In this inspiring BOLT Podcast episode, Bob Burg—Hall of Fame speaker and coauthor of the international bestseller The Go-Giver—shares timeless lessons on leadership, influence, and success. From overcoming 24 publisher rejections to building a worldwide movement translated into 30+ languages, Bob emphasizes that sustainable success comes from authenticity, providing immense value, and leading with heart. Drawing wisdom from mentors like Dale Carnegie, Zig Ziglar, and his own father, Bob reveals that giving is not only the key to business growth but also to living a meaningful life. 

Highlights from the episode:

• Bob Burg and co-author John David Mann faced 24 rejections before their first Go-Giver book found a publisher
• The Go-Giver series focuses on shifting from a getting mindset to a giving mindset as a way of achieving success
• Bob's father was his first influence on understanding people skills and genuine care for others
• The Go-Giver Leader (originally titled "It's Not About You") demonstrates how title and positioning impact book sales
• Early adopters of the Go-Giver philosophy were already practicing these principles but needed the book to validate their approach
• Sustainable success comes from being laser-focused on providing value to others
• Bob's life motto: "Do your best to make everyone feel genuinely good about themselves."
• Leadership lesson from the book: "You can only lead as far as you can grow"

Bob Burg's Bio

For more than 30 years, Bob Burg has been equipping entrepreneurs, leaders, and sales professionals with the tools to build meaningful relationships, communicate their value, and accelerate growth. He’s the author of multiple bestselling books, including the sales classic Endless Referrals, but he’s best known as the coauthor of The Go-Giver series—a collection of parables that have sold over a million copies and have been translated into 30 languages.

Beyond his books, Bob leads The Go-Giver Academy and publishes the widely read Daily Impact email, helping people everywhere apply the principles of value, influence, and service. A passionate defender of free enterprise and a dedicated advocate for animal rescue, Bob continues to inspire us all to live, lead, and succeed the Go-Giver way.

https://burg.com/

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In this episode, we uncover how perfectionism can be a major obstacle to authentic leadership and growth. We explore the psychology behind perfectionism, how a fixed mindset stifles innovation, and introduce Positive Intelligence’s saboteurs like the Controller and Hyperachiever. Learn the beauty of wabi-sabi and discover practical strategies to shift from perfectionism to progress, including lessons from Thomas Edison’s failures and Seth Godin's MVP approach. The challenge: release a project you’ve been holding back because it's not perfect enough and take that first step toward growth.

Highlights from this episode:

• Perfection stifles creativity, risk-taking, and innovation
• Fixed mindset links perfectionism to viewing mistakes as failures
• Perfectionism creates a leadership environment that discourages failure and innovation
• Wabi-sabi celebrates beauty in imperfection and life's natural cycles
• The Controller and Hyperachiever saboteurs drive perfectionism, but can be overcome
• Edison’s 10,000 light bulb failures show how failure fuels innovation
• Four strategies to overcome perfectionism: progress, failure, experimentation, self-compassion
• Imperfect work (MVP model) is better than waiting for perfection

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Carolyn Cooper shares her life-changing journey from young sales professional to love-inspired leadership expert, revealing how bringing authentic love to business transforms organizations and leaders. Her powerful approach integrates decades of wisdom into practical frameworks that help individuals unleash their true potential and lead from the heart.

Highlights from this episode:

• Operating from the highest vibration of love creates flow, ease, and meaningful connection
• Perfectionism kills progress—releasing control leads to freedom and deeper alignment with purpose
• The Aim High System offers six powerful steps to transform leadership: truth, trust, value, vision, presence, and celebration
• Overcoming fear requires finding a personally meaningful reason that motivates change
• Leading with love isn't soft—it's the most powerful approach to creating sustainable success
• Small, consistent shifts in mindset and behavior create transformational change over time
• Building a support system is essential—we need others to see our truth and hold us accountable

Carolyn Cooper's Bio

Carolyn Cooper is the visionary guide behind the AIM High System and the Love Inspired Leadership Podcast. With four decades of expertise, she empowers leaders and visionaries to boldly unleash their authentic power. Her work ignites transformation, guiding others to let love lead, honor their truth, and create legacies with energy, purpose, and unapologetic courage.

