The Leaders Lab

Injustice, Advocacy & Building a Better World with Shirah Mansaray

Shirah Mansaray is the CEO and founding trustee of the international charity, I Am Somebody’s Child Soldier, which provides mental health support to former child victims of war in Uganda. Shirah has over 15 years’ experience working in the humanitarian field, with organisations ranging from the United Nations and the Human Rights and Economic Affairs Department at the Council of Europe, Strasbourg. Shirah is a Non-Executive Director and Trustee of Amnesty International UK.Shirah is passionate about advocating for mental health as a fundamental human right for populations in the Global South and worldwide.Shirah is currently a PhD scholar at University College London (UCL) conducting academic and industry research on healthcare policies and architectures that promote mental health through design responsibility and sustainable environmental design. She has a Master’s degree in Development, Technology and Innovation Policy from UCL, where her thesis interrogated the efficacy of the World Food Program’s Blockchain based digital identification system and the data privacy rights of refugees.Shirah is a trained lawyer and is currently seconded to Bates Wells LLP where she advises charities, non-profits and civil society organisations in the UK and internationally on governance matters, commercial agreements, charity law and human rights law.From child soldier to mental health advocate, Shirah shares her journey of compassion and change. Raised between the UK and Uganda, she founded I Am Somebody’s Child Soldier to support former child soldiers. Now a vice chair at Amnesty International and a PhD researcher, she champions mental health as a human rights issue.In this conversation, Shirah discusses trauma, advocacy, and global injustices while balancing leadership and academia. Learn how she transforms personal experience into impact—and get a glimpse of her upcoming book!CHAPTERS:00:00 - Intro00:30 - Shiro’s Background05:15 - Mental Health as a Human Right07:50 - Child Soldiers and Conflict13:09 - The Impact of War on Children17:34 - Funding Challenges in Advocacy20:18 - Role at Amnesty International22:14 - Balancing Activism and Personal Life27:03 - Your Book and Its Messagehttps://www.themiscrown.com/https://iamsomebodyschildsoldier.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirah-z-mansaray/ABOUT OUR HOST:Ken Eslick is an Entrepreneur, Author, Podcaster, Tony Robbins Trainer, Life Coach, Husband of 35+ Years, and Grandfather. Ken currently spends his time as the President & Founder of The Leaders Lab where he and his team focus on Leadership Talent Acquisition. They get founders the next level C-Suite Leaders they need to go from being an Inc. Magazine 5000 fastest growing company to $100,000,000 + in revenue.  You can learn more about Ken and his team attheleaderslab.coListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/ken-eslick/#education #socialjusticeeducation #mentalhealthadvocacy #socialjusticeactivism #internationallaw

From Architect to CEO: My 21-Year Entrepreneur Journey with Jarrod Lopiccolo

Jarrod Lopiccolo is a leader in creative digital performance marketing with a background in architecture. With his wife Season as co-founder, Jarrod has led Noble Studios as CEO, building it from the ground up and collaborating with top global brands such as Adobe, Google, and the Islands of Tahiti. Their visionary leadership has earned the agency accolades like the AdAge “Best Places to Work - 2024” and Inc “2023 Best in Business - Advertising” awards.Jarrod's passion for exploring new technologies is contagious, and he brings that energy and excitement to every conversation, showing how innovations like AI, sustainability and personalisation are reshaping digital marketing and driving unprecedented results. Jarrod's leadership expertise and entrepreneurial experience make him a highly sought-after speaker. His unique blend of enthusiastic creativity, technical know-how, and leadership experience makes him the perfect guest for podcasts looking for B2B thought leaders, especially one with marketing chops and extensive experience in travel and tourism. Jarrod offers valuable insights and actionable advice to those aiming to improve their leadership skills or scale their business.Join Jarrod’s 21-year journey of entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. From young architect to global agency founder, he shares insights on AI, marketing, and company culture. A must-watch for entrepreneurs and leaders seeking inspiration!CHAPTERS:00:00 - Intro02:05 - Starting a Business: Key Steps05:25 - Early Years of Business: Challenges & Growth08:10 - The Impact of AI on Your Business08:58 - How AI is Changing the Marketing Industry13:03 - Opening an Office in England: Expansion Strategies16:33 - The Tough Stuff of Growing a Business20:51 - Shedding That Skin: Adapting to Change21:50 - EOS: Entrepreneurial Operating System Explained23:50 - KPIs and Scoreboards: Measuring Success27:35 - Creating a Path for Employees to Succeed32:03 - The Honeymoon Phase of a Relationship35:33 - What’s Next for You: Future Plans38:48 - Closinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrodlopiccolo/https://noblestudios.com/contact-us/utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=influent_collaboration&utm_content=jarrods_profileABOUT OUR HOST:Ken Eslick is an Entrepreneur, Author, Podcaster, Tony Robbins Trainer, Life Coach, Husband of 35+ Years, and Grandfather. Ken currently spends his time as the President & Founder of The Leaders Lab where he and his team focus on Leadership Talent Acquisition. They get founders the next level C-Suite Leaders they need to go from being an Inc. Magazine 5000 fastest growing company to $100,000,000 + in revenue.You can learn more about Ken and his team attheleaderslab.coListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/ken-eslick/#aiautomationagency#aiautomation#kickstartyourentrepreneurjourney#aitools#bestaitools

