The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends

Fred Stipkovits, From Steel Mill Town to Company President - Revolutionizing American Manufacturing’s Culture, His Remarkable Company Turnaround, and How His First Job During 9/11 Changed His Life

There are so many leadership lessons from Fred Stipkovits in this episode (see his bio below) from his first job leading a Coast Guard Homeland Security unit (with colleagues who had been in the Coast Guard longer than he had been alive) pre and post-9/11 (including ramming a boat head-on at 50 MPH to track down a suspected terrorist), his struggles transitioning from his military career (including working a job at Home Depot), being selected as president of a company where two years earlier he was not hired as the business development manager, leading an incredible company turnaround (e.g., replacing 50% of the staff with 0 terminations in his first 10 months and increasing employee retention to 98%), the hardship of undergoing a divorce, his mission to revolutionize the culture of American manufacturing, and why he wants to change the future of work. You will love Fred's great story so please enjoy this episode!
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.   
Fred's bio: ​Fred Stipkovits (LinkedIn) hails from a blue-collar steel mill family on the East Coast, where he was deeply influenced by both Italian and Hungarian heritage. Raised with an indomitable work ethic instilled by his upbringing, Fred's journey has been marked by resilience and determination. Following his high school years, Fred made the pivotal decision to join the military, embarking on a decade-long service journey that encompassed both enlisted and officer roles. As the first in his family to graduate from a four-year university with a bachelor's degree, Fred achieved a significant milestone, breaking new ground as he transitioned from enlisted to commissioned officer status.​ Post-military life presented its challenges, as Fred searched for a sense of purpose. However, his trajectory shifted when he assumed leadership at Ultra-Tech, where he saw the opportunity to enact meaningful change, foster high-performing teams, and elevate individuals to reach their fullest potential, prioritizing the welfare of others above himself.
Fred's personal life has also been a journey of growth and transformation. From marriage to divorce and remarriage, he found solace and fulfillment in starting a family later in life. The experience of parenthood later in life has tempered his once-hard-hitting mentality, infusing his leadership approach with empathy and understanding.​ Drawing from his upbringing and his father's reflections on management, Fred is driven by a steadfast ambition to revolutionize the culture of American manufacturing. Through his leadership at Ultra-Tech and beyond, Fred Stipkovits is dedicated to shaping a future where work is not merely a means to an end but a path to fulfillment and prosperity for all. 

Frumi Barr, The Female C-Suite Pioneer - Her Journey From A Physical Therapist to Leading Fourteen Companies, How She Became A CEO's Secret Weapon, and The Benefits of A Portfolio Career

You will learn many things by listening to Dr. Frumi Barr's (see her bio below) professional journey. Frumi talks about starting her career as a physical therapist and then pivoting into the business world where she led/founded fourteen different companies, her experience being a female C-Suite executive starting in 1980, how her persistence led her to meet Simon Sinek (he wrote the forward for her book), why growth companies need to understand the "Valley of Death", the benefits of a portfolio career, and why every entrepreneur will fail at some point. You will enjoy Frumi's great career and the many stories of success and failure.
 
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.   
 
Frumi's bio: As the founder of the Barr Business School, Dr. Frumi Rachel Barr​ (LinkedIn), is an expert in scaling businesses. She leads CEOs through growth, with a focus on communication, alignment, and accountability.
Her 20+ years of experience blend practical leadership with academic knowledge, helping leaders make smart, profitable choices.​ Dr. Frumi is instrumental in developing the next generation of business leaders.
She is also the celebrated author of "A CEO’s Secret Weapon," a top-ranked business book with a foreword by Simon Sinek.

Maria Flynn, From Farm Girl to Founder - Making Opportunity Happen As An Entrepreneur, Overcoming Overwhelm, and Rallying Yourself First In Times Of Stress

Maria Flynn (see her bio below) is just such a fascinating person from her roots growing up on a Kansas wheat farm to her journey as a CEO/founder to helping entrepreneurs in the early stages of their journey to succeed. Maria and I discuss the lessons she learned from her parents (e.g., if you can see it, you can be it), being an intrapreneur, why mindset is so important, why in times of stress you need to rally yourself first and then your team, why sh*t is always going to happen and what to do about it, and how she helps entrepreneurs be successful. Please enjoy my conversation with Maria!
 
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.     
 
Maria's Bio: Maria Flynn (LinkedIn) is the Founder and CEO of Ambiologix (Website), a consulting and training company that helps entrepreneurs advance their innovation, grow their potential, and build their businesses. Maria has worked with founders from over 40 companies, helping them Make Opportunity Happen, which is the title of her book​ (Amazon), keynote, and workshops. As CEO of Orbis Biosciences, Maria built a technology company that improved pharmaceutical manufacturing, won awards for its novel innovation, and was acquired by Adare Pharmaceuticals. As Managing Director of Techstars Kansas City, Maria invested in and coached companies across
health tech, biotech, fintech, deep tech, and consumer tech.

Glenn Fisher, The Lifelong Entrepreneur - Helping People Get What They Want, His Rule of Three, and Questioning If College Is Worth It

A fun and insightful conversation with the lifelong entrepreneur Glenn Fisher (see his bio below). Glenn and I chat about how he started a business for a business owner after a conversation at a bar, his rule of 3 in times of stress, having lunch with Zig Ziglar and Lee Iacocca as a customer (as well as David Spade sleeping on his couch), graduating #1 in his Marine Basic training boot camp, and his entrepreneur lessons from launching over a dozen companies. You will enjoy my conversation with Glenn!
 
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.     
 
​Glenn's Bio: Glenn Fisher (LinkedIn) is the CEO of the healthcare analytics and solutions company NavMD (NavMD.com). Creating businesses that deliver solutions for over 35 years, Glenn has built a reputation as a problem-solver and forward-thinker, pioneering solutions in industries including waste management, alternative lending, technology, business process management, third-party logistics, healthcare, and employee benefits. He is passionate about making a difference in the world and is committed to driving impactful change through technology and innovation.
He built one of the largest servicing platforms in the fintech space processing a transaction every three-tenths of a second with annual revenues of more than $2 billion.  ​after investing in the emerging alternative lending market, he seized an opportunity to disrupt the technology-driven benefit analytics space.   Challenged by the frustration of buying employee benefits, he acquired NavMD. His mission is to partner with the most innovative people in America to fix employee benefits one plan at a time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tucker Graves, The Serial Entrepreneur and Learner - Long Game Thinking, His Great Advice For Start-Ups, and Why Caring Is The Key To A Great Culture

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Special Edition - Book Review: Exploring Adam Grant's 'Give And Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success"

Welcome to a Special Edition of The Corporate Couch! Today my co-host is Shawn Kinkade (linkedin.com/in/shawnkinkade) and we do a "deep dive" review of Adam Grant's great book "Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success". Shawn and I have a fun conversation as we discuss how this book can help everyone from college students to CEOs.
Introduction to "Give and Take": We delve into Adam Grant's exploration of reciprocity styles and their impact on success, based on his extensive research and personal experiences.
The Three Reciprocity Styles: Grant categorizes individuals into givers, takers, and matchers, each with distinct approaches to social interactions and success.
Success Patterns: Surprisingly, both the least and most successful individuals in various fields tend to be givers. We explore the correlation between reciprocity styles and success metrics such as productivity, sales revenue, and leadership effectiveness.
Navigating the Challenges of Giving: While giving offers numerous benefits, including increased happiness and productivity, givers face risks such as burnout and exploitation by takers. We discuss strategies to mitigate these challenges.
Key Takeaways and Practical Applications: We summarize actionable insights from Grant's research, including leveraging powerless communication, integrating self-interest with "other-interest", and implementing the five-minute rule of giving.
To receive a free 7-page "Give and Take" book summary, you can email me at jeffpelaccio@gmail.com. Enjoy the episode!

