Heal Yourself First, Then Lead

What if the most important leadership training is the work of healing yourself? In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Vesna Lucca speaks with Nilima Bhat, co-author with Raj Sisodia of Healing Leaders* and Shakti Leadership, about the inner work that leadership asks of us.Nilima walks through the seven steps at the heart of the book: know yourself, love yourself, be yourself, choose yourself, express yourself, complete yourself and heal yourself. She explains why the steps sit inside each other like a telescope, and why healing is a spiral that takes us deeper each time. She shares how a lifetime of family health crises taught her to find meaning in suffering, and why she now believes we can also grow from joy.She also offers leaders her 51/49 rule, explains why the world needs to remember the lost feminine, and describes the projects calling her in Pondicherry, Rishikesh and Kashmir.On today's podcast:- How unhealed wounds leak out as toxic leadership.- What the seven steps from Healing Leaders ask of a leader.- Why becoming psychologically whole makes leaders more flexible.- How the 51/49 rule puts inner work before impact.- Why the world needs to remember the lost feminine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when fear stops being an enemy and starts becoming a guide?In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Vesna Lucca speaks with entrepreneur, executive coach and former extreme sports athlete Brett Kistler about what it means to welcome fear, rather than conquer it.Through years of skydiving, BASE jumping and wingsuit flying, Brett discovered that the people who lasted longest were not the ones pretending to be fearless, but the ones willing to acknowledge fear and listen to its wisdom. The conversation moves from the edge of cliffs into the realities of leadership, where fear, shame and the need to belong often shape decisions far more than logic alone.Brett reflects on how emotional honesty, presence and the courage to say the unsaid can transform teams, relationships and the way leaders navigate uncertainty. He also explores the VIEW mindset — Vulnerability, Impartiality, Empathy and Wonder — as a practical framework for deeper connection and wiser action.On today’s podcast:How welcoming fear creates clarity in leadership.Why shame quietly distorts decision-making.What the VIEW mindset can teach leaders about honest conversations.How business can become a path of self-discovery and growth.Why AI should free us to become more, not less, human. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the biggest upgrade we need isn't another product, app or sustainability report, but the economic system itself?In this episode, serial entrepreneur and impact investor Stefan Krook returns to Corporate Unplugged to share his vision for the Laghum Economy – a market economy redesigned for a world of 8 billion people living within hard planetary boundaries.Drawing on decades building purpose-driven companies like Kivra and the GoodCause ventures, Stefan explains why even the most innovative circular business models are still swimming upstream against a tax system that makes work expensive and nature almost free. He unpacks how shifting taxes from labour to resource use – applied at the point of consumption – could flip the script, so that repair, sharing, circularity and durability become the natural winners rather than costly exceptions.Stefan also shares the personal crisis that led him from optimism about purpose-driven companies to questioning the rules of the game, and how that journey brought him back to Stockholm School of Economics as its first Practitioner in Residence. Together with Vesna, he explores what this transition would mean for CEOs, policymakers and citizens – and why innovation always follows the brief the system gives us.On today's podcast, you will learn:Why pricing nature – not labour – is the missing systemic lever in today's economy.How a tax shift could turn green premiums into green discounts.Why even the best impact ventures struggle when prices send the wrong signals.What CEOs can realistically do beyond voluntary sustainability initiatives.How a Laghum Economy could shape everyday life for the next generation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Vesna Lucca talks with scholar‑entrepreneur Raiya Kind, who lives at the crossroads of language, consciousness and AI, and serves as Chief Emergence Officer of Wisdom Beyond. Together, they explore what it really means to shift innovation from disruption and speed toward healing, restoration and integration.​Raiya introduces the idea of embodied leadership, where leaders slow down, deepen their mind–body connection and tap the body’s vast data‑processing capacity to access wiser, more aligned decisions. She shares how group containers for “healing innovation” allow high‑impact AI and systems leaders to see and integrate old wounds and limiting beliefs so that new insight and strategy can emerge naturally from the collective field.​The conversation also reframes AI as a co‑creator rather than a saviour or villain. Raiya explains why treating AI as either rescuer or threat erodes human agency, and how discerning collaboration—with humans firmly in the loop—can help AI amplify our deepest values, not our fears.