My First Podcast: Unscripted, Unfiltered, and Uncomfortable (In the Best Way)

🎧 Want to listen?

You can find the episode across all major platforms:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Amazon Podcasts

I recently stepped way outside of my comfort zone and recorded my very first podcast episode - and I’m so glad I did. It was a chance to reflect on the work I’ve done, speak candidly about leadership and operational transformation, and share real-life examples of how teams can prepare for change and even lean into AI.

But as much as I’m proud of the content, this wasn’t a perfectly smooth experience. In fact, I learned a lot - both from the process and from the playback. Here's what stood out:

1. You’ll Always Be Your Own Worst Critic - and That’s OK

Let’s be honest: listening to yourself talk for 45 minutes is… humbling. I caught every filler word, every tangent, and every moment where I almost landed the perfect phrasing.

But here’s what I’ve realized: there’s value in that self-critique. I learned how to be more succinct. I noticed which stories connected and which ones needed tightening. And yes, when (not if!) I do it again, the storytelling will be even more dynamic.

And also, see #2. Not an excuse, just an important learning to share.

2. Record When You're at Your Best (and if not, reschedule again!)

I had to reschedule our first recording because I was hit with a bronchial infection. Unfortunately, by the time we did record, I was still far from 100%. Looking back, I wish I had pushed it again.

When you’re documenting your insights and sharing them publicly, it’s worth waiting until you can be fully present. Being "on" matters - your voice, your energy, and your ability to pivot during the conversation all improve when you're feeling your best.

And also, see #1.

3. Authenticity > Perfection (but prep still helps)

This podcast felt a lot like a recorded interview. There wasn’t a lot of prep ahead of time, which meant my answers were genuine, off-the-cuff, and real. That’s a good thing.

But spontaneity has its trade-offs. Without a game plan, I gave a few answers that were longer than necessary or could have landed better with a little more structure. Lesson learned: authenticity wins, but it never hurts to rehearse the arc of your stories beforehand.

4. Chapters Matter - Use Them

Forty-five minutes is a long time to ask someone to listen, no matter how good the content is. I love that this podcast included chapter markers, it gives me the ability to guide people to sections that matter most to them.

Here’s the breakdown if you want to check it out:

🕒 Chapters:

• 00:00 Transformational Leadership in Operations

• 04:01 Launching New Departments

• 09:21 Communication and Team Dynamics

• 09:49 Navigating Organizational Change

• 13:00 Leadership Challenges and Silos

• 17:44 The Importance of KPIs

• 23:09 Engaging with Data

• 27:42 Fostering Innovation through Project Showcase

• 34:22 AI and Operational Transformation

5. Don't Forget to Share Your Work

People won’t just stumble across your work. You have to share it - on LinkedIn, through personal social channels, even by email if you think it might resonate with someone.

I almost skipped promoting this because I wasn’t sure it was “perfect” - but that’s the whole point. It’s real, it’s imperfect, and it’s mine.

If you give it a listen, especially if you hop into a specific chapter, I’d love to hear what resonated with you. And if your organization is going through an operations transformation or preparing for AI, I’d love to talk. This is the work I love to do, and the podcast is just the beginning.

Let’s keep learning, sharing, and evolving - even when it’s a little uncomfortable.