True leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about having the courage to face your fears. Pedro Cons, CEO of Adelante Healthcare, shares how embracing vulnerability became the key to building a confident, empowered team.

On this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Patrick Thean and Melissa Saunders sit down with Pedro Cons, CEO of Adelante Healthcare, to explore the power of vulnerability in leadership. Pedro opens up about the fears he had to overcome on his path to becoming a stronger, more intentional leader and how that transformation sparked a culture of trust, empowerment, and purpose across his organization. If you're a leader striving to grow through challenge and lead with authenticity, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

What if your greatest leadership strength isn’t control, but flexibility? In this episode, leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry shares how adaptable leaders drive growth, clarity, and long-term success in an ever-changing world.

They explore how rigid leadership styles can limit growth, the importance of adapting to context, and how to balance outcomes with relationships. Kevin also reveals how small “speed bumps” in your routine can lead to greater clarity, joy, and long-term success.

From growing up on a Michigan farm to helping global leaders rethink how they lead, Kevin’s journey is packed with insight, humor, and practical takeaways.

Whether you're a seasoned CEO or just stepping into leadership, this episode is your reminder: flexibility isn’t weakness—it’s a strength.

Can writing a bold letter land you your dream role or change the entire course of your career? In this episode, Paul Pirkle, President & COO of Midwest Ground Covers, shares how confidence, mentorship, and marathon-worthy endurance shaped his rise to leadership.
What do baseball slumps, million-dollar mistakes, and marathon miles have to do with becoming a successful President & COO? Quite a bit, according to Paul Pirkle. In this candid conversation with host Patrick Thean and co-host Melissa Saunders, Paul shares his winding journey through multiple industries, the inflection points that defined his leadership path, and how building bridges not just businesses, has become his personal mission. From learning to trust his gut to running companies and literal races, this episode is full of lessons on resilience, intentionality, and leadership that last.

What does it take to grow a $100M business without losing your purpose or yourself? In this powerful episode, former CEO and current Executive Director Mimi Crawford of Crayex Corporation shares how she scaled her family company with trust, curiosity, and a people-first mindset.

With over three decades of leadership experience, Mimi shares the story of transforming her family business from $28M to $100M in revenue — all while staying grounded in purpose, culture, and people.

She opens up about lessons from her father, the power of curiosity in leadership, and how trust, collaboration, and vulnerability helped her lead through change. Mimi also shares candid insights on self-care, coaching, and what it truly takes to build a business — and a life — that lasts.

This episode is packed with wisdom for leaders navigating growth, legacy, and the pursuit of a joyful journey.

What happens when you pair entrepreneurial grit with a relentless focus on people and purpose? Stuart Bentley, co-founder of triOS College, shares how a 30+ year business partnership transformed the lives of thousands through career-focused education and bold leadership.

In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Patrick and Melissa sit down with Stuart Bentley, Co-Founder of triOS College and one of Canada's leaders in adult career education. Stuart shares his remarkable journey from paperboy to CEO, the secrets behind maintaining a successful business partnership for over three decades, and the power of aligning education with job outcomes. You'll hear lessons on mentorship, scaling with purpose, adapting through disruption, and why trust, not just vision, is the foundation of long-term success. Tune in for practical wisdom and a refreshing dose of humility from a leader who’s still building, still learning, and still making an impact.

What do Alice in Wonderland and digital medical imaging have in common? Join us as Dave Cook, CEO of InsiteOne, shares his remarkable journey—from selling one of the world’s largest SaaS imaging companies to reclaiming its leadership and reigniting its culture.

In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Melissa and Patrick sit down with Dave Cook, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and the current CEO of InsiteOne, which manages over 40 billion digital medical images. Dave opens up about what he learned navigating commodity markets, how he built (and rebuilt) his company, and why knowing where you're headed—Cheshire Cat-style is the secret to a joyful and successful CEO journey. Packed with lessons on resilience, ownership, and building lasting company culture, this is one episode every entrepreneur should hear.

In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, hosts Melissa Saunders and Patrick Thean sit down with Tanya DiSalvo—CEO of Criterion Tool, a precision machine shop serving mission-critical industries like aerospace, medical devices, and weapons systems. From her unexpected path back to the family business to taking over from her father and navigating tough leadership lessons, Tanya brings candor, wit, and wisdom to the table.

You’ll hear:

• How she “mailed her dad her resume” to get hired

• What it’s like working for (and eventually buying out) a parent

• Why “no decision” is often the worst decision

• How she’s building a joyful workplace where fun is a core value

Packed with real-life insights from a woman leading in a male-dominated industry, this episode is a masterclass in grit, growth, and generational leadership done right.

Trying to sell to “mid-market tech companies” or “CFOs”? That’s not a core customer, it’s a segment. In this episode, Patrick breaks down how identifying the real person behind the purchase decision is the turning point from struggling to scaling.

In this episode of The Journey to CEO Success, Patrick Thean shares the critical lesson he learned the hard way: real growth starts when you deeply understand your core customer, not just their company size or title, but their mindset, pain points, and goals. From early failures knocking on doors to building a company that ranked #151 on the Inc. 500 list, Patrick unpacks how defining your core customer with clarity transforms product, service, and scale. If you’ve been selling to “segments,” this episode is your wake-up call.

As your company grows, your people must grow with it or risk falling behind. In this episode, Patrick Thean shares how to renew your team, elevate leadership, and future-proof your people ecosystem so your culture and results scale together.
In Part 2 of our conversation on building a strong people ecosystem, Patrick and Melissa dive deeper into how to evaluate your current team, avoid the trap of tolerating high-performing culture killers, and proactively design your future organization. Learn how the right leaders, investors, board members, and even coaches can make or break your growth potential, and why ongoing development isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s your responsibility as a CEO.

Before you focus on growth, you need the right people in the right seats. In this episode, Patrick Thean breaks down how strong leaders, aligned teams, and a thriving culture create a company that scales and sustains.

Patrick dives into one of the most critical elements of business success: your people ecosystem. From hiring A-players to dealing with poor leadership and designing your future org chart, Patrick shares practical strategies for increasing return on payroll, improving team engagement, and building a workplace people actually want to be part of. Don’t miss this powerful reminder: culture isn't soft—it's your competitive edge.