Surfacing Leaders

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has a fascinating conversation with Dr. Paul J. Zak, a pioneering neuroscientist and leading expert on trust, purpose, and human connection.

They dive into the science of leadership, exploring how oxytocin, stress, and shared purpose shape stronger teams and higher performance. Paul draws from over two decades of research in behavioral neuroscience and his work with organizations across the globe, offering insights into what truly drives human behavior at work.

He emphasizes the power of lived purpose, the role of daily rituals in creating alignment, and why challenge, not comfort, is essential for growth. From the neuroscience of trust to his groundbreaking “Six Key Moments” framework, Paul shares actionable lessons leaders can use to build resilient, connected, and high-performing teams.

Listeners will come away with practical strategies, such as:

• How to design rituals that boost alignment and reduce friction.
  
  
• Why trust is the ultimate performance multiplier.
  
  
• How leaders can create more meaningful, immersive experiences for their people.
  
  

Join us for this episode to uncover how science can transform the way we lead, connect, and thrive.

Learn more about Dr. Paul J. Zak:
Website
LinkedIn
Books

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has an inspiring conversation with Dan MacQueen, a keynote speaker and resilience expert who rebuilt his life after surviving two brain hemorrhages and years of grueling recovery.

They explore the mindset shifts and daily habits that empower individuals to overcome even the toughest setbacks. Dan shares his journey from a vibrant life in London to waking up from a month-long coma unable to walk, talk, or smile, and the persistence it took to regain those abilities.

Central to his message are three guiding principles: the AAA Framework, Acknowledge, Accept, and Adapt, focusing on being better than yesterday, and finding the courage to risk failure in pursuit of growth. With humor, candor, and hard-earned wisdom, Dan explains how reframing challenges can turn the “worst” moments into the best opportunities for personal and professional transformation.

Listeners will take away practical insights, including how to:

• Build resilience by stacking small wins.
  
  
• Shift perspective to find strength in adversity.
  
  
• Lead yourself before leading others.
  
  

Join us for a conversation that blends raw honesty, actionable strategies, and a healthy dose of humor, leaving you ready to face challenges with grit, optimism, and purpose.

Connect with Dan:
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Selena Virden, Vice President of Global Seed Production at IFSI, a leader in vegetable seed genetics.

Selena shares her remarkable journey from a teenager juggling multiple jobs in rural Idaho to leading complex, global seed operations that help feed millions. With clarity and humility, she unpacks how long-term vision, technical precision, and human-centered leadership converge in her world, where decisions made today impact harvests seven years into the future.

The conversation explores how Selena fosters agility, autonomy, and alignment across international teams, and how she’s embraced growth as both a professional and a person. She shares what leadership looks like when stakes are high and conditions are unpredictable—from global droughts to shifting regulations and how she empowers her team to thrive despite the unknowns.

Listeners will come away with insights on:
– Building leadership confidence through mentorship and self-awareness
– Navigating ambiguity without losing precision
– Creating psychological safety to support team ownership and innovation

Join us to learn how Selena leads with intention and authenticity—growing people, crops, and purpose along the way.

Connect with Selena Virden:
Selena on LinkedIn  

 IFSI Official Website

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with David Allison, a two-time bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the world’s leading expert on human values.

Together, they explore why traditional demographic-based leadership strategies are failing in today’s workplace and what to do instead. David introduces his groundbreaking Valuegraphics Project, the world’s first global inventory of what truly drives people: their values. He explains how leaders can use values-based data to build more connected teams, shape inclusive cultures, and make faster, more aligned decisions.

With nearly a million surveys conducted in 152 languages, David’s research uncovers five “togetherness values” that are shared by high-performing teams across every industry and region. He also shares simple, actionable questions any leader can ask to better understand what motivates their people.

This episode offers powerful insights for leaders seeking to:
– Build unity in diverse, multigenerational teams
– Make smarter, faster decisions rooted in human truth
– Replace outdated stereotypes with authentic human understanding

Discover how to unlock the full potential of your people by seeing them for who they truly are.

Connect with David

Learn more about David’s work
Book David to speak
Get The Death of Demographics

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has a powerful conversation with George Randle, Army Vet, talent expert, and co-author of the best-selling book The Talent War. With a background that spans military command and leadership at Fortune 100 companies, George offers a unique perspective on what it truly takes to build elite teams and lead in today’s fast-paced world.

