Hidden Human

With CEO & Executive Leadership Coach Kelly Meerbott

Hear the story behind the leader.

Since 2017, Kelly has interviewed leaders in various on her podcast, The Hidden Human.

With her gifted ability to interview and empathize with her gifts, the podcast features deep conversations exploring the stories behind the business leader.

Get ready to hear insights from business leaders speaking candidly about how they became who they are today and the lessons they learned along the way.

EP47: The Anxious Achiever with Morra Aarons-Mele: Turn Your Biggest Fears into Your Leadership Superpower

Join Kelly Meerbott and guest Morra Aarons-Mele as we dive into Morra’s two missions in life: first, helping leaders who manage anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, OCD, mental illness and more thrive at work — and why people with different brains need to work differently. Secondly, Morra is also committed to helping organizations learn how to talk about mental health at work in a productive and beneficial way.

Listen »

EP46: Decoding Resilience: Leonard Brody on the Hidden Challenges of Success

Join Kelly and Leonard Brody as they discuss the media, entrepreneurship, and the power of resilience. Leonard is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, author, and two-time Emmy award nominee. He acts as Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Caravan, where he oversees the building of new ventures, and a Co-Founder at hai, a smart home shower product. Don’t miss this riveting discussion.

Listen »

EP45: The Power of Inspiration with Jerome Myers

Join host Kelly Meerbott as she and guest Jerome Myers discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, and more. Jerome is the founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of The Myers Development Group a boutique coaching firm that supports founders and executives who see their work as more than a way to earn a living. Through the D.R.E.A.M framework and the Red Pill Model his company helps apex performers bridge the gaps in their lives that are not allowing their dreams to become real.

Listen »

EP42: Honoring and Remembering Our Families

Join Kelly and Kapi’olani as they discuss their meanings of their names, entry to this world and how they both started on their coaching journeys and the precious indigenous practices we can use as a learning platform for our lives today. Learn more about how honoring and remembering our families and past traditions can inspire us in all we do today.

Listen »

E41: Shut Up & Listen Part 2 with Doug Foresta

Join Kelly and Doug Foresta and learn how sometimes, shutting up and listening to our friends, family and colleagues is the best thing we can do. Taking longer than we may want to process information and thinking of a well-thought-out response means you will say something because you are really feeling it, rather than an off-the-cuff reply. Listen to Kelly and Doug also touch on Toxic Masculinity in law enforcement and how letting your own life choices speak for themselves may be the best way we can solve some deep-rooted issues in society.

Listen »

E40: Shut Up & Listen Part 1 with Doug Foresta

Join Kelly and Doug Foresta and learn how sometimes, shutting up and listening to our friends, family and colleagues is the best thing we can do. Taking longer than we may want to process information and thinking of a well-thought-out response means you will say something because you are really feeling it, rather than an off-the-cuff reply. Listen to Kelly and Doug also touch on Toxic Masculinity in law enforcement and how letting your own life choices speak for themselves may be the best way we can solve some deep-rooted issues in society.

Listen »

E39: Basic & Boujie with Yasseline Diaz & Melanie Zorrilla

Jos and Melanie, hosts of Podcast Basic & Boujie join the program to discuss a whole host of things ranging from their podcast journey so far, their past experiences with horrible bosses and the (good and bad) impact parents can have on their children. Listen to some difficult stories of parenting in the pandemic and hear some tips from Kelly that you can use to combat parental burnout.

Listen »

E38: Changing the World with Acts of Kindness

Brad Aronson, author, entrepreneur and angel investor, joins the program to discuss the inspiration for his book, HumanKind: Changing the World One Small Act at a Time. Brad reveals how acts of kindness helped him and his family after his wife was diagnosed with leukemia, and also shares stories from his book about others who were positively impacted by acts of kindness.

Listen »

E37: Helping Women Shatter Stereotypes and Lead Fearlessly

Author and co-founder of Talent Strategy Partners, Carol Vallone Mitchell, PhD, joins the program to discuss the work that she does helping companies identify and develop leaders who will build and nurture the right workplace culture. Carol discusses the research that she has done about how women lead differently than men, and what male leaders can learn from women. Discover how toxic masculinity shows up in society and in the workplace, and how to combat it.

