In this episode of Inside Great Minds with Adam Outland, I talk with Ryan Goepel, the CFO of Global Crossings Airline Group. Ryan shares his stories of climbing the corporate ladder, including how he has learned from his successes and learned even more from his mistakes.

About Inside Great Minds with Adam Outland  Why do so many of us fall short of our capacity for greatness? It often relates to our decision-making principles in work and in life. Adam Outland interviews small business owners who are growing the next big idea, and fortune 500 CEO’s who make decisions that affect thousands. Inside Great Minds leans on Adam’s experience as a coach and consultant to allow listeners to see into the thinking and journey of those who are making an impact.

Join the conversation!  Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/GreatMindsPage​​  Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/GreatMindsGroup  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidegreat...

About Adam Outland  Adam Outland is a sales expert and coach for Southwestern Consulting. To work with Adam, contact:  📩 [email protected]  📞 240.535.1380  🖥 southwesternconsulting.com

This week on Inside Great Mind, Adam welcomes Medal of Honor recipient Florent "Flo" Groberg. 

Groberg, a former US Captain in the Army, is a living lesson in persistence and determination. Listen as he unpacks his story of overcoming challenges and adversity to achieve the remarkable things he has accomplished.

Here are just a few bullet points of his story and accomplishments: 👦 Born and raised in France by his adopted parents  🏃‍♂️ Ran D1 track at the University of Maryland  💪🏾 Accepted and completed the elite Ranger School in the Army  🩼 Injured while saving the lives of high-level officials in Afghanistan  🎖 Awarded the Medal of Honor 🕴 Sr. Director for Strategic Missions and Technologies for Microsoft 📢 Shares his story and lessons as a keynote  

Flo frequently speaks for organizations and corporations and has been a guest on several TV shows including the Colbert Report.

It was a joy to interview my old college friend and rediscover his incredible journey from wartime hero to now business leader and veteran advocate.

🎧 LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE Podcast Show Page: https://bit.ly/IGMShowPage  

JOIN THE CONVERSATION  Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/GreatMindsPage​​   Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/GreatMindsGroup   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidegreatmindsadamoutland

ABOUT FLO GROBERG Florent “Flo” Groberg is a native of Poissy, France and became a naturalized citizen of the United States February 27, 2001. Flo was a Varsity Track and Cross Country at University of Maryland College Park, where he graduated in May 2006 with a degree in criminology and criminal justice, and later his Master's in Management with a Specialization in Intelligence Policies. 

Flo entered the Army in July 2008 and attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga. He received his commission as an infantry officer on Dec. 4, 2008. After completing Infantry Officer Basic Course, Mechanized Leaders Course, U.S. Army Airborne and U.S. Army Ranger Schools, he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo., as a platoon leader.

On the morning of Aug. 8, 2012, U.S. Army Capt. Florent Groberg served as a personal security detachment (PSD) commander for Task Force Mountain Warrior -- responsible for the safety of 28 coalition and Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel, including several principals: two brigade commanders, two battalion commanders, the brigade command sergeant major, a battalion command sergeant major and an ANA battalion commander.

The patrol's escort mission included moving on foot from Forward Operating Base Fiaz to the provincial governor's compound in Asadabad, Kunar, Afghanistan for a weekly security meeting.

As the patrol advanced toward the governor's compound, they reached the choke point along the route, a small bridge spanning a canal feeding the Kunar River. The patrol halted near the bridge as two motorcycles approached from the opposite direction. The motorcyclists began crossing the bridge, but stopped midway before dismounting and retreating in the opposite direction.

As the patrol observed the motorcyclists, Groberg also spotted a lone individual near the left side of the formation, walking backwards in the direction of the patrol. The individual did not cause immediate alarm as there were other local civilians in the area.

However, when the individual made an abrupt turn toward the formation, Groberg rushed the suspect and shoved him away from the patrol. Groberg then immediately confirmed the individual was wearing a suicide vest, and with the help of Sgt. Andrew Mahoney, a fellow Soldier with the PSD, grabbed the suicide bomber, physically driving him away from the formation and down to the ground.

While on the ground, the bomber's explosive vest detonated. The explosion caused a second suicide bomber, who remained hidden behind a small structure near the road, to detonate his vest prematurely. Most of the blast of the second bomber's suicide vest went straight into a building, adjacent to the patrol.

