Flourishing Leaders Podcast

What does it take to lead with character in today’s complex world?In this inspiring episode, Scott speaks with Professor Edward Brooks, Executive Director of the Oxford Character Project and Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford. Ed is one of the world’s leading voices in character-based leadership development, and his work is transforming how we think about education, ethics, and human flourishing.Together, Scott and Ed explore:What it means to be a flourishing leaderThe founding mission of the Oxford Character ProjectThe role of character in responsible leadership and organizational cultureLessons from a major mixed-methods study on leadership in finance, law, and techThe distinction between values-based and virtue-based organizationsThe Seven Strategies for Cultivating Virtue in Higher EducationThe new Framework for Flourishing in the University, co-developed with Professor Tom HarrisonThe importance of holistic character development in shaping future leadersThe Arts of Leading with Professor Michael Lamb and the launch of Oxford’s new executive course in leadership and the liberal artsThis episode is a masterclass in leadership grounded in wisdom, research, and the humanities. Whether you're in education, business, or simply passionate about personal growth, this conversation offers a powerful vision for what leadership can—and should—be in the 21st century.🎧 Tune in and be inspired to lead with integrity, humility, and hope.Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders AcademySubscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

What if Aristotle ran General Motors—or Harry Potter led your organization? In this delightful and enlightening episode, Scott sits down with one of the world’s most celebrated public philosophers and bestselling author Dr. Tom Morris to explore the art of achievement, the power of change, and the ancient wisdom needed to flourish in modern life.Tom is a Yale-trained philosopher, bestselling author, and former Notre Dame professor whose books and talks have influenced leaders around the world. He’s the mind behind classics like True Success: A New Philosophy of Excellence, The Stoic Art of Living, and Plato’s Lemonade Stand.Together, Tom and Scott explore:The 7 Cs of Success: A framework drawn from ancient wisdom and modern insightWhy character is essential for sustainable excellenceStoicism, inner resilience, and how to “get your soul right”The deep connection between relationship-building and goal-settingThe role of truth, beauty, goodness, and unity in leadership and flourishingHow to transform adversity into purpose and powerWhether you're a CEO, educator, student, or seeker, this episode offers a refreshing and soulful perspective on what it means to lead well and live wisely in today’s world.📚 Learn more about Tom and his work: TomVMorris.com 🌱 Discover the Flourishing Leaders Academy: FlourishingLeaders.usThank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders AcademySubscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

What does it mean to know, love, and inspire the people you lead?In this episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott sits down with two extraordinary leaders—Dr. Katy Granville-Chapman and Ms. Emmie Bidston—for a heart-opening conversation about character, flourishing, and the transformative power of leadership rooted in love.Katy and Emmie share powerful insights from their acclaimed book, Leader: Know, Love, and Inspire Your People, as well as stories drawn from their experience in the military, education, public service, and coaching. From the heroism of Private Michelle Norris to the servant leadership of Gareth Southgate and Gregg Popovich, they explore how great leaders create flourishing communities by seeing the best in others—and helping them become it.They also reflect on the global impact of their “Leadership for Flourishing” Community of Practice at Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program, their work with Global Social Leaders and the Oxford Character Project, and their upcoming book Leadership for Flourishing (Oxford University Press)—which includes chapters from diverse contributors across sectors and around the world.Whether you’re a seasoned executive, an aspiring leader, or someone who cares deeply about human development, this conversation will challenge, inspire, and empower you to lead with character, care, and courage.Episode Highlights:What it means to “love others into being” as a leaderWhy flourishing leadership must be rooted in knowing, loving, and inspiring your peopleThe role of virtue, character, and exemplars in leadership formationInsights from world football, the NBA, the All Blacks, and military heroesThe global impact of the “Leadership for Flourishing” communityA vision for education and leadership grounded in friendship and flourishing“Homo lumens”—humans of light—every person carries a radiant, inherent worth Please visit us at The Flourishing Leaders Academy Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders AcademySubscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

In this illuminating episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons is joined by internationally renowned philosopher and scholar of character education, Professor Kristján Kristjánsson. Together, they explore the powerful intersections of moral philosophy, moral psychology, and moral education, charting how these once-parallel fields are converging in exciting new ways.The conversation takes a deep dive into Aristotle’s theory of emotions, the role of “social glue” virtues, and the vital importance of emotional regulation in the development of character. Kristján offers insight into the nuanced differences—and surprising similarities—between Aristotle and the Stoics, especially around the cultivation of practical wisdom (phronesis).A major highlight of the episode is Kristján’s introduction of the Short Phronesis Measure (SPM)—a newly validated 15-minute tool designed to assess Aristotelian practical wisdom across professional domains. Backed by extensive research and funded by the John Templeton Foundation, this tool opens new doors for evaluating and fostering flourishing decision-making in leaders, educators, clinicians, and students alike.You’ll also hear about the future of character education, how to design interventions that cultivate wise decision-making, and the growing evidence linking phronesis to human flourishing—with one exception: unfortunately, it won’t make you rich!This episode is a must-listen for educators, leaders, scholars, and anyone seeking to cultivate wisdom and character in themselves and others.If you would like to download the paper and the Short Phronesis Measure use this link. Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders AcademySubscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

What if your greatest strength as a leader, athlete, or high-performer isn’t just in what you do—but how you show up?In this powerful episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott sits down with Gina Tucci-Karnisovas, an elite mental performance coach, licensed counselor, and founder of Beyond the Scoreboards. With decades of experience in sports psychology, mental health, and high-performance environments, Gina helps athletes and leaders train their minds to thrive.Together, Scott and Gina explore:Why confidence and imposter syndrome always come back to the controllablesThe six elements you can truly set expectations around—and why everything else is a trapThe deep courage it takes to be uncommon in your pursuit of greatnessThe pyramid of peak mental performance: from mental health to mental strengthWhat it means to lead from the heart—and connect through a shared languageThis conversation is for athletes, coaches, leaders, and anyone seeking to build sustainable mental fitness and purposeful performance—from the inside out.Mentioned in this episode:Beyond the ScoreboardsGina’s articles on LinkedIn (search: Gina Tucci-Karnisovas + "Articles")The MindCode program (created at Resilience Code)The pyramid of peak mental performanceThank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders AcademySubscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

What does it take to move from managing people… to unleashing their greatness?In this high-impact episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott sits down with Stephen M.R. Covey, bestselling author of The Speed of Trust, and David Kasperson, his longtime collaborator and co-author of Trust & Inspire.Together, they explore a powerful paradigm shift that is reshaping leadership around the world—moving from command & control to trust & inspire. This is more than a framework; it’s a call to see people more fully, lead more authentically, and create cultures where individuals don’t just perform—they flourish.In this conversation, you’ll discover:Why leadership is a choice, not a positionHow to build high-trust cultures with 13 tangible leadership behaviorsThe “mirror moment” that reveals whether your style aligns with your intentWhat it means to lead from people & potential—not position & powerThe 3 stewardships of leadership: Modeling. Trusting. Inspiring.The vital importance of character development in leadership todayStephen and David offer more than just theory—they share real stories, research-backed insights, and practical tools that can help any leader become a catalyst for trust, growth, and transformation.Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders AcademySubscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

What if the key to flourishing isn’t found in doing more—but in being more present?In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott welcomes Dr. Cortland Dahl—a scientist, author, meditation teacher, and Chief Contemplative Officer at Healthy Minds Innovations.Cort’s life journey has taken him from monasteries in Asia to neuroscience labs in the U.S., all in pursuit of one question: How can we train the mind to suffer less and flourish more?Together, Scott and Cort explore:Why resting in open awareness is a superpowerHow the four pillars of well-being—awareness, connection, insight, and purpose—map to the brainThe surprising research behind altruistic purpose and educational outcomesCort’s journey from refugee settlements in Nepal to scientific labs in MadisonThe story behind the Healthy Minds App, now downloaded by over a million usersThis episode is a gentle reminder that flourishing is not a fixed state—it’s a trainable skill. And sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do… is nothing at all.Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders AcademySubscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

