From Shame to Service: Harnessing the Power of Your Story with Mark Leruste

💡 “What if Hell Week was a Celebration?”Diego failed SEAL training the first time—broken bones, broken dreams, and broken expectations. But it wasn’t the end. He came back ten years later, fully transformed, and turned the infamous Hell Week into moment after moment of gratitude.Lesson: When you reframe suffering as growth, everything changes. “I wasn’t being punished—I was being tested, transformed, and tempered.” 🧩 The Secret to SEAL Team CommunicationCorporate leaders always ask: “Why do SEALs communicate so well?” Diego reveals it’s not just tactics—it’s intense trust, emotional regulation, and a shared mission.But he’s honest: emotional intelligence wasn’t part of the official training. So Diego is now pioneering what he calls “human-first leadership” through The Trident Approach. 🎤 Warrior Side: "The Moth" Meets Navy SEALsDiego created Warrior Side after realizing that most veterans have world-shaking stories—but no one taught them how to tell those stories in ways that heal both them and their audience.He also says that with my help, Warrior Side isn’t just storytelling—it’s transformational storytelling. I love that Diego makes sure it’s not “wounded warrior trauma porn.” It’s courage, comedy, and catharsis. 📘 Leading From the DeepDiego’s book blends SEAL insights, consciousness work, and radical honesty. It’s not “my truth.” It’s about what’s universally human: failure, perseverance, and integration. “What’s true doesn’t need defending. It just is.” — Diego Ugalde 🎯 Want to hear this inspiring story in full?🎧 Listen to the full episode here: 📖 Grab Diego’s book, Leading from the Deep on Audible (he reads it!) or Amazon.🌐 Explore Warrior Side: warriorside.org and meet Diego on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegougalde/💥 Host a storytelling event in your city? Let’s talk!  ----- John Bates provides 1:1 Executive Communications Coaching, both in-person and online, as well as large and small group training. Sign up for his free weekly micro-trainings at https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings and create a great leadership communications habit that makes you the kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty and connection.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Steve Waddell transitioned from shipbuilding to entrepreneurship.The inspiration behind Valuepreneurs and why it challenges conventional startup wisdom.The key lesson from Steve’s TEDx Talk: Start with Who, Not Why.The challenges of launching a product, from patents to tariffs and the impact of COVID-19.Why networking, strategic grants, and understanding your customers are the keys to startup success.The groundbreaking technology Steve is developing to improve healthcare and independent living for seniors.Guest: Steve WaddellCEO & Founder of NasoniCreator of the award-winning Nasoni Fountain FaucetAuthor of Valuepreneurs: The New Rules for Building Products, Growing Your Business, and Achieving Your Entrepreneurial DreamTEDx Speaker: Start with Who, Not WhyInnovator in AI-driven healthcare solutionsResources & Links:Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stevewaddellLearn more about Steve’s work: http://www.swaddell.com/Check out Nasoni: Nasoni.comGet Valuepreneurs: Amazon link (Available in Kindle, audiobook, paperback, and hardcover)Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your network, leave a review, and subscribe to Speak Like a Leader for more expert insights on leadership, communication, and success.Join the Conversation: What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter, and let us know!Thanks for listening, and remember—your stories and your voice matter!  ----- John Bates provides 1:1 Executive Communications Coaching, both in-person and online, as well as large and small group training. Sign up for his free weekly micro-trainings at https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings and create a great leadership communications habit that makes you the kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty and connection.

