Never in Reverse

In episode 048 of the Never in Reverse Podcast, host Jeremy Axel and Co-Host Douglas Cox explore how leaders can turn anxiety into a superpower by embracing vulnerability, managing stress, and fostering honest communication. 

They share personal insights, practical strategies, and the importance of mental health awareness in leadership.

What's covered in this episode:

• The importance of acknowledging anxiety in leadership
• Strategies for managing stress and anxiety
• The role of vulnerability and honesty in team building

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00) Corporate Pressure and the Sales Environment 

(02:03) Transforming Anxiety into Strength

(12:21) Leadership and Vulnerability

(15:54)  Reflection and Moving Forward

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This week on Never In Reverse Podcast, Jeremy Axel sits down with Christine Despres about the critical importance of cognitive health for high performers. 

They explore how lifestyle, stress, and habits impact brain function and what leaders can do to optimize their mental clarity and decision-making.

What's covered in this episode:

- Impact of stress and pollution on brain health

- Signs of cognitive decline in high performers

- Neuroplasticity and brain resilience

- Practical steps for improving sleep and hydration

- Assessment tools for personalized brain health strategies

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:15) The Importance of Brain Health for High Performers

(06:33) Recognizing the Signs of Cognitive Decline

(10:22) Strategies for Optimizing Brain Health

(16:07) Personal Journey and Motivation Behind Brain Health

(19:10) Practical Steps for Leaders to Improve Wellness

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In episode 046 of the Never in Reverse Podcast, host Jeremy Axel and Co-Host Douglas Cox explore the critical importance of founders prioritizing their health and well-being. 

They discuss how neglecting physical, mental, and emotional health can become a company's biggest liability and share practical insights on maintaining balance, self-awareness, and leadership presence.

What's covered in this episode:
- The impact of founder health on business success

- Balancing work, family, and personal wellness

- Self-awareness and emotional regulation for leaders

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

00:26  Introduction 
01: 00 The Founder’s Health: An Asset or Liability?

10:20 Balancing Work and Personal Life

18:40 Self-Awareness and Reflection for Founders

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In the first episode of the "Never in Reverse Podcast Book Club Series, host Jeremy Axel and Guest Kenneth Ely Jr discuss the book The Go-Giver. They explore its five core laws, focusing on giving value, authentic relationships, influence without authority, and the importance of both giving and receiving. 

Through personal stories, they highlight the challenges and rewards of generosity and authenticity in business and life, especially in B2B sales. 

The conversation emphasizes leading with integrity, building trust, and embracing vulnerability, offering listeners practical insights for personal and professional growth. 

What's covered in this episode:
- The law of value: your worth is determined by the value you give
- Law of compensation: income follows how well you serve others
- Influence without authority: putting others first to lead effectively
- The importance of authenticity and vulnerability in relationships

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

00:00 Introduction to The Go Giver Book Club

01:15 Exploring the Law of Value

06:06 Understanding the Law of Compensation

08:53 Influence Without Authority

12:58 Authenticity in Business Relationships

16:47 The Challenge of Receptivity

20:09 Generosity vs. Boundaries

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This week on Never In Reverse Podcast, Marques Ogden shares his journey from NFL success to devastating failure and his powerful comeback. Discover lessons on humility, resilience, and leadership that can transform your life and career.

What's covered in this episode:
- Marques Ogden's childhood and NFL career
- The rise of his construction business
- The ego and success pitfalls
- The devastating financial and personal failure
- The rebuilding process and lessons learned
- Living in the present and future focus

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:59) The Rise and Fall of Success

(05:57) The Ego and Its Consequences

(09:08) Hitting Rock Bottom

(12:08) The Journey of Rebuilding

(15:05) Lessons Learned from Failure

(17:47) The Importance of Accountability

(21:09) Staying Grounded in Integrity

(23:52) Final Thoughts and Moving Forward

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In episode 046 of the Never in Reverse Podcast, host Jeremy Axel and Co-Host Douglas Cox discuss the challenges of managing workplace performance and the hidden costs of tolerating mediocrity. They explore why busyness can mask underperformance, the importance of setting clear standards, and the impact of the “mediocre tax” on team culture and innovation. 

Through personal stories and practical advice, they emphasize accountability, the need for continuous improvement, and strategies for building resilient, high-performing teams. 

This episode encourages leaders to confront complacency and foster a culture where excellence is the norm.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00:00) Introduction 

(00:00:19) Leadership and Accountability 

(00:00:35) Team Standards and SOPs 

(00:00:51) Unmotivated Employees and Culture 

(00:01:29) Personal Anecdotes and Team Dynamics 

(00:02:51) Average Performance as a Business Killer 

(00:04:13) Culture, Leadership, and Accountability 

(00:04:45) Performance Metrics and Team Impact

(00:05:23) Challenges of Addressing Underperformance 

(00:06:27) Social Skills vs. Real Contribution 

(00:07:20) Building Performance Standards 

(00:07:51) Strengths, Weaknesses, and Team Development 

(00:08:47) Dangers of Accepting Average Performance 

(00:09:19) The Mediocre Tax 

(00:10:33) Cultural Acceptance and Change Resistance 

(00:11:14) High Performers Disengaging 

(00:13:52) Rebuilding After Mediocrity 

(00:14:10) Making Examples and Accountability 

(00:16:17) Avoiding Mediocrity by Focusing 

(00:16:55) Redesigning Culture and Team Roles 

(00:17:36) Enduring Growing Pains 

(00:18:00) Good Enough Culture and Change 

(00:19:27) Reflection and Key Questions 

(00:20:17) Redundancy and Cross-Training 

(00:21:00) Podcast Wrap-Up

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In this episode of Never In Reverse Podcast, Jennifer Carter, executive coach and founder of the Flashlight Thinking Framework, shares honest insights from her corporate leadership journey.

