
The Evolving Leader
The Evolving Leader Podcast is a show set in the context of the world’s ‘great transition’ – technological, environmental and societal upheaval – that requires deeper, more committed leadership to confront the world’s biggest challenges. Hosts, Jean Gomes (a New York Times best selling author) and Scott Allender (an award winning leadership development specialist working in the creative industries) approach complex topics with an urgency that matches the speed of change. This show will give insights about how today’s leaders can grow their capacity for leading tomorrow’s rapidly evolving world. With accomplished guests from business, neuroscience, psychology, and more, the Evolving Leader Podcast is a call to action for deep personal reflection, and conscious evolution. The world is evolving, are you?A little more about the hosts:New York Times best selling author, Jean Gomes, has more than 30 years experience working with leaders and their teams to help them face their organisation’s most challenging issues. His clients span industries and include Google, BMW, Toyota, eBay, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Warner Music, Sony Electronics, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, the UK Olympic system and many others.Award winning leadership development specialist, Scott Allender has over 20 years experience working with leaders across various businesses, including his current role heading up global leadership development at Warner Music. An expert practitioner in emotional intelligence and psychometric tools, Scott has worked to help teams around the world develop radical self-awareness and build high performing cultures.The Evolving Leader podcast is produced by Phil Kerby at Outside © 2024The Evolving Leader music is a Ron Robinson composition, © 2022
Latest episodes

Jan 10, 2024 • 55min
'What Drives You?' with Kevin Miller
In this episode of The Evolving Leader podcast, hosts Jean Gomes and Scott Allender talk to former pro athlete Kevin Miller. After decades of pro cycling, pursuing high achievement personally and professionally, starting multiple businesses, and raising a big family, Kevin found himself burnt out and lacking what he wanted most; sustained peace and fulfilment. In an attempt to understanding what was actually driving him, he dedicated himself to studying personal growth, self-awareness, and what truly fulfils people. Today, his “What Drives You” podcast is in the top 1% of all podcasts and his latest book, “What Drives You” (McGraw Hill) published in May 2023.Other reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender: Leading In A Non-Linear World (J Gomes, 2023)The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence (S Allender, 2023) Social:Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Dec 6, 2023 • 1h 7min
The Mind and Body Are One Thing with Ellen Langer
In this episode of The Evolving Leader podcast, hosts Jean Gomes and Scott Allender talk to the mother of mindfulness, Dr Ellen Langer. Dr Langer is a Professor of Psychology at Harvard and for over 40 years has studied Mindlessness/Mindfulness, concluding that mindfulness (without meditation) results in improved health, well-being and improved relationships. She has written over 200 research articles and 13 books, the most recent of which is The Mindful Body (2023). Dr Langer is also a gallery exhibiting artist. Referenced during this episode:The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Lasting Health (2023)Counterclockwise: A Proven Way to Think Yourself Younger and Healthier (2010)Other reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender:Leading In A Non-Linear World (J Gomes, 2023)The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence (S Allender, 2023)Social:Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleaderThe Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Nov 22, 2023 • 53min
Humans and AI with Anna Ivanova
How neuroscience, machine learnig and AI are shaping our future In this episode of The Evolving Leader podcast, co-hosts Emma Sinclair and Arjun Sahdev talk to Anna Ivanova. Anna is a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and is studying the relationship between language and other aspects of human cognition using tools from cognitive neuroscience and artificial intelligence (such as large language models). This is a fascinating conversation that ultimately addresses the big question, are today’s leaders under threat from AI (now or in the near future)? Referenced during this episode:TEDx – To build smarter chatbots, look to the brain | Anna Ivanova (May 2023) Other reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender:Leading In A Non-Linear World (J Gomes, 2023)The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence (S Allender, 2023)Social:Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Nov 8, 2023 • 54min
Managing Microstress with Rob Cross
In this episode of The Evolving Leader podcast, co-hosts Jean Gomes and Scott Allender welcome Rob Cross back to the podcast. We last saw Rob in June 2022 (S4, Ep17) and we’re extremely pleased that he’s come back to talk to us about his latest book, ‘The Microstress Effect’. Rob defines microstress as ‘the hidden epidemic of small moments of stress infiltrating both our work and personal lives with invisible and devastating effects’. Sit back and listen as Rob tells us how to break free from this quietly invasive force that is stealing your life. Referenced during this episode:The Microstress Effect: How Little Things Pile Up and Create Big ProblemsRob Cross website Other reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender: Leading In A Non-Linear World (J Gomes, 2023)The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence (S Allender, 2023)Social:Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Nov 3, 2023 • 25min
BONUS: Meet the Author in 15 minutes with Stuart McLachlan and Dean Sanders
In the this bonus ‘Meet the Author in 15 minutes’ episode of the Evolving Leader podcast, host Jean Gomes talks to Stuart McLachlan and Dean Sanders. Stuart and Dean have written “The Adventure of Sustainable Performance: Beyond ESG Compliance to Leadership in the New Era” (Wiley, 2023) which the publisher describes as ‘a guidebook for leaders to create value from sustainability and organisational performance”. Referenced during this episode:The Adventure of Sustainable Performance: Beyond ESG Compliance to Leadership in the New EraAnthesisCanoeing Under Elephants Other reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender: Leading In A Non-Linear World (J Gomes, 2023)The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence (S Allender, 2023)Social:Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Oct 25, 2023 • 56min
How Wellbeing Can Create Competitive Advantage with Dr Richard Safeer
Dr Richard Safeer, Chief Medical Director of Employee Health at Johns Hopkins Medicine, discusses the importance of wellbeing in the workplace as a source of competitive advantage. He highlights the need to shift from a sacrifice mentality to value-based approach, prioritize employee well-being, and create a positive workplace culture. Strategies for building a well-being culture, making a personal connection with decision-makers, and supporting employees' families are also explored.

