If The Public Only Knew- Behind Every Success, a Story Worth Telling

In this episode, Gary and Morag Barrett discuss:Nonlinear career path from banking to executive coachingThe missing “who” in business successBuilding intentional leadership habits that stickFounder-to-CEO transition and letting go of controlThe power of allies and friendships at workKey Takeaways:Technical brilliance and a great business idea are never enough; the real differentiator is who you are as a leader and how you relate to people.Sustainable leadership change comes from small, repeatable habits that can survive chaos, not from one-off “aha” moments in a workshop or keynote.Founders often struggle when they try to carry everything alone; the shift to treating leadership as a team sport is essential for scale and sanity.Many leaders underestimate how their everyday behavior shapes culture, especially under stress, and fail to see the ripple effects they create across their teams.Professional success is tightly linked to the depth and health of your work relationships; without trusted allies at work, leaders become isolated, vulnerable, and less effective.“If you're not willing to do something different yourself, then nothing will change.” — Morag BarrettAbout Morag Barrett: Morag Barrett is the CEO of SkyeTeam, a global leadership development and executive coaching firm dedicated to helping leaders and teams thrive through stronger relationships and meaningful connections. With a career that began in banking and evolved through senior roles in executive development for global telecoms, she brings a rare blend of commercial savvy and human-centered insight to her work.She has coached more than 20,000 leaders worldwide, from high-growth founders to Fortune 500 executives, and specializes in working with highly technical, engineering, and technology leaders who need to elevate their people and leadership skills. Morag is a sought-after keynote speaker on human connection and workplace relationships, known for her practical, no-nonsense approach to “taking the junior high out of the workplace.”Morag is the author of You, Me, We: Why We All Need a Friend at Work and How to Show Up as One and the newly updated second edition of Cultivate: The Power of Winning Relationships. Through her books, keynotes, and coaching, she equips leaders to build trust, break down silos, create allyship at work, and navigate change with clarity and confidence—proving that business success is powered by relationships, and success in life is fueled by connection.Connect with Morag Barrett:  Website: https://skyeteam.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moragbarrett/ Blog: https://skyeteam.com/blog/ Listeners are invited to complete their complimentary Ally Mindset Profile: https://www.skyeteam.cloud/youmewe To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Gary and Patrick Thean discuss:Patrick’s career journeyDecision-making and career inflection pointsEntrepreneurship and building software companiesExecution, leadership, and helping CEOs succeedSuccession, roles, and designing a sustainable leadership lifeKey Takeaways:Choose people over positions. Major career decisions were made based on the people involved and the joy of working with them, rather than purely on role, technology, or salary.Execution beats strategy. Companies usually don’t fail because of bad ideas; they fail because they can’t reliably execute. Leading indicators, early warning systems, and clear commitments are essential.The biggest challenges in business are team dynamics, trust, and alignment, not the engineering or technical issues. Healthy teams can turn average ideas into outstanding results.Overthinking blocks progress. Intelligence and experience can create paralysis by analysis. You don’t need to know every step—have a direction, then take the next concrete step (start the company, do the interview, launch the podcast).Sustainable leadership requires succession and focus. Long-term success depends on developing successors, narrowing your role to your highest-value work, and creating space to think instead of constantly operating in crisis mode."Execution is the main reason why most companies fail, not because they don't have strategy, not because they don't know what to do, but they can't deliver on their commitments." — Patrick TheanAbout Patrick Thean: Patrick is an award-winning entrepreneur, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and a leading expert on strategy execution. He is the creator of the Think Plan Do® process and co-founder of Rhythm Systems®, where he coaches CEOs and executive teams on leadership, strategic planning, and accountability. His methods have helped thousands of leaders dramatically improve execution and, in many cases, significantly increase company valuations.Previously, he founded and led Metasys, Inc., which ranked 151st on the Inc. 500 and earned him Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award (North Carolina). His tools and frameworks have been taught in the EO/MIT Entrepreneurial Masters Programme and at Cornell University. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Cornell and has been happily married for over thirty years, actively supporting his wife and two daughters as they pursue their dreams.Connect with Patrick Thean:  Website: https://www.rhythmsystems.