Leadership Insights Episodes

David Aferiat: Stop the Bottleneck and How a 3D Decision Engine Transforms Leadership Teams Overview What if the biggest thing holding your business back is not the market, not your team, and not your strategy, but you? In this episode of the Stay On Course Podcast, host Julie Riga sits down with seasoned growth coach and entrepreneur David Aferiat to unpack one of the most overlooked leadership killers in business: decision bottlenecks. David draws on over 25 years of experience, including sc...

The Operations Advantage: Business Success Beyond Sales Guest: Tonya Odio, Author and Founder of Executive Foundations Host: Julie Riga Overview What separates a passionate idea from a thriving, sustainable business? Operations. In this milestone episode recorded live in the studio for the very first time, Julie Riga sits down with Tonya Odio, author of The Operations Advantage: Business Success Beyond Sales, to unpack the systems, structures, and mindset shifts every entrepreneur needs to bu...

The Operations Advantage: Why Clarity, Systems and Profit Are the True Ingredients for Business Success Guest: Tonya Odio, Operational Strategist and Founder of Executive Foundations Host: Julie Riga What if the secret to scaling your business had nothing to do with selling more, and everything to do with how you run things behind the scenes? In this episode, Julie Riga sits down with Tonya Odio, founder of Executive Foundations and author of The Operations Advantage. Together, they uncover wh...

The Trust Advantage: How Leaders Turn Complexity Into Confidence Overview In this episode of the Stay On Course Podcast, host Julie Riga sits down with Jeff Willinger, a globally recognized digital transformation leader, Microsoft MVP, and one of the leading voices in enterprise AI and the future of work. Jeff shares the three ingredients that separate visionary leaders from those who fall behind. In an AI-driven world, the most valuable thing a leader can offer is not a solution. It is confid...

Why Your Data Is Not the Star of the Show: The Human Science of Powerful Presentations Guest: Anthony Greiter, Founder of Agent, Technical Translator and Presentation Coach Host: Julie Riga, Leadership Coach and Founder of the Stay On Course Podcast 📌 Visit the Episode Stack:stacklist.app/julieriga | All the links, resources, and key information from this episode in one easy place. Overview Most scientific experts believe their data is the main event. But Anthony Greiter, founder of Agent an...

Stop Letting Your Business Own You: The Role Alignment Secret Behind an $18M Exit Guest: Brandon Lee, Business Alignment Coach and Founder of Build By Design Host: Julie Riga Podcast: Stay On Course Podcast 📌 Visit the Episode Stack — All the links, resources, and key information from this episode in one easy place. Overview What if the real reason your business is not growing is not your strategy or your sales pitch? What if it is you, operating in the wrong role? In this episode of the Sta...

Leadership Lessons from the Kitchen: The Three C's Every Great Leader Needs What does cooking have to do with building a business? Everything. Julie Riga sits down with Sutton C. McCraney and Lace Flowers, co-founders of the Flavor Room, to explore how kitchen wisdom transforms the way leaders lead and grow. From curry goat to lamb biryani, this conversation is packed with purpose, authenticity, and real talk that leaders need. This episode is a masterclass in intentional, purpose-driven leader...

The LEARN Framework: Building a Lasting Culture Through Intentional Leadership Guest: Jim Carbaugh, Educator, Leadership Coach and Author Host: Julie Riga Overview Jim Carbaugh spent 35 years in classrooms and school leadership before turning five letters his grandfather taught him into a framework now adopted by schools and businesses nationwide. His LEARN Framework covers Listen, Ethics, Attitude, Respect, and Know. In this episode, Jim and Julie explore what it takes to build a lasting cul...

Three Keys to Identity, Success in Business and Life Guest: Joanna Harabedian, Faith-Based Relationship Strategist, Amazon #1 Bestselling Author and Miss America 2019-2021 Host: Julie Riga Overview What if the greatest challenge you face as a leader is not a business problem but an identity problem? In this episode of the Stay On Course Podcast, Julie Riga sits down with Joanna Harabedian, Miss America 2019-2021 and Amazon #1 bestselling author of From Solo to Soulmate. Together they unpack ...

Lead Where It Matters Most: Homegrown Leadership Starts at Home Guest: Joe LaRussa, Mayor, Entrepreneur and Founder of Homegrown Leadership Host: Julie Riga Overview What if the leadership skills driving your professional success could also transform your home life? In this episode, host Julie Riga sits down with Joe LaRussa, small city mayor, entrepreneur, and founder of Homegrown Leadership, to explore one of the most overlooked arenas of personal development: leading at home. After 25 yea...

Your Story Is Your Greatest Asset: Building a Narrative Operating System That Drives Real Growth Guest: Rain Bennett, Award-Winning Filmmaker, Author and Fractional Chief Storytelling Officer Host: Julie Riga What if your story was not just a marketing tactic but the very strategy that drives transformation, alignment, and legacy in your business? In this episode of the Stay On Course Podcast, host Julie Riga sits down with award-winning filmmaker and Fractional Chief Storytelling Officer Rain...

Leadership from the Saddle: What Horses Teach Us About Leading Guests: Britain Mills-Dawes and Tea Di Lillo Host: Julie Riga In this episode of Stay On Course, leadership coach Julie Riga is joined by equine practitioner Britain Mills-Dawes and Alberta horse trainer Tea, co-hosts of the Uncinched podcast. Together they explore the leadership lessons hidden between horse and rider: trust, presence, intuition, and the quiet confidence that makes others gravitate toward you. Whether you lead a co...

