In this powerful conversation, Rick Burris sits down with Jai Cornell, founder of Permission to Flourish, to talk about the true journey behind her mission: helping people stop hiding, stop people-pleasing, and start telling the stories that can change lives.

Jai shares how painful experiences from her childhood—and a pivotal moment at 16 that could have ended her story—became the fuel for breaking generational cycles and building a purpose-driven business rooted in faith, trust, and service. Together, Rick and Jai explore why we often chase validation, what it looks like to find your voice, and how storytelling (especially through writing and publishing) can become a pathway to healing, legacy, and leadership.

You’ll also hear how Permission to Flourish was born out of seeing authors get taken advantage of—leading Jai to create an integrity-first publishing ecosystem with a mission, a team, a magazine, a podcast, and global events designed to equip entrepreneurs and amplify voices worldwide.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of trauma, violence/assault, addiction, death, and suicidal ideation. Listener discretion advised.

What do you do when you finally take the leap intoentrepreneurship… and two weeks later the world shuts down?

In this episode, Rick Burris sits down with David Johansen,founder of Green Shield Restoration and Cleaning, to unpack the pivotal moments that shaped David’s journey—from launching a carpet and upholstery cleaning business at the start of COVID, to evolving into a full-service operation serving families through water, fire, and mold mitigation + restoration.

David shares the mindset shifts that helped him move throughfear and imposter syndrome, why clarity has become his greatest business advantage, and what he’s learned the hard way about partnerships, boundaries, and leadership growth.

 If you’re building something and feeling the chaos of the climb, this conversation will help you reframe the challenge—and keep moving forward.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

The internal “fear stories” entrepreneurs battle—and how torewrite them Why entrepreneurship exposes your patterns (and strengthens resilience) Lessons from partnerships: clarity, pacing, and watching how someone handles disagreement

 Trusting your gut, setting boundaries, and making the hard decision sooner David’s vision for expanding Green Shield while building a growth-focused team culture

Guest:

David Johansen

David is the founder of Green Shield Restoration andCleaning, providing carpet/rug/upholstery cleaning alongside restoration services for water, fire, and mold—helping customers replace panic with calm and a clear plan.

Connect with David

Website: https://www.greenshieldrestoration.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenshieldrestoration?igsh=cXp1MnI4cm1ta3By

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559857786108

Email: [email protected]

keywords

Entrepreneurship, Resilience, Business Growth, Partnerships,Mindset, COVID-19, Leadership, Personal Development key topics Resilience during COVID-19

The importance of clarity and mindset Lessons onpartnerships and collaboration Trusting intuition in business decisions

takeaways

The pivotal role of resilience during challenging times

Clarity and honest self-assessment are key to growth

Effective partnerships require clear communication andshared values Trust your gut even when it feels risky, it often leads to better outcomes

Don’t forget: Subscribe to The Refinery Podcast and sharethis episode with a builder who needs a boost of clarity and confidence today.

In Episode #27 of The Refinery Podcast, Rick Burris sits down with Andy Hall—executive coach, leadership mentor, and (as Rick proudly shares) a true coach’s coach. After a 30-year corporate career that took him from retail leadership in the UK to the U.S. just before 9/11, Andy opens up about the pivotal moments that forced reinvention: being told he “wasn’t capable,” experiencing redundancy, and finally hitting a “burn the ships” moment that ended corporate life for good.

From there, Andy walks through how coaching became more than a skill—it became a calling. You’ll hear how a “Leader as Coach” training transformed his leadership results, why outdated leadership models still create preventable problems in organizations today, and how proximity, mentorship (including Paul Martinelli), and the courage to claim your expertise shaped his next chapter. The conversation also touches on Andy’s work helping build coaching lanes for major initiatives—including God Talks—and his vision for multiplying impact through the next generation of world-class coaches.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The career moments that pushed Andy to pivot (and why they mattered)

• Why coaching changes sales, retention, and performance outcomes

• The difference between “telling” and “coaching” leadership

• Proximity, mentorship, and the discipline of building a real coaching business

• The future of coaching through movements like God Talks

Connect with Andy Hall

• Website: https://andyhallcoaching.com/home

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andyhallcoaching

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andyhallcoaching/

• X: https://x.com/AndyHallCoach

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhall2710/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzyNN5Pj_WcKjttSZFQqB_Q

