PODCAST · business
Leadership Lowdown
by BBB Pacific Southwest, Central & Inland California
Discover the stories behind the success with Leadership Lowdown, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of business leadership. Each episode features an in-depth conversation with an inspiring leader who shares their personal journey — the triumphs, the pitfalls, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. Whether it’s navigating failure, seizing unexpected opportunities, or mastering resilience, these insights will empower you to lead with purpose and passion. Tune in and uncover the strategies, stories, and secrets that shape today’s most influential leaders. Leadership Lowdown — because every great leader has a story worth hearing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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Building A Welcoming Fitness Community
On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Tiffany Divelbiss, Owner and Coach at Wildfire CrossFit, shares how she has built a community where anyone can feel welcome, regardless of their fitness level or experience. While CrossFit can look intimidating from the outside, Tiffany’s approach is much…
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The Learning Curve: Multi-Channel Selling
On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Michelle Watson, President and CEO of Creative Brands and creator of the Snap-n-Go Seat Sheet, shares the steep learning curve that came with entering the world of e-commerce. From Amazon Seller University to navigating compliance, analytics, and multi-channel...
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Marketing Is Hospitality
On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Celia Waddington, ShEO of Ignite Creative Services, shares why great marketing ultimately comes down to taking care of the customer. Whether it’s telling a brand’s story, creating memorable experiences, or bringing people together, Celia explains why hospitality...
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Helping People See Their Own Greatness
On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, the tables are turned as co-producer Jake Roberts steps in to interview host Jodi Low. Jodi shares how one of her greatest gifts is recognizing the potential in others, even when they may not see it in themselves, and helping them uncover the confidence and...
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Taking Over the Business
On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Andreina Leal-Carrillo, CEO and Co-Founder of The Repair Tech, shares how she unexpectedly followed in her family’s entrepreneurial footsteps. Despite growing up watching the sacrifices and hard work that came with running a business, Andreina was convinced it…
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Risk Nothing, Lose Everything
On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Pam Covarrubias, Founder and Leadership Coach at Café con Pam, shares the full-circle moment that shaped her purpose. After leaving corporate life and building her own path, Pam found herself helping immigrant entrepreneurs and Spanish-speaking business owners…
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Impact Driven Leadership
On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Cindy Lin, CEO and Co-Founder of Hey Social Good, shares an eye-opening perspective on sustainability and why so many businesses struggle to get started. Cindy explains that the challenge is often not a lack of desire, but a lack of knowledge, resources, and…
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Quitting Engineering for Restaurant Life
On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Joe Seriale, owner of Joe’s Diner in Phoenix, shares the unexpected journey that led him from studying electrical engineering to building a career in the restaurant industry. From working restaurants since childhood to a memorable clash with a chef that changed...
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The 100% Rule
What if the hardest day of your life turned out to be the one that changed everything? Aaron Frazier, VP of Sales and Marketing at American Technology Specialists, found his turning point after a grueling day of labor in the Arizona heat. That moment pushed him to recommit to his education and...
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Trust the Process, Get the Answers
On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Richelle Hopkins, Reverse Mortgage Advisor with Reverse Richelle, shares the importance of trusting the process. Richelle reflects on guiding clients through uncertainty, helping them see a clearer path forward, and the privilege of being part of such meaningful...
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The Leadership Reset
On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Maresa Friedman, Director of Influencer Marketing at The Executive Cat Herder, shares why great leaders need to stay curious and open minded. By taking the time to truly understand people, especially emerging talent like Gen Z, Maresa highlights how powerful...
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Success Is Not a Solo Act
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Inez González Perezchica, Principal of Tendiez Consulting, reflects on building a career without a blueprint. She reframes the question entirely: not "what do you want to be," but "what's next?" One step, one reputation, one right decision at a time. If you've…
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Fear Kills Your Fundraising
What's the most expensive thing a nonprofit can do? Ask for too little. This week on Leadership Lowdown, Neal Sneller, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Prescott, talks about why fear around big funding requests costs organizations more than rejection ever would. He's learned to tell the...
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You Can't Teach Caring
On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Danielle Rickert, Owner of Sir Speedy Prescott, shares why caring is the one thing you cannot teach. Danielle talks about building a team that genuinely loves what they do, thrives on customer appreciation, and takes pride in delivering great experiences every...
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The Simplest Test of Ethics
On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Marc Erpenbeck, President of George Brazil Plumbing and Electrical, shares why protecting a company’s legacy matters. Marc talks about honoring the values the business was built on, choosing to remain independent in an industry increasingly shaped by private...
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Building a Business on Integrity
Watching your parents work that hard leaves a mark. For Anna Lam, it became the entire foundation of how she leads. This week on Leadership Lowdown, Anna Lam, Founder and CEO of Penguin Payment Advisors, shares how growing up watching her family build a life through sheer effort shaped her...
