The Savage Leader Podcast

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Som Shahapurkar, leading AI expert and founder of OzzSom AI. Som discusses the current state of AI, the importance of guardrails in preventing unintended consequences, why you should prioritize curiosity over judgement, and everything you need to know about ChatGPT, AI, and its future in society. OzzSom AI guides small and medium business to adopt AI cost effectively to grow their business, improve efficiency or become lean, with expertise across fintech, health tech, telematics, manufacturing, IoT, automation, and document processing.Show Notes:How Som became interested in Artificial Intelligence [00:58]Where AI started and where we are today [2:54]Defining neural networks [5:30]Defining generative AI [7:48]What ChatGPT is and how people are using it [10:22]Understanding the robustness of ChatGPT's data set [15:04]Where did ChatGPT come from [17:50]What is next in the near term for ChatGPT [21:40]What guardrails are needed for AI to be more efficient [25:13]Understanding the greatest misconception surrounding AI [30:35]Describing the next wave of AI [33:09]Where you can go to learn more about AI [37:22]Links:Som on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahapurkar

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Zack Zarrillo, the co-founder of Alternate Side, a full service music company that represents a diverse roster of platinum and gold talent with a combined catalog of over 5 Billion streams throughout alternative, rock, indie, electronic, and metal. Zack shares how he got into the music business, how he creates brands and businesses for his artists, the raging epidemic of mental health in music industry, how he got involved in the donut business, and why he tells his artists that nobody can care more about their music than they can.Show NotesWhere Zack found his passion for music [00:58]The moment Zack knew he could make a living from music [3:00]How the Property of Zack blog was started by accident [4:30]Navigating an acquisition as an 18-year-old [6:22]How Zack went from blogging to band manager [7:48]Understanding the different roles within the music industry [8:58]How Zack used his brand manager experience to start a business [10:14]The arc of success in music [12:16]Understanding the economics of music [14:12]How Zack helps educate his clients on how to take better deals [16:18]How Zack works with his clients to be more proactive in guiding their careers [19:28]How Zack builds a brand out of each artist [21:20]Helping artists stay both relevant and viable [23:37]How Zack addresses the issue of mental health within the music industry [25:49]Zack's definition of Greatness [29:25]How Zack got involved in the donut business [31:13]

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with the Jonathan Friedman, Co-Founder and President of Volo Beauty, about his entrepreneurial journey. Jonathan shares insights into how he dealt with failure as an entrepreneur, how he learned to not take things personally, and how he developed a strong enough risk profile to take the entrepreneurial leap.Volo Beauty is a leading hair care brand dedicated to transforming peoples' daily hair routine. With a mission to make drying and styling your hair easier, faster, and healthier, Volo Beauty has created innovative products that harness the power of cutting-edge technology and thoughtful design. Volo Beauty is committed to empowering individuals to embrace their natural beauty and simplifying their hair care routine with exceptional quality and exceptional results.Show Notes:When Jonathan knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur [00:57]How Jonathan went from a MBA student to an entrepreneur [3:53]The sequence of Jonathan's career [5:29]What Jonathan learned from being a scrappy salesperson [7:21]Jonathan's journey and key lessons learned from his machine shop and a software company [10:13]How Jonathan became comfortable with the risks associated with entrepreneurship [13:06]How Jonathan managed the personal toll entrepreneurship took [16:38]The Volo Beauty Story [19:40]How Jonathan successfully executed the art of the pivot [20:50]The moment Jonathan felt like he “made it” [25:46]How Volo engineered a wireless hair dryer [28:43]Why Jonathan decided to raise additional money to pursue the cordless hair dryer [30:44]What's next for Volo [32:23]The challenges Volo has faced while scaling [33:54]The most important lessons Jonathan has learned from his entrepreneurial journey [35:30]Links:https://volobeauty.com/https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=Volo

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with former Navy Submarine Commander and Sparton CEO William Toti. William discusses what it's really like to live on a submarine for months on end, the key leadership lessons he learned from the navy, solutions to help transitioning military members thrive, why companies need to hire more veterans, and so much more!Show Notes:-William's original goal of becoming an astronaut [1:06]-What it's like being in a submarine for extended periods of time [4:36]-How being a submarine captain influenced William's leadership and communication style [6:27]-The evolution of William's career and how he transitioned out of the navy [9:47]-The crucial skills William developed that led to his rapid ascent to CEO [16:34]-The importance of mentorship in growing your career [21:43]-The biggest misconception civilians have with transitioning military members [24:58]-William's suggestions for overcoming the three biggest barriers transitioning military members face [28:06]-The endless benefits companies receive by hiring veterans [30:35] Links:Book: https://williamtoti.com/from-co-to-ceo-book/Website: https://williamtoti.com/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with musician and founding member of the band Hed PE and Korn guitarist, Wes Geer. Wes shares his experience falling in love with music, his inspiring story about addiction and how he overcame it, the factors that led him to starting to Rock to Recovery, and how Rock to Recovery is helping people battling addiction and mental illness all around the world.Rock to Recovery helps people heal and transform their lives through the powerful experience of writing, playing, and performing music as a group.Show Notes:What Wes was interested in as a kid [00:50]Wes's first experience playing music [2:42]When Wes realized becoming a professional musician was a viable path [5:07]How Wes took guitar playing and turned it into a career [7:30]Why Wes embraced vulnerability out on stage [12:14]Why receiving validation from music is as magical as love [14:05]Wes's experience writing for his audience and witnessing their reactions live [15:53]How Wes prepared for playing in front of large audiences [16:55]How Wes overcomes negative feedback regarding his music [21:29]What led Wes to start Rock to Recovery [25:28]Benefits of Rock to Recovery participation [35:10]What inspired Wes to turn Rock to Recovery into a business [38:24]Rock to Recovery's work with military veterans [40:30] Links:Rock to Recovery on InstagramRock to Recovery on FacebookWes Geer's Book on AmazonRock to Recovery WebsiteWes Geer on Instagram 

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Crossing Borders. Dan shares stories of hope from some of the North Korean women he has worked with over the last 20 years, the spark that led him to creating Crossing Borders, his personal definition of Greatness, and so much more!Crossing Borders is a non-profit dedicated to helping North Korean refugees who cross the border into China for food and medical assistance. They are a faith-based organization devoted to helping these refugees and their children live safe, healthy and productive lives. Show Notes:Understanding the North Korean refugee crisis [00:46]When Dan became aware of the crisis and his spark to take action [3:44]How Dan established a nonprofit to directly solve the crisis [6:20]How Dan steered their nonprofit away from an American centric view and created a real organization [8:38]How Dan overcame the challenges associated with raising money [10:43]Describing early day challenges of having to overcome the American stereotypes many North Korean's believed [12:51]Understanding the services Crossing Borders provides [16:48]How Crossing Borders successfully grows their community despite the need for high levels of secrecy [20:40]The key differences Dan sees between for profit and nonprofit organizations [21:57]What Dan has learned about himself as a leader over the last ten years [24:27]Dan's personal definition of Greatness [27:33]What's next for Crossing Borders [31:15]

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with the founder and CEO of Supermojo, Amir Sarhangi. Amir discusses his original spark for entrepreneurship, why conviction is the most important part of entrepreneurship, his decision to start another company after a successful exit, how he become interested in NFTs and so much more!Supermojo is a financing platform designed to make digital assets more accessible for users. The platform facilitates point-of-sale financing, like layaway, to make NFT purchases easier and collateralized lending for improved post-sale liquidity. Supermojo's initial focus is to partner with marketplaces and storefronts to offer these services. Show Notes:Amir's original spark for entrepreneurship [00:38]Amir's first successful startup [1:55]Embracing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship [4:18]Amir's process for creating alignment with his team [8:06]Amir's motivation to start another company after having a successful first exit [11:22]Defining a non-fungible token (NFT) [14:33]The current applications of NFTs [19:20]What companies are doing to get into the NFT space [27:01]How legacy companies can incorporate NFTs within their business [30:40]How video games can help you understand NFTs [36:58]How to harness the underlying technology of NFTs as a business owner [38:40]How Amir prioritizes learning and growth within his business [41:38]Where you can go to learn more about crypto, NFTs, and Supermojo [45:36]        Links:https://supermojo.com/https://www.coinbase.com/https://www.dapperlabs.com/candy