Explore God Talks

• Certification: https://godtalksteam.com/certification/

• Website: https://godtalksteam.com/

Keywordsleadership, servant leadership, servant-minded leadership, personal growth, workplace culture, emotional intelligence, leadership training, mentorship, organizational development, team dynamicsSummaryIn this episode of the Refinery Podcast, Jon Antonucci discusses the concept of Servant-Minded Leadership, emphasizing the importance of caring for others in leadership roles. He shares his personal journey, including early experiences in martial arts and the lessons learned from adversity, including a significant life event that led to his transformation. Jon highlights the need for nurturing individuals in the workplace and the distinction between management and leadership. He also talks about his new book, the target audience for his leadership training, and the role of love in effective leadership.TakeawaysLeadership is not just about position; it's about influence.True leadership starts with caring for others.Servant-minded leadership focuses on the impact we have on others' lives.People want to feel valued and part of something bigger.Nurturing individuals in their passion leads to better performance.The journey of leadership often comes from personal failures.Effective leadership requires relational skills, not just operational skills.Love is essential in leadership; it drives effective decision-making.The importance of seeing people as individuals, not just employees.Leadership training should focus on frontline leaders who directly manage teams.TitlesUnlocking the Power of Servant-Minded LeadershipThe Journey from Management to LeadershipSound bites"Leadership is about bringing out the best in others.""Servant leaders aren't nice, but they do what's best.""True leadership is rooted in love."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Servant-Minded Leadership03:10 The Journey of Leadership06:13 Understanding Servant-Minded Leadership08:55 The Importance of Caring in Leadership12:11 Nurturing People in the Workplace15:03 The Birth of a Book18:14 Real-World Application of Leadership Principles21:07 Target Audience for Leadership Training24:10 Differentiating Leadership Levels27:01 The Role of Love in Leadership29:49 Personal Journey and Transformation33:00 The Impact of Adversity on Leadership36:07 Speaking Engagements and Audience ConnectionMain Website (SML Consultive):https://www.servantmindedleadership.comhttps://servantmindedleadership.com/about-jon-antonucci/ (Jon’s bio)All-in-one Connect Hub (socials + more):https://quicklinks.servantmindedleadership.com/connect (LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, etc.) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-antonucci/YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@servantmindedleadership :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}Speaker Site:https://jonantonucci.com :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}Book (Servant-Minded Leadership: How Mindfulness Changes Servant Leadership):https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/servant-minded-leadership-jon-antonucci/1148164368 :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

In this episode, we sit down with Westley Arden Morris — a survivor, speaker, coach, and entrepreneur whose life story is as raw as it is inspiring. Wes grew up surrounded by violence, addiction, and instability, battled his own demons starting in his teens, and even found himself homeless and hopeless in North Philadelphia. Yet through grit, spiritual calling, and relentless self‑rebuilding, he turned his life around — growing multiple businesses, earning prestigious awards, and helping thousands of others believe what once seemed impossible is now possible.Wes gets real about pain, transformation, identity, resilience, and what it looks like to pedal through life even when everything feels stacked against you. Expect honesty, tough lessons, and motivation that hits where it matters.Get the book and connect with Wes.https://www.westleymorris.com/keep-pedaling

In this inspiring episode, Rick Burris sits down with master coach and founder of The Coaching Group Inc., Karl Pister, to explore a 35+ year journey through behavioral science, counseling, and high-impact executive coaching—especially within the complex, ever-changing world of healthcare.From early lessons in grief therapy to helping hospital executives lead through crisis, Karl shares candid insights about leadership, faith, generational change, and why deep learning still matters in a fast-paced world. He opens up about how spiritual nudges shaped his business, the unexpected pivot into healthcare coaching, and what it truly means to sharpen the saw.Whether you're a coach, executive, or curious leader, Karl’s wisdom will help you reflect on your own path and inspire you to keep growing.🔑 In This Episode:The leap from clinical counseling to business coachingWhy healthcare needs value-driven leadership now more than everNavigating multigenerational dynamics in today’s workplaceWhat 32,000+ hours of listening taught Karl about human behaviorInvesting in personal growth — even when the ROI isn’t obvious🔗 Connect with Karl Pister:🌐 Website: https://www.coachinggroupinc.com/🎧 Podcast: https://podcast.coachinggroupinc.com/📩 Contact The Refinery PodcastEmail: [email protected]: https://www.leadersfuel.comJoin the conversation: #TheRefineryPodcast🔔 Don’t forget to follow, share, and subscribe to The Refinery Podcast wherever you listen!

