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In this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast, I sit down with Craig Barlow, a former Royal Navy veteran turned performance and leadership coach. Craig shares how joining the Navy at 16 shaped his mindset, resilience, and approach to leadership. We talk about surviving a sinking ship, the power of preparation under pressure, and why true leadership begins with mastering yourself. Craig explains how he now helps high achievers build mental toughness through adventure-based experiences like Arctic expeditions and mountain crossings. This conversation is a powerful reminder that simplicity, discipline, and courage are built long before crisis ever hits.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership is forged through preparation and disciplined practice.
• Physical challenges expose blind spots and build real confidence.
• Self-leadership is the foundation for leading others well.

About Craig:

Craig Barlow is a former Royal Navy leader who spent 13 years operating in war zones and extreme environments before building a private practice training high-performing men. He runs The Edge Operating System, a reset and leadership upgrade installed through off-grid expeditions in places like the Arctic and Spain’s Sierra Nevada. His clients are founders, investors, and family-office heirs who want sharper decision-making, clarity under pressure, and a proven structure that doesn’t collapse when life and business heat up.

Resources:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-barlow-115345110/

Website:  https://www.thecraigbarlow.com/

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I’m Greg Stephens, and on A Shot of Inspiration podcast I sat down with Brian Bogart, who turned a devastating childhood accident into a lifelong mission to reduce suffering and help people live with clarity and courage. Finley made a quick cameo too.

Key Takeaways

• Share your story
• Ask and receive
• Live congruently

About Brian:

Brian Bogert is a strategic voice amplifier and emotionally intelligent force multiplier who helps leaders scale with clarity without sacrificing their humanity.

He works with entrepreneurs, elite performers, and visionary creators to unlock alignment through human behavior, message precision, and scalable connection. Brian compresses time, cuts through noise, and transforms chaos into focused, decisive action.

With over 100 million video views and one of the most compelling comeback stories in the space, he brings raw authenticity, sharp insight, and undeniable energy to every stage, podcast, and training.

Brian believes technology should amplify truth and humanity…not replace it. Always human first.

“When you eliminate waste, you can operate at speed without the need to hurry.” - Brian Bogert

Resources:

Personal Website,  https://brianbogert.com/

Flipping the Lid Podcast, https://flippingthelid.com/

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/bogertbrian

Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/bogertbrian/

LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbogert/

YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmhaMgY8q-tMMCj0rpGg7iw

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I’m Greg Stephens, host of A Shot of Inspiration podcast, and in this episode I sit down with Dr. Ben Maddox for a powerful conversation on leadership, growth, and what it really takes to turn a job into a meaningful career. We talk about learning as the true measure of progress, building endurance through discomfort, leading with curiosity and emotional intelligence, and staying authentically yourself in environments that may not always understand you.

3 Key Takeaways:

• Pair skill with mission and measure growth by learning.
• Lead with curiosity, emotional intelligence, and clear decisions.
• Build authentic leadership by working on yourself and creating belonging.

About Ben:

As Cornell University's Chief Information Officer, Ben works across Cornell's locations in Ithaca, New York State, and Cornell Tech in New York City to guide technology services, security, and strategy. Ben has held a variety of leadership roles in higher education including as the Chief Information Officer of NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU's Chief Academic Technology Officer guiding Research, Teaching, and Learning technology across NYU globally. Ben holds a Bachelor's Degree from Baylor University, a Master's and Advanced Certificate degree from the Steinhardt School at NYU, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Ben’s academic work focuses on intersections of systems: people, organizations, and technology. Ben explores how technology, innovation, leadership, and learning fuel change. Ben is a member of a number of non-profit boards and community organizations.

Resources:

[email protected]

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On A Shot of Inspiration podcast I sat down with Heather Linchenko to talk about how relationships actually grow—not by avoiding friction, but by learning how to clean it, learn from it, and speak in ways that lower defensiveness instead of escalating it. Heather’s experience with Stephen R. Covey, her work with families and executives, and the hard lessons from raising five kids gave us a practical, hopeful roadmap for turning everyday conflict into deeper connection.

