GSD with Jeni

What’s the difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it?

In this episode of GSD with Jeni, I sit down with Rich Mulholland—presentation expert, entrepreneur, and former roadie—to talk about what it really takes to turn ideas into action.

Rich has one of those career stories you can’t make up. He went from touring with Iron Maiden to building a business around helping people communicate ideas that move others to act. But what I loved most about this conversation is that it goes way beyond public speaking.

We talk about accountability, resilience, failure, self-doubt, and why most people quit when they hit the dip. Rich also shares his perspective on choosing your own “hard,” measuring success against your potential, and why communication is going to matter even more in a world where AI gives everyone access to information.

This episode is a reminder that knowing more isn’t always the answer. Sometimes you need to set the standard, make the decision, and do the work.

If you’re trying to get out of your own way and GSD, this one’s for you.

What if the best leadership strategy isn't a strategy at all - it's just giving yourself permission to be human? 

In this episode of GSD with Jeni, I sit down with Rocky Garza - leadership coach, identity strategist, and founder of Staff Retreat Co. - for a conversation that will challenge everything you think you know about being a "fearless leader."

Rocky doesn't do performative leadership. He believes the most powerful thing you can bring to a room is your actual self - not the polished, bulletproof version, but the messy, present, deeply human one. We dig into why "getting it all done" is a myth that keeps us stuck, how core values aren't just wall art but decision-making fuel, and why proactivity is actually a byproduct of presence (not the other way around).

We also unpack the real work of self-awareness: the difference between being an achiever and a validation seeker, the power of giving yourself permission to tell the truth, and why leadership is fundamentally an identity problem, not a strategy problem. Plus, Rocky shares his framework for building resilience through community and shared experiences - because the strongest leaders aren't the ones who never fall, they're the ones who know how to get back up with people beside them.

If you're tired of leadership advice that sounds like everyone else, this episode is your reset button. It's time to stop losing sales to inauthenticity - in your leadership, your business, and your life.

What if your "winding road" of a career was actually your secret weapon?

In this episode, Jeni sits down with Sharon Sullivan, Owner & CEO of Renewal by Andersen of the Carolinas, to unpack how she went from technology sales to healthcare to leading one of the region's most successful home improvement franchises. In just eight years, Sharon grew her team from 24 to over 300 employees, all while maintaining a relentless focus on customer experience, brand integrity, and the servant leadership philosophy that grounds her culture.

Sharon doesn't just talk about scaling; she breaks down the how — from aligning team goals with company OKRs to recognizing when your processes (and your people) need to level up. She shares why "finding a way to meet the customer's needs" isn't just a tagline but a non-negotiable, and how philanthropy and internal community aren't nice-to-haves—they're culture-makers.

Whether you're navigating a career pivot, struggling to scale without losing your soul, or building a team that actually wants to show up on Monday, this conversation is packed with hard-won wisdom and zero fluff.

Key Takeaways:

• Your career path is not a straight line — and that's a feature, not a bug.
• Leadership is empowerment, not control. Build culture by building people.
• Scaling means adapting: processes, talent, and your own mindset.
• Consistent customer experience is the ultimate brand loyalty play.
• Share the metrics. Alignment and accountability go hand-in-hand.

What does it take to cold call your way into a career - and eventually into the CEO seat of an 80-year-old family business?

In this episode of GSD with Jeni, I sit down with Melanie White, CEO of Hellwig Suspension Products, for a conversation that is equal parts raw and inspiring. Melanie didn't inherit the top job - she earned it, one cold call, one hard lesson, and one courageous decision at a time.

We talk about what it really looks like to lead a family business through transitions, how she navigated gender bias in a male-dominated industry without losing herself, and why the question "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" has become a north star for her leadership.

You'll walk away with real, actionable insight on:

• Building resilience when the industry (and sometimes the room) isn't built for you
• The mindset shift required to step from VP into the CEO seat
• How mentorship and strategic planning fuel sustainable growth
• Why slowing down to "sleep on it" is actually a power move

Melanie is proof that grit, clarity, and a willingness to stand out - even when it's uncomfortable - will always outlast any bias or barrier.

This one's for every woman who's ever walked into a room and had to prove she belonged. 

What if you could make price irrelevant in your sales?

In this episode of GSD with Jeni, Jeni sits down with customer experience expert, entrepreneur, author, and speaker John DiJulius to unpack what it really means to create a customer-obsessed organization. From his early entrepreneurial journey to becoming one of the leading voices in service excellence, John shares powerful lessons on building a brand that is known as “the only one that does what you do.”

