The Leader's Mindset

By LeDuc Leadership & Media GroupBusiness Management

The Leader's Mindset episodes

February 26 Lessons to Scale Your Startup from a Multi-Exit Founder – Michael Smith on The Leader’s Mindset
What actually separates founders who build something real from those who stall out after a promising start?In this episode of The Leader’s Mindset, host Jason LeDuc sits down with Michael Smith, a multi-exit founder, former GM and Senior Vice President, and a proven builder who has taken companies from idea to scale—and all the way through acquisition by public organizations.This is not a hype-driven conversation about growth hacks or shortcuts.It’s a grounded, experience-based discussion about what it actually takes to build and scale a company without losing the fundamentals that keep it alive.Michael shares lessons from founding multiple startups, leading organizations of 140+ employees, and navigating exits—along with the leadership shifts required at every stage of growth.In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why courage—not intelligence—is the real common trait among successful founders• How design thinking and empathy create sustainable businesses (not just good products)• The critical difference between building a product vs. building a company• Why chasing valuation too early can quietly kill long-term success• What large organizations must change to innovate without breaking themselves• How leaders should think differently when scaling from startup teams to enterprise organizations• Why delivering real customer value ultimately drives revenue, growth, and acquisition interestMichael also reflects on lessons from the dot-com collapse, explains how weak fundamentals destroy otherwise great ideas, and offers practical insight for leaders operating inside both fast-moving startups and complex enterprise environments.This conversation is especially valuable for:✔ Corporate executives and senior leaders✔ Startup founders and operators✔ HR, People Ops, and talent leaders✔ Product, innovation, and strategy teams✔ Entrepreneurs preparing for scale—or an eventual exitIf you’re serious about leadership, innovation, and building organizations that last, this episode will challenge how you think about growth and success.👉 Watch the full conversation and hear what most founders don’t realize until it’s too late.💬 Comment below:What’s harder in your experience—building the product, or building the company around it?👍 If this episode helped you think differently, share it with a leader who needs to hear it.🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, strategy, and building high-impact organizations.Onward and Upward! 🚀✅ If you got value from this episode, do these 3 things:1) Like this video – It helps more people find these insights.2) Subscribe – New leadership content every week!3) Share this episode with a leader who needs to hear this!📌 Exclusive Leadership ProgramsWant to take your leadership development to the next level?📖 Take charge of your own leadership development with our online program: https://www.leducleadership.com/bethebossprogramIf you’re a Human Resources or Learning and Development professional and have a bunch of leaders you’d like to get trained, check out our corporate Leadership Academy for Tech Managers program: https://www.leducleadership.com/leadershipacademy📅 Ready to elevate your leadership skills? Book a discovery call: https://link.marketingmoneymachine.co/widget/bookings/training-discoveryLet’s create the leaders your team deserves.How to reach Michael:Website https://www.thegovtechoperator.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rastermike/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michael.j.smith/How to reach Jason LeDuc:Email: [email protected]: https://www.leducleadership.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-leduc-3469823/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leducleadership
1 hr 3 min
February 24 How NOT to Grow Your Team as an Entrepreneur
Most leaders believe growing a team will finally give them breathing room.More people. Less stress. More freedom.But if you grow the wrong way, the opposite happens.Instead of freedom, you inherit chaos.Instead of leverage, you create dependency.Instead of momentum, you compound problems that get harder to fix every month.Early team growth is one of the most dangerous phases in any organization—and most entrepreneurs, executives, and managers don’t realize they’re making mistakes until the damage is already done.In this Leadership TTP video, Jason LeDuc breaks down how NOT to grow your team and why simply adding headcount without structure, leadership, and clarity is one of the fastest ways to stall your business or burn out as a leader.Drawing from decades of experience working with entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and fast-growing organizations, he walks through four common mistakes leaders make when scaling their teams, including:• Hiring to escape work instead of defining outcomes• Growing headcount before growing leadership capability• Avoiding structure in the name of “flexibility”• Waiting too long to address performance issuesThese mistakes don’t just slow you down—they create supervision debt, decision bottlenecks, and cultural friction that quietly drain your organization.You’ll also learn what strong leaders do differently:How they create clarity instead of confusionHow they introduce just enough structure to increase speedHow they address issues early before they become cultural problemsAnd how they scale leadership, not just peopleThis episode isn’t just for entrepreneurs.If you’re a corporate executive, people manager, training leader, HR professional, or startup founder, the lessons here apply directly to how teams succeed—or fail—at scale.Growing a team isn’t about adding people.It’s about adding clarity, leadership, and accountability at the same pace as headcount.💬 Join the conversation:What’s the biggest mistake you’ve seen leaders make when growing a team—or one you had to learn the hard way? Drop it in the comments. Your experience might help another leader avoid it.If this episode was helpful, share it with another leader who’s in a growth phase right now.Subscribe for weekly leadership tactics, techniques, and procedures designed to help you lead with intention—not react under pressure.Go out there. Do great things today.Onward and Upward! 🚀Ready to Lead With Confidence? Subscribe & Stay Ahead!🎥 Watch, learn, and take action! Don’t miss more cutting-edge leadership training—hit SUBSCRIBE now!🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode packed with leadership insights!📩 Share this video with someone who needs to hear it today!📌 Exclusive Leadership ProgramsWant to take your leadership development to the next level?🔥 Be the Boss You Always Wish You Had (Self-Paced Leadership Training for Tech Managers) → Enroll Now https://www.leducleadership.com/bethebossprogram🏆 Leadership Academy (Corporate Training for Teams) → Learn More https://www.leducleadership.com/leadershipacademy📞 Book a discovery call: https://link.marketingmoneymachine.co/widget/bookings/training-discoveryAbout Jason LeDuc:Jason LeDuc is a seasoned leader and esteemed leadership consultant, drawing from his extensive experience in the U.S. Air Force and beyond. With a passion for empowering individuals to unleash their full potential, Jason is committed to fostering a new generation of visionary leaders. Connect with Jason and embark on a journey of leadership enlightenment today!How to reach Jason LeDuc:Email: [email protected]: https://www.leducleadership.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-leduc-3469823/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leducleadership
4 min
February 23 Vegas Startup Scene February 23rd 2026 – SBIR Grants, AI Innovation & Non-Dilutive Funding
If you’re a founder constantly thinking about your next funding round… you might be looking in the wrong place.

