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Finding Your Inner Mister Rogers

Todd Faber 20 Episodes Oct 8, 2026

A show about leadership grounded in kindness, compassion and empathy, hosted by Todd Faber. Each episode features conversations with leaders from across the country who are known for creating workplaces people genuinely want to be part of. The focus is on how treating people well builds stronger, more successful teams. Listeners get practical insight into what makes a leader worth working for.

Episodes

Bekah Salwasser: The Field Builder Oct 8, 2026 00:40:46 “People will forget what you did. They’ll remember how you made them feel.” Bekah SalwasserThe best leaders don’t just build winning teams. They make people feel seen, valued, and cared for.As Executive Director of the Red Sox Foundation and EVP of Social Impact for the Boston Red Sox, Bekah Salwasser carries a profound responsibility: turning the global reach, history, and magic of Fenway Park in

Steven Rosenbaum: The Curator of Accountability Oct 6, 2026 00:56:06 “I took it out of the market because it was wrong. I did the hard work of fixing it, which was no fun. I put it back in the market.”Steven Rosenbaum said the quiet part out loud: truth matters, even when owning the mistake is expensive.If you've ever had to rebuild trust, save this episode.This past spring, Steven's book, The Future of Truth, got hit with public errors. He didn't dodge it. He pull

Denella Clark: The Champion of Creative Expression Sep 29, 2026 00:42:16 “Talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not”, Denella ClarkThat’s why arts education matters.Fred Rogers famously reminded us that every person has something inside them that is worthy of being shared with the world. In my conversation with Denella J. Clark, President and CEO of the Boston Arts Academy Foundation, she shared how access to the arts gives young people the tools to express

Scott Simon: The Architect of Courage Sep 22, 2026 00:56:32 “ The best antidote to feeling stuck, lonely, in a downward spiral is to take action…I would either do one thing to help somebody else, or I would do one thing to ask for help.”Courage isn’t a big leap. It’s a small practice.I loved this conversation with Scott Simon of Scare Your Soul, especially his reminder that courage is not about becoming fearless. It’s about getting comfortable at the edge

Jeffrey Walker: The Systems Catalyst Sep 16, 2026 00:48:18 "What you try to teach is compassion. Compassion is the ability to care for the other, but then protect yourself so you are allowed to stand back, do everything you can, and then step away,because you’re going to protect yourself so you can work another day and not burn out."Jeff WalkerWhat if the most powerful leadership skill isn’t having all the answers, but learning how to listen?Jeff Walker s

Miguel Zaldivar: The Global Architect Sep 8, 2026 00:44:31 What if the strongest leader in the room is also the kindest, and that combination is precisely what helped build a global legal powerhouse?In this episode of Finding Your Inner Mister Rogers, I sit down with Miguel Zaldívar, Global Chief Executive Officer of Hogan Lovells Cadwalader, honored in our neighborhood as “The Global Architect.” Miguel shares a leadership philosophy that stands out in th

Jon Rubinstein: The Host Sep 1, 2026 00:42:44 Jon Rubinstein: The Host — SummaryIn this episode, Todd Faber talks with Jon Rubinstein, founder of Joe Coffee Company, about how he built a New York institution by centering kindness, hospitality, and a genuine sense of community. What began as a single Greenwich Village storefront grew into a beloved brand with 24 cafes, a roastery, and a wholesale business, but the real product was always the e

Carole Charnow: The Dreamer Aug 25, 2026 00:48:11 The quiet power of leadershipOne of the best leadership lessons I’ve heard lately came not from a boardroom or a keynote, but a children’s museum. On this week's episode of Finding Your Inner Mister Rogers, I talked to Carole Charnow about what it means to lead an institution built around play, access, and belonging, and one thing kept coming through: Real leadership is not just about what you bui

Angelo Santinelli: The Mindful Mentor Aug 18, 2026 00:40:45 The most effective leaders I’ve known don’t lead with certainty. They lead with trust.On this week's episode of Finding Your Inner Mister Rogers I talked to Angelo Santinelli about mentorship, leadership, and what it really takes to build a culture people want to stay in. One line stayed with me:"Nobody cares what you know until they know that you care."That’s not soft leadership, that’s the found

Jane Steinmetz: The Catalyst for Potential Aug 11, 2026 00:30:37 The best leadership lesson I know is simpler than we make itJane Steinmetz said something that stuck with me:When she tried to lead like the people already at the top, it didn’t work.When she stopped performing and started being herself, everything changed.That’s not just a career lesson. It’s a human one.Jane was the first woman to lead a Big Four office in Boston. She’s also helped build EY’s Ne

Steve Gross: The Playmaker Aug 4, 2026 01:00:29 “If you don’t have time to play, you don’t have time to BE. Play isn’t what you do, but rather it’s the spirit and intention with which you do everything.” Steve GrossIn my latest episode of Finding Your Inner Mr. Rogers I sat down with a man I like to call "Mr. Rogers in a hoodie", Steve Gross, Founder & Chief Playmaker at the Life is Good Playmaker Project.Steve is a clinical social worker w

