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The Podcast For Leaders Who Are Done Playing It Safe

Small Brave Moves with Nicole Bianchi

Short episodes. Honest conversations. Practical tools for the leader who wants to keep getting braver without burning out in the process.

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Podcast

Brave Leadership Can Backfire: Here’s Why You Should Practice It Anyway

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast keynote speaker and leadership expert Nicole Bianchi gets honest about a brave move she made that didn’t go the way she hoped even when she thought she did everything right. And it cost her something real. Not because it was the wrong move. Because bravery was never a guarantee of a good outcome. It’s a discipline. And disciplines don’t promise results. They promise practice.

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August 26, 2026
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Podcast

What Quiet Quitting Looks Like in Senior Leaders

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi gets to the heart of why senior leaders sit on their most important asks for months — sometimes years — and why the problem is almost never about finding the right words. It’s about confronting the internal voice that has been quietly convincing you that you haven’t earned it yet, that a no would mean something about you, or that a yes would mean you actually have to become the person you’ve been rehearsing to be.

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August 16, 2026
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You’ve Earned It, Now Ask For It: The Ask Every Leader Has Been Avoiding

There is an ask sitting in your head right now that belongs in a room. You know exactly what it is. The only question is how much longer you’re going to let the rehearsal replace the conversation.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi gets to the heart of why senior leaders sit on their most important asks for months — sometimes years — and why the problem is almost never about finding the right words. It’s about confronting the internal voice that has been quietly convincing you that you haven’t earned it yet, that a no would mean something about you, or that a yes would mean you actually have to become the person you’ve been rehearsing to be.

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August 12, 2026
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Podcast

Nice vs. Kind: The Leadership Distinction That Changes Everything

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi draws a line that most leaders have never been taught to see: the difference between being nice and being kind.

Nice is a performance. Kind is a stance. And the two feel similar enough from the inside that most leaders spend years — sometimes entire careers — confusing one for the other.

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August 5, 2026

Most Recent Episodes

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Brave Leadership Can Backfire: Here’s Why You Should Practice It Anyway

August 26, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast keynote speaker and leadership expert Nicole Bianchi gets honest about a brave move she made that didn't go the way she hoped even when she thought she did everything right. And
Read More
Nicole Bianch podcast host

What Quiet Quitting Looks Like in Senior Leaders

August 16, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi gets to the heart of why senior leaders sit on their most important asks for months — sometimes years — and why the problem is almost never about finding
Read More
127

You’ve Earned It, Now Ask For It: The Ask Every Leader Has Been Avoiding

August 12, 2026
There is an ask sitting in your head right now that belongs in a room. You know exactly what it is. The only question is how much longer you're going to let the rehearsal replace the conversation. In this episode
Read More
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Nice vs. Kind: The Leadership Distinction That Changes Everything

August 5, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi draws a line that most leaders have never been taught to see: the difference between being nice and being kind. Nice is a performance. Kind is a stance. And
Read More
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Own Your Authority as a Leader Without Losing Your Humanity with Christina Pilarski

July 29, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi sits down with Christina Pilarski — CEO and co-founder of CIPR Communications — for a conversation about the control that quietly becomes the ceiling in every high-achieving leader's career.
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What It Really Means to Leave a Leadership Legacy After 30 Years as CHRO with Denice Biocca

July 22, 2026
Most leaders spend their careers building something. Few stop to ask what they're actually leaving behind. In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi sits down with Denice Biocca — former CHRO of GE Vernova .
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The Inner Leadership Work Even a CEO Title Can’t Prepare You For with Patricia Kearns

July 15, 2026
She spent 24 years building one of the country's most respected rehabilitation organizations, earned the CEO title, then walked away from it — only to discover that the hardest leadership work of her career had nothing to do with running
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Why Rescuing Your Team Is Not the Same as Leading Them with Amy Birkel

July 8, 2026
She built a career caring for others — and somewhere along the way forgot to care for herself. For Amy Birkel, COO of Heritage Communities, rescuing her team wasn't just a habit. It was an identity. Learning the difference between
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What to do When the Bottleneck to Your Team’s Growth is You with Cara Skowronski

