About David Bellar: 

David Bellar is a dynamic leader at the intersection of faith, education, and service. He is the President and CEO of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University — a role that combines academic leadership with a deep commitment to the mission of forming compassionate, purpose-driven professionals.

He is not only a seasoned educator and visionary administrator, but he’s also a thought leader when it comes to aligning institutional excellence with enduring values. With a background that spans science, research, and mission-focused leadership, Dr. Bellar brings a rare blend of intellect, heart, and humility to everything he touches.

Under his leadership, FranU is not only preparing students for careers — it’s forming leaders for life. Whether it’s in healthcare, ministry, or the broader marketplace, his impact is echoing far beyond the classroom.

In this episode, Kevin and David Bellar discuss:

• How coaching experiences shape servant leadership principles
• The power of listening and genuine connection in building partnerships
• Navigating career transitions with purpose and faith
• Why understanding institutional dynamics matters in leadership
• The transformative impact of mission-driven education on future professionals

Key Takeaways

• Coaching taught more than strategy — it became the blueprint for leadership. From motivating athletes to navigating team dynamics, those early lessons built a foundation for guiding diverse groups toward a common goal, both in sports and in academia.
• Curiosity is a leader’s renewable energy source. The leaders who keep asking questions, seeking perspectives, and exploring possibilities are the ones who stay relevant, innovative, and able to navigate complex challenges with creativity.
• Life seasons require intentional pivots. What works in one chapter may not fit the next, and leaders thrive when they’re willing to adapt.
• Ambition is powerful, but without balance it can quietly erode the very relationships that give life meaning. Choosing to prioritize family is not a compromise — it’s a leadership decision that sustains long-term well-being and effectiveness.
• Mentorship is leadership multiplied. Every time a leader invests in developing others, they plant seeds of influence that continue to grow and bear fruit long after their direct involvement ends.

"Spend more time with the people. Spend more time, you know, building relationships and then plan." – David Bellar

Connect with David Bellar: 

Website: https://franu.edu/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bellar-a0804746/

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS 

https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS

Email: [email protected] 

About Meg Crosby and Howard Cleveland: 

Meg Crosby is a seasoned strategist, trusted advisor, and champion of culture. With a deep background in organizational development and executive leadership, Meg brings clarity, compassion, and candor to the often-complex work of aligning people with vision.

Howard Cleveland is a big-picture thinker with a gift for systems, structure, and sustainable solutions. Howard’s career spans nonprofit leadership, executive coaching, and change management, and he’s widely respected for helping leaders turn good intentions into measurable impact.

Together, they co-founded PeopleCap Advisors with one core belief: people are the capital that drives change. Their work empowers nonprofits, foundations, and social enterprises to scale purposefully—with strategy, alignment, and leadership at the core.

In this episode, Kevin, Meg, and Howard discuss:

• Developing and retaining talent
• Relational vs. transactional leadership
• The importance of people strategy in organizational success
• Preparing high performers for leadership roles
• Building trust and authentic connections within teams

Key Takeaways

• A thriving partnership isn't about sameness — it's about balance. When Meg and Howard combine their unique backgrounds in law, HR, and organizational development, they create a powerful approach to leadership that transcends individual expertise.
• Talent is the most critical capital in the knowledge economy. Leaders who invest in developing, valuing, and sometimes liberating their employees create organizations that are more innovative, resilient, and successful.
• Relational leadership transforms transactional management. By focusing on trust, understanding, and individual potential, leaders can create environments where people feel genuinely valued and motivated to excel.
• Purpose drives performance more powerfully than control. When leaders shift from monitoring tasks to developing people, they unlock creativity, commitment, and sustainable organizational growth.
• Leadership is a skill that can be learned, not an innate trait. By providing clear frameworks, ongoing development, and time to lead, organizations can transform high performers into exceptional leaders who build thriving teams.

"Everyone deserves to find a place where they are valued, where they feel valued, and where they can add value." – Meg Crosby

"Delegation is often viewed as a transaction, but to be effective, it's a relationship, and it takes time to develop and it takes time to explain." — Howard Cleveland

Connect with Meg and Howard: 

Website: https://www.peoplecap.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-thomas-crosby-6424781a/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardcleveland/ 

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS

https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 

In this episode, Kevin and Patrick Ungashick discuss:

• Why a successful business exit depends more on the team than the transaction
• The myth of “building a great company” vs. building a great team
• How leadership culture often fails when founders remain the sole point of value
• The impact of mentorship and storytelling on leadership development
• Lessons from D-Day and how wartime leadership translates into modern business growth

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t build a great company — you build a great team, and they build the company. That mindset shift changes everything about how leaders operate.
• The culture of any organization will form whether leaders shape it or not. Leaving it unattended is still a decision, and usually not a good one.
• Legacy isn’t what you leave behind; it’s what keeps growing after you’re gone. And that only happens when leadership becomes shared, not hoarded.
• Mentorship and team development aren’t soft skills; they're exit strategies. The stronger your people, the more valuable and sustainable your business becomes.
• Leadership stories are more than entertainment. They’re the bridge between data and transformation, especially in cultures resistant to change.

