, corporate fear fighter, founder of Courageous, and author of Return on Courage. Together, they explore why courage is one of the most important leadership skills in today's rapidly changing world and how leaders can move beyond fear to create meaningful impact. Ryan shares the journey that led him from the advertising world to building a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations embrace courageous leadership. Drawing from years of research and conversations with astronauts, Navy SEA
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Dr. Apollo Emeka, decision-making expert, entrepreneur, former FBI intelligence analyst, and U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret. Together, they explore the power of decisions and how a single choice can alter the course of a life, career, or organization. Apollo shares his remarkable journey from leaving traditional school after fourth grade to earning a doctorate, serving in military intelligence and Special Forces, working for the FBI, and ultimately helping leaders make better decisions in high-stakes envir
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Anthony Dyer, a retired U.S. Air Force Special Missions Aviator, author, and mental health advocate. Anthony shares his remarkable journey from growing up in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina to flying combat missions aboard AC-130 gunships and HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters in some of the world's most dangerous environments. Throughout the conversation, Anthony reflects on the lessons that shaped him as a leader, including the values of perseverance, repetition, service, and empathy. He recounts t
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with DeDe Halfhill for a powerful conversation about leadership, vulnerability, and the emotional dynamics that shape performance under pressure. Drawing from her 25-year career in the United States Air Force, including leadership roles in Iraq, the Pentagon, and as senior communication advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, DeDe shares why the strongest leaders are not the ones who hide fear, but the ones who know how to navigate it. Throughout the conversation, DeDe explores how emotions like fear, uncertaint
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with executive coach and former John Deere leader Tony Thelen to explore what it really takes to lead through uncertainty, change, and the transitions that shape a career. Drawing on more than 35 years of global leadership experience and his work coaching senior executives today, Tony shares practical insights on how leaders can navigate complexity while continuing to grow themselves and their teams. Tony introduces the powerful metaphor of the river as a model for leadership. Just like a river, change is constant, a
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Colleen Bordeaux, founder of Growth, Inc. and leadership advisor focused on modern communication, influence, and performance at work. They explore what today’s leaders must unlearn about success and how outdated assumptions about confidence, development, and workplace expectations continue to hold people back. Colleen shares insights from her experience building a multi-million-dollar consulting career at Deloitte and launching her own company to help leaders communicate more effectively and unlock performance i
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Andrea Howard, a U.S. Navy submarine officer, Marshall Scholar, and MIT PhD candidate studying security and strategy. Together, they explore what it means to lead at the intersection of global perspective, academic rigor, and operational responsibility in one of the most demanding environments in the world. Andrea shares how her journey from Atlanta public schools to the United States Naval Academy, Oxford, King’s College London, and the submarine force shaped her approach to leadership. She reflects on how ment
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with entrepreneur and customer-loyalty strategist Jason Milen to explore what it really takes to build a business that lasts. Together, they discuss leadership inside a multigenerational family company, the challenges of rebuilding trust after losing customers, and the mindset shift required to move from chasing transactions to creating lasting relationships. Jason shares lessons from his decades of experience helping grow and reinvent his family’s car wash business, transforming it into a membership-driven model tha
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with journalist and author Rachel Hartigan to explore the remarkable life and enduring mystery of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. A former writer and editor for National Geographic and The Washington Post, Rachel brings years of research and storytelling expertise to the conversation as she discusses her new book, Lost: Amelia Earhart’s Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life. Together, Marc and Rachel unpack what Earhart’s life reveals about leadership, courage, and the pursuit of purpose in uncertain en
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with John (JD) Dwyer, a marketing enigma and customer attraction expert known for creating “wow factor” strategies that drive extraordinary results. John shares how incentive based marketing taps into timeless human behavior and why the fundamentals of leadership, decision making, and customer attraction have remained consistent, even as technology has transformed the tools we use. Together, they explore what it really takes to stand out in a crowded “me too” marketplace without competing on price, and why the right
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Scott D. Anthony, a globally recognized expert on innovation, strategy, and navigating disruption. Together, they explore what it truly takes to lead when the future is uncertain and familiar playbooks no longer apply. Scott shares insights from his extensive work advising organizations through periods of transformation, emphasizing that innovation is not about chasing shiny objects but about making disciplined choices under pressure. He unpacks how leaders can balance experimentation with execution, and why cla
