Excellent Executive Coaching: Growing Your Business and Enhancing Your Craft.

Dr. Katrina Burrus PhD, MCC
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Oct 21, 2025 • 20min

EEC 404: Emotional Intelligence in High-Pressure Leadership, with Jim Delaney

Jim Delaney is the Co-Founder and CEO of Traction AI, a go-to-market partner for founders navigating the early stages of growth. What lessons from military leadership carry over into building a high-performing startup team? Why do so many founders struggle with go-to-market execution — and how can they fix it? What does "RevOps" actually mean for an early-stage company? How can a founder align product, marketing, and sales without overhiring or burning cash? What advice would you give to leaders who are stepping into the CEO role for the first time? Jim Delaney Jim Delaney is the Co-Founder and CEO of Traction AI, a go-to-market partner for founders navigating the early stages of growth. A former U.S. Naval Officer and National Security Agency team lead, Jim spent the first chapter of his career in national defense before transitioning into the private sector, where he worked as a senior executive for JPMorgan Chase and on the executive leadership team at Dun & Bradstreet. He then worked for various venture capital and private equity firms as a portfolio CEO for various portfolio companies and led two technology companies to successful exits — Marketwired sold to Nasdaq and Sysomos sold to Meltwater. With over 30 years of experience scaling data and SaaS businesses, Jim brings a rare blend of operational rigor and servant leadership to the startups he supports. He holds a degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and an MBA from the Wharton School. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.
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Oct 14, 2025 • 37min

EEC 403: How the Mind/Body Connection Can Solve the Problems Therapy Couldn't, with Brian Alman

Dr. Brian Alman, a world-renowned expert in mind-body healing and creator of transformative techniques, discusses how to heal trauma without traditional therapy. He explains the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire and its impact on adult behavior. Brian shares his personal journey with chronic pain and the power of purposeful meditation. Listeners learn how to communicate with their inner critic and explore the roots of executive stress, highlighting the significant link between emotional intelligence and upbringing.
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Oct 7, 2025 • 27min

EEC 402: Digital Marketing in Today's Business Landscape, with Matt Raad

For over 27 years, Matt Raad has been helping people escape the 9-to-5 by turning digital assets into real-world freedom. Alongside his wife Liz, he pioneered the strategy of buying, renovating, and selling websites for cash flow—long before the term “digital real estate” became mainstream. Can you discuss the importance of digital marketing in today's business landscape? How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and changes in the digital marketing industry? What are the trends in this market? Am I too late? Have I missed the market or the best deals? Can a non-tech person do this, and how would they get started? Matt Raad For over 27 years, Matt Raad has been helping people escape the 9-to-5 by turning digital assets into real-world freedom. Alongside his wife Liz, he pioneered the strategy of buying, renovating, and selling websites for cash flow—long before the term “digital real estate” became mainstream. Starting from scratch, Matt and Liz applied their background in business acquisitions to build a high cash flow portfolio of online businesses. Today, through their nationally recognised eBusiness Institute, they train career professionals, side hustlers, and families how to create time-leveraged income streams online—without needing to be tech experts. Matt is especially passionate about helping people rethink traditional career paths. Whether speaking to mid-career professionals seeking flexibility or young entrepreneurs hungry for financial independence, he brings a practical, proven approach to creating income that supports your lifestyle—not the other way around. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.
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Sep 30, 2025 • 43min

EEC 401: From Ivy League to Prison and Back Again, with Ken Miller

Ken Miller is a recognized speaker, author, and fundraising strategist whose powerful life story—from Ivy League success to incarceration and redemption—inspires audiences to lead with authenticity, resilience, and purpose. How did your journey from the Ivy League to prison shape your views on resilience and personal transformation? Why were you in prison, and why did you have to learn to have more grace when people came late to a meeting, or didn't get work done? Why did you have to learn more tolerance? Because tolerance in the workplace means you are taken advantage of? How are we governed by scripts we tell ourselves? What do you suggest to overcome reacting to one's scripts? Ken Miller Ken Miller is a recognized speaker, author, and fundraising strategist whose powerful life story—from Ivy League success to incarceration and redemption—inspires audiences to lead with authenticity, resilience, and purpose. As the author of Becoming Ken: One Black Man’s Journey from Ivy League to Prison and Back Again, Ken shares transformative lessons on leadership, personal growth, and second chances. He is also the founder of Denali FSP, a consulting firm helping nonprofits achieve sustainable funding through strategic fundraising and capacity-building. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.
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Sep 23, 2025 • 22min

