In this episode of Never In Reverse Podcast, Jeremy Axel sits down with Brad Newbury, a veteran fire officer, paramedic, educator, and entrepreneur with more than 40 years of frontline experience, alongside his daughter Kiera Newbury, an EMT and co-author, to explore how first responders are built to win in business.

Drawing from decades on the front lines, Brad shares the lessons he learned building one of the nation's pioneering online paramedic education programs, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, and recovering from a failed private equity sale. Together, they discuss how the skills first responders rely on every day, including leadership, adaptability, problem-solving, and staying calm under pressure, translate directly into business success.

Kiera offers her perspective, drawn from a lifetime immersed in EMS education, and highlights the importance of preparedness, service, and taking action when it matters most.

The conversation also dives into their book, “The Saved Effect”, which explores the lasting ripple effects of life-saving moments and why something as simple as bystander CPR can have a profound impact on countless lives.

This episode is packed with insights on leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and the mindset required to thrive when the stakes are high.

What you'll learn in this episode

→ Transition from first responder to entrepreneur

→ Lessons learned from emergency services applicable to business

→ The importance of mission-driven leadership

→ The impact of private equity on small businesses

→ The significance of community and service in business growth

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:05) Brad Newbury's Career and Educational Innovations

(06:04) Kira Newbury's Early Aspirations and Experiences

(10:03) First Responders' Skills as Entrepreneurial Advantages

(13:46) Understanding Prey Drive in Business

(17:54) The Impact of Private Equity on Business Operations

(25:01) Lessons Learned from Business Challenges and Growth

(30:42) People Before Profit

(34:57) The Importance of Profit in Business

(36:05) The Mission-Driven Approach

(43:22) The Ripple Effect of Saving Lives

(49:25) Entrepreneurship Insights and Advice

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In this episode of the Never In Reverse Podcast, host Jeremy Axel sits down with financial advisor Jeffrey Panik to discuss The 5 Pillars of Financial Success and the key habits that help build long-term wealth, financial confidence, and a purpose-driven life.

With over 26 years of experience in financial planning and a background in the military, Jeffrey shares practical strategies for improving financial literacy, avoiding the comparison trap, and creating a roadmap for lasting financial success. He explains why small, consistent actions, such as automating savings and setting clear financial goals, can have a powerful impact over time.

Jeremy and Jeffrey also explore the importance of communication in personal finance, particularly for couples navigating financial decisions together. Beyond money, they discuss how meaningful retirement requires purpose, strong relationships, and honest conversations about goals and expectations.

Whether you're just starting your financial journey, planning for retirement, or looking to strengthen your financial habits, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you make smarter decisions and stay focused on what truly matters.

What you'll learn in this episode

→ The importance of communication about money in relationships

→ How societal pressures influence financial decisions

→ The role of purpose in financial planning and retirement

→ The significance of automation and small savings for financial growth

→ Retirement readiness and the importance of planning beyond finances

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:58) The Comparison Trap and Its Impact on Finances

(06:00) Purposeful Living and Financial Planning

(08:50) Retirement Planning: More Than Just Finances

(11:51) The Importance of Communication in Financial Relationships

(14:54) Living Intentionally: Balancing Money and Relationships

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This week on Never In Reverse Podcast, host Jeremy Axel welcomes Gary Daley, an Irish sales professional and coach based in Dubai. Gary shares his journey from struggling in sales to becoming a top performer and certified coach, revealing the mindset shifts, habits, and systems that helped him transform both his career and life.

In this episode, Jeremy and Gary explore the power of self-ownership, the importance of taking responsibility for your growth, and why waiting for motivation can hold you back. They discuss how awareness creates lasting change, why accountability is essential for success, and how high performers sustain results through focused seasons of effort rather than trying to balance everything at once.

What you'll learn in this episode

→ How self-ownership and accountability can accelerate personal and professional growth

→ The difference between discipline and awareness when building lasting habits

→ Why a compelling vision is the key to staying motivated over the long term

→ Practical strategies for sustaining high performance without burnout

→ How coaching, commitment, and integrity create lasting success

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00) Introduction to Gary Daly and His Journey

(01:58) The Importance of Self-Ownership

(05:49) The Power of Taking Ownership

(10:11) Building Discipline and Consistency

(14:12) The Role of Accountability in Growth

(17:56) Sustaining High Performance

(22:11) Lessons Learned and Key Takeaways

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This week on Never in Reverse, host Jeremy Axel and co-host Douglas Cox explore one of the toughest challenges leaders face: navigating breakdowns without turning every setback into a crisis. 

They discuss how to normalize the ebbs and flows of business, leadership strategies during tough times, and the importance of resilience, consistency, and reflection.

What's covered in this episode:
- Normalizing the cycle of ups and downs in business and life 
- Leadership strategies during organizational breakdowns
- The importance of consistency and reflection in growth
- Managing emotional reactions and avoiding overreactions
- Building resilient teams and organizations

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:18) Introduction

(02:41) Understanding Breakdowns vs. Crises

(11:29) Navigating Emotional Responses in Leadership

(15:57) The Importance of Consistency and Strategy

(18:21) Closing Thoughts and Reflection Questions

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This week on the Never In Reverse Podcast, host Jeremy Axel sits down Valeriya Hjertenaes, who shares her insights on neurodiversity, leadership, and authenticity. She discusses how neurodivergent traits are superpowers, the importance of inclusive organizational cultures, and her personal journey of embracing her uniqueness.