"Culture is not a strategy for growing a business. Culture is THE strategy for growing a business." – Patrick Ungashick

About Patrick Ungashick:

Patrick Ungashick has more than thirty years’ experience helping business owners and their teams maximize the value of their companies. Today, he is the CEO of NAVIX Consultants, an exit strategy consulting firm that has helped more than five hundred business owners plan for and achieve successful exits. He is also a partner in three additional companies, including a private equity, investment banking, and wealth management firm.

Connect with Patrick Ungashick:

Website: http://www.patrickungashick.com

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

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS 

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 

In this episode, Kevin and K'Lee Terrazas discuss:

• How entrepreneurs can solve business bottlenecks by improving intake processes and using emotional intelligence
• The importance of problem-solving, delegation, and strategic thinking in scaling a business
• Why mentorship, coaching, and continuous learning are critical for leadership development
• How sharing your personal story can create deeper connections in business and leadership
• Strategies for maintaining consistency and resilience when facing entrepreneurial challenges

Key Takeaways:

• Problem-solving is a superpower that drives innovation and business growth, transforming challenges into opportunities for strategic advancement.
• Effective leadership requires continuous learning, mentorship, and the courage to identify and address blind spots in your business approach.
• Scaling a business isn't just about doing more—it's about automating, delegating, and eliminating tasks that don't move you closer to your core goals.
• Authenticity in business means showing up as your true self, sharing your unique story, and connecting with clients on a human level beyond professional facades.
• Consistency and resilience are the hidden engines of success; staying focused on your vision and pushing through challenges separates successful entrepreneurs from those who give up.

"I believe when you put out that kind of energy and in the world and in life, you will, 100% will get that energy back. And that's just a universal law in my book." – K'Lee Terrazas

About K'Lee Terrazas:

K’Lee Terrazas is the co-founder of Legal Lead Sharks, a powerhouse in delivering premium legal leads with precision and performance. But she didn’t stop there. She’s also the creative force behind Intake EQ—an innovative solution that’s revolutionizing how law firms convert leads by enhancing the emotional intelligence of their intake process. From the courtroom hustle to the digital trenches, K’Lee has made it her mission to help firms not just get leads—but connect with people in meaningful ways that drive results. She's a strategist, a systems thinker, and a disruptor with a heart for impact. Get ready to sharpen your thinking, challenge your systems, and level up your client engagement.

Connect with K'Lee Terrazas:

Website: legalleadsharks.com & intake-eq.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k-lee-terrazas-9366b31b4/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LegalLeadSharksPodcast

Contact information: [email protected] or calendar booking link: https://rb.gy/a8ffvn

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS 

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 

In this episode, Kevin discusses:

• The Myth of "Getting to the Top" in leadership
• Why viewing leadership as a solo climb is fundamentally flawed
• The importance of using your leadership perspective to help others
• How true leadership is about connection, not control
• The danger of seeing yourself as "above" your team

• The top is a vantage point, not a destination. It gives you perspective, but it’s not designed to sustain you or your leadership.
• True leadership reveals itself in what you do after you reach success: do you stay alone, or do you use your view to guide others?
• Control isn’t leadership. When you hoard influence or insight, you disconnect from the very people you’re meant to empower.
• Your role isn’t to be above others — it’s to serve as a guide, to share what you’ve seen, and help others find their own way up.
• You don’t have to wait to be “at the top” to be of value. No matter where you are in your journey, someone can benefit from your perspective.

"Leadership is not something that we carry in our pocket. It's something that we live." – Kevin Neal

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS 

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63 

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63 

In this episode, Kevin and Chris Robinson discuss:

• Why complacency often hides behind success and busyness
• The power of clarity and intentional growth in leadership effectiveness
• How mentorship, proximity, and community accelerate leadership momentum
• The difference between contentment and complacency — and how to spot it
• Creating a leadership legacy through influence, dignity, and relational respect

Key Takeaways

• Success can be a trap if you stop growing. Many leaders unknowingly drift into complacency the moment things get comfortable.
• The most significant transformations happen when leaders shift their focus from personal achievements to helping others rise.
• Having clear, written goals isn’t a suggestion; it’s a requirement for driving progress and avoiding drift. Vague intentions won’t get you far.
• Mentorship isn’t a bonus; it’s the shortcut to wisdom. Align yourself with people who are further ahead, because proximity to the right voices matters.
• A leadership legacy isn’t built on titles or accolades. It’s made by the lives you elevate and the dignity you extend, whether anyone’s watching or not.