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickthean/ To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Steve Preda: Steve Preda was born and raised in Hungary, where his early curiosity for business and leadership inspired him to build his first company—an investment banking firm that he later grew and successfully sold. Seeking new challenges, he moved with his family to the United States, where he began coaching Vistage CEO peer groups and discovered his passion for guiding entrepreneurs. His journey led him to become an EOS Implementer, a Pinnacle Business Guide, and eventually the creator of Summit OS® and Strategy OS®, two business operating systems that help leaders scale their companies with clarity, discipline, and vision.Beyond his professional achievements, Steve is a devoted husband and father who lives near Richmond, Virginia. He loves playing tennis, listening to jazz, and traveling with his family. His life reflects the same values he teaches—resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous growth—qualities that continue to shape his mission of helping entrepreneurs build not just thriving businesses, but fulfilling lives.In this episode, Gary and Steve Preda discuss:How Steve’s global finance career led to entrepreneurship and coachingLessons from growing and nearly losing an investment bank in Hungary and EuropeWhy most consulting and EOS-style operating systems fall short for long-term growthDesigning Summit OSEradicating “business COVID.”Key Takeaways:Your zigzag career is an advantage. Steve’s path from Big 4 to investment banking to founder to coach shows how each “chapter” becomes a compound experience you can later leverage for a bigger impact.Most companies don’t need a new vision; they need execution – for 99% of businesses, the biggest growth lever is nailing the basics: clear culture, strategic plan, KPIs, and disciplined meetings.Traditional consulting and EOS-style models often fail long-term. “Graduating” clients sounds good, but in reality, it removes accountability and support, and performance usually atrophies.The right clients are curious and willing to change – growth comes from CEOs who are coachable, willing to adjust their team, and care more about building a great business than staying comfortable.“Business COVID” is real but preventable. Most business deaths (cash crunch, disruption, commoditization, talent and succession failures) can be avoided with a long-term, customizable system like Summit OS."I think it's very difficult to do great things if you don't enjoy it. I don't imagine how someone can sustain the intensity of the work without getting an emotional high out of it." — Steve PredaConnect with Steve Preda:  Website: https://summitos.co/ LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevepreda/ LinkedIn Summit OS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stevepreda-com/ Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/MBPpodcast  YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/MBPodcastPlaylistYT   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveipreda/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevepreda/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@summitos_creator Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevePredaCom   Amazon: amazon.com/author/stevepreda To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Jim Bishop: Jim Bishop is the founder of Conjunction Leadership and an executive coach for founders, CEOs, and senior leaders in tech, ag-tech, biotech, and the life sciences. With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in science—his master’s in physiology and behavior—Jim blends a deep understanding of the nervous and endocrine systems with practical leadership development.After starting his career in applied science and technical service, Jim realized the hardest problems weren’t technical; they were human. That insight led him into instructional design, corporate leadership training, talent management, and ultimately executive coaching. Today, he helps high-achieving, analytically minded leaders work at the intersection of biology, behavior, and belief—releasing stored stress and reactive patterns, setting stronger boundaries, and expanding what they believe is possible for their careers and lives.Jim is also the author of The Adventure Within, which chronicles real client journeys to show how meaningful change comes not from controlling the external world, but from transforming the internal one.In this episode, Gary and Jim Bishop discuss:How a “beautiful accident” took Jim from physiology and behavior into executive coachingLeading at the axis of biology, behavior, and beliefWhen unprocessed emotion becomes back pain: the body’s role in big career choicesEscaping hustle culture: boundaries, biology, and belief shifts for sustainable successGuiding scientists and analytic leaders into emotional awareness and creative leadershipKey Takeaways:The science may be straightforward, but people are not. Jim’s shift from applied science to leadership coaching began when he saw that aligning people is far more complex than solving technical problems.Beliefs are biological, not just mental. Our nervous and endocrine systems lock in emotional patterns that quietly drive behavior—until we learn how to work with them.Trauma isn’t always catastrophic. It’s often made of repeated stress and feeling unseen, stored in the body as tension that quietly constrains our future choices.High achievers hit an “upper limit” of belief, not talent. Their internal belief system decides what feels safe or possible. Real growth requires recalibrating both biology and mindset.Leadership transformation means moving from reactive to creative. When leaders stop replaying old survival patterns, they can intentionally design new behaviors aligned with who they want to become.“We might be the greatest inflicter of our own emotional trauma, sometimes, because we isolate ourselves in the middle of those strong feelings, not knowing what they are, and there's nowhere for them to go.”— Jim BishopConnect with Jim Bishop:  Website: www.conjunctionleadership.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdbishop/ To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Derek Fredrickson: With over 16 years of experience as Chief Operating Officer at Boldheart and other six—and seven-figure businesses, Derek witnessed firsthand how transformative a robust operational strategy can be for entrepreneurs who are ready to scale but feel overwhelmed. Running a business often means getting bogged down in the day-to-day tasks, becoming the bottleneck, and losing sight of the vision that sparked the business in the first place. That’s where he comes in.As the founder of The COO Solution, he specializes in helping business owners break free from the operational grind and reclaim their time while confidently scaling their businesses. His approach is built on a foundation of systems, processes, and structures that allow your business to run like a well-oiled machine—without you having to oversee every detail. By stepping in as your trusted second-in-command, Derek