Untold

In this episode, Matthew Wride shares an inside look at leading DecisionWise through a major transition following a private equity acquisition.

He breaks down the real challenges of scaling a business, including the hidden costs of growth, maintaining quality while expanding, and the complexities of integrating company cultures after a merger. Matthew also highlights why not all revenue is good revenue and how overextension can impact long-term success.

This conversation offers valuable insights into employee engagement, organizational development, and building a strong company culture during periods of transformation. Matthew emphasizes the importance of transparency with customers, aligning with the right private equity partners, and operationalizing processes to scale effectively.

If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or involved in mergers and acquisitions, this episode provides practical lessons on navigating growth without losing focus or values.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

The impact of private equity on company growth
Hidden costs and risks of scaling too quickly
How to balance growth with quality and execution
Challenges of cultural integration in mergers
Why transparency and communication matter in business transformation

Key Topics:
DecisionWise, employee engagement, private equity, growth strategy, organizational development, merger integration, company culture, leadership, business transformation, employee experience

Timestamps:
00:00 Navigating Change: The Journey of DecisionWise
10:39 The Impact of Private Equity on Growth
17:20 Balancing Growth and Quality: The New Reality
24:15 Integrating Cultures: The Challenge of Mergers
27:44 Lessons Learned: Insights for Future Growth Opportunities

Hashtags:
#DecisionWise #PrivateEquity #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #EmployeeEngagement #CompanyCulture #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessTransformation #OrganizationalDevelopment #StartupGrowth #ScalingBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast

In this episode of Untold, host Jon Spiesman sits down with Joshua Christopherson, CEO of Achieve Today, to explore the hidden realities of leadership that rarely make it into press releases or boardroom summaries.

Joshua shares his deeply personal journey from sales and marketing leadership roles to becoming CEO of Achieve Today, an EdTech company based in Utah that has helped more than 150,000 people in 72 countries through coaching and personal development programs. After nearly two decades with the company, Joshua Christopherson reveals the mindset shifts required to grow from an individual contributor to an executive leader responsible for the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of employees.

The conversation dives into the unseen pressures of leadership, the emotional weight of running a company, and the internal battles leaders face while appearing confident on the outside. Josh Christopherson also opens up about the inspiration behind his book, CEOs and Suicide: The Invisible Game of Leadership, where he discusses the mental and emotional struggles many executives silently experience.

From navigating financial crises and near-miss payroll moments to confronting loneliness at the top, this episode uncovers the inner game that every leader must face but few openly discuss.

If you're a founder, entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring leader, this conversation provides powerful insights into resilience, vulnerability in leadership, and what it truly takes to carry the responsibility of leading others.

Topics covered in this episode:

Leadership mindset shifts from “me” to “we”
The hidden emotional costs of running a company
Why leadership can feel lonely at the top
Lessons from nearly 25 years in the education and coaching industry
The story behind the book CEOs and Suicide
Building a strong workplace culture and supporting employees
Facing business crises and staying resilient as a leader

About the guest
Joshua Christopherson is the CEO of Achieve Today, a personal development and coaching company headquartered in Utah. With more than two decades of experience in education and leadership, Joshua Christopherson has helped scale the company into a globally recognized coaching platform while building one of the most awarded workplace cultures in the state.

Hashtags

#Leadership #Entrepreneurship #CEOLeadership #BusinessPodcast #PersonalDevelopment #StartupLife #ExecutiveLeadership

In this episode of Untold, host Jon Spiesman sits down with Parker Judd, President of GMRE Incorporated, a defense and aerospace engineering firm based in Ogden, Utah. Parker shares how the company has tripled its revenue in recent years and the strategy behind scaling even further while protecting the culture that made the company successful.

After spending 17 years at GMRE, Parker rose from engineer to President. In this conversation, he explains what changed when he moved from COO to the president’s chair, how leadership shifts from operations to strategy, and why culture and people must come before numbers when building a lasting company.

As GMRE grows from a small business into a much larger competitor in the defense industry, Parker discusses the difficult decisions leaders must make including turning down opportunities that don’t align with the company’s long-term vision.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why culture matters more than strategy in fast-growing companies

The biggest leadership shift from COO to President

How GMRE plans to scale from $60M to a much larger defense contractor

The challenge of maintaining a small-company culture during rapid growth

How leaders define non-negotiable company values

Why sometimes the best business decisions don’t maximize short-term profit

The importance of customer relationships in the defense industry

Parker also shares lessons about hiring, integrating new employees from large corporations, and building a culture where employees feel like part of a community rather than just a number.

If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or founder navigating company growth, this conversation offers valuable insights into scaling a company without losing the culture that made it successful.

About Parker Judd

Parker Judd is the President of GMRE Incorporated, a defense and aerospace engineering firm supporting major U.S. defense programs. After joining the company as an engineer, he spent 17 years helping build the organization before becoming President in 2024.

