THE BOLT Podcast

THE BOLT Podcast

By WRKdefined Podcast NetworkBusinessEducationSelf-ImprovementCareers
Download on the App Store

THE BOLT Podcast episodes

  • Shattering Silence: Kat Polsinelli on Breaking Free from Abuse and Finding Empowerment

    Kat Polsinelli’s journey from darkness to light exemplifies the remarkable human ability to not only survive but thrive after trauma. From childhood performances that built her confidence to surviving a decade-long abusive relationship, single motherhood at 16, and PTSD, Kat’s path is one of resilience and transformation. The conversation explores her pivotal moment of awakening when she saw her son mimicking the harmful behaviors of her abuser, igniting her decision to reclaim her identity. Kat redefines trauma, offering a practical approach to setting boundaries and nurturing self-worth. Through her business, The Lotus Effect, she embodies the belief that while we all face "mud" in life, we have the power to grow through it. This conversation provides profound insights into trauma, healing, and resilience, offering listeners a sense of connection and hope on their own transformative journeys.

    Highlights from this episode:

    • Performing on stage as a child singer provided early comfort with public speaking that serves Kat now as a keynote speaker
    • Becoming a single mother at 16 while maintaining academic excellence demonstrated early resilience
    • Witnessing her son mimic her abuser's behavior created the pivotal moment that sparked her journey to leave
    • Understanding that trauma comes in many forms beyond catastrophic events—even small criticisms can create lasting impacts
    • Setting boundaries is about creating standards for yourself rather than controlling others' behaviors
    • Creating space between requests and your responses helps maintain healthy boundaries
    • The Lotus Effect symbolizes rising from muddy circumstances to create something beautiful through intentional growth
    • Leading with empathy and curiosity rather than judgment transforms relationships
    • Finding strength through difficult circumstances often comes from focusing on who you're becoming for others
    • You're not alone in your struggles—everyone experiences their version of being "in the mud"

      • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/episode-32-breaking-free-from-abuse-and-finding-empowerment-with-kat-polsinelli/

      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

        47 min
      • Building Niche Powerhouses: Leadership, Growth, and Positivity with Scott Hubble

        Scott Hubble is an entrepreneurial leader who has transformed niche RV companies into industry powerhouses through market insight, people-focused leadership, and resilience. With a background in accounting, law, and business, Scott revolutionized the teardrop trailer market by blending European design with Amish craftsmanship, turning a stagnant product into a thriving business at nuCamp . His leadership philosophy centers around the belief that "people matter most," fostering cultures of innovation and care that drive success. Now, with Awaken RV, Scott is applying his approach to disrupt the molded fiberglass trailer market. Despite personal challenges, his "forward-failing" mindset drives his belief that setbacks are opportunities for growth. His journey inspires others to embrace uncertainty, pursue curiosity, and challenge norms to create meaningful change. 


        Highlights from this episode:

        • Turned boutique RV companies into powerhouses by combining European design aesthetics with Amish craftsmanship
        • Experienced personal hardships, including financial struggles, house fire, and family health challenges that built resilience
        • Developed "people matter most" leadership philosophy that prioritizes caring relationships over products or profits
        • Created innovative manufacturing techniques using composite materials for durability and quality
        • Founded Awaken RV to fill a $40,000 gap in the molded fiberglass trailer market
        • Practices "forward failing" – turning setbacks into learning opportunities that move you ahead
        • Values intentional leadership with scheduled time for connecting with team members
        • Champions the mantra "the answer is always yes until it is no" when facing challenges

          • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/episode-31-building-niche-powerhouses-leadership-growth-positivity-with-scott-hubble/

          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

            57 min
          • Turning Pain into Purpose: Leadership, Sobriety, and Mental Health with Dan Flanagan

            Dan Flanagan’s journey from addiction, family mental health struggles, and professional setbacks to one of purpose, service, and joy offers a powerful roadmap for transformation. Starting as a sales rep at Group Management Services, Dan faced personal challenges that eventually led him to re-evaluate his life. It wasn’t until May 2019 that he reached a breaking point with alcoholism. Committing to sobriety, now approaching six years, Dan’s foundation in faith and a "one day at a time" mindset has transformed his life. His family’s ongoing mental health struggles inspired him to co-found the Brain Enrichment Initiative (BEI), which offers a 16-week brain wellness curriculum in schools, empowering students to address emotional health proactively. Dan’s story highlights how our darkest moments can become catalysts for positive change and purpose, creating ripples that extend far beyond our own lives.

