Spirituality in Leadership

How often do we pause to ask ourselves, “Who am I?” or notice where our focus really is before making a choice? Can we find purpose not as a destination but as a gentle unfolding, and recognize that real power lies not in control, but in the ability to choose again and again?
In this episode of the Spirituality in Leadership podcast, Andrew Cohn sits down with Russell Bishop to explore the intersection of leadership, personal transformation, and choice. Russell is a veteran leader in personal and organizational development, creator of Insight Seminars, and author of Workarounds That Work and From Self-Talk to Soul Talk. His work has impacted over a million people across 43 countries, guiding leaders and teams toward clarity, alignment, and purpose. Rather than pushing for dramatic change, he invites leaders to consider something subtler and more powerful: alignment with purpose.
Together, they unpack the difference between decisions and choices, between chasing outcomes and understanding the experience we’re truly seeking. Russell offers compelling examples from aerospace, healthcare, and corporate strategy to show how clarity of purpose unlocks creativity, collaboration, and momentum, often in places where progress once felt impossible.
At the heart of the episode is a simple but radical idea: real power comes from recognizing our ability to choose and choose again. When leaders learn to listen beyond self-talk and tune into what Russell calls “soul talk,” they create space for wiser action, deeper connection, and more humane organizations.
This episode is an invitation to slow down, ask better questions, and lead from a place that’s both grounded and awake.

Key Takeaways
Awakening is gentle: Lasting transformation and purpose emerge through inquiry by asking “Why does this matter?” not force or being told to wake up.

Choice Over Decision: Decisions often close doors; choices keep possibilities alive.

You are a transceiver: We constantly transmit and receive thoughts. The frequency with which we hold onto safety, possibility, or fear shapes teams and outcomes.

Self-Talk vs. Soul Talk: The loud inner voice reacts from fear, while the quieter voice leads from wisdom and alignment.

Reward the complainer: Complaints signal care. Inviting and rewarding constructive criticism turns resistance into innovation.

In This Episode:
[00:00] Awakening and purpose

[01:32] Guest introduction: Russell Bishop

[02:53] Conversation setup and welcome

[04:01] Russell’s spiritual and activist background

[06:05] Self-talk vs. soul talk

[09:10] Awakening heart and transformation

[10:16] Personal to professional: consulting journey

[15:39] Purpose and fulfillment in modern times

[16:39] The five whys and deepening purpose

[17:57] Focus, choice, and empowerment

[21:22] Decision vs. choice

[23:20] Attachment to decisions and organizational behavior

[30:12] Leadership, orders, and redefining success

[31:14] Knowing when to quit: decision-making lessons

[32:15] Medical device partnership case study

[36:26] Fear vs. possibility and focus

[38:44] Tuning in: the power of focus and preparation

[44:02] Inner process and leadership support

[45:20] Seeing the invisible: inner vision and leadership

[48:49] Best practices and culture

[50:34] Call center encouraging contributions and rewarding complaints

[52:32] How to connect with Russell

Resources and Links

Spirituality in Leadership Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406

Russell Bishop
Website: https://www.russellbishop.com

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellbishop1

Email: [email protected]

Russell's Latest Book: From Self-Talk to Soul Talk: Being More of Who You Already Are

Russell's Previous Book: Workarounds That Work

Andrew Cohn
Website: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/

Music: 

Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe

Imagine a young boy with cerebral palsy, limping into summer camp, quietly asking a teenage counselor to teach him how to tie his shoes, not because he couldn’t learn, but because he craved twenty minutes of undivided, caring attention from an adult who truly saw him. That small act of vulnerability sparked a lifelong mission for Stu Semigran, co-founder of the EduCare Foundation, to create spaces where every child, and every person, feels honored, valued, and capable of extraordinary growth.
In this episode of Spirituality in Leadership, host Andrew Cohn reconnects with Stu Semigran to explore how love, compassion, and practical “Heartset®” principles can transform education, organizations, and leadership itself. Over 35 years, EduCare has reached hundreds of thousands of students, especially in underserved communities, proving that when cultures of kindness, listening, and forgiveness flourish, both academic results and personal fulfillment thrive.
Stu shares his journey from a rebellious young teacher to nonprofit leader, illustrating how seeing the best in others, even when they cannot see it themselves, creates the Pygmalion Effect in real time. The conversation explores the eight Heartset skills: honoring, praising, heart-centered listening, choice, forgiveness, conflict resolution, turning challenges into opportunities, and service, showing how these timeless practices bridge spirituality and high-accountability environments naturally and effectively.
This episode offers educators, leaders, and anyone seeking more heart in high-stakes settings both inspiration and actionable wisdom.

Key Takeaways

Authentic care and kindness create environments where learning thrives; people respond deeply when they feel seen and valued.

Shift from cognitive growth to a "growth heartset" through eight skills: honoring, praising/encouraging, listening from the heart, power of choice, forgiveness, resolving conflict, using challenges as opportunities, and giving/receiving service.

Believing in others’ potential helps them rise, shown by gains in test scores and graduations.

Letting go of judgments frees energy for growth; it’s not excusing harm but releasing its lasting poison.

Honest feedback, celebrating wins, and building trust turn organizations into learning cultures.

Nurturing heart-centered skills helps youth grow into compassionate, courageous leaders, creating lasting hope and impact.

In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction

[01:36] Meet Stu Semigran, co-founder of the Educare Foundation

[03:40] Stu’s story and his connection to spirituality in leadership

[05:58] Growth and impact of Educare Foundation

[06:31] Philosophy of education: curiosity and individuality

[07:37] Serving underserved students and changing perceptions

[09:57] Building a culture of caring and kindness in classrooms

[12:03] Leadership in education and organizations

[13:15] Being vs. doing in leadership

[15:18] Stu’s spiritual framework and the principles that inform his work

[23:30] The power of vulnerability and asking for help

[25:26] Letting go and empowering others

[27:19] The intersection of love and accountability in education leadership

[29:52] Celebrating success and positive feedback

[35:14] Defining forgiveness and letting go of judgments

[37:21] Conflict resolution and the four truths

[38:08] Service, giving, and the cycle of heart set skills

[41:18] Youth leadership and service in action

[43:28] Stu’s contact information

Resources and Links
Spirituality in Leadership Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406

Stu Semigran
https://www.amazon.com/Heartset-Education-Way-Living-Learning/dp/1735913030

www.educarefoundation.com

www.greatergood.berkeley.edu

www.afterschoolalliance.org

Andrew Cohn
Website: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/

Music: 
Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe

Did you know that being truly present can impact your surroundings as much as an athlete's performance on the field? In this episode of Spirituality in Leadership, Andrew Cohn sits down with longtime friend, colleague, and leadership coach Stephen McGhee for a conversation about presence, wisdom, and leading from the inside out. Rather than offering formulas or techniques, Stephen shares a way of being, one rooted in listening, humility, and what he calls “keeping altitude.”
The conversation explores how spirituality shows up in leadership without being imposed through language or labels. Stephen introduces his idea of a “ladder of consciousness,” where service and love sit at the highest rungs, and explains why leaders do more good when they resist inflicting their own beliefs and instead stay curious about how others experience meaning and integrity.
A central theme is presence. Stephen reflects on how presence itself “pays,” not as a transaction, but because whatever we carry emotionally and spiritually gets transmitted into rooms, relationships, and decisions. Leaders, he suggests, shape outcomes simply by how present, grounded, and authentic they are.
Stephen also shares his personal experience of losing his home in the Pacific Palisades fires. He speaks candidly about grief, rejecting “toxic positivity,” and honoring the importance of process, allowing pain, meaning, and gratitude to unfold in their own time. Through this story, the principles of presence, listening, and acceptance become real and lived.
If you've faced unexpected hardship or seek ways to integrate spirituality practically into leadership and life, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways

Presence Pays: Authentic presence transmits energy and value; it's contagious and foundational to effective leadership and relationships.

