Connected Leadership with Peter Boyd

Media trailblazer, producer, and author Pat Mitchell reflects on a lifetime of groundbreaking leadership driven by courage, clarity, and purpose. From becoming the first woman to lead multiple major media organizations to the social justice movements that activated her voice, Pat recounts the defining forks in her life map and that shaped her “forward-moving” mindset. Exploring the dynamics of female leadership, she shares her philosophy of “dangerous leadership,” grounded in speaking up, standing up, and showing up in times that demand more than ordinary action. Pat also delves into championing women leaders, building inclusive teams, and widening the path for those who follow. This episode offers inspiration for leading with impact and embracing the power with—not power over—as a catalyst for change.

Innovation strategist and entrepreneur John Duffield shares an extraordinary journey through two open-heart surgeries—an experience that reshaped his understanding of purpose, leadership, and the future of patient care. Merging his technical expertise with personal experience in the healthcare system, John works to redefine the patient journey and how technology can support patients during their most critical moments. He tells stories of his own; using AI to translate complex diagnoses into metaphors his children could understand and developing models to ease the fear and uncertainty leading up to surgery. This episode dives into resilience the unexpected ways purpose reveals itself — in critical moments when a sudden health crisis becomes a catalyst for personal transformation.

Franziska Weiss is a Munich-based business coach who hit reset at age 40 after a long career in corporate public relations. In this episode, she shares how stepping away from the automotive industry led her to rediscover her purpose, and build a more connected, intentional approach to leadership. Franziska reflects on how the Connected Leadership course shaped her coaching practice, how she helps teams align across generations, and why meaningful system change starts with knowing yourself. From energy management to team values to shifting workplace paradigms, she brings both structure and spark to leadership development.

In this inspiring episode of the Connected Leadership podcast, Peter Boyd sits down with Brian Petula a lawyer, entrepreneur, EMT, and Pennsylvania Department of Corrections officer, who shares his powerful journey from rural roots to a purpose-driven life of service. A former student of the Connected Leadership course, Brian reflects on how the course shaped his leadership style, the importance of living with purpose, and his frontline experience transforming lives in corrections. This conversation is a deep dive into authentic leadership, system change, and human potential.

Laura Sievert Hesseltine is the Executive Director of Arts Quincy, the oldest arts council in the U.S., where she champions community engagement and cultural transformation. With a background in corporate marketing and a passion for creativity, Laura shares her journey from leading large-scale retail marketing campaigns to revitalizing the arts sector in rural Illinois. She discusses the power of the arts in shaping communities, the importance of making culture accessible to all, and how she applies business principles to nonprofit leadership. Laura also reflects on connected leadership, continuous learning, and how small, intentional steps can drive meaningful change.