Making Your Mark Podcast

What defines perseverance? For Alex Salvaggio, it’s the ability to take one step at a time through challenges — whether climbing a mountain at 17, guiding youth athletes, or navigating the chaos of ERP implementation. His story is about being coached, becoming a coach, and helping others persevere through hard times.

Alex Salvaggio, CFO of Thread Collective Inc., shares three defining experiences that shaped his journey: the lessons of perseverance from provincial rugby, the detour of ERP implementation that expanded his executive toolkit, and the joy of coaching youth rugby and hockey. Together, these moments reveal how resilience and coaching culture can create a more complete leader and community contributor.

He opens up about:

• How coaching culture instills perseverance and self‑belief

• Why ERP detours can strengthen finance executives

• Balancing family, work, and executive politics during high‑stakes projects

• The joy and impact of coaching youth athletes

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Alex Salvaggio

03:49 When You’ve Bitten Off More Than You Can Chew

05:50 The Coach Who Inspired Him

07:44 Locker Room Culture and Accountability

09:29 How Coaching Culture Has Evolved

13:00 Doing More Than Your Mind Thinks You Can

18:37 Does ERP Fit a Finance Career Path

21:54 Career Detours and Trusting Instincts

25:38 What an ERP System Actually Is

27:51 How ERP Opened His Eyes to the Business

30:17 What It’s Like Working on ERP

33:11 The Role of Key Users

34:25 When Alex Saved Mark During ERP at Weir

39:01 The Upgraded Abilities ERP Gave Him

40:53 Balancing Work and Family During ERP

44:08 What He Didn’t Like About ERP

45:28 Executive‑Level Politics in Big Projects

47:34 Moving Into Executive Finance Roles

49:38 The Joy of Coaching

54:38 A Typical Week of Coaching

58:39 Giving Tough News to Kids and Parents

01:02:22 Lessons in Perseverance and Self‑Belief

01:03:44 Mark’s Gratitude for Alex’s Support

01:05:36 Closing and Audience Engagement

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores perseverance, coaching culture, resilience, career detours, ERP implementation, and the development of leadership through sport and challenge. Ideal for listeners interested in personal growth, finance leadership, coaching, and stories of becoming a more complete leader through adversity and community impact.

What happens when a micro‑finance professional pivots to farming, becomes a national biotech advocate, and joins a global network to amplify farmer voices?

AD Alvarez’s journey spans finance, agriculture, and international policy — from Cebu’s cornfields to the halls of the FAO. In this episode, he shares how farming became a family legacy, why technology and respect must evolve together, and what it means to fight for those who feed the world.

He opens up about:

• Leaving micro‑finance to become a full‑time farmer

• The role of family and tradition in agricultural life

• How technology is reshaping farming in the Philippines

• The challenges and misconceptions farmers face

• His work with the Global Farmer Network and the FAO

• Bridging the gap between policy and practice

• Why he continues to fight for farmer dignity and visibility

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AD Alvarez and His Impact

03:48 A Day in the Life of a Farmer

06:09 From Micro‑Finance to Farming

07:35 Farming as a Family Legacy

10:33 How Technology Is Transforming Agriculture

16:06 Why Farming Deserves More Respect

19:42 Challenges Facing Farmers Today

23:39 The Rewards of Farming

26:28 Farming in the Philippines vs Developed Countries

31:22 Needed Disruption in Philippine Agriculture

36:14 Amplifying Farmer Voices Through the Global Farmer Network at the FAO

40:59 Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Practice

48:12 AD’s Ongoing Fight for Farmer Dignity

51:28 How to Better Understand Farmers

55:43 Asking for Your Help

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores farming as a profession of dignity, the evolution of agriculture in the Philippines, the role of technology in food systems, the challenges farmers face, and the importance of amplifying farmer voices in global policy. Ideal for listeners interested in agriculture, leadership, sustainability, and stories of purpose‑driven reinvention.

What happens when a healthcare strategist moves to France, launches a coaching service, and begins training to become a therapist — all in pursuit of deeper service and personal truth?

Alina Yarova’s career spans consulting, health tech, and now a bold new chapter: embracing therapy not just as a personal tool, but as a professional calling. In this episode, she reflects on immigration, identity, and the courage to feel the fear and begin again.

She opens up about:

• Growing up in Ukraine and adapting to life in the U.S.

• Her lifelong connection to therapy — receiving, advocating, and now studying

• Why she launched Project Pivot to help others navigate change

• The emotional and logistical realities of moving to France

• How small gestures can leave lasting marks

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Reconnection

02:38 Alina’s Background and Early Journey

06:00 Immigration and Its Impact — From Ukraine to the U.S.

13:44 Feeling Like an Outsider and Adapting to a New Culture

17:49 Eight‑Year‑Old Alina and 2025 Alina

19:42 Her Lifelong Connection to Therapy — Receiving, Advocating, Studying

26:56 Why Seeking Therapy Is a Sign of Strength

29:22 Financial and Fit Barriers to Accessing Therapy

31:57 Mark’s Personal Therapy Story

34:01 Cultural and Systemic Change in Mental Health Education

37:49 Deciding to Become a Therapist

42:15 A Deep Desire to Be of Service

46:11 Embracing Change — Moving to France

50:40 Navigating the Shadow Side of Change — Feel the Fear, Dance Anyway

56:10 Trusting Values and Following Curiosity

58:11 How to Reach and Connect with Alina

01:00:10 Small Gestures, Big Impact — A Moment Mark Never Forgot

01:06:05 Closing Reflections and Audience Engagement

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores therapy as a personal and professional calling, career change, immigration, identity, starting over, emotional courage, and the realities of moving abroad. Listeners interested in reinvention, mental health journeys, values‑based decision‑making, and navigating major life transitions will find deep resonance in Alina’s story.