Topics Covered

Leadership transition
Company culture and growth
Defense industry business strategy
Scaling organizations
Startup and leadership lessons
Building long-term company vision

Hashtags

#Leadership #CompanyCulture #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #DefenseIndustry #StartupLessons #BusinessPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment

In this episode of Untold: The Best Kept Secrets in Utah, host Jon Spiesman sits down with Justin Brach, CEO of Subcontractor Hub, to discuss how his company achieved 600% growth and continues to scale rapidly in the construction technology space.

Subcontractor Hub is a platform that helps HVAC, roofing, and energy storage contractors close deals faster using AI-powered design tools, instant financing, and end-to-end project management. Justin shares how he built the first version of the platform while still working as an executive at another company—and how a lean team, strong partnerships, and relentless innovation fueled the company’s rapid growth.

In this conversation, Justin breaks down what it really takes to scale a startup, the realities of being a CEO, and the hidden challenges behind hypergrowth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

How Subcontractor Hub achieved 600% year-over-year growth

Why partnerships can outperform traditional customer acquisition

The biggest mistakes founders make in their first year

How AI is transforming retail construction

The importance of diversification and monetization in startups

The “hidden competitor” every founder should worry about

What scaling a company fast actually costs

Justin also shares candid insights about entrepreneurship, including the difficult early days, the pressure of making payroll, and the mindset required to build something meaningful.

If you're a founder, startup builder, tech entrepreneur, or construction industry professional, this episode is packed with valuable lessons about scaling, leadership, and innovation.

About Justin Brach

Justin Brach is the CEO of Subcontractor Hub, a fast-growing platform focused on helping contractors scale their businesses efficiently with modern technology and AI-driven tools.

Topics Covered

AI in construction
Startup growth strategy
Founder mindset
Scaling a SaaS company
Partnership-led growth
Entrepreneurship lessons
Startup leadership

Subscribe for More Conversations

If you enjoy conversations with innovative founders, business leaders, and entrepreneurs, make sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications.

Hashtags

#StartupGrowth #Entrepreneurship #AI #SaaS #BusinessPodcast #StartupFounder #ConstructionTech #Leadership #ScalingStartups

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. 
Jon and the Untold podcast team

Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly:  www.linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman

Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio

Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms: 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold

#DigitalPathology #AIInnovation #RemoteWorkCulture #MedTech #StartupLeadership #Techcyte #UntoldPodcastWithJon
#CompassionOverJudgment#EncouragingLeaders #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #SmallBusinessStories #UntoldPodcast #BusinessTips #StartupJourney #LocalBusinessUtah #HiddenGems #WeeklyPodcast #JonSpiesman #BusinessAdvice #podcastforentrepreneurs 
Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode.

In this episode, Jon Spiesman sits down with Dave Olsen, co-founder and CEO of Nimbl, to explore the journey from individual contributor to effective leader.

Dave shares honest insights on the challenges of transitioning from a technical role into leadership, and what it really takes to build and scale high-performing teams. The conversation dives into self-awareness, trust, and the internal mindset shifts required for both personal and organizational growth.

You’ll learn how great leaders create environments where teams thrive, why stepping back can sometimes be the best move, and how believing in your own potential can unlock growth in others.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

The mindset shift required to move from technician to leader
How to build and develop a strong leadership team
Why self-awareness is critical for leadership growth
How to overcome personal limitations that hold you back
The importance of trust and empowering your team
How to create internal security as a leader
Why leadership growth is a continuous journey
How great leaders inspire others to reach their potential

Key insights:

“I want to stretch myself.”
“I can figure it out.”
“I can create my own security.”

This episode is perfect for founders, managers, and aspiring leaders who want to grow personally, build stronger teams, and lead with confidence in today’s fast-paced business environment.

Timestamps:
00:00 The Journey of Leadership Growth
14:04 Building a Leadership Team
21:03 Overcoming Personal Limitations
27:58 Creating Security and Trust
35:05 Inspiring Others to Believe

Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, personal growth, and building high-performing teams.

#Leadership #PersonalGrowth #Entrepreneurship #TeamBuilding #SelfAwareness #BusinessGrowth #Coaching #Startups #LeadershipDevelopment

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. 
Jon and the Untold podcast team

Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly:  www.linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman

Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio

Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms: 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold

#DigitalPathology #AIInnovation #RemoteWorkCulture #MedTech #StartupLeadership #Techcyte #UntoldPodcastWithJon
#CompassionOverJudgment#EncouragingLeaders #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #SmallBusinessStories #UntoldPodcast #BusinessTips #StartupJourney #LocalBusinessUtah #HiddenGems #WeeklyPodcast #JonSpiesman #BusinessAdvice #podcastforentrepreneurs 
Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode.

What if your toddler's tantrum is more than a phase?  

In this episode of Untold – The Best Kept Secrets of Utah, we sit down with Rebecca Dutson, President and CEO of the Children’s Center Utah, to explore the groundbreaking work her organization is doing to support the mental health of our youngest children—those from birth to age six.

