Resilient Leadership: Recent Episodes
Bridgette Theurer & Irvine Nugent, Ph.D.
The Resilient Leadership podcast is aimed at helping you lead with a greater sense of calm, clarity, and conviction even in anxious times.
Co-hosted by Bridgette and Irvine both of whom are authors, leadership coaches, and trainers. Our mission is to offer you insights into leadership and life that you will find nowhere else. Let’s face it we are living in uncertain times and it’s not surprising we are feeling overworked and overwhelmed. Our show will offer you practical tools that you can use today and help you grow your resilience and strengthen your leadership.
Subscribe and join us every other Tuesday morning for lively stories and chat about issues impacting you today. Come away with a practical exercise and a whole of fun along the way.
See you on the next episode!
Bridgette & Irvine
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the frustration many leaders feel when they have to repeat themselves, and still don’t understand why their messages aren’t getting through. They identify 3 key reasons for this breakdown in communication and what leaders can do to move beyond them.
In this milestone 100th episode, Irvine and Bridgette reflect on what they’ve learned about resilient leadership across real moments of pressure, uncertainty, and challenge. They share six key truths that reveal resilience isn’t about having the right answers, but about staying present, grounded, and intentional in how you lead when it matters most.
In this episode, Irvine and Bridgette the core needs that drive behavior and performance at work, and what leaders can do to meet them.
In this episode, Irvine and Bridgette explore what happens after the meeting ends — when leaders carry emotional residue from difficult conversations into their homes, relationships, and sleep. They unpack why unresolved tension lingers in the body, how emotional spillover impacts leadership resilience, and practical ways to reset so pressure doesn’t travel beyond the workplace.
In this episode, Irvine and Bridgette explore how pressure can pull leaders away from the way they want to show up, especially in moments of challenge, urgency, and emotional strain. They share practical insights and tools to help leaders recognize pressure sooner, regain composure, and respond with clarity and intention when it matters most.
In this episode, Irvine and Bridgette explore the biggest obstacle to finding the kind of balance we desire in our work and lives, and it’s likely not what you think! Tune in to hear what might be getting in your way.
Avoiding conflict feels easier in the moment, but it quietly drains productivity, trust, and team morale. In this episode, Irvine and Bridgette reveal the true cost of silence — and share practical tools leaders can use to confront issues early, communicate with clarity, and restore healthier team dynamics.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine unpack how leaders can stay grounded and present even when others are criticizing them, undermining their efforts, disrespecting them or reacting in a hostile or aggressive way
In this episode, Irvine and Bridgette unpack how leaders can stay grounded and present even when they’re hurting, navigating grief, crisis, or profound personal change. Through research and real-world examples, they reveal that resilience in hard seasons comes from honest self-care, connection, and the courage to lead with humanity.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore how leaders can navigate the uncertainty that comes with facing a crossroads in our career and how we can thoughtfully determine what’s next for ourselves with a renewed sense of clarity and confidence.
In this episode, Irvine and Bridgette explore how resilient leaders keep teams connected across distance—showing that in hybrid work, it’s not control but calm, consistent presence that builds trust and belonging.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore what it means to be a well differentiated leader and the difference that it makes for people, teams and organizations. They define what this form of leadership looks like, the essential building blocks that are needed to embody it and share practical examples from everyday day work and life
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore what it means to speak truth to power and why it is a critical skill in leadership and life.
Leaders often feel pressured to have all the answers, but real credibility comes from how they show up when the path is unclear. In this episode, we explore how to lead with steadiness, transparency, and courage—even when certainty isn’t possible.
In this episode, Irvine and Bridgette explore the stigma around sadness in the workplace. Discover how leaders can respond with compassion and clarity—turning vulnerability into resilience.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the power of curious questions and how asking them more often can help you to manage better and connect more deeply.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the phenomenon of resistance and sabotage - why this is part and parcel of the leadership experience and something to expect rather than to be feared.
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine explore what constitutes a “good day” and how me can create more of them
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine explore what it means to embody our leadership values, principles and intentions and how to align the way we sit, stand and walk through our day with what matters most to us.
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine explore the importance of trust in business. But what happens when trust is broken. Can you recover it and if so, who do you do it?
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine will explore the benefits and potential pitfalls of empathy for leaders. Tune in to hear how you can avoid the empathy trap and hold others accountable while still connecting powerfully with them.
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine will discuss the essential ingredients for giving tough feedback that others can hear, and how to receive tough feedback so that we can learn and grow from it.
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine will explore creativity as the key to successful teams with their guest. Dr. Amy Climer.
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine will explore what reframing is, how it works and what we can do to reframe our own challenges and our team’s challenges, so that we can move forward in new and more productive ways
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine will explore curiosity as the key to successful leadership and how leaders can embody curiosity.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the virtue of courage and how it is embodied in three leaders.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the why leaders become insulated from feedback and what they can do about it
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the power of optimism to create a style of leadership that is inspiring and resilient.
