https://simplecast.com Every leader has a B-side. The version before the title. Before the recognition. Before the highlight reel. B-Sides: The Deeper Cut of Leadership with host Lorelle Atkinson is a show about that version — the place where biography becomes instinct, and lived experience quietly shapes how someone leads. Each episode is a candid conversation with leaders across the Aspen Institute’s global network — from tech innovators and journalists to mayors, founders, and artists — going beyond the résumé to uncover the moments that changed them, challenged them, and ultimately defined them. Because leadership isn’t just what you do. It’s who you’ve been — and what you carry forward. 2026, The Aspen Institute en Thu, 7 May 2026 17:00:00 +0000 Thu, 7 May 2026 17:00:12 +0000 https://b-sides-the-deeper-side-of-leadership.simplecast.com https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/5139c376-bca6-4316-bb13-1b1cc95dc9d4/b7b8843d-00c8-4e3d-98b7-24f72ec85e38/3000x3000/bsides_square_cover.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://b-sides-the-deeper-side-of-leadership.simplecast.com episodic Every leader has a B-side. The version before the title. Before the recognition. Before the highlight reel. B-Sides: The Deeper Cut of Leadership with host Lorelle Atkinson is a show about that version — the place where biography becomes instinct, and lived experience quietly shapes how someone leads. Each episode is a candid conversation with leaders across the Aspen Institute’s global network — from tech innovators and journalists to mayors, founders, and artists — going beyond the résumé to uncover the moments that changed them, challenged them, and ultimately defined them. Because leadership isn’t just what you do. It’s who you’ve been — and what you carry forward. Lorelle Atkinson, The Aspen Institute false https://feeds.simplecast.com/ABNFDSQA the aspen institute Lorelle Atkinson kristina.saccone@aspeninstitute.org 233bf163-302b-4018-a93f-d511569ce3d4 Thu, 7 May 2026 17:00:00 +0000 kristina.saccone@aspeninstitute.org (Lorelle Atkinson) https://b-sides-the-deeper-side-of-leadership.simplecast.com/episodes/benji-backer-on-bridging-divides-with-empathy-iO8RlDOL Benji Backer on Bridging Divides With Empathy Lorelle Atkinson 00:21:14 In this episode of B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership, host Lorelle Atkinson sits down with Benji Backer, Founder & CEO of Nature Is Nonpartisan, to explore the personal experiences that shaped his approach to leadership and conservation. From a formative childhood hike that sparked his connection to the outdoors to his work building a cross-partisan environmental movement, Backer shares why reconnecting with nature is essential not just for the planet, but for human wellbeing. He reflects on the power of public lands to unite communities, the role of empathy in bridging political divides, and why meaningful progress depends on rebuilding relationships across differences. At its core, this conversation is about finding common ground, not just in nature, but in each other. In this episode of B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership, host Lorelle Atkinson sits down with Benji Backer, Founder & CEO of Nature Is Nonpartisan, to explore the personal experiences that shaped his approach to leadership and conservation. From a formative childhood hike that sparked his connection to the outdoors to his work building a cross-partisan environmental movement, Backer shares why reconnecting with nature is essential not just for the planet, but for human wellbeing. He reflects on the power of public lands to unite communities, the role of empathy in bridging political divides, and why meaningful progress depends on rebuilding relationships across differences. At its core, this conversation is about finding common ground, not just in nature, but in each other. false full 4 1 50b6694f-77b5-4ff3-a34d-b208e6314449 Wed, 6 May 2026 21:00:00 +0000 kristina.saccone@aspeninstitute.org (Lorelle Atkinson) https://b-sides-the-deeper-side-of-leadership.simplecast.com/episodes/ebony-underwood-on-daring-to-dream-x_bsVx5P Ebony Underwood on Daring to Dream Lorelle Atkinson 00:21:23 “I feel like I am literally a walking example of daring to dream… never give up hope, never stop dreaming because you never, ever, ever know—if you don’t try.” Founder & CEO of We Got Us Now, Ebony Underwood, joins B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership to share how her father’s journey home after 30+ years of incarceration inspired her to found We Got Us Now and advocate for families impacted by parental incarceration. Tune in for a powerful conversation with host Lorelle Atkinson on resilience, purpose, legacy, and what it means to turn hope into action. “I feel like I am literally a walking example of daring to dream… never give up hope, never stop dreaming because you never, ever, ever know—if you don’t try.” Founder & CEO of We Got Us Now, Ebony Underwood, joins B-Sides: The Deeper Side of Leadership to share how her father’s journey home after 30+ years of incarceration inspired her to found We Got Us Now and advocate for families impacted by parental incarceration. Tune in for a powerful conversation with host Lorelle Atkinson on resilience, purpose, legacy, and what it means to turn hope into action. false full 3 1 3081a7c7-fcbb-4391-b038-dad23e9bd885 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:36:23 +0000 kristina.saccone@aspeninstitute.org (Lorelle Atkinson) https://b-sides-the-deeper-side-of-leadership.simplecast.com/episodes/gabe-fleisher-pXKcbb9U Gabe Fleisher Lorelle Atkinson 00:17:42 At nine years old, Gabe Fleisher started sending his mom an email to help her process politics. Today, Wake Up to Politics reaches tens of thousands of readers—including some of the most influential people in Washington. In this conversation, Gabe talks about growing up in the public eye, why trust in media is fraying, and how independent journalists can help repair it. He shares lessons from his father’s rabbinical teachings, insights into Gen Z’s unique approach to politics, and the simple reason he still writes like he’s talking to his mom over breakfast. If you care about honest, accessible, values-driven journalism, you won’t want to miss this episode. At nine years old, Gabe Fleisher started sending his mom an email to help her process politics. Today, Wake Up to Politics reaches tens of thousands of readers—including some of the most influential people in Washington. In this conversation, Gabe talks about growing up in the public eye, why trust in media is fraying, and how independent journalists can help repair it. He shares lessons from his father’s rabbinical teachings, insights into Gen Z’s unique approach to politics, and the simple reason he still writes like he’s talking to his mom over breakfast. If you care about honest, accessible, values-driven journalism, you won’t want to miss this episode. false full 2 1 76e5a032-8031-401b-b08c-7ba4e388f3fd Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:36:00 +0000 kristina.saccone@aspeninstitute.org (Lorelle Atkinson) https://b-sides-the-deeper-side-of-leadership.simplecast.com/episodes/sherrell-dorsey-5_Hute2k Sherrell Dorsey Lorelle Atkinson 00:20:47 She built a media company by accident, got it syndicated on Bloomberg, and still makes time for Saturday morning walks along the Miami River. In our latest episode, Sherrell talks about trading “proving yourself” for “being yourself,” building community with purpose, and why she believes the future of tech will be about saving lives and the planet. You’ll hear stories of early mentors, the power of collective care, and how one Beyoncé anthem fuels her fearless leadership. Whether you’re chasing your next big goal or learning to slow down, this conversation will inspire you to invest in others—and yourself. She built a media company by accident, got it syndicated on Bloomberg, and still makes time for Saturday morning walks along the Miami River. In our latest episode, Sherrell talks about trading “proving yourself” for “being yourself,” building community with purpose, and why she believes the future of tech will be about saving lives and the planet. You’ll hear stories of early mentors, the power of collective care, and how one Beyoncé anthem fuels her fearless leadership. Whether you’re chasing your next big goal or learning to slow down, this conversation will inspire you to invest in others—and yourself. false full 1 1