Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast
A quiet diplomat. A mystery man. A unicorn in leadership.
Dag Hammarskjöld was the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, a Nobel Prize winner, a philosopher, and a poet. But history has only told a fraction of the real story. Was he the cold, detached bureaucrat the media portrayed him to be? Or was he something far more complex—someone with passion, humor, and a fire beneath the frost?
Welcome to Decoding the Unicorn, the podcast where we go beyond the headlines and into the mind of one of history’s most misunderstood figures. Each week, we’ll dive into Dag's leadership, his spirituality, his battles on the world stage, and the myths that need to be shattered. We'll also examine modern issues like navigating the corporate world, the loud, vitriolic climate of the political landscape, why we need introverts and HSPs participating in management and government, and much more.
If you’re a deep thinker, a lover of history, or just someone searching for a different kind of leadership, this podcast is for you!
Theme music by Ramlal Rohitash from Pixabay.
Episodes
28 episodes
Episode 26: Do You Fear Success?
Most people talk about fear of failure, but what about fear of success? For many, the idea of actually achieving their goals feels just as intimidating as falling short. In this episode, I'll explore five common signs that you may be hol...
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Episode 26
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20:07
Episode 25: Coffee, Donuts, and Dag
Ever worked at a company that "valued feedback" and touted an "open door policy" only to discover it was all bunk? Too many managers allow their own ego to rule the show and offices are set up like Survivor dog-eat-dog competitions. But...
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Episode 25
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12:56
Episode 24: Staying True To Yourself
Peer pressure. Criticism. Trendiness. If you know you're doing the right thing and staying true to your code of ethics, can you hold the line even under scrutiny? Dag Hammarskjöld certainly did, and we should, too. Sara'...
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Episode 24
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9:06
Episode 23: When You Need to Change & Grow
(But it feels scary)In this episode, let's talk about willingness—not just the kind that nods politely from the sidelines, but the kind that stands up, takes a deep breath, and walks straight into the unknown.Dag Hammarskjöld wasn...
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Episode 23
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18:03
Episode 22: Happy Birthday, Dag! Featuring an Exclusive Reading from Simply Dag 📖
In this special episode of Decoding the Unicorn, let's celebrate the 120th birthday of Dag Hammarskjöld, whose remarkable life and legacy continue to inspire us today. Join me as I honor Dag's birthday by sharing an exclusive passage from my ne...
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Episode 22
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15:03
Episode 21: Take Responsibility - the Right Way!
There's nothing worse than a manager or an official who's incapable of saying, "I'm sorry. I screwed up." Dag Hammarskjöld offers us an excellent example. When it was time for a victory lap, he credited his entire team. If something hit the fan...
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Episode 21
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8:29
Episode 20: Appreciation & Belonging (At Work and In Life!)
What happens when people feel seen and understood?In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast, I'll discuss something deceptively simple: belonging. Whether you’re managing a corporate team, collaborating on a creative project,...
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Episode 20
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16:50
Episode 19: The Importance of Quiet and Stillness
In a world obsessed with hustle, noise, and nonstop stimulation, what happens when we choose silence?In this episode, I'll explore the transformative power of quiet and stillness, particularly in politics, diplomacy, and the corporate w...
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Episode 19
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13:19
Episode 18: The Dangerous Position
What kind of leader runs toward the fire?In this episode, I'll explore the often-overlooked truth of Dag Hammarskjöld’s role as Secretary-General of the United Nations: it was not just diplomatic, but dangerous. When others fled war zon...
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Episode 18
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13:33
Episode 17: We Are Tired of Perma-Wars
People are tired of the seemingly permanent state of warfare. Where is diplomacy? Where is that person like Dag Hammarskjöld who will advocate for finding common ground rather than rushing to hit the war button?? #DagHammarskjöld #...
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Episode 17
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6:18
Episode 16: On Failing, Pivoting, and Letting Go
In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast, I'll discuss what a lot of creators are too afraid to say out loud: what happens when you put your heart into a project and it goes absolutely nowhere.This episode is about giving yo...
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Episode 16
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20:39
Episode 15 - Projection
In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: the Podcast, I'll explore the quiet, often unconscious force that shapes so much of how we see the world: projection. When the facts are few, our minds rush in to fill the gaps—sometimes with empathy, ot...
