What does poker, psychology, and AI have in common? Blake Eastman. From teaching forensic psychology at CUNY to coaching elite poker players, and now running cutting-edge AI companies, Blake has built a career around decoding human behavior. In this episode, Sean and Blake dive deep into the nonverbal cues leaders often miss, the hidden org charts that drive real influence, and the future of leadership in a world where AI is reshaping everything.

Blake brings hard-hitting insights on how rising leaders can avoid critical communication mistakes, how to “play the game” inside organizations without losing authenticity, and why embracing AI isn’t optional for tomorrow’s leaders. They also explore the looming societal shifts AI will cause, the importance of agency in our personal and professional lives, and how to prepare for the uncertain future ahead.

If you’re ready to sharpen your influence, think differently about leadership, and prepare for the next decade of disruption—this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Topics & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Sean introduces Blake and their shared connection
• 02:17 – Blake’s journey: forensic psychology, poker, and building businesses
• 04:45 – The #1 nonverbal mistake leaders make on Zoom
• 07:20 – Why leadership is fundamentally about people (and adapting to culture)
• 13:27 – How to build a “real” org chart & play the political game at work
• 17:25 – Measuring true value: would your company miss you if you were gone?
• 18:55 – Generational differences, communication, and culture fit
• 23:57 – Diversity, sameness, and avoiding groupthink in organizations
• 25:31 – AI’s role in mental health, disruption, and the job market
• 33:19 – Policy, robot taxes, and the global AI arms race
• 36:11 – What individuals must do to survive and thrive in the AI era
• 39:58 – Smaller, high-agency teams vs. bloated corporations
• 42:20 – Fear of becoming obsolete & the mental health implications
• 45:30 – Why agency is everything—work, family, and personal life
• 50:03 – Could AI run governments better than people?
• 52:28 – Where to find Blake: nonverbalgroup.com/newsletter

Links

• Blake’s Newsletter: nonverbalgroup.com/newsletter
• Subscribe to Sean’s newsletter: www.nolimitleaders.com/growth

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

Live events aren’t just “nice to have.” They’re the highest ROI activity a leader can invest in—accelerating trust, building culture, and creating connections that no email or Zoom call can replace.

In this episode, Sean Patton sits down with Wendy Porter—founder of Wendy Porter Events, vice chair of the Live Event Coalition, and a powerhouse with 20+ years of experience designing high-impact events. Together, they unpack how leaders can reframe events as leadership tools that drive results.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• (02:24) Why live events deliver the highest ROI in today’s digital world
• (05:04) How intentional event design builds trust in hybrid & remote teams
• (06:12) The Ruby Ribbon Experience Strategy for unforgettable events
• (10:19) Why cramming agendas backfires—and what to do instead
• (14:41) Surprise & delight moments (including therapy horses at a trade show!)
• (16:08) If you can do it on Zoom, don’t do it in the room
• (19:03) ROI of leaders showing up authentically at events
• (25:43) Why even small leadership retreats need professional strategy
• (27:08) How to define ROI levers and measure event success
• (30:36) Staying calm and creative when things go off-script
• (34:23) Leadership lessons Wendy carried from her military family roots
• (41:34) Mistakes to avoid when planning events (and how to do it right)

🔗 Connect with Wendy Porter:
Website: wendyporterevents.com

📩 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to Sean’s newsletter for more leadership insights → www.nolimitleaders.com/growth

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

What role should HR truly play inside organizations? Compliance police? Culture architects? Or trusted business partners? In this episode, Celeste Warren — Global HR and DEI leader, consultant, and author of The Truth About Equity — joins Sean to answer that question with 40 years of hard-won experience.

Celeste shares her journey from leading HR and DEI at Merck to launching her own consultancy, and explains why equity is not a “nice-to-have” but a core business strategy. We dig into how HR can become a force multiplier, what inclusive leadership looks like in practice, and why today’s leaders must learn to facilitate hard conversations in an increasingly polarized world.

If you’re leading people and shaping culture, this conversation gives you actionable strategies and a long-term playbook for equity that drives business results.

Main Topics & Timestamps

• [00:39] Celeste’s career journey — from Merck to launching her own practice
• [04:50] Why HR isn’t compliance police — it’s a strategic partner
• [09:29] The CEO–CHRO partnership and how culture flows from the top
• [14:23] Building influence as an HR leader — business acumen and persuasion
• [23:35] Why Celeste wrote The Truth About Equity — and why DEI is under attack
• [27:36] The pendulum swings: social activism, backlash, and the speed of change
• [35:58] HR’s role in building inclusive policies and guiding hard conversations
• [43:24] Why facilitating productive dialogue is now a core leadership skill
• [44:49] Where to find Celeste’s book, consulting, and YouTube channel

Links

• Celeste's website: crwdiversity.com
• Book: The Truth About Equity — Amazon link
• Celeste’s YouTube: Celeste Warren Equity
• Connect on LinkedIn: Celeste Warren
• Subscribe to Sean’s newsletter: www.nolimitleaders.com/growth

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

What if you could actually predict whether a business will succeed or fail? After analyzing over 150 companies, today’s guest uncovered the single practice that separates thriving businesses from those that stall out.

