Episode #590 Leading With Empathy: Building Resilient Leaders and Families With Olaolu Ogunyemi
“Empathy creates the environment where people can truly grow, thrive, and become their best selves.”
— Olaolu Ogunyemi, Marine Corps Officer, Author & Leadership Mentor
A powerful conversation on empathy, resilience, leadership, and choosing an audacious life rooted in service and intention.
Episode Summary
In this episode of The Audacious Living Podcast, I sit down with Olaolu Ogunyemi to explore what it truly means to live and lead audaciously. From his journey through the Marine Corps to his work as a parent, mentor, and children’s book author, Olaolu breaks down the misconceptions around leadership, failure, and courage.
We talk about why empathy is not weakness but a leadership strength, how failure becomes a teacher when approached with the right mindset, and why preparing for resistance is just as important as dreaming big. Olaolu also shares the inspiration behind his award-winning children’s book Crow From the Shadow and his mission to bring parents, mentors, and communities back into meaningful conversations with children.
Top 4 Key Takeaways
Audacity Requires Desire, Not Permission - Living audaciously starts with choosing your path, even when it challenges expectations.
Empathy Is a Leadership Superpower - True leadership is about serving people, not commanding them.
Failure Builds Skill and Perspective - Every setback provides information that prepares you for what’s next.
Resilience Is Mental Preparation - Expect resistance, plan for it, and keep moving forward anyway.
Meet Our Guest
Olaolu Ogunyemi is a Marine Corps officer, leadership mentor, and children’s book author dedicated to developing resilient leaders and strengthening families. Through his military career, writing, and mentorship work, he focuses on empathy-driven leadership, intentional parenting, and creating environments where people can thrive. His work bridges leadership development, service, and generational impact.
Special Offers, Books, or Resources Mentioned
Book: Crow From the Shadow
Website & Free Resources: https://parent-child-connect.com
Includes: Parenting guides, leadership insights, and conversation-starting tools for families and mentors
Additional Resources
Blog Title: Why Empathy Is the Missing Link in Modern Leadership
A deeper look at how empathy strengthens teams, families, and long-term impact.
Personal Insight from Audley
This conversation really hit home for me. Olaolu’s perspective reinforces that audacity isn’t about being loud or fearless, it’s about choosing empathy, preparation, and growth even when things get uncomfortable. Leadership done right leaves people better than you found them.
Best Point of Contact
🌐 Website: https://parent-child-connect.com
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#AudaciousLiving #LeadershipDevelopment #EmpathyInLeadership #Resilience #ParentingWithPurpose #MentorshipMatters #IntentionalLiving #AudaciousLeaders