ensures that your team is aligned, held accountable, and equipped to execute your vision smoothly so you can focus on what you do best: leading, strategizing, and growing your business.In this episode, Gary and Derek Fredrickson discuss:What a fractional COO/Second-in-Command really doesGetting founders out of the day-to-day to scaleDesigning and launching Rainmaker for financial advisorsStrategic decisions around funding, cap tables, and exit vs. scaleFocusing on one vertical before expanding to othersKey Takeaways:Trust isn’t created through big moments. It’s built quietly, over time, through consistency and follow-through.Not every decision needs to be made immediately. Sometimes the most strategic move is waiting until the picture becomes clearer.Long-term thinking changes how pressure feels. When the goal is durability, short-term noise matters less.Leadership often requires restraint. Knowing when not to act can be just as important as knowing when to move.“You can't scale complexity, but you can scale simplicity.” — Derek FredricksonConnect with Derek Fredrickson:  Website: https://thecoosolution.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekfredrickson/  To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Doug Thorpe: Doug Thorpe is an executive coach, leadership advisor, and founder of a highly regarded leadership and management development firm serving both Fortune 500 companies and growth-focused entrepreneurs. Shaped early by watching his single mother build an interior design business from scratch, Doug learned firsthand the realities of risk, responsibility, and resilience.Over the course of his career, he has combined that entrepreneurial foundation with a deep commitment to servant leadership, mentorship, and faith-driven wisdom. Doug now specializes in helping owner–founders of middle-market companies—typically $5M–$50M in revenue with teams of 10+—move beyond “founder-itis,” build high-functioning leadership teams, and turn their companies into scalable, saleable assets.In this episode, Gary and Doug Thorpe discuss:Growing up around entrepreneurship and how early exposure to risk and responsibility shapes leadersThe role of mentors in developing wisdom—and why experience alone isn’t enoughFear, limiting beliefs, and why change feels harder than it actually is Why many founders struggle to scale—and how “founder-itis” caps growth What it really takes to build a leadership team and a saleable business assetKey Takeaways:Leadership often begins with service, not authority. Early responsibility and a desire to help others can quietly shape how someone leads later in life.Experience only becomes wisdom when paired with honest self-reflection. Without reflection, people repeat the same patterns—mistakes included.Fear is rarely about the change itself. It’s about the story we tell ourselves about what might happen if we fail. Growth stalls when founders believe only they can do things “the right way.” Building systems and trusting others is the difference between a lifestyle business and a saleable one."There is a value in finding out a way to claim those wins and stack them up like blocks in your foundation." — Doug ThorpeConnect with Doug Thorpe:  Website: https://dougthorpe.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougthorpe/   Podcasts: https://podcasts.dougthorpe.com  Twitter: https://twitter.com/dougthorpe_com  Facebook: https://facebook.com/headwayexec Instagram: https://instagram.com/dougthorpe_com  YELP: https://www.yelp.com/biz/headwayexec-houston-4   To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Dean Mathews: Dean Mathews is the founder and CEO of OnTheClock, a time‑tracking and payroll platform serving over 18,000 businesses with tools for employee time tracking, scheduling, payroll, and PTO. A self‑taught developer who started by building custom software for local companies, Dean grew OnTheClock from a kitchen‑table side project into a scalable SMB solution known for being easy, reliable, and intuitive to use. Today, he leads a growing team focused on practical product design, strong culture, and helping small businesses run more efficiently while building happier, more productive teams.In this episode, Gary and Dean Mathews discuss:Dean’s entrepreneurial and technical origin storyThe creation and growth of OnTheClockProduct philosophy: usability, reliability, and UXIntuition, pattern recognition, and the emotional side of entrepreneurshipKey Takeaways:Some of the most valuable business lessons don’t come from classrooms or formal training. They come from making decisions without a safety net and owning the outcome.Responsibility and real consequences change how you think—and when the stakes are real, learning accelerates fast.Confidence grows through repetition, not perfection. Getting things wrong is often part of getting better.Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to learn, adapt, and move forward anyway."There's always a fear element…But fear isn't the thing, it's the courage that matters." — Dean MathewsConnect with Dean Mathews:  Website: https://www.ontheclock.com/ LinedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dean-mathews-yes | https://www.linkedin.com/company/ontheclock-com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ontheclocktimeclock YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/OnTheClockTimeClock To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Anders Jones: Anders Jones is the co-founder and CEO of Facet Wealth, a financial planning firm built to serve the massively underserved mass affluent market with affordable, subscription-based advice from dedicated CFP professionals. Prior to Facet, Anders was a founding partner of Argyle Ventures. Argyle invests in emerging startup markets, with a focus on advertising, technology, financial technology, and healthcare IT. Prior to Argyle, Anders was on the early team at LiveRamp (acquired by Acxiom for $310 million), and has been involved as an investor or advisor in many other startups in Silicon Valley.In this episode, Gary and Anders Jones discuss:Why the traditional asset-based advisory model excludes millions who still need real guidanceHow the DOL fiduciary rule exposed a massive cost-of-service problem in financial adviceThe shift from B2B to direct-to-consumer—and what finally unlocked growthWhy human advisors, trust, and empathy still matter in an increasingly automated worldKey Takeaways:Entire industries can overlook enormous opportunities simply because serving them doesn’t fit existing business models. That doesn’t mean the need isn’t real—or urgent.Financial advice isn’t just about numbers. Trust, empathy, and consistent human connection are often more valuable than technical optimization.Scaling service doesn’t require sacrificing quality, but it does require rethinking how time, technology, and human expertise are allocated.For many people, the real competition isn’t another firm—it’s doing nothing. Education and clarity are often the first steps to meaningful engagement."We refer to our advisors as therapists with calculators." — Anders JonesConnect with Anders Jones:  Website: https://facet.