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine explore how we can better manage our responses to the people and situations that trigger us, and gain greater equanimity in our day.
IN this episode Irvine and Brigette explore how to manage change personally and how to lead others through change.
In part 1 of this episode Bridgette and Irvine explored the first three pitfalls; In part 2 they explore pitfalls 3-6 and what you can do to avoid them.
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine explore the first three of six pitfalls that even experienced managers can fall into, and what you can do to avoid them.
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine who we go about making a decision and what gets in the way.
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine explore the emotion of sadness. Commonly this is called a negative emotion. In this episode we explore how sadness is call for healing and how we can manging sadness in the workplace.
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine explore what differentiation means in the context of leadership and why this way of being leads to greater influence, sustainability and success.
In this episode Irvine and Bridgette continue their interview Kathleen Smith author of True to You!
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine explore why focusing on our own functioning is vital to our effectiveness, what gets in the way of doing this and three powerful questions to keep our focus where it should be – on ourselves and how we’re showing up, for better or for worse.
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine explore the three imperatives that go into being a Resilient Leader. Practicing these three things on a daily basis will enable you to stand apart from the emotional pressures of the day and influence others in extraordinary ways.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore what a Velvet Rut is, how it impacts individuals and companies and what we can do to get ourselves and our teams out if we’ve fallen into one
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore 4 major trends on the future of work and how it will impact leadership.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore why what Appreciative Inquiry is, why it is a vital leadership skill and how it can instill hope and optimism, even in the midst of very trying and difficult times.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore why the Imposter Syndrome plaques so many leaders, both new and seasoned, the upside of feeling fraudulent, and what we can do to move past it.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore how to make the inevitable conflict in the workplace less destructive and more productive.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore what workplace politics are, why they are not inherently bad and how being able to play politics the right way is a key leadership skill.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the that despite being ambiguous averse we can learn to make good decisions when everything is ambiguous.
Getting better at anything, including leadership, requires change. But how do we make changes in our lives that are lasting and sustainable? In this episode Bridgette and Irvine unpack the recipe for making changes that stick.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the new generation in the workplace Gen Z and the importance of generational empathy to overcome tensions.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore why failure is inextricable linked to leadership, how our mindset around failing shapes our experience of it, and what “failing intelligently” looks like in action.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore our emotions and the invitation to get to know them better so we are enabled to have more powerful interactions.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine share three simple yet impactful ways you can become an even more effective communicator.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore how the rise of loneliness is reaching alarming proportions and what we can do to combat it.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine define what a superpower is, how you identify your own superpower and ways you can harness it more fully.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore how a practice of gratitude can change your brain and the way the lead.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine provide listeners with a way to assess how smart their team is and the one thing they can practice to get better at facing adaptive challenges more nimbly.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore how important it is to connect with our bodies and integrate its wisdom into our leadership actions.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore how important humor can be in making a leader more effective.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explain why focusing on employee happiness is a losing proposition for leaders, while focusing on employee engagement boosts performance, productivity and retention.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explain the four stages of team development and what is most required from a leader at each stage.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine focus on the critical skill of managing upwards. They discuss why it is essential to our career success and share strategies for improving our relationships with those above us in the organizational chart, whether that is a boss, a board or anyone else whom we might report to or be accountable to.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explain the importance of distinguishing between an assertion and an assumption and the power it hold for making better decisions.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the difference between influence and authority, and discuss how we can positively influence our relationship systems for the better, regardless of our title or position.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explain that leaders have more power than they think to influence their highly anxious organization by being a step-down transformer.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the difference between influence and authority, and discuss how we can positively influence our relationship systems for the better, regardless of our title or position.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore how we as leaders can inadvertently contribute to or compound underperformance and what steps you can take to turn it around.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine discuss that it is more important to measure your energy than count minutes if you want to improve your performance and become more resilient.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore how previous generations of our family influence us in our daily lives both at work and at home.
As leaders, we sometimes have to take actions that create discomfort in our followers. Making others feel uncomfortable can create anxiety and discomfort in us, leading to what Ed Friedman called “A Failure of Nerve.” In this episode Bridgette and Irvine explore why this muscle matters, what it makes possible for us, and how we can strengthen it in ourselves.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore why most of us resist change and how learning to embrace it can transform our leadership and life.
