The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends

John Hall, A Walking Billboard For Achieving Anything in Life - From Sports Executive To Being A Better Dad, His Mission To Make People’s Lives Better, and Using Commonality to Build Connection

If you grew up wanting to be a professional athlete, but never achieved your dream my conversation with John Hall will inspire you (see bio below). We discuss how a devasting knee injury shaped his career journey, his first professional job which was in the fashion industry (including revealing if he dated any models), being the youngest boxing promoter in the world, working for the NFL, Sacramento Kings, and NY Rangers (including his insights on working with Wayne Gretzky), and his decision to walk away from a glamourous sports executive position to focus on being a better dad. John is a walking billboard for achieving your dreams using intellect, energy, and a positive attitude. You will enjoy my conversation with him!
 
Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   
 
​John's bio: John Hall ​(LinkedIn) is a former VP/GM with Madison Square Garden (MSG) and a former senior executive with the National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL). Hall has helped companies ranging from Fortune 500 organizations to small local businesses in creating strategies that enhance personal and professional enrichment. John is the recipient of six Colorado Press Awards and has sat on numerous boards and committees throughout his career.​ John serves as the Vice President of Marketing for ZoomGrants, a leading online application software company and listed in the Top 200 Companies in Colorado. He is also the Founder and CEO of GetRecruited24/7 (GR24/7). GR24/7 is a next-generation high school student-athlete recruiting service helping athletes secure college scholarships.​Currently, he is the Chief Sales Officer at Crux Accelerate (Website).

John Minnis, The Relationship-Focused CEO - Lessons He Learned From His Hall of Fame Dad, Quitting a Successful Job to Be a Better Spouse and Father, and The Book That Changed His Career

My conversation with John Minnis (see bio below) should be published the day after Father's Day. We talk about the lessons he learns from his dad (he is in 6 Hall of Fames), quitting a successful job to be a better spouse and father, how your career is a series of chapters that you do not realize until the chapter is completed, his job interview with a CEO that happened in a bar wearing shorts, a tank top, and a baseball cap, why he wrote in "Journey to Leadership" book, how reading "Never Eat Alone" changed his career, and his workout routine. We even chat about the movie "Tommy Boy" :-)
 
Please enjoy my conversation with John!
 
​Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   
​John's Bio: As CEO of Kompass Funding (Website),  John Minnis (LinkedIn) provides leadership and strategic direction to meet the vision of the company. His leadership spans all aspects of the company to include business development, underwriting, client relationships, finance, and marketing. Mr. Minnis comes from a strong business
background which includes both Fortune 500 and privately held companies. His diversified experience included business development, sales management general management, finance, and banking. Over his career, he has experience in the industries of manufacturing, retail, service, legal, insurance aswell as finance and banking.
Growing up in St. Joseph, MO, and currently residing in the Kansas City metro area, ​John has held numerous board and leadership positions throughout the community, including Catholic Charities, Catholic Education Foundation, and Bishop Ward Mentoring program, Reach Out and Read Kansas City, Healthy KC, St. Benedict’s Abbey, Ascension Finance Council, the Knights of Columbus, and coaches multiple youth football and baseball teams. Mr. Minnis was selected as a NextGen Leader by theKansas City Business Journal, and is a graduate of the Centurion Leadership Program through the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. He is also the author of Journey to Leadership, Timeless Lessons for Today’s Leaders published in 2015. Mr. Minnis is also the Co-Founder of J. Patrick and Co. redefining men’s accessories, crafted to last a lifetime.
​John attended Benedictine College and is a graduate of Missouri Western University with a degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. Mr. Minnis lives in Overland Park with his wife Angie and their four children: Jack, Drew, Maggie, and Michael.

Risa Stein, The Psychologist Turned CEO - How A Mid-Life Crisis Led Her To Create A Company, Going Back to School In Your 50s, and Her Journey From Invulnerability to Vulnerability

This week's guest is the fantastic Dr. Risa Stein the founder/CEO of SeeInMe and author of "Best Damn Life Workbook" (see her bio below). Risa and I discussed her desire at age 7 to become a psychologist, going from a college psychology professor to a CEO. the changes she has seen in students in the last 26+ years teaching undergraduate psychology at Rockhurst University, how a near-death experience changed her life, going back to school in her 50s for her masters in organizational leadership, being in a motorcycle "gang" in high school, and her thoughts on how to lead Generation Z team members in the workplace. Please enjoy my conversation with Risa!
 
Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.       
 
Risa's Bio: Risa Stein possesses a unique set of credentials and skills including a PhD in clinical child and health psychology and an MA in Organizational Leadership. She has an extensive behavioral medicine research and publication record as well as 25+ years dedicated to teaching undergraduate students. Over the past decade, Risa has consulted with universities, nonprofits, large corporations, and think tanks on design thinking and innovation. After a near-death experience that prompted a midlife crisis, Risa wrote a well-received personal development self-guided therapy workbook called the Best Damn Life Workbook. Risa’s most recent entrepreneurial endeavor, SeeInMe, grew from her professional and personal experiences. While it may be a lofty goal, Risa intends for SeeInMe to become the standard-bearer for collaborative care fueled by data-driven insights and a relentless focus on the uniqueness of every individual.
Risa is also a wife and a mom to two humans and two dogs.
 
Risa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-stein123
SeeInMe website: https://seeinme.com
Best Damn Life Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Damn-Life-Workbook-Personally/dp/0985677937

Special Edition with Teresa Carey - 30 Years of Business and Coaching Wisdom

This special edition episode features Teresa Carey (see bio below) as we discuss the lessons she learned from her 30 years of owning her own business and coaching leaders. Teresa talks about the major changes in business, leaders, and technology since she started her company in 1994 (and the things that have remained constant). As a bonus, she reflects on the advice her current self would give the 31-year-old Teresa. Please enjoy my conversation with Teresa!
 
Teresa's Bio: Teresa Carey has more than 30 years of experience as a professional leadership coach and facilitator. Prior to launching PerformancePointe, Inc. (Website), she held positions for the world’s second-largest document technology company in sales, professional development, and sales leadership. She was also instrumental in helping take two other companies from start-up to rapid growth prior to exiting.​
As a coach and strategist, Teresa has led individual and organizational change in diverse sectors including healthcare, manufacturing and distribution, financial, legal, and technology. Over the span of her career, Teresa has assisted over 50,000 professionals in improved performance.​
Teresa is active in the community as a volunteer including being a mentor in the KC Fellows Program and a member of Stateline Service League. Teresa is a mom, wife, triathlete, and author of the book, The Attractive Trap™. She enjoys adventure, travel, and cooking.
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Tucker Graves, The Serial Entrepreneur and Learner - Long Game Thinking, His Great Advice For Start-Ups, and Why Caring Is The Key To A Great Culture

Join me for this mini-masterclass in start-ups, leadership, the importance of lifelong learning, and long-term strategy with the serial entrepreneur Tucker Graves (bio below). We talk about "long game" thinking, creating a business idea at 22 years old with friends (it involved a hot tub and some alcohol :-), interviewing for his first job with the CEO of a major restaurant chain, business lessons from his dad, creating a business at a bar with a cocktail napkin, and his start-up advice including why dollars are votes, the importance of having an attorney, and how to budget/forecast your revenue/expenses.
 
Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.     
 
​Tucker Graves' Bio: Tucker Graves ( linkedin.com/in/tucker-graves-322a792b ), born into a lineage of entrepreneurs in Missouri with a strong foothold in the food service industry, has established five companies, each a testament to his innate entrepreneurial spirit. His latest venture is fueled by a core mission: to democratize education, particularly for the "deskless workforce," also known as frontline staff. With a diverse background encompassing marketing, management, technology, strategy, legal supply chain, retail, manufacturing, and now education, Tucker's leadership is multifaceted. His drive stems from a profound desire to positively impact as many lives as possible, constantly seeking new avenues to serve others. As CEO and Co-Founder of Pineapple Academy, (Website), he strives to collaborate with organizations, advocating for a culture of person-centered learning. Embracing the philosophy of being a lifelong learner, Tucker remains committed to expanding his horizons and fostering innovation.