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of Pray.com, Mike Lynn. Mike discusses how is mom being swindled out of money during his childhood led him to pursue wealth management, why he left a very successful career at Merrill Lynch to pursue entrepreneurship, why you can't book smart your way into being an entrepreneur, and so much more.Pray.com was launched in 2017 with a mission to grow faith, cultivate community, and leave a legacy of helping others. Today, Pray.com is the world's No. 1 app for daily prayer with more than 12 million downloads. In addition to helping people make prayer a priority with its mobile app, Pray.com produced the Bible in a Year podcast, which hit #1 on Spotify in the religion category.Show Notes:Mike Lynn's background in Green Bay, Wisconsin [1:13]How Mike used his mom's financial tragedy as fuel to manage other people's wealth [3:55]What greatness looked like to Mike at a young age [5:22]How Mike used his sense of greatness to achieve success within financial services [7:09]Why Mike looked for other opportunities beyond wealth management [9:23]The moment Mike learned about Pray.com [12:50]Why Mike walked away from an incredibly successful career to pursue Pray.com [17:06]How Mike leads with values within his personal and professional life [20:36]Why Mike never considered himself a leader [23:29]The practical steps Mike took to learn to lead a mission driven team [26:56]What Mike is working on to become a better leader as Pray.com continues to grow [29:02]Why authenticity is so critical in leadership [34:55]Lessons learned from the pandemic [36:06]Links:Website: http://pray.com/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with singer songwriter Christian Gibbs. Christian discusses how he got into the music business, how he joined iconic 80s band Modern English, how he balances commercial pressure from record labels with his desire to create authentic music, how he uses music to help kids, and so much more. Show Notes:The spark that led Christian to music [0:38]Christian's fascination with song writing [1:15]Embracing the vulnerability that comes with song writing [2:33]What inspired Christian's early songs [3:23]How Christian harvests his creative ideas and captures them within his music [4:45]How the audience influences how Christian's songs unfold [8:05]Christian's big break [9:21]Overcoming the pressure associated with performing in front of a large audience [11:25]Christian's routine to be prepared when it matters most [15:12]Why high levels of self-confidence are needed to succeed in music [18:47]How Christian balances commercial pressure with being authentic as a songwriter [22:30]How music is entrepreneurship [27:45]How Christian continues to grow in his craft [29:39]Why Christian starting working with Rock to Recovery [31:13]Christian's latest song [35:00]

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Beth Thorp, co-founder and executive director of the Mitchell Thorp Foundation. Beth discuss how losing her son to a mysterious illness led her and her husband to starting the Mitchell Thorp Foundation, how they harnessed their grief and turned it into purpose, the positive impact their foundation has had on kids with life threatening illnesses, their families, and their communities and so much more!Mitchell Thorp Foundation's mission is to support families whose children suffer from life-threatening illnesses, diseases, and disorders by providing financial and emotional resources to help with their desperate situations.Show Notes:The story behind the Mitchell Thorp Foundation [0:57]How Beth found the courage to start the foundation and honor her son's legacy [4:59]The strategies Beth and Brad Thorp utilized to maximize their foundation's impact [9:55]How Beth goes about engaging her community and attracting volunteers [14:43]The early struggles of running a nonprofit and how Beth overcame them [18:22]An example of Beth's nonprofit helping a local family in need [21:43]The future of the Mitchell Thorp Foundation [24:45]Links:Website: https://www.mitchellthorp.org/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Claudia Castellanos, founder and CEO of Black Mamba Foods. Claudia discusses how a decision to volunteer in Africa led her to find her life's purpose, the importance of metrics and accountability for social impact businesses, how Black Mamba Food measures their impact, and how companies can expand their influence and make a difference.Black Mamba's range of chili sauces, chili pastes, pestos, chutneys and jams are all made with organically grown ingredients sourced locally, and “no added nonsense” - they don't add any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. They source their fresh ingredients through Guba, a local permaculture NGO. Guba collaborates with 50 local farmers who grow fresh organic herbs and chilis for their products through regenerative farming methods. The direct positive impact of this partnership reaches over 1,000 individuals in Eswatini.Show Notes:Claudia's journey from growing up in Bogota, Columbia to starting a business is Eswatini, Southern Africa [1:02]Why Claudia originally hoped to never work with food again [3:36]Claudia's quest to find her purpose [4:30]How Claudia became clear on her "Why" [7:47]Transitioning from part-time volunteering to full-time employment in Africa [9:42]The early challenges of starting Black Mamba Foods [11:22]The critical marketing strategies Black Mamba Food deployed to gain access to new markets [13:40]How Black Mamba Foods connected with customers and developed products for local markets [15:38]Black Mamba Food's impact on the community [17:52]The future of Black Mamba Foods [21:43]Claudia's advice for companies wanting to have a greater impact [23:40]The practical steps companies can take to be more effective in having an impact [25:22]Why you must run your business successfully to have a true impact [26:55]How Black Mamba Foods measures their social impact [30:54]Links:Black Mamba Foods Website: https://blackmambachilli.com/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Ryan Mulvany, Founder and President of Quiverr. Ryan shares how he turned a side hustle into a scalable company that he eventually sold, the importance of trust in scaling critical business relationships, and how his willingness to lean into being different has helped him in both business and in life.Quiverr is a leader in full-service Amazon Marketplace Optimization. They help brands increase their revenue utilizing years of understanding Amazon's A9 search algorithm, advertising platforms, conversion rate optimization, channel management, and more.Show Notes:Ryan's first spark with entrepreneurship [1:20]Where Ryan originally saw his career going [2:18]The catalyst that introduced Ryan to Amazon [4:34]The evolution of Ryan's Amazon sales journey [4:45]How the launch of the Kindle introduced Ryan to drop shipping [7:52]What sparked the transition from a fun side hustle into a full blown business [9:20]How Ryan built trust with huge brands in the marketplace [12:19]The business models Ryan and his partners used to exponentially scale the business [15:37]The big lessons Ryan had to learn to evolve into an effective CEO [17:46]How Ryan inspires an entrepreneurial spirit within his employees [19:37]How Ryan navigated making decisions based on gut instinct vs. tangible data [23:52]Navigating the discomfort that arises from “being different” [29:36]The areas Ryan embraces as being good, not great [31:20]How Ryan thinks about building his own personal brand [34:50]Why Ryan is a believer in balancing your life by living in the plurality [37:10]Ryan's advice on how to embrace greater creativity and adopt broader perspectives [39:20]Links:Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmulvany

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Akshay Sateesh, president of Ziksana Consulting. Akshay discusses how going to school in Malaysia with kids from over 100 different countries equipped him with values of curiosity and adaptability, how improv inspired a career change, and the importance of bringing "play" into the workplace.Show Notes:Akshay's unique multi-cultural background and how it has shaped his life's perspective [0:57]How celebrating multiple cultures led to Akshay's values of curiosity and adaptability [2:30]Akshay's next steps after moving out of Malaysia [4:54]What defined Akshay's “awakening” and what drove him to make a shift [8:01]Defining Improv and the difference between short form and long form [11:01]How play shows up for adults [13:20]How Akshay integrates play within the workplace [15:53]Darren and Akshay bring play to the podcast [19:19]Why you can't be creative until you are playful [25:58]How you can effortlessly introduce play into your workplace [29:20]What you can do to cultivate a greater sense of play within yourself and others [33:16]How to connect play to your work environment for greater results [36:41]Links:Ziksana Consulting Group websiteZiksana InstagramZiksana LinkedIn

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with business author Mike Michalowitz. Mike discusses his entrepreneurial, how he went bankrupt after starting and selling multiple successful companies, how he found his calling of eradicating entrepreneurial poverty, and why psychological ownership is the key to getting the most out of your people.Mike is the author of seven business books published by Penguin Random House, including Get Different, Profit First and Clockwork, and is the former host of the "Business Rescue" segment for MSNBC's Your Business.Show Notes:Finding your greater why [1:26]How Mike's greater why became eradicating entrepreneurial poverty [3:14]How Mike goes about living out his calling [5:33]How Mike infuses his purpose within the executives and leaders he helps [7:47]The key component most companies miss that costs them high levels of employee engagement [12:26]Why psychological ownership is the most important determinant of an individual's success within their role [15:18]Techniques to improve psychological ownership within your organization [18:58]Mike's new book and why he wrote it [21:28]Links:Clockwork.lifemikemotorbike.com

