Enlightened Leadership with Purpose, Self-Awareness, and Talent Optimization Artwork

Life Fulfilled Podcast — Rethinking Leadership for Sustainable Performance

Hosted by Bernie Borges | Founder, Fulfilled@Work Academy

Most people think of fulfillment as a feeling. But we treat it as a strategy—a powerful driver of performance, loyalty, and leadership impact.

Whether you lead in the workplace, at home, or in your community, host Bernie Borges helps you harness the five life pillars—health, fitness, career, relationships, and legacy—to lead with both head and heart.

If your team’s performance is slipping and you can’t see why, this podcast helps you uncover the silent costs of disengagement.

You can’t lead high-performing teams with outdated tools. This podcast gives you the upgrade.

You’ll hear no-fluff solo episodes and guest conversations on modern leadership, workplace culture, disengagement, and the evolving role of AI, always grounded in actionable insights that help you create traction where it matters most.

Bernie is the creator of the Fulfillment-Centric Leadership™ Framework and founder of the Fulfilled@Work Academy, equipping leaders to build energized, high-performing teams without sacrificing what matters most.

If you’re ready to align performance with purpose, starting where you spend most of your time, subscribe to the Life Fulfilled Podcast. Because fulfillment isn’t just a feeling. It’s your performance strategy.

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Life Fulfilled Podcast — Rethinking Leadership for Sustainable Performance

Enlightened Leadership with Purpose, Self-Awareness, and Talent Optimization

December 08, 2025 • Season 4 • Episode 264

In this episode, host Bernie Borges is joined by Matt Poepsel, PhD, a Marine veteran, accomplished corporate leader, and author of "Expand the Circle."

Three key takeaways for leaders and professionals:

1️⃣ Enlightened Leadership Requires Rewiring
Outdated leadership models don’t serve today’s fast-evolving world. Matt Poepsel, PhD, explained how drawing on mindfulness practices and looking beyond hierarchical thinking helps leaders find purpose and make a broader impact.

2️⃣ Self-Awareness is the Cornerstone of Growth
Both Matt and Bernie highlighted the importance of self-awareness for leadership success. Only 10-15% of people are truly self-aware, so giving ourselves permission to look inward and accept feedback is crucial to becoming better leaders and teammates.

3️⃣ Talent Optimization Demands Integration
Successful organizations blend business strategy and people practices. As Matt Poepsel, PhD, shared, optimizing talent isn’t just about performance. It’s also about engagement, well-being, and meaning at work.

Main Takeaway:
Lasting fulfillment and leadership impact come from cultivating self-awareness, embracing change, and expanding your sense of purpose beyond personal ambitions.

How are you challenging outdated patterns in your career or leadership journey?

Connect with Matt Poepsel, PhD

Website: https://www.mattpoepsel.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Try the Employee Engagement Fund ROI Calculator. You’ll get a clear view of what turnover is really costing your business, and how much you could save by investing in employee engagement and retention strategies.

Connect with Bernie Borges
LinkedIn
Instagram
TikTok
Website

Get in touch with Bernie to explore:
Hiring him as a keynote speaker at your next event.
A tailored presentation or workshop on Fulfillment Centric Leadership™.

Watch the Life Fulfilled Podcast on YouTube

Music attribution:
Old Bossa Twin Musicom
Suno

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