            Highlights of this episode:

            • Achieving nearly six years of sobriety after hitting rock bottom in May 2019
            • Growing up with a father battling clinical depression and a brother with schizoaffective disorder
            • Founding the Brain Enrichment Initiative (BEI) to give students proactive mental wellness tools
            • Implementing a 16-week curriculum where older students (8th- 10th grade) mentor younger students (4th-6th grade)
            • Focusing on proactive mental health solutions rather than reactive approaches
            • Finding purpose in past pain by helping others avoid similar struggles
            • Shifting from victim mentality to victor mentality through faith, sobriety, and focusing on what matters most
            • Building a nonprofit that addresses behavioral health issues before symptoms emerge
            • Creating a model that helps students and relieves pressure on overextended teachers

              • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/episode-30-turning-pain-into-purpose-leadership-sobriety-mental-health-with-dan-flanagan/

              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 5 min
              • Unlocking Transformation: The Power of Self-Development with John Geraghty

                John Geraghty’s inspiring journey from struggling with alcoholism to becoming an acclaimed optimal performance coach showcases the power of personal transformation. After battling alcohol from a young age, John made a life-changing decision at 29 to rebuild his life through personal development, including reading a book a week for 30 years. His transformative approach is centered around his Prism of Perspective framework, which teaches that our beliefs, energy, and presence shape how we experience life. By consciously reshaping these beliefs, we can unlock profound change. John’s own physical transformation is equally remarkable—having gone from being clinically obese and in chronic pain at 45 to achieving exceptional health at 62, all through mindful movement. His story shows that lasting growth doesn’t require drastic changes but rather consistent, small improvements over time. As John says, "Wherever you are is where you are," and with honest self-assessment and small steps, you can start transforming your life today.

                Highlights from this episode:

                • Overcoming alcoholism at age 29 after 15 years of struggle
                • Developing the Prism of Perspective framework for personal transformation 
                • Understanding how our beliefs filter our experience of life
                • Generating energy through fundamental practices, psychology, and flow states
                • Finding flow states to increase productivity, creativity, and learning
                • Creating physical transformation through consistent small actions
                • Building incremental, compounding growth in all areas of life
                • Starting with honest self-assessment and making manageable changes
                • Physical transformation is possible at any age with just 15 minutes daily

                  • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/episode-29-the-power-of-self-development-with-john-geraghty/

                  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
                  • From Peaks to Boardrooms: Leadership Lessons from the Edge with Lei Wang

                    In this inspiring episode of the BOLT Podcast, host Todd Bertsch interviews Lei Wang, a leadership developer, executive advisor, and the first Asian woman to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam—climbing the highest peak on every continent and skiing to both the North and South Poles. Lei shares her incredible journey from a corporate career in finance and technology to extreme adventure, highlighting the power of curiosity, resilience, and strategic goal-setting.

                    Key Takeaways:

                    • Bold Beginnings: Lei set her Everest goal simply to improve her health but discovered a passion for extreme challenges.
                    • Mindset Shift: She emphasizes preventing burnout before it happens and thinking ahead strategically.
                    • Strategic Roadmap: Lei created an Excel-based plan to train for the Grand Slam, breaking it into achievable steps.
                    • Overcoming Failure: After failing her first summit attempt, she adapted, trained harder, and returned stronger.
                    • Leadership Lessons from Adventure: Expedition teams require trust, adaptability, and collaboration—just like corporate teams.
                    • Coaching High-Performing Leaders: She now helps executives develop resilience, strategic thinking, and team alignment.
                    • Biggest Takeaway: Instead of saying “I can’t,” ask “How can I?”—embrace challenges with a growth mindset.

                      • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/episode-28-from-peaks-to-boardrooms-leadership-lessons-from-lei-wang/

                      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

                        40 min
                      • The Formula for Success: Unlocking Peak Health and Energy with Josh Phelan

                        In this episode of the BOLT podcast, Todd Bertsch sits down with Josh Phelan, a top personal trainer and founder of Chasing Optimal, to explore his inspiring journey of transformation and the powerful lessons he’s learned along the way. Josh shares his story of overcoming personal struggles, including battling unhealthy habits and the challenges of COVID, to lose 32 pounds in two months and regain his confidence. As a trainer, Josh helps business-owning men optimize their health, focusing on sustainable fitness, the power of mindset, and the importance of small, intentional steps. Throughout the conversation, they discuss the value of visualization, emotional intelligence, and how embracing a growth mindset can lead to lasting success.

                        What we discuss in this episode:

                        • Learning work ethic from his father's landscaping business approach
                        • Using COVID weight gain as a breakthrough to better understand client struggles
                        • The Optimal Signaling Formula for healing the body through proper movement patterns
                        • Visualization as a powerful healing mechanism with scientific backing
                        • Morning routines vs. evening routines and finding what works for your life season
                        • The power of recording affirmations and listening to yourself
                        • Three questions for evening reflection: gratitude, learning, and growth
                        • The importance of emoting gratitude rather than just stating it
                        • Starting with embarrassingly small habits to build lasting change
                        • Direction matters more than speed when creating transformation

                          • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/episode-27-unlocking-peak-health-and-energy-with-josh-phelan/

                          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 5 min
                          • Living on Purpose: Transforming Leadership and Life with Amy Wong

                            In this enlightening episode of the BOLT Podcast, Todd Bertsch engages in a thought-provoking conversation with leadership expert Amy Wong. Amy shares her journey from overcoming academic challenges to becoming a leader in communication and leadership, combining mathematics and transpersonal psychology to inform her unique approach. The episode explores how embracing both the light and dark aspects of life fosters growth, and Amy introduces her five deliberate choices to help us create fulfilling and joyful lives. Listeners will learn about the concept of flow and how to access this state to enhance creativity and connection, while also challenging societal pressures and the limitations we place on ourselves. This empowering conversation encourages self-discovery, growth, and the power of choice and living purposefully.

