The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends

Special Edition: It's 5 O'clock Somewhere with Marc Shaffer

In this second installment of our It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere series, Marc Shaffer and I kick back for another happy hour-style conversation—no scripts, no slides—just two friends swapping stories, ideas, and what’s working for us in business and life.
We cover everything from the value of connecting people and respecting your time to why your calendar system might be secretly ruining your productivity. We discuss the benefits of using ChatGPT compared to Claude AI. Also, Marc shares how he’s automating meeting notes with AI and how it’s changed how he shows up for clients, board meetings, and his 1:1 coffees (Hint: It's either at Pilgrim Coffee or McLain's :-).
We also talk:
The power of saying “yes” (without burning out)
How connecting the right people can open the biggest doors
National Infertility Week and Marc’s personal journey with IVF
Whether a downtown Royals stadium might actually get us to more games
The HEMP (https://www.hempkc.org/) Super Connector Lunch – What we learned, who we met, and why KC's entrepreneurial scene is on fire.
If you’ve ever felt stretched thin but still want to make a meaningful impact, this episode is for you. It’s part insight, part therapy, and part “why didn’t I think of that?”, all in the spirit of helping others while enjoying the journey.
Grab a drink, hit play, and eavesdrop on a conversation that might change how you approach time, tech, and your next connection.
 
This episode is brought to you by Searcy Financial. Your financial future begins with a simple question: Where do you want to be? At Searcy Financial, we help successful individuals and families through our mission to simplify your financial journey, empowering you to enjoy life and wealth on your terms. The question sparks a conversation that goes beyond numbers, helping us understand what truly matters to you and the kind of financial plan that aligns with your life goals. It also allows us to identify potential challenges and opportunities so we can proactively address them. The outcome is a plan that empowers you to acquire, grow, and preserve your wealth.
 
If you would like to sign up to be notified of updates on Marc's “All for One” book, including the release date, or to sign up for the Searcy Financial Wealth Matters email newsletter, use the links below:
​Marc's Book "All For One": Keep Me Updated!
 
"Wealth Matters" newsletter: Sign Me Up!

Born to Help: Samantha Shepherd on Law, Legacy, and Leading with Heart

Samantha Shepherd (see her bio below) joins The Corporate Couch to discuss making career choices based on personal reasons, going to law school with Mel Robbins, why she decided to focus on Elder care law (and launch three organizations to support her mission), and being born to help people. She is a powerhouse attorney, a law firm and trust company CEO, and an advocate for some of the most vulnerable members of the Kansas City community. With a legal career built on compassion and expertise, Samantha has helped over 8,000 families in Kansas City navigate aging, disability, and estate planning challenges.
We dive into Samantha’s journey—from her early days at Tulane University to attending law school alongside none other than Mel Robbins (yes, that Mel Robbins), all while developing the laser focus and commitment that define her work today. And, of course, her lovely British accent adds an extra layer of charm to the conversation.
In this episode, we explore:
Why Samantha says she was "born to help people," and how that mission drives everything she does
Her experience founding Shepherd Elder Law Group and later Assured Trust Company
How she built two thriving businesses dedicated to protecting the aging and special needs communities
Lessons learned from nearly three decades of leadership, advocacy, and building trusted relationships
The founding of the Heartland Special Needs Foundation and her ongoing mission to fill critical gaps in care and support
Whether you are leading a business, advocating for others, or simply looking to make a greater impact, Samantha’s story is a masterclass in what it means to lead with both head and heart.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation with one of Kansas City’s most respected and purpose-driven leaders.
 
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wish your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
About Samantha: Samantha Shepherd (https://shepherdelderlaw.com/) is the founder and Managing Attorney of Shepherd Elder Law Group, LLC, where her
practice concentrates on Medicaid planning, asset/income protection, special needs trusts, and estate planning. Utilizing her legal expertise and compassionate heart, Samantha has successfully helped over 8,000 individuals and families in Kansas City, as aging and disability, have left them vulnerable to ensuring self-care.​ Samantha is also the founder and CEO of Assured Trust Company (ATC). As an expert in the field ofSpecial Needs Planning, ATC, under the guidance of Ms. Shepherd, provides trust administration and care management services to the most vulnerable.
Samantha received her B.A. from Tulane University and her J.D. from Boston College School of Law. She has also earned an LL.M. from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She has been admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Maine, Kansas, ​a​nd Missouri.​ She is the Founder of the charity, Heartland Special Needs Foundation, formerly known as Special Needs Assured, whose mission is to support, education, funding, and advocacy for those with special needs and other developmental disabilities.

Bootstraps, Buyouts, and the Business Lessons No One Teaches You with Scott Schaper

In this episode, I’m joined by Scott Schaper (see his bio below), the President of RSM Marketing, serial entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed “empathy-driven business builder.” If you’ve ever dreamed of buying, selling, or merging a business—or are just curious how the sausage is made—this episode is your behind-the-scenes mini-course in small business acquisitions.
Scott takes us on a candid journey from his early days managing First Watch restaurants to launching multiple startups, building IFTA Plus (now owned by an industry giant), and eventually leading two back-to-back mergers that culminated in a full buyout of RSM Marketing in 2024. Along the way, he opens up about the messy, fascinating, and often painful realities of deal-making.
In this episode, we cover:
What it’s really like to merge two small companies—and why financial discipline is non-negotiable
Why the right business culture matters more than the math in a merger
The emotional rollercoaster of buying out your partners
The importance of mentorship and why he eventually did bring in outside advisors
How niching down to serve construction and contractor clients has unlocked growth
Tips for first-time managers and founders who want to lead with purpose
Whether you're building your first business or eyeing an exit, Scott shares the real talk on what it takes to navigate growth, acquisition, and leadership the smart (and human) way.
 
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
About ​Scott: Scott Schaper currently serves as President of RSM Marketing, a full-service marketing agency based in Lenexa, Kansas. Assuming this role, post-merger, in January 2019, Scott has been instrumental in steering the company's strategic direction and fostering its growth. RSM serves 100s of customers in the Midwest with customers in 40 states, delivering on a deep specialty serving the Construction, Contractor, and Sub-contractor industry.​ Prior to RSM, Scott founded Unravel Digital in Kansas City, providing web design and web app development to his Kansas City clientele. Pre-Unravel, Scott founded AgilCor, the makers of IFTAPlus. Early career development was during the dot-com boom of the 2000s, when Scott held project management roles at KC tech companies Freightquote.com and GeoAccess.​ Scott holds dual degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from The University of Kansas and hails from St. Louis. Through his leadership roles and dedication to the digital marketing field, Scott Schaper continues to make significant contributions to the industry, driving innovation and mentorship, and strives to foster the next generation of marketing and technological leadership.

From Politics to Purpose: Joni Wickham on Strategic Leadership and Influence

Please join me as I chat with Joni Wickham (see her bio below), one of Kansas City’s most influential voices in government and strategic leadership. From her roots in rural North Carolina to serving as Chief of Staff to Kansas City, MO, Mayor Sly James, Joni shares her journey through public service, political strategy, and entrepreneurship.
We explore:
The pivotal moment in a city council meeting that led her to a career in public service
Her experience leading transformative city initiatives like the new airport terminal, the streetcar, and the Women’s Empowerment Blueprint
Why she wrote the bestselling book The Thin Line Between Cupcake and Btch*—and what it says about women in leadership
How she navigated high-pressure leadership roles while balancing motherhood
What inspired her to co-found Wickham James Strategy & Solutions
Her philosophy on communication, influence, and solving “big, messy problems”
The mindset that helped her transition from politics to purpose-driven consulting
Joni brings a mix of authenticity, clarity, and strategic insight to everything she does. Whether you’re in public policy, organizational leadership, or just trying to move the needle in your corner of the world, this conversation offers a masterclass in how to lead with intention—and impact.
Tune in to hear how Joni Wickham built a career out of purpose, influence, and making things happen.
 
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
About Joni: Joni, hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, arrived in Kansas City almost 15 years ago, bringing her distinctive southern accent and extensive experience from diverse governmental and advocacy roles. Joni served as Chief of Staffto former Kansas City Mayor Sly James, contributing to major development projects andelevating Kansas City's reputation nationally and internationally. Among Joni’s honors: 2019 University of Missouri Truman School of Public Affairs Mel Carnahan Public Service Award; and recognition as one of the 50 most influential people in Kansas City. Joni was also honored as a Woman Who Means Business by the Kansas CityBusiness Journal in 2023. In addition to public speaking engagements, Joni leads workshops on a variety of leadership and communications topics and assists clients with their public policy, strategic communications, crisis communications, government relations, and political consulting needs. Additionally, she is celebrated as the author of the best-selling book, "The Thin Line Between Cupcake and B*tch: Taking Action, Driving Change, and Getting Results".

Love Your Weird: Frankie Russo on Genius Cultures, Radical Growth, and the Donkey Barbeque

In this wild and wisdom-packed episode, Jeff sits down with Frankie Russo (see his bio below) - serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and the man behind the “Love Your Weird” movement - to explore how authenticity, imagination, and generosity fuel extraordinary growth.
Frankie shares the deeply personal story of overcoming drug and alcohol addiction in his 20s and how that journey shaped the visionary leader he is today. From building a tech company that grew 60X in just three years (and was later acquired by a Fortune 500 firm) to his viral TEDx Talk on AI and the Future of Work (over 1.1 million views), Frankie’s insights are raw, real, and radically useful.
We talk about what it means to create a workplace where everyone’s genius comes out, why most organizations stifle innovation, and how a little weirdness might be the missing link to your next breakthrough. Oh—and yes, you’ll finally find out what the hell a “Donkey Barbeque” is.
If you’re tired of the same old corporate playbook, this conversation will shake things up in the best way possible.
Watch Frankie’s TEDx Talk: AI and the Future of Work
 
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
About Frankie: ​Frankie Russo​ (Website) is a visionary in authenticity, imagination, and growth. An entrepreneur with a proven track record for using innovative methods to unlock rapid growth. Russo has led multiple companies to remarkable growth, landing on the Inc. 500/5000 list 8 years in a row, including 60X growth in three years of his tech company 360ia, leading to an acquisition by a Fortune 500 company.​ Organizations that Russo has collaborated with who have embraced his “Love Your Weird” movement were able to adapt, innovate, and grow through massive uncertainty and change. In his latest work, Russo shares the critical unlocks for driving unprecedented and continuous growth by leading with authenticity, imagination, and generosity.​ He is the author of two best-selling books and a sought-after speaker known for transforming organizational cultures and inspiring individual and corporate growth. His keynote experiences are tailored, experiential, and full of actionable insights for fostering a culture of authenticity, imagination, and collaboration to unlock breakthrough results and extraordinary transformation and growth. Frankie’s highest calling is his family, and he happily lives with his wife and six children in Louisiana.

Special Edition: Optimizing Performance and Preventing Injury with Rick Mathes of Align Pain Solutions (Part III)

In Part III of our special series with Rick Mathes (see his bio below), co-founder of Align Pain Solutions, we shift the conversation to athletes and high performers who may not be in chronic pain, but want to stay that way. Rick discusses the often-overlooked role posture plays in maximizing performance and preventing injuries, even for those in peak physical condition. He shares insights from his work with an NBA player and explains how his postural therapy approach can help athletes maintain symmetry, improve movement efficiency, and extend their careers. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a seasoned pro, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to keep their edge.
 
Special Offers for our Listeners:
A free 30-minute consultation with Align Pain Solutions
$25 off a single visit
$100 off an 8- or 16-visit package.
Learn more and book a free session at Align Pain Solutions​ (you can also visit their YouTube Channel for examples of their therapy -YouTube).
 
About Rick:
Rick Mathes is the co-founder and owner of Align Pain Solutions, a postural therapy clinic based in Austin, Texas. Together with his former wife Teresa, Rick practices the ​Egoscue method, pioneered by Peter ​Egoscue in the 1970s.​ Rick's journey into postural therapy began after a life-changing car accident in 1992. At age 31, he suffered a severe collision on Interstate 10 outside Tucson, breaking his back in five places. After two years of intensive physical therapy, doctors told him he would never return to activities like tennis or hiking (and most likely be in a wheelchair in several years). Unwilling to accept this prognosis, Rick spent six years searching for alternatives as his pain worsened to debilitating levels.​ When a neurosurgeon recommended spinal fusion surgery, Rick discovered the​ Egoscue Method and began treatment at ​Egoscue's clinic in San Diego. Within three to four months, Rick experienced remarkable improvement, returning to playing tennis at a 4.5 level without pain.​ This transformative experience inspired Rick and Teresa to change careers and open Align Pain Solutions. Their practice focuses on correcting posture through gentle exercises rather than treating symptoms, helping clients with chronic or acute pain issues who haven't found relief through conventional therapies. Rick's approach emphasizes repositioning the body to achieve postural balance, enabling muscles to function properly without manipulation, drugs, or surgery.
 

