Shows
Tales of Leadership#100 Jake Larson "Papa Jake" - WWII Veteran🎙 Episode Title: The Luckiest Man in the World – Leadership Lessons from 102-Year-Old WWII Veteran “Papa Jake”In this powerful episode of Tales of Leadership, I sit down with Jake Larson—affectionately known as “Papa Jake”—a 102-year-old World War II veteran and national treasure whose story has captivated millions across the world.Born during the Great Depression and raised on a farm in rural Minnesota, Jake’s journey took him from poverty to the front lines of history. At just 15 years old, he joined the National Guard by lying about his age. That bold decision would...2025-04-141h 55
Tales of Leadership#99 Lon Stroschein - Founder of Normal 40 and Best-selling AuthorLon Stroschein is the founder of Normal 40 and best-selling author of The Trade. With a career spanning international expansion, leading a $100M division, closing a $2.1B public deal, founding a private wealth group, and serving in the U.S. Senate, Lon knows success at the highest levels.But his defining moment wasn’t in the boardroom—it was when he chose to walk away and chart a new path. Now, Lon helps high-performing professionals—executives, physicians, attorneys, military officers, and business owners—reclaim purpose and write the next chapter of their lives with intention.Each episode...2025-03-311h 18
Tales of Leadership#98 Joshua McMillion - How to Avoid Transitional Leadership PitfallsTransitional leaders view people as objects to be used for selfish gain. If you choose this easy path, you may see temporary success, but you can also cause devastating effects in both your life and your organization. Below are ten habits to avoid to prevent becoming a transitional leader.✅ LIKE, SHARE, & SUBCRIBE ✅ GIVE A 5-STAR REVIEW✅ SUPPORT BY DONATING✅ BECOME A SHOW SPONSOR🫡 My Why: I’ve seen the cost of poor leadership — how it can destroy morale, break trust, and in the worst cases, lead to lives lost, including...2025-03-1731 min
Tales of Leadership#97 Brent Polhman - CEO for Midwest Laboratories & Best Selling AuthorBrent Pohlman is an executive leader at Midwest Laboratories, where he has been instrumental in driving a positive impact on the lives of employees, clients, and communities for over seven years. At Midwest Laboratories, Brent is known for fostering a culture of excellence and trust, leveraging core competencies in innovation, teamwork, and dynamic service to benefit staff and partners. A published author with the latest book, "Leaders Look Within," released in May 2023, Brent shares invaluable insights on leading from the heart, coaching others, and nurturing a culture of trust and excellence. With an MBA in human resources and a...2025-03-031h 07
Tales of Leadership#96 Joshua McMillion - Understanding Your Core ValuesWe are continuing with the House of Leadership (HOL) series. Throughout the series, my goal is not to persuade you toward the six principles I've selected. However, I do want to inspire you to critically think about what your principles will be. The best mentor we have is ourselves. Why? Because we spend literally every waking moment with ourselves. Remember, the first leadership phase is self-leadership, a fact throughout our journey to become Purposeful Accountable Leaders (PALs). Start discovering who you are and become the leader your team and this world need. Here are the first three of six...2025-02-1738 min
Tales of Leadership#95 Morgan Sullivan - Leadership Lessons from the Battlefield to the FieldMorgan Sullivan is a father to four exceptional children and a husband to a wife he believes he doesn't deserve. Morgan grew up in a small town in southeastern Ohio, where his days were spent working on a farm and engaging in sports. He pursued higher education at Heidelberg College and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. On September 12th, 2002, Morgan joined the Army, dedicating over 20 years of service that led him to various states and countries. His military career exposed him to diverse experiences, allowing him to meet exceptional individuals and navigate exciting and challenging scenarios. Morgan ha...2025-02-031h 09
Tales of Leadership#94 Leanne Meyer - Author & Executive Leadership CoachLeanne Meyer is the author of Climbing the Spiral Staircase, a guide for women seeking to gain control of their professional paths. She directs Carnegie Mellon Women’s Executive Leadership Academy and is the former director of the university’s Accelerate Leadership Center. With more than thirty years of senior-level consulting and executive development experience, Leanne provides evidence-based methods to change business practices. Her work helps leaders navigate critical inflection points, refocus professional identities and develop new skills. She consults with Fortune 100 companies and holds a master’s degree in industrial psychology from the University of Johannesburg. She is passio...2024-07-1559 min