Chuck Moxley, The 1:1 Data Pioneer - Using AI for Marketing, Data Privacy and TikTok, and Why Companies Are Creating A Huge Skill And Knowledge Gap

A fun and insightful conversation with one of the nation's leading experts on the convergence of technology and marketing, Chuck Moxley. Chuck and I chat about using AI in marketing, data privacy concerns (including his thoughts on TikTok), why companies are getting it wrong on handling the multi-generational workforce, getting mentored at Waffle House, and his first job after college (probably the best one out of any of my guests).
You will learn and laugh so 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.
 
Chuck Moxley (LinkedIn) is a marketing practitioner with more than 25 years of experience on both the brand and agency sides of marketing. Chuck has developed innovative marketing programs for dozens of brands including Chick-fil-A, Lee Jeans, Subway, ATT, Pepsi, Citgo, NFL, and Sears. He is one of the nation's leadingexperts on the convergence of technology and marketing and speaks frequently at corporations, industry trade organizations, and universities on digital marketing, digital identity, and the ethical use of data and its impact on business and society.
He is the co-author of the book on how brands are using one-to-one marketing for greater effectiveness, An Audience of One (Amazon ), published by McGraw Hill and used in marketing and MBA programs at multiple universities. Also, Chuck is co-host of The Frictionless Experience podcast.
 
 

Tony Hofmann, Your Chief Motivation Officer - Embracing Grit, Lessons from Being An Army Ranger, and His Goal of Preventing Military Veteran Suicide

This episode is brought to you by Connect5000 (Website) your outsource lead generation, BDR, and inside sales partner. To download a free copy of the best tactical sales book you will ever read (written by its founder Ray Ruecker), go to https://connect5000.com/resources/book/.  
 
Many leadership and mindset lessons from the self-proclaimed "endurance junkie" (over 50 marathons including 5 Ultra Marathons) Tony Hofmann in this week's podcast. From breaking into his high school gym at night to play basketball to retiring after 26 years in the Army as a colonel you will enjoy Tony talk about why he embraces grit, how he was lucky to get into West Point, how he transitioned from the military to corporate America, and why he is so passionate about preventing veteran suicide in the United States. Please enjoy my conversation with Tony!
 
Tony Hofmann (Tony's Website/) is a proven leader, endurance athlete, West Point graduate, and social entrepreneur focused on stopping military veteran suicide. A rebel at heart fueled by a Midwest spirit, he likes to challenge the status quo--with a sly grin--while seeking physical endeavors that require toughness and grit. As a running “professional enthusiast” entering his fourth decade of competition, he has completed over 50 marathons/ultras, including 14 Boston Marathons and the legendary Leadville 100 Race Across the Sky. A 26-year military veteran, retired US Army colonel, and qualified Ranger, Tony has combined his love of running with a passion to save veteran lives through his high-altitude running team, Team Leadville. He continues to serve as aninnovator and leader within the engineering profession. Husband and father of three, hispurpose is simple: inspire others to self-improvement through action and word.
 
Tony's latest book is "Rim To Rim to Rim On A Whim: An Endurance Junkie's Guide to the Grand Canyon" - Amazon.

Brad Hill, The Heart-Centered Leader - Making People's Souls Smile, Being A Podcast Pioneer, and Why Stories Are Sacred

A fun conversation with Louisana-born Brad Hill. We chat about doing what it takes to make a living (including delivering pizza to people who were your former clients), being a podcast pioneer (he started in 2009 and has had Gary Vaynerchuk on his podcast), overcoming the fear of changing jobs when it is time to move on, the brilliance of the movie "Napolean Dynamite", and doing immersive coaching/counseling weekend seminars (think Brene Brown meets Tony Robbins).
Please enjoy my conversation with Brad!
 
"Live Honestly.  Do the Next Right Thing".That’s Brad Hill's life motto (LinkedIn Profile).  My journey has taken me from Louisiana to KC (through OKC).  Lawnmowing.  Pastoring.  Working at Blockbuster Video (for a day).  Writing.  Podcasting.  Coaching.  Leadership development.  Leading an organization called HeartConnexion Seminars (think Brene Brown with Tony Robbins) over the Midwest and doing incredible work.   Currently, I participate in the Freedom Project (website) and Coaching and Consulting.  Transcendence and transformation.  That’s what resonates with me. Give your time.Give you energy.Give your resources.To stuff you actually believe in.

Ebrima “Abraham” Sisay, The Chief Empathy Officer - Running a Company With "No" Culture, His Goal of Guiding a Billion People To Mental Health Breakthroughs, and Overcoming His PTSD

Ebrima's ("Abraham") life/career journey is unlike anyone on the podcast. We talk about his focus on mental health including his own (as well as the role of responsible AI), getting his "break" from Gary Vaynerchuck on Twitter (now "X"), not having the maturity to lead a company, creating the "Oscars" for mental health professionals, and the power of thinking big.
Please enjoy my conversation with Abraham!
 
Ebrima “Abraham” Sisay is the founder and Chief Empathy Officer at Freedom Project (https://partner.freedomprojectkc.com/)  - A multicultural Impact Creative Agency with the goal of making positive change by guiding a billion people to mental health breakthroughs – All with A unique twist! Previously, Abraham worked as a fractional marketing & distribution executive for software startups and distributed content for local and national brands like Yoobi, Marvel Studios, Humana, University Of Kansas Health System, Shake Shack, etc. Abraham loves to write about mental health breakthroughs, Responsible AI in Mental Health & Health Care, making content experiences, engagement campaigns, & Storytelling.

The Greatest CEO Who Ever Lived

Who is the CEO GOAT?
 
I was shocked this week's guest said "Yes" to be on The Corporate Couch. Richard Dickels as he was named the greatest CEO of the 20th century. He has been the CEO of some of the most iconic companies in our lifetime. Richard had the following criteria I had to honor before he would be interviewed (due to pending lawsuits he is involved in). They were:
We limit the conversation to 15 minutes 
He wanted to see the questions before the interview 
No bio or no headshot would be used.
The conversation was the most unique I have ever had on the podcast and had a major impact on how I view leadership. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever." ~ Charles Lamb

Justin Ricklefs, The Transparent CEO - Why He Quit The KC Chiefs Front Office, What To Do When You Feel Like An Empty Suit, and Why Experiencing Pain Is When You Learn $h*t

You will enjoy Justin Ricklef's journey from one of the best jobs in Kansas City (working as an executive in the KC Chiefs front office) to starting his digital ad agency. We chat about the struggles of being a founder/CEO of a start-up, how doing "75 Hard" made him a better CEO by prioritizing unplugging every day, and how working for the Chiefs was a "beautiful and intoxicating" environment (while comparing the front office part of the business like a family-run HVAC company - in a good way).
Enjoy this open conversation with Justin!
 
