Lead. Learn. Grow.

Episode Summary Robin sits down with Maureen Dingus, Chief Operating Officer of the Virginia Society of CPAs, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, lifelong learning, and the future of the accounting profession. From a $5/hour internship that launched an entire career to navigating AI, digital wellness, and the talent pipeline — Maureen brings candor, humor, and real insight to every topic. What We Cover How It All Started Maureen never planned a career in associations. A paid internship at VSCPA during her VCU days — the only one that paid anything — turned into a calling she never saw coming. Future-Ready Learning for CPAs The profession is moving fast. Maureen shares how VSCPA is helping members keep up with shorter-format learning, virtual delivery, and the irreplaceable value of in-person connection. Digital Wellness in the Workplace Maureen breaks down what digital wellness actually looks like in practice — from movement snacks and eye exercises to Zoom fatigue, screen apnea, and why leaders need to walk the talk on healthy tech habits. AI: The Real Conversation CPAs are excited, confused, and sometimes blocked from using AI tools — often all at once. Maureen shares how the profession is rethinking what new accountants need to learn when AI is handling the grunt work, and how she personally uses ChatGPT (including to think through tough organizational decisions). Making the Case for Accounting Why should a smart 19-year-old choose accounting today? Maureen makes a compelling argument — and challenges the outdated image of what a CPA actually does. The Talent Pipeline Firms aren't waiting for senior year anymore. Maureen talks about CPAs in the classroom, high school and middle school outreach, externships, and why starting salaries had to change. Lightning Round Highlights 🏈 Tigers & Lions fan — and pumped about Justin Verlander's return 💪 Daily non-negotiable: running, yoga, and strength training 🎸 At 19, she wanted to work in the music industry — and still dreams of booking bands at a rock club (matinee hours only) Connect with Maureen 🌐 vscpa.com 💼 LinkedIn: Maureen Dingus 📧 [email protected] Connect with Robin at [email protected].   

  Episode Summary In this episode of Lead. Learn. Grow., Robin Green talks with entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host Kevin Rice about the journey from starting a business in a garage to building a 250-person company and achieving a nine-figure exit. But this conversation goes beyond entrepreneurship. Kevin shares the hard lessons behind growth, including layoffs, reinvention, focus, and what it really takes to create meaningful differentiation in the marketplace. He also opens up about the personal cost of high performance, describing the "robot mode" many leaders fall into when work consumes everything. The conversation then turns to Kevin's current passion: helping executives lead effectively at work while still being present at home. Drawing from his own experience as a full-time single father, Kevin explains how he began applying business frameworks to family life, creating practical systems and rituals designed to foster deeper connection with his kids. They also explore the growing impact of AI on leadership, sales, and entrepreneurship, including why AI will likely reward adaptable, high-agency professionals rather than simply replace them. What You'll Hear in This Episode Kevin's founder story: from humble beginnings to a nine-figure exit The hardest phase of scaling a business and what most outsiders never see Why many founders struggle when hiring salespeople too early The difference between generic marketing claims and true differentiation How focus and industry specialization helped drive an 80% win rate What "robot mode" looks like for high-performing leaders Why success can still feel empty when you are emotionally disconnected The shift from living by default to living by design How Kevin uses business frameworks to create structure and connection at home Rituals, presence, and intentionality in parenting Kevin's thoughts on AI, work, sales, and the future of entrepreneurship About Kevin Rice Kevin Rice is an entrepreneur, advisor, investor, and host of the podcast CEOs and ABCs. After helping build and scale a company from a garage startup to a 250-employee business with a nine-figure exit, he has turned his attention to a new mission: helping leaders succeed at work without losing what matters most at home. He is also writing a book currently titled The Executive's Guide to Parenting. Connect with Kevin Rice Website: CEOs and ABCs Podcast: CEOs and ABCs LinkedIn: Kevin Rice You can reach Robin Green at [email protected].   

In this episode of Lead. Learn. Grow., Robin sits down with Andy McGowan, Director of the VCU Center for Professional Selling, to unpack Andy's unconventional career path — from professional sports and corporate communications to building one of the nation's top collegiate sales programs. Andy shares how an early mentor recognized his natural ability to teach, how real-world selling shaped every chapter of his career, and why developing young sales talent has become his calling. He offers an inside look at VCU's nationally ranked sales team, the rapid growth of collegiate sales competitions, and why employers across industries are eager to recruit his students. Together, Robin and Andy explore: What truly defines professional selling today Why outdated sales stereotypes no longer apply What employers actually look for in early-career sales talent Why engineers and first-generation students often excel in sales roles How AI is already reshaping sales preparation, practice, and performance Andy also extends a direct invitation to Richmond-area business leaders who are looking for motivated, coachable sales talent — and explains why partnering with the VCU program creates value for both employers and students. A practical, energizing conversation for leaders, recruiters, and anyone responsible for hiring or developing salespeople. *** If you'd like to learn more about Sandler's Sales, Management, and Leadership Performance program, you can email him at [email protected] *** If you like the Lead. Learn. Grow. Podcast with Robin Green, please rate and review us in your podcast app.  

What if the biggest limitation in your sales, career, and life isn't the market… it's the conversation in your own head?   In this episode of the Lead.Learn.Grow podcast, I sit down with sales leader and industry "Person of the Year" Hugh Hornsby to talk about belief, resilience, and what it really means to live – and sell – from the inside out. Hugh went from a ninth-grade kid headed for special needs classes… to top producer… to industry consultant… to navigating a misdiagnosed stage-four cancer diagnosis and coming out the other side cancer-free. Along the way, he discovered that the most important conversation you'll ever have is the one you have with yourself.   We cover a lot of ground, including: ➡️ How Hugh used gratitude journaling to stay sane and hopeful through cancer ➡️ Why most people fail because of the story they tell themselves – and how to change it The underdog path: fired, broke, couldn't afford pizza… to doubling and tripling company revenue ➡️ What he learned from Napoleon Hill, Bob Proctor, and classic sales training (including Sandler) ➡️ The power of forgiveness – of others and of yourself – in unlocking growth ➡️ Why the very best salespeople are advisor-type givers, not high-pressure closers ➡️ How he ended up doing stand-up comedy in New York City about cancer… and why it changed him    If you're a salesperson, leader, or young professional who feels a bit stuck, this is an episode to bookmark, re-listen to, and take notes on.   👂 Listen if you want to: -Build a healthier inner dialogue -Rekindle your desire and sense of mission -Sell in a way that's both high-performing and deeply human If you enjoy the conversation, please like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that their story isn't over yet.   *** Connect with Hugh on LinkedIn.    Watch Hugh's stand-up appearance in New York here.    Visit the Napoleon Hill Foundation here.    *** If you'd like to talk to Robin about how you can grow your revenue through Ascend Performance, Inc., powered by Sandler, email him at [email protected].   Sign up for the weekly newsletter, The Huddle, for a weekly blend of sales wisdom, leadership insight, and real-life grit for leaders. Join here. 