Listen »

E36: Being an Award-Winning Journalist and CEO: A Conversation with Ernest Owens

Ernest Owens, award-winning journalist, CEO of Ernest Media Empire, and President of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists joins the program to discuss the formative experiences that shaped who he is today and shares his thoughts about what it’s like to be a journalist in these times. Discover the work that is being done to address health inequities and disparities, particularly around the COVID-19 pandemic, and how to create meaningful conversations and dialogue on social media.

Listen »

E33: Creating a More Equitable and Inclusive Future – With Jennifer Brown

Jennifer Brown, CEO and Founder of Jennifer Brown Consulting, joins the program to discuss the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, and reveals the formative experiences that led her to her current work as a DE&I leader. Discover the importance of noticing our biases, and why good intentions aren’t enough. Jennifer also reveals how the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic can potentially help to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace.

Listen »

E32: Healing The Wounds of Racism and Inequality

Aurora Archer & Kelly Sorg – creators of The Opt-In Podcast, join the program for a conversation about how to support healing, reconciliation, and new ways of navigating identity. Aurora and Kelly share their perspective on white fragility, and how to move past defensiveness and denial.

Listen »

E31: Using Digital Technology to Improve Mental Health

Craig A. DeLarge from The Digital Mental Health Project joins the program to discuss the work that his organization is doing to enable the responsible adoption of digital mental health technology. Craig shares the personal experiences that led him to be passionate about this work, and shares resources that are available to individuals and families who are dealing with mental health challenges.

Listen »

E30: John Dijulius on Building Stronger Connections in a Digital Age

Author, speaker and entrepreneur John Dijulius joins the program to discuss his own experience of moving through grief and loss and the experiences that helped shape the leader that he is today. Discover tips for staying more connected in this time of social distancing, some of the positive elements that can come from slowing down, and the skills that will be most critical for the future of work.

Listen »

E29: Overcoming Fear and Walking Your Authentic Path

Adam Dare, Founder of Own Your Fitness joins the program to discuss the formative experiences that shaped the leader that he is today. Adam reveals lessons he has learned from being a martial arts practitioner, and how to keep going when times get tough. Discover how to get unstuck, and some of the practices that Adam uses with his own clients to help them move forward.

Listen »

E28: The Business Case For Diversity and Advocating for Equal Rights for All

Jonathan Lovitz, Senior Vice President of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), joins the program to discuss why diversity is good for business and the importance of being able to bring our best self to work. Jonathan also reveals who his mentors were and what he’s learned from them. Discover how to stay grounded and how to keep going in the face of adversity.

Listen »

E27: Healing and Growing After Trauma

Annemarie du LeBohn joins the program to discuss how she overcame trauma that she experienced as a young woman. She reveals how she used the struggles that ensued to springboard her into becoming a TED speaker, and founding her own company dedicated to helping others develop a healthy, mind, body and home.

Listen »

E26: Creating a Culture of Belonging

Jennifer Brown, speaker, author, and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting, joins the program to discuss the experiences she had growing up which led her to the work she does today, helping organizations to create cultures of belonging where everyone can thrive. Discover the importance of self-care while advocating for diversity and inclusion, and how we can use our advantages to help others.

Listen »

E24: Mobilizing and Connecting Talent To Serve the Community

Liz Dow, author and CEO of LEADERSHIP Philadelphia, joins the program to discuss her vision for the organization and the qualities that the best leaders possess. She reveals some of her most formative experiences, and shares a poignant story about her father’s one-of-a-kind interaction with the actor Hugh Jackman.

Listen »

E23: The Power of Healthy Cooking

Christina Pirello, bestselling author and Emmy Award-winning host of the PBS television series “Christina Cooks” joins the program to discuss her earliest influences and experiences and how they shaped her attitudes about food. Christina reveals what she learned about food from living in Italy, and how we can use food to heal our bodies, our communities and the world.

Listen »

E22: Humility, Hard Work and Self-Reliance – A Recipe for Success

Val Pinkhasov, President of Total Merchant Resources, joins the program to discuss the work that he does helping businesses get access to working capital, and what it was like to be featured on Shark Tank. Val reveals how he works to instill the values of hard work and humility in his children and the importance of self-reliance. He also discusses the importance of experiencing failure along the way to success.

Listen »

E21: Igniting Our Heart’s Intelligence

In this special episode, Kelly is joined by her coach, Catherina O’Gorman, Founder of Think Love University and creator of Think Love “A Q.U.E.S.T. For Greatness” Coach Immersion Training. Kelly reveals the transformation that she has seen in her life and business while working with Catherina, and how the ego can get in the way of our own success. Catherina also reveals a powerful process to instantly shift your thoughts, feelings and actions even in the midst of difficult situations.

Listen »

E20: Pursuing a Career as a Reporter

Bilingual journalist Miguel Martinez-Valle from NBC10 joins the program to discuss how his earliest experiences led to a desire to pursue a career in journalism, and how he deals with having to deliver difficult news. He reveals his favorite story that he’s covered so far, and how he dealt with initial disappointments along the way.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 19 Thumbnail

E19: Becoming a Purposeful & Authentic Networker

Jennifer Lynn Robinson, CEO and Founder of Purposeful Networking, joins the program to discuss how she helps people build better relationships with each other. She also shares her experience of recovery from a serious accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury, and how that led her to the work she does today. Discover how to keep going and recreate your life after a major setback or adversity.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 18 Thumbnail

E18: Being A Masterful Interviewer

Producer & Host Phillip Silverstone joins the program to discuss how he prepares for interviews, and the skills that set him apart from other interviewers. He reveals the approach he takes when interviewing celebrities and why he admires Winston Churchill. Discover the importance of stepping outside of your comfort zone and how to stand out from the crowd.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 17 Thumbnail

E17: Creating a Positive Social Impact

Greg Hagin, Managing Director of CCS Fundraising, discusses the formative experiences that led him to be interested in philanthropy and social impact. He reveals what he has learned from personal and professional failures, and the lessons he has learned from mountain climbing. Discover the importance of developing a sense of purpose, meaning and responsibility and how to achieve a better work/life flow.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 16 Thumbnail

E16: Health, Sleep and The Wisdom of Your Body

Nicolas Ronco, CEO of YeloSpa, joins the program to discuss the importance of sleep for overall health and the wisdom of the body. Discover the roles of empathy and integrity in leadership and why “soft” skills are really essential business skills. Nicolas also reveals an experience that he had working in India and how it impacts his work today.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 15 Thumbnail

E15: Embodying Your Company’s Values

Ziggy Nozile, Morgan’s Pier bartender and founder of Loika clothing line, joins the program to discuss the inspiration that he draws from his mother, who passed away when he was just 5 years old. He reveals the challenges that he faced growing up in Haiti, and how he started a new life in the United States. He also shares the importance for leaders of defining and embodying the values of your company and shares advice for getting through tough times.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 14 Thumbnail

E14: Driving Growth By Empowering Leaders

Dr. Troy Hall, Chief Strategy Officer at the South Carolina Federal Credit Union, joins the program to discuss why leadership matters and the impact that an effective leader can have on an organization. Dr. Troy shares some of the wisdom and life lessons that he learned from his parents, the difference between being a parent and grandparent, and the power of moving beyond black and white thinking. He also reveals the behaviors that define great leadership.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 13 Thumbnail

E13: Letting Your Heart Guide Your Life

Cordell Carter, Executive Director of the Socrates Program at the Aspen Institute, discusses the importance of finding joy in your life and work, lessons learned from his family growing up in Virginia and from his daughter. He also reveals the power of mastering your personal narrative and the qualities that are necessary for success.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 12 Thumbnail

E12: Building Bridges As a U.S. Ambassador

Former U.S. Ambassador Lisa Gable joins the program to discuss how her family background prepared her for political life. She shares why she enjoys unstructured vacations and having adventures in foreign countries. She also reveals the guiding principles that she lives by and the key questions that she is asking herself about her professional career.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 11 Thumbnail

E11: Supporting & Leading Diverse Business Owners

Zach Wilcha, Executive Director of The Independence Business Alliance, joins the program to discuss his journey of becoming the first ever leader of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. He reveals the formative experiences that led him to a career of service, and the power of listening as a crucial leadership skill. He also shares how reading fiction has helped him as a leader and the social impact of having diverse characters featured in works of fiction.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 10 Thumbnail

