The Leader Brew: Recent Episodes
Dr. Rick Arrowood
The Leader Brew podcast presents stories detailing the leadership journeys of graduates of a global leadership program. Each episodes features open conversation about the challenges and opportunities of transitioning leadership theory from the classroom into real world practice. Through personal and in-depth reflection, these truly global citizens share their perspectives, and impart fresh approaches to how they are solving some of today’s most complex global leadership problems. Join us on the first Friday of every month as we brew new leadership perspectives, worldwide.
Join Part 2 of the conversation with Jalen Gonel, the brain behind Breadcrumbs.ai, as we unravel the threads of complexity in learning and entrepreneurship. Imagine a world where the intricate becomes attainable, where AI is your ally on a transformative journey through knowledge—this is the essence of Jalen's vision. In a heartfelt discussion, we trace Jalen's personal evolution from an introverted thinker to a pioneering force in tech, highlighting the pivotal role of self-education and emotional intelligence in crafting solutions that resonate deeply with human needs. As we navigate his narrative, we uncover insights into the art of connecting with others, the power of empathy, and the significance of solving real-world problems through intuitive and innovative thinking.
What if the path to your dreams was not strewn with obstacles but paved with ease? We question the traditional mantra of 'no pain, no gain' and invite you to consider an alternative approach to achieving your aspirations. In this episode, we dissect the creative process, contrasting meticulous planning with the allure of spontaneity, and offer guidance to all visionaries yearning to bring their ideas to life. Delve into a philosophy where meaningful pursuits are guided by your own North Star, and where the genuine effort is not a bid against failure but a peaceful endeavor towards living without regrets. Our dialogue with Jalen promises to not only inspire but also provide you with the mindset to forge your own path, illuminated by purpose and the courage to share your story with the world.
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Join the conversation with Jalen Gonel, the brain behind Breadcrumbs.ai, as we unravel the threads of complexity in learning and entrepreneurship. Imagine a world where the intricate becomes attainable, where AI is your ally on a transformative journey through knowledge—this is the essence of Jalen's vision. In a heartfelt discussion, we trace Jalen's personal evolution from an introverted thinker to a pioneering force in tech, highlighting the pivotal role of self-education and emotional intelligence in crafting solutions that resonate deeply with human needs. As we navigate his narrative, we uncover insights into the art of connecting with others, the power of empathy, and the significance of solving real-world problems through intuitive and innovative thinking.
What if the path to your dreams was not strewn with obstacles but paved with ease? We question the traditional mantra of 'no pain, no gain' and invite you to consider an alternative approach to achieving your aspirations. In this episode, we dissect the creative process, contrasting meticulous planning with the allure of spontaneity, and offer guidance to all visionaries yearning to bring their ideas to life. Delve into a philosophy where meaningful pursuits are guided by your own North Star, and where the genuine effort is not a bid against failure but a peaceful endeavor towards living without regrets. Our dialogue with Jalen promises to not only inspire but also provide you with the mindset to forge your own path, illuminated by purpose and the courage to share your story with the world.
Support the show
Stepping onto campus as a first-year student athlete, Jaiden Woodbey was determined to defy the odds. His journey through competitive football and rigorous academia, culminating in three degrees over five action-packed years, paints a compelling portrait of discipline and ambition. We're thrilled to welcome Jaiden Woodbey in our latest episode, where we peel back the gridiron to reveal the steadfast resilience and time management wizardry required to juggle higher education with the high stakes of collegiate sports. Throughout our conversation, Jaiden's personal anecdotes serve as a playbook for anyone striving to tackle their goals head-on, regardless of the field they're playing on.
We dissect the parallels between the strategy of football and the tactics of effective leadership, highlighting how teamwork, focus, and an unwavering commitment to one's role are just as crucial in the corporate arena as they are on the playing field. Jaiden exemplifies the kind of leadership that's born in the locker room and refined in the boardroom, providing a masterclass for transitioning athletes and aspiring leaders alike.
