Your Authentic Executive Podcast
Authentic Leadership. Profound Stories. Proven Lessons.
Your Authentic Executive Podcast
Dropping the first Tuesday of every month, Your Authentic Executive is the podcast for leaders seeking real, unfiltered wisdom from top executives who have navigated the highs and lows of leadership.
Hosted by Janyne Peek Emsick, Ph.D., a global executive coach and organizational sociologist with over 30 years of experience on seven continents, each episode delivers deeply human conversations that reveal the principles of authentic leadership.
What Makes Us Different?
We go beyond surface-level success stories to uncover the pivotal moments, mindset shifts, and game-changing lessons that shape top executives. Known for her masterful interviewing, Janyne draws out profound leadership insights that listeners can immediately apply.
The Power of “Sparks”
Before each full episode, we release three "Sparks"—short, compelling excerpts that highlight the most powerful stories and leadership lessons from our featured executive. These insights are designed to ignite reflection, fuel growth, and build anticipation for the full conversation.
Why Listen?
If you're an executive, entrepreneur, or leader looking for wisdom that transcends trends and gets to the heart of authentic leadership, this podcast is for you.
✅ Full Episode – First Tuesday of Every Month
🔥 Three Sparks – Bite-Sized Insights Leading Up to Each Episode
🎙 Subscribe now and join us on a journey to uncover the stories, struggles, and strategies behind Your Authentic Executive.
About Your Host: Janyne Peek Emsick, Ph.D.
Dr. Janyne Peek Emsick is an executive coach, organizational sociologist, and change leadership expert who has spent over 30 years coaching and consulting leaders on seven continents. Her work spans global Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurial ventures, government agencies, and mission-driven organizations, equipping executives with the insight, resilience, and strategy to navigate complexity with confidence.
A Master Interviewer of Executive Stories
Janyne is known for her deeply insightful, masterful interviewing style that uncovers the pivotal moments that define authentic leadership. Her ability to draw out the hidden wisdom in executive journeys makes Your Authentic Executive a uniquely powerful podcast, delivering leadership lessons that are both practical and profound.
A Passion for Authentic Leadership
With a career rooted in organizational change, neuroscience, and leadership development, Janyne’s work is fueled by a conviction:
The best leaders don’t just build companies—they build people.
She integrates insights from neuroscience, resilience research, and executive coaching best practices to help leaders unlock their full potential.
Beyond the Podcast
Janyne is the founder of YourExecutiveCoach.com, a trusted executive coaching firm, and a sought-after speaker for leadership summits, board retreats, and executive roundtables.
📌 Follow Janyne on LinkedIn → [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janynepeekemsick/]
📌 Explore Executive Coaching → [YourExecutiveCoach.com]
Your Authentic Executive Podcast
Episode 1 - Susan Courtney, Former Executive VP at BCBSNE
In this debut episode of Your Authentic Executive Podcast, we sit down with Susan Courtney, retired Executive Vice President of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, to explore her incredible journey from a small-town childhood in Minnesota to leading at the highest levels of corporate America.
Susan shares insights from her early years, the impact of her family, and how golf played a pivotal role in shaping her identity. She reflects on her time in the Navy during the Cold War, where she developed resilience through high-stakes operations, including nuclear launch communications and in-flight refueling.
We also dive into her transition from military to civilian life, the lessons she learned about toxic work cultures, and what ultimately led her to a successful leadership career at Blue Cross Blue Shield. Along the way, Susan reveals some of her most valuable leadership philosophies—like why failure is “the tuition you pay for learning” and the power of thinking like a CEO.
Tune in to hear Susan’s inspiring story, the defining moments of her career, and her reflections on servant leadership, mentorship, and what’s next in her journey.
Listen now and join us in uncovering the authentic lessons of top executives!
Powerful Quotes from the Episode:
- "Make it to breakfast, make it to lunch, make it to dinner…”
- "Failure is the tuition you pay for learning. You've paid your tuition—now learn."
- "Suck it up, buttercup."
- "Leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege."
- "You can stand on your head for 16 weeks if you have to…If you want something bad enough, you can do it."
- "Think like the CEO."
- "Culture is critical. It's not just about the paycheck or title—it’s about where you thrive."
- "I thought, 'How hard could it be?' And I learned that culture makes all the difference."
- "You never know when opportunities will arise—always be ready to stretch your skills."
- "All of us need a little kick in the pants now and then."
- "Rest isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. You have to be before you can do."
Your Authentic Executive Podcast
Authentic Leadership | Profound Stories | Proven Lessons
Hosted by Janyne Peek Emsick, Ph.D.
For SPARKS! sneak peeks of each full episode, follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janynepeekemsick/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janyneyourexecutivecoach/
You can also listen to our podcast on-the-go now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hf8dKgOS9jniNdmfg1i8q?si=4ded7c1ab5c0440a
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-authentic-executive-podcast/id1794646555
Thank you so much to Kimberly Cappellano for taking time to deliver such valuable insight to fellow executives!
Follow her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-cappellano/
Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more Your Authentic Executive Podcast content every month!
