Success Stories with Steve Cross

Failure doesn’t have to be final; it can be one of the most powerful tools for growth and leadership. In this conversation, Adam Hickman shares how documenting his own failures for years has shaped not only his personal journey but also how he develops and leads others. From creating a safe space for mistakes to fostering a culture of learning, Adam’s insights will challenge the way you think about leadership and success.

About Our Guest

Adam Hickman is a leadership expert with a passion for transforming how organizations think about development and culture. With years of experience in executive leadership, coaching, and research-driven talent strategies, Adam currently works with Disney Partners, leading initiatives that enhance employee engagement and team performance. His unique approach blends academic expertise, practical leadership skills, and real-world experience in guiding teams through growth and change.

About Success Stories

Welcome to Success Stories, the official podcast from the growth-obsessed team at iSynergy. Each episode dives deep into candid conversations with CEOs, founders, and business leaders who are building, scaling, and thriving across a variety of industries.

Through real-world insights, hard-won lessons, and inspiring strategies, we uncover what’s driving today’s top performers and how they’re shaping the future of their businesses. From scrappy startups to established enterprises, these stories go beyond surface-level wins to explore the mindset, habits, and decisions behind real success.

Hosted by iSynergy CEO Steve Cross, this podcast was built for growth-minded professionals who crave authenticity, actionable takeaways, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to succeed.

👉 Subscribe to the channel and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.

💡 For more about iSynergy and how we help brands grow through strategic digital marketing, visit https://isynergy.io/connect/.

In this episode of Success Stories, host Steve Cross sits down with Ed Kiernan, founder of Stream Engine, to dive into his incredible journey, from building a career in sports marketing and entertainment to pioneering cutting-edge AI technology with real-world applications in defense, intelligence, and law enforcement.

Ed shares how growing up in Northeast Ohio shaped his grit, the lessons learned from building and selling multiple agencies, and how his latest venture evolved from solving problems in esports streaming to developing dual-use technology that can protect lives worldwide.

About Our Guest

Ed Kiernan is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Stream Engine, a technology company developing advanced AI-powered tools for real-time streaming analysis with applications in advertising, military intelligence, and law enforcement. With over 25 years of experience across sports marketing, entertainment, and tech, Ed has built and sold multiple agencies, partnered with top global brands, and now leads one of the most promising startups to emerge from the pandemic era.

About Success Stories

Welcome to Success Stories, the official podcast from the growth-obsessed team at iSynergy. Each episode dives deep into candid conversations with CEOs, founders, and business leaders who are building, scaling, and thriving across a variety of industries.

Through real-world insights, hard-won lessons, and inspiring strategies, we uncover what’s driving today’s top performers and how they’re shaping the future of their businesses. From scrappy startups to established enterprises, these stories go beyond surface-level wins to explore the mindset, habits, and decisions behind real success.

Hosted by iSynergy CEO Steve Cross, this podcast was built for growth-minded professionals who crave authenticity, actionable takeaways, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to succeed.

👉 Subscribe to the channel and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.

💡 For more about iSynergy and how we help brands grow through strategic digital marketing, visit https://isynergy.io/connect/.

From Washington, D.C. to leading Ohio’s tech future — Chris Berry’s story is one of leadership, resilience, and building something from scratch. In this episode, he shares how OhioX is connecting innovators, growing opportunity, and shaping the state’s technology landscape.

In this episode of Success Stories with Steve Cross, we sit down with Chris Berry, President & CEO of OhioX, to dive into his journey from growing up in Akron, Ohio, to working in Washington D.C., and eventually leading Ohio’s statewide technology trade association.

We cover everything from his early passion for history and government, lessons learned from politics, and what it takes to start an organization from scratch, to the future of Ohio’s technology sector and the opportunities to keep talent in the state. Chris also shares candid insights on leadership, servant leadership, and how he approaches challenges while building something new.

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, technology, or Ohio’s growing innovation ecosystem, this episode is packed with wisdom and perspective you won’t want to miss.

About Our Guest

Chris Berry is the President and CEO of OhioX, a nonprofit trade association dedicated to building Ohio into a top tech hub. Under his leadership, OhioX connects, promotes, and advocates for the state’s technology community, bringing together startups, corporations, government, and educators to drive innovation.

About Success Stories

Welcome to Success Stories, the official podcast from the growth-obsessed team at iSynergy. Each episode dives deep into candid conversations with CEOs, founders, and business leaders who are building, scaling, and thriving across a variety of industries.

Through real-world insights, hard-won lessons, and inspiring strategies, we uncover what’s driving today’s top performers and how they’re shaping the future of their businesses. From scrappy startups to established enterprises, these stories go beyond surface-level wins to explore the mindset, habits, and decisions behind real success.

Hosted by iSynergy CEO Steve Cross, this podcast was built for growth-minded professionals who crave authenticity, actionable takeaways, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to succeed.

👉 Subscribe to the channel and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.

💡 For more about iSynergy and how we help brands grow through strategic digital marketing, visit https://isynergy.io/connect/.

Welcome back to Success Stories! In this episode, we sit down with Lindsay Kaplan, co-founder of Chief, the groundbreaking executive network designed to connect and support women leaders.

From her early days in book publishing to becoming the first employee at Casper and eventually co-founding Chief, Lindsay shares her non-linear journey to entrepreneurship and leadership.

If you’ve ever wondered how to build something that truly strikes a nerve in the market (or how to lead without burning out), this is for you.

About Our Guest

Lindsay Kaplan is the co-founder of Chief, the premier executive network for women, valued at over $1 billion. Before launching Chief, she was the first employee at Casper, helping build the brand into a household name. A creative at heart and an English major turned entrepreneur, Lindsay has become a leader in brand strategy, community building, and early-stage investing. Today, she serves on the Chief’s board of directors while advising and investing in startups.

About Success Stories

Welcome to Success Stories, the official podcast from the growth-obsessed team at iSynergy. Each episode dives deep into candid conversations with CEOs, founders, and business leaders who are building, scaling, and thriving across a variety of industries.

Through real-world insights, hard-won lessons, and inspiring strategies, we uncover what’s driving today’s top performers and how they’re shaping the future of their businesses. From scrappy startups to established enterprises, these stories go beyond surface-level wins to explore the mindset, habits, and decisions behind real success.

Hosted by iSynergy CEO Steve Cross, this podcast was built for growth-minded professionals who crave authenticity, actionable takeaways, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to succeed.

👉 Subscribe to the channel and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.

💡 For more about iSynergy and how we help brands grow through strategic digital marketing, visit https://isynergy.io/connect/.