The latest Apple Podcasts rankings are loading.
Podcast charts
10,000 Swamp Leaders
Published by Rick Torseth
- Management
- Business
- Entrepreneurship
10,000 Swamp Leaders is a podcast that wades into muddy Swamp in search of people who have built social impact movements.The world needs 10,000 more people in the next five years who are willing to lead on issues like climate change, income inequality, peace building, and gender equality. If you are one of these people, you have found a home. Rick Torseth and his guests will unpack lessons learned, why small wins matter more than breakthroughs and how failure is our wisest teacher. We continue to confuse leading with authority. Leading is not a role or a position. It begins when you raise your hand and intervene in a heated environment that matters to you. Our conversations will dig into what is at stake when the heat is high and the only way forward is wadding into swampy conditions. These are human stories that don’t always have hero endings. We want to understand how these leaders’ lives are turning out differently because they chose to lead. What are the rewards for all this exposure and risk? Each episode will be a little different, as each guest will be different. Hit subscribe so you can prepare to lead.
Listen on Apple PodcastsRecent episodes
- 086_Josette de Goede: Leading Creates Obligation
086_ Josette de Goede comes to the swamp to discuss her 40 years of leadership coaching and consulting experience. She brings a vibrant source of energy, education and wisdom to helping leaders develop more human effectiveness inside their organizations. We discuss her work helping leaders know themselves better by understanding their human “force fields”. She has a forthcoming book that addresses Professional Mastery, Human Capacity and Moral Mastery. We explore these elements and how to use them in ways that support the work of leading. Josette offers leadership resources for each of us. Josette’s Links Josette on LinkedIn The Change Academy EPL Flink Veranderen debaak Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 085_Tracy Roberts: Art of Stroke
Tracy Roberts visits the Swamp and shares her story of building her graphic design business. There are lessons here for all of us about the work required to build a successful business. But this is just the beginning of her story. What came next was Tracy’s biggest life challenge. With candor, resolve and determination she reminds us to take nothing for granted. Enjoy the “Art of Stroke.” Tracy’s Links https://www.instagram.com/art_of_stroke/ https://www.michaeljfox.org/ https://www.parkinson.org/ Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 084_Dave Cooper: The Map That Wasn't
Dave Cooper returns to the Swamp to explore his Substack post “The Map That Wasn’t.” Dave's post caught my attention because he explores the real challenges the United States government faces as a result of going to war with Iran. Dave is uniquely qualified to comment on this topic. He brings over 20 years of service as a US Navy Seal that is followed up with two Master’s Degrees that focus on complexity theory and complex, adaptive systems. How he sees and speaks to the unfolding conflict offers a perspective most of us do not have. He then offers some ideas and moves that each of us could use to more effectively address the complex challenges we face in our lives and work. Dave’s Links The Map That Wasn’t Substack March 16, 2026 The Leader Is Not The Engine Substack March 25, 2026 Dave’s First Podcast Visit to the Swamp May 9, 2022 Dave’s Medium Page Contact Dave Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 083_ Janet Hawkes: Mastering Culture Change Inside UK Government
Janet Hawkes comes to the Swamp to share her insights and experiences from leading for 18 years inside Kent County Council in the United Kingdom. Leading inside Kent taught Jan the art and craft of navigating a political culture while providing services to the citizens of Kent. She managed significant culture change processes and programs. She speaks directly to what she learned from mistakes, how to develop future leaders and the importance of listening and responding to frontline staff. We end with Jan discussing her own personal and professional transition from Kent County Council to private life. Jan’s Links LinkedIn Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 082_Mau Espinosa: Let It Happen
