Dr. Pamela Buchanan, a veteran ER physician with over 20 years of experience, joins us to share her personal journey through burnout and work fatigue as a frontline medical professional. Having worked in high-stress environments including during the height of the pandemic, she brings raw insight into the emotional toll of the job and what recovery truly looks like. As the founder of Strong Medicine STL, she now dedicates her work to supporting healthcare professionals and high achievers through coaching, telemedicine, and wellness education. A TEDx speaker known for her talk "Emotional Flatline," Dr. Buchanan is also a mental health advocate and ambassador with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation, working to normalize emotional support in medicine and prevent physician suicide.

Paul W.M. Fedak, MD PhD, is a cardiac surgeon, scientist, and writer who brings both clinical expertise and emotional depth to the world of modern medicine. Known for his thought-provoking work at the intersection of identity, excellence, and healing, Paul joins us to share his experiences through burnout and professional fatigue. As a leading voice in academic medicine and innovation, Paul has become an advocate for shifting the culture of healthcare—from performance-driven to purpose-centered. In this episode, he opens up about the silent cost of high achievement, the moral injuries that go unspoken, and the importance of reconnecting with the deeper meaning behind medical practice. Through his leadership, writing, and speaking, Paul invites a powerful conversation on how we can heal not only patients, but also the people who care for them. And by extension, how leaders need the care they often provide.

Principal and global sustainability leader Geoff Tuff and U.S. sustainability practice lead Steven Goldbach join us to share their best leadership practices and why rethinking the rules is often the most powerful move a leader can make. We will dive into Detonate, the bold first book in their bestselling leadership trilogy, and uncover ideas that echo throughout Provoke and their highly anticipated new release, Hone.

Geoff Tuff is a Principal at Deloitte and leads the Global and US Sustainability practice for Energy & Industrials. With over 30 years of experience in strategy, innovation, and growth, he helps organizations break free from conventional thinking to compete in new ways. Previously, Geoff led Doblin and was a senior partner at Monitor Group. A bestselling author and Harvard Business Review contributor, Geoff challenges leaders to adopt a beginner’s mindset and embrace disruption. His upcoming book Hone completes a trilogy that has transformed how leaders approach the future.

Steven Goldbach leads Deloitte’s US Sustainability practice, guiding clients through complex challenges around climate and the future of business. Formerly the firm’s Chief Strategy Officer, Steve helped steer Deloitte toward a more integrated, future-focused model. Before that, he held senior roles at Monitor Group and Forbes. A bestselling co-author of Detonate and Provoke, Steve is known for encouraging leaders to rethink outdated strategies and act with bold purpose. He and Geoff Tuff will release their third book, Hone, this fall.

Chief Executive Officer of Aetna Better Health of New York, a CVS Health company, Kevin Nelson joins us to discuss healthcare and leadership. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare leadership, Kevin has dedicated his career to advancing health equity and expanding access for underserved communities. Before leading ABHNY, he held senior roles at organizations like the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and Hudson Health Plan, where he combined policy expertise with operational excellence to drive meaningful change.

Kevin holds a Master’s in Public Health from the Yale School of Public Health and a bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. He’s been recognized as one of Westchester County’s Top Male Executives and honored with awards including the Yale Medal and the American College of Healthcare Executives Young Healthcare Executive Award. Kevin brings deep insight into the intersection of public health, policy, and innovation—and we’re excited to have him share his perspective on the podcast.

Impact investor, educator, and author James Rhee joins us to discuss his new book, Red Helicopter: A Parable for Our Times, a deeply personal and thought-provoking exploration of leadership, trust, and the power of choosing kindness. Best known for his transformative work as CEO of Ashley Stewart, James turned a struggling fashion brand into a thriving business by centering humanity, dignity, and long-term value. In this episode, he shares the inspiration behind Red Helicopter, a modern-day parable rooted in his lived experiences, and how it challenges conventional leadership models rooted in fear, control, and short-term thinking. Through his “Kindness and Math” philosophy, James invites us to imagine a different kind of success—one grounded in empathy, purpose, and collective well-being.

Two visionary leaders join us for this special episode on reshaping how we think about rest, resilience, and racial equity in professional spaces. Ngozi Cadmus and Ruth Abban—co-creators of The Black Woman’s Rest Revolution—share vital insights into the lived experiences of Black women in the workplace and the radical importance of rest as a form of resistance and healing.

Ngozi Cadmus is a TEDx speaker, psychotherapist, and the founder of the UK’s leading anti-racist workplace mental health platform. Currently completing doctoral research on Black women's leadership strategies, Ngozi is pioneering a movement that centers rest as essential to liberation and renewal. Through her leadership, she’s challenging organizations to build culturally sensitive, accountable, and restorative environments.

Joining her is Ruth Abban, an Integrative Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor who brings deep expertise in racial trauma, racial identity, and adultification bias. With years of experience working with youth and adults through an intersectional lens, Ruth now provides racial equity consultancy across sectors. Together, they are transforming organizational cultures through healing-centered approaches rooted in justice and rest.

Seasoned Salesforce strategist, thought leader, and Chief Growth Officer at Cloud Giants (a Salesforce consulting firm), Gay Thorne joins us to share her insights on customer experience and business development. With a strong background in customer relationship management (CRM) optimization, she has been instrumental in helping organizations maximize their Salesforce investments. Gay is also a prominent voice in the Salesforce community, frequently sharing best practices and insights through articles and social media. Her recent leadership in Cloud Giants’ Salesforce March Madness initiative reflects her passion for interactive learning and community engagement. Committed to empowering businesses through technology and continuous learning, Gay is a valuable resource in the ever-evolving world of customer relationship management.

Licensed psychologist, author, and educator based in Washington, DC, Dr. Samantha Sweeney joins us to share her work and discuss anxiety in children and some of the potential causes behind its rise. Dr. Sweeney has a private practice on Capitol Hill, where she supports children, families, and adults. She holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Maryland and a psychology degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Her background includes work in both public and private schools, with experience as a preschool teacher, school psychologist, researcher, and university instructor. An expert in cultural competence, she is passionate about helping families raise confident, inclusive children. Dr. Sweeney is the author of Working With Worry: A Workbook for Parents on How to Support Anxious Children, and her upcoming book, Culturally Competent Kids, is designed to help families thrive in a diverse world. In therapy, she focuses on empowerment, connection, and honoring the whole person behind the challenges they face.