Experience-Focused Leaders

Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Scott Britton, author of Conscious Accomplishment, for a profound exploration into the intersection of high-performance entrepreneurship and deep spiritual awareness. Scott, a prolific achiever and co-founder, shares his journey of moving beyond "ego-driven" success to find a more sustainable, "joy-centered" way of creating impact in the real world. Together, they challenge the traditional "macho" startup archetype of burnout and unprocessed stress.In this conversation, Scott breaks down his "Using Your Response to Life" philosophy—a tactical roadmap for turning daily triggers and professional frustrations into "golden threads" that lead to internal freedom. He reveals the invisible reality behind being a "prolific creator," sharing how minor work setbacks often mirror deep-seated childhood patterns that are finally ready to be "brought to completion." Scott illustrates the powerful "inward and outward" oscillation required of the modern leader, explaining how the resilience found in meditation is the ultimate training ground for a CEO navigating the uncertainty of the AI era.From the "Power of the Repatterning Sequence" to the necessity of finding a long-term teacher, Scott provides actionable "nuggets" to ensure your identity remains rooted in your "true nature" rather than your net worth. He also discusses the fascinating dynamic of building a "Conscious Talent" network, proving that "how you do one thing is how you do everything." He explains why the current "Matrix moment" in technology is the ultimate call for founders to recenter, allowing for rapid-fire growth without losing their humanity. This episode provides a sophisticated playbook for anyone looking to navigate the high-stakes world of startups as a "warrior" who is also deeply vulnerable and present.To continue the conversation with Scott, visit ScottBritton.me or find his book, Conscious Accomplishment, on Amazon and Audible.Want to be a guest on the show? Contact us here.To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com

Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes "cohabitating" co-authors Jeffrey Chernick and Alix Gitter for a deep dive into the human soul of entrepreneurship. Jeffrey, a serial founder with 20 years of "startup life" addiction and multiple exits, joins forces with Alix, a professional actress and writer, to debut their bestselling book, High Five Energy: A Different Kind of Founder. Together, they challenge the "Silicon Valley" status quo of burnout and "dirty fuel."In this conversation, Jeffrey and Alix break down the "High Five Energy" philosophy—a roadmap for moving away from fear-based motivation toward joy-centered creation. Jeffrey reveals the invisible reality behind the "highlight reel," sharing how legendary exits often require "eight pivots" and the near-collapse of the business. Alix illustrates the powerful intersection of the arts and entrepreneurship, explaining how the resilience of an actor is the ultimate training ground for a CEO. From the "Power of the Pause" in meditation to the "four-foot rule" of virtual framing, they provide tactical "nuggets" to ensure your identity remains rooted in self-worth rather than net worth.The duo also shares the fascinating dynamic of writing a book as a married couple, proving that "how you do one thing is how you do everything." They discuss why AI is the ultimate co-pilot for the modern founder, removing every excuse to stay on the sidelines and allowing for rapid-fire experimentation. This episode provides a sophisticated playbook for anyone looking to navigate the high-stakes world of startups without losing their humanity, teaching you how to treat every crisis as a "practice" and turn every roadblock into a portal to your next big idea.To continue the conversation with Jeffrey and Alix, visit https://www.jeffreychernick.com/high-five-energy or find their book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.Want to be a guest on the show? Contact us HERE.To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com

Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Karin Reed, an Emmy Award-winning journalist turned leadership communications expert, for a masterclass in modern connectivity. As the CEO of Speaker Dynamics and the author of Suddenly Virtual and Suddenly Hybrid, Karin has become the go-to coach for global giants like Lenovo and Eli Lilly, helping executives move from being "talking heads" to authentic leaders who command the screen.In this conversation, Karin breaks down her "MVP" framework—Mental mindset, Vocal variety, and Physical factors—to solve the most common pitfalls of digital communication. She reveals why most people sound monotone when reading and introduces "analytical reading" to help you recapture the meaning behind your words. Karin explains the "Audience of One" philosophy, shifting the focus from performing for a crowd to building intimate, one-on-one connections through the camera lens. From the "Power of the Pause" to the "four-foot rule" of virtual framing, she provides tactical "quick wins" to ensure your message lands with impact rather than becoming vocal white noise.Karin also shares the fascinating story behind her prolific collaboration with Dr. Joe Allen—writing multiple books together before ever meeting in person—as a testament to the power of high-richness digital communication. She illustrates how leaders can leverage minimal slide design as a "memory hook" to foster spontaneous, authentic storytelling. This episode provides a sophisticated playbook for anyone looking to navigate the hybrid world, teaching you how to prioritize authenticity over perfection and turn every camera lens into a portal to your people.To continue the conversation with Karin, visit speakerdynamics.com or her LinkedIn profile.Want to be a guest on the show? Apply here.To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com.

Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Ravi Sawhney, the CEO and founder of RKS Design and PA AI, for a deep dive into the intersection of cognitive psychology and world-class innovation. With a career that began at the legendary Xerox PARC developing the first touchscreen interfaces, Ravi has spent over four decades helping global giants like Samsung, Intel, and Lego move beyond traditional aesthetics to create deep emotional resonance through his trademarked methodology, Psychoesthetics™.In this conversation, Ravi explains his "180-degree" approach to design: shifting the focus from how a person feels about a product to how that product makes them feel about themselves. He breaks down his reinvention of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs into a powerful mapping system that plots interactivity against self-actualization, revealing the "white space" opportunities where brands can achieve massive enterprise value. Ravi shares the "Predictable Magic" behind iconic successes—from the $10 billion value creation at Life Technologies to the viral utility of a Zyliss can opener—demonstrating that even the most mundane tools can become vehicles for human empowerment.Ravi also introduces his latest venture, PA AI, which digitizes his 35 years of human-centered research into a predictive AI engine. He illustrates how leaders can leverage the Hero’s Journey to de-risk innovation, align global teams, and transform "calls to action" into "calls to adventure." This episode provides a sophisticated playbook for entrepreneurs and executives looking to navigate the modern "Design Quotient" and build products that don't just solve problems, but motivate users to become the best versions of themselves.To continue the conversation with Ravi, visit rksdesign.com or his LinkedIn. Want to be a guest on the show? Apply here. To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com.

Scott Britton, entrepreneur and author of Conscious Accomplishment who exited Troops to Salesforce, explores integrating high achievement with inner fulfillment. He discusses the Third Way, the subconscious database and debugging automatic reactions. Short stories touch on the High-Achiever’s Trap, using daily triggers as a dojo, and how breakdowns and peak experiences spark deeper transformation.

Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Professor Hermann Simon, founder and honorary chairman of Simon-Kucher and the world’s leading authority on pricing and strategy. Often cited as the most influential management thinker since Peter Drucker, Hermann brings five decades of experience identifying the "Hidden Champions" of the global economy and advising world-class organizations on value and growth.In this conversation, Hermann shares his perspective on the intersection of specialized expertise and artificial intelligence, explaining why companies must "stay deep" while accelerating their "disruptive velocity." He addresses the "mother of all problems"—demography—and discusses the IT Productivity Paradox, questioning why decades of technical investment have yet to yield massive gains in labor productivity. Hermann also offers a candid look at the bureaucratic hurdles facing Western industries and why the secret to modern competition lies in the speed of translating research into marketable products.From his early days as a professor at Harvard and Stanford to his role in building a global consultancy with over 2,000 employees, Hermann illustrates how trust, purpose, and human relationships remain the constants in an era of exponential change. This episode provides profound strategic insights for leaders navigating the complexities of global competition, pricing in the age of AI, and the structural shifts defining the next decade of business.To continue the conversation with Hermann, connect with him via hermannsimon.com.Want to be a guest on the show? Apply here.To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com.

Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Luke Giancarlo, Director of the FinTech Innovation Lab in New York and an executive at Accenture, where he leads digital currency and AI initiatives. Luke brings a unique perspective, combining hands-on startup experience with deep insight into enterprise innovation, fintech, and emerging technologies.In this conversation, Luke shares his view on corporate-startup collaboration, the future of AI and digital currency, and the evolving landscape of financial services. He explains how startups can succeed with tier-one financial institutions, why focus and clarity matter more than flashy technology, and how building a strong network—or “your army”—can accelerate growth. Luke also highlights the next wave of innovation, from agentic commerce to AI-enabled treasury and blockchain applications, and the human-centered opportunities these technologies create.From guiding startups through the Lab’s competitive program to helping enterprises adopt emerging technologies responsibly, Luke illustrates how practical experience, experimentation, and a collaborative mindset can drive meaningful impact. This episode provides actionable insights for founders, innovators, and enterprise leaders navigating the fast-changing world of fintech.To continue the conversation with Luke, connect with him via LinkedIn. Want to be a guest on the show? Apply HERE. To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com.

Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Sergey Netessine, Senior Vice Dean of Innovation and Global Initiatives at the Wharton School and Durbani Armani Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Sergey is also an Amazon Scholar and a seasoned investor, bringing a rare blend of academic rigor, corporate strategy, and hands-on venture experience to the world’s leading organizations.In this conversation, Sergey shares his perspective on business model innovation, corporate-startup collaboration, and the role of culture in driving organizational change. He explains why the biggest barrier to innovation in large companies is not technical, but cultural, and contrasts this with the experimentation-driven mindset of startups. Sergey also discusses his unique approach to investing—not for returns, but for learning and insight—and how he integrates these experiences into teaching and research at Wharton.From his work shaping Wharton’s executive education programs and global youth initiatives to advising major companies like Amazon, Sergey illustrates how to bridge theory and practice, build disciplined investment processes, and nurture lifelong learning. This episode shows how curiosity, experimentation, and a structured approach can unlock innovation, both personally and organizationally.To continue the conversation with Sergey, connect with him via his LinkedIn or the Wharton website.To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com.

Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Stephen Josephs, a pioneer in adult development and the co-author of the seminal book Leadership Agility. With over 40 years of experience as an executive coach, Stephen helps senior leaders navigate high-pressure environments by recognizing the inner patterns that drive their behavior. A lifelong practitioner of meditation and Tai Chi, Stephen brings a unique blend of Taoist wisdom and developmental psychology to the world’s most established organizations.In this conversation, Stephen gets practical about the "internal" work of leadership. He explores the transition from "Heroic" leadership—where the leader must be the smartest person in the room—to "Post-Heroic" agility, where curiosity and collective intelligence take center stage. Stephen shares a powerful role-playing technique to dissolve conflict, explains why "getting over yourself" is the ultimate competitive advantage, and reveals how pre-verbal childhood patterns often act as the hidden "fuel" behind an overachiever’s drive.From his "When Harry Met Sally" moment with a meditation teacher to the day he turned down a Hollywood movie deal to protect his sense of self, Stephen’s stories illustrate a path to leadership that is grounded in radical honesty and self-trust. This episode shows how leadings from a place of "stillness" can drive better results for your team, your culture, and your own well-being.To continue the conversation with Stephen, connect with him at stephenjosephs.com.Think you’d be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com

Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Magali Anderson, a global sustainability and innovation leader and former Chief Sustainability & Innovation Officer at Holcim. Magali brings deep, real-world experience leading change at scale—across operations, markets, and incentives. Today, she serves on the boards of Anglo American and the Capitals Coalition, mentors founders through the Creative Destruction Lab, and invests in ESG-driven ventures.In this conversation, Magali gets practical about why sustainability efforts stall—and what actually works. She shares how staying close to operations keeps leaders grounded, why guilt and fear often block progress, and how responsibility is too often passed between companies, customers, investors, and governments. Magali explains why aligning financial goals with sustainability goals is the only way teams move, and why sometimes leaders must act first—before the data feels safe or consensus is formed.From business model shifts like leasing over selling, to a real example where acting despite skepticism led to rapid global adoption and strong market share, this episode shows how sustainability can drive financial, reputational, and operational results.To continue the conversation with Magali, connect with her on LinkedIn.Think you’d be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com