The Sticky From The Inside Podcast

• Collective Wisdom: Scaling Human Stories Without Losing Humanity

  In a world where AI can write, speak and even imagine on our behalf, what does it really mean to understand human stories? In this episode, Andy Goram is joined by James Warren, founder and CEO of Share More Stories and the team behind SEEQ, a platform that helps organisations read, interpret and quantify the emotional depth inside customer and employee experiences. James argues that stories aren’t just communication, they’re how we form relationships, build community and create meaning. They’re emotional code. And if leaders can learn to listen properly, stories reveal the truth people often can’t or won’t put in a survey. Together, Andy and James explore how AI can help leaders understand thousands of stories at scale without replacing or sanitising the human heart behind them. They get into the nuance of emotional data, connection, belonging, trust and the danger of letting machines fabricate “ideal employees” through synthetic responses. It’s a conversation about preserving humanity in an increasingly machine-shaped world and why the future belongs to leaders who combine technology with vulnerability, deep listening and genuine openness to the stories their people share. ----more---- Key Takeaways Stories reveal emotional truth leaders can’t get from surveys. Stories contain emotional “code” that shows what people value, fear and hope for. Connection creates a shared “we”, the foundation of real change. Without connection, organisational change becomes something leaders do to people, not with them. AI can scale human understanding, but it must not replace humans. SEEQ helps reveal emotion in stories at scale, but synthetic data crosses an ethical line. Human nuance matters more than ever in an AI-shaped future. Imperfection, emotion and authenticity are trust signals machines can’t replicate. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:26 – Stories in a machine-shaped world 0:03:39 – Meet James Warren 0:05:16 – Why stories explain the “why” behind experiences 0:06:06 – Storytelling as human survival & connection 0:08:14 – Humanity, belonging and collective wisdom 0:11:59 – Navigating change with empathy and clarity 0:18:24 – Connection and the power of “We” 0:19:49 – SEEQ and quantifying emotional data 0:32:59 – The meaning layer: why emotion matters 0:34:24 – Imperfection, realism and trust 0:41:52 – AI, nuance and future guardrails 0:44:15 – Synthetic data and ethical boundaries 0:46:42 – James’s 3 Sticky Notes of advice ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow James Warren on LinkedIn here Find the Share More Stories website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

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• The Sukha Effect: Finding Flow, Focus And Purpose In Work & Life

  When you’ve lived through Hollywood blockbusters and Silicon Valley start-ups, you collect a few lessons about focus, fear and meaning. In this episode, Andy Goram talks with Steven Puri, founder of The Sukha Company, about the link between creativity, purpose and deep work. Steven’s career has spanned DreamWorks, Fox and tech ventures — but today his focus is on something subtler: helping people find ease and meaning in what they do. This conversation isn’t about hacks or hustle. It’s about what really drives us — why we work, how fear holds us back, and how we can find the calm, creative flow that comes when purpose and focus align. Warm, honest and deeply human, it’s an episode about living — and working — with Sukha. ----more---- Key Takeaways Purpose gives depth to performance. Before chasing productivity, ask why you want to perform. Meaning drives mastery. Leadership is about drawing out greatness. Managers track tasks; leaders help people shine. Fear blocks flow. Psychological safety frees creativity and purpose. Sukha means alignment, not effort. Ease and joy appear when you’re doing the work you’re meant to do. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:17 – Purpose, Fear and Flow: An Unplanned Conversation 0:05:01 – The Story Behind The Sukha Company 0:08:25 – The Customer Who Defined Sukha 0:14:45 – Leadership and Drawing Out Greatness 0:17:48 – Fear, Failure and the Role of Psychological Safety 0:21:09 – Lessons from Spielberg: The Best Idea Wins 0:25:01 – Meaning, Emotion and Purposeful Work 0:33:12 – Living with Intention, Flow and Focus 0:44:55 – Steven’s Three Sticky Notes of Advice ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Steven Puri on LinkedIn here Find the Sukah Company website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

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• Holistic Purpose-Driven Leadership: Building Presence, People & Heart