• https://www.theinspiredconnection.ca/
• https://www.instagram.com/inspiredconnectioninc/
• https://www.facebook.com/InspiredBusinessDevelopment
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/inspiredbusinessdevelopment/ 

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In this episode, leadership expert Molly Ketcham explores how curiosity can be a transformative leadership skill, helping leaders build deeper connections and drive meaningful results. Molly shares her journey from corporate success to professional speaking, revealing how asking better questions, rather than having all the answers, can improve leadership effectiveness. She highlights the need for authentic connection, especially in a world where many employees and managers are disengaged. By discussing the distinction between fixed and growth mindsets, Molly provides practical strategies for using curiosity to foster stronger relationships, particularly in remote and hybrid work environments. Through her insights, she demonstrates that our natural curiosity—once a superpower as children—can be rekindled to enhance both our leadership and everyday experiences. 

Highlights from this episode:

• Curiosity exists on multiple levels, from gathering information to understanding values and tuning into others' emotional energy
• The transition from fixed to growth mindset often begins by rekindling the curiosity we all had as children
• Leaders who shift conversations from transactional to relational build stronger connections and more engaged teams
• Remote work environments require even greater curiosity to understand team members without non-verbal cues
• Genuine connection happens when you attune to others' energy and meet them where they are emotionally
• Using "I wonder" as a powerful tool to understand others' experiences and perspectives
• Smiling is scientifically proven to increase trustworthiness and can significantly impact interactions

Molly Ketcham's Bio

Molly works with people and organizations who want more influence—so they can motivate their teams and close more deals.

With two decades in the meetings and events industry, she’s led teams, negotiated multi-million-dollar contracts, and driven company growth—discovering along the way that success depends on how well we connect with others.

Now a keynote speaker and mastermind facilitator, Molly helps audiences harness curiosity to spark inspiration, build trust, and create meaningful connections. She’s a Distinguished Toastmaster, a member of the National Speakers Association, and President-Elect of NSA Ohio—on a mission to help people lead with curiosity and impact.

• Website: https://www.mollyketcham.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollyketcham/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molly_ketcham/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/molly.ketcham/ 
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mollyketcham

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Networking isn’t about business cards or small talk; it’s about human connection. In this episode, Frank Agin, founder of AmSpirit Business Connections and host of the NetworkingRx podcast, shares why he left a successful law career to help others build trust-based relationships that fuel success. Drawing on powerful stories, including one from anthropologist Margaret Mead, Frank explains why supporting others, even during their “broken femur” moments, leads to stronger, more resilient communities. He offers practical, heart-centered strategies for making networking feel natural, especially for introverts, and reframes platforms like LinkedIn as places to build relationships, not pitch products. Tune in to learn how leading with generosity can transform your network and your results. 

Highlights from this episode:

• Transitioning from corporate law to creating a networking organization based on meaningful connections
• The "healed femur" story and how it demonstrates why people seek trustworthy relationships in business
• Why introverts often have an advantage in networking because they're better listeners
• Volunteering for causes you care about as the best way to network authentically
• LinkedIn as a relationship-building tool rather than an advertising platform
• The "five-minute favor" concept and keeping a "giving journal" to track acts of service
• Asking "How can I help you?" at the end of conversations to cement relationships
• Finding ways to proactively help others without waiting to be asked

Frank Agin's Bio

Frank Agin is president of AmSpirit Business Connections, which empowers entrepreneurs, sales representatives, and professionals to become successful and gain more referrals through networking.

He also shares information and insights on professional relationships, business networking, and best practices for generating referrals on his Networking Rx podcast and through various professional programs.

Finally, Frank is the author of several books, including Foundational Networking: Creating Know, Like & Trust For A Lifetime of Extraordinary Success and The Three Reasons You Don’t Get Referrals. See all his books and programs at frankagin.com.

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Ben Hatta, former wrestler and Emmy-nominated producer, explores the intense rivalry between St. Edward and Walsh Jesuit in his documentary Clash of Dynasties. Growing up in a wrestling family, Ben's journey shaped his storytelling, revealing lessons about leadership and mentorship. A pivotal moment in the rivalry, when St. Edward's coach handed his playbook to rival coach Bill Barger, exemplifies true leadership and respect for opponents. Ben highlights how wrestling’s core principles, like resilience and determination, transfer to life’s challenges, emphasizing the importance of getting back up after setbacks. His mantra, "Energy is equal to desire and purpose," fuels his work and inspires others to connect with meaningful purpose.