Special Edition: Reimaging Leadership By Creating A Coaching Culture with Leslie Anderson

In this Special Edition episode, Leslie Anderson (see her bio below) returns to The Corporate Couch to explore the transformative power of coaching in leadership. Drawing from her extensive experience as an executive coach and insights from Coaching Skills for Leaders, Leslie breaks down what it takes to cultivate a coaching culture within organizations.
We discuss why modern leadership demands more than just authority—it requires empathy, active listening, and the ability to empower teams. Leslie shares practical strategies for integrating coaching into everyday leadership, the difference between managing and coaching, and how leaders can foster environments where employees thrive.
If you’re looking to refine your leadership style, enhance team performance, or navigate workplace complexities with confidence, this conversation is for you. Tune in for an insightful discussion on leadership that inspires real change.
 
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
About Leslie: Leslie Anderson is a C-Suite coach with 2500+ hours of coaching experience. She believes in the transformative power of coaching to impact not only the leaders she works with but everyone they interact with, too. Leslie works with senior leadership and their teams to quickly get to the heart of the issues and guide leaders towards decisions that create cultures where both the organization and its people thrive.
To learn more about Leslie and Coaching Skills for Leaders, visit the Essential Wisdom website - Here.

Breaking Barriers: Shattering Glass Ceilings, Sticky Floors, and Workplace Norms with Erica Rooney

In this episode, I learn and laugh with the powerhouse Erica Rooney (see her bio below)—Chief People Officer, keynote speaker, and bestselling author of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors. From dreaming of becoming the University of Florida’s head football coach to becoming a trailblazer in HR and leadership, Erica’s journey is anything but conventional.
We tackle a range of topics, including:
Why sticky floors—the limiting beliefs and behaviors we hold—can be just as career-stifling as the proverbial glass ceiling.
Why not knowing what's "next" is okay.
The real impact of return-to-work (RTW) policies and why companies need to rethink their approach to flexibility.
How organizations can foster inclusive cultures that drive performance and employee satisfaction.
Practical strategies to overcome self-doubt, advocate for yourself, and unlock new career opportunities.
Whether you're an aspiring leader, a seasoned executive, or simply looking for inspiration to break free from barriers—both external and internal—this conversation is packed with insights, humor, and actionable takeaways.
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
About ​Erica: ​Erica Rooney ​(Website) is a powerhouse in leadership, gender equality, and workplace culture, with over 15 years of HR experience, including her role as Chief People Officer in the tech industry. She’s the bestselling author of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors and the host of the Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors podcast, where she inspires thousands to break free from limiting beliefs and step into infinite possibilities.​Erica has graced iconic stages like SXSW and CHIEF, and her work has been featured in Forbes, SUCCESS Magazine, and CBS News. Whether she’s partnering with top organizations or challenging the status quo, Erica is on a mission to help people and companies shatter barriers, unlock their potential, and achieve success without limits.

Special Edition: It's 5 O'clock Somewhere with Marc Shaffer

Welcome to the first-ever The Corporate Couch Special Edition of It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere—a monthly happy hour-style conversation where Marc Shaffer and I talk about random stuff that actually matters. Think of it as eavesdropping on our usual drinks-and-deep-thoughts sessions, now with a microphone involved :-)
In this episode, we tackle:
The frustrating state of job searching and hiring today—why candidates are getting ghosted, the impact of AI-driven hiring, and how companies can do better.
Marc’s insights as a hiring manager—what he looks for, why personality tests can be misleading, and how he’s approaching an unconventional executive assistant hire.
Networking vs. the black hole of online applications—why 70-80% of jobs are found through relationships, not job boards.
Marc’s first book, One for All—why he wrote it, what “systematizing kindness” actually means, and how it can help leaders and sales professionals build real relationships that pay off in unexpected ways.
Giving back and getting behind the bar—Marc’s experience bartending at the Newhouse Worthy Pop-Up Bar, which raised over $280,000 to support survivors of domestic violence.
Jeff’s struggle with being ghosted… by friends—how do you handle people who say they want to work with you but then disappear? Marc offers a foolproof process for letting people go gracefully.
Whether you’re job searching, hiring, growing a business, or just looking for some entertaining banter with real takeaways, this episode is for you. Grab a drink (or coffee—no judgment), kick back, and join us for a conversation that’s equal parts insightful and irreverent. 
Tune in now, and don’t forget—it's always 5 o’clock somewhere :-)
 
This episode is brought to you by Searcy Financial. Your financial future begins with a simple question: Where do you want to be? At Searcy Financial, we help successful individuals and families through our mission to simplify your financial journey, empowering you to enjoy life and wealth on your terms. The question sparks a conversation that goes beyond numbers, helping us understand what truly matters to you and the kind of financial plan that aligns with your life goals. It also allows us to identify potential challenges and opportunities so we can proactively address them. The outcome is a plan that empowers you to acquire, grow, and preserve your wealth.
 
If you would like to sign up to be notified of updates on Marc's “All for One” book, including the release date, or to sign up for the Searcy Financial Wealth Matters email newsletter, use the links below:
​Marc's Book "All For One": Keep Me Updated!
 
"Wealth Matters" newsletter: Sign Me Up!

Kody Bateman, From Grunt to Founder - His Passion to Spread the Gratitude Movement, Why Your Most Powerful Mentor is You, and The True Essence of Network Marketing

Do you ignore your intuition? In this episode, I chat with Kody Bateman, founder of Promptings, author, entrepreneur, and thought leader in the modern-day gratitude movement. Kody has built a career helping people recognize and act on their inner promptings to create deeper connections, both personally and professionally.
But his journey wasn’t always clear. In this conversation, Kody shares how ignoring a life-changing prompting—one that involved his older brother just before his passing—shaped his mission and led him to create a global platform that has helped millions foster meaningful relationships.
We discuss:
The power of acting on your inner promptings and why so many people ignore them.
How a tragic loss transformed Kody’s perspective and fueled his life’s work.
The importance of gratitude as more than just a feeling, but a way of being.
The origins of SendOutCards and how it pioneered digital-to-physical relationship marketing.
Why handwritten notes and tangible connection still matter in an increasingly digital world.
Kody’s take on network marketing done right—why most people have a negative perception of MLMs, and how true relationship-based marketing creates genuine value and trust.
Lessons from his book, Promptings: Your Inner Guide to Making a Difference.
Kody’s insights on intuition, personal development, and authentic connection are both inspiring and practical. Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone looking for more meaningful relationships, this episode will challenge you to pause, listen, and act on the small nudges that can lead to life-changing results.
Tune in for a powerful conversation about purpose, loss, and the impact of following your intuition.
 
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
About ​K​ody: Kody Bateman​ (Website) is the founder of Promptings, a globally recognized company that inspires people to act on their promptings and create real human connection.  As he leads the modern—day gratitude movement he is helping people transform their lives by simply being in gratitude, sharing gratitude, and showing others how to do the same.​ With a background in entrepreneurship and personal development, Kody has authored several books, including Promptings: Your Inner Guide to Making a Difference and The Power of Human Connection. His revolutionary relationship-building platform, SendOutCards has delivered over 200 million promptings all around the world. Known for his motivational speaking and leadership, Kody continues to empower individuals and organizations to strengthen relationships and foster meaningful connections in both personal and professional settings. He is on a mission to reconnect people to others, their purpose, and prosperity.

Special Edition: Posture, Pain Relief, and the Power of Movement with Rick Mathes (Part II)

In this Special Edition of The Corporate Couch, Rick Mathes (see his bio below) returns for part two of our three-part series on how Align Pain Solutions helps people relieve pain and increase mobility. In this episode, we go deeper into the science of posture and how simple, targeted movements can unlock lasting pain relief and better movement—without drugs, surgery, or endless adjustments.
We cover:
The difference between postural therapy, physical therapy, and chiropractic care—and how they can work together.
Why stretching tight muscles and strengthening weak ones might not be the answer.
How postural misalignment leads to chronic pain and what you can do about it.
Real-life examples of posture transformations, with before-and-after results in just one session.
Simple self-tests you can do at home to check your own posture and movement patterns.
Rick also shares practical tips on how to train your body to hold proper alignment, leading to better mobility, reduced pain, and improved performance in daily life. Whether you're recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic pain, or want to move and feel better, this episode is full of actionable insights.
Tune in now and discover how small changes in movement can lead to big improvements in your health and well-being.
​
Special Offers for our Listeners:
A free 30-minute consultation with Align Pain Solutions
$25 off a single visit
$100 off an 8- or 16-visit package.
Learn more and book a free session at Align Pain Solutions​ (you can also visit their YouTube Channel for examples of their therapy -YouTube).
 
About Rick:
Rick Mathes is the co-founder and owner of Align Pain Solutions, a postural therapy clinic based in Austin, Texas. Together with his former wife Teresa, Rick practices the ​Egoscue method, pioneered by Peter ​Egoscue in the 1970s.​ Rick's journey into postural therapy began after a life-changing car accident in 1992. At age 31, he suffered a severe collision on Interstate 10 outside Tucson, breaking his back in five places. After two years of intensive physical therapy, doctors told him he would never return to activities like tennis or hiking (and most likely be in a wheelchair in several years). Unwilling to accept this prognosis, Rick spent six years searching for alternatives as his pain worsened to debilitating levels.​ When a neurosurgeon recommended spinal fusion surgery, Rick discovered the​ Egoscue Method and began treatment at ​Egoscue's clinic in San Diego. Within three to four months, Rick experienced remarkable improvement, returning to playing tennis at a 4.5 level without pain.​ This transformative experience inspired Rick and Teresa to change careers and open Align Pain Solutions. Their practice focuses on correcting posture through gentle exercises rather than treating symptoms, helping clients with chronic or acute pain issues who haven't found relief through conventional therapies. Rick's approach emphasizes repositioning the body to achieve postural balance, enabling muscles to function properly without manipulation, drugs, or surgery.
 

Aligning Your Mind: Britt Frank on Getting Unstuck, Leading Yourself, and Rethinking Change

This is the first episode where I felt at times it was one of my therapy sessions and I should have been lying on The Corporate Couch:-) I chat with the fantastic Britt Frank, licensed neuropsychotherapist, trauma expert, and author of The Science of Stuck. As the first interview of 2025—and our first licensed neuropsychotherapist—Britt brings a fresh and no-nonsense perspective on how our brains work, why we stay stuck, and what it actually takes to create meaningful change.
We dive into:
The myth that our brains are wired for happiness (spoiler: they aren’t—they’re wired for survival).
Why asking why keeps you stuck, and how what and how questions move you forward.
The real science behind procrastination (hint: it’s not about laziness).
Why January is not the best time for resolutions—April is the new January.
The hidden cost of remote work and how to create better transitions between work and home.
Why you don’t need more empathy to be a great leader—you need curiosity.
Britt also shares her personal journey, from struggling with addiction and mental health challenges to becoming a therapist, author, and keynote speaker. We even discuss her time in a cult, her love of aerial arts, and whether Jewish mothers or Italian mothers give better guilt.
Britt’s insights challenge conventional thinking on personal growth, leadership, and workplace culture. Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or just someone looking for practical ways to get unstuck, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and actionable takeaways.
Tune in for a bold and thought-provoking conversation that might just change the way you approach work, life, and your own mind.
 
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
About Britt​ (Website): The Shiny Professional Stuff: Britt received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her master’s degree from the University of Kansas. She is a licensed neuropsychotherapist and trauma expert who is trained in IFS (Internal Family Systems) and SE (Somatic Experiencing). In addition to her private practice, Britt is also a speaker and an award-winning adjunct instructor at the​ University of Kansas, where she’s taught classes on ethics, addiction, and clinical social work.​ She is the author of The Science of Stuck and Align Your Mind (Penguin Random House).
The Sordid Personal Stuff: Born and raised in NY, Britt struggled for more than two decades with chemical/behavioral addictions, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, OCD, trichotillomania, crazy-making relationships, and complex PTSD. 
Eventually, she found her way out of that mess (with a lot of help and a brief stint in a religious cult) and became a therapist.
 
 
 

Rich Cogswell, The People-First Sales Leader - How To Build Winning Sales Cultures, His Take On FinTech, and Why Leaders Should Make Themselves Redundant

In this episode, I welcome  Rich Cogswell (see his bio below), a people-first sales leader, FinTech expert, and the first international guest on the podcast. Broadcasting all the way from Singapore, Rich brings a global perspective on what truly makes a high-performing sales culture—and spoiler alert, it’s not just about hitting numbers.
We dive into:
The evolution of sales from the "Boiler Room" and "Glengarry Glen Ross" days to a more people-first leadership approach.
Why culture—not just quotas—determines sales success.
The challenges of moving from top-performing rep to sales leader (and why so many fail).
Lessons from leading global sales teams across EMEA, the U.S., and APAC.
Insights from his book, The Cultural Sales Leader, and his upcoming book on networking your way to success (including the poor treatment of job seekers today by many companies).
Rich also shares stories from his career in FinTech, his family's deep-rooted history in Singapore, and the leadership philosophy that has helped him build winning sales organizations worldwide. Whether you’re a sales pro, an aspiring leader, or just someone who loves a good "ABC - Always Be Closing" reference, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and practical takeaways.
 
