Who’s On Your Theme?

That’s not a typo.

You probably thought I was about to ask, "Who's on your team?" But this week, I'm leveling up. Let’s talk about the Theme behind the team—the throughline, the backdrop, the compass.  

[INTERUPPTION: you know I like side bars…so a quick thank you to my buddy Scott Schoeneberger for teaching me about “throughlines”…if I over use the term, blame him…I never knew what it meant until recently…just kidding, I love you buddy, thanks for always teaching me something new.]

Old MacDonald had a farm… and today’s executives have an AI farm. But not every “animal” is the same. Most leaders are working with Generative AI (GenAI) — powerful but limited. Emerging quickly is Agentic AI — systems that can take initiative. And still further out is General AI (AGI) — the wildcard of AI’s future.

We are going to rock our first 5 Bytes edition (tech = bytes instead of bites…pretty clever!). Coming off of Auxiom’s first-ever Auxiom Community Appreciation Event (ACA), I’m feeling technologically inspired. Those of you who attended heard from amazing speakers like Scott Schonenberger of Bluewater Tech, Mykolas Rambus of Hush AI, our own Marcus Rebelo (CISO & Head of AI at Auxiom), and Lt. Col. USMC (ret.) Robert Darling!

This edition breaks down the three levels of AI, the costs they bring, and the leadership role only you can play.

What happens when you stop building a business around yourself—and start building one that can run without you?

On this episode of the BLTnT Podcast, Matt Loria, CEO of Auxiom talks with John Glon, Owner of Great Lakes Essential Power, Bloom Growth Coach, and host of the Roll Call podcast.

In this episode they talk about: ✅ The mindset change that changed everything ✅ How coaching sharpened his leadership focus ✅ The hard truth about ego in entrepreneurship

If you're in the thick of building something bigger than yourself—or thinking it's time to stop being the bottleneck—this episode will challenge and inspire you. John doesn’t just talk systems and scale… he lives it. 

Let's dig in!!

#EntrepreneurLife #LeadershipDevelopment #BLTnTPodcast #SystemsThinking #Entrepreneurship

As you know I’m reading the book by Michael Erath, the 5 obsessions of elite organizations and I’m loving it…in it he reminds us that Nick Saban once said:

“Mediocre people don’t like high achievers, and high achievers don’t like mediocre people.”

It’s blunt, but boy is it true. Excellence has a way of exposing the gap between those willing to push and those who settle. That gap always creates tension. It’s a reminder of something we explored in our issue 00005 “Know thyself” when I referred to a book my buddy, James Hall, recommended called Beyond High Performance by Jason Jaggard.

High performers and achievers think, act, and live differently — and not everyone around them is comfortable with that.

But here’s the thing: if you want to pursue excellence, you have to accept the friction that comes with it. Jesus even pointed to this reality when He said, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34)*

*I learned about this one recently…and it initially was very unsettling…more about this later…

Choosing a higher standard often divides — because you can’t cling to mediocrity while also stepping into excellence. You have to “leave and cleave” to a new path. – be sure to read the entirety of this in the footnote…and tell me if you think he was OK with tension!

Welcome to 5 Bites — bite-sized insights across BLTnT, built for leaders, learners, and curious minds who want faster takeaways that stick & ignite something explosive 🧨

Part 2 is here!!

In this week’s episode of the BLTnT Podcast, Matt Loria, CEO of Auxiom continues his conversation with Dan Weingartz, President of W&P Management and third-generation leader in one of Michigan’s most respected family businesses.

If you lead a team, a family, or a legacy — this one will speak to you.

#BLTnTPodcast #FamilyBusiness #PurposeDrivenLeadership #BusinessTransformation #DanWeingartz

A weekly serving of bite-sized insights built for leaders, learners, and curious minds who want faster takeaways that stick and ignite something explosive. 🧨

This week on the BLTnT Podcast, Matt Loria sits down with Dan Weingartz, President of Weingartz for a 2-part podcast episode!

From navigating decades of growth in the power equipment industry to walking alongside families living in global garbage dump communities, Dan’s story is a masterclass in faithful leadership—and what it means to lead with your values in every season of life.

In this episode, they discuss:

✅ Why being “unqualified” can be a leadership superpower ✅ Faith as a compass through business decisions ✅ Learning to work from your strengths, not your stress ✅ Finding purpose in the “second half” of life ✅ Real stories from International Samaritan—and what hope looks like in the world’s hardest places

Whether you’re running a company, leading a family, or simply wrestling with what your next chapter should look like, this episode is packed with perspective.

Let’s dig in.

PART 2 COMING OUT NEXT WEDNESDAY

#FamilyBusiness #FaithDrivenLeadership #SecondHalfSuccess #BLTnTPodcast #HopeInAction #PurposeOverPressure

I’ve been loving a book that was recently recommended to me called The Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations by Michael Erath, and it’s hitting hard. His emphasis on structure, clarity, and people as the lifeblood of great companies has me thinking deeply about what we’re building—and why it works (or doesn’t). It's resonating because much of what Erath teaches goes along with something you hear me say often:

“You are uniquely qualified to be exactly where you are [doing what you are doing] today.” This carries both responsibility and reassurance.

It also means that if things aren’t working—personally, professionally, spiritually—maybe the system’s delivering exactly what it’s designed to.

This week’s bites challenge us to build better…on purpose.

Welcome to 5 Bites - a weekly serving of bite-sized insights across Business, Life, Technology, and Transformations—built for leaders, learners, and curious minds who want faster takeaways that stick and ignite something explosive 🧨