Cleared For Takeoff

What does it take to go from sleeping in your car at 14 years old to leading one of the most respected organizations in North America?For Julian Scadden, it started with one realization: the people creating opportunity weren't necessarily smarter—they simply knew how to connect with others.In this episode of Cleared For Takeoff, Charles Eide sits down with the President & CEO of Nexstar Network for one of the most personal conversations Julian has ever shared publicly.He opens up about growing up in a difficult environment, dropping out of high school, living out of his car, reconnecting with his father after years apart, and how mentors helped reshape his future.Julian also shares why conversations are the foundation of leadership, why work ethic is often misunderstood, and the surprisingly simple advice that changed his career forever.The conversation culminates with an inside look at one of the biggest decisions of Julian's career—leading Nexstar through the difficult choice to sunset private equity-backed memberships in order to protect the organization's mission, culture, and long-term future.Whether you're a business owner, leader, entrepreneur, or simply someone trying to navigate life's next chapter, this episode is filled with wisdom that will stay with you long after it ends.In this episode you'll learn:Why communication—not talent—is often the greatest predictor of success.How Julian went from an introverted teenager to leading thousands of business owners.The powerful story of becoming homeless at 14 and rebuilding his life.The mentors and conversations that changed everything.Why "The conversation is the relationship."The "Straight Eight" philosophy that transformed Julian's career.Why passion doesn't always come before success—and why that's okay.The massive opportunity within the skilled trades today.What leaders get wrong about work-life balance and employee expectations.How Nexstar made the difficult decision to prioritize mission over rapid growth by walking away from private equity-backed companies.The difference between growing a business and building one that can truly scale.Why the hardest leadership decisions are often the ones that define your legacy.Meet Julian:Julian Scadden is the President & CEO of Nexstar Network, a member-owned organization dedicated to helping independent plumbing, HVAC, and electrical businesses become stronger leaders and more successful companies.After overcoming an incredibly challenging upbringing—including dropping out of high school and experiencing homelessness as a teenager—Julian built a career rooted in resilience, communication, and servant leadership. Beginning as a laborer in the skilled trades, he steadily advanced through leadership roles before joining Nexstar, where he has helped guide one of the industry's most influential organizations.Known for his authentic leadership style and unwavering commitment to mission over short-term gain, Julian is passionate about developing leaders, strengthening independent businesses, and elevating the skilled trades as one of today's greatest career opportunities.Today, he leads Nexstar with a focus on helping great tradespeople become exceptional business leaders while preserving the culture, trust, and values that have defined the organization for decades. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people know Mount Everest as the tallest mountain on Earth.Ryan Rivard knows it as a teacher.Before standing on top of the world, Ryan experienced rock bottom. He battled addiction, lived out of his car, and fought to rebuild his life one decision at a time. Years later, after becoming sober, building a successful marketing agency, raising four children, and reclaiming his relationship with his father, he pursued one of the most dangerous challenges imaginable: summiting Mount Everest.In this powerful conversation with Charles Eide, Ryan pulls back the curtain on what it's actually like to climb Everest. From navigating the deadly Khumbu Icefall and surviving the infamous Death Zone to witnessing life-and-death decisions on the mountain, he shares stories few people on Earth can tell.But this episode is about much more than mountaineering.Ryan explains why every person has an "Everest" in life, how focusing on the next ten steps can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles, why the journey matters more than the destination, and how faith, resilience, and community helped transform his life from addiction to purpose.This conversation is equal parts adventure, leadership lesson, and reminder that no matter where you start, your future is not determined by your past.In this episode you'll learn: Why Ryan believes climbing Mount Everest is more mentally challenging than physically demanding.The incredible journey from addiction and homelessness to becoming one of the few Americans to summit Everest.What it's really like inside the Death Zone—and why more climbers die coming down than going up.The simple mindset that helped Ryan overcome impossible moments: focusing on the next ten