She talks about how leadership behaviors shape workplace culture, why psychological safety truly matters for team performance, and the challenges highly sensitive women leaders often face. With openness and clarity, Jennifer offers practical advice on self-advocacy, better communication, and overcoming burnout.

They get into: 

→ Authentic leadership starts with self-awareness and owning your 'shit'

→ Psychological safety is crucial for innovation and open communication

→ Delaying tough conversations can lead to burnout and low self-worth

→ Leadership behaviors are reflected in organizational culture, like a shadow

→ Empowering employees to speak up requires building confidence and trust

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome 

(00:00:07) Jennifer’s Leadership Philosophy 

(00:02:27) Jennifer’s Background and Career Journey 

(00:03:34) Transition to Entrepreneurship 

(00:04:40) Entrepreneurial Identity and Stereotypes 

(00:05:47) Flashlight Thinking Framework 

(00:06:47) Challenges in Corporate Environments 

(00:08:00) Workplace Culture: Creativity vs. Conformity 

(00:10:34) Psychological Safety and Accountability 

(00:12:57) Leadership’s Role in Shaping Culture 

(00:14:55) Shifts in Corporate Culture and Generational Differences 

(00:18:09) Facing Difficult Issues and Communication Skills 

(00:20:54) Building Courage and Self-Esteem 

(00:22:52) Consequences of Avoiding Difficult Conversations 

(00:24:25) Success Stories and Positive Outcomes 

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Most people are living a great story. They just don't know how to tell it.

Not the polished, perfect kind. The real kind. The kind that makes people lean in, feel seen, and take action.

In this episode of the Never in Reverse Podcast, Jeremy Axel sits down with Bill Blankschaen, Founder and Chief StoryArchitect of StoryBuilders, for a conversation that will completely change how you see your own story.

They get into:
→ Why your "ordinary" experiences are actually your greatest asset
→ Bill's 5-step storytelling framework: Attention. Tension. Connection. Solution. Action.
→ The self-doubt that keeps most people silent and how to push through it
→ Why vulnerability isn't weakness, it's the whole point
→ How the right story can build trust, drive business, and move people to act

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:
(00:00:00) Introduction & Guest Welcome
(00:01:57) Bill Blankschaen’s Background & Journey
(00:05:00) The Power of Story in Shaping Identity
(00:07:41) Vulnerability & Authenticity in Storytelling
(00:09:52) Outgrowing Old Stories & Finding Your Message
(00:11:49) Five-Element Storytelling Framework
(00:15:35) Overcoming Story Traps: Confidence & Normalcy
(00:18:01) The Power of Sharing & Relating Through Pain
(00:20:08) Designing a Life Story Worth Living
(00:23:14) Practical Steps for Crafting Your Story
(00:26:02) Closing & Contact Information

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In episode 045 of the Never in Reverse Podcast, host Jeremy Axel and co-host Douglas Cox delve into the complex themes of identity, masculinity, and the pressures faced by founders. 

They discuss the challenges of balancing personal identity with professional roles, the societal expectations placed on men, and the importance of family dynamics in shaping one’s sense of self. The conversation emphasizes the need for introspection, mentorship, and the recognition that legacy is defined by the impact we have on others, rather than by professional achievements alone.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:

(00:00:00) The Slow Loss of Self Through Success

(00:00:31) Natural Leadership vs. Struggle
(00:02:43) Identity Crisis for Founders & Men 
(00:03:19) Masculine Identity & Providing 
(00:04:14) Ego, Recognition, and Early Success 
(00:04:49) Masculinity and Enjoyment in Providing
(00:05:16) Natural Leadership in Family & Vulnerability 
(00:06:20) External Pressures and Fear
(00:07:46) Guilt, Rest, and Family Time 
(00:08:57) Work-Life Balance & Shifting Priorities 
(00:09:52) The Trap of Ever-Increasing Quotas 
(00:12:07) Growth, Scar Tissue, and Emotional Resistance 
(00:13:05) Capacity Thresholds & Self-Acceptance   
(00:17:22) Teenage Years of Business & Reclaiming Identity 
(00:18:05) Mentorship & The Obituary Exercise Revisited 
(00:19:07) Anchors, Financial Fears, and Letting Go 
(00:20:54) Maturity, Growth, and Accepting the Cycle 
(00:21:38) Stress, Transition, and Being Present 
(00:22:21) Owning Your Journey & Seeking Help 
(00:23:05) Self-Love, Reflection, and Closing 

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In this episode of the Never in Reverse Podcast, Jeremy Axel sits down with Valerie Bowden, an expert in outsourcing, who shares her unique journey from backpacking across Africa to establishing a successful outsourcing company that hires exclusively from the continent.

Valerie Bowden discusses the pros and cons of DIY versus agency models in outsourcing, the importance of transparency and trust in remote work, and the value of global talent. She emphasizes the need for clear expectations and KPIs when hiring, and shares her insights on scaling businesses while avoiding burnout. The conversation concludes with practical tips for entrepreneurs considering outsourcing, particularly in Africa.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:
(00:00:00) Introduction & Valerie’s Background
(00:01:34) Adventurous Stories from Africa
(00:03:14) Outsourcing: DIY vs. Agency.
(00:05:12) Building Trust & Managing Remote Teams
(00:08:34) Global Talent & Opportunity
(00:10:45) Overcoming Trust & Perception Barriers
(00:13:21) People Are People: Universal Similarities
(00:19:15) Agility & Startup vs. Corporate Culture
(00:21:03) Balancing Structure and Flexibility
(00:23:43) Top Tips for Successful Outsourcing
(00:25:35) Conclusion & Farewell

CONNECT WITH US:
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