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anders-jones/ Email: anders@facet.com  To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Geoff Thatcher: Geoff Thatcher is an experienced designer, author, and founder of Creative Principals, a studio that translates stories into immersive physical experiences for brands, museums, and attractions. Throughout his career—from amusement parks and journalism to leadership development and experience design, he’s consistently chosen opportunity over certainty, learning through experimentation rather than rigid long-term plans. His perspective blends creative pragmatism with a belief that career success should support a meaningful life, not replace it.In this episode, Gary and Geoff Thatcher discuss:Why traditional career paths no longer fit most modern professionalsLearning through experimentation instead of long-term planningBalancing ambition with family, identity, and personal fulfillmentThe role of risk, uncertainty, and self-trust in building a meaningful lifeKey Takeaways:Most people overestimate the level of certainty they need before taking action. Progress often comes from movement first and clarity later.Career decisions don’t have to follow a straight line to be successful. Nonlinear paths can create broader skills, a stronger perspective, and more resilient confidence.Ambition without reflection leads to burnout. Building a life that actually feels good requires regularly questioning why you’re chasing the next milestone in the first place.Long-term fulfillment isn’t found in optimization. It’s built through relationships, self-trust, and the willingness to live without having every step planned."It's not about the technology. It's always about the story and how, what's gonna, what's the best way to communicate that story." — Geoff ThatcherConnect with Geoff Thatcher:  Website: https://www.creativeprincipals.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffthatcher/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geoffthatcher/ X: https://x.com/geoffthatcher To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Jan Rutherford: Jan Rutherford is a former U.S. Army Green Beret, leadership development expert, executive coach, author, and podcast host. His career spans Special Forces service, healthcare and pharmaceutical leadership, entrepreneurship, academia, and executive coaching. Drawing from his experiences as a Green Beret medic, instructor, corporate executive, and CEO, Jan helps senior leaders and executive teams develop discipline, strategic clarity, and authentic leadership. His work focuses on helping leaders better manage time, people, and complexity while building lives rooted in service, balance, and purpose. Jan is also deeply committed to helping veterans successfully transition from military to civilian leadership roles. In this episode, Gary and Jan Rutherford discuss:Jan’s unconventional journey from a 101-pound high school senior to earning a Green Beret at age 19The discipline, sacrifice, and mindset required to endure Special Forces trainingWhy sales experience is foundational for leadership and long-term business successHow leadership development, coaching, and teaching became Jan’s lifelong callingKey Takeaways:Doing hard things early in life builds discipline and confidence that carry forward into every stage of leadership.Leadership is developed through experience, accountability, and service—not titles or credentials alone.Skills gained in sales, communication, and relationship-building are critical to entrepreneurial success.The best leaders simplify complexity and help others grow, rather than seeking control or recognition."Everybody's got great ideas, everybody's got great values, everybody's got great goals, but the difference is the discipline to execute the sacrifices that will be made." — Jan RutherfordConnect with Jan Rutherford:  Website: https://selfreliantleadership.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janrutherford/ Book (Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader: How Grit and Disciplined Duty Forge Indomitable Teams): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1637745591?tag=randohouseinc7986-20 To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Laurie Battaglia: Laurie Battaglia is the CEO of Aligned at Work and a leadership coach known for helping organizations dismantle unhealthy hierarchies and build cultures where people and performance can thrive. With decades of experience in organizational development, her work centers on trust, accountability, and authentic leadership that drives measurable results. She holds a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a certified Professional Coach and Energy Leadership Index® Master Practitioner through iPEC. Her approach blends vulnerability, transparency, and direct conversation—turning so-called “soft skills” into real competitive advantages. Through storytelling, truth-telling, and practical assessment tools, she challenges leaders to rethink power, lead themselves first, and create workplaces rooted in self-awareness, respect, and sustained impact.In this episode, Gary and Laurie Battaglia discuss:What it really feels like to leave a long corporate career and start a business later in life Why most leadership training fails without accountability and follow-through