What can a first-generation refugee teach us about courageous, purpose-driven leadership?

Andrew Tallents interviews Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health and national expert in workforce development. Van shares her childhood journey escaping Vietnam, her parents’ resilience, and the experiences that shaped her mission to expand opportunity for others. She reflects on leading the largest community college system in the US, founding a nonprofit now active in 10 states, and learning to lead through influence rather than authority.

Van also discusses the demographic reality facing healthcare, the shrinking working-age population, and the urgent need to rethink how society values and rewards caregivers.

Key Topics

• Purpose-driven leadership
• Leading through influence
• How to take feedback well
• Workforce development models
• Healthcare staffing challenges
• Leadership storytelling
• Aligning work with purpose

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

00:27 Van’s background

03:00 Taiko drumming and hobbies

04:20 Childhood, Vietnam War, and resilience

08:30 Finding courage to lead and start over

13:00 Learning to accept feedback

17:30 Early career lessons

21:00 Aligning purpose and work

28:00 Workforce partnerships

32:00 Becoming more human as a leader

35:00 The future of healthcare

38:00 How to connect with Van

Guest Bio

Van Ton-Quinlivan is the CEO of Futuro Health, former Executive Vice Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, author, podcaster, and national leader in workforce development. Her work has been featured by WHO, BBC, the UN General Assembly, and G7 Canada.

Connect with Van Ton-Quinlivan:

• Connect with Van Ton-Quinlivan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vtquinlivan/
• Write to Van: partnership@futurohealth.org
• Check Van’s website: https://futurohealth.org/

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Are you leading for validation, or for something that actually matters?

In this episode, I speak with Gina Panayiotou, maritime lawyer turned sustainability strategist and founder of Oceans Arena, about her shift from chasing external recognition to building a leadership path rooted in authenticity, purpose and impact.

With over a decade in the maritime industry (advising international organizations, startups and NGOs), Gina shares how letting go of performance-based leadership allowed her to reconnect with what truly energizes her. Today, she empowers others through sustainability strategy, board leadership at WISTA and coaching for women navigating traditional industries.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How to recognize when confidence is masking disconnection from your values
2. Why showing vulnerability makes you a more trusted, engaged leader
3. What it means to find your “true north” beyond titles and expectations
4. How to shift from authority-based leadership to collaborative, purpose-driven influence
5. Simple practices for building self-awareness and identifying what fuels vs. drains you

Key topics:

• Leadership identity and authenticity
• Sustainable career transitions in traditional industries
• Women in maritime and purpose-led influence
• Impact-driven business strategy and self-leadership

Gina’s story is a timely reminder that real leadership isn’t about performing, it’s about aligning your values with your actions to create change that lasts.

📣 If this episode resonated with you, hit like, share your takeaway in the comments, and subscribe for more honest conversations on leadership, sustainability and self-awareness.

• Connect with Gina Panayiotou on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginapanayiotou/

• Write to Gina: gplegalportal@gmail.com

• Check Gina’s website: https://www.oceans-arena.com/

🎬YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewtallents

📲 X: https://x.com/andrewtallents

📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewtallents

🌐 Website: https://www.tallents-partnership.com/

📖 Get my book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NZRZH4J

📰 Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/selfcoaching-newsletter

📞 Write me: team@tallents-partnership.com

00:00:00 – Introduction & Gina’s mission with Oceans Arena

00:03:30 – Performing leadership vs. embodying it

00:08:15 – The mindset shift: Finding her true north

00:14:50 – Vulnerability and trust in leadership

00:22:10 – Advice for leaders feeling misaligned or stuck

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What happens when a leadership coach loses connection with himself?

In this episode, I speak with Olivier Malafronte, French entrepreneur and pioneer in AI-powered coaching, whose work bridges cutting-edge technology with deep self-awareness. From founding startups to becoming a father, Olivier reflects on how personal growth, emotional complexity and professional ambition intersect - and how easy it is to lose balance when self-awareness takes a back seat.