Justin Ricklefs (LinkedIn Profile) is the Founder and CEO of Guild Collective (Website). He launched Guild in 2017 after spending 13 years in various sales and leadership roles at the Kansas City Chiefs, Learfield Sports, and ECCO Select. After stumbling into a passion for writing, Justin wrote personal pieces for large publications like Huffington Post, The TODAY Show, and Yahoo. While he enjoys writing on personal topics, Guild was formed with the awareness that many brands struggle to connect to the souls of their audience, and Justin believed he could help bridge that gap. Justin is responsible for the Visionary role in the agency, which most often looks like charting the company’s strategy, driving new revenue, developing leaders within the business, and hoping one of his many ideas end up being halfway decent.
Justin is married to his high school sweetheart, Brooke (she was slower to the realization). They live in Liberty, MO, and have been married 20 years and have five children: Kamden, 19; Addi, 17; Rowan, 15; Silas, 13; Henley, 11. He and Brooke love traveling when they can. Justin enjoys writing, running, watching his kids’ activities, and sitting in his cabin where it’s quiet.

Alejandra McAnderson, The Entrepreneur With A Beautiful Soul - Her Mission To Lead Healers and Heal Leaders, Being a Masterpiece and a Work In Progress, and Her 30-Year Journey to Become a US Citizen

Alejandra "Alex" Villalobos-McAnderson has an amazing journey both in her 30-year quest to obtain US citizenship (still in progress) and walking away from corporate America by following her intuition to start her own business in a new field. We chat about cashing in your 401K to fund her new venture, why being kind is better than being nice, what is "mindful leadership coaching", and the unbelievable process she has endured to be a US citizen.
Please enjoy my conversation with Alex!
 
This episode is brought to you by Connect5000 (Website) your outsource lead generation, BDR, and inside sales partner. To download a free copy of the best tactical sales book you will ever read (written by its founder Ray Ruecker), go to https://connect5000.com/resources/book/.
 
Alejandra (Alex) Villalobos-McAnderson, the heart and soul behind Villalobos Vitality (https://villalobosvitality.com/ ), believes in nurturing the powerful, beautiful, and purposeful life that resides within each of us. As a licensed Corporate Energy Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, and Stress Management Consultant, Alex's mission is to facilitate the connection of mind, body, and spirit through indigenous practices and ceremonies.
 
At Villalobos, we specialize in helping individuals reconnect with their soul's purpose, guiding them on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Alex has a unique approach, seamlessly weaving spiritual work into the corporate sector, assisting entrepreneurs, corporations, and executives in leading from a place of oneness and empathy.
 
Through meditation, breathwork, and stress management techniques, Alex empowers her clients to transcend limiting beliefs and cultivate healthy personal and professional growth. She provides a sacred space where clients can align with their higher purpose and tap into their inner wisdom.
 
Known for her powerful, healing influence and genuine warmth, Alex walks alongside her clients with compassion and acceptance, guiding them to discover the light within themselves and embrace their truth. With Alex, clients learn to stay rooted while flowing through life's cycles, trusting in their journey, and knowing they are always evolving and growing.
 
 
 
 
 

Chris Jones, The Start-Up Founder Inspired By The Loss of His 5-Year-Old Son

Chris Jones and I how he was inspired to create his company when he lost his 5-year-old son to inoperable brain cancer. He talks about all the leadership lessons he learned from his son's 11-month journey. Chris is one of the most authentic and caring persons I have ever interviewed. We also had some fun talking about the upcoming KC Chiefs/ San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl game (he almost picked the actual final score).
Chris is an inspiring person so please enjoy our conversation.
 
This episode is brought to you by Connect5000 (Website) your outsource lead generation, BDR, and inside sales partner. To download a free copy of the best tactical sales book you will ever read (written by its founder Ray Ruecker), go to https://connect5000.com/resources/book/.
 
Chris Jones is the founder of Matchrite Care (Website). He is a seasoned Information Technology professional with a career spanning over two decades, during which he has consistently demonstrated his expertise and dedication to the field. With a strong background in healthcare technology, Chris spent nine years as a HealthcareIT Director, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Throughout his illustrious career, Chris has been a driving force behind the transformation of healthcare companies, leveraging technology innovation and automation to enhance theiroperational efficiency and overall performance. His unwavering commitment to improving the healthcare sector's technological landscape has made him a respected figure in the industry.
However, Chris' journey in healthcare IT is not solely defined by his professional achievements. It is deeply intertwined with a personal loss that ignited his passion for healthcare technology. This profound experience became the catalyst for his innovative vision. Fueled by his commitment to making a meaningful difference in healthcare, Chrisembarked on a transformative mission. In a testament to his dedication, he founded MatchRite Care, a groundbreaking software platform designed to facilitate and encourage accessibility and communication between doctors and patients. This platform represents a visionary step forward in the evolution of healthcare technology, offering unprecedented opportunities for healthcare providers and patients to connect, share information, and improve the quality of care. Chris Jones' remarkable journey through the realm of Information Technology and his commitment to revolutionizing healthcare technology have firmly established him as a visionary leader with a heart dedicated to improving the lives of both healthcare professionals and patients alike. His inspiring work and innovative solutions continue to pave the way for a brighter and more connected future in the world of healthcare.

Chelsea Laub, The Chief Enneagram Officer - Trusting Your Intuition, Why You Need To Learn As Much As Possible About Yourself, and How To Overcome Doubt To Help Your Networking Efforts

A fun and insightful conversation with Chelsea Laub. We talk about major career pivots, being a giver in your networking efforts, the Enneagram (Wikipedia) assessment (she shares the same personality type as Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney), and how her "Leisure Studies" major led her to start her own consulting company.
Please enjoy my conversation with Chelsea!
 
This episode is brought to you by Connect5000 (Website) your outsource lead generation, BDR, and inside sales partner. To download a free copy of the best tactical sales book you will ever read (written by its founder Ray Ruecker), go to https://connect5000.com/resources/book/.
 
Chelsea Laub​ (chelsealaub.com) is dedicated to transforming lives through strategic networking and personal development. As an accredited Enneagram Practitioner, facilitator, and speaker Chelsea brings a unique blend of expertise to the table. With nearly a decade of experience in the financial services industry, including her Series 6, 63, 65, and Life & Health Licenses. She understands the challenges of building authentic professional connections and navigating the complex landscape of personal and professional growth. Chelsea's passion lies in empowering individuals and teams to discover their true potential, communicate their value, and create lasting impact. As the creator of mingle, a proven practical networking methodology Chelsea offers an integrative self-aware approach to networking mastery, providing practical strategies that go beyond traditional methods and foster meaningful connections. Whether in one-on-one coaching sessions, team facilitations, or captivating keynotes, Chelsea is committed to guiding others on a journey of self-discovery, connection, and success.
 

