The Executive Podcast

Brendan P. Keegan is a 6-time president & chief executive officer, 21-time board director, 2-time best-selling author, World's Most Innovative CEO award winner and the visionary leader behind bFEARLESS Ventures, an investment & advisory firm.As President & CEO, he has successfully led 6 companies through liquidity exits with an average enterprise value increase of 750%.Keegan has raised over $10 billion in capital while leading over 250,000 people globally. Today, he serves as co-owner and board member of Andretti Racing, United Autosports, Merchants Fleet, PURE Electric, Crane Paper, and Sky Meadow Country Club. Additionally, Keegan serves on the boards of McLaren Racing Indy Team, ExpressIT Delivery, RPI Athletics Council, RPI Lally Leadership Council and the Keegan Family Courage & Faith Foundation.Find out more:https://brendanpkeegan.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_Keeganhttps://www.instagram.com/bpkfearless/

Malissa Clark is an associate professor of industrial/organizational (I-O) psychology at the University of Georgia, where she has been on faculty since 2013. Currently, Clark serves as associate head of the department of psychology and director of the Healthy Work Lab. She is a recognized expert on the topics of workaholism, overwork, burnout, and employee well-being. Clark earned her Ph.D. in I-O psychology from Wayne State University, and her B.A. in organizational studies from the University of Michigan. She has received awards for her writing and mentoring, and her work has been funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). In 2023, Clark was named a Fellow of SIOP, a status that recognizes unusual and outstanding contributions that have an important impact on I-O psychology. Her first book, Never Not Working: Why the Always-On Culture Is Bad for Business—and How to Fix It, launches in February 2024. Clark's work has been published in premier outlets such as Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management, and Journal of Organizational Behavior. She serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Applied Psychology and Personnel Psychology and as action editor for Journal of Business and Psychology and Occupational Health Science. Clark is passionate about bridging the scientist-practitioner gap and advocating for healthier workplaces and worker well-being through her speaking and consulting. Her work has been featured on various podcasts and in outlets such as Time, US News and World Report, New York Times, and The Atlantic. She currently serves as a member of the NIOSH Healthy Work Design and Well-Being Council. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.Find out more at: https://www.malissaclark.com/

Jeff Wetzler has been on a quarter-century quest to transform learning opportunities. Blending a unique set of leadership experiences in the fields of business and education, he's pursued this quest as a management consultant to the world's top corporations, as a learning facilitator for leaders around the world, as Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America, and most recently, as co-CEO of Transcend, a nationally recognized education innovation organization.Jeff earned a Doctorate in Adult Learning and Leadership from Columbia University and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Brown University. He is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and is an Edmund Hillary Fellow. He lives in New York with his wife, two children, and their puppy. Find out more at https://www.askapproach.com/#Jeff

Jeremy Jenson is the Founder & CEO of Encore Search Partners, a 40-person Direct Hire Recruitment Agency focused on headhunting revenue producers and technical professionals across a variety of industries, nationwide. Founded in 2010 as a Lead Generation Technology business, Encore Search quickly evolved into the fastest growing search firm in Texas, and is the largest privately-held direct hire firm in Houston, today. Find out more at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjenson/

Damon Lembi is a 2x bestselling author, the host of The Learn-It-All Podcast, and CEO of Learnit – a global leader in corporate training that has upskilled over 1.8 million people. Drawing from his prior baseball career, Damon brings an athlete's perspective to leadership. Through his journey, he has gained invaluable insights into what helps organizations grow, how great leaders learn, and why learn-it-all companies outpace their competitors every time. Learn more at in/damonlembi/ and instagram.com/damonlembi/

Joshua Medcalf is a renowned author, speaker, and coach, known for his profound impact on personal development and leadership. He is the founder of Train to Be Clutch, an organization dedicated to helping individuals and teams achieve peak performance through mindset training and mental conditioning. Joshua's work is grounded in principles of grit, resilience, and purposeful living, which he eloquently conveys in his bestselling books, including "Chop Wood Carry Water" and "Burn Your Goals."With a background in psychology and a passion for sports, Joshua has a unique approach that combines mental training with practical strategies for success. He has worked with top athletes, corporate leaders, and organizations, helping them break through mental barriers and reach their full potential. His engaging and inspirational speaking style has made him a sought-after keynote speaker at conferences and events worldwide.Joshua's commitment to fostering growth, both personally and professionally, has earned him accolades and a loyal following. He continues to inspire and guide individuals on their journey to excellence through his writing, coaching, and speaking engagements. Find out more at https://t2bc.com/

Vladyslav Podoliako is the founder & CEO of Belkins (https://belkins.io/) and Folderly (https://folderly.com/).Vladyslav is a serial entrepreneur and investor with a decade of experience in building and growing service companies and SaaS startups in Sales- and MarTech. He is known for his expertise in creating successful businesses from scratch and building top-notch teams that drive all ventures to the top of their industries.With an unbridled passion for entrepreneurship, Vladyslav is always on the lookout to create, build, and explore new opportunities to market innovative products and ideas. He began his career in sales and quickly climbed the ranks to become a founder. He has successfully established service and bootstrapped product companies through his hard work and dedication.Vladyslav's entrepreneurial spirit and drive for success have made him a valuable member of the business community.

Stuart is the director of the Burning Man Project's Philosophical Center. A member of the Burning Man community for more than 30 years, he leads the organization's storytelling programs across multiple media, writes the annual art theme for the Black Rock City event, and serves as a steward of Burning Man's 10 Principles as the culture spreads across the globe. A graduate of the University of Maryland and a veteran of the US Air Force, he lives in Baja California. For more information check out: www.burningman.org & https://burningman.org/podcast/

Joe Mull is the author of 3 books including No More Team Drama and his latest, Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work. He is the founder of the BossBetter Leadership Academy and hosts the popular Boss Better Now podcast, which was recently named by SHRM as a “can't miss show for leaders” along with podcasts from Brené Brown and Harvard Business Review.In demand as a keynote speaker, Joe has taught leadership courses at two major universities and previously managed training at one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S. Joe has appeared as an expert in multiple media outlets including Forbes, the International Business Times, on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and on Good Morning America. He is available for live and/or pre-recorded interviews or as a source for comment or commentary.Find out more at joemull.com