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Episode 15
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14:31
Episode 14 - The Power of Holding Back: Let People Show You Who They Are!
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is back off. Allow a situation to breathe. Let people show you who they are and what they are willing and able to give.In this episode, I explore the quiet strength of restraint. What happens when y...
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Episode 14
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12:10
Episode 13 – The Power of Rest: When Doing Nothing Is Everything
In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast, let's turn down the noise and tune into something far more radical: rest. 💤Downtime isn’t laziness—it’s medicine. Whether you're a sensitive soul, a creative powerhouse, or just some...
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Episode 13
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11:46
Episode 12 - Groupthink
The bane of any introvert's work existence: groupthink.Managers may imagine it’s cozy and convenient . . . but it can be catastrophic.Key thoughts:✔️ Dag pushed against groupthink and cult-like tactics.✔️ There has to be...
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Episode 12
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21:40
Episode 11 - Introverted While Working with Special Guest Madeline Schwarz
What does it really mean to be an introvert in the modern workplace?In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn, we explore how introversion shows up at work—with Communication & Career Coach / fellow introvert, Madeline Schwarz. From "...
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Episode 11
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32:26
Episode 10 - Events vs. The Story You Tell Yourself
Today’s episode is short and sweet—because life threw a few curveballs, and I chose to roll with it. I'm talking about the difference between what actually happens and the story we create around it. Inspired by Dag Hammarskjöld’s own s...
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Episode 10
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10:21
Episode 9 - The Ugly American, Cultural Sensitivity, and Dag Hammarskjöld: Lessons from the 1950s
In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast, I'll dive into the classic novel The Ugly American and its portrayal of American "diplomacy" abroad during the Cold War. The book may have been published in 1958, but its message about cultu...
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Episode 9
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19:02
Episode 8: Recognition, Appreciation, & Gratitude at Work with Special Guest Erika Migliaccio
Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast - Episode 8 - Recognition, Appreciation, & Gratitude in the Workplace with Special Guest Erika MigliaccioIn this episode, I sat down with the Founder & Principal Consultant at Upstream HR Strate...
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Episode 8
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29:55
Episode 7 – Everyone’s Got One: Dag Hammarskjöld and the Art of Handling Opinions
In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast, I'll explore the quiet strength of Dag Hammarskjöld in the face of mass opinion—especially from the media. How do you stay true to your inner compass when the world is loud with critique? Da...
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Episode 7
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24:45
Episode 6: Navigating Change & Uncertainty in the Workplace with Special Guest, Jen Recla
In this episode, I'm joined by my special guest, Jen Recla. We'll discuss ways to navigate change and uncertainty in the workplace because *gestures broadly* we seem to be in uncertain times across the board. Key topics: ✔️ Lead...
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Episode 6
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24:28
Episode 5 - Idols, Martyrs, and Pedestals
In this episode, I dive into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of Dag Hammarskjöld’s legacy: the danger of idolizing and martyrizing him to the point of erasing his humanity.Dag was a remarkable leader, diplomat, and thinker, ...
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Episode 5
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27:09
Episode 4 - The Digital Landscape of Work, the Status of RTO, and Using Cultural Sensitivity in the Global Workplace with Special Guest, CEO Zach Wright
In this episode, I'm joined by Founder & CEO of Grapevine Software, Zach Wright. Key topics:✔️ The news stories telling us that remote work is dead, RTO is king, and that all employees now somehow prefer hybrid arrangemen...
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Episode 4
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29:33
Episode 3 - Dag Hammarskjöld & the Power of Thoughtful Leadership
aka: TTW Dag met all 4,000 employees at the UN. When Dag Hammarskjöld became Secretary-General of the United Nations, he did something that no one expected—he took the time to meet every single UN staff member, from the basement to ...
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Episode 3
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20:03
Episode 2 - Introverts & Management: The Hidden Strength of Quiet Leaders
When you think of a leader, do you picture someone loud, brash, and commanding? Society often equates leadership with extroversion (especially in the West), but history tells a different story. In this episode, I'll challenge the myth that lead...
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Episode 2
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34:45