Surfacing Leaders

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Ryan Berman, corporate fear fighter, founder of Courageous, and author of Return on Courage. Together, they explore why courage is one of the most important leadership skills in today's rapidly changing world and how leaders can move beyond fear to create meaningful impact.

Ryan shares the journey that led him from the advertising world to building a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations embrace courageous leadership. Drawing from years of research and conversations with astronauts, Navy SEALs, business leaders, psychologists, and innovators, he introduces his framework for courage: knowledge, faith, and action. He explains why courage is not recklessness, why clarity is the foundation of courageous leadership, and how organizations can create cultures where people are willing to take smart risks and learn from failure.

Listeners will gain valuable insights from Ryan's experiences working with global brands and leadership teams, including practical lessons on overcoming fear, prioritizing what matters most, and building the confidence to navigate uncertainty. He also shares powerful stories about leadership, parenting, and personal growth, demonstrating that courage is not reserved for extraordinary moments but is built through small, intentional actions every day.

The episode concludes with actionable advice for leaders:

• Create clarity around what matters most.
• Treat challenges as experiments and learning opportunities.
• Take action even when you don't have all the answers.

Join us in this episode to discover how courage can become a competitive advantage in leadership, business, and life, and learn practical ways to strengthen your own courage muscle.

Guest Links:

Website: https://ryanberman.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bravewhatshard/

Courageous Podcast: https://ryanberman.com/courageous-podcast/

Book – Return on Courage: https://www.returnoncourage.com/