We were thrilled to have Dr. Alan Gruning join us for the sixth episode of The Patina Podcast, Around the Table with Visaggio & Co. 

Dr. Gruning is the President and Medical Director of the International Center for Health and Wellness in Fort Myers, Florida and the Founder, Executive and Medical Director, of both Christian Medical Ministries, Inc and the Southwest Florida Free Pain Clinic. 

In this episode we talked about the history of the Southwest Florida Free Pain Clinic as it arose from a dream to a vibrant organization with a full treatment team. Dr. Gruning shared challenges that he has faced as a doctor who specializes in functional medicine. He talks about how he was able to lead a team of fifty people at his church to begin building an organization that provides free treatment for people suffering with pain

Dr. Gruning talks about the challenges he's faced and how his faith inspires him to continue to fight to treat the root cause of his patients' suffering instead of just treating the symptoms.

This episode is not only timely due to the ongoing national opioid epidemic, but deeply personal. Dr. Gruning encourages everyone to follow their dreams even as he retells a deeply moving story about a person nearly completely confined to a wheelchair that was treated and eventually became able to walk again. Her recovery enabled her to live her life and follow her own dreams, goals, and passions, but it also opened up more opportunities for Dr. Grunig to serve as a healing physician for her family!

Tune in. You won't want to miss it!

It was an amazing opportunity to sit down speak with Thomas Tuggle, Lt. Colonel with the Mississippi Highway Patrol, about his experience as the Director of the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy, the largest law enforcement training facility in the state. In this fifth episode of season one of The Patina Podcast, Lt. Colonel Tuggle shares that the key to success is losing early in life, causing one to greet achievements with dignity and humbleness. It was fascinating learning how Lt. Colonel Tuggle’s recruits learn how to rebuild themselves with courage and integrity.

Tapping out is not an option in his profession; it is all in or do not get in. Under his leadership, recruits learn that pride is concerned with who is right, but humility is concerned with what is right. He shows how we can adapt this approach to life outside of the police academy and shares how one can learn, change, and improve as a leader. Tuggle guides his recruits to remove preconceived viewpoints, and forever change their lives and make a positive impact.

After a four-year enlistment, which included two tours in Japan, Thomas left the Marine Corps with the Navy Achievement Medal with a Gold Star, the Combat Action Ribbon, The Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2- Bronze Stars and four promotions (3-meritoriously). His bravery, courage, and core values are something to be admired. Lt. Colonel Tuggle volunteers in teen intervention programs for substance and alcohol abuse sharing his knowledge of transforming failures into successes. We need more "Thomas Tuggles" in the world and are thankful that he is becoming an increasingly sought after voice and leader in today's volatile world. Join us around the table here.

An uncommon start to this show, we dove right into the conversation with David Weber on this the fourth episode of season one on the Patina Podcast. Weber serves as the director of the Riverside Camp and Retreat Center in LaBelle, FL. David shares stories about how he leads in life by first gaining and keeping trust. He inspires a passion in others to serve their community in a variety of ways. David talks about how he has learned through what he calls the constant change in his life to recognize challenges as opportunities that he can meet through innovation and team-building. He focuses on bringing out the best in others.

Weber has a warm, kind, and welcoming personality that exudes happiness and joy for life. But, he also speaks with a depth of wisdom that comes from having been molded through the fires and trials of life. He shares leadership lessons from a place of sincere humility, love and compassion for others - lessons we all can take to heart during this time of fear over health-related illnesses, COVID-19, riots, looting, and a general societal lack of listening. 

David shares how coming through "patina moments" growing up - by being bullied - helped form him into the caring and committed leader he has become leading, teaching, and serving the amazing residents and visitors of LaBelle. If you are looking to find leadership lessons from someone you might not expect it from at first, tune in today. And, check out the fruits of his labor of leadership at the Riverside Camp and Retreat Center by visiting www.flriverside.org.

Do you have a leader we can learn from? Send your suggestions to [email protected]. 

Shannon Hoyt is the Chief Executive Officer for Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County Florida. Hoyt is a problem solver, researcher, creator, and passionate advocate for helping and understanding those in need. Hoyt’s leadership style has a “YOU” focus – she doesn’t expect people to adapt to her, but instead, takes the time to understand how she can best connect with them. With years of international travel, leadership and servant-hood under her belt, Hoyt brings inspiring stories and motivational moments in this episode of the Patina Podcast.

In today’s episode of the Patina Podcast, Michael “Bret Hood” is joining us around the table. Bret has over 25 years’ experience working financial crimes as a Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Hood’s leadership is a cornerstone for the FBI’s National Academy, and he’s sharing some of his tips, tricks, and incredible stories with us this week. From 9/11, to the Oklahoma city Bombing, to the multi-billion dollar HealthSouth Fraud case, Hood has worked on some of the FBI’s most infamous cases, and he’s sharing with us the lessons he learned and how it's impacted his philosophy of leadership. Learn more about Bret at www.21puzzles.com and check out his books Eat More Ice Cream! and Get Off Your Horse! Fifty-Two Succinct Leadership Lessons from U.S. Presidents (available for download at Amazon.com).

In this episode, we talk about how we envision the Patina Podcast to work with future guests, topic ideas about leadership, and our goals for the show. The Patina Podcast will focus on stories of individuals who have been uncommonly successful leaders. People who have faced challenges and overcome - and by overcoming have become better personally and professionally. Our goal is to highlight diamonds in the rough who have gone through "patina moments" that have improved their ability to lead and serve. Patina is different from rust. Rust makes things decay and threatens the structural integrity of things; patina only weathers things and actually helps reveal something hard-wearing, durable, and simply better.