EEC 400: Unseen, Unhealed - How Trauma Sabotages Leadership, with Mandy Morris

Mandy Morris is known for helping leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals break the hidden emotional patterns that sabotage their success , quickly and effectively. She’s an Executive Psychology Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified EMDR Clinician, and Co-Founder of soFree. How does unresolved trauma show up in leadership, even when someone appears high-functioning? What role does the nervous system play in how we make decisions, regulate emotions, and respond to stress? Why do high performers repeat patterns of self-sabotage, and how can neuroscience help break those cycles? What inspired you to create soFree, and how does it help users regulate stress in under two minutes? Mandy Morris Mandy Morris is known for helping leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals break the hidden emotional patterns that sabotage their success , quickly and effectively. She’s an Executive Psychology Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified EMDR Clinician, and Co-Founder of soFree, a breakthrough stress-relief app that helps users reset their nervous system in under two minutes. With over a decade of experience, Mandy’s mission is to free people from the grip of unresolved wounds and disrupt the cycles of self-sabotage that quietly shape their behavior, relationships, and performance. Specializing in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), she helps clients rewire their minds and heal at the source, empowering them to lead, live, and connect with greater clarity and resilience. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.
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Sep 16, 2025 • 23min

EEC 399: From Escaping Saigon to Leading a Biotech Company, with Quang Pham

Quang X. Pham is a biotech executive, war veteran, author, speaker, and community leader with a remarkable journey shaped by resilience, service, and entrepreneurship. He made history as the first Vietnamese American to earn naval aviator’s wings in the Marine Corps and lead an initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq. How can someone starting as an underdog in this country (this area, this company) succeed? Why did you join the Marines, and what did you learn from your service? How did you overcome the business and personal obstacles in your life? What did you do to prepare for the leaps in your life, from the Marines to business, from entrepreneur to author, back to entrepreneur, from startup to IPO, and back to author? Why is it hard for Americans to understand/accept the high cost of prescription drugs? Quang Pham Quang X. Pham is a biotech executive, war veteran, author, speaker, and community leader with a remarkable journey shaped by resilience, service, and entrepreneurship. He made history as the first Vietnamese American to earn naval aviator’s wings in the Marine Corps and lead an initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq. His inspiring American underdog journey, told in first person, is unlike any other. Born in Saigon, South Vietnam, Quang and his family fled as refugees when he was 10, while his father, a Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilot, remained and was imprisoned for more than a decade. After earning a degree from UCLA, Quang served seven years on active duty, flying CH-46 helicopters in the Persian Gulf War, Somalia, and in the Reserves. Following his military career, Quang transitioned into business, founding multiple pharmaceutical companies. In 2000, he launched MyDrugRep.com (which became Lathian Systems), an innovative online platform for physician marketing engagements, which was later acquired. In 2015, he founded Espero Pharmaceuticals and Jacksonville Pharmaceuticals. His leadership and entrepreneurial success earned him the Florida EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2018. Today, Quang serves as Chairman and CEO of Cadrenal Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CVKD). Quang is also the author of the award-winning father-son memoir, A Sense of Duty: Our Journey from Vietnam (Penguin Random House, 2005), as well as his new book, Underdog Nation: Unleash Your Inner Underdog by Starting with Success. Committed to giving back, Quang has served on the boards of private companies, veteran charities, and educational organizations. He lives in Florida with his family, continuing to lead and inspire. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching that helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching a company that specializes in leadership development.
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10 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 21min

EEC 398: Leading at Scale: Evolving Leadership for Hyper-growth, with Will Linssen