Tales of Leadership#93 Colin Boyle - US Army Infantryman & Combat VeteranColin Boyle is an Infantryman in the US Army with 17 years of experience and a combat tour to Afghanistan and multiple rotations around the globe. He was born in Tazewell, VA and settled in the suburbs just outside Richmond, VA where he spent most of his time as a child and young adult. He has held many jobs, from a dishwasher at iHop to a platoon sergeant in the Army. Colin is married to his wife Meghan, and they have one son, Braxton, and two dogs, Lilly and Goose and live in Temple, TX.🫡 My Why:...2024-07-011h 19
Tales of Leadership#92 Dave Braun - Life Coach & Co-founder of OolaDr. Dave Braun is the co-founder and president of Oola. With a deep-rooted commitment to empowering individuals to find balance and transform their lives, Dr. Dave Braun has spent over a decade guiding people towards holistic well-being. As President, he plays a pivotal role in shaping Oola’s strategic direction, leading the team in creating science-based products and transformative programs that promote life balance.Connect with David Braun:-Website: https://lnkd.in/eBwfVBK9  🫡 My Why: I’ve seen the cost of poor leadership — how it can destroy morale, break trus...2024-06-241h 09
Tales of Leadership#91 Joshua McMillion - How to Craft a Leadership VisionVision is among the most overused words in the civilian and military world. Often, leaders create short-term concepts that only impact the organization when they are in leadership positions. However, a vision must outlive you and scare others due to its sheer scope. Take Bill Gates, for example. His vision is to place one PC on every desk in the world. That requires long-term commitment built on shared values. When leaders cast a vision for their future, they force collaboration and communication in their team and personal lives. To achieve the extraordinary, you must frame the challenges relative to...2024-06-1729 min
Tales of Leadership#90 David Vardeman - Servant Leader, Patriot, & VP at Capital BankDavid Vardeman is a U.S. Patriot. Over the last ten years, David has developed a deep understanding of service, sacrifice, and selfless giving to both the US Military Active Duty and US Veteran Communities. His tireless work is for the benefit of those in need. He has had direct access to both active duty and retired Flag Officers at all levels, but he has really found a calling to help military of all positions and experience levels. His deep knowledge on multiple military verticals allows him to listen to an individual, regarding what is important to them, rather...2024-06-101h 22
Tales of Leadership#89 Stephen Morris - Army Veteran Turned Leadership CoachStephen J. Morris is a passionate and experienced leader with over 21 years of combined service in the Military and Corporate sectors. As a United States Army veteran, Stephen has commanded and led combat and non-combat deployments across the globe, honing a deep understanding of leadership under pressure. After transitioning to civilian life, he faced the challenges of adapting to a new work environment and found his calling as a Leadership Development and Career Coach. Drawing inspiration from the exceptional leaders who shaped his own journey, he founded Renowned Leadership, a platform dedicated to helping individuals at all levels, from...2024-06-031h 38
Tales of Leadership#88 David Goode - (Ret) Air Force Colonel & Senior Consultant at Chick-fil-ADavid Goode is a Principal Operations Lead with Chick-fil-A Corporate in Atlanta, partnering with Operators and Operator Groups to execute their business strategy in order to achieve their vision and goals. He serves 30 Operators with 35 restaurants in Charleston SC, Newport News VA, and Virginia Beach VA. Prior to his current role, he served a 30-year career in the Air Force, retiring as a Colonel in 2022. During his Air Force career, he commanded at group and squadron levels, and held various operational and staff positions within logistics, strategy development, and legislative affairs. He volunteers as a board member for the...2024-05-271h 11
Tales of Leadership#87 Joshua McMillion - How to Manage Your Time As a LeaderIn this article my goal is to walk you through another acronym that I have created called TIME. Time is one of our most important resources; as a leader, more importantly, a purposeful, accountable leader, we need to weaponize it. Unquestioningly, allowing the day to bend your actions results in a loss of traction and, eventually, burnout. If you cannot guide your path, you will be five years older one day, wondering where time has gone. To create growth, you MUST be willing to do hard things that require Routines, Accountability, and Discipline (RAD). One of these is developing...2024-05-2021 min
Tales of Leadership#86 (Ret) MG Keith Thurgood & (Ret) LTG Neil Thurgood - The Thurgood Brothers on Cultivating Leadership ExcellenceRetired Major General Keith Thurgood is a Clinical Professor of Healthcare Leadership and Management at the Jindal School of Management of the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) where he also leads the graduate program in Healthcare Leadership and Management. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at UTD. In addition to his responsibilities at UT Dallas, Dr. Thurgood is a faculty member and senior advisor for the Thayer Leader Development Group (West Point, New York).Retired Lieutenant General L. Neil Thurgood is the special advisor to the UAH president for military affairs and...2024-05-131h 22
Tales of Leadership#85 Nate Boyer - From Green Beret to the NFLAfter joining the US Army in 2005, Nate Boyer earned the Green Beret in 2006. He served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, completed missions in Israel, Bulgaria, and Greece, and played football for the Texas Longhorns as a standout long snapper. Nate's received awards like the Disney Spirit Award and the Legacy Award, showcasing his inspiring presence in college football. He's also been deeply involved in charity work, served on a fishing boat, volunteered in refugee camps, and continues to engage with various Veterans' Service Organizations. Nate’s powerful belief in "Anything is Possible" fuels his talks on finding purpose, resonating wi...2024-05-0655 min
Tales of Leadership#84 AJ Crabill - Cultivating Compassion and Accountability in Educational LeadershipImproving student outcomes is AJ Crabill's focus. He serves as Conservator at DeSoto, Texas ISD. During his guidance, DeSoto improved from F ratings in academics, finance, and governance to B ratings. He's also Faculty at the Leadership Institute of Nevada and Director of Governance at the Council of the Great City Schools. He served as Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency and spearheaded reforms as board chair of Kansas City Public Schools that doubled the percentage of students who are literate and numerate. Crabill is a recipient of the Education Commission of the State's James Bryant Conant Award. 2024-04-291h 07
Tales of Leadership#83 Joshua McMillion – How Leaders Create Harmony Without Losing ThemselvesWe have all heard the term work and family balance; however, I have learned a critical piece is missing from this equation: self. Achieving a sustainable balance takes the trinity of work, family, and self (WFS). First, leadership is emotionally and mentally demanding; without checks and balances, you and your family will suffer. Before you can authentically show up personally or professionally, take the time to invest in yourself. Think of this as a battery. Work demands a portion of your power. The remaining balance is shared between yourself and your family. The true test of leadership is when...2024-04-2221 min
Tales of Leadership#82 (Ret) LTC John Ballenger - A Masterclass in Resilient Leadership and Navigating ChangeJohn Ballenger has spent over +20 years serving in the Marine Corps and was the pilot for Marine One, serving directly for two presidents. John has led over 800 Marines, including in combat, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Today, John is a highly successful consultant and coach for leaders seeking to grow their businesses, lead effective teams, and faithfully love their families.Connect with John Ballenger: -Website: https://www.michaelandjohn.com/ -LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ballenger53 🫡 My Why: I’ve seen the cost of...2024-04-151h 13
Tales of Leadership#81 (Ret) CSM Clint Keeley - Commanding Excellence in Civilian and Military WorldsClint Keeley is a retired command sergeant major with two decades of dedicated service in the Army, he is profoundly thankful for the invaluable skills and experiences he gained. Currently, Clint is an integral part of an exceptional company that places a high premium on embracing diversity and recognizing our shared humanity. His professional focus revolves around the dynamic field of consulting, with a particular passion for change management. Clint leverages his expertise in Leadership Development/Training, Project Management, and Coaching to facilitate transformative journeys. Witnessing individuals flourish and surpass their aspirations is their greatest joy!...2024-04-081h 19
