Experimental Leader

This month, I’m rethinking what it means to live and lead with intention. From watching my son pursue his craft at Oberlin Conservatory to immersing myself in language study and new experiences in Puerto Vallarta, I’ve been reminded that growth often comes from stepping outside what we know. Humility, curiosity, and a willingness to show up — even imperfectly — are leadership muscles worth strengthening. As we look ahead to 2026, I invite you to consider where you’re ready to expand and what it would take to build a version of success that truly feels good.... Read More

Focusing on bottlenecks can transform your leadership—but ignoring small maintenance tasks can quietly hold you back. Discover how balancing breakthroughs with upkeep creates flow, freedom, and space for real innovation.... Read More

  The show’s guest in this episode is Dr. Torben Noerby.  He is a leadership expert, CEO of People & Performance, author of The Contextual Leader, and creator of CLAI – The Contextual Leadership AI Bot. With over 30 years of experience spanning the military, retail, and global consulting, he helps executives adapt their leadership to organizational context, driving performance and transformation. —   Listen to the podcast here  Leading in Context: Dr. Torben Noerby on Adaptive Leadership Hello and welcome to the show. I am Melanie Parish. I am an executive coach, and I coach empire builders, thought...... Read More

  The show’s guest in this episode is Charlotte Otter. She is an author, speaker, and advisor with global experience leading communications at companies like SAP and Anglo American. She now helps organizations of all sizes manage reputation, drive change, and build effective teams. In today’s noisy world, she believes it’s stories and our humanity that truly break through. —   Listen to the podcast here  Reputation, Resilience, and New Leaders with Charlotte Otter Hello. I am Melanie Parish. I’m one of the co-hosts of the Experimental Leader podcast. I am a Master Certified Coach, and I love coaching,...... Read More

In this heartfelt reflection, Melanie Parish shares what gratitude means to her this Canadian Thanksgiving—celebrating connection, community, and the simple joys that make leadership and life so meaningful.... Read More

Learn how to engage life more fully through mindfulness, reflection, and intentional living. In this personal growth piece, Melanie Parish shares insights on presence, purpose, and finding deeper fulfillment every day.... Read More

Leadership Lessons from Summer   As leaders, we often forget to rest. We strategize, we vision, we lead teams and companies—and somewhere along the way, we start to believe that if we stop moving, everything might fall apart. But this summer, I remembered something essential: joy is fuel. And downtime? It’s not optional. It’s leadership maintenance. I went to the Lyons Folk Festival—one of those magical weekends that’s part music, part soul revival. Barefoot in the grass, I danced under the open sky and let the music remind me of who I am when I’m not thinking about what’s next....... Read More

  The show’s guest in this episode is Col. Bree Fram. She is an astronautical engineer, author, and one of the highest-ranking out transgender officers in the U.S. Space Force, with over 20 years of military service. She is a recognized advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion and the author/editor of multiple books, including Forging Queer Leaders and With Valor and Visibility. —   Listen to the podcast here  Transcending Limits: Leadership, Identity, and Advocacy in Uniform with Col. Bree Fram Hello and welcome to the Experimental Leader Podcast. I’m Melanie Parrish. I’m an author, a speaker, an executive coach, and...... Read More

  The show’s guest in this episode is Frankie Berkoben. She is an executive coach and sought-after speaker who works with leaders at top companies like Google, Airbnb, and the White House. She helps high-achieving professionals break free from overwhelm and inconsistency, unlocking clarity, confidence, and sustainable success. Combining design thinking, the scientific method, positive psychology, and ADHD expertise, Frankie empowers clients to perform at their best without relying on grit or willpower. Her systems-based approach digs into neuropsychology to address the root causes of friction, optimizing for success by shaping the right conditions. A behavioral psychology expert, Frankie makes...... Read More

  The show’s guest in this episode is Dr. Liz Cavallaro. She is an Executive Coach, Adult Development Scholar, and co-author of Forging Queer Leaders: How the LGBTQIA+ Community Creates Impact from Adversity. She co-hosts the Forged in Fire LGBTQ+ Leadership Podcast and shares her research widely through journals, conferences, and keynotes. She currently serves as a tenured Associate Professor of Leader Development at the U.S. Naval War College, working with senior national security leaders to deepen self-awareness and cognitive capacity. Dr. Cavallaro has also taught at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Bay Path University. She holds an Ed.D. in Human...... Read More