The Edge

On this episode of The Edge, host Courtney Montfort sits down with Heather Haas, CEO of ADVISA, to explore how organizations can intentionally shape culture by developing the leaders who carry it. Heather Haas shares ADVISA's systems-based approach to culture change, including behavioral data, customized leadership development, and AI tools that reinforce company values. They also discuss succession planning, attracting the next generation of talent, community partnerships, and the career risks that helped Heather Haas find her edge. The conversation closes with an honest look at values, boundaries, and leading through competing priorities.

Connect with Heather on LinkedIn. Learn more about ADVISA.

Key Takeaways:

• Journey from teacher and principal to CEO of ADVISA (0:48)
• Defining culture as what most leaders say and do most of the time (2:35)
• ADVISA's systems-based approach to culture change (3:40)
• Reinforcing company-specific leadership behaviors with AI tools (6:18)
• Three major concerns facing leaders: succession, AI, and talent (8:45)
• How Providence Cristo Rey's work-study program creates opportunity for students and employers (13:57)
• Heather's edge: taking meaningful career risks (18:30)
• Why asking questions can build relationships and accelerate learning (21:39)
• Using personal values to navigate competing work and family priorities (22:59)

On this episode of The Edge, Alex Rodriguez sits down with Shauna Kastle, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of New Mexico, to discuss her 20-year journey from marketing director to CEO. Shauna shares lessons on people-centered leadership, psychological safety, delegation, balancing empathy with accountability, and building high-performing teams rooted in trust. She also highlights Goodwill's mission beyond retail, including innovative workforce programs that are creating life-changing opportunities across New Mexico.

Connect with Shauna on LinkedIn. Learn more about Goodwill Industries of New Mexico.

Key Takeaways:

• Shauna's leadership journey (0:53)
• Transitions as responsibilities grow (4:50)
• Adapting as an introvert (5:52)
• Characteristics of a great team (7:15)
• Psychological safety in leadership (8:23)
• Don't mistake my kindness for weakness (9:24)
• Loyalty vs accountability (10:47)
• Balancing mission and business (12:05)
• Misconceptions about Goodwill (13:23)
• Shauna's edge (16:34)

On this episode of The Edge, co-host Taylor Covey sits down with Adrian Lefler, CEO and co-founder of My Social Practice. Adrian shares how a business failure led him into dental marketing, why staying deeply focused on one industry became a competitive advantage, and how a complementary partnership helped build the company. They also explore the realities of introducing AI into the workplace, including employee resistance, shifting job descriptions, and the continued need for human judgment. Adrian explains why great people remain an organization's greatest asset and how the strongest leaders use AI to elevate talent rather than replace it

Connect with Adrian on LinkedIn. Learn more about My Social Practice.

Key Takeaways:

• Adrian's unique background and journey (1:19)
• The birth of My Social Practice (4:03)
• Narrowing focus on the dental industry (5:42)
• Leadership dynamics between business partners (7:36)
• Navigating AI in the business (11:15)
• The human element of AI integration (15:28)
• Adrian's edge (20:08)

On this episode of The Edge, Alex Rodriguez talks with Jesse Pickard, CEO of APIC Solutions, about what it takes to move from survival mode to sustainable growth. Jesse reflects on a career-defining pivot out of real estate, the founding of APIC Solutions, and the lessons learned while growing the company into a regional industry leader. From hustle and curiosity to people-first leadership, he shares how leaders must evolve as organizations scale and why building a sustainable business ultimately means investing in people.

Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn. Learn more about APIC Solutions.

Key Takeaways:

• The pivots that shaped Jesse's journey (1:00)
• Starting APIC Solutions (7:50)
• Navigating business relationships (9:12)
• Leadership philosophy and natural instincts (12:09)
• Building a successful team (13:48)
• Jesse's edge (16:16)
• Navigating bad advice in leadership (19:07)
• The importance of caring for employees (19:51)
• The shift from survival mode to sustainable scaling (21:17)

Alex Rodriguez sits down with Justin McKay, co-founder of RadCare Services, to explore how one overlooked problem in healthcare turned into a nationwide solution. From humble beginnings and relentless grit to building a data-driven platform improving patient safety, Justin shares the leadership mindset behind RadCare's growth. This episode dives into people-first leadership, radical generosity, and the courage to pursue what others say cannot be done.

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn. Learn more about RadCare Services.