Larry DiCara: The Historic Peacemaker Jul 28, 2026 00:39:25 In this deeply reflective conversation, Todd Faber sits down with Lawrence S. DiCara, longtime Boston civic leader, attorney, and author, to explore what it means to lead with empathy during moments of conflict and change. Larry shares firsthand memories from the busing crisis, Boston’s financial struggles in the 1970s, and the challenges of navigating public life while staying grounded in service

10 Episodes In: What I’ve Learned So Far Jul 24, 2026 00:05:01 10 episodes in, and I’m just getting started. 🎙️Celebrating a milestone this week and reflecting on the powerful lessons these first ten episodes have revealed about leading with heart.When I set out on this journey, I wanted to find the real leaders walking among us. The ones in our own neighborhoods who lift others up, acknowledge their victories, and sit with them in their defeats.Turns out, tr

Pam Garramone: The Catalyst for Joy Jul 21, 2026 00:49:03 How do tiny daily habits shape a happier life? In this episode of Finding Your Inner Mr. Rogers, I’m joined by Pam Garramone, M.Ed., the award-winning positive psychology speaker, life coach, founder of Thrive Now Boston, and author of Be Happier — to explore the science of happiness, micro-habits, self-compassion, and why kindness is still one of the most powerful forces we have.Pam shares practi

The Chief Helper: Tim Garvin, United Way Jul 14, 2026 00:47:35 The most radical thing we can be right now? Kind. Here's why leads a community helper to truly connect.Drop a 💙 if you agree kindness is the secret to real leadership.Fred Rogers taught us that leadership isn't about control-it's about service to others' dignity. Tim Garvin exemplifies this daily. As the CEO of United Way, he's not just managing statistics; he's mobilizing neighbors, building trus

Dave Harmon: The Truth Teller Jul 7, 2026 00:45:22 Ever wonder what honest, empathetic leadership really looks like? It’s simple: tell the truth, treat people like humans, and build trust. Drop a 🙌 if you believe kindness and honesty can change the workplace. In a world obsessed with policies, true leadership is about seeing people deeply, to recognize their struggles, celebrate their wins, and be transparent even through tough times. Dave Harmon

Colette Phillips: The Connector Jun 24, 2026 01:00:34 Here’s the truth Fred Rogers would agree with — kindness is revolutionary in today’s world.Drop a 💙 if you believe a simple kind word can change a neighborhood.We often think leadership is about control, but real influence is about service and inclusion. Colette Phillips from Get Konnected reminds us that everyone deserves a seat at the table. Her insight? Breaking bread and showing genuine intere

Shaheer Mustafa: The Guardian Jun 17, 2026 00:35:48 In this episode of Finding Your Inner Mister Rogers, I chat with Shaheer Mustafa, the President and CEO of HopeWell, one of the most innovative social service agencies in New England.Shaheer’s work is the modern-day embodiment of Fred Rogers’ fierce advocacy for the forgotten child. He isn't just managing a non-profit; he is completely redesigning a system to ensure that children in transition sti

Carolyn Jones: The Community Publisher Jun 10, 2026 00:31:05 In a world racing with noise, Carolyn Jones, the market president & publisher of the Boston Business Journal reminds us that true influence comes from integrity and community. As Boston’s town square publisher, she emphasizes that stories should build us up, not divide us, whether through local news, business awards, or community initiatives.Her focus? Highlighting leaders who lead with kindne

Jurgen Wiehn, the Architect of Capacity Jun 3, 2026 00:37:43 In this insightful interview, Jurgen Wien shares how leaders can harness the power of self-regulation, groundedness, and emotional awareness to improve decision-making, foster safety, and lead with kindness. Drawing from his experience in life sciences and insights from Fred Rogers, this conversation explores practical techniques for managing stress and creating resilient leadership environments.l

Pardeep Kaleka: The Peacemaker May 27, 2026 00:48:00 In this episode, I sit down with Pardeep S. Kaleka MS, LPC to explore how acts of kindness, forgiveness, and community engagement can transform lives after tragedy. Pardeep shares his inspiring story of healing following the 2012 Oak Creek Sikh temple shooting, emphasizing the importance of expansive compassion and the role of faith in overcoming hate.The conversation explores the transformative p

Jack Hammond: The Warrior May 19, 2026 00:41:29 Leading with Heart: Insights from Brigadier General Jack Hammond on Compassionate Leadership and Healing Invisible WoundsIn this episode, Todd Faber explores the power of empathy, vulnerability, and compassionate leadership with retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond. Jack shares his journey from battlefield leadership to healing veterans’ invisible wounds, highlighting how kindness and emotional

Christine Schuster: The Healer May 11, 2026 00:41:44 When I launched this podcast, I knew Chris Schuster would be the perfect guest. She truly epitomizes Fred Rogers’ profound wisdom on caregiving, empathy, and the vital role of "helpers."Fred’s message emphasized emotional safety, deep listening, and treating every person as a human being rather than just a case. He viewed healthcare professionals as essential helpers in the "neighborhood of life,"

Finding Your Inner Mister Rogers

Episodes

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