This week on Vegas Startup Scene, host Jason LeDuc breaks down the biggest opportunities in the Southern Nevada tech ecosystem — and why non-dilutive capital, AI infrastructure, and founder education are becoming the smartest plays in 2026.

Here’s what serious founders and tech investors need to know:

🚀 InnovateNV’s SBIR/STTR Accelerator (Starting March24)
If federal funding is even remotely on your roadmap, this is a must-watch segment. Backed by UNLV’s Office of Economic Development, StartupNV, and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, InnovateNV is helping Nevadastartups navigate the federal funding maze — not just talk about it.
• 5-week SBIR/STTR proposal accelerator• NSF project pitch support• Phase 0 microgrants up to $5,000• Agency fit, budgeting, and submission strategy

Deep tech founders: this is real, structuredsupport for winning government grants without giving up equity.

💰 Finance Fundamentals for Small Business (FounderEducation Matters)
Before you scale, raise capital, or even apply for grants — your financial house needs to be in order. Alicia Stacey is hosting a session on entity structure, Nevada tax considerations, payroll, bookkeeping systems, and financial statement literacy.

If you’re cleaning up your books before tax season or preparing for investor diligence, this matters.

🤖 Las Vegas AI Builders Meetup (Technical FoundersTake Note)
Startup Vegas is teaming up with TensorWave to launch a new AI builder community — built specifically for technical founders training models, benchmarking GPUs, fine-tuning inference, and shipping AI agents into production.
If you’re building in AI infrastructure, this is where you find your people.

