Breaking the Cycle: How Self-Awareness Heals Trauma, Leadership, and Culture

What if curiosity isn't a soft skill—but the neurological state that drives performance? Dr. Deborah Clary, leadership strategist and researcher who's advised Fortune 500 companies like Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, and Humana, discovered something powerful: when she tested the connection between curiosity, leadership, and performance with MIT researchers, the correlation was undeniable. Deborah reveals how curiosity opens the brain while certainty narrows it, why the best leaders ask the best questions instead of having all the answers, and what defensiveness really signals about confidence. You'll discover the difference between asking questions to truly understand versus questions you've already answered in your head—and how that shift changes everything. Ready to lead with clarity, connection, and momentum? Press play.

How much of who you are was shaped before you ever had a say? In this episode of The BrainVault Podcast, Larry Olsen sits down with Justin Long for a candid conversation about environment, trauma, and the quiet forces that shape our sense of self. Justin shares what happened when alcohol stopped working, why looking honestly at his past changed how he understood himself, and how that awareness eventually became the foundation for the healthy, high-performing culture he leads today. This conversation explores: -Why comparing your insides to everyone else’s outsides keeps people stuck -How early environments quietly shape identity, behavior, and leadership -What it looks like to move from survival into responsibility -How understanding your story changes the way you show up for others If you’ve ever wondered why certain patterns keep repeating—or whether real change is possible—this episode offers a powerful place to start.

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In this episode of The Brain Vault Podcast, Larry sits down with Louisa Loran, leadership advisor and author of Leadership, Autonomy and Motion, for a conversation that redefines how leaders create change. Not through more programs or strategies—but through behavior, presence, and motion. Louisa shares why listening creates movement, why autonomy unlocks momentum, and why clarity matters even when the path isn't fully visible. Together, she and Larry explore how small shifts in how you show up can create meaningful change. If you're ready for leadership that's human and adaptive—this conversation will stay with you.

What if uncertainty isn’t something to fear… but one of the greatest advantages you have as a leader? In this episode of The BrainVault Podcast, Larry Olsen sits down with Scott Stirrett — best-selling author of The Uncertainty Advantage, founder of Venture for Canada, and a rising force in modern leadership. Scott’s journey from leaving Goldman Sachs at 22 to building a national organization reveals one powerful truth: leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about how you navigate the unknown. Together, Larry and Scott explore how clarity, self-compassion, and purpose can transform the way you lead yourself and others. You’ll learn why focusing on the journey builds more momentum than fixating on outcomes, how to quiet the pull of comparison, and why your “true north” becomes the anchor that guides every decision you make. Scott shares the mindset that helped him impact thousands of lives, and Larry brings forward insights that remind us: growth isn’t about perfection. It’s about who you bring to the moment. If you’re ready to lead with more confidence, purpose, and vision—this conversation opens the door. Press play and step into a new perspective on the power of uncertainty.

What if the success you’re after isn’t somewhere “out there”… but already built into you, simply waiting to be activated? In this energizing episode of The BrainVault Podcast, Larry welcomes Wei Houng, co-founder of HumanOp Technologies, whose groundbreaking work reveals how every one of us carries a natural blueprint for clarity, flow, and high performance. This isn’t motivation—it’s measurable science rooted in physics and the design nature placed inside you. You’ll discover how your innate wiring signals the decisions that accelerate your outcomes, the environments where you naturally excel, and the effortless momentum available when you align with who you already are. When you understand your design, performance stops being a push… and becomes a powerful pull toward what matters most. Press play—and step into the operating system that’s been supporting your success from the very beginning.

What if great leaders aren’t born…they’re biologically built? What if the real secret to confidence, influence, and connection isn’t charism, but the hidden signals your brain and body are sending every second? In the next episode of The BrainVault Podcast, Larry’s guest, the highly esteemed Dr. Scott Hutcheson, reveals how to biohack leadership and rewire the way you think, lead, and succeed. Once again, science meets success… in The BrainVault Podcast.

What if the biggest limits in your life aren’t real—just stories your brain keeps replaying? In this electrifying episode of The BrainVault Podcast, Larry Olsen sits down with Anthony Cudjo, a transformational coach who doesn’t just optimize performance—he rewires how you think, feel, and live. Get ready to shatter the mental loops holding you back and step into a state of peak physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual alignment. Because when you change the story, you change everything. Press play—and prepare to meet the version of you that’s been waiting to emerge.

What does it take to break barriers, beat the odds, and lead with unstoppable courage? Larry’s next guest, Stephanie Chung, is a breast cancer warrior, #1 international best-selling author, and aviation trailblazer who rose from baggage handler to become the first African-American president of a private aviation company. With 35 years of experience and a track record of driving nearly a billion dollars in annual sales, she brings a powerful blend of neuroscience, business savvy, and fearless leadership to every stage she steps on. Any barriers holding you back. Tune in for a breakthrough!

What if the fastest way to advance your career isn’t what you know, but who you can influence? In this must-listen episode, Brad Englert—seasoned tech executive, former Accenture Partner, and CIO of the University of Texas at Austin—who has spent over four decades transforming cultures through the power of relationships. Drawing from his book Spheres of Influence, Brad shows why relationships aren’t “soft skills” but hard skills you can master to accelerate your career. You’ll discover: 1. How to build trust and influence in any professional relationship. 2. Simple communication techniques to transform workplace dynamics and 3rd, Why relationships often outweigh talent or hard work in determining success. If you’re ready to lead with impact and turn relationships into your greatest asset, this episode is for you.