July 1, 2026
What if the bottleneck isn't your people, your process, or your plan? You've built a great team. You've got the strategy. And somehow, things still aren't moving the way they should. In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast,
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Why Every Leader Needs an Operating System That Makes Hard Decisions For Them

June 24, 2026
You're leading. You're delivering. And somewhere underneath all of it, you know something is off — not with your team, not with your strategy, but with how you're operating as a leader. In this episode of the Small Brave Moves
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How to Build a Leadership Culture That Sticks, Scales, and Actually Changes Things

June 17, 2026
Most leaders say they want a better culture. Almost none of them actually build one. Not because they don't care — but because they're waiting for someone else to install the system. Forbes-featured leadership expert and keynote speaker.
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5 Signs Your Team is Out of Alignment: A Mid-Year Reset Guide for Leaders

June 10, 2026
It's June. The vision you sold your team in January is dead. Nobody has said it out loud — including you. And that silence is exactly where team alignment goes to die. In this episode of the Small Brave Moves
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Why the Hardest Person You Will Ever Lead is Yourself

June 3, 2026
The hardest person you will ever lead isn't the underperformer, the difficult peer, or the boss who keeps moving the goalposts. It's you. And most leaders never see it coming. In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast.
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The Accountability Conversation Leaders Are Avoiding

May 27, 2026
That conversation you've been moving from this week to next for the past 30 days? That's the one. Your avoidance isn't protecting anyone — it's costing everyone. In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, leadership expert.
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Braving the Future of Work: How to Future-Proof Your Leadership

May 20, 2026
The future belongs to organizations with brave leaders. The research is already telling you what you probably feel: most of the workforce is anxious, most leaders aren't ready, and the gap between where organizations are and where they need to
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 Step Into Your Worth, Trust Your Vision, and Lead Others Along the Way with Maggie Seng Sadowsky

May 13, 2026
What happens when you stop settling for what’s offered and start asking for what you’re truly worth? In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast Nicole Bianchi sits down with Maggie Seng Sadowsky—food scientist, CPG innovator, and founder of
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The Courage to Raise Your Hand in High-Stakes Rooms with Olivia Lynch

May 6, 2026
There's a moment most leaders know well — heart pounding, voice shaking, surrounded by people with bigger titles — where you have to decide whether to raise your hand or stay quiet. Olivia Lynch raised hers. In a room of
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Call Them Up, Not Out: How to Handle a Pattern of Negative Behavior on Your Team

April 29, 2026
There's a person on your team whose behavior has become a pattern — the one everyone talks about, but no one addresses. You know exactly who it is, don't you? Nicole Bianchi names what's actually happening when leaders keep delaying
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How Brave Leadership Bridges the Gap to AI Adoption

April 22, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi makes a bold claim that cuts through the noise of every AI conversation happening in boardrooms right now: AI adoption problem isn't a technology problem. It's a leadership problem.
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How to Use Fear as a Leadership Compass, Not a Stop Sign

April 15, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi makes a confession most leadership experts won't: she still feels fear. And she's here to tell you that's not a problem — it's the point.
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5 Brave Leadership Moves to Repair a Broken Workplace Culture

April 8, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi delivers a direct, no-excuses framework to begin repairing broken workplace culture without a budget, without a title, and without waiting for permission.
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How to Make Tough Leadership Conversations Easier

April 1, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, keynote speaker, executive coach, and leadership expert Nicole Bianchi explores one of the most overlooked drivers of leadership effectiveness: brave communication.
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The Cycle of Resistance: How Leaders Sabotage Performance Without Realizing It

March 25, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, keynote speaker and leadership expert Nicole Bianchi gives her take on a powerful but often overlooked leadership challenge: internal resistance.
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Bravery Is a Business Strategy: How Courage Transforms Teams and Drives Profitability

March 18, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, leadership expert, keynote speaker, and executive coach Nicole Bianchi reveals a truth many organizations overlook: most performance problems aren’t operational—they’re courage problems in disguise.
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Executive Presence in Today’s Workplace: How to be a Commanding Yet Compassionate Leader

