What if the worst day in your business didn’t have to be chaotic? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Mike Swenson, founder of Barkley Public Relations and creator of the Crisis Track framework. Drawing on decades in broadcast journalism, politics, and leadership, Mike shares how visionary founders can use strategy, simplicity, and clear messaging to shape powerful stories in good times and in moments of crisis.

What You Will Learn:

Every communication should be tied to a clear strategy so no message becomes a lost opportunity.

Founders must define what each communication is supposed to achieve.

Organizations communicate more effectively when everyone aligns around a single voice and simple message.

Successful product launches focus on highlighting one or two primary benefits rather than overwhelming with every feature.

Establishing a crisis team gives clarity on who leads decisions when urgency is high.

Visual mapping of potential risks helps leaders understand how many issues could escalate into crises.

Investors are impressed when founders demonstrate crisis preparation as part of the business plan.

Companies that handle crises poorly often face long-term damage or closure, while prepared organizations limit harm.

Crisis communication is not just about operations but also how messages are shaped and delivered under pressure.

Establishing clear spokespeople for each risk ensures fast, unified responses during crises.

Long-term vision for crisis frameworks is to help organizations minimize negative impacts and recover faster when challenges arise.

Resource:

Mike Swenson LinkedIn

Crisis Track

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What if the so-called soft skills are actually the ones driving your hardest results? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller, TEDx speaker, EQ coach, and author of The Empathic Leader. Dr. Melissa breaks down her definition of empathy as understanding and connection through perspective taking. She shares how a simple practice of walking the halls for 20 minutes a day helped one director turn his department profitable for the first time in seven years within just 90 days.

From conducting orchestras and playing with Ray Charles to consulting in healthcare and revamping surgery centers, Dr. Melissa's unconventional path taught her that culture drips down from the top. Leaders must walk their talk, not just speak it.

What You Will Learn:

The harsh reality that toxic workplace behavior often continues because systems are designed to protect institutions and powerful individuals rather than vulnerable employees who speak up.

Why there have been 43 different definitions of empathy since it emerged as a discipline around 1910.

The comprehensive definition of empathy as understanding and connection through perspective taking.

How perspective taking means seeing a situation through someone else's eyes and asking how you would feel if you walked in their shoes rather than judging from your position.

The critical truth that culture drips down from the top and leaders must walk their talk rather than just speaking about values.

How being complicit happens when you see toxic behavior occurring but allow it to continue.

The power of reputation when revolving door workplaces become known in the marketplace.

Why leaders who can effectively use empathy can increase productivity.

How middle management leaders who are aspiring to top levels tend to be most receptive to empathy training.

The four step framework for self empathy starting with self observation without judgment.

Why charity starts at home and leaders must develop self empathy first before they can genuinely give empathy to anyone else on their team or in their organization.

Resource:

Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller EQ Via Empathy

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What if the biggest crisis in modern leadership isn’t weakness but confusion? In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with John Krotec, U.S. Army veteran, serial entrepreneur, and founder of NeoMasculinity Solutions. John shares how a childhood trauma and later TBI catalyzed his journey into creative healing, radical self-honesty, and purpose-driven leadership.

This episode challenges listeners to ask themselves yes questions, embrace authenticity, and join the movement of visionary leaders committed to leaving a lasting legacy for humanity's future.

What You Will Learn:

Why being the person on the outside doing your own thing and encouraging others to do the same can be a more powerful form of leadership.

How having high energy and natural charisma that attracts people to you even at a young age signals innate leadership qualities you may not fully understand until later.

Why self-improvement as a consistent practice starting in childhood builds the foundation for lifelong leadership development.

The foundational truth that great leaders might be confused internally but they never show it and instead remain very decisive in their actions and communication.

Why self-love is the baseline for all authentic leadership.

How traumatic childhood events that remain hidden for decades can fundamentally change who you are and block your capacity to trust people and lead effectively.

The transformative power of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.

Why leaders who truly love themselves will naturally love the people they lead and make wiser decisions as a result of this self acceptance and care.

The important distinction between people in leadership positions versus authentic archetypal leaders.

How the connection between the words toxic and masculinity represents a larger emasculation project.

The six forms of information in the modern world.

Why the primary gender role of protection that goes back thousands of years still matters today.

How the future of humanity relies on children being able to discern truth from lies, facts from fiction, and reality from fantasy in an increasingly confusing digital landscape.

The power of the Human Intuition Sniff Test which asks critical questions.

Why the Sentinel Handbook was intentionally written at an eighth grade reading level and translated into nine languages to make critical thinking accessible to everyone worldwide.

The importance of asking yourself yes questions.

Resource:

John Krotec LinkedIn

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