Flex Forward

What does it take to become a great leader? And why is good old-fashioned hospitality more important than ever? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Patrick Greyard, a restaurant industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience and the Vice President of Operations for a Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux franchise group in West Texas. Patrick has worked with major restaurant brands, including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, and Fogo de Chão. He's also helped open more than 50 restaurants around the world. But some of his biggest lessons have come from learning how to lead people. Patrick shares why moving from managing one restaurant to leading several locations can be such a challenge. He talks about the mentors who helped him grow, the value of honest feedback, and why great leaders must learn to listen. He also explains why he believes the restaurant industry has lost some of its personal touch and how bringing back real hospitality can help a business stand out. Nic and Patrick also discuss restaurant growth in West Texas, building strong teams, and Patrick's plans for future ownership and expansion.

What if feeling healthy means more than just having good lab results? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet welcomes Dr. Tazeen Qidwai, a functional medicine and homeopathy practitioner with 17 years of experience, to explore a different way of looking at health. Dr. Qidwai believes that understanding a person's health means looking beyond their symptoms. She shares her approach to whole-person care and explains why she considers physical health, emotional well-being, stress, and personal experiences when working with patients. With a special interest in autoimmune conditions and mental health, Dr. Qidwai discusses the challenges people face when living with long-term health concerns. She also explains her perspective on how homeopathy can complement conventional medical care. But this conversation isn't just about health. Dr. Qidwai also shares her inspiring journey from working in critical care and cardiology in Mumbai, India, to building an international practice and starting a new chapter in the United States. Her story is one of curiosity, determination, and the courage to take a new path. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why Dr. Qidwai believes good health is about more than lab results. How she approaches the connection between mental and physical well-being. Why she believes each patient deserves an individual approach to care. What led her to move from critical care and cardiology into homeopathy. The challenges of building a professional life in a new country. How persistence and a desire to help others have shaped her journey. Meet Dr. Tazeen Qidwai Dr. Tazeen Qidwai is a practitioner originally from Mumbai, India, with 17 years of experience. Her work focuses on functional medicine and homeopathy, with special interests in autoimmune conditions and mental health. She has worked with patients across several countries, including India, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. After moving to the U.S., she began working toward establishing her professional practice in a new healthcare environment.

What does it take to build a successful career when the path forward isn't always clear? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Angela Mincey, Chief Operating Officer at Airvolt, Inc., to talk about leadership, business growth, overcoming challenges, and the power of building meaningful relationships. Angela shares her journey from growing up with very little to becoming a global business leader. With approximately 15 years of experience in global partnerships, she has learned that success often starts with seeing possibilities where others see limitations. As COO of Airvolt, Angela helps grow a company developing innovative solutions, including advertising displays designed to help clean the air. She also shares how her passion for business strategy and helping others inspired her to launch her own consulting firm, WeScale Partnerships and Strategy Solutions. Nic and Angela explore why lifelong learning matters, how artificial intelligence can make work easier without replacing human connection, and why strong relationships are so important in business. Angela also opens up about the challenges she has faced as a Black woman in leadership and why she is passionate about inspiring young people to believe in their own potential. This conversation is a reminder that where you start doesn't have to determine where you finish.

From Hollywood to AI: Reinventing Creativity with Josie Kaye What happens when you stop waiting for someone to say yes to your ideas and start making them happen yourself? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, we meet Josie Kaye, an AI creative director and story architect who found a new way to bring her stories to life. Josie spent years working in marketing, film, and entertainment. She made commercials, wrote scripts, and pitched TV shows in Hollywood. But even when people liked her ideas, they often said the projects were too different or too risky. Then she found AI, and everything changed. Josie shares how one video sent by her brother led her down a new path. She taught herself how to make AI videos, created her own short film, and began building a new career around the stories she loves to tell. Nic and Josie also talk about why it's okay to fail, how curiosity helps us learn, and why we should all bring our inner child along when trying something new. You'll hear how Josie is now teaching others to use AI, making creative work for brands, and building a new business with a partner. In this episode, you'll discover: How Josie went from Hollywood screenwriter to AI creative director. Why AI can help people bring their creative ideas to life. How to start learning AI, even if you're new to it. Why trying, failing, and trying again can lead to success. How finding the right business partner can help you grow. Why it's never too late to take your career in a new direction.

What if one simple conversation could change your whole career? On this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Nic sits down with Neka Hickmon, a global business technology and operations leader who was named one of the Top 100 Women in Finance in 2024. Neka shares how a chance meeting in a break room at Lockheed Martin helped move her career from software development into project management and leadership. Her story shows how building relationships, staying open to change, and taking chances can lead to new opportunities. Nic and Neka talk about the power of problem solving, why good leaders need to know when to step back, and how to explain complex ideas in ways everyone can understand. Neka also shares how raising three children has helped her become a better leader, why technology offers more career paths than many people realize, and how setting financial goals early can help build a stronger future. In this episode, you'll discover: How an unexpected conversation changed Neka's career path. Why strong relationships can open doors to new opportunities. How to become a better problem solver and stay flexible when plans change. Why great leaders help others grow instead of doing everything themselves. How to communicate complex technology issues in simple terms. What parenting can teach us about leadership and working with different personalities. Why STEM skills matter in nearly every industry. How early retirement savings and financial goals can support long-term success. About Neka Hickmon Neka Hickmon is a global business technology and operations leader with a computer science degree from Texas Tech University. She has built a career helping organizations develop safe and reliable technology solutions. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Finance in 2024, Neka is passionate about leadership, mentoring, STEM education, and helping others reach their career goals.