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The 20 Best High Octane Leadership Podcasts You Shouldn't Miss

High-Octane Leadership: Must-Listen Podcasts for Dynamic Leaders

Oliver Bugarin
October 7, 2025

Dive into a collection of power-packed leadership podcasts that provide real-world stories, expert advice, and tactical approaches to help you grow and thrive as a high-energy leader.

High-Octane Leadership: The 20 Best High Octane Leadership Podcasts You Shouldn't Miss

Let's go!

1. Why AI Fears Kill Innovation: How Leaders Turn Resistance into 97% Success

AI adoption requires a human-centered approach: success depends not on technology alone, but on how organizations help their people embrace and leverage AI tools effectively.In this episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald Thompson shares a recent presentation offering practical insights on implementing AI strategies across organizations. Drawing from his journey of growing multiple companies and leading digital transformations, Donald provides actionable frameworks for effective AI adoption.What You'll Learn:

  • How to create a successful AI adoption strategy by focusing on education before implementation
  • Why sandboxed environments are crucial for experimenting with AI without risking core business operations
  • The "Personal Benefit Principle" for driving AI adoption by connecting tools to individual career growth
  • The "Simulation First" framework for accelerating experience in emerging leaders using AI tools

About Donald:

Donald Thompson is an award-winning CEO, multi-exit entrepreneur, and nationally recognized leader who has transformed industries and inspired executives across the globe. Donald has built and scaled multiple companies to acquisition, led post-merger integration, and now builds repeatable performance systems as Managing Director of the Workplace Options Center for Organizational Effectiveness.

In this episode, Donald shares invaluable insights on AI adoption and strategic leadership, drawing from his extensive experience in growing multimillion-dollar firms and building high-performance teams with a global perspective. His approach to AI implementation emphasizes both technological advancement and human-centered transformation, making this conversation particularly relevant for business leaders navigating the integration of AI into their organizations. Donald's recognition by EY, Forbes and Fast Company, combined with his practical experience in business exits and team building, offers listeners actionable strategies for leveraging AI while managing organizational change.

Resources:

  • LinkedIn: @donaldthompsonjr
  • Instagram: @donaldthompson_jr
  • Facebook: @donaldthompsonjrofficial

High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.

Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson.

What is High Octane Leadership?

Future-proof your leadership with High Octane Leadership, a place where business leaders—whether by title or aspiration—share cheat codes for unlocking workplace excellence, lessons learned along the way, and insider tips for future generations of next-level professionals. With a career rooted in building people and businesses, Donald Thompson is an award-winning CEO, speaker, and author who empowers leaders to scale with purpose. Over the last 25 years, he has helped startups and enterprises alike drive cultural change, unlock performance, and deliver exceptional results through strategic leadership.

Find him on LinkedIn, and listen here to learn how you can become future-proof too.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here:

  • Transistor
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • YouTube

2. Experience Matters

Tune into conversations with customer service experts to discover never-seen-before best practices, challenges, real-life success stories, and more.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here:

  • Website
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • YouTube

3. Voice Activated: Tuning Employee Insights At Work

Great leadership starts with truly listening to your people. Join Sean Fitzpatrick, founder and CEO of TalentMap, to hear insights and strategies that can help you do just that. In each episode of Voice Activated: Tuning Employee Insights At Work, we’ll dive into real stories of how leaders have transformed their employee experience. Explore topics like: innovative ways to build leadership skills by focusing how to ask the right questions of your people, learning how to listen and understand what they are really saying and, most importantly, strategies to involve them in change you want to make.

Check here for their latest episode:

Subscribe here:

  • Fame‍
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • YouTube

4. Humanity At Scale: Redefining Leadership

Welcome to Humanity at Scale: Redefining Leadership Podcast! Join Bruce Temkin, a trailblazer in human experience management, as he reimagines leadership for today’s dynamic world—proving that true success begins with prioritizing people, including employees, customers, and the communities you serve. In each episode, Bruce dives into the practices, mindsets, and stories that help leaders drive exceptional success—while creating a more humane and impactful world. How can neuroscience and behavioral economics shape better decisions? How are successful leaders balancing organizational goals with positive human impact? And how can we lead in ways that truly inspire humanity? From candid conversations with executives to breakthrough insights from experts, Humanity at Scale is your ultimate guide to leading with purpose and empathy. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, it will equip you with the tools and inspiration to redefine success—for yourself, your organization, and humanity.