👥 Agile Leadership & The Scrum Master Role
We also dive into a conversation with Hoz Roushdi about what a Scrum Master actually does — and why agile leadership has been misunderstood in the corporate world.
Leading without authority.
Turning chaos into clarity.
Holding teams accountable to the commitments they make to each other.

For startup founders scaling engineering teams, this is leadership gold.

💬 Question for you:
If you had to choose one growth lever for 2026 — would you prioritize:
1) Non-dilutive grants (SBIR/STTR)?
2) Equity Investment?
3) AI product development?
4) Strengthening internal operations and agile leadership?

Drop your answer in the comments and tell me why!

And if you’re serious about building in Vegas — subscribe. We cover what’s actually happening on the ground every week.

Links to every event mentioned are below.
Send us your events, pitch nights, wins, and ecosystem news for next week’s rundown.

Get out there. Do great things today!

Onward and upward. 🚀

LINKS:
StartupNVWebsite: https://startupnv.disco.co/
InnovateNVlink: https://startupnv.org/innovatenv/
StartupVegas Website: https://startup.vegas/
gener8torWebsite: https://www.gener8tor.com/
Governor’sOffice of Economic Development Website: https://goed.nv.gov/
VegasCrypto Group: https://www.meetup.com/vegas-crypto-group/
SAFeScrum Master Class: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/safe-scrum-master-class
Fusion42Website: https://fusion-42.com/
Fusion42 Events: https://lu.ma/Fusion-42

Conversation with Hoz Roushdi at Tech AlleyDowntown: https://youtube.com/live/1ScNZuDGQ-4

Want to get your news or event in the rundown?Contact me here:

Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-leduc-3469823/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leducleadership
Why This Episode Matters
8 min
February 19 Living a Zero Regret Life – Saahil Mehta on The Leader’s Mindset Podcast
What if the version of “success” you’re chasing is actually costing you your health, your relationships, and your sense of purpose?In this powerful episode of The Leader’s Mindset, host Jason LeDuc sits down with Saahil Mehta—entrepreneur, executive coach, speaker, and author of Break Free—for a deeply honest conversation about leadership, burnout, people-pleasing, and what it really means to live a zero-regret life.Saahil shares how, by every external measure, he had “made it”: financial success, global travel, a luxury lifestyle, and growing businesses. But beneath the surface, unchecked stress, chronic inflammation, and a constant need to please others nearly cost him his life—culminating in a near-fatal car accident caused by extreme fatigue.This conversation goes far beyond motivation. It’s a masterclass for corporate executives, people managers, HR leaders, and founders who are navigating high performance without burning out.In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why inherited definitions of success quietly sabotage leaders• How people-pleasing erodes health, clarity, and decision-making• The difference between an employee mindset and a true ownership mindset• How delegation and empowerment unlock organizational growth• Why miscommunication is one of the most dangerous leadership risks• How Saahil’s mountaineering experiences shaped his leadership philosophy• The concept of the “Seven Internal Summits”—a framework for designing a fulfilling life• A simple nightly reflection practice that reduces regret and increases clarity• Why health, boundaries, and energy management are leadership responsibilities—not luxuriesSaahil also explains why he chose not to shut down his coaching and speaking business after losing his father—despite financial pressure—and how redefining success allowed him to scale sustainably without sacrificing family or wellbeing.If you’re leading a team, building a company, or managing people while feeling stretched thin, this episode will challenge you to rethink what “winning” actually looks like—and give you practical tools to lead with intention.👉 Watch the full episode, reflect on your own definition of success, and share this with a leader who needs to hear it.💬 Question for you:Which area of your life is quietly draining your energy right now—and what would it look like to reclaim it?🔔 Subscribe to The Leader’s Mindset for weekly conversations on leadership, strategy, and personal growth.Onward and Upward! 🚀✅ If you got value from this episode, do these 3 things:1) Like this video – It helps more people find these insights.2) Subscribe – New leadership content every week!3) Share this episode with a leader who needs to hear this!📌 Exclusive Leadership ProgramsWant to take your leadership development to the next level?📖 Take charge of your own leadership development with our online program: https://www.leducleadership.com/bethebossprogramIf you’re a Human Resources or Learning and Development professional and have a bunch of leaders you’d like to get trained, check out our corporate Leadership Academy for Tech Managers program: https://www.leducleadership.com/leadershipacademy📅 Ready to elevate your leadership skills? Book a discovery call: https://link.marketingmoneymachine.co/widget/bookings/training-discoveryLet’s create the leaders your team deserves.How to reach Saahil:Website: https://www.saahilmehta.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saahilmehta/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saahilmehtaofficial/How to reach Jason LeDuc:Email: [email protected]: https://www.leducleadership.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-leduc-3469823/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leducleadership
57 min
February 17 Coaching and Training: Why We Need Both
Why does your organization keep spending money on training… but behavior never really changes?Most leaders assume the problem is the quality of the training itself. But that’s almost never the real issue. The truth is simpler—and more uncomfortable: training alone doesn’t change behavior.In this Leadership TTP video, leadership strategist and former U.S. Air Force officer Jason LeDuc breaks down one of the most common (and costly) leadership mistakes organizations make—treating training and coaching as if they’re the same thing, or worse, choosing one and ignoring the other.Training shares knowledge.Coaching turns knowledge into judgment, confidence, and action.When leaders rely on training without coaching, the results are predictable: short-term awareness, followed by long-term regression to old habits. In this video, Jason explains why that happens—and how high-performing organizations avoid it.You’ll learn:• Why training is essential for alignment, shared language, and standards—but not sufficient on its own• How coaching is where learning actually becomes leadership• The role reflection plays in real growth: what worked, what didn’t, and what to do differently next time• Why accountability after the classroom is the missing link in most leadership programs• How combining training and coaching creates durable behavior change, even under pressureDrawing on real-world leadership experience in high-pressure environments, Jason walks through a practical framework showing how strong leaders use training to establish clarity—and coaching to drive execution when it matters most.This isn’t theory. It’s what happens when organizations stop checking the “training complete” box and start building leaders who can actually apply what they’ve learned when stress, time pressure, and real decisions show up.If you’re responsible for leadership development, talent growth, or team performance—and you’ve ever wondered why great content isn’t producing great results—this episode will change how you think about training forever.💬 Join the conversation:Where have you seen training fall short because coaching was missing—or coaching fail without a shared foundation? Drop your perspective in the comments and let’s talk about what actually works.👍 If this helped clarify how leadership development should work, subscribe for weekly leadership insights built for real-world execution—not theory.Onward and Upward! 🚀Ready to Lead With Confidence? Subscribe & Stay Ahead!🎥 Watch, learn, and take action! Don’t miss more cutting-edge leadership training—hit SUBSCRIBE now!🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode packed with leadership insights!📩 Share this video with someone who needs to hear it today!📌 Exclusive Leadership ProgramsWant to take your leadership development to the next level?🔥 Be the Boss You Always Wish You Had (Self-Paced Leadership Training for Tech Managers) → Enroll Now https://www.leducleadership.com/bethebossprogram🏆 Leadership Academy (Corporate Training for Teams) → Learn More https://www.leducleadership.com/leadershipacademy📞 Book a discovery call: https://link.marketingmoneymachine.co/widget/bookings/training-discoveryAbout Jason LeDuc:Jason LeDuc is a seasoned leader and esteemed leadership consultant, drawing from his extensive experience in the U.S. Air Force and beyond. With a passion for empowering individuals to unleash their full potential, Jason is committed to fostering a new generation of visionary leaders. Connect with Jason and embark on a journey of leadership enlightenment today!How to reach Jason LeDuc:Email: [email protected]: https://www.leducleadership.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-leduc-3469823/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leducleadership
4 min
February 16 Vegas Startup Scene February 16th 2026 – Here’s What Founders & Investors Need to Know
Las Vegas is becoming one of the most connected and opportunity-rich startup ecosystems in the country.

