Modern work is a lot. Let’s take it one conversation at a time. Even for people who are good at what they do, the human complexity around work can be exhausting. Stepsero is a podcast about navigating modern work, for professionals who want to feel less overwhelmed by it all. Every episode is a focused, honest conversation on one of the topics that make modern work challenging: leadership, communication, difficult conversations, trust, AI, mental well-being, careers, and more. Hosted by Matteo Casini, in conversation with coaches, executives, researchers, founders and HR leaders. No filler. No hour-long rambles. One short conversation at a time, towards a little more clarity. Follow Stepsero so you never miss an episode.
Energy management at work matters just as much as time management, and decision fatigue is one of the biggest drains on it. Most people know that some parts of work give them energy and others take it away, but few ever think about managing it.
In this episode, Peter Sorgenfrei, author of The Whole Human Leader, explains the difference between energy that comes from within and energy that comes from other people, and shares a simple exercise for tracking your energy throughout the day.
He talks about how leaders can read the energy of their team and shift it when needed, and why being open about a bad day helps more than hiding it. He also walks through his Decision Protection Protocol (batching, delegation, elimination and timing) and explains why delegating is the hardest step for founders.
Our Guest: Peter Sorgenfrei
Peter Sorgenfrei founded and led six companies across three continents, including Europe’s largest operator of autonomous vehicles, until February 2020, when he burned out so completely his body shut down. He rebuilt, and today he coaches over 40 Founders and CEOs and their teams per year across 13 countries, working with leaders from Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and Nestle to VC-backed startups. His book, The Whole Human Leader, is out now with Wiley.
References:
Peter Sorgenfrei LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmeaden/)
www.petersorgenfrei.com (https://www.petersorgenfrei.com/)
27 Oct 2026
#123: The Future of Knowledge Work: AI, Uncertainty and Human Skills
What happens to knowledge work when AI can do the knowing?
In this episode, James Meaden looks at the future of knowledge work: how the idea of the expert professional took shape, why the knowledge people are trained on is going out of date faster than ever, and why work may be shifting from knowledge toward judgment.
The conversation also explores what it means to come out of an era of certainty, when the predictable path of degree, job and career no longer holds. James argues that navigating uncertainty is one of the oldest human skills, even though workplaces have rarely trained or rewarded it. The episode closes on leadership: what leaders can offer their teams when they don’t have all the answers, and why honesty and trust matter more than projecting confidence.
Our Guest: James Meaden
James Meaden is an Industrial/Organizational psychologist and founder of The Alive Institute. His work explores what it means to be human in an age of AI, and how leaders can develop the human intelligence needed to navigate change and uncertainty. Through research, assessment, and coach certification, he helps people lead human again.
References:
James Meaden LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmeaden/)
www.thealive.institute (https://www.thealive.institute/)
19 Oct 2026
#122: Imposter Syndrome at Work: Myths and Misconceptions
Imposter syndrome at work is often reduced to low confidence.
In this conversation, executive coach and imposter syndrome specialist Sarah Farmer unpacks that and other common myths, taking a broader view: any mask, from overconfidence to underconfidence, that can stop someone from being as effective as they want to be.
She separates imposter syndrome from the normal nerves of doing something new, challenges the idea that it fades with seniority, and looks at why there’s no quick fix.
The conversation also covers how to tell when it’s worth working on, through three lenses: mental, physical and financial. Spotify doesn’t publish how its search ranks results, so treat this as good practice rather than a guarantee. The title will matter more than the notes either way, and yours is already strong.
Our Guest: Sarah Farmer
Sarah Farmer is an international multi-award-winning executive coach, imposter syndrome specialist, bestselling author of Leader Unleashed and host of the Lead Brightly podcast.
As Founder of Bright & Brilliant Ltd., Sarah helps senior leaders, leadership teams and business owners develop the right level of confidence, emotional intelligence and people skills to lead themselves and others brilliantly.
Blending neuroscience, psychology and practical leadership development, her work helps people challenge the thinking and self-doubt that can hold them back, create lasting behavioural change and take greater control of the future they want to create.
Her mission? A brighter future powered by brilliant leaders.
References:
Sarah Farmer LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-farmer-coach/)
www.brightandbrilliant.com (https://www.brightandbrilliant.com/)
Inside a recent episode
#107: Why Executive Transitions Fail More Often Than You Think
Published 15 Jun 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So that's one of the top reasons. The second reason is, and Marshall Goldsmith was a mentor to me and someone who's very kind, and he's written a very kind foreword to my book, He, in one of his books, said it much more elegantly than I could. And he said, what got you here won't get you there. […]
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