Avoid Inflicting Language: Honor others' spirituality without imposing your own vernacular, keep "altitude" for genuine connection.

Listening as Mastery: True listening includes content, context, and inner self-awareness to respond freshly, not reactively.

Process Over Bypass: Grieve fully and avoid toxic positivity; proper processing turns pain into learning and strength.

Use Everything for Advancement: Cooperate with what is, accept without judgment, and trust that challenges contribute to soul growth.

Gratitude in the Present: Life's impermanence awakens deeper appreciation for moments, relationships, and unfolding grace.

In This Episode:
[00:00] Opening on spiritual guidance and not inflicting language

[00:29] The ladder of consciousness and keeping altitude

[02:38] How Andrew and Stephen met; shared spiritual community

[04:16] Stephen's corporate roots and shift to soul-aligned leadership

[07:34] Practical principles for inclusive spiritual conversations

[10:34] Presence pays and what that really means

[12:27] Authenticity in presence; impact on others

[14:18] Getting present before conversations

[15:41] The power of deep listening (content, context, inner)

[18:18] Avoiding labels and prejudice for better connection

[21:41] The Palisades Fire: Evacuation and immediate aftermath

[23:56] Toxic positivity vs. healthy processing

[26:44] Acceptance, grieving, and timing

[28:30] Returning to the site; small victories amid loss

[30:38] A profound sunset experience from the ashes

[35:38] Where to find Stephen's work

Resources and Links
Spirituality in Leadership Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406

Stephen McGhee
https://www.mcgheeleadership.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmcgheeleadership/

Andrew Cohn
Website: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/

Music: 
Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe

In this episode of Spirituality in Leadership, Andrew Cohn sits down with Dr. Rodney King, philosophical coach, former martial arts practitioner, global educator, and scholar to delve into meaning, leadership, and what it really takes to live well. Rodney shares his extraordinary journey, from growing up in poverty in Johannesburg and surviving a violent environment, to becoming a globally respected martial arts teacher, and ultimately facing a life-altering health crisis that forced him to rethink everything.
Rodney reflects on how martial arts first became a way to survive, then a profession, and eventually a doorway into something much deeper–philosophy as a lived practice. After decades of physical training, travel, and high performance, a diagnosis of CTE-like symptoms brought his fighting career to an abrupt halt. What could have been the end instead became a turning point. Through philosophy, solitude, and reconnecting with nature, Rodney began to ask different questions, not “How do I push harder?” but “What is the meaning of this moment?”
Together, Andrew and Rodney delve into how modern culture’s obsession with speed, optimization, and productivity often pulls us away from our inner wisdom. Rodney challenges listeners to do the opposite of what the modern world demands, slow down, embrace unstructured time, and rediscover awe in everyday moments. From walking without a destination to simply being bored, these “unoptimized” practices become gateways to clarity, creativity, and healing.
This episode is a thoughtful invitation to leaders, and all of us, to rethink success, listen more deeply, and reconnect with what truly matters. It’s not about having all the answers, but about learning to ask better questions and creating space for wisdom to emerge.

Key Takeaways

From Toughness to Wisdom: Early survival instincts may build strength, but true leadership requires reflection, meaning, and inner authority.

Crisis as Initiation: Health breakdowns and life disruptions can serve as powerful invitations back to purpose and authenticity.

Philosophy as a Lived Practice: Philosophy is not theory. It is a way of engaging life, suffering, and leadership with depth and clarity.

Doing the Opposite: Many leadership and wellbeing challenges are eased by resisting hustle culture and embracing slowness, patience, and presence.

Asking Better Questions: Transformation begins not with answers but with reframing the questions we ask ourselves.

Unoptimized Time Matters: Solitude, boredom, awe, and walking without goals create space for wisdom and creativity to emerge.

Environment Shapes Behavior: Much modern anxiety and burnout stem from environments misaligned with human nature.