In this week’s Vegas Startup Scene, host Jason LeDuc breaks down everything happening across the Southern Nevada tech and entrepreneur community for the week of February 16th, 2026 — from live pitch events and accelerator deadlinesto blockchain meetups and advanced energy cohorts. If you're a startup founder, angel investor, venture capitalist, or tech entrepreneur looking for deal flow, partnerships, or visibility, this episode is your weekly strategic advantage.

StartupNV recently hosted its Pitch Room at the International Innovation Center, where founders pitched for feedback (not funding) — a powerful reminder that refining your pitch before facing investors can dramatically increase your odds ofclosing capital. Companies including Maintrix AI, Hesh QTRS, Product of Grace, and Mach-AI received advisor-level scrutiny designed to pressure-test their business models and messaging.

Downtown Tech Alley returns February 21st at its new Third Street Vegas location — proving once again that the Vegas startup community adapts, pivots, and executes. As Josh Leavitt shared on the livestream, Tech Alley has never missed a month in over four years — a testament to a resilient, community-run ecosystem. That consistency matters for founders building visibility and investors tracking emerging companies.

Tech Alley Henderson follows on February 25th with a pitch competition in collaboration with UNLV Office of Economic Development, America’s SBDC, AWS, Softchoice, and Elevate Las Vegas — exactly the kind of cross-sector partnerships thataccelerate innovation in regional markets

If you're in advanced energy systems, next-gen batteries, or critical minerals circularity, applications are due February 22nd for Generator’s gBETA Electrified Nevada cohort.

Zero Labs is also accepting applications for Cohort Eight, running July 5–7 in Las Vegas

Beyond the headline events, we cover:
• Vegas Crypto Group’s Multi-Chain Mondays• Web3 Wednesdays at Loaded Empanadas• Fusion 42’s Pitch Kung Fu• Founder Huddle weekly sessions• Veteran Entrepreneur Series workshops

Here’s the bigger takeaway: the Las Vegas startup ecosystem is no longer just networking events. It’s structured feedback loops, accelerator pipelines, SAFE agreement discussions, founder forums, crypto communities, and investor-ready pitchdevelopment happening weekly.

If you’re building a startup in Nevada — or looking to invest in one — proximity and participation matter. Ecosystems reward consistency.

💬 Question for you:
If you're a founder, what’s your biggest obstacle right now — capital, customers, or clarity in your pitch?
If you're an investor, what sectors in Vegas are you watching most closely in 2026?

Drop your answer in the comments!

If this breakdown saved you time or helped you spot an opportunity, subscribe to the channel. We’re building this to become the go-to weekly intelligence briefing for startup founders and tech investors in Las Vegas.

Links to every event mentioned are below.
Send us your events, pitch nights, wins, and ecosystem news for next week’s rundown.

Get out there. Do great things today!

Onward and Upward. 🚀

LINKS:
Governor’s Office of Economic Development Website: https://goed.nv.gov/
StartupNV Website: https://startupnv.disco.co/
Vegas Crypto Group: https://www.meetup.com/vegas-crypto-group/
Fusion42 Website: https://fusion-42.com/
Fusion 42 Events: https://lu.ma/Fusion-42

Conversation with Josh Leavitt at Tech Alley Downtown: https://www.youtube.com/live/6U9W58D6KQ8?si=PuVxWK62WGTKT9DQ

Want to get your news or event in the rundown?Contact me here:

Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-leduc-3469823/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leducleadership
7 min
February 12 Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Yourself – Mitchell Weisburgh on The Leader’s Mindset Podcast
Most leaders believe they make decisions logically.But under pressure, that’s rarely true.In this episode of The Leader’s Mindset, host Jason LeDuc sits down with Mitchell Weisburgh, founder of MindShifting with Mitch and author of MindShifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success, to unpack what really happens in the first few seconds after a challenge hits—and why those seconds quietly determine success or failure for leaders, teams, and organizations.We explore how the brain’s survival system hijacks decision-making at work, causing leaders to react instead of respond. Mitchell breaks down how fight, flight, freeze, habit, and social conformity show up in everyday leadership moments—from tough conversations and conflict to high-stakes decisions and team resistance.This conversation goes beyond theory. Mitchell shares a practical, teachable framework leaders can use to:• Recognize when they’re operating from survival mode• Shift into a resourceful, resilient state in seconds• Use feedback instead of blame to improve performance• Work productively with people who resist, disagree, or challenge authorityWe also dive deep into:• Why resilience, resourcefulness, and collaboration must be developed together• How leaders unintentionally train teams to hide information through reward and punishment• The real reason “telling people what to do” fails under pressure• How asking the right questions helps people change their own thinking• Why most organizations skip the most important step of the OODA Loop—re-orientationDrawing from neuroscience, decades of behavioral research, military decision-making models, and real-world leadership coaching, Mitchell explains how leaders can build internal regulation skills that scale across teams and organizations.If you’re a corporate executive, people manager, HR leader, or founder navigating constant pressure, conflict, or change—this episode will fundamentally change how you think about leadership, decision-making, and influence.🎧 Watch the full conversation to learn how great leaders slow down just enough to move faster—and bring their teams with them.💬 Reflection question:Where do you notice yourself reacting instead of responding at work—and what would change if you paused for 30 seconds?📌 Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, strategy, and decision-making under pressure.Onward and Upward! 🚀✅ If you got value from this episode, do these 3 things:1) Like this video – It helps more people find these insights.2) Subscribe – New leadership content every week!3) Share this episode with a leader who needs to hear this!📌 Exclusive Leadership ProgramsWant to take your leadership development to the next level?📖 Take charge of your own leadership development with our online program: https://www.leducleadership.com/bethebossprogramIf you’re a Human Resources or Learning and Development professional and have a bunch of leaders you’d like to get trained, check out our corporate Leadership Academy for Tech Managers program: https://www.leducleadership.com/leadershipacademy📅 Ready to elevate your leadership skills? Book a discovery call: https://link.marketingmoneymachine.co/widget/bookings/training-discoveryLet’s create the leaders your team deserves.How to reach Mitch: Website: https://www.mindshiftingwithmitch.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mweisburgh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weisburghm/How to reach Jason LeDuc:Email: [email protected]: https://www.leducleadership.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-leduc-3469823/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leducleadership
55 min
February 10 How to Speak so People Actually Hear
Most leaders can talk.Very few leaders can speak in a way that actually changes behavior.If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting thinking “I know I explained it clearly… so why didn’t anything change?”—this episode is for you.In this Leadership TTP video, Jason LeDuc breaks down why smart ideas fail to land, why teams nod politely but don’t act, and how leaders unintentionally trap themselves in monologue instead of influence. Communication is not about talking more. It’s about alignment, intent, and action.Leadership isn’t measured by how much information you deliver—it’s measured by what people do next.In this episode, you’ll learn practical, real-world tactics leaders can use to speak so people actually hear them—without relying on longer presentations, denser slides, or more meetings.You’ll discover:• Why leading with content instead of purpose causes confusion and disengagement• How to start every message with why it matters to them, not just what you want to say• The difference between speaking to inform and speaking to influence• How over-structuring for agendas creates monologues instead of engagement• Why trust must come before data if you want buy-in• How to structure messages so people remember the action—not just the words• The critical leadership mistake of ending with “Any questions?” instead of a clear decision, commitment, or behavior changeThis episode is especially valuable for:• Corporate executives leading teams through complexity• People managers struggling to get consistent execution• HR and training leaders responsible for alignment and culture• Startup founders who need clarity without bureaucracy• Leaders who want influence, not just airtimeAt its core, this episode reframes communication as intentional leadership—not performance, not information dumps, and not recycled slides. When leaders speak with intent, clarity follows. And when clarity follows, action happens.If you want your words to move people—not just fill time—this is a skill you must master.