Rebellious Success: Failure, Bigger Games, and Playing Full Out Guest: Toni Will | Host: Julie Riga | Stay On Course Podcast What if failure was your greatest leadership asset? In this bold and energizing episode, Julie Riga sits down with Toni Will, a two-time Guinness World Record holder, General Manager of the Kalamazoo Wings, TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and author of the upcoming book Rebellious Success. Toni brings contagious energy and hard-won wisdom to a conversation about competence, c...

Your Brand Is Your Business Outfit: The Unspoken Rules of Brand Identity That Drive Real Growth Guest: Lexy Rubin, Owner and Creative Director of Rubin Design Company Host: Julie Riga Overview In this episode of the Stay On Course Podcast, Julie Riga sits down with Lexy Rubin, Owner and Creative Director of Rubin Design Company, an award-winning branding agency in South Florida. Lexy is a purpose-driven brand strategist whose career spans NASA internships, New York City corporate branding, an...

From Content Overload to Curated Influence: The Future of Connection Overview In this transformative episode, Julie Riga sits down with Kyle Hudson, founder and CEO of Stacklist, to explore how curation, not content creation, is becoming the future of trust and influence in an AI-driven world. Kyle shares his journey from building digital solutions for Google, Disney, and Coca-Cola to creating a platform that helps service professionals own their client relationships. Together, they dive into t...

Aligning Your Marketing for Long-Term Growth: The 3 Essential Ingredients Every Business Owner Needs In this transformative episode, Julie Riga sits down with Jeremiah Aut, founder and CEO of Involved Digital Marketing, to explore the strategic foundations that drive sustainable business growth. Jeremiah shares his journey from fragmented experimentation to focused execution, revealing the three essential ingredients that align marketing strategy with long-term success. Whether you're a small b...

The Art of Presence: Ingredients for Success in Leadership and Life Guest: Gabriella Salvatore, Global Organizational Effectiveness & Leadership Strategy Advisor Host: Julie Riga Overview In this transformational episode, Julie welcomes Gabriella Salvatore to explore authentic leadership presence. Gabriella shares powerful insights on being truly present in our hyper-connected world. This conversation reveals the deeper practice of presence - how to listen, connect, and lead with clarity even w...

Guard the Work: The Unspoken Rules of Legacy Leadership Guest: Dr. (hc) Lisa Ray, Founder of Golden Ray Publishing Host: Julie Riga Overview In this powerful episode, host Julie Riga sits down with Dr. (hc) Lisa Ray, a veteran ghostwriter, publisher, and media strategist who transforms lived experience into legacy. Lisa shares her expertise in authentic leadership, personal brand protection, and the responsibility of stepping into the spotlight with integrity. From her work with ...

Leading Change When The Old You No Longer Works: Navigating High-Stakes Transformation with Heart-Centered Leadership Guest: Lin Coughlin, Executive Coach & Strategic Advisor Host: Julie Riga Overview In this powerful episode, Julie sits down with Lin Coughlin, an executive coach who spent 20 years in C-suite roles leading transformative change. Lin shares her wisdom on navigating high-stakes inflection points, building constituencies for change, and why leading bold transformation requires bo...

Brain-Based Leadership: How Awareness, Curiosity, and Presence Transform the Way You Lead Guest: Tracy Benson, Top 1% LinkedIn Coach & Brain-Based Leadership Expert Host: Julie Riga Overview Join Julie Riga as she sits down with Tracy Benson, a top 1% LinkedIn coach and brain-based leadership expert who has spent over three decades helping senior leaders create clarity, alignment, and real performance. Tracy blends neuroscience, leadership psychology, and practical business strategy to give l...

Beyond the Game: How One NBA Player Transformed Adversity Into Impact Guest: Gary Forbes, Former NBA Player, Published Author & Founder of Soul Survivors Host: Julie Riga Overview In this inspiring episode of the Stay On Course podcast, host Julie Riga sits down with former NBA player Gary Forbes to explore what happens when life takes you beyond the game you thought would define you. Gary shares his powerful journey from professional basketball to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, revealing the...

Embark on an unbelievable journey with Blaine Bartlett, a leadership expert and bestselling author, as he unveils the secrets to entrepreneurial success and the soul of business on the latest episode of the Stay on Course Podcast. Discover the transformative power of mindset, overcoming fear, and the terror barrier as essential steps in personal and professional growth. Dive deep into the realms of imagination and learn how it shapes reality, driving innovation in the business world. Blaine Bart...

From Corporate Ladder to Freedom: The Franchise Path to Business Ownership Guest: Doris Fink, President of Plan B 2000 Inc | Host: Julie Riga Overview Julie sits down with Doris Fink, who turned an unexpected $300,000 opportunity into two decades of helping professionals create their Plan B. Doris shares her journey from single mom working three jobs to successful business owner, revealing the truth nobody talks about—why the first two years are hardest and how franchise ownership provides the ...

The Bravery Effect: How to Lead Yourself Before You Lead Others Episode Overview What if the key to your greatest success isn't waiting until you feel confident but acting despite your fear? Marine Corps veteran Jill Schulman reveals why professionals are stuck in comfort that masquerades as happiness, and how developing bravery transforms your career and life. Drawing from 25 years of leadership development and positive psychology research, Jill shares three evidence-based ingredients to build...