UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders

In today's episode of the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders podcast, hosts Dr. Troy and Ben-Jamin Toy are joined by entrepreneur and builder George Rivera. 

George opens up about his journey as a longtime founder and the realization he had when his father shared a heartbreaking deathbed regret about missing too many of his games. Recognizing that he was repeating the same cycle of absence with his own young son while chasing multiple eight-figure business success, George shares his transition from being a financial provider to being a fully present, engaged father. 

Tune in for an honest discussion on prioritizing relationships, avoiding burnout, and remembering that while we can always make more money, we can never redo a childhood.

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Dr. Troy Hall and Ben-Jamin Toy chat with special guest Stephanie Sylvestre, founder of Avatar Buddy, for an honest and humorous conversation about leadership, missteps, and the beauty of type-two fun. 

Stephanie shares her winding career journey from master's graduate to tech entrepreneur, opening up about a leadership misstep where she charged into an organization at full speed without aligning with the team. Tune in to discover how vulnerability, sincere apologies, and shifting back down to first gear can turn workplace friction into lasting trust. 

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In today's episode of the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders podcast, host Dr. Troy Hall and special guest co-host Trevor Crunelle welcome Kurt Bush, a leadership coach and former pastor with a rich background spanning manufacturing, HR, and church planting. Kurt candidly opens up about an UH-OH moment during the high-stress environment of 2020 when he rushed to deliver life-altering news to a key volunteer leader via voicemail rather than waiting for an in-person conversation.

Kurt breaks down the internal pressure and anxiety that drove his decision, the instant loss of leadership credibility that followed, and how the spotlight shifted from a necessary decision to his poor delivery. Listeners will gain actionable takeaways on leading through anxiety, asking the crucial question "What's true?" during high-stress moments, and adopting the foundational principle that how you do something is just as important as what you do.

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When unexpected events strike late in a career, many leaders assume their choices are limited. In today's episode of the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders podcast, host Ben-Jamin Toy and guest host Trevor Crunelle chat with David Nassief from Phoenix, Arizona. David shares about when he got fired at age 63 after an 18-year corporate career, only to realize his high-earning lifestyle had left him with a two-year financial runway.

David reveals how he navigated rejection, built mental resilience through commission sales, and shifted his mindset from making money to building wealth. He breaks down the danger of investment fees, the illusion of moving in circles without a clear compass, and how he developed a simplified, one-page system that transformed his finances to a seven-figure portfolio by age 69. Tune in for a candid conversation about intentionality, correct principles, and finding purpose that extends beyond traditional retirement.

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In today's episode of the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders podcast, host Ben-Jamin Toy and guest co-host Trevor Crunelle chat with Jason Clark, Chief Marketing Officer at Tectonic. Jason shares his remarkable journey from living in a tent in Alaska at age 26 after a divorce and bankruptcy, to growing a successful digital agency from 2 to 18 employees and navigating a high-stakes merger.

The heart of the episode dives into Jason’s UH-OH moment on the day his key employee walked into his office to resign because Jason was hogging the spotlight, micromanaging, and blocking his team’s potential. Jason candidly breaks down how he faced the harsh truth, hired a business coach, established a leadership team, and learned to get out of his own way to save his organizational culture and pave the way for long-term growth.

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When a massive rival expanded just one mile from his martial arts school, our guest, Chris Natzke, faced an intense wave of panic and uncertainty. In today's episode of the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders podcast, Chris chats with co-host Ben-Jamin Toy and guest host Trevor Crunelle to reveal how he broke free from automatic negative thoughts, embraced vulnerability, and asked for mentor support. 

Discover how shifting focus away from external threats and toward internal operational excellence not only saved his business, but delivered a 33% surge in annual growth. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on leading through fear, building true team buy-in, and turning acute business anxiety into long-term organizational success.

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In today's episode of the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders podcast, special co-host Trevor Crunelle steps in alongside Ben-Jamin Toy to chat with Jay Poulton, accent coach, author, and communications specialist. Jay opens up about an early career UH-OH when he was fired from a high-profile communications role after failing to fit the organization's culture. He shares the deep personal and professional toll it took on his pride, and how he processed the grief and anger that followed.

The conversation explores the differences between surface-level transparency and true vulnerability, the power of leaning on a trusted community during hard transitions, and how workplace anxiety often serves as an early indicator that you are out of alignment. Whether you are navigating a difficult setback or working to find your voice at the leadership table, Jay’s insights offer a blueprint for resilience and self-discovery.

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In this episode of the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders podcast, host Dr. Troy and guest co-host Trevor Crunelle chat with serial entrepreneur Holly Porter. Holly shares the story of an unexpected business pivot when her family concrete company faced a sudden shift after bringing in her son as a full partner without formal legal agreements or a structured exit plan. When the planned buyout changed unexpectedly right between Christmas and New Year, Holly and her husband were forced to navigate major financial losses, disrupted long-term plans, and the sensitive dynamics of working with family.

Holly breaks down what this UH-OH moment cost in both social and financial capital, how their family eventually healed the relationship, and why kindness must always go hand in hand with written contracts and clear communication. Whether you operate a family business or manage cross-generational teams, this conversation offers vital takeaways on asking the right questions, protecting your assets, and framing tough challenges into growth opportunities.

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In today's episode of the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders podcasts, hosts Dr. Troy and Ben-Jamin Toy chat with Luke Mickelson. Luke is a former breakdancer, passionate entrepreneur, and founder of the nationwide nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Luke opens up about an intense personal crisis that hits many successful creators: Founder Syndrome. He shares what happens when identity fusion causes a leader’s personal worth to become inseparable from their organization. From navigating the painful sting of relevance wounds to recognizing when defensive reactions threaten the very mission you built, Luke unpacks his UH-OH moment and the steps he took to step back, get help, and evolve into an ambassador. Whether you are a founder, executive, or emerging leader, this conversation offers vital lessons on emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and keeping your character distinct from your title.

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In today's episode of the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders podcast, hosts Dr. Troy and Ben-Jamin Toy chat with Mike Hruska, CEO of Baryons, to discuss the distinction between passion-driven curiosity and costly business distractions. 

Mike shares his diverse background as a professional touring musician, government researcher, and tech entrepreneur, leading into a pivotal UH-OH moment where a security tech side venture derailed his core business. Tune in to learn how he transformed an expensive lesson into a systematic framework for vetting new ideas, the profound impact of strategic mentorship, and how leaders can utilize design thinking and the ABCD philosophy to maintain relentless focus.

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