Kevin McGinnis, The Innovative Community Champion - Lessons From Silicon Valley Companies, Leveraging the Gen Z Workforce, and How To Be A Successful Intrapreneur

There are many great insights from my conversation with Kevin McGinnis (see his bio below). We discuss what he learned from working with Silicon Valley companies in the "boom" years (2007-2013), how to leverage AI, working with Gen Zers, how he became a successful intrapreneur, his lessons from Peter Diamandis' Singularity University, not being afraid to fail, what he learned from being an inside sales rep right after college, why culture matters (especially in a start-up), and the importance of having a lifelong learner mindset. Please enjoy my conversation with Kevin!
Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.    
 
Kevin McGinnis bio: Kevin McGinnis (linkedin.com/in/kevinmcginnis ) currently serves as the President & CEO of the Keystone Community Corporation (https://www.keystonedistrict.org/), a non-profit organization tasked with the planning, development, and operations of a thriving and diverse​ innovation community in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. When McGinnis noticed the region lacked adestination that enabled the region’s innovators, educators, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and community members to collaborate and solve our most pressing problems at scale, his strong belief in Kansas City and its institutions drove him to act. Today, McGinnis leans into his track record as a lifelong learner to focus on new areas like urban development, placemaking, and inclusive community engagement and is convening civic, corporate, and community stakeholders on both sides of the state line to bring theKeystone Innovation District vision to life.As part of the Keystone initiative, Kevin is also the founder and president of Keystone Labs, a cross-industry innovation collaborative driving corporate engagement and collaboration across the regional​ ecosystem. Keystone Labs was launched in October 2020 with 15 founding corporate members representing a diverse set of industries and is powered by the human-centered design expertise of globaldesign leader, VMLY&R. After years of championing the role of industry in creating a more vibrant innovation ecosystem, McGinnis was instrumental in the design of the studio programming, recruiting the founding members and developing the relationships to launch the inaugural pilot programs with LaunchKC and VMLY&R.

Dr. Katie Ervin, The Culture Doctor - Why CEOs Stop Learning, How to Have A Side Hustle, and How Listening to The Universe Can Guide Your Career

You will enjoy my conversation with  Dr. Katie Ervin on so many levels. We talk about great topics like how you can change a toxic culture focusing on two things, how to distinguish great leaders from bad leaders, leading the GenZ workforce, why career journeys are not a straight path, how to have a successful side hustle, tips on pursuing a PhD, and how she started a company without have a business degree. She has written a fantastic business book with a great title  - "You Might Be An Asshole" and is on a mission to revolutionize workplace culture. 
 
Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.    
Bio: Dr. Katie Ervin (linkedin.com/in/katieervin ) is the founder and CEO of Catalyst Development (Website). Throughout her career, she has established a reputation as a transformational leader driven by challenge, undeterred by obstacles, and committed to furthering standards of excellence. In her work, she has saved organizations millions of dollars by focusing on building a strong culture and investing in your people. Dr. Ervin believes that her work is all about the people! Her work in developing strong leaders and teams focused on critical career skill building to develop strong cultures and groworganizations.
Dr. Ervin’s area of research is workplace motivation based on self-determination theoryand the impact of an employee’s perception of their organization’s support. Her first book “You Might Be an Asshole but It Might Not Be Your Fault” was released on April 21, 2023, and was the #1 New Release Best Seller in Human Resources as well as Educational Leadership on Amazon.

Scott Willingham, The Fierce Competitor With A Servant Leader's Heart - Living By The Platinum Rule, Level 5 Leadership, and Giving Everyone An Opportunity

Whenever a guest has a story that involves lifting a 400 lb. calf in designer jeans you know it will be a great conversation. Join the discussion with Scott Willingham (see bio below) as we talk about Level 5 leadership (and how Abraham Lincoln was one of the few presidents to reach this level), building cultures where people don't experience the weekly "Dark Sunday Nights", why he uses the Predictive Index assessment, the Platinum Rule (and why it's better than the Golden Rule), and why he believes in giving everyone an opportunity. Also, the story about lifting a 400 lb. calf and riding a horse with no experience was to impress his girlfriend's father (it worked since now he is his father-in-law).
 
Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.  
 
