THE BOLT Podcast

THE BOLT Podcast

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THE BOLT Podcast episodes

  • Leading Into Tomorrow: 2026 HR Trends Shaping the Workplace with David Noe

    Burnout is rising, trust is fragile, and the old playbook of perks over people is running out of steam. In this episode, we sit down with David Noe, a trusted voice in HR, to unpack what actually drives engagement today, and what leaders must rethink as we head into 2026.

    We name the tension leaders feel every day: caring for people while still hitting targets. David shares the reset question every manager should ask, what makes your job harder than it needs to be, and how it quickly surfaces fixable blockers. From there, we explore why middle managers burn out first, how bloated spans of control erode trust, and why hybrid and flexible work are now baseline expectations, not perks. The throughline is clear: culture isn’t built by systems alone. Leadership behavior, clarity, and consistency set the tone, and when people feel seen, supported, and empowered, performance follows.

    Topics Discussed

    • Disengagement and burnout data framing today’s workplace reality
    • The top HR trends shaping 2026
    • Why trust and clarity are breaking down at work
    • Balancing care for people with performance expectations
    • Lessons from losing—and rebuilding—company culture
    • The power of asking: what makes work harder than it needs to be?
    • Manager span of control and why middle management burns out first
    • Hybrid and flexible work as a baseline expectation
    • Return-to-office pressure, tradeoffs, and role realities
    • Using surveys effectively: cadence, follow-through, and transparency
    • One-on-one questions that unlock insight and motivation
    • Empathy, EQ, and tailoring feedback to different people
    • Peer recognition and the ripple effect of saying “thank you”
    • Why behavior beats systems—and what gives hope for the future of work

      • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/2026-hr-trends-shaping-the-workplace-with-david-noe

      Thanks for listening! We appreciate you.

      Follow us at:

      • https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/ 
      • https://www.facebook.com/theboltwithtoddb 
      • https://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/ 
      • https://www.youtube.com/@theboltwithtoddb 

         ⚡ Ready to ignite lasting transformation in your team or event? Book me for keynotes, corporate training, or Positive Intelligence® coaching at ToddBertsch.com

        59 min
      • The Long Game of Leadership: Curiosity, Humility, and Impact with Harvey Nelson

        Season Two launches with Harvey Nelson, entrepreneur, mentor, and lifelong explorer, as we walk through the SPARK Framework (Curiosity, Mindset, Action, Growth, Impact) using stories that are funny, raw, and immediately practical. From hitchhiking across America to leading through real business crises, Harvey shares how small, repeatable choices build resilience, how focus and priority beat busyness, and why people-first leadership creates lasting success. You’ll leave with simple, doable moves: stack one-inch wins, take the next brave step, and let curiosity guide you to better questions and a bigger life.

        • Why curiosity lowers fear and opens doors.
        • Hitchhiking lessons: people, discomfort, and learning fast.
        • Small bets build risk tolerance and resilience over time.
        • People-first leadership, even helping great talent move on.
        • Crisis story: storm + freezer system failure and “next step” thinking.
        • Mental fitness in action: pause, reframe, choose a micro-action.
        • Priority over time: focus, say no, protect what matters.
        • Self-awareness tools: gratitude, visualization, and “rambling” writing.
        • Takeaway: one-inch wins and “be who you want to become.”
        • Closing line: “Life becomes what you make it—so make it be grand.”

          • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/the-long-game-of-leadership-with-harvey-nelson

          Thanks for listening! We appreciate you.

          Follow us at:

          • https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/ 
          • https://www.facebook.com/theboltwithtoddb 
          • https://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/ 
          • https://www.youtube.com/@theboltwithtoddb 

             ⚡ Ready to ignite lasting transformation in your team or event? Book me for keynotes, corporate training, or Positive Intelligence® coaching at ToddBertsch.com

            1 hr 6 min
          • Best of the BOLT: Leadership Wisdom That Ignited Season One (Part 2)

            We cap season one with a best-of collection on growth, resilience, and people-first leadership, stitching together the most impactful insights from several candid conversations. We share tools to clarify purpose, break free from restraints, recover well, and design a life you truly choose.

