Real Leaders Podcast

After 35 years at Gettys Group, CEO Ron Swidler shares what it took to step into leadership, bring a siloed organization together, and build a culture grounded in trust and clear communication.

Hosted by Kevin Edwards, this conversation explores the realities of becoming a first-time CEO—from turning long-held opinions into action to navigating complex organizational change.

Ron explains how Ted Lasso shaped his leadership philosophy, why trust depends on credibility, reliability, and strong relationships, and how regular conversations with senior leaders helped him listen, build alignment, and follow through.

Ron also shares how he approached a major reorganization, why he waited until he had more than a year in the role before making significant changes, and how an outside advisor helped assess the company’s skills against future needs.

He discusses his personal advisory board, the value of input from a company board of directors, and how Gettys Group is putting AI to work—from building custom procurement software to speeding up design renderings and testing brand concepts.

Whether you’re a new CEO, an experienced executive, or a leader guiding a team through change, this episode offers practical lessons on building trust, adapting to a shifting market, and leading with curiosity and self-awareness.

With decades of experience across CPG, private equity, and board leadership, Keith Bearden, CEO of Alter Eco Foods explains how he turned a great impact brand profitable.

Great for:

–Impact CEOS

–Turnarounds

–CPG Founders

If you enjoyed this episode, Real Leaders offer Advisory Boards for purpose-driven CEOs.

Schedule a discovery call today at: https://join.real-leaders.com/real-leaders-advisory-board

Leadership isn't just about strategy—it's about who you become.

In this episode of the Real Leaders Podcast, StoneAge Tools CEO, and Author of Talk with Trust, Kerry Siggins, shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy. 

From overcoming addiction and redefining her identity to building an employee-owned company rooted in accountability and trust, Kerry explains why self-leadership always comes before leading others.

You'll also learn:

• How to stop people pleasing as a leader

• Why identity determines your future more than goals

• The ownership mindset that transformed Kerry's life and company

• The SHARES framework for difficult conversations

• How to give feedback that's clear, kind, and helpful

• What authentic leadership really looks like in today's workplace

If you want to become the kind of leader people trust, register to attend Kerry's upcoming Masterclass on How to Talk with Trust here:

👉 https://join.real-leaders.com/kerry-siggins-masterclass

In this episode of the Real Leaders Podcast, Kevin Edwards sits down with Brenna Davis, CEO of Organically Grown Company, to explore what it means to lead with purpose in a world shaped by burnout, comparison, and constant change. Brenna shares why she wrote Leading Through Fire: Resilient Leadership for People, Planet, and the Future, and how clarity around purpose can help leaders show up with more energy, authenticity, and resilience.The conversation goes deep on the power of imperfection, the danger of perfectionism, and why real leadership starts with being excellent — not flawless.

Brenna also unpacks the innovative perpetual purpose trust model behind OGC, showing how businesses can protect mission, align stakeholders, and prove that financial performance and values-driven leadership can work together.

From organic agriculture and healthy food systems to consumer demand, sustainability, and the future of AI, this episode is a timely look at how mission-led companies can create lasting impact.

If you care about leadership, purpose, and the future of business, this one is for you.

Most leaders are stuck in command and control modes, afraid to get real about their toughest challenges. Kevin Edwards, CEO of Real Leaders, reveals how authentic peer groups—built on trust and vulnerability—are revolutionizing leadership and business success.

Discover how embracing emotional honesty, cultural diversity, and honest dialogue can reignite your organization's energy and connection, especially when pressure and uncertainty threaten to silence your team.

You'll learn:

• The transformative power of confidential forums where CEOs share their hopes, fears, and failures without judgment.
• How to cultivate a safe space that encourages genuine conversations about business fears, personal struggles, and bold decisions.
• The crucial routines that turn surface-level success into deep, actionable insights—like emotional check-ins and honest headwind discussions.
• Why leaders who prioritize authentic connection are the ones creating the most resilient, innovative organizations today.
• Practical steps to start or enhance your own peer groups, fostering a culture of trust and vulnerability that energizes your entire team.

If you're looking to join a forum of 8-10 Impact CEOs who meet once-a-month to get help with whatever is keeping you up at night please apply for membership at: https://real-leaders.com/membership

Most companies struggle to stay authentic while growing fast — but Ryan Megan’s story proves it’s possible to scale with humor, grit, and genuine camaraderie.