What happens when a professor known for impact and connection is forced to slow down — and discovers that saying “No” might be the most powerful lesson of all?

Jordan LeBel is a marketing professor and food industry expert whose superpower lies in the spoken word — the ability to move people, build trust, and create lasting connection. In this episode, he reflects on the joy of teaching, the legacy of his Grandmama, and the wake‑up call that came with surviving a widow maker heart attack.

He opens up about:

• “My words have impact” — Jordan’s first superpower

• Building trust and connection with his students

• Why self‑care does not equal self‑indulgence

• How taking stock led to growth, gratitude, and new boundaries

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:00 From a 12‑Year‑Old in the Kitchen to Marketer and Academic

06:09 Jordan’s First Superpower — My Words Have Impact

11:23 Grandmama’s Legacy and Influence

15:49 The Gratification of Connecting with Students

26:09 Speaking to an Aviation Industry Audience

31:51 Trust and Human Connection Before Taking the Leap

37:01 Overcoming Fear Through Preparation and Support

42:18 Learning from Failure and Being Good to Yourself

46:53 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Through Your Superpowers

49:48 Surviving a Widow Maker Heart Attack and Reassessing Life

58:33 Self‑Care Does Not Equal Self‑Indulgence

01:08:11 Learning to Say No Without Guilt

01:12:51 Jordan Suggests Mark’s Superpower Might Be This Podcast

01:15:54 Growth and Gratitude as Guiding Principles

01:20:09 Asking for Your Help

Discovery Optimization

This episode explores speaking with impact, intentional living, communication as a superpower, trust and connection in teaching, overcoming fear, imposter syndrome, self‑care, boundaries, and the life‑changing clarity that comes after a major health wake‑up call. Ideal for listeners interested in personal growth, leadership, gratitude, and finding purpose through adversity.

What happens when a corporate president walks away from power — and finds clarity in the space that follows? Martin Featherston shares how leaving corporate life gave him the freedom to breathe, reflect, and rediscover who he truly was.

Martin didn’t leave to write a book. He left to reclaim his identity. Only after gaining space and distance did he find clarity, humor, and the creative spark that led to Nothing Sacred and The Universe, Earl Grey, and a Duck. His story is a reminder that reinvention often begins with stepping away from the roles that no longer fit.

He opens up about:

• The moment he knew it was time to leave corporate life

• The difference between task‑based and existential self‑awareness

• Why writing a book is a “team sport”

• What it means to keep “playing the game” when the game no longer serves you

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Early Encounters

03:13 Martin’s Journey from Corporate to Not Corporate

06:01 Transitioning to Leadership Roles

08:15 A Long Left Turn — When and How It Happened

12:46 The Weight of Leadership

16:05 President vs Vice President — What Changes

18:12 Leadership Lessons Rooted in Common Sense

23:59 The Crisis of Self‑Awareness and Our Many Facades

28:17 Martin’s Epiphany and the Two Years Leading to Leaving Corporate

35:48 Task‑Based vs Existential Self‑Awareness

39:43 When There Are No Challenges Left but You Still Have to Play the Game

46:56 Adjusting to Post‑Corporate Life

52:07 Writing His First Book Nothing Sacred and His Second The Universe, Earl Grey, and a Duck

59:12 Why Writing a Book Is a Team Sport

01:03:10 The Joy in Martin’s Life Today

01:05:02 The Value of Authenticity and Connection

01:11:22 Asking for Your Help

Discovery Optimization

Themes explored in this episode include leaving corporate life, executive burnout, rediscovering identity, finding freedom, post‑corporate reinvention, existential self‑awareness, authenticity, creative expression, satire writing, and personal transformation. Ideal for listeners interested in leadership journeys, midlife clarity, and redefining success on their own terms.

🔥 Quick insight from Saaj Patel on why integrity matters in auto service.

In this clip from the Making Your Mark Podcast, Saaj shares how he’s building SP Mecano to stand for honesty, integrity, and doing right by the customer. In an industry often criticized for upselling and mistrust, his approach is about creating a mobile auto service brand people can actually trust. Because doing good business starts with being a good human.

📌 Discovery Optimization:

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🔥 Quick insight from Derick Kulibaba on turning pain into purpose through movement.

In this clip from the Making Your Mark Podcast, Derick shares the story behind Kuli-Box, the exercise initiative he launched at CN just months after losing his first wife. What began as a step toward his own healing sparked a powerful response — with participants calling it life-changing. His journey shows how resilience and community can transform grief into growth.

📌 Discovery Optimization:

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🔥 Quick insight from Kim Gutierrez on why nurses must be valued as essential professionals.

In this clip from the Making Your Mark Podcast, Kim shares her perspective on the realities of nursing and why recognition must go beyond seeing nurses as caretakers. She calls for change, highlighting the critical service nurses provide to society every day. A powerful reminder to value the people who hold us up.

📌 Discovery Optimization:

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🔥 Quick insight from Anne Pertus on the power of support and community in healing.

In this clip from the Making Your Mark Podcast, Anne opens up about her personal health journey — and how everything changed when she found her tribe. Her story highlights the importance of listening to your body, embracing community, and seeking belonging when the world tells you to push through. A perspective for anyone navigating wellness and searching for connection.

📌 Discovery Optimization:

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🔥 Quick insight from Samantha Bateman on the moment her business began to gain traction.

In this clip from the Making Your Mark Podcast, Samantha reflects on when her executive recruitment firm, Integria Consulting, shifted from struggle to stability. Her story captures the turning point every entrepreneur remembers — the moment things start to click and growth feels possible. For anyone building something from the ground up, this perspective will resonate.

📌 Discovery Optimization:

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