steps.How recovery transformed not only Ryan's life but also restored his relationship with his father.Why success isn't reaching the summit—it's becoming the person the journey requires.The role faith, family, and purpose played in helping Ryan accomplish what once seemed impossible.How letting go of shame can become the turning point that changes someone else's life.Lessons from Everest that apply directly to business, leadership, and everyday challenges.Why Ryan says everyone has an "Everest"—and how anyone can begin climbing theirs.Meet Ryan Rivard:Ryan Rivard is an entrepreneur, endurance athlete, marketing strategist, and one of the few Americans to successfully summit Mount Everest.After overcoming addiction as a teenager, Ryan rebuilt his life through recovery, education, and entrepreneurship, eventually founding Bespoken, a marketing agency specializing in SEO, AI-powered marketing, and business growth. Today, he combines his experience in business with the life-changing lessons learned from some of the world's highest mountains. Ryan is passionate about helping others overcome adversity, discover purpose, and pursue seemingly impossible goals. Through coaching, speaking, and his upcoming book, he shares a powerful message of resilience, faith, and personal transformation—proving that no matter where you begin, it's possible to reach extraordinary heights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We spend years learning technical skills, building expertise, and chasing success.But what if the thing that determines your success isn't what you know—it's how you manage yourself?In this episode of Cleared For Takeoff, Charles sits down with international keynote speaker, executive coach, and emotional intelligence expert Rich Bracken to explore why EQ has become one of the most valuable leadership skills in today's world.Rich shares the personal story of the panic attack that forced him to rethink everything, why emotional intelligence accounts for a massive portion of professional performance, and how leaders unknowingly create cultures of fear without realizing it.Together, they dive into practical ways to improve self-awareness, build stronger teams, navigate difficult conversations, embrace vulnerability without appearing weak, and create workplaces where people feel seen, heard, and motivated to contribute their best ideas.The conversation also explores how AI should free us to become more human—not less—and why the future belongs to leaders who can build trust, connection, and psychological safety.Whether you're leading a company, managing a team, building a business, or simply trying to become a better communicator, this episode offers practical tools that can improve every relationship in your life.In this episode you'll learn: Why emotional intelligence predicts performance more than IQ• The simple 7-second habit that can change your reactions• Why "That's just the way I am" is one of the most dangerous leadership mindsets• How to build a culture where people actually share their best ideas• The balance between vulnerability and confidence as a leader• Why AI is creating more opportunities for human connection• How to become the kind of leader people willingly followBecause success isn't just about being the smartest person in the room.It's about bringing out the best in everyone else.Meet Rich Bracken:Rich Bracken is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, executive coach, and emotional intelligence expert who helps organizations build stronger leaders, healthier cultures, and higher-performing teams.After a life-changing panic attack led him to discover the power of emotional intelligence, Rich dedicated his career to helping leaders improve self-awareness, communication, resilience, and human connection. Today, he speaks around the world to organizations of every size, combining research-backed leadership strategies with his unique background as a professional DJ to create unforgettable learning experiences.Rich is also the creator of the acclaimed "Soundtrack for Success" keynote, blending music, psychology, and leadership into an interactive experience that's changing the way organizations think about emotional intelligence. He is also the author of an upcoming book on sustainable change and leadership transformation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Paul Nystrom has spent more than two decades treating patients in emergency medicine, serving alongside Navy SEAL teams, working with SWAT units, and helping save lives in some of the most critical situations imaginable.But after years of practicing medicine, he's become increasingly convinced that many of the biggest health challenges facing Americans today aren't caused by a lack of medication—they're caused by lifestyle choices, processed foods, and a healthcare system focused on treating symptoms instead of root causes.In this episode, Charles and Dr. Nystrom discuss:What it's really like working in a Level 1 Trauma CenterThe most intense life-saving procedure performed in the ERWhy chronic disease has exploded in