Is your workplace too soft, too challenging or just right? Resilient organizations, like effective leaders, strike a purposeful balance between connection and accountability, and between comfort and challenge. Join Bridgette and Irvine to hear more about the characteristics of resilient workplaces and how you can contribute to creating one for your team.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore why most of us resist uncertainty and how learning to embrace it can transform our leadership and life
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore information overload and its impact in how we function at work and home. How can we restore sanity back to the never-ending flow of information.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore how to become more resilient in your life and become better able to manage the anxiety in the relationship systems in your life.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore what it means to be an effective advocate for yourself at work and in life.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the intersection of leadership and power and how important our body language is in activating a felt sense of power.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore three conversations that leaders often struggle with and share some strategies for facing into them with courage and conviction.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the virtue of courage and how it drives behaviors that are at the core of successful leadership in today’s business environment.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the phenomenon of triangles – what they are, how healthy triangles differ from toxic ones and why leaders are the most triangled people in any organization.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the phenomenon of resistance and sabotage -- why this is part and parcel of the leadership experience and something to expect rather than to be feared.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the distinction between being a leader and a manager. Is there really is such a sharp difference between them?
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore how we can reverse engineer more rewarding workplaces and in turn increase employee retention.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the benefits of anxiety and discuss how to make this powerful physiological state work for us rather than against us.
Optimism is an essential ingredient of leadership, however not all forms of optimism are created equal. In this episode Bridgette and Irvine explore how to get optimism right.
In this episode Bridgette and Irvine explore the power of music and it ability to evoke different emotions and pull us out of anxious moods.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the intersection of leadership and spirituality. People are expressing more than ever a desire to find meaning in their work lives. What does it mean to be spiritual, and how does it show up behaviorally? How can we grow our spirituality?
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore what makes letting go so challenging for leaders, why it is important to their success and sustainability, and what we can do to develop this underutilized yet vital muscle.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the emotion of anger. Commonly it is called a negative and dangerous emotion. However, anger is a gift that can propel us to defend our values, make lasting change, and uncover solutions.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore what missing conversations are, how to spot them and why identifying and engaging in them is critical to a successful transition to the post-COVID world of work. Please send your questions and ideas for future episodes to resilientleadershippodcast@gmail.com
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the power of story in our lives. However, our stories when not well-formed can get us into trouble with poor decisions and regrettable actions. Powerful questions lie at the heart of helping us develop more accurate stories and more grounded assumptions.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the nature of leadership anxiety. All leaders have some anxiety, whether they know it consciously or not. The problem isn’t the anxiety itself, but what we do with it that counts. Tune in to learn more about where leadership anxiety originates, how it impacts your behavior on the job and what you can do to better manage its impact on you and others.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the importance of setting healthy boundaries. They focus on the art of finding a balance between not being too close and enmeshed with another person while not being too distant from them.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore some of the reasons why our leadership voice can become muted, and what we can do to turn up the volume and speak from a place of greater confidence and conviction.
Trust enables connection and is essential. But what happens when trust is broken? Can you recover it, and if so, how do you do it?
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine debunk the assumption that charisma is essential to effective leadership and explore two other characteristics that are far more important to a leader’s success.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore the three ingredients that go into being a Resilient Leader. Whether you are a CEO, a manager, or a frontline supervisor, practicing these three things on a daily basis will enable you to stand apart from the emotional pressures of the day and influence others in extraordinary ways.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine will explore curiosity a superpower we all had as children but many lose as we grow older. Tune in to hear how curiosity can make you a better leader and assess if you are asking curious questions.
In this episode, Bridgette and Irvine will explore the benefits and potential pitfalls of empathy for leaders. Tune in to hear how you can avoid the empathy trap and hold others accountable while still connecting powerfully with them.
It's invisible and highly contagious and odds are you will catch it. This episode is not about coronavirus rather it is about something much more contagious, our emotions! Tune in to hear about how easily we catch the emotions of others and why as a leader, your emotions are the most contagious of all.
Hardly a day goes by without an article appearing about “The Great Resignation.” In today’s episode, Bridgette and Irvine explore this phenomenon that is re-shaping the workplace and discuss what we can do to address discontent – either in ourselves or in our workplace.
Burnout is a common concern these days and many leaders are experiencing it, either in themselves or in their organizations. This week Bridgette and Irvine shine a spotlight on the three main causes of burnout and what we can do to address them.
In the first episode of their podcast, Bridgette and Irvine introduce a unique way we can build greater resilience at home, at work, and within our organizations. Tune in to hear how you can become a different observer of yourself and navigate your relationship systems with greater equanimity and ease.
The Resilient Leadership Podcast will help you lead with a greater sense of calm, clarity, and conviction even in anxious times. Your hosts Irvine Nugent and Bridgette Theurer will release a brand-new episode every other Tuesday focusing on a topic that we guarantee will offer you insights found nowhere else so that you can better understand these uncertain times, we live in. Each episode will also provide you with a practical exercise aimed at helping you grow your leadership resilience. For more information on Resilient Leadership, head to our website www.resilientleadershippodcast.com and finally don’t forget to tell all of your friends that our show is available to listen to completely free anywhere you can find podcasts.