March 11, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, leadership expert Nicole Bianchi unpacks one of the most misunderstood leadership qualities: executive presence. Often associated with charisma, confidence, or commanding authority, executive presence is far more nuanced.
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The 5 Minute Daily Habit That Transforms Leadership Teams in 90 Days

March 4, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, leadership expert Nicole Bianchi explores why leadership avoidance quietly erodes authority, culture, and performance, and how disciplined micro-courage — just five intentional minutes a day — can radically transform how leaders
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Train Your Brain to Be Braver: The Science-Backed Way to Be a More Confident Leader

February 25, 2026
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi explores the neuroscience of brave leadership and reveals why courage is not a personality trait — but a trainable skill rooted in brain science.
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Why High-Performing Leaders Overfunction and How to Shift Before It Becomes Burnout

February 18, 2026
In this powerful episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, executive leadership coach and bestselling author Nicole Bianchi addresses a silent epidemic among high-performing leaders: overfunctioning.
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Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Preventing Burnout, and Leading Authentically with Melissa Hurrington

November 26, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi is joined by Melissa Hurrington—CFO & VP of Operations at Premier Claims, LinkedIn Top Voice, keynote speaker, and advocate for women in leadership.
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Why Being a People-First, Purpose Driven, Mission Focused Leader Requires Bravery with Nash Mahupete

November 12, 2025
In this episode of Small Brave Moves, Nicole Bianchi sits down with Nash Mahupete, President & CEO of QLI, a nationally renowned leader in brain injury and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Nash shares his 25-year journey from CNA to CEO.
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Leading Through a War Zone: Uncertainty, Hope, and Conquering Yourself with Melanie Marshall

October 29, 2025
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.
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Build a Team Culture That Embraces Learning and Bravery with Damon Lembi

October 15, 2025
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
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Why Authentic Leadership Matters More Than Ever

September 17, 2025
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.
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The ROI of Brave Leadership

September 10, 2025
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
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How Brave Leaders Give Feedback Without Fear or Fluff

September 3, 2025
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
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The Power of One: How Every Leader Can Individually Contribute to Team Culture & Success

August 27, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore one of the most overlooked truths about leadership and culture: you don’t need a title to make an impact. When uncertainty is swirling - reorgs, layoffs, AI disruption, hybrid
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Stop Fixing, Start Coaching: How Leaders Hold Their Teams Back Without Knowing It

August 20, 2025
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.
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5 Ways to Boost Team Engagement Starting Today

August 13, 2025
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
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Thriving Through the Hard Times in Leadership with Noomi Melchior Natan

August 6, 2025
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.
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Why Is It So Hard for High Performing Leaders to Ask For Help?

July 30, 2025
There’s a silent struggle happening behind the scenes of so many high-achieving leaders: they’re carrying too much, but feel like they can’t ask for help. In this episode of Small Brave Moves, we name the fear, break the stigma, and
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Are You Having Enough One on One Meetings with Your Team Members?

July 23, 2025
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.
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How to Lead with Flow and Ease

July 16, 2025
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
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How to Lead Remote Teams Without Micromanaging

July 9, 2025
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.
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How to Navigate Tough Talks in Leadership No Matter How The Other Person Reacts

July 2, 2025
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.
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Why Brave Leadership Requires Psychological Safety

June 25, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast we’re diving into a non-negotiable for building high-performing, innovative teams: psychological safety.
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Slow Down to Speed Up: Why Strategic Pauses Make You a Better Leader

June 18, 2025
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.
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Leading with Both Strength and Warmth: You Don’t Have to Choose

June 11, 2025
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.
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How Brave Leaders Bounce Back from Failure

June 4, 2025
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
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How Negative Self Talk is Sabotaging Your Credibility as a Leader

May 28, 2025
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.
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Executive Health Lessons Every Leader Needs with Julie Griffin

May 21, 2025
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
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Alan Utley on Fanatical Grace: The Leadership Shift That Detoxifies Workplaces