"Complacency doesn't always look like laziness; it could look like success." – Chris Robinson

About Chris Robinson: Chris is a powerhouse of purpose and momentum—a man who doesn’t just talk leadership, he multiplies it around the globe. He’s the Executive Vice President of Maxwell Leadership, and the driving force behind the worldwide expansion of the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team—a premier community of coaches, speakers, and trainers developed by the legendary Dr. John C. Maxwell himself.

He’s the author of the transformative book ‘From Drift to Drive’, where he calls out the danger of settling for comfortable success and invites us into a life of intentional growth. His leadership isn’t just professional—it’s deeply personal, authentic, and marked by a passion to see others rise.

Whether he's on a global stage or in a coaching session, Chris Robinson delivers dynamic insight with heart, clarity, and conviction. And today, he's with us to help you shift gears—from drifting through your days to driving toward your destiny.

Connect with Chris Robinson:

Website: https://www.chrisrobinsonspeaker.com/  | https://www.maxwellleadership.com/ 

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

Book: https://drifttodrivebook.com/ 

Complacency Assessment Profile: https://drift2drivequiz.com/ 

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS 

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63 

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63 

In this episode, Kevin and Robert Rhoton discuss:

• Why organizational efficiency often comes at the cost of human connection
• How unresolved trauma affects leadership capacity and relational intelligence
• Creating regulated leaders through intentional systems, not reactive behavior
• How mentorship, community, and curiosity drive lasting change
• Building trauma-informed cultures in corporate, clinical, and educational settings

Key Takeaways:

• Relational leadership requires emotional regulation. Without the ability to stay grounded in stress, leaders default to control instead of connection.
• Systems built purely for efficiency inevitably squeeze out innovation, empathy, and the human-centered values teams need to thrive.
• It’s not enough to teach leaders what to do — they must live it. Cultural transformation begins when leadership walks the talk with intention and consistency.
• Sometimes, the most "successful" leaders are the ones with the most unbalanced lives. Productivity without connection is not sustainable.
• Connection takes time and courage. In a world that rewards speed and output, choosing to slow down and genuinely relate is a bold, countercultural act of leadership.

"No change can be sustained in an organization if the leader isn't leading." – Robert Rhoton

About Robert Rhoton:

Dr. Robert Rhoton is the visionary CEO of the Arizona Trauma Institute and President of Trauma Institute International. With a footprint that spans the globe—from the U.S. and Canada to the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia—Dr. Rhoton is a driving force behind creating systems that don’t just treat trauma, but actively promote healing and resilience.

Before leading on the world stage, he was shaping minds in the classroom, serving as a professor in the Behavioral Sciences and Counseling Department at Ottawa University. There, he trained the next generation of counselors to navigate the complexities of child and family trauma, deeply rooted in the science of Salutogenesis—the study of what makes people well.

A sought-after consultant, a cross-cultural collaborator, and a passionate advocate for trauma-responsive systems, Dr. Rhoton brings rare clarity to conversations around healing, systems change, and human dignity.

Connect with Robert Rhoton:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-rhoton 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AyFm3QSfU/  

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS 

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63 

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63 

In this episode, Kevin and Drew Smith discuss:

• Turning fear into curiosity as a leadership superpower
• The danger of self-censorship and how leaders can create judgment-free spaces
• Building psychological safety and trust to unleash creativity and innovation
• The overlooked influence of middle managers on team culture and resilience
• Why embracing your full story, including failures, makes you a better leader

Key Takeaways:

• Fear can either be a barrier or a catalyst, depending on whether you let it control you or get curious about it.
• Even the most brilliant ideas can die in silence if people feel unsafe or judged. Innovation thrives in rooms where wild, half-baked thoughts are welcomed.
• Psychological safety isn’t a bonus feature for teams; it’s the soil where loyalty, creativity, and performance grow. Without it, leaders breed quiet quitting.
• The best leaders are those who don’t pretend to have it all figured out. Vulnerability, honesty, and humility are often what win people’s trust.
• Leadership isn’t reserved for titles. The way you treat people when you have no positional power shapes the kind of leader you’ll be when you eventually do.