How trust, facilitation, and psychological safety unlock better performance in teams The growing leadership gap in industries facing generational turnover—and why apprenticeship models matter Key Takeaways:Starting a business almost always takes longer than expected. Preparation helps, but persistence matters more once the leap is made.Training without accountability doesn’t create change. Measurement, follow-up, and peer visibility are what turn learning into lasting behavior.The most effective leaders don’t dominate the room. They create space where others feel safe enough to think, speak, and contribute honestly. Skills don’t transfer by osmosis. If organizations don’t intentionally teach relationship-building, communication, and leadership judgment, those capabilities quietly disappear over time."It's not what we're doing, it's how we're doing it." — Laurie BattagliaConnect with Laurie Battaglia:  Website: https://alignedatwork.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauriebattaglia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alignedatwork1052 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedatwork To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About George Pesansky: George Pesansky is a leadership expert, educator, and founder of MyBlendedLearning.com, a training and development firm focused on deliberate improvement, risk management, and building high-performing teams. Drawing from experience across the military, manufacturing, and corporate consulting, his work helps individuals and organizations unlock sustainable performance through systems, empowerment, and practical skill-building.A former Army officer and long-time advisor to global industrial organizations, he has spent decades teaching leaders how to develop people, manage complexity, and create environments where teams can succeed—even in the leader’s absence. His new book, Superperformance, packs eight proven strategies to help you stop chasing peak performance—and start living it every day.In this episode, Gary and George Pesansky discuss:How early leadership instincts and military service shaped a lifelong approach to servant leadership Transitioning from the Army into private industry—and learning to lead without technical expertise Rethinking risk as something to anticipate, manage, and mitigate long before a crisis hits Why true leadership success means systems and teams function effectively—even when you’re not thereKey Takeaways:Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating clarity around purpose, empowering people to take ownership, and trusting the systems you’ve built to carry the mission forward. Risk feels frightening when it’s treated as an emergency. When identified early and broken into manageable pieces, it becomes something that can be planned for rather than feared.Technical expertise matters less than listening and learning. Teams perform best when leaders focus on the “why,” not just the “how,” and give people room to grow into responsibility.Sustainable performance shows up when the leader’s presence is no longer required for success. If everything breaks when you step away, the work isn’t finished yet.“Risk is really a function of time, and the more time you have, the more options you have.” — George PesanskyConnect with George Pesansky:  Website: https://georgepesansky.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deliberateimprovement/   X: https://x.com/SuperPerformnz  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.pesansky For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Myles Powell: Myles is a business leader and problem solver with 10+ years of experience scaling companies, managing multimillion-dollar projects, and coaching entrepreneurs. As Founder & CEO of Myles Comfort Foods, he built a national brand distributed in 700+ retail locations and raised over $1M in capital. His background also spans utility project management, financial services as a mortgage loan officer, and fitness coaching.Myles thrives in roles where every day is different—combining his analytical skills with his passion for people, business development, and strategy. Whether building growth playbooks, managing cross-functional teams, or supporting clients with financial and fitness goals, he brings energy, adaptability, and a proven track record of advancing quickly and delivering results.In this episode, Gary and Myles Powell discuss:How Myles walked away from engineering to build Myles Comfort Foods from scratchTurning a homemade barbecue sauce and food blog into a retail-ready CPG brandThe scrappy early days: shared kitchens, farmers markets, and bootstrapping into Whole Foods and TargetWhy relentless learning, risk-taking, and “hunger for more” drive Myles’ vision for clean comfort food everywhereKey Takeaways:You don’t need the perfect plan to start—just keep stepping into the next obvious move and learn the rest on the fly.Side hustling can be the real MBA: from filing trademarks to renting kitchen space and hand-delivering product, the best CPG lessons often come from doing.Listening to the market can change everything—the shift from sauce to frozen comfort foods came directly from real customer behavior at farmers' markets.Being obsessed with progress and lifelong learning turns every job, failure, and pivot into a license to learn, not a finish line."I always had this entrepreneurship spirit, and I wanted to figure out what to do with it, and I knew food had to be involved." — Myles PowellConnect with Myles Powell:  Website: https://www.mylescomfortfoods.com/ For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About David Carter: David Carter is a serial entrepreneur, longtime CEO mentor, and founder of The Truth Contract, a platform created to challenge mainstream narratives and investigate the systems shaping our health, freedoms, and future. He began his career in high finance in the late ’70s and ’80s, working on leveraged buyouts and private equity across the US, Europe, and the Middle East before a blunt mentor told him he was “on the wrong side of the table,” pushing him into ownership and entrepreneurship. David went on to build and exit several ventures—including UK golf and country club businesses, one of which floated