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PODCAST · business

Chief Eternal Optimist

by Kevin Rutherford

Kevin is a human-centric leader helping you to unlock your team’s full potential by creating a dynamic and engaging work environment. Joined by other thought leaders, they will share tools they have used to create highly successful teams through culture-FIRST leadership.Kevin Rutherford is a CEO, board member, public speaker and team culture expert who believes in the power of people. He has made it his mission to create a working environment where everyone can succeed and thrive. Join Kevin on a journey to help you and your team become the very best they can be.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 1, 2025 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. How to Lead, Consume, and Live with Intention; Alyssa Vescio: SVP Whole Foods

    In this episode, Kevin speaks with Alyssa Vescio, an executive leader at Whole Foods, about her career journey, leadership philosophy, and the importance of food traditions and family connections. They discuss the influence of Alyssa's upbringing in Minnesota, her experiences in the retail...

  2. The Health & Fitness Myths Holding Us Back; Dr. Stacy Sims: Physiologist | Founder | Author

    Dr. Stacy Sims, a world-renowned physiologist, endurance athlete, and advocate for empowering women through science-based fitness drops one incredible insight and strategy after another. Together, we unpack groundbreaking ideas that challenge traditional approaches to health, fitness, and...

  3. The Willie Wonka of Wellness: The Secret Sauce for Team Culture and Innovation

    If you thought that inspiration and motivation coming from a manufacturer isn't possible, thank again. This episode will change all of your paradigms. Anthony Flynn, founder and CEO of YouBar, a manufacturing company known for its innovative approach to protein bars, it so much more than you…

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  4. From Creamer Cravings to a Cult Favorite: Secret Recipe for Success | Madeline Haydon: CEO (former) & Founder, Nutpods

    Madeline Haydon, founder of Nutpods, shares her journey from a pregnant woman seeking better coffee creamer options to creating a category and surging CPG successful plant-based brand. We dig into Zoom etiquette, personal endurance sports experiences, the challenges of product development, and…

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  5. Flunking Forward: How a Leader in Business Turned Failure Into Strength and Success | Melanie Strong, General Partner Next Ventures

    Melanie Strong, Founding Partner at Next Ventures, is a phenom in the boardroom and in athleticism. This episode is full of hot takes as we explore firsthand a deeply personal and thought-provoking journey of resilience, authenticity, and leadership. Mel opens up about how flunking out of college...

  6. The Secret Weapon of Great Leaders: Confidence, Connection, & Competitive Edge | Cody Royle: Coach of the Coaches + Author

    Cody Royle, a three-time author and renowned “Coach of the Coaches”, brings his unique insights into what it truly means to lead, focusing on the power of teams and the resilience it takes to be at the top. We dive into the challenges head coaches (and all of us) face in maintaining confidence…

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  7. Leadership's Role in Wellness for All Employees: Meghan Swidler, Detox | Health Coach

    Kevin sits down in an engaging conversation with holistic health and detox coach, Meghan Swidler, about her journey from venture capital to health coaching. They discuss the importance of detoxification, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the role of supplements in health. Meghan shares her...

  8. How a Blanket Reinvented Warmth + Business Lessons Behind it; Wylie Robinson: CEO, Rumpl

    In this episode, Kevin sits down with the passionate and purpose driven leader, Wiley Robinson, CEO and founder of Rumpl, an outdoor brand known for its innovative blankets. They discuss the origins of Rumpl, the journey of building a hybrid team, and the importance of sustainability in product...

  9. How to Ask the Right Questions for Impact - Adriana Peon , CEO Decathlon

    "The quality of the response is going to be depending on the quality of the question." Kevin sat down with Adriana Peon, CEO of Decathlon Americas and they unpacked her background, experiences, and leadership philosophy. They discuss topics such as personal growth, mental models, situational...

  10. How to win at health & wellness in business AND personally: Anthony Venarre, CEO Fitt Insider

    Anthony Vennere, co-founder of Fit Insider, shares his career journey and the lessons he learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of consistency in fitness and the need to approach health and wellness with simplicity. Anthony also discusses his battle with cancer and the mental mindset...

  11. How to Build a Movement that Unites People, Erin Sprague - CEO @ POW (Protect Our Winters)

    In this episode, Kevin sits down with Erin Sprague, the CEO of Protect Our Winters (POW), an outdoor movement for climate impact. They discuss the mission of POW, which is to advocate for policies that help solve the climate crisis through the influence of inspirational athletes and outdoor…

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  12. How a Raving Fan Turned His Passion into a Profession, Cameron Hughes: Crown Ignitor | Speaker

    Kevin sits down with Cameron Hughes, the man who transformed his love for sports into a thriving career as the ultimate stadium cheerleader. Discover how Cameron went from being a passionate spectator to an active participant, inspiring crowds and creating unforgettable experiences. What You'll...

  13. How Mindset Determines Your Success; Vince Poscente: CEO | Olympian | Keynote Speaker | Author

    Our Chief Eternal Optimist, Kevin Rutherford, interviews Vince Poscente, an Olympic skier and professional speaker. Vince's experiences with the Olympics, and the importance of mindset and anchoring in achieving peak performance. Vince shares stories of cheating death during a parachute…

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  14. Leadership advice from an Alien - Gregg Bagni, Partner: White Road Investments

    Buckle up for this episode as you will get so many insights from an Alien, Gregg Bagni, straight from his hometown of gn-z11 galaxy. Gregg Bagni is a brand, marketing, product geek with a street PHD and deep knowledge around what he likes to call "enthusiast brands". He’s known for his orbital...

  15. Don't Hit The Gas Too Early to Ramp Your Business | Dr. James Richardson, CEO / Founder & Author Premium Growth Solutions

    In this insightful episode of the Chief Eternal Optimist podcast, we sit down with Dr. James Richardson, author of the acclaimed book "Ramping Your Brand." Dr. Richardson dives deep into the common pitfalls that leaders and businesses face when trying to scale their brands. He emphasizes the...

  16. Caring So Much is Contagious | Arielle Knutson, CEO Oiselle

    Today we are sitting down with Arielle Knutson, the CEO for Oiselle, a women's running apparel business that's bringing confidence, empowerment and community through the transformative power of sport. This interview is so powerful for me. Arielle's articulation of leadership, team culture, and…

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  17. How Leaders Keep A Team Chemistry Fresh | Michael Rossi, President and Founder Voce Leadership

    Kevin sits down with Michael Rossi to dig into why team is mission critical for success and momentum in business, sports and life. Michael is the perfect person to listen and learn from as the President and Founder of Voce Leadership. He is an Executive Coach, Speaker, and Facilitator all with…

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  18. Lessons in Leadership: How to Unlock the Power in Others | Abigail Buckwalter, CEO Nestlé Health Science

    At Nestlé Health Science, the mission is to empower healthier lives through nutrition. As the CEO of NHSc U.S., Abigail Buckwalter has the goal to bring this purpose to life and deliver innovative solutions that transform the lives of consumers and patients. Buckwalter has been with NHSc since…

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  19. How to Build a Brand Consumers Love | Eric Ryan, CEO (former) and Founder method | Olly | Welly

    Kevin sits down with Eric Ryan, a serial entrepreneur. At one point the two of them were competitors leading the way to the creation of a booming natural cleaners category. Today, they are friends and dig into the 'what' and 'how' they both won their 'Superbowl'. More importantly, as Eric…

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  20. Run & Lead with Purpose! = Leadership Lessons | Jim Weber, Brooks CEO

    At Brooks they believe, "Running is more than just a hobby—it’s our passion. We eat, breathe and stretch for the run. And we find running brings us closer together as a group than any team-building exercise could. On the road of life, it’s always better to travel in packs." I know you will enjoy...

  21. The Running Shoe Optimized for Women | Wes Felix, CEO Saysh

    Finding racing shoes shouldn’t have been a struggle for Olympic champion Allyson Felix. She had already won 32 career medals and helped usher in game changing pay guarantees and pregnancy protections. But inequality knows no bounds, and she still saw disparities in a footwear industry that didn’t...

  22. Your Success Has Nothing to Do with Luck! | Sean Riley, CEO Dude Wipes

    Sean Riley flipping burgers and then in construction before he started his side hustle on the weekends that quickly grew into a $150M business. Dude Wipes are a disposable wipe product manufactured by Dude Products, a personal care brand based in Chicago. In episode of the CEO podcast, Kevin and...

  23. How to Find the Right Culture Fit | Roy Notowitz, CEO The Noto Group

    Roy Notowitz knows a thing about culture and fit, he runs one of the top recruiting companies in the country. Listen to this episode as Roy and Kevin discuss how to find great people who will help you build your company into a force. About host Kevin Rutherford Kevin is a human-centric leader...

  24. Reinventing Ice Tea, Again! | Seth Goldman, CEO Just Ice Team & (former) Honest Tea CEO and Founder

    Seth Goldman, the Founder and CEO of Just Ice Tea, and the mastermind behind the iconic Honest Tea brand (which he later sold to Coca-Cola) sits down and talk about business, culture, and even a quick chat on running 10 miles after eating 20 donuts. Following the acquisition of Honest Tea,...

  25. Noses In, Fingers Out | Mike Fata, CEO (former) & Founder Manitoba Harvest

    In 1995, Mike Fata had no idea how to lose weight the healthy way. He fell for the low-fat fad diet as his go-to solution. Then he set-off to get ‘healthy’ by cutting the fat and ramping up an exercise plan, but soon realized that he'd gone too far. He lost too much weight, felt lethargic all the...

  26. Build & Value YOUR Meaningful Network | Lauren Phillips, Saysh VP Marketing

    Lauren Phillips is currently VP Partnerships & Merchandising at Saysh brand footwear. Prior, she was at New Balance and Lululemon. Lauren and Kevin talk about her career and the value of establishing a strong network.

  27. The Billion Dollar Industry of Women’s Sports | Caroline Fitzgerald, CEO GOALS

    Caroline Fitzgerald is the CEO of GOALS, a marketing & sponsorship consultancy that is fully dedicated to growing women's sports. The stories are all too common: pay gaps on & off the field, exploitation, lower endorsements, poor facilities, lack of coverage; the list is endless. Kevin and…

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  28. Principles of Great Leadership | Wayne Wu, VMG – General Partner

    Wayne Wu is a General Partner at VMG Partners. VMG Partners works intimately with founders and leaders of branded consumer product companies, providing the resources and guidance needed to propel them to their next level of growth and value. Beyond capital, Wayne provides a value-added investment...

  29. People are People | Scott Allan, CEO Hydro Flask (former)

    Scott Allan is the ex-CEO of Hydro Flask, Board and Advisory Board Member. Allan is a seasoned expansion stage CEO and GM with high tech and outdoor products expertise. Previously led Hydro Flask for nearly 8 years first as President and CEO in 2012 and then SVP/GM post $210 million acquisition…

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  30. What Makes a Great Leader? – Kevin’s Hot Takes

    Kevin discusses with his producer, a variety of past and present leaders and leadership topics around the theme of "What makes a great leader?"

  31. The Reason Pickleball is Sweeping the Nation | Selkirk

    What is Pickleball? According to Selkirk brand, the leader in this category, "pickleball, at its core, is a fun and exciting indoor/outdoor sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. Pickleball is played on a court the size of a badminton court, with a low net similar to...

  32. The identity of Team | Wendy Wheless, CEO Marathon Kids

    Meet the CEO of Marathon Kids, Wendy Wheless. Marathon Kids is a nonprofit organization on a mission to get kids moving. We provide effective physical activity programming to help kids adopt an active lifestyle and learn how being active can improve their entire well-being. Research shows that…

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  33. Show Up & Evolve Consistently! | Jonathan Levitt | Inside Tracker + Pod Host ‘For The Long Run’

    Jonathan Levitt is a runner, cyclist, and podcast host from Boston, MA, now living in Boulder. He created the For The Long Run podcast to explore the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated. Podcast link:...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Kevin is a human-centric leader helping you to unlock your team’s full potential by creating a dynamic and engaging work environment. Joined by other thought leaders, they will share tools they have used to create highly successful teams through culture-FIRST leadership.Kevin Rutherford is a CEO, board member, public speaker and team culture expert who believes in the power of people. He has made it his mission to create a working environment where everyone can succeed and thrive. Join Kevin on a journey to help you and your team become the very best they can be.

HOSTED BY

Kevin Rutherford

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Chief Eternal Optimist have?

Chief Eternal Optimist currently has 33 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Chief Eternal Optimist about?

Kevin is a human-centric leader helping you to unlock your team’s full potential by creating a dynamic and engaging work environment. Joined by other thought leaders, they will share tools they have used to create highly successful teams through culture-FIRST leadership.Kevin Rutherford is a CEO,...

How often does Chief Eternal Optimist release new episodes?

Chief Eternal Optimist has 33 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Chief Eternal Optimist?

You can listen to Chief Eternal Optimist on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Chief Eternal Optimist?

Chief Eternal Optimist is created and hosted by Kevin Rutherford.
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