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Leigh Steinberg, a premiere sports agent, author, and philanthropist. Leigh discusses the skillsets learned from negotiating with Ronald Reagan, his journey to becoming a successful sports agents, the importance of strong values, and why you should go to a planetarium if you need perspective.During his 41-year career, Leigh Steinberg has represented over 300 professional athletes in football, baseball, basketball, boxing, and Olympic sports. He has represented the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft a record eight times and is often credited as the real-life inspiration for the sports agent in Cameron Crowe's film Jerry Maguire. Show Notes:What Leigh was passionate about growing up in Los Angeles [1:09]What drew Leigh to attend UC Berkeley over UCLA [3:01]What Leigh learned from negotiating against Ronald Reagan [4:32]Why learning how to listen is the key to developing trust [6:44]The difficult lessons Leigh learned that helped him become fully present [10:28]The practical steps Leigh takes to understand the finiteness of life [15:00]How Leigh sharpened his skillsets when first becoming a sports agent [16:10]The techniques Leigh uses to help athletes develop their own brands [20:14]How Leigh evaluates clients to determine their viability as a brand [23:13]How social media has impacted Leigh's clients and their brands [26:24]How athletes' brands have changed over the years and how Leigh helps coach life after athletics [27:48]How Leigh continues to live out his father's strong values [33:48]What's next for Leigh [38:45]

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Aaron Fulkerson, a technology entrepreneur, founder of MindTouch, and a General Manager for ServiceNow. Aaron talks about his untraditional path into technology, why he thinks you should run a company like a sports team instead of a family, why generalists are less likely to be displaced by technology, and so much more! Show NotesAaron's untraditional background and why he started his career later than most [1:12] The lessons Aaron learned from solo travel in the woods [3:15]How domestic travel led Aaron to philanthropy [4:45]How Aaron created a career in technology [9:16]Understanding open source projects and how it can integrate within a business model [12:01]How you can apply open source concepts within your own business [14:26]The implications of creating a technology company without venture capital [16:55]How Aaron navigated being a first time CEO when founding MindTouch [18:56]How Aaron built a strong value system at his first company [22:37]How you execute on a vision and how it differs between startups and large companies [26:03]How middle managers and below can successfully execute on a vision [31:15]Why Aaron feels he's been successful in sales [34:03]Why you need to always Start with Why [36:09]Why leadership requires pathological optimism [39:27]The value of being a specialist vs a generalist [40:06]

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Brad Lee, former president and CEO of Breg. Brad discusses his interest in engineering from an early age, the “Aha” moment that led him on his journey to becoming a CEO, the most important lessons he learned from leaning into his fears, and so much more!Show Notes:How taking apart household appliances as a little kid led Brad to engineering [1:06]Why Brad decided to pursue chemical engineering [2:27]What career Brad hoped to pursue after graduating college [5:15]How Brad learned to become a sales person [7:20]The evolution of Brad's career from engineering to sales and to marketing [9:34]The moment Brad decided he wanted to be a CEO [12:38]What skills, behaviors, and experiences Brad sought out on his journey to becoming CEO [15:00]Why people are so afraid of saying “I Don't Know” [19:25]Why leaning into a fear is smart and productive [22:16]Brad's advice for those struggling to lean into their fears [25:09]The major differences between running a private and a public company [30:56]How Brad's leadership style evolved between managing a private and public company [34:16]The benefits of humility within leadership [35:56]How Brad embraced delegating and learned to trust as a CEO [40:58]

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Casey Georgeson, Founder and CEO of Saint Jane. Casey discusses how a $10,000 loan during the Great Depression started her family's legacy of entrepreneurship, the importance of work life balance as a founder and CEO, why she feels the most successful and powerful brands are emotional, and CBD's array of health benefits.Saint Jane is a luxury CBD beauty company that is small-batch-crafted in California with thoughtful ingredients for an unparalleled skincare experience.Show Notes:Casey's spark for pursuing entrepreneurship [1:05]Why Casey believes the most powerful branding is emotional [5:25]How Casey's great grandmother started the country's two largest wine companies during the Great Depression [10:33]Understanding the Saint Jane Story and why it was Casey's clearest brand idea yet [14:52]How Casey navigated the early stages of starting her brand [19:18]The three legs of Saint Jane's brand positioning [21:00]How Casey manages the perceptions and expectations of being a founder and representing a brand [21:43}How Casey effectively manages brand perception [25:28]How Casey navigates advocating for CBD [27:24]Why Saint Jane's mission is to heal people's skin [28:27]How Casey balances growing her business with prioritizing her family [31:00]Why sleep and HIIT workouts act as Casey's guardrails in sustaining performance [37:02]A sneak peak into the future of Saint Jane [40:16]Where you can find Saint Jane's products [41:23]Links:Website: https://saintjanebeauty.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saintjanebeauty/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Chris Fisher, the Oklahoma Thunder's play by play announcer. Chris discusses how his passion for sports started at an early age, why his first job taught him the importance of hard work and embracing the “grind”, why versatility is a critical component in achieving success, and so much more.Show Notes:How Chris got involved in sports [1:06]Chris's early successes as a sports broadcaster [4:57]How authenticity and curiosity led to Chris's first big breakthrough in broadcasting [10:24]Why Chris's first job was a good baptism for rugged, hard work [14:10]How Chris stood out from the pack and got that next job [17:49]The big break that led Chris to becoming an NBA announcer [20:38]How Chris overcame imposter syndrome when announcing his first NBA game [24:18]How Chris found his authentic style as an announcer [26:53]The one skill Chris puts more effort into than anything else [30:44]How mentors have contributed to Chris's success [32:24]Why Chris believes that “versatility will take you places” [36:53]How Chris stays sharp and pushes himself to be better [40:15]How Chris creates intention behind everything he does [43:04]Where is Chris Fisher? [46:06]

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Sanjit Singh, a serial entrepreneur who has launched several tech start-ups and had two successful exits. Sanjit discusses the art of the pivot, why you should create playbooks for your organization, how your business can thrive by adopting a startup mindset, and so much more. Show Notes:Why Sanjit jumped into entrepreneurship [1:10]Key lessons Sanjit learned before beginning his entrepreneurship journey [2:15]How sales equipped Sanjit to thrive in startups [2:47]Sanjit's leap from his corporate job to his first startup [4:11]Understanding the paradox of pivots [7:20]Defining pivots throughout Sanjit's career [9:35]How Sanjit builds the engine for repeatable and predictable revenue [11:39]The process behind building a flywheel [14:24]Why you should create playbooks for your business [16:45]The biggest mistakes companies make in developing their sales and marketing practices [19:12]How startup principles can be applied to larger, more established organizations [25:17]The key trends and gaps Sanjit is seeing within companies and leadership [26:40]The impact Sanjit is striving for with his company, BOLTT.io [31:14]The future for Sanjit and BOLTT.io [33:39] Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjitsingh3/Website: https://boltt.io/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Billy McKnight, head basketball coach at Prolific Prep. Billy shares his journey to becoming a professional coach, how he creates team chemistry with a team of uber achievers, the impact of NIL on athletic development, preparing high school kids for college and the NBA, and much more. Prolific Prep is a prep basketball team based in Napa, CA that aims to foster the growth of prolific student-athletes, who are impactful citizens and elite basketball players. Past players include Gary Trent Jr. of the Toronto Raptors, #4 overall pick Josh Jackson, as well as numerous players recruited to schools such as Duke, Kansas, UCLA, Xavier, Ohio State, and Oregon.

