Intentional Leader with Cal Walters

Cal Walters
undefined
6 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 57min

129: Dr. Ryan Gottfredson — The Groundbreaking Science of Personal Transformation, Mindsets, Emotional Intelligence, and Becoming Better

Dr. Ryan Gottfredson, an expert in mindsets and leadership development, discusses groundbreaking concepts from his work, including the transformative power of self-awareness and emotional intelligence. He emphasizes the crucial difference between 'being' and 'doing' for effective leadership. The conversation dives into the impact of trauma on personal growth, offering insights on how to navigate emotional challenges and build resilience. Ryan shares his personal journey, illustrating how leaders can achieve meaningful transformation both personally and professionally.
undefined
Sep 1, 2025 • 4min

128: Accomplish Anything as a Leader with the 3 Levels of Clarity and the Intentional Leader Lab

➡️ Learn about the Intentional Leader Lab: https://intentionalleaderlab.com Book a call: https://tally.so/r/w8X6dz Apply today: https://tally.so/r/nr40XM The Intentional Leader Lab: A Mastermind for Successful Leaders Who Refuse to Plateau Even the best leaders can drift, but this carefully curated leadership community and Cal's Narrow Path™ Framework give you the tools, accountability, and systems to accelerate your growth.     Only 11 spots left.
undefined
Aug 26, 2025 • 45min

127: Dr. Travis Bradberry — Emotional Intelligence Expert Gives Practical Advice to Increase Your EQ, Increase Your Self-Awareness, and Change Your Thinking

➡️ Apply to the Intentional Leader Lab (only 12 slots available): https://intentionalleaderlab.com/ In this conversation, Cal introduces the Intentional Leader Lab, a coaching program aimed at enhancing leadership skills through emotional intelligence. Dr. Travis Bradberry, an expert in emotional intelligence, discusses its significance in leadership, differentiating it from IQ, and the importance of self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness. The conversation emphasizes practical strategies for developing emotional intelligence and the impact it has on personal and professional relationships. Dr. Travis Bradberry is a best-selling author and a leading expert in emotional intelligence (EQ), co-authoring the #1 bestseller Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and the book The New Emotional Intelligence. He co-founded TalentSmart, a provider of EQ assessments and training used by many Fortune 500 companies, and is currently the Chief People Scientist at LEADx. His work focuses on practical strategies and new research to help people improve their EQ, which impacts behavior, decision-making, and relationships.
undefined
14 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 57min

126: Melody Wilding — How to Manage Up and 5 Conversations to Have with Your Boss

In a captivating conversation, Melody Wilding, bestselling author and professor of human behavior, dives into managing up effectively. She explains the art of emotional intelligence and the importance of self-advocacy over manipulation. Listeners learn about the 'triple win' strategy, aimed at mutual benefits for employees, managers, and the organization. Melody shares practical communication tips, boundary-setting strategies, and how to provide impactful feedback, transforming workplace dynamics into powerful alliances that elevate overall performance.
undefined
Jun 30, 2025 • 59min

125: Patrick Lencioni — The One Thing Every Leader Needs and His Top Advice to Leaders at All Stages

Patrick Lencioni, bestselling author and founder of The Table Group, shares invaluable insights on effective leadership. He emphasizes the need for leaders to serve others and confront their fears. Daily self-reflection is presented as a vital tool for understanding one's motives and shaping leadership styles. The conversation highlights the importance of unity in organizations and the necessity of self-discovery, especially for young leaders. Lencioni also discusses how personal challenges can foster growth and the importance of maintaining joy and purpose as one transitions into retirement.
undefined
17 snips
May 29, 2025 • 52min

124: Geoff Woods — Leverage AI for Elite Thinking and Decision Making (The Ai-Driven Leader)

Geoff Woods, author of The AI-Driven Leader and founder of AI Leadership, shares his insights on leveraging AI for strategic decision-making. He discusses the importance of asking the right questions and using AI as a thought partner rather than just a tool. Geoff illustrates how AI can simulate executive dynamics and enhance leadership effectiveness. He also highlights the lessons from Blockbuster's strategic missteps, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptability in a technology-driven world.
undefined
May 15, 2025 • 58min