May 14, 2025
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
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Butterfly Moments: The Power of Micro-Transformation in How You Lead

May 7, 2025
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.
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Why Great Leaders Embrace Conflict, Not Avoid It

April 30, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle one of the most misunderstood elements of leadership: conflict. While most leaders shy away from it, the truth is that conflict—when handled well—can be a powerful catalyst for trust,
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How to Work with Toxic People: What Brave Leaders Do Differently

April 23, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into one of the most challenging aspects of leadership—working with toxic people. Whether it's a difficult colleague, boss, or client, toxic behaviors can chip away at your energy, confidence,
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Leading Through AI Disruption with Trent Gillespie

April 16, 2025
Are you leading your team through disruption—or waiting to be disrupted? In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore what it really takes to lead through disruption and embrace innovation, especially in the age of AI.
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Why Every Leader Needs a Clear Leadership Philosophy (and How to Write Yours)

April 9, 2025
If I stopped you in the hallway and asked, ‘What’s your leadership philosophy?’—would you have an answer? In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore why having a personal leadership philosophy is one of the most important
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The Secret to Sustainable Leadership: How to Set Boundaries at Work as an Executive Leader

April 2, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we unpack one of the most underrated leadership tools: boundaries. Setting them isn’t selfish—it’s a bold act of self-respect, clarity, and effectiveness.
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How to Turn Setbacks Into Comebacks: The Power of Positive Self-Talk with Cam F. Awesome

March 26, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the transformative power of mindset, resilience, and reframing failure. I’m joined by the unforgettable Cam F. Awesome—12-time national boxing champion, former captain of Team USA, and now a dynamic
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Embracing Uncertainty: How Brave Leaders Navigate the Unknown

March 19, 2025
Uncertainty is inevitable—but how you handle it defines your leadership. In this episode of Small Brave Moves, we explore the power of embracing uncertainty in leadership and life. From navigating unexpected challenges to making bold decisions when the path ahead
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Hope-Driven Leadership: How to Inspire Resilience and Navigate Challenges

March 12, 2025
Brave leaders don’t just imagine a better world—they take action to create it. In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore what it truly means to be a hope-driven leader. Leadership isn’t just about strategies and decisions—it’s
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Leading Through the Darkness: Mental Health, Nature, & Lessons From a 2,000 Mile Hike with Jesse Cody

March 5, 2025
Leadership isn’t just about guiding others—it’s about navigating your own journey with bravery, resilience, and purpose. In this episode of Small Brave Moves, I sit down with Jesse Cody, founder of Hike the Good Hike, to explore the leadership lessons
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How Toxic Workplaces Led 2 HR Executives to Become Leadership + Culture Coaches with Lindsay White

February 26, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I sit down with Lindsay White, a leadership coach, people strategy expert, and founder of High Voltage Leadership. With 15+ years in corporate HR, Lindsay and I share a common story—navigating
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Active Listening Is Your Leadership Superpower with Heather Younger

February 19, 2025
Most leaders think they’re great listeners—until they realize they’re missing the most critical step. In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I am joined by leadership expert Heather Younger to break down the 5-step framework.
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How Curiosity Drives Innovation and Growth in Leadership

February 12, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into the transformative power of relentless curiosity in leadership. Whether you’re navigating high-stakes negotiations, leading through uncertainty, or striving to build a more innovative team, curiosity is the secret
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How to Fire Someone with Compassion and Integrity Featuring Mark Hunter The Sales Hunter

February 5, 2025
What happens when you have to make one of the toughest leadership decisions—letting someone go? In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole Bianchi sits down with sales and leadership expert Mark Hunter.
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The Power of Intentional Leadership: How to Stop Running on Autopilot and Take Control of Your Growth

January 29, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the critical role of intentionality in leadership and life. Too often, leaders find themselves operating on autopilot—reacting to challenges instead of proactively shaping their path
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How Being There for Others Makes You a Better Leader

January 22, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the transformative power of being there for others and how it can elevate your leadership to new heights. Through heartfelt stories, including a military leader who changed the course
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Leaning on Your Circle: The Power of Swim Buddies in Leadership and Life

January 15, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the transformative power of leaning on your circle as a leader. Brave leadership isn’t a solo act—it thrives in connection, trust, and collaboration. Through personal stories.
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The Art of Failure: How High Performing Leaders Turn Failure into Growth and Success

January 8, 2025
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into the art of failing, and how high performing leaders turn their slips, trips and falls into growth and success. Failure isn’t just a setback—it’s a critical part of
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Conquer Yourself, Not Others in 2025

January 1, 2025
In this short but inspiring New Year themed episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole kicks off 2025 with a powerful focus: Conquer Yourself, Not Others. Nicole dives into the essential mindset shifts needed to lead with more flow
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Alignment is the Greatest Gift of All – Happy Holidays

December 25, 2024
In this special holiday episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the profound power of alignment—both in leadership and in life. Whether it's aligning your team around shared goals or creating harmony in your personal relationships.
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Phillip James on Leading with Integrity, Straight Talk, and the Power of ‘How We Work’

December 18, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we sit down with Phillip James, Vice President of WEG Transformers USA, who leads nearly 600 employees across three manufacturing sites. Phillip shares how his decades-long career in manufacturing has been
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Why Leaders Need to Protect Their Energy During Tough Talks

December 11, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole dives into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of leadership: protecting your energy. Tough conversations can be draining, but preparing your body, mind, spirit, and emotions ensures.
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How to Prepare for Tough Talks in Leadership

December 4, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole breaks down the process of preparing for tough conversations in leadership. From crafting a clear plan to managing emotions during the talk, she shares a proven three-phase framework for before,
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Leading with Trust and Truth: Chris Dill on Building Authentic Connections in Leadership for Big Results

November 27, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves® podcast, Nicole is joined by Chris Dill, Vice President and CIO at Kiewit, to explore the leadership lessons and Small Brave Moves® that have shaped his remarkable 30+ year career in technology.
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Moving On: How to Establish a New Path Forward From a Project, Position, or Relationship When It’s Just Not Working Anymore (Five Tough Talks)

November 20, 2024
n this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle one of the toughest conversations in leadership—the “Moving On” talk. This conversation is about establishing a new path forward when a project, position, or relationship is no longer working.
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Being Better: What To Do When Someone On Your Team Isn’t Showing Up as Their Best Self (Five Tough Talks)

November 13, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into the “Being Better” conversation—one of the Five Tough Talks® every leader should be ready to have. When a team member isn’t showing up as their best self consistently,
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What’s Going On?: Exploring Shifts in Employee Behavior, Performance, or Relationships (Five Tough Talks)

November 6, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the importance of the “What’s Going On” conversation—one of the Five Tough Talks every leader must master. This conversation is essential for addressing subtle yet impactful shifts in behavior.
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How to Ask for Help, Permission, or Acknowledgement as a Leader (Five Tough Talks)

October 30, 2024
When was the last time you asked for something important—help with a project, recognition for your work, or time off? Asking can be daunting, but it's a powerful leadership skill. In this episode, I share a personal story about advocating
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How We Work: Setting the Rules, Routines, & Rhythms for Team Alignment (Five Tough Talks)

October 23, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the first of the Five Tough Talks every leader needs to master: the "How We Work" conversation. I share personal stories, including how a simple conversation transformed a trip
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Joe Thornton on Driving Growth and Challenging Mediocrity in Leadership

October 16, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I sit down with Joe Thornton, a powerhouse CEO, entrepreneur, and author with 40 years of experience in retail, executive management, and human resources. Joe shares his journey of leading growth
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Introducing the Five Tough Talks Online Certification Program

October 9, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast I introduce the Five Tough Talks Online Certification Program, a self-paced leadership development course designed to help leaders at every level navigate difficult conversations with confidence and clarity.
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The Five Tough Talks All Leaders Need to Master for Highly Aligned and High Performing Teams