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Sheri Jacobs, founder and CEO of Avenue Group, bestselling author, and the creator of the Innovation Capacity Score. Sheri shares a fascinating journey that spans entrepreneurship, association leadership, and photojournalism, including what it was like capturing Michael Jordan on the court and later trading sports arenas for wildlife expeditions in places like Antarctica and Botswana. Together, Marc and Sheri unpack what it really takes to drive innovation in today’s fast-moving world. Sheri challenges the popul
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Ivy Gustafson, former top agent at the Washington Speakers Bureau and Gotham Artists, now a seasoned advisor and speaker coach. Together, they explore what it truly means to communicate with impact in today’s rapidly evolving leadership landscape. Ivy shares insights drawn from more than two decades in the speaking industry, working alongside world leaders, elite performers, and influential thought leaders. She explains why modern leadership is less about commanding authority and more about connecting individual
In this unprecedented episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler kicks off 2026 by sitting down with Lead With Purpose’s own Head of Technology Derek Barber for a powerful conversation on purpose, trust, and what it truly means to lead. Derek shares his journey from software developer to purpose-driven leader, and how his passion for meaningful work shaped both his career and the culture of the company he helped build. The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Derek reflects on walking more than 500 miles of the Camino de Santiago with his 18-year-old son—a journey that
In this year-end episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler reflects on the defining leadership lessons of 2025 and offers a forward-looking perspective on what leaders can expect in 2026. Drawing from 26 diverse conversations—from fire chiefs and construction leaders to Navy admirals and Gen Z innovators—Marc highlights the themes that surfaced again and again across industries, generations, and communities. He underscores the growing need for clarity over control in a rapidly changing environment and explains why trust has emerged as a true competitive advantage, not a luxur
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Dr. Heather Collins, a cognitive neuroscientist who has spent her career bringing cutting-edge brain science out of the lab and into real-world leadership. With more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and work ranging from Alzheimer’s to NASA astronaut cognition, Heather offers a rare blend of scientific rigor and practical insight. Together, they explore what leaders need to know about the brain, how it really works, why most of us operate far below our potential, and what simple, research-backed strategies can
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Kasim Aslam, an entrepreneur who has built six, seven, and eight-figure businesses, including two successful exits. Kasim is the co-founder of Driven Mastermind, creator of DigitalMarketer’s Paid Traffic Certification, former CEO of Solutions 8—one of the world’s top Google Ads agencies—and now co-founder of Pareto Talent, a company helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time by matching them with world-class executive assistants. Kasim shares his 3X Freedom framework and explains why financial freedom alone rarely
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Mike Sarraille, retired U.S. Navy SEAL, three-time best-selling author, and one of the world’s top keynote speakers on leadership and performance. Drawing on two decades of experience leading elite teams in combat and in business, Mike shares powerful lessons on how readiness, resilience, and trust are built, both on the battlefield and in the boardroom. He and Marc explore what it takes to create high-performing teams, why shared adversity fosters emotional intimacy, and how true leadership starts with humility
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders’ podcast, host Marc Koehler has a captivating conversation with Felipe Gomez, an accomplished pianist, global keynote speaker, and leadership expert. Felipe shares how his lifelong passion for music has shaped his understanding of leadership, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence. Drawing from his signature keynote, Virtuoso, he explores how leaders can achieve “standing ovations” in their own fields by developing virtues such as humility, empathy, courage, and love. Using the universal language of music, Felipe illustrates how melody, harmony, and rh
In this episode of the Surfacing Leader’s podcast, host Marc Koehler has an engaging conversation with Dr. Jacob Vogel, Director of the Spirit of Troy, otherwise known as “the greatest marching band in the history of the universe, “ at the University of Southern California. They explore the leadership lessons behind one of the most iconic collegiate marching bands in the nation. Dr. Vogel shares his journey from a small California town to leading the Trojan Marching Band, revealing how music, culture, and tradition intersect to create a powerful sense of community and pride. He emphasizes the
In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has a compelling conversation with Dr. Paula Ferrada, a pioneering trauma and acute care surgeon and Chair of Surgery at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. They explore what it means to lead when lives hang in the balance. Paula shares her journey from Colombia to becoming the first Colombian woman to graduate from a Harvard-affiliated general surgery program, and how her experiences shaped her leadership philosophy. She emphasizes the importance of trust, mentorship, and emotional regulation in building high-performing teams under
