• How Alex Strathdee Grew Shelf Life by Embracing Resilience, Mentors, and Mental Health
    Jun 25 2025
    Ever wondered what it looks like to build an impactful business from nothing—starting at age 22—and still keep your soul, care for your team, and navigate personal struggles most never see? In this conversation, I sit down with Alex Strathdee, founder and CEO of Shelf Life, the company behind the marketing success of my own Rising Leader handbook and numerous bestselling authors. We dig into Alex’s unconventional entrepreneurial journey, the power of resilience, what it actually takes to build a thriving team, and how embracing vulnerability and our own mental health challenges can become a hidden strength in leadership.Alex Strathdee founded Shelf Life at just 22, growing it into a million-dollar company with 17 employees and a remarkable 90% employee retention rate. Working alongside renowned authors like Mike Michalowicz and Michael Bungay Stanier, and having clients such as Reid Hoffman and Gay Hendricks, he has become the go-to expert for authors looking to turn their ideas into impact. But Alex’s real superpower isn’t just marketing wizardry—it’s his relentless honesty, deep empathy (inspired by his remarkable grandmother), and unwavering commitment to building a business that’s as healthy on the inside as it appears from the outside. “If this woman [my grandma] can stay happy and positive, then come on, I gotta find some positivity here.” ~Alex StrathdeeToday on The Rising Leader:· The seeds of leadership can come from unexpected places. Alex’s primary inspiration is his grandmother, whose resilience and positivity shaped his approach to people and business.· Entrepreneurial success ultimately hinges on persistence, learning from failures, and seeking mentorship.· Alex highlights the importance of asking for help and surrounding yourself with people who have already solved similar problems.· Relationships are everything; from first opportunities to company-saving advice, success, and new directions are rooted in genuine connections.· Vulnerability isn’t a liability; sharing mental health struggles (from OCD to intrusive thoughts) opened doors for Alex to get the help and tools he needed, transforming a challenge into a leadership strength.· Hiring and scaling require both toughness and care; having a strong “number two” (like Laura, his COO) is key to growth and balances out your own blind spots.· Letting go of being the “nice guy” is sometimes necessary—hard conversations and holding the team accountable keep the mission intact.· Systems matter: Alex and his leadership team leverage frameworks like Gino Wickman’s Traction to set rocks, build accountability, and keep everyone rowing in the same direction.· Helping your team thrive doesn’t mean coddling—it’s about setting high standards and supporting people to level up, all while keeping the company’s core mission at the center.Connect with Alex Strathdee:· Shelf Life and author marketing services: getshelflife.com· Book: Before the Bestseller – Alex’s comprehensive guide to marketing your book· LinkedIn: Alex StrathdeeResources and Mentions:· Book: Before the Bestseller by Alex Strathdee · Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie· Book: Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi · Book: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill · Book: Who by Geoff Smart & Randy Street · Book: Traction by Gino Wickman · International OCD Foundation· Book: Needing to Know for Sure by Dr. Sally Winston & Dr. Martin Seif · Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts · Authors Unite (Tyler Wagner’s company) Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.
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    36 mins
  • The Importance of Perspective
    Jun 18 2025

    Ever feel like the things you’re sharing as a leader are just “Captain Obvious” moments—messages that have been repeated endlessly, but still need to be heard? I woke up this morning with a clear urge to discuss something that’s not just essential, but foundational for every leader: perspective. No matter how often it’s discussed, perspective is the tool that brings clarity, emotional intelligence, and coaching power to every conversation, every conflict, and every team you lead. In today’s episode, I delve into why perspective is your responsibility as a leader, how it helps others navigate and resolve challenges, and why giving—and requesting—perspective is crucial to keeping your organization on track.

    “Your job as a leader is to be the adult, to have the perspective, to have the emotional perspective that this is a disagreement, this isn't personal, and it's for you to get perspective as soon as possible.” ~Mark

    Today on The Rising Leader:

    · Perspective is the fundamental gift and duty of every leader—it’s your lived experience, information, and oversight that others don’t have.

    · As adults and leaders, we often find ourselves in situations where we see more than those we lead, and it is our responsibility to remind others of the bigger picture.