October 2, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle the essential skill of navigating tough conversations—whether in leadership or life. We explore why so many of us avoid these difficult talks, how fear often holds us back, and
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Live Into Your C-Game with Scott Schultz + Earning Our CSP Designation Live From NSA Influence 2024

September 25, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we celebrate a monumental achievement alongside franchise leadership expert Scott Schultz as we both earn the prestigious Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation.
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Renee Warren on Brave Moves, Authenticity, and The Power of Saying No

September 18, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we sit down with the extraordinary Renee Warren—award-winning entrepreneur, angel investor, and founder of We Wild Women. Renee shares her inspiring journey of transforming female-led businesses through powerful public relations strategies.
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9/11: Stories of Bravery Dedicated to Todd Beamer & Joe Bianchi

September 11, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we honor the memory of September 11th by reflecting on the extraordinary bravery of Todd Beamer and the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. We explore how Todd's final words.
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The Importance of Straight Talk in Leadership

September 5, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into the critical importance of straight talk in leadership and life. We explore why direct, honest communication—no matter how uncomfortable—builds trust and drives real progress.
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How To Lead As Your Authentic Self

September 4, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the power of authenticity in leadership. We discuss exercises to build trust within teams, including a transformative six-minute monologue that helps leaders share their true selves.
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Small Brave Moves are the Key to Life-Changing Leadership

September 4, 2024
In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we redefine what it means to be brave in leadership. Forget superheroes—true bravery is about the small, intentional moves we make every day. We discuss the concept of "Bravership,"
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Trailer: Small Brave Moves – How to Be Braver in Leadership and in Life

August 7, 2024
I know you're struggling with dysfunction, misunderstanding, lack of clarity, and inconsistent results on your team. But you don't have to do it alone. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and this is it. Welcome to
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Brave Leadership Can Backfire: Here’s Why You Should Practice It Anyway

August 26, 2026

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast keynote speaker and leadership expert Nicole Bianchi gets honest about a brave move she made that didn’t go the way she hoped even when she thought she did everything right. And it cost her something real. Not because it was the wrong move. Because bravery was never a guarantee of a good outcome. It’s a discipline. And disciplines don’t promise results. They promise practice.

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What Quiet Quitting Looks Like in Senior Leaders

August 16, 2026

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi gets to the heart of why senior leaders sit on their most important asks for months — sometimes years — and why the problem is almost never about finding the right words. It’s about confronting the internal voice that has been quietly convincing you that you haven’t earned it yet, that a no would mean something about you, or that a yes would mean you actually have to become the person you’ve been rehearsing to be.

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You’ve Earned It, Now Ask For It: The Ask Every Leader Has Been Avoiding

August 12, 2026

There is an ask sitting in your head right now that belongs in a room. You know exactly what it is. The only question is how much longer you’re going to let the rehearsal replace the conversation.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi gets to the heart of why senior leaders sit on their most important asks for months — sometimes years — and why the problem is almost never about finding the right words. It’s about confronting the internal voice that has been quietly convincing you that you haven’t earned it yet, that a no would mean something about you, or that a yes would mean you actually have to become the person you’ve been rehearsing to be.

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Small Brave Moves Podcast by Nicole Bianchi

What the Small Brave Moves Podcast Is All About

Nicole Bianchi brings you a new conversation built around one belief: that the leaders who outperform are the ones willing to make the next brave move, even when it’s small, uncomfortable, uncertain, or overdue.

Episodes are short by design, because your time is valuable and the best leadership insights shouldn’t require a two-hour commitment. Guests are leaders who’ve been where you are, not just theorists. Topics are the ones that actually keep leaders up at night.

Whether you’re navigating a hard conversation, rebuilding trust on a fractured team, or trying to figure out how to show up as yourself in a role that keeps asking you to be someone else, there is an episode for where you are right now.

Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Not Sure Where to Start? Find the Episode That Meets You Where You Are.

Want to Be a Guest on The Small Brave Moves Podcast?

Nicole is always looking for guests who bring real experience, brave stories, honest perspective, and something genuinely useful for the leaders in her audience. If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

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