Angela Kreps, The Chief Helping Officer - How She Made The Leap from Sales Manager to CEO, Why Everyone Is Capable of More, and Building a Network One Person At A Time

An inspiring conversation with Angela Kreps who decided after surviving a rollover car accident with her three young daughters that she needed to focus on making a difference while being open to new things. She then leaves her successful role as a sales manager for a Fortune 50 company to become a CEO. We talk about what she learned growing up being a pig farmer and having her first job in 3rd grade, why everyone is capable of more, believing in yourself, and why titles don't matter.
 
Please enjoy my conversation with Angela!
 
Angela Kreps (linkedin.com/in/akreps ), co-founder of SolutionBrokers.US and former CEO of BioKansas. Her career titles include CEO, Vice President, and Executive Coach with a consistent record of improving team performance while growing revenue and market share across multiple industries. Angela's career began selling B2B services to C-Suite clients, turning in record-breaking, award-winning results. She has experience in large multinational firms, small privately held companies, and non-profits.
 
 

Cory Scheer, The Trust Doctor - Why Most Companies Have A Trust Gap, The Process of Getting Clear on the Work You Do, and Why Lacking a Career Strategy is Okay

You will enjoy Cory Scheer's career journey and why not having a career strategy is okay. We talk about the leadership lessons he learned from being a whitewater rafting guide, driving a forklift as his first job out of college, running 29 marathons including a 56-mile ultramarathon, what a "Christmas Money Consultant" is, why most companies have a trust gap, and asking yourself what you want to do career-wise while trusting the answers are in the journey.
 
Cory Scheer (linkedin.com/in/coryscheer ) is the Founder and CEO of TrustCentric™ Consulting (TrustCentricConsulting.com), an organizational and leadership development firm. In addition to over twenty-five years in leadership roles in multiple sectors, Cory has obtained an Executive MBA (Rockhurst University) and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (University of Missouri). Cory has worked with small businesses, school districts, corporations, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, ministries, the military, and municipalities to provide vital support and clear direction on how to ensure people, practices, and policies become more trustworthy so that key performance indicators improve. He is the author of the seminal work "Closing the Trust Gap: Taking Action on What Matters Most for Leaders, Teams, and Organizations," (Amazon) each a testament to his commitment to fostering trust within organizations. Cory and his wife live in Kansas City, Missouri with their 4 children.

Sly James, The Servant Leader Driven By His Passion For Purpose - How He Succeeded As Kansas City's Mayor, The Jackie Robinson of KC Law Firms, and Reinventing Himself Every 10 Years

It is so fitting that one day after the Kansas City Chiefs won their fourth Super Bowl, our new episode features one of the best mayors in KC history - Sylvester "Sly" James. I was honored and humbled during our conversation as we discussed how he became mayor of the 37th-largest city having never held any political office, being the Black first associate/partner in one of KC's largest law firms, being the lead singer of a rock band that opened for Jefferson Airplane, why both passion and purpose drive him, and why he does not fall victim to imposter syndrome.
Please enjoy the great Sly James' great career journey!
 
Sly James (linkedin.com/in/sly-james ) was sworn in as the 56th Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri on March 22, 2011. After taking office, he focused on making Kansas City best in four key areas: Education, Employment, Efficiency, and Enforcement. This ‘4 E agenda’ drove all of Mayor James’ major policy decisions. Mayor Sly James was born and raised in Kansas City on the city’s eastside. He graduated from Bishop Hogan High School in Kansas City in 1969. After serving his country as a military police officer in the Marines from 1971-1975 in California, the Philippines, and Japan during theVietnam War, Mayor James graduated cum laude from Rockhurst College with a B.A. inEnglish. He then went on to earn his law degree, also cum laude, from the University ofMinnesota in 1983.
Prior to his election, Mayor James enjoyed a successful legal career which spanned almost three decades. Over the years, Mayor James has served on numerous boards andcommissions in leadership positions including The Missouri Board of Law Examiners, President of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Economic Development Corporation, Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, Jackson County Ethics Commission, Legal Aid of Kansas City, Jackson County Bar Association, Bishop Hogan High School Board, Genesis School Board, and The United Way. Mayor James also served in leadership positions in several national organizations including US Conference of Mayors, African American Mayors Association, National Democratic Mayors, and Urban Land Institute.
He currently is the co-founder and partner at Wickham James Strategy and Solutions (wickhamjames.com ). Sly also has written two books - "A Passion for Purpose: Building Cities for Our Children" and "The Opportunity Agenda: A Bold Democratic Plan To Grow The Middle Class".

David Komar, The CEO Culture Coach - Surviving 9/11 at The Pentagon, Why Most CEOs Don't Have a Clear Vision of The Culture They Want, and Why Great Leadership Equals a Great Culture

David Komar is our third podcast guest who survived 9/11. Born to immigrant parents who lived the American Dream, David wanted to give back to his country by serving in the military for 31 years. We talk about being at the Pentagon on 9/11, his first leadership/culture lesson at 16 years old working for a regional department store, how 90% of CEOs do not have a clear vision of what culture they want their company to have, and how the best companies help their employees be better human beings after their workday is done.
Please enjoy my conversation with David!
 
David Komar (linkedin.com/in/davekomar ) grew up in central New York State and graduated with a BA in Business and Economics from Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania. He was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. He served over 31 years on active duty in a variety of positions and retired at the end of 2018 as a Brigadier General. Komar’s career enabled him to travel and live all over the US as well as across the world. He is a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan. He led the Army’s capability development enterprise that planned and prioritized the Army’s annual $25 billion modernization program. As the Director of Army Business Operations, he led the Army’s business initiatives program, process improvement program, and organizational performance management programs. These programs provided billions of dollars in savings annually across the Army.
Komar was a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow and agraduate of the Executive Development Program at the Kenan-Flagler Business Schoolat the University of North Carolina. He also earned Master’s Degrees in NationalSecurity and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, Military Operational Artsand Science from the Air University and in Management from Webster University.. General Komar is currently the president of EDA Inc. (Company Website ) which is a top-of-the-house executive development service and technology company. He has recently written "Conquer Your Culture" (available late February 2024). It is a “how to” book for CEOs and other senior leaders on how to build an exceptional and enduring company culture. 
 

Franny Goolsby, The All Gas, No Brake Sales Executive - Why Discipline is Freedom, Loving to Prospect, and Her Focus on Hard Work and Mental Toughness

My conversation with senior vice president of sales at Salelytics Franny Goolsby will motivate you in so many ways. We discuss her first job as a crane operator, how she decided to do a half Ironman (70.1 miles: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run) in four months without knowing how to swim, why she loves prospecting, her belief in hard work, why events are neither good nor bad, and balancing being a mom of four daughters. Franny has also done "75 Hard" twice (https://andyfrisella.com/pages/75hard-info).
 