E10: Founding a World Class Marketing Company

Bill Gehrman, Founder and CEO of En Route Marketing joins the program to discuss how he taps into his passion for hospitality to create exceptional marketing experiences for clients. He reveals how he draws inspiration from music, who his favorite musicians are, and what he’s learned from them. Bill shares the guiding principles he learned from his parents and the behaviors that define great leadership. He also provides advice for overcoming business failures and the importance of understanding your strengths and needs as a leader.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 9 Thumbnail

E09: Using Curiosity to Become An Authentic Leader

Tiffany Tavarez, Vice President of Community Relations at Wells Fargo, discusses the importance of corporate social responsibility and shares how the adversities she faced as a young person led her to a mission of service and giving back to others. Discover the importance of mentorship in becoming a leader and how to ask questions at networking events that create deeper and more authentic connections. Tiffany also shares how her background in the arts informs and enriches her current work.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 8 Thumbnail

E08: Developing A Survivor’s Mindset

Michael Banks, President & CEO of the African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ and DE joins the program to discuss how he was able to overcome the odds and find success despite being born into poverty. He reveals how developing a survivor’s mindset helped him through a challenging transition of leaving a career on Wall Street to pursue his vision of having a bigger impact in the world. He also shares the wisdom that he would want to impart to his great-grandchildren.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 7 Thumbnail

E07: Blending Passion & Creativity into Delightful User Experiences

Amber Heinbockel, Senior UX Designer at Google, shares her story of finding passion as an artist and development into a career in user experience design. Amber discusses how her connection with horses as a teenager, has served her both personally and professionally. Amber and Kelly explore the importance of taking ownership for your life and Amber reveals 3 truths that she uses to guide her actions in life and business.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 6 Thumbnail

E06: Making the World More Peaceful, Prosperous and Just

Monica Steigerwald, Director of Major Gifts at Eisenhower Fellowships, discusses the work that she does to support changemakers worldwide. Monica discusses a project funded by Eisenhower that she found particularly inspiring, and which has impacted over 100,000 people so far.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 5 Thumbnail

E05: The Power of Naming

Canon Wing joins the program to discuss how she has named products that have earned billions worldwide for over two decades. Canon discusses the power of a name, and what makes a great name for a product or service. Canon explores the idea of naming as an invitation to our higher self, and the difference between a label and a name. Canon also shares how the power of naming helped her boyfriend find healing after an illness.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 4 Thumbnail

E04: Leading Philly’s Famous Geno’s Steaks

Geno Vento, owner of Geno’s Steaks, discusses what it was like to grow up as the son of Joey Vento, the founder of Geno’s, and how he eventually came to take over the business after his father passed away. Geno shares what he most enjoys about his work, including the numerous charity events that he is involved with. He reveals what brings him the most joy in work and life and why he thinks his father would be pleased that he is partnering with Robert De Niro to bring the play A Bronx Tale to Broadway.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 3 Thumbnail

E03: Helping Companies Hire Better and Faster

Dave Nast, managing partner of Nast Partners, discusses the work that he does helping companies to hire better and faster and create a more productive and profitable workforce. Dave discusses how he uses the Predictive Index, which measures the inherent human needs that drive people. Dave shares the experiences that shaped who he is today, including starting a car detailing service while in school. He also talks about how he met his wife and the wisdom he would want to share with his (future!) great-grandchildren.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 2 Thumbnail

E02: Empowering Women Through Personal Styling

Maegan Watson, Founder at Watson Style Group, discusses the work that she does empowering women through personal styling and online wardrobe building. Discover the transformational nature of Maegan’s work, and the childhood experiences that helped shape and inform who she is today. Maegan also shares a powerful story about how a client’s transformation of her style led to a deeper emotional transformation.

Listen »
Hidden Human Podcast Episode 1 Thumbnail

E01: Becoming a Global Leader In Disability Inclusion

This episode features an interview with Debra Ruh, CEO of Ruh Global Communications, as she shares her journey of how she came to be a leader in the disability inclusion field, after her daughter was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome. Debra shares the formative events that shaped and inspired her to become the change agent that she is today, as well as the challenges she had to overcome along the way.

Listen »

Here anyone can read, write & share short stories.

Try it for free . No registration needed.