Mau Espinosa joins me in the swamp to discuss his point of view on leadership and how he helps others through his “LET” approach to leadership development. Mau has travelled a challenging road to arrive at this moment. He is candid about his journey, how he learned from his mistakes and what he believes it takes to become a resilient leader of people and teams. Mau shares his Logic, Emotion, and Tactics approach to development and how it can work for all of us. Mau’s story of mistakes made, lessons learned, building resilience and finally achievement. Mau’s Links LinkedIn Mau’s Website G20 Mau’s Book Mau’s Instagram Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- Episode 081_Ryan van der Marel: Change Happens One Conversation at a Time
Ryan van der Marel comes to the swamp and brings his wisdom and experience facilitating group conversations for deeper understanding and shared meaning. He shares how he coaches, nudges and holds the space so that groups and teams get to the heart of their aspirations, address their blockages and produce new pathways for collective impact. Anyone who facilitates groups will come away with a few new moves that support group work. Links: Ryan’s Website https://ryanvandermarel.com North Shore Nomads blog: https://nomadsmoto.wordpress.com Radical Candor: https://www.radicalcandor.com/ 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: https://conscious.is/15-commitments Nonviolent (compassionate) communication: https://www.cnvc.org/ Ryan’s Contact Information: info@ryanvandermarel.com Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 080_Eula Rohan: Collaborative Change with Equine assistance
Eula Rohan visits the Swamp and shares how she walks alongside Australia's First Nation communities as they build cross sector leadership capacity. Eula is practicing the “harder craft” of large group facilitation processes that address layers of social complexity, difficult historical challenges and present day aspirations for healthy communities. Eula has a long history of training large horses. She understands that building a trusting relationship with an 800kg horse is similar to building trust with large groups of human beings. She tells us how that works. Eula’s Links LinkedIn What an 800kg Horse Taught Me About Power Dynamics Deep Collaboration | Platform C European Association for Horse Assisted Education . Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 079_Kelly Indira Buis: The Craft of Facilitation and Adaptation
Kelly Indira Buis comes to the Swamp to discuss the craft of group facilitation. Kelly is the founder of The Adaptation Company in The Hague, Netherlands. The work of facilitating groups of human beings is challenging. There are often multiple agendas and outcomes that need to be navigated for useful outcomes. Then there is the importance of getting all voices and ideas into the room and understood. Kelly has developed a clear process with four elements that help guide groups to outcomes they seek that lead to more helpful actions. I suggest you also check Kelly out on LinkedIn using the link below. She has mastered the craft of using the LinkedIn platform for sharing ideas, resources and her point of view. Kelly’s Links The Adaptation Company LinkedIN LinkedIn post Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 078_Runa Sabore: Designing a New Frame of Society Through Architecture.
Runa Sabore was raised in a commune. She has carried the communal lessons of caring for community into her work helping design buildings that support how people can live well in the “age of aging.” Runa talks about the potential of “universal design” to keep people living at home and how she has learned to connect silos that form the basis for healthier communities. Runa's Links NORD Architects Healthy Ageing Explore Healthy Ageing Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 077_Paolo Quattrone: The Wonder of Accounting and the Society of Jesus
Paolo Quattrone comes to the Swamp and brings his love of accounting as basis for better judgment and decision making. He also re-introduces us to The Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Paolo makes the case that in a globalized world, increasing technology and our faster life-pace are leading to more uncertainty and a misalignment of our purpose. In our conversation, Paolo provides a fresh orientation to using accounting principles to support deeper diagnosis and wiser decisions. Paolo also suggests that there is much to learn from the Jesuit’s exploration of the world. Their willingness to step into uncertainty and leverage their curiosity is a timely reminder to us that learning to go slow often produces better results. Paolo’s Links Paulo’s websites University of Manchester Jesuits in the Boardroom Maieutic Index Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 076_ Graeme Findlay: Differential Voice: A Leadership Approach for Complexity