In this episode of the No Limit Leadership Podcast, Sean Patton sits down with Eli Portnoy — serial entrepreneur, 8-figure founder, CEO of BackEngine.ai
, and Harvard Business School instructor. Eli has built and sold multiple companies, and now he’s sharing his hard-earned lessons on leadership, iteration, and feedback.

You’ll hear how fatherhood shaped his leadership style, why feedback loops are the ultimate predictor of business success, and how speed always beats perfection when scaling a company. Whether you’re leading a startup or a growing team, this episode will help you rethink how to build environments where people thrive and growth accelerates.

⏱ Episode Topics & Timestamps

• 00:00 — The #1 predictor of business success
• 01:20 — Eli’s journey: 8-figure exits & Harvard teaching
• 02:00 — Leadership lessons from fatherhood
• 05:14 — Evolving leadership style from rookie manager to adaptive leader
• 08:48 — Tools & tactics for uncovering employee strengths
• 13:08 — Building internal feedback loops that drive growth
• 19:31 — Research findings: 150 SaaS companies & external feedback
• 22:36 — Tactical playbook: CEO calls, feedback owners, and weekly insights
• 29:16 — Frameworks for speed, iteration, and innovation
• 35:40 — Inside BackEngine.ai: AI-powered customer feedback
• 41:14 — The future of AI in leadership over the next 5 years
• 43:37 — Eli’s weekly leadership practice for clarity & accountability

🔗 Connect with Eli Portnoy

• Website: BackEngine.ai
  
  
• LinkedIn: Eli Portnoy
  
  

📩 Subscribe to Sean’s Leadership Newsletter: www.nolimitleaders.com/growth

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

What if your leadership didn’t stop when your career ended—or even when your life did?
In this powerful episode of No Limit Leadership, Sean Patton sits down with Justin Maxwell, a values-driven entrepreneur, advisor, and father of four who helps leaders create generational wealth and legacy. Together, they explore how leadership extends far beyond boardrooms and balance sheets into the most important places—your home, your family, and your future.

Justin reveals why most successful business owners unintentionally abdicate leadership to financial advisors, and how to flip the script by leading every domain of your life with clarity and intention. From building a family mission statement to redefining wealth as impact rather than consumption, this conversation is a roadmap for anyone who wants to create a legacy that endures.

If you want more than success—if you want significance—this episode will show you how to start leading beyond your lifetime.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• [00:54] Fatherhood and leadership – How raising four kids reshaped Justin’s rigid leadership style into one rooted in connection and growth.
• [07:25] Thinking generationally – Why most families fall into a boom-and-bust cycle, and how to create momentum that compounds across generations.
• [13:30] Leading your family like a business – Using values, mission statements, and culture to intentionally shape your family legacy.
• [19:39] Business success vs. personal wealth – Why many entrepreneurs thrive in business but fail to translate it into generational wealth.
• [23:05] Stop abdicating responsibility – How to lead your advisors instead of being led by them.
• [24:55] The 5 Keys framework – Justin’s system for defining your vision, setting priorities, and holding advisors accountable.
• [39:38] Aligning spouses and families – Practical ways to create shared vision and values that unite your household.
• [42:05] Applying leadership in all areas of life – Why holistic leadership is the only way to achieve fulfillment and impact.
• [43:21] Avoiding the “what’s next?” trap – A cautionary story of a nine-figure exit gone wrong and how to prevent it.

Connect with Justin Maxwell

• LinkedIn: Justin D Maxwell
• Speaking: https://justindmaxwell.com/
• https://x.com/justindmaxwell
  Instagram= @maxweatlh_preserve

Stay Connected with Sean Patton

• Subscribe to the No Limit Leadership Newsletter for weekly leadership insights: www.nolimitleaders.com/growth

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

What if the biggest untapped leadership opportunity on the planet lies underwater?

In this eye-opening episode of No Limit Leadership, Sean Patton sits down with Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada's Ocean Supercluster and former Deloitte partner. Leading a national transformation to bring AI, automation, and collaboration into the $1 trillion ocean economy, Kendra shares insights on navigating complex stakeholder environments, leading without ego, and why 75% of the ocean floor remains unmapped—representing one of humanity's greatest frontiers.