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with talent development expert Rae Tanner. Rae talks about psychological safety and the critical role it plays in driving employee engagement, how you can reshape your current corporate culture, tips companies can use to thrive in a work from home and hybrid work environment, the importance of authentically connecting with your employees, and so much more!Show Notes:What sparked Rae's interest in leadership development and what she focused on[1:00]Why the inability to predict the future motivates Rae [2:30]Why technology has drastically changed learning and development [5:46]Practical tips to refine leadership development within your organization on a global scale [7:22]Identifying the key influencers in shaping your corporate culture [11:44]How you can measure the climate of your team and organization [15:10]Why psychological safety is the key piece in building a successful remote and hybrid work environment [26:50]The importance of personal and professional check ins [29:25]How to successfully encourage your teams to prioritize wellness [34:40]The one question you should ask your employees to drastically improve employee engagement [37:14]How Rae believes the Learning and Development Industry will shift over the next 5-10 years [41:42]

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Diana Shapiro, CEO of Dynam.AI. Dianna discusses her journey from selling gym memberships to selling on Wall Street to becoming a CEO. She covers why sales in the lifeblood of any company, what CEOs and Chief Revenue Officers can learn from each other, the power of artificial intelligence in today's world, and why adopting AI can enhance your business.Dynam.AI is a next-generation AI software developer with patent-pending decision support technology; customizable solutions for anomaly detection, process optimization, and real-time tracking. Show Notes:How Diana went from selling gym memberships to selling stocks and bonds on Wall Street [1:11]The one critical skill you can adopt to become better at sales [6:45]The processes Diana uses to effortlessly understand complex industries [9:03]How you can transition from Chief Revenue Officer to CEO [11:08]The key skills and behaviors Diana adopted to successfully shift from CRO to CEO [13:36]Diana's advice for those wishing to transition from CRO to CEO [14:47]What CEOs can learn from CROs and vice versa [15:57]Why fundraising is a critical skill that all CROs should adopt [18:30]An overview of Dynam.AI and the work that they do[21:36]Understanding a model and how to train it [23:17]How Diana goes about educating CEOs on AI [26:29]Why Artificial Intelligence adoption is low and the key barriers preventing greater AI adoption [28:53]How Diana aims to practically build trust around AI [30:36]The significant elements of AI that we overlook as a society [32:37]The questions you need to ask before fully adopting AI [35:37]Where the AI industry has significant room for improvement [37:54]Diana's advice to leaders who are looking to adopt AI in a significant way [40:59] Links:https://dynam.ai/https://vizlab.ai/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with the founder and CEO of VA Claims Insider. Brian talks about how going public with his PTSD led him to start his company, what brokenness is and how it can serve you, and the importance of community as a leader and its role in sustaining a movement.VA Claims Insider serves disabled military veterans by helping them get the VA disability benefits they deserve.Show Notes:Where Brian grew up and what he was interested in as a kid [1:11]Why Brian joined the military despite having a passion for entrepreneurship [2:28]The greatest lessons Brian learned in the military and how they helped his life and career [4:26]Defining brokenness and why it can serve you [6:02]What propelled Brian to persevere through his extreme episodes of brokenness [9:17]How Brian coupled the spark of entrepreneurship with service [13:38]Why you should use the idea of service to enhance your business [15:32]How Brian took the leap to go public with his own hardship [18:16]Why Brian's decision to share his PTSD struggles led to his current business [19:28]How you can sustain a movement [21:50]Why vulnerability builds strength [24:32]The importance of community as a leader and its role in sustaining a movement [26:20]Links:VA Claims Insider Website: https://vaclaimsinsider.com/Brian Reese on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breese27/

In this episode, Darren Reinke Chats with Jamie MoCrazy, former professional skier and keynote speaker. Jamie discusses the traumatic ski accident that almost killed her, how she continually overcame daily challenges associated with her recovery, how she and her foundation are helping others uncover their alternative peak, and so much more. Jamie MoCrazy is a keynote speaker and resilience advocate. She tells her unique stories to help the audience understand how to be resilient when encountering crises. She has delivered motivational keynotes to corporations, associations, entrepreneurs, and medical school/university groups. She also partners with Traumatic Brain Injury nonprofits to run campaigns and programs for caregivers and survivors.Show Notes:How little Jamie got into skiing [1:12]How Jamie went from recreational to competitive skiing [4:19]Jamie's reasons for juggling intense training in both gymnastics and skiing [6:33]How the MoCrazy Method developed Jamie in both academics and sports [9:40]Jamie's path to becoming a professional skier [12:19]Why learning to trust your preparation is critical for success [16:17]Jamie's life threatening ski accident [20:16]Jamie's struggle to find an alternative peak after coming out of a coma [25:25]How Jamie continually overcame insurmountable challenges throughout her recovery [31:40]How Jamie found her alternative peak and how others can too [40:41]How MoCrazy Strong is helping others overcome traumatic brain injuries [45:58]Links:MoCrazy Strong WebsiteDonate to Help Survivors and Family Caregivers of Brain InjuriesNamaski 2022 Retreat

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with author and speaker Warren Berger. Warren discusses the power of questioning, how curiosity and questioning are linked, why you and your leadership team need to slow your pace to ask more questions, and so much more.Warren is a speaker and author specializing in questioning, innovation, creativity, design, the media, advertising, and general business. Some of his books include The Book Of Beautiful Questions: The Powerful Questions That Will Help You Decide, Create, Connect, and Lead and the bestselling A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas. He is also a co-author of other books and writer of articles for consumer magazines and newspapers including Wired, Fast Company, and The New York Times. Show Notes:What Warren was Interested in As a Kid [1:05]Why Warren Considers Himself a Questionologist [2:00]Why The Value of Answers Has Been Devalued [4:10]The Relationship Between Questions and Curiosity [5:42]Why You Have to Question With a Sense of Purpose [7:00]How Companies Are Using Questions To Drive Business Results [9:36]Why Companies Should Adopt a Mission Question Instead of a Mission Statement [12:51]How You Can Ask Questions to Be a Better Leader [17:26]The Key Mindset Shift You Need to Adopt to Become a Questioning Leader [21:13]A Case Study on Questioning in the Workplace [24:58]How You Can Balance Asking Questions With Taking Action [27:55]Warren's Advice to Leaders Who Recognize the Value of Becoming a Questioning Leader [30:20]How Starbucks and Google are Committed to Creating a Questioning Culture [32:20]Links:Warren Berger's Website Warren Berger on LinkedIn

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Steve Bernstein, Chairman of the Board for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. Steve discusses why you need to help yourself before you can help others, the huge prevalence of food insecurity across the country, and why you should get your kids involved in philanthropy at an early age.The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is San Diego County's leading, local hunger-relief organization. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 28 million pounds of food, and served, on average, 350,000 people per month in San Diego County.Show Notes:Steve's Interests as a Kid [1:09]How Baseball Shaped Steve's Leadership Style [4:29]How Steve Discovered His Purpose in Life and Career [6:53]Steve's Practical Tips to Gain Confidence when Asking for Favors [10:05]How Steve Transitioned from Banking to Philanthropy and Non Profits [15:40]Why Discipline is Paramount in Achieving Success [22:40]How Steve Became Involved in the San Diego Food Bank [29:05]The Key Misconception with Food Insecurity in America [34:26]What Steve is Doing to Address the Underlying Issues with Food Insecurity [39:57]COVID 19's Impact on Steve's Food Bank and How You Can Get Involved [44:37]Steve's Recommendations for Making Giving Easier [53:33]LinksSan Diego Food Bank WebsiteSteve Goldstein on LinkedIn