Graeme Findlay visits the swamp and brings his Differential Voice leadership meta-model. Graeme makes the case that to lead effectively today, a leader needs more than one voice. Graeme has us covered: his differential voice approach is based on six major ‘modes’ of leading. Take note as Graeme leads us through when and how we use these different leadership voices. Graeme’s Links Website Differential Voice Blog Leadership Programme Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 075_ Julie Drybrough: Transformation: From Moving Deck Chairs to Changing Ships
Julie Drybrough comes to the Swamp and shares her life wisdom fostering transformation. She is candid about her personal transformational path and how it shapes her coaching and group work. She learned how building a new narrative of trust can produce “magic” and people begin to shine. Hers is a story about how commitment, self-love, service to others and reflection reveal the best of who we can be and the means to navigate the “crunchy stuff.” Julie’s Links: Website: https://fuchsiablueblog.wpcomstaging.com/ Blog: https://fuchsiablueblog.wpcomstaging.com/2020/11/06/growlery/ Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 074_CK and Clif McKenzie: Having The Right People Matters
Clif and CK McKenzie come to the Swamp and talk about their generational leadership transition of Watson Furniture. They discuss their different approaches to the work, how they make decisions and how they each lead. Clif has led Watson for a great many years. He didn’t start out loving office furniture. That quickly changed. He sets the high standard for the design and functionality of the Watson products. CK brings his US Naval Academy education and US Marine Corps training flying combat helicopters. They approach leading from different core influences and yet they are on the same page about how they lead people. At the core is their belief that “having the right people matters, it matters, it matters.” In our conversation, they share how they have effectively led the Watson team through a difficult post Covid period to brighter days. Links Watson Furniture Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 073_Wendy Tyner: I Am One Who Listens
Wendy Tyner visits the Swamp to share her wisdom gained from leading philanthropic organizations and building communities. She begins our conversation sharing what she learned teaching children with learning disabilities. We then discuss how she guided three not-for-profit organizations to become significant community assets that support bluegrass music, farms and public lands. She often guided all these projects at the same time. Wendy offers up a portfolio of lessons learned and “grandmotherly (Baba)” advice for all of us. Thanks Wendy. Wendy’s Links Wintergrass Podcast- One Hour to Doors - Podcasts about the business and souls of leaders in the festival and events industry- November 25,2023 Friends of the Farms Sierra Ferrell Official Website Home - Trust for Public Land OMC Foundation | Clallam County | Olympic Medical Center Foundation Mountains to Sound Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 072_Aidan McQuade: Ethical Leadership
Aidan McQuade joins me in the Swamp to discuss his book, Ethical Leadership: Moral Decision-Making Under Pressure and his model “The Cruciform of Agency.” Aidan was born in Northern Ireland and grew up during the period known as “the troubles.” He is wiser for that experience. He has dedicated his life to humanitarian work in some of the most difficult conditions over the last twenty years. Our conversation explores his experiences leading aid organizations and the hard decisions that need to be made that affect human life. We explore his model and how individuals can use it to locate a space of agency in the most difficult of situations. Aidan is also the author of two fiction books as well as a wonderful blog. Enjoy the insights from a man who has impacted the world for the better. Aidan Links Aidan McQuade Aidan’s book: Ethical Leadership Moral Courage in Leadership Leadership in the “gray-zone” Service to the State The Undiscovered Country Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 071_Benjamin Taylor: Differentiation, Integration and Four Dynamics of Groups
Benjamin Taylor makes his third appearance in the Swamp and he brings some useful distinctions with him. We discuss the value and importance of understanding the positive and negative dynamics that differentiation and integration have on group dynamics and productivity. But it is not all that simple. There are at least four dynamics at play at any time in your work groups. Benjamin maps these group dynamics and shares moves that you can make to lead, manage and facilitate more effective group-work outcomes. Benjamin’s Links Benjamin Taylor LinkedIN post Benjamin Taylor’s Medium Page https://antlerboy.com/ Barry Oshry: Power and Systems Sandra Janoff: Future Search Safford Beer Benjamin 10000 SwampLeaders Episode 21 Benjamin Taylor 10000 SwampLeaders Episode 39 Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 070_Joanne Murphy & Keith Grint: The Demanding Craft of Leading
