Badass Leaders Podcast: Leadership, Career Growth, and Company Culture

Welcome to The Badass Leaders Podcast: Leadership Without the Corporate BS.This is where real leadership meets real life. Hosted by Angela Gill Nelms, founder, speaker, and executive coach, this show dives deep into the mindset, emotional intelligence, and bold decision-making today’s leaders need.Each episode delivers raw, actionable strategies on leadership development, team culture, conflict resolution, personal branding, resilience, and navigating high-stakes moments. You’ll hear unfiltered conversations with founders, executives, innovators, and badass humans redefining modern leadership.🎙️ Perfect for:• Women in leadership• Entrepreneurs• Executive coaching & personal growth• Leadership skills, communication, & EI• High-performance teams & conflict mastery👉 Subscribe to join the movement: @BeBraveBeBadassShop Badass Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeBraveBeBadass#LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BadassLeadersPodcast #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #Con

Badass Leaders Podcast: Leadership, Career Growth, and Company Culture is a business podcast hosted by Angela Gill Nelms, with 80 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Angela Gill Nelms hosts Badass Leaders Podcast: Leadership, Career Growth, and Company Culture, a business show with 80 episodes published.

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  Episode #81

  The Military Leadership Principles That Actually Work in Business | Tim Madden

  Sep 30, 20261h 17m

  In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Angela Gill Nelms sits down with Tim Madden, a 22-year U.S. Army veteran, entrepreneur, executive recruiting expert, and founder of Executive Career Upgrades, to examine why leadership development cannot stop with a promotion. Drawing from more than two decades in the military and his experience building and developing high-performing teams, Tim argues that great leadership requires continuous training, practice, coaching, and what he calls “recertification.” Tim shares how his military experience shaped his approach to leadership, standards, accountability, and lifelong learning. He also explains why one of a leader’s first responsibilities is not managing other people, but learning how to manage themselves. For leaders who want better teams, stronger performance, and greater influence, that means taking an honest look at their own habits, goals, discipline, and commitment to personal development. Learn more about Tim Madden: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timmadden83 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetimmadden/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmadden83/ Website: https://execupgrades.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TimMaddenExecUpgrades Book: https://www.amazon.com/Discipline-Equals-Dream-Job-upgrade-ebook/dp/B0C9GLBL1R Mentioned in this episode: -The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone -Be Obsessed or Be Average by Grant Cardone -The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale -Sell or Be Sold by Grant Cardone The discussion also tackles questions… -Why do companies struggle to train new managers and leaders? -Why do high performers sometimes struggle after being promoted into leadership? -How can companies develop better managers and executives? -Why is continuous leadership training and development important? Is leadership training worth the investment for companies? -How can leaders invest in their own professional development? -What should you do if your company will not pay for leadership training? -How can executives become lifelong learners? -Why should leaders invest in coaching and mentorship? -How do you become the person capable of achieving your biggest goals? -How do you stay committed to long-term goals when progress is slow? -What should you look for when hiring high-performing employees? -Why should companies hire for character, ownership, and coachability instead of skills alone? -How can companies create a structured hiring and interview process? -What questions should leaders ask during job interviews? -What should you do when you keep getting overlooked for a promotion? -How can you take greater ownership of your career growth? -How can employees ask their managers for candid career feedback? -Why are clarifying questions important in leadership and communication? -How can leaders resolve workplace conflict more effectively? -How can managers develop employees who solve problems independently? Key takeaways: -Leadership development should continue long after someone earns a promotion. -Effective leadership begins with learning how to lead yourself. -Leaders should take ownership of their professional development instead of waiting for their company to do it. -Achieving bigger goals often requires becoming a different version of yourself. -The Model, Mimic, Master framework can accelerate leadership and professional growth. -Hiring for character, ownership, and coachability can be more valuable than hiring for technical skills alone. -A structured hiring process helps leaders make better and more consistent hiring decisions. -Professionals who want a promotion should ask exactly what the next level requires. -Great leaders develop problem-solvers instead of becoming the answer to every problem. -High-performance cultures require clear standards, accountability, recognition, and continuous learning. Produced by: The AGN Group, Host: Angela Gill Nelms, Producer: Katie Hart Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass. Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com About The AGN Group: At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com. Social Media Channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/ Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2 Want to be a Podcast Guest? If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@badassleaderspodcast.com