💬 Join the conversation:What’s one message you keep repeating to your team that still isn’t landing the way you want? Drop it in the comments and let’s break down how to say it so people actually hear it.If this episode helps you think differently about leadership communication, share it with another leader, subscribe for weekly leadership tactics, techniques, and procedures, and keep building the skills your role demands.Onward and Upward! 🚀Ready to Lead With Confidence? Subscribe & Stay Ahead!🎥 Watch, learn, and take action! Don’t miss more cutting-edge leadership training—hit SUBSCRIBE now!🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode packed with leadership insights!📩 Share this video with someone who needs to hear it today!📌 Exclusive Leadership ProgramsWant to take your leadership development to the next level?🔥 Be the Boss You Always Wish You Had (Self-Paced Leadership Training for Tech Managers) → Enroll Now https://www.leducleadership.com/bethebossprogram🏆 Leadership Academy (Corporate Training for Teams) → Learn More https://www.leducleadership.com/leadershipacademy📞 Book a discovery call: https://link.marketingmoneymachine.co/widget/bookings/training-discoveryAbout Jason LeDuc:Jason LeDuc is a seasoned leader and esteemed leadership consultant, drawing from his extensive experience in the U.S. Air Force and beyond. With a passion for empowering individuals to unleash their full potential, Jason is committed to fostering a new generation of visionary leaders. Connect with Jason and embark on a journey of leadership enlightenment today!How to reach Jason LeDuc:Email: [email protected]: https://www.leducleadership.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-leduc-3469823/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leducleadership
3 min
February 09 Vegas Startup Scene February 9th 2026 – Nevada’s Startup Momentum Is Quietly Exploding
What if the biggest opportunities in startups, clean energy, and creative tech weren’t coming from Silicon Valley—but from Nevada?In this week’s Vegas Startup Scene, host Jason LeDuc breaks down the real signals shaping Southern Nevada’s startup and investment ecosystem—from clean energy capital flows and workforce development to founder support programs and the quiet rise of film and creative technology.We start with a major leadership move: the appointment of Nathan Bouvet as Chair of the Nevada Clean Energy Fund Board, reinforcing the state’s long-term commitment to clean energy as both an environmental priority and an economic growth engine. The fund continues to expand access to capital for projects that lower energy costs, create jobs, and support underserved communities across Nevada.From there, we unpack more than $27 million in approved tax abatements tied to over $340 million in capital investment, spanning advanced manufacturing, data center infrastructure, and solar panel recycling. These projects are expected to generate 350+ new jobs and an estimated $84 million in tax revenue over the next decade—clear signals for founders, operators, and investors watching where smart money and infrastructure are aligning.Workforce development is also moving in lockstep with capital investment. The state’s approval of funding for a CDL training expansion at Great Basin College highlights how Nevada is actively building the talent pipeline required to support logistics, transportation, and advanced industries.Support for founders continues with a strong focus on access and inclusion. The Nevada Veterans Business Outreach Center is hosting a Veteran Entrepreneurs Series workshop focused on SDVOSB and VOSB certification, helping veteran founders unlock government contracting opportunities and long-term growth pathways.We also highlight upcoming ecosystem events, including a StartupNV Founder Institute masterclass on building operations at scale, covering the real systems founders need—cash flow discipline, supply chain strategy, vendor management, and knowing when to bring in expert support.The episode wraps with a candid and insightful conversation with Connor Torres, a video game developer and creative technologist, exploring how film, gaming, Unreal Engine, virtual production, and AI-driven tools are converging in Las Vegas. Rather than waiting for a top-down “Hollywood move,” creators and entrepreneurs are building infrastructure from the ground up—positioning Nevada as a future hub for creative and entertainment technology.Whether you’re a startup founder, tech investor, creative entrepreneur, or ecosystem builder, this episode gives you real context, real signals, and real opportunities shaping what’s next in Nevada.