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The Myth of Doing Life Alone
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Marcy Maslov, Founder of e-Factor!®, shares how mentorship and resourcefulness shaped her entrepreneurial journey. After being laid off from corporate life, Marcy sought guidance from organizations like the BBB, SCORE, and the SBDC, leaning into coaching…
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Aligning Personal and Professional Values
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Alison Schmitt, Chief Client Officer at LT marketing agency, shares what it truly means to live and lead with aligned values. She opens up about the importance of ensuring your personal and professional principles match, and how acting with integrity, unity, and...
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The Path to Financial Freedom
What does it actually mean to lead with empathy? Not as a buzzword, but as a daily practice? This week on Leadership Lowdown, Jim Triggs, President and CEO of Money Management International, shares how leading from lived experience shapes culture in a way that retention numbers don't lie about.…
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Leading Across Generations
New episode out now! On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Gregg Cantor, President and CEO, and Rachel Cantor Walker, Vice President of Operations at Murray Lampert, share what makes their work truly rewarding. From seeing clients bring their newly finished spaces to life to building a strong sense…
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Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Ville Houttu, Founder and CEO of Privv, reflects on what truly makes an entrepreneur. Ville shares why resilience is the common thread among founders who succeed, whether that grit is something you are born with or something that gets sharpened over time. He talks...
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Building a Rewarding Culture
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Lindsey Rushing, President of Peerless Plumbing, shares how creating a positive, supportive culture keeps her team motivated and engaged. From celebrating wins to learning from mistakes, Lindsey explains why accountability and encouragement go hand in hand. By...
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Growing People to Grow the Business
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Travis Gepson, General Manager and Integrator at Compressed Air Power, shares why culture cannot be forced, only lived. Travis explains how true culture evolves through everyday actions, leaders modeling core values, and showing up consistently with integrity.…
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Relationships Over Revenue
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Dean Trostle, Owner of Auto Partners, shares his people first philosophy on building a strong company culture. Dean explains why hiring good people, treating them fairly, and truly understanding their needs creates an environment where teams want to show up,...
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Unlocking Careers in Agriculture
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Rizpah Bellard, President and Lead Agriculturalist at Nova Farming, shares her mission to expand how young people think about agriculture. Rizpah explains how education can open doors to countless career paths within the industry, all rooted in a greater purpose…
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The Leap to Entrepreneurship
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Kendra Riley, Owner of Dawning PR, shares how a desire for flexibility and purpose led her to take the leap into entrepreneurship. From recognizing a growing need for PR support to launching her own business in 2013, Kendra reflects on the courage it took to step...
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Overcoming Fear The Universal Obstacle
Building something meaningful doesn't happen by accident. It happens through courage, clarity, and staying true to who you are. In this week's Leadership Lowdown, Raji Brar, Chief Operating Officer of Countryside Corporation, shares her family's journey from working in the fields to building a...
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Embrace the Disruptor Mindset
Great leadership doesn’t always come from having all the answers. Sometimes, it starts with curiosity and the courage to ask, “What if?” On this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Bethany Mok, Manager of Advancement for the Cardinals Foundation, shares how fresh perspectives can help shift stagnant...
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Taking the High Road in Business
Doing things the right way from the start isn’t always easy, but it can become one of a business’s greatest strengths. In this week’s Leadership Lowdown, Glenna Gates, Owner of Spherion Staffing, shares how embracing compliance, auditing, and prevention helped create consistency, protect trust…
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The Overlooked Heroes: Teachers Deserve More
Teaching is more than delivering information — it’s a craft that shapes lives and communities. On this week’s episode of Leadership Lowdown, Lloyd Hopkins, Founder and Executive Director of the Million Dollar Teacher Project, shares why truly effective teaching requires a rare combination of…
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Chase Your Dreams Relentlessly
Leadership starts with clarity, knowing who you want to be, trusting yourself, and pursuing your goals with confidence. In this week’s episode of Leadership Lowdown, Ladonna Weaver, Senior Vice President at Northern Trust Company, shares powerful insight on why self-belief is essential to…
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Grief Goes Beyond Death and Divorce
Some conversations stick with you—and this one is exactly that. This week on the Leadership Lowdown podcast, Jodi Low talks with Kimberly Blair, Owner of The Guides Holistic Therapies, about healing, empowerment, and what it means to truly support someone as they move toward emotional freedom....
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Scamtracker: 81,000 Complaints a Year
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Joe Ducey, Business and Consumer Specialist at BBB Serving the Pacific Southwest, shares practical advice on how to spot and avoid modern scams. From fake invoices targeting businesses to convincing emails and texts, Joe explains why it is critical to go directly…
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Taking Control of Your Own Destiny
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Jennifer Barnes, CEO of Optima Office Inc., shares why entrepreneurship can become a calling you cannot ignore. Jennifer talks about the rollercoaster of building a company, why the right fit matters more than comfort, and what it means to embrace being...
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Discovering a Purpose
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Dr. Aaron Blocher-Rubin, Founder and CEO of AZ Autism United, shares how a personal mission became a statewide movement for better care. After seeing firsthand the impact of quality autism support, Aaron set out to make those same services accessible to families...