Franny Goolsby began her career at Salelytics in 2008 on the Executive Sales team. Her expertise spans from Fortune 500 Companies to new startups. As she works intimately with prospects and clients to implement strategic business plans beyond traditional feet-on-the-street sales models - she identifies their go-to-market sales challenges and develops solutions to drive incremental revenue.Franny Goolsby has a degree in Psychology from Creighton University, where she was Captain of the Women's Soccer Team and earned All-Conference Honors in each of four seasons. She continues to stay active and busy with her husband, Aaron, and their children Justice, Gwendolyn, Beatrice, and Estelle.

Marc Shaffer, KC's Most Generous Connector - Creating a Culture of Helping People, His "Fail Early" Advice, and Having Kids Later in Life

Marc Shaffer is a gift to the Kansas City community helping everyone from recent college graduates with career advice to CEOs with financial planning. Marc is one of the few guests to sit on The Corporate Couch who knew exactly what career he wanted post-college. We talk about his love for Kansas State University, being a first-generation college graduate, his motocross racing days in high school (his number was 420 :-), why he loves helping people, books that influenced his early career, and his love of travel.
 
Marc Shaffer (linkedin.com/in/marcshaffer) has built his life to enjoy and promote things he loves – family, travel, adventure, and service. He is a co-owner and serves as the CFO of Searcy Financial Services Inc. (https://www.searcyfinancial.com/) and Allos Investment Advisors LLC (https://allosadvisors.com/).  Marc joined Searcy Financial in 2006 and was promoted to Partner in 2010, the same year he became a co-owner of the firm.
As a fee-only financial advisor, Marc specializes in helping clients and their families achieve continuity in their financial planning through generations and achieve their vision of an ideal life by encouraging goal setting and active monitoring of their financial plans. He also mentors students coming up in the industry.
Rotary, the Growing Futures Early Education Center Board, and other organizations keep him busy in the community. He has been recognized locally and nationally for his contributions to others and his profession.
He and his wife, Bridgette, are parents to Grant and Emily.

Sue Tetzlaff, The Caring Healthcare Culture Guru - Why The New R and R Will Make Your Culture Better, Having Intellectual Boyfriends That You've Never Met, and How To Achieve Great Results

Join me and this week's guest Sue Tetzlaff the co-founder of Capstone Leadership Solutions (www.CapstoneLeadership.net) for her great story of how she helps small healthcare organizations improve their patient and employee experience. We discuss her intellectual "boyfriends" (mentors she has never met who just happen to be all male), her reading of 50-60 books a year, and how the best cultures send their employees home every day with the energy to be fully present with their loved ones. We even get a Brady Bunch discussion that relates to our personal lives :-)
 
You will love Sue's energy and caring spirit...please enjoy!
 
 
Sue Tetzlaff, RN, RHIA, MHA, FACHE, has over thirtyyears of healthcare strategic planning, leadershipdevelopment, and execution experience. Thetransformation of organizational culture, successfullynavigating change, developing new programs andexpansion of services, strategic planning, training andcoaching leaders, employees, and teams are among thefavorite aspects of her work. Since co-founding Capstone Leadership Solutions in2012, Sue has served as a strategist, trainer, and coachto dozens of healthcare organizations undergoing wide-scale improvement initiatives.Before co-founding Capstone, she served as a healthcare executive for more than 20years as a Vice President of Quality and Safety, Chief Nursing Officer, Interim CEO, andChief Operating Officer.
Sue has degrees in nursing and health information administration from Ferris StateUniversity, a master's degree in Healthcare Administration from the University ofMinnesota. Sue is a Board Certified Fellow in the American College of HealthcareExecutives.
 

Kyle Doherty, The Fashion Founder - Falling In Love With La Dolce Vita, Competing In An Industry Where There Are No Barriers To Entry, and Creating Impact Not A Brand

You will enjoy one of the most unique career journeys of any guest who has appeared on the podcast when you listen to my conversation with Kyle Doherty (linkedin.com/in/kydoherty). We talk about how making clothes was part of his upbringing as his grandmother worked for one of the first female entrepreneurs in the United States making dresses for the incredible Nell Reed (Wikipedia) and how he started sewing at age 4. The story of why he founded his clothing company Charles & Richards is truly inspiring. You will also find out if he was voted best dressed in his high school senior class :-)
 
For the last 30 years, Kyle Doherty has had his hand in the tailoring world.  He spent time in his teens as a foreign exchange student in Northern Italy.  Falling in love with “la dolce vita” he made it back for a study abroad program in college. Being exposed to Italian manufacturing he was hooked. Post college he worked for several clothiers honing his skills. After years designing clothes for other brands he was drawn back to Italy to create a line stitched by hand providing the perfect marriage of form and function for the guy on the go without compromising the highest standards in quality.  
In 2016 he launched Charles & Richard's (Company Website) lifestyle.  He continues to grow the brand catering to the ever-changing office environment giving gentleman the best quality from jeans to tuxedos.  

Elizabeth Souder, Recovering Attorney Turned Culture Coach - Not Wanting To Do Sh*t Work, Carving Your Own Career Path, and Winning The Hard A$$ Award

A fun conversation with Elizabeth Souder (we worked "together" in the early days of Sprint PCS - now T-Mobile). We talk about her love of basketball and her college basketball records, God/Universe moments, why she stopped practicing law and started her own company, being clear on the work you want to do, and her realization that radical adherence to core values guides and informs every action and decisionof a healthy corporate culture. Please enjoy!
 
Elizabeth McJimsey Souder is a “recovering” attorney andorganizational health consultant and coach (www.whatsnextbiz.com) who helpscompanies and leaders realign the disconnect between who they say they are and how they behave. She has worked with some of Kansas City’s leading organizations as they launched, prepared for growth, prepared for expansion, addressed COVID and post-COVID related interruptions, reimagined who they were, restructured how they functioned, and rebuilt the culture in which they worked. Elizabeth also enjoys working with new managers and their teams to build trust, align and operationalize values, empower one another, and win together. Elizabeth brings 20+ years as a corporate lawyer with two of Kansas City’s largest employers where she witnessed and experienced the relationship between an organization’s health and alignment and its success. As a collegiate and lifelong athlete, the relationship between health and performance has always been obvious. The trick was translating what she knew to be true as an athlete and an attorney into a context that impacts organizations. The result led to therealization that radical adherence to core values guides and informs every action and decision of a healthy and successful organization.

Ray Ruecker, The Introspective CEO - Being Left At The Steps Of An Orphanage, Lessons from Being Fired 7 Times, and How Starting a Company Is Like Parenthood

This is one of the most fun interviews on The Corporate Couch with my friend Ray Ruecker. His journey starts at the end of the Vietnam War on the steps of an orphanage. We talk about everything from the almost tragic (the plane he was supposed to be on from Vietnam to the US to live with the parents who adopted him crashed), to his daily, habit started 23 years ago of journalling every day (approximately 8400 days), to college/pro football. Ray is also the author of "How to Score from First Base! (In Sales)" (Ray's Book), one of the best tactical sales prospecting books ever.
Please enjoy my conversation with Ray!
 
Ray Ruecker is the Managing Director of Connect 5000 (Connect 5000), a Kansas City-based lead generation, prospecting training, and sales consulting company. Since March 2010, Connect 5000 has helped countless software, technology,
and consulting companies boost sales revenue with effective lead-generation
campaigns, sales prospecting strategies, and inside sales management. In
addition to providing support to existing company leadership, Ray has also
served as a firm's interim sales leader until they found a permanent solution.
 
Ray holds two Bachelor's degrees from Washburn University in Business
Administration with an emphasis on marketing and management. Born in
Saigon, Vietnam, and raised in the rural Midwest, Ray now lives in Kansas
City Metro with his wife, Kate, their two children, Olivia and William, and
their mischievous Goldendoodle, Millie.

David Voorhees, The Driven CEO - From Professional Student to Founder/CEO, His Mission to Revolutionize Healthcare, and Why Size (Employee) Does Not Matter

This is a very fun conversation with David Voorhees the founder/CEO of True Captive where we talk about learning about healthcare by accompanying his grandfather while he made house calls to his patients, why he stayed in college so long, how he learned to be confident, being driven by in the same way as Michael Jordan, and his thoughts on the HR function in an organization. You will love David's passion to revolutionize the healthcare industry. 
 
Meet David Voorhees (the founder/CEO of True Captive - truecaptive.com), a progressive, award-winning business leader with a mission to revolutionize healthcare. As a passionate leader, David has led countless implementations of uncomplicated but sophisticated healthcare programs for his clients nationwide, creating win-win solutions for employees and business operators.
Growing up, David saw what uncomplicated healthcare looked like while going on house calls with his grandfather and believes in implementing solutions for companies that can uncomplicate healthcare and deliver savings to businesses.
With a proven track record in benefits strategy, self-funded insurance, risk analysis, and leadership, David has sat in the seat of his clients, running Human Resources and Operations for organizations ranging from small-to-medium size businesses to Fortune 500 organizations in the US and Overseas. He understands the needs of the business and the employees and is committed to making healthcare less complicated, more transparent, and cost-efficient.
When not working to bring stability and control to companies’ healthcare expenses, David enjoys spending time with his family and traveling to new places.
 

Reinhard Mabry, The Servant Leader CEO - Running a Not-For-Profit Like a Commercial Company, Why Good Leaders Build a Network, and Why Your Integrity is Your Currency

Join me in a mini-course in organizational leadership with one of the best CEOs in Kansas City, Reinhard Mabry of the not-for-profit organization Alphapointe. Please consider helping Alphapointe with your time, ideas, or donations - https://www.alphapointe.org/.
 
Bio: Reinhard Mabry has been the President & CEO of Alphapointe since2007, which is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Alphapointe isone of the largest employers of people who are blind in the UnitedStates, with principal operations in Kansas City and New York City.Alphapointe provides employment opportunities for people who areblind through light manufacturing, injection molding, retail, and callcenter services for federal, state, and commercial customers.Alphapointe is the only Comprehensive Rehabilitation and EducationCenter for people who are blind or visually impaired in the state ofMissouri, serving over 7,000 people annually in its various programs.Reinhard is a past president of the Board of Directors of The NationalAssociation for the Employment of People Who Are Blind. He has served on the Board ofDirectors of the National Industries for the Blind. Reinhard currently serves on the KansasAdvisory Committee for the Blind & Visually Impaired, and the Board of Directors of theVisionServe Alliance.
Reinhard began his career in the field in 1994 when he joined RESPECT of Florida, Florida’s state use program, where he was soon appointed as the Director by the Governor’s Commission for Purchase from the Blind and other Severely Handicapped. During his tenure at RESPECT, the program’s sales doubled. Under contract, Reinhard also held the position of Director of Georgia Enterprises, Georgia’s state use program, during a transitional period for that program, growing its sales and employment for people with disabilities. He was a Vice President for the Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, responsible for Marketing, Business Development, and Base Supply Stores for the agency before joining Alphapointe in 2006.
Reinhard received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science and his MBA from Florida State University. He is married and hastwo sons.

Yoav Snir, The Global Tech Executive - How To Create Great Strategic Partnerships, Honoring Cultural Diversity, and Changing Jobs When You Have Learned Enough

You will enjoy this conversation with Yoav Snir as we discuss his outstanding tech career that began in his homeland of Israel for one of the biggest telecom tech companies (30,000+ employees) and why he left to go to an 18-person startup to satisfy his entrepreneurial passion.
 
With 24 years of Startups and Fortune 500 international leadership in technologysales, product engineering, global strategy, partnerships, channels, and alliances, Yoav Snir (linkedin.com/in/yoavsnir) has been crafting dynamic solutions and delivering multimillion-dollar results at every turn. He has built and led teams of up to 400 people with $100M P&L and early-stage startup teams. He is an entrepreneur, works with startups as a mentor (with TechStars and Pipeline Entrepreneurs), started a nonprofit, and even within the big corporation, he ran “start-up-like” initiatives. In his last role as the chief partnership officer for a Fintech startup (Novel Capital), he created a partner ecosystem from the ground up. He rolled out a nationwide channel partners program, generating 19% of new customer deals within a year. Before that, he ran global partnerships for a $4B multinational product and services company (Amdocs) where he oversaw 100 partners, generating $30M. Yoav is a creative partnerships and alliances guru known to drive revenue growth through partnerships by building relationships and using cross-functional leadership.
On the personal side - Yoav moved to the US from Israel in 2008 with his family.He served in the Israeli Defense Forces and is also an aspiring musician.
 

Terri Jordan, The Constantly Evolving Entrepreneur - Her Bill Belichick Career Strategy, How She Constantly Overcame Adversity and Being Driven By Helping Others

You will truly enjoy this conversation with Terri Jordan where we talk about her fear of picking the wrong career, not being afraid of taking the lowest level job to learn about a new industry, her bout with cancer and other illnesses, her superpower of observation, and much more...
As an entrepreneur, Terri Jordan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrijordankc/ ) has successfully started/scaled six companies and brings over 25 years of strategy, sales, technology, and marketing leadership including extensive experience in legal, medical, tech, e-commerce, retail, restaurant, B2B, and B2C. Terri’s passion is growth strategy - helping her clients uncover and realize their next phase of growth through WizeWebz (Founder and CEO) and High Performance Marketing Boot Camps (President and Partner). She serves on the Mentor Advisory Board at UMKC, and the Marketing Advisory Board at JCCC. Terri finds fulfillment in working with aspiring entrepreneurs.

Tammie Osborne, Nurse to Entrepreneur - Being the CEO of You, Never Having a ”No” Leader, and Pivoting As A Career Strategy

Please join me and Tammie Osborne (linkedin.com/in/tammieosborne) as we have a great conversation talking about how an ER nurse changed her life, being a female healthcare tech pioneer, pivoting from nursing to Corporate America, the importance of relationships, and starting two companies (one during the pandemic in an industry she had no experience).
 