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Jenny Ming, Iconic Brand Builder, Experienced Board of Director and CEO. Jenny discusses how she developed her authentic leadership style, why she never viewed joining Old Navy as a risk, why an organization's people are their most important asset, and so much more!Jenny Ming is a retail fashion industry executive who served as the president and chief executive officer of Charlotte Russe and was president of Old Navy. Business Week magazine named her one of the nation's top-25 managers in 2000. She also appeared in Fortune magazine's 2003 and 2004 lists of the 50 most powerful women in American business.Show Notes:Jenny's Early Interests as a Kid [1:09]Why Jenny Believes Working on the Retail Floor is the Best Place to Start in Fashion [3:17]How Jenny Embraced Authenticity in Her Leadership Style [7:14]How Jenny Developed Confidence Early In Her Career [9:35]Why Jenny Believes Confidence Is Within All of Us [11:10]The Journey of Jenny's First Company: Old Navy [13:42]Why Jenny Didn't Take Fashion Seriously, But Took What She Did Seriously [17:40]How Old Navy Continued to Evolve Overtime [19:55]Jenny's Advice to Stay Relevant and Adjust to Customer's Evolving Needs [23:35]Why Transitioning to Being a Board Member Was Difficult For Jenny [29:02]The Future of Brands and Consumers [30:38]Jenny's Advice on Cultivating a Strong Mission and Purpose Within Your Organization [35:38]Jenny's Tips for Engineering Alignment [38:22]Why Jenny Loves Mentoring Women and Women of Color In Leadership [40:30]Why “People” is the Most Powerful Leadership Lesson Jenny Has Learned [42:26]Jenny's Advice for Navigating Risk In Your Career [45:10] Links:Jenny Ming on LinkedIn

In this episode, Darren Reinke Chats with Ty Smith, Founder and CEO of CommSafe AI. Ty discusses the significant impact bullying had on his childhood, how the Navy SEAL teams gave him the skillsets needed to thrive as a tech entrepreneur, and why toxic communication is costing companies money and what leaders can do to stop it.CommSafe AI is a technology company that helps companies keep communications safe 24/7. Their flagship technology is an AI communications analysis system that helps companies identify and mitigate toxic communication in the workplace before it escalates, including bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, Title IX violations, aggression, escalated conflict, threats, discrimination, and violence. The CommSafe [ai]™ System helps ensure a safe and inclusive communication space, increase mutual trust and respect, and uphold a team's shared values.Show Notes:How Being Bullied Impacted Ty Growing Up [1:05]How the Navy Shaped Ty's Leadership Approach [5:04]Why Servant Leadership Is the Key to Effective Leadership [10:09]How Ty Transitioned from the SEAL Teams into Technology [13:38]What Ty Did To Overcome The Challenges Associated with Civilian Life [17:33]Why You Need to Practice More Vulnerability [21:36]The Spark that Drove Ty Into Entrepreneurship [23:12]How Ty Evolved His Company at the Start of the COVID 19 Pandemic [29:40]Why Toxic Communication is Costing U.S. Businesses $528 Billion Per Year [32:11]How CommSafe AI Helps Prevent Toxic Communication Within Your Organization [36:15]Ty's Advice for Leaders on How to Prevent Toxic Communication Within Their Companies [38:04]Why Ty Practices More Communication, Not Less [40:51]The Greatest Lessons Ty Has Learned as a Tech Entrepreneur [42:54]The Future of CommSafe AI [51:30]Links:Website: https://commsafe.ai/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tysmith31/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Ryan Beck, Chief Technology Officer at Pray.Com. Ryan discusses what it was like growing up with a single mom, how he got involved in drugs and gangs, how his time in jail guided him toward his faith, why you need to prioritize purpose within your organization, and so much more!Pray.com is a social impact company driven by a mission to grow faith and cultivate community. Pray.com is the world's #1 app for faith and prayer. The Pray.com mobile app brings faith to peoples' fingertips through daily prayer plans, inspirational audio content, and a private social network. Pray.com's vision is to create a world where everyone leaves a legacy of helping others. Show Notes:How Growing Up In a Low Income Household Shaped Ryan's Perspective [1:03]Why Ryan's Dream of Playing Basketball Evolved into Becoming an Entrepreneur [3:59]How an Unsupervised Childhood Led Ryan to Make Poor Decisions [5:06]Why Ryan's Mother Telling His Lawyers to Keep Him In Jail Was the Best Decision She Ever Made [7:34]How Ryan's Cell Mates Led to the Greatest Turning Point of His Life [9:53]How a Neighbor Helped Ryan Establish a Support System After Jail [12:43]The Importance of a Strong Support Group [16:25]Ryan's Transition from Ministry to Technology [17:33]How Ryan Merged Purpose and Technology [21:43]How Purpose Has Been Paramount In Driving the Culture of Pray.com[26:33]How Purpose Influences Ryan's Day to Day Role as a CTO [28:42]How Ryan Seamlessly Transitioned from the Head of Engineering, Product, and Marketing, to the Head of Technology [30:20]The Words and Values that Anchor Ryan's Own Sense of Purpose [36:30]How Ryan Fosters a Sense of Trust Within His Team [39:40] Links:Website: https://www.pray.com/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Bob Rief, Executive Director, San Diego Sport Innovators. Bob discusses his nonlinear career journey from ski rep to running companies such as Nike Golf, Reef Sandals, and Sanuk Footwear as well as how he helps small companies succeed and why the most important attribute of any company is authenticity. San Diego Sport Innovators (SDSI) is a non-profit focused on the Sport and Active Lifestyle industries. Working with Executive Chairman and NBA great Bill Walton, their 100 company membership represents the “Southern California Lifestyle” and includes leading sports and technology brands, nutrition and yoga, surf, skate, cycling, golf and retail, as well as some of San Diego's best service companies. They focus on relevant and actionable C-level content that benefits their member companies. SDSI's award winning accelerator program features a 20 week mentoring curriculum whose graduates have raised $86 Million and have a 82% success record. Show Notes: How an Injury as a Young Kid Led Bob to the Active Lifestyle Space [1:18]How Bob Developed the Skillset Needed to be an Operational Expert for Merrel [6:40]The Key Lessons Bob Learned Early On In His Career [11:55]Why Bob Called Nike to Tell Them Their Golf Shoes Sucked [16:54]Why Bob Describes His Time Working Directly with Phil Knight as Intimidating [20:06]How Bob Tackled the Problem of Making Golf Look Like Nike [22:38]How Bob Navigated Creative Conflict between Himself and Visionaries [27:40]How Bob Made Sure Creative Tension was Productive, Not Destructive [35:10]How Bob Helps Young Founders Navigate Doing Well and Doing Good [41:34]Bob's Advice on How Existing Companies Can Authentically Execute Corporate Social Responsibility [46:53]The Key Lessons Bob Learned From Larger Companies That He Uses To Help Small Businesses Achieve Success [49:14]How the Founders of Taylor Guitars Gifted the Company To Their Employees [50:32]Why Self Education is More Prevalent than Ever [59:01]Links:Website: http://www.sdsportinnovators.org/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Larry Levine, Author of Selling from the Heart. Larry discusses what it means to sell from the heart, the importance of authenticity and substance in sales, what "heartset" is and how to develop it, and more.Selling from the Heart's mission is to bring authenticity and substance to the sales profession. Selling from the Heart brings a fresh way to think about sales performance and complements organizations' existing sales tactics and processes by adding substance.Show Notes:How College Chemistry Led Larry into Sales [1:15]Where Larry Learned His Authentic Approach to Sales [4:18]How Self Education Played a Significant Role In Larry's Success [7:50]Why You Should Read Everyday For 30 Minutes [9:28]What it Means to Sell From the Heart [17:55]What it Means to Have Heartset and How to Develop It [20:34]What You Can Do to Bring More Care and Emotion to Your Sales Process [24:43]The Power of Vulnerability in Sales [29:42]How You Can Practically Practice Vulnerability [31:32]Why You Should Fire Yourself on Friday Evening and Hire Yourself Sunday Night [32:43]What's Next for Selling From the Heart [38:46] Links:Selling from the Heart Company Website: https://www.sellingfromtheheart.net/Selling from the Heart Book Website: https://www.sellingfromtheheart.net/bookLarry Levine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/selling-from-the-heart-podcast/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Chase Kim, a Hollywood actor who has starred in shows Magnum P.I., Bosch, and Silicon Valley. Chase discusses leaving the corporate world for a career in Hollywood, gaining support from those who originally doubted him, maintaining his calm when it matters most, and staying relevant over a 16 year acting career.Show Notes:Why Chase Left His Corporate Job to Pursue Acting [1:02]The Actors Chase Admired Growing Up [3:45]The Challenging Barriers Chase Faced Transitioning From Corporate America to Hollywood [4:35]How Chase Gained Support from Those Who Originally Doubted Him [6:50]Why Chase Treated Acting as Just Another Job [9:13]The Relationship Between Sports and Acting [12:04]How Chase Calms His Nerves When it Matters Most [16:15]The Moment Chase Felt He “Made It” as an Actor [18:37]Why Chase Feels The Fundamentals for Every Audition Remain the Same [21:14]How Chase Grows and Develops to Stay Relevant [25:32]The Opportunities Chase is Looking Forward to in the Next Few Years of His Career [30:14]How Chase Maintains His Persistence [33:01]Links:Chase's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2101748/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Steve Gatena, CEO of Pray.com. Steve shares the biggest lessons he learned while playing college football under Pete Carroll, how the loss of his business partner led to the creation of Pray.com, how Pray.com fulfills its purpose of creating a world where everyone leaves a legacy of helping others, and so much more!Pray.com is a social impact company driven by a mission to grow faith and cultivate community. Pray.com is the world's #1 app for faith and prayer. The Pray.com mobile app brings faith to peoples' fingertips through daily prayer plans, inspirational audio content, and a private social network. Pray.com's vision is to create a world where everyone leaves a legacy of helping others. Show Notes:How Steve's Background Influenced the Person He is Today [1:04]The Major Lessons Steve Learned from Pete Carroll Playing College Football [4:58]How Pete Carroll's Lesson of “Winning Forever” Has Influenced Steve as an Entrepreneur [6:40]How Steve Persevered Through Countless Injuries in College and the Air Force [10:48]Steve's Advice for Overcoming Challenging Life Set Backs [13:02]The Importance of Faith in Steve's Life and How it Led to the Birth of Pray.com [15:37]How Pray.com Fosters a Strong Sense of Community [22:35]Why Leadership Isn't Given, It's Earned [31:50]What Steve Does to Bring Pray.com's Values to Life Throughout the Organization [36:38]How Steve Unifies People of Different Perspectives through the Purpose of Pray.com [40:45]Show Links:Steve's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegatena/  Pray.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/pray/Pray.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pray/Pray.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pray/Pray.com Mobile App: https://www.pray.com/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Phil Dana, Head of Human Resources at Dendreon. Phil shares how the lessons he learned in the military and in construction have benefited him in his HR career, the importance of cultivating purpose within your team and organization, and why he intentionally surrounds himself with those smarter than him. Dendreon is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company and pioneer in the development of immunotherapy. Dendreon's flagship product, PROVENGE, was the first FDA-approved immunotherapy made from a patient's own immune cells. More than 40,000 men with advanced prostate cancer have been prescribed PROVENGE in the U.S. since 2010.  Show Notes:How Phil Ventured from the Navy Into Human Resources [1:06]How the Perception of HR Has Evolved Over Time [4:01]Why People and Culture Are Having Major Implications on Business Strategy [6:39]How Phil Creates a Thriving Culture in a Less Structured Environment [8:07]Why Creating an Authentic True North Serves as an Anchor for Your Company [10:38]The Key Steps Phil Takes to Create Individualized Purpose Within His Team [12:49]How You Can Create Your Own Sense of Purpose Regardless of Occupation [17:18]Why You Should Instill the Mindset of Lifelong Learning Within Your Team [20:19]Why Phil Enjoys Being the Dumbest Guy in the Room [22:53]The Crucial Skillsets Phil Looks for Before Making a Hiring Decision [26:32]How Phil Evaluates Peoples' Team Ability and the Importance of Hard Work [30:07] Links:Phil's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/militarytalent/Dendreon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dendreon/

