In this episode of Activating Greatness, Alec McChesney sits down with Jesse Hernandez, construction leader and founder of Depth Builder, to explore what it really takes to build culture, earn trust, and drive performance in today’s workforce. Jesse shares his journey from execution-focused leadership to a people-first approach that prioritizes communication, accountability, and trust across teams. The conversation challenges traditional leadership thinking, emphasizing that sustainable results come from investing in people, not just processes. If you are looking to build stronger teams, improve culture, and create lasting impact in your organization, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

In this episode of the Activating Greatness Podcast, host Alec McChesney sits down with Matt Taylor Head of HR at Endpoint Clinical, to explore one of the most important leadership questions of the AI era: how technology impacts people decisions. Matt explains why AI doesn’t fix weak leadership — it simply scales it — and why organizations must build clear expectations, strong judgment, and honest conversations before relying on technology. The discussion dives into leadership accountability, HR strategy, building culture and trust, and how companies can integrate AI responsibly while still prioritizing people and performance. For leaders navigating the future of work, this episode offers practical insight into why human judgment remains the most important leadership capability.

In this episode of the Activating Greatness Podcast, host Alec McChesney sits down with Terri Fleener, a senior human resources leader known for helping organizations connect people strategy to real business results. The conversation explores how HR can move beyond traditional administrative roles to become a true driver of leadership, culture, and performance. Terri shares insights on navigating instability in the workplace, understanding the “cost of the unknown” when organizations lose strong employees, and how leaders can build culture and trust while still delivering results. For executives, HR professionals, and team leaders, this episode offers a powerful perspective on how thoughtful people leadership strengthens organizations from the inside out.

In this episode of the Activating Greatness Podcast, host Alec McChesney sits down with Jeremy Maskel, APR Chief Communications Officer for Omaha Public Schools, to explore how communication shapes leadership, accountability, and execution. Jeremy explains why teams often leave the same meeting with completely different interpretations of what was said and how leaders can prevent that disconnect by communicating with clarity and intention. Drawing from concepts like the ladder of storytelling and targeted communication strategies, Jeremy shares how leaders can align diverse personalities and communication styles to build culture, strengthen trust, and ensure teams are moving toward the same goals. For leaders responsible for driving alignment across organizations, this conversation offers practical insight into why communication is one of the most powerful leadership tools.

In this episode of the Activating Greatness Podcast, host Alec McChesney sits down with former NFL quarterback Kellen Mond to explore how authenticity shapes leadership, relationships, and long-term success. Drawing from his experiences in college football, the NFL, and his transition into the art and mentorship world, Kellen shares powerful lessons about building trust, creating genuine connections, and leading through presence and character. The conversation highlights how leaders create the atmosphere around them, why authenticity is the foundation for strong teams, and how building culture and trust ultimately drives performance both on and off the field.

In this episode of Activating Greatness: A Leadership Podcast, host Alec McChesney sits down with Jason Nickles of Modern Woodmen of America to explore what it takes to lead meaningful change inside a legacy organization. Jason shares how leaders can modernize systems, culture, and operations while preserving the mission and identity that made the organization successful in the first place. The conversation dives into change management, aligning teams across the United States, and why building culture and trust are essential for organizations navigating transformation. For leaders guiding teams through modernization, this episode offers practical insight into how thoughtful leadership can drive progress without losing the values that matter most.

In this episode of Activating Greatness, host Alec McChesney sits down with Michelle Dauphinais, Vice President and Head of Distribution at John Hancock, to explore how curiosity and a deep understanding of human behavior shape effective leadership. Michelle shares how asking better questions, challenging assumptions, and meeting people where they are allows leaders to build trust, improve decision quality, and empower teams across sales, analytics, and operations. Drawing from more than three decades at John Hancock, she explains why curiosity is a leadership discipline, how healthy tension improves outcomes, and why great leaders focus on solving problems rather than controlling people. This conversation offers practical insights on building culture, strengthening accountability, and leading complex teams in high-performance organizations.

In this episode of the Activating Greatness Podcast, host Alec McChesney sits down with Jon Stenberg, CEO and President of Citizens Inc., to explore what modern leadership really requires in complex organizations. Jon shares his philosophy of keeping leadership teams “appropriately annoyed” — pushing leaders to think critically, challenge assumptions, and avoid complacency. The conversation dives into decision-making, accountability, and why leaders must balance the concept of “good enough” with the pursuit of excellence. Drawing from his experience leading Citizens Inc., Jon explains how clarity, healthy tension, and disciplined thinking create stronger teams and better outcomes in today’s fast-changing business environment.

In this episode of Activating Greatness, Alec McChesney sits down with José Suquet, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Pan-American Life Insurance Group, to explore what it takes to lead across 22 countries while staying anchored in one clear set of values. With more than two decades at the helm, José shares how he navigated Hurricane Katrina, the financial crisis, COVID, acquisitions, and global expansion — all while building a culture rooted in financial strength, leadership development, and trust.

You can find the Spanish Transcript here: Spanish Transcript.

From instituting peak leadership programs to protecting company values during rapid growth, José explains why investing in people is the ultimate competitive advantage. This conversation is a masterclass in long-term thinking, succession planning, community impact, and leading with consistency in complex environments. If you care about sustainable growth, culture alignment, and resilient leadership, this episode delivers.

In this episode of Activating Greatness, Addison Watson, Chief Partnership Officer & General Counsel at ClickFunnels, shares why relationships are the ultimate competitive advantage in an AI-driven world. With over $1 billion in transactions completed, Addison explains why knowledge alone is no longer enough—and how leaders can make themselves indispensable by building real, trusted human connections. From overdelivering in business to showing up intentionally in person, Addison breaks down how authenticity, presence, and strategic relationship-building separate replaceable professionals from irreplaceable leaders. If you’re wondering how to thrive as AI reshapes the workplace, this episode is your blueprint.