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Legacy and Mentorship
This week on Leadership Lowdown, James Floros, Founder and CEO of Floros & Associates, shares why maintaining a positive attitude is the key to effective leadership and a fulfilling life. James believes that no matter the situation, you can choose optimism, look for the good in others, and make…
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Stay True or Adapt
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Patrick Ware and Jonathan Buford of Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company talk about the power of bringing people together in real life. From their vibrant beer garden to a culture that welcomes everyone, they share how creating space for connection builds community,...
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Women Recognizing Their Worth
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Talena Handley, Owner of Girlie Garage, opens up about the importance of valuing your own worth in business. She shares how too often women underprice their work, leading to burnout, and why learning to charge fairly is not just about making money—it is about...
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The Toughest Part of Running a Family Business
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Eric Newton, Shop Manager of Curt’s Auto Repair, talks about the challenges and rewards of leading a team that feels like family. From the tough moments of making business decisions about friends to the joy of sharing life inside and outside the shop, Eric shares...
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You Can Teach Others Without Being an Expert
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Desiree Doubrox, CEO and Founder of HomWork, shares her perspective on decision-making and trusting your instincts. For Desiree, indecision is never productive. Clarity comes from saying yes or no and moving forward with confidence, even if the outcome proves...
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Paying It Forward to the Next Generation
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Susan Anable, Phoenix Market Vice President at Cox Communications, shares how Cox is helping prepare the next generation to use technology in safe and productive ways. From surveys on kids’ tech habits to partnerships with local organizations like the Boys & Girls...
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One Small Step Toward A Better World
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Treger Strasberg, Founder of Humble Design, opens up about the power of dignity and the realities facing those working to make ends meet. Treger shares how her path from graphic designer to leading a 60-person team inspired her to step back, earn her master’s, and...
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Start Your Business Today
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Amber Tarrac, CEO of FounderFuego, dives into the power of collaboration and the impact of building community through entrepreneurship. From her work with BBB’s Breakthrough Accelerator to supporting events across the region, Amber shares how generosity, shared...
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The Power of Discipline: A Life-Changing Lesson
This week on Leadership Lowdown, JW Rayhons, President and Financial Advisor at Rayhons Financial Solutions, shares his belief that when you look for the good in someone, you will find it. By helping people recognize strengths they may not see in themselves, JW shows how leadership can spark...
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Real Change Starts With Local Efforts
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Bob Dalton, Founder of Sackcloth & Ashes, challenges us to look deeper at one of society’s toughest issues. While many see addiction as the problem, Bob believes the real crisis may be a lack of true community. He shares how meaningful connection, belonging, and...
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The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Diana Vowels, Co-Founder and COO of Pet Ortho Braces in Scottsdale, Arizona, reflects on the power of embracing generational differences in the workplace. While her generation was taught to wait years before speaking up, Diana highlights the unique strength…
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Leading with Determination
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Staci Reidinger, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Cause San Diego, shares her unique experience of raising children 24 years apart. From becoming a mom at 19 to welcoming another child at 41, Staci reflects on the dramatic shift in perspective, resources, and...
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Empowering Teams for Success
This week on Leadership Lowdown, Jacquelyn Keenan, Director of IT Business Applications at Salt River Project, reminds us that leadership isn’t just titles and tasks—it’s about seeing and feeling the people around you. For Jacquelyn, one word says it all: Joy 💛 — blending fun, happiness, and...
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From Corporate Greed to Passionate Hustle
This week, we're with the incredible Tahera Christy—a force of nature who's a CEO, chemist, author, and coach—and she’s on a mission to bottle self-love through her business, Amour Propre. 💥 "You can't pour from an empty cup." Tahera and host Jodi Low talk about her journey from a single bottle…
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Leadership Starts With Self-Charge
This week, we’re diving deep with Aaron Velky—CEO, coach, and founder of Get Out of Your Own Way—who’s flipping the script on leadership. 💥 “If your team is stuck, you probably are too.” Aaron and host Jodi Low get real about what it means to lead from the front—with self-awareness,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Discover the stories behind the success with Leadership Lowdown, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of business leadership. Each episode features an in-depth conversation with an inspiring leader who shares their personal journey — the triumphs, the pitfalls, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. Whether it’s navigating failure, seizing unexpected opportunities, or mastering resilience, these insights will empower you to lead with purpose and passion. Tune in and uncover the strategies, stories, and secrets that shape today’s most influential leaders. Leadership Lowdown — because every great leader has a story worth hearing.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
BBB Pacific Southwest, Central & Inland California
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Leadership Lowdown have?
Leadership Lowdown currently has 64 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Leadership Lowdown about?
Discover the stories behind the success with Leadership Lowdown, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of business leadership. Each episode features an in-depth conversation with an inspiring leader who shares their personal journey — the triumphs, the pitfalls, and the invaluable lessons...
How often does Leadership Lowdown release new episodes?
Leadership Lowdown has 64 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Leadership Lowdown?
You can listen to Leadership Lowdown 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 Leadership Lowdown?
Leadership Lowdown is created and hosted by BBB Pacific Southwest, Central & Inland California.
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