123: General Stan McChrystal — How to Face Fear, Pivot from Failure, and Live a Disciplined Life

General Stan McChrystal, a retired four-star general known for commanding U.S. forces in Afghanistan, shares his insights on leadership and character. He reflects on how personal experiences, like his resignation and marriage, shape values. The discussion includes tackling fear in leadership, emphasizing moral courage and discipline. McChrystal advocates for clear communication to counter groupthink. He highlights writing as a tool for refining thoughts and fostering societal dialogue on integrity, urging leaders to embrace their core values.
undefined
Apr 2, 2025 • 45min

122: Will Acuff — Find Joy in Life's Struggles

➡️ Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course Get Will's book: https://noelevatortoeverest.com/ Learn about Corner to Corner: https://cornertocorner.org/ In this conversation, Will Acuff shares his journey of finding joy amidst life's challenges, particularly through his experiences with his family and the transformative 'trauma camp' that helped him shift his perspective. He discusses the importance of self-compassion, the struggles of parenting a child with disabilities, and the pressures of maintaining a facade of having it all together. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of recognizing small sparks of joy and the power of community and support in navigating difficult times. In this conversation, the speakers explore the themes of love, mercy, and personal responsibility within relationships. They discuss the drama triangle concept, emphasizing the importance of shifting from a hero mentality to one of ownership and self-compassion. The dialogue also touches on thriving in tough circumstances, the significance of self-awareness, and practical practices for cultivating joy in daily life. 00:00 Finding Joy in Hardship 02:53 The Journey to Trauma Camp 11:42 Transformative Experiences at Trauma Camp 22:02 The Power of Joy in Difficult Times 24:35 The Context of Love and Mercy 25:08 Understanding the Drama Triangle 29:04 Shifting from Hero to Ownership 30:44 The Impact of Codependency 32:07 Self-Compassion and Ownership 35:31 Thriving in Tough Circumstances 36:40 Exploring Joy and Self-Awareness 42:22 Practical Practices for Daily Joy Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1  
undefined
Mar 28, 2025 • 47min

121: Dr. Steve Graves — Work-Life Balance Tools to Win at Home and at Work

Sign up for The Intentional Letter: https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Discover Your Core Values Course: https://courses.calwalters.me/offers/DmXNju9f/checkout The Work-Life Balance Toolbox: https://www.stephenrgraves.com/balance Steve's book, Flourishing (for free!): https://www.stephenrgraves.com/flourish Cornerstone+ Membership: https://www.cornerstoneco.com/ In this episode of the Intentional Leader Podcast, Cal speaks with CEO coach Steve Graves about the intricacies of leadership, coaching, and achieving a balanced life. They explore the importance of holistic coaching, the courage required to make meaningful life choices, and the challenges of work-life balance. Steve shares insights from his experiences coaching top leaders and discusses frameworks for personal development, including the significance of understanding one's capacity threshold and the art of saying no. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentional living and aligning one's life with core values to lead effectively at work and home. 00:00 Leading Well at Work and Home 02:38 The Role of a Coach 07:15 Work-Life Balance Toolbox 08:30 A Tale of Two Funerals 13:16 The Importance of Courage 1 9:33 The Cost of Saying Yes 24:44 Understanding Capacity Threshold 36:51 The Art of Saying No
undefined
Mar 12, 2025 • 54min

120: Katie Quesada — Master Storytelling with Story Expert to Fortune 500 Companies

In this engaging discussion, storytelling expert Katie Quesada, who has coached Fortune 500 companies, shares her insights on the powerful role of storytelling in leadership and personal connections. She explains how stories create emotional bonds and why they resonate with us. Katie outlines the essential components of effective storytelling: context, conflict, and conclusion, while urging leaders to embrace vulnerability. She also explores strategies for engaging storytelling, including frameworks to connect with audiences of all ages and transform narratives into relatable experiences.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app