What's covered in this episode:

→ Neurodiversity and its importance in leadership

→ Misconceptions about neurodivergent traits

→ Creating inclusive organizational cultures

→ The 5E enabler method for leadership

→ Personal journey of embracing neurodivergence

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00) Introduction

(06:28) Misunderstandings and Stigmas Surrounding Neurodiversity

(11:51) The Importance of Authenticity in Leadership

(18:20) 5E Enablement Method for Neurodivergent Individuals

(24:37) Curiosity-Driven Leadership in Complex Environments

(31:46) Feedback as Golden Gems for Growth

(36:50) Awareness and Authenticity in Leadership

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This week on the Never In Reverse Podcast, Ron Kmetovicz shares his journey from aerospace engineering to financial independence, emphasizing the importance of multiple revenue streams and financial literacy.

Ron emphasizes starting early, avoiding debt, and building multiple income sources as keys to financial independence. He also highlights the importance of teaching young people financial literacy organically, giving them early investment experience to develop lifelong money management skills.

What's covered in this episode:

→  Multiple revenue streams as a path to financial independence

→  The concept of the ghost account and its role in wealth building

→  Financial literacy and education for youth

→  Behavioral habits for successful financial planning

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:20) Ron’s Journey from Farm to Aerospace

(09:41) Transitioning to Financial Independence

(13:28) The Concept of Multiple Revenue Streams

(20:33) Breaking the Paycheck to Paycheck Cycle

(21:43) Five Steps to Financial Independence

(23:41) Building Financial Foundations for Youth

(31:02) Understanding Financial Life Inventory

(36:06) Cultivating Multiple Revenue Streams

(40:21) The Importance of Financial Education

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In this episode of Never in Reverse Podcast, hosts Jeremy Axel and Douglas Cox explore the concept of "ambitious gratitude", balancing genuine appreciation for achievements without sliding into complacency. 

They discuss the challenge of pausing to celebrate wins while maintaining momentum, the dangers of settling, and the importance of transparent leadership. Both hosts reflect on personal experiences and share strategies for keeping teams motivated and aligned with long-term goals. 

The episode closes with thought-provoking questions encouraging listeners to honestly assess their own gratitude practices, ambition, and leadership standards.

What's covered in this episode:
- Ambition without resentment
- Gratitude and complacency
- Growth and comfort zones
- Celebrating wins while aiming higher
- Leadership mindset and team culture

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00) Welcome and Introduction

(04:08) Ambition vs. Complacency

(09:47) The Challenge of Growth

(14:46) Gratitude and Leadership

(19:51) Reflection and Closing Thoughts

CONNECT WITH US:

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This week on the Never In Reverse Podcast, Lisa Woodruff shares insights on how household management parallels business systems, emphasizing strategic organization, mental shifts, and practical steps to reduce overwhelm and improve leadership at home.

What's covered in this episode:

→ Household management as a business system

→The economic impact of household chores

→ Strategic planning for family life

→ Mental shifts for effective leadership at home

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00) Introduction to Lisa Woodruff

(03:05) The Overwhelm of High-Performing Leaders

(07:44) Systemizing the Household

(12:34) The Impact of Home Organization on Leadership

(18:17) Cognitive Load and Invisible Work

(23:53) The Importance of Strategic Planning at Home

(25:11) Letting Go of Misconceptions

(26:39) First Steps to Overcoming Overwhelm

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► website: https://neverinreverse.com/

Episode 049 of Never in Reverse Podcast opens up a conversation many workplaces still avoid: what happens when we stop hiding our emotions at work? Jeremy Axel and Douglas Cox remind us that we’re human first. When we push down emotions like passion, frustration, or joy, we don’t become more professional, we just become more distant from each other.

This episode is about showing up as your full self. It’s about choosing honesty over pretending, and understanding that vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s what builds real connection. Because in the end, the strongest teams aren’t the ones that hide how they feel, they’re the ones that trust each other enough to be real.

What's covered in this episode:
- The importance of emotional intelligence in leadership
- Creating a culture of authenticity and vulnerability
- The impact of emotional suppression on team dynamics

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00) Introduction and Personal Reflections

(02:14) The Role of Emotions in the Workplace

(11:43) Authenticity and Vulnerability in Leadership

(18:20) Concluding Thoughts and Reflection Questions

CONNECT WITH US:

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► Website: https://neverinreverse.com/

This week on Never In Reverse Podcast, Jeremy Axel sits down with Paula Randler, a transformational career coach who's helped countless mid-career professionals stop playing it safe and start playing it smart.

Paula wasn't always the confident coach she is today. She knows what it feels like to show up to a job that looks great on paper but feels completely hollow inside. 

In this episode, they shared the real story behind career stagnation, what's keeping you stuck, what your gut has been trying to tell you, and how to make moves that align with your values without burning everything down.

What's covered in this episode:

→ Career transition strategies for mid-career professionals

→ The importance of core values in decision making

→ Signs of burnout and how to heal from it

→ Leadership traits that foster trust and engagement

→ The role of self-awareness in career fulfillment

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:14) Understanding Career Stagnation

(10:12) The Role of Leadership in Employee Engagement

(12:41) Communication and Trust in the Workplace

(18:41) Core Values and Decision Making

(24:31) Sitting with Discomfort for Growth

(30:31) Finding Personal Authenticity

(31:23) Key Takeaways for Leaders

(32:26) First Steps for the Stuck Employee

CONNECT WITH US:

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