Leaders & Legacies

Aswand Cruickshank shares how his early experiences in football shaped his leadership philosophy. After a traumatic event as a young player, where his coach passed away on the field, Aswand learned the true value of teamwork and resilience. He uses those lessons today to help businesses develop a culture of teamwork and accountability.

He emphasizes the importance of coaching in leadership, noting that even top performers like Michael Jordan needed guidance. He urges business leaders to foster environments where every team member feels valued and is continually growing. His approach helps businesses function more like cohesive sports teams, with clear roles and a shared commitment to success.

Aswand also highlights the need for leaders to be mentors who prepare their teams for what’s next, ensuring their businesses thrive long-term. His story is a powerful reminder that great leadership is about more than just results—it's about caring for people and building them up.

Want to learn more about Aswand Cruickshank's work? Check out his website at https://MakeYaMove.com.

Connect with Aswand on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/aswand-cruickshank-6162a228a/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrews' work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Michael Roderick shares his unique framework—the triple-threat leadership model of Celebrity, Scientist, and Magician—to help leaders understand and leverage their core strengths. Drawing from his eclectic background, Michael reveals how knowing and embracing your natural talent can drive success. He also dives deep into the concept of reciprocity, showing how aligning with the right connections and delivering value without expecting immediate returns can fuel growth and create lasting impact. Michael’s insights are invaluable for anyone looking to enhance their influence and curate meaningful relationships in their professional journey.

Want to learn more about Michael Roderick’s work? Check out his website at https://www.smallpondenterprises.com.

Connect with Michael Roderick on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-roderick-1161571/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at podcast guest application.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrews' work at allies4me? Check out his website at allies4me.com.

Dr. John Duldner, known as "The Data Doc," brings his unique leadership perspective to healthcare. With a background as a Marine and a medical professional, Dr. Duldner combines rigorous data analysis with compassionate patient care to transform health outcomes. In this episode, he discusses the importance of evidence-based medicine, explaining how good data, physician expertise, and patient preferences must align to create effective treatment plans. Dr. Duldner also delves into his work with employers, helping them provide better healthcare options for their employees, while driving down costs. His approach is rooted in leadership that empowers both patients and organizations to make informed decisions. This episode showcases how Dr. Duldner’s leadership in healthcare is not just about treating symptoms but about crafting a system that prioritizes patient advocacy and long-term results.

Want to learn more about Dr. John Duldner's work? Check out his website at https://www.connect-and-care.com.

Connect with Dr. John Duldner on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/john-e-duldner-md-ms-a4170789.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrews' work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Rusty Fulling, founder of Fulling Management and Accounting, delves into the essential elements of leadership in a remote-first world. Rusty shares his journey of building a resilient team that continued thriving even when he was unexpectedly out of commission. He highlights the importance of trust, purpose, and consistent communication in fostering a cohesive team culture, despite physical distance. By implementing regular check-ins, engaging team-building activities, and creating a culture of care, Rusty illustrates how leaders can cultivate strong bonds within their remote teams. He also touches on his personal experiences, like a transformative mission trip with his daughter, which reinforced his belief that true leadership extends beyond business objectives. This episode is packed with actionable insights for leaders looking to foster unity, purpose, and resilience in their teams.

Want to learn more about Rusty Fulling's work? Check out his website at https://www.fullingmgmt.com.

Connect with Rusty Fulling on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/rustyfulling.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Joe Travaglione, founder of Future State Cyber, shares unconventional leadership insights inspired by his upbringing around Italian immigrants and his surprising connections to the Mob. Travaglione discusses how the Mob's structured approach to leadership and development has shaped his management style. From self-managing teams to providing clarity in goals, Joe emphasizes the importance of development and feedback in creating high-functioning businesses. He draws parallels between Mob operations and modern business practices, noting that both rely on clear goals, accountability, and the ability to let go of underperformers. Joe also highlights the importance of mental toughness and continuous improvement, referencing the 75 Hard Challenge as a model for staying disciplined in leadership.

