Episodes

  • When Confidence Compounds with Nicole Fleischmann

    When Confidence Compounds with Nicole Fleischmann
    Feb 11 2026
    PERFECTION IS NOT THE PRICE OF TRANSFORMATION. In this episode of 15 Minutes With, I’m sitting down with my friend, my colleague, and returning guest to the show… Nicole F. — and whew… this one is for the women (and leaders) doing 17 tabs of life at once. We are unpacking concepts people hint at on LinkedIn… but rarely say out loud: ✅ Why perfectionism is a leadership trap (especially for “oldest daughter energy” folks) ✅ Why failing faster isn’t messy... it’s modern ✅ What it takes to use your voice in rooms you once shrank inside ✅ Why you don’t “arrive”… you earn it... and sometimes it’s costly This episode will be a roadmap for the modern working parent + leader + creator: “My career life and my creator life used to be separate… and then I realized: how can they be different?” Because the truth is… Your leadership doesn’t clock out. Your life doesn’t compartmentalize. And transformation doesn’t (always) wait for you to feel ready. 🎙️ If you’ve ever: • felt pressure to be perfect • hesitated to speak up • wondered if AI is replacing you • tried to balance career + family + ambition • been questions because you “just arrived” …this episode is your reminder: You didn’t arrive. You BUILT this. With will. With grace. With community. And yes… sometimes with exhaustion and a laugh in the middle of it. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts & motivation. And tag a leader who needs to hear this. #15MinutesWith #Workday #WomenInLeadership #FutureOfWork #AI #Transformation #Leadership #WorkingMoms #CreatorEconomy #ConsultingLife
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    26 mins
  • Authenticity Scales & Sales with Nick Matthews

    Authenticity Scales & Sales with Nick Matthews
    Feb 4 2026
    Authenticity is the engine that scales & sales.. Nick’s story is a masterclass in this idea. He didn’t become effective by becoming louder, more aggressive, or more “sales-like.” He became powerful by becoming more himself. His journey shows that transformation doesn’t happen when you perform — it happens when you align. Nick transforms organizations not by pushing products, but by: • translating complexity into clarity • replacing outdated systems with human-centered progress • making enterprise change feel safe, achievable, and real Nick isn’t selling software. He’s restoring time, dignity, and focus to healthcare organizations that serve people at their most vulnerable. Which leads to his deeper philosophy: You don’t need to become someone else to become extraordinary. You just need to become fully yourself.
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    21 mins
  • Secure Your Own Mask First with Nakisha Hicks

    Secure Your Own Mask First with Nakisha Hicks
    Jan 28 2026
    Most organizations don’t fail because of bad strategy. They fall apart because nobody is telling the truth in the room. In this powerful season-opening episode of 15 Minutes With, Lee Cage Jr. sits down with Nakisha Hicks — former VP of HR, executive coach, leadership strategist, and founder of The ElevateHer. This is a masterclass in regulated leadership, mentorship, faith, authorship, and impact. Nakisha unpacks: Why “walking heavy” matters more than chasing numbers How regulated leaders reframe chaos instead of reacting to it Why you must secure your own oxygen mask first The cost of wisdom, experience, and earned perspective — “the oil cost me” How to lead without ego, noise, or corporate theater Why asking for what you need is a leadership superpower, especially for women How faith, people, rest, and reflection anchor real leaders From mentorship for young girls, to building leadership frameworks that actually scale, this episode is honest, funny, deep, and unforgettable. This conversation will challenge how you define: success, leadership, ambition, impact, and influence. Listen. Reflect. Walk heavy.
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    24 mins
  • Redefining Balance: Mastering Leadership, Life, and Transformation with Gloria Temba

    Redefining Balance: Mastering Leadership, Life, and Transformation with Gloria Temba
    Oct 15 2025
    In this powerful and deeply human episode of 15 Minutes With, Lee Cage Jr. sits down with Gloria Temba—a Tanzanian-born healthcare IT project and program manager, doctoral student, entrepreneur, and mother of two—whose story embodies resilience, discipline, and faith-driven transformation. Gloria opens up about what it truly takes to balance motherhood, leadership, and ambition while staying grounded in purpose. From launching her consulting firm, Bama Technology, to homeschooling her son, Gloria reveals the strategies behind her time management, mental health advocacy, and the power of rest. The conversation dives into cultural expectations, confidence, therapy, and the beauty of unlearning and relearning as both a parent and professional. Lee and Gloria share laughs, hard truths, and moments of reflection on identity, friendship, and legacy—proving that leadership starts with knowing who you are and honoring your growth. This episode is an inspiring reminder that success isn’t just about titles—it’s about alignment, courage, and taking time to sit quietly with yourself.
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    23 mins
  • Don’t Walk on the Grass: No Shortcuts Allowed with Wayne Martindale