3 Key Takeaways

• Growth in relationships comes through mistakes, not perfection.
• The words we choose shape safety, trust, and outcomes.
• Real change begins when we go “solo” and model the principles ourselves.

About Heather:

Heather Linchenko is an author, educator, and relationship coach who helps leaders and parents turn everyday challenges into deeper connection. A former executive assistant to Stephen R. Covey, she contributed to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and now works with families and executives on trust, communication, and conflict.

She is the author of I Meant Well (And Other Words That Kill Relationships), Letters from Kazakhstan, and If Kids Were Cookies, and creator of the Expand Your Influence workshop and MathHacked program. Shaped by cross-cultural life, faith, and raising five children, Heather brings clear, practical insight to relationships at home, school, and work.

Resources:

heatherlinchenko.com

mathhacked.com

Books:

A Relationship Training Work Workshop for executives

Letters of Kazakhstan 

If Kids were Cookies 

I Meant Well

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On A Shot of Inspiration podcast with guest Mark Labriola II, I sat down with Mark to talk about resilience, healing, and how setbacks can become the turning point that leads you into your real purpose—from early trauma to building Brand Viva Media.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Your past doesn’t disqualify you—it can shape who you’re becoming
2. Stay in motion and put yourself in a position to receive
3. Plant seeds, do your part, and trust the process

About Mark:

Mark Labriola II is the founder of Brand Viva Media, a creative agency he grew from his basement into an almost 7-figure business serving brands across the country. He’s a podcast host, video producer, and marketing strategist who helps entrepreneurs and organizations look bigger than they are through powerful content. As the host of The Friday Habit Podcast, Mark blends real-world business lessons with creative inspiration, drawing from his own journey of overcoming life’s challenges and refusing to let them define him. Instead, he’s built a career on turning obstacles into opportunities—and helping others do the same.

Resources:

www.brandvivamedia.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marklab2/

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In this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast with host Greg Stephens and guest Maruxa Murphy, I sit down with Maruxa to explore what it truly means to build a movement—not just a business. We talk about leadership rooted in belonging, how purpose and profit can coexist, and why community built with intention creates lasting impact. Maruxa shares her personal journey, the influence of unconditional love on her leadership style, and how honoring humanity fuels sustainable growth.

3 Key Takeaways

• True movements are built on belonging, not numbers or tactics alone.
• Purpose-led leadership creates stronger communities and more sustainable profit.
• When leaders honor humanity first, growth follows with greater ease and impact.

About Maruxa:

Maruxa Murphy is a visionary community strategist and founder of Revolutionary Communities and The Revolutionaries Network. With over two decades of experience, she helps impact-driven leaders build profitable, purpose-led communities that increase engagement, retention, and revenue. Her work has supported brands scaling from thousands to millions of members and has been featured in Forbes, Fox News, and The Huffington Post.

Resources:

Website: https://revolutionarycommunities.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/maruxamurphy/

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/MaruxaLive

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/maruxamurphy/

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In this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast with guest Eric Kaufmann, I talk with executive development leader Eric Kaufmann about the difference between conscientious leadership and conscious leadership—and why real leadership requires personal evolution, not just “doing the right thing.” Eric shares a powerful personal story about facing an inner critic in deep solitude, and we connect it to how leaders shape organizations, families, and society. We close with a practical framework: moving beyond the ego’s need to be right, liked, or in control into wisdom, love, and grounded power.

3 key takeaways

1.  Conscious leadership requires inner maturity, not just ethical behavior.

2.  Stillness and devotion are essential for self-acceptance and growth.

3.  Ego blind spots block leadership; wisdom, love, and grounded power unlock it.

About Eric:

Eric Kaufmann is a Zen-trained executive coach and strategist who works with C-suite leaders navigating growth, complexity, and cultural transformation. He has advised executive teams at companies including Verizon, Facebook, SunPower, Circle, Dr. Bronner’s, and ASML. Eric is Chairman of the Board at Dr. Bronner’s, a Fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Coaching, a TEDx speaker, and the author of Leadership Breakdown and The Four Virtues of a Leader.