A PhD researcher in AI coaching and leadership development, Olivier opens up about how childhood loneliness shaped his need for connection, how fatherhood reshaped his definition of success and why even experienced coaches must return to self-reflection to lead effectively.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How family dynamics shape leadership behavior and relational patterns
2. Signs you're disconnected from yourself and how to realign before burnout hits
3. Why openness and vulnerability are essential in high-performance environments
4. Practical ways to integrate self-awareness into fast-paced leadership
5. How AI coaching enhances self-leadership by sharpening reflexivity

Key topics:

• AI coaching and leadership development
• Entrepreneurial self-awareness and emotional regulation
• Balancing fatherhood and professional ambition
• Building trust through authenticity in leadership

Olivier’s story is a raw, thoughtful reminder that growth isn’t just about moving forward, it’s about pausing to reconnect with the person behind the title.

📣 If this episode challenged how you think about leadership, hit like, drop your insight in the comments and subscribe for more honest conversations at the intersection of business, self-awareness and innovation.

• Connect with Olivier Malafronte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviermalafronte/

• Write to Olivier: olivier_2203@hotmail.fr

• Check Olivier’s website: https://www.magif.ai/

🎬YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewtallents

📲 X: https://x.com/andrewtallents

📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewtallents

🌐 Website: https://www.tallents-partnership.com/

📖 Get my book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NZRZH4J

📰 Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/selfcoaching-newsletter

📞 Write me: team@tallents-partnership.com

01:22 - Olivier's Background and Current Focus

02:59 - Childhood Shaping: Only Child and Brotherhood Values

10:59 - Parental Influence and Freedom to Choose

13:56 - Early Career Challenges and Serendipitous AI Discovery

23:48 - Self-Leadership Lessons and Waiting for Events

31:03 - The Future of AI Coaching and Reflexivity

34:09 - Future Focus and Contact Information

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What does it take to turn two suitcases and $2,000 into a seven-figure business?

In this episode, I speak with Daniel Botero, entrepreneur, career strategist and founder of Opny, about how his immigrant journey from Colombia shaped his mindset, work ethic and mission to help others succeed.

Arriving in the U.S. at age nine with limited resources, Daniel built a life rooted in resilience, resourcefulness and the belief that opportunity is something you create.

From climbing the corporate ladder at PepsiCo to launching a business that now empowers thousands, Daniel’s story is packed with practical lessons and powerful insights.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How early adversity shaped Daniel’s entrepreneurial mindset
2. The turning points that transformed setbacks into career wins
3. Why adaptability is key in both business and personal growth
4. How to build and leverage meaningful professional relationships
5. What it takes to align personal values with business success while scaling

Key topics:

• Immigrant entrepreneurship in the U.S.
• Transitioning from corporate roles to founder life
• Career coaching and business building
• Purpose-driven leadership and long-term impact

Daniel’s mission is clear: equip people with tools to grow their careers and transform their lives in the process.

📣If this episode resonated with you, hit like, share your favorite takeaway in the comments and subscribe for more conversations with leaders who turned their struggles into strategies for success.

• Connect with Daniel Botero on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedanielbotero/

• Write to Daniel: daniel@opny.co

• Check Daniel’s website: https://www.opny.co/

🎬YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewtallents

📲 X: https://x.com/andrewtallents

📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewtallents

🌐 Website: https://www.tallents-partnership.com/

📖 Get my book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NZRZH4J

📰 Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/selfcoaching-newsletter

📞 Write me: team@tallents-partnership.com

00:00:40 - Meet Daniel Botero: From Colombia to the American Dream

00:03:11 - Childhood Experiences Shaping Daniel's Work Ethic

00:07:31 - Finding Male Role Models and Learning Life Lessons

00:10:11 - Discovering the Power of Leverage and Efficiency

00:12:20 - Early Career Challenges and Opportunities at PepsiCo

00:18:01 - Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

00:25:58 - Pivoting and Growing a Successful Coaching Business

00:31:55 - Current Leadership Challenges and Personal Growth

00:34:14 - Connecting with Daniel Botero

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Can high performance and personal fulfillment coexist in global leadership?

In this episode, I speak with Isabelle Ducellier, seasoned executive and board member, whose career spans the wine and spirits industry, consumer health and the nonprofit sector. Her story is one of personal transformation: from chasing perfection to leading with purpose, balance and impact.

Drawing from over 20 years of international leadership, Isabelle shares how early expectations shaped her drive, how cultural fluency influenced her management style and how stepping back from the corporate spotlight helped her realign with her values.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How childhood patterns can shape your leadership and how to reframe them
2. Ways to adapt your leadership style across global teams and cultural contexts
3. Why personal adversity often sparks deeper purpose and career clarity
4. How gratitude and vulnerability can strengthen executive presence
5. What it takes to transition from C-suite roles to meaningful board contributions

Key topics:

• Purpose-driven leadership
• Cross-cultural management
• Emotional intelligence in executive roles
• Career reinvention and board-level impact

Isabelle’s journey offers a roadmap for leaders navigating the space between ambition and authenticity - showing how personal evolution can unlock deeper professional influence.

📣 If this conversation resonated, hit like, drop your insights in the comments and subscribe for more real-world leadership stories and strategies.

• Connect with Isabelle Ducellier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-ducellier-239aa311/

• Write to Isabelle Ducellier: isabelle@ducellier.se

🎬YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewtallents

📲 X: https://x.com/andrewtallents

📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewtallents

🌐 Website: https://www.tallents-partnership.com/

📖 Get my book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NZRZH4J

📰 Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/selfcoaching-newsletter

📞 Write me: team@tallents-partnership.com

00:01:15 - Isabelle's Background and Career Journey

00:07:42 - Childhood Influences on Leadership Style

00:16:20 - Expat Experiences and Cultural Adaptations

00:25:04 - Personal Challenges and Career Shift

00:33:39 - Transition to Portfolio Career

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Can ancient strategy help solve today’s leadership and cultural challenges?

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Gilda Carle, media personality, relationship strategist and executive coach, who brings Sun Tzu’s Art of War to life in boardrooms, classrooms and social conversations alike.

From helping corporate leaders navigate conflict without combat, to addressing the male mental health crisis, Dr. Carle blends tactical wisdom with real-world urgency.

Her work cuts across leadership, identity, generational divides and cultural norms; making this a conversation for anyone rethinking what effective leadership looks like today.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How to use strategy to win without confrontation
2. What’s driving the male suicide crisis and why leadership plays a role
3. How authenticity, not conformity, drives real impact in corporate spaces
4. Tactics for bridging generational gaps in modern teams
5. Why transparency builds trust and how to practice it daily

Featured topics:

• Sun Tzu and strategic leadership in today’s workplace
• Men’s identity, vulnerability and emotional health
• Diversity, communication and executive influence
• Dr. Carle’s latest book: Real Men Don’t Go Woke

Dr. Carle’s career spans classrooms in the South Bronx to coaching Fortune 500 executives and this conversation brings together decades of practical wisdom on leadership, identity and human connection.

📣 If this episode challenged your thinking, hit like, share your takeaway in the comments and subscribe for more deep dives into strategy, leadership and culture.

• Connect with Dr. Gilda Carle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drgilda/

• Write to Dr. Gilda Carle: drgilda@drgilda.com

• Check Gilda’s website: https://drgilda.com/

🎬YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewtallents

📲 X: https://x.com/andrewtallents

📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewtallents

🌐 Website: https://www.tallents-partnership.com/

📖 Get my book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NZRZH4J

📰 Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/selfcoaching-newsletter

📞 Write me: team@tallents-partnership.com

00:02:02 - Introduction and the Crisis of Male Suicide

00:08:38 - Dr. Carle's Background and Early Career

00:15:32 - Challenges in Helping Others and Being Transparent

00:23:05 - Generational Differences in the Workplace

00:28:13 - Dr. Carle's Current Challenges and Legacy

00:30:59 - Addressing Male Suicide Rates

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Is your drive to achieve pulling you away from what really matters?