            Guests who were highlighted on this special episode:

            • Dan Flanagan: Redefining success through small wins and setbacks
            • John Geraghty: Clarifying purpose via values and natural gifts
            • Scott Hubble: People‑first leadership and the contagion of care
            • Kat Polsinelli: Solitude, self‑love, and belonging without silos
            • John Bernatovicz: Becoming selfish to become selfless for impact
            • Peter Rea: Weakening restraining forces to enable virtue
            • Denise Logan: Defining success your way
            • Greta Johnson: Rest and recovery as strength against burnout
            • Ben Hatta: Grit, 1% better, and transferable discipline
            • Frank Agin: Building real relationships
            • Molly Ketcham: Curiosity for deeper influence and connection 
            • Carolyn Cooper: Simplify to focus on what matters most
            • Bob Burg: Bringing immense value to the lives of others
            • Natalie Siston: Joy practices that raise satisfaction and output
            • Kemp Boyd: Being before doing to guide authentic action
            • Eric Collett: Brain health as hardware for focus and speed
            • Justin Hilton: Design a life with intention and clear goals
            • Dave Loomis: Customer outsight to serve before selling
            • Sam Falletta: Dignity and respect driving loyalty and performance

              • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/best-of-the-bolt-season-one-part-2

              Thanks for listening! We appreciate you.

              Follow us at:

              • https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/ 
              • https://www.facebook.com/theboltwithtoddb 
              • https://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/ 
              • https://www.youtube.com/@theboltwithtoddb 

                 ⚡ Ready to ignite lasting transformation in your team or event? Book me for keynotes, corporate training, or Positive Intelligence® coaching at ToddBertsch.com

                27 min
              • Best of the BOLT: Leadership Wisdom That Ignited Season One (Part 1)

                We celebrate a season dedicated to growth and service with a curated highlight reel on mindset, habits, leadership, and fulfillment. Guests share tools for tiny wins, deeper listening, sober clarity, and the discipline that turns choices into lasting change.

                Guests that were highlighted on this special episode:

                • Kristoffer Carter: Coaching As Heart Set And Meditation - View full episode
                • Todd Blyleven: Courage, Service, And Real Leadership - View full episode
                • Tiffany Lewis: Fulfillment, Motherhood, And Ambition - View full episode
                • Christine Hockman: One Degree Shifts Philosophy - View full episode
                • Scott J. Allen: Who You Are Is How You Lead - View full episode
                • Jason Winkler: Vulnerability, Ownership, And Trust - View full episode
                • Tracy Jepson: Build A Business Not A Job - View full episode
                • Travis Bornstein: Leadership, Advocacy, and Healing - View full episode
                • Dr. Laura Aldape: Rewiring Mindsets At The Mental Gym - View full episode
                • Kenneth Coach Jo-Jo Smith: Chase The Journey Not The Odds - View full episode
                • Dr. Nate Salah: Servant Leadership: Listen, Empathize, Heal - View full episode
                • Lori Saitz: Gratitude As Felt Joy - View full episode
                • Janice Porter: Networking That Starts With Follow Up - View full episode
                • Michael Levitt: Growth Over Comfort And Self Care - View full episode
                • Dan Flowers: Character And Long Relationships - View full episode
                • Amy Wong: Tiny Wins And Celebrating Momentum - View full episode
                • Josh Phelan: Strategic Health And Risk Management - View full episode
                • Lei Wang: Leadership Lessons from the Edge - View full episode
                • Marc Majers: If You Stop Learning, You Stop Leading - View full episode

                  • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/best-of-the-bolt-season-one-part-1

                  Thanks for listening! We appreciate you.

                  Follow us at:

                  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/ 
                  • https://www.facebook.com/theboltwithtoddb 
                  • https://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/ 
                  • https://www.youtube.com/@theboltwithtoddb 

                     ⚡ Ready to ignite lasting transformation in your team or event? Book me for keynotes, corporate training, or Positive Intelligence® coaching at ToddBertsch.com

                    31 min
                  • The Spark Behind Great Workplaces: Sam Falletta on Leadership, Change, and Culture

                    Sam Falletta went from a four-cubicle call center to president, owner, and leader of a values-driven sale. In this episode, he breaks down how he built an award-winning culture by focusing on what employees truly need: strengths-based leadership, real-life support, meaningful incentives, and coaching that shifts mindsets.

                    We explore why most engagement efforts fall flat, how culture changes in a remote world, and the personal reasons behind his decision to step back and choose presence over pressure.

                    We close with Capiches, his collection of bite-sized life lessons inspired by his dad. This episode is packed with practical insight for leaders who want to build trust, retain talent, and create workplaces that genuinely work.

                    What we discuss in this episode:

                    • Choosing a scrappy start over a safe path
                    • Leading with dignity and measurable outcomes
                    • Engagement vs turnover and Maslow’s reality
                    • Redesigning incentives to match real needs
                    • On-site counseling and appreciative inquiry
                    • Pay-for-performance and client-aligned metrics
                    • Remote work’s cultural costs and fixes
                    • How and why to choose the right buyer
                    • Capicias as a community for life lessons

                      • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/sam-falletta-on-leadership-change-culture/

                      Thanks for listening! We appreciate you.

                      Follow us at:

                      • https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/ 
                      • https://www.facebook.com/theboltwithtoddb 
                      • https://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/ 
                      • https://www.youtube.com/@theboltwithtoddb 

                         ⚡ Ready to ignite lasting transformation in your team or event? Book me for keynotes, corporate training, or Positive Intelligence® coaching at ToddBertsch.com

                        1 hr 2 min
                      • The Curious Leader with Dave Loomis: Lessons from 10,000 Conversations

                        In this episode of The BOLT Podcast, Dave Loomis, founder of Loomis Marketing and author of Customer Outsight, shares powerful lessons from conducting over 10,000 customer interviews. Drawing from decades of experience with Fortune 500 companies, Dave explores how curiosity, empathy, and active listening can transform leadership and organizational growth. Together, we unpack what it truly means to lead with outsight—seeing beyond yourself to better understand, connect, and inspire those you serve.

                        What we discuss in this episode:

                        • Nonlinear career paths shaping service mindset
                        • Value of executive coaching and accountability
                        • Servant leadership as a growth advantage
                        • Customer Outsight and the four Fs framework
                        • How to plan and run open interviews
                        • Finding gemstones and using AI for analysis
                        • Turning insights into clear messaging and offers
                        • Leadership lessons on integrity and initiative

                          • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/the-curious-leader-with-dave-loomis

                          Thanks for listening! We appreciate you.

                          Follow us at:

                          • https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/ 
                          • https://www.facebook.com/theboltwithtoddb 
                          • https://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/ 
                          • https://www.youtube.com/@theboltwithtoddb 

                             ⚡ Ready to ignite lasting transformation in your team or event? Book me for keynotes, corporate training, or Positive Intelligence® coaching at ToddBertsch.com

                            1 hr
                          • First, Next, Only: Trailblazing Leadership with Justin Hilton

                            In this powerful episode, Leadership Akron President and CEO Justin Hilton joins host Todd Bertsch to explore what it truly means to be a trailblazer. From his journey as the first African-American architect intern under Robert P. Madison to his leadership across higher education, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, Justin shares lessons on courage, context, and curiosity. He opens up about vulnerability, faith, mentorship, and the power of designing not just a career—but a life. A conversation filled with wisdom, humility, and hope for the next generation of leaders. 

                            Discussion points from this episode:

                            • People over tasks as a transferable leadership principle
                            • Building a personal board for wisdom, peers, and service
                            • The legacy of Robert P. Madison and the gift of belief
                            • Reframing sleep disorder and limits into resilience
                            • Redefining success as who you become in pursuit
                            • Using design thinking to architect your life
                            • Art, vulnerability, and meeting your past self
                            • Practical steps to schedule your inner circle
                            • Mental fitness tools for stress, clarity, and growth

                              • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/trailblazing-leadership-with-justin-hilton

                              Thanks for listening! We appreciate you.

                              Follow us at:

                              • https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/ 
                              • https://www.facebook.com/theboltwithtoddb 
                              • https://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/ 
                              • https://www.youtube.com/@theboltwithtoddb 

                                 ⚡ Ready to ignite lasting transformation in your team or event? Book me for keynotes, corporate training, or Positive Intelligence® coaching at ToddBertsch.com

                                1 hr 3 min
                              • Brain Health as a Leadership Advantage with Eric Collett

                                What if what looks like “bad behavior” is really a brain problem, not a character flaw? In this episode, I sit down with Eric Collett, CEO of A Mind For All Seasons, to explore how energy, inflammation, and brain health shape our focus, mood, and leadership performance. We unpack why fixing your “hardware” matters more than adding new “software,” and how small, science-backed shifts—like improving sleep, managing stress, and fueling your brain right—can deliver life-changing results. Eric shares practical strategies anyone can start today, from “exercise snacks” and hormetic stressors to novel learning habits that forge new neural pathways. Whether you’re a caregiver, founder, or leader seeking clarity, this episode is your roadmap to peak performance now and lasting brain health for the future.

                                Topics from this episode:

                                • Reframing behavior as a brain health signal
                                • Defining brain and cognitive health with simple language
                                • Recognizing early symptoms vs normal aging
                                • Hope-oriented care for dementia and caregivers
                                • Hardware vs software: fixing energy before tactics
                                • Hormesis: cold, heat, fasting, strength for resilience
                                • Lifestyle pillars: sleep, exercise, novelty, stress mastery
                                • The hidden role of dental health and inflammation
                                • Biomarkers that guide nutrition and supplementation
                                • Balancing rigidity with flexibility for consistency
                                • Curiosity, better questions, and journaling
                                • Why great fiction sharpens leadership and empathy
                                • The enhanced protocol: measure, learn, apply, adjust

                                  • Thanks for listening! We appreciate you.

                                  Follow us at:

                                  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/ 
                                  • https://www.facebook.com/theboltwithtoddb 
                                  • https://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/ 
                                  • https://www.youtube.com/@theboltwithtoddb 

                                     ⚡ Ready to ignite lasting transformation in your team or event? Book me for keynotes, corporate training, or Positive Intelligence® coaching at ToddBertsch.com

                                    1 hr 11 min
                                  • Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders with Kemp Boyd

                                    Kemp Boyd, executive director, pastor, coach, and community leader, shares how true leadership comes not from what we do, but from who we are. Through powerful stories of resilience, mental health advocacy, and his HOT philosophy (Humble, Open, Transparent), Kemp reveals how authenticity, vulnerability, and mentorship can transform families, teams, and communities. 

                                    • Moving from a "doing" culture to a "being" culture starts with understanding who you are first
                                    • True vulnerability means being the best version of yourself without concern for the outcome
                                    • Managing multiple roles requires intention, communication, and strong support systems
                                    • Mental Health First Aid training equips leaders to recognize and respond to struggles in others
                                    • Coaching young men means addressing their emotional needs before athletic performance
                                    • Pain that isn't transformed gets transmitted to others - we must name our wounds to heal
                                    • Building bridges in communities means being willing to get "walked on by both sides"
                                    • Self-care is essential - physical health directly impacts mental and emotional well-being
                                    • The "HOT" leadership approach: Humble, Open, and Transparent

                                      • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/inspiring-the-next-generation-of-leaders-with-kemp-boyd

                                      Thanks for listening! We appreciate you.

                                      Follow us at:

                                      • https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/ 
                                      • https://www.facebook.com/theboltwithtoddb 
                                      • https://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/ 
                                      • https://www.youtube.com/@theboltwithtoddb 

                                         ⚡ Ready to ignite lasting transformation in your team or event? Book me for keynotes, corporate training, or Positive Intelligence® coaching at ToddBertsch.com

                                        1 hr 9 min
                                      • How to Reclaim Who You’ve Always Been with Natalie Siston

                                        Todd and Natalie dive into Positive Intelligence (PQ) as a practical operating system for mental fitness—using the pause to shift from negative reactivity to wise response. Natalie traces her journey from Silicon Valley and the Fortune 100 to entrepreneurship, shares the origin of her bestselling book Let Her Out, and explains how pausing, presence, and rediscovering what you loved as a kid unlock confidence and authentic leadership. The episode closes with a guided two-minute PQ practice that listeners can replay anytime.

                                        Insights & takeaways

                                        • Mental fitness, defined: PQ = your ability to respond to life’s challenges with a positive (not negative) mindset; it’s trainable through daily reps, not toxic positivity.
                                        • The power of the pause: Build an internal “pause button” to create space between trigger and response (Viktor Frankl), reducing reactivity at work and at home.
                                        • Hot-stove metaphor: Feel negative emotion briefly as a signal—then remove your “hand” and shift with a 10-second sensory PQ rep (breath, fingertip ridges, sounds).
                                        • Sage perspective: Train yourself to eventually find the gift and opportunity in any situation; it’s a long game, not an instant reframe.
                                        • Let Her Out, the movement: Born from old journals and a rejected TEDx pitch → became a keynote, a book, and now live events helping overtaxed women pause and reconnect.
                                        • Coaching theme Natalie sees: Leaders often forget what’s truly important to them; clarity work restores confidence and opens doors to the right opportunities.
                                        • Ask for support: Advocate for company-sponsored coaching; confidentiality (ICF ethics) enables deeper, more transformative conversations.
                                        • Practical prompt: “What did you love doing when you were younger that you’re not doing today?”—then schedule one small action to reintroduce it.
                                        • Team benefit: Raising individual joy and presence lifts performance, relationships, and resilience across the organization.
                                        • Resources mentioned: Positive Intelligence (program/app), The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks; 4-H’s “head, heart, hands, health” as Natalie’s early leadership roots.
                                        • Do-along moment: A replayable, two-minute guided PQ practice at the end of the episode to restore calm and focus.

                                          • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/how-to-reclaim-who-youve-always-been-with-natalie-siston

                                          Thanks for listening! We appreciate you.

                                          Follow us at:

                                          • https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/ 
                                          • https://www.facebook.com/theboltwithtoddb 
                                          • https://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/ 
                                          • https://www.youtube.com/@theboltwithtoddb 

                                             ⚡ Ready to ignite lasting transformation in your team or event? Book me for keynotes, corporate training, or Positive Intelligence® coaching at ToddBertsch.com

                                            1 hr 1 min

                                          About THE BOLT Podcast

                                          From the publisher's feed

                                          A leadership and personal growth podcast exploring how to navigate change, build mental fitness, and choose growth over comfort. Real conversations with leaders who turned insight into action and…