    Don’t Walk on the Grass: No Shortcuts Allowed with Wayne Martindale
    Oct 8 2025
    This encore with Wayne Martindale is absolutely fantastic... We dive into Emory’s MBV program, which, by the way, is elite—top-tier academics, zero handouts. Wayne breaks down why he chose Emory: real camaraderie, serious rigor, and leadership that actually delivers. We talk project management, translating military excellence into corporate wins, and the truth nobody admits: recruiters often miss the massive leadership veterans bring. Big accountability, 24/7 ownership—no excuses. You’ll hear about the 101st Airborne bond, the Emory network, and a simple rule everyone should follow: everyone comes through the door...you earn it. Tremendous insights, real talk, and huge respect to Major General Matt Smith, Lorenzo Suarez, and the whole MBV crew (Shenita—total backbone). If you want results, this is the playbook.
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    16 mins
  • From Service to Strategy: Purpose, Growth, and Grit with Wayne Martindale

    From Service to Strategy: Purpose, Growth, and Grit with Wayne Martindale
    Oct 8 2025
    This is Wayne Martindale. A leader of teams. A healthcare technologist. A keeper of hope. An American Hero. This is a phenomenal conversation...truly one of the best. Wayne Martindale is a winner, folks. Ten-plus years serving America, elite training, Vanderbilt, Emory—top-tier credentials. He takes the discipline and grit from the Army and brings it straight into healthcare and technology. Massive transition. Not easy. But he makes it look easy...because that’s what leaders do. We talk about building unstoppable teams, staying calm under pressure (COVID parking-lot triage—unbelievable), and the simple rule that wins every time: control what you can control. Wayne shows how veterans create value on day one—execution, loyalty, results. We even have fun—rapid fire, music takes, and the great debate: bone-in wings (the correct answer). If you want a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and real leadership, this episode is absolutely tremendous. Believe me...you’re going to love it. This is Wayne Martindale. A leader of teams. A healthcare technologist. A keeper of hope. An American Hero.
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    25 mins
  • The Human Side of Leadership & Culture with Daniel Clarke

    The Human Side of Leadership & Culture with Daniel Clarke
    Oct 1 2025
    This is Daniel Clarke. A leader of people. A builder of futures. A keeper of legacy. Some people lead teams. Others… they lead generations.Daniel Clarke is one of those rare leaders whose journey reminds us that people are the heartbeat of every organization. From his early days as a teller to becoming an Executive Director shaping global talent strategies, Daniel has lived the full arc of leadership. Seventeen years in one of the world’s largest financial institutions, and instead of just chasing numbers, he chose to chase potential. He has guided programs that didn’t just recruit talent, but nurtured it into tomorrow’s leaders. And today, as the Global Head of Emerging Talent, Daniel stands at the crossroads of business and humanity...reminding us all that if we don’t understand people, we’ll never understand results. His story is one of resilience, growth, and a relentless belief in the human spirit. This is Daniel Clarke. A leader of people. A builder of futures. A keeper of legacy.
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    17 mins
  • Finance, Projects, and Purpose with Victorious Ndidi Eche

    Finance, Projects, and Purpose with Victorious Ndidi Eche
    Sep 24 2025
    “You’re not broken. You’re still becoming.” Victorious Ndidi Eche has been on a mission—lifting others, shaping systems, and declaring with every step that resilience is louder than doubt. In this episode of 15 Minutes With, we dive into her journey: navigating childhood challenges, breaking barriers in finance and project management, and stepping boldly into her vision of becoming a global world leader. Along the way, we laugh about Afrobeats, Burna Boy concerts, and the surprising truth about being an introvert who lights up every room. Victorious doesn’t just manage projects—she inspires movements. And her message will leave you remembering her words long after the episode ends: 👉 “You’re not broken. You’re still becoming.”
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    20 mins