Together, Jeni and John explore how leaders can scale exceptional service, empower employees to create meaningful moments, and use tools like everboarding, microlearning, and the FORD Method to build stronger relationships with customers and teams. They also dive into the future of customer experience in an AI-driven world—and why human connection, curiosity, and care will matter more than ever.

Packed with practical strategies and unforgettable insights, this conversation is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, leaders, and teams who want to turn customer experience into their greatest competitive advantage.

In this episode, referral expert and author Stacey Brown Randall is back to break down the real driver behind sustainable, relationship-based growth: building a referable client experience. She shares why doing great work alone won’t generate referrals and how emotional connection, intentional touchpoints, and organizational alignment play a bigger role than most businesses realize.

We dive into practical, repeatable strategies you can implement immediately to create moments that naturally lead to referrals—without feeling salesy or forced. Stacey also challenges the rise of AI-driven communication and makes a powerful case for why authentic, human connection will always win.

If you’re looking to grow your business through stronger relationships, better client experiences, and a more strategic approach to referrals, this episode is for you.

Stacey Brown Randall Website: https://staceybrownrandall.com
Roadmap to Referrals Podcast: https://podcast.staceybrownrandall.com

In this episode of GSD with Jeni, Jeni chats with Emmy-nominated science host Tamara Robertson (Mythbusters, SciJinks) to talk about her incredible journey from engineering to national television and how she’s on a mission to make STEM exciting, accessible, and empowering for the next generation.

Tamara shares how storytelling, hands-on experimentation, and curiosity can transform the way we think about science—and why STEM isn’t just a subject in school, it’s a mindset for solving real-world problems.

They also dive into:
• How Tamara went from engineer to science communicator
• What it takes to break into media and education as a STEM expert
• Why making science fun is the key to inspiring young minds
• Her work with Seekers of Science comics and Tinkering Treks maker books
• Practical ways parents and educators can spark curiosity in kids

If you care about innovation, education, or inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers, this conversation is for you.

What does it really take to lead boldly—without guilt, burnout, or waiting for permission?

In this episode of GSD with Jeni, Jeni sits down with Jaclyn Bradham, Chief Revenue Officer at Oracle Lighting, for a candid conversation about leadership, career growth, and the power of curiosity in building both people and businesses.

Jaclyn shares her non-linear career journey in the automotive industry, why an ownership mindset is essential for effective leadership, and how learning from failures has shaped her approach to strategic goal setting. Together, they unpack the role of AI in business, where it adds value—and where it should never replace human connection or customer experience.

The conversation also dives into mentorship, women empowerment, and what it means to create space for more women to thrive in male-dominated industries. Jaclyn offers real, actionable insight on leading teams with clarity, removing barriers instead of adding pressure, and letting go of guilt as a leadership crutch.

If you’re navigating growth, leading a team, or redefining success on your own terms, this episode is a must-listen.

Key themes include:
Leadership • Career Growth • Curiosity • Mentorship • Customer Experience • AI in Business • Women Empowerment • Automotive Industry • Strategic Goal Setting • Learning from Failures

At just 17, Harry Sanders found himself homeless on the streets of Melbourne. Today, he’s the founder of StudioHawk, one of the world’s largest dedicated SEO agencies. In this raw and inspiring conversation, Harry shares his journey from survival to success — revealing how he built a global business through grit, networking, and laser-sharp focus.

He opens up about the mindset shifts that helped him scale, the challenges of hiring and managing growth, and why he believes giving back is the ultimate marker of success. From learning to see rejection as a muscle to tackling youth homelessness head-on, Harry’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right momentum, anything is possible.

In this SEMA special edition episode of GSD with Jeni, 20-year-old entrepreneur Riley Schlick-Trask —founder of Riley’s Rebuilds—shares how a $300 garage hobby turned into a viral carburetor rebuilding business that’s shaking up the automotive industry. Riley opens up about the grit behind her journey, from learning independence in her dad’s shop to hiring friends as her business exploded overnight. 

She talks candidly about navigating college while running a company, the power of networking at events like SEMA, and the role of community support in helping young women break barriers. With insights on overcoming challenges, embracing individuality, and finding balance through self-care, Riley’s story is a must-listen for anyone driven by passion and ready to get sh!t done.