In this second of their two conversations, Margareta Kull and Jackie Johnson (Executive Director of ICSA) focus on what leaders can learn from high-control systems and cults. Drawing on Jackie’s work with organisations, government and cult recovery, they explore how fear, pressure and manipulation can take hold in workplaces. They discuss early warning signs, the cost of ignoring discomfort, and how curiosity, self-reflection and listening are essential to creating healthy environments. Courage, they argue, often begins with pausing, seeing reality clearly, and deciding what to do when you sense something is off.

Want to get in touch with Jackie? Contact us here and we’ll connect you. Jackie has changed her email since these episodes were recorded, but she’s still with ICSA in the USA.

To learn more about our Courageous Leader™ Process Programme, click here. You can also download our programme’s introduction package here.

In the first of their two conversations, Margareta Kull and Jackie Johnson explore courage under control. Jackie shares what it was like growing up in Jehovah’s Witnesses—loss, rules and scrutiny—and why one clear breaking point helped her finally leave. The next episode focuses on what leaders can learn.

Interested in the Courageous Leader™ Process programme, you can find more information through the link provided here.

If you’d like to get in touch with Jackie, please note that she has updated her email address since the recording of this episode. If you’d like to connect with her, feel free to reach out to us and we’ll be happy to pass your message along.

This is the organization we’re talking about in the podcast. International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)

Follow Courageous Leader™ and Margareta Kull in social media @margaretakull

When your voice feels muted and there are layers above you, how do you speak up wisely? Host Margareta Kull talks with Peter Sonerell (HR Manager, United Nations Development Programme, Afghanistan) about how managers and HR can lead in all directions—not by rank, but by responsibility. Practical moves for deliberate courage (stop, reflect, choose, act): open with a walk-and-talk, use I-language, make a clear ask, then build buy-in layer by layer and more.

Reflection: Which conversation are you postponing — and when will you have it this week?

Visit our website: courageous-leader.com

Download the free guide: couragemadesimple.com/freeguide

If you would like to know more about our latest Self-Study program: courageous-leader.com/pages/groupselfstudy

Next episode will be released in mid-december.

What gives you courage when the pressure is high? In this episode, HR manager Peter Sonerell (United Nations in Afghanistan) shares practical lessons from a high-stakes context: be deliberate—stop, reflect, choose, act; build trust; say “I don’t know” and follow up; set boundaries without burning bridges; and make wiser decisions together in multicultural teams. A warm, grounded conversation about finding courage in relationships and values, plus a short reflection you can use today.

🧑‍🎓Interested in our new self-study program for groups? Click this link to explore it! You’ll find, among other things, an introduction package that includes the first chapter of the book, a few videos, and other useful resources.

If you work in HR, you might also be interested in our Case Builder – click here to learn more.

📚 Want to get the book? It’s available as a printed book, e-book, and audiobook. Follow the link to purchase your preferred format. You can also listen to the first chapter as an audiobook – just download it here if you’d rather listen than read.

What happens when trust breaks — in your team, your relationships, or even your country? From political betrayals to silent exits at work, this episode explores the deep cost of broken trust. Not just emotionally, but in energy, loyalty, and self-worth. Whether you've felt that cost yourself, or want to understand the unintended impact your actions might have as a leader — this one’s for you. Courage often begins by accepting what is — not fixing the past.

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Download the free guide to the Courageous Leader Process here.

What does it mean to stay human when life shakes you? Thomas Franzén has lived with cancer for most of his life. And yet, he has raised children, built teams, and led in complex organisations. In this episode, Thomas and I explore how courage shapes the way we show up — in conversations, in choices, and in life’s hardest moments.

We talk about fear and the defenses we hide behind, about feedback as an act of generosity, and about the real choice we always face: accept, change, or leave.

📥 Download the Courageous Leader™ Guide here.

Visit my website Courageous Leader™ at www.courageous-leader.com for more information about what we do.

It’s easy to react. Harder to choose. In a world where urgency rules and everything feels important, clarity can be hard to find. You’re working hard — but deep down, you wonder: Is this really what matters most?

If you've ever felt pulled in too many directions or like you're reacting instead of choosing, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Courage Made Simple, we explore why focus is about so much more than productivity — it’s about staying connected to what truly matters, even in the noise.

You’ll meet Sarah, a courageous leader torn between short-term pressure and long-term purpose. Her story reveals how misalignment between values and reality can leave even the strongest leaders overwhelmed and reactive.

We break down what real focus means — not just at work, but at home — and introduce four deceptively simple questions that help you stay grounded, strategic, and honest. You’ll learn how to shift from reacting to choosing, from fear to clarity, from noise to purpose.

Whether you’re in a boardroom, your kitchen, or somewhere in between — if you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning — this episode will help you find your way back to center.

The 4 questions from the episode:

1. What is best for the business?
2. What is best for the planet – nature and humanity?
3. What are your reactions and fears?
4. What are the reactions and fears of others?

📥 Download the Courageous Leader Process guide at www.couragemadesimple.com/freeguide

Bullying isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s silence, sarcasm, or exclusion — and it can happen anywhere. In this episode of Courage Made Simple, we explore how fear drives bullying, and how it shows up in schools, workplaces, homes, and politics.

Through real-life stories — including my own daughter's experience — we look at what fuels a bully, what stops us from acting, and why the consequences are far greater than we often admit.

If you’ve ever felt excluded or unsure how to respond, this episode will help you see the hidden patterns and find the courage to make a difference.