Check here for their latest episode:

Subscribe here:

  • Fame‍
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

5. Future of Field Service

The Future of Field Service podcast welcomes you in to hear the firsthand perspective of how business leaders are evolving, innovating, and overcoming. Reaching far beyond the “field service” in our name, we feature guests across industries and geographies to tell of the trials and triumphs they experience as they modernize their businesses. Hosted by Sarah Nicastro, who has 15 years’ tenure covering business transformation, technology, and leadership trends. Her authenticity paired with interesting guests and relatable subject matter make for compelling conversations and lightbulb moments.

Website: https://www.futureoffieldservice.com/

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here:

  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

6. Talk Time with MaxContact

Welcome to Talk Time with MaxContact, the podcast where we talk about the latest contact center and customer experience industry news and insights. Join us as we welcome industry experts, discuss actionable strategies you can apply to your business and help professionals like you on your path to long term career progression and success.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here:

  • Fame
  • ‍Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

7. AltitudeX: The Business Leaders' Podcast

This is the AltitudeX: The Business Leaders’ Podcast, where we uncover the untold stories of extraordinary business leaders. In each episode, we sit down with a prominent business leader, giving you exclusive access to their personal journeys. We’ll explore what it really takes to rise to the top and how to keep winning when you get there. Join us for candid conversations with incredible leaders on everything from AI to personal development, relationships, management and more.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here:

  • Fame
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • YouTube Playlist
  • Website

8. Over the Air — IoT, Connected Devices, & the Journey

Budget overruns. Bricked devices. Data breaches. Building connected products is hard. Join us every Tuesday as we have sharp, unfiltered conversations with executives about their IoT journeys — the mistakes they made, the lessons they learned, and what they wish they’d known when they started.

In each episode of Over the Air, our expert guests will make bold predictions, reveal unpopular opinions, and share stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Check out their latest episodes here:

Subscribe here: https://overtheairpod.com/

9. Investing In Integrity

Welcome to Investing In Integrity by Scholars of Finance. SOF is a rapidly growing organization on a mission to inspire character and integrity in the finance leaders of tomorrow. If you’re an investor, finance professional, or student aspiring to make an impact with capital, this podcast is for you. Investing In Integrity is a compilation of conversations and interviews with leading minds in finance that will help you learn how you can make finance a force for good.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here:

  • ‍Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

10. Product Thinking

Successful product management isn’t just about training the product managers who work side by side with developers everyday to build better products. It’s about taking a step back, approaching the systems within organizations as a whole, and leveling up product leadership to improve these systems.

This is the Product Thinking Podcast, where Melissa Perri will connect with industry leading experts in the product management space, AND answer your most pressing questions about everything product.

Join us each week to level up your skillset and invest in yourself as a product leader.

Learn more at https://produxlabs.com/product-thinking

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here:

  • Fame
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • YouTube

11. Be More - a podcast by Peakon

Some say that the way we work has progressed by a decade in the past four months. Be More is a podcast that stimulates discussion about how everyone at an organization can thrive in the new world of work.

Each episode spotlights a topic that organizations and their employees must address if they are to be more as the way we work changes so rapidly.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here: Fame

12. The Culture Ops Podcast

Every business has a culture that affects how it performs. Culture isn’t optional.How you deal with the day-to-day people challenges in the workplace has a massive effect on that culture.Building a great culture is difficult. So we’re bringing together founders, CEOs, COOs, Heads of People & Heads of HR to share their honest experiences, their struggles and their learnings.At the end of each episode, you will have something to take away and implement with your team.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here: Apple Podcasts

13. The People Experience Podcast

Welcome to The People Experience Podcast, where they interview thought leaders from the world's leading businesses such as SAP, NASA and Shell who will be discussing how they engage their employees, build their communities and ultimately… put people first. You’ll hear in-depth stories from the world’s leading experts in the fields of HR, Alumni Relations, recruitment and community. Like Rebecca Barker Cedrone, former Director of Alumni & Community Marketing with Coca-Cola.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here: Spotify

14. The CultureING Podcast

You're part of a movement to revitalize the way we work. There's never been a time in history where having a world-class, full-of-life workplace environment has been more important.

At the CultureING Podcast, we believe healthy company culture is the untapped fuel to growth in your organization. By taking action today on building an amazing atmosphere at work, you’re setting yourself up for an unstoppable, thriving future that will put you on the map and propel you to prosperity.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here: Spotify

15. Lead to Win

Short-term wins are easy. Sustained achievement is another story. On Lead to Win join New York Times bestselling author Michael Hyatt and CEO Megan Hyatt Miller as they discover how current research combines with timeless wisdom for lasting success. From personal productivity to personal development, self-leadership to team leadership, and intentionality to influence, get the insights and tools you need to win at work and succeed at life.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here: Apple Podcasts

