The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends

What does a former choker setter in the Washington woods have to do with leading one of the country’s largest healthcare technology companies?

More than you might think.

Bill Miller (see bio below), Chairman and CEO of WellSky, shares a career journey that started far from the executive suite: growing up in a big Midwest family, running a paper route at seven years old, chasing football dreams, getting injured, and unexpectedly spending a summer in Washington working one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. His logging crew called him “Flatlander,” hid his horse, and gave him the kind of life lessons that do not show up in most MBA programs.

From there, Bill’s path took him from Capitol Hill to urban planning, early internet startups, Cerner, OptumInsight, and eventually WellSky, where he has helped transform the company into a healthcare technology leader serving more than 20,000 clients across acute, post-acute, and community care.

We talk about:

• Why work ethic started early, with a paper route before sunrise

Bill also shares candid thoughts on leading through COVID, bringing people back to the office, building culture intentionally, and why he still attends new-hire onboarding sessions to stay connected to the people joining WellSky.

This is a conversation about grit, timing, technology, leadership, and building something meaningful without forgetting where you came from.

And yes…we also cover paper routes, Porsche road trips, hidden horses, and why sometimes the best leadership development program is surviving a summer with lumberjacks.

About Bill: Bill Miller is the Chairman and CEO of WellSky, one of America’s largest and most innovative healthcare technology companies, serving more than 20,000 clients across acute, post-acute, and community care.​ With more than 25 years of experience in healthcare technology, Bill has built a career around growth, innovation, and leading companies through meaningful transformation. Since joining WellSky in 2017, he has guided the company into new markets, overseen more than 14 strategic acquisitions, and helped establish the WellSky Foundation.

Before WellSky, Bill served as CEO of OptumInsight, where he helped drive major revenue growth and expanded the company’s position in healthcare analytics. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at Cerner Corporation, with global responsibility for managed services, outsourcing, and technology services.

What do baby chicks, broken feet, youth sports, elementary school classrooms, and precision manufacturing have in common?

Katherine O’Toole (bio below).

Katherine’s career journey starts in the classroom, where she spent 11 years as an elementary educator, and eventually leads to her current role as Executive Director of the Kansas City Chapter of the National Tooling & Machining Association. Along the way, she discovered that teaching, workforce development, and manufacturing have more in common than you might think: people, problem-solving, communication, and the willingness to build something better.

Katherine brings tremendous energy and honesty to this conversation. She talks about growing up in Kansas City, following her mother’s path into education, leaving teaching to explore a new chapter, and eventually stepping into the manufacturing world, an industry already connected to her family through her dad’s tool and die shop.

We talk about:

• Why teaching prepared her for leadership, advocacy, and workforce development

Katherine also shares some wonderfully Corporate Couch stories, including being a “passenger princess,” raising chickens in her basement office, breaking her foot while setting up a BattleBot event, and somehow still making it to a pickleball gathering before finally going to the ER.

This is a conversation about career reinvention, community building, workforce development, and the power of bringing the right people into the right rooms.

And yes…if you are looking for someone to back up the car on a road trip, Katherine would like to respectfully nominate literally anyone else.

About Katherine: Katherine O’Toole is an Executive Director, career and technical education advocate, and workforce development champion. She currently serves the Kansas City Chapter of the National Tooling & Machining Association, where she spearheads networking, advocacy, and workforce development initiatives. Katherine is also a founding member of She Leads. Women Driving Manufacturing, a network of leaders dedicated to educating and empowering women in and around the manufacturing industry. Prior to entering the industry, she spent eleven years as an elementary educator in the Gardner Edgerton School District.

In this May edition of *It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere*, Marc Shaffer and I are back with another happy hour-style conversation about what’s working, what we’re learning, and why the best connections often happen when you least expect them. 

We start with the aftermath of Searcy Financial’s 50th anniversary celebration, including a harmless little parking lot prank involving Marc’s car. From there, we talk about the incredible momentum behind Run for the Roses, which has raised more than $320,000 for Growing Futures, crushing its original $150,000 goal. 

We also dig into:

* Searcy’s strategic planning week and what it means to think 3 and 10 years ahead

Marc also previews a trip to Pittsburgh, a new advisor credential, and a visit to PNC Park, which leads, naturally, to a little downtown baseball stadium talk.

As always, this episode is part business, part life, part community, and part “two friends talking over drinks.”

Grab a drink. Pull up a chair. It’s five o’clock somewhere.

This episode is brought to you by Searcy Financial. Your financial future begins with a simple question: Where do you want to be? At Searcy Financial, we help successful individuals and families through our mission to simplify your financial journey, empowering you to enjoy life and wealth on your terms. The question sparks a conversation that goes beyond numbers, helping us understand what truly matters to you and the kind of financial plan that aligns with your life goals. It also allows us to identify potential challenges and opportunities so we can proactively address them. The outcome is a plan that empowers you to acquire, grow, and preserve your wealth.

Searcy Financial is gearing up to celebrate 50 years of service. Don’t miss out on any of the excitement! To sign up for information on Marc’s book, “One for All,” including where to buy and exclusive website content, or to sign up for the Searcy Financial Wealth Matters email newsletter, use the links below:

- Marc's Book "One for All": Keep Me Updated!

- "Wealth Matters" newsletter: Sign Me Up!

The opinions expressed herein are those of certain Searcy Financial Services, Inc. personnel and are subject to change without notice. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, promotion, endorsement, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of the author, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by other areas of the firm, and are only for general informational purposes as of the date indicated. Searcy Financial Services, Inc. was not compensated, nor are there material conflicts of interest that would affect the given statement.

What does it take to turn a company losing millions into a high-performing organization with hundreds of millions in revenue?

Ron Cox (see bio below) has lived that story.

But his leadership journey started long before the turnaround.

In this episode of *The Corporate Couch*, Ron shares a powerful story of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. He opens up about overcoming deep personal hardship, including childhood abuse, serious health challenges, and a moment in his life when he nearly gave up completely.

Those experiences didn’t break his desire to lead.

Ron went on to spend nearly 40 years helping organizations grow, adapt, and win. As the former CEO of The Kincaid Group, he helped lead an extraordinary turnaround, moving the company from a $2.5 million loss to roughly $320 million in revenue while building a culture rooted in performance, accountability, and execution.

We talk about:

• Turning pain into purpose

Ron also shares lessons from entrepreneurship, city development, education, executive coaching, and his current work through RC Development Solutions, where he helps leaders and teams turn ideas into action.

This is a conversation about survival, service, leadership, and leaving people and organizations better than you found them.

If you care about resilience, growth, culture, or what it really takes to lead through adversity, this episode delivers.

About Ron: ​​Ron Cox is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur, and leadership coach who has spent nearly 40 years helping organizations grow, adapt, and win. As CEO of RC Development Solutions, he works with leaders and teams to turn big vision into real-world results.​ Ron previously led The Kincaid Group through an incredible turnaround—taking the company from a $2.5M loss to roughly $320M in revenue—while building a culture focused on performance and accountability. His career spans both the public and private sectors, including nationally recognized work in city development and education.

Along the way, Ron has coached leaders using principles from Dr. Stephen Covey, collaborated with influential business figures, and authored an Amazon best-selling book. At his core, he’s passionate about developing people, creating opportunities, and leaving organizations better than he found them. 

What if the best leadership lesson of your life didn’t happen in a boardroom…but in a preschool?

That’s exactly what happened for Kori Bloom​ (bio below).

In this episode, Kori shares how her journey from high school art teacher to corporate trainer, pharmaceutical sales professional, parent, author, speaker, and leadership coach helped her discover one powerful truth:

We don’t lead in pieces.

Kori’s new book, The Business of Parenting, explores the connection between how we lead at home, how we lead at work, and how we lead ourselves. And as she shares in this conversation, the toughest leadership role she ever had wasn’t managing employees or speaking to a room full of adults. It was parenting two young children and realizing she needed to stop trying to “fix” them and start leading herself differently.

We talk about:

• Why parenting and leadership require many of the same skills

Kori also shares her belief that traditional education often fails to build the critical thinking, resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills people need in today’s world. Her perspective connects parenting, education, leadership, and culture in a way that is both practical and deeply human.

This is a conversation about self-awareness, messy growth, leading through real life, and why the way we show up in one room follows us into every other room.

And yes, we also discuss why “do it scared, do it messy, and do it before you’re ready” might be some of the best career advice out there.

About Kori: ​Kori Bloom is a keynote speaker, author, and leadership coach who brings energy, clarity, and real-life perspective to the conversation around leadership. With more than two decades of experience across business, education, and leadership development, Kori helps leaders communicate with intention, build trust, and show up with greater alignment in every room they enter.

Her work is grounded in a powerful belief: leadership is not something we turn on and off. We lead as one whole person. Through relatable stories and practical lessons, Kori helps people strengthen self-leadership, navigate pressure, and create cultures rooted in trust and accountability. 

What’s the one question a former Federal Reserve President gets asked at every happy hour?

“What’s the Fed going to do with interest rates?”

According to my guest, Esther George (see bio below)… the honest answer is:

“Yes.”

In this episode of The Corporate Couch, Esther, former President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee, pulls back the curtain on the decisions that quietly shape the economy…and our everyday lives.

But this isn’t just about economics.

It’s about perspective.

Esther shares a remarkable journey from growing up on a sixth-generation farm in rural Missouri (with a graduating class of just 50 students) to helping guide the U.S. economy through some of its most turbulent moments.

We talk about:

• Why inflation feels like “Jaws”… and who it impacts the most

We also shift gears to her role helping Kansas City prepare to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches—what it takes to bring a global event to a “smaller” market, the leadership required to align an entire region, and why the real impact may be the long-term relationships and opportunities that come after the final whistle.

Esther also shares powerful leadership lessons from sitting across the table with failing banks, working alongside figures like Paul Volcker and Ben Bernanke, and leading through moments when the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

This is a conversation about leadership, humility, decision-making under uncertainty, and the ripple effects of choices that impact millions of people… from interest rates to international stages.

About Esther: Esther L. George was president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of​ Kansas City and a member of the Federal Open Market Committee from 2011 to 2023. Her Fed service spans more than 40 years, including considerable experience as a bank supervisor. In​ 2009, she served as the Federal Reserve’s acting director of Banking Supervision and Regulation in Washington, D.C.​ George was actively involved in the Federal Reserve’s work to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the nation’s payment system, including leading the effort to establish instant retail payments known as the FedNow Service. She hosted the Kansas City Fed’s annual Jackson Hole​ Economic Policy Symposium.

As president and chief executive officer, she led a workforce of 2,100 at the Federal Reserve employees serving the seven states of the Tenth Federal Reserve District through the Bank’s headquarters in Kansas City and its branch offices in Denver, Oklahoma City, and Omaha. George is a recipient of the 2023 Harry S. Truman Public Service Award. She currently serves as chair of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and on the boards of the Hallmark Corporation, Peterson Institute for International Economics, the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, American Public Square, and the Kansas City 2026 World Cup.

What do rock climbing in Thailand, stand-up comedy, Walmart leadership, and an apartment complex full of strippers have in common?

Frank Niles (bio below).

In one of the most entertaining and unexpectedly insightful conversations on The Corporate Couch, Frank shares a career journey that refuses to fit inside a neat corporate box.

He was kicked out of private school.

And somewhere in between, he was broke, living over a laundromat in Houston in an apartment complex populated mostly by strippers (or ‘showgirls,’ if we’re being podcast-title appropriate), sleeping on a mattress on the floor… just before getting the call that changed his life forever.

We talk about:

• Why curiosity is one of the greatest career advantages you can have

Frank also shares stories of being stranded on a rock formation in Thailand, learning Thai cooking in exchange for rent, and doing stand-up comedy inspired by Sam Kinison.

This is a conversation about reinvention, adventure, leadership, and building a life aligned with what makes you come alive.

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wish your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on improving your culture, increasing employee engagement, and retention. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.

About Frank: Frank Niles is a strategic advisor and Fractional CHRO who helps senior leaders and management teams address the people and leadership challenges that affect business performance. A former leader at Walmart and a business owner himself, Frank works with organizations ranging from large, publicly traded companies to midsized and smaller firms seeking to grow. His work focuses on strengthening leadership teams, clarifying roles, improving communication, and building the structures that enable companies to perform at a high level. 

Frank is also a sought-after speaker who regularly addresses executive teams, industry conferences, and professional audiences. Through his keynotes and workshops, his messages have reached tens of thousands of individuals across the United States and around the world. Each year, he presents to groups ranging from senior leadership forums to large industry gatherings, sharing practical insights on leadership, culture, and organizational performance.

His insights have been featured by CNN, Fast Company, NBC, Forbes, C-SPAN, and Inc., and his writing appears in The Huffington Post, Thrive Global, and other publications focused on leadership and organizational performance.

In this April edition of It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Marc Shaffer and I have another happy hour-style conversation about what’s working, what we’re learning, and why playing the long game matters.

Marc shares the shocking secret behind his zero calcium heart score: Mountain Dew and Skinny Pop. Medical professionals may disagree.

We also talk about:

• The incredible success of Run for the Roses and Growing Futures

Good people. Good stories. Good reminders about what matters.

Grab a drink. It’s five o’clock somewhere.

This episode is brought to you by Searcy Financial. Your financial future begins with a simple question: Where do you want to be? At Searcy Financial, we help successful individuals and families through our mission to simplify your financial journey, empowering you to enjoy life and wealth on your terms. The question sparks a conversation that goes beyond numbers, helping us understand what truly matters to you and the kind of financial plan that aligns with your life goals. It also allows us to identify potential challenges and opportunities so we can proactively address them. The outcome is a plan that empowers you to acquire, grow, and preserve your wealth.