With over six decades of service, the Children’s Center Utah is a trailblazer in early childhood mental health. Rebecca shares the science behind infant and toddler therapy, the lasting impact of trauma in the earliest years, and why the body remembers even when children can’t yet speak. Through evidence-based and trauma-informed care, the Center helps families heal and build stronger bonds—preventing long-term consequences before they take root.

We also dive into Rebecca’s unique career path from banking to the nonprofit world, her 25+ years at United Way, and her insights into leadership, volunteerism, and building trust in mission-driven work. She breaks down how CCU is scaling their services with a 10-year expansion plan—including a new campus in Utah County—to serve more families across the state.

This episode is both eye-opening and inspiring for anyone who cares about mental health, parenting, or creating lasting impact in their community.

👉 Connect with Jon for more on Leadership at www.linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman

#EarlyChildhoodMentalHealth #LeadershipMatters #UtahNonprofits #TraumaInformedCare #ParentingSupport #UntoldPodcastWithJon

In this energizing episode of Untold - The Best Kept Secrets of Utah, we sit down with Brad Davis, founder of Roxberry Juice Company—a thriving smoothie and juice franchise born from a lawyer's leap of faith and a garage-turned-laboratory.
Brad shares the incredible journey from his days practicing law to building Zuka Juice, selling it to Jamba Juice, and eventually launching Roxberry. You'll hear how he balanced ambition with family priorities, turned failure into innovation, and built a brand that listens to franchisees—taking inspiration from the streets rather than the boardroom.
He opens up about the ups and downs of international expansion, the lessons learned from missed opportunities in Korea, and what it really takes to make a franchise location outperform the rest. You’ll also get an inside look at how Brad runs Roxberry as a family business, testing smoothies with his kids in the garage and building a culture of continuous improvement and community connection.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a franchisee looking to grow, or someone who loves a good origin story, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, laughs, and inspiration.

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. 
Jon and the Untold podcast team

Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly:  www.linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman

Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio

Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms: 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold

#Entrepreneurship #FranchiseSuccess #RoxberryJuice #LeadershipLessons #UtahBusiness #FamilyBusiness #UntoldPodcastWithJon
#CompassionOverJudgment#EncouragingLeaders #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #SmallBusinessStories #UntoldPodcast #BusinessTips #StartupJourney #LocalBusinessUtah #HiddenGems #WeeklyPodcast #JonSpiesman #BusinessAdvice #podcastforentrepreneurs 
Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode.

🚨 In this episode of Untold, Jon Spiesman talks with Bruce Rowe, CEO of Sebo Marketing — a Utah entrepreneur who runs his agency on principles most businesses wouldn’t dare touch. From running Spartan Beasts and endurance climbs to refusing to sign clients tp contracts and selling his company while staying CEO, Bruce breaks down how discomfort drives innovation. Hear how a single decision shaped Sebo’s philosophy, why team adventure trips aren’t frivolous, and how AI is shaking up search marketing.
👉 Learn what it takes to build lasting culture, thrive in business transitions, and outlast industry trends — all while living deliberately.

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. 
Jon and the Untold podcast team

Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly:  www.linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman

Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio

Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms: 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold

#UntoldPodcastwithJon #SeboMarketing #EntrepreneurLife #Leadership #UtahBusiness #DigitalMarketing#WorkforceDevelopment #BusinessLeadership #AccountingIndustry #EntrepreneurLessons #UntoldPodcastwithJon #UniversalAccounting
#CompassionOverJudgment#EncouragingLeaders #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #SmallBusinessStories #UntoldPodcast #BusinessTips #StartupJourney #LocalBusinessUtah #HiddenGems #WeeklyPodcast #JonSpiesman #BusinessAdvice #podcastforentrepreneurs 
Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode.

🚨 From Caribbean press conferences to the CEO seat at Downeast Clothing — Chad Meyerson’s leadership journey is a masterclass in bold pivots, disciplined turnarounds, and finding opportunity in tough spots. In this episode of Untold, Chad and host Jon Spiesman dig into what it takes to right-size a struggling brand, build loyal teams, and why “cut deeper, sooner” is a business survival skill but no one likes to hear it. Chad gets candid about tough layoffs, wild marketing stunts, and what he’s learning now as a leader.

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. 
Jon and the Untold podcast team

Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly:  www.linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman

Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio

Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms: 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold

#UntoldPodcastwithJon #UtahBusiness #RetailLeadership #BusinessTurnaround #DowneastClothing #VocationalEducation #UtahEducation #DebtFreeCollege #WorkforceDevelopment #BusinessLeadership #AccountingIndustry #EntrepreneurLessons #UntoldPodcastwithJon #UniversalAccounting
#CompassionOverJudgment#EncouragingLeaders #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #SmallBusinessStories #UntoldPodcast #BusinessTips #StartupJourney #LocalBusinessUtah #HiddenGems #WeeklyPodcast #JonSpiesman #BusinessAdvice #podcastforentrepreneurs 
Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode.