Two Authors Walk Into A Deadline And Try Not To Cry

A bestseller tag is nice, but the real story is everything it took to get there—and what we learned about authentic leadership by trying to write it down. We pulled back the curtain on our launch week for The Authenticity Upgrade: Rebooting Leadership for Real Humans and discovered that writing is less about perfect sentences and more about radical empathy for a reader who can’t talk back. Without a room to read, we had to anticipate confusion, trim complexity, and build a path that invites people to keep going.

We also double-clicked on our core belief: self-leadership comes before team, culture, and results. People often look to fix the external—bosses, processes, metrics—but transformation begins when you reclaim the energy lost to performing. As we threaded self-awareness, emotional literacy, and values clarity into a single arc, the through line became unmistakable: authenticity frees capacity, and that capacity is what makes collaboration, influence, and leadership sustainable. That clarity didn’t arrive quietly. Co-writing meant letting go when the words were right but not “ours,” rebuilding an “easy” chapter from scratch, and managing gremlins that insisted nothing was ready.

Beyond the page, we talk candidly about the logistics most authors underestimate: editing sprints, cover design, metadata, a 60-plus-page companion workbook, and the vulnerable act of promotion. We don’t chase rankings for ego’s sake; we play the platform game so the people who need this work can find it. From tech glitches to mailing list mishaps, we share the stumbles and the systems that ultimately worked. If you’re curious about how empathetic writing overlaps with modern leadership—or you’re facing a creative leap and want a field report from the edge—this one’s for you.

If the conversation resonates, grab the book, download the workbook, and leave a quick review to help others discover it. Subscribe for more real talk on authenticity, leadership, and the messy, meaningful work of being human at work.

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In this episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore close out their book series with guest Aaron Wilson to explore what it really means to lead with authenticity in an era shaped by group dynamics and artificial intelligence. They dive into the pitfalls leaders face when managing teams—like assuming everyone should behave the same or overlooking quieter voices—and offer practical ways to build trust, clarity, and psychological safety. Together, they unpack why “being kind” beats “being nice,” how collaboration agreements reduce assumptions, and why patience and consistency are the true cornerstones of trust.

As the conversation shifts to AI, Cristina and Alex share a hopeful, human-first perspective: while technology will automate tasks, it will amplify the need for empathy, critical thinking, and connection. AI may draft the deck, but humans decide what matters and how to move forward together. This thoughtful, funny, and refreshingly grounded episode reminds us that the future of work isn’t about replacing people—it’s about rediscovering what makes us human.

In this episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore dive into the power of deep listening—the often-overlooked skill that transforms conversations, relationships, and leadership. Joined by Aaron Wilson, they explore why listening feels so difficult at work, how it’s commonly undervalued, and why it’s actually the key to trust, collaboration, and empowerment. Through humor, honesty, and examples from their coaching practice, they unpack their signature LAVA framework—Listen, Acknowledge, Validate, Ask—as a simple yet transformative approach to building authentic connection and reducing workplace friction.

From navigating tough conversations to creating empowered teams, Cristina and Alex show how deep listening redefines what it means to “win” in leadership: not by being right, but by creating understanding. Whether you’re a manager seeking to strengthen your team or someone tired of surface-level communication, this conversation will leave you rethinking what it really means to be heard—and to truly hear others.

What does it mean to truly lead yourself before you lead others? In this episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina and Alex explore the foundation of authentic leadership—beginning with self-awareness, values, and the courage to live in alignment with both. Joined by guest interviewer Aaron Wilson, they dive into what authenticity really means (and what it doesn’t), how to recognize the “shoulds” that keep us stuck, and why creating supportive environments helps us try new ways of showing up—without the masks.

Through humor, candor, and lived experience, they unpack the ongoing practice of authenticity: rediscovering the same lessons, refining your values until they become non-negotiable, and surrounding yourself with people who hold you accountable with compassion. This conversation invites listeners to reflect, recalibrate, and take the next courageous step toward leading—and living—with integrity.

Cristina and Alex kick off a mini-series around their book, The Authenticity Upgrade: Rebooting Leadership for Real Humans, arguing that culture and authenticity—not org charts and processes—determine whether change sticks. They move past theory into day-to-day practices: how leaders (and humans) can reduce friction, align to values, and create environments where people can show up fully. Along the way, they name the early signals of misalignment—dread, resistance, and over-functioning—and frame a “better way” anchored in flow, trust, and lived values.

In this lively and deeply reflective episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina and Alex dive into the “respectrum” — the full range of how respect and disrespect show up in our lives, workplaces, and society. They explore how easily we justify our own lapses in respect while condemning others, and how that double standard quietly erodes the social ecosystem we all share. With humor, honesty, and a few delightfully unplanned metaphors, they unpack why respect often goes unnoticed until it’s missing — and how small acts of awareness and courage can rebuild it.

The conversation moves from everyday moments, like driving or team meetings, to larger questions of culture, leadership, and moral responsibility. Cristina and Alex remind us that culture is defined not by our best intentions, but by the worst behavior we allow. They challenge listeners to reflect: when you witness disrespect, do you stay silent or step in? This episode is a call to remember that respect is contagious — and so is silence.

In this episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina and Alex dive into the messy, often overwhelming experience of navigating change. From workplace restructuring to global uncertainty, and even the rise of AI, they explore what it means to not just “thrive” in change but simply survive it. Along the way, they challenge the overused and weaponized idea of resilience, reframing it as something more human and grounded: acknowledging your true capacity, accepting that it’s limited, and focusing on what restores energy instead of forcing yourself to give more than you can.

With humor, honesty, and a bit of dark levity (think black holes, stampeding elephants, and wine), the hosts share strategies for staying afloat in chaos. They discuss tools like identifying non-negotiables, building a “dopa menu” of activities that replenish you, and leaning on empathy—both for yourself and others—as a way to quiet shame and self-judgment. The conversation offers a refreshing reminder that surviving change isn’t about superhuman toughness but about self-awareness, compassion, and choosing how you want to show up in the small moments that add up to your life.

In this episode, licensed therapist and organizational consultant Amanda Gilchrist joins us to explore what real support looks like in a hyper-stimulated world. Amanda flips the script on “helping” by reminding us that it’s not a leader’s—or a therapist’s—job to hand out answers. It’s to guide, facilitate, and create space so people can hear their own wisdom. We dig into self-investment, the difference between a state change and a trait change, and why trust in ourselves is the foundation for any lasting transformation.

We also get practical about presence: how to set boundaries without guilt, why “giving 100%” looks different on different days, and how attunement—not performance—builds healthier relationships at home and at work. If you’ve ever felt pressure to do it perfectly, this conversation is a permission slip to be intentional instead—show up with what you have, listen for what matters, and let authenticity do the heavy lifting.