                            What we discuss in this episode:

                            • Discussion on the journey to personal growth and leadership
                            • Importance of intentional choices in shaping our lives
                            • Challenging the notion of "should" to discover deeper fulfillment
                            • Tips for cultivating a growth mindset and embracing personal challenges
                            • The Five Choices for Living on Purpose
                            • The Importance of Intentionality in Communication
                            • Understanding Duality in Growth and Learning
                            • Conversation on Flow and Creativity

                              • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/episode-26-living-on-purpose-transforming-leadership-life-with-amy-wong/

                              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

                                53 min
                              • Feeding the Future: Dan Flowers’ 30-Year Journey in Nonprofit Leadership

                                In this episode, we explore transformational leadership with Dan Flowers, President & CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. With nearly three decades of experience, Dan shares his leadership philosophies centered on humility, emotional intelligence, and relationship-building. He discusses how small, intentional changes foster growth and highlights the importance of collaboration and accountability in organizational culture. Dan also opens up about overcoming personal challenges as a new CEO and the power of vulnerability in leadership. Through his candid insights and practical strategies, listeners will learn how to lead with heart while maintaining high standards and empowering their teams. 

                                What we discuss in this episode:

                                • Focus on small, intentional changes leading to major transformations
                                • Understanding the role of fear in leadership and the importance of emotional intelligence
                                • Strategies for facilitating effective meetings through collaborative dialogue
                                • The impact of strong organizational culture on long-term employee satisfaction
                                • Value of nurturing relationships and creating a supportive workplace environment
                                • Importance of resilience and accountability in nonprofit leadership 
                                • Lessons on how empathy and humility can redefine leadership
                                • Reflections on the power of storytelling and comprehensive journaling practices
                                • Encouragement to embrace challenges and ask for help when needed

                                  • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/episode-25-dan-flowers-30-year-journey-in-nonprofit-leadership/

                                  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

                                    57 min
                                  • How to Prevent Burnout and Cultivate a Thriving Workplace with Michael Levitt

                                    Michael Levitt shares his deeply personal journey from surviving burnout to leading a life of purpose, emphasizing the importance of recognizing signs of burnout and cultivating self-care practices. The conversation touches on effective strategies for aspiring leaders to avoid burnout and enhance their lives through curiosity and proactive management of their time.

                                    In this episode you'll learn:

                                    • Michael reflects on his year of multiple personal crises 
                                    • Recognition of burnout signs and their consequences 
                                    • The role of curiosity in navigating challenges 
                                    • Strategies for leaders to maintain work-life balance 
                                    • Importance of self-care and personal reflection 
                                    • Insights from Michael's podcast, Breakfast Leadership Show

                                      • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/episode-24-prevent-burnout-cultivate-thriving-workplace-with-michael-levitt/

                                      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

                                        57 min
                                      • Curiosity, Connection, and LinkedIn: Building Relationships for Growth with Janice Porter

                                        Join us for an inspiring conversation with Janice Porter, a maestro in relationship marketing and networking, whose journey from school teacher to telecom trainer to a thriving self-employed career is nothing short of remarkable. Discover how Janice's passion for teaching and her distaste for bureaucratic hurdles led her to embrace the nuances of relationship marketing, with LinkedIn emerging as her platform of choice. In this episode, Janice unveils the art of crafting a compelling LinkedIn presence and shares her strategies for nurturing business relationships, both online and offline.

                                        Focusing on the essence of building genuine relationships through curiosity and intentional networking, Janice offers valuable insights on leveraging LinkedIn, fostering authentic connections, and implementing a tangible touch follow-up system to deepen professional relationships. Through engaging stories and expert advice, this episode will inspire you to build lasting relationships that can drive both personal growth and business success.

                                        In this episode you'll learn about:

                                        • Exploring the role of curiosity in networking 
                                        • Strategies for maximizing LinkedIn profiles
                                        • The power of handwritten notes as a follow-up method 
                                        • Effective networking techniques for events 
                                        • Importance of follow-up in nurturing connections 
                                        • Creating meaningful conversations and relationships

                                          • https://www.toddbertsch.com/podcast/episode-23-building-relationships-for-growth-with-janice-porter/

                                          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

                                            50 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…