When we look at buildings, software, or complex mechanical systems, we admire the elegance of their architecture. We see load-bearing structures, intentional blueprints, and the technology running seamlessly behind the scenes. But somewhere along the way, we often forget that human life, relationships, and organizations operate under those exact same universal laws of design.

Today, I’m taking a philosophical deep dive with Bayo Fodeke, President and Co-Founder at Focal Groove. While many know Bayo for media and creative work, his roots and mindset are grounded in building, technology, and systems architecture.

In this episode, we explore life, leadership, and connection through the lens of a builder. We examine how systems thinking reframes emotional friction, how assessments and diagnostic tools act as engineering schematics for teams, and how living the RESET Model, Method, and Mindset allows us to intentionally re-engineer our relationships when the pressure is on. Let’s dive in!"

Show Notes

"Ideas are cheap. It's what you do nextthat counts."

Strucural Stress

Team Dynamics

Leadership

Open Source vis - a - vis Competitive Edge

Your Story Is Your Wisdom

Sharing of Failures

See Differences As Strengths

Only Way Out is Through

Imposter Syndrome

Links 

Cabarrus Chamber

Flywheel Coworking

RESET Your Buttons

S.T.A.R. Resources 

Focal Groove/Groove Studio

Music

"Adventures" by A Himitsu

John Fuller of Phoenixfire introduces his "Systems" approach to brand, marketing, and technology, and discusses the friction audit process. 

SHOW NOTES 

Accountability and results

Trust, conflict, and commitment

Silos

Culture and core values

Relationship between culture and brand

Emotional intelligence

The RESET Model

Core values

DiSC

Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team

LINKS

Phoenixfire

RESET Your Buttons

S.T.A.R. Resources

HGC

Focal Groove

Groove Studios

Flywheel Coworking

 MUSIC

"Adventures" by A Himitsu

 Mary Elizabeth and her guest John F. Edwards, CSP, take a deep dive into John's drawing on his experience in leading, learning and executive development initiatives at Fortune 100 organizations and how he combines neuroscience , practical business experience and just enough humor to keep your prefrontal cortex awake. 

SHOW NOTES

Passion, purpose, and calling

VUCA

Expectations

Leadership Futurist

Spot your lighthouse

The spotter's view

Leadership in the fog

Relationships

"Disruption in now the standard"

"What's the best way to go through disruptions, not just survive in it"

"You'll get farther faster and easier when you have help"

"It's not about being the smartest person in the room, it's about bringing out the smartness in everyone in the room"

LINKS

The Edwards Group

ATD Charlotte

NSA Carolinas

AENC Carolinas

RESET Your Buttons

S.T.A.R. Resources

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Focal Groove

Groove Studio

MUSIC

"Adventures" by A Himitsu

Kathryn Short lets her graciousness and joy shine through as she describes the tools and mindsets she uses in her positions on several non-profit boards simultaneously. Kathryn opens up about what it actually looks like to volunteer your way into leadership,  learning when to roll off and protect your own 1,440 minutes a day. She talks about stepping into the role of incoming chair for FUEL (the 40-and-under arm of AENC) this September, and taking on president-elect for the MPI Carolina's chapter this year with a full term as president landing in 2028.

 SHOW NOTES

"If there's a way it's already been done, we don't have to redo it"

" (to be) ...  A good leader, be on the board of a volunteer organization"

" The more you put into something, the more you get out of it"

" In doing good, we feel good"

The 2% truth

You get 1440 minutes a day

LINKS

MPI

Visit Raleigh

ATD Charlotte

Crescent Videos

Charlotte Motor Speedway

K1 Racing Embassy Suites

Great Wolf Lodge

Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

RESET Your Buttons

S.T.A.R. Resources

Focal Groove

Groove Studio

 MUSIC

"Adventures" by A Himitsu

Mary Elizabeth welcomes Kathryn Short, National Sales Manager of Visit Raleigh, Certified Meeting Professional, and a wonderful woman who is said to have a Seer's Heart

SHOW NOTES

The Year of Yes

Emotional Triggers

Seer's Heart

Claim Your Best Self

Be Your Authentic Self

40 Under 40

Soulful Recognition

LINKS

AENC

Visit Raleigh

AENC Fuel 

RESET Your Buttons

S.T.A.R. Resources

The Groove Studio

Focal Groove

MUSIC

"Adventures" by A Himitsu

Katie Paige speaks to how she used her experience and willingness to seek assistance as she began a completely new career path in a position she knew little about, and had a blank page to work with. 

SHOW NOTES

"The secret sauce isn't what we do, it's who we are"

"A safe place to fail leads to an opportunity to grow"

Role clarity

Vision

Company culture

Investment in employees

Work-life balance

Links

Hoopaugh Grading

Cooperative Christian Ministry

 S.T.A.R. Resources

Reset Your Buttons

Focal Groove

Groove Studio

Flywheel Coworking

Music:

"Adventures" by A Himitsu

Sara Freeman of Flywheel Coworking takes us on her journey through challenging and diverse career moves, and discusses the  RESETS she has utilized to manage and grow with her decisions. 

SHOW NOTES

Humanitarianism

Relationships

Community

SMERF

The RESET Model

Connections

DiSC

LINKS

Flywheel Coworking

Explore Cabarrus

Tutti's

Groove Studio

Focal Groove

RESET Your Buttons

NC Rivers & Ridges

MUSIC

"Adventures" by A Himitsu

This episode features Mary Elizabeth with Mark Shropshire of Focal Groove as they discuss rebuilding and resetting - in  life as well as in business.

SHOW NOTES

Overcoming Obstacles

Goal Setting

The Balance Wheel of Life

Personal and Professional Relationships

The RESET Model

Paying It Forward

LINKS

Flywheel Coworking

Focal Groove

Groove Studio

Phoenixfire Solutions

RESET Your Buttons

S.T.A.R. Resources

UNCC

MUSIC

"Adventures" by A Himitsu

 In this episode, Mary Elizabeth discusses with Floyd Isley his life in hospitality and the trials and tribulations that come along with that, and how he overcomes them.

SHOW NOTES

The Saboteur

Hospitality

PTSD in the workplace

"I have to" v. "I get to"

Do I stay, or do I go

What is important you, is just as important to me

Meeting expectations

We are all walking each other home

LINKS

Cabarrus Visitors Bureau

Embassy Suites

Focal Groove

Groove Studio

 S.T.A.R. Resources

 RESET Your Buttons

RESET Your Buttons Book

MUSIC

"Adventures" by A Himitsu

In a first for Mary Elizabeth, normally the interviewer, Mark Shropshire of Focal Groove takes her on the journey through her career as a learning and development professional, certified systems coach, consultant,  and creator of the RESET model

SHOW NOTES

How to RESET

Leading a non-profit v. private enterprise

Every button can be RESET

The RESET acronym

"I have to" v. "I get to"

90 Day Sprint

LINKS 

RESET Your Buttons

Focal Groove

S.T.A.R. Resources

RESET Your Buttons Book

Groove Studio

MUSIC 

"Adventures" by A Himitsu