They explore the foundational attributes of great leadership: humility, discipline, team ability, and resilience, and why these are more essential than ever in a world where technology, speed, and complexity continue to accelerate. George shares stories from his time as a U.S. Army officer and corporate executive, revealing what organizations often get wrong about talent and how to get it right.

Listeners will gain critical insights into:

• Why people, not tools or strategy, are your lasting competitive advantage.
  
  
• How to identify and develop hidden leadership potential.
  
  
• The mindset shift from motivation to discipline for long-term growth.
  
  

George also breaks down how to lead yourself first, why trust should be the starting point (not earned later), and how to create cultures that reflect leadership behavior at the top.

Whether you're in the military, in the boardroom, or just starting out, this episode offers timeless leadership lessons grounded in real-world experience.

Connect with George:

LinkedIn

Book: The Talent War

Website

This might be one of the most important episodes of Surfacing Leaders we’ve released.

In this gripping conversation, host Marc Koehler sits down with Rashmi Airan, ex-felon, lawyer, keynote speaker, and self-proclaimed unapologetic truth-teller, whose fall from grace led her through the darkest chapter of her life and into the brightest clarity of purpose.

Rashmi doesn’t just talk about resilience, transformation, and ethics: she lives it. Her story of being federally indicted, serving prison time, and then rebuilding her life with integrity and purpose is both sobering and deeply inspiring. What emerged from her journey is the RISE framework: Reframe, Identify, Surrender, Evolve; a process that will fundamentally reshape how you lead, live, and respond to adversity.

This episode will shake loose everything you thought you knew about leadership.

You’ll walk away rethinking the pace you operate at, how you make decisions under pressure, and what it truly means to take ownership. More importantly, you'll learn how to stop chasing perfection and start rising through struggle—with courage, clarity, and compassion.

Key takeaways:
– Slowing down might be the boldest move you can make as a leader.
– Vulnerability isn’t a weakness: It’s your greatest leadership tool.
– You can’t earn trust until you tell the truth–to others and yourself.

This episode isn’t just a conversation, it’s a wake-up call. If you’re leading at any level, you need to hear this.

🔗 Learn more about Rashmi:
Website: https://rashmiairan.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rashmiairan

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler reconnects with Fire Chief David Parsons of the Oceanside Fire Department to explore what leadership looks like when the stakes are at their highest.

Chief Parsons shares the gripping story of the April 2024 Oceanside Pier fire, one of the most high-risk, high-visibility events in the city’s recent history, and how the department’s response became a case study in trust, preparation, and calm under pressure. As the first graduate of the Oceanside Fire Academy to rise to the rank of Chief, David reflects on how his leadership style has evolved, the systems that allowed his team to perform at the highest level, and the importance of fostering a culture of humility, readiness, and agility.

Listeners will walk away with practical insights, including:

• How to lead with clarity during moments of chaos.
• Why trust and preparation are essential in building agile teams.
• What it means to make your own luck in leadership.

Whether you're leading a department, a company, or a team of one, this conversation will equip you with timeless leadership principles that transcend industries and emergencies.

Connect with Chief Parsons

LinkedIn

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler welcomes Lindsay Wilson, co-founder and CEO of Ink Factory Studio, to explore how visual storytelling transforms communication and leadership.

Lindsay shares her journey from military base beginnings to becoming a leader in visual note-taking and collaborative communication. She explains how visuals—what she calls “modern-day pictograms”—cut through noise, build clarity, and help leaders align teams across generations, cultures, and learning styles.

Throughout the conversation, Lindsay reveals the high-level skills her team uses in real time—active listening, synthesizing, and visual hierarchy—to turn complex ideas into engaging visual summaries. She also offers practical advice for leaders to bring visual thinking into everyday meetings, even without a professional artist in the room.

Listeners will discover how visuals are not just “pretty pictures” but powerful tools for understanding, retention, and connection. Whether it’s a high-stakes strategy session or a quick team huddle, Lindsay shows that showing—rather than just telling—can make all the difference.

The episode concludes with a powerful takeaway: listen to understand, not to respond.

Learn more about Lindsay and Ink Factory Studio at inkfactorystudio.com, connect with her on LinkedIn and follow their work on Instagram: @inkfactorystudio