Tune in for a fun and thought-provoking conversation on sales, leadership, and why the best teams are built on more than just deals and data.
 
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
Rich's bio: Richard Cogswell is a people-first sales leader. He is an organizational team builder who believes that people, vision, values, and behaviors build winning sales cultures. Richard has held multiple senior sales leadership positions within a number of industries, working across EMEA, the United States, and APAC, within startups and listed multinational companies.
 
Whether newly hired or promoted, or for those with experience already gained on the journey, Richard aims to show a methodology focused on how you might best lay down the foundations for exponential and sustained growth through the sales leadership function, and critically through the catalyst of culture.
 
Living and working in Singapore, Richard's second book, MASTERING NETWORKING: Forging your own career opportunities to create the future you deserve; will be out in 2025. You can connect with Richard on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcogswell/, or find out more from Richard at www.richardcogswell.com.

Nick McLean, From Engineer to Deal Junkie - His Four Pillars of Success, Being The Most Boring Guy in Private Equity, and Learning Entrepreneurship Through Company Acquisitions

In this episode, I sit down with Nick McLean, co-founder of Four Pillars Investors, a Kansas City-based private equity firm focused on founder and family-owned businesses. Nick’s journey from industrial engineering to private equity wasn’t a straight path—he meandered through consulting, corporate roles, and entrepreneurship before finding his true passion: buying and growing businesses.
At Four Pillars Investors, Nick and his team operate with a values-driven approach:
Relationships as a Cornerstone for Success – Building trust with business owners and partners.Challenge the Status Quo – Pushing businesses to think bigger and grow strategically.Servant Leadership – Supporting teams by removing obstacles and empowering employees.Persistence – Staying committed in an unpredictable deal-making environment.
We also discuss:
- The evolution of Four Pillars Investors and what sets them apart in the private equity space.- How Nick transitioned from consulting and corporate life to buying and running companies.- Lessons learned from leading a manufacturing company at age 36.- The biggest mistakes business owners make when preparing to sell.- Why culture and relationships matter just as much as financials in a successful deal.- His insights from hosting the Ambition podcast and growing a YouTube channel with over 30,000 subscribers.
Nick’s perspective on business, leadership, and strategic growth is invaluable for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone interested in private equity and M&A. If you’ve ever thought about buying, selling, or scaling a business, this episode is a must-listen!
Tune in for an insightful conversation on deals, leadership, and what it takes to grow a business.
 
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
Nick's bio: ​Nick McLean (LinkedIn) is a co-founder of Four Pillars Investors, a lower middle-market private equity firm based in Kansas City. Four Pillars targets founder and family-owned businesses with revenues of at least $10M. Nick did not take a straight path to the private equity world, instead meandering through a variety of entrepreneurial and corporate endeavors. Through this journey, Nick has evolved his definition of success while also getting a bit too familiar with failure. He describes himself as a “deal junkie” and is truly doing what he loves. When working with their portfolio companies, Nick often stresses the importance of building out the sales and marketing function. Partly to practice what he preaches, Nick hosts a podcast titled Ambition: The Challenges, Risks, and Rewards of Business Growth (available on all major podcast platforms and at https://www.AmbitionWithNick.com), publishes a weekly newsletter called the Mid Market Insider (https://www.midmarketinsider.co/) and creates videos for his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@NickFourPillars) that now has over 30,000 subscribers. He also published a book titled How to Sell Your Business to Private Equity (available on Amazon.com).

Special Edition: Healing Pain & Increasing Mobility with Rick Mathes of Align Pain Solutions

In this Special Edition of The Corporate Couch, I sit down with Rick Mathes (see his bio below), co-founder of Align Pain Solutions, to discuss his transformative journey from debilitating back pain to pain-free living through postural therapy. After surviving a life-altering car accident that left him with five spinal fractures, Rick was told he would never play tennis or hike again. Refusing to accept that prognosis, he discovered the Egoscue Method—a revolutionary approach to correcting posture and eliminating pain without drugs, surgery, or manipulation.
We cover:✅ Rick’s incredible recovery journey and why he rejected spinal fusion surgery.✅ How postural therapy differs from chiropractic care, physical therapy, and other treatments.✅ Why pain isn’t always caused by injury—but by how your body is positioned.✅ The simple, corrective exercises that can help relieve chronic pain and increase mobility.✅ How Align Pain Solutions helps people reclaim their movement, strength, and quality of life—no matter where they live.
I’m not just the host today—I’m also a client of Align Pain Solutions, and I’ve personally experienced the benefits of postural therapy. If you’ve struggled with chronic pain or want to improve your mobility and flexibility, this episode is a must-listen!
Special Offers for our Listeners:🆓 Free 30-minute consultation with Align Pain Solutions💲 $25 off a single visit💲 $100 off an 8- or 16-visit package
📌 Learn more and book a free session at Align Pain Solutions
🎧 Tune in now to discover how small postural changes can lead to big pain relief and greater mobility!
 
Rick's Bio:
Rick Mathes is the co-founder and owner of Align Pain Solutions, a postural therapy clinic based in Austin, Texas. Together with his former wife Teresa, Rick practices the ​Egoscue method, pioneered by Peter ​Egoscue in the 1970s.Rick's journey into postural therapy began after a life-changing car accident in 1992. At age 31, he suffered a severe collision on Interstate 10 outside Tucson, breaking his back in five places. After two years of intensive physical therapy, doctors told him he would never return to activities like tennis or hiking (and most likely be in a wheelchair in several years). Unwilling to accept this prognosis, Rick spent six years searching for alternatives as his pain worsened to debilitating levels.When a neurosurgeon recommended spinal fusion surgery, Rick discovered the​ Egoscue Method and began treatment at ​Egoscue's clinic in San Diego. Within three to four months, Rick experienced remarkable improvement, returning to playing tennis at a 4.5 level without pain.This transformative experience inspired Rick and Teresa to change careers and open Align Pain Solutions. Their practice focuses on correcting posture through gentle exercises rather than treating symptoms, helping clients with chronic or acute pain issues who haven't found relief through conventional therapies. Rick's approach emphasizes repositioning the body to achieve postural balance, enabling muscles to function properly without manipulation, drugs, or surgery.
 

Turning Tragedy into Purpose: Mindy Corporon on Healing, Resilience, and Workplace Transformation

I was honored to chat with Mindy Corporon (see her bio below), a leader, author, and advocate for empathy in the workplace. Mindy’s journey is one of profound loss (losing both her father and oldest son when a white supremacist killed them), resilience, and transformation—from her successful career in wealth management to her mission-driven work with SevenDays® and Workplace Healing.
In our conversation, we discuss:
- Her powerful story of loss and how it reshaped her life’s purpose.- The importance of empathetic leadership and how corporate leaders can better support employees through grief and life transitions.- Her innovative Human Recovery Platform™ and how it’s changing workplace culture.- Lessons from navigating career pivots and finding purpose after tragedy.- The role of kindness and connection in overcoming hate.
Mindy’s resilience in the face of adversity is nothing short of inspiring. Whether you’re a leader looking to foster a culture of compassion or someone navigating your own life transitions, this episode offers wisdom, hope, and actionable takeaways.
Check out Mindy’s book, Healing a Shattered Soul, and learn more about her work at Workplace Healing and SevenDays®.
Tune in now for an unforgettable conversation about healing, leadership, and the power of kindness.
 
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
Mindy's bio: Mindy Corporon ​(LinkedIn) is the Vice President of Strategy and Engagement with Global Care Force, where she drives sustainability through strategic growth initiatives and partnership development. Focused on aligning performance metrics with mission impact, she enhances organizational effectiveness andengagement across diverse stakeholders. As the Co-Founder of Workplace Healing and innovator of the Human Recovery Platform™ and Grief Forecast, Mindy empowers corporate leaders to transform how they support employees navigatinglife and loss transitions. By integrating the head-based corporate environment with empathetic, heart-based strategies, she helps build cultures rooted in trust, long-term productivity, and morale. Mindy’s vision for Workplace Healing was born from personal tragedy and a challenging re-entry into corporate life. At the height of her career as CEO of a successful wealth management firm and while raising two talented sons, her father, and oldest son were murdered by a white supremacist intent on killing Jews. This profound loss shifted her life purpose from guiding people financially to pioneeringinitiatives that help leaders and organizations embrace empathy and compassion.
An inspirational speaker and author of Healing a Shattered Soul (2021), Mindy shares her family’s story of resilience, faith, and unwavering commitment to courageous kindness. In response to the tragedy, she and her family founded SevenDays® Inc., a foundation dedicated to overcoming hate by promoting kindness and understanding through education and dialogue. SevenDays® engages communities, businesses, and schools in its mission to Make a Ripple, Change the World. Mindy remains deeply committed to SevenDays and Workplace Healing, using her passion to help schools foster kindness and businesses lead with empathy through innovative resources, kindnessclubs, and leadership tools.

Thriving in Tech, Overcoming Bad Bosses, and Championing Women Leaders with Marci Weisler

Join me as I chat with Marci Weisler (see her bio below), a tech strategist and fierce advocate for female founders, about navigating career challenges, overcoming bad bosses, and staying ahead of the curve in emerging technology. Marci shares her incredible journey—from navigating toxic leadership and making bold career moves to helping businesses leverage emerging technologies before they hit the mainstream. We discuss:
- The "bad boss" experience that pushed Marci to take a leap of faith in her career.- Why she’s passionate about empowering women founders and leaders.- The power of embracing cutting-edge technology—before the market is ready.- Lessons learned from working in both scrappy startups and corporate giants like T-Mobile.- Practical career advice for young professionals and aspiring leaders.
Marci’s story is one of resilience, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to lifting others up. If you're looking for inspiration on navigating career challenges, breaking barriers, and staying ahead of the curve in tech, this episode is for you!
 
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
Marci's bio: Marci Weisler​ (LinkedIn) is a strategic digital leader in mobile, media, and ad tech who drives growth through commercializing new products; leveraging disruptive technology to improve outcomes, and developing partnerships to open new revenue streams and achieve aggressive growth goals. She takes an entrepreneurial approach to creating innovative solutions, incubating new ventures, scaling businesses, and leading teams.​ Thriving in high-growth dynamic environments, Marci has transformed both emerging and incumbent businesses by offering a fresh perspective, understanding how data and emerging technologies (such as AI)  can be applied to it to unlock revenue streams, upend existing models, and grow customer bases at both startups and brands, including T-Mobile, Kellogg’s, Time Out, and Vengo. Marci is a senior advisor at Oaklins DaSilva & Phillips, a global investment bank specializing in media, tech, and marketing, and advises startups on strategy and growth.​ She was named a Woman2Watch in Business Disruption in 2020 and is on the board of WE.DOOH, empowering women in digital out-of-home media.​ Marci passionately supports female founders and women-led businesses as co-founder of SWSI (Smart Women. Smart Ideas) Media, mentorship, and investment.

Kicked Out of the Nest: Deb Coviello on Reinvention, Leadership, and Owning Your Path

Resilience, Reinvention, and the Power of Taking Control with Deb CovielloIn this episode I chat with Deb Coviello (see her bio below), also known as The Drop In CEO™, to discuss leadership, resilience, and her journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur, speaker, and author. Deb and I share remarkably similar career paths—both coming from corporate backgrounds, navigating unexpected exits, and ultimately finding fulfillment by forging our own way.We dive into:- The challenges of corporate life and what it feels like to get "kicked out of the nest"- How Deb turned repeated corporate rejections into an opportunity to build The Drop In CEO brand- The importance of emotional intelligence and influence in leadership- Why every professional should invest in personal branding and relationships—before they need them- Insights from The CEO’s Compass and her upcoming book, "The New CEO Playbook".Deb’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and embracing the unknown to create a career and life on her own terms. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this episode is packed with wisdom on navigating career transitions, leading with authenticity, and finding peace of mind in the process.
Check out Deb’s books and podcasts at dropinceo.com. Tune in for a candid, inspiring, and insightful conversation that will leave you rethinking your own career path!
 
This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.
 
Deb's bio: Known as The Drop In CEO™, Deb’s superpower is lowering the temperature and elevating conversations with empathy and patience.
As a speaker, author, podcaster, and consultant, she teaches C-Suite leaders how to establish a “Lift, Light, Lead” environment and create calm amidst chaos or crisis. She is the author of “The CEO’s​ Compass: Your Guide to Get Back on Track,” and, “The New CEO Playbook: Stop Chasing Results and Start Pursuing Peace of Mind.”​ Her long-running podcast, The Drop-In CEO, is in the top 1.5% globally among Apple podcasts. 

