Duke Life of Significance

Noble Purposes, Defining Your Principles, and the Five Be’s of Leadership

In this episode of Duke’s Life of Significance series, host Sanyin Siang interviews Hubert Joly who reminds us to live a purpose-driven life—as individuals and as leaders. Hubert notes that it can be dangerous to think about yourself solely in terms of your work; figuring out your noble purpose and orienting your life around that purpose can correct the myth that we are only as valuable as our production output. 

Belonging, Justice, and Outcomes-Based Change

In this episode of Duke’s Life of Significance series, hosts Sanyin Siang and Greg Jones interview Dr. Kim Tan, a social impact investor and entrepreneur who works toward sustainable solutions to poverty around the world. The partner of several social impact funds, Kim is also the co-founder of the Transformational Business Network, a network designed to connect philanthropy-minded businesspeople. In this interview, Sanyin, Greg, and Kim discuss what it means to belong, creative business models that work toward multifocal social change, and different philanthropic philosophies.

Making an Impact, Keeping Joy, and Defining Leadership

In this episode of Duke’s Life of Significance series, host Sanyin Siang interviews General Nadja West, the first African American female to reach a three-star general rank in our nation's history and the first African American female surgeon general for the U.S. Army. In this interview, Sanyin and Nadja discuss the significance of influencing even just a single life for the better, deep-seeded sources of joy, and how our values can shape our engagement with a situation for the better. 

Legacy, Humility and Knowing What Matters

In this episode of Duke’s Life of Significance series, hosts Sanyin Siang and Greg Jones interview Bill Haslam, the former Governor of Tennessee and author of the book Faithful Presence. In this interview, Bill discusses outwardly focused leadership practices, engendering empathy in small moments of connection, and the humanity we all share. Bill also takes the time to share about his pardoning of Cyntoia Brown and the connection he intentionally made with her. Ultimately, it’s all about people: “The beauty of other people in your life should never, ever be minimized in terms of living a life that’s abundant.”

Building a Positive Mindset, Envisioning your Impact, and Limb Difference

In this episode of Duke’s Life of Significance series, hosts Sanyin Siang and Pau Gasol interview Ezra Frech, the sixteen-year-old American Paralympic athlete, motivational speaker, and advocate for disability rights. He is also the inspiration and core of Team Ezra, the organization that has raised over $400,000 for nonprofits supporting the physically disabled. In this interview, Ezra discusses his limb difference in the sports world, turning negative experiences into a positive future perspective, and actualizing your dreams: “You can dream it. You can hope it. Or you can make it happen.”