Leadership resiliency isn’t built in comfort—it’s forged through failure, change, and the relentless pursuit of growth. Mike Lepper, CEO of Impact Networking, shares how his rise from entry-level sales to the C-suite was fueled by grit, adaptability, and a shift from a “driver” mindset to a “multiplier” approach that empowers others to succeed. In this conversation with Adam Markel, Mike unpacks the challenges of promoting great performers into leadership, the role of managers in retention, why culture thrives on transparency and trust, and how embracing change with clear communication builds both personal and organizational strength.

Show Notes:

• 02:37 - From Sales Driver To Multiplier
• 06:15 - Navigating Leadership Challenges 
• 09:33 - Unlocking Hidden Employee Potential 
• 14:12 - Mastering Organizational Reorganization 
• 22:29 - The Art Of Constructive Feedback
• 28:17 - Building Team Resilience
• 30:48 - Mike's Personal Resilience Journey 
• 37:38 Cultivating Organizational Resilience

Step into the intriguing space where deeply ingrained experiences shape your present capabilities, and unlock the profound power of mental and emotional resilience. We're joined by Chris Edwards, MS, NCC, LPC, the insightful director and founder of Neurotherapy of Colorado Springs. He unveils eye-opening perspectives on neuroplasticity and the subtle yet powerful influence of childhood patterns on adult capabilities. Discover why the crucial, often-overlooked, art of recovery is paramount. It’s not just about bouncing back from adversity, but truly "bouncing forward" into peak performance across all facets of life, from the sports arena to the boardroom and beyond.

Show Notes:

• 00:00 - Beyond The Bio: Chris Edwards' Pivot Journey
• 03:14 - Wall Street Journal Insights: Neurotherapy In Action 
• 07:25 - Visualizing Success: The Power Of Vision Boards
• 11:55 - Crafting Your Future: Blueprinting Your Best Self 
• 15:21 - The Pressure Cooker: Mastering Mental & Emotional Performance 
• 21:21 - The Bounce Forward Advantage: The ArtOof Recovery 
• 26:48 - Unlocking Potential: Identifying Performance Roadblocks 
• 33:14 - The Recharge Revolution: Sleep, Hydration, And Tech Recovery
• 40:16 - The Happiness Check: A Moment Of Self-Reflection 
• 44:23 - Your Personal Resilience Playbook: A Snapshot

Ken Bogard is the founder of Know Honesty and author of the book of the same name. In this conversation with Adam Markel, he delves into his mission to help people create genuine connections and live the lives they truly want through effective communication. Ken explains why communication requires openness, honesty, and active listening, all while considering the interests and feelings of the person on the other end. He also discusses how to manage your ego to make it less about building walls for yourself, but more about creating meaningful connections amid today's world of individualism.

Show Notes:

• 02:11 - Ken Bogard Of Know Honesty
• 05:01 - Being Comfortable With Discomfor
• 09:45 - Writing ‘Know Honesty’
• 14:11 - How To Achieve Effective Communication
• 20:28 - Letting Go Of Your Ego
• Pursuit of Honesty Assessment 27:23
• 38:39 - The Tool Called The Agreement
• 42:45 - Ken’s Rituals Of Resilience
• 45:47 - Episode Wrap-Up And Takeaways

Eric Hoplin is the CEO of the National Association of Wholesaler Distributors (NAW). He joins Adam Markel in this conversation about what it takes to deal with and thrive in a changing environment. Inspired by his experiences as a father and a leader in turbulent markets, he explores the importance of fostering integrity, resiliency, and flexibility. Eric emphasizes patience in decision-making processes, especially when faced when uncertainty, unpredictable trends and pressures from Wall Street. He also discusses how to handle cultural shifts within an organization to achieve transformation, excellence, collaboration, and maximum impact.

• 01:08 – Eric Hoplin, CEO of NAW
• 05:33 – Understanding The Why
• 10:58 – Influence Of Wall Street Over The Market
• 16:11- Developing Resilience In Leadership
• 20:29 – Four Aspects Of Cultural Change And Transformation
• 26:41 – Eric’s Rituals For Resilience
• 30:38 – Why Integrity And Character Are Important
• 32:37 – Episode Wrap-up And Closing Words

Step into the world of strategic foresight and dynamic execution as this episode unpacks the nuances of leadership in change. Join Adam Markel as he sits down with Suzanne Ogle, the astute President and CEO of SGA Natural Gas Association and Gas Machinery Research Council. With a career rooted in boardrooms and breakout sessions, Suzanne shares her unique insights as a "multiplier" leader, emphasizing the profound importance of maintaining a future-focused perspective amidst uncertainty. Discover how to effectively build capacity within organizations during times of rapid transformation and why embracing change with purpose is the ultimate currency for leaders today.