His work centers on helping leaders move beyond Ego-Myopia™—the need to be right, liked, or in control—and lead with wisdom, love, and grounded power. A lifelong Zen practitioner, Eric brings a rare blend of business insight, psychological depth, and presence-based practice to leadership development.

Resources:

https://sagatica.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erickaufmann7

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In this episode of A Shot of Inspiration podcast, I talk with Thom Singer about the human side of business—relationships, community, and why real leaders show up. Thom shares how he built a speaking career, what COVID taught him about not relying on one stream of income, and how he’s reinventing the Austin Technology Council to keep Austin’s tech community connected.

3 key takeaways

1. Build real relationships—opportunities come through people.
2. Don’t put all your income eggs in one basket.
3. Community grows when leaders show up and participate.

About Thom:

Thom Singer is the CEO of the Austin Technology Council and a sought-after keynote speaker known for bringing the human side of business to life. He speaks to organizations that value relationships, trust, and accountability as drivers of success.

With a background in sales and marketing, Thom became a growth leadership speaker in 2009 and has since delivered high-energy, action-oriented presentations to more than 1,000 audiences. Known as “The Conference Catalyst,” he creates engaging, interactive experiences and remains actively involved with attendees before, during, and after events.

Thom earned his Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation in 2014. He is the author of 12 books and the host of the Making Waves at C-Level podcast, where he has interviewed over 1,000 business leaders about closing the gap between potential and results.

He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and two daughters.

Resources: 

http://www.thomsinger.com/

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On A Shot of Inspiration podcast, I sat down with guest Joshua Tomeoni to talk about what men often face after divorce—identity loss, shame, and the pressure to just push through. Joshua shared why therapy helps you process the past, while coaching helps you build your future, and how men can rebuild with clarity, strength, and purpose.

3 key takeaways:

• Therapy heals the past; coaching builds the future.
• Healthy masculinity beats shame and victimhood.
• Rebuild identity, mindset, and money together.

About Josh:

oshua Tomeoni is a fiduciary financial planner, author, and podcast host with over 20 years of experience helping high-earning professionals navigate major life transitions, especially divorce. Raised in a family financial planning business, he learned early the importance of integrity and client-first guidance. As a CFP® and fiduciary, Joshua is legally and ethically committed to putting his clients’ interests first.

He works primarily with family-focused business owners and professionals who value clarity, conservative strategies, and trusted advice. A divorced father himself, Joshua brings personal insight to his work. He is the author of The Gospel of an Ex-Derelict: Fight. Fail. Rebuild. and The 5 Traps Men Face in Divorce… and How to Triumph Over Them!, and host of The Derelict Podcast.

Resources:

www.narrativefinancialgroup.com

www.thederelict.biz

www.instagram.com/joshthederelict

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On A Shot of Inspiration podcast with guest Josselyne Herman-Saccio, I talk with Josselyne about the Art of Being Unmessable With—learning to shift from reaction to creation so you can live your dream now, not someday. She explains why vision is different from goals, how to recognize your personal “red flags” (physical and language cues) before you spiral, and how building teams and systems helps you increase impact without burning out.

3 Key Takeaways

1. Vision is the context that guides your goals and your yes/no decisions.
2. Red flags (body + language) let you catch reaction early and reset fast.
3. You expand by developing people and systems so you’re not the bottleneck.

About Josselyne:

Josselyne Herman-Saccio is a master coach in the Art of Being Unmessablewith, empowering people to live the life of their dreams now—not someday. With over 30 years of experience, she’s worked with more than 200,000 individuals, from CEOs and creatives to couples and activists, producing transformative results in all areas of life. As the founder of the non profit United Global Shift, she’s led programs in over 20 countries and raised nearly $90 million for nonprofits. Josselyne is also a former Billboard #1 pop artist, author, entrepreneur, and TEDx speaker. Wife and mother of three, she splits her time between New York and Paris.

Resources:

unmessablewithgift.com 

 beunmessablewith.com