In this episode 62 of the Lead. Learn. Grow. Podcast, Robin Green sits down with Kit Moore—musician, theologian, and head of sales for Damage Prevention Solutions—for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, authenticity, and the art of sales.   Kit's career path is anything but linear. From earning a master's at Princeton Theological Seminary to pursuing a professional music career in Nashville, Kit made courageous decisions to stay true to his values—even when that meant walking away from prestigious or high-profile opportunities. Now leading an innovative manufacturing company in the damage prevention industry, he brings a deeply creative and thoughtful approach to business growth.   You'll hear Kit reflect on: ✅ How "becoming" shaped his early career decisions and leadership style ✅ The parallels between creative work, ministry, and leading a business ✅ Why sales is best understood as a cooperative trade, not a manipulative act ✅ How energy and presence shape the sales process ✅ The mindset shifts needed to scale a business while preserving culture   Packed with insights for leaders, sales professionals, and anyone navigating career pivots, this episode is an inspiring reminder that the best leaders are lifelong learners who dare to think differently.   Resources Mentioned: "The Sales Coach Playbook: by Bill Bartlett "Getting Things Done" by David Allen "Deep Work" by Cal Newport "10x Is Easier Than 2x" by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy   🎧 Listen, learn, and grow with us!   Contact Robin at [email protected].

💡 About This Episode Dr. Sherri Mylott has spent more than three decades leading advancement and fundraising at universities across the country — from small liberal arts colleges to large public research institutions.   Today, as Vice President for University Advancement at the University of La Verne, she oversees the vital work of connecting donors' passions with a purpose that transforms students' lives. In this episode of Lead. Learn. Grow.,   Sherri joins host Robin Green to share timeless lessons that apply far beyond higher education.   We talk about:  🎓 Why a liberal arts education is more relevant than ever in today's fast-changing economy 🤝 How fundraising parallels sales — and why both depend on relationships 📖 The power of storytelling in inspiring long-term donor support 🕰️ Why patience might be the #1 skill for advancement professionals 💻 How to think about innovation & technology without losing the human touch 🌍 The University of La Verne's mission to create transformational opportunities for first-generation and underrepresented students.   Whether you lead a nonprofit, work in higher education, or simply want to build deep, lasting relationships, you'll find valuable insights and practical takeaways in this conversation. 🔗   LinkedIn 💬 Connect with Sherri Mylott:   / sherrimylott   📲 Connect with Robin Green 🔗 LinkedIn:   / robingreen2   🌐 Website: https://www.go.sandler.com/green

🔹 Episode Overview: In this powerful episode of Lead Learn Grow, Robin sits down with Nhat Pham, entrepreneur, executive coach, and author of Elevate X. Nhat shares his incredible journey from fleeing Vietnam as a child to building a life of success in America. He discusses the mindset shifts, daily habits, and strategic frameworks that help leaders break through plateaus and achieve exponential growth. We dive into his P.A.C. Model (Perspective, Accelerators, and Compound Action), the importance of resilience, and why mindset—not just tactics—determines success. Nhat also shares practical ways to overcome adversity, execute on big goals, and build daily habits that compound over time. If you're a leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your game, this episode is for you. 🔹 Resources & Links: 📘 Get Nhat's Book – Elevate X: https://getelevatex.com 🌐 Learn More About Nhat Pham & SuccessWerk Coaching: https://www.successwerk.com 📘 Book Recommendations: The Winner Within, Think & Grow Rich, The Alchemist, Never Split the Difference, Atomic Habits Contact Robin Green at [email protected]. 

🚀 How a Growth Mindset Transformed Business & Sales Success 🔹 Episode Overview: In this episode of Lead Learn Grow, Robin sits down with Bill Lopez, a seasoned entrepreneur and sales leader, to explore his journey from IT engineer to successful business owner. Bill shares his gritty early days, including failures, lessons in resilience, and the sacrifices it took to build a thriving IT business. Bill's story highlights the relentless hustle required to succeed in business, from working out of his garage to making a Thanksgiving Day cannonball run to Tampa for a client. The conversation shifts into sales and leadership, where Bill discusses the mindset shift that took him from selling on passion alone to mastering a structured, repeatable sales process. He reflects on the challenges of growth, the importance of self-awareness in leadership, and how his background in martial arts shaped his competitive mindset and ability to handle failure. If you're a business owner, sales professional, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with real-world insights on perseverance, strategy, and sales excellence. 🎧 Timestamps & Key Takeaways: 00:00 – Bill's Entrepreneurial Beginnings & Family Influence 08:30 – The Grit It Takes to Start & Scale a Business 16:45 – The Thanksgiving Road Trip Story: Doing Whatever It Takes for Clients 25:20 – How IT Services Evolved from Fixing Problems to Strategic Partnerships 35:10 – The Mindset Shift: From 'Muscle & Feel' to a Proven Sales Methodology 45:00 – Lessons from Martial Arts: Handling Failure & Continuous Improvement 55:30 – Why Sales Is About Finding the Truth, Not Pushing a Product 1:05:00 – Advice for Young Sales Professionals & Developing a Winning Mindset 🔹 Resources & Links: 🌐 Bill's Company, Strategic Solutions: https://strategicsolutions.com  📘 Recommended Book – Inter Excellence: https://amzn.to/xyz123 🎯 Learn More About Sales Training: https://go.sandler.com/green/

🔹 Episode Overview In this episode of Lead. Learn. Grow., Robin sits down with Ed Johnson, an executive coach specializing in Positive Intelligence (PQ), to explore how mental fitness shapes success in business, leadership, and personal growth. Ed shares how self-sabotaging behaviors (saboteurs) hold us back and how shifting to a sage mindset can improve decision-making, relationships, and resilience. We dive into how negative emotions hijack our thoughts, how to recognize and shift out of them, and how simple exercises (PQ reps) can rewire your brain for better focus, confidence, and emotional intelligence. This conversation is packed with insights for leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to build mental strength, reduce stress, and enhance performance. 🎧 Timestamps & Key Takeaways 00:00 – Ed's Background: From Pastor to Executive Coach 07:15 – What Is Positive Intelligence? 15:30 – The Power of Mental Fitness & How It's Different from Traditional Self-Improvement 22:45 – Negative Emotions: The "Hand on the Hot Stove" Analogy 30:10 – Understanding Your Saboteurs & Self-Sabotage Patterns 40:20 – Live PQ Exercise: How to Shift Out of a Negative Mindset 50:00 – The Science of Mental Rewiring & Building Emotional Resilience 1:00:00 – How This Applies to Sales, Leadership, and Performance 1:10:30 – Ed Coaches Robin on His Own Saboteurs (Hyper-Achiever & Hyper-Rational) 1:20:00 – How to Improve Self-Awareness & Emotional Intelligence 1:30:00 – Free Saboteur Assessment & Next Steps for Listeners 🔹 Resources & Links 🌐 Learn More About Ed Johnson & His Coaching: https://craftedcoach.com 📘 Take the Free Saboteur Assessment: https://calendly.com/craftedcoach/sab... 🎯 Recommended Book – Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine 📅 Schedule a Free Saboteur Coaching Session with Ed: https://calendly.com/craftedcoach/sab...

In this insightful episode of Lead. Learn. Grow, Robin welcomes Kim Lebowitz, a passionate expert in emotional intelligence (EQ). Kim shares her unconventional journey into the world of EQ, from her corporate and entrepreneurial experiences to an unexpected opportunity that led her to immerse herself in the science of emotional intelligence. She explains how EQ is not just about emotions but about understanding and retraining the brain to manage stress, improve decision-making, and foster stronger relationships in business and life. Kim breaks down the five dimensions of EQ—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, social awareness, and social regulation—offering practical strategies for leaders and professionals to enhance their emotional intelligence. She discusses how being "hijacked" by emotions impacts performance and well-being and provides actionable techniques for shifting back to a calm, clear mindset. With real-world examples, she demonstrates how EQ skills can transform leadership, team dynamics, and personal resilience. Robin and Kim explore how EQ directly impacts leadership effectiveness, citing research that shows EQ is a stronger predictor of success than IQ. They also delve into the challenges many high-performing professionals face when transitioning into leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and coaching in helping leaders develop the emotional intelligence necessary to inspire and engage their teams. Whether you're an executive, a business owner, or simply someone looking to navigate life with more clarity and composure, this episode is packed with valuable insights on how EQ can be the key to unlocking your full potential. Don't miss Kim's expert advice on simple yet powerful techniques to improve your emotional intelligence and lead with confidence.   🔹 Resources & Links 🌐 Kim Lebowitz's Website: https://the-restored.com 📘 EQ Assessments: https://www.theovalgroup.com 📖 Recommended Book – Emotional Intelligence 2.0: https://amzn.to/xyz123 *** Contact Robin Green at [email protected]. 

Robin interviews Kirk Roberts from CJGeo, a family-owned business specializing in unique infrastructure solutions. Kirk shares the fascinating origin story of CJGeo, from his father Preston's entrepreneurial journey in 2002 to how the company evolved from small residential jobs to tackling large-scale industrial projects across the Eastern U.S. Kirk describes the pivotal moments that shaped their growth, including lessons from the 2008 recession that forced the company to diversify and adapt, and how Sandler training helped them transition to higher-value projects. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of running a family business, as Kirk works alongside his two brothers, each bringing complementary skills to the table. He reflects on navigating generational perspectives, balancing legacy with innovation, and the importance of shared values and culture in the company's hiring process. Kirk also opens up about the pressures of entrepreneurship, the importance of strategic discipline, and the impact of values-based leadership on building strong client relationships. Robin and Kirk wrap up with insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the need for resilience, adaptability, and a clear sense of purpose. Kirk's story is a testament to how family businesses can thrive by embracing change while staying grounded in core values. Listen in for practical takeaways on managing business growth, fostering a collaborative culture, and finding work-life balance in a demanding field. *** Contact Robin Green at [email protected].  

Welcome to the Lead. Learn. Grow. podcast, where we explore the intersections of busieness, education, technology, and personal growth. I caught up with my friend Paul Mylott, a veteran in higher education and the co-founder behind the innovative AI-driven startup Oblio.  Our conversation dives deep into Paul's journey, the birth of Oblio, and the profound impacts of personalization in education and beyond. Paul Mylott brings over three decades of experience in higher education, having served as a vice president in several institutions. His work primarily focused on the advancement side, but his roles have also covered admissions, giving him a holistic view of the student journey. Paul's latest venture, Oblio, is an AI inbox tool designed to enhance engagement and communication within higher education. Oblio emerged from Paul's realization of the fragmented nature of the student experience in higher education. By combining his insights into behavioral chain philanthropy and the potential of AI, Paul aimed to create a solution that ensures a seamless journey for students from admission through to alumni engagement. Oblio's mission is to increase enrollment and foster a more personalized connection between institutions and their students, ultimately leading to a higher yield of engaged alumni and donors. Leadership Lessons Reflecting on his career and life experiences, Paul emphasizes the importance of aligning personal and organizational goals, the value of mentorship, and the transformative power of personal challenges. His story is a testament to the impact of innovative leadership and the potential of technology to transform traditional industries. Listeners interested in learning more about Oblio or exploring potential collaborations can reach Paul via LinkedIn or directly through his email at [email protected]. *** You can connect with Robin Green by emailing him at [email protected] or connect with him on LinkedIn.  *** You can subscribe to The Huddle, a weekly leadership newsletter, by visiting here. 

Carla Fowler founded THAXA out of a passion for performance science, where the fields of strategy, productivity, and psychology intersect. Since its inception in 2013, THAXA's scientific approach to individualized coaching has attracted a devoted client base of dozens of executives at firms ranging from Fortune 500 technology companies to venture-backed startups to innovative non-profits.  Carla's coaching methods draw upon the multidisciplinary field of performance science to generate the best ideas surrounding strategy, execution, and mindset to assist leaders in their endeavors. Over the past 10 years, she has distilled the key principles of performance into understandable concepts and a method that helps leaders incorporate these ideas into their day-to-day performance, helping them go faster and improve their results.  Carla graduated from Brown University, then earned her MD and PhD at the University of Washington, and completed her internship in general surgery at Stanford University.  We touch on a variety of performance-related topics in our conversation, including: -why Carla left medicine to pursue developing a coaching practice. -how Ultimate Frisbee taught Carla to focus on the essential few. -how she thinks about performance in a multi-disciplinary way. -why self-improvement often doesn't work. ...and much more. A couple of books that Carla frequently recommends are Essentialism and Effortless, both by author Greg McKeown. You can find out more about Greg and learn more about both books here.  You can visit Carla's website here and get a free download, just for Lead. Learn. Grow. listeners.  You can connect with Carla on LinkedIn.  *** You can contact host Robin Green by emailing him at [email protected]. You can subscribe to The Huddle, a weekly leadership email, by clicking here.   

Matt Dira is the Founder of the Dira Group. He coaches and advises high-performers to better manage all aspects of their life, including money.  Our conversation touches on self-limiting beliefs, goals, and what it means to "have it all." Matt shares thoughts on why and how having a coach can be a life-changing investment. I particularly enjoyed his take on kids and money. If you have youngsters, you'll want to hear some tips and ideas he has. He mentions an app called  GravyStack and shares how he uses it in his home. The Green children should be happy that this app wasn't in existence as they were coming along. 😁 Matt also talks about the power of compounding and why seemingly insignificant actions have a profound effect over time.  *** You can learn more about Matt and his coaching practice here. You can find Matt on Instagram @themattdira. Also, text MAP to 804 920 2436 for a free "Wealth Map."  *** Connect with Robin Green at [email protected] or you can subscribe to his weekly leadership newsletter called The Huddle by clicking here.  *** If you like the Lead. Learn. Grow. podcast, please rate and review and share with others. 

Episode 52 of the podcast features Chesdin Harrington, a product manager at Capitol One, and a graduate of the University of Virginia. Chesdin was an accomplished baseball player and was a member of the nationally-ranked Cavalier baseball program during his time in Charlottesville.  Chesdin talks about his college journey, lessons learned from playing sports, and how he has been intentional about building his career. He shares a couple of experiences that he sought out that were really good examples for other young professionals to follow.  If you'd like to connect with Chesdin, you can find him on LinkedIn here.  Here's a great article that Chesdin wrote that was first published in d1baseball.com about his thoughts and feelings when his career was cut short by COVID.  *** If you'd like to connect with Robin Green, you can find him here, or contact him at [email protected].  *** To sign up for The Huddle, a weekly leadership newsletter, click here. 