Dawn Weiss is Chief Marketing Officer of Mayweather Fitness Holdings, LLC and a seasoned franchise marketing expert with nearly two decades of experience propelling the growth of emerging brands to become sustainable, acclaimed brands within the consumer fitness, wellness, retail and beauty sectors. Prior to joining Mayweather, she dedicated two and a half years to Xponential Fitness, overseeing multiple brands simultaneously, such as CycleBar, Row House, and STRIDE, steering growth and top-tier marketing performance through a global pandemic and the organization's initial public offering. Ms. Weiss served as COO and CMO of Amazing Lash Studio, where she played a vital role during her tenure in aiding to stabilize and grow the franchise complicated management and ownership changes. Additionally, she served as a senior marketing executive at The Joint Chiropractic, where she was recognized as Top Female Executive by Phoenix Magazine during The Joint's most significant growth period and most notably, was part of the founding team responsible for establishing the marketing foundation and brand identity that continues to drive Massage Envy Spa's thriving franchise today.Dawn stands out as a well-rounded growth and marketing strategist, proficient in a variety of marketing mediums. Her focus and passion can be found in crafting marketing strategies that propel brands to attain industry-leading excellence. Follow her journey and learn more on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawneweiss

As an entrepreneur, investor, and Army veteran, Craig is a true Austinite super connector immersed in the city's vibrant tech community. He is the Special Advisor for Military and Veteran Affairs for Capital Factory and serves on the Advisory Boards of VetsInTech, Texas Venture Labs at UT McCombs School of Business, and DivInc. After 17 years of military service that earned him a Bronze Star, he co-founded the transportation platform RideScout, which was acquired by Mercedes-Benz.In 2014, Craig co-founded Moonshots Capital alongside Kelly Perdew to invest in extraordinary leadership in the military veteran community and beyond. Craig holds a B.S. in Political Science from West Point, where he was their first Truman Scholar and later served as Assistant Professor of Political Science.He also holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and Econometrics from Columbia University, is a member of the 2016 class of Henry Crown Fellows with the Aspen Institute and was recently named a Future Texas Legend Veteran by the Texas Business Hall of Fame. He is married to Lawton Posey Cummings and has two children, Addison (21), and Cooper (18).Find out more at:https://www.moonshotscapital.com/https://medium.com/leadership-prevailshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/unleashcraig/

Michael Bungay Stanier is best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century and recognized as a classic. His most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, shows how to build the Best Possible Relationship with the key people at work. Michael was a Rhodes Scholar, and was recently awarded the coaching prize by Thinkers50, “the Oscars of management”.Learn more at www.MBS.works.

Melissa is an award winning marketing executive and currently the Chief Marketing Officer of Insight Timer, focused on creating a more mindful and balanced world through best in class marketing!Previously she was the CCO of ClickUp and CRO & EVP at Cheddar. For her brand work, she was named to Forbes' 30 Under 30, Business Insider's 30 Most Creative People Under 30 and as one of Digiday's "Changemakers."Prior to Cheddar, she led BuzzFeed's Global Creative Team. Joining the staff in 2010, Rosenthal was a key contributor to the creation and early success of BuzzFeed's branded content native advertising model.Find out more about Insight Timer and connect with Melissa on LinkedIn

Chris Meroff is a founder, author and serial entrepreneur with a passion for helping business professionals find fulfillment in their work through sustainable success. In 2011, he started his first company, MSB Consulting, and sold it in 2023 to fund his venture capital firm, Dirigo Capital Partners. Dirigo owns a variety of startups in various industries throughout Austin and along the coast of Maine, ranging from hospitality, farming and community development. One of these ventures is DCX Community which was born out of his passion to help develop leaders both personally, professionally, spirituality, and relationally, connect them to authentic community, and then experience transformation in their work, home, and cities. DCX does this by hosting an annual leadership conference and monthly networking event, The Table Network. He and his colleagues also host The Table Network Podcast, where they have intentional conversations with successful business owners and authors in order to build deeper relationships and better businesses. Chris blends his two worlds by hosting leadership retreats at his farm – West Branch Farms in Maine. He purchased the farm in 2020 to boost the economy by bringing jobs and resources to the local community. This heartbeat prompted him to open Coffee + Crisp Cafe and Foss Point Wedding Venue to provide locals various opportunities to engage.Chris is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of his first book, Align: Four Simple Steps for Leaders to Create Employee Fulfillment. He wrote this book in 2019 to share with leaders the four simple steps that will transform the way you lead, renew your self-confidence and spark change. Align offers leaders to develop the courage to connect with their team in a meaningful way and start winning together. This led him to write his second book The Empathy Revolution: Practical Wisdom to Combat Organizational and Social Loneliness, where Chris shares his philosophy in a practical guide on why the current model of leadership isn't working. He addresses that in order to retain employee talent and engagement, employees must grasp the vision and align with the values laid out from the top down. With over 25 years of experience owning and operating businesses, Chris has dealt with a diverse group of clients to employees to competition. He grew up in the Northeast and has always been passionate about employing his community. Currently, he resides in Austin, Texas with his wife and has four adult children. Find out more:chrismeroff.comdcxcommunity.com

Dean Carter has been an innovative and industry-recognized leader of People and Culture for over two decades across Fortune 50, hot growth, and culture-driven organizations. He currently serves as the Chief People and Purpose Officer at GUILD Education, a career opportunity platform that enables forward-thinking employers to invest in their employees, unlocking life-changing opportunities for personal and professional growth through learning programs, career development, and one-on-one coaching; and also serves as an Independent Director for Griffith Foods, a high-growth sustainable food company.A former CHRO of Patagonia, Sears Holdings and Fossil Inc., Dean has also previously served in HR and management roles at Pier 1 Imports, Pearle Vision and Procter & Gamble. Dean's innovative perspectives on HR, go-big cultures, and employee experiences have been featured in leading media including The Economist, Harvard Business Review, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, and various other books and national publications.Connect with Dean Carter on LinkedInLearn more about Guild's CHRO Compass

Arthur Gallego is a recognized, award-winning CPG executive with a focus on emerging food & beverage brands. Recently, he was the CEO/co-founder of SunDaze Fermented Cocktails.As the founder of G&Co., which he founded in 2007 and still runs today, he has served as a start-up CMO for many F&B brands. Over the course of his career, he has worked with some of the leading better for you CPG brands, including: Chia Smash, CHOMPS, Bulletproof, FLOW Spring Water, Health-Ade Kombucha, LIFEAID Beverage Co., MUSH, OLIPOP, Vita Coco amongst others.Gallego has additional expertise in beauty & fragrance, restaurant hospitality, and residential real estate marketing, granting him exceptional consumer insights across spending and brand adoption. Gallego's perspective is global and he has worked in both Europe and Asia.He is a marketing and pop culture authority who has been interviewed by media and trend forecasters, globally. And he has worked with a diverse range of talent including Rihanna, Elle Macpherson, Iman, Chrissy Teigen, Isabella Rossellini, Vivienne Westwood, and foodie icons including Julia Child.Find out more at https://www.gallegoandco.com/

In 2011, Aaron Hinde left his lucrative sports chiropractic practice to push the chips “all in” with business partner and fellow Santa Cruz native Orion Melehan to enter an industry with a failure rate of 99%...the beverage industry. With zero beverage experience and high hopes of creating the next Billion dollar beverage brand, he moved his family off the grid…literally. With two kids he downsized his life to live in a 400 sq. foot home with no power and no income. Obsessed with producing high quality, efficacious, and niche functional lifestyle drinks to replace the high sugar, synthetically caffeinated and artificially laden energy and “sports” drinks, LIFEAID garnered tremendous traction with CrossFitters and Spartan Racers concerned about clean recovery with their FITAID sku. Today, the entire LIFEAID line of FITAID, FOCUSAID, PARTYAID, LIFEAID, IMMUNITYAID, GOLFERAID, FITAID Clean Energy, and powder sticks continue to dominate niche markets as well as garnering significant traction in conventional channels such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Walmart, HEB, and Vitamin Shoppe among many others. LIFEAID products are currently sold in tens of thousands of accounts, have 550,000+ active engaged followers on social media, sponsor professional athletes in most major sports, and was ranked in the Inc 500 fastest growing companies in the US three years in a row.Aaron obtained his BA in Economics from Saint Vincent College with a minor in international business and his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic. He practiced in Santa Cruz, CA for 10 years. In 2008, Aaron was elected to serve as a trustee on the Santa Cruz County Board of Education. He was re-elected in 2010. He has since sold his practice and given up politics to focus on making LIFEAID a household name. Aaron is married to his beautiful wife Ramah of 20 years and has two children, 19 y.o. Trinity and 17 y.o. Bronson who are the company's biggest advocates.Find out more at:https://www.lifeaidbevco.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronhinde/https://soundcloud.com/aaron-hinde

Anna Casey is a servant leader, communicator, and true social entrepreneur. Currently she is serving as an Executive Advisor to CEOs, leaders and policymakers around the world and has previously served leaders across various sectors, including: education tech, law, local & national government, public policy, green energy, and finance. She has trained teams across the UK, EU, Ukraine, Australia, and the U.S.Anna started her career as a local government press officer and since then has sat on various poverty alleviation-related boards and committees as well as worked on the ground on a number of economic literacy and empowerment programs.Previously, she has served both in-house and as a management consultant, specializing in strategic communications, leadership, as well as in innovative culture change and team practices.British and Texan by heritage, Anna has spoken — in her trademark irreverent style — alongside philanthropists, nonprofit leaders, a secretary of state, and private sector CEOs, always problem solving with a restorative practices lens, and always thinking big-picture with an uncanny eye for simplifying complexity. She believes that authenticity and heart have a place in every solution, and in every team.Learn more:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annacaseywilliams/

In this episode we interview Bob Miglani, bestselling Author, Speaker, founder of Hoot Health Inc, and Management Advisor.He is the author of the Washington Post Bestseller, Embrace the Chaos, which is about his journey of learning to embrace change and move forward in his job, career, business and in life. His most recent book, Make Your Own Luck shows how to help tilt the odds of luck and success in our favor. Bob grew up helping his family run their Dairy Queen family business for 20 + years which was the subject of his first book, Treat Your Customers. Afterwards he worked in corporate America for Pfizer Inc. for 23 years in numerous successful roles and did business in over 30 countries. After leaving Pfizer, he joined a startup as Chief of Business Development, helping to bring a Big Idea to Market.Today he advises companies and CEOs, speaks to audiences everywhere and advances the idea that in order to GROW in times of change, we must think and act differently. We must embrace change. Find out more at https://bobmiglani.com/Purchase the book Make Your Own Luck on Amazon here

A pioneer in the cannabis and psychedelics industry, Ronan Levy has inspired millions of people to find healing and inspiration through elevated states of consciousness.His work and entrepreneurial endeavors have been featured in The New York Times, CNBC, Nature, Bloomberg, Forbes, Fast Company, The Economist, Report on Business, Robb Report and more. His work includes co-founding The Non-Ordinary Therapy Company Ltd., Canadian Cannabis Clinics, Field Trip Health Ltd. and Reunion Neuroscience Inc.. He is co-author of The Trip Journal (Libra Publishing) and The Ketamine Breakthrough (Hay House) and is host of the podcast How We Evolve. Find out more at:How We Evolve - A Non-Ordinary Podcast

Greg McDonough is a managing partner at Blackburn Capital. He works with businesses and organizations ranging from early-stage startups to $100 million enterprises.He has led companies through turnarounds, mergers, acquisitions, and other significant financial events. Whether a business is struggling to survive, or striving to grow effectively and efficiently, Greg has the tools and expertise to assure the process goes smoothly. He meticulously examines and assesses a company's financials and operations to help pave the way for success.As a seasoned entrepreneur himself, Greg has an extensive understanding of the challenges inherent in owning a business. He knows what it takes to guide a company through a tough turnaround.Greg is a certified insolvency and restructuring advisor (CRA), president of the Washington, DC chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), and the author of The Turnaround (2017).

Shelli Copelan Taylor is the CEO of Alamo Drafthouse. She joined Alamo in May 2020. She has rebuilt the executive team, bringing in leaders who are passionate and committed to Alamo's iconic brand, coupled with the required professional experience to grow and scale the brand. Today the company's culture is healthier than ever and – despite Covid and the industry headwinds – Alamo Drafthouse is outperforming the industry by 12% and in growth mode, adding six new franchisees and five corporate locations.Her 30-year global career spans the US, China, Taiwan, Starbucks Coffee Company, The Walt Disney Company, and Planet Fitness. Shelli is well known for leading high performance teams through rapid growth and transformation to achieve outsized results.Shelli joined Starbucks Coffee in 1992, when the pre-IPO company had fewer than 125 stores. As a store manager, Shelli quickly proved her capacity to drive sales through culture and leadership development. As a result, she was regularly called upon to take progressive roles of leadership in the organization in operations, real estate, human resource roles, food and beverage R&D, bakery and business development.Known for leading from the front to drive outsized results through culture and people, Shelli was relocated to Starbucks in Taiwan, where she successfully joined Starbucks joint venture partner to reimagine the customer journey and real estate strategy, resulting in an 11-point profit improvement. She then relocated to China to join the China Starbucks executive team. There she was part of the executive team that flipped the customer value proposition to meet the China market needs and thus solved the unit economic model that enabled rapid growth. In 2015 she was promoted to SVP, head of China Retail. She led the multi-billion China business, opened 500 stores (a store every 15 hours), and grew the market from 1200 stores to more than 3000 stores. At The Walt Disney Company in China Shelli scaled the newly formed business from five to 20 locations throughout China. In 2017, Shelli relocated back to the United States to repeat her success in Texas, scaling the largest Planet Fitness franchisee from 48 locations to 170 locations in two and half years through unit economic improvement, organic growth and M&A, resulting in sale of the company.Today she serves on the board for Fitness Connection, a regional high-value, low-priced fitness chain backed by Roark Capital. As a board director she provides thought leadership and guidance in the areas of company culture, strategy, member journey, capital investment and real estate for the CEO.Shelli also serves as an advisor for FestivalPass, a Texas based start-up. She has helped the founder with network and community connections to complete a successful capital raise.Shelli is the proud mother of Rory who is attending Syracuse University. She is committed to affordable housing, serving on the Austin Habitat for Humanity Board.Find out more at /in/shellitaylor/

Kerry Siggins, CEO of StoneAge, Inc. a fast growing manufacturing and technology company based in Colorado. Under Kerry's leadership, StoneAge has experienced double digit growth, year over year. In 2015, she successfully transitioned the company's ownership structure to an ESOP, ensuring that all employees share in the success of the company through employee ownership. Kerry is a helpful and impactful board member and business advisor due to her success and experience in scaling companies and building world-class cultures.Kerry is a dynamic, sought-after speaker who presents worldwide at corporations, universities, seminars, and conferences. She hosts several podcasts, including the wildly popular podcast Reflect Forward. She is an author, blogger, and contributor to Forbes, Entrepreneur, Authority Magazine, and BIC Magazine, and her blog is visited by thousands of readers each month.Find out more at kerrysiggins.com and /in/kerry-siggins/

In this interview we spoke to Mick Spiers, the CEO and Founder of The Leadership Project and the bestselling and award winning author of the book "You're a leader, now what?"His purpose is to empower leaders with all of the knowledge and skills they need to create amazing teams and amazing workspaces so that people fall in love with their jobs again" After a long and successful career as an executive in the Urban Mobility sector he has now shifted his focus from de-stressing the commute to de-stressing the workplace.Find out more at https://www.mickspiers.com/

Maryam Taheri is an advisor, business + executive coach, VC-backed founder, YC alum, leadership expert, and dog mom. She specializes in a people-centric and data driven approach to business and startups. You can connect with her and access all of her podcasts, articles, and resources here.

Daniel Lamarre is the executive vice chairman of Cirque du Soleil, a position he took after serving for nearly two decades as the circus and entertainment company's president and CEO. He is the author of, Balancing Acts: Unleashing the Power of Creativity in Your Life and Work, which describes how others can unleash Cirque's creative management techniques, even if they're not in the business of clowns and acrobats.Get in touch with Daniel on LinkedIn and Daniel.Lamarre [at] CirqueduSoleil.com

Craig Dowden (Ph.D.), a Certified Positive Psychology Coach, has a Doctorate in Psychology, with a concentration in Business. An engaging and inspiring coach, Craig partners with leaders and executives from diverse industries and sectors to work on their most important challenges. In his role as a trusted advisor, Craig integrates the latest findings in the science of leadership, team, and organizational excellence into his coaching and consulting work.Craig has been asked to share his thought leadership in leading HR and business publications, including the Huffington Post (U.S.), the Financial Post, the Financial Times, as well as Psychology Today.In 2009, Craig was recognized as one of Ottawa's Forty under 40 business leaders by the Ottawa Business Journal. Individuals under the age of 40 who “exemplify leadership, entrepreneurship and community building” are selected using three criteria: career accomplishments, professional expertise and community and charitable involvement.Find out more at https://craigdowden.com/Discover more:Interested in leadership and career coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Devin Schain is a serial entrepreneur who has successfully started and sold four companies and has invested in more than 40 start-ups and early stage businesses. Currently, Devin is Founder and CEO of Student Playbook.Devin has more than 30 years in numerous entrepreneurial ventures. As a sophomore at The University of Pennsylvania, Devin launched On Campus Marketing (OCM.) He sold OCM after building it to the point where it was working with almost 1,000 colleges and universities and sold to a public company. Another company Devin founded, Educational Direct became the leading consolidator of student loans on the internet before being sold in 2006 to the private equity firm Providence Equity Partners valued at $375,000,000.Also, Schain has invested in over 40 start up and early stage companies primarily in education, direct marketing and specialty finance. Schain is active in Young Presidents' Organization (YPO)In addition to being a serial entrepreneur, Devin is a dedicated philanthropist: he founded ShalomLearning an on-line Hebrew School with over 14,000 students and 1800 teachers. In addition, he cofounded, The Social Sector of Scaling Up which helps not for profits operate more like For Profits.He is married with three children and lives in the Washington DC area.Interested in getting in touch, reach out to devin [at] thestudentplaybook.comDiscover more:Interested in leadership or career coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Jules Lambries helps companies and leadership teams align and thrive. As a Professional EOS Implementer, former executive and board member for several companies, YPO Global Event Champion, Regional Board member, International Leadership Trainer for YPO, Chapter Chair, and member of the YPO's International Membership Council, Jules has over twenty-five years of experience developing and guiding fast-growth ventures, scaling family businesses, and leading nationally recognized consumer brands..Previously he served as President of PROBAR, creating plant-based food products for 14 years. Also concurrently he operates SiMPLURAL, an advisory service for high-growth CPG brands and services. http://www.saltpodcast.com/episodes/probarConnect with Jules on LinkedInDiscover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Liz Carter is a senior executive with broad expertise and a track record of success scaling high-growth companies in the consumer packaged goods industry, specializing in food/bev and dietary supplements categories.As a results-oriented leader, her experience ranges in implementing long-term and short-term strategies, setting goals, developing policies and procedures, enhancing team-based communication, and supporting the overall organizational mission, vision, and purpose.She has worked with brands such as Humm Kombucha, 5-hour ENERGY, Perfect Snacks — as President and COO — and, most recently, holds the position of CFO at Goli Nutrition Inc. She is thrilled to bring her expertise to more iconic brands, like CHOMPS and Petit Pot, taking on a board of advisors role.Connect with Liz Carter on LinkedInDiscover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