  From a bamboo house in rural Indonesia to the boardrooms of Asia, Dona Amelia’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Now an international keynote speaker, Harvard-trained leadership specialist, and co-founder of EGN Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, she brings a rare blend of performance, psychology, and purpose to the way she helps leaders grow. In this episode, Dona joins Andy Goram to explore holistic purpose-driven leadership — a style that balances high performance with humanity. She shares how her early life shaped her belief in service, generosity, and resilience, and how those lessons now inform her work helping senior leaders stay authentic, grounded, and connected — even in high-pressure, high-stakes environments. Dona also explains her own DONA Framework, which blends Purpose, Presence, People, and Performance, and the role of vulnerability in transforming leadership cultures from the inside out. It’s an inspiring reminder that great leadership isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about who you are while achieving it. ----more---- Key Takeaways Leadership starts with purpose. Dona’s journey shows that clarity of purpose gives strength and direction in every challenge. Serve before you lead. True leadership is about helping others succeed — not just performing well yourself. Vulnerability is strength. Being open about struggle builds trust and invites authenticity in others. Presence and people go hand in hand. Balancing focus on performance with genuine care for people creates lasting success. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:10 – From Bamboo House to Boardroom: Meet Dona Amelia 0:03:37 – Early Lessons in Purpose, Resilience and Service 0:10:27 – What Childhood Taught Her About Giving and Gratitude 0:15:07 – The Entertainment Years: Learning Performance and Presence 0:22:30 – Pivoting from Stage to Leadership Coaching 0:34:29 – The D.O.N.A. Framework (Dreams, Opportunity, Never give up, Action). 0:37:31 – “4P+E” (Pray/centre, Prepare, Practice, Perform + Evaluate) & “action 200%”. 0:40:02 – What holistic leadership looks like in practice 0:46:09 – Balancing people care and KPIs: why performance follows wellbeing. 0:47:42 – Dona’s 3 Sticky Notes of Advice ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Dona Amelia on LinkedIn here Follow Dona Amelia on Instagram here Follow Dona Amelia on Facebook here here Find the EGN website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

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• The Fisher Change Curve: Navigating The Emotional Side Of Change

  Change is rarely just a rational process — it’s an emotional journey. In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, I’m joined by John Fisher, business psychologist, constructivist thinker, and creator of the Fisher Change Curve. His model goes beyond the Kubler-Ross grief curve to capture the messy, shifting emotions people actually experience during change, from anxiety and fear, to guilt, confusion, and eventual acceptance. We explore why organisations so often mishandle change, the crucial difference between self-initiated and imposed change, and the role of emotional triggers like SCARF. John also shares practical ways leaders can support their teams and themselves through uncertainty, plus his three Sticky Notes of advice for navigating change with confidence and compassion. ----more---- Key Takeaways Change is emotional, not just rational. People experience fear, guilt, and confusion — not just a neat process plan. Kubler-Ross isn’t enough. Grief stages don’t capture the nuance of organisational or self-initiated change. Small wins create momentum. Celebrating quick wins helps rebuild confidence and reduces resistance. Leaders must engage with honesty. Open conversations, empathy, and clarity move teams from compliance to commitment. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:10 – Why change is never just a process problem 0:05:57 – Meet John Fisher: from radar systems to psychology 0:08:22 – Why the emotional side of change matters 0:11:35 – Constructivism and interpretation in change 0:14:22 – Do we treat change differently at work than in life? 0:17:05 – Self-initiated vs imposed change: why control matters 0:21:09 – Why Kubler-Ross isn’t enough for organisational change 0:24:03 – Introducing the Fisher Change Curve 0:27:58 – Stages of the curve: from anxiety to acceptance 0:34:53 – Quick wins, small steps, and sustainable change 0:36:39 – SCARF triggers and why leaders misjudge readiness 0:41:36 – Practical advice: honesty, engagement, and WIIFM 0:45:28 – John’s three Sticky Notes of advice ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow John Fisher on LinkedIn here Find the C2D website here   ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

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• Having Tough Conversations: What Leaders Can Learn From the Locker Room

  Imagine walking into a locker room just moments after a crushing defeat. Players are angry, deflated, maybe even in tears — and then a sideline reporter steps up and asks the question nobody wants to hear. That’s where Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster and communications coach Jen Mueller thrives. With 25 years in Sports Journalism, covering high profile sports teams such as the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners, and as founder of Talk Sporty to Me, Jen has mastered the art of having tough conversations under pressure. In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Jen reveals what leaders can learn from the sports world about facing into tough conversations with clarity, honesty, and respect. From avoiding false praise to creating psychological safety, she shares practical tools to help managers and teams tackle difficult moments without damaging trust. ----more---- Key Takeaways Avoidance erodes trust. Not having tough conversations leaves people guessing — and usually assuming the worst. Be honest with praise. Empty compliments damage credibility; accurate feedback builds respect. Clarity reduces fear. Preparation and specific goals make difficult conversations easier and more effective. Respect the person. Tough moments handled with care can strengthen relationships, not break them. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:10 – Why tough conversations matter more than ever in leadership 0:02:43 – Meet Jen Mueller: Emmy-winning sports journalist and communications coach 0:05:19 – From the side lines to the office: lessons from 25 years in sport 0:09:27 – Why leaders avoid tough conversations (and the cost of silence) 0:15:04 – The danger of false praise and how it kills credibility 0:21:14 – “If you’re not willing to have that conversation, you lose trust” 0:26:41 – Clarity, preparation, and why leaders shouldn’t “wing it” 0:32:38 – Respect, emotions, and reading the room under pressure 0:38:16 – Turning tough conversations into relationship-building moments 0:43:55 – Jen’s three Sticky Notes of advice ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Jen Mueller on LinkedIn here Follow Jen Mueller on Instagram here Follow Jen Mueller on X here here Find the "Talk Sporty To Me" website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

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