Love in Action

Episode recap  

 

If you are a champion for human-centered leadership and workplaces, Marcel would love to speak with you to explore partnerships. Book a call here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2026-02  

 

In this solo episode, Marcel explores a question that cuts deep: Why do so many leaders struggle to create emotionally safe environments where people can thrive? 

Drawing from a striking study highlighted in Harper’s Magazine, Marcel unpacks the reality that only 35% of Americans grew up knowing a compassionate, non-judgmental adult, and only 5% identified their father as that person. He examines how generations of men were conditioned to suppress emotion, prioritize performance over presence, and equate vulnerability with weakness, patterns that continue to shape leadership behavior today. Most importantly, this episode challenges leaders to rethink what people truly remember about them. Not their charisma. Not their intelligence. But whether they created an environment where others felt safe enough to grow. This is a conversation about becoming the kind of leader many people wish they had growing up. 

 

Bio:

 

Marcel Schwantes is a leadership coach, speaker, author, and advocate for more humane workplaces. He works with organizations struggling with disengagement, and cultures that lack high performance — and who are ready to build something better. Marcel’s work includes: 

Executive coaching 

Leadership development programs for managers 

Keynote speaking and workshops 

Executive roundtables and culture strategy sessions 

 

Marcel is the author of Humane Leadership: Lead with Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss. Whether coaching a CEO or training a leadership team, Marcel’s #1 goal is the same: To help leaders become the kind of people others want to follow. 

 

Quotes: 

"We're asking today's leaders to create experiences they may have rarely experienced themselves growing up." 

"A lot of leaders are navigating with what I call an incomplete emotional map." 

"People rarely remember the smartest leader in the room. They remember the leader who made them feel safe enough to become better." 

 

Takeaways: 

Your early experience (or lack) of a compassionate, non-judgmental adult directly shapes how emotionally safe people feel around you as a leader today. 

Many leaders operate with an “incomplete emotional map,” defaulting to control, defensiveness, and avoidance because vulnerability was never modeled for them. 

Psychological safety is one of the strongest predictors of high-performing teams, making emotional safety a core business imperative—not a “soft” extra. 

Humane leadership is built through daily micro-moments—pausing before reacting, listening without fixing, asking curious questions, and staying fully present. 

Regardless of your past, you can break the cycle and become the compassionate, non-judgmental leader others remember as a turning point in their lives. 

 

Timestamps: 

[00:00] Why Leadership Wellbeing Must Be a Priority 
[01:12] Podcast Rebrand and Future Direction 
[02:14] The Shocking 35% Compassion Statistic 
[03:08] Why Emotional Safety Wasn’t Modeled for Many Leaders 
[04:12] The Leadership Challenge of Psychological Safety 
[05:20] What an “Incomplete Emotional Map” Looks Like at Work 
[06:33] How Childhood Conditioning Shapes Leadership Behavior 
[07:24] Research Behind Psychological Safety and High-Performing Teams 
[08:22] Caring Leadership Is Built Through Daily Human Moments 
[09:34] The Small Habits That Permanently Change People 
[10:22] What Employees Actually Remember About Great Leaders 
[11:09] Becoming the Compassionate Leader Many Never Had 
[12:01] Breaking the Cycle and Building Better Leadership Cultures 
[12:48] Closing Remarks and Podcast Outro 

 

Conclusion: 

In a world obsessed with metrics, strategy, and performance, Marcel's message is a powerful reminder that the real work of leadership is emotional. Only 35% of people say they knew a compassionate, non-judgmental adult growing up-and that deficit shows up every day in how leaders react, control, or shut down when things get hard. 

But this isn't a story of blame; it's a story of possibility. By recognizing our incomplete emotional maps and choosing small, daily acts of care, curiosity, and presence, we can rewrite the script. We can create teams where people feel safe enough to speak up, grow, and take risks-and become the kind of leaders others remember not just for what we achieved, but for how we made them feel. 

Ultimately, the real opportunity in front of us isn't only to build better businesses-it's to become part of the "other 65%" of leaders: the compassionate, non-judgmental adults the next generation desperately needs. 

 

 

Links/Resources: 

The book: https://www.amazon.com/Humane-Leadership-Lead-Radical-Kick-Ass-ebook/dp/B0CWG3PTL4/  

Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/  

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/    

X: https://x.com/MarcelSchwantes  

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1  

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/

This episode is brought to you by Mitel. If you’re thinking about how communication impacts leadership and resilience in your own organization, Mitel works with more than 70 million users worldwide across critical industries to keep teams secure and connected. You can check them out at Mitel.com. 