Special Edition - Small Ball, Big Dreams with Joel Goldberg

Welcome to a short-form Special Edition of The Corporate Couch (it's more of a loveseat episode:-)!
I sit down with longtime sports broadcaster, speaker, podcaster, and author Joel Goldberg (see his bio below) to dive into the lessons from his second book, Small Ball, Big Dreams. Drawing from his years covering championship teams and business leaders, Joel shares how small, consistent actions lead to game-changing success—both on and off the field.
We discuss:
⚾ Why the "small ball" mindset is the key to long-term wins in business and life.⚾ Stories from the clubhouse and boardroom that prove details matter.⚾ The importance of culture, leadership, and resilience in achieving big dreams.⚾ How embracing daily habits creates momentum for lasting success.
Packed with real-world insights, sports analogies, and leadership wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to level up their career, mindset, or team dynamics.
📘 Get your copy of Small Ball, Big Dreams, and start building your championship mindset today! - (Amazon)
 
Joel's Story: Joel Goldberg broke into the sports broadcasting scene by knocking on the doors of television stations, cold calling broadcast executives, and sending out resume tapes in the 1990s.​ His career was never handed to him. Rather, it was the product of building connections and dedication, mixed with years of hard work. Joel has worked in four markets during a 30-year career, covering two World Series Championship teams and thousands of baseball games—not to mention multiple Super Bowls, NHL playoffs, and NCAA March Madness basketball games.​ Joel has had the pleasure of interviewing countless athletes, Hall of Famers, and celebrities while traveling the world, telling stories from famous stars to under-the-radar role players.
His longtime job covering the Kansas City Royals as a host and reporter is a privilege, enabling him to entertain, inform, and connect fans to athletes. Through his years of storytelling and watching championship organizations succeed (and fail), he realized his access to methods executives use to build culture and championship teams translated to the corporate world.​ That’s why Joel created the Game Changer Speaking Series to help organizations win trust and build a championship culture. Access insights from Joel through his podcast Rounding the Bases or book him for your next event.

Grant Gooding, The Curious CEO - Why Following Your Passion is Shitty Advice, How Emotional Data is Transforming Business Strategy, and Finding Your A+

Join me as I sit down with Grant Gooding (see his bio below), founder and CEO of Proof Positioning, to discuss how emotional data is transforming market research and business strategy. With a background in mergers and acquisitions, Grant saw firsthand why so many deals fail—leading him to pioneer a groundbreaking way to measure what truly drives customer decisions.
We cover:
- The surprising reason 70% of business acquisitions fail.- Why traditional market research methods don’t work—and how to fix them.- The neuroscience behind how people really make decisions.- The power of finding your “A+” skill and building a team around strengths instead of weaknesses.- Lessons learned from pivoting a business and navigating industry resistance.
Grant’s journey from aspiring lawyer to M&A expert (it was like getting an MBA every day) to neuroscience-driven entrepreneur is filled with insights, humor, and actionable takeaways for leaders, business owners, and anyone looking to understand decision-making on a deeper level.
Listen in for a fascinating conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on leadership, business strategy, and the future of market research.
 
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.   
 
Grant's bio: Grant ​Gooding (LinkedIn) got his professional start in the mergers and acquisitions world working first on the legal side then buy-side analysis, valuations, and eventually transition management.  After roughly a decade of analyzing, valuing, and transitioning hundreds of small and mid-market businesses, Grant naturally gravitated towards understanding the 70% failure rates of acquisitions.​ After years of analyzing acquisition failures, he discovered the leading cause of transaction failures was a lack of understanding and measurement as to why customers do business with organizations.​With his MBA emphasis in qualitative marketing, Grant spent the next several years experimenting with methodologies and measurement techniques that could be used to quantify qualitative data.  After working with a nationally renowned brand analyst, Grant discovered a quant method that could be used to assess brand preferences.  With that as a starting point, he and his team utilized some principles of neuroscience and created a new methodology that accurately quantifies emotional resonance.​ After several hundred iterations, the PROOF method stands alone as one of the most compelling and accurate ways to quantify human emotion.  Today, Grant speaks all over the country in the areas of Emotional Data, an emerging field that PROOF is helping pioneer.

Saying Yes to Life: Michael Mackie’s Journey Through TV, Travel, and Storytelling

In this episode, I chat with the inimitable Michael Mackie (see his bio below), a multi-talented storyteller, Emmy-award-winning host, entertainment journalist, and travel writer. With his signature wit and humor, Michael takes us through his fascinating career, from his early days in Des Moines TV to interviewing A-list celebrities and even hosting his own PBS travel show, "Get Lost!".
We dive into:
Michael’s hilarious and sometimes disastrous celebrity interviews, including Sarah McLachlan and Jennifer Lopez.
His pivot from TV journalism to storytelling in advertising and travel writing.
The art of personal branding, creating genuine connections on LinkedIn, and why authenticity is key.
A sneak peek into his upcoming gig as a host for Norwegian Cruise Line’s Sevilla excursion.
Michael’s advice for life and career? “Just say yes.” Whether it’s showing up for opportunities or embracing the unexpected, his philosophy will inspire you to stay open to life’s twists and turns.
Don’t miss Michael’s insights on storytelling, building a personal brand, and his unfiltered anecdotes from a career filled with laughs, lessons, and a few surprises!
 
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.   
Michael's bio: Michael Mackie(LinkedIn) is an Aries with a Pisces rising. (IYKYK.)​. Growing up as a proud Midwesterner, he knew he always knew he wanted to be in TV.
Or on TV.​Or watching TV (He's not picky).By complete accident and happenstance, Mackie began interviewing a litany of Emmy-, Academy-, and Grammy-award winners. What started as a hobby, quickly became his own unexpected claim to fame. His motto? “You name the celebrity and I’ve probably interviewed them. Twice.”​ "My parents never could comprehend how I earned my keep stringing words together for the universe to appreciate," he says. "Frankly, that makes three of us. But I feel like telling stories is what I was put on this earth to do. I was born to spend no more than five minutes in a room chatting up a celebrity and then somehow cobble brilliance together. Whether you read it or watch it—welp, that’s up to you

A Lifetime of Leadership, Legacy, and Service with Linda Endecott

From Mucking Stables to Shaping Leaders: Linda Endecott’s Path of Purpose​ - In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Linda Endecott​ (see her bio below), Managing Director of the Executive MBA program at Rockhurst University’s Helzberg School of Management. With an extraordinary career spanning education, nonprofit/corporate leadership, and executive development, Linda shares the lessons, laughter, and life experiences that have shaped her journey.
 
We explore Linda’s unique path—from mucking stables at age three to marrying into a family that built a multi-generational legacy of wealth through their business endeavors. Linda reflects on how this experience deepened her understanding of leadership, respect, and the importance of fostering relationships across all levels of an organization.
With her trademark warmth and wit, Linda discusses:
The values instilled by her father, a steel company president, and her journey from Valley Forge, PA into Kansas City’s iconic business community.
Her passion is mentoring emerging leaders and helping them uncover their potential.
Insights on navigating family legacy, multi-generational wealth, and creating meaningful impact.
Linda also offers invaluable advice for recent graduates entering the workforce and seasoned professionals stepping into leadership roles, reminding us that success is about purpose, relationships, and lifelong learning.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation with one of Kansas City’s most cherished leaders, and leave with practical insights on how to lead with purpose, build meaningful relationships, and embrace every new day as an opportunity to grow.
 
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.   
Linda's bio: Linda Endecott​ (LinkedIn), Managing Director of the Executive MBA program at Helzberg School of Management, Rockhurst University is an alliance builder that works with leaders and organizations to plan and implement bold value-creating change. She has worked in senior executive and development roles for nonprofits, universities, for-profit companies and has served as a board member and volunteer for numerous philanthropic and civic organizations and initiatives.​ With her love of the Midwest, Linda engages with the greater Kansas City region and its vibrant business community to create collaborative partnerships that support talent development and executive education. She is guided by her passion for helping emerging leaders broaden their experiences, skills, and perspectives in service to themselves, their organizations, and their communities. 

Special Edition - Book Review: Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones

Welcome to a short-form Special Edition of The Corporate Couch! Today, my co-host is Shawn Kinkade (linkedin.com/in/shawnkinkade). We break down James Clear’s Atomic Habits. Spoiler alert: this book is life-changing—but also responsible for Shawn flossing regularly and me questioning my peanut M&M consumption.
We dive into Clear’s genius strategies, like:
Turning "just go to the gym" into an actual life hack (but maybe not living there).
Habit stacking: floss after brushing, not after binging peanut M&Ms.
Becoming the kind of person who does things—like yoga, writing, or saying no to that second dessert.
Why "Don’t break the chain" is your new mantra, unless it’s linked to your Netflix binge.
It’s not rocket science, but it might just change your life—or at least your morning routine. We also explore how setting up systems over goals can help you crush them at work and at home.
📚 Bonus: Email me at jeffpelaccio@gmail.com for a free 7-page summary of Atomic Habits!
 
🎧 Tune in for laughs, insights, and actionable tips—and maybe walk away ready to ditch those M&Ms (or at least hide them better).

From Baseball Cards to Blockchain: Randy Wasinger’s Journey with CryptoSlam

What the hell is Web3? In this episode (the first in my collaboration with Startland News - Website), I chat with Randy Wasinger—entrepreneur, NFT pioneer, and founder/CEO of CryptoSlam (see his bio below). With over 20 years of experience in high-growth businesses and a track record as an innovator in SEO, affiliate marketing, and big data, Randy shares how his early passion for baseball cards evolved into a groundbreaking career in Web3 and NFTs.
We dive into Randy’s entrepreneurial journey—from running a baseball card shop as a teenager in small-town Kansas to building CryptoSlam, the leading NFT data platform trusted by industry giants. Randy reflects on his transition from accounting for a major firm to tech, the lessons he learned from his mentors, and the incredible story of attracting investors like Mark Cuban, Reid Hoffman, and Ashton Kutcher. It's a remarkable journey from Russell, Kansas to being a leader in the newest technology (that most people do not understand) for Randy and his Kansas City-based company.
Whether you’re curious about Web3, NFTs, or the future of blockchain technology, this episode offers an insider’s perspective on innovation, resilience, and the power of seizing opportunities.
 
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.   
Randy's bio: Randy Wasinger​ (LinkedIn) is the founder/CEO of CryptoSlam, Inc.​ (Website). He has 20+ years as an entrepreneur building high-growth businesses that specialize in SEO, SEM, affiliate marketing, display ad arbitrage & big data. Leadership experience as a CEO, Executive Director for a not-for-profit, youth coach for three different sports, and father of six. 13-time national champion in masters track and field, and 2011 world champion. An NFT early adopter and one of the first NFT "whales". Founded CryptoSlam in 2018, the first and leading NFT data platform, trusted by industry leaders and end-users worldwide, with millions of users since its inception. Randy has raised capital from notable investors including Mark Cuban, Reid Hoffman, and Ashton Kutcher, as well as crypto heavyweights like Animoca Brands and OKX.

From the NFL to Mindset Mastery: A Conversation with Jon McGraw

In this episode, I sit down with Jon McGraw (see his bio below)—former NFL safety, co-founder of Vision Pursue, and performance mindset expert. From walking on at Kansas State to playing 10 seasons in the NFL, Jon shares his incredible journey, the leadership lessons he learned from legendary coaches (including the legendary Kansas State University coach Bill Snyder), and the physical, emotional, and mental toll of professional football. We delve into Jon’s transition from the NFL to entrepreneurship and how his passion for personal growth led to co-founding Vision Pursue, a company that trains corporate and sports teams in performance psychology. Jon opens up about the importance of mindset, navigating change, and how he turned his experiences with injury and uncertainty into a mission to help others thrive. We also discuss how most NFL players are not happy, the challenge of being present in an occupation where your job can end at any time (and how the NFL stands for "Not For Long"), his transitions from high school football to Division I college to the NFL, how the NFL is not a team sport, and importance of mindset to improve your life experiences. He also answers the all-important question: Can he still bench press 225 pounds 13 times? :-)
Whether you’re a corporate leader, athlete, sports fan, or someone striving for personal growth, Jon’s insights will leave you inspired to elevate your performance and embrace a healthier, more balanced mindset.
 
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.   
Jon's bio: Jon ​McGraw (LinkedIn) co-founded Vision Pursue (Website) after its principles radically shifted his mindset, performance, and overall life experience.
He’s since guided and assisted in the successful application of these principles inside hundreds of corporate teams and sports franchises. He’s a sought-after keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and Performance Mindset trainer. Before Vision Pursue, Jonplayed 10 years in the NFL plus completed business management and entrepreneurship programs at Harvard Business School and Wharton Business School.

