Podcast
Lead & Live Well
Hosted by Erin Cox & M. Scott Knox · EN
Friends and co-hosts Erin Cox and Scott Knox have a question: how did you get to where you are? In each episode, they’ll sit down with a different leader in the social impact world to learn about their leadership journey. They’ll have wide-ranging discussions, with topics including career transitions, blending work and life, pathways to leadership, experiences with burnout, and when they had to “shake off the ‘shoulds’” to carve their own path forward.
Hosted by Erin Cox and M. Scott Knox
Edited and Produced by Stephanie Cohen
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Lifting Voices, Driving Change with Javier Juarez
Mar 1300:34:15Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Lead and Live Well, Erin Cox and Scott Knox sit down with Javier Juarez, Executive Director of the Latino Equity Fund at the Boston Foundation. Javier shares his journey from immigrating from Peru as a child to leading transformative philanthropic initiatives in Massachusetts.He opens up about the power of storytelling, the resilience he’s seen in immigrant communities, navigating burnout, and the lessons that have shaped his leadership. From being “the only one in the room” to building community power through philanthropy, Javier offers insights on leading with purpose, lifting voices, and making an impact that lasts.Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, identity, and the ways we can all contribute to a more equitable future.Javier's Brown SpeechJavier's Ted Talk Hosted by Erin Cox and M. Scott KnoxEdited and Produced by Stephanie Cohen
Transcribe →The Power of Generalists Part II with Siobhán O'Riordan
Feb 700:34:34Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Erin Cox and Scott Knox welcome back leadership coach and author Siobhán O’Riordan to continue their deep dive into the power of generalists. Building on their previous discussion, Siobhán introduces key ideas from her new book Reframe, exploring what defines a generalist, why their careers often look nonlinear, and how their curiosity, adaptability, and pattern-connecting strengths are uniquely suited to today’s fast-changing world. Together, they reflect on their own zigzag career paths, the environments where generalists thrive, and why this often unseen group is critical for navigating complexity, leading change, and driving impact across organizations.Hosted by Erin Cox and M. Scott KnoxEdited and Produced by Stephanie Cohen
Transcribe →What Got You Here Isn’t Going to Get You There with Divya Mani
Dec 1900:40:33Tap to summarizeIn this engaging conversation, Scott and Erin sit down with Divya Mani to explore her intentional, values-driven career journey across consulting, brand management, and the education sector. Divya reflects on the choices and chance moments that shaped her path, how becoming a parent reframed her approach to work and life, and why she believes education is the ultimate lever for expanding opportunity. She also shares practical tools for leadership, along with her hard-earned wisdom on growth, boundaries, and continuous learning. This episode is full of insight, warmth, and honest reflection for anyone navigating their own evolving path.Hosted by Erin Cox and M. Scott KnoxEdited and Produced by Stephanie Cohen
Transcribe →Lily Pads of Leadership with Jay Kim
Feb 20, 202500:34:59Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Lead and Live Well, hosts Erin Cox and Scott Knox dive into a rich conversation with the executive director of the Community Foundation for Metro West. From launching his career at City Year to navigating corporate giving at Target, his story is a masterclass in blending intention with serendipity. Discover how he transformed chance encounters into pivotal career moves, built bridges across the nonprofit, corporate, and philanthropic worlds, and learned the art of managing up. With honest reflections and sharp insights, this episode offers a fresh take on leadership, community impact, and the magic of meaningful connections.Hosted by Erin Cox and M. Scott KnoxEdited and Produced by Stephanie Cohen
Transcribe →Our Friend Andrea: A Tribute in Memory of Andrea McGrath
Dec 16, 202400:31:19Tap to summarizeIn this special tribute episode of Lead and Live Well, we celebrate the extraordinary life and impact of Andrea McGrath, a beloved friend, colleague, and leader in the social impact sector. Andrea was a tireless connector, a beacon of positivity, and a true champion of ideas and people.Join us as friends, colleagues, and admirers share heartfelt remembrances, recounting Andrea's boundless energy, her unmatched ability to bring people together, and the generosity that defined her life. Whether you knew Andrea personally or are learning about her for the first time, these stories offer inspiration to live with the same love, curiosity, and purpose that she embodied.Andrea’s legacy reminds us to be connectors, cheerleaders, and bright lights in our own communities. Listen in, reflect, and carry her spirit forward.Hosted by Erin Cox and M. Scott KnoxEdited and Produced by Stephanie Cohen