You'll discover why successful leaders fall in love with problems, not technology, how to manage friction points in multi-stakeholder environments, and why the ocean economy may redefine global business in the next decade. Whether you're leading innovation in traditional industries or driving change across complex partnerships, this conversation is packed with practical frameworks for leading transformation in uncharted territory.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

01:20 - Who is Kendra MacDonald and her journey from Deloitte to ocean innovation

05:28 - Project-based vs. sustained leadership: the crucial differences

10:29 - From 275,000 people to one: transitioning to mission-driven CEO

12:38 - The mission of Canada's Ocean Supercluster and the $1 trillion opportunity

16:53 - The unexpected truth about the ocean economy most people don't realize

23:13 - Leading without ego in a complex stakeholder environment

26:59 - The friction point framework: where leaders need to focus their energy

30:36 - The #1 mistake companies make: falling in love with technology, not problems

37:22 - Essential skills rising leaders need for the next 10-15 years

40:01 - The timeless leadership principle that will always matter

Connect with Kendra MacDonald
💻 Website: oceanssupercluster.ca
🔗 LinkedIn: Kendra MacDonald

📬 Want more tools for high-impact leadership and self-mastery?
Subscribe to the No Limit Leadership newsletter:
👉 https://nolimitleaders.com/growth

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

Most leaders say they want peak performance from their teams, but ignore one of the simplest levers to get it: health and wellness. In this episode of No Limit Leadership, Sean Patton sits down with nationally recognized wellness expert, speaker, and CEO of The ViReo Life, Sheri Traxler.

With over 30 years of experience helping leaders and organizations optimize health for peak performance, Sheri shares the business case for wellness, how to move beyond “check-the-box” programs, and the simple daily habits leaders can model to boost energy, productivity, and retention.

You will learn:

• Why strategic wellness efforts deliver 6–10x ROI.
• How to use the “Stages of Change” framework to reach employees at every level.
• The high-impact, low-effort habits that sharpen focus and reduce burnout.
• Why leading by example is the fastest way to change your culture.

If you want your team to thrive, this conversation is your playbook for turning wellness into a competitive advantage.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction to Sheri Traxler and today’s topic.
• 02:00 – The meaning behind “ViReo” and why words matter.
• 06:00 – Do organizations have a moral or legal obligation to prioritize wellness?
• 07:09 – The business case for wellness: 6–10x ROI.
• 08:18 – Why top performers value health and wellness.
• 10:28 – Generational differences in wellness priorities.
• 13:48 – What actually works (and what does not) in workplace wellness programs.
• 17:43 – Why education and behavior change matter more than perks.
• 20:44 – Using the Stages of Change to design effective wellness initiatives.
• 24:22 – How surveys reveal hidden barriers and boost buy-in.
• 26:42 – Moving employees from exploration to action to maintenance.
• 29:33 – The “leadership canary” and how example drives culture change.
• 31:51 – How one person’s habits can shift an entire team.
• 33:24 – Why blocking and protecting wellness time increases respect.
• 37:10 – High-impact, low-effort habits: standing, sunlight, hydration, powerful plates.
• 41:15 – Benefits of walking after lunch and mid-day resets.
• 44:48 – Structuring work blocks and breaks for maximum productivity.
• 47:28 – Matching workouts to your day’s mental demands.
• 50:35 – The role of music in managing energy and focus.
• 52:08 – Male and female hormonal cycles and optimizing performance.
• 55:36 – How to connect with Sheri.

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Sheri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-traxler/
• Sheri's website: https://www.thevireolife.com/
• Email Sheri: sheri@thevireolife.com
• Subscribe to No Limit Leadership: https://www.nolimitleaders.com/growth

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.

Ever wonder why you overreact in high-stress situations and what it means about your leadership?

In this powerful episode of No Limit Leadership, Sean Patton sits down with parent coach, speaker, and author Mary Wilcox Smith, creator of The Microstep Method. With four daughters and decades of experience helping overwhelmed parents, Mary shares a neuroscience-based approach to self-leadership, emotional regulation, and connection that applies just as much in the office as it does at home.

You’ll learn how triggers reveal deeper stories you carry, how calm is a skill you can train, and why true influence is built not in big moments, but in the small, everyday interactions we often overlook. Whether you're leading a company, a family, or both, this conversation is filled with practical tools and mindset shifts that will immediately change the way you lead.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• 00:41 – Who is Mary Wilcox Smith and why parenting is a form of leadership
• 02:14 – Why Mary created The Microstep Method and how it works
• 06:19 – The real reason parents (and leaders) overreact, and what to do instead
• 11:06 – Understanding the stories behind your emotional responses
• 13:55 – The 4 survival states: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn
• 15:17 – Why parenting mirrors your leadership triggers
• 17:47 – Calm isn’t a personality trait—it’s a trained leadership response
• 20:06 – Why authority is given, but influence is earned
• 24:46 – Connection before correction: how to build trust and cooperation
• 26:12 – The power of mirroring and how kids (and teams) respond
• 30:33 – Why being heard calms the brain and builds influence
• 31:03 – Business, parenting, and Arab warlords: Sean’s leadership analogy
• 36:07 – How to repair a moment and rebuild connection after a rupture
• 37:14 – Milestones vs. moments: what really shapes performance and mental health
• 40:06 – How emotional anchors shape resilience in kids and culture in teams

Connect with Mary Wilcox Smith

• 💻 Website: marysmithparentcoach.com
• 📚 Book: The Microstep Method
• 🧠 Free Self-Story Quiz: Take it here
• 🔗 LinkedIn: Mary Wilcox Smith

📬 Want more tools for high-impact leadership and self-mastery?
Subscribe to the No Limit Leadership newsletter:
👉 https://nolimitleaders.com/growth

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.