In This Episode:

[00:00] Opening reflections and Rodney’s early realization about toughness

[01:24] Introduction to Dr. Rodney King and his global journey

[04:11] Growing up in poverty and discovering martial arts

[08:18] Military service and early leadership formation

[09:58] Building a global martial arts practice

[12:34] Health crisis, CTE-like symptoms, and identity collapse

[15:01] Recovery, reflection, and returning to philosophy

[17:36] Philosophy, martial arts, and the hero’s journey

[23:24] Coaching through questions rather than answers

[27:28] Meaning-making during crisis

[31:08] Nature, solitude, and unoptimized practices

[36:00] Awe, walking, and embodied wisdom

[41:30] Modern culture, burnout

[44:47] Doing the opposite as a leadership rebellion

[50:52] Rodney’s work, resources, and closing reflections
Resources and Links

Spirituality in Leadership Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406

Rodney King
https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachrodneyking/
https://www.coachingphilosophia.org

https://www.coachingphilosophia.life

Andrew Cohn
Website: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/

Music: 
Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe

What’s the right way to bring spirituality into workplace conversations when everyone comes from different cultures and comfort levels? Is culture really the problem, or is it more about our ability to adapt and communicate in ways people can genuinely receive? And what about leaders who make tough decisions from a spiritual place, like keeping a 50-year-old who may never find another job while letting go of younger employees who can recover quickly–and even supporting them in finding new roles?
In this episode, Andrew Cohn speaks with William Miller, co-founder of Values Centered Innovation and long-time explorer of the intersection between spirituality, creativity, and corporate leadership. Miller traces his journey back to a pivotal moment in the 1980s when mystical literature unexpectedly illuminated his work in innovation. That spark, he explains, revealed spirituality, business, and creativity as “facets of a single jewel,” a realization that has guided his work for four decades. He describes how ancient wisdom traditions, including the Bhagavad Gita, informed research on what energizes innovation, revealing three universal motivators: intention, connection, and action. These insights helped Miller develop practical models, such as his “creative journey” process, that cultivate psychological safety, courage, and authentic human connection within organizations.
The conversation also explores cultural nuances in discussing spirituality at work, stories of leaders who ground tough decisions in compassion, and the shift from profit-first business models toward purpose-driven ones. Miller introduces his current project, Reclaiming the Soul of Leadership, a program that helps leaders explore their spiritual foundations, express them through values-based leadership, and foster communities rooted in wisdom and love.

Key Takeaways

Spirituality, innovation, and leadership are deeply interconnected.

Psychological safety grows when individuals feel seen and valued beyond their roles.

Cultural context shapes how spiritual conversations can be introduced.

Compassionate leadership fosters trust and can drive organizational transformation.

Business is shifting from shareholder value to a broader focus on stakeholder wellbeing.

Spiritual leadership comes from responding with calm rather than reacting from fear.

True leadership development begins with inner exploration and reconnecting with the soul.

In This Episode:
[01:26] Introduction to William Miller

[03:43] William Miller's journey

[04:55] The intersection of spirituality and business

[09:03] Implementing spirituality in corporate work

[18:56] Cultural perspectives on spiritual conversations

[19:07] Spiritual conversations being easier in some cultures compared to others

[20:15] Telling the story and the  think, act, innovation process

[25:27] The control game and spiritual deficits

[26:00] The notion of unconditional love in Christian tradition

[27:13] Spirituality’s role in leadership behavior

[27:48] Research on spirituality among executives

[28:30] Case study: Lars Colon's turnaround at Oticon

[32:47] Purpose of business: from shareholder wealth to stakeholder wellbeing

[35:38] Making a clear distinction between spirituality and religion

[38:09] Reclaiming the soul of leadership

[43:55] The spiritual path in leadership

Resources and Links
Spirituality in Leadership Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406

William Miller
Website: https://consciousleadershipacademy.org/ / https://vci.global

The Guild website:https://clgleaders.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamcmillervci

Book: The Art of Spiritual Leadership in Business

Andrew Cohn
Website: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/

Music: 
Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe