What happens when a natural-born entrepreneur with a "Pied Piper" gift for leading others transitions into corporate America? In this episode of Your Seat at the Table, hosts Mike Maddock and John Tobin talk with serial entrepreneur and technology visionary Marty Renkis.

Marty shares his incredible journey from lemonade stands and selling scrap paper as a kid to founding multiple successful tech companies — including TrainerSoft (sold to Outstart) and Smartvue (acquired by Johnson Controls). He opens up about the exhilarating highs and gut-wrenching lows of startup life, the difficult decisions that shaped his path, and the lessons learned about trust, humility, and teamwork.

Now an executive at a Fortune 150 company, Marty reflects on what it really means to lead at scale: shifting from lone visionary to empowering teams, embracing patience, and learning to whisper ideas instead of shouting them.

About the guest:
Marty Renkis is a serial entrepreneur, innovator, and executive at Johnson Controls. He has led groundbreaking work in e-learning, cloud video surveillance, and smart building technologies — holding a robust patent portfolio and scaling businesses to global impact.

About the hosts:
Mike Maddock is the founder of Flourish Advisory Boards, a public speaker, and a serial entrepreneur known for helping leaders turn big ideas into reality.

John Tobin is the co-founder and Executive President of Slalom Consulting, a global consulting firm helping organizations tackle their most ambitious projects and build cultures of trust and innovation.

Follow for more honest leadership stories and guest insights!#Leadership #Leadership #Culture #FlourishadvisoryBoards #MartyRenkis #MartinRenkis #YourSeatAtTheTable #MikeMaddock #JohnTobin

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Pull up a chair. There’s always room for your seat at the table.

In this episode of Your Seat at the Table, hosts Mike Maddock and John Tobin sit down with entrepreneur, culture expert, and author Darius Mirshahzadeh to explore a deep leadership question: how do you stay ambitious and driven without losing joy and fulfillment along the way?

Darius shares his journey as a high-achieving CEO who learned that chasing "more" doesn’t always lead to happiness — and that truly understanding what is "enough" can change your entire leadership approach.

They discuss the power of core values, learning to appreciate the present, and why so many driven leaders struggle to feel satisfied even when they "make it."

About the guest:
Darius Mirshahzadeh is a serial entrepreneur, former CEO, and author of The Core Value Equation. Named a top-rated CEO by Glassdoor, he helps leaders build core-value-driven cultures and find deeper meaning in their work and lives.

About the hosts:
Mike Maddock is the founder of Flourish Advisory Boards, a public speaker, and a serial entrepreneur known for helping leaders transform big ideas into reality.

John Tobin is the co-founder and president of Slalom Consulting, a global consulting firm helping organizations tackle their most ambitious projects and build cultures of trust and innovation.

Timestamps:
0:00 — Introduction and meeting Darius
2:15 — Why high achievers always want more
7:30 — Darius’s personal story: redefining "success" and "enough"
13:40 — How core values guide fulfillment (and business decisions)
19:20 — Balancing ambition with joy and presence
24:30 — Advice for leaders feeling restless or stuck
28:00 — Closing reflections: living a more fulfilled life

Follow for more real leadership conversations and strategies!

#Leadership #TeamCulture #Ambition #dariusMirshahzadeh #FlourishAdvisoryBoards #Slalom #YourSeatAtTheTable #MikeMaddock #JohnTobin

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tobin-a54225/
https://flourishadvisoryboards.com/
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Pull up a chair. There’s always room for your seat at the table.

In this inspiring episode, hosts Mike Maddock and John Tobin talk with Ken Sim — entrepreneur, founder of Nurse Next Door, and Mayor of Vancouver. Ken shares how his entrepreneurial mindset shaped his approach to public service and why core values like kindness, compassion, and optimism guide every big decision.

From growing a healthcare company with 16,000 employees to running one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Ken explains how to build a team you deserve, the importance of firing clients (and even half your staff) to protect values, and the lessons he’s learned navigating politics and human nature.
We explore servant leadership, sustaining optimism in difficult roles, fostering the next generation, and what it really means to leave a legacy beyond your term.

A must-listen for anyone curious about entrepreneurship, civic leadership, or leading with heart.

About the hosts:
Mike Maddock is the founder of Flourish Advisory Boards, a public speaker, and a serial entrepreneur known for helping leaders transform big ideas into reality.
John Tobin is the co-founder and president of Slalom Consulting, a global consulting firm helping organizations tackle their most ambitious projects and build a culture of innovation and trust.

Timestamps:
00:00 — Introduction to Ken Sim
02:00 — Growing up in Vancouver and early challenges
05:00 — From chartered accountant to entrepreneur
09:00 — Founding Nurse Next Door and defining core values
13:00 — Firing clients and protecting culture
17:00 — Transitioning into politics: why Ken ran for mayor
22:00 — Leading Vancouver and tackling big challenges
27:00 — Balancing quick start energy with building consensus
32:00 — Bringing core business values into government
38:00 — Addressing homelessness, Chinatown’s future, and city unity
45:00 — Sustaining optimism and self-care as a leader
52:00 — Ken’s five big goals for his time as mayor
58:00 — Advice for entrepreneurs entering politics
1:02:00 — Raising kids and showing them purpose in service
1:06:00 — Closing reflections and final gratitude

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#Leadership #DecisionMaking #QuietQuitting #ExecutiveCoaching #YourSeatAtTheTable #MikeMaddock #JohnTobin

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Pull up a chair. There’s always room for your seat at the table.

In this powerful episode of Your Seat at the Table, hosts Mike Maddock and John Tobin sit down with best-selling author, entrepreneur, and business mentor Mike Michalowicz.

Mike opens up about his dramatic journey from a financially driven entrepreneur — complete with luxury cars and big ego — to losing everything during the 2008 financial crisis. He shares how hitting rock bottom led him to rediscover his true purpose: to eradicate entrepreneurial poverty.
You’ll hear candid stories of how his daughter tried to rescue him with her piggy bank, how he wrestled with shame and perfectionism, and how these experiences fueled his iconic books, including Profit First, The Pumpkin Plan, and Clockwork.

Mike also breaks down what makes a great book, the importance of an identity shift for authors, and his philosophy of using money as a tool for service rather than self-worth.

"This episode contains some mild language."

About the guest:
Mike Michalowicz is the author of multiple best-selling business books, including Profit First, The Pumpkin Plan, Fix This Next, and more. He is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and the creator of Profit First Professionals, an organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs achieve financial health and freedom.

About the hosts:
Mike Maddock is the founder of Flourish Advisory Boards, a public speaker, and a serial entrepreneur known for helping leaders transform big ideas into reality.
John Tobin is the co-founder and president of Slalom Consulting, a global consulting firm helping organizations tackle their most ambitious projects and build a culture of innovation and trust.

Timestamps:
0:00 — Introduction and meeting Mike Michalowicz
3:00 — From starter to author: the evolution of Mike's career
8:00 — Hitting rock bottom and losing everything
15:00 — Discovering a new purpose: eradicating entrepreneurial poverty
21:00 — Writing Profit First and finding his calling
27:00 — Using books as powerful tools for service
33:00 — How identity shifts transform entrepreneurs and authors
41:00 — Money as a tool for good vs. ego-driven wealth
48:00 — Advice on writing impactful books and building community
55:00 — The ghost that drives Mike and how he keeps moving forward

Follow for more raw, honest leadership and entrepreneurship stories!

#Entrepreneurship #ProfitFirst #MikeMichalowicz #Leadership #AuthorLife #BusinessBooks #YourSeatAtTheTable #MikeMaddock #JohnTobin

🎙️ Enjoyed this conversation?
Subscribe to Your Seat at the Table for more candid discussions on leadership, growth, and the real stories behind the decisions that shape great organizations.

💬 We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments — or let us know what topics you'd like us to explore next.

👉 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@YourSeatatTheTablePodcast
👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1826002539
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👉 Connect with us:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmichaelmaddock/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tobin-a54225/
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https://www.mike-maddock.com/

Pull up a chair. There’s always room for your seat at the table.

What does it take to truly see the future — and help others act on it?

In this lively episode, hosts Mike Maddock and John Tobin sit down with Mike Bechtel, Chief Futurist at Deloitte. Mike shares his fascinating journey from ska bands to anthropology, consulting, venture capital, and teaching at Notre Dame.

They discuss the power of curiosity, why expertise can sometimes be a liability, how to stay relevant, and what it means to be a "dot connector" in a world dominated by AI.

Mike also gives us a bold (and fun!) prediction about where brain-computer interfaces could take us next.

Packed with laughs, sharp insights, and inspiring stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand what’s coming — and how to lead in times of rapid change.

About the hosts:
Mike Maddock is the founder of Flourish Advisory Boards, a public speaker, and a serial entrepreneur known for helping leaders transform big ideas into reality.
John Tobin is the co-founder and president of Slalom Consulting, a global consulting firm helping organizations tackle their most ambitious projects and build a culture of innovation and trust.

Timestamps:
00:00 — Intro and welcome to Mike Bechtel

02:00 — Growing up between a landfill and a steel mill

05:30 — From ska bands to anthropology to consulting

12:00 — Dot connectors vs. dot perfectors

18:00 — Is expertise a liability?

24:30 — Advice to the next generation

32:00 — The importance of curiosity and humility

39:00 — Staying young and relevant

47:00 — Bridging the gap between future ideas and practical action

54:00 — Teaching at Notre Dame and empowering liberal arts students

1:02:00 — Humbling career lessons and learning to care

1:12:00 — Mike’s bold prediction for the future

1:17:00 — What is Mike’s seat at the table?

1:23:00 — Final reflections and thanks

Follow for more authentic leadership stories and strategies!

#Leadership #Authenticity #Vulnerability #ExecutiveCoaching #YourSeatAtTheTable #MikeMaddock #JohnTobin

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👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1826002539
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmichaelmaddock/
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Pull up a chair. There’s always room for your seat at the table.

In this premiere episode of Your Seat at the Table, hosts Mike Maddock and John Tobin dive into the most important — and often overlooked — topic for CEOs and executive leaders: trust. Discover why choosing who to listen to is critical for growth, how to avoid dangerous "echo chambers," and what great leaders really look for in feedback. Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader, this conversation will give you actionable insights into building stronger advisory circles, asking better questions, and accelerating personal and professional growth.

About the hosts:
Mike Maddock is the founder of Flourish Advisory Boards, a public speaker, and a serial entrepreneur known for helping leaders transform big ideas into reality.
John Tobin is the co-founder and president of Slalom Consulting, a global consulting firm helping organizations tackle their most ambitious projects and build a culture of innovation and trust.

Timestamps:
00:00 — Welcome & what this podcast is all about
02:10 — Why John wanted to start the show
05:05 — Why Mike wanted to do this together
08:00 — How they see the world differently
12:15 — John’s story: building teams & attracting talent
21:00 — Mike’s story: early sparks & entrepreneurial roots
27:30 — The ghosts that drive leaders
32:50 — Pivotal feedback that changed John’s path
40:20 — The power of culture & humility
48:00 — Big decisions during crises
55:00 — Lessons learned & core values
1:04:00 — Failures we’re grateful for
1:12:00 — What to expect from future episodes
1:17:00 — Final reflections & closing

🔗 Subscribe for more leadership insights and CEO stories!

#CEO #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #YourSeatAtTheTable #MikeMaddock #JohnTobin

🎙️ Enjoyed this conversation?
Subscribe to Your Seat at the Table for more candid discussions on leadership, growth, and the real stories behind the decisions that shape great organizations.

💬 We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments — or let us know what topics you'd like us to explore next.

👉 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@YourSeatatTheTablePodcast
👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1826002539
https://open.spotify.com/show/0fDDb1gvrvsttm4nInRL8Y

👉 Connect with us:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmichaelmaddock/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tobin-a54225/
https://flourishadvisoryboards.com/
https://www.mike-maddock.com/

Pull up a chair. There’s always room for your seat at the table.