Key Takeaways:

• Learning resourcefulness (1:58)
• The birth of RadCare Services (4:38)
• Developing a data-driven model (7:45)
• Radical generosity (8:15)
• Building an empowered team (9:52)
• The importance of humility (13:17)
• Justin's edge (14:26)
• The knock on doors concept (15:41)
• Hot take on leadership (18:07)
• Clarity breaks and intentionality (26:05)

On this episode of The Edge, host Alex Rodriguez sits down with Grenee Martacho, CEO of Concord General Contracting, to unpack a leadership journey shaped by authenticity, resilience, and employee ownership. Grenee shares how she grew from a marketing coordinator into the CEO role, helped guide Concord through an ESOP transition, and led cultural and operational transformation during periods of rapid growth. From defining the ultimate client experience to navigating missteps, accountability, and succession, this conversation offers a grounded, human look at leadership done the right way.

Connect with Grenee on LinkedIn. Learn more about Concord General Contracting.

Key Takeaways:

• Grenee's journey to CEO (1:13)
• The ultimate client experience (4:50)
• Leadership development (7:40)
• Making decisions based on the heart, but also the data (9:05)
• Introducing an ESOP (10:14)
• Succession planning (14:05)
• Intentional focus on fixing and defining processes (17:31)
• Grenee's edge (20:12)
• Lessons from leadership missteps (22:47)

What if the goal of building a business wasn't just growth, but freedom? On this episode of The Edge, Todd Smart, co-founder of Bloom Growth, joins Tim Leman to explore the difference between small business ownership and true entrepreneurship. Todd shares why peace and predictability are possible at any stage of life when the right people and processes are in place, how leadership teams become the ceiling for growth, and why emotional maturity matters more than strategy. From operating systems to human flourishing to sailing the Caribbean with his family, Todd offers a compelling vision for building a business that supports a meaningful life.

Connect with Todd Smart on LinkedIn. Learn more about Bloom Growth.

Key Takeaways:

• The distinction between small business and entrepreneurship (2:19)
• The role of operating systems (5:00)
• Peace and predictability (6:46)
• Why founders "resist" structure (7:05)
• The evolution of Bloom Growth and it's unique approach (10:24)
• The relationship curriculum (14:15)
• The impact of peer groups in entrepreneurial growth (15:51)
• Todd's front row seat to Gibson implementing an operating system (17:40)
• Internal champions who are passionate and continuously learning (21:28)
• Leading an interesting life (22:02)
• Human flourishing (29:06)
• The future of operating systems (32:29)
• Harnessing optimism, love, and vulnerability (34:53)

On this episode of The Edge, host Courtney Montfort sits down with Amanda Wickham, Vice President of People, Culture and Communications at Ivy Hospitality. Amanda shares her unconventional leadership journey from the Air Force to hospitality, the power of saying yes before you feel ready, and how culture is built through middle managers. The conversation also explores imposter syndrome, women in leadership, parenting while leading, and why developing people with intention is the real competitive advantage.

Connect with Amanda Wickham on LinkedIn. Learn more about Ivy Hospitality.

Key Takeaways:

• Amanda's leadership journey (1:04)
• Being open to new opportunities (5:18)
• Battling imposter syndrome (6:12)
• The Ivy Hospitality story (8:49)
• The transition from the Air Force (10:31)
• Middle managers as the culture conduit (13:04)
• Empowering women in hospitality (15:34)
• Work-life "balance" and parenting dynamics (19:02)
• Amanda's edge: finding the courage to say yes (22:57)

On this episode of The Edge, host Taylor Covey sits down with Curtis Anderson, Founder and CEO of Nursa. Curtis shares his journey from growing up in rural Idaho to building a national healthcare staffing platform that connects nurses directly with facilities in need. The conversation explores entrepreneurship through iteration, leadership rooted in trust and execution, and why flexibility and speed are critical advantages in modern healthcare. Curtis also reflects on his mission to ensure a nurse is at the bedside of every patient who needs one.

Connect with Curtis on LinkedIn. Learn more about Nursa.

Key Takeaways:

• Early influences & education (0:52)
• The power of iterations (7:32)
• Acquiring healthcare staffing agency – and reimagining it (10:14)
• There's always a way, and you can always rebuild (18:41)
• Execution is everything (20:31)
• Defining his edge (24:47)

On this episode of The Edge, Courtney Montfort sits down with Kristin Weeden, Chief Talent Officer at Penske Entertainment Corp., the organization behind the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, INDYCAR, and IMS Productions. Kristin shares her winding career path, why culture has always been her north star, and how "pitching your own promotion" can change the trajectory of your career. From leading people strategy in sports to redefining authenticity in leadership, this conversation is packed with practical insight for leaders at every stage.

Connect with Kristin Weeden on LinkedIn. Learn more about Penske Entertainment Corp.

Key Takeaways:

• Penske & Kristin's role (1:15)
• Kristin's winding career path (2:34)
• The importance of culture (3:50)
• Always ask the next question (10:00)
• Pitch your own promotion (10:45)
• Lessons in motherhood (14:17)
• Kristin's edge (18:51)
• The Indy 500 experience (21:32)