Living Leadership is a podcast series brought to you by the Center for Innovative Leadership at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. In each episode, thought leaders and industry pioneers share their insights, delving into the evolving landscape of leadership today.
Living Leadership provides valuable perspectives for both emerging leaders and seasoned professionals. The series blends theory with practical wisdom, offering the tools and inspiration needed to lead effectively and with integrity.
Join us as we explore the future of innovative leadership!
In this episode of Living Leadership, Susan Daimler reflects on her journey from co-founding SeatGuru to serving as President of Zillow, where she helped scale the company from roughly 400 to more than 8,000 employees. In conversation with CIL Faculty Director Chris Myers, she explores what agility truly looks like in a growing organization, how leaders balance entrepreneurial energy with needed structure, and why trust, transparency, and shared context are essential to strong teams.
Listen as Susan also draws connections between leadership and parenting, emphasizing the importance of allowing people to take risks, learn through experience, and grow within a culture grounded in honest communication.
16 Feb 2026
Leadership Lessons from Journalism
Featuring Jack Speer, former NPR news anchor and current adjunct instructor at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. In conversation with Christopher Myers, Faculty Director of the Center for Innovative Leadership, Jack explores why effective leadership communication goes far beyond polish or presentation skills.
Listen as Jack offers powerful insights into why leadership communication is a present-moment practice—one that requires sensing what’s needed, adapting in real time, and responding with empathy and agility in moments that matter most.
13 Jan 2026
Leading Under Pressure
Legendary NASA Flight Director Gene Kranz shares how leading Mission Control through the most high-stakes moments in space exploration shaped a philosophy of leadership rooted in being tough and competent. In conversation with Professor Christopher Myers, Kranz reflects on directing missions across NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs—including Apollo 11 and the crisis of Apollo 13—and what those moments reveal about decision-making under extreme pressure. He explores how trust, shared identity, and uncompromising standards enable teams to perform when failure is not an option, offering timeless lessons for leaders navigating uncertainty, complexity, and high-stakes moments in any organization.
3 Dec 2025
Leading with the Arts
Susan Magsamen, Executive Director of the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University and Co-Director of the NeuroArts Blueprint, shares how art and aesthetic experiences can transform leadership and organizational culture. Listen as she talks with Professor Christopher Myers about the role of neuroaesthetics in building empathy, curiosity, and collaboration — and why leaders must learn to pause, reflect, and connect with their own creativity. From redefining the meaning of work to cultivating multisensory teams, Susan offers a powerful reminder that art isn’t just self-expression; it’s a leadership tool for the future of work.
10 Jan 2025
Leadership and Social Justice
Featuring Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. Hosted by MBA candidate Shevan Steuben, this episode delves into Derrick's advocacy for lifelong learning, community-based leadership, and a modern perspective on the DEI movement. Derrick also discusses the challenges of high-level leadership, including loneliness and the importance of a trusted circle. His experiences offer profound lessons on leadership, resilience, and commitment to social progress.
9 Dec 2024
Sustainable Success
Curtis Ravenel, a pioneer in business and sustainability, shares his career journey and pivotal moments at Bloomberg, revealing the importance of discipline and loving what you do for sustainable success.
11 Nov 2024
From NFL to Innovation
Featuring Femi Ayanbadejo, NFL veteran and CEO of HealthReel. Hosted by MBA candidate Vidith Huot, this episode explores Femi's journey from professional sports to technology and consulting, emphasizing collaboration, self-awareness, and leveraging adversity for growth. Femi discusses his transition to entrepreneurship in the fitness industry, the importance of blending personal and business relationships, and the collective effort required for success.
14 Oct 2024
Leading with Agility
Featuring Joe Burnett, CEO and President of ClearPoint Neuro. Hosted by MBA candidate Argo Dalapati, this episode explores the benefits of working in smaller organizations, essential leadership traits, and the importance of marketing and sales acumen for building success. Joe shares his leadership philosophies and his commitment to understanding and supporting his team.
13 Sept 2024
Gamifying Growth
Featuring Brian Trelstad, Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School and Partner at Bridges Fund Management. Hosted by MBA candidates, Matt Rappaport and Megan Putman, this episode explores the role of competition, gamification, and social entrepreneurship in team dynamics and growth.
15 Aug 2024
Contextual Leadership
Featuring Dean James Steinberg, former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Bill Clinton and current dean of the SAIS school at Johns Hopkins University.
Hosted by MBA candidates Sujit Koppula, Mike Zipperer, and Sara Bliden, this episode explores leadership across government and academia, decision-making contrasts, and the impact of evolving technology.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
253
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
41
Social presence
0
YouTube
64
Engagement
32
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