In this episode, Darren Reinke Chats with Heiner Hilbert, CEO of H2 Sports Marketing. Heiner discusses the lessons he learned working with iconic sports stars such as Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Michael Jordan, the factors that led him to launch his own sports marketing agency, as well as how he uses human connection to build trust with clients and develop their long term brands.H2 Sports Marketing is a sports marketing agency that works with athletes in the NFL, NBA, and MLB to develop long lasting and authentic brands.Show Notes:How Heiner was Introduced to Professional Sports [1:04]The Key Differences Between a Marketing Agent and a Contract Agent [4:07]The Differentiating Mindset Heiner Adopted to Break Into the Sports Industry [6:38]How Heiner Prepared for Critical Moments with Key Sports Stars [13:30]Why Heiner Left Working With Iconic Athletes to Start His Own Sports Marketing Agency [17:23]How Heiner Uses Human Connection to Build Trust With New and Existing Clients [24:15]The Key Elements Heiner Uses to Build an Athlete's Long Term Brand [30:40]How Heiner Advises Clients Through Brand Mistakes [34:57]Links:H2 Sports Marketing on Instagram H2 Sports Marketing on Facebook H2 Sports Marketing onTwitter 

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Jason Jordan, CEO of the FireStory Communication Academy. Jason discusses why powerful stories are an untapped resource for leaders and how you can gain confidence telling authentic stories both personally and professionally through creating a FireStory. The FireStory Communication Academy helps individuals and businesses discover and develop their FireStory into a compelling message that captivates audiences and inspires them to act. They define FireStories as narratives of the moments that shape our lives, provide direction, and fuel our passion. These stories can be incredibly powerful; changing lives and helping you achieve the results you have been striving for. Show Notes:How Jason was Introduced the World of Story Telling [1:18]The Power of Stories in Leadership [2:27]Why Emotion is the Key Differentiator between a Story and a Narrative [6:45]The History of Storytelling [9:35]Practical Tips for Creating a Great Story [14:53]How You Can Prevent the Biggest Story Telling Mistakes [19:08]How to Overcome the Feeling of Selfishness When Telling Stories [20:32]How You Can Create Clarity and Tell a More Powerful Story [24:20]Why You Want to Use a FireStory that Communicates Your Why [30:22]How Great Storytelling Can Generate Sales [34:46] Links:Website: https://www.firestory.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/YourFireStory

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Joe Musselman, founder of Broom Ventures, The Honor Foundation, and the Honor For Life Foundation. Joe talks about being a shameless optimist and altruist, how a spinal injury during Navy SEAL BUD/S training led him to founding The Honor Foundation, why his venture's mission statements were often reflections of his own, and why knowing what you believe is one of the most powerful tools you can leverage as a leader.Broom Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in the earliest stages of empathetic and mission-driven founders' businesses, providing them with the resources they need to succeed. The Honor Foundation (THF) is a career transition program for U.S. Special Operations Forces that effectively translates their elite military service to the private sector and helps create the next generation of corporate and community leaders. Show Notes:Why Joe Considers Himself a Shameless Optimist and Altruist [1:14]How Optimism and Altruism Connect to the Navy [3:34]Joe's Spark for Starting the Honor Foundation [12:56]How Joe Identifies and Builds Empathetic and Mission-Driven Founders [22:45]The Framework Joe Uses to Deeply Connect With Others [30:18]How Joe's Framework Fosters Introspection and Creates Better Leaders [35:40]Joe Shares a Specific Example on the Impact Broom Ventures Has Helped Achieve [41:28]Joe's Parting Advice: Know What You Believe [45:15] Links:Joe Musselman on LinkedIn Broom Ventures on LinkedInBroom Ventures WebsiteThe Honor Foundation Website

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Alexa Koenig, Executive Director of UC Berkeley's Human Rights Center (HRC) and Co-Founder of the Human Rights Center Investigations Lab. Alexa discusses the spark that led her to fight for human rights, how the HRC uses social media to prosecute war criminals, and some of the tools leaders can use to build alignment when working with groups that may share different values or priorities.The Human Rights Center at the UC Berkeley School of Law promotes human rights and international justice worldwide and trains the next generation of human rights researchers and advocates. They are an independent research and training center that applies innovative technologies and scientific methods to investigate war crimes and other serious violations of human rights. Based on their findings, they recommend specific policy measures to protect vulnerable populations and hold perpetrators accountable. Show Notes:An Overview of UC Berkeley's Human Rights Center and Human Rights Center Investigations Lab [0:58]How Alexa Became Involved in Human Rights [3:34]How the Investigations Group Partners With Third Parties to Tackle Key Human Rights Issues [6:15]How Alexa's Team Uses Social Media as Evidence to Prove Human Rights Abuses [9:36]The Range and Magnitude of the Human Rights Issues Alexa Faces Day to Day [13:10]What the Human Rights Center Does to Prosecute War Criminals and Transform Legislation [15:45]How Alexa Ensures Alignment Among the Different Teams She Works With [18:16]What Sparked Alexa's Book Titled “Graphic” [21:50]What Today's Leaders Need to Do to Support Current Causes [25:40]The Importance of Taking Enough Vacation Time [36:00]Why Organizations Need to Adopt Individual, Cultural, and Structural Shifts to Recharge Employees [36:55]Links:Human Rights Center Website: https://humanrights.berkeley.eduHuman Rights Center on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hrcberkeleyHuman Rights Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrcberkeley/ Human Rights Center on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/human-rights-center-uc-berkeley/ 

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Mark Brouker, Retired Navy Captain and Founder of Brouker Leadership Solutions. Mark discusses the powerful leadership lessons he learned in the Navy, why he attributes his success to taking care of his people, the power of saying “I Don't Know”, and how to build a sense of hope for your team when facing a crisis. Show Notes:Mark's Spark for Joining the Military [1:19]How Mark's Sense of Purpose Evolved Over His 30 Year Navy Career [3:00]Why “Taking Care of Your People” was Paramount to Mark's Success [4:52]Why Saying “I Don't Know” is a Key Leadership Trait [8:30]How Mark Leverages Crises to Build Trust [11:10]Tips You Can Use During Tough Times to Build Rapport With Your Team [14:14]Mark's Tips For Building a Sense of Hope During Crises [16:20]Why Trust is One of the Most Overlooked Pillars of Leadership [19:21]How Empowering Employees Through Psychological Safety Will Lead to Better Ideas [26:02]Why Listening is the Secret to Becoming a Great Leader [27:40]Why Owning Up to Your Mistakes Further Builds Trust Within Your Team [31:31]Links:Brouker Leadership Website Lessons from the Navy Book

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Ryan Berman, CEO of Courageous Brands and author of the book Return on Courage. Ryan discusses the tips and tricks you can use to implement courage in both your personal and professional life, why leaders need to readjust their views on millennials being entitled, and why courage is a competitive advantage that few companies fully utilize.Courageous is a reinvention company that helps their partners fight fear, create change, and win.SHOW NOTESWhy Ryan Gets Excited by Courage [1:10:]How You Can Adopt a Courageous Mindset [3:45]Why You Need Courage in the Messier Parts of Projects [6:55]Why Courage Goes Beyond Being a Buzz Word [8:50]How Ryan Convinces Organizations to Use Courage as a Differentiator [10:05]How Ryan Re-shifts Leaders Minds Around Courage and Their Workforce [14:19]Why Poor Leaders Turn Leadership into Cheerleadership [17:02]Ryan's First Experience with Courage [19:30]How Courage Can Be Used as a Competitive Advantage [23:44]The Ironic Relationship Between Safe and Unsafe [28:25]How Ryan's Passions for Story Telling and Soccer Led to His New Book Project [30:08]SHOW LINKSBook Website: https://www.returnoncourage.com/Leadership Solutions: https://courageous.io/Team Workshops: http://www.couragebrands.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courageousideas/Ryan's Email To Identify Your Values: ryanberman@couragebrands.comCourageous Podcast: https://ryanberman.com/courageous-podcast

Darren Reinke chats with Ben Hemminger, Co-Founder and CEO of Fashionphile. Ben discusses how a lack of job opportunities in Hawaii led him to "re"-commerce, the importance of having relevant metrics to assess growth, and why Fashionphile's first value is “We believe in Authenticity.” Show Notes:How "Re"-commerce is Different from E-Commerce [0:55]How Ben Started Fashionphile [3:55]How Ben Become Immersed in Ultra Luxury [9:44]Why Fashionphile Describes its Handbags as Certified Preowned [12:00]How the Ultra Luxury Brands Reacted to a Secondary Market [15:50]The Challenges Fashionphile Faced Creating a Two Sided Marketplace [19:50]Fashionphile's Key Metric to Measure Available Growth in a Supply Constrained Market [24:56]How Fashionphile Cultivates World Class Relationships With its Sellers [28:55]The Importance of Authenticity to the Fashionphile Brand [35:03]Why Ben Believes the Current Tailwinds Will Continue to Fuel Fashionphile's Growth[39:14] Links:Fashionphile's Website: https://www.fashionphile.com/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with "AJ" Machado, award winning radio host and host of The AJ and Sara Podcast. AJ discusses how his quick stint in stand up comedy led to him to pursue radio hosting as a full-time career, why vulnerability and authenticity are the building blocks to creating a more compelling story, and why every business needs to identify their niche.AJ is an award winning radio personality with a winning ratings history in San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area. He served as head writer for the "House of Blues Radio Hour" hosted by Dan Akroyd and served as fill in host for the nationally syndicated "Hollywood Hamilton's Weekly Top 40." His podcast "The AJ and Sara Podcast" is consistently in Podcast Magazine's "Hot 50" list. Show notes:How Stand Up Comedy Led AJ to Radio Hosting [1:15]The Mindset AJ Developed to Thrive in Stand Up Comedy [2:38]AJ's Best Experiences Being an On Air Personality [3:47]AJ's Tips for Crafting More Engaging Stories [5:20]Why Practicing Vulnerability Leads to More Authentic Experiences [6:31]How Telling Your Story Promotes Greater Authenticity [9:04]Why Surprises and Vulnerability are the Key To Telling a Great Story [11:53]Why Leading with the Headline Sparks Engagement [11:58]AJ's Tips for Better Connecting with Audiences [13:33]How AJ Maintains a High Level of Energy During Performances [15:01]Why Active Listening is the Key to Deriving More Energy [16:20]AJ's Shift from Radio to Podcasting [19:09]How AJ Balances Being Both a Content Producer and a Business Owner [20:29]Redesigning a Radio Show to Thrive as a Podcast [24:18]AJ's Advice to New Podcast Hosts [28:32]The Focus of the AJ and Sara Show [31:05]Why All Good Podcasts Start with a Niche [34:15]Links:https://www.allinsandiego.com/

In the episode, Darren Reinke chats with Brant Cooper, Author of the New York Times best selling book The Lean Entrepreneur and CEO of Moves the Needle. Brant discusses how companies can better manage uncertainty and disruption, the importance of balancing new idea exploration and execution, and how companies can use hackathons to test new ideas and drive results.Brant has over two decades of expertise helping companies bring innovative products to market. He blends agile, design thinking, and lean methodologies to ignite entrepreneurial action within large organizations.Show Notes:Brant's Transition into Tech [1:10]The Power of Creating a Lean Startup [4:13]The Relationship Between Uncertainty, Disruption, and Innovation [7:43]How Leaders Can Balance Exploration, Execution, and Chaos [15:10]Why Agile Leadership Isn't Limited to Tech Companies [23:52]Explaining the Horizon Model [30:22]Brant's Advice to Leaders Thinking about Exploration [33:55]How to Build Alignment at The Executive Level [37:10]How Companies of All Sizes Can Use Hackathons to Drive Results [40:00]Brant's Advice for Navigating Innovation, Disruption, and Uncertainty [48:16]Links:Brant's Website: https://brantcooper.com/Brant's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brantcooper/Impackathon: https://impackathon.com/

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Mark Sperling, Co-Founder and CEO of Group Y. Mark discusses his passion for creating immersive guest experiences at major events, the importance of building and maintaining an authentic brand, the challenges COVID-19 imposed on the event industry, and how the switch to digital consumption of events may be here to stay. Group Y is the original and leading collective of professionals focused on Youth Marketing, Lifestyle, and other progressive and expressive cultures. Their mission is to intersect influencers across industries and ignite ideas that inspire the current and next-generation leaders and decision-makers. Group Y has organized over 225 nationwide events including ComplexCon, Coachella, and Something in the Water Festival. Show Notes: How Mark's High School Experience Led Him to Pursue Event Marketing [1:05]Why Mark is Driven by Creating an “Aha” Moment at Each Event [1:45]How Sitting in the Back Row allows Mark to Create Immersive Experiences for Guests [2:17]Why Empathy is a Building Block in Forming Great Partnerships [3:30]How Lesson's from Match Making are Used to Build Strong Partnerships [4:47]The Power of Authentic Brands [6:32]How Transparency Leads to Authenticity [9:16]How Companies Can Exude Greater Authenticity [10:22]Why Mark Believes Vans Shoes is One of the Most Authentic Brands [11:30]Mark's Tips for Brands Hoping to Stay Both Relevant and Authentic [14:12]Identifying the Most Authentic B2B Companies [18:53]Practical Tips To Better Engage with B2B Customers [21:30]How Companies Can Better Engage with Younger Generations [23:49]The Biggest Mistakes Companies Make When Connecting With Younger Generations [26:20]Why Listening Internally is the Key to Deriving More Purposeful Organizations [29:03]How Events Provide Opportunities for Companies to Connect with Consumers [30:42] Why Creating Memorable Experiences Allows Leaders to Better Leverage Events [36:42] Links*Group Y Website: https://groupynetwork.com/*Authenticity.co Website: https://authenticity.co/*Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groupy/?hl=en*Twitter: https://twitter.com/GroupY*YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmM8MxfFRIHU2LDZbCLk8tg*Mark's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksperling/*Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/group-y  

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Nora Poggi, director of the award-winning documentary SHE STARTED IT. Nora talks about her journey from journalism to film making, how her films are designed to inspire and empower female entrepreneurs to take action, and how leaders and parents can create equal opportunity for women in business, film, and life. Nora Poggi is a French journalist and the director/producer of the award-winning documentary SHE STARTED IT. She was also a reporter in Silicon Valley for Examiner.com & Usine Nouvelle. She is a TEDx speaker and has been featured in Women In The World, Forbes, Fast Company, Glamour, Huffington Post and other outlets. Show Notes:How Nora Got Into Journalism and Film Making [1:04]How a Small Journalism Project Launched Nora into Filmmaking [3:20]Nora's Challenges with Creating Her First Film [4:54]The Mentor Conversation That Changed Nora's Career [6:20]How Nora Embraced the Steep Learning Curve of Filmmaking [8:45]How to Maintain Passion After the Initial Spark Fades [12:25]The Unpredictability of Creating a Compelling Documentary [14:15]Measuring the Impact of Nora's Films [17:07]The Unique Challenges Facing Female Entrepreneurs [19:08]Nora's Advice to Leaders Seeking Ways to Empower Women [21:34]Nora's Advice to Parents on Supporting Girls Early On [22:55]Overcoming the Nagging Voice Inside Your Head [26:00]How to Tell A More Captivating, Persuasive Story [29:54]Nora's Next Steps [32:33] Links:Nora's Website Nora on Twitter She Started It Documentary Website Nora's Podcast 

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Emily Watkins, Regional Principal at Unispace. Emily discusses the future of workplaces, how companies are engaging employees in an in person/remote hybrid set-up, the impact of new workplaces on employees and leaders, and what leaders should be thinking about from a workplace perspective. Unispace's mission is to revolutionize the creation of the workplace. They are a global interior design firm who offer an agile, end-to-end experience rooted in industry-leading workplace insights and fit for today's ever-evolving global brands. Show NotesHow Unispace is Revolutionizing the Office Space [1:00]How Companies are Reconfiguring Layouts to Promote Flexibility [5:44]What Companies are Doing to Better Engage their Employees in this Next Normal [7:48]Why Investing in Technology is Critical to Successful Implementation [13:12]Why Focusing on Change Management Increases Engagement [14:46]Maintaining Collaboration Within a Flexible Workspace [19:01]Why Flexible Work Spaces are no Longer Limited to Tech Companies [21:17]The Importance of Managing to Outcomes [22:34]Why it May Take 5-7 Years for Flexible Work to become the Next Normal [24:30]Risk Management Practices to Assess Your Company's Real Estate Assets [26:45]Emily's Journey into Commercial Real Estate [31:28] Emily's Career Advice for Those Interested in Commercial Real Estate [34:55]Show LinksUnispace Website

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Mariama Shaheed, Founder and CEO of Global Prep Academy. Mariama discusses misconceptions about charter schools, how Global Prep is using their values to attract top talent and align with their students, and why inclusivity is critical to achieving success as an organization, regardless of industry.Global Prep Academy is a dual language charter school in Indianapolis, Indiana that connects students from diverse linguistic backgrounds and educates them together in a highly rigorous, engaging and nurturing environment. Their mission is to develop compassionate global leaders through a rigorous education program that focuses on hands-on, cultural and Spanish immersion learning opportunities.Show NotesWhat Makes Charter Schools Unique [1:10]The Benefits of Charter Schools [2:07]Common Misconceptions about Charter Schools [4:01]The Inspiration for Starting Global Prep [5:25]Why Immersion is the Best Way to Learn a New Language [6:25]The Importance of Being Clear on Your Values [8:30]How Global Prep Finds Talent Aligned with Their Values [10:26]What You Can Do to Make Your Mission Come to Life [12:40]How Global Prep is Aligning Students With Their Values [14:30]The Unique Challenges Facing Global Prep [15:04]How to Prevent Burn Out [16:43]Global Prep's Next Steps [12:25]Embracing Students' Growth and Overcoming Their Challenges [21:01]How Global Prep Navigates the Different Needs of its Students [24:04]How Global Prep Uses Data to Promote Inclusivity [26:00]Advice for Leaders Trying to Create More Inclusive Organizations [27:32]The Future of Education [29:49]Where to Find More Information about Global Prep [32:55]

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Sean Li, co-founder of Clever FM and Alumni FM. Sean talks about disrupting the podcast ecosystem, overcoming imposter syndrome in the technology industry, the pursuit of lifelong learning, principles on building intentionality, and the lessons he learned leaving the security of investment banking for the uncertainty of entrepreneurship. Clever FM is a podcast analytics company that's helping redesign the podcast ecosystem through helping hosts share and monetize their content while providing analytical data on their listeners. Alumni FM is a podcast production company that connects alumni communities through meaningful stories while helping schools produce their own alumni podcasts.Show NotesHow Clever FM and Alumni FM are Changing the Podcast Space [1:05]Sean's Journey into Tech [3:50]Overcoming Imposter Syndrome [7:39]The Power of Being a Generalist [10:40]Sean's Advice on How to Better Connect the Dots [14:24]The Power of being Curious [17:12]How to Build Intentionality [18:42]How to Encourage Life Long Learning [19:57]Why You Can Learn Anything With Patience [24:56]The Value of Daily Journaling [29:02]The Importance of Authentic Leadership [30:55]Managing Risk and Uncertainty [34:50]Show LinksClever FM WebsiteAlumni FM Website

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Navid Alipour, co-founder and managing partner of Analytics Ventures. Navid talks about how AI is taking on breast cancer, his journey from a political science major to co-founding a venture capital company focused on artificial intelligence, how leaders should be thinking about AI, and how AI can drive humanity forward.Analytics Ventures is a Venture Formation Fund focusing on artificial intelligence, deep learning, and the Internet of Things. Analytics Ventures creates and funds brand new companies in the fastest growing area of technology.

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Jacob Marash, the CEO of Stem Audio. Jacob talks about his decision to launch a startup within his existing organization, why he emphasized having employee input when building Stem's culture and values, and the importance of revisiting your company's values each year to ensure alignment. Stem Audio is a manufacturer of a suite of audio-conferencing solutions that create, manage and scale collaboration space audio.Show NotesLaunching STEM Audio in a Niche Market [1:01]Creating a Start Up within an Existing Organization [4:23] The Importance of a Company Relaunch [6:04]How to Build Confidence in a New Vision [7:58]Revisiting your Vision [10:18]Why You Should Fake It Until You Make It [11:30]The Traits of a Successful CEO [15:20]The Importance of Practicing Humility [18:36]Discovering the Spark of Entrepreneurship [20:04]Why You Should Seek to Build a Product that Answers Customers' Needs [23:11]Why Overnight Success's Don't Exist [26:22]Challenges of Scaling a Business [28:01]Persisting through Dark Moments [29:09]Why You Should Join a Peer Group [33:04]Show LinksStem Audio Website