Welcome to episode 51 of the Lead. Learn. Grow. podcast with Robin Green In this episode, we dive into the art of persuasion with Adele and Chip, seasoned professionals in the convincing business and co-authors of a newly released book, Convince Me. Key Takeaways: Innate Persuasion Skills: We all have a natural ability to convince others, but Chip and Adele's book provides strategies to refine and enhance these skills for more effective persuasion in our personal and professional lives. Storytelling as a Tool: Chip, with his FBI background, emphasizes the power of storytelling to translate complex experiences into relatable business lessons. Emotional Regulation: Adele highlights the importance of forensic listening and emotional regulation in building trust and effectively persuading clients. Quick Trust in High-Stakes: Chip discusses strategies to establish a quick sense of trust in high-stakes situations, crucial for successful outcomes. Mirroring and Matching Techniques: Learn how these techniques can build rapport and lead to deeper insights into others' thoughts and feelings. Understanding Unstated Narratives: Addressing the internal beliefs and perceptions that everyone carries can be a game-changer in negotiations and sales. Balancing Empathy with Action: While empathy is essential, Chip and Adele discuss the importance of guiding clients beyond empathy to improve their situations. Avoiding Righteousness in Persuasion: Adele's favorite concept from the book involves starting from a point of agreement to steer conversations effectively without imposing self-righteousness. Experiential Learning: Chip's preferred aspect of the book is the focus on learning from experiences, featuring interviews with experts to offer practical methods for engaging with others. *** Connect with Adele and Chip on LinkedIn.  *** Connect with Robin Green on LinkedIn. You may also reach him at [email protected].  

Jessica Marsh is the Executive Director of the Richmond Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. ACG is an association for corporate growth, development, and mergers and acquisitions professionals.  Jessica discusses her role, how it impacts the organization, and lessons learned during the pandemic. It's a wide-ranging conversation touching on a number of interesting topics.  *** Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn here. You can learn about ACG here.  *** Click here to sign up for The Huddle, a weekly leadership email. You can contact Robin Green by emailing [email protected].  

Have you ever considered that what we are being sold about digital marketing is wrong? What if it's hurting the business? What if we all are buying the powerful tools and leaving out the fuel that powers them? Tom Schwab believes the best things in life come from conversations. It's these powerful, sometimes awkward conversations that propel us from where we are personally and professionally to where we dream of being. As an engineer, a Navy Veteran, and Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator, Tom thinks differently. Tough Minded, Skeptical, sometimes even Cantankerous, but always technically competent, always thinking – "What if" is how the head of the Nuclear Navy described it. As a small business owner and entrepreneur, he understands the unique challenges of business owners. This led him to be an early pioneer of using inbound marketing for eCommerce and targeted podcast interviews for marketing that connects. Tom is the author of two books: Podcast Guest Profits: Grow Your Business with a Targeted Interview Strategy, called the bible of podcast guesting and One Conversation Away: A manifesto for a rich life and a profitable business. *** Contact Robin Green at [email protected].  *** Sign up for Robin's popular leadership newsletter, The Huddle, by visiting here. 

Jesse Grapes is the President of Benedictine Schools of Richmond, which include both Benedictine College Prepartory School for boys, and St. Gertrude's School for girls. These unique schools offer single-sex educational opportunities for high school students on a growing, beautiful campus on the bluffs of the James River.  Jesse earned his B.S. in Information Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University and upon graduation, joined the world of business consulting. He shares that although his career was off to a good start, he felt like something was missing. Then, the world changed.  On September 12, 2001, he volunteered for the United State Marine Corps. That began a long and storied career that included three combat duties in Iran, and many notable achievements, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.  After his military career, Jesse began his equally successful career in education. He was Principal and Regional Director of an innovative, 7,000 student for-profit school in the San Francisco Bay Area. He also was the Headmaster at BCPS prior to his current role.  Jesse Grapes is a leader of leaders, and he shares his philosophies, stories, and how he has continually re-invented himself to live a meaningful and virtuous life.  *** My Early Life by Winston Churchill  Jesse shares this as one of his favorite books and an example of seeking opportunity, taking risks, and inspiration stories.  7 Habits of Highly Effective People and the importance of sharpening the saw.  Plutarch's Lives Rich Dad, Poor Dad *** Contact Robin Green at [email protected]. *** SIgn up for The Huddle, a weekly leadership newsletter where Robin shares insights, lessons, and stories to help leaders lead more effectively.   

Buddy Biancalana is one of approximately 1,600 players that have been drafted in the first round since the draft began in 1965. With the weight of expectations, pressure to perform, and the demands of being a professional athlete, Buddy quickly rose through the Kansas City Royals minor league system - from Rookie League to the Major Leagues - in five years.  As a part-time player, Buddy was what the baseball world calls a "good field-no hit" player, playing the demanding shortstop position. Then, late in the 1985 season, Royals manager Dick Howser inserted him in the lineup late in the year, and he played the best baseball of his life. He was a key contributor in helping the Royals win their first World Series.  As he shares in our conversation, the pressure of the World Series was immense. Literally, the entire world was watching. Yet, as you'll hear, Buddy says he was as calm as he'd ever been. And he played flawless defense and hit better than he'd ever hit before. Later, he realized that he'd had an "In the zone" experience.  This experience, along with a childhood incident that Buddy shares in our conversation, led him to begin to study the brain-body connection. Now, as the founder of Zone Motion, he helps athletes and executives have "in the zone" experiences in a more intentional way, rather than by chance.  You can buy Buddy's book, The 7 Secrets of World Class Athletes, here.  *** You can contact Robin Green at [email protected]. *** If you like this podcast, you may also like Robin's weekly leadership newsletter, The Huddle. Join the growing number of subscribers (it's free), including leaders from business, education, and athletics. You can subscribe here. 

If you live in Richmond, VA, you know Jeff Katz. The host of an award-winning talk show on WRVA during afternoon drive time, he has a long and storied career. In this fun conversation, you'll hear tales of going from a police officer to selling radio ads and finally hosting his own show. Regardless of where in the country he was working, two things have been a constant. One, his talent behind the mic and his ability to connect with his audience have been recognized repeatedly. Second, he cares about his community.  Jeff is a master storyteller who spins many yarns in our time together. A master of his craft, Jeff shares some of the lessons he has learned through his long and successful career.  *** If you'd like to learn more about Jeff and his work, you can visit jeffkatz.us.  There, you can learn about Jeff's consulting, coaching, and speaking services. If you'd like to listen to his show or learn more about the broadcasting pursuits, visit thejeffkatzshow.com. Jeff even invites you to call him at 804.596.6596 or use toll-free at 888.334.JEFF. *** To learn more about Sandler Training or to connect with Robin, email him at [email protected].  *** To sign up for our growing leadership newsletter, The Huddle, visit green.sandler.com/huddle.  

Join me as I speak in a great conversation with Jenn Drummond of Park City, UT. A car accident in 2018 left Jenn awestruck and emboldened. Rescue workers couldn't imagine any scenario where she came out of it alive, but she did. That's when she realized you don't get to choose when you leave this life…but you sure can choose how you live it. Strengthened by this awareness, she set out to live in a more authentic and adventurous way. Inspired to climb a mountain for her birthday, her son raised the stakes by suggesting Mount Everest. Not one to back down from a challenge, she accepted the pursuit. During her training, her coach upped the ante and proposed that she go for a Guinness World Record and become the first woman to climb the 7 second summits. The pursuit matched her desire to live a life of significance, not just success. Today, Jenn is a world record holder who elevates others to master their own summit in life. She's a successful business owner and mom of seven kids who, as you will hear, inspire and brazenly challenge her. She's also an international speaker, author, and host of the "Seek Your Summit" podcast, which focuses on inspiring others to go beyond success to a life of significance. You can find out more about Jenn at jenndrummond.com. Details of her soon-to-be-released book are here.  *** If you are a leader and a learner, subscribe to our fast-growing leadership newsletter called The Huddle. Each week, you get a dose of leadership goodness. Best of all, it's free. Sign up here.  *** You can contact Robin Green at [email protected] with questions or if you know someone that would make a great guest on the podcast.   

Join my conversation with Tracy Hupko, Executive Director of the I GOT THIS Foundation, as she talks about how her organization is changing lives through golf. By providing golf instruction, playing opportunities, and organized events, the Foundation strives to teach people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities to play golf, paving the way for them to compete in leagues with typical peers, join high school teams, and enjoy the many social benefits of golf. *** In our discussion, Tracy shares how her career evolved from Disney to the LPGA Tour, to meeting Amy Bockerstette. Amy was the first person with Down's Syndrome to receive a college athletic scholarship. In one remarkable moment, Amy was invited to join Gary Woodland and Matt Kuchar on the 16th at the Waste Management Open. Amy hit her tee shot in the bunker in front of thousands of fans. Asked did she wanted to hit it out of the bunker, she said, "I got this!" She got it out of the bunker and made the putt for a par!  Gary Woodland cited Amy's as an inspiration for him as he tried to hold it together on the back nine en route to his first major championship. He said that he kept remembering Amy and telling himself, "I got this!" It's a beautiful story and this group is doing terrific work. Tracy does a great job talking about the mission and impact of this organization.  Find out more about the I GOT THIS Foundation here.  *** Tracy and I first met after she read of my re-telling of the story in my weekly leadership newsletter called The Huddle. You can subscribe here.  *** You can connect on LinkedIn with Tracy Hupko here.  *** Contact me at [email protected].      

Brian Edmonds has a long and distinguished career in sports and entertainment marketing. A UNC graduate, Brian shares interesting stories from his career, ranging from working with superstar athletes at a prominent agency to his present-day company The 288 Group.  Brian has worked for the University of Virginia, Front Row Marketing, and Colonial Athletic Association.  Listen in as Brian gives us a bit of a behind-the-scenes look at the sports world, and shares some lessons and insights from a successful career.  *** Click here to subscribe to The Huddle by Robin Green, a weekly leadership newsletter.  *** To contact Robin about training and coaching questions, email him at [email protected].  

George Forsythe joins the podcast to talk about his journey in the world of public accounting.  Starting at WellsColeman when he was a senior at the University of Mary Washington, George has risen through the ranks to now lead the firm.  He shares insights about his early days, where he was allowed to pursue ideas and initiatives, which allowed him rapidly grow his skillset. He talks about how he learns and stays relevant, and how technology is shaping the future of the firm.  George shares how he thinks about work-life balance and the concept of 4-way wins.  You can connect with George on LinkedIn here. You can learn more about WellsColeman here.  Follow George's adventures on Instagram.  You can download WellsColeman's free business guide for entrepreneurs here.   **** To sign up for Robin Green's free leadership newsletter, The Huddle, click here.  *** If you'd like to talk to Robin about training and coaching services, you can reach him at [email protected].    

Richmond Times-Dispatch writer Eric Kolenich joins Robin on episode 41 of the Lead. Learn. Grow. podcast. After a short stint working for the FBI, Eric joined the RTD staff and hasn't looked back. He has written about high school sports, higher education, business, health, and real estate in his nearly 15-year career. Eric is a professional storyteller and it's obvious in our conversation. Midway through, he gives a masterclass on how to put together a written message to communicate with impact. It's really good. In the introduction, I mention that I met Eric a few years ago when he did a full-length story on my son and youth baseball injuries. You can read that story here. I asked Eric if he had a couple of favorites, stories that he liked writing or had an impact. He shared the stories of Andrew Nelson, a former Mills Godwin HS soccer player, and his battle with addiction. Next, he shared the story of Adam Oakes, a VCU student who tragically died during pledge activities with the Delta Chi fraternity. You can connect with Eric on LinkedIn here. *** You can receive Robin's weekly leadership email, called The Huddle, by subscribing here.  *** Contact Robin at [email protected].    

In Episode 40, Robin has a great conversation with Brad Eure of Eure Consulting. Brad learned business the hard way, through 30+ years of experience in the small and family business world. Now he's sharing what he learned with clients so that their companies have a smoother ride. Brad's three decades of operations and management experience have given him a sharp eye for what it takes to succeed in today's business world. After having successfully run, grown, and sold several radio stations in the Richmond, Norfolk, and Charlottesville markets of Virginia, Brad is now an expert consultant to companies seeking to improve their management and build their success. A graduate of The College of William and Mary with a BS in Business Administration, Brad is proud to have served as President of the Virginia Association of Broadcasters and a member of the National Association of Broadcasters, as well as on the board of many local organizations including the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce and the Salvation Army. Brad is the past Chairman of the Bank Board of Union Bank & Trust, now Atlantic Union Bank. Brad and his daughter Clay help companies develop to their full potential by having a focus on people, strategy, and execution. You can contact Brad here. You can subscribe here to The Huddle, a weekly newsletter for leaders. If you'd like to contact our host, Robin Green, you can email him at [email protected].      

Richard Coughlan, Ph. D., is an associate professor in the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond. In addition to being an award-winning educator, he has consulted and advised many Fortune 500 companies. Dr. Coughlan also hosts the highly-acclaimed "C-Suite Conversations" at the University. A master interviewer, he has interviewed notable leaders from all parts of the business, non-profit, education, and sports world. You can find recordings of past interviews here. They are highly recommended. As he shares during our discussion, he puts in many hours of preparation for each, and it shows. He says his aim is to ask questions of his guests they have never been asked before.  Richard and I have a wide-ranging discussion where he shares keen insights on decision-making, negotiation, and other areas that business owners are sure to benefit from.  You can learn more about Richard here.  Contact Robin Green at [email protected]. To sign up for The Huddle, a weekly leadership email, sign up here.  Thanks to Jay Smack for the introduction, voiceover, and editing. 

Andres Marquez-Lara is the Founder & CEO of UFacilitate, a leadership development and facilitation training organization that helps leaders be more effective. He has developed his growing company through a methodology that is a dynamic and inclusive blending of design thinking, improv theatre, and systems thinking. He and his team host workshops that help groups connect, collaborate, create, and complete their projects.  He is Adjunct Faculty at the Executive Master in Policy Leadership and Master of Policy Management at Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, Adjunct Faculty at Georgetown's Institute for Transformative Leadership, and a Guest Lecturer at the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership at George Washington University. He is also an Advisor at the Emergence Project for Purposeful Entrepreneurship at Stanford University.  Andres has a fresh and unique take on leadership and he shares a number of them in our conversation. On the day we recorded, he released his first book, Facilitating Leadership. I found it interesting that the book's co-author was....ChatGPT! He wrote the book in thirty days and he shares what that process was like.  You can download a copy, in ebook format, at no charge here.  You can connect with Robin Green at [email protected]. Sign up for Robin's weekly leadership newsletter, The Huddle, here.     

In episode 37, I walk through this week's The Huddle, a weekly leadership newsletter. If you like this format, let me know.      It's an age-old dilemma. We know exactly what we should do...yet, we don't do it. Being able to bridge the gap between knowledge and action may be the key for you and me reaching our goals.  The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu wrote, "To know and not to do is really not to know." It reminds us that true learning, true knowledge, is in the application. Learning is doing.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing." My clients have heard me speak of the GPS model of coaching. It's based on where someone is today and then where they want to be in the future. Like a GPS. Here's the blue dot. Where are we trying to get to? Then, as a leader, I coach the gap.  I have a challenge for you this month. It's early June, so the timing is perfect.  I'd like for you to take a few minutes and think about a few of your goals for the month of June. Pretend it's June 30th. You say, "It was a great month. I thrived professionally and personally."  What happened? What made it a good month? Write down the behaviors and actions that you would need to take to hit those goals. If you are in management, maybe it's "Have one coaching session with each team member and give honest, courageous feedback." If you are in sales, perhaps it's "75 prospecting attempts."  Whatever the behaviors are that would lead to a great June, write them down. Seriously. Do it.  Start with just 3 professional and 2 personal. If you use paper, put it somewhere that you will see it every single day. If you use Excel, keep it open on your desktop. I carry mine on an index card in my back pocket. Just write them down and keep them in front of you. Now, every morning look at it.  At the end of the day, look at it.  Cross off things, make tick marks....track your progress. If you do this, you have increased your likelihood of hitting your goals exponentially. Good intentions are just that. Jim Rohn said, "Written goals are dreams with deadlines. When you write down your goals, you turn vague dreams into a visible, tangible roadmap."  Try it for 30 days. Let me know how you do.    The Huddle is a weekly newsletter that is designed for leaders. Leaders must be learners. There is never a moment when leaders arrive. It's a never-ending growth process. I hope it can be a resource that you can use to stay sharp and share with your team. Click here to subscribe.    With that, here are some things I ran across this week.    Get Outside - According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly half of all 18-24 year-olds in the United States have some form of depression or anxiety. It's an alarming fact about our culture. At a time when youngsters should be carefree and happy, we are trending in the opposite direction.  My son and I were discussing this recently. My uneducated and unresearched opinion is that Smartphones, or modern-day digital pacifiers, are a leading contributor. But we also talked about the fact that in our suburban culture, it's possible to go days without getting outside.  Think about it. Our car is in the garage. We hop in and drive to work. We park next to the building, always the closest door possible. We may take 20 steps to the entrance. We DoorDash lunch (or maybe we bring our own). Sit in our artificially lighted office. Drive home. Open the garage door. Boom. In 24 hours, we are outside for perhap 90 seconds. It's that easy. Based on this article, maybe one of our June goals could be "Get outside for at least 30 minutes each day." Stress-Free Vacay - Summer is here, albeit unofficially, and it's vacation season. Taking a vacation, and doing it right, is a bit of a dilemma. One strategy is to do a little bit of work every day to ensure there isn't a digital tsunami when it's all over. Another strategy is to completely unplug, knowing that there will be a price to pay upon return. Either way, it's stressful.  I haven't seen a lot written on this topic so I was interested to read this short "How To" from the Harvard Business Review. It might be worth filing away in the vacation file.  Do it for the Fam - The difference between building a cathedral and simply breaking rocks is remembering the bigger picture—why you are doing what you are doing. When we live with a greater purpose in mind, life just seems easier.  Work can be a rut. Same ole, same ole. Another day, another dollar. A sarcastic, "Living the dream." Until you add purpose.  For most people, family is a great motivator. If we have kids, don't we want them to be proud of what we do? If we are a kid, don't we want our parents to be proud?  LeBron James once said, "I'm going to use all my tools, my God-given ability, and make the best life I can with it. And that's what I've done. I've been able to provide for my family because of this game...To give my mom something I've always wanted to give her and see her happy, it's beyond words." Family is a great motivator.  This article does a good job of linking personal responsibility and performance to family legacy. Alive Time - Here's a short video from Ryan Holiday around the concept of Alive Time v. Dead Time. We can passively wait, or we can take action.  Give it a watch. It's good.    A Quote to Leave You With

Todd Bradberry is the CEO of Parallel Management Company, located in Richmond, VA. Todd is a noted Business Coach, management consultant, trainer, and speaker. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here and Twitter here.  In Episode 36, we talk about Todd's journey in putting a lifelong practice of reading and learning into his first book, which he is currently writing. Todd shares a funny and memorable description of the fast brain and the slow brain. Todd discusses his thoughts about the disconnect between business influencers and the typical small business owner.  Books that were mentioned. Tao Te Ching The Bhagavad Gita Start with Why - Simon Sinek Building a Second Brain *** You can contact Robin Green at [email protected] You can connect with Robin on LinkedIn here.  *** Thanks to Jay Smack of Jay Smack VO for the opening intro.  *** If you enjoy the Lead. Learn. Grow. Podcast, please leave a review and subscribe. 

Join host Robin Green as he chats with Andrew Wright. Andrew is the Minor League Field Coordinator for the Boston Red Sox. I met Andrew a few years ago, and in some ways, we continued that conversation.  Andrew is a former college baseball coach who is now in professional baseball. Before his current role, Andrew was the Director of Operations at the New York Yankees Dominican Republic complex.  In this conversation, we talk about: Being intentional Managing your personal brand The importance of clearly defining and communicating expectations Why putting your plan in writing is important How Andrew thinks about People & Processes An interesting way to think about Outcome Management Design v. Default If you aim to be a better leader, there is much to learn from this conversation. *** Andrew recommends "Let's Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower." You can link to the book's Amazon page here.  *** You can find his LinkedIn profile here if you'd like to connect with Andrew.  *** You can contact Robin Green at [email protected] or (804) 914-1723.

Join me as I chat with Scot McRoberts, the Executive Director of the Virginia Council of CEOs.  Scot shares insights from a career of leading volunteer organizations, from the Boy Scouts of America to the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, to founding VACEO 22 years ago.  We talk about the challenges of leading volunteers, what mentors have taught Scot about leadership, and various other topics.  If you are a CEO, connect with Scot on LinkedIn, or if you have questions about the Virginia Council of CEOs, you can email him at [email protected]. *** If you enjoy the Lead. Learn. Grow. podcast, rate, and review us on your podcasting app. *** To get a weekly leadership email called The Huddle, click here. The Huddle is for growth-minded leaders who enjoy a short, curated message each week to guide their learning.  You can contact me at [email protected].  *** Links to books and podcasts that came up during our discussion Small Giants Forum The Big Leap Jeff Brown and the Read to Lead Podcast  

Join Kaley Klemp and me for an interesting conversation on the Enneagram. What the heck IS the Enneagram, and why are people using it to become better versions of themselves? Kaley shares insights on each of the 9 types and how she uses the Enneagram as a development tool with her corporate clients.  Kaley is a best-selling author and a leading Executive Coach based in Denver, CO. She co-authored The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, one of my favorite leadership books. I've read it more than once and refer to it often.  Her most recent book is about marriage which she co-authored with her husband, Nate. You can read about The 80/80 Marriage here.  You can view her TEDx Talk here, subscribe to her newsletter here, and get a guide for what she calls "epic date night" by clicking here.  Of particular interest to listeners of this episode may be Kaley's Enneagram course.  Finally, the homepage for her new book and her company website will keep you updated on the things Kaley is working on.  ************************************************************************* You can connect with Robin Green here. Following the link, you can sign up for The Huddle, a weekly leadership email. You can follow him on LinkedIn for interesting and sometimes provocative takes on sales and leadership topics. 

In Episode 32, I talk with Jeff Fitch. He shares his journey from a high school teacher and coach in Hopewell to working for a local non-profit (SportsBackers) that has put Richmond on the radar as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. He was there when many of the significant events were in their infancy.  Jeff is now an employee of the PGA Tour and is a key member of the team that hosts the Dominion Energy Classic, a PGA Tour Champions event held each year at the Country Club of Virginia. In 2022, the event will be held on October 21-23. During the intro to this episode, I may have listed the wrong date.  If you know a local leader that you'd like for me to consider for a future episode of the podcast, call or text me at 804.914.1723.  To sign up for The Huddle, visit this link and insert your email address. The Huddle is a weekly leadership email designed for leaders. 

Tom Prusak, a Maryland native who came to Virginia to study and play lacrosse at Randolph-Macon College, joins us in Episode 31. Tom talks about his expectations coming into his first sales role and how great leaders around him have fueled his success.  This is a great message for people interested in starting a sales career and also for leaders who seem to struggle to find productive, entry-level sales professionals. There are a lot of nuggets that Tom shares about his journey that you will take away.  Tom was our 2021 Sandler Training Rookie of Year, given each year to a new client that exhibits the mindset, behaviors, and applied techniques necessary for lasting success.  We had a minor editing issue where the conversation was a bit disjointed, but none of the message is lost. 

When a college student interns in a sales training and consulting business, what are the things that surprise them? What are some of the lessons that someone without experience in sales learns while being around sales every day?  I had an interesting conversation with my son Casey about his experience so far this summer. If you are a young professional and looking to get into sales, you may learn a few things in this episode. 

As the owner of a Sandler Training business, I get the opportunity to work with great people. People that invest in their success, are growth-minded, and willing to change in order to be more successful.  For the last 2 years, we have selected a Client of the Year. This is an individual that embodies the attitudes, behaviors, and techniques that train and coach on a regular basis. It's a difficult decision and both this year and last, there were a handful of people that we could have chosen and felt great about it. But someone had to win!  This year, Andrew Belcher of Continental Underwriters is our Client of the Year. Andrew embodies the things we want our clients to be. He's been a great client - but more importantly, he's been a great leader in his company and a role model to other talented professionals.  Andrew is a Chesterfield County native and graduated from VCU. He grew up in his family business and since college, Continental Underwriters is the only job he's ever had.  *** With COVID restrictions, we weren't able to meet face-to-face. So the audio quality of Zoom is good - not great. I don't think it'll distract from our conversation but it's not perfect. *** If you'd like information about Sandler Training, contact me at [email protected].    

In episode 028, René Haines, Founder and President of FocalPath Coaching as she talks about how she got started as a business coach, what kinds of things she helps business owners with, and some ideas on how to weather the storm in a distressed economy. René has been helping business owners from throughout the country reach their potential and prosper. *** If you'd like to schedule a free, initial consultation with René, you can reach out to her at [email protected].  *** We discussed Profit First and Traction during our chat. You can get a free chapter of Traction by clicking on the link.  *** Contact Robin Green about Sandler Training at 804.914.1723.   

Episode 027 is a bit different. Robin takes to the mic solo and offers some insights from his clients on Best Practices for leading through tough times. With the COVID-19 virus literally changing every aspect of our lives, how do we respond as leaders? 

Jessica Philips, President & CEO of CA Human Services, joins us on episode 026 to talk about her journey that has taken her from working in the organization to leading it. She tells of how an experience she had as a teenager put her on a path she continues today.  Jessica and her organization were recently the recipients of the Sandler Training 2020 Non-Profit Scholarship and we talk a bit about that as well.  *** I mention our 2019 Client of the Year and a national Sandler podcast where he was interviewed. Listen to Kevin Kemerer talk about how to be a sales manager despite not having been in sales here. 

Betsy Moore joins us for episode 25 and she shares many of the lessons she has learned as a painter. There are many lessons that entrepreneurs can take from the arts. In many ways, building a company (or even helping grow a team member) are similar to that of an artist. Growth requires us to see things as they can be - with an artist's eye.  You can find Betsy's art at a number of galleries in the area. If you'd like to view some of her amazing paintings, click here.  *** For information on Sandler Training in Richmond, call (804) 914-1723 or visit our website. 

In Episode 024, join in on my discussion with Jeremy Ford, owner of RVA Restoration. Jeremy was a GM at the restoration company after spending the bulk of his career in the insurance business. After a massive rebranding effort - including a name change - he bought the company from it's previous ownership group and began his journey as an entrepreneur.  His success has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2019, RVA Restoration was #1 on the Top Workplaces, a recognition program ran by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Previously, his company was #1 and then #3 on the Top 25 Fastest Growing Companies in Richmond.  Jeremy is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where he studied Industrial Psychology.  Jeremy offers thoughts on how he has intentionally built the culture, why that's so important, and he mixes in some lessons from the world of hockey to describe teamwork and attention to detail.  *** Register for the upcoming Sandler Training One-Day Sales Boot Camp while there are still seats available. If you have questions, call us at 804.914.1723.  *** Thanks for my friend Jay Smack at SmackSound for the intro.  