Will Linssen, named the #1 Leadership Coach by Global Gurus and author of 'Triple Win Leadership Coaching,' shares insights on evolving leadership amid hyper-growth. He discusses common challenges leaders face globally, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and empowerment. Linssen highlights how adaptive leadership techniques can enhance team dynamics and accountability. He also illustrates the value of measuring leadership effectiveness and the need for cultural respect in coaching to transform coaching as a perceived expense into a vital investment.
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Sep 2, 2025 • 29min

EEC 397: From CEO to Cellblock - An Entrepreneur’s Wake-Up Call, with Kevin McCarthy

Kevin McCarthy, author of BlindSpots and a Certified Speaking Professional, shares his dramatic journey from successful entrepreneur to federal prison inmate. He discusses the blind spots that can lead to significant life and career setbacks. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence are essential for leadership effectiveness. Kevin also offers practical tools to help entrepreneurs avoid ethical missteps and navigate decision-making under pressure, all while emphasizing the importance of fostering a resilient, people-centered business culture.
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Aug 26, 2025 • 19min

EEC 396: The Evolution of Emotion, with Bailey Romatoski

Bailey Romatoski is the strategic architect of JOYELY’s growth and operations, playing a pivotal role in advancing its mission to transform joy into a sustainable, scalable solution for emotional resilience and professional success. How did your experience in data systems inspire your approach to emotional intelligence? Can you explain why traditional emotional intelligence models fall short and how the JQ Emotions Map addresses emotional complexity? How does JQ pairs with AI and language models for human alignment? Could you share an example or story where applying the JQ Framework shifted the outcomes? How do you envision integrating the JQ Framework into broader systems—like education, technology, or corporate wellness—to create sustained emotional change? Bailey Romatoski Bailey Romatoski is the strategic architect of JOYELY’s growth and operations, playing a pivotal role in advancing its mission to transform joy into a sustainable, scalable solution for emotional resilience and professional success. A leader with expertise in corporate systems, wellness innovation, and emotional intelligence, Bailey’s background combines data-driven strategy with people-centered practices. At Daimler, she founded a mental and physical health resource group now supporting over 14,000 employees worldwide. At Nike, Bailey led data automation initiatives that improved operational efficiency while supporting high-pressure teams. These experiences have shaped her ability to develop JOYELY’s robust strategic frameworks. Bailey’s partnership with Sheryl has transformed JOYELY into a platform, blending decades of insights into emotional resilience, leadership, and cultural impact. Together, they’ve introduced tools like the Chair of JOY® Experience and the Joy Intelligence Framework, which empower individuals and teams to harness joy as a driver of performance, decision-making, and personal growth. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching that helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching a company that specializes in leadership development.
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Aug 19, 2025 • 18min

EEC 395: How Caring is the only Way to Market Successfully, with Reid Holmes

Reid Holmes has spent his career in some of America's biggest and best ad agencies, first as a copywriter, but rose quickly to creative director and then EVP Executive Creative Director. Reid is now a speaker, consultant, and author. What do brands need to do today to get noticed? How do I get better results without raising my marketing budget? What is the "Brand Appreciation Pyramid?" How can I find my Unique Appreciatable Solution? How can CMOs best help CEOs to create success? Reid Holmes Reid Holmes has spent his career in some of America's biggest and best ad agencies, first as a copywriter, but rose quickly to creative director and then EVP Executive Creative Director. Reid is now a speaker, consultant, and author. In his career, Reid has helped change the trajectory for brands like H&R Block, The Mayo Clinic, Burger King, Toro, Domino’s Pizza, and many others. As his kids reached high school age, Reid realized he could leave a more meaningful legacy. After 30+ years in advertising, Reid found the best marketing seeks to earn appreciation for what it says, does, or solves. Reid believes it’s not only time for marketing, advertising, and PR to rise up and do more good for the world, but it's in a brand's best interest if it wants to get noticed, build meaning, and grow. Reid Holmes lives in the Twin Cities with his wife of 26 years, Katy. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching that helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching a company that specializes in leadership development.

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