Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke

What actually separates a top sales rep from a great sales leader?In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Lauren Bailey, a sales leader, trainer, and founder who has helped hundreds of organizations transform how their teams sell, coach, and grow.Lauren breaks down why the jump from rep to manager is one of the hardest transitions in business, and why most leaders struggle to make it successfully. She shares how top performers often fail as managers, what companies get wrong about sales training, and why most training never actually sticks.The conversation goes deeper into what real behavior change looks like, how to build coaching cultures that last, and what relationship-driven selling actually means when targets are high and pressure is real.You’ll also hear powerful insights on leadership development, the hidden barriers holding high-performing women back from leadership roles, and how authenticity and community play a critical role in long-term success.If you lead a team, build revenue organizations, or want to grow into leadership, this episode is packed with practical, real-world insight you can apply immediately.

In this episode of Summit Group Solutions's Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Gerry Miller, a serial entrepreneur who has reinvented himself across industries from music and Wall Street tech to Microsoft leadership and healthcare innovation.Gerry shares lessons on knowing when to pivot, leading high-performing teams, embracing failure while scaling, and building a culture driven by curiosity and purpose. He also unpacks the remarkable story of delivering New York State’s COVID data lake in just six days during the height of the pandemic.This conversation is packed with insights on leadership, resilience, relationships, and what it takes to solve hard problems that truly matter.

Most companies treat safety and performance like a tradeoff.They’re not.In this episode of Summit Sessions, Bryan Schielke sits down with Dr. Kevin Rindal, CEO and Co-Founder of Vimocity, to break down why the highest-performing organizations don’t separate safety from productivity - they build both through workforce readiness.Drawing from his background in sports medicine and experience working with elite athletes, Kevin shares how the same principles that drive Olympic performance can transform frontline teams in construction, utilities, and energy.They dive into: Why safety programs fail when they ignore human performance  The biggest mistake leaders make when trying to “improve safety”  How short-form, in-the-flow learning drives real behavior change  The true ROI of workforce readiness beyond just fewer injuries  How to create buy-in from teams instead of checkbox compliance  Why recovery, not just effort, is the key to long-term performance This conversation reframes safety entirely - from a compliance function to a competitive advantage.If you lead teams, manage operations, or care about performance at scale, this episode will change how you think about your people.

What does it take to lead not just a business, but an entire city?In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Ron Price, President & CEO of Visit Phoenix, to unpack what it really means to lead at scale in destination marketing.Ron shares the shift from controlling outcomes in a hotel environment to influencing an entire ecosystem of stakeholders including hotels, airlines, government, and global partners. The conversation dives into how great leaders align competing incentives, navigate uncertainty during major disruptions like COVID, and make long-term decisions that shape the future of a region.They also explore the hidden impact of major events like the Super Bowl, how global connectivity drives economic growth, and why trust is ultimately the most important currency in leadership.If you're building, leading, or trying to operate at a higher level, this episode is packed with practical insight and perspective.

What if you could simulate the future before making your biggest decisions?In this episode of Summit Sessions, Bryan Schielke sits down with John Cordier, CEO of Epistemix, to explore how digital twins and agent-based modeling are transforming the way leaders make decisions across public health, economics, and business.John shares how simulation has evolved from an academic exercise into a powerful leadership advantage, why clarity is the most underrated competitive edge, and how organizations can balance intuition with data in moments of uncertainty.From pandemic forecasting to empowering everyday decision-makers with advanced modeling tools, this conversation dives into what it really takes to lead with conviction in a complex world.If you're a leader navigating uncertainty, this episode will challenge how you think about data, strategy, and decision-making.

What does it really take to leave a stable career and become a successful business owner?In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Jeremy Ames, Co-Founder and CEO of Guidant Financial, to unpack what separates aspiring entrepreneurs from those who actually make the leap and thrive.Jeremy shares lessons from helping more than 30,000 people transition into business ownership, along with hard-won insights from his own experience as a 5-time founder, business acquirer, and franchise owner. The conversation explores risk, conviction, leadership, scaling, and why skepticism can actually be a strength for entrepreneurs.They also dive into what success means later in your career, and why creating more owners in today’s economy matters more than ever.In this episode, you’ll hear:What separates dreamers from successful business ownersThe biggest leadership lesson Jeremy learned the hard wayHow risk changes in midlife when family and finances are on the lineWhat founders often underestimate when trying to scaleWhy skepticism can be a strategic advantageHow Jeremy now defines reaching the summit of his careerA thoughtful conversation for anyone considering entrepreneurship, leadership, or ownership as the next chapter.

In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, hosts Bryan sits down with Susan Werkner and Peter Applebaum, Co-Founders of The Agency Accelerators. With decades of experience building and scaling award-winning digital agencies, they've helped over 300 agencies worldwide land 5-, 6-, and 7-figure corporate contracts.They share practical insights on overcoming imposter syndrome to pursue enterprise clients, building predictable business development systems to avoid the revenue roller coaster, staying ahead of trends like digital investor relations and sustainability, keeping relationships human in an AI-driven world with "Customer Romance," balancing long-term brand positioning with short-term revenue needs, and avoiding common pitching mistakes when targeting larger organizations.The conversation highlights their proven frameworks, including their new book Landing Whales: The Proven Blueprint for Selling to Larger Clients, and tools like Opening Doors AI for always-on lead generation. If you're an agency owner or service business leader aiming to scale confidently and win bigger clients, this episode delivers actionable mindset shifts and systems to implement right away.Tune in for real-world strategies from founders who've worked with brands like American Express, Qantas, Pfizer, Sony, and more.