An experienced Corporate Director and CEO, Doug Drysdale has chaired the Board of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as CEO for the past 14 years, has built and turned around 4 pharmaceutical companies. During Doug's 30+ years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 16 corporate acquisitions across three continents and has raised around $4 billion of both public and private capital. Find out more about Cybin here and follow Doug on LinkedIn.Previously, Doug was Head of M&A at Actavis Group, leading 15 corporate acquisitions across three continents, between 2004 and 2008. Over this period, Doug raised approximately $3 billion of capital and managed lending syndicates including over 25 banks, to fund the company's growth. Actavis was sold to Watson Pharmaceuticals in 2012 for EUR4.25 billion.Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Eric Strafel is the founder of SUMMi7, which is focused on improving business and society by creating opportunities for underrepresented communities. For more than 25 years, the former corporate CEO and Fortune 500 executive has dedicated himself to building forward-thinking teams and scaling innovation to create transformational organizations that thrive in an increasingly entrepreneurial and purpose-driven world. Find out more about SUMMi7 , and connect with Eric on LinkedIn—-Previous leadership roles included Vice President of Strategy and Market Development for Boeing Global Services and President/CEO of Aviall, where he led the creation of the framework for Aviall's 20/20 vision for future growth. Prior to joining Aviall, Eric was Vice President of Supply Chain Management for L3 Communications, one of the largest defense companies in the U.S. He is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM). With years of experience as a leader in enterprise businesses, Eric is passionate about helping small and midsize companies grow profits and scale with purpose while leveraging their strengths, maintaining their values and harmonizing all of life's pursuits. He is on a mission to share collaborative leadership strategies and create opportunities for a more human-centric and inclusive planet. Eric is the author of The Frontline CEO to assist leaders in transforming their businesses to embrace and manage change while empowering their teams to fulfill their purpose. He holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Binghamton University. Eric sits on the Board of Directors of the Texas Diversity Council and the Irving Chamber of Commerce. He is an active and engaged father and husband living in Texas with his wife and three children. Eric enjoys the outdoors, staying fit and maintaining a wellness mindset. A world traveler with a global perspective, he has traveled across six continents both personally and professionally.Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Ben Cook is a hands on, people focused leader and board member with senior leadership roles at six Fortune 150 companies including Apple, The Home Depot, Kimberly-Clark and two startup cannabis ventures. He is currently the Chief Supply Chain officer for Spreetail and has over 20 years of leadership experience with a focus on leading startups, driving turnaround efforts, scaling revenue, invest to grow and global expansion.In this conversation, Ben and I discuss how to know yourself in order to lead others, and how to grow and evolve into an executive leader.Find out more about Ben on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cookben/—-Ben's passion and focus is on helping to shape strong values-based cultures where high performing teams master change and execute the vision for the next phase of the company's life. Ben has served on the Board of Advisors for several startup companies, the Auburn University College of Business and the University of Tennessee's Global Supply Chain Institute.He is also a US Army Special Operations veteran and is an avid outdoorsman and adventurer who can be frequently found hiking and camping the in Colorado wilderness.Ben is an avid learner who holds a BS in International Business from Auburn University, an MBA with a focus on Supply Chain Management from the University of Tennessee and multiple leadership and coaching certifications from The Wharton School, Harvard Business School and the Center for Creative Leadership.Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Rodney Bullard is the Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility for Chick-fil-A, Inc., Executive Director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation, and the author of Heroes Wanted: Why the World Needs You to Live Your Heart Out. He leads the Chick-fil-A, Inc. in their community engagement, philanthropic efforts and the sustainability strategy. Before beginning with Chick-fil-A, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney prosecuting difficult criminal cases. Due to his work, he was awarded by the United States Attorney General with the Department of Justice Director's Award. He's been selected as a White House Fellow, which is the nation's highest public service Fellowship. As a Fellow, he was placed at NASA working for the NASA Administrator. He is an alumnus of the Air Force Academy, Duke Law School, the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business and Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program. In this episode, Rodney Bullard and I discuss the importance of being your own hero, for yourself and the world, the importance of followers if you want to be a leader, and the concept of fulfillment.Learn more and connect with Rodney at the following links:LinkedInHeroes Wanted: Why the World Needs You to Live Your Heart OutInstagramTwitterDiscover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Andrew is an executive and board leader with a deep understanding of technology, innovation, and complex systems. As a physicist, program manager, and officer in the USAF he applied systems thinking to the full technology stack of command, control, communications, and intelligence (C3I) systems in airborne and space-based platforms. He has used that same approach across a broad array of industries and products to create value and sustainable superior performance.Over his career, his experiences in developing teams and implementing strategies have enabled innovation, growth, and profitability improvements in aerospace, commercial electronics, fast-moving consumer goods, and industrial sensors and safety products. He is an NACD Certified Director with experiences on Fortune 500 wholly owned subsidiaries, start-ups, private, and non-profit boards.He currently serves as Chairman and CEO for RealWear, and as a board member on the Finance Committee for the Rogers Group. RealWear is building the world's first voice-driven and fully ruggedized head-mounted tablet solution for connected industrial workers. It is the only wearable computer that has an inherently safe ATEX Zone-1 certified product for use in hazardous environments such as oil and gas production and chemical processing. RealWear's approach to augmented and assisted reality solutions is transforming how work is performed by addressing key challenges in workforce training, safety, and productivity with IoT data visualization, remote mentoring, and workflow applications. In this conversation, Andrew and I discuss the true meaning of leadership, the power of solitude, and how your strengths can become your weaknesses. Connect with Andrew on Twitter - andrewchros and LinkedIn - /in/andrewchrostowskiBook suggestions included; Team of Teams, Out of the Crisis, How to Win Friends and Influence People, and anything by Simon Sinek—-Prior to his current role, Andrew served briefly as COO, chaired the Advisory Board for RealWear, and was a member of the Audit Committee. The Rogers Group Inc. provides crushed stone, sand and gravel, asphalt and highway construction to the southeastern United States. In 2014, the company was ranked as the eighth largest aggregates producer in the nation (Aggregates Manager, July 2015). For the past several years, has remained the largest privately owned company in the aggregates industry.Additionally, Andrew consults and advises on issues of technology development, innovation, productivity, operations, cybersecurity, and digital strategies.Other roles included increasingly responsible positions in general management, operations, quality, compliance, and information systems with industry-leading companies such as Johnson Controls, Tyco, United Technologies, Goodrich, Energizer, Pfizer, Warner-Lambert, and Hitachi.He holds two undergraduate degrees in Engineering Physics from Oregon State University's Honor Program where he was a distinguished graduate of Air Force ROTC. He has a Master's Degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California and later completed a certificate of professional development at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.He is a founding member, Faculty Instructor, Board Advisor and Qualified Technology Executive of the Digital Directors Network, the only curated global network of digital executives, directors and organizations working together to improve digital competence and diversity in the corporate boardroom to shape and secure the digital future for everyoneDiscover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Emily Buckley is a COO at Cliff's Climbing + Fitness, a CrossFit Games Athlete, and an outdoor enthusiast. She has over a decade of multi-unit experience across a broad spectrum of fitness modalities. From Kickboxing, to CrossFit, to Rock Climbing, she's done it all: mopping floors, instructing classes, managing teams across multiple units, and currently running the operations of a multi-million dollar company.As a true believer in having a growth mindset, Emily is currently enrolled in Harvard Business School's Executive Education for High Potential Leaders. Her unique path to the executive suite is not for the faint of heart, and her relentless determination is what she credits for making it there.In this conversation, Emily and I discuss how to bushwhack a path to leadership in the fitness industry, how to earn trust as a leader when you are brand new to a space, and so much more.Learn more about Emily on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilybuckley2/Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Jason Scharf is an experienced strategy executive and active angel investor in the life science and digital health sectors. For the past 15 years, he has built and led teams in strategic planning, market intelligence, and innovation. Today he is the Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships for Kean Health a direct to consumer at home genomic and microbiome testing company.Connect with Jason on LinkedIn and make sure to check out Kean Health.In this conversation, Jason and I discuss the importance of being data driven, finding and setting your north star, and how the best idea wins.—-Prior to his role at Kean, he has worked across the healthcare sector at biopharma, genomics, and medtech companies including Illumina, Becton Dickinson, and Amgen. In addition to his roles within the corporate environment, Jason has served as a co-fund manager of the San Diego Angel Conference, an investor with Tech Coast Angels, and a mentor with the NexCubed Digital Health Accelerator. He has invested in ~40 emerging companies from Seed stage to Series B focusing on the convergence of technology and biology. He is also the creator and co-host of the Austin Next Podcast. An exploration of Austin's transformation into the next great innovation powerhouse, what it takes to accelerate the growth of an ecosystem, and what comes next. Jason Scharf earned his BA from University of California, San Diego and his MBA from the Rady School of Management at the University of California, San Diego.Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Tanu Grewal is a global brand builder and strategic marketer with over 15 years of experience working in mature and emerging markets like US, EMEA and India with companies in the CPG, durables, luxury and hospitality industries. She is passionate about using brand purpose to help drive innovation and marketing that creates real value and emotional engagement with consumers. In this conversation, Tanu and I discuss how leadership truly comes down to trust, and that provides the power to motivate and influence others toward their success as well as the organizations.Connect with Tanu on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanugrewal—-Tanu is currently the Vice President Marketing & Innovation at AlEn USA, a growth stage division of the global ALEN Group. Some of her top achievements at ALEN have been the launch of a natural, green cleaning brand called ‘Art of Green', building a world-class marketing team and enterprise wide organization capabilities. Prior to this, Tanu has worked on iconic brands like Kohler, Maytag and Whirlpool where she elevated commodity categories to lifestyle brands through a combination of award-winning product design, disruptive innovation and experiential marketing. Starting her career with Whirlpool North America, Tanu held a variety of marketing and product development positions over 8 years including an expat stint in Italy. Tanu holds a MBA degree from Rice University in Houston.Outside of work, Tanu is passionate about creating communities that enable people to thrive. Currently, she serves on the International Student Advisory Board at Rice University and as a board member for the South Asian Women's Professional Network.As a public speaker, Tanu's topics include launching and scaling a challenger brand and standing out in a crowded market through creative marketing. As an Indian woman, living in the US and working for a Mexican company (AlEn), she also speaks on navigating multicultural work and market landscapes. Tanu has been been interviewed by Forbes and delivered the keynote address for Coke FEMSA's Annual D&I conference in Mexico City, Women's Masters Network's Annual Meetup 2020 and the Houston AMA's Quarterly Luncheon. An avid traveler and consummate foodie, Tanu lives in Houston with her husband and son.Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Jake Dunlap, CEO and Founder of Skaled Consulting, is an industry influencer and C-Level Sales leader with more than a decade of experience. Jake has developed and led high-performing sales and operational functions for Fortune 500, Global 2000, and start-up organizations. Jake and the team at Skaled specialize in building out repeatable, sustainable processes.As a thought-leader with more than 22,000 followers across his platforms, Jake's audience gains valuable insights into scaling an organization, sales best practices, and general career motivation. Prior to Skaled, Jake was the first sales hire and VP of Sales at Glassdoor which was acquired by Recruit Holdings for $1.2Billion in 2018.In this conversation, Jake and I discuss how to become a dangerous leader and the balance between micro-managing, coaching, and throwing associates into the deep end.Follow Jake on LinkedIn and make sure to listen to his podcast, The Jake Dunlap ShowDiscover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Pete Maldonado, CEO and co-founder of CHOMPS is a natural entrepreneur. Prior to CHOMPS Maldonado spent the majority of his twenties, during and after college, as a Personal Trainer carefully studying product labels, nutrition facts and ingredients lists to build custom meal plans for his clients.Busy with work and always on-the-go, Maldonado was on the hunt for healthy snacks that were truly “clean”, high in protein, low in calories, and didn't sacrifice quality for taste. Upon realizing that options were limited and identifying a market need, Maldonado was determined to develop his own better-for-you meat snack alternative. Having met his business partner and fellow Co-founder, Rashid Ali, at a poker game in Chicago, Maldonado knew immediately that Ali's critical thinking coupled with his knowledge in finance and operations would perfectly compliment his own creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Together, their two-man team kicked off selling meat sticks direct-to-consumer through Facebook ads out of Pete's spare apartment bedroom. Chomps was profitable within the first 30 days and today, nearly 9 years later, Chomps is one of the fastest growing snack brands in the country, and the fastest growing natural meat stick brand on the market.In this conversation, Pete and I discuss the path to learning how to be a leader, “on the go",” and the power of transparency, asking for feedback, delegation, and proactive learning.Learn more about CHOMPs at chomps.com and follow Pete and CHOMPs on LinkedInDiscover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Tony Ambrozie currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer for Baptist Health South Florida, where he is responsible for technologies and digital transformation efforts. In this role, he has line responsibility for the Technology and Digital Division and oversees all technology and digital products supporting Baptist Health. In this conversation Tony and I discuss how to become a great leader, the intricacies of delegation, the power of reading, and the mindset and strategies that help you as an executive leader.Books mentioned during the episode:Leadership in Turbulent Times by Kearns GoodwinThe Ride of a Lifetime by Bob IgersWebsite for reading list: https://www.librarything.com/profile/tambrozieMake sure to connect with Tony on LinkedIn—-Before joining Baptist, Tony served as Senior Vice President, Technology and Digital at The Walt Disney Company. In this role, he was responsible for a number of digital and core systems and technologies, engineering, data analytics and machine learning for Disney Parks, Consumer Products, Games and Publishing. Prior to joining Disney in 2013, Tony was Vice President for Digital Platform Technologies at American Express where he was responsible for platform engineering, shared services development and application security, with previous roles focused on application architecture, development, engineering and performance.He is a proven leader in the technology and digital space with a keen focus on using technology and data to enhance the consumer experience. Prior to spending the past two decades focused on large business operations, he launched his technology career as the cofounder of a software development startup, specializing in building unique, small business applications. He holds a dual MBA and Master's Degree in Information Management from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Elly Perets, joined as CEO of Asterra, a technology by Utilis in 2015. Previously, he founded Progressive Labs and served as the CEO, providing an innovative SAAS-based software solution for retailers worldwide.In this conversation, Elly, and I discuss how to build a culture of innovation and prioritization, the gift of boredom, and the importance of saying no in order to say yes.Find out more about Asterra at https://asterra.io/ and connect with Elly on LinkedIn.—-Elly also previously served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Pageflex Inc., a US-based company, operating from Marlborough MA, providing web-based branding, documenting compassion engines, and campaign management solutions.He has a vast knowledge in the Theory of Constraints having served as a consultant at the Goldratt Group. Prior to that, Elly served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Press-sense Ltd., a web-based software management systems provider.Elly holds a Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, The Wharton School and the School of Engineering & Applied Science as well as a Law degree (L.L.B) and a Business degree from the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzlia, Israel.Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Cordell Bennigson, is an experienced leader with a diverse background spanning public and private companies, large and small businesses, for profit and not-for-profit organizations, and military and private sector careers. He is currently a leadership instructor with Echelon Front and an independent coach and advisor for executives and teams.In this conversation, Cordell and I discuss how change is a constant, and leadership is more about building trust and empowering others through the unknown than it is about doing or specific technical expertise.—-Prior to Echelon front Cordell was the CEO of Capco, LLC., a privately held middle-market engineering, design, and manufacturing company serving the Department of Defense, Law Enforcement, and Aerospace customers, and the President and CEO of Durcon Inc. - the world's largest manufacturer of epoxy-resin work surfaces for use in laboratories. The business was acquired by Wilsonart International in 2013.Prior to his work in the private sector, Cordell served for nine years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He flew AV-8B Harrier jets and achieved the rank of Major. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his work as a Forward-Air Controller planning, coordinating, and conducting the air campaign for the Marine Corps as a member of General Mattis's staff with the First Marine Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom.Out of high school, Cordell was recruited for crew to the University of California at Berkeley where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and completed the Developing a Leading-Edge Operations Strategy Executive Program at the M.I.T. Sloan School of Business. He was born and raised in Boston, lived and studied in Europe, and has traveled extensively throughout Asia, Central America, and Russia.In addition to serving on the boards of Capco and Durcon, Cordell was a member of the board of Dulce Vida Spirits, was a founding board member of the Austin Regional Manufactures Association, served two terms on the board for the Taylor Economic Development Corporation, and was a member of the Young Presidents Organization.Cordell and his wife Jennifer have been married for twenty-six years. They live in Austin, Texas and have three children, Rylan (21), Cavan (19), and Taya (15). Cavan and Rylan both currently attend the University of Texas at Austin.His top hobby is personal fitness which often takes the form of running, cycling, weight training, yoga, and hiking. He has an interest in the arts and entertainment and is an Associate Producer of an independent film currently in production in Houston, Texas. In the summers, he and his family enjoy escaping the Texas heat to spend time on the lake at their family home in Damariscotta, Maine.Reach out and connect to Cordell at cordellbennigson@gmail.comFind out more at http://www.cordellbennigson.com/Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Doug Bouton is the cofounder of Halo Top, the iconic low-calorie ice cream brand that grew to more than $300 million in sales and became the #1 selling ice cream in the United States, outselling the likes of Ben & Jerry's, Haagen-Dazs, and Breyers.Halo Top sold its business in September 2019, after which Doug spun out Halo Top's international operations into Halo Top International where he currently serves as CEO. Halo Top is sold in more than 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, Chile, Russia, Korea, and China.In 2021, Doug launched Gatsby Chocolate, the first-ever and only low-calorie chocolate brand that's positioned to disrupt the chocolate and confectionery category much like Halo Top disrupted the ice cream category. Doug studied mathematics and theology in college and, after graduating, he attended law school where he received his law degree.In this conversation, Doug and I discuss how to embed values within an organization, and how continuous learning and self-awareness is the foundation of success.Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Nirit Harel, A veteran of the Israeli start-up environment with 20+ years of turnaround, marketing, and management experience positioning ventures for growth, public offering, and acquisition, including MRV Communications which subsequently reached a valuation of $5B+ (NASDAQ MRVC).Nirit has extensive experience negotiating partnerships with world leaders in the European Framework Program/ Horizon 2020, winning and managing multi-year European Commission technology development bids for the world's most established and promising innovators.Nirit serves as Chair of Intergam Communications Ltd, one of Israel's most respected tech innovation and EC development consultancies. She serves as global Chair of the YPO Entrepreneurship & Innovation Network, was most recently selected as a regional honoree of the prestigious YPO Hickok Distinguished Service Award, and is the recipient of the organization's most innovative event award. Ms. Harel is a frequent speaker on women's leadership and entrepreneurship, Israeli innovation and triple bottom line.In this conversation, Nirit and I discuss the balance of being kind over being right, and the importance of learning in regards to leadership.To learn more about Nirit Harel with Impact Manhattan, connect, or support Nirit's journey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niritharel/

