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The Legendary Leaders Podcast

The Legendary Leaders Podcast

Auteur(s): Cathleen O'Sullivan – Growth Accelerator for Leaders
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À propos de cet audio

 Welcome to the Legendary Leaders podcast series! This podcast aims to inspire thousands and thousands of people to start living their best lives! My podcast guests will be sharing their own personal paths to success, the moments when they may have hit a wall that turned into their biggest breaking point, and we will be sharing some top tips on how to proactively create some exciting changes in your life. These leaders will be talking about how they started their journey, what inspired and drove them, along with the challenges they had to overcome along the way to get to where they are now, having achieved a more content and balanced life. The podcasts will cover an array of topics from the importance of selfcare and mindset, through to bravery and authenticity, and the importance of building communities and support networks. I have interviewed leaders who have all taken varied and interesting paths, from content creators, journalists through to designers, coaches, musicians and actors a business mentors, speakers and many, many more. They all faced tough challenges which served as motivation to live their best lives yet! I hope you enjoy listening to my series of podcasts as much as I have done creating them, and I really hope you take away lots to inspire, encourage and motivate you on your journey to becoming a Legendary Leader.Cathleen O'Sullivan (Merkel) Gestion et leadership Économie
Épisodes
  • Jones Loflin - From Busy to Focused: Leadership Lessons from the Hive

    Jones Loflin - From Busy to Focused: Leadership Lessons from the Hive
    Sep 30 2025
    What can honeybees teach us about leadership, focus, and living with intention? In this episode of The Legendary Leaders Podcast, host Cathleen O’Sullivan welcomes back Jones Loflin—speaker, coach, educator, and co-author of Focused as a Bee. Drawing from his beekeeping journey with his daughter Sydney, Jones reveals how small shifts in focus can create big changes in how we lead and live. Their book is both a practical guide and a heartfelt tribute to Sydney’s late best friend Alicia, reminding us that life is too short to glorify busyness. Jones opens up about co-authoring with his daughter, navigating generational differences, and why giving ourselves “permission” may be the secret to better leadership. From consistency to the courage to be unavailable, this conversation offers golden insights—and plenty of laughs—to help you move from busy to truly focused. Episode Timeline: 00:00 Introduction and welcome back to Jones Loflin 01:11 From busyness to focus: why activity isn’t enough 03:34 Beekeeping beginnings and inspiration for Focused as a Bee 05:32 Honoring Sydney’s best friend Alicia through storytelling 08:11 Three core goals of the book: focus, friendship, and tribute 11:07 Co-authoring with Sydney: lessons from generational differences 18:13 What bees teach us about teamwork, service, and focus 23:39 Progress moments: first honey harvests and surviving winter 25:30 Striking out “busy” and choosing focus with intention 28:39 What a focused day feels like: peace, accomplishment, and energy 31:09 Young professionals, multitasking, and the search for meaning 35:32 Permission to recharge and why leaders need downtime 39:35 Permission to be unavailable: setting boundaries and managing distractions 48:06 Practical first steps to build focus and giving yourself permission 54:39 Why it’s hard to prioritize ourselves—and how to reframe it 01:00:30 The power of consistency: small actions with lasting impact Key Takeaway: Focus Over Busyness: Jones explains why activity alone isn’t enough, and how shifting from “busy” to “focused” leads to more meaningful progress. Permission to Lead Differently: From recharging to being unavailable, Jones shares how giving yourself permission creates space for better leadership and wellbeing. Consistency Counts: Drawing inspiration from honeybees, Jones shows how small, steady actions can build lasting results in work and life. Generational Lessons: Co-authoring with his daughter Sydney revealed the power of bridging perspectives—and how younger leaders approach focus, priorities, and purpose differently. Lessons from the Hive: Honeybees model clarity, teamwork, and service to the greater good—principles leaders can adopt in their own organizations. About Jones Laflin: Jones Loflin is a dynamic speaker, coach, and educator with over three decades of experience helping people cut through the chaos and focus on what truly matters. His career has spanned keynote stages, corporate training, and leadership coaching, where he equips individuals and organizations with practical tools to thrive. An accomplished author, Jones has written several books including Juggling Elephants, Always Growing, and most recently Focused as a Bee, co-authored with his daughter Sydney. Blending humor, storytelling, and insights, his work inspires leaders to move beyond busyness, embrace clarity, and create meaningful impact. Passionate about growth and connection, Jones continues to guide leaders around the world to simplify their lives, strengthen their teams, and lead with focus and intention. Connect with Jones Loflin: Business: https://jonesloflin.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonesloflin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jonesloflin Resources/s Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jonesloflin_focusedasabee-worklife-activity-7343616539427762176-ttXg Book: Focused as a Bee - https://jonesloflin.com/faab Connect with Cathleen O’Sullivan: Business: https://cathleenosullivan.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-osullivan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/ FOLLOW LEGENDARY LEADERS ON APPLE, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS
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    1 h et 6 min
  • Laura Venezia - Compassionate Leadership Lessons

    Laura Venezia - Compassionate Leadership Lessons
    Sep 16 2025

    Get ready for an inspiring conversation with our host Cathleen O’Sullivan and Laura Venezia, an educational leader whose passion for nurturing others has taken her across the U.S., China, Hong Kong, and now Germany.