Leadership Lessons from Disaster Zones with Christian Muntean

Christian Muntean is a business strategist and leadership expert with a proven record of solving complex challenges. As founder of Vantage Consulting, he has led organizations through major transformations focused on growth and efficiency. His global experience spans over 40 countries in disaster relief and community development.Christian holds a master’s in organizational leadership from Eastern University and is a master coach, CEPA, and IM&A expert. Featured in Forbes.com and a member of the Million Dollar Consulting Hall of Fame, he specializes in leadership identity, resilience, high-performance teams, and sustainable leadership development. Christian is an ideal guest for podcasts aimed at owners, executives, and board members dedicated to ethical leadership, employee well-being, and community impact.Discover powerful leadership lessons from disaster zones with Christian and Ken. Hear how international disaster relief shaped Christian's approach to leadership, team dynamics, and personal growth. Learn how strong leadership thrives under pressure and why empathy and resilience are key to success. From turning around organizations to navigating leadership transitions, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for leaders at every level. Whether you're growing a business or refining your leadership style, this video delivers takeaways you won’t want to miss. Watch now and get inspired to lead with purpose!CHAPTERS:00:00 - Christian’s Backstory02:19 - Leadership Impact on Team Dynamics04:26 - Importance of Empathy in Leadership08:48 - Transitioning to Leadership Development11:52 - Starting a Business Journey17:27 - Personal Development Strategies19:31 - Current Focus and Activities20:53 - Writing Your First Book24:06 - Finding Clients Effectively34:41 - Train to Lead: Skills Development35:35 - Leadership Growth Path Explained38:36 - Owner Mindset for Success39:35 - Working on Mindset and Business Growth41:25 - Outrohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christianmuntean/https://mailchi.mp/christianmuntean.com/traintoleadhttps://www.christianmuntean.com/ABOUT OUR HOST:Ken Eslick is an Entrepreneur, Author, Podcaster, Tony Robbins Trainer, Life Coach, Husband of 35+ Years, and Grandfather. Ken currently spends his time as the President & Founder of The Leaders Lab where he and his team focus on Leadership Talent Acquisition. They get founders the next level C-Suite Leaders they need to go from being an Inc. Magazine 5000 fastest growing company to $100,000,000 + in revenue.  You can learn more about Ken and his team attheleaderslab.coListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/ken-eslick/#bemoreempatheticasaleader#organizationalbehavior#publicadministration#organizationaldynamics#executivecoaching

