I didn't plan to start a podcast. I just wanted to record a chat with my ex-boss.
He had…something. A quality I admired but couldn’t put my finger on.
Boundaries, I guess? He knew what he could and couldn’t control, and exuded calm confidence in a high-pressure role.
It was the antidote to my leadership anxiety and my blueprint for good leadership.
He casually mentioned that everything he’d learned about leadership came from his stint in the Navy…”which I joined when I was 16”.
What?
This didn’t gel with what I assumed about his background. He may have had an unexpected path, but he knew his true north.
I wanted to learn what his secret was.
That curiosity led to a long, rambling conversation over Zoom.
It wasn’t a great interview technically, but it captured the essence of why he chose to lead and live the way he did.
That conversation created a light bulb moment. The people I most admired were those who had an unfettered determination to follow their personal compass.
They’d discovered their guiding values through lived experiences—some difficult, some harrowing, some exuberant and courageous.
There wasn’t any textbook theory here. They’d experienced the messy process of personal growth--which is where I was at that moment.
I interviewed more of them. I was at an inflection point, questioning everything and looking for inspiration.
What I learned is that there is no one right way—only your way—and it takes work to discover it. Your compass points to your true north.
So how do you find your compass? For me, hearing how others had found theirs was inspirational.
They spoke from the place of knowing, and each emerged with a conviction around an idea that they believed could change the world.
The interviews are not meant to be life coaching or advice.
I invite you to come with an open mind and listen to deep conversations with diverse guests—from unlikely tales of resilience to those who choose the path less traveled or who’ve had to overcome enormous setbacks.
While social media algorithms may struggle to characterize the show, to me, it’s curated for those seeking their true north.
Whether you are at a major crossroads in your life, or simply yearning for change or direction....
There’s no right way, only your way.
Listen and be inspired to do the work to find your compass.
Your path may have had some twists so far, but your true north may change the world.
With intention, Erika