Searcy Financial is gearing up to celebrate 50 years of service. Don’t miss out on any of the excitement! To sign up for information on Marc’s book, “One for All,” including where to buy and exclusive website content, or to sign up for the Searcy Financial Wealth Matters email newsletter, use the links below:

- Marc's Book "One for All": Keep Me Updated!

- "Wealth Matters" newsletter: Sign Me Up!

The opinions expressed herein are those of certain Searcy Financial Services, Inc. personnel and are subject to change without notice. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, promotion, endorsement, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of the author, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by other areas of the firm, and are only for general informational purposes as of the date indicated. Searcy Financial Services, Inc. was not compensated, nor are there material conflicts of interest that would affect the given statement.

What happens when you combine a relentless work ethic, blunt honesty, and a passion for helping people?

You get Ericka Beeler (see her bio below).

In this episode of The Corporate Couch, Jeff sits down with Ericka, founder of Beeler Consulting and Succession Health, to talk about building a career by outworking, outlearning, and outlasting just about every obstacle in her path.

Her story starts with working at 14, putting herself through college, asking CEOs for opportunities no one was handing out, and learning leadership the hard way by managing teams older, wiser, and often more skeptical than she was.

But what makes Ericka’s story compelling isn’t just her résumé; it’s how real she is.

She openly shares:

She also talks candidly about motherhood, burnout, betting on herself, and building a company with purpose, not just profit.

And somewhere between Bridgerton, Love Is Blind, 5 a.m. wakeups, and fixing broken healthcare systems, Ericka has built something rare: a business rooted in conviction, service, and doing work that actually matters.

This is a conversation about grit, faith, leadership, and what happens when you stop waiting for permission and start building what you believe should exist.

About Ericka: Ericka Beeler is a seasoned healthcare leader with over a decade of experience driving business development and revenue growth within healthcare delivery systems. She has managed a $43M surgery center operation, served as VP of Business Development at a 590-bed Level 1 Trauma Center, and led a 700-bed health system through transformational growth—increasing EBITDA from 1% to 22%. Ericka's expertise spans physician recruitment, contract negotiation, and developing successful strategies in oncology, orthopedics, and neuroscience. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her three kids, exploring breweries with her husband, and connecting with health tech founders solving systemic healthcare challenges.  

What do Ironman races, bourbon barrels, and billion-dollar investment funds have in common?

Brian Rosen.

In this episode of The Corporate Couch, Brian (see his bio below) shares a wildly entertaining and insightful journey through three generations of the adult beverage industry from his grandfather’s Chicago saloon days (with some “alleged” connections you’ll want to hear about) to building one of the most sophisticated investment platforms in the space today.

Brian is the General Partner of InvestBev, where he’s turned a lifetime in the business into a powerhouse platform managing nearly a billion dollars across equity, credit, and insurance strategies. But his story is anything but traditional.

We talk about:

• Why Brian believes in going “full” at everything (including Ironmans and leadership)

Brian also shares incredible stories from his early days hustling in Chicago bars, building a $100M family business, and the eye-opening moment at PwC when he realized corporate life wasn’t for him.

Along the way, you’ll hear his unfiltered take on leadership, including why failure is your best teacher and how great leaders let their teams own the spotlight.

This is a conversation about grit, reinvention, and seeing opportunity where others don’t.

And yes…we also cover tequila, gummies, and why moderation might be the biggest shift in the entire industry.

If you like business stories with a little attitude and a lot of insight, this one delivers.

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wish your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on improving your culture, increasing employee engagement, and retention. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.

About Brian: Brian Rosen is a third-generation veteran of the adult beverage industry and the General Partner of InvestBev, the largest private equity platform dedicated exclusively to spirits and beverage alcohol. Under his leadership, InvestBev has grown into a global powerhouse, managing over $500 million in assets across equity, credit, and insurance strategies.

Brian is known for thinking differently. He pioneered a bourbon barrel arbitrage strategy that’s delivered top-tier returns for nearly a decade and helped redefine spirits as a legitimate alternative asset class. Before InvestBev, he built and ran a $100 million retail liquor business, served as a partner at PwC, and worked with industry giants like Anheuser-Busch.

A frequent keynote speaker and recognized industry leader, Brian has been featured in Forbes, CNN, and Wine Spectator, and has earned multiple honors, including Retailer of the Year and Wine Innovator of the Year. Bottom line: if there’s a smarter way to build value in the spirits world, Brian’s probably already figured it out.