Tammie L. Osborne is an established healthcare executive and experienced small business owner with a passion for equipping others to succeed. Tammie has 30 years of experience in healthcare as an enterprise technology executive leader, EHR/EMR consultant, and clinician. In 2012, noticing a need for additional support for healthcare organizations as they implement and adopt new technology, Tammie founded Bridgemore IT (bridgemoreit.com ), a healthcare IT consulting, whereshe continues to lead as CEO. Through her healthcare consulting firm, Bridgemore IT Consulting, Tammie has managed change and new technology adoption for multi-million and billion-dollar projects by leading the world’s most top-tier organizations. Bridgemore IT also supports the Department of Defense’s EHR modernization Project. She has been helping these organizations streamline their operations and improve patient outcomes for over 12 years.
In 2020, while experiencing the challenge and changes of professional isolation brought on by the worldwide pandemic, Tammie saw an opportunity to support other female entrepreneurs in her community and tapped into her expertise by providing a coworking and event space. In response, she founded The Sapphire Suite( thesapphiresuite.com ), a luxe coworking environment where women can focus, grow, and connect in their busy professional and personal lives. With her extensive  leadership experience, her career-long focus on innovation, and her commitment tocollaboration, Tammie was uniquely equipped to build a space that not only helps women be productive but also provides the support and a community of seasoned professionals to help them succeed.
She is a wife and mother of three adult children, one of whom has special needs and she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.

Special Edition with William Godwin - What A Business Transformation Can Do For Your Company

This special edition episode features William Godwin (see bio below) as we discuss business transformation initiatives. William lends his expertise to what is most critical, what companies struggle with, what employees find most challenging, and how leaders can help ensure a successful transformation. Please enjoy my conversation with WIlliam!
 
​William Godwin ​(linkedin.com/in/william-godwin ) is an executive Leader with 20+ years of experience with iconic brands, small, mid-size, and large companies. His ability to leverage insights in novel ways based on a keen understanding of sound business
principles consistently leads to transforming businesses and unmatched operational excellence. His background includes everything from sales, training, and service, to internal and field operations. He is known for leading businesstransformation initiatives that optimize companies which leads to driving sustainable revenue and profits. William is a big fan and student of continuous learning and is passionate about leading, motivating, and inspiring people to be their personal best so that the company can be its best. One of his mottos is “Let’s stretch to be better tomorrow than we are today.” He embraces challenges, solves problems, and has a reputation for succeeding where others could not and being counted on to do the impossible.

Jonathan Jones, The Cultural Conversational Leader - Helping People Find Purpose And Meaning In Their Work, Why Company Culture Is Like Your A Lawn, and Givers Versus Takers

Join me with the great Jonathan Jones as we talk about how he pivoted from 12 years working for churches to a successful career in corporate America. You will love the insights from him on building a great company culture!
Jonathan Jones (linkedin.com/in/jonathanjoneskc ) joined DEMDACO (demdaco.com  ) in the fall of 2006 to give leadership to the company’s focus and intentionality about its culture. Since that time Jonathan has helped develop and lead conversations around DEMDACO’s Purpose: pursuing business the way it ought to be, and its Mission: to lift the spirit in measurable and tangible ways. He helps the company tell its stories both inside and outside the company.DEMDACO, located in Leawood, KS, specializes in artist-driven gift and home décor products that lift the spirit and help people connect in meaningful ways.As a certified Gallup CliftonStrengths coach, Jonathan loves helping others discover their Strengths and find ways to leverage them to achieve their goals.
Jonathan and his wife Maria live in the Kansas area. They have four children and five grandchildren. 
 

Jane Deterding, From Lawyer to Chairperson of the Board - What She Learned Working for Senator Bob Dole, Why Banks Are Being Challenged, and Her Circuitous Career Journey

Join my conversation with Jane Deterding as we talk about her experience working for the legendary Bob Dole, becoming a lawyer, and her pivot to running her 101-year-old family bank!
Jane Deterding is a fourth-generation banker at Citizen Bank of Kansas (CBK), Jane’s ties to banking started at an early age. She currently serves as Chairman of the Board, with other roles including General Counsel and Chief Strategic Marketing Officer. She is a graduate of Wichita State University, where she earned a BBA in finance and economics, and the University of Kansas School of Law.
Jane joined CBK full-time in 2001 after a decade in private law practice. Jane serves as a Commissioner on the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission and is involved with the Wichita Animal Action League, Wichita Chamber of Commerce, and Wichita Area Delta Gamma Alumnae, among other interests. Jane and her husband, Brent Lehner, have two adult children and live in western Sedgwick County with their four rescue dogs.

Kristen Ragusin, A Beautiful Soul About to Change The World - How She Predicted The 2008 Global Financial Crisis and Why Our Money System Makes Us Miserable

You will love my conversation with Kristen Ragusin (www.kristenragusin.com/ )! Her book "The End of Scarcity: The Dawn of The New Abundant World" (Amazon: https://a.co/d/0nyU1cX) will be one of the most important books you will ever read. She has such great energy and is on a mission to change our world by implementing a new system of exchange to create and sustain a life worth living.
About Kristen:
Kristen’s interest in money began as a child as she studied the stock and bond markets with her father to earn her allowance. She grew up seeing the markets as a tool of empowerment but all that changed when she saw the coming financial crisis of 2008. Sensing something was amiss in her worldview, she discovered everything she knew about money was wrong. Through a shocking revelation, she learned that what we use as money today works against us, creating perpetual suffering and scarcity.
This sent her on a seven-year journey around the world to find another way to create money. She uncovered a new way so simple and so beautiful, a new way already beginning to emerge. Preparing to unleash the natural abundance that exists, we stand on the precipice of the coming revolution of how we do money. Unstoppable, it comes closer every day. Reading her book will take you from grief, fear, and scarcity to hope, love, and abundance.
Kristen is a professional wealth management consultant with thirty years of experience. Investing over $150 million, she helps clients navigate markets and achieve financial goals. She is a certified digital currency professional and earned her Masters Degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Kristen holds certificates in FinTech from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in Money and Society from the University of Cumbria, London. She loves the adventure of Life and everything it brings from the many kinds of people to the wonders of Nature. She has traveled throughout the world. Her many journeys include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, hiking through the Sahara desert and studying at a spiritual school located in the foothills of Southern India.
https://www.theendofscarcity.com/contact

Aaron Fulk, The Transparent CEO - How She Became a LinkedIn Pioneer, Overcoming Hardships, and How to Network With Intention

Aaron Fulk (www.aaronfulk.com) is the CEO and founder of Lillian James Creative (https://lillianjamescreative.com/). You are going to enjoy this conversation with Aaron in this wide-open chat about her unconventional upbringing and career journey.  Here is the bio Aaron gave me to use for the episode:
In 2016, as a single mom without a college degree, Aaron (spelled like a boy) founded Lillian James Creative in her garage. She leaned on her marketing and sales experience, tapped into her personal and professional networks, and utilized her intuition and ambition to overcome obstacles, conquer challenges, and achieve company goals.
You will so enjoy listening to Aaron's unfiltered and unapologetic view of her life!