David Cunningham has spent over 35 years as a transformational leader, coach, and educator, working with hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide. He draws from his personal experiences and lifelong commitment to love and consciousness to inspire others to live with purpose, grace, and love. His teachings have helped countless people awaken to their highest selves and realize the power of love in everyday life. Key Takeaways: ✅ Leadership isn’t about being right—it’s about being connected. ✅ Love is the most powerful leadership tool we have. ✅ Patience and presence create deeper relationships, even in difficult moments. ✅ A powerful stand is more effective than a righteous argument. ✅ Your ‘love footprint’ matters—what are you leaving behind in every interaction? Quotable Moments: 🗣️ “We love our lives when we love who we’re being—not what we have.” — David Cunningham 🗣️ “Insightful vulnerability establishes emotional credibility.” — John Bates 🗣️ “Righteousness breeds argument. The more right I am, the more people will resist.” — David Cunningham 🗣️ “What if we infused our capitals, our workplaces, and our communities with love?” — David Cunningham Resources Mentioned: 📖 Your Love Does Matter by David Cunningham – Coming February 2025! 🎁 Free training & book excerpt: yourlovedoesmatter.com/gift 🌍 Join the Love Matters Collaboration: yourlovedoesmatter.com 🏛️ Support Love Goes to the Capitol: yourlovedoesmatter.com 🔗 Connect with David Cunningham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-w-cunningham/ Connect & Subscribe: 🎧 Love this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear this! 🌟 Follow Live Like a Leader for more inspiring conversations. 💡 Connect with John Bates: executivespeakingsuccess.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbates/ Let’s put it all on love and watch the ripple effect change the world. ❤️  ----- John Bates provides 1:1 Executive Communications Coaching, both in-person and online, as well as large and small group training. Sign up for his free weekly micro-trainings at https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings and create a great leadership communications habit that makes you the kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty and connection.

Key Takeaways:Proximity Bias: Why your story might feel “boring” to you but is magical to others hearing it for the first time.From Shame to Service: How sharing your story transforms not just others but also yourself.Emotional Credibility: Establish trust and connection with audiences by sharing your authentic origin story.Strategic Storytelling: Your story is about you, but it’s for your audience—tailor it with intention to resonate and inspire action.Vulnerability in Leadership: Being imperfect in public makes you relatable and influential, fostering genuine connections. Addressing Polarization in Leadership:Mark and John discuss how marginalized communities face unique challenges in sharing their stories and the importance of creating safe spaces for authentic expression. They emphasize how leaders who share their humanity can build trust, break barriers, and inspire connection across diverse teams.Key Insight: "Your story is about you, but it’s not for you—it’s for the people you serve." Quotable Moments:“What you resist persists; acknowledgment causes disappearance.” – John Bates“If you’re afraid of offending people when you share your story, remember: if they wanted you to write kindly about them, they should have behaved better.” – Mark Leruste“Proximity bias makes us undervalue our stories—but to others, they can be life-changing.” – Mark Leruste Resources Mentioned:Mark Leruste’s Website: MarkLeruste.comMark’s Book: Glow in the Dark – available on Amazon and other retailersTake the Story Impact Assessment: Storycast.coMark on LinkedIn: Mark Leruste on LinkedIn Connect & Subscribe:Love the episode? Don’t forget to:✔️ Subscribe to Live Like a Leader⭐ Leave a 5-star review – it helps us reach more leaders like you!🔗 Share this episode with a colleague or friend who needs to hear it. Next Steps:Visit LiveLikeALeader.show for more inspiring episodes.Explore Mark’s work and resources at MarkLeruste.com.Connect with Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markleruste/Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbates/  ----- John Bates provides 1:1 Executive Communications Coaching, both in-person and online, as well as large and small group training. Sign up for his free weekly micro-trainings at https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings and create a great leadership communications habit that makes you the kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty and connection.