​They dive into belonging, coherence and community as essential containers for evolutionary leaps, and imagine a future where “AI in the loop” seamlessly supports human connection, interdependence and joy in everyday life.​On today’s podcast:● What healing innovation looks like in practice for leaders and teams​● Embodied leadership and why slowing down unlocks breakthrough creativity​● AI as co‑creator: keeping discernment and human agency at the centre​● Belonging, interbeing and the role of community in transformative work​● Designing AI and systems for coherence, not just productivity and profit​● Why joy, curiosity and self‑care are strategic filters for the future of work Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if intuition was your greatest business tool? In this episode, Vesna Luca explores the power of deep intuition with renowned Icelandic thought leader, author, and serial entrepreneur, Hrund Gunnsteinsdottir. Drawing on her extensive global experience in leadership, innovation, and systemic change, Hrund reveals how Iceland’s “InnSæi”—the sea within—can transform the way we lead, decide, and live.Hrund explains that intuition is far from mystical; rather, it is a form of deep intelligence, blending embodied awareness with subconscious processing. She shares how cultivating rituals like daily journaling, contemplative walks, and meaningful pauses can unlock creativity, strengthen self-trust, and help leaders make courageous decisions under uncertainty. The conversation unpacks the threefold Icelandic concept of InnSæi: seeing within, seeing from the inside out, and the sea within, illustrating how personal transformation ripples out to shift organizations and systems.Listeners will discover how modern leadership depends on authentic imagination, the courage to experiment, and the strength to embrace vulnerability—essential skills in times of continuous transformation. This episode will inspire leaders to trust their inner compass, build resilient teams, and lead with hope and curiosity. Hrund’s stories and insights offer practical guidance for anyone who wants to thrive amid complexity and create a more human-centered workplace and world.On today’s podcast:The meaning and power of “InnSæi”—Icelandic intuitionBuilding strong, innovative teams through self-awarenessDaily rituals leaders can use to nurture intuitionHow imagination fuels hope and resilienceMaking high-stakes decisions in uncertainty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Vesna is joined by Lars Strannegård, President of the Stockholm School of Economics, for a profound conversation on education, leadership, and the critical role of art and empathy in shaping the future of business and society. Lars shares his formative experiences living abroad, highlighting how cultural exposure and the lack of it shaped his perspective on inclusion and the importance of creative expression. He discusses the vision for SSE, emphasizing the need for students to leave with a broad, reflective mindset, ready to serve society and make a positive impact. In an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the landscape, Lars argues that the development of human intelligence—skills like empathy, self-awareness, and critical thinking—becomes more vital than ever. He introduces the FREE framework guiding SSE: Fact-based, Reflective, Empathetic, and Entrepreneurial mindsets, which together foster responsible leadership. The conversation explores the transformative power of art as an “intellectual and emotional itching powder,” challenging individuals to reflect and grow. Lars also stresses the importance of inclusion, respect, and the need for everyone to feel heard and valued in organizations and society. The episode offers practical wisdom for leaders to widen their perspectives, embrace discomfort, and prioritize relationships as the foundation of meaningful leadership.On today’s podcast:● Why art and culture are essential for leadership in the age of AI● The FREE framework: Fact-based, Reflective, Empathetic, Entrepreneurial● How formative experiences shape empathy and inclusion● The transformative power of art as a catalyst for self-reflection● Why inclusion and respect are critical for responsible leadership Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Vesna welcomes Dr. Peter Senge, renowned MIT Sloan lecturer and pioneer of systems thinking, to the Corporate Unplugged Podcast. Peter explores why true change requires a shift in how we see interdependence, not just in business but in society at large. Drawing from decades of work with organizations and indigenous communities, he explains how deep, sustainable transformation starts with cultural and institutional shifts—far beyond quick fixes or policy tweaks.Peter shares practical ways leaders can catalyze systemic change, emphasizing the power of authentic partnerships and “pre-competitive collaboration”—even among rivals. He highlights the importance of leadership as a developmental journey rooted in purpose, service, and the ability to create