AmericaThe truth about fat, cholesterol, and heart diseaseWhy insulin resistance may be the root of many health problemsThe role food addiction plays in obesity and poor healthHormones, sleep, sunlight, and preventative healthGLP-1 medications like Ozempic and what people should know before taking themWhy personal responsibility is still the most powerful health intervention availableWhether you agree with every perspective or not, this conversation will challenge assumptions and encourage you to take a closer look at the habits shaping your health.Meet Dr. Paul Nystrom:Dr. Paul Nystrom is an Emergency Medicine physician, EMS Medical Director, Navy veteran, and SWAT team medical officer based in Minnesota.After earning his medical degree shortly before 9/11, Dr. Nystrom joined the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Dive Medical Officer and worked alongside active-duty Navy SEAL teams. He later completed his Emergency Medicine residency at a Level 1 Trauma Center and has spent more than 20 years practicing medicine on the front lines of emergency care.Today, in addition to treating patients, Dr. Nystrom educates public safety professionals on health, performance, nutrition, sleep, and longevity. His mission is simple: help people become healthier, stronger, and more capable through better information and personal responsibility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Vincent is not your average guest. He's a two-time World Highland Games Champion, a former Division I athlete at LSU, a content creator, coach, entrepreneur — and a man who has faced the kind of losses that break most people. Nine knee surgeries. Chronic pain. The end of a career he didn't see coming. The collapse of an identity he'd spent 20 years building.In this deeply honest conversation with Charles Eide, Matt pulls back the curtain on what happened after the trophies stopped coming — and what it actually takes to rebuild a life worth living.Matt shares the story of discovering the Highland Games through a message board in 2008, going from amateur competitor to world champion in just a few years, and then watching it all come apart when his knee began failing in 2016. What followed was not just physical trauma, but a full-on identity crisis — losing his sport, his community, his business foundation, and his ability to manage stress through training.But what makes this conversation extraordinary isn't the fall — it's the rebuild. Matt walks through the tools that saved him: cold plunging, breathwork, journaling, gratitude practices, and learning to regulate his central nervous system. He explains, with remarkable clarity, how fight-or-flight culture keeps us trapped, why anxiety is just attachment to an outcome we're afraid won't happen, and how managing your nervous system is the single most powerful thing you can do for your business, your relationships, and your life.If you've ever felt like your identity was too tied to what you do, if you're running on fumes and calling it drive, or if you've ever wondered whether there's a version of success that actually feels like yours — this episode is exactly what you need to hear.Topics covered in this episode:Growing up in small-town Louisiana and finding identity through sportThe path from LSU track and field to two-time World Highland Games ChampionNine knee surgeries and a total knee replacement — and what chronic pain does to the soulWhat happens when your identity disappears overnightCold plunging, breathwork, and the science of the central nervous systemWhy fight-or-flight is keeping modern society stuck and manipulatedMatt's daily gratitude practice using a mala — and why it works neurologicallyThe "deload" principle: why strategic rest is the secret to sustainable high performanceDesigning a life on your own terms — and what a perfect day actually looks likeEgo, identity, and how to let go of the story you've been telling yourselfWhy arguing is a waste of energy — and what to do insteadMeet Matt Vincent:Matt Vincent is a two-time World Highland Games Champion, former Division I track and field athlete at Louisiana State University, entrepreneur, content creator, and mindset coach. After competing at the elite level in one of the world's most physically demanding multi-event sports — throwing stones, weights, hammers, and cabers — Matt's career was derailed by a series of devastating knee injuries that ultimately required nine surgeries and a total knee replacement.What followed was a profound personal reinvention. Drawing on mentorship from mobility pioneer Kelly Starrett (author of Becoming a Supple Leopard), exposure to Wim Hof breathwork, and years of disciplined journaling and self-inquiry, Matt rebuilt his life around the principles of nervous system regulation, intentional living, and radical gratitude. He now coaches individuals on performance mindset, leads retreats, creates digital content, and travels the country in his custom off-grid van — living proof that the best chapters of a life don't have to come first.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.