What if flourishing—at both the individual and organizational level—came down to the agreements we make every day?In this enlightening episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott welcomes Dr. Jim Ritchie-Dunham, a global leader in the science of abundance and founder of the field known as pactoecography—the study of human agreements that shape our lives, relationships, and institutions.Jim shares powerful insights from decades of research and practice in over 59 countries, drawing from his roles as a professor, author, systems thinker, and collaborator on the Global Flourishing Study and the Leadership for Flourishing initiative at Harvard. Together, they explore:The difference between scarcity-based and abundance-based agreementsWhat it means to map the social topography of flourishing organizationsThe science behind vibrant teams and the power of clarity in leadershipHow data—not just theory—can drive transformative changeWhy vibrancy is a choice—and how that photo with Jim’s sharpie tattoo came to be!Jim also shares highlights from his new book Agreements (2025) and offers a profound reminder that our everyday choices and relationships shape our capacity to thrive.This episode is for leaders, educators, practitioners, and anyone who believes in the power of human connection and purposeful design.Learn more:Harvard Human Flourishing Program: hfh.fas.harvard.eduInstitute for Strategic Clarity: strategicclarity.orgJim’s books: Agreements (2024), Ecosynomics (2014), and Managing from Clarity (2001)Coming up next week: Dr. Cortland Dahl, Chief Contemplative Officer of Healthy Minds Innovations and creator of the Healthy Minds App, joins Scott for a deeply inspiring conversation on mindfulness, neuroscience, and flourishing in everyday life.Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders AcademySubscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

What if you only had 4,000 Mondays to live—and you’d already spent half of them?In this episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, my Guest Co-host, Jason Viyar and I are joined by Jodi Wellman—executive coach, speaker, and author of You Only Die Once. Jodi invites us into a conversation that’s as life-affirming as it is mortality-facing. Her message is simple, bold, and backed by positive psychology: We don’t flourish by drifting. We flourish by choosing to live astonishingly alive lives—on purpose.We talk about:Her transition from 17 years in corporate health & fitness to the MAPP program at UPenn and her mission todayWhy memento mori (remembering we will die) isn’t morbid—it’s motivatingThe magic of temporal scarcity and the weekly gift of Mondays“Pre-grets,” regrets of omission, and how to course-correct before it’s too lateThe “binding contract” in her book (yes, pages 12–14!) and why committing to a better life isn’t easy—but worth itThe role of humor and playfulness in embracing our one wild and precious lifeA Turkish proverb, an F. Scott Fitzgerald quote, and remembering it is NEVER too late to turn around no matter how far you have gone down that pathJodi also shares her Dead Zones Assessment (found on pages 32–39 of her book) to help you identify where aliveness is missing—and what to do about it.This is an episode about mortality, meaning, and possibility. Whether you’re a flourishing leader or someone just beginning to wonder, “Do I want to keep doing this with the rest of my Mondays?”—this one’s for you.🎧 Learn more about Jodi’s work at www.fourthousandmondays.comThank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders AcademySubscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.

What does it really take to pursue our biggest, boldest goals—and thrive while doing it? In this powerful episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott sits down with Caroline Adams Miller, one of the world’s leading experts on goal setting, grit, and positive psychology. A bestselling author, speaker, and trailblazer in the field, Caroline brings decades of research and lived experience to this uplifting and eye-opening conversation. Together, they explore:·         Why grit is essential for flourishing—and how to grow it·         How goal-setting theory and her “BRIDGE” framework can change your life·         The power of ampliship: boldly lifting up other women rather than tearing them down·         The deeper truth that happiness boils down to three profound words: Other people matterCaroline’s wisdom, authenticity, and energy will leave you inspired to reflect, reset, and recommit to becoming your best self—while helping others do the same.🎧 Listen in and discover why who you surround yourself with might just be the most important decision you’ll ever make. About Caroline Adams Miller:Caroline is a pioneer in positive psychology, one of the first graduates of Penn’s MAPP program, a black-belt martial artist, a Masters swimmer, and a 9-time bestselling author. Her TEDx talk “The Moments That Make Champions” has inspired audiences around the globe. Mentioned in this episode:·         Caroline’s “BRIDGE” goal-setting framework·         VIA Character Strengths (and a possible 25th!)·         Stoic wisdom on boundaries and flourishing·         Her TEDx talk: The Moments That Make Champions Next week: Don’t miss Episode 5 with the hilarious and insightful Jodi Wellman (You Only Die Once)—plus a special guest co-host, Jason Viyar, as we explore what it means to live a life with no regrets.Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey. Learn more at: Flourishing Leaders AcademySubscribe & Follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with integrity and flourish in every domain of life. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn | Scott@FlourishingLeaders.us Flourish with us—because leadership rooted in character changes everything.