 

Episode recap:

In this episode, Marcel sits down with filmmaker Steven Sawalich to discuss his award-winning documentary, Case for Kindness, now streaming on Prime. Together, they explore the science behind kindness and its role in building trust and healing relationships in today’s polarized world. Featuring stories and insights from voices like Ben Affleck, Garth Brooks, and Daryl Davis, this conversation offers a hopeful and practical reminder that intentional kindness can transform both individuals and communities. 

 

Bio:

Steven Sawalich merges humanitarian work with the capture of compelling human experiences on film. His award-winning documentary, Case for Kindness, explores the transformative societal impact of kindness and its role in shaping our future. The film has received over 75 awards globally. 

 

Quotes: 

“Kindness is a muscle, and you need to exercise it.” 

“We can start seeing our commonalities as opposed to our differences.” 

“Love and kindness win.” 

 

Takeaways: 

Practice intentional kindness daily instead of relying on random acts to create lasting behavioral change. 

Replace judgment with curiosity by asking questions and seeking to understand another person’s perspective first. 

Create cultures of kindness in workplaces by modeling empathy, accountability, and respect from leadership downward. 

Use shared experiences like music, sports, art, or service projects to build bridges between people with opposing views. 

When conflict arises, pause before reacting emotionally and process feelings without allowing negativity to take root. 

Acknowledge that kindness is contagious—simply witnessing compassionate behavior can inspire others to act similarly. 

Lead conversations with openness instead of certainty to foster trust, dialogue, and stronger human connection. 

 

Timestamps: 

[00:00] Introduction

[06:20] Steven’s global travels and the inspiration behind A Case for Kindness 

[09:45] Polarization, dialogue, and rebuilding common ground through kindness 

[12:37] The story of a Black musician befriending KKK members 

[17:11] Kindness in leadership, workplace culture, and emotional contagion 

[19:32] How making the documentary personally transformed Steven’s mindset 

[23:18] Ben Affleck’s powerful reflections on addiction and kindness 

[26:08] Trust, suspicion, and why kindness matters more than ever 

[30:42] Steven’s vision for the future impact of the film 

[31:30] Practical ways to lead with love, patience, and curiosity 

 

 

Conclusion: 

This conversation is a reminder that kindness is not simply about being nice—it is about choosing connection over division, curiosity over judgment, and compassion over fear. Steven Sawalich’s journey demonstrates that even in the most difficult conversations and darkest moments, kindness can open doors that hatred and hostility never could. Whether in leadership, relationships, workplaces, or communities, small intentional acts of kindness have the power to spread far beyond what we can see. As Marcel and Steven emphasize throughout the episode, healing begins when we are willing to listen, seek understanding, and recognize our shared humanity. In a world increasingly shaped by outrage and polarization, perhaps kindness is not weakness at all—but one of the bravest choices we can make. 

 

 

Links/Resources: 
Case for Kindness website - https://caseforkindness.com/   

Watch on Amazon Prime  

Articulate Entertainment - https://www.articulusentertainment.com/home

This episode is brought to you by Mitel. If you’re thinking about how communication impacts leadership and resilience in your own organization, Mitel works with more than 70 million users worldwide across critical industries to keep teams secure and connected. You can check them out at Mitel.com. 

 

Episode recap 

 

In this episode, Marcel sits down with filmmaker Steven Sawalich to discuss his award-winning documentary, Case for Kindness, now streaming on Prime. Together, they explore the science behind kindness and its role in building trust and healing relationships in today’s polarized world. Featuring stories and insights from voices like Ben Affleck, Garth Brooks, and Daryl Davis, this conversation offers a hopeful and practical reminder that intentional kindness can transform both individuals and communities. 

 

Bio:

 

Steven Sawalich merges humanitarian work with the capture of compelling human experiences on film. His award-winning documentary, Case for Kindness, explores the transformative societal impact of kindness and its role in shaping our future. The film has received over 75 awards globally. 

 

Quotes: 

“If Daryl can do that, we can certainly do that.” 

“Kindness is a muscle, and you need to exercise it.” 

“We can start seeing our commonalities as opposed to our differences.” 

“You never know what somebody else is going through.” 

“Love and kindness win.” 

 

Takeaways: 

Practice intentional kindness daily instead of relying on random acts to create lasting behavioral change. 

Replace judgment with curiosity by asking questions and seeking to understand another person’s perspective first. 

Create cultures of kindness in workplaces by modeling empathy, accountability, and respect from leadership downward. 

