In this episode of Leader Lounge, we sit down with bestselling author, speaker, and Ohio University alum Ryan Hawk to talk about his newest book, The Score That Matters, and the real drivers behind long-term success.

Ryan shares:

• Why confidence is built through reps, not affirmations
• How fear can become fuel for growth
• Why the highest performers are the ones who actively seek coaching
• How to build your own “board of directors” or constellation of mentors
• What it means to earn every turn of the page in your work and relationships

We also dig into the myth of the “self-made” professional, the power of values-based mentorship, and why skeptics often become your strongest champions.

If you’re a student, emerging leader, or someone striving to get just a little bit better every day, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, mentorship, and building a community that helps you grow.

On this episode of Leader Lounge, Amy and Nick sit down with Ohio University’s Vice Provost for Faculty Development and Professor of Marketing, Dr. Katie Hartman, for a conversation about mentorship, leadership, and the power of listening

Dr. Hartman reflects on the mentors who shaped her journey—from undergraduate professors who helped her believe she belonged, to PhD advisors who taught her how to “sit with hard questions” and trust her voice. What emerges is a thoughtful exploration of how mentorship evolves across a career—and how, at some point, we all move from being Luke Skywalker to Obi-Wan.

The conversation dives into:

• The difference between mentoring, coaching, training, advising, and advocacy
• Why mentorship is less about performance and more about identity
• How listening becomes a leadership superpower
• And yes… what Yoda, Dumbledore, Mr. Miyagi, and Star Wars can teach us about developing people

Dr. Hartman reframes mentorship not as giving answers, but as helping someone “see their own potential more clearly.” It’s a masterclass in leading through listening—and a reminder that great mentors don’t just transfer knowledge. They build confidence, judgment, and courage.

If you’re building leaders, developing talent, or thinking about your own circle of mentors, this episode will give you language—and perspective—for doing it better.

In this episode of the Leader Lounge, Sarah Finnegan joins Amy Taylor‑Bianco and Nick Winnenberg for a candid, thoughtful conversation about mentorship, leadership, and the relationships that shape our careers.

From her early experiences at Ohio University to her leadership journey at AT&T, Sarah reflects on the people who took chances on her—and how she’s paying that forward through mentorship, advocacy, and building what she calls a “girl gang.” The conversation explores the difference between mentoring, coaching, and advocacy; why peer mentors matter just as much as senior leaders; and how showing up with the right attitude can open doors even when you don’t check every box.

Sarah also shares deeply personal insights on kindness, inclusion, and raising confident, compassionate leaders in a complicated world—both at work and at home. Whether you’re a student, early-career professional, or seasoned leader, this episode offers practical wisdom on building meaningful networks, embracing stretch opportunities, and lifting others as you rise.