In this powerful episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole Bianchi sits down with Melanie Marshall — award-winning speaker, filmmaker, and former BBC journalist who spent two decades reporting from some of the most dangerous places on earth. 

From war zones in Afghanistan to political unrest in Tripoli, Mel learned what it means to lead through chaos, regulate emotions under pressure, and find hope in uncertainty.

Together, Nicole and Mel explore:

• Why emotional regulation and self-awareness is the foundation of strong leadership

• The link between hope, bravery, joy and high-performing teams

• How to balance courage with care in high-stakes moments

Whether you’re managing a crisis, leading a team through change, or simply trying to stay centered amid chaos, this conversation will remind you that bravery isn’t loud — it’s intentional, grounded, and deeply human.

Tune in to discover how you can build the mindset, presence, and emotional resilience that define truly brave leadership.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole Bianchi is joined by Damon Lembi, CEO of Learnit, three-time bestselling author, and host of the Learn It All podcast. With over 2 million learners served, Damon has proven that companies who outlearn, outlast.

Nicole and Damon discuss:

• How to build a culture of learning and bravery in today’s uncertain workplace

• Why middle managers struggle most with brave conversations and how to support them

• What Hall of Fame coaches from his past as an athlete taught him about resilience, and overcoming imposter syndrome

Whether you’re a CEO, people leader, or emerging manager, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you approach tough conversations, talent decisions, and leadership growth.

Learn practical strategies to build confidence, foster alignment, and turn learning into action so your team doesn’t just survive, but thrives.

Authenticity isn’t a buzzword - it’s the brave, human way of leading that today’s workplace craves. In this episode of Small Brave Moves, Nicole Bianchi explores what it really means to lead with authenticity instead of polished perfection and performance.

You’ll learn:

• Why 75% of employees want more authenticity from their leaders

• The hidden costs of drifting away from your true self in leadership

• How authenticity fuels trust, engagement, and team performance

• Practical Small Brave Moves to realign with your values and lead from your truth

Whether it’s admitting a mistake, giving honest feedback, or showing up as the human behind the role, authentic leadership is one of the most generous and impactful gifts you can give your team. 

Tune in to discover how to define your leadership philosophy, build your personal ethos, and model the realness your workplace needs most.

Because the world doesn’t need more perfect leaders. It needs more real ones.

And it starts with you.

Bravery isn’t a personality trait - it’s a skill. And when you develop it, the return on investment is massive. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're discussing the impact of one of the most underestimated skills in leadership - bravery. Not the big, cinematic kind, but the everyday bravery that drives trust, innovation, alignment, and performance.

Safe leadership feels comfortable, but it’s costly. Avoiding tough talks, delaying decisions, or playing small drains trust, slows progress, and fuels disengagement.

I'm unpacking how brave leadership delivers real results by:

• Unlocking faster, clearer decision-making

• Building a culture of accountability and ownership

• Accelerating innovation through psychological safety

• Boosting employee engagement and retention

• Driving team alignment that saves time and increases impact

If you’ve been holding back on making the call, having the conversation, or taking the next step forward, this episode will show you the real cost of staying in your comfort zone and the rewards of leading with courage.

Because bravery isn’t optional in today’s workplace - it’s your competitive edge.

Feedback is one of the most powerful tools a leader has - and one of the hardest to use well. Too often, leaders avoid it, sugarcoat it, or deliver it so vaguely that it never lands. The result? Teams left guessing, disengaged, and missing out on their full potential.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we unpack:

•  Why most leaders struggle to give feedback (and how it holds teams back)

•  The difference between empty praise, harsh critique, and feedback that actually helps people grow

• Three types of brave feedback you can start practicing right away

• Practical scripts and examples you can use in your next conversation

• A weekly challenge to turn feedback into a rhythm, not a rarity

You’ll learn how to give feedback that feels less like confrontation and more like an invitation - one that fuels performance, strengthens trust, and transforms relationships. Because your team doesn’t need you to be flawless. They need you to be honest, kind, and brave.

What if your good intentions as a leader are actually holding your team back?

It happens more often than you think. Many well-meaning leaders unintentionally stall their team’s growth by fixing problems too quickly, jumping in to save the day, or making decisions before their team even has the chance to try. While it feels helpful in the moment, it often creates dependence instead of development. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we uncover:

• The surprising ways over-helping and over-fixing slow your team’s growth

• The hidden costs of over-functioning as a leader

• How to shift from being the hero to being the coach your team really needs

• Five practical coaching skills that spark clarity, accountability, and growth in your team

• Small Brave Moves you can make this week to unlock your team’s potential

Brave leadership isn’t about having all the answers - it’s about creating the conditions for your people to grow into their own. Listen in to learn how to step back, coach more, and stop unintentionally stalling the very growth you want to see.

Real employee engagement starts with how your team feels every day, not just during the annual survey.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I’m sharing five powerful, no-cost ways to boost engagement that any leader can start using right now. These are practical, human-centered actions that build trust, spark motivation, and create a team culture people don’t want to leave.

You’ll learn how to:

1. Clarify team expectations with the How We Work conversation

2. Celebrate micro wins to keep momentum high

3. Make one-on-ones more human (and way more impactful)

4. Trade micromanagement for autonomy and trust

5. Foster growth opportunities even when promotions aren’t available

If you’re ready to create a workplace where people feel seen, valued, and fired up to give their best, this episode is your playbook.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I’m joined by internationally experienced leadership coach and courage catalyst Noomi Melchior Natan for a conversation every leader navigating hard or busy seasons needs to hear.

We explore what it means to thrive, not just survive, during the most demanding chapters of leadership, and how to stay connected to your courage, clarity, and conviction when the pressure is high.

Noomi shares her signature framework—The Four Powers: Leading, Being, Doing, and Staying—and how each one can help you face uncertainty, make bold moves, and preserve your energy in the process.

We discuss:

• Why your identity and inner narrative can either limit or liberate you

• How to stop over-functioning and start protecting your greatest asset—you

• What it looks like to build “staying power” in a world of constant change

• A small brave move you can start today to build sustainable leadership strength

Whether you’re leading through change, burnout, self-doubt, or big decisions, this episode will help you reconnect to what truly fuels your leadership and take small brave steps toward a more powerful and grounded version of yourself.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're talking about one of the most overlooked yet powerful leadership practices - meaningful one-on-one meetings.

Let’s be honest: most one-on-ones are either inconsistent, rushed, or overly focused on status updates. But when done right, they’re your secret weapon for building trust, boosting engagement, and retaining top talent.

I'll teach you:

• Why most one-on-ones fall flat - and how to fix them

• The real reason leaders avoid one-on-ones (hint: it’s not time)

• Powerful questions to ask in your next one-on-one that go beyond the surface

• How to turn feedback into a gift instead of a threat

• Why one-on-ones are not just a “nice to have” but a strategic advantage

If you’ve been known to reschedule these conversations, or are wondering if they even matter, this episode will change the way you think about one-on-ones, and the way your team feels about you.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we’re exploring something that might seem like a luxury—but is actually a leadership necessity: Flow and Ease®.

If you’re a high-achieving leader who’s feeling overwhelmed, overbooked, or stretched thin, this conversation is for you. Because here’s the truth: hustle doesn’t equal impact. And letting go of control doesn’t mean letting go of your standards.

We'll be discussing:

• What Flow and Ease® actually means in the context of brave leadership

• Why micromanagement is often fear in disguise

• The surprising leadership edge of emotional regulation and grounded energy

• Small, brave shifts that create clarity, calm, and powerful ripple effects

• How to stop contributing to the chaos—and start leading from a place of presence

You don’t have to prove your worth through burnout. Your clarity, calm, and boundaries aren’t soft—they’re strategic. And when you lead with flow, your team rises with you. 

If you’re ready to stop gripping so tightly and start leading with more trust, intentionality, and energy—without losing your drive—this one’s for you. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're discussing one of the most relevant challenges in leadership today—how to lead remote and hybrid teams without falling into the trap of micromanagement.

Because let’s be honest: working from anywhere can quickly turn into disconnected everywhere if we’re not intentional.

We explore:

• How to create real connection without constant check-ins

• Why micromanagement is fear in disguise—and how to lead with trust instead

• Three rhythms that build strong remote teams (including the rituals I use with my own remote team)

• The mindset shifts every brave leader needs in the virtual world

• And three Small Brave Moves you can make this week to boost clarity, trust, and team momentum

If you’ve ever felt the urge to hover, over-communicate, or overcorrect in remote settings, this episode will help you step into brave, intentional leadership—no matter where your team is located.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast,  we dive into one of the biggest reasons leaders avoid hard conversations—the fear of emotional reactions. 

Whether it’s tears, silence, deflection, or defensiveness, these responses can make even the most seasoned leaders second-guess themselves. But brave leaders don’t avoid the discomfort—they prepare for it.

We explore:

• The four most common emotional reactions during tough talks

• How to respond with calm, clarity, and compassion

• What to say when someone shuts down, cries, or pushes back

• How to stay centered and protect your energy in emotionally charged moments

If you’ve been holding back from saying what needs to be said because you’re unsure how they’ll respond, this episode gives you the tools, mindset, and language to show up bravely—no matter the emotion in the room.

Learn how to lead through emotion with grace and grit—and turn tough conversations into transformative ones.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast we’re diving into a non-negotiable for building high-performing, innovative teams: psychological safety.

You’ve probably heard the term before, but let’s get one thing straight—it’s not just an HR thing. It’s a leadership thing. In fact, it’s the foundation of every courageous, collaborative, and high-impact team Nicole has ever worked with.

Nicole breaks down exactly what psychological safety is (and what it isn’t), why it’s essential for performance and retention, and how you can start building it today—especially when the pressure is high.

If you want your team to take smart risks, challenge the status quo, and own their mistakes, then they need to trust that it’s safe to speak up. That starts with you. 

Nicole shares personal stories from inside the boardroom, real examples of what happens when safety is missing, and three Small Brave Moves you can implement today to create a space where honesty, creativity, and courageous conversations thrive. 

If you want to build a culture where your team doesn’t just follow—they lead—this is your episode. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we challenge the hustle culture myth that faster is always better—and explore why the bravest leaders are the ones who dare to slow down. 

We explore why brave leaders aren’t the ones burning the candle at both ends—but the ones carving out time to think deeply, act intentionally, and lead with clarity. You’ll learn how constant motion leads to misalignment, burnout, and poor decision-making, while strategic stillness unlocks innovation, presence, and purpose. 

Nicole shares the Small Brave Moves she's made to redesign her own calendar and routines—plus a few hard-earned lessons from burnout recovery. Whether you’re a mid-level leader or C-suite exec, this episode will help you lead with more clarity, energy, and purpose. 

Plus, Nicole shares an exclusive invitation to podcast listeners to attend a transformational leadership experience designed to help executive women reclaim their energy, amplify their light, and elevate their leadership. 

If your calendar is packed but your impact feels stalled, this is your invitation to hit pause—and lead forward with intention. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle a challenge that many powerhouse women in leadership quietly face: the constant tug-of-war between being seen as too much or not enough.

We unpack the double standards women leaders often navigate—where authority can be labeled as “aggressive,” and warmth mistaken for weakness—and offer a new model: one where you don’t have to choose between being respected or relatable.

From clarity without control to real talk and radical humanity, you’ll walk away with five practical mindset and behavior shifts that will help you lead with both power and grace.

Plus, Nicole shares an exclusive invitation to podcast listeners to attend a transformational leadership experience designed to help executive women reclaim their energy, amplify their light, and elevate their leadership. 

If you're tired of the tightrope and ready to rewrite the rules, this episode is your next brave move.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore one of the hardest but most necessary parts of leadership—recovering from failure. Whether it’s a misstep, a missed deadline, or a moment you wish you could take back, failure is inevitable for every leader.

But here’s the truth: what defines your leadership isn’t the mistake—it’s how you respond.

We break down the three types of leadership failures—slips, trips, and falls—and provide a clear, practical roadmap to bounce back with confidence and integrity. You’ll learn how to own your mistakes, rebuild trust, and turn failure into fuel for growth. Plus, I share a recent high-stakes leadership stumble of my own and how I handled it in real-time.

If you’ve ever struggled with guilt after messing up, or worried your credibility took a hit, this episode will give you the mindset and tools to fail forward and come back even stronger.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle the hidden leadership habit that’s sabotaging your confidence and credibility—negative self-talk.

Whether it’s those quiet, critical thoughts or the self-deprecating jokes you make to be relatable, the way you speak about yourself matters. It shapes how others see you and how you show up as a leader.

From real-life stories to powerful mindset shifts, we’ll explore how negative self-talk chips away at your leadership and how to replace it with 3 Small Brave Moves that build self-assurance. You’ll learn how to reframe limiting language, catch yourself in the moment, and create a leadership presence that is grounded in confidence and clarity.

If you’re ready to stop undermining yourself and start owning your voice, this one’s for you. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're stepping into a different kind of brave leadership—the leadership of your health. I'm joined by Julie Griffin, executive health coach, certified functional medicine health coach, and former corporate HR leader with over 30 years of experience. 

Julie brings a powerful blend of executive-level insight and deep knowledge of functional medicine and lifestyle behavior change to help high-achieving executive women prioritize their well-being.

If you're a leader who puts everyone else first, this episode will challenge you to rethink that—and give you practical, brave ways to reclaim your energy and your leadership from the inside out.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore what it really takes to detoxify a workplace and lead with courage and grace.

I'm joined by Alan Utley, keynote speaker, certified leadership coach, and the HR pro behind the concept of fanatical grace. With 25 years of experience in senior HR roles, Alan shares powerful stories about the small brave moves that helped him shift from perfectionism to authenticity—and from conflict to connection.

We dive into how grace isn't about weakness, but about creating space for imperfection, leading with humanity, and building cultures where people can thrive.

Learn how to navigate tough conversations, choose relationships over being right, and lead with more flow, forgiveness, and bold compassion. If you're ready to make your workplace healthier and your leadership braver, this one's for you.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the concept of butterfly moments—those seemingly small but powerful shifts in thought or behavior that spark meaningful transformation in your leadership journey. 

From quiet realizations to courageous decisions, these moments often arrive during times of discomfort, clarity, or reflection. Learn how to recognize, embrace, and create more of these transformative turning points in your leadership. 

Nicole shares real-life examples and strategies for using butterfly moments to build momentum, inspire your team, and course-correct your leadership path. Tune in and discover how to harness the subtle but mighty shifts that elevate how you lead—one Small Brave Move at a time.