Key Takeaways:The Authenticity Equation: Mike’s formula for creating genuine connections through honesty, humility, and vulnerability.Why vulnerability matters: Discover how emotional exposure fosters trust and empathy, even in high-stakes leadership.Sweaty palm conversations: How leaning into difficult discussions can unlock stronger relationships and higher performance.The power of listening: Learn why a “safe space” starts with listening and how leaders can use this to inspire better communication.Lessons in resilience: From losing a baseball career to becoming a best-selling author and speaker, Mike shares how life’s toughest moments often lead to our biggest transformations.Addressing Polarization in Leadership and Society:Mike and John discuss the challenges of navigating today’s polarized world and how leaders can foster authentic dialogue. From national conversations to corporate boardrooms, they emphasize the importance of listening and creating space for diverse perspectives. Mike shares his belief that while disagreements are natural, mutual understanding and connection are possible when we approach each other with curiosity, humility, and vulnerability.Key Insight: "Most of the things we take personally aren’t personal. If we can approach conversations with the intention to understand rather than to convince, we open the door to authentic and meaningful connections."Quotable Moments:“Authenticity isn’t just brutal honesty—it’s honesty minus self-righteousness, plus vulnerability.” – Mike Robbins“Be easy to impress and hard to offend. It will change your life.” – Mike’s mentorResources Mentioned:Mike Robbins' Website: Mike-Robbins.comBooks by Mike Robbins: We’re All in This Together, Bring Your Whole Self to WorkConnect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/Next Steps:Visit LiveLikeALeader.show for more inspiring episodes.Dive into Mike’s world of leadership at Mike-Robbins.com.Connect with Mike at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/ and connect with me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbates/-----Mike Robbins is the author of five books, Focus on the Good Stuff, Be Yourself Everyone Else is Already Taken, Nothing Changes Until You Do, Bring Your Whole Self to Work, and We're All in This Together, which have been translated into fifteen different languages.As an expert in teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence, Mike delivers keynotes and seminars (both in-person and virtually) that empower people, leaders, and teams to engage in their work, collaborate, and perform at their best. Through his speeches, seminars, consulting, and writing, Mike teaches important techniques that allow individuals and organizations to be more appreciative, authentic, and effective.His clients include: Google, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Walmart, Schwab, LinkedIn, Deloitte, the U.S. Department of Labor, Gap, Harvard University, Coca-Cola, Disney, Chevron, eBay, Kaiser, Airbnb, UC Berkeley, the NBA, Pixar, Genentech, Adobe, the Oakland A's, and many others. Mike is a member of the National Speakers Association and is one of less than 10% of the professional speakers in the world to have earned the prestigious Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association.He has been featured on NPR, ABC News, the Oprah radio network, and in the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, the New York Times, the Economist, the Wall Street Journal, and many others. He was a regular contributor to Forbes and is the creator and host of the popular podcast, We're All In This Together.  ----- John Bates provides 1:1 Executive Communications Coaching, both in-person and online, as well as large and small group training. Sign up for his free weekly micro-trainings at https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings and create a great leadership communications habit that makes you the kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty and connection.

Dan Sherrard-Smith is the founder & CEO of MotherTree. MotherTree works with values-led businesses to reduce CO2 emissions, increase client satisfaction, and unlock savings. Launched by the founding team behind Look After My Bills: Best ever deal on Dragons' Den, saved the British public £127m in 3 years.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Following the Money for Impact: Discover why your bank and pension investments have a bigger carbon footprint than your diet or commute—and what you can do about it.Building a Personal Brand: Learn why authenticity and storytelling are crucial for leaders and impact-driven founders.Scaling Connections with LinkedIn: Dan’s proven strategy to create high-quality content that generates leads and builds lasting relationships in just two hours a week.Entrepreneurial Lessons: Behind-the-scenes of Dan’s Dragons’ Den journey, including the challenges of rapid growth and the power of staying adaptable.Finding Purpose: How becoming a father inspired Dan to leave a cushy job and tackle the climate crisis head-on.Key Moments:[04:32] The “aha” moment that led to MyMotherTree.com's creation.[18:10] The Dragons’ Den story—how Dan secured an unprecedented deal and scaled his business almost overnight.[30:22] The three levers of impact: money, influence, and voting.[47:15] Counterintuitive LinkedIn strategies to grow your network and drive revenue.[1:02:50] The importance of gratitude and moving beyond fossil fuels to embrace innovation.Actionable Insights:Start small: Audit your bank and pension to ensure your money aligns with your values.Build trust on LinkedIn by showing up authentically—connect, don’t sell.Define your key content pillars to balance reach with resonance.Focus on scaling relationships, not just transactions, for sustainable business growth.Connect with Dan Sherrard-Smith:Website: MyMotherTree.comEmail: Dan [at] MyMotherTree.comLinkedIn: Dan Sherrard-Smith  ----- John Bates provides 1:1 Executive Communications Coaching, both in-person and online, as well as large and small group training. Sign up for his free weekly micro-trainings at https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings and create a great leadership communications habit that makes you the kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty and connection.

