Lead to Succeed

What does it take to hold onto your dreams when the world seems determined to tear them down? In the face of doubt, skepticism, and negativity, how do you find the strength to press on? In this episode, we confront these challenging questions head-on as we explore the essence of resilience and determination in the pursuit of our dreams with our guest Craig Detweiler. Craig is President of the cultural investment organization, the Wedgwood Circle, and Dean of the College of Arts and Media at Grand Canyon University. He has written multiple screenplays and directed the award-winning documentary Remand. His acclaimed books include iGods: How Technology Shapes Our Spiritual and Social Lives, Selfies: Searching for the Image of God in a Digital Age, Deep Focus: Film and Theology in Dialogue, and his new book, Honest Creativity in an age of A.I. Craig has been featured on ABC’s Nightline, CNN, Fox, NPR, and in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Variety honored him as their 2016 Mentor of the Year. Listen in and learn the importance of continuously pressing on towards your dreams.

We all think of ourselves as mature, but what does it really mean to be mature? In this Lead to Succeed episode, guest Norman Wolfe goes deep on the essence of maturity and how each of us can become more mature in our thinking and behavior. Norman is founder and CEO of Quantum Leaders, a strategy execution consulting company changing business to unleash the power of the human spirit. He is a recognized expert in changing the way businesses work to execute strategy more effectively and rapidly. Norman brings a depth and groundedness to the art of leadership and creating corporate results that is rare, and often sees what others do not. Throughout his career as a Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Director, and Advisor to CEOs, Norman Wolfe has successfully guided corporations through major transitions leading to substantial growth, market expansion and enhanced financial performance. Listen in to this fascinating discussion about Norman’s journey, how he defines maturity, and more!

Within each individual resides a unique essence waiting to be unearthed—a truth that embodies their deepest values, passions, and aspirations. "Live in Your True Self" is not merely a directive but a profound invitation to embark on a transformative quest towards embracing one's genuine identity. That's precisely what our guest, Brandon Evans, will guide us through in this episode. Brandon is the Founder and Chief Elevation Officer of 1heart. Before 1heart, his path of building large tech companies in New York led him to financial success but lacked greater meaning, fulfillment, and joy. When his article “Lost on Purpose” unexpectedly went viral, Brandon was called to serve all those with similar stories reaching out for support. Brandon founded 1heart to create new paths for leaders seeking more fulfilling and purpose-driven lives. 1heart combines top facilitators across modern and ancient modalities to support physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being via a highly curated, best-in-class program. Brandon and his wife Jeanette lead retreats and create experiences that support others in creating lives fully aligned with their soul's calling.

No matter where life leads us, one undeniable truth remains: criticism is inevitable. Yet, it is not the mere presence of criticism that defines our journey, but rather, our response to it. In the face of inevitable critique, it is our ability to accept it with grace and the courage to endure disdain that propels us forward on the path of growth, both in life and in business. This profound truth finds resonance in the experiences of our esteemed guest, Rob Moore. Rob is the founder of the Progressive Group, encompassing Progressive Property, Progressive Success, and the Entrepreneurs Business Academy (EBA). His training companies are among the largest in the UK and globally recognized. With over 1,000 speeches delivered in the last decade, Rob is a sought-after keynote speaker known for his unfiltered 'Rob's Rants' and tactical insights. As a mentor to numerous millionaires and celebrities, he's helped tens of thousands of entrepreneurs go from zero to millionaire status.

The importance of connection within the team cannot be overstated. This connection goes beyond mere acquaintance or professional rapport; it encompasses a deeper understanding, trust, and synergy among team members. That’s what our guest Michael will be sharing with us. Michael is CEO and co-founder of Prismatic, a leading embedded integration platform (embedded iPaaS) for B2B SaaS companies. A second-time founder, he previously scaled a software company whose product had hundreds of integrations serving thousands of customers. He passionately believes that B2B SaaS companies need a better way to build and manage integrations.

We all have that nagging voice inside our heads—the one that constantly whispers doubts, criticisms, and fears. It's the voice that tells us we're not good enough, smart enough, or capable enough to achieve our goals and dreams. In this episode, our guest Hooman Motevalli will be shining a light on the inner critic, helping us overcome it. Hooman is a senior business analyst and in-demand consultant for high-level blockchain and AI software teams. He is the director of HSP Holdings, an IT-based company investing in intelligent blockchain and DAO-Metaverse startups. He also works to improve the qualities of tech and business teams through his Converting Confusion to Clarity (CCC) training program. Hooman is a macroeconomics expert and author of Don’t Be A Crab: A Practical Guide to Building Strong, Joyful Relationships.

In the complex journey of life, our experiences, choices, and outcomes are intricately woven by a force often underestimated yet profoundly influential: mindset. How we perceive the world, interpret challenges, and approach opportunities shapes not just our daily existence, but the very trajectory of our entire lives. In this episode, our guest Sheldon Gilbert will share how developing the right mindset at a young age changed his life. Sheldon founded Kura Labs to create new pathways for ensuring employment in the tech economy for people from underserved communities. Kura Labs is a non-profit vocational academy that offers free training and job placement in the high-demand sectors of devops/SRE, cloud infrastructure computing and cybersecurity at Fortune 1000 employer partners. Sheldon is also the Founder and CEO of Proclivity Systems. Proclivity builds and operates electronic marketplaces for secure trading of digital assets in real-time such as data and media. Beginning first in e-commerce, Proclivity has since developed the largest electronic ad marketplace in the pharmaceutical industry and extended its expertise in autonomous trading systems and secure computation in other industries.

In the relentless pursuit of professional success, it's easy to become fixated solely on honing one's technical expertise and career-oriented skills. However, those who prioritize these aspects at the expense of developing interpersonal skills often find themselves encountering unexpected roadblocks on their journey to success. In this episode, our guest Jeff Baldassari will be emphasizing the importance of developing interpersonal skills. Jeff is a former C Suite Executive and the author of From Associate to Ambassador. It contains the skills and disciplines that are not taught in law school but are needed to build an extraordinary career. This book speaks to law students, summer associates, and young associates who aspire to achieve extraordinary outcomes in their careers.

Selecting the right role for employees is paramount for effective leadership. Matching individual strengths, skills, and aspirations with suitable positions not only maximizes productivity but also fosters job satisfaction and long-term engagement. That’s exactly what we’ll be talking about in this episode, with our guest John Bennett. John joined Dashlane as its Chief Executive Officer in February 2023, bringing over 30+ years of experience leading high-growth B2B SaaS and communication companies. Prior to joining Dashlane, John served as the CEO of Cordence and held executive positions in LogMeIn and Citrix. During his tenure at LogMeIn, John successfully oversaw and grew the $450M Identity and Access Management unit.

As we pass down knowledge from generation to generation, a prevalent regret among our predecessors is often the unfulfilled pursuit of their ideal selves. This failure to realize their true potential serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of striving towards personal fulfillment. In this episode, we will explore with our guest John Mile this vital lesson. John R. Miles, creator of Passion Struck®, is a renowned authority in behavior change, wellness, and leadership. With a diverse background from the U.S. Navy to Fortune 50 executive roles, his insights are rooted in real-world experience. Through his podcast, Passion Struck, and his latest book, "Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life," he shares science-based principles for personal growth and living with purpose, endorsed by luminaries like Oprah Winfrey. Recognized as a must-read for 2024, it inspires readers to overcome self-doubt and embrace intentional living.