Leaders are Human Podcast

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What does it truly take to lead in today’s complex, divided, and rapidly changing world? The Leaders Are Human Podcast peels back the surface of leadership to reveal the deeply human journey behind it. Hosted by Angel B. Pérez, a national leader in higher education and CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, this series features candid conversations with some of today’s most impactful leaders across education, nonprofit, and civic sectors. Guests share not just what they’ve accomplished, but who they’ve had to become along the way.

Through honest and often vulnerable storytelling, they reflect on the inner work that has shaped their leadership and the ongoing process of self-discovery. We also explore a powerful truth: the way we lead and the decisions we make about our careers are deeply connected to our upbringing, our personal stories, and the challenges and triumphs that define us.

Whether you’re an established leader or just beginning your journey, this podcast will challenge you to reflect more deeply, lead more intentionally, and serve others with greater clarity and courage.

Episode 1: Purpose, Mindset, Contemplation, and Integrity: The Tools of Human Leadership

How do you navigate life’s hardest moments without losing your sense of purpose—or yourself? In the first episode of Leaders Are Human, I sit down with Dan Porterfield, president of the Aspen Institute and a leader I’ve long admired. Dan reflects on his childhood, his journey through public education to a life-changing Jesuit experience, and the values that shaped his path. What emerges is a powerful story of transformation: from simply getting through life to living with intention and service to others.

We explore how Dan learned to move through intensity with integrity—reframing challenges, cultivating the right mindset, and staying grounded in purpose. He also shares practical lessons from his work, including the five mindsets that have guided his leadership and can help all of us face extraordinary challenges with clarity and courage. This conversation sets the foundation for the series: an honest look at leadership not as perfection, but as a deeply human endeavor.