    · Emotional intelligence is essential for stepping back from reactive, defensive modes and regaining perspective in heated moments.

    · Coaching isn’t just about hour-long sessions; sometimes the most valuable support is a quick call that offers a grounded perspective.

    · People get emotionally triggered and lose sight of reality or consequences; your job is to help them regain balance and hope.

    · Just like children “borrow” your emotional regulation, team members often need to “borrow” your perspective to stabilize during chaos.

    · Regularly check in and ask for clarity yourself—“Am I being a jerk in this?” or “Am I seeing this clearly?”—no leader goes it alone.

    · Offering your regulated, big-picture view can help team members see the vision, reconnect to purpose, and solve problems more effectively.

    Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook

    Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you.

    In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.

    Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader.

    Leader, It’s Time to Rise!

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you.

    Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

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    6 mins
  • Let's Talk About Your Significant Other
    Jun 11 2025
    We all talk about how a strong relationship with your significant other is crucial, but how often do we really sit down to discuss the ground rules that hold it all together? In today’s episode, I take a thoughtful look at the different kinds of agreements we make with our partners, especially when high-pressure careers, kids, and life’s unpredictability enter the mix. I discuss setting clear expectations, negotiating roles, and effective communication, so your relationship can be the greatest asset to your leadership journey, not a detractor.This episode highlights insights from my conversation with John Sapone, a seasoned VP of Sales with an impressive track record at several of the world’s fastest-growing startups. John's approach with his spouse offers a real-world example of how crafting intentional agreements in a demanding household leads to clarity, understanding, and a sense of team, both at home and at work. “Fences make good neighbors. Ground rules and agreements make really strong relationships.” ~Mark Silverman Today on The Rising Leader:· High-performing jobs can be "greedy," often bleeding into evenings and weekends, so it’s critical to have explicit agreements about time and expectations at home.· Clear ground rules are the foundation of strong partnerships, especially when both partners face significant demands from their careers and families.· Openly discussing what each person needs to feel valued, seen, and secure makes negotiation possible and resentment less likely.· It’s vital to regularly update your agreements and check in with your partner as circumstances and feelings inevitably shift.· Joint understanding about who handles what—especially in crisis or when competing demands arise—prevents conflict and promotes teamwork.· Using tools like the enneagram or personality assessments helps couples better understand one another and navigate differences.· Left unspoken, unmet expectations quickly metastasize into frustration, distance, and potential relationship breakdown.· Coming together intentionally as a team—striving for win-win rather than “getting yours”—builds resilience and success at home and professionally.Resources Mentioned:· Enneagram and other personality testing tools (for couples and teams)· To receive my agreement versus expectations guide, send me a note! Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.
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    7 mins
  • Encore Episode: Words Create Leadership, Words Create Worlds with Devon Bandison
    Jun 4 2025
    Devon Bandison is an author, coach, and speaker. He is the go-to mind coach of the NBA and one of the most sought-after personal and business coaches in the world. As a coach, Devon works with Fortune 100 Companies and people from all walks of life, from professional athletes and teams, CEOs and executives, salespeople and small business owners to filmmakers, producers, and the world’s leading business and life coaches. He is the author of Fatherhood is Leadership and is a contributing writer for Inc. Magazine. Devon holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Devon joins me today to discuss how words shape your thoughts, leadership, and world. He emphasizes the importance of knowing your starting point. He explains why leaders need to define their three cornerstones, focus on what truly matters, and prioritize accordingly. Devon also highlights the difference between “keeping” and “being” your word and underscores how creativity and great leadership happen when we create space. “Your word creates your world. When I look at the greatest leaders, I see commitment and integrity.” - Devon Bandison This week on The Rising Leader Podcast: ● Devon’s two-minute wisdom drop● Understanding your starting point● Distinguishing between what’s true and what your mind believes to be true● Self-forgiveness and rewiring your mind to break free from self-judgment● Why “slowly” is the fastest way● Warren Buffett on being busy● Slowing down and knowing your three cornerstones as a leader● Entering the "zone" or “flow state” in sports and how it's achieved through slowing down and being present● The most dangerous phrase in the human language● How not being able to keep your word to yourself develops an inner critic● “Keeping” your word versus “being” your word● “Default” cultures and creating a culture of agreements through language and integrity● How Devon learned a life-changing lesson about the power of one's word and integrity● The Game Changer Experience Resources Mentioned: ● The most important question a father can ask himself | Devon Bandison | TEDxBocaRaton Related Episode: ● Fatherhood, Leadership and Legacy with Devon Bandison● Playing the Bigger Game with Dr. Jeff Spencer● Slowing Down to Speed Up Connect with Devon Bandison: ● Devon Bandison Website● Book: Fatherhood Is Leadership: Your Playbook for Success, Self-Leadership, and a Richer Life● Devon Bandison on LinkedIn● Devon Bandison on Instagram Grab Your Advanced Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook Do you find yourself rising through the ranks of your company so fast that you wish you had a manual to becoming an effective leader? Then The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you. In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself. The Rising Leader Handbook officially releases in October 2023, but you don’t have to wait! Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your advanced copy and get started on mastering the skills you need to become the leader your team needs you to be. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners, like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.
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    43 mins
  • Are You Driving For Success or Growth?
    May 28 2025

