Minter Dial's Blog: Minter Dialogue

In this engaging episode of Minter Dialogue, Jurgen Weigand, professor and co-author of several books, discusses the impact of meaningful education, leadership, and decision-making in uncertain and complex environments. From his journey through academia and public service to insights from his books "Hope is Not a Strategy" and "From Chaos to Clarity," Jurgen Weigand shares valuable lessons on strategy, cognitive diversity, and navigating change. Tune in for thought-provoking perspectives on purpose, leadership, and embracing complexity in today’s business world.

Fifteen years ago, the Minter Dialogue podcast launched with a mission to elevate debate and insert more meaningfulness into conversations about leadership, brand strategy, and transformation. Today, with over 600 episodes and a million downloads, we’re celebrating this milestone by reflecting on the remarkable evolution of podcasting itself—from a niche experiment in 2010 to a $39.6 billion global industry. Discover how the medium has transformed, meet some of the luminaries who’ve shaped the show, and explore the extraordinary 2025 conversations that continue to push the boundaries of what it means to lead authentically in a rapidly changing world.

Leadership coach Natasha Skolny joins Minter Dial to explore authentic leadership through the lens of her figure skating background. Based in Toronto, Skolny works with high-achieving women seeking to lead on their own terms whilst shedding corporate armour. The conversation examines how sports cultivate self-knowledge, the challenge of balancing authenticity with professional expectations, and why genuine connection matters more than conformity. From navigating social media's impact on future leaders to understanding the difference between being yourself and truly knowing yourself, this episode challenges conventional leadership wisdom whilst emphasising the power of vulnerability and presence in creating meaningful impact.Key Points:1. Corporate Armour and Authenticity: Women leaders often conform to masculine leadership styles to be heard, particularly in boardrooms. Dropping this protective armour and leading authentically—through vulnerability and genuine connection—creates more impactful leadership than maintaining a protective facade.2. Conversation as Leadership's Highest Tool: Intentional, present conversations build trust and connection with teams. In an AI-driven world focused on efficiency, creating space for genuine human interaction—understanding what matters to people beyond their work output—distinguishes exceptional leadership from mere management.

Emily Kilner, BBC New Voice Award winner and Premier Padel commentator, shares her journey from England Under-21 hockey international to becoming one of padel's most distinctive voices. Broadcasting in both English and Spanish, Emily discusses the art of commentary, the strategic nuances that separate professional padel from amateur play, and why longer rallies in women's padel offer invaluable lessons for recreational players. Key points include the importance of understanding padel as a strategic, team-oriented sport rather than a power game, and how building context around player relationships creates compelling narratives that distinguish padel from other sports.

Henry King and Vala Afshar, co-authors of *Autonomous*, join me to explore how AI-first strategies are reshaping business fitness. Henry brings his unique journey from CIO to design thinking expert, whilst Vala shares insights from his decade as Salesforce's chief digital evangelist.

In a world overwhelmed by digital connectivity yet facing a loneliness epidemic, padel emerges as a joyful antidote to our technology-saturated lives. The article highlights how padel fosters genuine human connection, teamwork, and playful competition regardless of age or background. Its accessibility, social nature, and emphasis on collaboration make it uniquely effective at dissolving social barriers and encouraging physical activity without feeling like exercise. Playing padel is presented as a remedy for digital fatigue—a grounding, analogue experience that nurtures real-world camaraderie, mindfulness, and happiness in an era of artificial intelligence and relentless screen time.

This podcast features Dr. Jack Kreindler, a physician, entrepreneur, and physiologist, discussing his Antarctic expedition and insights on resilience. Kreindler explores the differences between male and female physiology in extreme environments, emphasising how women often outperform men in hyper-endurance settings. He delves into the importance of facing challenges and taking risks to build resilience, both individually and societally. Kreindler advocates for experiential medicine, encouraging people to seek adventure and push their boundaries to live more fulfilling lives.Key points:1. Women tend to perform better than men in hyper-endurance environments.2. Resilience is developed through facing challenges and bouncing back from adversity, not by avoiding risks.

This podcast features Bill Ullman, a padel aficionado and president of the USPA, discussing his journey in the sport and its growth in the United States. Bill shares insights on transitioning from squash to padel, the challenges of developing padel culture in the US, and the creation of the Anglo-American Cup. The conversation highlights the Joy of Padel and the sport's potential for expansion in America.Key points:1. Padel in the US is compared to tennis in 1910, with significant growth potential in players, courts, and tournaments.2. The development of junior programs and college recruitment are crucial for the US to become competitive in padel at an international level.

This podcast features a conversation with Marcin Piróg, an investor, entrepreneur, and former CEO of several companies. Piróg shares insights from his career, including experiences at Carlsberg and LOT Airlines. He discusses the importance of self-discovery, risk-taking, and leadership in business. Piróg also talks about his passion for ultra-marathons and how they contribute to his personal growth. The conversation touches on topics such as corporate transformations, negotiating with major companies, and the challenges of managing state-owned enterprises.Key points:1. The importance of building a strong team and being transparent as a leader2. The challenges of managing and transforming state-owned companies

This podcast features a conversation between host Minter Dial and guest Cat Holt, founder and CEO of Coologee. They discuss the importance of branding in today's business landscape, exploring how it impacts company performance, employee engagement, and customer relationships. Cat shares insights from her experience in the insurance industry, particularly her work at Progressive. The discussion touches on the challenges of integrating brand strategy into data-driven organisations and the role of AI in marketing and branding.Key points:1. Brand is crucial for companies to outperform competitors and create meaningful connections with customers.2. The importance of maintaining humanity and intuition in branding decisions, even as data and AI play increasingly significant roles.