on London’s AIM stock market—and spent about 25 years mentoring CEOs of major companies, focusing on the leadership “performance X-factor.” Today, through The Truth Contract, he channels that experience into deep-dive conversations and research aimed at helping people see through illusion, better evaluate “truth,” and safeguard the next generation.In this episode, Gary and David Carter discuss:Leaving a successful career in finance to step into ownership, risk, and entrepreneurship The idea of a leadership “X-factor” and why intuition often outperforms spreadsheets when evaluating people Why handwritten letters still open doors in a digital-first world—and how intentional effort builds trust The origins of The Truth Contract and the motivation behind questioning mainstream narratives and information systems Key Takeaways:Career breakthroughs often begin with uncomfortable honesty. Being told you’re “on the wrong side of the table” can be the push that turns a high performer into an owner and builder.Intuition isn’t mystical—it’s pattern recognition sharpened over time. Deep exposure to people, cultures, and decisions creates an internal compass that leaders ignore at their own risk. Effort signals intent. A handwritten letter, thoughtful outreach, or deliberate follow-up communicates seriousness in a way frictionless digital communication rarely does.Questioning accepted narratives requires courage and discernment. The challenge isn’t just accessing information; it’s learning how to evaluate truth, bias, and motivation without falling into fear or apathy."I don't want my grandchildren to end up being incapable of having their own children because I didn't do something on my watch." — David CarterConnect with David Carter:  Website: https://www.thetruthcontract.co.uk/https://www.spermegggeddon.com/ X: https://x.com/truth_contract  Reddit- https://thetruthcontract.substack.com/ For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Lamell McMorris: Dr. Lamell McMorris is a nationally recognized leader at the intersection of business, justice, and social impact, and the best-selling author of The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience. His work draws from his South Side Chicago roots to offer a practical, inspiring framework for turning challenges into purpose and momentum.Building on the book’s mission, he hosts The Power to Persist podcast, where he speaks with changemakers and leaders about resilience, justice, and transformational leadership.Dr. McMorris is the founder and CEO of Phase 2 Consulting, advising Fortune 100 executives, nonprofit leaders, and public sector decision-makers on aligning purpose with performance. He also founded Greenlining Realty® USA, a mission-driven development firm revitalizing underserved communities—including his childhood neighborhood of Woodlawn, Chicago.He serves as Senior Vice Chair of the National Urban League Board of Trustees and sits on several nonprofit and academic boards, continuing his lifelong advocacy for civil, economic, and human rights.With degrees from Morehouse College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Northeastern University, Dr. McMorris remains committed to advancing a movement of resilience—one that strengthens communities, empowers leaders, and inspires people to persist with purpose.In this episode, Gary and Lamell McMorris discuss:How being fired at age 27 became the catalyst that redirected his life toward entrepreneurship and advocacy What it really takes to break into lobbying with no connections, no political pedigree, and 40,000 competitors in Washington, D.C. Why childhood exposure to policy, politics, and community leadership shaped his life’s calling The meaning of resilience—on the individual level, within families, and across communities—and why it matters now more than everKey Takeaways:Major career pivots often begin with what feels like failure. Losing a job can become the moment that frees you to pursue the work you were actually meant to do. It’s not enough to have expertise—you need conviction, perspective, and the humility to build relationships that bridge communities, corporations, and public service.Leaders who serve others first create impact that lasts. Advocacy, whether in public policy or business, is ultimately the act of showing up for people who rely on you.Resilience isn’t just a personal trait; it’s a generational investment. The way we show up today shapes what young people learn, inherit, and believe is possible."Resilience cuts across all sectors, not just for individuals, not just the habits that we need to embody as individuals, but frankly, the habits that we need to embody from an industry standpoint as entrepreneurs and for communities." — Lamell McMorrisConnect with Lamell McMorris:  Website: http://www.lamellmcmorris.com/ | http://www.phase2-consulting.com/ | http://www.greenliningrealtyusa.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamellmcmorris Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lamellmc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088140180810 For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Rob Cromer: Rob Cromer is the CEO of Aisle3, an Amazon-first agency built for founder-led brands that want real scale without losing their identity. He calls Amazon the Third Aisle of commerce, the place where volume lives, competition is real, and the details decide who grows. His background runs from capital markets to ad tech to performance marketing, which shapes how he thinks, part operator, part strategist, part sales floor analyst. Before Aisle3, he co-founded and scaled Adcade, a venture-backed ad tech company.Today, he leads a fully in-house team across creative, catalog, advertising, fulfillment, and strategy, all built around one idea: brands win on Amazon when the people doing the work sit close to the work. Aisle3 has been recognized by Adweek as one of the fastest-growing agencies and ranked on the Inc. 5000 list. Rob is an active voice in the conversations around marketplaces, brand strategy, and the future of retail. His focus is simple: help brands grow with clear thinking, sharp execution, and zero compromise on who they are.In this episode, Gary and Rob Cromer discuss:How Rob went from a