Unleashing Fun At Work - Leadership and Laughter With Joel Zeff

In this episode of The Corporate Couch, I chat with Joel Zeff (see his bio below), a nationally renowned speaker, work culture expert, author, and humorist who has captivated audiences for over 25 years. Known for his hilarious improvisational comedy and insightful messages on leadership, collaboration, and change, Joel brings his unique energy to the podcast.
We explore Joel’s fascinating career journey—from his days as a newspaper journalist to becoming a sought-after keynote speaker. Joel shares how improv has shaped his perspectives on teamwork, communication, and embracing the unexpected. He also talks about the power of celebrating small victories (or "Ta-da!" moments) to fuel passion and creativity in the workplace, letting the Universe point the way, and the one question you should ask as a leader. Joel is also the creator of one of the most iconic traditions at the University of Kansas' historic Allen Fieldhouse during men's basketball games.
Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, Joel’s stories, humor, and actionable insights will leave you inspired and energized. Plus, don’t miss his behind-the-scenes tales from over 2,500 events and the origin of his iconic "Ta-da!" philosophy! Warning: Be prepared to laugh your ass off during this conversation.
 
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.   
 
Joel's bio: ​Joel Zeff creates energy. His spontaneous humor and vital messages have thrilled audiences for more than 25 years. As a national speaker, work culture expert, author, and humorist, Joel captivates audiences with a unique blend of hilarious improvisational comedy and essential ideas on work and life. He has shared his experience and insight on collaboration, leadership, change, communication, innovation, fun, and passion at more than 2,500 events. His book, “Make the Right Choice: Lead with Passion, Elevate Your Team, and Unleash the Fun at Work”, is consistently listed as one of the top work/life balance books on Amazon​ (Joel’s latest edition of "Make the Right Choice" launched November 13, 202​4). He has appeared on CNBC and featured in the Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, The Kansas City Star, and many other media outlets. For more information, visit his website at www.joelzeff.com.
 
 

Susie Tomenchok, The Master Negotiator With A Big Heart - Unlocking The Magic Of Others, How To Have Tough Conversations, and Why Negotiating Skills Make Us Better Humans

In this episode, I sit down with the vibrant and insightful Susie Tomenchok, author, executive coach, TEDx speaker, and negotiation expert (see her bio below). From being a telecom pioneer at Comcast to leading an international company of over 1000 employees to becoming a mentor and coach, Susie shares her inspiring journey and practical advice for professionals at every stage of their careers (including being an early adopter of having a side hustle). We dive into her unique approach to negotiation as a daily practice, not just a high-stakes event, and explore how mastering this skill can transform careers, leadership, and personal relationships. Susie’s passion for helping others unlock their potential shines as she discusses the art of framing conversations, embracing creativity in solutions, and empowering individuals to confidently advocate for themselves.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced leader looking to level up, this episode is packed with actionable insights and energizing stories.
 
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.   
Susie's bio: Susie Tomenchok ​(Website) is a seasoned expert negotiator, career coach, author, and speaker. She is dedicated to empowering leaders to successfully navigate their professional and personal lives through the game-changing lens of leverage and negotiation. A recognized deal maker, Susie has a rich background overseeing an $80 million portfolio that included industry giants such as ESPN/Disney, Boeing, Gallup, Discovery, Viacom, NBC, and A&E. Her success is attributed to her proprietary P.A.C.E framework, which she expertly applies in negotiating complex deals.​ A graduate of the prestigious Betsy Magness Institute and the International Coaching Academy, Susie is well-versed in leadership development and coaching methodologies. She leverages her knowledge as the host of the influential podcast Leaders with Leverage and the author of The Art of Everyday Negotiation Without Manipulation, where she shares essential strategies for successfully adopting a Negotiator Mindset™ as an essential path to success.​ A dynamic speaker, Susie inspires courage in her audiences, encouraging them to become advocates for themselves and others. She dismantles the myths surrounding negotiation, demonstrating how a Negotiator Mindset™ is not only ethical but also drives business growth and career success.​ Today, Susie collaborates with emerging businesses, large corporations, and individual executives—especially women. She focuses on developing and honing the triple threat of superpowers—a Negotiator Mindset™, self-advocacy, and avoiding the path of least resistance—leading her clients toward business growth and career success as a valued and trusted executive partner. Susie finds immense joy in witnessing clients realize their career and business goals.​ Susie not only transforms negotiations into triumphs but also inspires individuals to embrace their voices, navigate their desired paths, and achieve unparalleled success in both business and life.

Paige Pelaccio Meyer, From Nurse To Business Owner- Embracing The Suck For The Long Game, The Loneliness Of Leadership, and Buying A Business At 27

After over 100 episodes, Paige Pelaccio Meyer (see her bio below) is my favorite guest so far (I am biased since she is my daughter :-). While she knew she wanted to be a nurse, Paige had a unique career strategy that deviated from the typical nurse's first job. She bought the business she worked at for 5 years when she was 27. Two and half months after taking ownership, Paige was forced to shut down her business for 8 weeks due to COVID regulations. She talks about "embracing the suck" to achieve your long-term goals, her failures of leading people who were once her peers, how being a leader can be lonely, how she wants to help people radiate beauty and happiness (both inside and out), and how knowing what you do not want to do can guide your career.
As a listener of The Corporate Couch, new clients of Refresh Med Spa will receive $50 off (minimum purchase $150). See their website in the bio below and mention The Corporate Couch.
 
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.   
Paige's bio: ​Paige Pelaccio Meyer​ (LinkedIn) is a nurse turned med spa owner who started working at Refresh Medical Spa ​(Website) in 2014 as a nurse injector. After 5 years of simultaneously working other jobs to keep afloat, she decided to purchase the business to grow and expand. After navigating a worldwide pandemic as a new business owner, almost 5 years later, the business has grown more than 5x. In late 2024, Refresh is opening its new location, triple its size, to become the first luxury medical spa in Overland Park, KS. Paige started her college career at the University of Kansas and graduated from the University of St. Mary's with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

​Special Edition - Business Insights From The 2024 Election With Joni Wickham

In this special edition episode of 'The Corporate Couch,' host Jeff P​elaccio interviews Joni Wickham​ the author of "The Thin Line Between Cupcake and B*tch: Taking Action, Driving Change, and Getting​ Results". ​She also co-founded the public affairs firm Wickham James Strategies and Solutions. They
discuss leadership in corporate America, the influence of the November 5th, 2024 election on leadership and political parties, and how skills from government and politics transition to the private sector. Joni shares her career journey, insights into effective communication and agenda setting, and reflections on major projects like Kansas City's new airport and streetcar. The episode highlights the importance of meeting audiences where they are and the distinction between leadership and politics.
 
00:00 Introduction to The Corporate Couch
01:19 Meet Joni Wickham: From Politics to Private Sector
05:03 Insights on the November 5th Election
07:59 Leadership and Politics: A Delicate Balance
08:58 Wickham James Strategies and Solutions
10:42 Kansas City Projects and Achievements
14:05 Final Thoughts and Resources
15:23 Closing Remarks
​
 To learn more, ​about the topics above, please visit the Wickham James website.
 
​J​oni's bio:​ Joni Wickham (LinkedIn) hails from Raleigh, North Carolina, and arrived in Kansas City almost 15 years ago, bringing her distinctive southern accent and extensive experience from diverse governmental and advocacy roles. Joni served as Chief of Staff to former Kansas City Mayor Sly James, contributing to major development projects and elevating Kansas City's reputation nationally and internationally. ​Joni’s honors​ include the 2019 University of Missouri Truman School of Public Affairs Mel Carnahan Public Service Award; and recognition as one of the 50 most influential people in Kansas City. Joni was also honored as a Woman Who Means Business by the Kansas City Business Journal in 2023. In addition to public speaking engagements, Joni leads workshops on a variety of leadership and communications topics and assists clients with their public policy, strategic communications, crisis communications, government relations, and political consulting needs. Additionally, she is celebrated as the author of the best-selling book,​ "The Thin Line Between Cupcake and B*tch: Taking Action, Driving Change, and Getting​ Results".

Anna Murray, From English Teacher to Tech Entrepreneur - Why Plans Are Overrated, Re-Thinking Your Return to Work Policy, and Her Mission To Change Cybersecurity

Anna Murray (see her bio below) is the CEO and founder of emedia the longest-running woman-owned web and digital transformation agency in the US. In this fascinating conversation, we talk about how she found her company by accident, her journey from English teacher to TV journalist, to tech founder, her stories of misogyny in broadcast news, why journalists make great hires, her thoughts on why planning is a fool's errand, three metaphors to diagnose any situation, being a remote work pioneer (and her thoughts on "forcing" people back in the office), the early days of integrating the internet into the fabrics of corporate America, and her mission to evolve cybersecurity to the next level.
You will also enjoy how Anna's grandfather was called "the inventor who powered New York City and how she once gave a tech conference keynote while knitting!
 
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.   
Anna's bio: Anna Murray ​(LinkedIn) is a tech entrepreneur and founder of ​emedia ​            (​Website) LLC, a provider of software development, high-level technology consulting, and project and program management. She has consulted with brands worldwide on their digital strategies, served as interim CIO for Time Out NY, head of interactive at Harvard Business Publishing, and led the digital transformation at the American Association of Advertising Agencies. Anna is well known for her ability to bridge business and tech and is the author of several books, including The Complete Software Project Manager (John Wiley & Sons).
 
 

Special Edition - Creativity In The Workplace with Mary Messner

In this special edition of The Corporate Couch, I welcome back the insightful and inspiring Mary Messner, who first joined us on October 2, 2023, to discuss her remarkable career. Today, we dive deep into a topic close to our hearts: workplace creativity.
Mary, founder of Highline Creative Group, shares her expanded definition of creativity—beyond the arts and crafts—to include innovative thinking, bold problem-solving, and fostering emotional connections within teams. Drawing on her 14-year tenure at Cerner Corporation (now Oracle) and her current work in keynote speaking and workshops, Mary illustrates how creativity fuels growth, drives employee satisfaction, and helps companies tackle their biggest challenges.
We also explore how creativity can transform workplace culture, enhance engagement, and even improve employee retention. Plus, Mary teases exciting details about her new workshop designed to help businesses embed creativity into their DNA.
Don’t miss this engaging conversation packed with actionable insights, personal anecdotes, and even a bit of humor (including a fun challenge involving Mary’s 2024 Halloween costume)!
📌 To learn more, you can connect with Mary using the following link: https://marymessner.com/thecorporatecouch/.
 
Mary's bio:
Mary Messner has spent her career exploring the power of imagination, resilience, and collaboration in the workplace. Her career as a health care executive at Research Medical Center and subsequently Cerner Corporation fostered a deep appreciation for breaking down limitations and encouraging innovative solutions.
Mary's leadership roles solidified her willingness to take strategic risks and explore new frontiers in business, setting the stage for a pivotal career journey.
Mary took a part-time pause from the corporate world to embrace motherhood, a move that deepened her understanding of how emotions influence decision-making. Returning to Cerner full-time as a Facilitator, Mary reconnected with her love for the stage, recognizing the incredible impact of authentic, engaging communication in inspiring teams and driving change.
Today, Mary is a sought-after keynote speaker and creativity advocate who brings a dynamic blend of experience from consulting, and executive leadership. Through her signature DREAM, FEEL, CREATE framework, she inspires organizations to return to the "playground" of possibilities, empowering teams to embrace innovation, foster collaboration, and cultivate environments where everyone’s ideas are celebrated.
When she isn't focusing on her business, Mary puts energy into the non-profit Madam President Camp and spending time with her husband as they raise their two young daughters.
 
 

Paul Hatch, The Go-Giver Executive - His Mission To Fight Ageism In The Workplace, Lessons From 40 Years On Wall Street, and How Moving Over 60 Times Made Him A Better Leader

In this episode, I have the privilege of interviewing Paul Hatch (see his bio below), a distinguished leader with an extraordinary career spanning the US Navy, Morgan Stanley, UBS, and beyond. From his early days as a Naval officer (and advising two US presidents on Middle East policy) to becoming Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Paul’s journey is marked by innovation, leadership, and resilience. We focus on Paul’s inspiring work with Stage3 Tribe, a groundbreaking initiative to combat ageism in the workplace and empower professionals in the later stages of their careers. Paul shares how Stage3 Tribe fosters a supportive community for seasoned individuals seeking new opportunities and purpose in their professional lives.Join us for an insightful conversation as Paul reflects on his career, how Wall Street has changed over the last 40 years, the impact of moving over 60 times, the challenges of navigating ageism, and how Stage3 Tribe is transforming the narrative for experienced professionals. Whether you’re an industry veteran or just beginning to consider your next chapter, this episode offers wisdom and encouragement for all.
 
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.   
Paul's bio: Paul ​Hatch (LinkedIn) began his career as an officer in the US Navy, after graduation from the US Naval Academy.  Following his service, Paul joined EF Hutton as a financial advisor and began a 30-year career at the firm that would become Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Paul continued to rise through the organization, holding and mastering virtually every field management role, becoming Head of all Global Products and eventually Vice Chairman. Following his time at Morgan Stanley, Paul was appointed to the Board of Focus Financial, the leading provider of capital to the Independent Advisory business. Paul moved to UBS in 2014 where he was Group Managing Director, and Head of Investment Products and Services for the Americas, including all products, programs, services, research, and technology that Financial Advisors use with their clients, along with Wealth Management Capital Markets. Paul was also a founder of Convergency Partners prior to the creation of Vestria Capital.​ Paul is also the founder of Stage3 Tribe​ (LinkedIn). It is a community for professionals in the later stages of their careers that offers a supportive and informative space to explore new opportunities. It is a virtual hub for experienced individuals seeking to make a career change and find fulfillment. Members of this community are typically close to retirement or have significant experience in their field. They can connect with like-minded individuals, share knowledge, ask for advice, and network for potential opportunities.  Overall, this community focuses on supporting and empowering individuals in the latter stages of their career journey and fighting ageism in the workplace.
 
