In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Alder, executive coach, Zen priest, and founder of the Executive Wisdom Partner Institute, to explore what leadership demands in the age of AI.

Chris unpacks the difference between intention and agenda, makes the case for inner stillness as a leadership skill, and explains why wisdom, not just strategy, will define the next generation of executives. As technology accelerates, he argues, human depth and presence become the real competitive advantage.

A sharp, timely conversation for leaders ready to evolve.

Emily & Johnny own the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of the Awakening Conscious Leadership podcasts, with all rights reserved, as well as their right of publicity.

All opinions expressed by the Podcast Guests & Participants are solely their current opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Emily & Johnny. The Podcast Guest and Participant opinions are based upon information they consider reliable, but neither Emily, Johnny nor the companies with which such guests & participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such.

No one is authorized to copy any portion of the podcast content or use Emily’s or Johnny’s name, image or likeness for any commercial purpose or use, including without limitation inclusion in any books, e-books, book summaries or synopses, or on a commercial website or social media site (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) that offers or promotes your or another’s products or services.

At the start of 2026, we gather three powerful voices for a special roundtable on awakening more conscious leadership: Nathan Blair, founder of The Somatic School, bringing a body-based lens to leadership; Hetty Einzig, leadership coach, transpersonal psychotherapist, and author, offering a spiritual and transpersonal perspective; and Marcus Stone, life coach and coach nurturer, speaking from heart-centered presence.

Together, we explore the shift from spectacle to substance in an increasingly chaotic world asking: What is my purpose? What does authentic leadership require now? The conversation moves from the pull of inauthenticity and cultural pendulum swings to the call for creativity over critique, the inter-dependence of polarity, and the possibility of a new Axial Age.

From “archipelagos of creativity” to the idea that we each ‘contain multitudes’, this episode is a rich, wide-ranging inquiry into what conscious leadership might mean in the year ahead and why depth, embodiment, and presence matter more than ever.

Emily & Johnny own the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of the Awakening Conscious Leadership podcasts, with all rights reserved, as well as their right of publicity.

All opinions expressed by the Podcast Guests & Participants are solely their current opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Emily & Johnny. The Podcast Guest and Participant opinions are based upon information they consider reliable, but neither Emily, Johnny nor the companies with which such guests & participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such.

No one is authorized to copy any portion of the podcast content or use Emily’s or Johnny’s name, image or likeness for any commercial purpose or use, including without limitation inclusion in any books, e-books, book summaries or synopses, or on a commercial website or social media site (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) that offers or promotes your or another’s products or services.

In this episode, sound strategist Herwig Kusatz, founder of Sound Strategy, invites us to tune in differently. From the hidden cost of “noise” that drains attention to the kind of signal that builds trust and clarity, Herwig breaks down how sound quietly shapes leadership, culture, and decision-making every day.

You’ll hear the fascinating story behind the Vienna transport system’s sound identity. Herwig speaks to the impact of the internal sounds of our mind on our communication and the significance of silence, and how the sounds of your organization affect how messages actually land. Plus, Herwig shares insights from his brand-new Sonic Starter Kit, a practical way for organizations to sound as intentional as they look.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by noise, curious about brand identity beyond visuals, or interested in leading with more presence and impact, this conversation will have you listening in a whole new way.

Emily & Johnny own the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of the Awakening Conscious Leadership podcasts, with all rights reserved, as well as their right of publicity.

All opinions expressed by the Podcast Guests & Participants are solely their current opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Emily & Johnny. The Podcast Guest and Participant opinions are based upon information they consider reliable, but neither Emily, Johnny nor the companies with which such guests & participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such.

No one is authorized to copy any portion of the podcast content or use Emily’s or Johnny’s name, image or likeness for any commercial purpose or use, including without limitation inclusion in any books, e-books, book summaries or synopses, or on a commercial website or social media site (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) that offers or promotes your or another’s products or services.