    Are you chasing external markers of success, or are you genuinely growing into the leader you want to become? Today, I challenge you to stop and really feel where your drive is coming from. In this episode, I deeply reflect on the difference between being driven by the endless pursuit of success and embracing the sometimes messy, enriching journey of growth. We’ll take a closer look at what it costs to achieve your goals if you’re coming from a place of lack and discuss how marrying ambition with inner development is the key to lasting fulfillment.

    “I’ve spent time with people who have reached all their goals, and they’re still not satisfied, they’re still not happy.” ~Mark

    This week on The Rising Leader:

    · How to distinguish between chasing success and pursuing growth

    · Why proving yourself to others can lead to burnout and emptiness

    · The warning signs that you’re “climbing the ladder on the wrong wall”

    · The hidden costs of goal-oriented living—on family, health, and fulfillment

    · Why growth-oriented leaders are more fulfilled, not just more successful

    · A coaching approach that marries achievement with personal evolution

    · How to set values-based goals and measure your fulfillment

    · The emptiness of endless achievement without inner satisfaction

    Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook

    Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you.

    In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.

    Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader.

    Leader, It’s Time to Rise!

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you.

    Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

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    10 mins
  • A Created Rise Vs a Default Rise
    May 21 2025

    Ever feel like you’re living your life—or growing your career—on autopilot? In this episode, I dive into the distinction between a “created rise” and a “default rise.” Are you intentionally building the path you want, or just following the steps that seem to be laid out for you? I share stories from my transition from tech to coaching, how that pivotal distinction changed my life, and how it might just change the trajectory of your leadership journey.

    “Drop by drop, you can change the trajectory of your career, of your life, of your relationship, of everything.” ~Mark Silverman

    This Week on The Rising Leader:

    · A default rise happens when you follow the expected path without conscious intention; a created rise requires active, ongoing decisions.

    · Small, deliberate choices—putting your resume together, scheduling networking lunches—are the foundation of big career moves.

    · You can sculpt your next role based not only on what you want, but equally on what you don’t want.

    · If you’re valuable to your organization, you have leverage to shape your responsibilities and environment.

    · The “zone of genius” (per Gay Hendricks) is where work feels effortless and impactful—aim to spend most of your time there.

    · Leadership often comes with “golden handcuffs”—more money, more responsibility, but less freedom—unless you create your own path.

    · Identify what drains you and build a team or structure so that others can excel where you don’t.

    · Transformational change is about consistent micro-steps and self-awareness, not giant leaps.

    Resources Mentioned:

    ● Gay Hendricks’s “Zone of Genius” framework (from The Big Leap)

    ● Rich Litvin—Coaching inspiration and the original source for the created vs default life distinction

    Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook

    Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you.

    In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.

    Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader.

    Leader, It’s Time to Rise!

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you.

    Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

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    10 mins
  • Unlocking High Performance with Breathwork Mindfulness and Biohacking with Mark Anderson
    May 14 2025
    Ever feel like all the self-improvement advice out there is just noise—one source claims broccoli is a health hazard: another calls it a superfood? Today, I’m peeling back the layers on true holistic wellness with someone who believes transformation isn’t just physical, but mental, emotional, and even spiritual. In this episode, I sit down with Mark Anderson, a renowned personal trainer and biohacking expert, to explore the “diamond” of being human. Together, we dive into why people suffer, the trap of constantly chasing “more,” and the practical steps executives (and anyone) can take to rise above overwhelm, calm the nervous system, and step into their highest potential. Mark Anderson is a functional personal trainer with over 15 years of experience, an expert in high performance, biohacking, and mindset coaching. His journey began in the military, shifted to defense contracting, and ultimately led him to pursue his passion for integrative wellness. Mark is passionate about helping people break free from the cycle of stress and suffering by designing individualized routines that address the mind, body, and spirit. He works with diverse clients, from high-powered executives to anyone ready for real, rooted transformation. “You can do breath work whenever you want. Breath is free, and it can take you from a high-stress state to calm.” ~ Mark Anderson This Week on The Rising Leader:· Suffering is often rooted in being stuck in the “3D”—chasing material things, more money, or status, instead of addressing deeper needs.· True wellness and transformation require starting with basics: sleep, breathing, and mindfulness—tools accessible to everyone.· Conscious breathwork is a powerful, underutilized way to reset the nervous system, become present, and access creativity.· Most people operate on autopilot; interrupting old patterns with simple practices (like pausing or conscious breathing) sets the foundation for personal change.· High performers and executives are still human, subject to the same stress and feeling of overwhelm as anyone else—they just need the right tools.· Physical movement is important for fitness, mental, and emotional health. Our bodies are made to move.· Change doesn’t need to be drastic. Start with small pattern interrupts—like reframing your reaction to traffic or the weather—and build from there.· Genuine transformation comes from curiosity, awareness, and a willingness to experiment with what brings one back to oneself. Find More of Mark Anderson:● Instagram: @markanderson_mwa● Website: mwafitness.com Resources Mentioned:● Breathwork routines (demo included in the episode—rewind and practice!)● PEMF mats, movement walks, and other biohacking tools for holistic wellness Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader HandbookDo you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you.In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader. Leader, It’s Time to Rise! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.
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    37 mins
  • Your Reputation is as Important as Your Relationships
    May 7 2025

    You’ve heard it before—your reputation precedes you. But how often do you really consider how your reputation is judged by everyone across your organization, not just your direct boss or team? In this episode, I dive into the critical connection between your reputation and your relationships, revealing why what others say about you when you’re not in the room can alter your career path. I unpack the art of being a trusted advisor, the importance of accessibility and warmth, especially for high achievers, and offer actionable strategies to build support throughout your organization so you’re the person everyone wants to see win.

    "When things are going to shit, you're not a bull in a china closet. You're still supportive, you're still respectful to everybody."

    This week on The Rising Leader:

    · Step into leadership by being the go-to person who takes ownership and eases your boss’s challenges

    · Build win-win relationships with your peers on the leadership team—cooperation beats competition

    · Your reputation is shaped by every interaction, across every level of the organization

    · High-performing individuals can unintentionally intimidate; leading with warmth and accessibility counters this

    · Promotion decisions are rarely made in isolation—everyone’s opinion matters

    · Remaining steady, respectful, and supportive even during tough times differentiates leaders from doers

    · Being a reliable supporter in moments of uncertainty makes you indispensable

    · Offering help proactively, especially when others are struggling, forges a legacy of trust and respect

    Grab Your Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook

    Do you find yourself rising through your company's ranks so fast that you wish you had a manual to become an effective leader? Then, The Rising Leader Handbook is right for you.

    In The Rising Leader Handbook, you’ll learn how to shift your perspective and gain the leadership skills you need, regardless of the breadth of your responsibilities, by leveraging the relationships you’ve built with the CEO, the Leadership Team, and the team you lead as well as your relationship with yourself.

    Visit The Rising Leader Handbook: Turning High Achievers into Effective Leaders to grab your copy and start mastering your skills to become your team leader.

    Leader, It’s Time to Rise!

    Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Rising Leader Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio

    Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more listeners like you.

    Join me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website.

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    7 mins