Raghu Markus is joined by Michael Leach, the first-ever Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer of the White House, for a conversation on how to have faith over fear in the face of uncertainty.

Grab a copy of Michael’s book, Faith Over Fear, to learn more about harnessing your own resilience.

In this episode, Raghu and Michael take a journey through:

Closing the gap between faith and fear
Seeing faith as an action rather than a feeling
How freedom comes when we loosen our grip on ego, fear, and identity
Surrender and choosing presence even when outcomes are unclear
The book The First 90 Days and what culture truly means
Michael’s time working in the White House with the Biden-Harris administration
The meaningful pivot from our preference to our purpose
Enduring and adapting through the many changes we face socially, politically, and personally
Breaking down the wall between ‘us’ and ‘them’, taking inspiration from Ram Dass’s There Is No Other
Giving ourselves ‘the fear test’ and looking inward before we judge another person
Considering the cost of unity and choosing listening over labeling
Forming ourselves so that we are not driven by fear

“Whatever you're not changing you’re choosing, but here's the truth about change: it's not secured in a single election or moment of triumph. Democracy is an ongoing experiment, constantly tested by shifts in power, societal challenges, and the choices we make to protect (or erode) progress. It's not about ensuring nothing changes when you leave, it's about ensuring that what truly matters can endure when everything does. The key is not permanence, it's resilience” –Michael Leach

About Michael Leach:

Michael is a nationally respected strategic advisor, public sector leader, and culture builder whose career spans the NFL, national politics, and the White House. He currently serves as CEO & Co-Founder of BridgeTrust Partners, an advisory firm specializing in leadership development, inclusive strategy, and transformative partnerships across industries—from sports and healthcare to tech, media, and government.

Michael began his professional journey in the National Football League, serving as Assistant to the Head Coach of the Chicago Bears and later managing Labor Relations at NFL Headquarters, where he played a key role in administering and enforcing the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement. In 2019, he was appointed Chief People Officer and Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the Biden-Harris campaign, helping build the most diverse general election team in U.S. history. He later became the first-ever Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for the White House, serving as Special Assistant to the President. Michael is also now an author! Faith Over Fear, a book on resilience and faith in uncertain times, was released in February 2026.

Reach out to Michael via his website, where you can find his social media and contact information as well as learn more about his speaking engagements, career coaching, and more.

“It's really through our surrendering that God does his establishing. God is unable to establish if we don't surrender. If your hands are closed and someone is trying to give you a gift, it's going to be really hard to receive that gift if you don't first open your hands. That's literally the nature of faith. I first have to release what's in my hand in order for God to release what's in his hand.” –Michael Leach

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