Joanne Murphy and Keith Grint come to the swamp to discuss their views on leadership and the effort required to do it well. Joanne and Keith are deeply informed on this topic of leading. Their academic background includes teaching, research and writing. We discuss the differences between command, management and leadership. All three approaches matter and we explore the value of each role. The state of the world calls for more people with the stamina to lead. In this episode, stamina will be supported with craft. Links Joanne’s Links Joanne’s Book: Management and War: How Organisations Navigate Conflict and Build Peace’ University of Birmingham Joanne’s Website Public Service Podcast The Leadership Challenge of Northern Ireland Twitter - @changeresearch 10000 SwampLeaders Joanne Murphy Podcast (Episode ) Keith’s Links Bio LinkedIn keith.grint@wbs.ac.uk New Blog: ILA Blog article: Care-Full Leadership: https://ilaglobalnetwork.org/care-full-leadership/ New Articles: “Closing ranks: Leadership and the mundanization of the extraordinary in military history” Leadership https://doi.org/10.1177/17427150241238811 WhatsApp to Sunak’ Leadership (2024) https://doi.org/10.1177/17427150241240598 New Books: A Cartography of Resistance: Leadership, Management & Command https://global.oup.com/academic/product/a-cartography-of-resistance-9780198921745?lang=en&cc=gb Mutiny & Leadership https://global.oup.com/academic/search?q=grint+mutiny&cc=gb&lang=en Leadership: Limits and Possibilities 2nd ed. (with Owain Smolovic Jones) https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/leadership-9781350333130/ Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 069_Bill Sharpe: Three Horizons: The Patterns of Hope
Three Horizons: The Patterning of Hope Bill Sharpe visits the swamp and brings his Three Horizon framework for navigating the future. Bill is an independent researcher who helps people work together to create transformational change in the face of an uncertain future. Bill will explain what makes each of the three horizons distinct and necessary for addressing the future. The beauty and significance of the Three Horizon framework is the simplicity of understanding and its ease of use. Bill will explain it all and then you can get to work sorting your own Three Horizons. Links Three Horizons book, and short video introductions by Kate Raworth and Nigel Topping The Three Horizons framework explained by Bill Sharpe www.h3uni.org/resource-library/ Three Horizons For Three Horizons resources, visit: https://futurestewards.com/3h-practice-resources / To contact the home of the Three Horizons Hub, Future Stewards, send a message via the LinkedIn page Follow us on LinkedIn Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 068_Elvis Fraser: Advancing Social Justice and Equity through MLE
Elvis Fraser comes to the Swamp to share his commitment to helping non-profit organizations realize greater measurable results from their social impact investments through wise monitoring, learning and evaluation strategies. He and his Sanfoka Consulting team align their strategies to advance social justice and equity in all aspects of their work. Elvis has a rich history of leading and mentoring teams around the world and he brings his wisdom to our conversation. Elvis's Links Sanfoka Consulting Elvis LinkedIn Sanfoka Case Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp
- 067_ Eva Grosman: Centre for Democracy and Peacebuilding
Eva Grosman joins me in the swamp to share how her “life factory setting” which is based on hope and courage, has guided her in building the Centre for Democracy and Peacebuilding as well as a community of peacebuilders around the world. Listen close because Eva offers a multitude of specific, actionable moves each of us can take to lead on difficult challenges. Eva’s life work and impact is a model for the potency of personal agency. Eva’s Links Centre For Democracy and Peacebuilding LinkedIn Thanks for listening. Send me your feedback I want to thank my great team that helps me sound better than I am. Jacki Hydock for her lending her wonderful voice to our introduction and outro Great music by Jazz Night Awesome episode production by the great team of We Edit Podcasts all the way up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Check them out at www.weeditpodcasts.com Thanks For Listening and Jumping into the Swamp