Highlights from this episode:

• Wrestling teaches profound life lessons about resilience and self-reliance that transfer to all aspects of life
• The remarkable story of St. Edward's coach Howard Ferguson giving his "playbook" to rival coach Bill Barger
• How documentaries like Team Foxcatcher, Kurt Angle, and Clash of Dynasties preserve wrestling's important stories
• The moving moment when bitter rivals joined hands around the mat after a referee collapsed during competition
• Bill Barger's journey from making a promise to God in Vietnam to transforming lives through wrestling
• Creating a dynasty requires building a culture, developing a system, and passing knowledge to the next generation
• Ben's guiding principle: "Energy is equal to desire and purpose" fuels his documentary work

Check out Clash of Dynasties at ClashOfDynasties.com and follow Ben's upcoming projects, including documentaries on Ohio State football and the story of wrestling in Japan through his family's legacy.

Ben Hatta's Bio

Ben Hatta is best known for his work on popular shows like The Amazing Race, The Bachelor, and Hell's Kitchen, as well as acclaimed documentaries such as Team Foxcatcher and Angle. His latest project, Clash of Dynasties: St. Edward vs. Walsh Jesuit, dives into Ohio's fierce high school wrestling rivalry—a story Ben personally experienced as a former St. Edward wrestler. With a degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a background in NCAA Division one wrestling, Ben brings deep insights on resilience, leadership, and personal growth.

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Greta Johnson’s journey through public service is a powerful testament to trusting your gut and embracing life’s unexpected turns. Rooted in blue-collar values and shaped by her parents’ resilience, Greta has followed a “five-minute plan” mindset, focusing on excellence in the moment rather than rigid long-term goals. From prosecuting cases to becoming a state representative while raising twins, and now serving in Summit County administration, she has led with heart, intentionality, and courage. Her hard-earned wisdom around sustainability, “Resting is not quitting,” reminds us that meaningful impact starts with taking care of ourselves and others. 

Highlights from this episode:

• Growing up in a blue-collar family where both parents modeled hard work and sacrifice
• Following her intuition into law school after initially planning to become a high school English teacher
• Transitioning from prosecution to state politics when approached to run for office while raising one-year-old twins
• Discovering greater impact in local government as part of Summit County's administration
• Leading Summit County's groundbreaking lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors
• Developing an intentional leadership style that adapts to each team member's needs
• Recognizing that "resting is not quitting" after years of burnout from constant work
• Defining success as making meaningful contributions each day rather than achieving external accolades
• Advising young leaders to "trust your gut, always" and established leaders to maintain collaboration

Greta Johnson's Bio

Greta Johnson, brings a wealth of experience in public service, law, and advocacy. Greta has spent the last eight years serving as Director of Communications, Assistant Chief of Staff, and Public Information Officer for Summit County. Before that, she was a State Representative in the Ohio House, where she quickly rose to become the lead Democratic member of the Judiciary Committee. A former prosecutor with more than a decade of legal experience, Greta has been a fierce advocate for victims' rights, criminal justice reform, and equality for all. With multiple degrees from the University of Akron—including a JD and a Master’s in Higher Education—Greta continues to use her voice and influence to shape policy and serve the people of Ohio with passion, purpose, and integrity.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/greta-johnson-785964159/

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In this powerful episode, Denise Logan opens up about the emotional complexities of business exits, drawing from her own experience of struggling to leave a thriving practice. A former mental health professional and law firm founder, Denise reveals the raw, unsanitized truth of her journey, including a moment when she contemplated crashing her car to create a crisis that would justify her departure. She frames business transitions as emotional journeys, comparable to empty nesting, and emphasizes that entrepreneurs must address the deeper needs beyond money, such as structure, identity, and belonging, before deciding to exit. Denise's candid story and lessons learned, including her five-year RV adventure post-sale, offer transformative insights on navigating the profound personal shift of leaving a business, all while staying true to one's own path, even when it doesn't align with societal expectations.

Episode Highlights:

• Facing the inevitable truth that all entrepreneurs will eventually leave their businesses
• Understanding business exits as emotional transitions, not just financial transactions
• Recognizing the many needs work fulfills beyond money, from structure to self-worth
• Identifying at least 15 distinct benefits of business ownership to prepare for post-exit life
• Learning from Denise's personal "choppy exit" from her successful law firm
• Challenging conventional definitions of success that focus solely on money and scale
• Applying Jonathan Fields' concept of balancing market, product, and maker (you)
• Creating strategies to meet fundamental needs outside your business before selling
• Understanding how transitions trigger existential questions and identity challenges
• Avoiding the "social pegging" trap of defining yourself by how you earn money

Denise Logan's Bio

Denise Logan is the author of The Seller’s Journey and an expert on the emotional challenges business owners face when selling their companies. With a background as a lawyer, mental health professional, and business owner, Denise helps entrepreneurs navigate the complex emotional obstacles of business transitions. Drawing from her experience speaking to over 500 audiences globally, she provides key strategies to ensure a successful, regret-free business sale for both owners and advisors. 