 

Bill Brandmeyer, The Purpose-Driven Transformative Leader - Being Part of A Family That Created Multigenerational Wealth, Transforming Kids' Lives Through Sport, and Being in AA at 21

In this compelling episode," Jeff sits down with Bill Brandmeyer (see his bio below), a visionary leader who has transformed organizational development, marketing, and social impact over four decades. Bill shares insights from his remarkable journey, from working with Fortune 500 companies to founding ShareWaves, a nonprofit revolutionizing youth sports access.
Listeners will discover how Bill's passion for breaking down barriers in sports has created tangible opportunities for underprivileged children, and how his professional experiences have shaped his mission-driven approach to community development. You will learn from his struggles with alcohol from being in AA at 21 to now being 29 years sober, being part of a legendary Kansas City family that created multigenerational wealth (as well as the complexity and dysfunction that comes with working with all your family members), building a business that sold for $715 million (2024 dollars), and the reasons for his multiple business failures after the sale of the family business. From personal struggles to philanthropic innovation, Bill's story is a powerful testament to using professional expertise for social good.
Tune in to hear an inspiring conversation about failing, sobriety, leadership, purpose, and the transformative power of sports in building stronger, more inclusive communities.
 
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.   
Bill's bio: With over four decades of multifaceted experience in organizational development, marketing, digital content, commercialization strategy, healthcare, hospitality, and event production, ​Bill Brandmeyer (LinkedIn) drives purpose-driven initiatives that resonate with diverse audiences. Throughout my career, I have partnered with various organizations, from ambitious startups to Fortune 500 companies, collaborating with them to achieve their aspirational goals. A relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation has characterized my professional journey. Starting in organizational development, I recognized the importance of understanding the dynamics influencing success. This foundation allowed me to transition into marketing, where I honed my skills in creating compelling value propositions. Embracing the digital revolution, I led strategies that engage and inspire audiences across platforms. I actively contribute to the Kansas City community's social impact and philanthropic endeavors, focusing primarily on youth sports and education. Believing in the transformative power of sports, I am committed to dismantling barriers that impede underprivileged households from accessing sporting opportunities. The research underscores the profound impact of sports on holistic child development, which propels my dedication to pioneering innovative, collaborative solutions for inclusive sports participation.
​Bill founded ShareWaves, a public charity registered as a 501(c)(3) that harnesses the transformative power of sports to build better humans. Our mission is to ensure that every child has equitable access to physical activity and high-quality sports engagement. For over half a decade, we have worked to identify and remove barriers preventing children from participating in sports, particularly those from under-resourced households.Our impactful implementation of core strategies has led to quantifiable changes in young lives. For example, we provide targeted microgrants to alleviate financial burdens, invest in high-quality sports programs in marginalized communities, and equip caregivers with essential social and emotional skills. Through our work, we have discovered a systemic youth sports crisis characterized by a "pay-for-play" and "win-at-all-costs" mentality that drives young people away from the transformative benefits of positive sports experiences. Our #Ready2Play Camps and Clinics aim to provide children access to top-tier coaching and training opportunities, fostering a love for sports while offering essential skills and mentorship.A principle that guides my life comes from the biblical text, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). This wisdom emphasizes the moral obligation to use one’s gifts to glorify God and benefit others. This ethos aligns closely with Uncle Ben’s words to Peter Parker in Spider-Man: “With great power comes great responsibility.”. Bill is also the co-host of the podcast "Movement is the Medicine," where they discuss the profound impacts of exercise, physical activity, and sports participation.

Sandra Wiley, The Relationship Builder - From Only Wanting Babies To Company President, Why Relationships Will Make Your Career Amazing, and Starting Life Over at 30

This episode is a beautiful example of how a person's life/career journey evolves. Sandra Wiley (see her bio below) grew up in a small rural town in Kansas and got married at 19 with aspirations of being a housewife and a mother. She is now a company president and one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting (10 years running and she does not have an accounting degree :-). Sandra and I discuss:
- Her belief that everyone has a gift and that everything in life happens for a reason
- Taking a career gamble and going from a vice president to an executive assistant (and that decision changed her life)
- How she started life over at 30 
- Why work/life balance is a bunch of crap
- Why focusing on relationship building will make your career amazing
- How to build your confidence "muscle"
- Her anxiety when she had to fire someone (and getting a stapler thrown at her).
You will love Sandra's energy, life journey, and leadership advice. She is truly an inspiring person. Please enjoy!
 
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.   
Sandra's bio: Sandra Wiley​ (LinkedIn), President of Boomer Consulting, Inc., is a leader in the accounting
profession with a passion for helping firms grow, adapt and thrive. For ten yearsrunning, Accounting Today has recognized her as a Top 100 Most Influential Peoplein Accounting due to her expertise in leadership, management, collaboration,culture building, talent and training. Sandra’s years of experience and influence as amanagement and strategic planning consultant make her a sought-after resourceamong the best and brightest firms in the country. She is regularly invited to speakat national conferences where she empowers audiences with new ideas and a senseof humor. She is a popular author, having been published in many online and printpublications, and penned two books, The Journey Ahead: A New Roadmap toCollaboration in Your Firm and The Engaged Employee: 10 Initiatives for SuccessfulFirms.

Mark Hamberlin, The Global CHRO- The Evolution of HR, Gen Z Career Advice, and His Process for Learning A New Industry

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Mark Hamberlin (see his bio below), the first Chief People Officer to appear on "The Corporate Couch" podcast. As the executive responsible for human resources strategy and operations at Clark Construction Group, Mark shares his expertise in attracting, retaining, and engaging top talent to drive business success. With decades of experience spanning roles at Danaher, Cisco Systems, Coach Leather, and Hallmark Cards, Mark offers a unique perspective on the evolving role of the Chief People Officer in the modern workforce. We dive into how he aligns talent management, company culture, and business strategy to foster the growth and development of high-performing teams. Listeners will gain valuable insights on:
The critical intersection of human resources, organizational behavior, and corporate strategy
How Human Resources evolved from an admin function to gaining a seat at the executive table
Embracing a strategy of focusing on experience to further your career (especially for Gen Z)
How he embraced the opportunity to be a controller (twice) which made him a better HR executive
Strategies for building a strong employer brand and cultivating an engaged workforce
Best practices in talent acquisition, training, and succession planning
Advice for aspiring HR leaders looking to make a strategic impact.
Whether you're a seasoned HR professional, a business leader focused on talent management, or simply interested in the evolution of the modern workplace, you will enjoy this conversation with Mark!
 
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.   
 
Mark's bio: Mark Hamberlin ​(LinkedIn) provides executive direction for Clark Construction Group’s human
resources strategy and operations.​ Mark is responsible for aligning talent, culture, and organization in order to attract, retain, develop, and engage the best talent for Clark. His role also encompasses talent acquisition and management, training and development, organization development, employee engagement, total rewards, and employee policies. Before joining Clark, Mark served as vice president of global talent acquisition for Danaher, a global science and technology company. Mark’s career has also included human resources and finance leadership roles at Cisco Systems, Coach Leather, and Hallmark Cards. With decades of human resources experience, Mark is instrumental in fostering a strong alignment between business strategy, talent management, and company culture. He is also focused on driving the growth and development of the Clark team.
Mark earned his bachelor’s degree in French, with minors in business and psychology, and a master’s degree in organizational behavior from Brigham Young University.Mark serves on the MBA Advisory Board for the Marriott School of Management and is active with local community service and youth groups.

Fr. Justin Mathews, The Serial Social Entrepreneur - Transforming Communities Through Social Innovation, Why Social Entrepreneurship Is The Future Of Philanthropy, and Practicing Of Cultural Humility

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Fr. Justin Mathews, a Kansas City native whose journey from musician/audio engineer to Orthodox priest and social entrepreneur exemplifies the intersection of faith, innovation, and community transformation. Fr. Justin shares his remarkable story of leading Reconciliation Services (RS) at Kansas City's historic racial and economic divide, growing it from a modest $650,000 organization to a $4.5-million force for change with 30 employees. We explore the launch of Thelma's Kitchen, Kansas City's first "donate-what-you-can" café, and discuss how his unique approach to social leadership has earned him recognition as a NextGen Leader and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce's ACE Award. As a Civil Society Fellow and member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, Fr. Justin offers profound insights into building bridges across Kansas City's racial and economic dividing lines, his intersection of faith, entrepreneurship, and running a not-for-profit, innovative approaches to community development and reconciliation, leadership strategies that drive both social impact and organizational growth, and the future of social ventures in urban transformation.Whether you're a social entrepreneur, company/community leader, or someone passionate about creating meaningful change, Fr. Justin's contagious enthusiasm and 25 years of experience offer invaluable lessons in transformative leadership.
 
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.   
Justin's bio: With a contagious enthusiasm for social innovation,​ Fr. Justin Mathews is a Kansas City native with 25 years of experience in developing and executing successful strategies for mission-driven for-profit and nonprofit organizations. He is a serial social entrepreneur, retreat leader, keynote speaker, e-course author, mastermind facilitator for social entrepreneurs, and leadership coach. For 10 years Fr. Justin has been the Executive Director & CEO of Reconciliation Services [RS] (www.RS3101.org) a quickly growing social venture located at 31st and Troost, the historic racial and economic dividing line of Kansas City, MO. The vision of RS is “By living our core values of dignity, community, and advocacy, we cultivate a community seeking reconciliation and reveal the strength of our city.” Since Fr. Justin took over as Executive Director RS has grown from a $650,000 organization with 4 employees to over $ 4.5 million annually with 30 employees and hundreds of volunteers. Fr. Justin is a published author and the creator of The Social Leader Essentials E-Course (www.thesocialleader.org), a transformative leadership development course designed to teach CEOs and senior leaders how to lead with greater social impact to transform their company and community. In 2021 Fr. Justin co-founded the Social Venture Studio (www.socialventurestudio.com) with the KCEDC and Downtown Council’s “Launch KC” initiative. Additionally, In 2018 Fr. Justin led the RS team in the launch of Thelma's Kitchen (www.ThelmasKitchen.org), a 5-star Yelp-rated, social venture “donate-what-you-can” box lunch catering company in Kansas City. In 2022 Fr. Justin was named a NextGen Leader by the Kansas City Business Journal, in 2020 he was awarded the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s “ACE Award” for his work in Diversity and Inclusion and then was awarded the “2020 Excellence in Impact” Award from Nonprofit Connect. Father Justin is a Fellow of the fourth class of the Civil Society Fellowship, a Partnership of ADL and The Aspen Institute, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Fr. Justin was appointed by Mayor Quinton Lucas to the Heart of the City (Troost) TIF Commission and currently serves as the Vice Chair. He graduated from the Centurions Leadership Program of the Greater KC Chamber of Commerce (2018) where he was the Co-Chair of the “Diversity & Inclusion Committee” and served on the Steering Committee. Fr. Justin attended Belmont University where he graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Business and an emphasis in audio engineering and then in 2007, Father Justin earned his Master's in Divinity from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary and was ordained to the Priesthood in 2006.

Ken Bramble, The Mental Health Champion - Dealing With Imposter Syndrome, The Battle Between His Faith and His Material Desires, and Letting Go Of Being In The "Cool Kids" Club

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Ken Bramble (see his bio below), an employee benefits consultant turned mental health advocate whose raw honesty about his personal struggles has resonated with audiences nationwide. Ken opens up about his journey wrestling with imposter syndrome while building a successful 25-year career in the employee benefits space. He candidly shares how anxiety crept into his life as he balanced the mounting pressures of career advancement, family responsibilities, and community service. Drawing from his book "Reflections at the Crossroads: A Journey from Ambition to Authenticity," Ken explores the tension between his faith and material desires, and what it truly cost him to compare himself to the"cool kids club" members. As someone who has witnessed firsthand the evolution of workplace wellness over two decades, Ken brings unique insights into how companies can better support their employees' mental health—a mission that has become deeply personal for him. Through vulnerable storytelling and practical wisdom, Ken challenges us to examine our own crossroads moments and the choices that shape not just our careers, but our very identities. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, questioning your path, or leading a team through mental health challenges (especially as a male), Ken's authentic perspective offers both comfort and clarity for the journey ahead. You will learn from Ken's journey and transparency with struggles.
 
