There’s something powerful about watching someone lead with both courage and calm, especially when everything around them feels uncertain. The kind of leader who doesn’t chase recognition or perfection, but instead stays anchored to purpose, faith, and the people they serve. Because when you’re building something that’s never been done before, doubt is inevitable, but so is growth. True leadership isn’t about having all the answers or never taking risks; it’s about having the vision to keep going when no one else can see the path forward.

In this episode of Rethink Change, Jason Jennaro shares what it truly takes to scale a vision bigger than yourself. He opens up about the challenges of leading through crisis when the future is uncertain, how to keep moving when everyone else doubts your vision, and finding the right partners who can take your mission even further. From weathering a 95% revenue drop during COVID-19 to navigating cultural integration post-acquisition, Jason’s journey shows us what true leadership looks like under pressure.

But beyond the strategy and success stories, Jason reflects on faith as his compass, the responsibility leaders have to the people who trust them, and the conviction that business should always serve something larger than profit. 

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or builder of any kind, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, risk, and purpose in a rapidly changing world.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro to Guest: Jason Jennaro

02:05 - The Art of Selling a Company

04:13 - Protecting Culture During Acquisition

07:33 - Passion Over Profit and Leadership Philosophy

11:30 - Learning Through Crisis: COVID-19’s Impact

1​​6:44 - FrontierGen: Building the Future of Infrastructure

27:38 - Why Texas Is Ground Zero for AI Development

37:12 - Faith, Purpose, and the Bigger Picture

Topics Discussed: 

• How passion and purpose drive sustainable success far beyond financial gain
• The critical role of surrounding yourself with complementary talent
• Why mistakes and failures are necessary lessons of innovation
• How Jason Jennaro navigated uncertainty during COVID-19
• Recognizing the importance of taking risks as an entrepreneur
• The role of faith in Jason’s entrepreneurial journey
• Turning rejection into momentum when you’re building something new
• 
  

Connect with Jason Jennaro: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-jennaro-8b23b8/

About Rethink Change:

When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.

Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations reveal what actually works, enabling you to think differently and act smarter.

Get Connected with Rethink Change:

• Website: https://www.pennebaker.com/podcast
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennebaker/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pennebakerbrand
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/pennebaker.bsky.social
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennebakeragency/