Train to Lead, with Christian Muntean

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Christian Muntean about his new book, "Train to Lead."  Christian Muntean has helped hundreds of businesses rapidly grow, increase profitability, and expand impact. He primarily works with entrepreneurial business leaders who are scaling their businesses or preparing for exit or succession. He partners with owners, boards, and executive teams as they make game-changing decisions. Christian is the author of three popular books, with the most recent being Train to Lead. He is a frequent guest on podcasts and has been a contributor to Forbes.com. Christian lives in Anchorage, Alaska with his wife and three active children. He enjoys woodworking and practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianmuntean/  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Stella Ioannidou about the new report, AI-First Hiring Is the New TA Reality. Stella Loannidou is the Senior Director of Research and Global Workforce Intelligence Project leader at The Josh Bersin Company. In this role, she conducts empirical research on a variety of topics related to the skills economy, talent intelligence, and HCM solutions. Stella has almost 20 years of experience across several industries, including banking. Prior to joining The Josh Bersin Company, Stella was the HR transformation leader for Deloitte, where she led large-scale HCM implementations and designed frameworks for talent acquisition and performance management for the public sector. Stella holds master’s degrees in engineering, information systems management, business administration, and lifelong learning. She is a certified project manager, change management practitioner, lean six sigma green belt, and ICAgile HR professional.    https://joshbersin.com/talent-acquisition-revolution/   Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Rich Braden and Dr. Tessa Forshaw about their new book, Be Innovation-ish. Rich Braden is the founder of People Rocket LLC, a strategic innovation firm based in San Francisco. With over 15 years of academic experience, Rich is a recognized thought leader in design thinking, leadership, and innovation. He is a design educator teaching at renowned institutions including Harvard University, Stanford University, Aalto University, and London Business School, helping shape future leaders. As CEO of People Rocket, he works with clients such as Airbnb, Google, the United Nations, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and the Red Cross to drive strategic innovation and responsible AI solutions. Rich holds degrees in Computer and Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a co-founder of the Next Level Lab at Harvard University, Tessa specializes in using cognitive science to explore how people best work, learn, and innovate. She draws upon her academic research as a cognitive scientist and extensive background as a former designer at IDEO CoLAb and Accenture to turn the cognitive processes involved in design, creativity, and innovation into practical insights that can be applied in the flow of work. These insights are also the foundations of what she teaches as a design educator at Stanford University and now Harvard University. Recognized for her impactful design projects, Tessa is the recipient of multiple design awards: a Fast Company Design Award for General Excellence, two Core77 Industrial Design Magazine Design Awards, and the Australian American Chamber of Commerce Innovation Awards. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Kyle Samuels about diversifying your talent pipeline. Kyle Samuels is the founder and CEO of Creative Talent Endeavors (CTE), a retained executive search firm known for helping organizations identify and hire the leadership talent that drives growth, transformation, and long-term value. Under Kyle’s leadership, CTE has been recognized twice on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies and was named the #4 fastest-growing company in Charlotte. What sets Kyle apart is a deep commitment to authenticity, candor, and alignment. Whether he’s partnering with a founder making their first executive hire or a global enterprise reshaping its leadership bench, Kyle brings a direct, empathetic, and values-driven approach to every search. His work is grounded in the belief that hiring the right leader isn’t just about a resume — it’s about long-term fit, trust, and shared purpose. Kyle is also the creator of Fairantee™, a value-based pricing search algorithm that uses data to determine the price of a search, not an arbitrary percentage like most search firms use. This makes using executive search more transparent and equitable. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Andy Lange about the evolving role of HR leaders. Andy Lange, MBA, PMP®, SHRM-SCP, is the Senior Vice President of People at Take Command, bringing over 15 years of combined HR, executive leadership, and operational experience. Prior to his current role, Andy served as CEO for seven years and as a partner and general manager, where he led business operations, talent strategy, and organizational growth. His career blends hands-on HR leadership with executive-level insight, enabling him to build scalable people programs that align with business objectives. Andy’s practical, real-world approach to helping HR leaders elevate their strategic impact through modern benefits strategies has been shared through speaking and editorial opportunities for BenefitsPro, HRSouthwest, business.com and SHRM. Check out his new e-book here: https://www.takecommandhealth.com/hr-leader-e-book Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Ab DeWeese about collaborative AI in the workplace.  Ab DeWeese is a a serial entrepreneur, AI educator, and author of Essential AI: Your All-in-One QuickStart to Using AI in Business and the Workplace. He’s also the creator of CollabChat AI, a platform designed to help teams work with AI—and each other—to produce better, more reliable results. In this conversation, we’re diving into what HR leaders need to know about collaborative AI: how it reduces risk, strengthens decision-making, and helps people stay at the center of innovation.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Cindy Cavoto why “summer break” feels like a myth for working moms. Cynthia Cavoto is a seasoned productivity coach and business strategist who empowers professionals and entrepreneurs to reclaim control of their time and build systems that support sustainable growth. As the founder of Cavoto Coaching & Consulting, she brings a unique blend of project management, digital marketing, and neuroscience-informed coaching to her work. Cynthia works with big-hearted, high-achieving individuals who feel stretched thin and are ready to regain clarity, energy, and purpose in their work and life. Her coaching provides not only strategic guidance but also practical tools—like personalized time management systems, downloadable resources, and tailored accountability structures—to create lasting change. With a warm, intuitive, and results-focused approach, Cynthia helps clients move from overwhelmed to empowered. Her work transforms how people engage with their time, their goals, and themselves—resulting in greater focus, reduced stress, and a life more aligned with what matters most. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Denise Brown about her book, THE FAIRY GOD DOCTOR’S GUIDE TO A GOOD LIFE: A Prescription For The Working Woman. Denise Brown, MD, has over three decades of experience as a physician, CEO, and Chief Strategy Officer. She is a transformation leader who helps women in business learn how to prioritize and avoid stress and burnout. A thought leader in self-care for working women, Brown is a graduate of The University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, with training at Stanford and Vanderbilt. She resides in Austin, TX with her husband and children. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Wendy Lipton-Dibner about how leaders build impassioned engagement, unrivaled loyalty, and boundless growth by measuring real-world impact. Wendy Lipton-Dibner, MA, author of WHAT MATTERS MATTERS MOST®: How Leaders Build Impassioned Engagement, Unrivaled Loyalty, And Boundless Growth By Measuring Real-World Impact, is the leading authority on organizational development through strategic and operational impact. A multiple-time bestselling author, sought-after strategist, and serial entrepreneur, Lipton-Dibner is known for her unparalleled ability to help organizations increase profitability by maximizing and capitalizing on the Real-World Impact they create for all stakeholders. President, Founder, and CEO of Professional Impact, Inc., Lipton-Dibner is the developer of Organizational Impact Strategy, inventor of Real-World Impact Metrics, and creator of the companion app. She has helped thousands of enterprise, healthcare, small business, and non-profit leaders increase team effectiveness and revenue as the direct result of making a measurable difference in people’s lives. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Andy Crocker about what losing to Musk and Bezos taught him about real leadership. Andy Crocker is an aerospace executive with three decades of experience building high-performance teams and leading ambitious projects, including NASA’s Human Landing System. He holds degrees in engineering, humanities, management, and leadership and is an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. His multidisciplinary educational background and diverse career shaped his unique perspective that led him to write The Unconditionals in which he reveals the foundational, timeless values that help readers unlock the potential for their greatest personal and professional fulfillment. He recently founded Overview Affection, a company that aims to extend the values contained in The Unconditionals to individuals and organizations. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!