Oct 11, 2023 • 1h 7min
Think Anew about Diversity and Inclusion with Jonathan Kaufman
In this episode of The Evolving Leader podcast, co-hosts Jean Gomes and Sara Deschamps talk to Jonathan Kaufman, who is leading the debate about how we can think differently about the converging issues of diversity, disability and the huge market opportunities they represent. Our conversation ranges from his time as a White House advisor to Barack Obama, to his current work as a research consultant and activist. His creative and optimistic mind is infectious, constantly reframing to find social and commercial innovation opportunities where others see stalled points and roadblocks. There's much to learn here so sit back and enjoy this fascinating conversation. Referenced during this episode:J Kaufman Consulting Forbes articles Other reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender: Leading in a Non-Linear World: Building Wellbeing, Strategic and Innovation Mindsets for the Future (Jean Gomes, 2022) The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence: A Journey to Personal and Professional Success (Scott Allender, 2023)Social: Instagram @evolvingleader LinkedIn The Evolving Leader Podcast Twitter @Evolving_Leader YouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Oct 4, 2023 • 54min
Ruthlessly Caring and Other Paradoxes with Amy Walters Cohen
In this episode of The Evolving Leader podcast, co-hosts Jean Gomes and Emma Sinclair talk to applied psychology researcher and author Amy Walters Cohen. In her book ‘Ruthlessly Caring and Other Paradoxical Mindsets’, Amy explores how leaders cope with the true landscape of leadership judgement, comprising competing demands and seemingly impossible paradoxes that morph over time. Sit back and listen as Amy, Jean and Emma discuss the rise in the forces that create (what Amy refers to as) the washing machine effect, and the five paradoxical mindsets that she believes will be essential for future fit leadership. References from this episode: Ruthlessly Caring and Other Paradoxical Mindsets (Amy Walters Cohen, 2023) Other reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender: Leading in a Non-Linear World: Building Wellbeing, Strategic and Innovation Mindsets for the Future (Jean Gomes, 2022) The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence: A Journey to Personal and Professional Success (Scott Allender, 2023)Social:Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Sep 27, 2023 • 59min
Decoding the Entrepreneurial Mindset with Rachel Stockey
Today on the Evolving Leader podcast, co-hosts Scott Allender and Jean Gomes talk to Rachel Stockey. Rachel is the head of The Department of Entrepreneurial Skills at King’s College London. Rachel’s mission is to unlock the limitless potential of people and their ideas and as part of that she works to demystify the world of entrepreneurship in order to spark the next generation of thought leaders, disrupters and innovators who are ready to take on the big challenges we face globally. Outside of King’s, Rachel coaches entrepreneurs ‘to help them stay sane’, make better decisions, build better companies and look after themselves in the process.References from this episode:Seven skills of an entrepreneurial mindset How entrepreneurial is your current thinking?Other reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender:Leading in a Non-Linear World: Building Wellbeing, Strategic and Innovation Mindsets for the Future (Jean Gomes, 2022)The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence: A Journey to Personal and Professional Success (Scott Allender, 2023)Social:Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Sep 20, 2023 • 60min
Why Leaders Need to Confront Their Trauma with Mike Skrypnek
In this latest episode of The Evolving Leader podcast, co-hosts Jean Gomes and Emma Sinclair talk to Mike Skrypnek. Mike is a strategist helping entrepreneurs and industry leaders find their happiness. He is the founder and chair of The UNLimited WORTH Wellness Society and Project, an organisation that he set up to realise a vision of a world free from the impacts of trauma. Mike hosts the Unlimited Worth podcast and in August 2023 his book UnLimited Worth was published.References from this episode:UNLimited WORTH: Lessons of Healing from Childhood Trauma; Finding Happiness, Love and Success for Male LeadersThe UNLimited Worth podcastOther reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender:Leading in a Non-Linear World: Building Wellbeing, Strategic and Innovation Mindsets for the Future (Jean Gomes, 2022)The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence: A Journey to Personal and Professional Success (Scott Allender, 2023)Social: Instagram @evolvingleader LinkedIn The Evolving Leader Podcast Twitter @Evolving_Leader YouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team