political science major to equities trading to entrepreneurship in New York City The rise and unraveling of his first venture-backed startup—and the painful lessons that followed Why Aisle Three exists, what “the third aisle” really means, and how marketplace strategy shapes modern commerce The emotional side of entrepreneurship: identity, ego, burnout, ayahuasca, and rebuilding trust in yourself after failureKey Takeaways:Venture capital can accelerate growth, but misaligned incentives can just as easily derail a company. The people you partner with matter just as much as the capital itself.Failure doesn’t end when a business closes; it lingers in identity, confidence, and self-worth. Finding your way back may require radical honesty, rest, or even stepping far outside your comfort zone to rediscover purpose.Marketplace growth isn’t automatic or effortless. Success demands a targeted approach: real product-market fit, careful strategy, and making sure your marketplace push supports—not sabotages—your direct sales.Forget the generic hustle advice. Big career moves are deeply personal. The best decision isn’t just about chasing growth, but balancing ambition with your life stage, family, and who you genuinely want to become."I think that the key to life is taking those experiences and pivoting on them, right? If you're the same person at 40 as you were at 20, that's not a good thing, right?" — Rob CromerConnect with Rob Cromer:  Website: https://www.aisle3.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aisle3/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/robcromer/ For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Wombi Rose: Wombi Rose is the Co-Founder and CEO of LovePop, the innovative consumer brand creating intricately engineered 3D pop-up greeting cards designed to spark “magical moments” between people. A former naval architect turned entrepreneur, Wombi blends technical precision with emotional storytelling—building a product loved by millions worldwide.Originally trained in ship design at the Webb Institute and later earning his MBA at Harvard Business School, Wombi shifted from designing vessels to designing experiences after encountering slice-form kirigami in Vietnam—a discovery that would inspire LovePop’s signature engineering-meets-art approach. Today, LovePop has delivered more than 65 million magical moments, expanded into plush pops, bouquets, and holiday innovations, and grown into a beloved omnichannel consumer brand.In this episode, Gary and Wombi Rose discuss:The moment in Vietnam that sparked LovePop’s founding idea and shifted Wombi’s career path How engineering principles from naval architecture translate into intricate paper art and manufacturing precision LovePop’s early hustle—craft fairs, Kickstarter, TechStars, and the Shark Tank pitch that changed everything Why LovePop remains laser-focused on “magical moments” and how that mission guides product innovation and long-term strategyKey Takeaways:Founding ideas often emerge from unexpected intersections. For Wombi and his co-founder, the blend of ship-design geometry and Vietnamese kirigami unlocked a completely new consumer category—proof that creativity thrives at the edges of disciplines.Early traction rarely comes from theory; it comes from hustle. Wombi and John spent weekends at craft fairs, selling for 12 hours straight without breaks, gathering real-world feedback that shaped their product and validated demand. Emotional resonance is a serious business advantage. LovePop’s cards stand out because they create visceral reactions—surprise, delight, and connection, which is something the traditional greeting card aisle has struggled to deliver for decades.Focus beats expansion. Instead of chasing adjacent markets, LovePop concentrates on putting “the most magic possible into a card”—a constraint that fuels creativity, keeps the brand disciplined, and strengthens its mission-driven growth.“The world needs more magical moments. People are happier, people are healthier, and they feel less stress when they're spending more time appreciating and recognizing other people.” — Wombi RoseConnect with Wombi Rose:  Website: https://www.lovepop.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/wombi For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Jim Martin: As founder and managing partner of ACM and an internationally recognized turnaround expert, James “Jim” Martin has created and restored more than $1 billion in value to private companies. In addition, Martin has raised half a billion dollars in capital and bought and sold companies in excess of $500 million.Mr. Martin specializes in turnaround advisory and has vast experience in the aviation and fast food industries.  Today, Martin serves ACM clients in various capacities, including financial advisory, strategic renewal, mergers and acquisitions, and synergistic opportunities.In addition to his turnaround success, Martin’s track record includes strategic renewal, organizational reform, debt restructuring, and raising capital. Martin is also well-versed in the world of bankruptcy as he has successfully guided companies through Chapter 11 filings. Martin earned an MBA from Emory University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Florida State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant.In this episode, Gary and Jim Martin discuss:Jim’s unconventional path into restructuring—from early banking roles to navigating hyperinflation and the Russian mob in 1990s PolandWhat really happens when companies enter distress, and the early warning signs most leaders ignoreWhy success-based pricing changes the relationship between a company and its turnaround partnerThe human side of restructuring—ego, family dynamics, difficult decisions, and the weight of safeguarding people’s livelihoodsKey Takeaways:Many companies fail long before the numbers show it. Early warning signs often come from tightened credit, slower collections, and lenders suddenly paying closer attention.In a crisis, clarity beats comfort every time. Direct conversations, even when they’re painful, are what give organizations their best chance at survival and eventual recovery.A success-aligned turnaround model forces everyone to row in the same direction. When the advisor has real skin in the game, trust deepens, and decisions become far more grounded.Restructuring is fundamentally about people. Saving a company isn’t just a financial exercise—it’s about protecting jobs, families, and futures, and that responsibility shapes every leadership choice.