👉 Everything discussed—events, programs, and resources—is linked in the description.💬 Join the ConversationWhat opportunity in Nevada’s startup or creative ecosystem are you most excited about right now—clean energy, tech infrastructure, government contracting, or creative media? Drop your take in the comments and let’s get a real conversation going.We’ll see you out there in the ecosystem. Let’s grow the Vegas Startup Scene together.Onward and Upward! 🚀LINKS:Governor’s Office of Economic Development Website: https://goed.nv.gov/StartupNV Website: https://startupnv.disco.co/Startup Vegas Website: https://startup.vegas/Vegas Crypto Group: https://www.meetup.com/vegas-crypto-group/Fusion42 Website: https://fusion-42.com/Fusion 42 Events: https://lu.ma/Fusion-42Conversation with Conner Torres at Tech Alley Downtown: https://www.youtube.com/live/6U9W58D6KQ8?si=PuVxWK62WGTKT9DQWant to get your news or event in the rundown? Contact me here:Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-leduc-3469823/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leducleadership
9 min
February 05 Why Most PR Fails and How Earned Media Builds Trust - Mickie Kennedy on The Leader’s Mindset Podcast
Most leaders think they understand PR.They don’t.In this episode of The Leader’s Mindset, I sit down with Mickie Kennedy, founder and CEO of eReleases, to break down why most press releases fail, why paid placements quietly destroy credibility, and how real earned media can become one of the most powerful growth levers for executives, founders, and HR leaders.Mickie has helped thousands of companies generate legitimate media coverage — not ads disguised as articles, but real stories written by journalists who care about their audience. In this conversation, he pulls back the curtain on how the media actually works and why storytelling, not promotion, determines who gets coverage and who gets ignored.You’ll learn why “as seen in Forbes” doesn’t always mean what you think it means — and how journalists instantly spot (and discard) press releases that are written for the company instead of the reader. Mickie explains the critical difference between paid media and earned media, and why third-party credibility consistently outperforms advertising when it comes to trust, conversions, and long-term authority.We dive deep into how great PR mirrors great leadership communication. Whether you’re announcing a product, launching a company, rolling out an initiative, or positioning yourself as an industry expert, the same rule applies: if your message doesn’t educate, entertain, or emotionally engage an audience, it won’t land.This episode is packed with real examples — including how small businesses and startups have used story arcs, case studies, industry surveys, and even contrarian viewpoints to land national media coverage, increase conversion rates, reduce customer churn, and differentiate themselves in crowded markets.Mickie also shares powerful lessons from decades in PR, including:• Why journalists prefer underdogs over big brands• How to turn customer success stories into media-ready narratives• When news-jacking works — and when it backfires• Why surveys are one of the most underused PR tools in business• How earned media can directly impact sales, retention, and pricing powerIf you’re a corporate executive, people manager, HR professional, or founder trying to build trust, authority, and visibility — this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about PR and communication.💬 Join the ConversationWhat’s one story inside your business that you’ve been overlooking? Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it.Onward and Upward! 🚀✅ If you got value from this episode, do these 3 things:1) Like this video – It helps more people find these insights.2) Subscribe – New leadership content every week!3) Share this episode with a leader who needs to hear this!📌 Exclusive Leadership ProgramsWant to take your leadership development to the next level?📖 Take charge of your own leadership development with our online program: https://www.leducleadership.com/bethebossprogramIf you’re a Human Resources or Learning and Development professional and have a bunch of leaders you’d like to get trained, check out our corporate Leadership Academy for Tech Managers program: https://www.leducleadership.com/leadershipacademy📅 Ready to elevate your leadership skills? Book a discovery call: https://link.marketingmoneymachine.co/widget/bookings/training-discoveryLet’s create the leaders your team deserves.How to reach Mickie:Website: https://www.ereleases.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/publicity/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ereleasespr/How to reach Jason LeDuc:Email: [email protected]: https://www.leducleadership.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-leduc-3469823/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leducleadership
59 min

About The Leader's Mindset

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The Leader’s Mindset is a leadership strategy podcast for executives, founders, and emerging leaders who want to think clearly, act decisively, and build high-performing teams. Hosted by Jason LeDuc,…

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