Groberg's actions disrupted both bombers from detonating as planned, saving the majority of lives he was charged with protecting. On November 12, 2015, Flo received the Medal of Honor for his acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above the call of duty from President Obama. 

Flo has continued his embodiment of the Warrior Ethos and Service to his Country with Leadership roles at Department of Defense, Boeing and Microsoft. Flo now serves as a Microsoft Sr. Director for Strategic Missions and Technologies and leads many of the mission solution outcomes used by our Defense Business Unit customers. Flo serves on numerous organizations that supports fellow Veterans, including the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, President Biden’s American Battle Monuments Commission, Adaptive Training Foundation, Merging Vets and Players, and LinkedIn expanding platforms for outreach.

This week on Inside Great Minds with Adam Outland, Adam goes deep with “The Politically Homeless Christian" author Aaron Schafer of Self Publishing School. 

The genesis of the book comes from Aaron's compassion for family members, colleagues, and church members who feel rejected because of their political idolatry.

In college, Aaron always found himself as the only math major in a creative writing class. Then one summer, Aaron and Adam crossed paths having both sold books door-to-door in the early 2000s. Since that time, Aaron has gone on to run successful sales teams and organizations.

The full title of Aaron's book is, “The Politically Homeless Christian: How to Conquer Political Idolatry, Reject Polarization, and Recommit to God's Greatest Two Commandments.”

Adam dives into some traditionally polarizing topics in the book as well as Aaron's reasoning for why America has become so divided.  Aaron explains how social media:

• And its powerful algorithms affect our personal view of the world.
• Has greatly impacted the political landscape.
• Has given those people who value “winning” a platform to gratify their pride and become further entrenched. 

In this episode, Aaron discusses some remedies of mindset and skills that will help people have open-minded discussions, to further explore WHY they are taking sides, truly listening to understand instead of to defeat, and hopefully find a common ground and understanding to repair relationships.

As an author and coach, Aaron shares some of his best advice and tips for aspiring authors to get started writing, pitfalls to avoid, and recommendations to overcome challenges that prevent the vast majority of writers from publishing (or even completing) their own works. 

This thoughtful and inspiring podcast is filled with great insights, provocative ideas, and meaningful discussion that will benefit anyone who takes the time to listen.

🎥 WATCH

https://youtu.be/TohaOqDGClo

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/GreatMindsPage​​

• Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/GreatMindsGroup
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidegreatmindswithadamoutland

ABOUT AARON SCHAFER Aaron Schafer is a blogger, podcaster, motivational speaker, and Best Selling Christian author of "The Politically Homeless Christian." He has been featured on the Christian Television Network, iHeart Radio, Family Life Radio, and numerous Christian podcasts. He is also the Head Publishing Strategist at Self Publishing School, where they have helped authors publish over 6,000 books in the last 5 years, and been featured on the INC 5,000 three years in a row. Aaron lives in Michigan with his wife Naomi and their four children: Elizabeth, Emma, Sophie, and Andrew.

RELATED LINKS

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaronschaferblog
• Website: www.aaronschafer.com

This week on Inside Great Minds with Adam Outland, Adam talks with David Gow of Gow Media about his interesting work history, current holdings, and future investments. David shares his most valuable advice, including advice he’d give his younger self that any young aspiring business person should hear.

With a background working in the early dot-com bubble, David gained many skill sets and talents that prepared him for success as an entrepreneur later in life. 

At 40, David had the rare opportunity to buy a radio license. From there, David expanded the business with the help of talented radio personalities who knew the inner workings of a media business better than he did. Ultimately, David further expanded beyond radio into digital print media with CultureMap, InnovationMap, and AutomotiveMap!

Adam goes in-depth with David on how he has shifted gears into building a SPAC (SportsMap Tech Acquisition Corp) which can’t go public just yet and raise money to acquire a company (ideally) within the sports and tech space.

In this episode, Adam and David explore:

• David’s journey from consultant to CFO, COO, to founder.
• Principles used to develop his skills and grow his business
• Critical thinking in his decision making
• Challenges he overcame through acquisitions
• Defining SPAC and why he entered that space

Here are a few breakthrough quotes you’ll hear in this episode with David Gow:

“The other thing that I think has really been important to me over the course of my career, is listening to others. I worry listening is almost a lost art in today's world, and particularly [because of] mobile devices and distractions. … And people want to just jump to conclusions. But I think it's really important to hear out and listen to all the underlying assumptions that lead to those conclusions.”