Show Notes:

• 01:29 Suzanne Ogle: From Bio To Purpose And Drive
• 09:56 - Entrepreneurial Spirit: Recognizing Leadership Instincts
• 12:38 - From Driver To Multiplier: Suzanne's Evolving Leadership Style
• 19:16 - Business As Nurturing: The Deep Responsibility Of Leaders
• 26:14 - Pivoting To Success: Overcoming Resistance For Career Growth
• 34:26 - The Art Of The Designed Pivot: Proactive Career Navigation
• 37:07 - Workforce Dynamics: Redefining Employee-Employer Agreements
• 42:21 - Resilience & Purpose: Suzanne's Keys To Navigating Change

Crystal Castille-Cromedy is the SVP of Talent and Head of HR Americas for Hines. She managed to perform well in her career for over 25 years by setting boundaries, knowing when to say no, and never letting herself be consumed by work. Joining Adam Markel, Crystal explains how to build a healthy workplace culture that allows everyone to set boundaries for themselves and feel free to work comfortably. She explains how leaders must actively show the path to success and create an environment where anyone can succeed and thrive. Crystal also emphasizes the importance of providing consistent feedback to your team and having those crucial conversations to guide them toward further improvement and growth.

Show Notes:

• 00:00:47 - Introducing Crystal Castille-Cromedy Of Hines
• 00:05:04 - Setting The Right Boundaries And Saying No
• 00:18:59 - Choose Someone To Be Your Technical Mentor
• 00:24:31 - Modeling Vs. Permission
• 00:29:41 - Creating A Psychologically Safe Work Environment
• 00:36:52 - Facing And Navigating Change
• 00:41:37 - Get In Touch With Crystal And Episode Wrap-up

Your health is your greatest asset, and optimizing it can transform every aspect of your life. Today, Adam Markel is diving deep into the science of health and performance with Dr. Tracy Gapin, a renowned expert in health optimization. This conversation explores the essential strategies for managing stress, improving sleep, and enhancing longevity. Dr. Tracy shares powerful insights on resilience, recovery, and the importance of balancing high performance with well-being. This episode will leave you buzzing with inspiration and ready to rewrite your story of health and performance. Prepare to be utterly captivated and empowered to unleash the extraordinary within!

Show Notes:

●       02:40 - Mindset Matters Most In Golf Performance

●       07:52 - Scottie Scheffler And The Cost Of Distraction

●       17:13 - Understanding Sleep Issues And Their Impact

●       28:09 - How Lifestyle Choices Affect Sleep Quality

●       33:44 - Tracking Sleep Data For Better Recovery

●       39:37 - Why Entrepreneurs Prioritize Health For Peak Performance 

●       43:03 - Daily Rituals To Manage Stress Effectively

Nellie Wartoft, Founder and CEO of change activation platform Tigerhall, has flipped the script when managing teams. She puts execution at the start of the process, allowing her to refine business strategies like never before. Joining Adam Markel, Nellie explains how leaders should focus more on testing and iterating their operations with tight feedback loops instead of spending way too much time on the planning stage. She underlines why those on top should encourage their teams to make good mistakes that lead to profound learning opportunities. Nellie also opens up about her deep love for EDM, the importance of self-acceptance in a rapidly moving world, and the true value of the human workforce in a highly capitalist world.

Show Notes:

• 00:59 - EDM: The Soundtrack Of Nellie’s Life
• 11:44 - Implementing A Ready-Fire-Aim Strategy
• 17:59 - Why Leaders Should Encourage Making Good Mistakes
• 23:53 - Everything Starts From The CEO
• 31:58 - The True Value Of Human Beings
• 40:35 - Episode Wrap-Up And Closing Words

Justin Jones-Fosu, founder and CEO of Work. Meaningful., is here to discuss why organizational culture requires not just raw strength but also unflinching honesty in order to thrive. Together with Adam Markel, they unpack how truth is the bedrock of resilience that allows organizational cultures to unlock long-term strategic growth over short-term gains. Justin also talks about the role of honesty in turning even the biggest challenges into learning opportunities that drive lasting and impactful change.

Performance is not just about outcomes but about the factors that influence how we show up and thrive in demanding environments. Adam Markel sits down with Dr. Carla Fowler, an elite executive coach who has been a secret weapon for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and senior leaders. She reveals the four critical "buckets" that fuel high performance, showing how they empower you to not just survive but thrive in today's demanding world. Drawing from her experiences as a digital nomad and navigating the challenges of a demanding career, Dr. Carla offers practical advice and actionable strategies for achieving peak performance in all areas of life.