    In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Laura reflects on her early love of teaching, the challenges and lessons of working internationally, and how her commitment to kindness and inclusion continues to guide her as a leader.

    She shares practical advice on balancing technology with real connection, building collaborative relationships, and embracing those everyday moments that can have a lasting impact. Laura also talks about her shift from teacher to leader, learning to let go of needing approval, and the importance of staying true to your values when leading yourself and others.

    Episode Timeline:

    00:00 Introduction

    08:11 Discovering passion in early education

    15:48 Building a unique identity within a multicultural school setting

    17:38 Spontaneous move to China, culture shock in education, and risks of individual learning over collaboration

    26:02 Using tech wisely while embracing curiosity and unscripted teachable moments

    32:15 Making space for curiosity and role modeling openness

    37:33 Transition through COVID, values-driven community in Germany, and leadership journey

    42:11 Leadership as guiding others, building trust, and creating safe spaces

    45:43 Finding alignment through support, self-reflection, and feedback

    52:34 Growth through uncertainty, shifting from classroom teacher to school-wide leader

    55:41 Embracing authenticity and letting go of control

    59:47 Asking better questions, listening deeply, and creating presence in family life

    Key Takeaway:

    • Purpose Over Performance: Laura highlights that leadership in education and beyond is about nurturing kind and authentic people, not just chasing results.

    • Role Modelling and Connection: Laura explains why our behaviour as leaders matters most, from how we manage emotions to how we build relationships.

    • Knowing Yourself: Laura and Cathleen talk about the importance of understanding your own values and letting go of the need for approval in order to grow as a leader.

    About Laura Vinezia:

    Laura is an experienced educational leader with over 20 years experience in early childhood education. Her career has taken her across the globe, with impactful roles in schools in the United States, China, Hong Kong, and now Germany, where she continues to inspire and lead. Passionate about the foundational years of learning, Laura is deeply committed to nurturing young minds and hearts. Her work is guided by a clear and meaningful purpose: to help “make good people.” Through her leadership, she strives to create inclusive, thoughtful, and compassionate learning environments that support the growth of both children and educators.

    Connect with Laura:

    Business: lis.school

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-venezia

    X/Twitter: @LauraVCole

    Connect: 


    Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

    Business: https://cathleenosullivan.com/

    Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

    Youtube:

    FOLLOW LEGENDARY LEADERS ON APPLE, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS




    Connect: 


    Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

    Business: www.cathleenmerkel.com

    Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel-2b0991151

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/cathleenmerkel

    Twitter: twitter.com/CathleenMerkel7

    SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS.
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    1 h et 7 min
  • Vincent Wanga - The Art of Creative Leadership

    Vincent Wanga - The Art of Creative Leadership
    Sep 2 2025

    Do you ever feel like you’re chasing status, promotions, or recognition only to arrive and still feel unfulfilled? What if leadership wasn’t about control, but about creative direction and truly designing a life and career that excites you?

    In this inspiring episode of Legendary Leaders, host Cathleen sits down with Vincent Wanga, dynamic design thought leader, brand strategist, creative executive, and author of The Art of Direction. Vincent’s story bridges cultures and continents: from a Kenyan childhood, to hustling through setbacks in America, to helping build a billion-dollar tech unicorn. Along the way, he’s developed a philosophy of relentless adaptability, creative courage, and leadership that unlocks the best in others.

    If you’re craving more meaning, momentum, or creativity in your leadership journey, this episode will energise you to rethink what’s possible.

    Episode Timeline:

    00:00 Introduction: Reframing creativity

    02:45 Why chasing titles leaves us empty

    07:02 From adversity to agency

    13:04 Immigrant perspective: adaptability, onlyness and resilience

    19:43 Building skills across industries & the power of pivoting

    22:23 Embracing (and loving) imposter syndrome

    33:47 Really listening and redefining expertise

    41:28 The humility of leadership: paying yourself last

    49:56 Nurturing leadership in teams and creating safe cultures

    1:07:07 Vincent’s leap into tech, loss, and building billion-dollar unicorns

    1:13:43 Making adversity your rocket fuel (and what’s next for Vincent)

    Key Takeaways:

    • Leadership is not about titles or control, but about creative direction and meaningful impact.

    • Your darkest failures and detours are the rocket fuel for reinvention.

    • If you want clients, teams, or work that truly excites you. Be both your boldest advocate and your most humble student.

    About Vincent Wanga:

    Vincent Wanga is a dynamic international design thought leader, creative keynote speaker, award-winning creative and executive, author of The Art of Direction, serial entrepreneur, and experienced brand consultant with an exceptional range of expertise over a distinguished two-decade career.

    Connect with Vincent:

    Website: https://www.vincentwanga.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-wanga

    Book:https://www.amazon.com/Art-Direction-Personal-Perspectives-Leadership/dp/B0DWR3911D



    Connect: 


    Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

    Business: https://cathleenosullivan.com/

    Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

    FOLLOW LEGENDARY LEADERS ON APPLE, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS
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    1 h et 23 min
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