“I really do love the optionality of our business and optionality in life. We are in a place where we can do lots of different things.”

“I really do have a passion and an excitement for learning – learning new abilities, new skills, new information … I would encourage everyone to continually grow in knowledge and skills. So much of learning is listening to people and listening intently.”

“Every 20-something person wants to do something significant in life, wants to do something important, wants to have real weight about their work and where they lay it, they want to be sure they become something, and to find a great outcome. And it's really hard in your 20s, to know what that's going to be. There's a sense of restlessness about that because you don't know where you're going to go and how you're going to get there … I say take a deep breath and those in their 20s should invest in learning and growing functions and skillsets and capabilities. Work hard and don't feel so restless. It will work out.”

🎧 LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE Podcast Show Page: https://bit.ly/IGMShowPage

JOIN THE CONVERSATION Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/GreatMindsPage​​  Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/GreatMindsGroup  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidegreatmindswithadamoutland

ABOUT DAVID GOW David Gow is the CEO of Gow Media, a large multi-platform media company, based in Houston.  Gow Media’s portfolio of digital content sites includes Culturemap, Sportsmap, Innovationmap, and Automotivemap.com.  Gow also owns a popular sports radio station in Houston, ESPN 97.5FM and SportsMap Radio, one of the country’s largest national sports radio networks.  

In addition to his work at Gow Media, Gow is Chairman and CEO of a SPAC, which completed its IPO in October, raising $115M. The SPAC, SportsMap Tech Acquisition Corp., has a focus on the sports-tech industry.  The board of the SPAC includes leaders in the sports industry, including Reid Ryan, Oliver Luck, Steve Webster and David Graf. 

Prior to entering the media business, Gow was the first CFO and ultimately the CEO of Ashford.com, a company that grew to over $50M in revenues.  As CFO, Gow managed a successful IPO, raising over $75M with Goldman Sachs as the lead underwriter.  As CEO, Gow grew a profitable corporate gifts business to complement the company's e-tailing business.  Ashford.com was sold to GSI Commerce in 2002 and is still a leading online destination for watches.     Prior to Ashford, Gow served as Director of Corporate Strategy at Compaq Computers.  Among the projects he led, Gow managed the integration of two acquisitions, Digital and Tandem Computers, for all of Compaq North America.     Prior to Compaq, Gow worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Co.  While there, he consulted for companies in diverse industries, including technology, media, retail, and energy.  Gow left the firm after attaining the position of Engagement Manager.     Gow's educational background includes a MPP degree from Harvard University and a Bachelor's degree from Williams College.  David has been married to his wife, Audrey, for over 30 years and together they have five children.

RELATED LINKS David Gow's LinkedIn LinkedIn CultureMap InnovationMap Automotivemap.com ESPN 97.5 + 92.5 SportsMap Radio

ABOUT INSIDE GREAT MINDS WITH ADAM OUTLAND

Why do so many of us fall short of our capacity for greatness? It often relates to our decision-making principles in work and life. Adam Outland interviews small business owners who are growing the next big idea, and fortune 500 CEOs who make decisions that affect thousands. Inside Great Minds leans on Adam’s experience as a coach and consultant to allow listeners to see into the thinking and journey of those who are making an impact.

 

ABOUT ADAM

Adam Outland is a sales expert and coach for Southwestern Consulting. 

To work with Adam, contact: 

📩 [email protected] 

📞 240.535.1380 

🖥 southwesternconsulting.com

In this episode of Inside Great Minds with Adam Outland, Adam interviews Heather Adams, the founder and CEO of Choice Media & Communications. The central theme of this episode is about evolving who you are as a leader and entrepreneur to scale a business in order to design the life you want.

As a leader and innovator in the PR landscape, Heather discusses the essential components for a business to have clarity in its messaging. She shares her storyteller roots and how important it is for any business to aspire to be storytellers, as well. She also discusses how she generates exposure for her clients and overcomes the challenges of an ever-evolving public relations industry.

Key Takeaways ◾️ The importance of relationship building in almost all aspects of your business, from sales to providing services, and building a team. ◾️ The two hard truths she learned while building Choice: finding partners she could trust and pricing to grow. ◾️ After being laid off, Heather stood up for herself and the future she wanted to create. She advocated for herself and teaches the mindset others can follow to build the life they want. ◾️ Listening to your ideal client can lead to opportunities, both as a leader and in expanding a business. ◾️ The opportunities found during the COVID lockdowns when all of her clients were in crisis mode simultaneously, and how business owners should look at challenges as a way to grow.