How Tricia Brouk Built a Legacy Beyond Dance

Tricia Brouk is an award-winning author and public speaking coach renowned for her ability to inspire transformation through the power of storytelling. With over three decades of experience, she has become a trusted mentor to countless individuals, including esteemed figures such as James Gandolfini, Kate Winslet, and Susan Sarandon.Raised on a Missouri farm, Tricia's journey has been extraordinary, culminating in the Cannes-nominated documentary Big Stages, which highlights her impact as a speech mentor. Her books, The Influential Voice and The Invitation, have achieved Amazon's #1 status, underscoring her profound understanding of dialogue's transformative potential.Beyond accolades, Tricia views storytelling as a catalyst for unity, connecting hearts and minds across diverse industries. Her directorial work in films like Right Livelihood: A Journey to Here and executive production of TEDxLincolnSquare underscore her visionary approach to communication. Central to Tricia's work is a belief in the spiritual dimension of storytelling, infusing her coaching with compassion and wisdom.Featured in esteemed outlets such as Forbes, Yahoo Finance, Fox  and NBC, Tricia's insights resonate globally. On her podcast, The Big Talk, she shares invaluable lessons on unleashing the power of public speaking, mastering influential storytelling, and ascending to thought leadership. With over 500 episodes, it is a testament to Tricia's commitment to uplifting voices and igniting change.From a small-town dancer to an iconic leadership coach, Tricia Brouk shares her incredible journey of transformation. Learn how her passion for storytelling through dance evolved into a mission of empowering thought leaders worldwide through The Big Talk Academy. With performances on global stages and lessons from personal setbacks, Tricia now helps leaders command rooms, deliver impactful speeches, and create lasting legacies. Discover the power of intentionality, resilience, and leadership in this inspiring conversation. Don’t miss how she’s uniting humanity one voice at a time!CHAPTERS:00:00 - Intro00:14 - Tricia’s Journey to Becoming a Speaker Coach04:10 - Transition from Dancer to Speaker Coach07:06 - Tricia’s Intentionality and Mindset08:44 - Handling Setbacks and Challenges11:15 - Balancing External and Internal Factors17:10 - Sources of Tricia’s Wisdom19:44 - Life Lessons: Life is Happening for You24:34 - Overview of Tricia’s Books27:40 - Tricia’s Coaching and Services29:53 - Understanding Ego and Personal GrowthLINKS:https://triciabrouk.com/about/triciabrooke.com/commandhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/triciabrouk/ABOUT OUR HOST:Ken Eslick is an Entrepreneur, Author, Podcaster, Tony Robbins Trainer, Life Coach, Husband of 35+ Years, and Grandfather. Ken currently spends his time as the President & Founder of The Leaders Lab where he and his team focus on Leadership Talent Acquisition. They get founders the next level C-Suite Leaders they need to go from being an Inc. Magazine 5000 fastest growing company to $100,000,000 + in revenue.  You can learn more about Ken and his team attheleaderslab.coListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/ken-eslick/#coachingbusiness #careerdevelopment #coachingsession #executivecoaching #howtocoachleaders

Facing Yourself: The Key to Conscious Leadership with Michelle Sorro

Michelle Sorro is a Transformation Mentor + Spiritual Guide and host of Fire and Soul, a top 1% podcast on self discovery and sacred sovereignty. She’s helped thousands of bright souls awaken their Divine gifts and create a life & business they LOVE.Known for her embodied wisdom, bold heart and conscious catalysts, Michelle has appeared on media platforms such as TODAY, EXTRA, and SUCCESS magazine, dozens of podcasts, and has hosted over 4000 hours of live television.Michelle’s offerings include 1:1 mentorship, group experiences and in person spiritual retreats. She currently resides in Austin, TX with her pup, Samson, and two rescuekitties, Leo and Pip.Discover how sobriety transformed Michelle’s leadership journey and unlocked a deeper connection to self, spirituality, and conscious leadership. In this candid conversation, Michelle shares her evolution from chasing external validation as a TV personality to embracing a path of self-discovery, courage, and authenticity. Learn how sobriety redefined her perspective on vulnerability, relationships, and personal empowerment—ultimately shaping her into a more present, purpose-driven leader. Packed with insights on navigating uncertainty, overcoming challenges, and finding fulfillment by staying true to your values, this episode inspires leaders to show up with clarity and compassion.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro00:40 Childhood Experiences03:49 Destiny Insights07:51 6 Human Needs09:53 Exploring 6 Human Needs11:54 Balancing Your Needs19:09 Cost of Ignoring Needs21:30 Courage to Embrace Life25:55 Benefits of Meditation27:10 Book Overview29:31 Healing Journey31:10 Clarity & Consciousness Moments33:31 Achieving Success35:24 Suffering Explained37:32 Resolving Heart Rifts42:47 Understanding Resentments48:40 Dimensions of Perception50:55 Closing the Loop with Ellipsis52:18 Future Plans53:10 Thank You for ListeningLINKS:https://www.michelle-sorro.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-sorro/ABOUT OUR HOST:Ken Eslick is an Entrepreneur, Author, Podcaster, Tony Robbins Trainer, Life Coach, Husband of 35+ Years, and Grandfather. Ken currently spends his time as the President & Founder of The Leaders Lab where he and his team focus on Leadership Talent Acquisition. They get founders the next level C-Suite Leaders they need to go from being an Inc. Magazine 5000 fastest growing company to $100,000,000 + in revenue.  You can learn more about Ken and his team attheleaderslab.coListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/ken-eslick/#selfimprovement #embracingchallenges #spiritualawakening #embracingchange #sobercurious