The Present Professional

In this deeply personal and expansive conversation, John Marshall sits down with Dr. Sohee Jun, leadership coach, organizational psychologist, and bestselling author, to explore what authentic power actually looks like from the inside out. Drawing from more than 25 years of coaching highly accomplished women and her own journey as a bridge generation immigrant, Dr. Sohee unpacks why outward success so often masks internal noise, ho...

In this candid and energizing conversation, John Marshall sits down with Jessica Miller Merrell, founder of Workology, president and CEO of Exceptional HR, and author of Digitizing Talent, to pull back the curtain on what HR professionals are actually carrying — and why so much of it stays invisible. Jess draws on decades of frontline HR experience to unpack the burnout epidemic in people operations, the gap between what comp...

In this compelling conversation, John Marshall sits down with Dr. Angela Jackson, Harvard lecturer, researcher, and founder and CEO of Future Forward Institute, to explore what it actually takes to build a workplace where people and performance thrive together. Drawing from research across more than 1,700 companies, Dr. Jackson shares the nine pillars of her Win-Win Workplace framework — a data-driven, deeply human roadmap fo...

In this episode of The Present Professional, John Marshall speaks with Erik Berglund, founder of The Language of Leadership and Loominary AI, about the future of leadership development through AI powered practice. Erik shares how his work evolved from coaching leaders on accountability and communication into building skill simulation systems that help people practice real workplace conversations in a psychologically safe environmen...

In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, John Marshall sits down with Kevin Asbjornson, global leadership development professional, executive coach, keynote speaker, and performing artist, to explore what it truly means to lead with emotional intelligence in the 21st century. Kevin draws on a career spanning more than 70 countries and a lifelong parallel passion for music to make a compelling case that leadership is both an art ...

In this vibrant and deeply personal conversation, John Marshall sits down with Natalie Spiro, founder and CEO of Drum Cafe North America and CEO of Blue Fire Leadership, to explore how rhythm, community, and intentional connection can transform the way teams and organizations operate. Natalie shares her remarkable journey from growing up in apartheid South Africa to building a thriving corporate team building enterprise out of her ...

In this returning conversation, John Marshall sits down with Humessence coach, leadership development expert, and author Brett Larson to unpack what it truly means to lead people rather than manage them. Brett traces his journey from industrial engineer to plant leader at WL Gore, one of Fortune's most consistently recognized employers, where he learned that leadership is not defined by title but by followership. He shares how emot...

In this episode, John Marshall sits down with Scott Crabtree, Chief Happiness Officer at Happy Brain Science, to explore how brain and behavioral science can be applied to build happier, more resilient teams and organizations. Scott shares the research-backed foundation behind the science of happiness and offers practical strategies leaders can implement immediately — from assuming positive intent and practicing gratitude, to...

In this timely and practical conversation, John Marshall sits down with Rachel Krug, Humessence coach and seasoned growth operator, to pull back the curtain on what really happens inside companies during mergers and acquisitions. Drawing from four distinct M&A experiences — as an acquiree, an acquirer, and everything in between — Rachel shares candid lessons on why the real work begins after the deal closes, not bef...

In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, John Marshall sits down with Humessence coach, mentor, and dear friend Don Fries to explore the deeper dimensions of coaching and leadership development. Drawing from a 38-year career in the oil and gas industry and his journey into executive and retirement coaching, Don shares how leaders can build self-awareness, embrace vulnerability, and stop getting in their own way. The conversat...

In this episode, John Marshall and Jevon Wooden discuss the critical importance of human intelligence in the age of artificial intelligence. They explore the risks and opportunities presented by AI, emphasizing the need for leaders to navigate this landscape thoughtfully. Jevon shares insights on how to augment human roles with AI, particularly for small business owners, and highlights the significance of emotional intelligence in ...

In this engaging conversation, Julie Johnston, a Humessence coach, shares her journey and insights on empowering emerging leaders. She emphasizes the importance of public speaking, the power of voice, and the role of improv in coaching. Julie discusses her passion for directing children's theater and the significance of authentic communication in leadership. The conversation also highlights the Game Changers program, which prepares...

In this episode of The Present Professional, John Marshall interviews Margaret Moore, a pioneer in health and leadership coaching. They discuss the importance of nourishing leadership, the nine aspects of effective leadership, and the significance of consciousness and compassion in leading others. Margaret shares insights from her book, 'The Science of Leadership,' emphasizing the need for leaders to engage their teams and create a...

The Present Professional returns with a renewed focus on conscious, human-centered leadership. Join host John Marshall as he explores how leaders can build resilient teams, foster emotional intelligence, and create high-performing cultures of conscious communicators—without burning out.

Welcome to a new season of The Present Professional with host John Marshall.

Over the past 70 episodes, this podcast has explored what it means...

In this episode of The Present Professional, we dive into the theme of personal responsibility in professional development. Host Tony reflects on his journey, tracing back to his high school years when he joined the Gents Program, an extracurricular initiative focused on developing young men. He discusses how this experience sparked his commitment to self-improvement and leadership. Together, we explore the importance of taking ini...

In this episode of The Present Professional, We delve into the crucial topic of giving and receiving feedback in both personal and professional settings. Explore the significance of mindfulness in feedback interactions, break down the components of effective feedback, and discuss strategies for delivering feedback that resonates with others. We emphasize the importance of feedback for personal and professional growth, regardless of...

In this enlightening episode, John and Tony delve into the transformative benefits of adopting a minimalistic and simple lifestyle. Discover how reducing distractions and simplifying your environment can help you focus on what truly matters in life. The hosts draw from personal experiences and cultural observations, highlighting the contrast between Western culture's promotion of constant accumulation and the clarity gained from mi...

Tune in to our enlightening podcast episode featuring conflict management expert Cinnie Noble as we delve into the critical role of self-awareness in enhancing conflict competence. Cinnie shares valuable insights on identifying triggers, understanding underlying values, and shifting habitual behaviors to effectively manage conflicts. Discover how self-reflection, intentional behavior changes, and mindfulness practices can tran...

Discover the transformative power of setting boundaries and increasing your awareness of the dark side of emotional intelligence in our latest podcast episode featuring Luis Velasquez. Dive into essential strategies for dealing with manipulative behavior in the workplace and learn how to commit to change and enforce boundaries with persistence, even in the face of adversity. Luis unpacks the "Growth Paradox," offering insights on a...