In this episode of Leading In The Dark, Nick Akers sits down with Jerry Gennaria, President of the St. Louis-based branding and strategic consulting firm Toky. Jerry shares his journey from senior leader to business owner, unpacking the challenges of entrepreneurship through acquisition, the weight of ownership, and how to scale a business without losing the culture and brand reputation that made it successful.

Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply passionate about leadership, Jerry’s insights on brand differentiation, employee experience, and strategic growth will leave you inspired.

In this episode of Leading in the Dark, Nick Akers sits down with Leslie K. Gill, President & CEO of Rung for Women, a career accelerator helping women transition into higher-wage industries where they’ve historically been underrepresented. Leslie shares the journey of building Rung from the ground up, her philosophy of collaboration, and how incremental opportunities can transform not just lives but entire communities. This powerful conversation explores leadership, breaking generational cycles of poverty, and why focusing on the "middle" can create lasting change.

In this episode of Leading In The Dark, host Nick Akers sits down with Jennifer Hopper, Chief Information Officer at Save-A-Lot, to explore the power of curiosity, teamwork, and servant leadership.

Jennifer shares her journey from IT consulting to the C-suite, how she identifies and develops problem-solvers, and why she believes leaders must create space for others to shine. She also offers insight into managing hybrid workforces, building strong organizational cultures, and the importance of leading with joy.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, Jennifer’s perspective on staying resilient and empowering others will inspire you.

From Army infantryman to Certified Financial Planner, Ryan Bowman’s story is one of grit, growth, and going for it. In this episode of Leading in the Dark, Ryan shares how two tours in Iraq shaped his leadership philosophy, how his love of learning drove him to pursue both a CFP and an MBA, and why he chose the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition path to launch Terrace Wealth. We talk about building trust, starting smart, and leading with purpose—plus, the surprising origin of a custom set of hand signals in. Whether you're a veteran, entrepreneur, or lifelong learner, this one will hit home.

Shaun Duvall, Founder and Managing Partner of Duvari, joins Leading In The Dark to share his remarkable journey from traditional staffing leadership to building a purpose-driven IT staffing firm rooted in service, self-awareness, and radical empathy. In this candid conversation, Shaun explores the power of vulnerability in leadership, why he designed a company no one would want to buy, and how strength often begins at the end of ourselves. From building internal systems that reward collaboration to sponsoring children across the globe through Unbound, Shaun proves that leading with heart is not just good ethics—it’s good business.

What does it take to build a business from scratch—and sustain it for over 30 years? Josh Allen, founder of Companion Baking, joins Leading In The Dark to talk about entrepreneurship, family legacy, burnout, radical change, and the beauty of bread. From working 20-hour days to transforming waste reduction into a company-wide mission, Josh shares how listening—to your customers, employees, and even your bankers—can fuel sustainable growth. It’s a raw and inspiring look at building something real, one loaf at a time.

In this episode of Leading In The Dark, Nick Akers sits down with Crystal Allen Dallas, founder and Chief Engagement Officer of Excel Business Concepts. Crystal shares her entrepreneurial journey—from her roots in urban planning and community advocacy to launching a PR and marketing firm focused on infrastructure and impact. Learn how she built a purpose-driven business, navigates leadership with grace and grit, and leans into faith, relationships, and service to fuel growth. Her story is full of wisdom on scaling with intention, creating people-first cultures, and why there's no traffic on the extra mile.

Michael Gross, Chief Sales Officer of Gross Mechanical, joins Leading in the Dark to share the story of a third-generation family business thriving in the heart of St. Louis. In this episode, Michael and Nick dive into the evolution of Gross Mechanical—from sweeping floors to scaling one of the largest pipe fabrication shops in the region. They unpack the challenges of generational transitions, the culture of continuous improvement, and the hidden pride behind industrial work. Whether you’re in a family business or fascinated by leadership that builds things you can actually see and touch, this episode offers grounded wisdom and sharp insights.

Organizational psychologist Dr. Rik Nemanick has coached thousands of leaders—but leadership itself is evolving fast. In this episode, Nick Akers explores:
• How large language models are transforming employee engagement analysis
• A real-world chatbot that helps leaders practice tough feedback conversations
• The hidden cost of ignoring self-awareness at the C-suite level
• Practical steps to discover (and leverage) what truly motivates your team
Along the way, Rik shares memorable stories, quick-hit frameworks, and a guiding principle every leader should tattoo on their calendar: Know yourself—then help others do the same.

In this powerful episode, Josh Phillips shares what it means to truly serve. As a St. Louis City firefighter, SWAT medic, rescue instructor, and member of Missouri Task Force One, Josh lives a life defined by grit, discipline, and purpose. From running into burning buildings to deploying for national disasters, his story is one of commitment, courage, and deep respect for the culture and legacy of the fire service. Whether you're a leader navigating high-stakes decisions or simply looking for inspiration, Josh’s humility and tenacity will leave a mark.