Want to learn more about Joe Travaglione's work? Check out his website at https://www.futurestatecyber.com.

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joetravaglione/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrews' work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

David Contorno, founder of E Powered Benefits, sheds light on how business leaders can significantly reduce healthcare costs while improving employee outcomes. Contorno explains that the current healthcare system is not broken—it’s working as designed, benefiting insurers and hospitals while leaving employers and employees with skyrocketing costs. His solution? Leaders need to start asking different questions. By challenging traditional assumptions, Contorno’s strategies—such as direct primary care and transparent provider relationships—help businesses save up to 50% on healthcare costs. This leadership approach empowers companies to provide better care at lower costs, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Want to learn more about David Contorno's work? Check out his website at https://www.epoweredbenefits.com/.

Connect with David Contorno on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcontorno/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

David Buck, founder of Kairos Management Solutions, reveals how leaders can optimize their time and delegate effectively to create lasting impact. Buck emphasizes the difference between "Chronos" (clock time) and "Kairos" (the quality of time), urging leaders to focus on purposeful, quality-driven time management. By flipping the traditional reactive approach to time, Buck advocates for proactive planning that allows leaders to not only manage their workloads but also create room for innovation and strategy.

The conversation also touches on the critical role of delegation. Buck encourages leaders to trust their teams and provide small, manageable tasks that foster growth, all while accepting that mistakes will happen—and should be turned into learning opportunities. His insights on balancing time, delegation, and leadership paint a compelling picture for those striving to leave a legacy beyond their own achievements.

Want to learn more about David Buck’s work? Check out his website at infinitylifestyledesign.com.

Connect with David Buck on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsbuck/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrews' work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Kevin Barona’s leadership journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of purpose. In this episode, Kevin shares his path from Capitol Hill to becoming the founder of Cycore Secure, a cybersecurity firm. He emphasizes the critical role leadership plays in shaping a company’s culture, particularly in high-pressure environments like cybersecurity. Drawing from personal experiences, Kevin reveals how leadership is not just about making decisions but also about empowering others to take ownership. He believes in building a collaborative team where success is a collective goal, not an individual one. This mindset has driven his company’s success, even in industries as complex as nuclear security. Kevin also discusses the importance of leading with integrity and creating a culture where team members feel connected to the company’s mission, ultimately fostering long-term growth and innovation.

Want to learn more about Kevin Barona's work? Check out his website at https://cycoresecure.com.

Connect with Kevin Barona on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbarona.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Lori Saitz is the founder of Zen Rabbit and the Zen Leadership Program. Lori shares how leaders can enhance productivity, reduce stress, and improve retention through intentional actions and workplace well-being practices. Drawing from her experience, Lori emphasizes the importance of grounding exercises, deep breathing, and gratitude to foster a calm, productive environment. She explains how being a leader who embodies calmness influences the team’s energy and engagement, and ultimately, leads to success. The episode also highlights the powerful impact of gratitude on productivity, citing research that shows grateful leaders inspire more loyalty and effort from their teams. Lori’s message is clear: true leadership begins with self-regulation and showing up as the person your team wants to support.

Want to learn more about Lori Saitz's work? Check out her website at https://zenrabbit.com/.

Connect with Lori on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrews’ work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Christian Brim, founder of Core Group, talks about the realities of leading a business through growth and financial challenges. Christian shares his journey of scaling back to grow intentionally, emphasizing the importance of sound accounting processes and focusing on margin improvement. He dives into the role of a leader in guiding a company towards meaningful goals, not just growth for its own sake. Christian offers actionable insights on managing labor efficiency and building a sustainable business model that balances profitability with purpose. His leadership philosophy centers on creating value for others, staying true to your unique strengths, and making tough decisions that steer the business in the right direction.

Want to learn more about Christian Brim's work? Check out his website at https://christianbrim.com/.

Connect with Christian Brim on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianbrim/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew’s work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.