The episode closes with a rallying call to the dreamers, the determined, and the dedicated: chart your own course, break through boundaries, and build a legacy that echoes long after the stadium lights dim. Join us as we celebrate a story that's not simply about sports; it's about the relentless pursuit of excellence.
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Can you imagine returning to pursue your educational dreams after a 35 year gap? Denise Eaton, a recent Merrimack College graduate, defied the odds and did exactly that. Denise’s inspiring journey from a long hiatus to achieving her Bachelor's degree is the heart of our conversation. We explore her motivations, experiences, and the critical role of perseverance and self-confidence that transformed her life and career.
Education has evolved dramatically over the last three decades, particularly with the advent of online learning. Denise shares her insights about the convenience and flexibility of asynchronous online learning, which allowed her to seamlessly juggle work, life, and school. We delve deep into how this mode of learning is reshaping the educational landscape and why it's a game-changer for individuals seeking a more flexible educational path.
Denise's journey transcends academics, it’s a testament to personal growth and self-fulfillment. We explore her transition from classroom to the real world, highlighting the significance of networking and professional relationships. Denise’s story reaffirms that it's never too late to chase your dreams, age is just a number in the job market. Join us to hear Denise's incredible journey and get inspired to reignite your educational aspirations.
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Are you ready to hear a tale of extraordinary resilience? Meet Clifford Harrison, a former Foundation Year student and now an esteemed professional at the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. Juggling the demands of early parenthood while striving academically, Clifford's narrative is an inspiring testament to the power of sheer will and determination. This episode also explores the value of networking and seizing every opportunity, providing listeners with real-life insights into achieving success.
We'll delve into Clifford's journey, where he cleverly navigated his way to success. He'll recount how surrounding himself with smarter individuals and learning vital life skills from his basketball coach spurred him on. Clifford emphasizes the significance of mentorship, community service, and staying true to your purpose - all ingredients of his recipe for success. As a cherry on top, he'll impart the wisdom he would share with his seven-year-old self about the life ahead, a conversation not to miss. Tune in today and discover the extraordinary leader within you.
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Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and his co-host, Dr. Leslie Hitch, as they reconnect with their former student, Wei Li Wong. Originally hailing from Malaysia, Wei Li will share her personal and professional journey from being an international graduate student to achieving a Senior Consultant position at Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia.
Wei Li compares her journey and approach to leadership to a video game, recognizing that life consists of multiple levels that require continuous learning, acquiring new tools, and embracing more significant challenges. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging oneself and the individuals who contributed to their success, stating, "Nobody achieves success without understanding how they reached that point. It's crucial to recognize and appreciate those who have supported you along the way."
Dr. Hitch reflects on her ability to recognize Wei Li's potential, emphasizing the significance of seeking assistance from others. She believes that as faculty members, it is their responsibility to foster the growth of students, particularly those who possess curiosity, a desire to navigate through uncertainty and resilience to tackle complex tasks.
Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and Co-Host Dr. Leslie Hitch in an engaging conversation with former student Dr. Stephen Sim. This episode revolves around a recurring theme of respect and admiration for faculty members expressed by many exceptional students in the global leadership program. Dr. Sim passionately shares his thoughts on Dr. Hitch's profound impact on his journey.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Sim emphasizes how Dr. Hitch ignited his passion for teaching by exemplifying the ability to inspire countless individuals to become lifelong learners. She seamlessly brought together people from diverse nationalities and cultures through her captivating storytelling and thought-provoking teaching methods. "Dr. Hitch single-handedly united a wide spectrum of individuals through her teaching style, and her influence on my life and career is undeniable," Dr. Sim acknowledges.
Furthermore, he expresses his deep gratitude towards Dr. Hitch, recognizing that her support played a pivotal role in his accomplishment of becoming a teacher who genuinely cares for his students, both within and beyond the confines of the classroom. Dr. Sim firmly believes that his success in teaching and leadership is, in essence, a testament to Dr. Hitch's achievements. Without her guidance and mentorship, he admits uncertainty regarding whether he would have achieved his lifelong dream.
Dr. Sim's profound appreciation for educators and their impact on shaping future generations drives his work toward building a better world. He underscores the importance of expressing gratitude to those who teach and inspire us, as it fuels his dedication to creating a brighter future for all.
Dr. Rick catches up with his former student, Ricky Sucitra, from Jakarta, Indonesia, to discuss Ricky's experience from the classroom to the realworld leading multicultural teams. In their conversation, Ricky shares how he and his team practice servant leadership in building high-performing teams, prioritizing resiliency, fostering a positive workplace culture, and developing effective strategies. Ricky encourages his employees to adopt a continuous learning mindset, embrace new opportunities, and take action to make a real difference in their work. He prioritizes policies that support work-life balance and wellness and fosters a culture of collaboration and idea-sharing across departments. Ricky emphasizes the importance of developing soft skills such as adaptability, agility, and teachability to prepare recruits for a successful future in the workplace. Ricky believes creating a learning culture ultimately leads to happier employees and a more successful workplace.
Dr. Arrowood is accompanied by Vi Nguyen, a former student from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in this episode. The English translation of Ho Chi Minh is "Bringer of Light." Vi, who graduated a decade ago and has since ventured into the real world, is shedding light on the benefits of studying abroad, not only for students but also for professors. She co-founded ProPath, an educational company that assists Vietnamese students in studying in the USA, UK, and Australia while also facilitating global faculty exchanges. Vi reflects on her time in the global leadership courses, particularly the immense diversity present in the classroom. She cherishes the network and social interactions that are typical of Western-style education. "I remember how you instructed us to discard our syllabus and prepare to learn at the beginning of one of our classes. It caught me off guard, but the value it adds to my role as an entrepreneur today is immeasurable."
Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and guest Kristal Jericho as they explore self-discovery, motivation, and strategy. Kristal shares her personal and professional journey from the classroom to the real world, reflecting on the significance of self-belief, adaptability to change, and the courage to leave a workplace that isn't a good fit. Through her experiences, Kristal gained invaluable insight, even working in an environment that didn't align with her goals. However, she notes that real change requires a greater reliance on belief in oneself, motivation, and perseverance. In doing so, she's landed in a perfect place working in social policy for the Victorian Government.
Dr. Rick Arrowood and Dr. Leslie Hitch are joined by Ruta Kothare, a former student from India, to discuss her perspectives on the cultural nuances of living and teaching in Australia and China. During the conversation, Ruta emphasizes the importance of being aware of differences and similarities, being open to vulnerability, and acknowledging that it's okay not always to be strong.
The discussion covers various topics, including how students were less likely to ask for help before the global pandemic and were more focused on constantly achieving. However, Ruta shares her observations post-pandemic, where students are more likely to ask for help, prioritize mental health, and embrace vulnerability. Ruta provides valuable advice on overcoming the fear of vulnerability, which includes staying true to oneself, surrounding oneself with warmth, managing expectations, and absorbing knowledge. She also encourages individuals to live life to the fullest, embrace others, and not be afraid to get messy playing in the mud.
Dr. Rick Arrowood invites you to an extraordinary conversation with guest Andrew Joycey as they explore his life journey from the classroom to the real world. Andrew shares his insightful reflections on growing up in Papua New Guinea and Australia and how these experiences profoundly impacted his outlook and fostered his curiosity. He emphasizes the importance of finding purpose during challenging times and highlights the need to pause and reflect. Andrew also stresses the value of surrounding oneself with a diverse group of quality friends, acknowledging that life can be challenging, complex, and unfair. Still, he encourages others never to give up, remain adaptable, and maintain a desire to learn from others. Andrew speaks openly about the importance of mental health and urges individuals to seek support from others when needed.
Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and his guest Dilini Kithsiri in this fascinating discussion about how to swim with your strengths in unchartered waters. Dilini, an aquatics athlete, shares her transition from a trained competitor to learning how to collaborate in the transportation industry. She knew at an early age what it meant to compete and how to work on a team, but the leadership classroom and her current work took adaptability to a whole new lane. She encourages others to take risks while maintaining focus and learn from any shortcomings. Her willingness to try something new, to dive into the deep end, so to speak, showcases her strengths in team building, cultural awareness, and the importance of celebrating the success of others.
Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and his guest Ivan Mootoosamy in this engaging discussion about leading others by understanding their personality and personality preferences. Ivan's departure from the small island nation of Mauritius to Australia unleashed his curiosity to learn, explore, engage, and adapt. Even when told many years ago in the classroom, his story of arriving in Australia at the age of 18 illuminates his genuine belief in people, an undeniable propensity for curiosity, and self-exploration outside his comfort zone.
Join Dr. Rick and his guests, Mohssen Owlad and San Bin, two former students from Iran who reside in Melbourne, Australia. In this episode, Mo and Sang share their stories of perseverance, tenacity, and courage in their pursuit of passion as entrepreneurs. Sanaz describes her journey of self-discovery as one that requires a positive outlook and continuous learning. Mo shares that following your passion and purpose sometimes means altering your path. In the face of ongoing challenges, this dynamic duo remain firm in their Iranian roots, but have learned how to combine their values with an openness and nonjudgmentalness as they approach life. This episode is perfect for students traveling from abroad to study, while demonstrating practical applications for learning a new language, blending in with different cultures, and pursuing your dreams.
Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and his guest Martha Marroquin as they discuss her experiences from the classroom to the real world. Martha spoke about her journey and how the global leadership classroom provided the perfect space for gaining cross-cultural skills, interacting with fellow students, and understanding different perspectives on team projects with global relevance. She found ways to leverage these experiences that ultimately landed her a role with Holman, a global automotive services company, where she leads the Department of International Operations-Mexico. Her insight into adapting during a pandemic, finding a healthy work-life balance, and breaking barriers offer listeners fresh perspectives on how to use positive thinking to gain the trust of others and effectively lead globally. Martha's authenticity shines as she describes the importance of tearing down walls, building bridges, and being open and nonjudgmental.
Live from Pakistan, I sit down with former student Fazeel Tariq Mughal in the major city of Lahore for an interview discussing family business dynamics, insights on politics, leading in a global environment, and his family's remarkable charitable work. Fazeel's engineering background and leadership skills make him an effective director at Pakistan's largest steel-producing company. This megaplex of steel production is the foundation for many charitable activities, including a state-of-the-art eye hospital and several medical laboratories. On average, the eye hospital sees more than 1,000 patients each day and performs 70 surgeries without any requirement for payment.
Join today's Host Dr. Rick Arrowood as he journeys down memory lane with Dr. Leslie Hitch and Jane Edmonds. These two global leadership faculty pioneers, also known as the dynamic duo, traveled 10,000 miles to Australia to do what they do best--teach, nurture, and inspire leaders worldwide. Both relive memories of the global classroom, share stories of travel experiences, and fondly recall their interactions with students from more than 20 countries. Their humor, authenticity, and genuine love of teaching, as well their behind-the-scenes recollections, offer unique insight for faculty interested in teaching abroad in multi-cultural classrooms.
Join Dr. Rick Arrowood and Co-Host Dr. Ifa Khan as they catch up with former leadership student Charles Awodu. In this fascinating discussion, Charles describes what it was like to transition from a leadership classroom and then transition his knowledge to the community. His inspirational story is sure to ignite your passion and purpose.
Join Co-Hosts Dr. Rick Arrowood and Dr. Leslie Hitch along with today's guest, Tilka Farzana. Tilka, a graduate of the global leadership program, entrepreneur, and lecturer, shares her story of transitioning leadership theories from the classroom to the real world. Her story is an incredible journey that spans from Bangladesh to Boston to Melbourne, Australia. This episode gives insight on ways others can lead across cultural and geographical borders, even in these challenging times.