16. The AI Sidekick: Banishing Legal AI Anxiety

There’s no question AI is reshaping the way teams work, and for legal professionals, the pace of change can feel both exciting and daunting. How should leaders approach their AI journey? And what steps can they take to navigate this evolving landscape with confidence? Welcome to The AI Sidekick: Banishing Legal AI Anxiety with Robin AI - the podcast designed to guide legal teams through the complexities of AI. Through candid conversations with industry leaders and actionable insights, we break down the world of AI into practical advice and real-world examples. Our mission? To help you embrace AI with clarity, confidence and control.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here:

  • Fame
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

17. Advising the Advisors: AI in Consulting Unlocked

Welcome to Advising the Advisors: AI in Consulting Unlocked, a show by AnswerGrid.ai, where we flip the script on traditional consulting by putting consultants in the hot seat. Hosted by Bolu Ben-Adeola, this podcast is your front-row ticket to understanding how generative AI can revolutionize management consulting. We'll challenge industry assumptions, share real-world success stories, and map out practical strategies for integrating AI. Whether you're a senior partner at a global firm or an aspiring consultant looking to stand out, each episode offers valuable insights on deploying bespoke AI solutions that drive impact. Tune in to discover how you can lead the next wave of AI-driven consulting and become the go-to advisor within your organization.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here:

  • Fame
  • ‍Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

18. Pivotal Clarity | An AI Podcast

AI isn't new. It's been lurking in labs since the '50s, with bursts of enthusiasm and funding followed by "AI winters." But something's different now. In the last couple of years, AI has exploded into the mainstream in a way that feels both thrilling and overwhelming.

Every day brings new breakthroughs, products, and predictions. It's hard to keep up. You might start your morning marveling at some new AI demo, only to end the day feeling lost in a sea of jargon and competing claims.

That's why I started Pivotal Clarity. We talk to the people who are actually building and researching this stuff - the founders, engineers, and scientists who are a few steps ahead of the hype cycle. Our goal is simple: to cut through the noise and give you a clear picture of what's really happening in AI.

We're not here to cheerlead or fearmonger. We just want to understand this technology that's reshaping our world, and help you understand it too. Whether you're building the next big AI startup or just trying to figure out what all this means for your job, Pivotal Clarity is for you.

Each episode, we'll dive deep into one aspect of AI, guided by someone who knows it inside and out. No buzzwords, no fluff - just honest conversations and real insights.

The world is changing fast. Let's try to see clearly where it's going

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here:

  • ‍Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • YouTube

19. The Lean AI Podcast presented by Eric Ries

Welcome to The Lean AI Podcast, where we want to flip the AI conversation on its head by offering invaluable insights into the practical application of AI, the challenges companies face, and the strategies used to achieve success. In each episode we speak with guests who challenge established views and offer disruptive perspectives, providing new, actionable ideas for companies looking to effectively implement AI by applying Lean Startup methodologies.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here:

  • ‍Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

20. How Cottesmore School's AI Chatbot is Revolutionising Education with Tom Rogerson

In this episode of Jason's Education Lounge, host Jason Zho is joined by Tom Rogerson, Headmaster at Cottesmore School. They dive into Cottesmore's innovative approach to education, its philosophy of balancing the physical, intellectual, and spiritual life, and how the school integrated AI technology into traditional education, appointing an AI chatbot as the school's principal headteacher and incorporating an AI "head of AI" into school management.

Check out their latest episode here:

Subscribe here:

  • ‍Spotify

There you have it...

The 20 Best High Octane Leadership Podcasts You Shouldn't Miss

Information Tips

  1. Harness High-Energy Insights: High-octane leadership podcasts offer quick, impactful episodes that deliver practical tips and inspiration to fuel your leadership journey.
  2. Learn from Top Performers: These podcasts feature interviews with dynamic leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers who share their real-world experiences and lessons.
  3. Adapt Strategies for Growth: Focus on podcasts that discuss leadership tactics and strategies that can be immediately implemented for both personal and organizational growth.
  4. Stay Motivated and Energized: High-octane leadership podcasts are great for staying inspired and motivated, offering daily doses of energy and tips to overcome obstacles and perform at your best.
  5. Build Resilience and Focus: These podcasts also emphasize mental toughness, resilience, and focus—essential qualities for leaders who want to remain driven in challenging environments.

Conclusion

If you're ready to take your leadership to the next level, these high-octane leadership podcasts will provide the energy, motivation, and actionable insights you need. By listening to leaders who embody high-performance and strategic thinking, you'll gain the tools to drive results, inspire your team, and achieve your leadership goals. Whether you're leading a startup or managing a large team, these podcasts are essential for anyone looking to lead with impact and ambition. Tune in today and start supercharging your leadership journey!

Subscribe to the ones that interest you, and send us an email at grow@fame.so if you know of any great high octane leadership podcasts that we've missed!

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