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  Episode #80

  A Doctor's Approach to Breaking the Burnout Cycle | Dr. Alicia Newsome

  Sep 23, 20261h 28m

  In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Dr. Alicia Newsome, physician, bestselling author, executive coach, and functional medicine practitioner, challenges one of the most deeply ingrained beliefs about success: that high performance requires constant sacrifice. Drawing from her own experience with chronic exhaustion, health challenges, divorce, pregnancy loss, entrepreneurship, and eventually rebuilding her health and career, Dr. Newsome explains why leaders need to stop treating their bodies like an unlimited resource. She shares how functional medicine helped her uncover underlying health issues and how that experience ultimately shaped the way she works with executives, entrepreneurs, and other high-performing professionals today. Dr. Newsome introduces her Integrative Leadership Framework built around three interconnected areas: Business, Body, and Belief. She explains how leaders can create better systems, pay attention to physical warning signs, challenge limiting beliefs, delegate more effectively, and build careers that are sustainable rather than simply successful on paper. Learn more about Dr. Alicia Newsome: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dralicianewsome Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alicianewsome/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-alicia-newsome/ Website: https://www.dralicianewsome.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.alicianewsome Podcast: The Whole & Complete Woman Mentioned in this episode: Website for parasite test: www.CellCore.com Patient Direct Code: Ttjk4pZC (Required to order directly) Worthy of Rest: For the Woman Who’s Tired of Being the Strong One: https://go.dralicianewsome.com/checkout-worthy-of-rest The discussion also tackles questions… Why are so many high-performing leaders exhausted all the time? What are the warning signs that exhaustion is more than ordinary stress? How does physical health affect leadership performance and decision-making? Why do leaders ignore their body's warning signs? What is allostatic load, and how can chronic stress affect high performers? Why do companies unintentionally reward burnout and self-sacrifice? How can leaders create a healthier workplace culture without lowering performance expectations? What is the difference between work-life balance and work-life sustainability? How can founders build a business that supports them instead of consuming them? What are the Business, Body, and Belief pillars of Dr. Alicia Newsome's Integrative Leadership Framework? How do limiting beliefs influence leadership decisions, boundaries, and burnout? How can leaders recognize when an old belief or emotional pattern is affecting their behavior? Why is delegation essential for sustainable leadership? How can leaders decide what to say yes to and what to turn down? What types of rest do high performers need beyond getting more sleep? How can functional medicine help identify potential root causes of fatigue? Key takeaways: Sustainable leadership requires protecting your health, not sacrificing it for success. Work-life sustainability may be a better goal than work-life balance. The Integrative Leadership Framework connects Business, Body, and Belief. Limiting beliefs can quietly drive burnout and unhealthy leadership behaviors. Your body can provide important warning signs before exhaustion becomes impossible to ignore. Chronic stress can accumulate through allostatic load and affect leadership performance. Effective delegation is essential for sustainable leadership. Workplace cultures can unintentionally reward exhaustion and self-sacrifice. Rest is a leadership strategy, not a reward for finishing everything. Success should be measured by what you can sustain, not simply by what you can achieve. Production Produced by: The AGN Group Host: Angela Gill Nelms Producer: Katie Hart Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass. Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com About The AGN Group: At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com. Social Media Channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/ Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2 Want to be a Podcast Guest? If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, read more here: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/be-our-guest/

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  Episode #78

  How to Raise Funding for a Biotech Startup | Samir Patel

  Sep 9, 20262h 10m

  In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, host Angela Gill Nelms sits down with Dr. Samir Patel, biotech entrepreneur, co-founder of Clearside Biomedical, and President and CEO of Moonlight Therapeutics, for a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, healthcare innovation, leadership, and the realities of building companies in life sciences. Samir's path to entrepreneurship was anything but planned. Born in India and raised by his grandparents during his early childhood, he later moved to the United States, studied engineering at UC Berkeley, and eventually found his way to Georgia Tech. Research he conducted during his PhD would ultimately become the foundation for Clearside Biomedical, forcing him to choose between the security of a traditional career and the uncertainty of building something entirely new. Samir shares what he learned taking a technology from an academic lab toward commercialization, including why founders need to understand their own strengths, how to build the right leadership team, and why storytelling matters when you're asking investors and employees to believe in a future that doesn't exist yet. He also discusses imposter syndrome and why feeling uncomfortable can actually be evidence that you're continuing to challenge yourself. Learn more about Samir Patel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patelsamirkumar/ Website: https://www.moonlighttx.com/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/MLTherapeutics Other: https://bme.gatech.edu/academics/masters-programs/ms-biomedical-innovation-and-development-advanced-therapeutics Mentioned in this episode: Moonlight Therapeutics Clearside Biomedical Atlanta Life Sciences Ecosystem The discussion also tackles questions… How do you turn academic research into a biotech startup? How do scientists successfully transition into entrepreneurship? How do you know when to leave a secure career to start a company? How should founders decide whether they should be the CEO? How do successful leaders deal with imposter syndrome? Why is storytelling important when pitching investors? How do biotech startups raise funding and conserve capital? Why are investor relationships so important for startup founders? What should first-time founders know about building a biotech company? How can founders become more coachable? What makes Atlanta a strong ecosystem for biotech and life sciences startups? How do you build a healthcare product around patients instead of just the technology? What changes when a private biotech company goes public? How do you know when it's time to leave a company you helped build? What lessons should second-time founders carry into their next startup? Key takeaways: Imposter syndrome can be a sign that leaders are still challenging themselves. Successful biotech entrepreneurship requires more than great science. Startup funding is built on relationships, not just investor pitches. Founders should not automatically assume they are the right CEO. Healthcare innovation should improve patients' lives, not simply produce technically successful treatments. Capital-efficient startups resist the pressure to look bigger than they need to be. Taking a biotech company public can fundamentally change the founder's role. Second-time founders have experience, but they still have something to prove to themselves. Atlanta can compete as a biotech and life sciences startup ecosystem. The best founders are coachable enough to know they cannot build alone.