On this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Shelly Freeman, President & CEO of BoldIQ and a global operating executive who has spent more than 20 years scaling SaaS, enterprise software, and AI companies.Shelly shares candid insights from leading organizations from early-stage startups to enterprise scale - including what growth really feels like behind the scenes (hint: it’s harder and slower than you think). She discusses how to spot real leaders inside your organization, why turning around underperforming teams requires tough decisions, and how customer feedback should shape product roadmaps.The conversation also explores navigating acquisitions, managing global cultural differences, and balancing technology with people when scaling AI and SaaS companies worldwide.If you're a founder, operator, or executive building teams and scaling globally, this episode is packed with practical leadership wisdom you can apply immediately.

In this episode of Summit Sessions, host Bryan Schielke sits down with Josh Green, CEO of Deadlift Studios and a veteran QA leader with over 15 years of experience across AAA and indie game development.Josh shares key insights on how quality assurance scales across vastly different studio environments, how strong culture and work-life balance drive better results, and why listening is one of the most underrated leadership skills in gaming.They also dive into how to identify and validate a beachhead audience, balance creativity with technical rigor, and why setting boundaries is essential for innovation. Whether you're in game development, tech leadership, or building a startup, this conversation is packed with practical leadership and product strategy lessons.

In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Steve Shefveland, Founder & CEO of VitalCX, the world’s first Healthcare Experience Platform (HXP), to explore what it really takes to scale customer and patient experience in the age of AI.With over 30 years of global experience building and operating customer experience teams across the U.S., Africa, Mexico, and beyond, Steve shares a grounded, real-world perspective on why AI alone is never enough - and why the human element still defines great service.You’ll hear practical insights on:Why AI breaks down in real customer and patient interactionsHow hybrid AI + human models outperform pure automationWhat global leadership teaches you about culture and serviceA counterintuitive growth decision that unlocked 24/7 operationsThe early mistake that cost Steve a client - and reshaped how he invests in his businessHow vision and passion drive sustainable company cultureThis conversation is a must-listen for leaders navigating AI, healthcare operations, CX, and global scaling - and for any founder serious about building systems that serve both customers and people.

In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Dave Moody, MBA, CEPA®, CFO and Founder of Meka Deal Flow, to explore the journey from corporate finance to entrepreneurship and exit planning. Dave shares how business owners can increase the value of their companies by 20–40%, common blind spots when preparing for an exit, and the leadership lessons learned across Fortune 100, PE-backed, and small businesses.From technical financial rigor to the human side of advising owners, Dave emphasizes integrity, empathy, and impact in every business decision. He also discusses his personal mission of giving back through volunteering and charitable initiatives, and how building transferable, scalable businesses is the key to true freedom.Whether you’re an entrepreneur thinking about your next move, preparing to sell, or optimizing your business for growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights and strategic wisdom.

In this episode of Summit Sessions, host Bryan Schielke sits down with seasoned tech executive Doug Stovall, a leader who has scaled multiple organizations into market leaders across wireless, semiconductor, SaaS, and deep tech.Doug shares hard-earned insights from securing global regulatory approval for wireless power in more than 60 countries, building the world’s largest wireless power IP portfolio, and guiding early-stage companies from prototype to commercial success. The conversation dives deep into what founders and CEOs often underestimate - from regulatory timelines and product-market fit to translating complex technology into real commercial value.This episode is packed with practical frameworks for executives, founders, and investors navigating innovation, scaling, and long-term value creation.

In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Keith Jia, Founder & CEO of Aude.ai, to explore the challenges of engineering visibility, team trust, and performance measurement in tech organizations. From his early days at Microsoft and Amazon to founding his own company, Keith shares his personal journey and the lessons that inspired him to rethink how engineering output is measured.Keith dives into the gaps he sees in traditional performance dashboards, the importance of balancing human factors with data-driven insights, and how leaders can coach and build teams that consistently improve while avoiding burnout. This conversation is a must-listen for tech leaders, founders, and anyone looking to optimize team performance in high-growth environments.

In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with David Utrilla, founder and CEO of U.S. Translation Company, to explore the pivotal decisions, challenges, and leadership principles that have shaped his award-winning business. From navigating early struggles to embracing AI in film and TV localization, David shares how adaptability, continuous learning, and relationship-building have driven decades of growth.Listeners will gain insights into:Overcoming early business obstacles and earning client trustBalancing technical accuracy with cultural nuance in translationLeveraging AI to scale operations globallyLeadership lessons from serving on boards and in diplomatic rolesStrategies for personal growth and sustaining long-term successWhether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring leader, this episode offers actionable wisdom for thriving in a rapidly evolving business landscape.