business
Hosted by Athena · business · EN-US
Leading Without Illusions is Athena’s podcast for leaders navigating the fast-moving, often misunderstood world of artificial intelligence. Co-hosts Holly Smithson and Jaye Connolly bring candid conversations with innovators on what AI is, where it goes wrong, and how to lead with better questions, sharper judgment, and real accountability. Expect practical clarity on bias, trust, risk, and the human choices shaping what comes next.
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Contact path
Verified email
Booking probability
41%
Guest openness
Selective
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Signup to Generate a PitchLeading Without Illusions is Athena’s podcast for leaders navigating the fast-moving, often misunderstood world of artificial intelligence. Co-hosts Holly Smithson and Jaye Connolly bring candid conversations with innovators on what AI is, where it goes wrong, and how to lead with better questions, sharper judgment, and real accountability.
Leading Without Illusions is hosted by Athena. The show has published 57 episodes to date.
Recent episodes include "Garry Ridge | WD-40 | June" (1 June 2026, 41 minutes), "Kaye Foster | BCG | May" (4 May 2026, 49 minutes), and "Dr. Carlos Nunez | Resmed | April" (6 April 2026, 43 minutes).
Leading Without Illusions publishes roughly monthly, with episodes averaging 37 minutes across 57 episodes.
Booking probability for Leading Without Illusions is 41%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. Leading Without Illusions requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. Leading Without Illusions's contact route on record: verified email.
The strongest fits for Leading Without Illusions are IT Services & Software Development and Business & Management Consulting. Leading Without Illusions has a business audience.
Athena hosts Leading Without Illusions, a business podcast with 57 episodes published.
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Leading Without Illusions
What does it take to build a culture where people genuinely love coming to work? In this episode of Leading Without Illusions , Holly Smithson and Jay Connolly sit down with leadership icon and former WD-40 CEO Garry...
Leading Without Illusions
In a world shaped by disruption, uncertainty, and accelerating AI adoption, what does effective leadership actually look like? In this episode of Leading Without Illusions , Holly Smithson and Jaye Connolly are joined...
Leading Without Illusions
Artificial intelligence is moving fast—but is it really as disruptive as it seems? In this episode of Leading Without Illusions , Holly Smithson and Jaye Connolly sit down with Dr. Carlos Nunez of ResMed to separate...
Leading Without Illusions
In this episode of Athena’s Leading Without Illusions , hosts Holly Smithson and Jaye Connolly sit down with Dr. Stephen Morse, founder of Unchained Solutions, an Australian-based consulting firm focused on modern...
Leading Without Illusions
What happens when traditional leadership models stop working? In this episode of Leading Without Illusions , Athena leaders Holly Smithson and Jaye Connolly join Reverend Sean Harvey of the Warrior Compassion Institute...
Leading Without Illusions
In the launch episode, Holly Smithson and Jaye Connolly welcome Claire Roberts and Antony Roberts, co-founders of Full Fathom five, for a raw conversation on AI’s biggest illusions. They unpack why AI isn’t a panacea...
Leading Without Illusions
In this episode of Lifting While Climbing , Holly Smithson sits down with “hug dealer” Angela Pennella to explore the movement behind Hugs in the Wild. Angela shares how intentional connection, nervous system awareness...
Leading Without Illusions
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Tina Rinker —co-founder & Chief Scientific Officer of Syantra Inc. —joins host Holly Smithson to unpack a breakthrough approach to early detection: a simple blood test that...
Leading Without Illusions
From the slopes of Mount Kenya to the halls of Cambridge and the UN General Assembly, Esther Mutuma, founder & CEO of the Boreka Group , shares how a village girl with a love of math became a banking leader turned...
Leading Without Illusions
In this episode of the Lifting While Climbing podcast, Athena CEO Holly Smithson sits down with Claude Jones, CEO of Do It With AI, for a powerful, perspective-shifting conversation about what it really means to lead...
Leading Without Illusions
In this powerful episode of Athena’s Lifting While Climbing , host Holly Smissen sits down with biotech trailblazer Dr. Tina Nova for an intimate, candid conversation about resilience, leadership, and purpose. From...
Leading Without Illusions
As political pressure mounts and corporate DEI efforts are being quietly rebranded or rolled back, Athena’s leadership is standing firm. In this powerful episode, Athena CEO Holly Smithson is joined by Board Chair Susan...
Leading Without Illusions
In this month’s Lifting While Climbing podcast, we spotlight the unstoppable Rijon Charne —a lawyer, cancer warrior, and fierce advocate who turned every obstacle into ammunition for change. Just two days after...
Leading Without Illusions
In Athena’s April edition of Lifting While Climbing , CEO Holly Smithson welcomes Dr. Nima Alamdari, Chief Science Officer at Ritual, as the podcast’s first featured workplace ally. Against the backdrop of today’s...
Leading Without Illusions
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Athena was honored to spotlight powerhouse entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and business reality show host Misti Cain on our Lifting While Climbing podcast. And if you missed...
Leading Without Illusions
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Lara Wynne, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Gate Sciences, on this month’s episode of Lifting While Climbing. Lara shares her remarkable journey from being a...
Leading Without Illusions
In this dynamic episode of Athena’s Lifting While Climbing podcast, Athena’s President and CEO, Holly Smithson, sits down with trailblazing leader Kiva Allgood for a candid and inspiring conversation. Kiva shares her...
Leading Without Illusions
Tune in to the latest episode of Athena’s Lifting While Climbing podcast, where CEO and host Holly Smithson dives into an inspiring conversation with Dr. Manna Semby. Dr. Semby shares her extraordinary journey from a...
Leading Without Illusions
In this episode of Athena's Lifting While Climbing podcast, Holly Smithson, President and CEO of Athena, sits down with Lifting While Climbing Summit speaker Dr. Sheila Gujrathi. Dr. Gujrathi shares her inspiring...
Leading Without Illusions
In the latest episode of Athena’s Lifting While Climbing podcast, host Holly Smithson, Athena’s President and CEO, welcomes Sarah Hassan, Head of Global Diversity & Inclusion at ResMed. Sarah shares her inspiring...
Recent guests on Leading Without Illusions. Study who booked and why before you pitch.
former WD-40 Company CEO, bestselling author of Any Dumbass Can Do It, WD-40 Company
Professor of Epidemiology, Sales Engineering Leadership Institute
author of Warrior Compassion, men's healing practitioner, organizational development expert, thought leader, Warrior Compassion Men's Studio
former Goldman Sachs VP turned naturopathic physician, TEDx speaker, author of The Perimenopause Broken Rung, Aruna Personalized Medicine
PitchCentric classifies Leading Without Illusions under these industries. Guests from them are the closest fit, and each links to the best podcasts in that industry.
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