"Start practicing now how to treat the people you work with as humans and recognize them as humans and love them as humans." – Drew Smith

About Drew Smith:

Dr. Drew Smith is a powerhouse of insight and innovation. Drew is a professor of management, transpersonal psychology, and organizational resilience at Walsh College, where he helps future leaders navigate the intersection of human potential and organizational strength.

With a mind wired for both strategy and spirit, Drew brings a rare blend of academic depth and real-world application. His work explores how inner transformation creates outer impact—how organizations become resilient not just by changing systems, but by transforming the people within them.

Drew is known for asking the deeper questions that ignite purpose, unlock performance, and spark sustainable leadership. Whether he’s teaching about emotional intelligence, psychological safety, or leading in crisis, his lens is always holistic, human, and forward-thinking.

Connect with Drew Smith:

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

Website: https://www.saybrook.edu/faculty/byname/drew_smith/ 

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS 

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63 

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63 

In this episode, Kevin and Theresa Crimmins discuss:

• Leading through adversity and guiding a mission during a funding crisis
• How phenology connects nature’s rhythms to human decision-making
• The importance of listening with both heart and intellect in leadership conversations
• Using storytelling and curiosity to engage diverse audiences around science and community issues
• Finding personal growth and leadership wisdom in discomfort, mistakes, and unexpected challenges

• Adversity can clarify leadership purpose. Sometimes it’s only when everything seems to unravel that a leader truly steps into their calling and recognizes their capacity.
• The natural world operates in patterns and signals most of us overlook, yet those patterns hold lessons about timing, leadership presence, and the importance of awareness.
• Data alone doesn’t shift hearts. It’s the combination of facts and authentic, human-centered storytelling that inspires people to act.
• Rather than forcing difficult conversations, sometimes the best move is to pause, listen deeply, and meet people exactly where they’re willing to begin. It opens doors that facts alone never could.
• Growth doesn’t happen in comfort. The most defining leadership lessons often appear when you’re stretched thin, uncertain, and forced to navigate with faith more than facts.

"I'm looking more with my heart and appreciation and gratitude, and I am seeing so much more." – Theresa Crimmins

About Theresa Crimmins:

Dr. Theresa Crimmins is a trailblazer in environmental science and leadership. As the Director of the USA National Phenology Network, she leads a nationwide movement that tracks the timing of seasonal changes in nature—think flowering, migration, and climate patterns—and turns that data into powerful insights for communities, policymakers, and educators alike. She's also an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona, a TEDx speaker, and the author of Phenology, part of The MIT Press Essential Knowledge series.

Theresa leads not just with intellect, but with intention—connecting science with story, data with decision-making, and the pace of nature with the pulse of leadership. Her work reminds us that the best leaders are often those who observe deeply, act thoughtfully, and serve a vision greater than themselves.

Connect with Theresa Crimmins:

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

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS 

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63 

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63 

In this episode, Kevin and Phillip Bogolub discuss:

• Leading with nothing but a dream, faith, and a deadline
• How apprehension and uncertainty signal authentic faith
• Why ideas and creativity are meant to be shared, not hoarded
• The unseen, sacred power of imagination in leadership
• Creating impact through service, conversation, and small, unseen moments

Key Takeaways:

• Every powerful vision begins with discomfort. If a dream feels too safe or too easy, it likely isn’t stretching your faith or potential.
• No matter the size of the platform or audience, one meaningful conversation can create ripples you may never fully witness.
• The creative spark you’re carrying was never meant to stay with you; ideas find life and purpose when released into the world.
• Faith isn’t passive. It requires movement, vulnerability, and consistent action, even without evidence of immediate success.
• Time is finite — waiting for the “perfect moment” only guarantees regret. The work you feel called to do is yours for a reason, and it’s waiting to be made real.

“Faith without works doesn't mean anything. You have to keep going and pushing and pushing.” – Phillip Bogolub

About Phillip Bogolub:

Phillip is a rare fusion of logic, creativity, and soulful curiosity. He’s a movie writer, creator, and producer whose stories don’t just entertain — they challenge the way we see the world. As a music composer, his soundtracks speak without words. As a philosopher, he asks the questions we didn’t even know we needed to answer. And just when you think you’ve got him figured out, you learn he’s also an engineer with a background in the medical field — and he holds an MBA.

From the operating room to the editing room, from composing scores to composing thoughts on life, leadership, and meaning, Phillip Bogolub is proof that the boundaries between science, art, and spirit are made to be crossed.

Connect with Phillip Bogolub:

Website: http://consciouscommunicationpodcast.com/

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

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS 

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachkd63 

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachkd63