Shows
Cleared For TakeoffI Made Millions by 24… Then Lost Everything | Dan “Big D” SachkowskyDiscipline is easy to talk about, but much harder to live.
In this episode of Cleared for Takeoff, Charles Eide sits down with Dan “Big D” Sachkowsky, a serial entrepreneur who has built, scaled, lost, and rebuilt businesses while developing a reputation for discipline, resilience, and no-nonsense leadership.
Dan shares the story of making nearly $4 million in profit by age 24, only to lose it all after chasing the wrong version of success. What followed was a complete reset. Through bankruptcy, rebuilding, fatherhood, business exits, and even a life-altering heart episode, Dan learned that achievement alone does...
2026-03-161h 15
Cleared For TakeoffWhy More Customers Might Be Killing Your Business | Greg HeinemannMany leaders believe growth comes from doing more: more customers, more projects, more opportunities.
Greg Heinemann learned the opposite.
In this episode of Cleared for Takeoff, Greg shares how applying the 80/20 principle completely reshaped his business. After analyzing the math behind his customer base, he discovered that nearly all of the company’s profit came from a small percentage of customers, while the majority of accounts were draining resources.
The solution required bold leadership.
Greg ultimately fired nearly 200 customers, restructured the business, and made difficult personnel decisions to refocus the organization on...
2026-03-091h 25
Cleared For TakeoffThe PR Playbook for 2026: Reputation, AI, and the 1-3-5 Rule | Kristi Piehl, CEO of Media MinefieldPR used to be about press hits. Now it’s about what the machine says is true about you, and whether people trust you when it counts.
In this episode of Cleared for Takeoff, Charles Eide talks with Kristi Piehl, CEO of Media Minefield and author of Flip Your Script, about how public relations has evolved in the AI era, and why leaders can’t afford to be passive about their digital presence.
Kristi explains how Reputation Engine Optimization (REO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) are reshaping visibility, why credible earned media still matters (maybe more...
2026-03-021h 32
Cleared For TakeoffThe 4 Things That Quietly Decide If You’ll Win as a LeaderThis episode looks a little different, and that’s the point.
Host Charles Eide pulls together four leadership themes that have repeatedly surfaced across Cleared for Takeoff and genuinely changed how he leads:
1) Personal Branding (Reputation):
Charles reflects on lessons from Maha Abouelenein and others that reframed “personal brand” as something much more practical: your reputation. If you’re not intentional about what people find when they look you up, someone else will write that story for you. And as Maha says, “silence doesn’t scale.”
2) Identity (Beyond the Role):
After decades buildi...
2026-02-2452 min
Cleared For TakeoffThe “God Cell” That Repairs Your Body (And Why You’re Losing It) | Seth BergeStem cells get called “God cells” for a reason—and in this episode, Seth Berge makes the science understandable.
Seth explains what stem cells are (your body’s repair system), why healing slows down as we age, and how regenerative therapies can support recovery by addressing the root cause instead of just masking pain. Charles and Seth dig into the real-world use cases people care about most: joint pain, cartilage degeneration, shoulder tears, and avoiding major surgeries like knee replacements.
They also tackle the ethical question head-on. Seth walks through how modern regenerative products are sourced...
2026-02-161h 07
Cleared For TakeoffJason DeRusha: Trust, Truth, and the Algorithm That’s Rewiring Our MindsIn this episode of Cleared for Takeoff, Charles Eide sits down with Jason DeRusha — a longtime journalist turned talk radio host and digital creator — to unpack what’s happening to trust, truth, and storytelling in modern media.
Jason shares what’s changed inside newsrooms over the last 20+ years, why local news often feels less ideological than national outlets, and how bias shows up most in which stories get covered (and which ones never get pitched at all). They dig into the algorithm-driven reality of the digital era: echo chambers, tribalism, and the uncomfortable truth that many people think th...