In this powerful and heart-forward conversation, Rick sits down with Barbara Britt, a dynamic Culture Strategist, speaker, coach, and former educator with 37 years of experience in shaping leadership from the ground up. As President of B.Britt, LLC and a John Maxwell Executive Director, Barbara brings her signature energy and authenticity to the mic, unpacking the foundations of a truly empowered culture.From leading national champion cheer squads to shaping the leadership DNA of companies, military bases, and communities, Barbara shares how emotional intelligence, DISC profiling, and radical listening can unlock untapped potential in any organization. This isn’t just theory—it’s strategy wrapped in empathy, delivered with contagious passion.Barbara challenges us to ask: How do people feel on Sunday about going to work on Monday? If the answer isn’t excitement, it’s time to reimagine the culture.You’ll hear:The origin story of Barbara’s role as a Culture StrategistWhy culture isn’t built by accident—it must be crafted with intentionHer “Undo List” framework for eliminating energy drainersHow she empowers teams from the custodian to the CEOStories that will move you—and make you rethink how people feel at workWhether you're leading a business, a team, or a classroom, Barbara’s insights are a masterclass in people-first transformation.🔗 Connect with Barbara Britt🌐 Website: www.barbarabritt.com📧 President, B.Britt, LLC🎙️ Culture Strategist | John Maxwell Executive Director🎤 Motivational Speaker | Business Consultant🧠 Human Behavioral Consultant (DISC) | Empowered Living Administrator💡 Love what you’re hearing?Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more leaders like you build stronger, more empowered cultures.

In this episode of The Refinery Podcast, Rick sits down with Lori Enskyy, a missionary, counselor, and co-laborer in gospel and humanitarian efforts alongside her husband, Oleh Enskyy. Together, they’ve devoted their lives to ministering to the people of Ukraine—through war, displacement, and hardship.

Lori shares her remarkable path from being called to missions as a teenager in North Carolina to working in drug rehabilitation centers and church planting in Ukraine. She opens up about the heartbreaking realities of the war, the refugee crisis, and how she and Oleh transformed their church into a shelter for fleeing families—equipped through community support and unwavering faith.

You’ll also hear about their current mission work, including:

• Ongoing humanitarian and gospel aid efforts in Ukraine

• Support for orphans and displaced families

• The growth of “Ukrainian Oasis”—a global network of Bible studies and churches for Ukrainian refugees in cities like Raleigh, Washington DC, Hollywood FL, and across Europe

This episode is a profound look at how faith and resilience can meet devastation with healing, and how every listener can play a part.

🔗 Support the Enskyy family and their ministry:

• Personal Support: https://secure.finalfrontiers.world/Donation/olegandlorienskyy/

• Ukrainian Gospel & Humanitarian Aid: https://secure.finalfrontiers.world/Donation/ukraineministry-1/

• Ukrainian Oasis (Church Planting): https://secure.finalfrontiers.world/Donation/UkrainianOasis/

🙏 Pray for a just end to the war in Ukraine.
🎧 Listen now—and be moved to hope, help, and action.

After years of preparation, Burt and Dr. Alicia Villarreal of BAABCO Leadership Consulting step into the studio to share their unique blend of leadership development and sales strategy. From the psychology of prospecting to helping leaders overcome fear, procrastination, and inconsistency, this episode is a masterclass in both professional growth and personal transformation.Together, Burt and Alicia break down “The Art of Professional Prospecting” and their game-changing 10x10 framework—a daily system designed to build consistent momentum in sales. They also discuss the emotional intelligence behind real leadership, how to shift a team from “not-yets” and “nevers” into “models,” and why being a value-driven consultant matters more than ever in today’s marketplace.Connect with Burt on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burt-villarreal-49355984?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app🔥 Whether you’re in sales, leadership, or building a legacy, this episode offers strategic insights you won’t want to miss.

In this compelling episode of The Refinery Podcast, host Rick Burris welcomes back Laurel Johnson, a master negotiator and sales expert with over 40 years of experience in sales, negotiation, and business brokerage. Laurel, often called the “deal whisperer”, has spent nearly two decades training negotiators worldwide, helping individuals and businesses navigate high-stakes deals with confidence and strategy.

Join us as we explore:

✔️ The key differences between sales and negotiation—and why mastering both is crucial for success.

✔️ How emotional intelligence and strategic communication transform negotiations.

✔️ Why most people unknowingly negotiate poorly—and how to turn the tables in your favor.

✔️ Real-world negotiation insights from Laurel’s career in corporate sales, business brokerage, and global deal-making.

✔️ Practical techniques to disarm conflicts, uncover mutual goals, and lead negotiations to win-win outcomes.

Laurel shares her journey from being an award-winning sales professional to becoming a sought-after negotiation trainer, working with global corporations and small businesses alike. Her approach isn’t about manipulation, it’s about clarity, leadership, and creating lasting agreements that benefit all parties.

🎧 Listen now and elevate your negotiation game!

📌 Connect with Laurel Johnson🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-johnson-3465b0/

📧 Email

📸 Instagram

📌 Follow The Refinery Podcast for more expert insights!#Negotiation #Sales #Leadership #Podcast #BusinessGrowth