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.   
Ken's bio: Ken Bramble​ (LinkedIn) is a believer, father, husband, employee benefits consultant, and mental health champion. His first book, Reflections at the Crossroads: A Journey of Ambition of Authenticity, is an insightful exploration of life's pivotal moments and the choices that shape our destinies. The book takes you down a path of a father’s challenges with anxiety brought on by the responsibilities of career, family, finance, and community service.
Professionally speaking, Ken is an Employee Benefits Consultant with HUB International. He has worked with clients in the employee benefits space for the last 25+ years and has directly witnessed the shift into our current climate, where more employees are looking to their employers for help around serious issues like mental and financial health. Ken’s client partnership seeks to ensure employers are best set to succeed through today’s critical programming to ensure his clients have a happy, productive workforce.When speaking to groups, and individuals alike, Ken always engages in a genuine, transparent, and vulnerable manner, sharing his personal journey of dealing with anxiety while at the same time building a successful practice.
 

The Fascinating Mind Of Seth Godin

In this illuminating episode, Jeff sits down with marketing legend and bestselling author Seth Godin to discuss his new book "This is Strategy" and explore the evolving landscape of college, work, and decision-making.
Episode Highlights:
Seth reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, from his college days to founding successful ventures
The genesis of "This is Strategy" and why strategy is crucial in today's rapidly changing work environment
His thoughts on college (it's not pretty)
Insights into the four pillars of strategy: time, games, empathy, and systems
How job seekers can approach their career strategically in an AI-driven world
The future of work and creating value beyond traditional job structures
Seth's evolution as a writer and thinker over the past 25 years
Godin challenges listeners to have meaningful conversations about strategy and offers a fresh perspective on navigating the complexities of modern work life. Whether you're a seasoned professional, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of work, this episode provides valuable insights to help shape your strategic thinking.
Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion with one of the most influential voices in marketing and business strategy!
 
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. 
​Seth's bio: Seth Godin (www.sethgodin.com) is an author, entrepreneur and most of all, A teacher Seth is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and speaker. In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 21 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, and What To Do When It's Your Turn (And It's Always Your Turn). His book, This is Marketing, was an instant bestseller in countries around the world. 
 
His new book is THIS IS STRATEGY.​ His previous books include The Song of Significance and  The Practice, and creatives everywhere have made it a bestseller. Though renowned for his writing and speaking, Seth also founded two companies, Squidoo and Yoyodyne (acquired by Yahoo!). He's credited as the inventor of email marketing (the good kind). Seth has given five TED talks, including two that rank as the most popular of all time.​ By focusing on everything from effective marketing and leadership, to the spread of ideas and changing everything, Seth has been able to motivate and inspire countless people around the world.​ 
 
In 2013, Seth was one of just three professionals inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame. In an astonishing turn of events, in May 2018, he was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame as well. He might be the only person in both.
 

Andrew Marquardt, The Gritty General Counsel, and CEO - The Emotional Labor of Leadership, The "Oh Shit" Moments When He Started His Company", and The Dignity of Work

You will enjoy this conversation with Andrew Marquardt (see his bio below) the general counsel, co-founder, and CEO of Advantage Tech. Andrew and I discuss the life-changing events in his early teen years that changed his life, how his legal career led him to start an IT company (it also included a legal decision that went against Microsoft), how he never thought he could become an attorney (and his grit to make it happen), the "Oh Sh**" moments he had when he started his company, his advice to people who want to create their own company, the power of emotional intelligence, why he believes in the dignity of work, how the painting company he founded in college was the only reason he landed his first job after graduation, what he thinks of non-compete agreements, the changes in the IT industry the last three decades, and standing of the shoulders of his ancestors (including his trailblazing mom who went to law school after her divorce and becoming the first woman president of the Kansas Bar Association). You will learn about Andrew's career journey and his insight. Enjoy!
 
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.   
Andrews's bio: Andrew Marquardt​ (LinkedIn) has been an attorney for over 30 years. His experience includes litigating employment lawsuits representing plaintiffs and defendants. These cases included non-compete litigation, tort and contract claims, and discrimination suits. In addition to driving the claims through trial, most disputes were resolved through mediation and arbitration.​ Mr. Marquardt is also the co-founder, CEO, and General Counsel of Advantage Tech​ (Website), an IT and professional services firm founded in 1997. Advantage Tech places on average 400 contract and full-time employees each year, which translates to several thousand placements over the past 27 years. During that time, Mr. Marquardt has hired and terminated hundreds of employees and has drafted and overseen the implementation of hundreds of employment agreements. Significant employment issues frequently materialize when dealing with a contingent workforce. Dozens of issues arise relating to any number of clauses. However, the one clause that has created the most consternation with the courts has been the non-compete clause in employment agreements.

Jenna Washnieski, The Born Leader - Why Self-Awareness Is The #1 Leadership Trait, Creating New Roles For Yourself, and The Beauty Of Listening To Your Intuition

Please enjoy this conversation with Jenna Washnieski (see her bio below). Jenna has great energy and we discussed how she was born to be a leader, how a letter she wrote to herself at seventeen predicted her career, why she journals (she has a closet full of them representing the last 20 years), what it's like to be the youngest executive at your company, the beauty of trying different things in your career, why self-awareness is the number one leadership trait, how listening to your intuition helps your career, the importance of having a positive affective presence as a leader, how she incorporates her yoga teaching into helping her leadership coaching clients, creating new roles for yourself without leaving your current company, and why you should be open to exploring your options. She also reveals that her love of dancing led her to work in the cabaret industry :-) You will love Jenna and will learn from her career journey!
 
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.  
 Jenna's bio: Jenna Washnieski's (LinkedIn) first leadership role was at age 3 when she became a big sister. In the decades to follow, she landed in countless positions of taking charge, making decisions, and influencing people. Her career includes 20+ years in the nonprofit industry, with more than a decade in executive leadership. Jenna currently works as a leadership coach and facilitator, helping companies build exceptional cultures, and supporting leaders as they develop the confidence to create fulfilling lives both in AND outside the workplace. Jenna holds a Master of Public Health specializing in health promotion and behavior change, is an ICF-certified professional coach (ACC), is certified in Integrative Enneagram (IEQ9), and is an Energy Leadership Index-Master Practitioner. Additionally, Jenna is a yoga instructor and finds joy in integrating yoga philosophy with leadership development to help people design more balanced lives. She shares these and other practical (and often irreverent) lessons through her writing, transformational workshops, and on her podcast, In With…The Podcast. When she’s not coaching or practicing yoga, she’s walking her 130-pound Mastiff around Kansas City.

Heidi Lehmann, The Renaissance Woman - Her Journey From Art Major to Tech Start-Up Founder

You will learn and laugh while listening to my conversation with Heidi Lehmann (see her bio below). We talk about how she compares art to creating a startup company ("Making the Strange Familiar and the Familiar Strange), selling her first company to AOL for $105 million, why she uses the "3 Es" (Entrepreneurship, Energy, and Enthusiasm) to make career decisions, her goal to make Kansas City an innovation destination via blockchain (she co-founded the KC Futures DAO), co-producing the BET (later acquired by Viacom/CBS) series "Queen Boss" (8-episode series that strives to find the best and brightest African-American female entrepreneurs and have them compete for the business opportunity of a lifetime.), explain blockchain technology to the average person, why female (especially African- American) entrepreneurs have a hard to obtaining funding for their startup (females entrepreneurs only receive 2% of all venture capital funding), and how she likes her martinis :-) We also have a few celebrity references when she was in the entertainment industry in her first job post-college. The list includes Gus Van Sant, Melissa Etheridge, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Bethenny Frankel (she was also a "seat warmer" at the Oscars one year). Please enjoy my conversation with Heidi!
 
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.   
Heidi's bio: Heidi E. Lehmann (LinkedIn) is a seasoned investor, board member, and five-time startup founder leading high-impact global tech deals. As Strategic Director at Ligo Partners, a Miami and New York-based family office, she collaborates with Family Offices worldwide to source investments in cutting-edge startups, venture funds, and real estate, contributing to $455M deployed across 80 companies since 2022. With over 20 years of experience, Heidi has co-founded and scaled venture-backed companies like Kenzen (industrial IoT, $30M raised) and Third Screen Media (mobile ad tech, acquired by AOL for $105M). She advises startup CEOs and holds board and advisory roles with Workplace Healing, Glasswing VC, and Gaingels Syndicate. Heidi co-founded the KC Future’s DAO, driving innovation in Kansas City through blockchain technology, and serves as a Business Advisor to Critical Materials Crossroads, a coalition of investors, innovators, and legislators focused on the energy transition. She also co-produced the media franchise "Queen Boss" (acquired by Viacom/CBS). Featured in Forbes, WSJ, NYT, and more, Heidi is a sought-after speaker and panelist at top conferences like SXSW, Mobile World Congress, and the National NGLCC Conference.

Bob Burg, The Go-Giver - Misconceptions of "Always" Giving, Learning from Drive-By Mentors, and Why Your Focus Should Be On Adding Value

Honored to have the co-author of one of my favorite books "The Go-Giver" Bob Burg (see his bio below) as our guest on this episode. We chat about his early career, how he became a public speaker, how a "drive-by" mentor changed his sales philosophy and became a key part of the book, a summary of the five laws of stratospheric success, why no one cares about your quota or product, how focusing on adding value to others leads to success, why givers attract, learning systems to be successful, and why your first question for a business endeavor should not be "will it make money?". You will enjoy my conversation with the legendary Bob Burg!
 
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.   
Bob's bio: For more than 30 years Bob Burg (The Go Giver) has been successfully showing entrepreneurs, leaders, and sales professionals how to build relationships, communicate their value, and accelerate their business growth. Although for years he was best known for his sales classic, Endless Referrals, it’s his business parable, The Go-Giver, coauthored with John David Mann, that has created a worldwide movement. While part of a four-book series, The Go-Giver itself has sold well over a million copies and been translated into 30 languages. It was rated #10 on Inc. Magazine’s list of The Most Motivational Books Ever Written, and was on HubSpot’s 20 Most Highly Rated Sales Books of All Time. Bob is creator of The Go-Giver Academy online learning portal featuring The Go-Giver® Success Vault which includes all of his online courses as well as additional business-building resources. He also publishes the very popular Daily Impact email. Both of these can be accessed at his website, which is (burg.com) Website.
Bob is an advocate, supporter, and defender of the Free Enterprise system, believing that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve. He is also an unapologetic animal fanatic and serves as part of a South Florida rescue, foster, and adoption organization.

Michel Koopman, The Business Athlete CEO - The Art And Science Of Building A Company, The Key To Transparent Communication, and How He Helps Experienced Leaders Succeed

In our first conversation with someone born in the Netherlands, you will learn and laugh listening to Michel Koopman  (see his bio below). We chat about his great career and discuss why senior leaders (especially C-Suite executives)  should approach their careers like athletes, how being process-driven accelerates start-up business growth, how being transparent while being mindful is a great communication approach, why top performers are hesitant to pursue their development, his first paid internship in Hong Kong (it involves waking up the next morning in a taxi after a business dinner :-), how a major surgery at 34-years old changed his career path, why he worked for free, the difficulty he had landing a job post-college (and his major decision to go to the United States for college), and common misconceptions of people of Dutch descent.  Please enjoy my conversation with Michel!
 
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.   
Michels's bio: Michel​ Koopman (LinkedIn) is CxO Coaching’s Chief Executive Coach and Founder. He is a senior operator and entrepreneur with a mix of small business and corporate successes in a global capacity. At this stage, he is most passionate about maximizing the business success and potential of others. He and his team dedicate their time as growth advisors and executive coaches to high-performing business executives.​ His current and past roles include Founder and CEO at 2Swell, Co-Founding Partner at Bond Growth, CCO at Banyan Medical, CEO at getAbstract, Inc, Executive Chairman & President at ARMS Medical, Managing Director at Citrix Systems, plus a number of other prior roles, board and advisory positions. He is a servant leader focused on growing companies by delivering new go-to-market strategies and elevating teams to perform at their full potential.​ Michel is a passionate business writer, a Forbes Business Council Member, and has published over 80 articles in premier media outlets including Forbes, The Washington Post, Strategy Magazine, Fast Company, The Miami Herald, and more. He is married and a proud father of two, with a love for nature, snowboarding, motorcycles, and fine watches. While he grew up in the Netherlands, he currently lives in Florida and North Carolina and is an avid traveler.

Jamie Crosbie, The Born Leader - Destined To Create Her Own Company, Changing Your Mindset For Peak Performance, and Embracing Failure

A fun and insightful conversation with Jamie Crosbie (see her bio below)! Jamie and I talk about the life/leadership lessons from her legendary mom, knowing that she wanted to start a company at an early age, her first public speech at 15 years old in front of 500 people, her first professional job leading a group of accounting clerks (and her story of regularly falling asleep at her desk :-), how to interview salespeople, why a positive mindset is so important, why failure is the path to growth, her preparation process for her upcoming Ted Talk, how having a career strategy prepared her to create her own company, and why you should be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Please enjoy my conversation with Jamie!
 
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.   
 