Use shared experiences like music, sports, art, or service projects to build bridges between people with opposing views. 

When conflict arises, pause before reacting emotionally and process feelings without allowing negativity to take root. 

Acknowledge that kindness is contagious—simply witnessing compassionate behavior can inspire others to act similarly. 

Lead conversations with openness instead of certainty to foster trust, dialogue, and stronger human connection. 

 

Timestamps: 

[00:00] Why kindness may be the solution to a divided world 

[06:20] Steven’s global travels and the inspiration behind A Case for Kindness 

[09:45] Polarization, dialogue, and rebuilding common ground through kindness 

[12:37] The story of a Black musician befriending KKK members 

[17:11] Kindness in leadership, workplace culture, and emotional contagion 

[19:32] How making the documentary personally transformed Steven’s mindset 

[23:18] Ben Affleck’s powerful reflections on addiction and kindness 

[26:08] Trust, suspicion, and why kindness matters more than ever 

[30:42] Steven’s vision for the future impact of the film 

[31:30] Practical ways to lead with love, patience, and curiosity 

 

Conclusion: 

This conversation is a reminder that kindness is not simply about being nice—it is about choosing connection over division, curiosity over judgment, and compassion over fear. Steven Sawalich’s journey demonstrates that even in the most difficult conversations and darkest moments, kindness can open doors that hatred and hostility never could. Whether in leadership, relationships, workplaces, or communities, small intentional acts of kindness have the power to spread far beyond what we can see. As Marcel and Steven emphasize throughout the episode, healing begins when we are willing to listen, seek understanding, and recognize our shared humanity. In a world increasingly shaped by outrage and polarization, perhaps kindness is not weakness at all—but one of the bravest choices we can make. 

 

Resources: 

 
Case for Kindness website - https://caseforkindness.com/   

  

Watch on Amazon Prime  

  

Articulate Entertainment - https://www.articulusentertainment.com/home

This episode is brought to you by Mitel. If you’re thinking about how communication impacts leadership and resilience in your own organization, Mitel works with more than 70 million users worldwide across critical industries to keep teams secure and connected. You can check them out at Mitel.com. 

 

Episode recap 

Marcel sat down with Claude Silver to talk about her bold and practical debut, Be Yourself at Work. Silver argues authentic presence is today’s top business superpower and provides a human-centered guide to build trust, lead with heart, and foster cultures where people truly belong.

 

Bio:

Claude Silver is the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, working with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to drive success. She has spoken at Meta, Google, and U.S. agencies, and been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. Her new book is Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart.

 

Quotes: 

 “There is so much power when you are truly your authentic self, when you are not trying to fit in”   

 “You are the only person that can change the song in your head.” 

 “Belonging is our human birthright, and we all need it.” 

 “You don’t drain, you radiate.” 

 “The calmer we are, the clearer we can be.” 

 

 Takeaways: 

 Build self-awareness by understanding your values, patterns, fears, and strengths. 

 Replace fake urgency with intentional calm to reduce burnout and improve clarity. 

 Create belonging by helping people feel seen, heard, and psychologically safe.  

Practice emotional bravery by having honest conversations instead of avoiding discomfort. 

 Leaders should listen deeply, acknowledge people often, and show their humanity. 

 In an AI-driven world, emotional intelligence and human connection matter more than ever. 

 Small moments of authenticity and appreciation can transform workplace culture. 

 

Timestamps: 

[00:00] Introduction and Claude Silver’s background 

[04:01] Personal story and Outward Bound transformation 

[12:29] Origin of the Chief Heart Officer role 

[16:00] Big idea of Be Yourself at Work 

[17:30] Real meaning of authenticity at work 

[19:55] The Three E’s: optimism, bravery, efficiency 

[23:36] Benefits of an emotionally healthy culture 

[25:38] Inner work and self‑awareness 

[27:50] Fake urgency and running on calm 

[32:59] Belonging, safety, and performance 

[36:24] Building trust in remote, multi‑gen teams 

[38:27] AI, efficiency, and human connection 

[40:11] Practical advice for CEOs and leaders 

[43:52] Speed round: personal side of Claude 

[46:43] Leading with love and radiating energy 

[47:06] Final takeaway: small actions to reconnect 

 

Conclusion: 

Authenticity, trust, and emotional courage are no longer optional in leadership—they are essential for building healthy, high-performing cultures. When leaders create spaces where people feel safe to belong and contribute fully, organizations become more resilient, innovative, and human. Claude Silver’s message is simple yet powerful: real leadership begins with self-awareness, grows through connection, and thrives when people choose to radiate instead of drain. 