This episode reveals how a group of best friends turned a small idea into a billion-dollar brand, all while sticking to their core values and love for their community.

Ryan Megan, co-founder and CMO of Dude Products, shares the inside story of creating the category of men's flushable wipes from scratch. You'll discover how a $30,000 initial investment, creative marketing stunts, and relentless sampling helped them build a loyal, worldwide audience.

Ryan explains why authentic humor and a strong company culture are their secret weapons, enabling them to stand out in a crowded market.Perfect for founders, marketers, and anyone craving a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most fun and fast-growing CPG brands today.

If you're a CEO looking to get connected to leaders like Ryan, apply to join the Real Leaders Community at: https://real-leaders.com/membership

Most hospitality leaders focus on the guest experience — but real success starts from within. Agnelo Fernandes, CEO of Cote Hospitality, reveals how cultivating the right mindset, values, and perspectives can transform your organization from the inside out.

In this episode, Agnelo shares powerful stories of empathy and leadership that demonstrate why understanding and caring for your people is the secret to delivering exceptional service.

He explains how shifting your perspective can not only change your behavior but inspire your team and build lasting loyalty both inside your organization and with your guests. You'll discover:

• The core values that shape Agnelo’s leadership—love, humility, and making others feel valued—and how they influence his approach to hospitality
• Practical strategies for hiring, training, and empowering associates who embody a service excellence mindset
• How to leverage feedback, innovation, and technology—including AI—to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry
• The importance of disconnecting and recharging to lead with purpose and clarity in a high-pressure environment

Why does this matter? Because hospitality isn’t just about beautiful spaces or seamless check-ins—it's about creating genuine human connections. Leaders who understand this can turn challenges into opportunities, nurture loyalty, and build a resilient, forward-looking culture.Whether you're a hotelier, restaurateur, or aspiring leader, this episode offers unique insights on leading with authenticity, empathy, and vision. Agnelo’s perspective is a masterclass in aligning mindset with mission, helping you see beyond the immediate and unlock long-term success. Perfect for hospitality professionals committed to making a difference, or anyone looking to lead through service and purpose—this is your guide to transforming leadership from the inside out.

Join Brad Liskie, CEO of True Earth, as he shares how he transformed the cleaning industry with eco-friendly innovations. Discover the story behind True Earth's revolutionary laundry sheets and learn how to build a purpose-driven brand that disrupts the market.In this episode, you'll uncover:

• The secrets to creating a new product category.
• Strategies for attracting investors with ESG and social impact.
• Insights on scaling eco-friendly products in competitive markets.

Learn more about:

True Earth

Real Leaders

Perfect for entrepreneurs and sustainability advocates, this episode is your guide to turning purpose into profit.Links:Why this works:

In this episode Jay Wilkinson, Founder of the Do More Good Movement sheds light on the ROI of Why – how purpose-driven leadership out performs competitors when their "why" is at the center of what they do.

This podcast releases in anticipation of the upcoming "ROI of WHY" conference happening May 27-29th in Omaha, NE where leaders of the Do More Good Movement come together to exchange insights and connections to grow together.

Real Leaders will also be hosting an exclusive in-person confidential CEO peer advisory board session on Friday, May 29th for leaders who want to get help with navigating the everyday challenges they face.

Podcast subscribers can purchase their exclusive VIP tickets at: https://join.real-leaders.com/roi-of-why-registration

Don't wait and risk another year of trying to learn how to get an ROI on your WHY and join the Do More Good Movement leaders in Omaha!

Most entrepreneurs and sales reps lose deals because their company story doesn't connect. In this episode Don Yaeger, 13-Time NYT Best-Selling Author and 3-Time Real Leaders Top 50 Keynote Speaker whose written books with Walter Payton, Bubba Watson, Deion Sanders, selling over 7 million copies helps you fix your broken story by sharing is 10 principals of storytelling.

This episode was released in advance of Don's upcoming workshop called How to Master the Business of Storytelling where on May 7th, the first 50 registrants can gain free access to learn how to fix their stories to close more deals.

Register Now at: https://join.real-leaders.com/don-yaeger-masterclass