[On early warning signs & crisis management]“One is when the bank starts to tighten their grip on their credit. So it doesn't necessarily mean you're in default. Doesn't even necessarily mean that you've done anything wrong, per se. But you have more scrutiny. You have workout guys that are all of a sudden hovering about, you know, because they anticipate problems. So that's one that, candidly, people miss.” — Jim MartinConnect with Jim Martin:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-martin-9592737/ Website: https://acmcapitalpartners.com/ For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Priya Nalkur: Priya Nalkur, Ed.D., a psychologist with a genuine and authentic approach, has earned her educational stripes from Harvard and Yale. She is the heart and soul of the RoundTable Institute, a pioneering force in inclusive leadership and professional coaching. Her recent book, Stumbling Towards Inclusion: Finding Grace in Imperfect Leadership, offers an engaging and human narrative of her journey, beginning with her formative experiences as an outsider in a small Canadian town and evolving into a heartfelt mission to reshape leadership with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.At the RoundTable Institute, a new leadership philosophy is embraced under Dr. Nalkur's authentic and human-centered leadership. It's about being unapologetically yourself, tackling differences head-on, striving for equity, and creating brave spaces that unlock the potential in everyone. Leadership is about being an ally and doing the unimaginable while maintaining a solid bottom line. It's where leadership transcends traditional competencies, embodying bravery, imagination, and the constant evolution toward inclusive workplaces.Dr. Nalkur believes today's leaders must be allies, boldly pushing boundaries and nurturing inclusive environments that bring out the best in people. Living in Austin, Texas, with her two vibrant children, Dr. Nalkur finds her balance and inspiration in nature, family kitchen dance parties, and the joy of exploration.In this episode, Gary and Priya Nalkur discuss:How early coaching shifted Priya’s life trajectory and awakened her purposeThe role of resilience, endurance, and focus in navigating uncertaintyHuman-centered approaches to leadership, conflict, and collective wisdomBuilding The RoundTable Institute and why courageous conversations change organizationsKey Takeaways:Endurance isn’t just physical stamina—it’s the willingness to stay in the work long enough to discover who you really are and what you’re capable of becoming.Real growth comes from focusing on what’s actually within your influence: your attention, your beliefs, and the meaning you assign to challenges—instead of trying to control everything outside yourself.Resistance in a room isn’t a threat—it’s an invitation. When leaders treat differing viewpoints as opportunities for connection, teams unlock deeper wisdom and stronger relationships.Purpose tends to reveal itself over time. You don’t need all the answers at once; you just need a clear direction, the courage to take the next step, and the humility to keep learning along the way.“What you can control is what you focus on, and what you believe and how you approach it. So stop trying to control other people's reactions to you and the weather and the traffic and all these other things. It's a waste of your time and energy." — Priya NalkurConnect with Priya Nalkur:  Website: https://www.priyanalkur.com/ & https://www.theroundtableinstitute.com/  For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Patrick Donohue: Patrick Donohue is the Founder and CEO of Hill Capital Corporation, an investment firm that reimagines the relationship between capital and entrepreneurship. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with roots in investment banking and private equity, Patrick brings a unique perspective to supporting vision-driven founders.Through Hill Capital, he has developed an innovative investment approach that prioritizes founder flexibility and partnership over traditional transactional investing. His strategy focuses on providing capital that empowers entrepreneurs to scale their businesses while maintaining their strategic independence. Drawing from his own entrepreneurial experience, Patrick understands that successful investments are built on mutual trust, adaptability, and a shared commitment to long-term value creation.In this episode, Gary and Patrick Donohue discuss:How early career lessons in finance shaped Patrick’s entrepreneurial mindsetThe disconnect between Wall Street and Main Street—and what founders can learn from itBuilding fair, flexible investment structures that align investors and foundersThe human element behind deal-making, valuation, and long-term partnershipsKey Takeaways:The foundation of good investing lies in relationships. When investors and founders see each other as partners rather than opponents, capital becomes a tool for mutual growth.Adaptability trumps perfection. Founders who can navigate uncertainty are more valuable than those with rigid business plans.Traditional financial metrics are just the starting point. True value creation comes from understanding a founder's long-term vision and potential for disruption.The best investors meet founders where they are, helping them scale sustainably while preserving the spirit and independence that made their ventures possible in the first place."Valuation at an early stage is extremely subjective, and an investor is right to say that the company is worth very little, and the founder is right to say it's worth a lot." — Patrick DonohueConnect with Patrick Donohue:  Website: https://www.hillcapitalcorp.com/ & https://www.breakoutvaluation.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickedonohue/ For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/To get in touch with Gary:Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.