Baron Lukas, A Born Leader - Being a Lifelong Learner, How to Cultivate Leadership Excellence, and the Essence of Great Culture Building.

Please enjoy this mini-course on leadership with Baron Lukas!
 
Baron Lukas is an executive leader, advisor, coach, and retired Marine Corps Colonel. He has 42 years of leadership, management, and mentoring experience. His professional career spans a diverse spectrum of positions: fighter pilot, instructor, strategist, intelligence officer, professor, commander, and finally, business executive, entrepreneur, board member, and advisor.
Baron is a Principal at ExecHQ, a consulting firm comprised of over 100 senior executives in North America and globally with extensive C-Suite (e.g., CEO, CFO, COO, CMO, etc.) experience. ExecHQ delivers on-demand, cost-effective solutions for complex business problems faced by CEOs and business owners. Baron’s advisory services include pre-transaction valuation improvement, strategy development and execution, executive coaching, corporate governance, and succession planning. Baron heads “ExecHQ MULTIPLE,” an advisory program specifically intended to prepare businesses for an M&A transaction or capital raise, and ExecHQ’s Executive Coaching and Corporate Governance practices.
Baron’s long history of business and military leadership positions gives him a unique perspective that blends the best practices of both worlds. A native of Germany, Baron is bilingual (English and German) and holds two master’s degrees. Baron and his wife, Tanya, an award-winning author, live on a small ranch just west of Fort Worth, Texas.

Maki Moussavi: Navigating the Spiritual Journey of Success - Dealing With Toxic Work Relationships, Helping High Achievers Overcome Self-Doubt, and Embracing Your Unique Path to Success

Enjoy my conversation with the magnificent Maki Moussavi as we get into some deep topics about work and fulfillment. Her book is fantastic!
 
Maki Moussavi (www.makimoussavi.com) is a mindset and executive coach, as well as the author of The High Achiever’s Guide (Amazon). She helps high achievers catalyze empowering change through deep examination of their conditioning to identify limiting patterns that keep them from reaching their full potential. Maki helps high achievers create positive disruption in their lives by de-complicating the process of making change. Like her clients, she identifies as a type A high achiever and spent 13 years in corporate America. Combined with her training in genetic counseling, her background provides the unique skills and experience to guide clients through the emotionally complex process of self-examination, deconditioning from standard paradigms of success, and uncovering a personally aligned approach that is holistically fulfilling.  

Special Edition - What 10 Exceptional Executives Focus On To Build A Great Corporate Culture

Welcome to the first special edition of the Corporate Couch Podcast! These episodes will be more of a loveseat and will range from 15 to 30 minutes in duration. In each special edition episode, I will ask one or more exceptional executives how they deal with the challenges that face corporate America today. This first special edition episode is about a topic near and dear to my heart, corporate culture, and you will hear from 10 exceptional executives on what they focus on to build outstanding cultures. You will hear from the following impressive group of leaders:
 
- Harry Campbell (linkedin.com/in/harryscampbell )
- Mike Allison (linkedin.com/in/mike-allison-connect )
- Jonathan Jones (linkedin.com/in/jonathanjoneskc )
- Pamela Norton (linkedin.com/in/pamelaannnorton )
- Sherri Gilligan (linkedin.com/in/sherri-w-gilligan-95845097 )
- Steve McClain (linkedin.com/in/steve-mcclain-981b648 )
- Brad Douglas (linkedin.com/in/braddouglas1 )
- Jy Maze (linkedin.com/in/jy-maze-0a23a8156 )
- Franny Goolsby (linkedin.com/in/frannygoolsbysalesleader )
- Mark Mears (linkedin.com/in/markamears ).
 
Please enjoy this inaugural special edition episode!

Mary Messner - Empowering Women in the Workplace - Overcoming Self-Doubt, Championing Authenticity, and Inspiring Leadership for Today and Tomorrow

Mary Messner  (www.marymessner.com) is a professional speaker, an advocate for women and girls, a mother, and a wife (not necessarily in that order). She has dedicated her career to approaching challenges with creativity, refusing to accept the status quo, and leading with a determination to grow others.Mary partners with organizations to provide inspiration, offer knowledge, and identify solutions. She is committed to creating a workplace culture where women are recognized and celebrated for their authentic and powerful abilities. Her speaking engagements and workshops provide tangible strategies that demonstrate how to empower women in the workplace. While off the stage, Mary spends her time as the Executive Director for Madam President Camp, a non-profit youth organization designed to inspire girls to use their voice to become leaders in their communities now and in the future. Mary brings her corporate, non-profit, and small business experience to each interaction with the goal of creating meaningful connections with her clients and audience.
 
You will enjoy my conversation with Mary!

Jy Maze, Transportation Trailblazer - Leading with Integrity, Diversity As Your ”Why”, and Entrepreneurship Lessons from Toddlers

Jy Maze is the President of award-winning Maze Freight Solutions (https://mazefreightsolutions.com/). She has been in transportation and supply chain management for over 12 years. Her sales success with large and small companies, along with the lack of diversity in the industry led to the founding of Maze Freight Solutions in 2017. The company, which emphasizes integrity, quality, and superior customer service, has experienced phenomenal growth since its inception.
Jy is a wife and mother of two, Author of Finding Your Toddler Ambition (https://a.co/d/0ysShIM), Motivational Speaker, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist/Trustee of the Maze Foundation, Mentor, and a 2023 KC Biz Journal, Women Who Mean Business honoree.
You will love Jy's energy and the conversation. Please enjoy!

Kristin Herman, The Wholehearted Wealth Advisor - Living By Design, Having Courageous Vulnerability, and Money as a Measure of Desire

Kristin Herman (LinkedIn Profile ) is a wealth management advisor at Northwestern Mutual. Her wealth management philosophy:
In the world of wealth management, there is a lingering misconception about what financial advisors are and do. Many feel that financial advisors are only out to collect a fee or to transact a result. They believe that transparency is the last thought of the financial advisor, and as a result, strategy and education go by the wayside.
The people who work with Kristin don't want to make a transaction. They want someone to understand and counsel them at a deep level by clarifying and aligning their intentions and actions so that they can know what is meaningful in their lives will also be measurable. This helps them pursue ‘Wholehearted Wealth’ through ‘Living by Design’ and achieve financial freedom, confidence, and peace of mind.
Kristin and her team work with amazing individuals nationwide who want to create a legacy of wealth that matches their passions and joy—and they do it by creating clarity, confidence, and security. In their journey with her team, their courageous vulnerability helps them pursue ease in their financial paths, becoming empowered and equipped to pursue their own wholehearted lives. As they create meaningful change in their finances, they experience a peace they never knew was possible.
When you feel empowered, wholehearted, and cared for, the world is your oyster. 
 
Please enjoy my conversation with Kristin!