Transcribe →Values in Action with Miriam Ortiz
Dec 9, 202400:37:08Tap to summarizeMiriam Ortiz joins Scott and Erin on Lead and Live Well to share her remarkable leadership story, rooted in advocacy, empowerment, and a commitment to creating pathways for others. As a leader in workforce development and a passionate advocate for equity, Miriam dives into the challenges and triumphs of her career, the lessons learned from navigating systemic barriers, and her vision for liberatory leadership. This conversation is filled with practical advice, inspiring reflections, and the wisdom of someone who leads with purpose and authenticityHosted by Erin Cox and M. Scott KnoxEdited and Produced by Stephanie Cohen
Transcribe →Innovating Wellness with Tracy Skelly
Nov 25, 202400:35:09Tap to summarizeJoin Erin Cox and Scott Knox on this episode of Lead and Live Well as they interview Tracy Skelly, the dynamic founder of the Little Cocoa Bean Company. Tracy discusses her unique career trajectory, from her early days in theater to her impactful work in education and food access. She also delves into the creation of her business, emphasizing the significance of cultural cuisine and nutritious food for children. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with inspiration, practical advice, and Tracy's powerful reflections on intentionality and legacy.Hosted by Erin Cox and M. Scott KnoxEdited and Produced by Stephanie Cohen
Transcribe →Pivot Like a Pro with Casey Johnson
Oct 10, 202400:56:18Tap to summarizeJoin hosts Erin Cox and Scott Knox in a thought-provoking conversation with Casey Johnson, a leader in the nonprofit world and current national leader at the GreenLight Fund. Casey reflects on her career journey, the personal and professional transitions she's made, and her experience building high-impact programs across multiple communities. The discussion covers the challenges of scaling nonprofit initiatives, the power of strategic investments in social ventures, and the critical role of empathy and relationship-building in leadership. Get inspired by Casey’s insights on how to manage growth, sustainability, and mission-driven impact in the ever-evolving nonprofit landscape.Hosted by Erin Cox and M. Scott KnoxEdited and Produced by Stephanie Cohen
Transcribe →Passion with Purpose with Gaby King Morse
Aug 7, 202401:05:10Tap to summarizeJoin Erin Cox as she flies solo on this episode of Lead and Live Well with guest Gaby King Morse, an influential leader with over 25 years of experience in the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Gaby, now the President and CEO of the Center for Women in Enterprise, discusses pivotal moments in her career, from working in her family's business, to figuring out how to fundraise when the moment required it, to becoming a powerhouse fundraiser and organizational leader. Gaby’s insights into effective leadership, building trust within teams, and the importance of clear and kind communication are sure to make you think, and Gaby and Erin’s stories of the time they shared at uAspire just may make you belly laugh. This episode is not to be missed! Hosted by Erin Cox and M. Scott KnoxEdited and Produced by Stephanie Cohen
Transcribe →The Power of Generalists with Siobhán O'Riordan
Jul 25, 202400:44:44Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Lead and Live Well, Erin Cox and Scott Knox interview Siobhán O'Riordan, a former teacher turned Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths coach and social sector consultant. Siobhán shares her career journey, highlighting pivotal moments influenced by both intention and chance. Ever an educator, Siobhán offers practical advice on understanding and leveraging your strengths, how reflection and feedback can fuel personal and professional growth, and strategies to articulate your multi-faceted skills. This episode - and much of Siobhán’s work - will be particularly intriguing for our listeners who are “generalists,” which Siobhán describes as follows:“A generalist’s expertise is intentionally broad; they excel at understanding an organization as a whole entity, identifying and filling gaps, and seizing opportunities to catalyze and champion new projects. Generalists are both interested in figuring out complex problems and finding ways in which they can seed solutions and help the team meet the resulting challenges.”Join Scott, Erin, and Siobhán - all Generalists themselves - for this enlightening conversation!Curious to know more about Generalists? Read the post that started Erin and Scott on this conversation. Curious about how to further define your value as a Generalist, this post will help. And this post provides steps to take for those who struggle with imposter syndrome, a frequent challenge for Generalists.Hosted by Erin Cox and M. Scott KnoxEdited and Produced by Stephanie Cohen
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