Keith Reynolds is a native of Culpeper, VA and attended college at the University of Richmond. After a successful career in banking, one that saw him rise through the ranks quickly, he discovered a love for connecting people. He turned that passion into a successful business, as he and a partner founded Synapse, a referral networking organization with a unique twist - partnerships with non-profit organization.  Keith shares a couple of wonderful stories about how Synapse is making a difference in the lives of members - and even prompts my memory about a goodwill project that my wife and I helped with when her hometown was ravaged by floodwaters. It didn't occur to me until the end of our conversation that it was at a Synapse meeting where I made a connection that led to helping out some elementary school kids in West Virginia. I'm guessing that every member of Synapse has a great story to tell.  The story Keith tells at the end (I won't spoil it here) is worth the listen. Amazing.  *** Thanks to my friend Jay Smack for providing the intro to the podcast. You can find him here.  *** If you'd like to learn about some upcoming training programs we have planned at Sandler Training in Richmond, visit our webpage or contact me at [email protected]. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we love 5-start ratings and even a review!

Tripp Costen is the third-generation of leaders in the successful family business. Costen Floors was founded in 1948 and has survived the many up-and-downs that are prevalent in a family business.  Tripp tells a bit about his entry into the business, some amazing stories about his grandmother and how she ran the business. The stories about grandma are funny, inspiring, and amazing. Tripp shares a lot of lessons learned from his journey as a teenager, to VMI, and finally, working in and now running Costen flooring.  *** Special thanks for Jay Smack of SmackSound, for providing the intro music and voiceover for the podcast. You can learn more about the work Jay does here.  *** To learn more about our upcoming workshop that will help you beat the "Summer Slump", visit our website. It's free and you can register online. 

Join my discussion with Dennis Bickmeier, who became the third President of Richmond Raceway in July 2011. Prior to joining Richmond, Bickmeier spent nearly four years as the Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing at Michigan International Speedway, where he oversaw communications, corporate partnership sales, ticket sales and operations.   His career with International Speedway Corporation initially began in 1999 as the Public Relations Director at Auto Club Speedway. During his time at the Southern California-based speedway, Bickmeier became an adjunct faculty member in the University of San Francisco's Sports Management class teaching the Strategic Communications and Sports Public Relations elective.   Over his 26-year Sports Management Career, Bickmeier spent time with the former Anaheim Angels, now the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, both Walt Disney Company-owned franchises at the time. He has also held positions with the Big West Conference, Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Dodgers.   Bickmeier has also served as a sports public relations and marketing consultant for clients like the AT&T Champions Classic, Phoenix International Raceway and Brener, Zwikel and Associates. A native Ohioan, Bickmeier is a graduate of the prestigious Ohio University Scripps School of Journalism. He also holds a master's degree in Sports Administration from Ohio University.   ***   If you'd like to join us at an upcoming Sandler Training session, contact me at [email protected].   ***   If you enjoy our podcast, we'd appreciate it if you would rate and review us. It'll help others find it.   

John Polk left Capital One to start his own consulting company called John Polk & Associates. He is a noted communications expert. Specifically, he helps firms with strategy decks, pitch decks, and other strategy-focused initiatives. He developed one of the most popular learning classes at Capital One and he has now gone out on his own to do the same for other businesses. *** John tells us of a study that shows that more than $1 billion dollars per day in resources are squandered because of a lack of focus in this area. He talks about the power of practice and why you should not be relying on those trusty bullet points when building your next deck. If you are a leader, whether in business, education, government, or non-profit, I think you'll take away some valuable ideas and perhaps a different way of thinking about how you communicate.    *** John mentions a list of Top 10 books in the podcast. Here is the list. There are some great recommendations here. How many have you read? Wellbeing, Rath & Harter – The secret to happiness! Focus on career, finances, social life (friends/family), health, community (doing good for society). Strengthsfinder 2.0, Rath – Know what you're good at, then find roles that leverage your strengths – also a good team building book. Making the Most of Your Money Now, Jane Bryant Quinn -- Most comprehensive guide to personal finance. Not a traditional career book, but succeeding with your finances and succeeding in your career are mutually reinforcing. The Truth About Money, Ric Edelman – Less comprehensive, more entertaining guide to personal finance. The Leadership Challenge, Kouzes & Posner – Most comprehensive and practical guide to leading. You don't have to be a manager to benefit from this. Made to Stick, The Heath Brothers – Tell "sticky" stories to improve your influence. Decisive, The Heath Brothers – Humans are terrible at making decisions; you don't have to be. The 11 Laws of Likability, Michelle Lederman – People like to work with (or do business with) people they like. The laws create a practical networking guide. Storytelling with Data, Cole Nussbaumer – This is the book on data visualization and presentations I wish I had written. I use it in the MBA class I teach. Leadership and Self Deception, The Arbinger Institute – Key theme: anytime something's not going your way, figure out what role you're playing in that situation. *** Click on the link if you'd like to attend our session called "Prospecting in the Digital Age." The event will be held at the new Sandler Training Center on June 20th at 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. It'll fill up quickly! You can also text SAVE MY SEAT to 804.914.1723. Standard text message rates may apply.       

Welcome to Episode 019 of the Lead. Learn. Grow. podcast. In this episode, we chat with Michael Bor, the Founder and CEO of CarLotz.  Michael has an undergraduate degree from Lehigh University and earned an MBA at the Harvard Business School.  Michael takes us on a fascinating journey through an entrepreneurial journey that began as a teenager, putting small screws onto a small box, and led him to founding one of the fastest-growing private companies in North America. Listen to Michael talk about his trusted notebook, where he'd sketch out one-page business plans on a variety of ideas - one of which led to CarLotz. Michael is a leader in Richmond's fast-growing entrepreneur ecosystem and shares a number of key concepts and ideas that'll help you in your business and life.  Thanks for listening! *** On the podcast, I announce a complimentary training session I'll be doing on the morning of June 20th on Digital Prospecting at (fingers crossed!) our new Sandler Training Center. When this releases to the public, it will fill up quickly. As a podcast listener, you can save a seat by texting "SAVE MY SEAT" to 804.914.1723.  *** If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review. You can also subscribe so you'll be notified of new episodes as they are released.   

Natalie McNamara is the owner of CreativeMktGroup, a dedicated and fractional marketing department to startups, small businesses and non-profits. They help clients in the areas of branding, digital marketing, business development and public relations.   In this episode, Natalie shares the real-world struggles of being a new business owner and shares how she has built her business from the ground up in just over two years. My favorite anecdote was this - to make it in business, there can be no "Plan B." So true. She also shares some great tips on being a good networker as well as some practical tips that start-ups and small businesses are going to want to pay attention to.  *** You can connect with Natalie on LinkedIn here.  *** LIsteners of the podcast can download our free resource "Six Ways to Personalize Your Pitch" by clicking here.   

On Episode 017, we are joined by Jay Markiewicz, the Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at Virginia Commonwealth University. Jay discusses his students passion for entrepreneurship, how he thinks about thinking, and his views on how life is simply a series of mini-experiments. Our discussion was full of interesting insights that you won't want to miss. Get out your notebooks for this one! *** Jay earned the Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State and also holds a Master's degree from the University of South Carolina. His experiences include serving his country in the United States Navy, a corporate stint at Capital One, starting a number of businesses and finally, to his current role at VCU. Learn more about Jay at his VCU profile page and you can learn more about him on LinkedIn.  *** To contact Robin Green regarding his Training and Development company, visit www.green.sandler.com. For podcast listeners, download this free white paper describing "Six Formulas to Ensure Sales Success" by clicking here.