Baz Porter isn’t just an executive consultant; he’s the catalyst that top-tier CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders rely on to unlock their next level. He is also the best-selling author of 'Cracking the Rich Code,' endorsed by Tony Robbins and featuring a foreword by Brian Tracy. With over 15 years in the trenches, Baz has mastered the art of high-performance coaching, using his trademark R.A.M.S. framework (Results, Attitude, Mastery, Systems) to cut through the noise and help leaders reignite their purpose, overcome the inner battles no one else sees, and reclaim control of their path. Known for his bold, unapologetic approach and the deep, transformative impact he has on his clients, Baz doesn’t just consult—he rewires potential.If you’re ready to get real about what it takes to lead at the highest level, Baz Porter is here to shake things up.Find him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bazporterllc/  ----- John Bates provides 1:1 Executive Communications Coaching, both in-person and online, as well as large and small group training. Sign up for his free weekly micro-trainings at https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings and create a great leadership communications habit that makes you the kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty and connection.

Mark Albert is the founder and CEO of Media Advisory Experts, a Washington, DC-based consultancy providing media training, crisis communications, earned media, storytelling and video production services to clients in the U.S. and around the globe. He and his team guide leaders on their path to amplify their stories in the media, coaching top executives from C-suite to founders.Mark is also a Peabody and EMMY award-winning master storyteller with a 25-year journalism career distinguished by investigative and political reporting, innovative storytelling techniques, and creative communications. He's traveled the world for CBS News and reported from the White House, Capitol Hill and the US Supreme Court; created and led a national investigative unit for Hearst Communications; taught journalists in newsrooms in the US, Vietnam, and Pakistan; launched an online news startup and podcast about travel news and deals; and created a media database to drive countless earned media appearances. Mark has won some of the biggest honors in journalism while landing high-profile, national interviews, including with philanthropist and tech pioneer Bill Gates, government and political leaders at history-making moments, and visionary creators. He’s been invited to bring his energetic, passionate speaking to audiences around the world.Mark has been to 86 countries so far – with a goal to visit them allFind Mark at https://www.linkedin.com/in/markalbertreporter/ & https://www.mediamasteryexperts.com/  ----- John Bates provides 1:1 Executive Communications Coaching, both in-person and online, as well as large and small group training. Sign up for his free weekly micro-trainings at https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings and create a great leadership communications habit that makes you the kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty and connection.

In this episode of Live Like a Leader, I’m joined by Minal Mehta, a leadership coach with deep experience in the tech world. Minal has worked at top companies like Google, LinkedIn, and Amazon, and now helps ambitious leaders align their careers with their true selves while bringing joy and ease into their lives.We dive into her journey from high-powered tech exec to leadership coach and how she balances drive with mindfulness. Minal shares personal stories about her wake-up call moments, blending her background in psychology and meditation to help leaders grow, and the lessons she learned from working with top executives like Jeff Bezos and Reid Hoffman.Join us as we explore:Clarity in Leadership – Minal discusses how leaders like Bezos and Hoffman shaped her perspective on clear communication and leadership.Balancing Ambition with Ease – Learn how Minal helps leaders stay ambitious without burning out, using mindfulness and self-alignment.The Power of Meditation – Minal shares how a simple meditation practice can be the game changer for leaders wanting to reconnect with themselves and boost performance.Practical Tips for Leaders – Get Minal’s advice on prioritization, decision-making, and how to stop playing by others’ rules to create your own path to success.This conversation is full of insights for leaders looking to level up both professionally and personally. Enjoy!  ----- John Bates provides 1:1 Executive Communications Coaching, both in-person and online, as well as large and small group training. Sign up for his free weekly micro-trainings at https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings and create a great leadership communications habit that makes you the kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty and connection.

Robert Scoble is the Founder of Unaligned.io and has written seven books on tech worldwide. He worked as a strategist at Microsoft, got the first ride in a Tesla from Elon Musk, was the first to ride in an autonomous Mercedes, was the 79th user of Instagram, and launched Siri in his house. He's been a first mover and early adopter for a very long time. He also runs Scobleizer https://scobleizer.blog/, which he started as a blog about the technology industry from his perch in Silicon Valley. He was the first to see Tesla, Flipboard, Instagram, Siri, Cloudera, Uber, and many, many other technology companies. Now he's using that expertise to help others as we head into Spatial Computing (virtual and augmented reality along with robots/autonomous vehicles).You can find him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/scobleizer/ and on twitter at x.com/scobleizer where he closely tracks AI!   ----- John Bates provides 1:1 Executive Communications Coaching, both in-person and online, as well as large and small group training. Sign up for his free weekly micro-trainings at https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings and create a great leadership communications habit that makes you the kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty and connection.