generative social fields where trust and innovation can flourish. Peter also reflects on the wisdom of indigenous cultures and the critical need for hope and honest dialogue in times of uncertainty.On today’s podcast:Why systems thinking is essential for real, lasting changeHow leaders can embody and catalyze transformationThe value of partnerships and collective intelligenceLessons from indigenous cultures on resilience and memoryWhy hope, courage, and relational space matter now more than ever Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Edward Grant, a modern polymath, inventor, author, and visionary entrepreneur, joins Vesna on Corporate Unplugged to explore the profound intersections of love, leadership, and multidimensional thinking. With over 80 patents and contributions spanning fields like cryptography, geometry, and healthcare, Robert shares his unique journey of bridging science, spirituality, and innovation.In this episode, Robert reflects on how love drives his purpose and how self-awareness and judgment-free living are essential for personal and societal transformation. He discusses the importance of polymathy in addressing complex challenges and why humanity is on the cusp of a collective awakening. From sacred geometry to the power of synchronicity, Robert offers a thought-provoking lens for leaders seeking to create meaningful impact.In this episode:Why love is the ultimate driver of purposeThe role of polymathy in solving global challengesHow judgment creates suffering and self-love heals itHumanity’s awakening and interconnectedness through synchronicitySacred geometry as a meditative practice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Vesna Lucca speaks with Thierry Malleret, economist, author, and founder of Summit of Minds. Thierry shares his unique perspective on leadership, sustainability, and the urgent need for businesses to embrace stakeholder capitalism. Drawing from his diverse career—including years at the World Economic Forum—Thierry reflects on the challenges and opportunities shaping our world today. “Without nature, there is no economy,” Thierry emphasizes, underscoring the critical role of natural capital in sustaining our future. Through his Summit of Minds initiative, he immerses leaders in nature-based experiences to inspire action: “When you see glaciers retreating almost visibly, it compels you to act.” Thierry also reveals his creative side as a novelist. His latest geopolitical thriller, Deaths at Davos, explores themes of power, greenwashing, and global influence. “Fiction allows me to ask bold questions about our world without the constraints of non-fiction,” he explains.Listeners will hear Thierry’s candid thoughts on cross-generational collaboration: “Younger generations are today’s change agents—more attuned to sustainability and determined to make a difference.” He also highlights the importance of listening as a key leadership skill: “Too many leaders talk at people instead of with them. Listening is rare but transformative.”This episode is a call to action for leaders and individuals alike to embrace hope through decisive action, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability.On today’s podcast:Thierry’s non-linear career journeyThe importance of stakeholder capitalismWriting fiction to explore global challengesNature as an economic cornerstoneCross-generational dialogue as a force for change Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Vesna explores new worlds with Jesh de Rox, cultural anthropologist and founder of hOURS. They explore the transformative potential of AI in enhancing human connection and creativity. Jesh shares his journey from being a renowned photographer to a visionary leader in social technology, emphasizing the importance of nurturing environments that foster human growth.Jesh discusses his shift from seeing himself as a healer to a gardener, focusing on creating conditions for people to thrive. This metaphor underpins his work at hOURS, where he aims to build scalable systems that promote epiphanies and personal development. He envisions a future where technology supports collective intelligence, drawing from the deep well of human creativity and emotion.The conversation also touches on the limitations of current AI systems, which often lack depth and fail to capture the richness of human experience. Jesh advocates for a new approach that respects individual data ownership and incentivizes genuine contributions to a collective intelligence network.This episode reflects on the role of trust and purpose in this journey, highlighting the urgent need for businesses to align with human-centric values. It is a call for leaders to embrace boldness and authenticity in shaping a future that prioritizes growth and connection over profit and exploitation.In this episode:Transitioning from healing wounds to cultivating growth.AI that can enhance human creativity and connection.Personal data ownership – crucial for ethical AI development.Trust and purpose – essential components of systems aligned with human values.A call for leaders to prioritize meaningful contributions over profit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.