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniselogan
• www.deniselogan.com

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In this insightful conversation, Peter Rea, founder of Better Humans, Better Performance, explains how virtue-based leadership drives measurable results. Drawing from his experience at Parker Hannifin, he shares research showing that 75% of performance variance comes from character, not cognitive ability. Peter explores the seven classical virtues and their application in leadership, highlighting gratitude as a key driver of engagement and performance. He also offers practical advice for parents and educators on focusing on character development. This conversation provides actionable tools for creating lasting positive change through virtue.

Highlights from the episode:

• The seven classical virtues (trust, compassion, courage, justice, wisdom, temperance, and hope) are universal across cultures and throughout history
• When implementing virtues at Parker Hannifin, teams saw engagement increases of 10-20% annually
• Gratitude practices showed the strongest impact on employee engagement and resilience
• Character issues account for 89% of employee terminations, while competence issues only account for 11%
• Neuroplasticity research confirms that "what we pay attention to and practice is who we become"
• Focusing on character and process rather than outcomes reduces anxiety and improves performance
• Better Humans, Better Performance nonprofit, offers resources and training for character-based leadership
• For children and teams, asking three questions promotes virtue: Were you brave? Were you kind? Did you learn from your mistakes?
• Practicing virtue with humility acknowledges that no one has earned the right to measure others

Peter Rea's Bio

Peter Rea is the founder of Better Humans. Better Performance, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals and teams thrive under pressure while guided by character and integrity. Peter brings a wealth of experience as the former Vice President of Integrity and Ethics at Parker Hannifin, and as a professor of business at Baldwin Wallace University. He has authored multiple influential publications, including Better Humans. Better Performance and Leading with Integrity. His career spans over two decades, combining leadership, ethics, and entrepreneurial insight, and he is passionate about creating lasting social and economic value through virtuous leadership. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Akron, an M.A. from Bowling Green State University, and a B.S. from Ohio University. He has completed postdoctoral studies in international marketing and business, marketing strategy, and entrepreneurship at the University of South Carolina, Memphis University, Carnegie Mellon, Duke, and MIT.

• Better Humans. Better Performance. https://7vs.org/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterjreaphd/ 

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John Bernanovich, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, author, and HR expert, challenges us to reframe how we talk about our full schedules during this deeply authentic conversation about purposeful living and transformational leadership. Drawing from his 25 years of entrepreneurial experience and his best-selling book "HR Like a Boss," John shares the pivotal mindset shifts that changed his approach to business and life. When he lost both parents in a compressed timeframe, he found himself questioning his purpose and ultimately discovered that true fulfillment comes from pouring into others rather than chasing sales or status. At its core, John's message is beautifully simple yet profound: what matters most isn't what we say or do, but how we make people feel. In a workplace often dominated by metrics and deadlines, creating environments where people feel valued, heard, and purposeful might be the most revolutionary leadership approach of all.

Onsights from this episode:

• Reframing "busy" as a blessing when your schedule is filled with purposeful work and meaningful connections
• Intentionally building genuine connections in a digital world through personal outreach, handwritten notes, and scheduled relationship time
• Putting people before profit by teaching employees how to understand financial statements and giving them greater ownership
• Leading with empathy by thanking people for sharing, truly listening, and offering presence rather than solutions
• Creating psychological safety at work through meaningful recognition, clear values, and treating colleagues like family
• Transforming workplace culture by focusing on how we make people feel, as this is what people truly remember

John Bernanovich's Bio

John is a family-first business leader, balancing roles as a husband, father, brother, coach, and competitive amateur golfer. In addition to being an entrepreneur, podcast host, keynote speaker, author, and HR expert, John is on a mission to make an impact by empowering leaders to transform how people feel at work. With a rich entrepreneurial history spanning 25 years, John has been at the helm of six business ventures. Currently serving as the president of Willory, a boutique staffing and consulting firm focused on HR and payroll, John's passion lies in elevating purpose-driven organizations to their full potential. 

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbernatovicz/ 
• https://johnbernatovicz.com/ 
• https://willory.com/ 

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