Tinia Pina began her career in sustainability as a former student pursuing a Masters of Science degree at Columbia University prior to becoming the CEO and Founder of Re-Nuble, Inc., an agricultural technology company headquartered in New York City. As a strong advocate for sustainable waste management and regenerative agriculture, she has been involved in management and business development roles within the sustainability industry for at least ten years.In this conversation, Tinia and I discuss how emotional intelligence is the driver and key to impactful leadership.Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter

Paul Smith is the founder of Twelve Rivers and Rise Title. He grew up in New England and made a 4-year pit stop at Fort Hood before making his way down to Austin. The Army instilled in Paul many of the core values that he lives by today including honesty, integrity, and an unparalleled work ethic. Austin afforded him the opportunity to turn his passion into a career and he co-founded Twelve Rivers Realty in 2011. This year he was a Platinum Top 50 centurion and ABJ Top 25 winner.Paul is also involved with a variety of organizations throughout Austin. He's an ambassador for local charities including LifeWorks, Habitat for Humanity, Hope Gallery and Explore Austin. He utilizes his relationships to champion the success of such organizations. In 2019 alone, the combined efforts of himself and both his companies, Twelve Rivers and Rise Title, donated over $50,000 of charitable contributions.Paul is a proud father and devoted husband. He enjoys spending quality time with his family exploring the endless offerings of life in Austin, TX.In this conversation, Paul and I discuss how to engage and retain talent while also cultivating excellence throughout an organization.Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter.

Daniel Nicholson is the CEO of NadaMoo!, a plant-based ice cream brand based in Austin, Texas. Daniel discovered NadaMoo!, for himself, in 2008 after an introduction he received to the founder and her CFO business partner. Since immediately falling in love with the product and brand, NadaMoo! has become his sole focus for the past 13+ years.He started as the Controller, and after 3 years of this accounting, operations related work, the founder of the company was ready to step out to pursue other opportunities. In that moment, after much thought and reflection, Daniel decided to step into the role of President & CEO, and he never looked back.Since 2011, the company has grown its revenue over 50x, from being distributed in just a few hundred stores to now when it is in over 10,000 stores nationwide, and it is beginning to be distributed more widely in Canada. NadaMoo! has been the driving force, for Daniel, to help build awareness around health, wellness, and sustainability. These are the problems he and the NadaMoo! team want to continue to solve.In this conversation, Daniel and I discuss the key to growing as an authentic leader, the meaning of success, and how to create balance throughout the demands of being an executive.Connect on Instagram, Facebook, and TwitterDiscover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter.

Christine Mei is the CEO of Gathered Foods, makers of Good Catch®, a chef-driven revolutionary food company developing flavorful, 100% plant-based seafood alternatives.She is a global leader with extensive consumer goods experience - based in the US, China, and Hong Kong - with roles in general management, marketing, strategy, sales, and operations. Christine has held various leadership positions at the global, regional, and local levels across Beiersdorf, Royal Philips, The Coca-Cola Company, The Dow Chemical Company, Nike and Procter & Gamble.Most recently, Christine has been an investor and mentor for SKU, a CPG accelerator based in Austin TX, and also serves on the Board of Directors for Naturally Austin. She holds a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from The University of Texas and an MBA from Rice University.In this conversation, Christine and I discuss the critical importance of developing a leadership legacy, how true leadership develops through difficult times, and how we need to find opportunities to think outside of the day to day.Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter.

Rodney Northern is a Managing Partner at the Nucleus Group, CTO at the Behavioral Science Lab, and faculty member at the University of Texas, McCombs School of Business where he lectures and coaches in the curriculum of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.He has been a corporate executive for over two decades specializing in brand marketing, business/product innovation and human centered design for many of today's leading CPG organizations.Through his innovative business approach, market insights and organizational leadership he has led to the development of over $15 billion in sustainable retail sales and services that continue to grow today. As a consultant, he has partnered to helped clients in over 50 different industries including but not limited to; mass market retailers, telecommunications, fast food, automotive, education, the airline industry, banking, adult beverages, consumer packaged goods, retail, cosmetics, nonprofits, health care, wellness beverages and many others. He has also led turnaround work for both profit and not for profit businesses.In this conversation, Rodney and I discuss the critical importance of leading like an entrepreneur, being authentic and creating an environment for others to be authentic, believing that it will work out, and trusting yourself when making career decisions..Resources [Books] mentioned:Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and GreatnessPlaying to Win: How Strategy Really WorksValue Proposition Design: How to Create Products and Services Customers WantThe Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing WorldDiscover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter.

Shermin Kruse is an executive, attorney, consultant, author, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law adjunct professor, TED talk producer garnering millions of views, and thought leader with a long history of civic engagement. Shermin is the founder and CEO of My Reality Cubed, providing organizational and management consulting; leadership, diversity, and inclusion training; stoic tactical empathy training; as well as executive coaching services to top level executives. She is also the interim CEO of Innovation80, a new Donor Advised Fund distributing over a dozen five figure grants to, and coalition building between, arts organizations in Chicago's under-served communities.Ms. Kruse was recently named as the 2018 Woman Extraordinaire by the International Women Associates, featured by various global publications for her humanitarian work. She was named one of the nation's top 100 “Women to Watch” by BizWomen Magazine, one of Chicago's most influential women by Chicago Business Journal, and one of Chicago's Women of Inspiration by Today's Chicago Magazine.In this conversation, Shermin and I discuss the importance of building lasting relationships, continuous learning and growth, tactical empathy and negotiation, leading with curiosity, and the meaning of success. Make sure to connect with her on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.Discover more:Interested in coaching services, check out Live for Yourself Consulting and Dr. Benjamin Ritter.