Jamie's bio:  An accomplished senior executive with more than two decades of success across sales, sales leadership, talent acquisition, and management, Jamie Crosbie ​(Website) is an inspiring and powerful trainer and speaker. Jamie understands the complex interplay of strategic scale growth, lead generation, client communication, market analysis, strategic sales, and business development; because shehas been there, in sales management, talent recruitment andtraining trenches.Jamie’s company consults in top sales talent acquisition; strategic planning and executive leadership; business development strategy; and Peak Performance Mindset® Workshops. Having served as Vice President of Training and Development and Sales at Career Builder, as well as being the founder of ProActivate, an elite sales staffing company, Jamie understands how to motivate, shape and lead successful teams.Jamie was responsible for leading 50-85% annual revenue growth with oversight of an 80-person sales team while managing $35MM operations; driving top sales training, development, and productivity for half of enterprise’s U.S. sales organization; defining, assessing, profiling, and acquiring targeted best talent for domestic and international sales organizations.
Jamie is the author of Journey to the Top: How to Reach Your Peak Performance Life, ThePower of 2, Exponential Sales Leadership and How To Source, Qualify; Hire Elite Sales Talent. As a certified speaker with the High-Performance Mindset® system, Jamie understands how to leverage her extensive experience to help your team go higher and accomplish more. She has been conducting Business Development and Peak Performance Mindset Keynotes and Workshops nationally for companies like Armstrong Relocation Services, Southwest Airlines, EO, Encompass Home Health, MidCo, TPX, Santander, EBSCO Research, and Free Range Concepts. Post-Workshop evaluations have proven that these companies set new sales records, collaborated more effectively, and embraced a more focused and positive sales environment. Simply put, Jamie teaches everyday people to live uncommonly successful lives. Whether you are seeking individual coaching to improve your focus, live more fully, or achieve your goals, or you are looking for ways to inspire and empower your team, you owe it to yourself to learn from this revolutionary mindset workshop. When it comes to selling, you need to be able to connect with clients on a human level, while still showing them how your product solves a problem in their world. Jamie is an acknowledged expert in this area. She has the ability to transfer her skill set, her passion, and her sales knowledge to others via team workshops that work.

Melea McRae, The Fearless Leader - Born To Launch Her Own Ad Agency, Being The Only Female In The Executive Suite, and The Importance Of Being A Positive Role Model

You will enjoy the conversation with the bold and fearless Melea McRae(see her bio below). Melea and I discussed the following: how she navigated being the only female executive at a company, knowing she wanted to be an entrepreneur at an early age (when she was 10 years old she dressed as a "business owner" for Halloween), her advice to female entrepreneurs, finding career success as an intrapreneur, the impact of her mom dying when she was very young, how a palm reader in NYC predicted her future, her roles models (including Murphy Brown), working for Nordstrom's after the company she worked for folded but never receiving a paycheck, how she owned being a "job hopper" when the practice was frowned upon, how the Adam Grant book "The Originals" crystallized her career focus, her work advice to single moms after a divorce, and how she manages her different roles while being heavily involved in the community. Enjoy learning and laughing during my conversation with Melea!
 
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.   
Melea's bio:  Melea ​McRae (LinkedIn) is an entrepreneur, marketing strategist, business connector, and adjunct professor with 30 years of experience elevating brands, amplifying missions, and fueling business growth for B2B and B2C clients. In 2016, Melea made the entrepreneurial leap and founded Crux KC, a fast-growing WBE headquartered in KC. Known as the “un-agency,” Crux is a full-funnel outsourced marketing solution customized for organizations of all shapes, sizes, and verticals, combining the expertise of fractional CMOs who build the marketing strategy with a deep bench of experts in each marketing discipline to deliver on that strategy.

Sonya Jury, The Mental Fitness Coach - From Architect to EOS, Riding The Dementia Train With Her Mom, and Lessons From Getting Fired

This conversation with Sonya Jury (see her bio below) tugged at my heartstrings as one of our topics was her journey during her mom's Alzheimer's illness (my dad had early onset Alzheimer's when I was about 10 years old). Sonya wrote a book to help others through their parents' journey (or other loved ones) called - "Mom Forget My Birthday: A Daughter's Journey Through Alzheimer's".  We chat about many things including her career pivot from architect to business consultant/author, how getting fired led to her current career, her advice for picking a college major, the importance of having a coach (especially for young leaders, why entrepreneurs should embrace "job carving", and why you should work for three different sized companies. Sonya gives some great book recommendations also: "Who Not How", "The Psychological Safety Playbook, Selling Boldly, and the one that has had the most impact on her - Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential and How You Can Achieve Yours. I know you will enjoy my conversation with Sonya.
 
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.   
 
Sonya's bio: With an uncanny ability to see the big picture formulate, Sonya Jury, AIA is ​(https://www.businesssherpa.org/ ) parlaying her years of business design acumen into following her passion – helping others achieve success. 
Using simple, proven tools aligned with a proven process, she works with Leadership Teams to design a vision, execute that vision, and live a better life. Her passion is to coach, teach, and facilitate leadership teams to be free from the frustrations of running their business with a focus. 

Wayne Simien, The Faith-Based Servant Leader - Leadership Lessons from Hall of Fame Players and Coaches, Why You Should Expect Life To Be Hard, and Wanting To Be Like His Father

Here's an interview with someone I "knew" as a teenager the humble, servant leader Wayne Simien (see his bio below) from his early athletic success as a McDonald's All-American (recognizes the top 25 high school basketball players in the United States) and winning the 2006 NBA Championship to his current role as the associate athlete director of engagement and leadership at the University of Kansas. His leadership lessons from Hall of Famers like Pat Riley, Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Roy Williams, and Bill Self, his journey to becoming a Christian at 20 years old when he was feeling broken and empty, why he wanted to emulate his father, the most important ring he ever received (it's not the one you think), his fitness goals/routine (some of it involves his 5 kids), why he changed his initial college major from Points, Rebounds, and Winning to Sociology. You will enjoy his stories about working out in a urine-smelling stairwell with needles at his feet (drawing comparisons to Rocky Balboa in Rocky III). We also answer important questions such as - Who eats hot wings better - Shaq or Wayne and Do McDonald's All Americans eat free for the rest of their lives :-). Please enjoy my conversation with Wayne!
 
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.   
 
Wayne's bio: Wayne Simien​ (www.waynesimien.com), born and raised in Leavenworth, KS, grew up in a hardworking family with both parents employed at Hallmark Cards. Excelling in basketball, he was part of a 6A State Championship team and a McDonald's High School All-American. Simien attended the University of Kansas, graduating with a degree in sociology in 2005. During his collegiate career, he played under Hall of Fame coaches Roy Williams and Bill Self, participated in two Final Fours, won three Big 12 Championships, and was named Big 12 Player of the Year and First Team Consensus All-American. His jersey hangs in the Allen Fieldhouse rafters. In 2003, he became a Christian, a transformative experience. Drafted in the first round by the Miami Heat, he won an NBA Championship under coach Pat Riley and concluded his professional career in Spain.​ From 2009 to 2021, Simien served as a Christian campus minister at KU and across the Midwest, focusing on mentorship, preaching, and leading mission trips. He currently resides in Lawrence, KS, working as the Associate Athletics Director of Engagement at KU. In this role, he is involved in leadership development, fundraising, and supporting former athletes through K-Club. Married to his wife Katie for 16 years, they have five children. Simien is also an elder at Morning Star Church and enjoys coaching his kids, fishing, hunting, and golf.

Robert "Abe" Abrams, The 4-Star Muddy Boots Leader - Lessons from 39 Years of Army Leadership, How a "Raging Introvert" Can Lead An Organization of 1 Million People, and What It Is Like to Be In A War

Not only does Robert "Abe" Abrams (see his bio below) have an extensive Wikipedia page but so does his father (who also has a US Army tank named after him). I was honored to have Abe as a guest. We talk about his love for being a tactical leader (leading combat troops in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan during multiple combat tours spanning Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom), what it is like being in combat, how the death of his father at 14 years old impacted him, how he successfully retired as a 4-Star Army General after 39 years, overcoming being a "raging introvert" to lead organizations over 1 million people, how to retire successfully (it involves sprinting through the "retirement" tape), what is a military leader's sacred responsibility, and working for a world-class a$$ chewer. This episode has many leadership lessons so get ready to learn (and laugh)!
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.   
 
Abe's bio: Over a 39-year career of active duty service, General (R) Robert B. “Abe” Abrams​ (Wikipedia) led troops in peace and war. Following his commissioning from theUnited States Military Academy in 1982, he spent his formative years in a CavalrySquadron with a mission on the E-W German border during the cold war, leadcombat troops i​n Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan during multiplecombat tours spanning Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedomand Operation Enduring Freedom. He was the Senior Military Assistant to the 24thSecretary of Defense. He commanded with distinction at every level fromCompany to 4-star Major Command including command of the Army’s and DOD’slargest formation, US Army Forces Command, with over 750K soldiers and DACivilians across all 3 components for over 3 years. His final assignment was as theCommander United Nations Command, the ROK-US Combined Forces Commandand US Forces Korea from 2018-2021.
Since retiring, Abe serves as a Board Director for Vistage International; as aboard director for the Bob Woodruff Foundation; as a senior Board Advisor forVAYA Space; as a member of the Board of Business Executives for GridironCapital; as a consultant for several companies; and is the Vice Chairman of theKorea Defense Veteran’s Association, a 501(c) non-profit. Abe speaks publicly onleadership and Korean Peninsula affairs, and is a military contributor to ABCNews.
Happily married, he and his wife are proud parents of two children andgrandparents to two grandchildren. They moved to a small farm in westernMissouri following retirement. The Abrams have a Golden Retriever named“Hank” and adopted an abandoned orange tabby named “Fred”. Abe is afunctional fitness enthusiast who also enjoys golf, follows college basketballclosely, and gets March Madness annually. He remains an ever-optimistic fan ofArmy Football and has been recently converted to a fan of the KC Chiefs.
 

Michael Sommers, The Leadership Junkie - Creating A Company Based on Love, Vulnerability, and Transparency, Being Driven By Greatness, and The Three Signs of A Miserable Job

You will not find many executives talking about leading with love, vulnerability, and transparency but you will in this episode with Michael Sommers (see his bio below). We talk about his drive at an early age to be a servant leader and strive for greatness, the three signs of a miserable job, how his parents' divorce impacted his leadership journey, the "formula" that justifies his leading with love, and how he operationalized transparency at his company. You will love this episode with Michael!
 
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.   
 
Michael's bio: Michael ​Sommers (LinkedIn) brings three decades of expertise in people strategy and organizational performance, serving startups to Fortune 1000 companies. Studied management at UCM, and was raised on a Kansas farm, he knows hard work and resilience.​ His business journey begins with his family building a large national company and includes him taking his own path to grow and sell a high-growth multi-million-dollar company by age 28, both fueling his passion for leadership excellence. Over 25 years, he grew four more multi-million-dollar ventures and drove a global turnaround resulting in the successful nine-figure exit, all of which allowed him to collaborate closely with, study, and learn from countless high-profile world-class executives.
A devout Christian and self-professed “leadership junkie,” Michael finds joy in family time and discussing leadership intricacies with anyone interested.​ Michael and his wife Jane married in 1996, and call Lee’s Summit, MO home, where they cherish their family bond. With two grown children and grandchildren, their love forms the foundation of their life together. He has also enjoyed the past 18 years serving the homeless community, but fishing with their grandkids brings a joy all its own.

Zach Arend, The Teddy Roosevelt of Leadership Coaches - Overcoming "Boreout" At Work, The Gift of Getting A Major Demotion, and The Beauty of Letting Go

Get ready to saddle up your horse in this episode with Zach Arend (see his bio below). His life and career journey is one you will not want to miss. Zach and I discuss: How he was demoted from the vice president of sales of a $300 million company to an account executive (and the major impact it had on his life); his journey from 11 to 18 years old to become a bronc riding champion, his early leadership lessons while still in college working for UPS and leading a team of 16 (when he knew "everything"), his unique approach to making leaders better to help cure the "boreout" pandemic at work, and why it's better to let things happen versus making things happen. Please enjoy my conversation with Zach!
 
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.   
 
Zach's bio: Zach Arend (LinkedIn)  was raised in a small town in Nebraska, Zach grew up in an entrepreneurial family working at his parents' grocery store. At 10, he learned what it takes to become great at what you do.​ At 11 years old, Zach was riding in the rodeo. By age 18, he was 2x Saddle Bronc Riding Champion.  He often says, "Everything I needed to know about leadership, I learned in the rodeo arena."​ Zach's professional achievements include: Former 2X Saddle Bronc Riding Champion; TEDx Speaker 2024 - Saddle Your Own Horse™; Coached, consulted, and facilitated 180+ leadership sessions; Trainer to hundreds of managers and their executive teams Former VP of Sales for a $300 million logistics company; ​​Developed and ​led team of 50+ sales professionals; Certified Professional Coach (CPC); Energy Leadership Index - Master Practitioner (ELI-MP)