Quotes After being laid off: "My husband looked at me and he said, 'I don't want you to take your next step out of fear.' You know, 'You have worked so hard to build this career and professional success that you've achieved. Go and carve out and design the life that you are wanting.'"

When it comes to scaling her business: "I used to believe that I was a really good manager and that I also could get in the trenches. And I think as I've matured and grown and also gotten feedback, I've learned that those are areas where I have some gifting, but it's not like my superpower. And so it's best to, as my mentor taught me, hire better and smarter than you and get people in those roles that can really help you in that in that regard."

How to stay competitive in any industry: "Well, if we weren't constantly evolving and staying on top of the latest trends, the technology, the way people are receiving their information, different formats -- podcasts didn't exist back then, right -- then we would be non existent. So, I think you constantly have to be evolving, developing, and staying educated."

Advice she would give to her 20-something self: "Number one, I would say calm down. Like, just relax, and rest more, you know. The second thing I would say is the size of your office, the title that you have, and the salary that you make does not define how successful you are, how happy you are, or what kind of leader you are."

About Heather Adams Heather is the communications whiz who leads Choice’s impressive team of women, and one man, as they serve preeminent voices in publishing, government, lifestyle, entertainment, business, and faith-based arenas. A sincere focus on connecting with people has resulted in a diverse list of past and present clientele that reads like a who’s who of contemporary thought leadership and compelling characters: Rev. Billy Graham, President Jimmy Carter, Dave Ramsey, Jen Hatmaker, The Bachelor’s Sean Lowe, Ernie Johnson, Robin McGraw, the Johnny Cash family, Rick Warren, Marcus Buckingham, WWE Hall of Fame Shawn Michaels, John Maxwell, and Max Lucado, among others, have all called on her. Heather has played an instrumental role in helping more than 100 authors land spots on The New York Times best-sellers and secured clients coverage in elite national media.

Prior to founding Choice, Heather was head of Heather Adams Consulting, a branding, communication, and public relations firm she launched after serving as Director of Publicity at Thomas Nelson Publishers, a division of HarperCollins.

Heather is a proud alumna of the University of Georgia. She lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with her husband Matthew Adams, and their two young sons, Dixon and Thackston.

Related Links Heather on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heatherdixonadams

Heather on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/heatherdixonadams

Choice Website and Blog http://www.choicepublicity.com

Choice on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ChoicePublicity

Choice on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/choicepublicity

Inside Great Minds Instagram https://www.instagram.com/insidegreatmindsadam

Inside Great Minds Facebook https://www.facebook.com/insidegreatminds

Inside Great Minds Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/171523550878662

Inside Great Minds LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/insidegreatminds

Adam Outland LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-outland-54458912

From waiting tables to leading a team of top producers in the biggest city for loan originators, Jennifer Hernandez discusses how coaching and surrounding herself with the RIGHT people helped her achieve financial freedom and the ability to serve others.

Jen, Sr. Loan Officer at Legacy Mutual Mortage, admits earlier in her career she lacked a clear vision for her future. If she needed money, she worked harder. If she didn't, she slowed down. That was until she entered the world of coaching.

Through professional business coaching, Jen defined her WHY and established goals based on her vision for the future.

Today, this native Houstonian is leading a team of 9 and still growing. This is significant because in this industry having a support staff of 1 or 2 is standard. Jen has performed a high level of volume originating loans that she can take on a team of this size, which is remarkable!

Even more impressive, Jen is also a Level 2 Coach with The CORE Training. This program created more than 200 new millionaires last year! This is just further proof of Jen's exceptionally high level of coaching abilities, production, and business acumen.

In this episode of Inside Great Minds with Adam Outland, you will hear Jen:

• Speak of the importance of coaching.
• Explain her systems.
• Layout the patterns she followed to her success.
• Detail how she built a top-producing team.
• Share where she came from and how it shaped her mindset.

Bold. Risk-taker. Pioneer. Exceptionally creative.

Angela Olea is the Franchise Executive and CEO of Assisted Living Locators. She launched her business in 2003 and sold her first franchise in 2007. Now, there are 140-plus locations of Assisted Living Locators in 36-plus states.

A registered nurse, Angela started Assisted Living Locators because so many elderly patients came into her hospital over and over again due to lack of care.