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  Episode #76

  Lessons in Entrepreneurship from Top Biomedical Engineering Leader | Dr. Alyssa Panitch

  Sep 2, 20261h 6m

  In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Angela Gill Nelms sits down with Dr. Alyssa Panitch, Professor and Chair of the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. A renowned researcher, inventor, and serial entrepreneur, Dr. Panitch shares the leadership lessons she's learned from building groundbreaking technologies, launching startups, mentoring future innovators, and leading one of the nation's top biomedical engineering departments. Together, they explore why failure is an essential part of innovation, how great leaders navigate uncertainty without pretending to have all the answers, and why building the right team matters more than having the perfect idea. Dr. Panitch also reflects on entrepreneurial setbacks, leading through conflict, mentoring the next generation of scientists, and helping people build careers around passion instead of prestige. Learn more about Dr. Alyssa Panitch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-panitch-3940557/ Mentioned in this episode: Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering Smith College University of Massachusetts Amherst Purdue University Timestamps: 00:00 The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Learning 05:54 The Importance of Mentorship and Resilience 09:02 Embracing Unconventional Paths 14:57 The Role of Failure in Innovation 18:08 Building a Strong Business Team 21:13 Designing for Success in Startups 26:58 Resilience in Leadership 33:20 Embracing Leadership Opportunities 36:10 Navigating Institutional Cultures 41:31 The Role of Mentorship in Growth 44:55 Finding Your Unique Path 48:09 Instilling Confidence in Future Leaders 51:42 The Evolution of Leadership Style 57:39 Guiding Future Generations 01:00:15 Lessons from Failure 01:02:25 Empowering Women in STEM The discussion also tackles questions… How do you lead when you don't have all the answers? What can entrepreneurs learn from startup failures? How do you build resilience when progress feels impossible? Should PhD graduates choose academia or industry? How do you decide between following your passion and following the money? What makes a great leader in research and innovation? How do you successfully transition scientific research into a startup? Why do so many biotech startups fail despite having promising science? How do you handle conflict as a leader? What's the difference between avoiding conflict and resolving it? Key takeaways: The best leaders are comfortable making decisions without having all the answers. Failure is not the opposite of innovation. It is the process that makes innovation possible. Passion should guide career decisions more than compensation. Great startups require great business leadership, not just great ideas. Conflict is often a communication problem, not a people problem. Mentorship can completely change the trajectory of a career. Leading at the intersection of science, engineering, and medicine requires both technical expertise and human-centered leadership. The most successful leaders continue learning throughout their careers. Building something new requires resilience, patience, and the willingness to keep moving forward. Leadership is about creating environments where people can do their best work. Similar episodes: AI in Higher Education: Lessons from Georgia Tech | Raheem Beyah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qab7tPVmWng&t=1s Building the Internet: A Trans Woman’s Story of Innovation | Cathleen Quigley: https://youtu.be/A1FVVQ1hmi4?si=IW71HZXtyvE2Uvmn Game-Time Mentality: Football Foundations for Leadership | Dr. Kofi Smith: https://youtu.be/5CKPG7nfwww?si=BcRwTM3Axm1vmH1S Production Produced by: The AGN Group Host: Angela Gill Nelms Producer: Katie Hart Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass. Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com About The AGN Group: At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com. Social Media Channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/ Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2 Want to be a Podcast Guest? If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, read more here: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/be-our-guest/

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  Episode #75

  3 Out of 4 Managers Struggle to Lead Gen Z. Here's Why | Dr. Tim Elmore

  Aug 25, 20261h 32m

  What if the biggest challenge with Gen Z isn't the generation itself, but the way we've been taught to lead? In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Angela Gill Nelms sits down with leadership expert and bestselling author Dr. Tim Elmore to unpack one of today's biggest workplace challenges: leading across generations. After spending more than four decades developing emerging leaders and working alongside leadership icon John Maxwell, Tim believes the future of leadership depends less on changing Gen Z and more on changing how leaders communicate, coach, and build trust. Together, they explore why so many organizations struggle to attract and retain younger employees, the myths leaders continue to believe about Gen Z, and how emotional intelligence has become one of the most critical leadership skills in today's workplace. Tim also shares lessons from his own leadership journey, including what he learned working under John Maxwell, how great mentors develop confidence without lowering expectations, and why leaders must shift from leading through authority to leading through connection. Learn more about Dr. Tim Elmore: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtimelmore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim_elmore/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyelmore/ Website: https://www.timelmore.com/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/TimElmore?lang=en Podcast: https://www.maxwellleadership.com/generationsatwork/ Book: https://store.maxwellleadership.com/products/tim-elmore-the-future-begins-with-z-nine-strategies-to-lead-generation-z-as-they-disrupt-the-workplace Mentioned in this episode: From Strength to Strength — Arthur Brooks Tribe — Sebastian Junger Timestamps: 00:00 Why Gen Z Isn't the Real Leadership Problem 01:58 Tim Elmore's Leadership Journey & John Maxwell's Influence 10:47 Overcoming Insecurity and Learning to Lead with Confidence 16:52 Why Every Generation Complains About the Next One 21:35 The Hidden Strengths Every Generation Brings to the Workplace 29:43 Why Young Professionals Shouldn't Skip the "Small" Jobs 36:34 The Biggest Myths About Gen Z Employees 44:20 How Companies Lose Their Best Young Talent 49:18 The Peter Pan Paradox Explained 53:30 Bridge Leadership vs. Badge Leadership 58:05 The A.L.E.G. Framework for Better Leadership Conversations 1:01:01 Why Leaders Feel Threatened by Younger Employees 1:06:29 The PERKS Framework for Hiring and Retaining Gen Z 1:11:11 Balancing Empathy with Accountability 1:14:40 What Older Leaders Need to Learn from Gen Z 1:19:47 Tim's Advice for Gen Z Professionals 1:22:52 Rapid Fire Questions 1:24:02 The Business Leaders Tim Most Admires 1:26:01 One Leadership Belief Tim Changed His Mind About 1:28:13 Books Every Leader Should Read 1:29:13 A Leadership Quote Every Manager Needs to Hear The discussion also tackles questions… Why do so many managers struggle to lead Gen Z employees? What are the biggest myths about Gen Z in the workplace? Is Gen Z really harder to manage, or do leaders need to change? How can leaders hold younger employees accountable without losing empathy? What does "bridge leadership" mean, and why is it replacing traditional authority? How do you earn trust and influence with younger generations? Why is emotional intelligence more important than technical expertise? How can organizations retain Gen Z employees instead of losing them to entrepreneurship? What leadership lessons did Tim Elmore learn from working alongside John Maxwell? How should managers give difficult feedback to younger employees? Why are younger workers asking for something different than previous generations? How can leaders better communicate across multiple generations? What can older generations learn from Gen Z? What can Gen Z employees do to build trust and credibility early in their careers? How do great leaders balance high expectations with genuine belief in their people? Key takeaways: Leading Gen Z successfully requires leaders to adapt their communication style, not abandon accountability. Emotional intelligence is the foundation of effective leadership. Many of the biggest myths about Gen Z are based on assumptions rather than conversations. The future of leadership depends on moving from authority-based leadership to relationship-based leadership. Great leaders ask questions before offering solutions. High-performing organizations leverage the strengths of every generation instead of allowing generational differences to become workplace conflict. Young professionals build credibility by demonstrating reliability before seeking greater responsibility. The best leaders combine empathy with accountability. Organizations that empower younger employees to contribute meaningful ideas gain a competitive advantage. Leadership is less about having all the answers and more about continually learning, adapting, and developing others. Similar episodes: The Truth About Narcissistic Leaders | Brandon Smith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhJAbXqZRQA&t=1s The Leadership Secrets Behind The 4 Disciplines of Execution | Jim Huling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_oYkReLpQU&t=4095s Why High Performers Stay Stuck (And How to Break Through) | Hilary Porta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTeEcOqZ7lE&t=26s Production Produced by: The AGN Group Host: Angela Gill Nelms Producer: Katie Hart Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass. Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com About The AGN Group: At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com. Social Media Channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/ Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod TikTok: https://ww...

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