Tales of Leadership#80 Paul Hill - Commanding Excellence in Leadership and Mission ControlPaul Sean Hill, a distinguished author and speaker, focuses on applying deliberate leadership principles to lead high-performing teams across diverse industries. He currently serves on the NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, providing critical insights into NASA's management of human spaceflight. With 25 years at NASA, he began by developing space station construction techniques and later served as a Space Shuttle and International Space Station Flight Director, including leading the return-to-flight mission on STS-114 after the Columbia accident.In subsequent roles, Paul served as the Director of Mission Operations for human spaceflight from 2007 to 2014. During this time, he revolutionized...2024-04-011h 15
Tales of Leadership#79 William Leahy - Charting a Path for Veterans in American Manufacturing ExcellenceWilliam "Bill" Leahy, founder of Renaissance Reliability (RR), is a visionary leader on a mission to elevate American manufacturing to global heights by championing innovation, reliability, and manufacturing effectiveness. In the aftermath of his brother's tragic suicide, a USMC Infantry officer, in December 2022, Bill turned personal grief into a commitment to combat veteran suicide. This led to the establishment of UNTURNING STEEL, aimed at bringing veterans and manufacturing together. The convergence of these missions has birthed a collective goal – "Reimagining what it means to be MADE IN AMERICA." Bill's dedication earned UNTURNING STEEL the prestigious 2024 “Best Cultural Innovation Award” from t...2024-03-251h 29
Tales of Leadership#78 Joshua McMillion - Exploring the Power of Leadership IntelligenceOur capacity for increased responsibility in our leadership journey separates the ordinary from the extraordinary. As our influence grows and we gain new titles, we face new challenges. Purposeful Accountable Leaders (PALs) understand where they are on their leadership journey and what is required to continue growing. How? Transformational leaders have Leadership Intelligence (LI). I defined LI as aligning emotional intelligence with the organization's needs and the operating environment. LI, at its core, means the less influence you have in your organization, the more you must do personally to succeed.Link to Article: https://www...2024-03-1821 min
Tales of Leadership#77 Bryan Sisk - Weaving Leadership and Innovation from Military to HealthcareJoin the conversation as Bryan Sisk, a seasoned US Army veteran, unveils the tapestry of leadership that's been woven through his 20 years of military service and beyond. He shares his own story and casts a light on the qualities that make for steadfast leaders in any field. Currently, Bryan is the Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at Memorial Hermann Health System, one of the largest integrated healthcare delivery systems in Southeast Texas, 32,000 employees, including 12,000 nurses.This episode takes you behind the scenes of resilience and dedication, where Bryan's narrative intersects with the relentless...2024-03-111h 13
Tales of Leadership#76 Rob Cressy - AI Expert, Leadership Coach, & EntrepreneurRob Cressy is a world class growth coach committed to helping leaders create powerfully in business & life for the long haul. With expertise in self-mastery, brand building, and leadership development, he helps you build better mindsets, habits, and routines to keep winning. Rob lives by eight core values that are foundational to who he is. These core values include radiate positivity, always learning, extreme ownership, yes and, live in action, be relentless, do what’s right, and talk with candor. Connect with Rob Cressy: -Website: http://www.robcressy.com🫡 My Wh...2024-03-041h 10
Tales of Leadership#75 Mike Kaeding - CEO of Norhart Real EstateMike Kaeding is the CEO of Norhart. Norhart designs, builds, and rents apartments. They are transforming the way apartments are built and managed by incorporating technologies and efficiencies that have revolutionized other industries and led to high-quality, cost-effective projects. Mike’s parents started their family business. But just a few years after joining the business, Mike’s father unexpectedly passed away. Suddenly, Mike had what felt like the weight of the world on his shoulders. He had to lead this business with no preconceived notion of "the way things are done" in this industry. He was struggling to the poin...2024-02-261h 12