 

Links/Resources: 

Website: https://www.claudesilver.com/ 

Book website: https://www.beyourselfbook.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casilver/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudesilver/?hl=en 

Claude Silver on Episode #6: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/claude-silver/

This episode is brought to you by Smarsh. AI is transforming how businesses communicate, and compliance can’t fall behind. Smarsh is helping global organizations build defensible, future-ready compliance programs powered by AI. To learn more, visit smarsh.com or download their 2026 AI Insights Report.

 

Episode recap:

In this episode, Marcel sits down with Andy Crocker—a former rocket scientist and author of The Unconditionals: Five Timeless Values to Live Without Limits and Ignite Your Superpower—to unpack the five core values that shaped both his leadership philosophy and personal transformation. Drawing from a pivotal career setback and personal reflection, Andy explains how practicing these values without conditions can reduce stress, strengthen relationships, and help leaders show up more authentically, even in high-performance, technical environments.

 

BIO:

 

Andy Crocker is an aerospace executive with three decades of experience building high-performance teams and leading ambitious projects, including NASA’s Human Landing System. He holds degrees in engineering, humanities, management, and leadership and is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. His multidisciplinary background and diverse career shaped his unique perspective that led to his new book, The Unconditionals.

 

Quotes 

 

“You don’t discover who you are when everything works out—you discover it when the moonshot fails and you choose your values anyway.” 

“Unconditional love doesn’t mean staying in a toxic place; it means caring for yourself and others enough to walk away when you must.” 

“When you stop negotiating your behavior with circumstances, your values finally become who you are—not just what you believe.” 

“Gratitude is not thanks for the tragedy; it’s thanks for what the tragedy cannot take away—the love, the lessons, and the strength you carry forward.” 

“The most advanced systems on earth still run on human hearts; love and gratitude are not soft skills—they’re the core operating code of real performance.” 

 

 

Takeaways 

 

Your identity can’t be safely built on achievements. Andy’s lost “moonshot” with NASA forced him to separate who he is from what he does—and that shift is what unlocked deeper purpose and peace. 

Values only transform you when they’re unconditional. Love, gratitude, integrity, accountability, and endeavor matter most when they don’t change based on who you’re dealing with or whether you’re winning or losing. 

Unconditional love requires boundaries, not self‑sacrifice. Truly loving others starts with self‑respect and the courage to leave toxic situations—for your good and, often, for theirs. 

Gratitude is a discipline for surviving hard things. Andy’s response to his mother’s sudden death shows that gratitude isn’t about approving the pain; it’s about honoring what can’t be taken away and finding steadiness in the middle of loss. 

“Soft” values are the hard edge of performance. Even in hyper‑technical, left‑brain environments like aerospace, cultures of love, appreciation, and integrity create the psychological safety, motivation, and resilience that high performance actually depends on. 

 

Timestamps 

 

00:00:03 – Introduction and Andy’s rocket-scientist background 

00:03:07 – Andy’s story: career, NASA moon mission, and heartbreak 

00:08:54 – Why he wrote The Unconditionals for his kids 

00:09:17 – Overview of the five unconditionals 

00:13:34 – What unconditional love is (and what it isn’t) 

00:17:59 – Why love matters in organizations and leadership 

00:20:59 – Love in technical, engineering, and “left‑brain” cultures 

00:25:43 – Unconditional gratitude and losing his mother 

00:31:12 – Unconditional accountability and real ownership 

00:38:06 – How engineering shaped Andy’s leadership philosophy 

00:41:45 – Speed round: life, careers, and hopes for the future 

00:43:40 – How to lead with practical love every day 

00:45:32 – Final takeaway: living your values unconditionally 

 

Conclusion 

 

Love, gratitude, integrity, accountability, and endeavor aren’t abstract ideals—they’re the unconditional choices that define who you are when the dream falls apart, the contract is lost, or life doesn’t go your way. Andy Crocker’s journey from leading a moonshot bid for NASA to grieving its loss—and then writing The Unconditionals for his children—shows that real strength is refusing to let circumstances dictate your character. When you stop tying your worth to titles and outcomes, and instead anchor yourself in values that don’t move when the world does, you gain the freedom to lead, work, and live with clarity, courage, and compassion. This episode is an invitation to decide: Will you keep living conditionally—reacting to success and failure—or will you commit to becoming the kind of person whose values hold steady, no matter what happens next? 

 

Links/Resources 

 

Website and Book: https://andycrockerbooks.com/  

Andy Crocker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andycrocker/