​Scott Willingham (linkedin.com/in/scott-willingham )  is currently the CEO and Founder of WakeEffect (Website). Before launching WakeEffect in late 2023, he
served as the CRO for bulb Digital Portfolios, an EdTech start-up company based in Lafayette, CO. bulb was recently acquired by a competitor based in the U.K. Before leading the sales function at bulb, Scott was EVP and Partner at MindWire in Scottsdale, AZ – the fastest growing Predictive Index Firm in the world from 2016 to 2020. His clients have included one of the largest Automotive OEMs in the world, the largest Diesel Commercial Truck dealer group in the U.S., and the largest veterans Home Mortgage company in America. 20+ years of Leadership in Sales, B2B Sales, Education Sales, and Organizational Development. Selling something you believe in is a noble calling. There is no greater accomplishment than hiring great talent, playingto their strengths, developing and building high-performing teams, and accomplishingextraordinary results. Winning with and through your people is what leadership is all about. Having earned an M.A. in Organization Leadership at Gonzaga University, Scott has been a disruptor in delivering results with B2B Sales into Fortune 500 companies, re-building sales training for a publicly traded company, and leading education sales efforts in school districts across 14 states.​ Before launching for-profit ventures, Scott served as the Chaplain for the University of Missouri Tiger Football team from 2001 to 2004.Scott and his wife Stephanie live in Las Cruces, NM, and have 2 kids. A son who is a junior at Colorado Christian University in Denver and a 16-year-old daughter.

Rick Kahle, The Trusted Advisor - Investing In Others To Stand Out, Learning Leadership By Observation, and The Importance of Self-Awareness

A fun conversation with Rick Kahle! Join Rick and me as we discuss his impressive career journey from the insurance industry to the Kansas City entrepreneurial ecosystem back to insurance. Some of the great topics include: how he became a better leader by observing great leaders in action and learning how to ask great questions; how being an entrepreneur is not for the fragile or faint at heart; the importance of not confusing activity with results; investing in others; and the gift of listening.
 
Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.
 
Rick's bio: Driven by impactful outcomes and passionate about serving people, Rick Kahle (LinkedIn) serves as a trusted advisor adept at helping clients solve their most complex business challenges. Following a 27-year career in employee benefits consulting and brokerage, Rick switched gears and followed his passion for investing in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Kansas City. In 2019, he co-founded Crux-Xcelerate, which combines sales and marketing acumen to develop sales performers and leaders, drive value and accountability, and fuel sustainable revenue growth for organizations. As Senior Vice President of Alliant, Rick is leaning into his entrepreneurial experiences to help build and lead the firm’s Kansas City office.Rick is passionate about supporting the greater Kansas City community and has served in numerous leadership positions, both charitably and civically. Most notably, he continues to serve as chair of Phoenix Family, which provides support services to 6,000 residents of affordable housing communities.

Rita Smith, The Domestic Violence Pioneer - Her 16-Year Journey to Help The NFL, How to Share Your Message For People to Hear It, and The Importance of Having A Strong Personal Support System

In this compelling episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Rita Smith, a leading expert in the field of domestic violence. Rita shares her remarkable 16-year journey to work with the National Football League (NFL) knowing the involvement of men to make a difference was crucial to her strategy. From her early advocacy efforts to her current 10-year affiliation with the NFL, Rita recounts the challenges and triumphs she's experienced along the way. She reveals the strategies she's employed to amplify her message and effect meaningful change, including collaborations with Presidents and Congress to enact policy reforms. We delve into Rita's impactful media appearances, including The Oprah Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and many others, where she has tirelessly advocated for survivors and raised awareness about the complexities of domestic violence. 
Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.
 
Rita ​Smith (LinkedIn ) began working as a crisis line advocate in a shelter for battered women and their children in Colorado in 1981. She is a Senior Adviser for the National Football League on their efforts to end violence against women. Also, she serves as Vice President of External Relations for​ domesticshelters.org and Executive Director of Victim Services for eBodyGuard. Rita was the Executive Director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence for nearly 22 years. Hundreds of newspaper reporters have interviewed her and appeared on many local and national radio and television news shows, including the Washington Post, USA Today, People Magazine, NPR, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and the Oprah Winfrey Show.​ Rita has co-authored several articles and chapters for books including a manual for attorneys working with domestic violence victims in Colorado, and an article on child custody and domestic violence published in the fall of 1997 in The Judges Journal (an American Bar Association publication). She believes advocacy and social change are intricately connected and cannot be done separately.