In this episode of Inside Great Minds with Adam Outland, Angela shares:

🔘 How Assisted Living Locators fulfills her calling in life.

🔘 The stories behind her mindset in regards to persistence, determination, and what it takes to scale a business.

🔘 How her upbringing and the examples of her parents molded her into a woman who knows what she wants and how to get it.

🔘 The challenges she overcame and the opportunities she created in order to scale her business.

🔘 How identifying mentors and continually seeking knowledge helped accelerate the growth of her business.

🔘 Wisdom and inspiration for listeners to go out and conquer their industry.

Connect with Assisted Living Locators and Angela Olea:

Website: https://assistedlivinglocators.com/

Franchise Info: https://www.assistedlivinglocatorsfranchise.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angelaolea/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/assistedlivinglocatorsCorp/

Unleashing the highest potential of those around you requires a commitment to guiding principles. Les Stretch, President of Thrive Senior Living, can influence the thousands of team members he oversees -- and astonishingly his own teenage kids -- through a framework of pillars he abides by. In doing so, Les can more effectively and efficiently use his creative capacity to overcome challenges facing his senior living communities -- like the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode of Inside Great Minds, Les has a different approach of taking us through his journey to becoming the well-spoken, inspiring leader he is today. Rather, he keys in on his moments of INACTION. Meaning, he spotlights missed moments of growth rather than playing up the moments of opportunity.

Other significant points he makes include:

- Pairing a natural curiosity with empathy to build a loyal company culture.

- How he continues to influence his children's development by applying his leadership precepts at home.

- The importance of "words create worlds."

- How a serious medical condition taught him tomorrow is not guaranteed. What do you want to be trading your time for?

- He breaks down generational thinking and how it influences his definition of legacy.

- And he discusses his philosophy that every life contributes something.

Les is thoughtful and full of introspection. Once you listen, there is no way you walk away wanting to be a better leader and a more present parent.

Get your notepads ready! There are many inspirational nuggets to take away.

Listen on the go on your favorite podcast platform: https://bit.ly/IGMShowPage​

Join the conversation!

Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/GreatMindsPage​​ Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/GreatMindsGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidegreatmindsadam

About Adam Outland Adam Outland is a sales expert and coach for Southwestern Consulting.

To work with Adam, contact:

📩 [email protected]

📞 240.535.1380

🖥 southwesternconsulting.com

About Inside Great Minds with Adam Outland Why do so many of us fall short of our capacity for greatness? It often relates to our decision-making principles in work and in life. Adam Outland interviews small business owners who are growing the next big idea, and fortune 500 CEO’s who make decisions that affect thousands. Inside Great Minds leans on Adam’s experience as a coach and consultant to allow listeners to see into the thinking and journey of those who are making an impact.

Mat Forastiere is humble, hungry, and brilliant. He is a fourth-generation funeral director. Today, he is the vice president of all operations for Park Lawn Corporation, a funeral and cemetery operations and sales organization. Mat oversees more than 220 locations throughout the United States and Canada.

Mat started working at his family-owned funeral business in grade school growing up in Springfield, Massachusetts. He honed his customer service skills in the hotel and restaurant industry -- which he discusses those lessons in-depth -- before actually coming back into the funeral profession full-time in 1999.

Because of his work background, he has some great lessons about the role of compassion and empathy in the customer experience, which translates into higher production and sales.

Throughout his entire career, Mat has held leadership positions ranging from single and multi-location management, regional management to executive leadership.

As head of operations, he's cultivated an amazing company culture that has helped Park Lawn flourish. In this episode, Mat shares those principles, he learned the hard way, that can grow your business or company -- principles he's developed from managing thousands of people, turning around unprofitable locations, dealing with acquisitions, and forming new relationships.

He also discusses:

• How he helps his employees acquire an ownership mentality.
• The hard-learned lessons to becoming a great leader.
• The importance of patience and humility.
• The sacrifices his father made to support them.
• How he turned around from being an unsuccessful student in class to a STUDENT of the game as vice president of a large corporation.

It was also interesting to hear about the impact of COVID-19 on the funeral and cemetery industry.

Listen on the go on your favorite podcast platform: https://bit.ly/IGMShowPage

Join the conversation! Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/GreatMindsPage​​ Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/GreatMindsGroup

About Adam Outland 

Adam Outland is a sales expert and coach for Southwestern Consulting. To work with Adam, contact: 

📩 [email protected] 

📞 240.535.1380 

🖥 southwesternconsulting.com