2026-02-091h 21
Cleared For TakeoffFrom the Streets to Apple: How Curiosity, Trust, and One Idea Built a $40M Deal | Jay StrommenHow do you go from survival mode at 15… to building a company that supports global product launches in 52 countries?
In this powerful conversation, Charles Eide interviews Jay Strommen, the “man behind the curtain” who helped Apple scale its iconic retail experiences—starting with one table, one bold yes, and one life-altering moment: Steve Jobs walked up, inspected the build, and said, “It’s good.”
But this episode isn’t just about brand-name wins. Jay opens up about the childhood trauma that fueled his drive, the internal “not good enough” story that followed him even through massive success, and...
2026-02-021h 25
Cleared For TakeoffThe Leadership Mistake That Quietly Destroys CultureYou don’t work for a company—you work for a person. And whether people stay, grow, and give discretionary effort often comes down to one thing: the shadow their leader casts.
In this conversation, Charles Eide welcomes David Orbuch, a seasoned executive and longtime mentor, to break down the concept of a “leadership shadow”—the invisible force created by what leaders say, do, prioritize, measure, and permit. David explains why the strength of that shadow determines the strength of the business, and why culture isn’t soft—it’s the performance engine.
From handwritten notes that chang...
2026-01-251h 17
Cleared For TakeoffNeal Foard: Why Great Leaders Tell Better Stories (And How to Practice It)We live in the age of instant discoverability — and that means your story is already out there. The question is: are you shaping it, or letting it shape you?
In this conversation, Neal Foard (master storyteller and creator of Storyfire) joins Charles Eide to unpack what storytelling really does in business: it humanizes you, builds trust, creates belief, and sets the tone for culture — whether you’re a CEO, a new manager, or a frontline team member.
Neal shares unforgettable examples (from Nike’s Michael Jordan ads to Dan Campbell’s “kneecap” speech), plus a simple framewo...
2026-01-181h 34
Cleared For Takeoff“A 1% Chance”: Amberly Lago on Resilience, Chronic Pain, and Choosing Joy Through the JourneyAmberly Lago’s story will stop you in your tracks — and then it’ll light a fire in you.
After a devastating motorcycle accident left her leg “crumbled into pieces,” doctors told Amberly an amputation was likely and her life would never be the same. What followed was 34 surgeries, years of recovery, and a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), one of the most painful chronic conditions in existence.
But this isn’t just a story about surviving trauma — it’s about transforming it.
In this conversation, Amberly and Charles unpack what resilience reall...
2026-01-111h 13
Cleared For TakeoffBetting on Yourself: Craig Leipold on Risk, Acquisitions, and Leading Through PressureMost interviews with Craig Leipold center on hockey. This one goes deeper — into the decisions, risks, and leadership lessons that shaped him long before the spotlight.
Craig sits down with Charles Eide to walk through the entrepreneurial path that started with a leap from Kimberly-Clark into a “new-at-the-time” telemarketing business, scaling to 125 salespeople and selling the company to American Express in just three years. He shares why he intentionally stepped away afterward to travel, reflect, and get clarity — and how that headspace led him to his next chapter: acquiring a legacy manufacturing company (Rainfair) and learning how to opera...
2026-01-041h 06
Cleared For TakeoffRyan Estis: Human-Centered Leadership, Model-Coach-Care, and Why Growth Is Always HumanTraditional leadership focused on managing results. Ryan Estis argues the future belongs to leaders who inspire contribution.
In this episode of Cleared for Takeoff, Ryan joins host Charles Eide to unpack what human-centered leadership really means, why work dissatisfaction and burnout are rising, and how leaders can create clarity, trust, and sustainable performance. They dig into Satya Nadella’s Model-Coach-Care framework, the power of a 15-minute weekly coaching conversation, and why leadership has to start “inside out” with self-awareness, humility, and emotional regulation.
They also explore the role AI can play as a coaching tool (and wh...
2025-12-2859 min
Cleared For TakeoffFrom Undrafted to Super Bowl Champion: Ben Utecht on Identity, Servant Leadership, and Culture by DesignThis episode is about far more than football.
In this powerful conversation, host Charles Eide sits down with Ben Utecht — Super Bowl champion, former NFL tight end, keynote speaker, and author of The Champion’s Creed — to explore identity, leadership, and what it truly means to build culture by design.
Ben opens up about the devastating injury that caused him to fall out of the NFL Draft after being projected as early round pick, the embarrassment of watching every name called but his own, and the miracle phone call from Tony Dungy that led him to the...
2025-12-221h 18
Cleared For TakeoffGiselle Ugarte on CEO Self-Doubt, Confidence, and Why Leaders Must Be Willing to Be SeenSelf-doubt doesn’t go away as you grow — it shows up because you’re growing.
In this episode of Cleared for Takeoff, host Charles Eide sits down with executive coach, speaker, and personal brand strategist Giselle Ugarte for a deep conversation on leadership confidence, CEO mindset, and what it really takes to scale influence in today’s business landscape.
Giselle works with CEOs, founders, professional athletes, and high-performing leaders — and she reveals the surprising truth they all share: self-doubt is universal at the top. Together, Charles and Giselle explore why many leaders stall after reaching success, h...
2025-12-151h 15
Cleared For TakeoffInside the Mind of Wayne Hoffman: Fear, Negotiation & the Psychology of SuccessWayne Hoffman isn’t just a mentalist — he’s a master of human behavior. For 30 years, he’s studied how people think, how they lie, how they make decisions, and how fear quietly shapes their entire life.
In this episode, Wayne pulls back the curtain on the psychology he uses on stage, in negotiations, and in billion-dollar boardrooms — and teaches the exact principles that helped him build a global career doing what he loves.
You’ll learn:
How to read people more accurately
Why the fear of “no” destroys opportunities
How to rewire yo...
2025-12-071h 19
Cleared For TakeoffCasey Brown: The Pricing Expert Who Will Transform Your Profit ForeverIn this electrifying episode of Cleared for Takeoff, Charles sits down with Casey Brown — founder of Boost Pricing, author of Fearless Pricing, and one of the world’s leading authorities on value-based pricing.
Casey breaks down the uncomfortable truth:
Most businesses are leaving massive profits on the table, not because of their product… but because of fear.
From decoding customer psychology to dismantling the myth of “the market sets the price,” Casey shares practical, immediately usable frameworks that can transform any business — without increasing volume, headcount, or operational complexity.
If you’ve ever battled d...
2025-11-301h 16
Cleared For TakeoffJeff Socha: The Tax Strategy Genius Behind Ultra-Wealthy EntrepreneursWhy do the ultra-wealthy consistently pay less tax — and what do they know that most entrepreneurs don’t?
In this powerful episode, Jeff Socha, founder of Socha Capital and one of the country’s leading tax strategists, sits down with host Charles Eide to break down the exact strategies he uses for high-net-worth clients, business owners, and founders earning $1M–$30M+ per year.
Jeff exposes the hidden tools, overlooked structures, and mindset shifts that allow wealthy entrepreneurs to legally defer tax, protect their assets, and design a financial life that supports true freedom — not stress.
Toge...
2025-11-231h 01
Cleared For TakeoffFail Fast, Lead Fearlessly: Brandon Sawalich on Building Culture and Disrupting an IndustryHow do you transform a “boring” industry into a hub of world-changing innovation?
In this episode, Brandon Sawalich, CEO of Starkey Hearing Technologies, joins host Charles Eide to share how he’s redefining hearing through purpose-driven leadership and cutting-edge technology.
Brandon pulls back the curtain on Omega AI, Starkey’s latest breakthrough that turns hearing aids into intelligent assistants — empowering millions with what he calls everyday superpowers. From building fearless culture to betting big on innovation, this conversation is a masterclass in how CEOs can lead with vision, courage, and care.
Key Topics:
Innovation...