In this episode, I sit down with Andrea Petrone, executive coach and former international corporate leader, to unpack the often-overlooked tension between ambition and patience - and how mastering both is key to sustainable leadership.

With 20+ years of global business experience, Andrea shares how personal setbacks, cultural expectations and career pivots shaped his philosophy on high performance, vulnerability and legacy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why urgency without patience can sabotage long-term goals
2. How curiosity and challenging assumptions lead to real growth
3. The role of self-reflection in finding your leadership edge
4. How to define legacy beyond profit and title
5. What top CEOs are doing differently to lead with clarity and impact

Key topics:

• Executive coaching and conscious leadership
• Personal growth after corporate burnout
• Balancing performance with purpose
• Lessons from coaching global CEOs and founders

Andrea’s journey offers a rare behind-the-scenes view into what it really takes to lead with intention - especially when ambition alone isn’t enough.

📣 If this conversation resonated, hit like, leave a comment with your biggest insight and subscribe for more episodes on leadership, clarity and long-term success.

• Connect with Andrea Petrone on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/

• Write to Andrea Petrone: andrea@andreapetrone.com

• Check Andrea’s website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/

🎬YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewtallents

📲 X: https://x.com/andrewtallents

📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewtallents

🌐 Website: https://www.tallents-partnership.com/

📖 Get my book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NZRZH4J

📰 Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/selfcoaching-newsletter

📞 Write me: team@tallents-partnership.com

00:04:24 - Andrea's Childhood and Early Career Ambitions

00:11:24 - Reflections on Early Career Success and Challenges

00:16:28 - Career Setbacks and Personal Growth

00:24:21 - Transition to Executive Coaching

00:28:33 - Entrepreneurial Journey and Future Vision

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How do you go from selling drugs on the streets to building a business that saves lives?

In this powerful episode, I speak with Craig Brown, founder of Rage Fitness Wellbeing Group, about his journey from addiction and homelessness in Liverpool to leading a thriving health and wellness enterprise.

Craig shares raw insights on how personal pain became the foundation for building a business focused on purpose, community and long-term change. His leadership is shaped by lived experience and it shows in how he empowers others to break cycles and find meaning.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How Craig turned his lowest point into a mission to help others
2. Why building trust and giving up control are critical to scaling impact
3. How to grow a business from nothing - with resilience as your fuel
4. Why leadership starts with self-awareness and service
5. How community and belief can change the course of a life and a business

Key topics:

• Recovery and entrepreneurship
• Leadership shaped by adversity
• Community-driven business models
• Wellness, purpose and giving back

Craig’s story is not just inspiring, it’s a blueprint for how anyone can turn personal struggle into meaningful leadership and social impact.

📣 If this episode moved you, hit like, share your takeaway in the comments, and subscribe for more real stories of resilience, leadership and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

• Connect with Craig Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-brown-wellbeing/

• Write to Craig Brown: craig@ragefitnesscompany.com

• Check Craig’s website: https://www.ragefitnesscompany.com/

🎬YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewtallents

📲 X: https://x.com/andrewtallents

📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewtallents

🌐 Website: https://www.tallents-partnership.com/

📖 Get my book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NZRZH4J

📰 Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/selfcoaching-newsletter

📞 Write me: team@tallents-partnership.com

00:00:40 - Meet Craig Brown: Passionate About Improving Health

00:04:47 - Survival Mechanisms and Lack of Role Models

00:07:32 - Realizing ADHD and Its Impact

00:11:02 - Craig's Troubled Youth and Drug Involvement

00:14:46 - Turning Points in Craig's Life

00:22:10 - The Gambia Trip and Charlotte's Influence

00:24:25 - Starting Rage Fitness Wellbeing Group

00:34:39 - Rage Fitness Wellbeing Group's Current Success

00:37:32 - Key Leadership Lessons

00:38:45 - Contact Information for Craig Brown

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