2025-11-1650 min
Cleared For TakeoffThe Real Reason CEOs Need a Personal Brand — with Maha AboueleneinIn this raw and revealing conversation, communications powerhouse Maha Abouelenein joins host Charles Eide to share the uncomfortable truths about personal branding, influence, and the new “trust economy.”
Maha breaks down why followers mean nothing without credibility, how CEOs can’t afford to stay invisible, and the real secret behind lasting influence. From her decade advising Gary Vaynerchuk to her global career helping leaders earn trust online, Maha’s message is simple: stop chasing attention—start earning belief.
2025-11-031h 00
Cleared For TakeoffAmplifying Influence: Rene Rodriguez on Authentic Leadership, Branding, and CommunicationIn this episode, Rene Rodriguez—bestselling author and leadership strategist—reveals the science and soul behind authentic influence, personal branding, and powerful communication. Explore the frameworks and mindset shifts that help leaders connect, inspire, and drive real impact. Whether you’re building your brand or leading a team, Rene’s insights will help you amplify your influence and lead with intention.
Tune in for practical wisdom, actionable tools, and the habits that set influential leaders apart.
Key Takeaways:
The difference between true influence and being an “influencer”
How to build an authentic pers...
2025-10-151h 11
Cleared For TakeoffLeading with Clarity: Mike Paton on Culture, Accountability, and Building Great CompaniesIn this episode, Mike Paton—former CEO of EOS Worldwide—pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to lead high-performing teams and build enduring companies. Discover the principles of clarity, culture, and accountability that drive organizational excellence, and learn how to apply them in your own leadership journey.
Tune in for candid insights, actionable strategies, and the habits that separate good leaders from great ones.
Key Takeaways:
The role of clarity in effective leadership and team performance
How to build and sustain a strong company culture
The difference between visionaries and inte...
2025-10-151h 03
Cleared For TakeoffBeyond Billboards: Kris Lindahl on Resilience, Reinvention, and Building a Real Estate EmpireIn this debut episode of Cleared For Takeoff, Kris Lindahl shares his journey from adversity to building a real estate empire. Go beyond the billboards to discover the mindset, strategy, and resilience that drive high-stakes success.
Tune in for an unfiltered look at what it takes to lead, adapt, and win in a competitive world.
Key Takeaways:
The real story behind Kris Lindahl’s iconic billboards and brand
How personal adversity shaped his leadership and intuition
The power of obsessiveness and hands-on experience in business
Why messaging and strategy matter more than marketing tactics
Ho...
2025-10-151h 11
Rotary Wing Show – Helicopter News, Safety, Training & Pilot StoriesBenadryl, Zyrtec, and Other OTC medicine Wait Time Rules for PilotsThis episode originally ran on the Aviation News Talk podcast. In it, Max Trescott interviews Dr. John Trowbridge, a physician and former senior Aviation Medical Examiner, to tackle a hidden yet critical safety topic: how over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications contribute to general aviation accidents. Studies have found that up to 40% of fatal accidents involve pilots with impairing substances in their system—ranging from allergy medications to sleep aids to alcohol. The problem? Many of these substances are legal and even commonplace, yet can significantly degrade judgment, memory, attention, and coordination.Dr. Trowbridge emphasizes that many pilots—and...
2025-07-2151 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsBenadryl, Zyrtec, and More: FAA Wait Time Rules for Pilots with Dr. John TrowbridgeMax Trescott interviews Dr. John Trowbridge, a physician and former senior Aviation Medical Examiner, to tackle a hidden yet critical safety topic: how over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications contribute to general aviation accidents. Studies have found that up to 40% of fatal accidents involve pilots with impairing substances in their system—ranging from allergy medications to sleep aids to alcohol. The problem? Many of these substances are legal and even commonplace, yet can significantly degrade judgment, memory, attention, and coordination. Dr. Trowbridge emphasizes that many pilots—and even their doctors—are unaware of FAA wait-t...
2025-06-2152 min